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[img_assist|nid=1990|title=The Shins and Madison Square Garden|desc=|link=node|align=left|width=100|height=80]

I alluded to a band in a comment in my last MTM blog - their name is [The Shins](http://www.theshins.com/). This is a band that matters for sure. A unique sound and un unfinished, unpolished style make this a band to watch.

Two albums in, and they have turned my head and kept my attention. The terrific album, [*Oh, Inverted World*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh,_Inverted_World) is the poster album for new music being relevant. Each song has merit and all are unique. The difference between *Caring is Creepy* and *Girl Inform Me* is stark and strangely complimentary. Most people know The Shins from 2 tracks from this album that Zach Braff chose for his lovely film, [*Garden State*](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garden_State_%28film%29) - The aforementioned *Caring is Creepy* and another totally original track, *New Slang*. Those people who have excepted these two songs as their entire Shins collection are missing out.

I'll be the first to say that all music sucks right now. I've said it before on these very pages and will continue to. But since making a statement like that, I have come to discover that I am wrong. I will revise to statement to state: Almost all music sucks right now.

My first blog about music that doesn't suck will revolve around [Radiohead](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radiohead).

I never bought a Radiohead album, even though others had told me I was foolish for leaving them out of my collection. This changed in the past two weeks. I bought [OK Computer](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ok_Computer) and [Kid A](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kid_A). These albums are 5 star quality! They both tell the tale of a visionary rock band that seems at times to be overshadowed by others but also seems to come out clean on the other side of longevity. Commercial success has not abandoned them, which is why they sell out Madison Square Garden everytime they tour, but they are an enigma.

Syd Barrett, a music legend who was driven somewhat mad by it, passed away this week. He was 60 years old.

A founder of the rock band Pink Floyd, Barrett's guitar was a major piece of the early Pink Floyd sound.

>The singer and guitarist, born Roger Keith Barrett on January 6, 1946, founded the band in 1965 with Roger Waters, Nick Mason and Richard Wright. His songs were odd and charming combinations of childlike lyrics and swirling melodies, often augmented with strange arrangements. The titles alluded to space, the occult and sometimes nonsense: "Astronomy Domine," "Lucifer Sam," "Chapter 24."

Today is a good day. Not only is it a nice day that I got to sleep in a bit (and had a chance to blog about it), but I just picked up the remastered re-issue of [David Byrne](http://www.davidbyrne.com/) and [Brian Eno](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Eno)'s record [My Life in the Bush of Ghosts](http://www.bush-of-ghosts.com/) from Music Matters here in Park Slope. Now, this record was originally released in 1981, and even though I loved me some Talking Heads I did not discover this record until I was in college. A good friend of mine who was also our RA on our dorm floor had it, and slapped me upside the head with its beauty.

I love me some [Natalie Portman](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000204/). Sure, she made those horrible Star Wars films, but she also made *Closer*, *Garden State* and the upcoming *V For Vendetta*.

As it turns out, she's a pretty awesome rapper too! Eat your heart out Flav!

[Yo! Natalie Portman Raps!](http://youtube.com/watch?v=tQ7bJQGlfJY&search=SNL%20DIGITAL%20SHORT%20NA...)

I have build my new website. It's about my music, lyrics, and poems. It took a long time to build this. Now, I'm happy that I can express what I want thru the Internet as an artist. I hope you guys enjoy it.

Musical Romito

I'm open to suggestions and criticism.  

For months, I had waited patiently for the "Seeker of Thyn Gems" to visit my state. Last night, as I sat with sweat gathering about my temples and elbows, surrounded by cigarette smoke, musty used books, and empty bottles of PBR, my wish came true! Leslie & the LY's held a concert at the NightLight/Skylight Exchange in Chapel Hill, NC. More performance art than concert, it was nonetheless quite an entertaining audio-visual smorgasbord.

I'm so jealous of Londoners. Four of Pink Floyd's original members will re-unite for the Live8 concert in London to open eyes to African aid:

>Guitarist David Gilmour, drummer Nick Mason and keyboard player Richard Wright will be on stage with bassist Roger Waters for their first public performance since they played at London's Earls Court in 1981.

>"Like most people I want to do everything I can to persuade the G8 leaders to make huge commitments to the relief of poverty and increased aid to the third world," said Gilmour.

>"Any squabbles Roger and the band have had in the past are so petty in this context, and if reforming for this concert will help focus attention then it's got to be worthwhile."

[CNN](http://www.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/12/pink.floyd.reut/index.html)