Your Moment of Zen

Zencast #15 (The Indie Cast - B)

Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:24:00 GMT

Being the attention whore that I am, I looked at the stats for all of my podcasts and found that the most successful one, based on listener downloads, was the so called "Indie Cast" I did about 5 months ago. So I threw together some random new indie rock and ,VOILA!, a podcast was born. Hidden gems here include the latest from MOGWAI and THE AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT as well as a great new single from RA RA RIOT. Enjoy these 49 minutes of fun and, as always, feedback is appreciated.

Tracklisting

Mogwai -- The Sun Smells Too Loud

Working For A Nuclear Free City -- Kingdom

The Airborne Toxic Event -- Sometime Around Midnight

A Classic Education -- Badlands and Owls

Anthem In -- Down

Cerulean -- Quiet Release

Alexi Murdoch -- Home

Lackthereof -- Last November

The Little Ones -- Boracay

Ra Ra Riot -- Dying is Fine

Zencast #14 (Songs from The Wife's iPod)

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 00:54:00 GMT

Normally acts of undying affection are best saved when one is in trouble. The entire florist's industry is built upon the maxim that it's better to arm yourself with something pretty when apologizing. Many men have spent countless hours scurrying around malls searching for the gift that will get you out of the doghouse. But sometimes it's nice just to show appreciation without a need to remove guilt or suspicion from what you might have done. I SWEAR THIS IS THE CASE HERE!!

My wife has a unique taste when it comes to music. She loves Country and Classic rock (Eagles, Jimmy Buffett). She has cornered the market on mopey, chick rock/folk and girl electro-pop. But every once and awhile, she stumbles across some truly extraordinary music. So I thought I would take a break from my own personal quest to expose the world to quality music to give you a glimpse into her musical catalogue. Enjoy...

Tracklisting

1) Jimmy Buffett -- The Wino and I Know

2) The La's -- There She Goes

3) Third Eye Blind -- The Background

4) Jesus Wore Dickies -- Ant Farms

5) Pet Shop Boys -- Home and Dry

6) Sarah Harmer -- Lodestar

7) The Little Ones -- Lovers Who Uncover

8) Azure Ray -- Rise

9) Kaiser Cartel -- Before

10) Maria Taylor -- A Good Start

11) Tara MacLean -- Dry Land

12) Yann Tiersen -- L'Autre Valse D'Amelie

13) Tori Amos -- Tear In Your Hand

Zencast #13 (The Electro Pop Cast)

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 20:37:00 GMT

Anyone who has ever lived in California knows that when the calender hits late June the temperature goes through the roof. Lately it has been about 104 degrees here in Pasadena with little sign of relief in site. What does this have to do with 80's and 90's electro pop you ask? Well, nothing but I have to bitch to someone and you'll do.

Anyway, this particular podcast was born from my profound love of electronic pop music. I grew up on this stuff so it was only a matter of time before I slapped a playlist together. Although not a definitive collection to be sure I think it does a good job of representing the genre with the highlights here being probably the Camouflage track and the hidden gem by B Movie.

Enjoy!

Tracklisting

1) Depeche Mode -- Enjoy The Silence
2) Pet Shop Boys -- Domino Dancing
3) OMD -- Enola Gay
4) Cause and Effect -- It's Over Now
5) Moev -- Capital Heaven
6) Manufacture -- As The End Draws Near
7) Camouflage -- That Smiling Face
8) Red Flag -- Russian Radio
9) B Movie -- Remembrance Day
10) Erasure -- Drama!

Zencast #12 (The Stress Cast)

Mon, 12 May 2008 06:14:00 GMT

So I have been under a tremendous amount of stress lately. Work has piled up on me to the point where all I see is endless amounts of paper everywhere I turn. Normally stress doesn't really bother me (I am usually able to combat the feelings with my ADD like ability to multitask) but this last week hit me really hard. Getting up earlier than normal, going to bed later than I ought to and not eating very well certainly aren't helping. So this playlist was initially created to help me deal with this week's stress. As it turned out it made a pretty good podcast so here it is...

Tracklisting

1) The Pixies - Umass

2) ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - The Rest Will Follow

3) Superchunk - The First Part

4) Superchunk - Hyper Enough

5) The Arcade Fire -- Keep The Car Running

6) Pavement -- Elevate Me Later

7) Desaparaceidos -- Greater Omaha

8) Fugazi - Cassavetes

9) The Betes Noires -- Black Blue Ink

10) Yo La Tengo - From A Motel 6

Zencast #11 (The New Cast)

Tue, 8 Apr 2008 05:27:00 GMT

So it has been ages since I did a podcast so I thought I would focus this episode on new material that is coming out (or has recently come out) for the 2008 year. Lots of highlights here, including a track from the new REM CD (which I will review in full later this week). Also of note is the new song from DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE, which will probably be the biggest record that will hit the blogosphere this year. So sit back, relax and check out what's in store for the new year.

Tracklisting

REM -- Until the Day is Done

Counting Crows -- Hanging Tree

Death Cab For Cutie -- I Will Possess Your Heart

Tokyo Police Club -- Juno

The Charlatans -- Missing Beats (for a Generation)

Portishead -- Machine Gun

The Breeders -- Bang On

Black Francis -- I Sent Away

Billy Bragg -- O Freedom (thanks to Song, By Toad for this one)

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds -- Lie Down (And Be My Girl)

Zencast #10 (Gazing at my Shoes)

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:46:00 GMT

The shoegazer movement of the 1990's was the UK answer to the Grunge scene in America. Both broke around the same time and both contained artists that were original followed by a lot of imitators who took the scene more seriously than the music. Those early bands, MY BLOODY VALENTINE, THE JESUS AND MARY CHAIN and RIDE (pictured) set a tone and feel with their sound. They weren't interested in theatrics or flashy stage shows, just playing music that they felt passionately about. They all set out with the intent of pushing the boundaries of what guitar based music should sound like. Although most of these bands had critical success here in the States, many of them failed to make any commercial dent. Most bands today seem to shy away from this sound, opting for a more radio friendly mix of rock and pop that plays well in car commercials, which only seems to reinforce the unique nature of what these bands were doing. This podcast is just a small sample...

(mp3) Zencast #10 -- Gazing at My Shoes

Tracklisting

My Bloody Valentine -- Soft As Snow (But Warm Inside)

My Bloody Valentine -- Only Shallow

Ride -- Leave Them All Behind

Sonic Youth -- Dirty Boots

Spacemen 3 -- Take Me To The Other Side (Live)

Swervedriver -- Rave Down

Th' Faith Healers UK -- This Time

Slowdive -- Some Velvet Morning

Snowpony -- Easy Way Down

Catherine Wheel -- Salt

m83 -- A Guitar and a Heart

p.s. here is a site with a great live show by RIDE from Italy in 1992. I think it's a great example of this style of music played live.

Zencast #9 (The Indie Cast)

Sat, 2 Feb 2008 07:05:00 GMT

I'm not entirely sure I like the end product of this particular Zencast. I had high hopes a week ago for a new podcast; I felt good and I had a clear idea in mind of what I wanted to do. Then I sprained my ankle playing basketball and spent the better part of a week hobbling around in pain (putting me in a less than festive mood). So I held off doing a podcast till I felt better. Then I changed the playlist about three times depending on my mood for the day until I settled on this line up. The feel is somewhat indie rock (which is rapidly becoming the most overused tag line for music ever) but I think the songs are really top notch. As for my contribution, well, you be the judge...

Tracklisting

Matt Pond PA -- Last Light

Chris Walla -- Geometry &c.

Band of Susans -- Not In The Life

The Killingtons -- Destination Failure

Chin Up Chin Up -- The Architect Has A Gun

Emily Falls -- Carnation

Aeon Spoke -- No Answers

Iron Hero -- Spy Versus Spy

Rogue Wave -- Harmonium

The Stratford 4 -- Autopilot

Voxtrot -- Blood Red Blood

Zencast #8 (The Random Cast)

Tue, 8 Jan 2008 02:37:00 GMT

So I hadn't done a podcast in awhile and with the ridiculously crappy weather lately, staying indoors a putting together playlists is as good a way to pass the time as any. So there isn't really any real binding theme to this one, just 50 minutes of quality music. For those of you are are curious I tend to record these late at night after the wife and kids have gone to bed, which would explain the somewhat laid back, quiet tone in my voice. Normally I'm a pretty animated guy but for some reason when I get in front of a mic I become someone who is auditioning for NPR. I guess the next one I'll try to overload on caffeine before I start recording.

Tracklisting

1. The National -- Squalor Victoria

2. Nada Surf -- See These Bones

3. The Grants -- I Am The One (thanks Ed at 17 Seconds for this)

4. The Church -- Reptile

5. Starky -- Hey Bang Bang

6. Oranger -- Crooked In The Weird Of The Catacombs

7. Cold War Kids -- Hospital Beds

8. Midlake -- Roscoe

9. The Frames -- Dream Awake

10. Eddie Vedder -- Hard Sun

Zencast #7 (Acoustically Speaking)

Sat, 15 Sep 2007 05:17:00 GMT

This episode of the Your Moment of Zen zencast is dedicated to the acoustic guitar in all its glory. A long time ago I bought an acoustic guitar, back when I still entertained notions of rock stardom (or at least coffee house anonymity) and tried to learn to play. But unlike Bryan Adams, I did not play till my fingers bled, and therefore did not master the instrument. Today it sits quietly in the hallway, mocking me and what might have been. So in honor of my unplayed acoustic guitar I bring your Episode lucky #7...

Tracklisting

1. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova -- Falling Slowly

2. Joseph Arthur -- Honey and the Moon

3. Billy Bragg -- Northern Industrial Town

4. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club -- Complicated Situation

5. Bright Eyes -- From A Balance Beam

6. Cat Stevens -- Moonshadow

7. Coldplay -- Till Kingdom Come

8. Goo Goo Dolls -- Acoustic #3

9. Josh Ritter -- Snow is Gone (Live)

10. The Hereafter -- Eulogy

Zencast #6 (Music From The Left Of Center)

Sat, 1 Sep 2007 19:45:00 GMT

I have tried to stay away from politics on this blog. I like to find lighter things to speak of but with my brother about to be deployed to Iraq sometime in the next few months I seem to be thinking about heavier things lately. So I compiled this podcast with songs that have a message about either war or revolution. I have no real political statement to make but I do feel that we have to take a hard look at what we are doing in the Middle East and why we are there. So here are songs that make a statement and ask questions about America's place in the world.

Tracklisting

1. Husker Du -- Makes No Sense At All

2. Billy Bragg -- Price Of Oil

3. Pearl Jam -- Army Reserve

4. Micheal Franti and Spearhead -- Yell Fire!

5. REM -- Orange Crush

6. Rage Against The Machine -- Killing In The Name Of (Live)

7. Son Volt -- Jet Pilot

8. Warren Zevon -- The Envoy

9. Joe Strummer -- Redemption Song

Zencast #5 (Songs For People I've Lost Touch With)

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 05:46:00 GMT

Music can transport you to some truly amazing places. It can also remind us of fond memories that we have long since forgotten, repressed or otherwise chose to ignore. Such is the theme of the latest podcast. I was taking a short trip down memory lane to when I was DJ at a college station in San Bernardino, CA. We had virtually no signal, about 3 listeners on average and no real format or direction but man we did some truly amazing stuff. There was a core of people who I worked with for those years at both the radio and TV sides of things that I truly enjoyed hanging with. These times came rushing back at me recently and I thought of some music that was reminiscent of those years. So I hope you enjoy this episode...

Tracklisting

1. Boy Eats Drum Machine -- From An Oregon Coast
2. The Perishers -- My Heart

3. The Dead Kennedys -- Holiday In Cambodia (added bonus, my wife love this song, which is one reason she is one of the truly cool people in the world.)

4. Fugazi -- Cassavetes

5. The Stone Roses -- Elefant Stone

6. James -- P.S.

7. The Devlins -- Everything Comes Around

8. Dead Can Dance -- American Dreaming

9. Matt Nathanson -- You're Smiling

10. Toad The Wet Sprocket -- Fly From Heaven

Zencast #4 (The British are Coming)

jonlyons@earthlink.net — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 13:35:00 GMT

So I've switched over to a new podcast server and cleaned up the method of recording to try and make it better. Hopefully the changes will help. I was in a very British frame of mind when I recorded this so hopefully it's your cup of tea as well. I know that Death Cab, Aberdeen and Rogue Wave aren't British but they certainly are trying really hard to mimic that sound, so don't give me any crap about it OK?

Anyway, enjoy

Tracklisting

Aberdeen -- Sink or Float

The Smiths -- A Rush And A Push And The Land Is Ours

The Editors -- The Weight Of The World

The Klaxons -- Golden Skans

Blur -- She's So High

Elastica -- Waking Up

Death Cab For Cutie -- This Charming Man

Rogue Wave - Seconds