Imagine that you were hiking all day in the thickest of forests and the deepest of backwoods and, at dusk, you tiredly stumbled upon a clearing. You set up camp and gather some firewood. As you sit to rest and eat the freeze-dried food you've brought, the sky opens up and it stars to rain and your blazing fire is extinguished. What kindling and logs you have left are soaked. What to do now? So you do what any rational person would do. You throw a little of the dry Coldplay you have left and some of The Strokes on to the fire to get it started again. After the fire is lit, all is good and you sleep soundly. Upon waking the next morning the fire's smoldering embers are puffing out clouds of smoke that look something like Devendra Banhart's beard on Elton John's face. Yeah Julius Airwave sounds something like that.

MP3 | Julius Airwave - Appley The City The Forest
MP3 | Julius Airwave - Nannerl The City The Forest

One of my favorite new (to me at least) bands is Chicago's very own May Or May Not. They play infectious indie pop that is just makes me wanna get up and dance. The formula isn't complicated but the band executes perfectly. Their latest release the Bike EP is full of breezy and catchy guitar pop accented by buoyant backing vocals (woo hoo), sparkling keys, and interjections from a horn section. This music makes me wish it was 80 degrees and sunny right now. Pick up a copy of the EP now from CD Baby.

Even better (for all you Chicagoans) head out to Metro this Thursday night (that's the March 1st) to catch the band live with Dialogue, Sleep Out, and Rollo Tomasi. it is an 18+ show but is free before 9PM and only six bucks after that. I'll be there.

Additionally, we are kicking off a new feature here on Can You See The Sunset... called Eat To The Beat with the awesomeness that is May Or May Not. "What's it all about," you ask. We'll we are asking some of our favorite bands to submit a recipe and a song. Pretty simple. Here is the band's recipe.

May Or May Nachos

1 lb ground beef
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 (16 ounce) can refried black beans
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 large bag of tortilla chips (El Ranchero chips in the green bag are best)
1 small bag Cheetos (use Flamin' Hot Cheetos for added spice)
6 green onions (sliced)
1 small can sliced olives
1 fresh jalapeno pepper (sliced)
1 tomato (diced)
1/4 head of iceberg lettuce (shredded)
Salsa
Sour Cream (buy light to cancel out the rest of the fat)
Guacamole
Negra Modelo (optional)
Patron Silver (optional)

Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees. In a large frying pan, brown ground beef over medium heat. Drink a Negra Modelo with your free hand. Break the meat into very small pieces while it is cooking. Drain grease. Add taco seasoning according to taco seasoning instructions.

Using a cookie sheet lined with non-stick aluminum foil spread a base of refried beans about 1/4 inch thick. Then add a layer of ground beef... be thorough. Crush Cheetos to a fine powder (keep in bag while crushing to avoid covering fingers in delicious cheese powder). Spread Cheetos bits evenly on top of beef layer.

Next arrange a tower of chips, taking care to dispense layers of cheddar cheese, tomatoes and olives intermittently throughout the tower. Place in oven and bake for about 10-12 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Have another beer while you wait, with a chilled shot of Patron Silver on the side.

Remove from oven and garnish with lettuce, jalapenos, salsa, sour cream and guacamole. Eat immediately, alternating bites of nachos with swigs of Negra Modelo. Take a bath. Go to bed in shame.

MP3 | May Or May Not - Work By Nine Bike EP
MP3 | May Or May Not - Drown In The Sun Bike EP

One of these is the original from Def Leppard's 1987 classic Hysteria. I can even remember it having the #1 spot on the MTV top ten coundtown way before TRL was even invented. The other is a markedly different reworking from modern day pop songstress Emm Gryner. And as fond of the original as I am, I think the reworking is actually pretty good too.

MP3 | Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar On Me Hysteria
MP3 | Emm Gryner - Pour Some Sugar On Me Girl Versions

Despite a majority of these tunes being all over the internet already, this is what we've been listening to lately...

MP3 | The Arcade Fire - Intervention
MP3 | Regina Spektor - Fidelity
MP3 | Maximo Park - Our Velocity
MP3 | Klaxons - My Love (Justin Timberlake Cover)
MP3 | Modest Mouse - Florida
MP3 | Peter Bjorn & John - Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard (Paul Simon Cover)
MP3 | Feist - My Moon, My Man
MP3 | Denison Witmer - Northern Sky (Nick Drake Cover)

It is rare that I am this responsive. I got an email from a reader yesterday who kindly suggested that I check out the music of James Eric Laczkowski. So I did. He is a singer/songwriter from right here in Chicago that has received some attention for his cover songs, but his original material is pretty good as well. It is fairly eclectic for singer/songwriter fare and that is a good thing.

Did I mention that he has virtually all his recorded material available for free download at his site? 4 albums, B-sides, and cover songs that have to total well over 150 songs. Definately worth checking out and recommended for fans of just about anything.

MP3 | James Eric - Emma Lee
MP3 | James Eric - Fragile Heart
MP3 | James Eric - God Only Knows (Beach Boys Cover)
MP3 | James Eric - More Than This (Roxy Music Cover)
MP3 | James Eric - Spiders (Wilco Cover)
MP3 | James Eric - Where Is My Mind (The Pixies Cover)
MP3 | James Eric - Regret (New Order Cover)
MP3 | James Eric - Sexyback (Justin Timberlake Cover)
MP3 | James Eric - New Madrid (Uncle Tupelo Cover)
MP3 | James Eric - There Is A Light... (The Smiths Cover)

Cale Parks is the shit. The shit. He is also the drummer and percussionist of the band Aloha. He also plays piano and vibraphone for the band and has (additionally) performed with Cex, Chin Up Chin Up, Joan of Arc, Love of Everything, Owen, and Pit Er Pat. If you've read this blog over the past few months, you'd probably know that the last Aloha album Some Echoes is a CYSTSFTS fave. I liked that record so much that I recently sought out the latest solo album from Mr. Cale Parks.

His solo album Illuminated Manuscript was released this past summer on the consistently great Polyvinyl Records. It is a calming combination of experimental and atmospheric tones derived from electronic sources as well as drums, keys, and vibes. It is (at times) an almost hypnotizing affair that is a great compliment for Aloha's more upbeat and pop-conscious songs. Have a listen.

MP3 | Cale Parks - Halls Of Avalon Illuminated Manuscript
MP3 | Cale Parks - Fearsome Opponent Illuminated Manuscript

I'll be the first person to admit that I don't really know a lot about hip-hop and rap. Whatever. What I do know (however) is that former Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah's 2006 album Fishscale is pretty damn phenomenal. If you haven't had a chance to hear this album yet, do yourself a favor and listen. If I'd actually heard this album before I posted my best of 2006 list, you can bet this would have been on it.

PS: The OC is over. I'm kinda sad about that.

MP3 | Ghostface Killah - The Champ Fishscale
MP3 | Ghostface Killah - Shakey Dog Fishscale

How about some bluegrass y'all? The Infamous Stringdusters are a six-piece bluegrass band that now calls Nashville home. They can deftly tear up their instruments with warp speed pickin' but can just as easily also slow it down get get all melodic on yer ass. I think the band actually shines brighter on the slower numbers, but hey...

Their latest album Fork In The Road is drum-free bluegrass with the usual assortment of dobro, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, banjo, and bass. The difference here is that these guys can f&*$kin' play. Go grab some whiskey and have a drink because this is roots music of the finest quality. You'll be tapping your toes, stomping your feet, and humming these tunes for days. Fork In The Road is out now on Sugar Hill Records.

MP3 | The Infamous Stringdusters - Poor Boy's Delight Fork In The Road
MP3 | The Infamous Stringdusters - No Resolution Fork In The Road

Do you like rock and roll? You know, dirty garage rock that oozes raw combustibility. If that's the case, you might like this band. Kill Gordon hails from the ATL and knows how to rock. It is also pretty obvious that frontman Kyle Gordon would probably name The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, and The Who as big influences. And while the band is a little rough around the edges and sometimes unfocused, they make up for that tenfold in heart.

Their self-titled album is full of (mostly) mid-tempo rockers with a few acoustic songs sprinkled throughout that recall the MC5 and The Stooges but that aren't breaking any new musical ground. Despite some killer riffs and lock-step grooves, Kill Gordon doesn't often enough (IMHO) put the pedal to the metal and tear through their material with reckless abandon. And while I can only imagine that the band ratchets up the tempo in a live setting, the album just seems a little too safe. Yeah its good, but what if they turned it up to eleven?

MP3 | Kill Gordon - In The Know S/T
MP3 | Kill Gordon - Merith S/T

Five Foot Nine is a new project from Chicago's Michael Hushel. This six-piece group has a new self-titled album that is full of charming pop songs that reference everything from the jangly guitars of the Blake Babies to the cool jazz sounds of The Sea and Cake. From the guy/girl harmonies reminiscent of 10,000 Maniacs to the vocal styling and world beat of Peter Gabriel there is something for just about everyone here. The music isn't overly indie yet manages to somehow float just below mainstream alterna rock.

Perhaps it is the vast array of instrumentation such as trumpet, trombone, sax, synths, cello, organ, and sitar that makes Five Foot Nine sound (at times) almost like a more restrained, concise, and pop-oriented Poi Dog. Heck, they even have pedal steel contributions from Ken Champion of Smog/Jim O'Rourke fame.

The band's eclectic pop sound is easy on the ears and their self-titled album can be purchased here or here.

MP3 | Five Foot Nine - Back To The Tunnels S/T
MP3 | Five Foot Nine - Jardin Du Luxembourg S/T

This week has been an emotional roller coaster ride for me. I got a promotion at work earlier this week, I finish my classes (for good) tomorrow, and while many people are celebrating today, my family is mourning.

My grandfather passed away early this morning and although he was in the hospital, it was unexpected. I'm not really good with this sort of thing and I know that my words will never do justice to his life, but fuck it. He was an incredible man that, among other things, raised five children and spent as much time as possible with his grandchildren and (recently) with his only great-grandchild, my daughter Hailey.

Everyone that knew my grandfather loved him. He had a great smile and, just like my little Hailey does, he smiled with his eyes. He was sick early last year but recovered well. We spent what (for us) seemed like a lot of time with him last year. There were birthday celebrations, our summer trip to the Northwoods, my brother's wedding, and Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, and regrettably so, we missed seeing him over the Holidays. I am sorry about that.

It is a situation like this that makes a person appreciate life a little more. I have many fond memories of my grandfather. As a child I remember his garden in the backyard. I remember climbing the apple trees and the maple tree. I remember the Easter egg hunts both inside and outdoors when the weather permitted. I remember (from only a few years ago) driving up to DeKalb to see a few NIU football games with him. It was great. As a former teacher and administrator for the university and a huge fan of the Huskies, he really enjoyed it. I did too.

I miss my grandfather. We all do.

MP3 | Ben Folds - Fred Jones, Part 2 Rockin' The Suburbs

I know that just about every music blog out there has posted about The Broken West. Formerly known as (and thankfully so) The Brokedown, this LA based band has followed up last year's stellar Dutchman's Gold EP with their newly released full-length I Can't Go On, I'll Go On.

Although the band isn't breaking any new ground, their sound isn't exactly derivative. The album is filled with infectious and near-perfect power-pop tunes complete with glistening vocal harmonies, jangling guitars, and just enough subtle twang to let you know they aren't necessarily city boys. Modern day California pop for the masses, the music references everything from classics like The Byrds and The Eagles to modern stuff like A.C. Newman and Matthew Sweet. It shimmers like the golden dusty sunset that their name now implies.

Pick up I Can't Go On, I'll Go On from Merge Records. If you like these tracks, you can find more like 'em on the Hype Machine.

MP3 | The Broken West - Down In The Valley I Can't Go On...
MP3 | The Broken West - Slow I Can't Go On...

**Hey everybody! I finally convinced my wife Amy to write something for this here site. You should say hello.**

The Queers have a new DVD called The Queers Are Here that will be released on 2/20/07. I have been a fan of The Queers since about 1995. These guys are fast, raw, straight-up punk rock. I fell in love with them around age 17 and even though I am now 29, they can still make me bop my head and sing along. This DVD is a great way to celebrate the queers last 20+ years...and they're still going strong. Joe King has always stood by his punk rock morals and I have to respect him for that. He's been around the block and continued doing what he loves, without, "Oh no!" "Selling out!" It doesn't get any better than this kids.

Go pick up a copy of The Queers Are Here when it is released by MVD Video and enjoy the two classic Queers tracks below.

MP3 | The Queers - Fuck This World Love Songs For The Retarded
MP3 | The Queers - I Met Her At The Rat Grow Up

By far the coolest iPod accessory I have is the Kenpo iPod jacket. It allows an iPod (once connected) to remain safely tucked away in a special inside pocket while iPod controls on the left sleeve let you change songs, volume, etc... without having to open your jacket. It is awesome.



Do you want a chance to win one of these jackets? Keep reading to find out how.

Kenpo is a Los Angeles based fashion company and they make a bunch of different iPod jackets in both mens and womens styles that include fleece jackets, ski/snowboard jackets, and lightweight mesh jackets. It might sound gimmicky, but (believe me) its not. I've been testing the jacket for over a month now and it works flawlessly. The jacket's touch pad controls are integrated into the fabric of the left sleeve and requires no batteries or wires. (Yes smartass) there is a wire to connect your iPod to the jacket, but it is small and remains inside the the special interior pocket. The jacket worked seamlessly with my iPod photo.



The jackets themselves are very high quality garments that are warm, weather-resistant, and stylish. Is is fashion and function elegantly integrated together. I must admit that they look way better in real life than they did in the photos or on the website.

These Kenpo jackets are a perfect (and practical) solution for snowboarders or other people that want to listen to their iPods without pulling them out of their jackets all the time. The control pad works perfectly in the cold and even with gloves on. Only something this cool can keep your digits warm when you want to change songs during your long chairlift ride up the mountain.



Basically, I love my Kenpo iPod jacket and think it is a great looking product that integrates technology and fashion to make a product that is practical but also looks good. You can shop for Kenpo jackets here, but you can have a chance to win a Kenpo iPod jacket by leaving a comment with your name and email address. One winner will be randomly selected next Saturday, February 17th.

It's a beautiful and sunny (but cold) Saturday morning here in Chicagoland and things are generally great. I've got hot coffee, fresh (homemade) blueberry Belgian waffles, and a mimosa. I'm done with school next week and things at work are looking way up. My 15 month old daughter has a vocabulary of over 40 words and a feisty little personality. She is (however) the sweetest child ever. EVER!

Here is a little Saturday morning playlist courtesy of my wife's iPod (but tweaked by me a little). Enjoy your morning and I'll do the same.

01. Kings Of Convenience - Cayman Islands Riot On An Empty Street
02. Jets To Brazil - You're The One I Want Perfecting Loneliness
03. Screeching Weasel - Thrift Store Girl Anthem For A New Tomorrow
04. The Shins - Australia Wincing The Night Away
05. The Weakerthans - Plea From A Cat Named Virtue Reconstruction Site
06. Iron & Wine - Radio War Our Endless Numbered Days
07. Page France - Chariot Hello, Dear Wind
08. Cake - Walk On By Prolonging The Magic
09. Wilco - Nothingsevergonnastandinmyway Summerteeth
10. The Dismemberment Plan - Ellen & Ben Change

My brother got married last fall and we briefly discussed the idea of going to see Backyard Tire Fire after the reception. That was until our significant others got wind of it and we had too much to drink. From what I've heard on last year's EP and now their new full-length, I can only guess that we missed a helluva show.

Hailed by some as Illinois' premier rock trio, the band dishes out twang-inflected bluesy Southern rock that will knock your socks off. Their new album Vagabonds And Hooligans draws on sounds ranging from Wilco to The Black Crowes, Blind Melon to Led Zeppelin and everything in between, these guys certainly flex their musical muscle. With chops enough to rip through ballsy blues rockers like "Downtime" and enough melodic prowess to navigate grandiose pop excursions like the six minute plus "Corinne."

Get Vagabonds And Hooligans here and go see the band (as I imagine they do) tear up the stage this Spring as they play shows with the likes of William Elliott Whitmore, Allman Brothers, Mofro, Nickel Creek, Alejandro Escovedo, and more.

In fact the band's record release show is next Saturday, February 17th at Chicago's Double Door with special guests Jay Bennett (ex-Wilco) and Iowa City's Death Ships. If you are interested in tickets to this show drop me a line.

MP3 | Backyard Tire Fire - Corinne Vagabonds And Hooligans
MP3 | Backyard Tire Fire - Downtime Vagabonds And Hooligans

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Lifetime is one of my favorite bands and this here blog is a reference to a quote from The Outsiders and (more specifically) to its inclusion in the Lifetime song "Ostrichsized" from their album Hello Bastards. I was excited when the band reunited last year and seeing them live made me feel like I was 17 again.

I was also extremely excited to learn that the band was working on a new full-length album, which (not coincidentally) was released yesterday. My first reaction to the band's signing with Pete Wentz's Decaydance label was that it was a bad move and that somehow Fall Out Boy's suckage would infect the new Lifetime record. I'm happy to report that it didn't. This album marks the triumphant return of New Jersey's legendary Lifetime.

Lifetime is full of melodic hardcore (okay lets just call it pop-punk) that is more melodic than it is hardcore. Its not a significant change from their earlier material, but on my first listen all I noticed were the differences. Ari's vocals are more prominent in the mix and are a bit "smoother" than on Lifetime's previous releases and (yes) it is a bit poppier. I guess I just wanted Lifetime circa 1997 to just reappear.

After a few more listens I realized that there was almost no way that this album was going to match what Jersey's Best Dancers and Hello Bastards have become to fans. Listening to those albums for over ten years now, I have all sorts of emotional ties to those songs that I don't have with this new record. That kind of love and reverence takes time to grow. Lifetime is still fast and furious and snotty and romantic. It is familiar but the band has aged (just as we all have) and I think it shows.

Some "punks" are crying sellout and saying the band did it for the money, but I think it is highly unlikely that we'll see them on MTV anytime soon. Whatever the motive, I'm selfishly loving every minute of this. Do yourself a favor and buy this album today.

MP3 | Lifetime - Haircuts & T-Shirts S/T
MP3 | Lifetime - All Night Long S/T

GO BEARS! Have a listen to three of the verses from the Super Bowl Rumble parody song courtesy of ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago. It seems like virtually everyone is picking against the Bears today. ESPN even did a poll that proves it. Oh yeah, all the ESPN analysts picked New Orleans to beat the Bears two weeks ago as well.

Just adding fuel to the fire.

***REVISION: Evidently there was a good reason everyone picked the Colts to win the game. I guess I just had blinders on. Oh well, we've got next year.***

MP3 | Super Bowl Rumble (Rex Grossman Verse)
MP3 | Super Bowl Rumble (Brian Urlacher Verse)
MP3 | Super Bowl Rumble (Devin Hester Verse)

This morning a Gary, Indiana kindergarten teacher explained to her class that she was an Indianapolis Colts fan. She asked her students to raise their hands if they were Colts fans, too.

Not really knowing what a Colts fan was, but wanting to be liked by their teacher, their hands flew into the air. Little Hailey, however, didn't go along with the crowd. The teacher asked her why she decided to be different.

"Because I'm not a Colts fan" she stated.

"Then," asked the teacher, "what are you?"

"I'm a Chicago Bears fan," bragged the little girl. The teacher asked Hailey why she was a Bears fan.

"Well, my Dad and Mom are Bears fans, so I'm a Bears fan, too" she responded.

"That's no reason," the teacher said. "What if your mom was a moron and your dad was an idiot. What would you be then?"

Hailey smiled and said, "Then I'd be a Colts fan."

The only thing anyone at work was talking about today was Da Bears. I'm so sick of hearing Peyton Manning this and that. Its time to play the game. By this time on Sunday, the team will be well on its way to kicking some Colts a$$. Bears. Since I've already posted The Super Bowl Shuffle, here are a few more Bears songs to get you pumped up for the big game.

Oh yeah, I'm also glad that Rex is our funky QB and not the guy pictured above.

MP3 | Common & Kanye West - Southside Superbowl
MP3 | Chicago Symphony Orchestra - Bear Down Chicago Bears
MP3 | Big Hit Buda - We Da Bears
MP3 | Mac, Jurko, & Harry - Briggs & Urlacher