Thankful for my wife, family, friends, pets, sunshine, fresh air, soccer, brain power, burritos, high definition television, a-ha moments, science, respect, progress, connection, and much, much more.

…. and music.  Definitely music.

NOVEMBER 2013

1. Avicii | Hey Brother
2. Reef the Lost Cauze | Breaking the Chains
3. Danny Brown | 25 Bucks (feat. Purity Ring)
4. Black Milk | Interpret Sabotage (feat. Mel)
5. RJD2 | Temperamental Continue Reading

This month’s mix has more hooks than a Peter Pan audition.  All treats, no tricks.  It’s the KING SIZE candy bar on the block.  Tell grandma to take her pennies and Sunmaid raisin boxes to the Shady Pines costume party.  If she don’t, I don’t care, I’ll pull down my….you get the point.

OCTOBER 2013

1. HAIM | The Wire
2. Sleigh Bells | Young Legends
3. Cults | Keep Your Head Up
4. The Naked & Famous | Hearts Like Ours
5. Holy Ghost! | Changing Of The Guard Continue Reading

I’ve already divulged my Top Albums of 2011, but some of you might be thinking, “Hey LDD, let’s get specific.  I would really love it if you were to highlight the exact tracks that created cavalcades of emotion for you in the past year; from the boogie in yer underwear hits to the introspective think pieces that leave you tingly.”  Well lucky for you (and thanks to a recommendation from Ryan O.) I’ve done just that.  The best 1 hour, 18 minutes, and 52 seconds of music from 2011 according to some random internet guy with too much free time on his hands.

Now that it’s almost 2013, here are….

The Top Songs | 2011 Continue Reading

Now that Santa is done checking off his list, it’s time for me to do the same.  The votes have been cast (all by me) and the results are in for the Top 10 Albums of Winter 2011.  Those lucky enough to make this list then went on to contend with the veterans of my Top 40 Albums of 2011.  When all was said and done, it was a tough decision paring the list down to a Top 10 overall, but I reached deep within and summoned the strength to….oh who am I kidding, I chose the music that kept my iTunes chugging and put the biggest smile on my face.

Hopefully you have found some great music in 2011 and are as excited as I am for more to come in 2012.  Cheers to all and on to the lists!! Continue Reading

Fall is fast approaching.  Leaves are changing color and soon the branches will bare themselves for the coming of a new year.  At least that’s what I hear.  I live in San Diego, so the four seasons are the stuff of grade school textbooks.  I’ve also heard of a “water cycle”.  I think I’ve seen people riding one on a lake.  Anyway, it’s time for a top albums update. Continue Reading

Occasionally I get an email from a friend about to embark on a music festival weekend, seeking advice on what bands to check out.  I’m always flattered and usually eager (to the point that my boss should be concerned) to dive head first into the lineup and/or schedule to start curating my fantasy music experience.

Seeing as how these events are always chock-o-block with seasoned artists as well as top rookie prospects, it never hurts to have a second opinion on what acts will maximize the dollars spent on the astronomical ticket prices. Continue Reading

JULY 2011

1. Cults | Go Outside
2. The Elected | When I’m Gone
3. Black Lips | Don’t Mess Up My Baby
4. Ty Segall | Imaginary Person
5. Handsome Furs | Serve the People Continue Reading