The 4th of July has always been a big deal and I guess it is to all us Americans.
No matter what age or political beliefs the 4th is our holiday to embrace our culture and lifestyle.

When I think of this day I always associate it with memories of bonfires on the beach and the obligatory viewing of a fireworks display with family and friends. Ok when we were younger we did the family thing first then I would walk down the beach with my older brother and cousin to drink beer and undoubtedly get into trouble.
Weather it was getting busted for drinking by my Dad or getting chased through the dunes by cops, our night was bound to end one way or the other.

These days things are a bit different although I live close to the beach I have not been to a bonfire in many years and the only fireworks displays I've seen lately have been from a great distance. Mostly due to having young children and knowing there limits. However that's all about to change my boys are at the age where this might actually be enjoyable. We will be attending our local parade and fireworks display and joining the masses who flock to our town for this 4th of July.

It's funny how things can change but really stay the same.

So to cousin Jeff, brother Scott, and to everyone else Happy Independence Day. May you elude the trappings of the man and try not blow a limb off with an explosive.
Enjoy your celebrations and above all be safe.

Lastly because I seem to bring music into all aspects of life here's something I came up with off the cuff.

The Independence Day Mix Tape
1. 4th of July - X (obvious choice but still a great song)
2. You're Hand in Mine - Explosions in the Sky
3. A Salty Salute - Guided by Voices
4. Summer Teeth - Wilco
5. Indendence Day - Elliott Smith
6. The National Anthem - Radiohead
7. See America Right - The Mountain Goats
8. It's Summertime - The Flaming Lips
9. July,July - The Decemberists
10. Celebrated Summer - Husker Du

That was harder than I thought it would be, maybe I'll comit that to cdr tonight and annoy Mrs. Speakers and all my neigboors.

Neutral Milk Hotel or whatever he'll call it

The reclusive Jeff Magnum has posted a message to the E6 Townhall, the Elephant 6 message board stating the he has been recording songs, melodies, and sound collages for an actual album. There has been some Magnum hoaxes in the past but there has been confirmation from Cloud Recordings that this is really him. He's keeping things a little vague in terms of when we can expect to see this project and if this will be released under Neutral Milk Hotel.
You can read the full story here: www.pitchforkmedia.com

66-06
My 6 for the first 6 of 06

I'm about to get all High Fidelity on you.
As June comes to an end and we embark on month #7 otherwise known as July I thought I'd share.

6 Records that have been on my mind and on my headphones the 1st 1/2 of this year.
(in no particular order)

Misson of Burma- The Obliterati
Robert Pollard- From a Compound Eye
Tapes and Tapes- The Loon
Figurines- Skeleton
Sonic Youth - Rather Ripped
Belle and Sebastian- The Life Pursuit

Bring on the next 6 may they be as musically generous as the last 6.

Sun, Sun, Sun
Hey what's that I see in the Sky?
The sun is shining and the Sox are even in action as I type in an afternoon make-up game with the Phillies at Fenway.

Is this that Summer thing everyone's been talking about?

The Replacements are Back(sort of)
Today marks the release of The Replacements-Don't You Know Who I Think I Was? The Best of Replacements. Your response might be something like mine. Didn't they already put a Best of retrospective out?
Yes they did it was called All for Nothing/Nothing For All , a 2 disc affair that focused on the bands Sire releases as well as full disc of B-sides/outtakes. Where Don't you know differs is that it combines the Twin Tone and Sire releases as well as 2 new tracks recorded by the remaining or surviving members earlier this year. This won't be a reunion or a new beginning sadly, but it will be another testament of how great The Replacements were.
The songs don't lie.

Today also see the release of new records from Sonic Youth, Six Organs of admittance, and The Futureheads.

Go get em.

Juror #1
I have Jury Duty tomorrow and I can't believe I have made it this long without ever being called to perform my civic duty. I've seen too many bad court TV shows and I'm expecting to be called to serve on some high profile case. That won't happen, at least I hope not. That's the last thing they want!

Congratulations to my sister Kerrie on her graduation from the University of Massachusetts, Boston.

Nice work Kerrie!

The kids and wife have crashed for the night and I just finished watching Jon Pampelbon get his 16th save and the sox get back on track with win over the Devil Rays.

Well Memorial Day Weekend is upon us and like millions of other families the Speakers will hitting the open road, ok extremely overcrowded road. We're heading to New Jersey for a birthday party. My son's are not exactly known for there traveling prowess. The last time we made this type of journey the puke was a flowing! You always feel bad when your child gets sick but when you're changing vomit soaked clothes in the pouring rain on the Mass Pike things can get a little overwhelming. Seriously we're looking forward to some family time. Just don't puke boys!

Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend and be safe

As fan of all things Guided By Voices and Robert Pollard 2006 has been a rewarding year. It started in January with the release of Bob's 1st post-GBV release the fantastic double album From a Compound Eye.

This spring has found Bob releasing not one but three new projects as part of the Fading Captain Series:
The Takeovers-Turn to Red
A collaboration with former GBV Bass player Chris Sluserenko as well as some notable guests like Sam Comes (Quasi) and Dan Peters (Mudhoney)
The Keene Brothers-Blues and Boogie Shoes
A collaboration with Tommy Keene who has been part of Bob's touring band The Ascending Masters as well as a solo artists in his own right.
Psycho and The Birds-All That is Holly
All of these songs were recorded by Bob and then sent to Todd Tobais(GBV producer) who then put the production together.

All Bob all the time....go get some kids!

Some thoughts on a gray day in Boston.
24 was pretty lame last night. Considering it was ending what some have called it's strongest season the season finale just did not live up to the hype.
What does these days?

It wasn't all bad though the Red Sox won over the Yankees in Fenway 9-5. I feel like it needs to be said, I'm not one of those sox fans that has a Yankees suck bumper sticker on my car.
Winning is great but winning over the Yankees is fantastic. Game 2 of 3 commences tonight with Wakefield on the hill against Jaret Wright.

Today is the 1st day of the rest of my blogging life. Sorry I couldn't resist.

It's Tuesday the 23rd of May. Why is this significant you ask?
Today is the release date for The Obliterati from Mission of Burma I've been patiently waiting and today is the day I get my mits on it. You can expect an assemblence of a review in the coming days but for now you can get more inforamtion on the bands site http://www.missionofburma.com/home.html