Still With the Lumberjacks? Yes, still.

Billy Reid is an Alabama based clothing line, and while i don't know how many trees they have in Alabama, the boys at billy reid do understand that even lumberjack pajamas are pretty sweet. In all seriousness, their products, stores, and overall branding image are all exceedingly well executed. If you don't believe me go to their website.



So I mentioned axes earlier, but i really can't get over how pretty these are. They're a beautiful, and potentially fear inducing, marriage of function and form.




Everyone likes lists at the end of a decade, but they become so redundant. So I made a list of recent albums that have either been recorded, or should be listened to, in a remote cabin by bearded men and flannel clad women. It's not intended to be all inclusive and I'm gonna omit the obvious ones (Fleet Foxes, Bon Iver, Band of Horses, et al)

1. Strand of Oaks "Leave Ruin"
2. Timber Timbre "Timber Timbre"
3. Small Sur "We Live in Houses Made of Wood"
4. Zola Jesus "the Spoils"
5. Horse Feathers "Words Are Dead"
7. Bonnie 'Prince' Billy "the Letting Go"
8. Mi an L'au "Mi and L'au"
9. Revival "Horses of War"
10. Songs: Ohia "Didn't It Rain"
11. Balmorhea "Rivers Arms"
12. Olafur Arnalds "Found Soungs"
13. Phosphorescent "Pride"
14. Doveman "the Conformist"
15. Great Lake Swimmers "Great Lake Swimmers"





Finally, I didn't say enough about Timber Timbre... Timber Timbre is a Canadian (of course) named Taylor Kirk. He hangs out with the weirdos in Bruce Peninsula (also very good) and records for the well respected Arts and Crafts label. His sound is an amalgamation of Screaming Jay Hawkins' swampy voodoo delta blues sound, Stuart Staples' disaffected soul singing with the Tindersticks, fellow Canadian Chad VanGaalen's macabre songwriting perspective, and Mason Jenning's unusual vocal inflections. However, I hate to reference other artists because this record is fantastically singular in its beauty and creepiness. I've been listening to it on repeat and it strikes me as something that could've been recorded by someone that can barely play any of the instruments used (sparingly) throughout it. Somehow this doesn't detract. You've already bought it (like, with actual money going to the artist) right?

Timber!

Original print by native vermont on etsy











T shirts from timberps on etsy




I'm sure you've heard that flannel is the new black, or whatever. These folks understand that it's not about a grunge revival or a fashion statement. The truth is lumberjacks are cool as shit with their facial hair, suspenders, and toques. Oh yeah, and axes are freaking boss.

Uhhh.... hello? I'm calling to extend my credit limit.

If you've seen Andrew Bird on tour in the last few years you've seen his custom horn speakers built by Specimen in chicago. These home speakers are by the same folks and belong in my house. They're part steam punk, part pop art, 100% amazing.





Here's the always dapper Mr. Bird with his spinning double horns.

Best Christmas Party Ever

apparently being a nearly 70 year old Jew doesn't preclude one from throwing a bitchin christmas party and actually making a christmas song worth listening to. i think maybe he's been listening to some tom waits

Bedroom Community

It was created under the cloak of nocturnal snow in the far northest reaches of financial-fanstasy island, a concept borne of Frost and weapons manufacturer, war monger and evil genius Sruli Recht, captured by the all-seeing-eye of Bjarni Gríms and forged in the fires of hell by Rebeca Mendéz



these people coax music out of their instruments like an archaelogist does a fossil from the ground, and breathe light on everything around them.

The VERY best thing on television right now

With words by Walt Whitman, images by Ryan McGinley, denim by Levis Strauss, and audio recordings from the Smithsonian Folkways it doesn't get more Americana than this. That, and you will never see it done better. Go Forth.