Lots of Posting Lately

I listen to records the way my friend Slic watches movies. Mr. Starr might not feel this way with his hobby, but a lot of times I have little moments when I wonder why I waste so much time doing it.

Then, maybe once a year, it all makes sense, and I feel compelled to write a blog post about it. This happened last summer with Those Darlins' debut. But the album I'm obsessing over right now is something like that times a billion.

So anyway, there's this band -- really, just some dude from Kentucky -- called State Champion. I heard their record Stale Champagne a few weeks ago and, I know I'm prone to hyperbole, but it's the best thing I've heard in about five years. Possibly much longer.

It's this sprawling, drunken country-rock record that's basically what I would have wanted my band to sound like if I'd ever had any musical talent. The whole thing sounds like it could fall apart at any second. So...I don't know. I just felt the need to talk about this in public somewhere.

There are only two songs from it on YouTube as far as I can tell. They're right here, if anyone cares.

“Bite the Dust”

“The Years”

Edit: More here. And here.

My tailgate CD recommendation: load up on the Lady Gaga singles and you can't go wrong.