goods and heroes

mmmmusic

Have you heard this band, Fleet Foxes, have you heard their song, White Winter Hymnal? My life is full of raucous (and sometimes completely annoying) boy noises, but when this song has come on the radio, I just stop everything and well, stop. And listen. And love it and hum along. It's my freaky, unexplained  "Don't interrupt me, I am connecting to this shimmery music" kind of moment.

I read one review, comparing them to the Beach Boys. And oh, how we completely and honestly love the Beach Boys in this here household. I've got an ear now, a somewhat legitimate ear for the Beach Boy sound (the good one, the rich one, not the cheesy Mike Love I'll sing at your State Fair one). And I will give the reviewers credit, they are right. Sort of. I mean, I think these Fleet Foxes sound like the best part of the lush aspects of the Beach Boys . . . if the Beach Boys were tip-toeing through the greenest, wettest forests of the Pacific Northwest looking for moss, mushrooms and gnomes and furry creatures (in little red scarves).

Or maybe just a shadow in the rough mulch.

(Ben took both of these photos--really--and I think he was into the texture of the bark and then, chasing my shadow. And I think the so-called neo-hippy Fleet Foxes would appreciate that.)

music in the park

I spend a lot of time in parks all over the city and so some nights, the thought of packing up the family and heading to one for personal pleasure and relaxation seems like a huge disconnect. But yesterday, on a picture perfect clear Summer evening, Ted and Sam and I rambled over a meandering bridge to enjoy a concert by Seu George at Chicago's very own Millinneum Park.

And enjoy it we thoroughly did. I mean, what's not to love about people of all ages and sizes and skin colors sitting on a huge ass lawn listening to delicious South American tunes, some sipping on wine, others gnoshing on cheese and grapes, some happily gumming cookies . . . and did I mention it was free? It was and it makes me thrilled to be a Chicagoan (at least last night it did for about 2.5 hours).

Sam has dubbed Millinneum Park the "exploding musical instrument park." And that was most defintiely a compliment. I wonder what Mr. Gehry would think of the nickname?