I had an energy drink awhile ago and now I'm definitely crashing and feeling like crap so therefore I am in the mood for folk music!!! I'll just do a little shpeal (sp???) on it because I know pretty much nothing about it.

Right now I am listening to an album from a local band called The Sweater Friends. (http://www.myspace.com/thesweaterfriends) They are super good and its reminding me how awesome folk music can be. I have to say that The Mountain Goats albums are ridiculously powerful and so enjoyable and fun to listen to. I recommend "The Sunset Tree" for a more produced mountain goats album and "All Hail West Texas" for a more lo-fi mountain goats album. His lyrics are really so amazing. I cant get enough of The Mountain Goats lately. Its comfort music, for me mentally, and thats what is so freaking awesome about it. I didnt listen to "The Sunset Tree" for almost a year (I had related it to bad things, and it just reminded me of them) but when I finally did again, the song "This Year" almost made me cry but in such an awesome way. I cant say enough how much I love that album. I have it on LP and cd. One for my car and one for my house. Anyway......

Paul Baribeau makes some of the greatest folk music in the history of music. His lyrics are so awesome and so relatable and so freaking powerful. If you ever have the chance to see a Paul Baribeau show, then DO IT!! You can feel the music as he plays it. It almost brings you to tears. I have seen him three times and each time it was amazing. He releases his albums on plan-it-x where every cd is $5 postage paid. Here is the link to their website for more awesome punk rock and folk music. http://www.plan-it-x.com/ I suggest making a mail order. Its super fun and super cheap. When you do, get both of Paul Baribeaus albums because they are both SO great. The song "Christmas Lights" is pretty much my life in a nutshell. Also, his beard rules. (Dont forget, hes got that X!!! :D)

So I guess folk music is a fun way to take a break from punk and get into some deeper music. Not that punk cant be deep but it just usually isnt as deep as a Baribeau or Mountain Goats album. I think I'm gonna make it my quest to get more folk vinyl, but I want it to be good stuff. If you have any suggestions please comment! OH and dont suggest any crap like sufjan stevens or something or something as obvious as Neutral Milk Hotel. (I will say though, that Neutral Milk Hotel rules and I need to listen to that more. HEY! Idea, why dont I get a NMH vinyl? Maybe! Haha)

Zach