MG Down: Music! Musings! And Other Media!

Hi, I'm John. I like music. I plan to share my own music, as well as talk about other music here.

[mgdown]

Book List 2014

Sometime at the end of 2011 I decided it would be interesting to keep a running list of all of the books I read for a year. This is the 2014 edition of that idea. If my reading choices are something that you find interesting feel free to check out my Goodreads page:https://www.goodreads.com/mgdown Books read as of December 24th, 2013.  (Following the arbitrary dates picked for 2012 my yearlong window here is for books finished on Dec. 24, 2013 through Dec. 23, 2014) Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett Fairest Vol.2: The Hidden Kingdom by Lauren Beukes, Bill Willingham, and Inaki Miranda Green Lantern - New Guardians Vol.1: The Ring Bearer by Tony Bedard and Tyler Kirkham Green Lantern - New Guardians Vol.2: Beyond Hope by Tony Bedard and Tyler Kirkham Doctor Who Classics Omnibus Vol.1 by Dave Gibbons, Grant Morrison, and Steve Moore Doctor Who and the Tomb of the Cybermen by Gerry Davis Doctor Who: The Nightmare of Black Island by Mike Tucker Doctor Who and the Day of the Daleks by Terrance Dicks Doctor Who and the Monster of Peladon by Terrance Dicks A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett Adventure Time Vol.1 by Ryan North, Shelli Paroline, and Braden Lamb Adventure Time Vol.2 by Ryan North, Shelli Paroline, and Braden Lamb Adventure Time Vol.3 by Ryan North, Shelli Paroline, and Braden Lamb Red Lanterns Vol.1: Blood and Rage by Peter Milligan and Ed Benes Red Lanterns Vol.2: Death of the Red Lanterns by Peter Milligan and Miguel Sepulveda Fables Vol. 19: Snow White by Bill Willingham and Mark Buckingham Fairest: In All The Land by Bill Willingham  Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett  Doctor Who and the Abominable Snowmen by Terrance Dicks Green Lantern Corps Vol.2: Alpha War by Peter J. Tomasi and Fernando Pasarin Adventure Time Vol.4 by Ryan North, Shelli Paroline, and Braden Lamb Doctor Who and the Ice Warriors by Brian Hayles The 13 Clocks by James Thurber Doctor Who - The Dominators by Ian Marter  Doctor Who - The Invasion by Ian Marter Green Lantern Vol.3: The End by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke Green Lantern Corps Vol.3: Willpower by Peter J. Tomasi, Fernando Pasarin, and Scott Hanna Green Lantern - New Guardians Vol.3: Love and Death by Tony Bedard and Aaron Kuder Red Lanterns Vol.3: The Second Prophecy by Peter Milligan and Miguel Sepulveda Questionable Content Vol.4. by Jeph Jacques  Doctor Who: Engines of War by George Mann Doctor Who and the War Games by Malcolm Hulke  Doctor Who: The Art of Destruction by Stephen Cole The Flash Vol.1: Move Forward by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato The Flash Vol.2: Rogues Revolution by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato  Rabbids Vol.1: BWAAAAAAAAAAH! by Thitaume and Romain Pujol The Most Dangerous Game: A Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal Collection by Zach Weiner Secret Midnite Duck Party: Gunshow Vol.3 by KC Green  My Will Be Done (Least I Could Do: Complete Year 2) by Ryan Sohmer, Chad Wm. Porter, and Lar deSouza The Flash Vol.3: Gorilla Warfare by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato  The Flash Vol.4: Reverse by Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato  Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett

For the curious here are links to my 2013 list: (http://mgdown.tumblr.com/post/72281411182/book-list-2013) and 2012 list (http://mgdown.tumblr.com/post/72281399330/2012-booklist).

[recursorsprite]

He didn’t know how many times he’d asked her over the years if she wanted him to keep aging with her. Her answer was always no.

Um, because no matter how I look at it, I can only see this relationship ending in tears.

Had some inspiration from this (x)

[mgdown]

Book List 2013

Sometime at the end of 2011 I decided it would be interesting to keep a running list of all of the books I read for a year. This is the 2013 edition of that idea. If my reading choices are something you find interesting or are real life friends with me feel free to check out my Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/mgdown

Books read as of December 24th, 2012. (Following the arbitrary dates picked for 2012 my yearlong window is for books finished on Dec. 24, 2012 through Dec. 23 2013)

Key: A * after a book means that it is a book that I had re-read

Fables: Werewolves of the Heartland by Bill Willingham, Craig Hamilton and Jim Fern Green Lantern Corps: Revolt of the Alpha-Lanterns by Tony Bedard and Ardian Syaf Green Lantern Corps: The Weaponer by Tony Bedard and Tyler Kirkham Fables 18: Cubs in Toyland by Bill Willingham and Mark Buckingham Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors by Peter J. Tomasi and Fernando Pasarin Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) by Mindy Kaling Doctor Who and the Dæmons by Barry Letts Doctor Who and the Three Doctors by Terrance Dicks Doctor Who and the Carnival of Monsters by Terrance Dicks Doctor Who and the Space War by Malcolm Hulke Doctor Who and the Dinosaur Invasion by Malcolm Hulke Doctor Who - The Aztecs by John Lucarotti Bossypants by Tina Fey Timequake by Kurt Vonnegut Doctor Who: The Stone Rose by Jacqueline Rayner Doctor Who: The Feast of the Drowned by Stephen Cole Green Lantern: War of the Green Lanterns by Geoff Johns, Tony Bedard, and Peter J. Tomasi War of the Green Lanterns Aftermath by Tony Bedard and Peter J. Tomasi The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter Dodger by Terry Pratchett Sourcery by Terry Pratchett Doctor Who: The Resurrection Casket by Justin Richards The Flash: The Dastardly Death of the Rogues by Geoff Johns and Francis Manpul The Flash: The Road to Flashpoint by Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul Flashpoint by Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert The Fault in Our Stars by John Green The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman Doctor Who - The Faceless Ones by Terrance Dicks Fairest Vol.1: Wide Awake by Bill Willingham, Matthew Sturges, and Phil Jimenez The Long War by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter Green Lantern Vol.1: Sinestro by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke Green Lantern Vol. 2: The Revenge of Black Hand by Geoff Johns, Doug Mahnke, and Ethan Van Scriver The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett Green Lantern Corps Vol. 1: Fearsome by Peter J. Tomasi and Fernando Pasarin An Abundance of Katherines by John Green Looking For Alaska by John Green

[mgdown]

2012 Booklist

Sometime at the end of 2011 I decided it would be interesting to keep a running list of all of the books I read for a year. This is the result of that idea. I meant to share this a year ago, but forgot so here it is. If my reading choices are something you find interesting or are real life friends with me feel free to check out my Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/mgdown

Books read as of December 24th, 2011 (this list covers books finished between Dec. 24, 2011 and Dec 23, 2012)

Key: A * after a book means that it is a book that I had re-read Kraken by China Mieville Batman Year One by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli Batman The Killing Joke by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland Fables 16: Super Team by Bill Willingham and Mark Buckingham Batman Haunted Knight by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale Batman The Long Halloween by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale Stardust by Neil Gaiman Bone the one volume edition by Jeff Smith Green Lantern Corps: The Dark Side of Green by Dave Gibbons, Keith Champagne, and Patrick Gleason Pride of Baghdad by Brian K. Vaughan and Niko Henrichon Peter & Max: A Fables Novel by Bill Willingham Practical Demonkeeping by Christopher Moore The Green Lantern Chronicles Vol. 1  by John Broome and Gil Kane Enders Game by Orson Scott Card Eragon by Christopher Paolini * Eldest by Christopher Paolini * Brisingr by Christopher Paolini * Inheritance by Christopher Paolini The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King The Flash Chronicles Volume 1 by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino The Pearl by John Steinbeck Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War Vol. 1 by Geoff Johns and Dave Gibbons Green Lantern: The Sinestro Corps War Vol. 2 by Geoff Johns, Dave Gibbons, and Peter J. Tomasi Green Lantern: Tales of the Sinestro Corps by Geoff Johns Green Lantern: Rage of the Red Lanterns by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis Green Lantern: Agent Orange by Geoff Johns and Philip Tan Green Lantern Corps: Ring Quest by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason Green Lantern Corps: Sins of the Star Sapphire by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason Green Lantern Corps: Emerald Eclipse by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love by Chris Roberson and Shawn McManus Small Gods by Terry Pratchett Doctor Who and the Cybermen by Gerry Davis Doctor Who and the Curse of Peladon by Brian Hayles Doctor Who and the Terror of the Autons by Terrance Dicks Doctor Who and the Ribos Operation by Ian Marter Doctor Who - The Romans by Donald Cotton Fables 17: Inherit the Wind by Bill Willingham and Mark Buckingham Doctor Who: The Clockwise Man by Justin Richards Doctor Who: The Monsters Inside by Stephen Cole Doctor Who: Winner Takes All by Jacqueline Rayner Doctor Who: The Deviant Strain by Justin Richards Moving Pictures by Terry Pratchett Doctor Who: Only Human by Gareth Roberts Doctor Who: The Stealers of Dreams by Steve Lyons Blackest Night by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis Blackest Night: Green Lantern by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke Blackest Night: Green Lantern Corps by Peter J. Tomasi and Patrick Gleason Doctor Who and the Cave-Monsters by Malcolm Hulke Cinderella: Fables Are Forever by Chris Roberson and Shawn McManus Mort by Terry Pratchett Blackest Night: Black Lantern Corps Vol. 1 by Peter J. Tomasi, James Robinson, and J.T. Krul The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis* The Flash: Rebirth by Geoff Johns and Ethan Van Scriver Blackest Night: Black Lantern Corps Vol. 2 by Geoff Johns, James Robinson, and Greg Rucka Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps by Geoff Johns, Peter J. Tomasi, and Sterling Gates Blackest Night: Rise of the Black Lanterns by Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi Doctor Who and the Auton Invasion by Terrance Dicks Doctor Who - Inferno by Terrance Dicks Brightest Day Vol. 1 by Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi Brightest Day Vol. 2 by Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi Brightest Day Vol. 3 by Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi Doctor Who - The Mind of Evil by Terrance Dicks Doctor Who and the Claws of Axos by Terrance Dicks Doctor Who and the Doomsday Weapon by Malcolm Hulke Green Lantern: Brightest Day by Geoff Johns and Doug Mahnke

[neil-gaiman]

torchyvalentine asked: What would you say to Sir Ian Mckellen taking the reigns as the 12th Doctor? For that matter, who do you think would be a good actor for the character?

I think that if you’d asked me who should be the 11th Doctor 5 years ago I wouldn’t have listed Matt...

[mgdown]

This is perfect. It describes exactly what I was feeling as everyone started throwing out big names fit after Matt Smith made his announcement.

[natazilla]

[dresdencodak]

There’s nothing so classy as resenting an artist for being successful because they didn’t “pay their dues” in your eyes.  In the world of art, you either have chops or you don’t. Some people are self-taught, others are not. How you get there is less important than how good you are.

There are lots of ways to become a successful artist, and going to school is just one of them.  But you think taking a class or getting a diploma guarantees fame and fortune, you’re just a delusional asshole.

[mgdown]

Talk to Her - Priestess

I don't know about anywhere else, but here in Detroit I remember this getting a lot more radio play than another Priestess song, Lay Down. And yet, thanks to guitar hero and whatever else, I end up hearing more about Lay Down than anything else by them. That's unfortunate because Talk to Her is amazing and a showcase of what Priestess does best. It's straight forward ballsy rock, that's incredibly catchy and they know it.

[mgdown]

Rich Girl (Hall & Oates cover) - Alison Brie & The Girls

Let's take a look at all of the things that I love in this video, shall we? Hall &Oates songs, stripped down acoustic guitar covers, adorable girls singing beautiful harmonies, ALISON BRIE being one of those girls...I could go on forever. Really this is just one of those videos that gets better every time you watch and listen. I think I have personally watched this somewhere between 30 and 100 times. That's not a big deal right? I'm not obsessed, I promise!

Ok, maybe I'm a little obsessed.

[mgdown]

New Ben Folds Five Album!!!

Some of you may have heard this, but in case you haven't I'm here to inform you: Ben Folds Five are coming out with a new album this fall. Not only that but they're crowdsourcing the release of it here:

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/benfoldsfive

If you haven't downloaded the *FREE* new song "Do It Anyway" do so now. Have you done it? Are you listening to it yet? Ok, good.

Why is any of this important? Well first of all it brings the world a whole heap of new music from one of my personal favorite bands. Aside from that though, it is another important artist using the tools of an expanding internet to eschew the use of a label in promoting and releasing a new album. Moves like this by high profile artists like BF5 only increase the effectiveness of these avenues and put the power back in the control of the fans and consumers.

In short: It's a good time to be a fan of good music.

[mgdown]

Wikimprov!

My awesome (and incredibly freaking talented) friend Greg Smith started a really cool blog for 'improvised' creations based on random wikipedia articles.

http://wikimprov.wordpress.com/

The creations are varied, but all enjoyable. Not only that, but he accepts submissions, such as the short story that I wrote based upon a random article. Overall, it's a lot of fun, and a way better use of your time than whatever it is you're otherwise doing at the moment.

[mgdown]

Alex Clare - Too Close (Acoustic)

Yes, this is that song from the internet explorer commercials. Yes, this version may be even better than the version in the commercial. Why? Well that's a matter of taste, but if you ask me, I would say it comes down to the arrangement. The best part about this song is the killer vocal delivery that gives life to the lyrics, and while the original has a great vocal performance, this arrangement better accentuates the feeling and emotions in the words. A song telling someone you care about that you don't love them needs that emotion, and that is where this song excels.

[mgdown]

This cat really knows where it wants to sit.

[elysedc]

Lookit lookit!!! :) that’s my name!!

[mgdown]

My friend Elyse is in a pilot. I bet it'll be awesome! Why? Because Elyse is in it you dummy!

[mgdown]

This then is my best imitation of me, and if there was ever something I would have liked to have encouraged of my audience in each step of my career, it was to do just that - aspire to break through the static and chatter of what people think you should be, how you wish to be seen or what's cool at the moment. Accept no imitations - be yourself

Ben Folds

From Ben Folds The Best Imitation of Myself: A Retrospective

[mgdown]

OMG you guys! Jim O'Heir (aka Jerry from Parks and Rec) both watched my video of 5000 Candles in the Wind and tweeted me! I am freaking out with excitement right now.

If you haven't made like Jim O'Heir and watched my video just check out my previous post!

[mgdown]

5000 Candles in the Wind - MG Down (Mouse Rat cover) So last week at the RC Players benefit concert I covered 5000 Candles in the Wind from the 3rd season of Parks and Recreation. I'm pretty sure only half of the audience knew what it was, but the half that did get it loved it. It's moments like this when I wish I could harmonize with myself like I can when I multitrack recordings of songs. Oh well :)

As before Reblogs and ReTweets (I'm on twitter @mgdown) will be unexpected but appreciated. Stay beautiful people!

[mgdown]

I'm pretty sure this is one of the most badass things I've seen this week.