Favorite Albums of 2007

I love music, and i listen to a lot of it, however i don't listen to enough of it to make a "BEST of..." list, with any real authority. So instead i will present to you a list of my top 10 favorite albums of 2007. The You may also like portion is not really to compare and contrast, but rather to suggest a few bands you might like as well. Feel free to agree, contest, replace, and/or edit with your input.

Honorable Mentions:
Alison Krauss & Robert Plant - Raising Sand (MOST HONORABLE MENTION)
Spoon - Ga Ga Ga Ga
Eddie Vedder - Into the Wild (soundtrack)
Iron & Wine - The Shephards Dog
Kanye West - Graduation
Lyle Lovett and His Large Band - It's Not Big It's Large
Okkervil River - The Stage Names
Avett Brothers - Emotionalism
Teddy Thompson -Up Front & Down Low
The Shins - Wincing The Night Away
Stars - In Our Bedroom After the War
Great Lake Swimmers - Ongiara
Beirut - The Flying Cup
Linda Thompson - Versatile Heart


10. Radiohead - InRainbows: As I have already posted, this album could change music history with it's "you pick the price" release. But this album also has some great music. You may also like: Interpol, Low, Magic Numbers, Of Montreal, and the Weakerthans

9. The National - The Boxer: The song "Slow Show" ends with the line "You know I dreamed about you for twenty-nine years before I saw you You know I dreamed about you, I missed you, for twenty-nine years" I think if were John Cusack in the movie "Say Anything," and i had to choose one song from 2007 to play while holding a stereo above my head and standing out side the window of my high-school crush...it would be "slow show." By the way, the rest of the album is great too. You may also like: Bright Eyes, Death Cab For Cutie, and Fiona Apple

8. Josh Ritter - The Historical Conquests of Josh Ritter: Clean crisp songwritting, His songs are simple and beautiful. If singer-songwritters are your thing, you will love Josh Ritter.
"Rumors," "Edge of the World," and "Real Long Distance" are among my favorite tracks. You may also like: Paul Simon, Gillian Welch, Griffin House, and Josh Rouse

7.Minus Story - My Ion Truss:
This has been my go to album since i bought it. Anytime i cant think of what to listen to, i put this on and i am satisfied everytime. The album has a great mix of energy and emotion. Favorite tracks include "Aaron" "Battle of Our Lives," and "Mamma Mamma" You may also like: The Mountain Goats, Aimee Mann, The Decemberists, and Broken Social Scene

6. Arcade Fire - Neon Bible: Although Canada has a long list of embarasingly bad artists such as; Alanis Morisette, Shania Twain, Crash Test Dummies, Celiene Dion, and the list goes on. Canada however, also has a few fantasic bands like; Neil Young, Ron Sexsmith, Rufus Wainwright, and Arcade Fire can also be added to the list. "Neon Bible," A great follow up to 2004's "Funeral." Tracks like "Keep the Car Running," "Intervension," and "No Cars Go," charge through the album as the Arcade Fire delivers another refreshing album. You may also like: See other good Canadian artists.

5. Band of Annuals - Let Me Live: Local Band from SLC, but this selection is not just about supporting local music. This album is solid all the way through. This is Alt-Country at it's best, simple melodies that ring, perfect harmonies, and a powerful pedal steel that just sounds lonely. Of all the albums on the top 10 i think i am most confident recomending this album to anyone with any music taste, it is hard to dislike such classic songwritting. You may also like: Ryan Adams (and Whiskytown), Neil Young, Atherton, Steve Earl

4. Joe Henry - Civilians: After a good round of tennis my brother Paul recomended Joe Henry to me. Technically speaking he was nausiated that i had yet to hear Joe Henry, and now after listening to "Civilians" i understand his dissappointment. You may also like: Band of Horses, Teddy Thompson, and Damien Jurado

3. Fiest - The Reminder: Despiste her song "1234" being drastically overplayed on iPod commercials, the radio etc, i still can't get enough of it, and that pretty much says it all. Further, "My Moon My Man" could get my vote for song of the year. You may also like: Beth Orton, Stars, HEM, and Damien Rice

2. Fionn Regan - The End of History: If i still used a CD player this album would be stuck in it. You may also like: Elliot Smith, Devotchka, Elvis Perkins, Iron & Wine, and Laura Gibson

1. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky: You have likely heard songs from this album on VW commercials, which is fitting. This album is great fo a car ride.I recently started collecting records which has gotten me into enjoy albums as a whole. Every couple of years a movie comes out that redeems my faith in movies for example A Beautiful Life. Similarly this album redeems my faith in albums. The Advent of CD's, and iPods has killed albums. Just ask yourself when was the last time you listened to a whole album from start to finish, or even bought a whole album? This album is comple album. I have listened to this album on my iPod, and on record, but never on shuffle. Buy the album, and enjoy.

I want to go, Idaho Oh Idaho

For the Thanksgiving weekend Court and I went to Sky Valley Ranch (the artist formerly known as Bennion Teton Boys Ranch) to celebrate the season with my family. The ranch is in a magical place called....Victor Idaho (population 840). Victor is known for thier majestic view of the Tetons, delicious Huckleberry shakes @ the Emporium, skiing at Grand Targee, great fishing, and an overall great escape!
I have spent 6 summers of my life at the Ranch, and it has been an integeral part of Jacobsen family lore, but this was Court's first trip. The ranch is pretty endearing, lots of little rustic cabins, gorgeous aspen and pine trees a pleanty of wide open space. The days were filled with classic country holiday activities such as: sledding, ice-skating, card games and....Guitar Hero (even my sister Sarah played!...which is historic).
The meal(s) were fantastic. Thanksgiving dinner alone was a pleathora of goodness. Yams & Apples, Mashed Potatos, Stuffing, Red Cabbage (a Jacobsen family classic) and of course the Turkey. I should also mention that the Turkey was prepared and cooked with impressive quality by my stellar wife. This was her first Turkey attempt and she hit it out of the park. This adds to her "Stepping up to the Jacobsen Cullinary plate" list. Which includes aebleskivers at Christmas time (which were aon par with Charlottes for sure).
We had a blast with all the nieces and nephews. My Nephew Soren (age 14) beat my 2 brothers (ben and Paul) and I at a game of 21 (basketball), although i regained my composure to beat Soren in the championship round of the Ping-Pong Tourney. We also played "Mafia" and various other games with them. I am certain that Courtney now has 10-12 more little members of the already enormus "Courtney Fanclub."

Keep On Rocking In the Free World...

My most sincere regrets to those of you who missed out on what I have offically declared "the social event of the season." On Friday night last week Courtney and i hosted a party in honor of the much anticipated release of "Guitar Hero III: Ledgends of Rock." We invited friends and relatives to come and "keep on rocking in the free world." We also suggested that in order to get the full Guitar Hero experince that people should come dressed up in thier best rocker garb. Some (Matt & Kelly) went all out and we slaute you. They even schlepped thier baby Rachel along, Matt even rocked a song with her sitting on his knee. Impressive to say the least!

You Say You Want A Revolution.....

Recently my brother Paul (see Paul and Holly link and/or Paul's Music) and I were discussing if there is or ever will be a modern band that will be on par with the established classics such as Zepplin, the Beatles, etc. Paul is certain that, at least at the moment, the answer was a very clear NO, and i dare any of you to prove him wrong. BUT, in this discussion we agreed that Radiohead is one of the only bands that might even approach the everset-esque hights of awesomeness of the Beatles and others.
Recently Radiohead has done something to further raise their status. Despite being worldwide superstars, and having the ability to get pretty much any recording contract they want.....they released an independant album. Not only that, they released it in "revolutionary" fashion. In a generation of musicians (Lars Ulrich) complaining about not making enough money. Radiohead released thier album (In Rainbows) through thier web-site (www.radiohead.com), and the cost...YOU TELL ME! Seriously. You decided how much you want to pay for the album. If you want it for free, go ahead take it. If you can't even pass by the beggar with the harmonica without dropping in some cahnge, go ahead pay $50.00. If you are an itunes consumer i am sure $9.99 is just fine as well. In other words the consumer pays what they declare the album is worth. The current average sale price is around $10. I I have bought the album, i love it. I hope you will too. Come join the revolution.

P.S. For any diehard Radiohead fans the band will also offer a special edition boxed set for $82 which will be available later and will include two vinyl albums, a CD version of the new album and a second CD with additional new songs, artwork and photographs of the band. This package is available for pre-order at radiohead.com.

Fall Boutique

THIS SATURDAY NOV. 17th at 1955 Laird Drive SLC UT
Hope to see you all there! Tell all your friends...the more the merrier!

Rocky Point, Mexico

Us, Nicole, Dan and A (not pictured Mush and Jared)

The poolside view

The view from the pool (looking at the Sea of Cortez)

Eating at Lapa Lapa



This being my first post...I am not sure what other details to include. We ate lots of good food (especially lots of shrimp), read books, slept in, and relaxed. I went to the spa and Scott went golfing. It was lovely and well timed....it felt good to get away for a few days. A special thanks to Mushie and Papa for taking us. -Courtney

Clarification

So the bellow picture (Courtney pointing at a "SOLD!" sign) is from when we bought our "cute little house on the west side." We still live there and don't plan on selling anytime soon. Sorry for the confusion.

"We Are So Out Of Touch"

"We speak in past tense and talk about the weather
Half broken sentences we try to piece together
I ask about an old friend that we both used to know
You said you heard he took his life about five years ago
We may pass each other on the interstate
We honk and cross over to the other lane
Everybody's going somewhere everybody's inside
Hundreds of cars hundreds of private lives
We are so out of touch yeah." - Lucinda Willams


On occation i catch myself thinking "whatever happened to...." And in my need for self affirmation i catch my slef hoping that at least one or two people out there are asking themselves "what ever happened to Scott?" All too often i feel "out of touch" with too many good friends. So hear i am. Blogging!

I find it technologically appropriate that i am just getting involved with the blogging revolution. I seem to always be one technological advance behind. I didn't own a Nintendo until Super Nintendo arrived, i didn't get Super Nintendo until N64 came out and so on (which made me reliant on good friends, specifically Jeff, Mike and Eric, for my state of the art gaming). To this day i am still clunking along with the playstation 2 while the masses around me are enjoying the vastly advanced game play of the Wii and so on. Similarly in a world of myspace, and podcasts, here i am just geting on the blogging bandwaggon.

Never the less i hope that you will enjoy my periodic updates.
A couple rules to live by as you read my blog:
1. My role model is Karl Malone as a result: Scott wheel bee tyling alot of speling and grahammer errors in this here blog and thier ain't nothin' y'all can do about it.
2. As commited as i now am to keeping this whole thing up to date....chances are my lazy, procratonating nature is likely to take over at some point so i appologize in advance.

Let me begin a quick wrap up of my life to this point
Scott Jacobsen:
Born - June 6th 1983 (9lbs 8oz, and despite my linebacker weight, many maintain that i haven't gained a single pound since)
Preschool - that blue church (i think it is presbetarian) on Foothill Drive. I got a smiley in coloring, a "grape job" in playing with others and the coveted 100% where the 0's are made into eyes and a smilely face is added, in nap time
Elementary - Uintah (formerly Uinta) Yes i had to be a proud Uintah UNICORN and still turned out OK.
Jr. High - Clayton Middle School. My social fame began as i returned to school, after a bike crash that mangled my face, just in time for 8th grade school pictures. After which i had to turn down various offers from modeling agencies. Zoolander himslef begged me, but i just couldn't fit it into my already full schedule of note writting and girl chasing.
High School - East High, accomplishments include to succesful Brittney Spears Piano renditions. Second runner up in the 2001 Mr. Leopard competition. Winner of the Courtney Parker stalker of the decade award
Mission - Oklahoma Tulsa Mission.
College - University of Utah (Go Utes!) After taking some insparational advice from "tourtise" from "tourtise and the hare" i am currently part of the highly respected 10 year graduation track. I am studding PR and communication. I will likely be done this spring. Hooray.
Romantic Intrest - I AM MARRIED. On Nov. 3rd 2006 i married Coutney Parker ( a card acrrying member of trophy wives of america) It has been fantastic. To those of you who just reacted with an audible "WHAT!?!" upon finding out that i am not only married but married to the Courtney Parker (Jacobsen)...I will quote Andy Benard "My success both in business and with the lady folk has come rom my ability to slowly and painfully wear people down" Believe me no one has been more surpised by this out come than yours truly.
Employment - I work for Courtney's father (Jared Parker). He does fine home remodels, and ironically enough is currently working on the Smoots new home. I have not been lucky enough to be assigned to that job as of yet but i am sure i will hammer a nail or two over there before all is said and done.

I think that is it: I am glad to answer questions if you have them (keep in mind, only one "can you explain one more time WHY Courtney married you again?" oriented question.

Now more importantly MY WIFE:
Courtney Parker Jacobsen
Born - August 3rd 1983 (that is 8/3/83 which is a big help to my forgetful mind)
Elementary - Boneville. The beggining of her feline mascot infatuation (the Bonneville Bobcats) and the beggining of her romantic history. Most Notably: Mark Nelson, theorists maintain it began around 3rd or 4th grade.
Middle School - Clayton Middle School. Her first encounter with yours truely. When confronted about this first encounter she responded "What? Who?" She also was elected as Class President during her 8th grade year.
High School - Head Cheerleader, Dance company, madrigals, and is quoted as equating her feelings for Scott Jacobsen to the Vertical Horizon lyrics "hes i everything you want, he is everything you need, he is everything inside of you that you wish you could be, he does all the right things at exactly the right time but he means nothing to yu and you don't know why" (Ouch!)
Mission - New York Utica Mission. It should be noted that in a breif lapse in judgement she kissed Scott Jacobsen just before she left. She quickly recovered from this mistake by giving him a high five to say goodbye instead of a hug or a kiss.
College - Modern Dance Major at the University of Utah. Also a a year at BYU, arguably one of the biggest misteps in an otherwise flawless existance.
Romantic Interest - Despite being presented with various, more qualified, and certainly better looking, suitors (ncluding football players and olympic bobsledders she married Scott Jacobsen ("this is the sound of settling" - Death Cab) And has been caught on various occations saying to Scott "I am so madly in love with you!" Who knew!
Employment - She is the bookeeper for her dads company. And has recently purchased a Dance studio (suzzane [stotts] school of dance). She teaches 3-18 year olds. As well as an adult hip-hop class on tuesday nights. So if you have anychildren that want to dance, or if you have always dreamed of being the next Usher, than please let us know.

Now for Us:
We are approaching our one year anniversary. We are living in SLC. Working and going to school. No Kids yet. We have a cute little house on the WEST SIDE....of sugarhouse. We love it. All in all life is good and we are happy.