Here are some of my favorite songs that were released in 2011. For those that don't "get" Real Estate or Girls, rest assured, there isn't any of their material on my playlist.

Great job, Kyle.
Given my extreme bias on the subject (not everybody spends four years working on a book about the topic), this is quite a great Gateway to Geekery. Sure, there are definitely more bands to cover, but this about introducing people and not writing an encyclopedia.

It's interesting to hear that from you all. When THE RISING TIDE came out, the band didn't play a lot of older songs live. It got a point where people would yell "Play old shit!" and it didn't happen until the end of the set. Now people want the later stuff too?

Re:
Frankly, I'm surprised to see this is happening, but I'm glad it is happening.

Agreed. For Your Own Special Sweetheart is fantastic, but it's their final album that rules the roost for me.

Great news
I think this will be the fifth time J. has worked with a Blake-related band, counting the remix of "Shirt" on the Dear You reissue.

I'd add to the list
Freebie and the Bean, starring James Caan and Alan Arkin.

Big Drill Car
I've heard the band has reunited and has played some shows. I don't know if there will be a tour or even a new album, but it's cool they're back together . . . for now.

I love Very Emergency from start to finish. Nothing Feels Good is as good, especially the first four tracks.

FUEL
I had never heard of Fuel until I saw Dan Didier wear one of their shirts at a Promise Ring show. They kind of remind me of Big Drill Car and Horace Pinker.

3 for 3
Wow, Kevin's three for three with the MPAA. Clerks originally was originally NC-17 and Jersey Girl was originally R.

Fade Away
. . . also appears on The Masterplan. Definitely one of the standouts on that compilation.

My book's not out yet. It should be out by the end of summer though. If you haven't checked out its MySpace page yet, here it is: myspace.com/posthardcorebook

It's Andy Greenwald — and I don't mean that in snippy, snobby way. I hate his book with a passion.

Eric Richter
Thought I'd share this to echo the "We were ripping off bands that other kids weren't listening to" line. It's from an interview I did with Ron Marschall:

Wow. Very cool story. A friend of mine saw them around that time in Denton, on Valentine's Day. They played with a ska band.

Funny thing about blink-182 and Jimmy Eat World: I got into Jimmy Eat World because of blink-182.

My housemate has Frigid Forms Sell, but I've never listened to it. Now might be a good time to check it out.

Frankly, I had not heard of anything coming out of the Omaha/Saddle Creek area during the mid-Nineties. It wasn't until Bright Eyes released Fevers and Mirrors that I heard some high praise. From there, things seem to burst wide open, especially once Lifted and The Ugly Organ came out.

Great album indeed. The funny thing is, when I first heard Domestica, I thought it was like a dark Fugazi rip-off. Course, I came around to their stuff after The Ugly Organ and have remained a fan. Happy Hollow just blew my mind.