Rock Revival

As we wrap up the Winter term and head into Spring Break, maybe you're looking for some tunes to take with you? Or if you're like us, you're looking for some good music to tide you over while you wait for the major releases that are just a few weeks away.

Here are some just released or coming out soon items...and some "listen-alikes" to help fill your playlist while we wait!

Already Released

R.E.M. - Collapse Into Now

Fans and Rolling Stone tag this as R.E.M.'s edgiest new album in years, going back to their roots. Judge for yourself by giving 2008's Accelerate (781.66 R) a listen for contrast before the new disc arrives.



The Decemberists - The King is Dead

Earlier albums by this Portland-based group, like The Crane Wife and The Hazards of Love, feature longer songs, but this latest collection focuses on "short" pieces (for The Decemberists, a 4 min. track is short). Fans say the new album is catchy: "I didn't have to work to love this," one reviewer says on Amazon. All three are available at the library: 781.66 D.



Dropkick Murphys - Going Out in Style

Hey, it's St. Patrick's Day! Want some Irish punk with that green beer? The Dropkick Murphys can help you out in classic style. The Warrior's Code (2005) is available at 781.66 D while the new CD is on order.


Coming Soon (with music to try while you wait!)

Jennifer Hudson - I Remember Me

Pick up examples of Jennifer Hudson's earlier works on her self-titled album from 2008 (781.66 H), or the R & B retrospective film Dreamgirls.


Radiohead - King of Limbs

New Radiohead! While we wait (impatiently), chill out with the sounds of 2008's In Rainbows (781.66 R). When the sparkle of that album goes dull, try out The National's High Violet (781.66 N) [more lyrics, less synthetic, same atmospheric feel].



TV on the Radio - Nine Types of Light

We have two older TV on the Radio albums to get you in the Brooklyn mood, Return to Cookie Mountain and Dear Science (781.66 T). Arcade Fire (Funerals and The Suburbs are their two most recent albums) is an upcoming band that catches some of the same modern anxiety and apathy in their tunes (781.66 A).


Fleet Foxes - Helplessness Blues

Pick up their earlier, self-titled album at 781.66 F to fill the hours until the May 3rd release date, or check out sound-alikes Iron & Wine on Mojo's collection of new Indie rock, Mojo Presents New Harvest (781.66 M).



Happy break, and happy listening!

The Musicians Behind the Music

Check out some of the recently added titles to the music section (781. . . .) of the library. Ask the staff to point you in the right direction. Over the last few months we've added biographies about Etta James, the Carter Family, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Lester Young, Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich, Jelly Roll Morton, Neil Young, Robert Johnson, Marvin Gaye, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, John Lennon, Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, and Johnny Cash.

Get a life...locally

All things considered, it looks like many of us are planning on staying a little closer to home this summer. Maybe you have work commitments, or the price of gas going up-up-up has you down. Whatever the reason, there's nothing that says you can't have some fun right here in Douglas County! Check out our local maps to the summer events, farmers' markets, and educational and recreational activities near and dear to you. If you like, you can even add some of your own suggestions!

(Leave us a comment below with your suggestion, or click on "view larger map" and choose edit to add your activity directly!)

Douglas County Summer

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Douglas County Wineries

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Songs for Spring (and Sweden)

Maybe Spring is a little slow in coming because we haven't been singing enough. Or maybe it's because the UCC Library didn't have enough Swedish music in the collection.



Just in time, we've added three new CDs by Swedish folk-rock bands to the collection, Hoven Droven, Ranarim, and Hedningarna. Looks like Hoven Droven will be playing in Sweden later this week, but most of us will have to make do with their live CD. And according to their web site, Ranarim will be playing in Ulvon. So they'll be partying in Sweden, also.

Did you know that we're coming up on Walpurgis Eve and May Day (April 30/May 1), one of Sweden's biggest holidays?

According to the Visit Sweden website:

If you want to find an evening when song is to be heard in every village, town or city, then be sure to be in Sweden on the 30th April. On that date, known as Valborgsmässoafton (Walpurgis Eve); in a tribute to an ancient German saint, St. Walburga, huge bonfires are lit at dusk.

Happy May Day!