The Cookblog by Brian Cook

Let’s Wunderbake!

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Some time in the past, Meghan Dahn and I became friends. There was food involved, as there often is with the best of things. We finally decided to formalize that exploration of flavor into a project we call Wunderbake. We hope it will appeal to all of your senses, from place to propriety. Bon appétit!

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Go to Wunderbake >>

10 Favorite Albums of 2010

Looking back, 2010 wasn’t a great year for music. That may be my personal taste not quite meeting the offerings of LCD Soundsystem, Titus Andronicus, MGMT, Broken Bells, Kanye West, Spoon or other names on others’ lists, but could only come up with a few standout albums. There were even fewer that I loved unabashedly. Still, I managed to pull together ten LPs and EPs that I can call favorites and have earned regular rotation inside my ears. As always, agreement and vitriol is welcome in the comments.

1. Beach House – Teen Dream (MP3: Zebra)
Hearing the first few notes of this album, I can immediately taste a fantastic soup and bread made in the cozy kitchen of my friend, Megh. A beautiful album.
2. Pat Jordache – Future Songs (MP3: Get IT)
A late entry, this is experimental but listenable, edgy but catchy.
3. Arcade Fire – The Suburbs (MP3: We Used to Wait)
Another excellent album from a group that does epic just right.
4. Deerhunter – Halcyon Digest (MP3: Helicopter)
A fascinating collection of distorted sounds and instruments. Each listen yields something new.
5. Heirlooms – Heirlooms (MP3: Shaker Hymn)
A refreshing and promising debut EP from a Hartford band getting huge buzz right now.
6. The National – High Violet (MP3: Afraid of Everyone)
Most rock bands write songs about love, sex and drugs. The National writes them about the pressures of raising children and protecting a family.
7. The Walkmen – Lisbon (MP3: Blue As Your Blood)
While not my favorite Walkmen album, even their less sterling work is better than most.
8. Jesse Woods – Moon Rocks (MP3: Sparks)
An EP from a singer-songwriter that delivers a tight-package of well-crafted acoustic songs.
9. The Black Keys – Brothers (MP3: Everlasting Light)
Simply, this is groovy blues rock.
10. The Heligoats – Goodness Gracious (MP3: Fish Sticks)
Feel-good acoustic guitar rock that ranges from introspective to furiously exuberant.

Art Show at The Hollander in Hartford

I’m excited to announce that I’ll be having an art show at The Hollander Building in Hartford, CT on Monday, December 20 from 6pm – 9pm. It’s free and open to the public, with refreshments and several of my posters, including the Hartford Metro Map for display and sale. There are a few more details on Hartford.com, and you can RSVP via Facebook. Stop by and say hello!
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View Larger Map

Connecticut Metro Map

As a companion piece to the Hartford Metro Map, I put together an imaginary metro system for the entire state of Connecticut in the celebrated Modernist style of Massimo Vignelli. The state is rotated counterclockwise, its contours are smoothed into basic shapes and major cities are nudged to fit along the main southwest to northeast artery, dubbed the Constitution Line. Other corners of the state are served by the Colonial, Nutmeg, Mill and Mystic Lines.

The Connecticut Metro Map is for sale now as a 23″ x 29″ poster through Zazzle, with all proceeds (about $7 per poster) going to Teach For America in Connecticut.

See a larger version here >>

Buy the map here >>

Waiting for Superman Dribbble Contest

Want a dribbble invite? Earn it by making the most impressive Waiting for Superman poster and link to it in the comments. Contest will close at 12pm EDT on Friday October 22, 2010.

Waiting for Superman is a wake-up call. The public school system in the United States is failing this country’s children. There are no miracle cures, no quick fixes, no silver bullet solutions. The problem requires attention, involvement and hard work. At every turn, the focus must remain on providing every child with an education, even and especially at the cost of adult comfort and satisfaction. Children must come first, not only in rhetoric but in action.

Please be sure to submit your name and email when commenting so that I can contact the winner.