Inca(se) you missed it... Aztec this out!

I love some phat Aztec beats!

American Outliers!

Today, of course, we spent some time hanging out with the Aztecs and Incas in the Americas. All of these civilizations from this part of the world that we're talking about this year, we refer to as pre-Columbian Americans. It should be obviously where the name for this designation comes from, but why the designation? As our sophomores know, civilization in the Americas changes pretty dramatically once Europeans start showing up. This also helps us understand why our modern impression of these civilizations can be so negative. Societies like the Aztecs are often characterized as brutal, violent, and "uncivilized." These descriptions, however, come from accounts from the earliest Europeans who reached the Americas. Let's just say that these European explorers were not the most open-minded of visitors. But look how far we've come!

This is from the Mexico section of Epcot at Disneyworld. Authentic!

Incas FTW!

Mandatory llama memes!!!

I want to be a part of this entire situation

The Incas are the bomb; plain and simple. Terrace farming, quipus, and keen fashion sense like you see above? Are you kidding me? I'm all about this life. 

The original episode of MTV's Cribs. 

Notice the extensive road system. Again... BALLERS. 

Soundtrack of the Week

Welcome back to our sometimes occurring feature here on the blog. 

As I am sure you are WELL aware of, next week is Spring Break!!

So, I thought we'd focus on some new music you can check out next week while you've got some time on your hands. There is a ton of new music coming out all over the place right now. You need to make it a priority to give it a listen. Please do this because I'm getting concerned that The Chainsmokers are a conspiracy to ruin everything good and true in this world. 

Now, I know we all want to get a little crazy over Spring Break, but I think it's important to chill a bit first and recharge the batteries. So, with that idea in mind, we'll start with a more mellow vibe. 

Jen Lekman is a Swedish musician who writes a really nice style of guitar based indie-pop. His songs are really narrative in structure as well, and I'm a sucker for a story-song. Couple all that with a solid baritone voice, and you've got a winner. I am really digging his song "Evening Prayer" right now. This single is off his latest album, Life Will See You Now. It has a sweet darkness to it, but it is really about friendship and closing those sometimes awkward gaps in relationships. Plus, any song that involves someone giving a 3D copy of a tumor to a waitress is golden. 

Here is "Evening Prayer" by Lens Jekman.