Successlessness

You've Been Asleep for a Hundred Seconds

Tuesday, August 31, 2004

CD Revue: Destroyer - Your Blues

Vancouver’s Dan Bejar is more widely known as a “secret” member of the New Pornographers, but his main outlet is Destroyer, which somewhat disappointingly is not a death metal band. The lack of umlauts should have been a tip off. Destroyer is, instead, a baroque folk pop band that recalls Prefab Sprout at their moodiest. No power pop gems like “Chump Change” here. It’s the baroque-iest of the baroque yet never twee. Bejar has a breathy Bowie-esqe voice that seems both mocking and sincere at the same time. Your Blues is filled dramatically titled songs like “An Actor’s Revenge”, “Notorious Lightening”, and “New Ways of Living” that more than live up to the implied drama. Lyrical and musical allusions to Fleetwood Mac and Willie Nelson are surprising but also perfect. Bejar’s lyrics are mostly dark and moody but when he shows a sunnier side, like on “What Road”, the results are genuinely affecting.

It took me along time to get into this album but over the last several months it has finally started to click with me. This a perfect example of how the best albums are not ones that grab you initially.

Mini-KHAAAAAAAN!!!!!


I picked up this little jem last night at a comic book store for a mere three dollars. You can't see it in the picture but MiniKhan even has a little hair bun in the back just like in the orignal episode. And this is TV Khan not fake pectoral chest plate movie Khan. Either way not bad for a dude that supposedly ruled the earth during the Eugenics Wars of the 1990s!

I may have to get the whole set. I already have spock but I some how lost his feet. BTW KHAAAAAAAN!!!!

People I am Not Voting For

September 14th is the Washington State Primary and voters guides and mail-in ballots are starting to come in the mail. I'm excited to be voting for Ron Sims and Mark Sidran. And as with every primary election there are tons of crackpot candidates. Here are a few candidates I am definately not voting for with linkks to the online votersguide.

William Edward Chovil – US Senate "Here is the deal, not the "new-deal", not the "raw-deal", not the "bum deal", but the "pro-American deal"; if you believe that America can do better with more Americanism and less Socialism let me represent you in the United States Senate." I almost want to vote for this guy just for fun.

Will Baker – State Auditor "I believe the number one issue in the 2004 State Auditor election ought to be the attempts by current Washington State Attorney General Christine Gregoire to cover-up the events surrounding Crystal Brame’s murder." Um, yeah...

Mike The Mover - Governor "I propose alternating Legislative sessions, beginning in 2005 to be held at alternating fixed locations in Eastern Washington, namely Ellensburg (2005), Cheney (2007), and Pullman (2009)." Mike The Mover's ideas are not as strange as his voter's guide picture.

David Blomstrom - Superintendent of Public Instruction "My campaign website lists over 25 issues, focusing on protecting children from corporations, the "Seattle Mafia" and Homeland Security. Vote no on I-884; why create a state income tax when we can save BILLIONS by boycotting Microsoft and the WASL and holding corrupt school officials, teachers unions and their cronies accountable? Free open source software (like Linux) could also protect users from viruses, high-tech spies, and Microshaft’s software patches and outsourcing, further boosting the economy." Now how did I miss the Microsoft/WASL connection? It all makes so much sense now!

Monday, August 30, 2004

CD Revue: The Decemberists - The Tain EP

How does a band follow two brilliant albums brilliant whimsical pop? With a prog-metal mini-epic based on an Irish legend. The Tain is an 18 minute song with 5 movements. I still can't quite discern the story completely, although reading along with the lyrics does help. The best part is the second movement that sounds completely 70s with a rollicking metal rhythm. Rachel Bloomberg's "Hag" section is excellent as well. My only complaint is that I wish the 5 sections were broken up into separate tracks. Overall its a fun disc but ultimately for Decemberists completists or prog rock freaks.

Watching the VMAs

One should never watch an awards show alone. You could probably watch the Oscars alone since that the winners of that awards show have some actual meaning. The only point of watching awards shows is so you can make catty comments to the other people in the room about what is on the screen. Thank god Headstart watched them with me. It was even her idea. Here are some random comments and ramblings about the MTV VMAs (Video Music Awards).

Will Smith is irrevocably lame. Has he ever seemed cool to anyone older than age 13? Has there ever been a man that is supposed to be cool yet was completely lacking of edge?

Damn Shaq, looked ripped! The Lakers are so going to regret trading him. I mean wow! I may have to wager some money on the Heat to win it all this year.

What in god's name was John Stewart doing involved with this clusterfuck? I mean are 14 y/o supposed to dig his say hi to my Jewish grandmother in Miami jokes? Eeech!

Beyonce looked like she's going for some Farrah Fawcett/Pam Anderson thing. Bad Idea! That hair yikes! Although the look doesn't look as bad when she is standing next to Jay-Z. It makes it a sort of a pimp and ho couple thing.

Just how high were the guys in Hoobastank when then they decides that would a totally awesome name?

Kanye West's performance was really cool. Hip Hop often seems underwhelming live but Kanye really pulled it off. At least until Chaka Khan showed up! Truly awful out of key singing. I wonder what she was on. My money's on Quaaludes or horse tranquilizers.

I can understand why Franz Ferdinand and Modest Mouse are MTV2 acts but why is Yellowcard an MTV2 act? I thought Green Day rip-off bands were under the purview of regular MTV. No big surprise that Yellowcard one the MTV2 awards since they were the only nominee present. It's almost a slam dunk that the artist that is the auditorium will win the award. They were frighteningly excited to win their VMA. You'd think they just met Billy Joe Armstrong or something. I think the lead singer had tears in his eyes.

That Gap ad, I think it’s a gap ad, with Sarah Jessica Parker and Lenny Kravitz is really annoying. I don't understand the appeal of either of those people. SJP would likely be considered attractive if she was just some girl in your office but world class beauty? No Way! Maybe I’m still pissed at her because of when Carrie so cruelly begged to get back in Aidan's life after she cheated on him and then proceeded to dump him and walk out on their engagement. Grrrr. And Lenny Kravitz's appeal has always escaped me. He's a nice looking guys an all but his music is so boring and drab. Every time this ad was on we flipped over to Fuse and watched Outcast videos.

The whole Kerry daughters and Bush daughters thing was a disaster. The audience was booing the whole time. The Kerry sisters came off as toney and bitchy. The Bush twins were really icky looking, especially Barbara who looks way to much like her father, but made the right call in appearing on tape and didn't come off as pissy.

Eva Mendes looked awful. She looke like she had just woken up from a coke stupor and rushed out fo her hotel room in last nights clothes and only managed to fix her hair up in the convertibale on the way over.

It's official I do not get Crunk. I feel like my grandfather. That's music? And why did that keep showing Bruce Willis dancing with P. Diddy? That scared me.

Outkast's show closing performance was stellar as usually but its really to bad there isn't a Public Enemy around these days that has truly political songs to match the Political pageantry. As good as it was to see all the convention-esque Vote Now signs, it was undermined by the fact that it was accompanied by "Hey Ya" and "I Love the Way You Move” neither of which are the next "Fight the Power".

Finally, I’m confused. I am I supposed to Vote or Die? Or is it Declare Yourself? Rock the Vote? Choose or Loose? Come celebrities get it together!

Friday, August 27, 2004

Quote of the Week

Cupid is a righteous dude
And I'm glad for everything he do'd
-Jad Fair, "Cupid"

Wednesday, August 25, 2004

Breakup Songs

I was rather bored with the Olympics last night so I made a mix CD of my favorite breakup songs. I tried to stick with more contemporary artists and avoid cute or jokey tunes and go for more heartfelt stuff. I also tried to end it with some more hopeful breakup songs. Here is the track list:

Sleater-Kinney – One More Hour
Built To Spill – Fling
Blur – No Distance Left To Run
Morrissey – Will Never Marry
Magnetic Fields – Why I Cry
Jon Brion – Ruin My Day
Lloyd Cole – No More Love Songs
Beck – Guess I’m Doing Fine
Wilco - At Least That’s What You Said
Pernice Brothers – 7:30
Pulp – Bad Cover Version
Guided By Voices – Game of Pricks
Belle and Sebastian – I’m Waking Up To Us
They Might Be Giants – Narrow Your Eyes
Scud Mountain Boys – Grudgefuck
Minus 5 – I’m Not Bitter
Wilco – Box Full of Letters
Lucksmiths – Deep Sea Diving Suit
Elliott Smith – Oh Well, Okay
Badly Drawn Boy – A Minor Incident
XTC – I Can’t Own Her

Anything I forgot? All suggestions are welcome.

Monday, August 23, 2004

Voldemort Can't Stop the Rock!


Harry and the Potters are a teenage pair of Boston area brothers that sing songs solely inspired the Harry Potter books. They are clearly big geeks but they also write pretty groovey lo-fi tunes. If I didn't know other wise I would think it was a Tullycraft side project or something. I may actually have to buy their albums. It's ridiculously good for something sounds like just a joke. Listen to them here. Really how could you not like a band that has song titles like "Save Ginny Weasley" and "Wizard Chess".

I can not thank FCW enough for sending me the link. It totally made my day.

Sunday, August 22, 2004

The Wonders of Local Casino-oriented Programming

Last night after seeing the good but underwhelming We Don't Live Here Anymore, Headstart and I witnessed the best bit of local TV programming since Bill Nye left Almost Live, KIRO 7's Tulalip Casino Night. It is a combination of reality show, poker tv, and Indian casino infomercial. It is hosted by Gaard Swanson and it consists of a bunch of teams of two with silly names like Eastside Playaz or Hit Men. The teams compete in Baccarat, Roulette, Black Jack, and Texas Hold'em. I think the prize is some fancy vacation.

In the episode we watched our favorite teams were Double Trouble, a couple of skanky overtanned friends with too much make up and bad skin, and Twin Deuces a pair of 79 year old bald twins that wear ugly glasses and matching shortsleeve shirt ensembles. The show is very low budget and cheesy in the best possible way. Dorkmaster host Swanson is not the sole host; there is a former Miss Universe that just seems to stand around and look pretty and a creepy gambling expert named George that seems to focus on coming up stupid zingers than in giving any real insight.

The funniest part about the show is that there were hardly any real commercials. Mostly just KIRO promos and public service announcements from the Boy Scouts. Next week is the last episode with an hour long Texas Hold'em showdown. It should not be missed!

Thursday, August 19, 2004

Billy Bob is My New Hero

No not Billy Bob Thornton, Billy Bob from Varsity Blues AKA Ron Lester. Look at these pictures: 2000, 2001, 2002, and finally 2004. Wow!

Wednesday, August 18, 2004

Worse Than Garfield

Avoid Open Water at all costs!!!!! It was so boring and lame that I had to walk out of it. Bad acting, bad direction, bad movie. And now that I know how it ends I am even happier that I left! I hated the main characters and for a movie that is supposed to be scary it wasn't the least bit frightening. I wanted the sharks to eat them! The new Blair Witch Project my ass! I'm losing faith in Ebert first Garfield then Little Black Book and now this atrocity. Maybe David Edelstein should be my new film guru. In his pan he asks "this is entertainment?" No,its not entertainment and its not art either, its worse than Garfield, a feat I didn't think possible in my lifetime. Shit, at least I saw Garfield for free! I'd even watch Aliens vs. Predator for 24 hours straight than have to watch the rest of Open Water. Anyway, I'm gonna watch a good movie about people stuck in the middle of nowhere, Duel.

Gymnasts Scare Me

The US Olympic Women's Gymnastic team really scares me. They look like little stocky mutants kinda like hobbit women or something. They look all nice and cute but they have this look in their eyes like it you pat them on the head they will reveal their razor sharp teeth and eat your arm. What's weird is that the Russian and Romanian teams look comparatively like regular girls, and unlike the hyper-athletic US team they actually have some grace about them. Also the American girls looked like total assholes with their whiny scowls in comparison with the jubilant Russians and Romanians. They looked like a bunch of spoiled brats. Spoiled glittery mutant hobbit brats.

On the other hand, the US Olympic Men's Gymnastic team doesn't scare me but I do wonder why they all sound like little girls when they talk.

MooLatte or Mulatto?

Really, what was Dairy Queen thinking? Did they really think no one would make a connection? Or were they really dumb enough not to nice the similarity? Clearly this is one of the biggest corporate unintentional comedy momments of the decade. Even more funny is this exchange with a DQ flack.

Tuesday, August 17, 2004

Noirish

I've been watching tons of film noir lately via Netflix. Some favorites thus far have been High Sierra with an awesome Bogart performance, both versions of The Killers, Criss Cross with Burt Lancaster, Murder, My Sweet with Dick Powell as Philip Marlowe, and Altman's brilliant The Long Goodbye with Elliot Gould as Marlowe, which is now one of my all time favorite films.

Tonight I watched Mildred Pierce. Its not really a noir film even though it is based on a James M. Cain novel. Its more of a melodrama. But wow what a melodrama! Joan Crawford is fantastic in the leading role as a self-made woman who struggles to please the bitchiest daughter in movie history. I can totally see how her whole cult grew out of this film. I guess that's another check mark against my hetero credentials, oh well...

Simmons vs. Klosterman

Holy shit! Two of my favorite columnists Bill "The Sports Guy" Simmons and Chuck "Fargo Rock City" Klosterman duke it out in an email war. Topics discusses include Olympic Basketball, AVP, Ricky Williams, Tom Cruise, Singles vs. Reality Bites, 90210, Poker, and The Real World.

Monday, August 16, 2004

CD Revue: Danger Mouse – The Grey Album

The idea of mixing Jay-Z's Black Album with the Beatles’ White Album sounds clever but I didn’t expect it to be legitimately good. This album is not a typical mash-up where a vocal is laid over a different track instead Danger Mouse uses the White album to as the soul sampling source to create new tracks for Jay-Z’s rap tracks. I wasn’t that familiar with Jay-Z before I liked the singles I knew but was never compelled to really investigate further, but this album has opened my eyes to what a great rapper Jay-Z is. The best track is "99 Problems" with its "Helter Skelter" track. Other favorites include “Change Clothes” ("Piggies") and "My 1st Song" ("Can You Take Back"). Download the Grey Album here.

Movies, Movies, Movies

2004 Movies I Have Seen:
Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer, Alien Vs. Predator, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, The Bourne Supremacy, Club Dread, Control Room, The Corporation, The Dreamers, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Fahrenheit 9/11, 50 First Dates, Garden State, Garfield, Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Head On, Hellboy, Jersey Girl, Kill Bill: Vol. 2, The Ladykillers, The Manchurian Candidate, Melvin Goes To Dinner, Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism, The Passion of the Christ, Spartan, Spider-Man 2, Starsky and Hutch, Super Size Me, The Woodsman, and Young Adam

2004 Movies I Missed But Want to See:
The Alamo, Collateral, Dogville, The Door in the Floor, Goodbye Lenin!, I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, I’m Not Scared, Man on Fire, Mean Girls, Metallica: Some Kind of Monster, Napoleon Dynamite, The Notebook, Open Water, The Reckoning, Riding Giants, Saved!, She Hate Me, Shrek 2, Stander, The Village, and We Don’t Live Here Anymore

2004 Movies I’m Looking Forward To:
Alexander, Alfie, The Assassination of Richard Nixon, The Aviator, Bad Education, Birth, Blade: Trinity, Bride and Prejudice, The Brown Bunny, Closer, Criminal, DiG!, A Dirty Shame, Finding Neverland, The Grudge, Hero, I Am David, I Heart Huckabee’s, The Incredibles, Kinsey, The Life Aquatic, The Machinist, Mean Creek, Millions, Mr. 3000, The Motorcycle Diaries, Ocean’s Twelve, Proof, The Ringer, Sideways, Silver City, Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, Spanglish, Synergy, Team America: World Police, Uncovered: The War in Iraq, Undertow, Vanity Fair, WhenWill I Be Loved, and Wicker Park

Sunday at the Movies

I went to see Aliens vs. Predator Sunday afternoon solely because my brother asked me and it seemed like a fun a nerdy thing to do. I was extremely wary of the film since it looked just awful so my expectations were very very low. I was ready to walk out if it really sucked. But luckily it didn't totally suck. It was extremely mediocre but I was not bored, the action scenes were coherent except for the first few, and the film did not betray its own logic or anything ridiculous like that. I wouldn't recommend paying to see it but its worth watching on cable if you are busy folding laundry or doing dishes. (Now that’s a ringing endorsement!) The best part of the movie was seeing some long haired skinny nerd get thrown out before the film started because he had snuck back in from seeing an earlier of the same crappy movie. Now that is a sad sad little nerd man.

I saw Garden State with Headstart on Sunday night and it was fabulous. It was easily the best looking most pretty movie I have seen since All the Real Girls and it has a fantastic soundtrack as well (The Shins, Iron & Wine, etc). The story had a few weak spots but the style and performances of the film more than made up for those. The Graduate and Harold and Maude homages were there but did not dominate to film as I expected it too. I’m not very familiar with Zach Braff since I don’t watch Scrubs but he is a fantastic director and his acting is pretty good too. Natalie Portman stole show. She is just amazing in this movie, both enchanting and very real. Peter Sarsgaard is great as well. How does this guy convincingly play both a stoner loser in this film and snooty editor at the New Republic in Shattered Glass with out changing his hair? In addition to being very funny it's also very romantic and would make a great date movie. If you loved Lost in Translation and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind then you should love this film as well.

Gambling in Olympia

I spent Saturday in Olympia visiting my mother and stepfather. In addition to the fun of buying an ice cream cake inscribed with "Happy Dinner"and buying a bottle of Canadian whiskey for my semi-alcoholic grandmother, we played poker for a good 5 hours. I bought $10 worth of chips and 2 hours later I was down to $2 then I got really hot and kept winning big pots and by the end of the night I had $38 plus making it the first time I have ever won money at poker. It was a lot of fun even if I did somehow piss my mother for stating that she was drunk when she was clearly blotto. Why that was a bad thing to do I'll never know.

Friday, August 13, 2004

No Figo-ing way!

American coverage of non-American football sucks. Case and point is this AP article about the Iraqi men's soccer team's victory over Portugal yesterday at the Olympics. While the Iraqi victory is a still big upset the article makes it seem like more than it really is by hyping the fact that Portugal made it to the Euro 2004 finals last month and leaving out the fact that this Portuguese team is not the same team!

The men's soccer in the Olympics limits teams to only 3 players over age 23, because FIFA could careless about the Olympics and doesn't want it tarnishing the uniqueness of the World Cup. There is only one players from the regular Portuguese National team on the Portuguese Olympic team; Cristiano Ronaldo. No Luis Figo, no Rui Costa, and not even the awesomely named Deco. The Portuguese Olympic team does have a player named just Danny which is pretty cool. But it's not the same team!

BTW I really think American sports should adopt the one name thing. That shit is cool. Thus far we only have Ichiro, but why not have just Barry or just Markus or just Terrell or just LeBron or just Carmello?

Hey! Ho!

Get your Ramones name here. I think this is the dumbest name generator ever.

Wednesday, August 11, 2004

Quote of the Week

"Everything is legal in Mexico, that's the American way!" - Jimbo on South Park.

Silly Silly Quiz

1. What Color are your bedroom walls? A pale gross, grayish hue that used to be white.
2. What book are you reading now? The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman and Essential Spider-Man Vol 6 by Gerry Conway and Gil Kane.
3. What's on your Mouse Pad? I have no mouse pad.
4. Favorite board game? Illuminati or History of the World.
5. Favorite magazine? Entertianment Weekly or The Comics Journal.
6. Favorite smell? Fresh sheets.
7. Favorite color? Navy blue.
8. Least favorite color? Light blue.
9. How many rings before your answering machine picks up? Four, unless my cell phone is on then its like 14.
10. Most important material thing in my life? Xbox.
11. Favorite flavor of ice cream? Chubby Hubby.
12. Do you break the speed limit daily? No, unless the bus driver does.
13. Do you have a stuffed in your room somewhere? Yes, several and also one in the living room.
14. Storms- cool or scary? Fucking rad!
15. Favorite drink? Cape Cod or White Russian.
16. When is your birthday? December 12th, 1915.
17. Favorite vegatables? Peas or green beans.
18. If you could have any job, what would it be? History Reference Librarian at Seattle Public.
19. If you could have any color hair what would it be? Just like it is dark brown.
20. Have you ever been in love? Yes.
21. Top three favorite movies (in order)? The Godfather Part II, Punch Drunk Love, and Pee Wee's Big Adventure.
22. Do you type with your fingers on the right keys? Kinda sorta maybe...no.
23. What's under your bed? Luggage and old shoes.
24. What is your favorite number? 19.
25. Favorite sport to watch on TV and in person? On TV- hockey. In person- baseball.
26. What's your single biggest fear? Dying alone.
27. Favorite CD of all time and right now? All time is The Queen is Dead by the Smiths and lately I've been really into A Can of Bees by the Soft Boys.
28. Favorite TV show of all time and right now? All time is Homicide and currently The Wire.
29. Hamburgers or Hotdogs? Hotdog.
30. The coolest places you've ever been? New York City and Vancouver BC.
31. What wallpaper and/or screensaver is on your computer right now? At work this image and at home this image.
32. Does McDonald's skimp on your fries and do you care? I don't think so nor do I care.
33. Favorite chain restaurant? Arby's.
34. If you have a son what would you name him? Claude, to fulfill my fathers dream.
35. If you could learn to play one instrument overnight, what would it be Accordian, because you could play any song on it.
36. Where did you get this from? Sprizee.

Buffy Dry Humping Legal

The FCC is doing their really important work and has determined that scene in which Buffy and Spike (I refuse to call them Spuffy) fight and then dry hump with such force that they destroy a building is not indecent.
While the commission did not say that a "dry hump" is always within the bounds of the commission's rules on broadcast propriety, the panel did note that "both characters are fully clothed, and there is no evidence that the activity depicted was dwelled upon, or was used to pander, titillate or shock the audience."
I'm very glad they ruled against this complaint but sorry I for one was titillated and shocked! I mean come on look at this:

How is that not titilllating and shocking?

Tuesday, August 10, 2004

Bad Stamps


Stamps.com now has permission to sell stamps with custom pictures on them. While I think its great that you can send stamps with your wedding or baby photos, the fact that I can create a stamp featuring a tattoo of a peglegged baby riding a bleeding sheep that the post office will consider valid postage is reason enough to end this practice.

Monday, August 09, 2004

Edgar Retires



Civil War veteran Edgar Martinez announced today that he will retire from baseball at the end of the season. He did not comment on what effect tomorrow's horrific and frightening Edgar Bear promotion had upon his decision.

CD Revue: The Lashes - The Stupid Stupid EP

The Lashes are the bonvivants of the Seattle music scene and they have been more famous for their publicity stunts than for their music. The lead singer Ben is a former acquaintance of my brother and used go to parties my brother would throw in our Portage Bay apartment at 3 AM that always seemed to coincide with me having a big test the next day. I know Ben from his clerking at Sonic Boom and he has always seemed like a cool guy in spite of his hipster haircut. I never knew what to think of the Lashes but I figured they'd be alright based on the music Ben had recommended to me and discussed at Sonic Boom. When I read in The Stranger that they don't want to be indie rockers but what to be legit pop stars I knew I had to check out their new EP.

This EP shows the Lashes to be more than just alright. They are verging on awesome, not to be hyperbolic. There are just four songs and each is a pop gem. I'm partial to "It's Your Party" and "Pop Song". Its nice to know sometimes self-hype pays off and I am anxiously awaiting a full length album from these guys. I highly recommend downloading the song "Death By Mixtape" from their label's website.

Sudden Customer Service

This morning my co-worker/friend FCW received a phone call from an irate man in California that demanded that she send some one to his house to help set up his internet connection. He either called the wrong number or was transferred incorrectly. She explained that she didn't have anything to do with that which caused him to rail against outsourcing, declare that he is a stockholder, and he deserves the customer service he wants. He continued ranting for a while and eventually hung up on her. What a jerk. I've received lots of strange calls at work mainly owing to my common and boring name but most have been cordial misunderstandings.

Why do people have to be such assholes? While I wish I worked in a more public service environment I definitely don't miss dealing with the assholes of the public. At my job prior to this one people on the phone were always the worst. People in person couldn't be too much of a jerk to your face but people on the phone would demand the most outrageous thing and then get mad when you told them you couldn't sketch out their entire family history over the phone for them. So try to be nice to people on the phone.

Friday, August 06, 2004

CD Revue: Sgt. Major - Rich, Creamery Butter




The first time I saw Sgt. Major perform was at a Pop Festival at the Croc a few years back. The entire band was decked out in white polyester marching band uniforms and the lead singer was wearing a black leather mini skirt a combination which I found irrevocably cool. I've since seen them several time and each time they are better. While its not surprising that I would dig a band made up of former members of the Fastbacks and Young Fresh Fellows, I still find the quality of the songs surprising. Kurt Bloch is really writing some great songs in this band. "The Battleship Called Greed" has a hypnotic baseline and a chorus that really kicks ass. "Erase You" is cool almost metal rocker. "Underneath It" is perfect power pop. And I think their cover of The Model Rockets' "Cheaters" was concocted just to make me smile.

Sgt. Major are playing at the Sunset Tavern on Saturday Aug 14th. I'll be there drinking PBR and you should be too.

"I Don't ... Want ... Your Life!"

Bill Simmons sings the praises of Varsity Blues, which in my estimation is one of the best bad movies of all-time and even better if you are fucked up.

Thursday, August 05, 2004

Bush Misspeaks the Truth?

This morning our President said the following:
Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we.

Thanks for being upfront with us for once W!

Wednesday, August 04, 2004

CD Revue: A.C. Newman - The Slow Wonder

Apparently the name Carl Newman isn't indie rock enough, maybe sounds to much like a janitor or something. The first solo album from the front man of the New Pornographers and Zumpano is a real treat. It's both poppy and rocking. "The Miracle Drug" is a pop gem and the cello on "The Town Halo" really rocks. Yes, I said the cello rocks. A great first solo effort for Carl, err, I mean A.C.

Razzmatazz???

I am so buying a box of crayons tonight, after reading this article in which Spiderman reviews all 96 crayon colors. Now that is genius!

Ebert-Gallo Feud Over?

Apparently Roger Ebert and Vincent Gallo have settled their on going feud over the film The Brown Bunny. Hopefully, this means Gallo will release Ebert from the gypsy curse he put on Ebert that caused him to suffer from some Thinner-esque wasting disease!

Also I think the billboard featuring a blow job, that Gallo has put up in Hollywood, is just wrong. Although I still kinda want to see the film in spite of its reputation. Gallo's first directorial effort Buffalo '66 was great.

Tuesday, August 03, 2004

CD Revue: The Bees – Free The Bees

The Bees are the only band I know of to hail from the Isle of Wight and they may be one of the least original bands ever, even more unoriginal than the White Stripes. They are also verge on brilliance. It’s much easier to believe they are some undiscovered 60s British band than a actual current band. Their music recalls the Kinks, the Jam, the Who, and even The Beatles. The retro factor is limiting because it makes it all seem like a glorified exercise in recreating the past that it distracts from the music itself. The album gets off to a ridiculous start with “Chicken Payback”, which is a 60s style stupid dance song. “Horseman” is a neat garage rocker with nice harmonies. “Wash in the Rain” is the closest they get to contemporary and even then it still reminds me of the Small Faces. All the rest of the songs are great but the album as whole while fun lacks heart.

Ripken Streak Overrated

Finally someone agrees with me! Eric Neel details why Cal Ripken's streak is overrated here.

Monday, August 02, 2004

CD Revue: Graham Coxon - Happiness in Magazines

Back in 2002, when I heard that guitarist Graham Coxon had left or been fired from Blur my heart sank. The Blur I knew and loved appeared to be no more. How could Blur be good without Graham? But when Think Tank came out last year, I was pleasantly surprised Blur was still excellent Graham or no Graham. Maybe Graham wasn't that important after all? Then Graham goes and puts out the great lost Brit Pop album! Maybe he is the real genius of Blur? It's like he's channeling 1995. "Freakin' Out" has to be one of the catchiest singles of the year. "Bittersweet Bundle of Misery" is a typical Coxon Blur song but with better lyrics. And "Bottom Bunk" is a weird Kinks-like song that I think is about self-pleasure. All and all it is as good as anything Blur has done since The Great Escape and is one of the best albums of the year.

Sometimes I Do Like Mondays

Usually monday mornings are hell for me, but today was different. I think the clean house, full nights sleep, and the fog all made this morning a wonderful thing. I didn't have time to get coffee during my commute but that didn't matter. Hopefully this is the start to a great week and not just some strange outlier.

Sunday, August 01, 2004

F Helgoland S A Denmark H

That is the Diplomacy order I some how failed to write that resulted in me completely blowing an chance I had of remaining in contention in this week's game. I went from controling five supply centers to one. I really ought to be ashamed. BTW if you understood any of the above you are a big geek. Anyway, it was an otherwise excellent game with a full seven players. Congrats to Kool Lee on the victory and to my brother and the Canadian for their second place tie.

The Manchurian Verdict

On Friday night, Headstart and I saw new Manchurian Candidate and it ruled! Jonathan Demme is back! While it wasn't as good as the original it was still a great film and in some ways a more complete and cohesive film. All the changes worked and some really improved the weakness of the original. There was nothing as brilliant as the Ladies' Garden Society scene though. Denzel was great as was Meryl Streep. Robyn Hitchcock was great in his small role and almost stole the show with his weirdness. This was one of the few remakes that was worth making. I wouldn't be surprised to see this film in my year end top ten list.

Also Harold and Kumar was an excellent stoner comedy!