Lupe Fiasco's the Cool (A review by someone who doesn't listen to rap music)

The hoopla has died down, Christmas has come and gone, I am sitting in my living room with a Christmas Tree that is holding on to dear life and a cat who you would think has post-holiday depression if you didnt know he does this 23 hours a day. I have, what I can only assume is, a common cold and that would make me angry if I had enough strength to feel anger. I am listening to Lupe Fiasco's the Cool for about the 5th time and I have yet to absorb all of the greatness of this record.
He is a smart cat, Lupe. Too smart to be compared to his peers. He is in a category of his own. He is a rapper, but not in the way that dipshits like Kanye or 50 Cent do their thing. He tells a good story. So much is going on so quickly that I feel like I miss something each time I listen and at the same time I hear something new. My attention span isn't always the greatest and I tend to drift off in between verses. So I have to listen to the songs a few times to get it all. There are standout tracks throughout the album. Go, Go Gadget Flow might be my favorite, but thats just at first listen because Paris, Tokyo is great and so is Hip Hop Saved My Life and Intruder Alert and Put You On Game. I suppose when determining whether a rap album is good or not you have to take a few things into account. The beat, the production, the versuses. Like I have mentioned before a chorus in a rap song has always felt like filler to me, but on this record I actually enjoy some of them. The use of keys in this record is great...I love it. When comparing this album with his last you notice that more emphasis has been put on production. Electric guitars and piano...guest appearances. With all the additions made none of it takes away from his great lyrics.
As I continue to listen I forgot how much I love Little Weapon. A topic that stretches across races and socioeconomic standing and across oceans to other worlds. And then there is Fighters. The second to last song on the album. A eulogy.. and then he picks it up with Go Baby and everybody goes home happy.
I do not listen to a lot of rap. In fact, I listen to very little. This record is great. You should buy it!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Behold!

A Christmas Song A Day

ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE AND THIS IS NAT KING COLE
MERRY CHRISTMAS IN TWO DAYS
Nat King Cole [mp3] Silent Night

Bat For Lashes-What's A Girl To Do

I don't exactly know what it is about this video I enjoy so much. Maybe its the Donnie Darko stage setting or the in sync clapping and bike tricks. Or maybe it is the quick shot of the ghosts letting go of balloons on the side of the road. Some people might say that is "spooky".

A Christmas Song A Day

Its creepy and weird and the acting is on parallel with porn..."oh, are you the new butler?"
But here it is anyway. Bing Crosby and David Bowie...Little Drummer Boy.

The Crowded Open Road

Down to my last 8 minutes. 2 week break. I can't wait...8 minutes. Just bought two albums off Itunes with an Itunes gift card I received today. I picked up Lupe Fiasco's new one and Panda Bear. I love Lupe Fiasco and I know very little about Panda Bear other than they sound like the Beach Boys, they are members or member of Animal Collective, they do not sound like Animal Collective, and they have received lots of hype.
I can't wait to listen to Lupe Fiasco. A good roadtrip for me involves a couple new cds, two Starbucks Double Shots, 1 yellow Gatorade, and a pouch of Levi Garrett. The chew I can do without. The music and caffeine I cannot.
Looking forward to the peace and quiet...and the absence of adolescents.

A Christmas Song a Day

COULD ANYTHING THIS PRETTY REALLY HURT YOU

The silky smooth vocal stylings of Bing Crosby. Let him drive that sleigh home into the Christamas season. Happy Holidays and prepare your palate for the warm delicious holiday spirit we like to call glogg. It will be simmering in a crock pot this time tomorrow.
Here is a quote from some Swedish fella. I think he hit the nail on the head
"Claret is the drink for boys, port for men, but he who aspires to be a hero must drink brandy"

Bing Crosby [mp3] It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

My Favorite Songs of The Year

MY FAVORITE 8 SONGS OF 2007
(Honorable Mention Paper Planes-M.I.A.)
8. Phantom Limb-The Shins

The Shins are great...and even greater live. This is my favorite song on a really good cd. I can't quite decide if it is better than Chutes Too Narrow. Everyone has their opinion about it. I think I will sit on the fence for this one.



7. Videotape-Radiohead

I am convinced Thome Yorke is a simple alien making a killing on planet earth.






6. Fake Empire-The National

Its a creepy kind of song somehow to me. A great song.





5. Is There A Ghost-Band of Horses

This song has like 13 words, but its awesome...it makes me want to throw shit with the intention of breaking shit. Know-it-all music reviewists say this is arena rock...and so what if it is...it is amazing



4. I Must Belong Somewhere-Bright Eyes

This is one of those songs that I wish went on forever. Its simple and its great





3. Flightless Bird, American Mouth-Iron and Wine

Something seems familiar about this song. If I was a songwriter I think this is the kind of songwriter I would like to be. There is no way Sam Beam is ever angry. And that would be a nice way to live. Moe is a fat house cat.
[mp3] Flightless Bird, American Mouth



2. The Mending of the Gown-Sunset Rubdown

Arguably my favorite band right now. All the ruckus is somehow very comforting to me.





1. While You Were Sleeping-Elvis Perkins

When you write a song this good I think it can almost follow you as a curse. Anything he does from here on out will be compared to this amazing song. Another simple song that could go on for hours and I wouldn't mind. Ash Wednesday is a real great album and all, but this song just kills me. I can hardly get past it. I almost thing it would have been better for him to release this song by itself as a single; kind of like Trapeze Swinger by Iron and Wine. Maybe I like this song too much...but I dont think so. Its my favorite song this year. If you haven't checked out any Take Away Shows they are pretty cool. And by pretty cool I mean badass. Here is Elvis Perkins and While You Were Sleeping.

#66.1 - Elvis Perkins - While you were sleeping
Uploaded by lablogotheque

A Christmas Song a Day

Middle Schools often collect items such as coats and groceries and presents for families who have less than they should. The question to why these families have less is not the issue. If you have more you try to give to those who have less...if you think about it too much it gets muttled and confusing and you end up becoming a less caring person than you really are. Today we made a delivery...to a family...a family with less...in an area that looked like it had barely survived an air strike in the Second World War. It was scary because I am white and am not poor and white people get scared when they go to predominently black areas...and this fact makes me sad and makes me feel guilty and makes me feel like a coward. We pulled up to a house with a Chrysler in the front yard and a make shift stone walkway that led to a broken screen door. The house was one room wide and two rooms deep. It was cluttered with half broken furniture and trash and was lit up by a static filled television screen showing President Bush fumbling through sentences. The lady apologized for the mess and said they were just moving furniture around...we knew better...this is what their house looks like. And it is a house...a home...to two families, not one...and we brought gifts and chicken and cans of food and coats (I had nothing to do with the collection of goods...I was just there for safety and help). It was hard to find rooms for the four bags of stuff we had for them. I went into the kitchen to drop down some of the packages when I noticed the oven was on and the door wide open. That was their heat...an oven...and this made me sad. The mother was thankful and sort of prideful when she accepted the gifts. She said a quiet thank you and said she had to hurry off to an interview. We wished her luck and got back into our cars and disappeared from a world that is not ours....a world that seems unfair. But it is their world and it has no inclination of changing any time soon. Everything is relative to our own situations and we all complain when we shouldn't and I think thats OK sometimes. Today just made me want to complain a little less and enjoy all the good things I have a little more. Five days until Christmas!!!!!!

I know this is the second Hark! The Herald...songs I have played but I can't resist playing this one today
Vince Guaraldi Trio [mp3] Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

A Christmas Song a Day

Can you believe there are only 6 days until Christmas...Oh how the time flies. You can no longer order presents online and expect them by Christmas morning. This just means that we all must venture out into the pit of hell which is simply your local mall and fight through the holiday madness just to find a polo shirt to give your father. Good times will be had by all!!!

"Presents? Is that what you said? Presents? We'll open them when we get there. No, in fact, I'll save you the trouble. Your present is a giant fucking canon. And you're gonna crawl in it. Then I'm gonna get 2 pounds of gunpowder and I'm gonna shoot you right out of Jersey! And then I'm gonna drive to Jersey, and pick up all the parts of your body and put them in a plastic bag. Then I'm gonna drive to my house with you in the bag and toss you into the fireplace. I'm gonna get my glass of whiskey and watch the Charlie Brown special with your ashes burning IN MY FUCKING HOUSE! AGH!"
-Gus (Denis Leary) The Ref

Its not quite Elvis, but here you go...
Bright Eyes [mp3]Blue Christmas

A Christmas Song a Day

"I simply solved the problem. We needed a coffin... Er, a tree. There are no lots open on Christmas Eve. Lewis burned down my tree so I replaced it as best I could. Voilà."
-Clark W. Griswold

Nat King Cole [mp3] Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Arthur and Yu

Arthur and Yu's In Camera is a pleasant album to listen to on a snowy day in the Midwest. Its nice pop music. You don't have to think too much about it...the melodies are comforting...its just a nice album. To me they sound a little like a cross between the Hidden Cameras, Belle and Sabastian, and Devandra Banhart. They are touring with Iron and Wine right now. Here are a couple songs of off In Camera.

Arthur and Yu [mp3] Absurd Heroes Manifesto
Arthur and Yu [mp3] Come to View (Song for Neil Young)

A Christmas Song a Day

From here on out I am going to play a Christmas Song a day. Today Eef Barelay starts us out with Joy To The World. Time to get in the spirit. Have fun Goddamnit...its Christmas!!

Eef Barzelay [mp3] Joy To The World

Just Twice Andy, Really?

NEEDLE BROTHERS
Get used to this...a nice tactic if you believe everyone on earth is a retarded infant. Andy Pettite claiming that..."oh yeah I used steroids for two days 5 years ago"...and my favorite "if what I did was an error in judgement I apologize". Sounds like a great line from the TV show Friday Night Lights ("I am sorry you are upset with me"). Andy Pettite is a fucking idiot for thinking this would work. Sure guy, thats the only time you used HGH. Golly Gee! thanks for being so honest. Doesn't he realize that the damage is done. Whether these guys tell us that they thought they were injecting flax seed oil into their asses or that they tell us that they weren't sure if HGH was a "no no", and that they apologize for their indiscretions...
You get the sense that these guys aren't the brightest human beings in the world and the truth is that they are not. Thats why you see so many comical statements made by athletes every day. You don't feel sorry for them because they are rich and famous and not smart...and I will steal a line from Beautiful Girls ("Moe is like a retarded person who doesn't know any better. He doesn't desire new experiences, new women, nothing. He's like a mental patient who doesn't know he's mental, so he's perfectly content.") Andy Pettite is like a retarded person who doesn't know any better...thats why he will get away with what he said. Get used to these excuses...on a slightly different not...what about Brady Anderson...where is he in this mess?

Lupe Fiasco Is Cooler Than Kanye West

There are few rap artists I enjoy. Public Enemy, Ice Cube, Spice 1, A Tribe Called Quest and most recently Lupe Fiasco. I first heard about Lupe Fiasco a couple of years ago when MTV regularly played the video for Kick, Push. When I first saw this skater video I kind of liked it...I just didnt know if I was "supposed" to like it. Then a friend burnt Food and Liquor for me and I loved it. All the way through, it reminded me of a combination of all the rappers I enjoy. His lyrics weren't about nonsense drug deals or slapping hoes asses...they told stories and the songs were filled with intelligent and interesting rhymes. The criticisms I heard about him were surrounded around his choruses or lack of chorus in his songs. Personally, I find a chorus in a rap song to be rediculous fillers...just to break up the versuses. Lupe has a new cd coming out on Tuesday (12/18), The Cool, based off a character from probably the best track on his previous disc. I have really been looking forward to this release. I have heard a couple of songs off of this disc and the last one I have listened to has been my favorite. It is called Paris, Tokyo and it definitely has a chorus. Reminds me of Q-Tip a little bit and that is a good thing. This is how rap is supposed to be...I don't know when it took the wrong turn. I suppose Tupac not being around has something to do with this, but I don't really "know" rap and I don't pretend to. This song is good and I can't wait to pick up this album or burn it from one of those rare Middle Schoolers who enjoy the music I enjoy. Check out this song and pick up the disc on Tuesday.
Kanye West is not cool!!!

Lupe Fiasco [mp3] Paris,Tokyo

Before The Devil Knows You're Dead

We went and saw Before The Devil Knows You're Dead last night. Our choices were between Into the Wild (which I was not so excited about in spite of countless recommendations from people and a phenomenal soundtrack by Eddie Vedder), No Country For Old Men and Before The Devil Knows You're Dead. We made a good choice. Haven't been to a movie for quite a while...nothing has looked that appealing to me. This movie was great. One of those movies where you leave feeling happy that you make decent decisions in your life. Last night I had dreams like this movie and woke up feeling guilty and regretful...
Philip Seymour Hoffman was great. I don't know if there is a better actor then him right now. Ethan Hawke, who I have never been that big of a fan of, did a really good job as well. This was a well acted movie. Marisa Tomei's nipples were in the movie more than she was. This was not a bad thing for the movie. I think her and her nipples did a great job in this film.
With Golden Globe Nominations just in and Before The Devil Knows You're Dead being absent from the lists, I have a hard time believing that some of the other movies are better than this one. If they are then we will have a lot to look forward to.
Here is the trailer. Go see this movie...you won't be disappointed.

Who Were The Surprises?

Lets just discuss the surprises on the list. The real surprises. Wally Joyner? Are you fucking kidding me. I always liked him. He could hit the baseball...but was never in my mind as a steroid user. I found it funny to not only think about him, but think about him as a juicer. Now that I think about it I believe he had 20 bombs in RBI Baseball.
Fernando Vina? My only hope is that he will be too embarrassed about this to continue on as a Baseball Tonight analyst because he is FUCKING BRUTAL! I would rather listen to Tim Hardaway discuss The Cold War with Lavar Arrington.
Hal Morris? I was going to say that I didnt think he had more than 6 bombs in a season until I looked it up. He did have a stretch where he hit 10, 11, 16. I wonder which years he was "strength training"?
A couple guys I played with were on the list. I played with Larry Bigbie one summer in Ohio. He was probably the best all around player I have ever been around. Fast as shit. Had a cannon. Hit like Ted Williams. I never would have thought he would have done it. I never blame any of these guys. If I was in their position I am 90% sure I would have done it.
I played with Ryan Jorgensen one summer in Kansas. He was getting ready to head to LSU from a Junior College and started his first "cycle" when we were in Nevada. He was a catcher and was the quickest I have ever seen to second. I remember having conversations with him about sticking that needle in your ass. By the end of the summer he had quite a noticable jaw line. Pretty Crazy.
Oh Mo Vaughn. I do a great Mo Vaughn imitation. He could mash.
Really you can believe it from a lot of guys. There are many more...and I don't know what this report did except punish guys and hold them accountable. Whether or not the are suspended is besides the point. The punishment is in the embarrassment.
They will all deny it. Reminds me of these crazy fucking middle schoolers. They will lie their asses off. You could be sitting at a table with them and watch them throw a bowl of mashed potatoes across the cafeteria. When you ask them why they did it they simply answer...I didn't do nothing.

Radiohead [mp3] No Surprises (live)

It Goes Down Today

Here is what I figure...Some big names are going down today at 1pm Central sharp. Not suprisingly I might add. We all have an idea who has been juicing. Just read something on espn.com about Clemens and Pettite being on the list. Who else is going to be on there? Pujols? Tejada? (nice pick up Astros...idiots), every good Dominican power hitter? Oh please, please, please no Manny or Papi. That would crush me. Just no Red Sox player. Let them all go down.
Its sad really. Great baseball players who could have been just great players. Instead they wanted to be the best in the Universe. You can't blame them totally. Money, Fame, Success, Records. And I am not going to argue this point today. You can set your family up for life if you cheat a little.
So who is going to be on the list?
Arod?
Ordonez?
Utley?

No Manny, No Papi...No Red Sox.

SAMPSON OUT?

Some rumblings around the rumor mill. It has been reported by one Paul Vartanian, that Kelvin Sampson is on his way out of Bloomington. NOTE THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN CONFIRMED AS FACT. But anytime you hear something like this you think it could be true. Recruiting violations... Worse than that IU would be ineligible for postseason tournament action.

ALL HAIL WEST TEXAS

Today, I started out by listening to Modest Mouse's most recent effort, We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank, realizing once again that I do not like this album and that this fact makes me sad because some of their early cds are my very favorite of all time. Lucky for me, my collection of Mountain Goat Albums come directly after that last Modest Mouse record. All Hail West Texas popped up and I remember how awesome some of those songs are on this disc...and how I have neglectd these great songs for too long.
When I first heard this cd I thought it was exactly what I was waiting for. It is perfect in its completely unperfect form. A simple home recording that reminds me of cloudy days when everyone is suppose to be at school or work...but I think that is what makes him such a good song writer. That the songs are completely focused on the words...there are no distracting elements.

Mountain Goats [mp3] The Mess Inside
Mountain Goats [mp3] Distant Stations

Favorite Records of the Year

I felt that it was necessary to talk about why I liked the top few albums on my list. I guess I shouldn't have put The Best albums of 2007. More like my favorites.

5. The Twilight Sad-Fourteen Autumns, Fifteen Winters-
I think its because I love typical singer/ songwriters and I listen to them so much that I grow tired of the same formula. I love The Twilight Sad because they are noise. Great noise. They have been compared to Jesus and Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine and I suppose I can see the comparison...only I like TTS much better than those bands. I also saw them at Pitchfork Festival this year and the highlight of the entire party....they opened up at 11am and were great.

4. Two Gallants-Two Gallants
This is their best record out of their three full lengths. Seems like everything came together for the two on this one. Their previous albums had standout tracks, but just not enough all the way through. Two Gallants is just a good ass record

3. Sunset Rubdown-Random Spirit Lover
I am just addicted to the byproducts of Wolf Parade. Canadians are saving rock music

2. Arcade Fire-Neon Bible
This feels like it was released years ago. I had a hard time remembering if it came out this year or not. I take for granted how good they really are. Sometimes it just takes watching a band on Austin City Limits to recapture why you love them. Their sound is huge to me. Lots of insturments screaming together. Listen to it again and you will understand why they might just be the biggest band in "good rock music" today.

1. Band of Horses-Cease to Begin
They could have come out with an album of nursery rhymes and they still would have been number 1 on this list. I like the fact that they keep elements of country music in their songs. They are coming to St. Louis at the end of January and I cant wait to see them play.

Top 23 Albums of 2007

I think this has been a pretty good year for albums. There were a bunch of real good ones. I look at lists a lot and disagree with them often. Here is my list. Feel free to disagree...or agree..or whatever. Check out some of the discs if you haven't already.
Don't let this list sway your decision making on the Album of the Year Vote. 5 votes in already! 21 days left to vote.


Top 23 Albums of 2007
23 Ryan Adams-Easy Tiger
22 Andrew Bird-Armchair Apocrypha
21 Jens Lekman-Night Falls Over Kortedala
20 Fionn Regan-The End Of History
19 Feist-The Reminder
18 Menomena-Friend and Foe
17 Spoon-Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
16 Radiohead-In Rainbows
15 The Shins-Wincing The Night Away
14 John Vanderslice-Emerald City
(tie) Bloc Party-A Weekend in the City
13 Bright Eyes-Cassadega
12 Okkervil River-Stage Names
11 The Weakerthans-Reunion Tour
10 Elvis Perkins-Ash Wednesday
9 The National- Boxer
8 Beirut-The Flying Club Cup
7 Frog Eyes-Tears of the Valedictorian
6 Iron and Wine-The Shepards Dog
5 The Twilight Sad-Fourteen Autumns, Fifteen Winters
4 Two Gallants-Two Gallants
3 Sunset Rubdown-Random Spirit Lover
2 Arcade Fire-Neon Bible
1 Band of Horses- Cease to Begin

Friday Feels Like A Jailbreak

It's friday and I am feeling only what I imagine an inmate must feel as he approaches the day of his release. Not only am I looking forward to the weekend (which starts at approximately 2:08, but also the two week Christmas Break that is barely off into the distance. Too many good things going on.
1. it almost snowed last night
2. Christmas is approaching
3. Friends are having babies
4. Tonight I am going to drink and bet on NBA basketball
5. Christmas music feels appropriate for the first time today
6. I will be back in Indiana in two weeks
7. There are already presents under the Christmas tree
8. IU beats Kentucky this weekend
9. My beard is making amazing progress

A couple funny things happened recently at the "brain factory". A 7th grader...lets call him Simon was telling a story amongst a small group of classmates. Simon is not exactly "with it" and words and statements occasionally fly over his head...even things that come out of his own mouth. His story...
"Yeah me and Michael were out in the woods jacking around and he was messing with this stump and then he kept on "jacking off" and we hung out for a little longer and we "jacked off" some more and then we met up with Kyle and we all "jacked off" for a while and then we went home."
Amazing the will power it takes for an adult to not break out into laughter at such an account.

An 8th grader had recently broken his wrist. I asked him how long he has the cast for. His answer...
"I don't know...we are going to the urologist today to see whats going on"
Middle School kids are funny little idiots!

The Holiday Sampler Is Back Again Bitches

In the spirit of the season and in memory of Those Are Red Pants I am offering the Red Pants Holiday Sampler CD. A few took me up on the offer last year...I hope some will take me up on this year. The disc will include tracks filled with words and music. Good words and good music. All you have to do is list your address in the comments section listed below...you will receive the disc by Christmas...if I accumulate enough motivation to visit the post office in the next couple weeks. I will not list the tracks because Christmas is about suprises...a disc full of surprises. Word!

**if you have trouble posting in the comments or do not want your address posted for holiday burglers email your address to
elicash23@gmail.com
thanks

John K. Samson Singing a Propoghandi Song Called The Gift

John K. Samson of the Weakerthans was first a member of the band Propoghandi. Propoghandi got the lyric thing right. They just missed it on the music. Or maybe I shouldn't say that...not everyone likes the music I find great. This is a great version of a song written by his previous band.

Explosions In The Sky

Explosions In The Sky. I am listening to this band for the first time tonight...for the first time...as I type this in my living room. After searching the internet for free songs that I could download and finding a number of various songs off of various albums I am now listening. And three songs in I am enjoying myself. On my couch...in my living room. and I can't believe how much I like them. They have no words. They do not sing or rhyme. Just guitars and piano and chimes and percussion and reverb and background droning sounds. They are not a jam band...I repeat that...they are not a jam band. Jam bands make me nausesous...They remind me of Sigur Ros without Icelandic gibberish.
You see I have just grown tired of the music I have right now in my collection. I have worn Band of Horses, Sunset Rubdown, Iron and Wine, Beirut to the nub and even though I can listen to Two Gallants every day...I am starting to grow tired. I am going through that "nothing sounds good to me" period that we all enter into after we have been spoiled with great releases in the previous months.
Give this entire song a chance. You have to be in the right mood for it, but truly it is good. Have a listen.
Apparently, the opening song on Friday Night Lights is by Explosions In The Sky. I find this very odd, mainly because a band like this is virtually unknown to the television world. But they are from Austin Texas...maybe thats the connection.
If you haven't started watching Friday Night Lights you need to. It might just be in the top five all time in non comedy television programs. Catch up on NBC.com.

Explosions In The Sky [mp3] A Song For Our Fathers

Page France-Chariot

I like Page France. I think they are a good band. I like this song. I think it is a good song. And its not just because it looks a if it was recorded in Gries's basement.


AN UPDATE ON THE ALBUM OF THE YEAR VOTING
THERE IS A FOUR WAY TIE BETWEEN TWO GALLANTS, IRON AND WINE, BAND OF HORSES AND BRIGHT EYES.
AWESOME
THERE ARE ONLY 26 DAYS LEFT TO VOTE SO ACT FAST!!!

Shut Up Ray Lewis We Still Know You Killed Someone!

I try to avoid social commentary and especially the parallels between sports and real life, but today I cannot help myself. It was nice rooting for the Patriots last night without the monitary reward that surrounds sports betting. You see I had already lost my 40 dollars on that one (for some reason I felt a 20 point spread would be easily covered). It was also quite amusing watching the Ravens continuously shoot themselves in the foot. Ill-timed time outs and penalties for mauling wide receivers down the field. It felt like a comic book where the hero always wins...and the villan always flounders. Hand it to the Ravens for their valient effort. They ran the ball, exposed weaknesses in the Patriots defense and put themselves in a great position to win the game. The atmosphere felt right for an upset. But 'twas not meant to be. Kyle Boller, on cue chucked the ball into triple coverage like he was throwing the ball to Randy Moss...only he wasn't. The interception that changed the game. After the Pats came down and scored on the pass to Gafney, after the time out and penalty on 4th down, after Bart Scott threw a temper tantrum and then the refs flag and the clock read zeros the bitching began. Here is where my parallel comes in. Its always someone elses fault. Its the refs, there is a conspiracy, my coach called a timeout.
If Samauri Rolle needs to call out a ref for calling him "Boy" when that is exactly what he is acting like...let him. So much bitching and complaining. Just like we tell those hell raising 6th graders. If you want to act like a child we will treat you like one. So the Ravens did everything in their power to take the credit away from the Patriots. You think the Patriots actually give a shit about being undefeated...they want to win every game yes...but I dont think being 16 and 0 is a priority. Just winning the last game of the year.
The best part about it is no matter how much those guys on the Ravens bitch...the scoreboard stays the same.

It Was Cold This Morning And That Made Me Happy

My car sputtered to start this morning. It felt like winter and I can only imagine that is why the engine hesitated for a moment. I had the same feeling less than an hour earlier when my television alarm woke me from my warm sleep. I love winter. Its hard to say because I love the change of seasons and the beginning of every season finds me making the same sort of comment, but I think winter is my favorite of them all. The music sounds better. The Red House Painters, The Weakerthans, The Long Winters, Nirvana Unplugged...whiskey tastes sweeter (thank you, I am aware that 90% of my posts involve the pastime of drinking)...the memories a little more memorable. I got my scarf out of the closet today. Still don't really own a winter coat and thats alright. I was cold and I did not complain.
Here are a couple of winter songs for you. Don't know if they make you think about cold weather and snowfall, but they do it for me.

The Weakerthans [mp3] Our Retired Explorer (Dines With Michel Flucault In Paris 1961)
Jens Lekman [mp3] Black Cab

Flashback Friday

I just wanted everyone to thinkkk about Spice 1 today. Spice 1, one of the few rappers I enjoy. This is a flashback to the early high school days. This entire album reminds me of being passed out in the back of a Blazer. ah, the memories are thick...
FACE OF A DESPERATE MAN-SPICE 1

I'm Not There

THATS NOT BOB DYLAN...AND IT'S NOT A MAN EITHER

Bob Dylan covers are often boring to me. The best one I have heard is Pearl Jam's version of Masters of War. The new double disc from the movie I'm Not There isn't too bad. I had to buy it just because I had to. There are some very unremarkable songs (Stuck Inside of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again-Cat Power--I can't remember if I read this or thought it or both but all I picture is Chan Marshall singing this song on Wednesday night at Lanhucks Karaoke , One More Cup of Coffee-Roger McGuinn) but there are also some really good ones. I would say for the most part I enjoy the soundtrack. I enjoy the songs Stephen Malkmus does (Ballad of a Thin Man and Can't Leave Her Behind) and Yo La Tangos version of Fourth Time Around is really great. I really like the songs Mason Jennings does, but they are two great simple songs and I think its pretty hard to fuck those up. I almost can't believe I am about to write this next line, but I will. Jack Johnson does a great job with Mama You've Been On My Mind...I mean its good. Then he goes and fucks it up by absolutely ruining one of my favorite things Bob Dylan has ever done. He takes Last Thoughts On Woody Guthrie and turns it into his goddamn surfer boy sitting by a Karate Kid campfire sing along. He was close and almost hid the fact that he is a douche bag...almost.

Jack Johnson [mp3] Mama You've Been On My Mind
Bob Dylan [mp3] Last Thoughts On Woody Guthrie

The Mutineers-Misunderstood (Cover)

The Mutineers take different forms. Sometimes a solo act...sometimes a full band. On the last day of 2006 they were a band. Here is a short clip from New Years 2006. Sorry the picture isn't very good. Yes that is the Gambler. I want to thank you all...

Returning To The Fold- The Thermals

This was just a excellent album. It was simple and it was great. I don't know why it took them so long to come out with a video for this song but here it is... This is my favorite song on the record...and Hutch Harris rivals John Darnielle for most animated singer...of all times.
RETURNING TO THE FOLD

Sun Kil Moon

I feel like listening to Sun Kil Moon today.
Sun Kil Moon [mp3] Grey Ice Water

Christmas...It Starts NOW!

SMALL PICTURE OF OUR SWEET TREE

No time for messing around. Thanksgiving was nice, but now it is over. November 25th. I am beginning Christmas. Actually, it was the 24th. A tree was purchased...ever so carefully...with the correct height and symmetry....the correct fullness and length of branches. Decorated with knotted up Christmas lights (Clark Griswald was referenced more than 3 times in a matter of minutes) and ornaments new and old; then enjoyed as we sat and got drunk in front of the illuminated Frasier Fir. This year I am pulling out all the stops. Bing Crosby will begin his jing-jing-jingling later this week as will Nat King Cole and, who know, maybe the Chipmunks. A Christmas List of appropriate movies will be made and checked off as we watch them**.
I am looking at our tree right now and I love it. It smells great and it is a perfectly decorated tree. I wouldn't complain if Mother Nature decided to provide a little snow this year. Last year we got a snowday thanks to a massive ice storm that forced us into pioneer like living conditions for 4 days. Awesome!
It is going to be a good Christmas this year.
Eef Barzelay [mp3] Joy To The World
I love the version of this song he does.
**
Christmas Movie List
10. BEAUTIFUL GIRLS- More like a seasonal movie instead of a Christmas Movie "Conway you come waltzing in with your big city bullshit..."
9. THE REF- (an almost always overlooked Christmas movi... Dennis Leary is hiIllarious and this is a must on anyones list)
8. SCROOGED- Bill Murray pours a great whiskey and Tab in this movie...a drip of Cola
7. CHRISTMAS VACATION- (Clark to Eddie)Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?
6. ELF- The funniest PG movie ever. Just passing Uncle Buck for the honor.
5. A CHRISTMAS STORY- A Classic. Tongues stuck to poles, insinuated profanity, the Bumpus hounds, and ocular damage due to Red Rider B-B Guns. I love 24 hours of this movie.
4. HOME ALONE- Never gets old does it
3. THE GRINCH WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS- A few years ago (the year of the blizzard) my friends and i were drunk as shit watching this late at night. When the Grinch gets that sled of presents up to the top and it almost plummets I yelled out "oh shit!" like I had never seen this movie before.
2. A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS- Linus has the greatest monologue in animated history.
1. ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE- Not only is this my favorite Christmas movie, but it is one of my favorite all around movies ever. Yes it is one of the longest movies EVER...but it is great

(Honorable Mention--Twas The Night Before Christmas, Frosty the Snowman)

New Mountain Goats Album Coming in February

THE MOST ANIMATED SINGER ON PLANET EARTH IS.....JOHN DARNIELLE
Christmas comes a little later this year if you love the Mountain Goats like we do. Their new album is due out February 19th. We have heard a couple songs from this upcoming record called Heretic Pride. We can't wait...can you?
Here is what John Darnielle had to say about Heretic Pride:
"We are really excited about this album, and we wish it were out right now, but there is a law against releasing albums in December unless you are Queen. Any album you see released in December is actually by Queen, no matter what it says on the cover. Then in January everybody is recovering from having listened to too much Queen. Hence, February. See you then!"

Heretic Pride:
01 Sax Rohmer #1
02 San Bernardino
03 Heretic Pride
04 Autoclave
05 New Zion
06 So Desperate
07 In the Craters on the Moon
08 Lovecraft in Brooklyn
09 Tianchi Lake
10 How to Embrace a Swamp Creature
11 Marduk T-Shirt Men's Room Incident
12 Sept 15 1983
13 Michael Myers Resplendent

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

--YOU ARE NEXT ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK WEIRD BIRD--
With Thanksgiving being the MOST overlooked holiday out of all the holidays, I am going to ignore Commercial America's overt attempts to skip this great day with all their flashy lightbulbs and 4am sales...I am going to ignore it and enjoy my family and football and eating too much food and taking naps whenever I feel like it. Have a nice Thankgiving!

Eef Barzelay [mp3] Thanksgiving Waves

PLEASE VOTE FOR ALBUM OF THE YEAR!!!!!!!!!

Okkervil River---Girl in Port

Gary and I were sitting around listening to this song and others last night, drinking just enough to irresponsibly bet on Thankgiving Day NFL games. Here is a video for this fine, fine song.

Okkervil River--Girl In Port

What I Have Been Wearing Out On My Ipod...

TWO GALLANTS

For all of the purchase-worthy albums that have come out towards the end of this calender year I want to say that the Two Gallants new one is becoming my favorite. I am always weary of my initial reaction to new records. I realize my impulsive opinions are usually to the extreme.
"I love this album it is the best I have ever heard in my life".
"This record is an utter disappointment and it depresses me because I was looking so forward to it"
After giving those new cds (Two Gallants, Flying Cup Club, The Shepard's Dog, Random Spirit Lover, Reunion Tour, Cease to Begin) some time I have come to the conclusion that Two Gallants-Two Gallants is my favorite. I dont know if it is necessarily the best (musicianship and lyrics) but it is definitely my kind of music. Semi-sad bastard whiskey sippin tunes that out of nowhere can rock out and wake you the fuck up. There is something about rage filled lyrics that I love. They are on tops of my list of bands I would love to see. Just two fellas. You get the sense, from their music, that their idea of a great time is rangling cattle and sitting by a campfire blacking out from whiskey. And although that doesnt quite fit the description of my life I often romaticize that lifestyle and that image comes through to me in their songs.
Two Gallants [mp3] Reflections of the Marionette
SIGUR ROS

When I don't feel like listening to words I understand or instruments I can decifer and I feel like listening to Icelandic music I listen to Sigur Ros. I purchased their newest album Hvarf-Heim, which is a double disc (one live and the other are old B-sides). The live disc is all songs released on other albums while the B-sides are good without a standout track. Every song they play seems like a soundtrack to me. Albeit to a boring movie that is my life. Its very good short distance driving music. Anything longer than 15 minutes you are risking narcolepsy.
Sigur Ros [mp3] Vaka
*the video for this song is pretty great. If you like end of the world, children in gas masks, evacuation type imagery.

The Arcade Fire on Austin City Limits

Sorry I forgot how badass The Arcade Fire is. I caught them on Austin City Limits this weekend (apparently we are one week behind the world in regards to PBS programming) and the show was really very good. The best performance I have seen on ACL maybe ever (I really enjoyed the Bright Eyes show a couple years ago). They are huge. Sometimes I just want to hear a man and his guitar...other days I want to hear a band full of horns and accordians and megaphone singers and gigantic noise. Its all about horns these days, you know. Some bands just give off a feeling different than any other band and I think The Arcade Fire does this. Something like a cult kind of feeling; Win Butler the cult leader...they act like zombies stuck in their music. They kind of remind me of gypsies even though their music is not gypsy music (Beirut). I was a huge fan of their first LP Funeral. It was one of those great eerie sort of records. Neon Bible was pretty great itself. (Antichrist Television Blues) is my favorite song on the album. You really hear a lot of the Boss in that record. And that is not a bad thing. In fact you probably know that Springsteen covered Keep the Car Running. You can almost believe he wrote that song.
Tivo is a brilliant invention and allows me to watch all Austin City Limit shows at my leisure.
The Arcade Fire [mp3] (Antichrist Television Blues)

To The Dome

It's definitely not as gratifying as if you were playing in the game...or even having something to do with it as a coach(I did videotape through pouring buckets of rain on our latest scouting venture...surely that counts for something), but it is still pretty awesome. Our football team won 50-20 in the semifinals of state to go to the dome and play for the 4A State Championship. All we wanted as a high school athlete was to be the best in the entire state. It was an odd feeling winning this game. First of all we beat their asses...and no semifinal game should ever be so lopsided. Secondly, being the JV defensive coordinator, my contribution to this effort is close to obsolete. And lastly, as coaches, we didnt even play in the game. With all that being said it is still amazing to think back to hot ass August two-a-days and where you are now.
on the note of "football"--the best show you have not seen because it is on Friday nights is Friday Night Lights. I recommend you pick up the first season and watch it over this Thanksgiving holiday season.

All Time Quarterback [mp3] Dinner at Eight in the Suburbs

If You Haven't Watched 30 Rock Yet You Should Start

I can play this clip at any moment in the day and laugh...

If I'm not mistaken his left hand there is a carnie hand...

Flashback Friday

I miss cool Flava Flav when all he did was finish lines with Chuck D.

Where Has Mia Sara Gone?

Mia Sara was and still is a band. They have done one song to limited critical acclaim. They have T-Shirts. They have never played their own show. They have been compared to Guns N Roses and their quest for Chinese Democracy. They new album is due out soon.
Here is their one song.

Mia Sara [mp3] Last Song

52.5

Band of Horses Guest List is on Pitcforkmedia.com right now. Just thought I would add this since I have been to this record store (and it is a good one). Mitch knows what I am talking about...

FAVORITE RECORD STORE--Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses)
I'll go with 52.5 in Charleston, South Carolina. I've been going there since I was probably like eighteen. They were in a different location, but now they just moved but still in downtown Charleston. I remember going there and wondering even what ska or, like, the Intelligent Dance Music or whatever IDM was. You know, just like, when I was young enough to not even understand all kinds of forms of music, I've been going there that long-- it holds a special place in my heart. And I actually haven't been there in awhile unfortunately. I hate-- my truck doesn't have a proper tags on it, and I'm afraid to cross the bridge into the next county, in case they throw me into jail or something.

Ten Things I Would Rather Be Doing

Ten Things I Wish I Was Doing Right Now Instead of Working
10. Drinking large quantities of alcohol with my friends heading towards the goal of blacking out (before sunset)
9. Sitting in my living room listening to full length albums on my headphones.
8. Sitting on a porch in a rocking chair enjoying what will be one of the last real fall days before we are hit by winter
7. I havent read a good book in a long time...today I would like to read a good book that I cant put down.
6. Kicking field goals
5. Napping for the first time today
4. Writing letters on my typewriter while drinking and listening to Bob Dylan
3. Playing RBI Baseball
2. Spending the entire afternoon at a movie theater
1. Spending too much money at a record store

Two quite random songs for you to listen to today as you are thinking about not working

Okkervil River [mp3] April Anne (daytrotter session)
Page France [mp3] Chariot (live)

The Mountain Goats @ The Billiken Club

I was sitting at the bar, one stool over from John Darnielle and Peter Hughes, thinking about something I could say to them that wouldnt seem like I was attempting to ask them out on a date or planning their assasination. I just dont have anything to say to "famous" people. Nothing unassuming and worthwhile. How I wish I had the ablility to walk city blocks with...lets say Mike McCready...making chit chat worthy of "interesting banter".
The show was good as always, or at least what I expect. They played two new songs (Craters of the Moon? and another one that I didnt catch the name of) The second one was sweet and he closed the show with it. Only after playing The Best Ever Deathmetal Band Out Of Denton which made the night for me. Still, No Children was absent and that kind of bummed me out. He did play Mole and Love, Love, Love and We Were Patriots. It was a good show.
As we were leaving we ran into them and I patted John Darnielle on the back and said "good show guys...real entertaining"...thats all I could get out and I wish I would have left out the "real entertaining" part because it made me feel like his grandmother coming to a show she felt obligated to attend and congratulating her grandson because she loves him. F!!

The Bowerbirds opened up and they were really good

The Mountain Goats [mp3] Pinklon

The Bowerbirds [mp3] Dark Horse

Molding them into 'Cool'

For those of you producing offspring these days I am excited for you. You have the opportunity to bring a living being into this planet and form him/her in the image of cool. And we all know the first step to cool is music. Slightly before wearing interesting clothes and being able to handle inordinate amounts of beer. A buddy of mine plays these children songs in his car for his child...one song, sang by what I can only imagine as a 65 year old librarian named Vivian has the chorus "what a beautiful pussy you are" and I almost piss myself every time I hear it. What he should be doing is playing Pearl Jam and Bob Dylan and The Weakerthans and My Morning Jacket. Your kids could be cooler than Lou Reed and that is almost impossible.
I grew up listening to the Beatles and the Beach Boys and Buddy Holly...I am thankful for that. If I started listening to Bob Dylan when I was just old enough to speak I would be too cool for planet earth. Jackson Brownlee just attended a Bob Dylan/ Elvis Costello show and he is well on his way. Good work on that one Pops. This one goes out to the kids soon to be born...and the hope that your parents will give you the tools to be cool.

Please tell me there is someone on this earth cooler than Eddie Vedder at this moment...you cant...because it is impossible
Enjoy the weekend. Get outside before you complain about the cold.

Flashback Friday

Nada Surf-Popular

Wash your hair at least once every two weeks!!

Two Games To State

High School Football playoffs. So many kids are going to basketball practice instead of continuing on with the football season. More kids are filled with disappointed than with hope. Our team is two wins away from playing in the Dome. Pretty amazing time of year. Packed stands...everybody believing they are going to play in front of thousands on the turf of the Edward Jones Dome. Everything riding on every play. Two huge games away. HUGE! Not that I have had a ton to do with it...you know...JV assistant coach...blitzing too much and too randomly, scouting duties on weekends...a master at videotaping, but its still a good feeling. For your team to win.

The Mountain Goats [mp3] Fall Of The High School Running Back
The Mountain Goats are playing a free show in St. Louis this weekend. I think I will be attending. Any opportunity to see the Mountain Goats should be taken.