Is This It?

2007-07-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

Shut Up About The Ending!!

For the next week or so we can all expect to hear a lot about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; the final book in the JK Rowling series. Thousands of people are already waiting outside their local bookstores for the clock to strike 12:01am so that they too can receive their copies of Hallows. There are many news stories out there about people who received the book just a few days early.

One woman in Chicago received a package that said "Do Not Open Until July 21." Obviously, not obeying the note her children opened the package and finished the book while a distraught mailman came to her house twice to try and take the book back. He did this but not before one of her children finished the book. Of course, the article ends with a statement from one of the children that she would not give away the ending of the book.

That statement seems to be what all of the news media is talking about. Who is going to leak the ending of this book. Who and why would anyone do that?? It's bad enough people spoil the endings of movies, but this is the most anticipated book of our generation, and no one has the right to take that away from these fans.

I talked to a few people and asked them how long they thought it would be before the ending of this book was all over the Internet. One friend said to me "12:15 a.m." and he's probably right. It's a sad truth. The news media is not helping by trying to get the ending out of a child that's giving an interview either. It's a retarded question to ask a child. Yes, I am calling certain reporters retarded.

Other news organizations are taking things a bit far. I will not say the name of the news organization but they wrote a piece about how children are going to cope with the loss of the "Potter" series, even going as far as talking to a child psychiatrist. I think this is the most benign article ever put together by a news media. Yes, children will be sad that the series is over, and they may have to deal with the loss of their favorite character.

The article goes on to say, "Keep in mind most kids under six don't understand that death is permanent." How about doing a story on how many six-year-olds might actually read this book? Or, if a six-year-old genius child has read all of the other books already, and is ready to read this final installment? That, frankly, is a much more interesting story than how they will understand the death of a character. This is fiction, and if it causes some sort of psychological damage to their characters later in life, well they probably believe they will go to college at Hogwarts anyway.

2007-07-18T10:29:00.000-07:00

Just Gimme Some Truth!

Reuters, an American news organization, took a poll that suggested 40 percent of Americans would change their driving habits if gas were to rise over $3.50. Since the gas prices have gone up almost all Americans have been effected in some way. We have been dealing with rising gas since President Bush took office in 2001 when gas prices were $1.31, but that's not even what makes me mad. It doesn't even make me that angry that an average gas price in 1980 was $1.25, a difference of 6 cents in 21 years.

No, what makes me mad is that we were told we were going to fight a war in Iraq to help bring democracy in Iraq. Then the American public decided that this was a war over oil and people were outraged when Haliburton owned the contracts to the Iraqi oil fields, as was I. I was outraged we were fighting a war to own the oil. So, we went to war in march of 2003 and the gas prices went up to $1.72 and by the next summer it was up to $2.27. Now this year we are stuck in the $3 range with no relief in sight.

The government tells us it is about supply and demand, that we do not have the oil supply to fit the demand. Then they tell us that our oil refineries are not running at full capacity, but there is no way that there is a $2 difference of supply and demand between 2001 and 2007. Where did all this oil go? Did the H2 actually suck up all our gas?

At this point I say that the American people are being had. We're in a war for nothing. What do we get out of this deal? Christ, at this point just tell me it's a war about the oil!!!

2007-07-12T08:56:00.001-07:00

ALL YOU NEED IS "LOVE"

It's been a while since I've actually written a blog entry and for all three people who probably read this blog, my apologies. I happened to be in Las Vegas for the beginning of the month where I was able to see the Beatles Cirque Du Soleil show "Love." I have been waiting for a year to see a performance of this show and I must say it was definitely worth the wait.

My God, I have never seen anything so beautiful in my life as the show "Love." The audience is completely engulfed by the Fab Four's phenomenal music, but the experience of the show itself is purely breathtaking. Every moment that I sat in the audience I knew that I was coming that much closer to the end of the show and if there is a heaven it will look something like what I saw that night.

The Mirage theater was constructed for this show, each seat complete with its own surround sound in the headrest as well as the back of each seat. There is not a bad seat in the house, for the theater is in the round. Clips of the show can be found on YouTube, so I do not have to rack my brain as to how to describe the extraordinary things that I saw.

"Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite," was one of the most extraordinary moments of the show, as well as the beauty portrayed in the interpretation of "Something." During "Tomorrow Never Knows/Within You Without You," a bed with children sitting atop rises through the air while bed sheets stream out the sides and roll over the entire audience in a wave of white chaos.

I cannot wait for this show to tour so I one day have a chance to see it again.

2007-06-26T11:38:00.000-07:00

A Bittersweet Reunion

Way back in 1998 as a junior in high school I was in a little play called "Our Town" by Thorton Wilder. We had great times in those days. My best friend Andrew Beard and I were the troublemakers on the set, though we weren't too much trouble in the scope of things. We had our own scene together and since the scene only consisted of about 60 lines, most of our time was spent roaming the halls of River Hill high school talking for hours on end about the rising British music scene and our favorite bands. We were different from the other drama kids. We were pretentious and felt we had a sense of the world and art and music. We were... little wankers.

Though I was only a junior I was a complete Anglophile. I had returned from England the year before obsessed with all things British. Oasis were my favorite band in the world followed by Blur. Of course being an 11th grade kid in a rich, pompous school in the suburbs about 10 people knew who Blur even were, and any jock can tell you those who listened to Blur were "fucking faggots."

My assumption was that they had no clue as to what they were talking about and they could go back and listen to their Creed CDs. There was, however, one other band I was obsessed with and that was a little known band called 'The Verve.'

The Verve were led by Richard Ashcroft and just by looking at his heroin sunken face you knew he was for real. By 1997 The Verve had made their splash in the United States mainstream with their single 'Bittersweet Symphony.' By this point in the story you may be wondering what this has to do with the play 'Our Town?'

Well, one November night as the play rehearsals neared their end it was announced that The Verve would be playing at the 9:30 Club in DC. Drew and I were ecstatic and could not wait to drive down there and see our new favorite band. I had already seen Blur earlier in the summer and was well aware that Oasis would be arriving shortly. Instead, Mrs. Land our director decided to hold a second rehearsal that evening, leaving Drew and me shattered and heartbroken. "It's OK," Drew said. "They'll come back again."

Three weeks later the Verve split and Richard Ashcroft went on to make some of the shittiest solo records I have ever heard in my life.

Today it was announced that The Verve are in the studio, reunited and recording a brand new album followed by a tour in the fall. Those three weeks may have just turned into a measly 10 years, but hopefully it will be worth the wait.

2007-06-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

Oh Billy, How Could You?

It was announced that the new Smashing Pumpkins will be releasing their new album 'Zeitgeist' with four different versions; one through iTunes, Best Buy, Target and one for independent record stores across the country. However, only fans that buy the album at Best Buy, Target or iTunes will receive the bonus tracks on the album, and you have to visit all of these outlets to get the four different versions.

Those of us that decide to buy the album at an independent store will not receive any of the bonus tracks. This might not seem like a big deal, but I really feel it is a slap in the face to all independent music stores in this country that try so hard to compete with the likes of Best Buy and Target. These stores don't even focus on music anyway. Best Buy's CD collection has depleted to a small section in the corner of the store. They only carry the latest of corporate cookie cutter crap and probably still have 200 copies on their shelf of Kid Rock's 'Cocky' album.

While Smashing Pumpkins may feel that they're going to extend themselves to a bigger audience they might just lose the fans that got them there by pulling a corporate stunt like this. I am curious as to what my independent music store employee friend will think of this move. He defends the Smashing Pumpkins like a Republican defends Bush. I'll pester him later today.

2007-06-18T10:38:00.000-07:00

The Last Dance
It's the most remarkable sight I've ever seen. An 80-year-old man suffering from congestive heart failure singing Coldplay's "Fix You." When I heard that there was a video of a bunch of old folks singing Sonic Youth's "Schitzophrenia," of course I had to chuckle.

What I took as a joke actually turned out to be the most heartbreaking video I have ever watched. These people are from the Young At Heart choir. A group consisting of 23 people all aged 73-92.

It's not as funny as it might sound, because when you hear an 80-year-old sing a song like "Fix You," it transforms the entire meaning of the song. This man knows he only has a short time left on this earth and his voice will crumble you to weeping pieces.

To read more on the group visit wusa9.com.

2007-06-15T13:03:00.000-07:00

Target Hit The Mark With New Tee Trend

An original Pink Floyd concert t-shirt from 1972 might cost upwards of $300 to $1,000 according to What Comes Around Goes Around retailer in New York City, but now Target stores are offering their own replica t-shirts for young hipsters from $9.99 to $12.99. Targets, for just over a year, have offered a plethora of vintage t-shirts to keep up with the growing trend started by other hip stores such as Urban Outfitters and Wolfgang's Vault.

Target offers t-shirts from Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin, Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles to help keep a young interest in these legendary bands.The vintage t-shirts are not only restricted to classic rock bands. Consumers can also find their favorite television heroes from the 1960s.

Target offers t-shirts with Mr. Rogers, the original Batman logo from the hit series starring Adam West, as well as Captain America and the Amazing Spiderman. “We are simply trying to provide our guest with the trends they want and when they want them, and at a better value that other retailers,” said Amy von Walter of Target Media Relations.

The tees offered are exact replicas of the originals, and are only available at Target stores. "The original Pink Floyd t-shirts are extremely rare and not many were made back then," said Christina Dennstedt PR coordinator for What Comes Around Goes Around.

What Comes Around Goes Around are the largest retailer for vintage t-shirts on the east coast. The store also teamed with author Johan Kugelberg and released the book "Vintage Rock T-Shirts" in February. "The book features images of some of the rarest t-shirts still around -- which were mainly donated from the WCAGA co-owners Gerard Maione and Seth Weisser's private collection," said Dennstedt. The book is available through Amazon.com or by visiting their site whatcomesaroundgoesaround.com .

Screaming Mimi's a vintage store in New York City sell concert tees anywhere from $125 to $150, "we price our t-shirts very modestly," said saleswoman Kirin Wachter.

Other chains such as Urban Outfitters have offered such replicated t-shirts but at an inflated price. On average their t-shirts can be found from $24 to $28. “We take inspiration from a variety of sources and are always on the hunt for the next big thing,” said von Walter.

Teens have already taken notice of the change in Target’s fashion line, “Target guests are known for being on-trend and fashion conscious, which is why we work extremely hard to provide the latest styles and fashions,” said von Walter.

2007-06-13T09:51:00.000-07:00

Homosexuality To Be Taught In Public Schools
The Montgomery County School system in the state of Maryland has decided to add sexual orientation to its sex education curriculum for eighth and 10th graders. This has been met with both criticism and praise.

According to the Associated Press this includes homosexuality, gender identity and the correct use of a condom. Hopefully they're not still using cucumbers for this exhibition, because quite frankly the girls will only end up being disappointed.

This is a bold and necessary step toward helping students cope with an uncertain time in their lives. Sexual education is important to the welfare of our future society and helps progression into a healthier 21st century.

This is being met with criticism, obviously, on the homosexuality aspect. One protester went as far to say that "I think their agenda is to get students to accept this stuff as normal, and it's not."

In case this man was not aware, homosexuality has not been labeled as a mental disorder since the early 1970s, so why shouldn't homosexuality be taught in our school systems? These students have been ostracized and bullied long enough. It is time for a change and we are supposedly in a period of acceptance, tolerance, and progression.

2007-06-11T09:44:00.000-07:00

The Sopranos: Where
Is The Disappointment?
For seven years I have listened to people rave about the show 'The Sopranos.' I do watch a bit of television, and I am a fan of the 'Godfather' movies, as well as almost everything Martin Scorcese has ever done; however, I have never watched a single episode of 'The Sopranos.' While most would call me a traitor to modern pop culture, I did not subscribe to HBO until well into the fifth season of the show, and just never bothered to get into it. HBO also like to sell their DVDs for $100 a pop, so I never thought to actually buy a complete season.

Frankly, I could care less that this legendary show ended in disappointment to most fans. All day long I have had to listen to people say, "Why? Why didn't they kill off Tony?? Why didn't he enter the witness protection program??" The show ended in a quick fade to black much like the end of "I Want You (She's So Heavy)," leaving viewers baffled and checking their cable boxes.

Even though I have never watched the show, the answer is simple. The American people, as much as they say they do, DON'T want to watch their hero die, and don't like everything wrapped up into a neat little package. We all like a resolution to life's stories, but there never is a resolution in any of our lives. People leave this earth as quickly and quietly as they entered, and why should this "realistic" mob show be any different. Tony Soprano will always look over his shoulder and wonder if death is right behind him.

I can only name a handful of shows that ever ended with "the perfect ending." Even Seinfeld was deemed a failure by the majority of the masses and the media (though I thought it was the only way to contribute all the characters into one episode).

People will always feel a sense of disappointment when it comes to the end of an era. I know that when the last episode of 'Lost' airs in 2009, I too will feel a sense of disappointment in its ending. That's what television is... Filled with disappointment.

Though 'The Sopranos' will never air again as a television series, there is still money to be made in the a blockbuster motion picture, which has been talked about for sometime.

I felt that this comment on CNN's blog summed it up nicely: "In my mind what happened next is that Tony Soprano woke up next to Suzanne Pleshette and found that the whole thing was the dream of their autistic son, Ted Baxter who turned out to be the only one who didn't get fired or whacked while the rest of the gang was sentensed under the Good Samaritan Law to a year in jail."

2007-06-08T10:58:00.000-07:00

Are You Crying?? There's No Crying In Jail!!
Why, oh Why is Paris Hilton receiving so much press about her return to court? Damnit, you media outlets, I know very well it's a slow news day but all this is doing is diverting the attention away from President Bush.

Yea, she should never have been released, but I have never seen such an outrage from people who want to see the little princess behind bars. No matter what news site you go to: CNN, MSNBC, FNC (probably shouldn't go there), CBS, NBC, they are all talking about Paris returning to court. CNN even showed the car drive in L.A. with Hilton handcuffed in the backseat for a good 20 minutes. I haven't seen the likes of this media frenzy since the O.J. Simpson chase down a Los Angeles highway in 1994.

It literally makes me ill that the media care this much about a woman who is only famous because she videotaped herself in a poorly lit room. The best quote I have heard all day on this matter courtesy of TVNEWSER, was from MSNBC's Chris Jansing when he asked the Village Voice's Michael Musto: "You know everything there is to know about Paris Hilton. Does she have a medical condition?" "Yeah, she's crazy," he said.

2007-06-04T11:08:00.000-07:00

There Are 175 Million Assholes In This Country

The Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky has just opened and is already causing controversy not only here in the United States but across the globe. The museum conveys and attempts to support the theory that the earth was created in six days, and only 6,000 years ago.

The basis of the $27 million project denounces the theory of evolution, and is based on the book of Genesis, which will cause problems in school systems that teach evolution. In a short film on Current TV they explain that 60 percent of Americans believe in the creation theory. This is an astounding number of people who do not support what science tells them, and in turn could cause damage to scientists all over the world who study and research the beginnings of our existence.

I wish I could believe that the earth was created in six days, but my brain cannot even wrap around such a concept. I cannot be so self-righteous to believe that we are the most important beings not only on this planet but the universe itself.

2007-06-01T11:02:00.000-07:00

IT WAS FORTY YEARS AGO TODAY

It was actually 40 years ago today that the Beatles released their monumental album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, and though I would not be born for 14 years after its release I can assure you that it's still as good as the first time I would have heard it.

I am not going to bore you with a note by note reference guide as to what and why this piece of music is so brilliant; or even how it has influenced the music of that generation, or even my generation. We all know it has. It's kind of strange to talk about an album that was released so long before I was born; so as I write this I think to myself, what does this album mean to me?

Well it does not sum up the summer of 1967 for me, but rather my entire childhood of listening to the Beatles and watching "The Beagles" at the local Chuck-E-Cheese's in 1983-85. When I was around the age of two I was enamored, along with every other child my age, by the prospect of spending the day at the wonderland that was Chuck-E-Cheese's. Except I was not interested in the rides or the balls, or ski ball (which I did enjoy), but rather with a fictional group called "The Beagles."

"The Beagles" were a set of four animatronic dogs that fascinated me with their music, Liverpudlian-humor, and robotic movement, which happened to resemble another group I was becoming familiar with called "The Beatles." My favorite song by "The Beagles" was a little obscure tune called "Lovely Rita," which just so happened to appear on the aforementioned album.

Though I would eventually grow up, and no longer see my favorite band anymore, I began my lifelong relationship with the band that inspired them. The Beatles are forever my favorite band, and I will listen to this album and every album the created in their brilliant seven years as the greatest rock 'n' roll band of all-time.

Whenever I think of "Sgt. Pepper" I think of this moment in my childhood. Of course, I have so many memories with this particular album, and all of "The Beagles" catalogue, but "Lovely Rita" will always be my absolute cherished memory.

2007-05-30T08:31:00.000-07:00

So Long Phil Spector
Well, it seems that it's pretty much over for Phil Spector. The 67-year-old creator of the "wall of sound" technique is accused of murdering actress Lana Clarkson, and up until today I was rather on the fence of his guilt or innocence (when I say "on the fence" I mean I think he's guilty but maybe a hint of reasonable doubt). Today in court the coroner testified that Clarkson's tongue was bruised, which proved, among other things, that the gun was forced into her mouth, and thus rules out suicide, and thus Phil Spector is pretty much fucked.

Phil Spector's defense has been riding solely on the fact that Clarkson killed herself and that the scientific evidence would thus prove this to be true. Now that the coroner has testified I find it hard to see anything other than a guilty verdict.

Phil Spector has never been a stranger to reclusive behavior. He has pulled guns on many women and musicians, and frankly I'm surprised that it's taken this long to bring him in on some sort of weapons charge. He has been known to have pulled guns on John Lennon and Joey Ramone. He produced John Lennon's and George Harrison's first solo records "Plastic Ono Band" and "All Things Must Pass," as well as Lennon's 1971 "Imagine" album.

So, the reason I am writing this blog about Spector is because I have been contemplating, what will he be remembered for? I would like to think that he will be remembered for the brilliant music he wrote and produced in the early to mid-60s, although the media will only remember him as a crazed murderer; a misunderstood recluse who is no longer relevant, not recognizing the fact that once they sit behind the wheel of their cars and tune their radio to any oldies station, half of those songs have either the influence or personal touch of Spector. His sound is unmistakeable and reinvented by the likes of Brian Wilson and Jon Brion, even Noel Gallagher was referenced to Spector when Oasis' 1997 album "Be Here Now" was released.

Spector wrote and recorded some of the most groundbreaking songs of his generation; songs that are still cherished today. He spawned a ton of hit singles throughout the 60s, and even had a hit single four years ago when he produced Starsailor's album "Silence is Easy." The man produced some of my favorite personal recordings and I feel that he should be remembered as a pioneer of rock 'n' roll.

Those unfamiliar with Spector's work should check out a few of these recordings:
“Da Doo Ron Ron,” Crystals (6/08/63, #3)
“Be My Baby,” Ronettes (10/12/63, #2)
“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” Righteous Brothers (2/06/65, #1)
“River Deep - Mountain High,” Ike and Tina Turner (6/18/66, #88)
“Mother,” John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band (1/20/71, #43)
“What Is Life,” George Harrison (3/27/71, #10)
“Jealous Guy,” John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band (10/22/88, #80)
“Pretty Little Angel Eyes,” Curtis Lee (8/07/61, #7)
“Unchained Melody,” Righteous Brothers (reissue) (10/20/90, #13)
“Silence Is Easy,” Starsailor (01/09/03, #8)
“Then He Kissed Me,” Crystals (9/14/63, #6)

2007-05-25T11:44:00.000-07:00

The Future Is Now!!!

Not much has been going on today in the newsroom, only brief excitement as a plane that took off from Dulles airport to Bejing, China had to make a return when an engine gave out; however, I found a story about a new piece of technology being developed in Japan.

It is a television screen that is .3mm thin and can actually bend and not be broken. The future is here ladies and gentleman. Movies like Minority Report made us think about future technology and what we might be capable of, but this is just insane.

Sony plan to make this bendable screen by the end of the year available in an 11 inch format. They have also said that it is so durable that it could be used on t-shirts in the future. "In the future, it could get wrapped around a lamppost or a person's wrist, even worn as clothing," suggests Sony spokesman Chisato Kitsukawa. "Perhaps it can be put up like wallpaper."
You can see this contraption on video at WUSA9.com

I am just absolutely amazed by this. No it is not an earth-shattering discovery and it won't cure AIDS, but holy shit it is a razor-thin screen that won't break!

2007-05-23T08:26:00.000-07:00

PRESIDENT BUSH: MEIN FÜHRER

Well, I'm going to have to thank my brother for finding me this information, but it seems that we have a possible dictatorship on our hands. The best part of this information is that it's not being reported by any news outlets in the United States. Why is it that I have to find key information from the Mobtown Shank and Globalresearch.ca instead of CNN?

The initiative is called the National and Homeland Security Presidential Directive, which means that in case of a "catastrophic event" the President is able to obtain what can best be described as a "absolute power," or a "dictatorship." The bill ensures that “the continued function of our form of government under the Constitution, including the functioning of the three separate branches of government,” and states, “The President shall lead the activities of the Federal Government for ensuring constitutional government." This basically means that the President can institute and interpret the constitution how he sees fit, and he's done a really great job of that so far.

The bill defines a "catastrophic event" as: "any incident, regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the U.S. population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions." If there is another 9/11-type attack, or a Hurricane Katrina, Rita, or even an earthquake, since under a provision that states the President can use this power in “localized acts of nature, accidents, and technological or attack-related emergencies,” and has control over the other two branches of government.

So why is he putting this in place now? Maindemocrats.org wonders if the President is passing this now to protect himself against impeachment.

So how is it that the President can have such a bill passed? How is it that the U.S. media does not report on such things? There is no simple answer to this question. I passed the article and information around the newsroom here at WUSA9 in D.C., and I still have no clue if we will actually air any of this information. Shame on congress for letting this one slip through their fingers... They must have been out to lunch, or worse, waiting to go to lunch, or whatever it is they do over there.

2007-05-21T13:08:00.000-07:00

Now Where Are We Supposed To Go???

Why is it that the city of Baltimore cannot have a decent place to hear music without someone closing the doors? For the past seven years I have been not only a spectator, but a performer in the Baltimore club scene. My band Evolve played at almost every club this town had to offer, from Fletchers to the Brass Monkey.

Never had we found our niche amongst the dying population of indie rock kids until I walked into the Lo-Fi Social Club in Brooklyn, MD. A huge warehouse on Hanover street, that is so isolated you would never know it was the place to be.

The indie rock kids of Baltimore are a different breed. They are a part of a "scene" yet do not want to be scenesters, which is kind of like wanting to be wealthy without using money. So I was saddened that the Baltimore City inspectors, or whatever you want to call them, decided to shut down the Lo-Fi Social Club. The name fits exactly what this place was. A chill hangout for any scene to come and listen to music for a $5 cover and an open bar.

Never in the seven years that I've been trolling around this scene has a place welcomed the Baltimore music scene with such open arms. The pool table was free, there were couches lined along each room and interesting art work on the walls. The separation of the rooms was such that if you needed to talk without the blaring music you were able to do so. The staff (maybe three people) is extremely friendly, and I had the chance to meet with Neil, the club's owner one night when I saw Heroin U.K. I told him that I really respected what he was doing and looked forward to playing his club. I was disheartened to see the message on his Web site just a few minutes ago saying that he was shutting the club down until he got the OK from the City.

It's amazing to me that the only way a scene can upstart in this town is if no one knows about the place, and there is free booze. To get 100 people to go to a Fletchers show for $5 is like asking someone to jump through a hoop of fire with a blindfold, and charging them $5 to do it; However, no matter who is playing on a Friday at the Lo-Fi Social Club there are at least 60 people looking to enjoy some tunes and get a little tipsy.

Cheers to Neil and his attempt to keep a good thing going, and give a little spice to a dying rock scene!

2007-05-18T13:44:00.001-07:00

RECORD REVIEW
SKY BLUE SKY = OLD MAN OLD
I have always been an avid Wilco fan ever since my brother introduced me to "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" in late 2002.

Right away I was amazed at Jeff Tweedy's ability to sing with so much pain in his chest, you could actually feel the chunks rising in his throat (you could later see them live on the DVD "I'm Trying To Break Your Heart). It was and still is one of the most beautiful records ever recorded and sent Wilco to the forefront of alternative/country success.

Since then they have released "A Ghost Is Born" in 2004, which was also a "heartbreaking work of staggering genius," and I hoped that a follow-up might be the climax I had been anticipating for the last five years.

Unfortunately, Wilco did not decide to beef up their sound, but rather take a step into normalcy and maybe even obscurity with their latest endeavor "Sky Blue Sky." I must say, right away I was turned off simply by the cover art, since my brother's (Brian Adam Ant) album "Separation Celebration," already used these image in his CD tray (and I had to listen to him bitch about it for a month), but this album is simply.... daft.

Rolling Stone decided to give it four stars, and I read the review for the album and it seems to me that Rob Sheffield really didn't care much for the album either, despite the ultra-positive rating.

"Sky Blue Sky" is ratty and boring. Tweedy's voice never takes off, and neither do his songs. The crescendos at the end of songs are usually predictable, and what used to be great guitar licks and noises are quite abrasive. When Wilco is trying to be clever musically, they sound more technical than trivial.

Tweedy uses more jazz chords, and that's great for my grandfather, but it doesn't do much for me or for this supposed rock band. Granted, I did only give this album two listens, and I did enjoy the first track "Either Way." It's a very sweet song and a great first track, but it doesn't really represent the rest of the album, which is disappointing and deceiving.

All in all I would give this album 3 out of 10.

2007-05-18T09:56:00.001-07:00

Summer In The City And I Can't Find A Decent Parking Spot!!

During a horrendous thunderstorm yesterday in New York City this picture was taken of lightning hitting the Empire State Building.

There was apparently no damage to the building and the famous building recieves about 100 lightning strikes a year according to the Daily Mail. I just thought I'd share one of the most amazing displays of mother nature I've ever seen captured on camera.

Today has been a pretty slow news day. The weirdest story I have heard today was a man sent some dog shit in the mail attached to his parking ticket. Yesterday I received my third parking ticket, and if I had a dog the city of Baltimore might be receiving an extra special package with my parking ticket as well; However, I don't and therefore might have to improvise... Or maybe just send a damn check for $42. I cannot stand parking in the city, especially Baltimore where everywhere is 2 hour parking.

What I want to know is how do these meter maids know how long your car is there when there are no meters?? Are they just driving around in circles memorizing where each car is specifically placed? Maybe they take a polaroid of the street for reference. What a waste.

2006-05-10T11:11:00.000-07:00

In the movie Wayne's World 2 there is a scene in the movie with an old British roadie that tells a story about Keith Richards and at the end of that story he says, "And that is why Keith Richards cannot be killed with conventional weapons." So I was almost sure that falling out of a coconut tree, while on vacation in Fiji would surely be the demise of one of rock's biggest junkies. It was rumoured the he has had a second brain operation and that doctors are saying that he may never play live again. The rumour was denied today by his UK publicist that says he is recovering well from the brain operation. When the rest of the Earthy explodes from nuclear war all that will be left in the rubble is Keith Richards.

2006-05-03T09:00:00.000-07:00

I am very fortunate to live so close to the city of Baltimore. Out of the entire country, I happen to live within 4 hours of the four biggest cities. Out of New York, Philadelphia, Washington and Baltimore, I frequent one music store; the Soundgarden. I have never walked into that store without buying something before I leave. The staff is amazingly knowledgable and friendly. Jimmy Macmillan, employee at Soundgarden, recently informed me about closings of different independent and corporate music chains. You can hear that podcast by clicking here. While we sat and talked, Jimmy brought to my attention a a great album from 1973, Lou Reed's "Berlin." The album is different from most of Reed's solo work, and the last track on the album will send chills down the spine. Click here to listen to that podcast.

2006-05-02T14:10:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! It was just announced today that Radiohead will be touring this summer. No, they are not playing anywhere in Maryland, but I am willing to take the hike to Philly to go see them. I have only seen Radiohead twice, and they are the absolute greatest band to see live. They are currently working on a new album, which means they will probably be debuting a lot of the new material at the concert. It will sell out super quick so make sure you get your tickets early, I know I will.

2006-04-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

It's no secret to anyone who knows me that Chuck Klosterman is my favorite literary journalist of the 21st Century. He has written three books; Fargo Rock City, Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs and his latest Killing Yourself to Live. I have read all three and I always look to them for inspiration when writing any journalistic essay. I read Klosterman's monthly column in Spin every chance I get. He gives great rants into the hipster underworld, and his ramblings hold significance in my daily life. I was saddened to hear that he has left Spin magazine because his editor has been fired. Klosterman's absence from Spin could cost the magazine thousands of readers who have always looked to him for insight on the latest trends in music. His last piece can be seen in the April issue of Spin, in which he uses Guns 'n' Roses new album as a hilarious April fools joke. Chances are, I won't pick up Spin magazine again.

2006-04-19T11:09:00.000-07:00

Jack White's new Coca-Cola song has leaked online, along with the rest of the commercial. You can watch the commercial here. I was surprised to hear a few months ago that Jack White would even consider writing a new song for the Coke corporation. I wonder how much he actually got paid for this 30 second piece of music. I have heard the song and it is quite fantastic. I can't wait to see it on my television screen rather than a pixelated version of it that's surfacing around on the internet. Coke may have the best commercial song since "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing."

2006-04-11T23:04:00.000-07:00

I think Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin have a secret competition with Frank Zappa for weirdest, most outrageous and let's not forget pretentious names for their children. This week it was announced that they have just had a baby boy. They already have a daughter named Apple, which was widely made fun of in most magazines and online publications, but now they've gone too far. They have named their newborn baby Moses because, well, why not right? The child is speculated to have been named after the Coldplay song, "Moses," which Martin wrote for Paltrow while they were dating.
Maybe this child will lead his generation to the promised land, or in the spirit of passover, he'll make us some matzah. Why don't the Martin's just get it over with and move to San Fransisco, and Chris can just grow his hair and put it in a pony tail.

2006-04-05T11:16:00.000-07:00

When I was a child I was forced to listen to whatever my parents had on the radio. The station was always tuned into the oldies. I still love listening to the oldies station, because I feel that the songs were so easy to listen to. One of my favorite songs, that I still hear today on the '60's station is Gene Pitney's "Town Without Pity." I always loved the sway of the song, as if the record were warped while it was playing. I was saddened today to see that Gene Pitney had died in a UK hotel at the age of 65. He was found in his hotel bedroom after last night's performance, where he received a standing ovation. It's weird that all of these influences I had as a child seem to get older and older and are dying off at much more rapid rate. There are only two Beatles left, yet there are 4 Rolling Stones. I believe there are no Ramones left. Ok, it's probably more weird for my mother. It's just a shame we all have to get old.

2006-03-29T11:02:00.000-08:00

I have made an investment in a new band. I've never done such a thing before, even though it only cost me $9. The band is called The Raconteurs and it consists of Jack White and Brendan Benson. Their debut album will be out in May. I call them an investment because I came across a piece of valuable memorabilia. Their first single, "Steady as She Goes" was released with a limited 1,000 pressing on vinyl. With only 1,000 in the entire world (400 in the U.S.) I was able to purchase 3 copies of the single. The 7" is already selling on Ebay for $50, and once the album hits record stores the value is sure to grow. I'm really excited by the potential of this indie supergroup. Hopefully I can hold onto it for a few years before hitting up Ebay.

2006-03-23T11:34:00.000-08:00

The other day my friend Jimmy brought over his new PSP, which is a handheld playstation. I was absolutely amazed by this little device with unbelievable graphics. I sat for hours playing the Major League Baseball game. I thought the game was cool, but there was no music only commentary. Then I saw on Pitchforkmedia that Playstation has added indie rock artists to their new baseball game for 2006. The game will include songs from some of my favorite artists, Belle and Sebastian, Interpol and Pavement. I am so thrilled because I am sick of hearing music on these video games from heavy metal and punk acts. I am actually thinking about buying a Playstation 2 just so I can get this game.

2006-03-15T09:08:00.000-08:00

Isaac Hayes has decided to quit South Park because he feels they mock religious beliefs. I find it rather peculiar that Hayes is actually a Scientologist, which they just recently had an episode about, but he never had a problem when they made fun of Jews, Catholics, Mormons, or the other countless religions the show has made fun of. The new South Park season starts in just a few weeks. Without the soulful voice of Chef I don't really know how South Park will recover.

2006-03-08T11:30:00.000-08:00

This past weekend I was sitting in my living room enjoying a night filled with television, when I stopped surfing at CNN. There was Paul McCartney on the screen talking to Larry King. Of course, anytime I see Paul McCartney, I must see what he is talking about. He was on Larry King with his wife discussing the issue of the seal hunt that takes place every year in Newfoundland. He and his wife believe that it is inhumane, killing over 250,000 baby seals by local fisherman. It was a one sided debate, that didn't really seem to need debating. They showed clips of these fisherman beating baby seals to death (not very humane). Then, there he was, the spokesman for the Prime Minister. I deem this man, Danny Williams, the most evil man on the planet. Not only was he debating with Paul McCartney on what he feels is humane, but he was defending the slaughter of baby seals!!! He may as well have said, "Mr. McCartney, I don't care for the Beatles and I sure as hell don't like baby seals!"

2006-02-28T21:38:00.000-08:00

Once again, Pete Doherty has been arrested for drugs and allegedly stealing a car. Pete Doherty is the lead singer of the band Babyshambles, and was formerly in the group the Libertines. The group broke up because of Doherty’s drug problem, often seen in pictures smoking crack. Doherty seems to be getting arrested once a month on drug charges. Doesn’t this guy know that he’s going to die of a drug overdose and it won’t even be tragic at that point? If you can say, “oh I saw that one coming,” haven’t you become more of a rock cliché than a martyr? He has also gotten his girlfriend into trouble as well. Kate Moss was arrested late last year for snorting cocaine when a photographer took her picture. By going out with Doherty, doesn’t she what a target she was to get busted? She may as well call the drug officials in Britain for a score. She probably would have had a better chance

2006-02-21T12:00:00.000-08:00

My friends and I are deeply disturbed by the latest news that Lindsay Lohan, 19, is dating Ryan Adams, 31. I can't really say that I am at all surprised. Adams loves to date actresses, but why Lohan? It's probably the cocaine. Adams is one of the most prolific songwriters of our generation, releasing three albums in 2005 (one is actually a double album). Yet, Adams is always out of control, and known as a recluse and a jerk. I don't really know what to make of this, except that I'm just a little disappointed by the fact that Adams could definitely ride on the coat tails of this publicity.

2006-02-11T13:00:00.000-08:00

The Rolling Stones played the Super Bowl halftime show this year, and since Paul McCartney performed last year, finally it seems the NFL has found a niche in good entertainment, unlike previous years with Janet Jackson and Britney Spears.
I for one, was excited by the Rolling Stones performance announcement, and like many other fans, waited in anticipation for the 2nd quarter clock to run out. The Stones took the stage after a five minute commercial break. During the commercials my friends and I placed friendly bets on what they would play. We agreed they would most likely open with "Start Me Up," and of course play their staple song, "Satisfaction." Turns out they played both. Secretly we were hoping for "Jumpin Jack Flash," or "Street Fighting Man."
As they were playing "Start Me Up," and the stage shaped like a tongue revealed the hundreds of fans on the field, I wondered something. I thought to myself, "Are they going to let them sing the line, 'you make a dead man cum.'" The line approached and of course, they censored the Rolling Stones. I was amazed. In fact, they were censored twice. It's not that I'm upset that they censored the line in the song, however, had this been the 2002 Super Bowl, I honestly don't think they would have censored it.
Why can't we forget about the stupid "wardrobe malfunction" and move on with our lives. The Rolling Stones were censored in 1968 on the Ed Sullivan Show. Almost 40 years have gone by, and apparently the Stones are sitll the baddest act in Rock n' Roll.

2006-02-05T10:59:00.000-08:00

For the most part, the only bars that I have been to are located in the Baltimore area and other east coast college towns. Sometimes I'll head off to New York for a weekend and hang out at a bar up there, but New York bars are a completely different breed as far as music is concerned. Every bar, or at least every busy bar, in a college town has some sort of D.J. It's sad to say that most of the D.J.'s in the east coast area play rap music about 80% of the time, depending on which bar you go to. I am not really sure when rap music became the mainstream of college music, but I think it happened sometime in 1993, when Dr. Dre's "The Chronic" first hit radio airwaves. Rap music is now the music we listen to when we go to clubs or bars. You can't really dance in a bar, but for some reason the rules still apply.
It's not even that I hate rap music. I hate popular rap music today, and I won't go into the deeper aspects of it, but I will just say, "it doesn't speak to me and i can't relate to it." I drive a Toyota Carolla, wear glasses and cordory blazers.
D.J.'s will occassionally throw in the rock song here and there, but it's usually something stupid like Soft Cell's "Tainted Love," or Puddle of Mudd's "She Fuckin' Hates Me," (which may be the worst song of all time). However, when the clock strikes 1a.m., without hesitation, two rock songs are played back to back. Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar on Me," and Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer," are staples of today's bar crowd. When people hear these two songs, they react in one of two ways; one, that it is almost last call; and two, that they have not heard this song since 1987. I wouldn't be surprised if one person said, "dude this was my jam when i was 4!" Is it the infectious chorus that grabs their attention? I call it infectious, because like an infection, it makes me feel like I want antibiotics and something to throw up in. The worst part, is not that they play these songs every single night, or that I have to listen to 50 drunk idiots sing "whooooooa, we're halfway there." No, this is not the worst of it. The worst of it, is that they've added a new song to the repetoire. Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" became a new bar anthem earlier last year. When did Journey's 1981 hit suddenly become the new college bar song of America? In the early 90's if you even said the word Journey a fist came out of nowhere and hit you right in the mouth. Steve Perry, one of the ugliest men to ever grace a stage, was thwarted with remarks about his manhood.
I don't understand why bar anthems have to be these lame songs. Why can't "Hey Jude" be a bar singalong song. It was the original bar singalong song. You don't even need to remember any words. No matter how drunk you are you can say "na na nana na," it's just that easy. How many more lame bar songs can we hope for in the future? In 20 years when I go to a college bar I hope I hear "Wonderwall" by Oasis, but with the future of American popular music it'll probably be "I Would Do Anything For Love," by Meatloaf.

2006-02-01T12:55:00.000-08:00

As a journalism student at Towson University, I have always been politically motivated. I feel that music has dictated the way I feel about certain political issues, and the way politics can dictate the music of today, which I can now store safely on my iPod.
Apparently, I have been told that we need to create a blog topic to discuss in further blog entries. I am afraid that I have a firm standing on a number of topics, so this will prove seemingly difficult. I guess my blog topic for today will be, why George W. Bush gives the worst speeches to the American people.
Last night I sat and watched the annual State of the Union Address on CNN. It was amazing to see such a transition from previous addresses I have seen throughout my life. I used to watch Bill Clinton’s speeches in my parent’s bedroom when I was a kid. I watched with amazement as everyone stood after every dramatic stance the President took on certain political issues. When I say everyone stood, I mean everyone (including Republicans). It gave me a sense of pride to be a part of this country, and I felt a deep sense of respect for the man who told me everything would only get better in the coming years.
As I watched last night, there was a different sense of the coming years. I noticed that whenever the President made dramatic pauses after his bold statement and moved his jaw from side to side. The entire congress cheered, and I felt nothing toward the man. In fact, half of the room felt nothing toward the man. Only half of those in congress and other audience members stood for the President’s speech. It was amazing, I’ve never seen it before (although, apparently it happened last year). The only time the democrats stood was when the President made remarks about congress not approving a certain bill that he wanted to pass. It was hilarious, and felt more like a circus than a State of the Union Address.
Stay tuned for more posts about music, because frankly, politics piss me off.