Dienstag, 25. Sep 2007, 0:12
Michael Bolton: You think the pet rock was a really great idea?
Tom Smykowski: Sure it was. The guy made a million dollars. You know, I had an idea like that once. A long time ago.
Peter Gibbons: Really, what was it, Tom?
Tom Smykowski: Well, all right. It was a "Jump to Conclusions" mat. You see, it would be this mat that you would put on the floor… and would have different CONCLUSIONS written on it that you could JUMP TO.
Michael Bolton: That's the worst idea I've ever heard in my life, Tom.
Samir: Yes, this is horrible, this idea.
It's been a short "week" since my last journal, so not a lot going on. Apparently the new Brad Pitt western The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is a limited release, so its not showing at my theatre - instead, there's Resident Evil: Extinction or Good Luck Chuck which features no-talent-emo-assclown Dane Cook and the Skeletor-Not-So-Hot version of Jessica Alba. Not too many movies coming out by the end of the year that I'm looking towards. Beowulf looks cool solely because its Beowulf and its 3-D ass-kicking glory, but I really wouldn't be disappointed if I didn't see it in theatres. 30 Days of Night (at least from the Red-Band trailer) looks pretty kick-ass - looks like it could do for vampires what 28 Days/Weeks Later did for zombies. Alas, December looks to be the most promising. Will Smith's I Am Legend sounds intriguing and I'm hoping it takes a more serious sci-fi route than Independence Day and Men in Black. Then, of course, there is Juno, which has become my most highly anticipated movie of the year. Jason Bateman and Michael Cera in a movie after Arrested Development? Hells yeah. Check out the trailer here.
The Redskins suffered their first loss on Sunday. Suffice to say I was fuming the entire second half. I'm not sure what happened, but it seemed like the offense went completely away from their gameplan. I always knew it was a problem with Gibbs, but his mismanagement of the offense under 2 minutes was glaring. Ugh.
But its alright, because Heroes is back. Oh yes. I really enjoyed the season premiere. I was hoping the premiere and finale would be 2 hours this year, but oh well. The Hiro-Kensei storyline looks promising and comical. Can't wait for next Monday night.
And oh yeah, October is next week. Where are the Halloween songs people?
http://www.luminomagazine.com/2004.03/spotlight/officespace/images/drew/drew1.jpg
I'm thinking I might take that new chick from Logistics. If things go well I might be showing her my O-face. "Oh… Oh… Oh!" You know what I'm talkin' about. "Oh!"
Top 10 of the Week
10) Dick Dale & the Del-Tones - 13 Plays
With every listen of Pipeline and hearing Stevie Ray Vaughan being humbled by Dick Dale, I get the impression that Dick Dale is far less appreciated than he deserves to be and is definitely underrated. All these God Of The Guitar journals/threads I see are all about Jimi Hendrix, SRV, Eric Clapton, etc, but rarely (if ever) do I see Dick Dale's name mentioned. The man single-handedly invited surf music, but to simply label his music as "surf music" is a disservice. Where the Beach Boys stopped at the coastline of the US, Dick Dale went across the ocean and brought in some very diverse sounding influences to his surf sound. Its one of the reasons why I find Dick Dale's music infinitely more appealing than Brian Wilson and the boys.
9) The Detroit Cobras - 14 Plays
A spin of Mink Rat or Rabbit, which I have not listened to in a couple months. Its funny how you can listen to an album so much that in one phase it sounds completely played out and then the next time you hear it, it sounds fresh and terrific again. I'm not sure how many cover bands produce albums, but I don't think I have to go out on a limb to say that the Cobras are probably the best cover band. I've been meaning to pick up their latest album or if not that one, then at least another one. Any suggestions here?
8) The Black Keys - 15 Plays
A spin of Magic Potion. I had recently went searching for tour dates and although I came up empty I watched their music video for Just Got to Be. Aside from the resulting thought that Dan would make a very convincing homeless person on the streets of any major city, I decided to give Magic Potion another chance. Although the music itself is in the same fashion as the rest of their albums, they are different - they just aren't catchy or enjoyable as anything on Thickfreakness or Rubber Factory with the exception of Just Got To Be, Your Touch, and The Flame. Aside from those three, nothing else stands out which makes the album an easily forgettable album.
7) Danger Doom - 15 Plays
I guess this was the week to give albums spins that I haven't listened to in quite awhile. The Mouse and the Mask has always been an entertaining listen, thanks to interludes provided by Cartoon Network's Adult Swim. This album is probably MF DOOM's most accessible album thanks to Danger Mouse's quirky, poppy production. Plus, it has Ghostface Killah on it - whats not to love?
6) Black Sabbath - 15 Plays
I went through all of the Sabbath albums I own, which is only two - Paranoid and Master of Reality. It seems like I go back and forth on which one of these two is my favorite Sabbath album. Paranoid is more accessible, a little bit more catchy and has Fairies Wear Boots - though Master of Reality sounds (to me) just a tad bit harder and gloomier/darker and it has Into the Void. I suppose you can't go wrong with either of them because they're both terrific. As a side note, these were the first listens on my new headphones for my PC. Going from earbuds to noise-cancelling headphones is quite the difference, especially concerning the bass-lines.
5) Carl Perkins - 19 Plays
Original Sun Greatest Hits isn't a bad compilation - the songs are great, but I suppose I wasn't in the mood for this last week because I couldn't get into it much. I'll give it another spin this week to see whats up. It did prompt me to give Elvis Presley a spin.
4) Elvis Presley - 19 Plays
Prompted by Carl Perkins' compilation, I gave Elvis Presley a go. I had noticed it before picking up that Perkins' compilation, but after listening to it and then Elvis' self-titled album the differences between the two are major. I mean, Carl is great and all, but he was straightforward rockabilly stuff. Elvis was that too, but he took rock into other directions as he added some gospel and R&B. I have never really considered Elvis the King of Rock and while I'm not quite ready to take the crown away from Chuck Berry, I can see why people proclaim Elvis as the one - its easier to understand when you see what Elvis' contemporaries were doing at the time as well.
3) Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek - 20 Plays
I have had Reflection Eternal for quite some time - at least 3 months or so and I am just now giving it its first listen. I'm not sure why I took so long, but its a great album. Although I prefer Mos Def over Talib Kweli, Talib's flow is sweet. Although nothing will replace Black Star in my eyes from these two, this album might give Def's Black on Both Sides a run for its money.
2) Deltron 3030 - 22 Plays
Another album I haven't listened to in what feels like forever. I don't know why I went so long without it either - this album is easily one of my favorite hip hop albums of all time is probably my most favorite hip hop album in terms of production because it nails that cold, futuristic/sci-fi atmosphere perfectly. Del tha Funkee Homosapien's voice has always been a favorite of mine and I love the subtle swagger in his flow as the words sound like they are just rolling out of his mouth. I'm hoping they have another album coming out within the next year or so - it should be fiyah.
1) Reverend Horton Heat - 27 Plays
I am obviously enjoying this type of rockabilly a lot more than the Carl Perkins stuff. I guess it might have something to do with using Dan Sartain as my starting point for rockabilly since the Reverend and Dan go hand in hand, while Carl and Dan are entirely different. Regardless, I am still enjoying the hell out of Smoke Em If You Got Em. I really want to pick up their second album, but I'm holding off for now so I don't wear them out too soon. I think I roped somebody in to see them with me in Richmond in November, but she hasn't confirmed that yet so my fingers are still crossed. I will keep holding hands with the Reverend and praying I can see them and Hank Williams III in 6 weeks. Pray for me!
Samir: No one in this country can ever pronounce my name right. It's not that hard: Samir Na-gheen-an-a-jar. Nagheenanajar.
Michael Bolton: Yeah, well at least your name isn't Michael Bolton.
Samir: You know there's nothing wrong with that name.
Michael Bolton: There was nothing wrong with it… until I was about 12 years old and that no-talent ass clown became famous and started winning Grammys.
Samir: Hmm… well why don't you just go by Mike instead of Michael?
Michael Bolton: No way. Why should I change? He's the one who sucks.
Top 3 Tracks of the Week
3) The Black Keys - Just Got To Be and Your Touch
Two of the three memorable songs off of Magic Potion. They could easily be on any of the previous albums and fit right in, since they have catchy riffs and are both pretty damn strong songs. Your Touch is especially hooky.
2) Reverend Horton Heat - Bad Reputation
One hell of a catchy tune by the Reverend. The lyrics remind me of Whistle Bait, for some odd reason.
1) Dick Dale & the Del-Tones - Misirlou
One of the greatest rock songs ever? Definitely. Dick Dale was thrashing that shit and shredding peoples faces off before they even knew what the fuck that was about. Bow down, bitches.
I'll be honest with you, I love his music, I do, I'm a Michael Bolton fan. For my money, I don't know if it gets any better than when he sings "When a Man Loves a Woman".
New CDs & Discoveries & Wishlistings
No new CDs last week. Iron & Wine's The Shepherd's Dog releases tomorrow to high anticipation from me since both of his albums are two of my favorites. I have heard there is (compared to his previous two albums) a big jump in terms of the overall sound on this album, so at the very least it should be interesting to hear.
My Magic Potion listens from above prompted me to think that the Black Keys need to alter their sound a bit before they play out their sound. I think a dark album would be great from them, maybe an all acoustic album too. Anyway, I figured I'd check and see how the new album was coming along and apparently they're teaming up with Ike Turner and Danger Mouse is producing the album. I have no idea what to think, much less what to expect.
I was playing Guitar Hero II at work this past weekend and Primus' John The Fisherman was played. Pretty catchy tune. Anybody recommend an album to start with? Which one has John the Fisherman on it? Speaking of Guitar Hero, I was playing War Pigs (I really hope these songs are released online for the Wii) and, as mentioned above, went through both Paranoid and Master of Reality which are the only Black Sabbath albums I have. I need help though - I have to order Wu-Tang Clan's 36 Chambers this week from YourMusic.com since they are dropping the album soon and figured I would toss in either Black Sabbath or Black Sabbath, Vol. 4. Suggestions?
I was fooling around on Youtube and came across a BB King performance on Ralph Gleason's Jazz Casual. Enjoy.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=tBWcSc3nPow
http://youtube.com/watch?v=O5URVbh3KX8
Peter Gibbons: Let me ask you something. When you come in on Monday, and you're not feelin' real well, does anyone ever say to you, 'Sounds like someone has a case of the Mondays'?
Lawrence: No. No, man. Shit, no, man. I believe you'd get your ass kicked sayin' something like that, man.