ad hoc.

Previously: 100-91

#90 The View; Hats Off to the Buskers
Bratty English teenagers make good music.
Influential Power 1
Staying Power 1
Cred Power 7

#89 The Gossip; The Movement
Bluesy goodness.
Influential Power 4
Staying Power 6
Cred Power 8

#88 Enon: Hocus Pocus
A poor man’s Blonde Redhead
Influential Power 5
Staying Power 4
Cred Power 9

#87 Denali: The Instinct
Unfortuantely, they have already broken up. Blonde Redhead meets Rilo Kiley.
Influential Power 2
Staying Power 1
Cred Power 7

#86 The Delays; You See Colours
Absoultely gorgeous.
Influential Power 5
Staying Power 4
Cred Power 9

#85 Cobra Starship; When the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets
Bratty, radio friendly pop punk.
Influential Power 4
Staying Power 2
Cred Power 3

#84 Calexico; Feast of Wire
Southwest, mariachi indie rock
Influential Power 7
Staying Power 6
Cred Power 9

#83 Black Eyes; Black Eyes
This is how the label Dischord earned its name. Two drummers, screaming vocals, not for the mainstream. Too bad they already broke up.
Influential Power 3
Staying Power 1
Cred Power 10

#82 Good Charlotte, The Young and the Hopeless
It’s not punk, it’s not pop-punk, it’s pure pop. Some of the most singalong songs ever.
Influential Power 3
Staying Power 9
Cred Power -20

#81 The Von Bondies; Lack of Communication
Blues-punk from the Detroit indie rock explosion
Influential Power 6
Staying Power 5
Cred Power 7

I am not entirely sure why I like this album or this band. Let me get back to you on that.

[YOURCODENAMEIS:MILO; They Came From the Sun] [multiply] [mediafire]

A pair of Sumatran tiger cubs and a set of young orang-utans, all abandoned at birth, have become inseparable after sharing a room at an Indonesian zoo.

Thanks Debbie Downer:

But the friendship is not destined to last as tigers start eating meat when they are three months old and will need to be separated from their new playmates.

So, in my everlasting goal of helping people discover great music, I’ve taken on the new task of counting down the top 100 albums of the 21st century. I know the year 2000 is not technically in the century, but let’s just pretend that it is.

Why? Because 2000 is when I really started taking music seriously. Because I can and I want to procrastinate thinking about my future. And I like lists, obvi. I’ll be doing ten at a time over the next few days. I welcome comments and your thoughts on the inclusion of these albums.

I have included only one album per artist, because otherwise the list would contain about two artists total.

Also rates are:

Influential Power: Did this album influence many others after it? Did it change the current genre or popularity?
Staying Power: Will I remember this album and see it as essential after a few years?
Cred Power: Does appreciating this album give you credit as a music lover? Will name dropping the album get you laid in a hipster bar in Brooklyn?

Onto the list:

———————————-

#100 The Shins, Oh Inverted World
Before Zach Braff co-opted the beauty of “New Slang” and made us think of Garden State everytime we hear it, this was something special and something a bit more beautiful that the usual stuff.
Influential Power 7
Staying Power 8
Cred Power 5

#99 The Streets, A Grand Don’t Come for Free
British garage rap. I learned some new ways to pronounce things and learned about being a British thug.
Influential Power 7
Staying Power 3
Cred Power 7

#98 RJD2; Since We Last Spoke
Who knew one guy could produce so many fantastic beats.
Influential Power 2
Staying Power 4
Cred Power 8

#97 Radio 4, Gotham!
It seems unfair to have them on here, since they are a direct rip off of Gang of Four. But they were one if the first disco-punk bands to emerge from NYC.
Influential Power 8
Staying Power 3
Cred Power 9

#96 The Pernice Brothers; Discover a Lovelier You
With all the complicated stuff out there, it is nice to have a band that simply writes pretty songs.
Influential Power 2
Staying Power 5
Cred Power 7

#95 Kylie Minogue; Fever
One of the many times on this list that I am reminded that we constantly need to be told by the UK what good music is. Pop is a legitimate form of music, and it is rare someone does it as well. So many fantastic singles from this one album.
Influential Power 6
Staying Power 2
Cred Power 3

#94 We Are Scientists, In Love and Squalor
Proof that nerdy guys can be rock stars.
Influential Power 4
Staying Power 5
Cred Power 8

#93 Soundtrack, High School Musical
It’s a modern day Grease, and you can’t help but get addicted. Millions of other tweens would agree.
Influential Power 6
Staying Power 7
Cred Power -2

#92 Youth Group, Casino Twighlight Dogs
This is what the Shins are trying to be like. Their cover of “Forever Young” alone would put them on this list.
Influential Power 2
Staying Power 4
Cred Power 7

#91 The Living End, Roll On
Australian punkabilly. Nuff said.
Influential Power 2
Staying Power 1
Cred Power 6

This is a hilarious example of when news stations are about 5,000 years behind the times. Here they invesitigate this thing called “emo”. Even funnier is that half their sources are actually jokes.

I’d also like to recognize that I am far from the epitome of physical fitness, but I am allowed (and enjoy) getting annoyed by my fellow gym goers. I am also going to be totally gendered, because at the gym there is always a clear binary of behaviors. Okay, it’s not 100%, but let’s just recognize that I am generalizing.

• Women who sit at a weight machine and will do a set, then sit for about 5 minutes after, picking their nails, whatever, doing another set, slumping over, another 5 minutes, and then half-heartedly do a couple more reps. Ok, glad you are doing something, but please do some circuit training or get the hell off because someone (me) wants to use it.
• People who talk (loudly) on their cell phones while on a cardio machine. Cell phones are evil. And if you are able to be on your cell phone while doing it, you’re not working hard enough. It’s called cardio for a reason.
• Two housewives who come to the gym together, and in a room full of empty elliptical machines, get on the two next to mine and gab loudly about their bratty kids and last night’s Grey’s Anatomy.
• People who put their mouth directly on the water fountain. Are we in fifth grade?
• The guy who watches Everyone Loves Raymond and Yes, Dear while working out. Because those shows are an insult to television.
• People who do not wipe down the machines after using them. I feel like I am going to get pregnant if I am the next one to use it.
• People who get totally naked in the locker room and strut around. I am glad you love your body, but I don’t.
• People who attempt to make conversation with you in the locker room while they are naked.
• My gym also serves douhnuts in the morning and pizza at lunchtime. What the fuck? Is this a strategy for people to keep coming back and renewing their membership? It’s bizarre.
• People who use the elipitical, but are completely leaning on and supporting themselves on the handles. If it is too hard, TURN DOWN THE RESISTANCE! Or, just don’t bother! Exercise is supposed to be hard.

In comclusion, I will say that any sort of activity or trip to the gym is at least better than nothing. So I shouldn’t be hating.

Sorority Evictions Raise Issue of Looks and Bias

Worried that a negative stereotype of the sorority was contributing to a decline in membership that had left its Greek-columned house here half empty, Delta Zeta’s national officers interviewed 35 DePauw members in November, quizzing them about their dedication to recruitment. They judged 23 of the women insufficiently committed and later told them to vacate the sorority house. The 23 members included every woman who was overweight. They also included the only black, Korean and Vietnamese members.

I can’t say I’m surprised…but the question is that I can’t believe they actually thought they were being logical.

I’m stoked about The Agency, a new “reality” show about a modeling agency. You know how much I love shows about models, but also it is a chance for me to project my own insecurities by scrutinizing people’s appearance.

Some of them with their hookers.

SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON

SWOON SWOON

SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON SWOON

of fashion, that is. I tend to like when people dress a bit differently than the norm of strapless evening gowns. With that said, contrary to what most people think, I love Kirsten Dunst’s dress: Very vintage-y. And yay for sleeves.

She looks awful in this pic, but once she took off that metal armor shrug thing, the folds of the dress were really cool. I love the idea of brown in an evening dress.

And, because he is hot, Sascha Baron Cohen. And his hooch fiance.

I also loved Ellen’s first suit, the maroon velvet.

Now, here is what I don’t understand. When you are an actress and starve yourself for months, why the hell would you wear something that makes you look big? If I were them, I’d wear a dress that says, “look! You can see my whole clavicle!”

Beyonce: gross color, and it looks like her hips are about 10 feet wide. Is she giving birth under there?

Jennifer Lopex. Just gross. Her free flying boobs look painful. Strap those in.

Cameron Diaz: the top of that dress looks like my 6th grade graduation dress. Too many flaps. Looks like a folded napskin. Yuck.

Kate Winselt, I expected more from you. The dress is the color of moldy water. I miss your curves.

I know she is only 11, but Abigail Breslin looked like shit. I don’t feel bad for hating on a kid.

Sorry to disappoint, but I will NOT be liveblogging the Oscars tonight. I will be at a party, so only the people there will benefit from my witty commentary. I’m not too excited, because I haven’t seen most of the movies. I am always excited to scutinize and drool over the celebs. Gotta go, Clive Owen just arrived at LAX for the ceremony, and I think I’m late to pick him up.

Squeeee! My favorite guilty pleasure, The Academy Is…has a new video about their upcoming album.

Fun fact: the video was directed by one of Madonna’s (hot) dancers.

The it-girl waif, Cory Kennedy, made it to a feature story in the LA times. What else has she done besides appear to look homeless and bone 40 year old guys? Glad she is modest about it. God, I loathe her.

Rainn Wilson hosted SNL last night. He’s not a bad actor, I’d like to see him play a more serious role instead of the same character over and over again. The monologue had a really good parody of all the office characters, especially Jim and Pam (or JAM as people are calling them) and their mannerisms.

As much as I think John Keasinski is a cutie, I think it needs to be pointed out AGAIN that his whole character, the eye rolls to the camera, was originated by Martin Freeman (Tim) and Pam’s shy cuteness is entirely stolen from Lucy Davis (Dawn). I’ve said it a thousand times, and I’ll say it again: VIVA LA TIM AND DAWN!

Screw Franz Ferdinand, The Rakes are where it’s at. I felt their first album was kind of blah, but this is blowing me away. British? Of course. And they are all about the style. Is this a GQ shoot? Is that Burberry?

[THE RAKES; Ten New Messages] [.rar] [multiply]

Iggy Pop - the Stooges - Music - New York Times

NME.COM - News - The Bravery preview new album online

wcbstv.com - KFC Rats Quickly Become Stars Of Village Nightlife

Pitchfork: Shins, Common, Fiona Apple: Fulbright Judges?!

Homophobic Nestle Milo Ad Airs in New Zealand

NME.COM - News - Muse fans to stage Trafalgar Square singalong

Pete Wentz, you have GOT to be kidding me. Stop trying so damn hard!

The article is pretty good, I still am semi-not-embarassed to call myself a fan. The new album is growing on me.

Read the rest of this entry »

Camp Cucamonga is some randon made for tv movie that I taped off television and watched about a thousand times. I have no idea why I liked it. I guess I always had some obsession with camp. But what the hell. It had all the hottest teen stars in it, including Jaleel White (Urkel), Candace Cameron, Chad Allen, Danika McKellar and Josh Saviano from the Wonder Years, and a “fat” Jennifer Aniston. The plot is shit, somehow the camp almost gets shut down, so they all strategize about how to save it. After about three seconds of contemplating, someone suggests “let’s make a rap video!” as if that is the most obvious solution when you are trying to save a camp. So, cue a rap and dance montague, with green screens and choreography. Jaleel does the rapping, I guess because he is the only black camper. What else? Oh there is some biug drama where Danika acts all bad-ass because she doesn’t want people to know that her parents are getting a divorce. You know she is badass because she wears a Ratt t-shirt and a leather jacket.

Of course, this inspired me to list my favorite camp movies ever.

1. Wet Hot American Summer (duh, that one was obvious)

2. Little Darlings (Kristy McNicholl and Tatum O’Neill in a Virgin-Off)

3. Heavyweights (It’s actually good, and probably Ben Stiller’s best character)

4. The Parent Trap (the original, thanks)

Notice the movie Camp is missing from this list. That’s on purpose.

MADtv is not especially hilarious, but anything that makes fun of Grey’s Anatomy is fine in my book. Love the woman who plays Meredith.

Added some interesting tracks to my cover song playlist.

Dancing in the Dark; Ted Leo & The Pharmacists
Free Fallin’ ; Ben Gibbard
Supersonic; Elliott Smith
When Doves Cry; Damien Rice

[CALLA; Strength in Numbers] [multiply] [.rar]

I have loved Calla for a number of years, this is their fouth album. The earlier albums were very I guess… somber and ethereal. This one is actually a little heavier on the guitars and verse-chorus-verse format. But I like when a band grows. The lyrics and songwriting are pretty deep, and I was in awe of them until a couple of years ago when I saw them live and they opened for some other band (I think The Walkmen) and during the next band the singer was standing behind me, spilled beer in my hair and talked loudly to his friend about a chick he boned. It was kind of like that episode of Growing Pains where Brad Pitt plays the rock star that Ben worships, and then he meets him backstage and Brad is all mean to him so Ben decides he hates him, but then Dr. Seaver just convinces him it’s all about the music. Or something like that.

“What’s your greatest wish?”

“I want my innocence back.”

And so goes one of my favorite segment, Q & A with kids on Wondershowzen. Ok, so I’ll cut to the chase. There are full frontal pictures of Daniel Radcliffe promoting his play Equus. Of course they were posted on every blog I read. For a while I thought I would just let it be. I could live without seeing it. But it’s like a scar, I always swear I’m going to leave it alone for it to heal, but a part of my wants to rip it off. And then I went one step more; I’m posting the link here. But, before you click it, I really want you to think about it. Do you really want to go there? I can never watch the Harry Potter movies in the same way again. I feel like I’ve lost my innocence. Nothing else is sacred, I’ve seen Harry Potter’s…area. I may as well just rent tons of hardcore porn and stay home in my pjs and watch it and shove cookie dough in my face. Have you thought about it? Do you really need to see it? Sigh. Ok, if you must. It’s obviously not safe for work. Oh, and one word, four syllables: uncircumcized.

• “Prince Caspian” Gets Underway (February 19th 2007); aren’t these kids about 25 by now?
• The Most Expensive Cities For A First Date - Forbes.com
• David Fincher - Zodiac - Movies - New York Times; a profile on one of my favorite directors EVER
• The ½ Hour News Hour; gross
• Pitchfork: Actress Jena Malone Records Social Registry 7″; I hate her
• Brilliant But Cancelled - NewsWire - Parker Posey: Sitcom Queen; Parker Posey in a sitcom?
• The best Patrick Swayze moments: rule.
• The Producers is closing. I think it jumped the shark when they cast Tony Danza

And finally my favorite event of Friday…Blue States Lose.

Wowza. It seemed just yesterday that my friends and I were mooning over him in Newsies. I saw this issue in the grocery store and almost dropped my tofu and edamame.

Oh, Avril. Remember when you shunned Britney and Christina and said they were all boobs and no substance? Just take a look at yourself. I guess you looked down and were all, look I have boobs and decided to dress like a lolita and shake your stuff. And put on fishnets and hair extenstions. I am actually not sure if this song is a parady. There are synchronized dance routines. And fishnets. And hair extensions. And at the end she does it in a port-o-john.