Top 100 of the 21st century: 90-81

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

Yourcodenameis:milo

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]

i died of cuteness, came back from the dead, and died again

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.

Top 100 of the 21st century: 100-91

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

breaking news! emo kills!

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.

List: my gym pet peeves

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.

god bless the higher education system

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.

The Agency

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.

More Oscars: my celebrity boyfriends on the red carpet

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

my oscar picks

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.

The Oscars

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.

The Academy Is…adorable

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.

Cory Kennedy is so annoying.

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.

JAM

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!

The Rakes

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]

Sunday morning reading

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

Fall Out Boy in Rolling Stone

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.

If you’ve actually seen this, I’ll give you ten bucks.

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.

I just grazed your anatomy

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.

supersonic

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

[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.

this blog has reached a new low

“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.

other stuff

• “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.

Christian Bale in GQ

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.

She’s like, so whatever

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.

we are all pervs.

I’m glad I could help you out by providing the result to a google search for “underage hot Daniel Radcliffe pics”. This site got 500 more hits than usual yesterday because of that search. I would make my mother proud.

Gnarls Barkley

I enjoy Gnarls Barkley. I love them even more after I saw their new video, “Smiley Faces”. It’s just…fantastic. Just watch it.

see you later, I’m going to to Arcade Fire show with Daniel Radcliffe

Along with being naked, Daniel Radcliffe is also a hipster. Mao hat- check! Messenger back- check! Stubble- check! Let’s call Rupert Grint and swing by Other Music before we head over to the tea shop and read our Dave Eggers novel.

new Tori

Although I have barely even touched her last two albums, I’m excited to hear that Tori Amos has a new album coming out in May. I think she looks great, albeit a bit, ahem, matured.

in bloom

I’m still doing some Nirvana reminiscing, and I can’t really put into words Kurt Cobain’s affect on me. I am still cursing the gods that I was born too late to see the early eighties punk scene, but luckily I was right age to discover Nirvana and be old enough to see their influence. I think you all know how important music is to me and how it defines my memories and experiences, and listening to Nirvana for me is exhilarating, depply disturbing, and so tragic at the same time. NME did a cool poll about people’s favorite Nirvana moments. I have seen/witnessed most of these, except Kurt and Christ making out on Saturday Night Live. That is because it only aired once, NBC cut it out of all repeats. I’ve been checking out some of these clips on You Tube, and here is a fucking awesome moment from a fucking awesome performance from the Reading Festival, which made the #1 spot on the poll.

And an SNL promo with Charles Barkley. AWKWARD, much?

Sigh.

Jamie Bell

Uh, I have a huge crush on Jamie Bell. Yes, the Billy Elliott kid.

What ever happened to Jeffrey Sebelia

Not much, apparently. Maybe winning Project Runway isn’t the catapult to instant success. I love the show and everything, but they take people who aren’t the most accomplished and put them in a contest that promises to find “the next big designer” when they still have more to work on. And is Jeffrey appropriate for an apprenticeship at Macy’s? Look waht happened to Jay Carroll and Banana Republic.

you know you are getting old when

You realize that today is Kurt Cobain’s fortieth birthday.

What would he look like? What would he think of today’s music? Would he still be with Courtney Love?

List: fashion fads that should go away forever

gaucho pants
high heeled sneakers
those ugly as shit Dooney and Bourke bags
jeans tucked into boots
flip flops in public
super short “Bettie Page” bangs
navel piercings
baby barrettes
sleeveless turtleneck sweaters
bug eye sunglasses
sweatpants with words written across the ass

What the kids are listening to: Peter Bjorn and John

This band is being hyped as the freaking messiah of indie rock. Hipsters everywhere can’t get enough. Bonus: they are Swedish! I think they sound like The Arcade Fire (but better) meets The Radio Dept. It’s good, melodic stuff. I would check it out, but it may take you a few listens to appreciate the melodic charms. Here’s a thorough review.

[PETER BJORN AND JOHN; Writer's Block] [multiply] [mediafire]

Battlestar thoughts

Although it is nice to see more character development and to see flashbacks to life before the apocolypse, I felt it was really weak.

What was the whole point of Cally and Tyrol stuck in the airlock? For Adama’s character to realize that family is important? I thought Cally was going to die. Damn, they really hate each other. The whole “you said it would be different” thing was weird. Like Cally married him knowing he didn’t really care for her. It makes me hate her patheticness even more.

Lee is going to be the head of Baltar’s trial? Just because once he visited his grandfather as a child and opened a law book? That is weak.

Uh, is Helo back as a raptor pilot? I guess when Tigh got back they fired him from the CIC. Look at all the sci-fi jargon I am using.

No Anders, Baltar or Number Six for like 3 weeks now. I’m dying.

Also….I like the political nature of next week’s episode. It looks like Baltar is also a political scientist and the Chief will bring back his activism on labor issues. But,,,,can we please get BACK TO FINDING EARTH? AND THE FINAL FIVE? I think now that the fourth season is a go, they have to stretch things out a bit. But I hate when they forget that stuff.

Question

Has anyone ever had any experience living/visiting the following cities? If yes, then please share experiences.

Milwaukee, WI

Athens, GA

Arcata, CA

Oakland, CA

Nixon rulz

Coming February 20! Yesssssss!

Blonde Redhead

I got an advance copy of the new Blonde Redhead album, called simply 23. It is fantastic. Sad, haunting, and beautiful. Great layered instrumentation and amazing varied vocals from a Japanese singer and identical Italian twins. Insert major gushing over how much I love this band.

[BLONDE REDHEAD; 23][23 and a whole bunch of other BR albums]

Bret Michaels

VH1 is really becoming a haven for has been, bloated, former drug-addicted celebrities. That’s not news. What is news is that Bret Michaels (formerly of Poison, duh) is going to have a Bachelor-style show where he is lookin’ for love. This is totally BLOWING MY MIND. The guy who was like, the total idol to all metal fans back in the late eighties. I was so obsessed with him. When I was 12 I had posters of him ripped out of Metal Edge hanging in my room (like the ones above) . I wanted to do things with him that I didn’t even know existed. Now I am scared to see what a washed up forty-something bloated asshole he has turned out to be. It will total ruin my childhood memories! Is it too late to apply to the show?

This inspired me to go on a trip down memory lane and watch old Poison videos. Holy shit they are bad. And by bad I mean fantastic.

tgif

Nothing makes Friday better than a Blue States Lose column.

Daniel Radcliffe’s bare naked behind

Some of you got all riled up about those nusde-ish pictures of Danielle Radcliffe, but now here’s one that is truly nude. Call me crazy, but something’s not right. I can’t say I’ve seen a lot of asses, but I can say I’ve seen better. Thoughts?

Fall Out Boy in Spin

Surprise, surprise, Fall Out Boy are on the cover of the March issue of Spin. Their album is #1 I believe (Andrew, correct me if I am wrong).

The whole schtick is really tiring. Gee, I am glad to see Pete Wentz isn’t hogging all the attention. Is it just me, or was the pink star strategically placed over Patrick Stump’s midsection? The other guys look bored.

Even more annoying is that I really enjoy the new album.

List: movies you think would be bad but are actually quite enjoyable

Here’s to hoping today’s lists is not as controversial as Tuesday’s.

• Down With Love
• Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen
• Uptown Girls
• The Girl Next Door
• Don’t Tell Mom the Baby-sitter’s Dead
• Lords of Dogtown
• Keeping The Faith
• Karate Kid Part II

more LISTS

yessss

Aaron Eckhart Likely To Be Batman Frienemy Two-Face In ‘Dark Knight’

I just got a total pbr*.

*You should know what that means by now.

Essential albums: Taking Back Sunday

Emo boy bands are everywhere now, wearing women’s skinny jeans, and whining about lost loves and have long song titles that have nothing to do with any of the lyrics of the actual song. These bands may seem like a fad, but there is always the one group that was the pioneer. The Strokes were amazing and one of a kind and practically a Velvet Underground tribute band, but then came the wave of all the post-grunge, leather-jacket-wearing New York bands, and it was hard to remember when it was original. Same with Green Day in the 90s, whose pop-punk at the time was basically an Operation Ivy/Screeching Weasel tribute. Then came the waves and waves of new “punk” whose fans were not even born to be able to listen to the influences.

So, Taking Back Sunday may strike you as another “scene” band with screaming fangirls, a permanent fixture on the Warped Tour, in hot topic sweatbands. I will make the claim that when they came out in 2001, they were pretty original. Although they have obvious influences from hardcore, emo, and classic rock, they broke it through to the mainstream. (Although many would also fault them for this as cheapening the punk name). I would say one of the most notable qualities is having both the lead singer and guitarist share the vocals, in a call-and-response where one sings semi-melodically, and the other has a more visceral yell. This has been copied since then more times than I can count. Basically every rock band on Myspace.

TBS have three albums out, with the last two released on a major-label, and the sound is getting more and more polished and radio-friendly. They are still good, but you can hear the major-label influence. Also, guitarist (and yeller) John Nolan left the band after this album (and started the encredibly shitty band Straylight Run) and without his vocals and songwriting the other stuff is not as good.

By claiming to like Taking Back Sunday, some people would probably say that strips me of my cred. I’d say that this is just a really addicting album, probably one that encapsulates the sound of popular punk/emo of the early 2000’s.

I may also have to claim that “Cute Without the ‘E’ (Cut From the Team)” is probably one of my top five favorite songs (and video) ever. So addictive. Although every song on here can get stuck in your head.

I’s also like to add that this blog gets about 25% of its traffic from mentioning the name Adam Lazarra (the lead singer) who is probably one of the most searched people on the internet. He is a total emo heathrob poster boy. He is also knows for intense histrionics while singing. Usually people find my blog while searching for things like “does Adam Lazarra have a girlfriend?” or “Adam Lazarra nude pics” (I don’t actually have those on here anywhere”.

I did get a chance to see them live in 2003, and it was quite amamzing. I have never seen fans so much in a daze of utter devotion, screaming every word to every lyric. Despite your opinion, you couldn’t help but be impressed.

[TAKING BACK SUNDAY; Tell All Your Friends] [multiply] [sendspace]

more ESSENTIAL ALBUMS

The Appleseed Cast

One of their songs will come on my mp3 player and I’ll think damn this is GOOD! Who is this? And it’s always this band. I sometimes forget about them. They are decribed as a “unique “post-rock” sound hinging on inventive, intricate drumming, subtle guitar arpeggios and impassioned vocals.” Yup, that sums it up. Remember when “emo” meant Sunny Day Real Estate and not Panic! At the Disco? That’s how they sound. The music is really layered, which also indicates a high level of actual performance ability. Enough. Just listen to it, you’ll wonder why other bands don’t live up. They have come out with several albums, but the Low Level Owl double albums from 2001 are the standouts.

Both albums are here, and then again here.

List: the most annoying bloggers

Perez Hilton

Trent

Puntabulous

Ultragrrrl

Cory Kennedy 

leftover

• “High School Musical” Sequel Negotiations Off-Key ; Apparently the supporting cast is demanding a share of the profits of all the merchandise and stuff. I don’t blame them, Disney is making a shitload off this movie.
• stereogum: The Ugliest Musicians Ever
• What Ever Happened To: Wes Bentley?
• Living the ‘Galactica’ Dream
• Cheating On Justin Timberlake Will Result In Your Fiery Death | The A.V. Club
• New Line Trying To Annoy People Into Paying Attention To Their Jim Carrey Movie – Defamer
• NME.COM – News – The View cancel North American tour

Air: The Virgin Suicides

I’m not a usual fan of the French band Air, but their sound was the perfect backdrop to the movie The Virgin Suicides (great book, mediocre movie). If you like melancholic, psychadelic French electronica that uses Moog synthesizers, check this out. Really, it’s addicting. I also like soundtracks that really capture the feeling and tone of a movie, not just putting songs on because they are cool (I’m looking at you, Garden State).

[AIR; The Virgin Suicides] [mediafire]

Jennifer Hudson

I want to announce that I feel like Jennifer Hudson has sold out, so to speak, by losing a lot of weight. I know that she gained weight for the role of Effie, but she was not a typical size zero actress beforehand. She should do what she wants to do, but I will be pissed if being all Holloywood makes her starve herself. Also, she really wasn’t “fat” in Dreamgirls either. I am also glad she is getting all the attentionand Beyonce is not.

Elastica

Here’s an oldie but goodie from Elastica, from 1995, a Britpop alterna-electro whatever. You may remember them from the song “Connection”. The album has really great, short, energetic stuff. I’ll always remember them from one of my first concerts ever, Lollapalooza 1995. What a time!

[ELASTICA; Elastica] [yousendit]

Also, you may remeber the video, which was a nice twist on the objectifying females in videos thing. I also wanted to get my haircut like hers when I saw this. Instead, I got Brenda Walsh bangs.

fell in love with a multi-album deal

Since the collapse of their independent label, The White Stripes have now signed a supposed multi-album deal with Warner Bros. records. Is this the beginning of the end? The Stripes have already lent their stuff to commercials and performed in large venues, so, in a sense, have they already become a major-label band? Is their sound going to change? I’m not going to abandon them just because they are on a major label, but I am dubious.

No Emotion

I’ve already told you how much I love Idlewild. They’ve released “No Emotion” off of their new album as a single. Good choice. They are so Scottish and unsmiling (maybe they are acting out the title?). I can’t get enough.

just a fool to believe

Wow, another moment I felt really old. Listening to mainstream radio,  a hip hop song came on that seemed oddly familiar. It was a remake of Patrick Swayze’s “She’s Like the Wind”. Yes, that song from Dirty Dancing, folks. The kids listening to this weren’t even alive during that whole craze. I feel like my mom probably felt when “I Saw Him Standing There” by Tiffany came out, and how the kids listening to it didn’t even know the Beatles existed.

Supermassive sexy back

I haven’t heard many good mashups lately, but check out this one, which is a combo of Justin Timberlake’s “Sexy back” and Muse’s “Super Massive Black Hole”. I love it.

Battlestar thoughts

Helo and Sharon have a nice place. More shirtless Helo, please.

Ok, the allegory is a BIT OBVIOUS. Sagitarians = Mexican immigrants. Galactica = the United States Border Patrol. We get it. I like how Dualla is, of course, the minority.

Baltar + Six = best tv couple ever. Yay! Pinstripe-suit-hallucination Baltar is back.

Bruce Davison, glad you are getting work these days.

You know, for people that have been aboard a ship for three years with bad nutrition and hygeine, they all have great hair and skin.

Dualla, you are a bad actress. Love the disgusted look from Starbuck.

Holy shit Hera is an ugly baby.

What was the point of this episode? Maybe for people to stop shitting all over Helo. What about Baltar’s trial? Did they forget about the Eye of Jupiter? Finding earth? The final five? Helllooooo?

I Want Candy

Marie Antionette comes out on dvd tomorrow. Watch it. It has a pretty kickin’ soundtrack too.

sooo jealous.

Why, John, why?

Some are even reporting they are getting married, but that is just him being douchey to reporters. Why so funny? Why so tall? Why so cute wearing sneakers with your tux?

8th & Ocean

A reality show about models living together in Miami? Why the hell would I want to watch that? Well, I did love Models. Inc. and Living Dolls. Or maybe I wanted to see what the hell good looking people actually think about. I was expecting another Laguna Beach, but the women on the show were actually not unlikeable.  They cared about their careers and actually had some ambition. The men, on the other hand, were so ucking vacant and dull it was hilarious. Teddy was super cute but every time he opened his mouth I had to laugh. Zoolander is pretty much true.

So, can beautiful people really have problems? Well, look at it this way. Models are constantly being judged by their looks, so I guess it can run you down. Sabrina, one of the twins, had some acne and they treated her like she was a Nazi war criminal.

My favorite scene: two of the models went out on a date and they spent the whole time telling each other how good looking they were.
My question is…when is Season 2 coming out?

physical

I’m back on track at the gym, thanks to this mix. “Fuck the Pain Away is great for the eliptical. I’ll give $20 to the person who as actually seen the movie Cool as Ice.

Fuck the Pain Away				Peaches		Download
Bossy (Feat. Too $hort)				Kelis		Download
Doctor Jones				Aqua		Download
Falling to Pieces				Faith No More		Download
Flashdance				Irene Cara		Download
Atlantis to Interzone				Klaxons		Download
Hotride				Prodigy		Download
Cool As Ice (everybody get loo				Vanilla Ice feat. Naomi Campbe		Download
The Crowd				Operation Ivy		Download
Fox On The Run				Deadsy		Download
Find A New Way				Young Love		Download
Happy				Fischerspooner		Download
rocketship				Shiny Toy Guns		Download
Do It! (Live)				Death From Above 1979		Download
Bezzi				Cansei de Ser Sexy		Download
Trill				Clipse		Download
The Bad Touch (Discovery Channel Song)				Bloodhound Gang		Download
I Love A Man In Uniform (Yeah Yeah Yeahs Remix)				Gang Of Four		Download
Olio				The Rapture		Download
Gloria				Laura Branigan		Download
Testcard Girl				White Rose Movement		Download
08 Dynamize				VHS or Beta		Download
Raspberry Swirl				Tori Amos		Download
Float				The Music		Download
How Long				Out Hud		Download

are they anatomically correct?

I saw these pictures of some Battlestar Galactica action figures. When I heard about them, I was actually thinking about buying them (shocker). After seeing them, I don’t think so.

Apollo: looks creepy and dull. Just like the character. But the flight suit looks awesome.

Chief, is that you? The character is about 50 lbs heaver. Not that I’m judging, but let’s at least keep it like the character.

But this is my biggest disappointment: Number Six. She looks like a sad, hungover drag queen.

Well, it’s better than these weird mini-action figures. The painted on cleavage is really freaking me out.

Is this Anders?

Apollo or Gaeta?

Dualla is supposed to be black. Look into it.

Number Six, obvi. ANd she’s pissed.

Heh heh, Col. Tigh

Feathered hair? Must be D’Anna.

Read My Mind

The Killers released the video for “Read My Mind:, the third video off of Sam’s Town. In my opinion, this song and “When You Were Young” are the best songs off the album, so they totally shot their wad too quickly. I find the video quite obnoxious, and a little too much use of Japanese culture and people as props. Or something. I found this comment off another blog, which was right on, so I’ll just repost it.

This is a pretty flacid try aat something endearing. The lead singer looks like a total prat and there is something very forced about the whole scenario. Certainly in terms of editorial they should have waited to introduce the band before having the lead singer start gesticulating like that. The song is actually pleasant, but the plastic antics and the shove-it-down-your-throat sentimentality is all quite stupid and uncreative. We have seen the Beatles-Meet-The-World shtick all too many times.

In sum, The Killers seem to be trying to hard lately and it shows. Also, Brandon Flowers = Freddie Mercury. Still love the song though.

Introducing my new feature: lists, lists, and more lists!

Remember I promised a new feature? Well this is inspired by McSweeneys, although only about .0001% as witty. I feel like I sometimes think in bullet points and I make to do lists every five seconds, so my thoughts are nicely expressed through lists. We;ll start with my favorite kind of list, listing things that annoy me.

Phrases people use that annoy the crap out of me:

• for all “intensive purposes”
• To piggyback on that comment (often heard in graduate school classes)
• from the get-go
• dropped the ball
• anything using the word pedagogy (it’s so pretentious, and I hear it 20 times a day)
• no offense, but….

Avril, no

As someone who considers to be a music fanatic, of course I had the typical knee-jerk reaction to Avril Lavigne. I thought she wastaking the elements of punk and commericalizing and mocking it. Really the tragedy is that I think her record company put her up to it and entirel created her whole image, down to the giving the middle finger whenever she could and acting like a little ounk brat. She’s a victim on cosumerism! Ok, she’s now 22, married, and has some life experience, hopefully, and grown as an artist. After I saw the cover of her new record, I lost hope. How cliche! “Look, my hair is pink! Rawr! I’m a sullen punk! My logo is just like the skull and corssbones! But a pink heart! Because I’m a riot grrrrl!”

And her new song…..ugh. It’s called “Girlfriend” [here] and it makes her old stuff sound like Operation Ivy. Really, Avril, you started something in pop music and now you’ve gone in the wrong direction. Your first album was a little grating, but your second album had some good tunes and started to bring rock more into the mainstream. “Don’t Tell Me” is actually one of my favorite pop songs*. I’m actually going to post a blend of the better songs from both albums here. I’m not posting both albums because someone of it is absolute shit. Ok, I’ll admit, I do rock out to “Sk8ter Boi”. When I am in a band again, I’m thinking of doing a cover. Ironically, of course.

*Don’t judge.

getting old

I’m afraid this will start to turn into sayings you would find on a half-price desk calendar or a Cathy comic, but things have been happening to make me realize what an old fart I am becoming. You know you are getting old when…..

• You watch reality bites and realize Ben Stiller is a better catch than Ethan Hawke.
• The bands you listen to you are ten or more years younger than you.
• You make Luke Perry references and no one gets it.
• You almost buy pants with an elastic waist because they would be comfortable for sitting behind a desk all day.
• You are astounded that Roseanne is considered classic tv.

I am sure I will discover many more as the days pass by,

The Good, The Bad, & The Queen

Well, Andrew was reading my mind, because I have been totally obsessed with this album as of late. The very recognizeable singer is Damon Albarn (mostly famous for Blur, and also a part of Gorillaz – remember the song “Clint Eastwood”) and some other well known musicians. As Andrew mentions, it is a good album right off the bat, but takes a few listens to really appreciate its true awesomess.

[THE GOOD. THE BAD, & THE QUEEN; The Good, the Bad, & the Queen] [multiply] [yousendit]

Scissor Sisters on Passions

Their appearance on the show yesterday. The show is fucking weird.

chat with me

Hi all, google chat is way better than AIM, so get on that. All you need is a gmail account, which is free. After you get one, add me to your chat list: thegetaway1448@gmail.com. I’m on call so I’ll be around most of the weekend. My weekend plans are:

1. Watch Rescue Me Seasons 1 and 2

2. Watch 8th and Ocean on dvd

3. send out more resumes

4. have 13 nervous breakdowns about what I want to do with my life.

Sigh.

Punk Love (washingtonpost.com)

Why wasn’t I born 10 years earlier?

Lily Allen

Lily Allen’s album is finally released in the US to, surprisingly, no fanfare and little promotion. Read Andrew’s review and then start listening immediately. It’s also no surprise that the Scissor Sisters have given up trying to make fans in the US.

[LILY ALLEN; Alright Still] [multiply] [yousendit]

digital music

You may not find this interesting, but there has been some grumblings about Steve Jobs’ statements on downloading music and copyrights. Apparently he would be all for being able to download music that can be accepted on any mp3 player. Here I thought that it was iTunes that was trying to have the monopoly over all the iTunes stuff. Apparently it is the record companies. I can totally see it. I’m not for breaking the law, but at this point in technology, it does not make sense to not be able to tranfer music freely. Here’s some stuff:

RIAA Responds To Jobs’ Open Letter Applauding Him For Agreeing To License FairPlay, Except He Didn’t – Consumerist

Steve Jobs: world’s best linkbaiter « Scobleizer – Tech Geek Blogger
Comments On Jobs Call To Drop DRM

M. I. A.

M.I.A, has some new stuff coming out soon. This one is called “Bird Flu”. Fun!

Sweden rocks!

My post on Mando Diao the other day made me remember how many good bands are from Sweden. Then, after some quick Wikipedia research, I realized that bands I already love and posted about were from Sweden and I didn’t even know it (I’m From Barcelona, The Sounds, The Radio Dept., Shout Out Louds, The Hives, etc.) . Crazy! I’ve made a mix of my favorite songs from bands from Sweden (and yes, of course ABBA is on there). But they must teach indie rock, punk and new wave in the womb.

Rock’n roll				The Sounds		Download
Dance With Me				The Sounds		Download
Don’t Want To Hurt You				The Sounds		Download
Diabolic Scheme				The Hives		Download
Love In Plaster				The Hives		Download
The Stomp				The Hives		Download
My Heart is Breaking Down				Caesars		Download
Only You				Caesars		Download
I Know Exactly What To Do				Sahara Hotnights		Download
With Or Without Control				Sahara Hotnights		Download
the final countdown				Europe		Download
Jenny				I’m From Barcelona		Download
Oversleeping				I’m From Barcelona		Download
Mr. Moon				Mando Diao		Download
P.U.S.A.				Mando Diao		Download
Welcome Home, Luc Robitaille				Mando Diao		Download
Up Against The Wall				Peter Bjorn And John		Download
Roll The Credits				Peter Bjorn And John		Download
Why Won’t You Talk About It				The Radio Dept.		Download
The Worst Taste in Music (Extended)				The Radio Dept.		Download
Keep Calling My Baby				Sahara Hotnights		Download
Please Please Please				Shout Out Louds		Download
The Comeback				Shout Out Louds		Download
Waterloo				Abba		Download
Knowing Me, Knowing You				Abba		Download

And because I was educated in the US school systems, I learned barely anything about other countries unless it had to do with the US colonizing or exploiting it, I really don’t know a lot about Swedish culture. Based on the bands listen to, I am going to assume that all Swedes are incredibly good looking, are hipsters, and like punk music.

lost…for twenty five years

This is pretty much my worst fucking nightmare. This is also why I can never watch An American Tale.

  BANGKOK, Feb. 7 (UPI) — A woman who boarded the wrong bus on an attempted shopping trip from Thailand to Malaysia has returned home after 25 years.

Jaeyana Beuraheng told her eight children she accidentally boarded a bus bound for Bangkok instead of Malaysia, and once there she boarded a second incorrect bus because she could not read or speak Thai or English, The Times of London reported Wednesday.

Beuraheng, who speaks only the Yawi dialect used by Muslims in southern Thailand, said the noise and traffic of the big city confused and disoriented her, leading her to board the second wrong bus to Chiang Mai, near the border with Burma.

The woman said she spent five years begging on the street in the city and was often mistaken for a member of a hill tribe because of her dark skin tone.

She was arrested in 1987 on suspicion of being an illegal immigrant and was sent to a social services hostel when authorities were unable to determine her origins.

However, last month, three students from her home village arrived at the hostel for training, and they were able to communicate with Beuraheng and help her find her way home.

Guitar God

Check out next month’s issue of Rolling Stone.

DM!

And just for giggle, here’s some fanfiction. And even some slash fiction. Woot!

Homophobia is okay when it’s funny

An update on the Snickers commerical:

A lot of Super Bowl viewers didn’t snicker at a Snickers commercial that aired during the game; instead, they complained so loudly that Masterfoods, a division of the Mars candy company, decided not to show the spot again and removed it from its website. The spot showed two men eating a single Snickers candy bar from opposite ends, accidentally kissing (like the spaghetti-eating pooches in Lady and the Tramp) when they reached the cener, and reacting with disgust and anger. The commercial was extended on the website with members of the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts also registering their disgust at the kiss. Among organizations that complained about the spot were the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and the Human Rights Campaign. In announcing its decision to yank the spot, a spokeswoman for Masterfoods observed that “humor is highly subjective.” She added: “Feedback from our target consumers has been positive, and many media and Web site commentators on this year’s Super Bowl lineup ranked the commercial among this year’s best.”

Who is this spokewoman? Humor is subjective? Just because people like it means it’s okay? Lots of people like segregation too. Asshole.

Source

Update: apparently, this is a form letter someone in their PR cooked up to send to all the complaintants. They are not taking any responsibility and essentially saying, because SOME people did not find it funny, it runied it for everyone else. They didn’t have the intent to offend. What the fuck? They are exploiting people’s homophobia and violent urges to sell their fucking candy. What kind of message does this sends to people about what should be done to people who are gay?They knew the intent.

Infinity on High

[FALL OUT BOY; Infinity on High] [Multiply] [yousendit]

I guess it was inevitible that I was going to post the new Fall Out Boy album. Now, hear me out. It’s a good pop-rock album. That’s right. I said pop. A lot of the people that wouldn’t even give them the time of day probably compare them to punk bands, but that’s unfair. They write very good radio-friendly tunes. And that’s okay. This album has no surprises, it sounds pretty much like their last album. The one annoying song is “Thriller”, where Jay-Z does a rap intro. You heard me right. It’s also about their rise to fame and the perils of being famous. I hate that. The recognition of thefame is the jump the shark moment. Their video also mocks their fame. Get over it and just make music.

In the multiply playlist, I’ve also included other songs from past albums that, if you have an open mind, you may realize that they are pretty catchy. I also think Patrick Stump has a pretty good voice.

Of All the Gin Joints in All the World		From Under the Cork Tree		Fall Out Boy		Download
Nobody Puts Baby in the Corner		From Under the Cork Tree		Fall Out Boy		Download
I’ve Got a Dark Alley and a Bad Idea That Says You Should Shut Your Mou		From Under the Cork Tree		Fall Out Boy		Download
Grand Theft Autumn		Take This To Your Grave		Fall Out Boy		Download
Grenade Jumper		Take This To Your Grave		Fall Out Boy		Download
Chicago Is So Two Years Ago		Take This To Your Grave		Fall Out Boy		Download
Parker Lewis Can’t Lose (But I’m Gonna Give It My Best Shot)		Fall Out Boy’s Evening Out With Your Girl		Fall Out Boy		Download

Judge if you will, I enjoy some Fall Out Boy now and then and I am not ashamed.

John Waters: over?

I finally caught A Dirty Shame on dvd. I don’t know, it had its usual cast of weird characters, sexual perversions, and all the hallmarks of a John Waters movie, but it just seemed…tired. Can John Waters really make good movies anymore? Is it him or just the era? (Although Johnny Knoxville as the leader of a gang of sexual deviants? DM!) Apparently he’s gotten into cd compliation making, so maybe that will work out for him.

It made me remember that Cecil B. Demented, Waters 2000 film is SO FRIGGING GOOD. It’s about a gang of deviants who make “outlaw cinema” and kidnap a movie star and force her to star in their film. Stephen Dorf plays a good crazy guy, and is quite adorable. Also, a pre-Entourage Adrian Grenier plays a glue-sniffing actor, and a pre-annoying Maggie Gyllenhaal plays the Satan-worshipping makeup artist. There are so many good lines from this. Maybe John Water’s peak?

This is very fitting for me. And hilarious.

Wah, Wah, I Have Seasonal Affective Disorder

leftover

I’ve got competition– someone else is stalking John Mayer/Jessica Simpson.

Looking Beyond the Runway for Answers on Underweight Models – New York Times

McSweeney’s Internet Tendency: When TV Resembles Reality.

The Rapture Start Their Own Label!

Designer Dog-Fights – Jon Mooallem – New York Times

What’s missing from Top Chef and The F Word. – By Sara Dickerman – Slate Magazine

Top 10 Breakup Songs That Instill An Ironic Sense of Hope – Staff Top 10 – Stylus Magazine

Democracy Rules, and Pop Culture Depends on It – New York Times

Bloc Party: A Weekend In the City

Well, Bloc Party’s album officially comes out tomorrow. But come on, I’ve had it for like MONTHS already. I’ve seen almost no promotion in the US. Which is typical. US wouldn’t know good taste if it dropped bombs on it. Pitchfork thinks it’s okay, but I don’t listen to them much anymore anyway. I forget where I read it, but Kele mentioned that the songs “Song for Clay (Disappear Here)” was inspired by Bret Easton Ellis’ novels. O really? That is pretty awesome. Except that, inspiring a whole album about them? The characters are extremely shallow and one-dimensional, and that is for the purpose of the social commentary. So I don’t know if deep lyrics are even possible. But, kudos for having a cool inspiration. I can’t BELIEVE I didn’t catch it. Clay is the main character in Less Than Zero and “Disappear Here” is a significant line from American Psycho. And I call it my favorite novel? I should be ashamed I didn’t pick up on it. Back on track, here’s the album. I think it is fantastic.

[BLOC PARTY; A Weekend In the City] [multiply] [yousendit]

Marcy Playground

John reminded me about Marcy Playground, and I haven’t had them on my rotation for a while, but now they are back on. You may perceive them as a one-hit wonder from 1997 with the song “Sex and Candy”. But they are so much more than that. I view them as a darker, broodier Nada Surf. Since that self-titled album, they have released two more, most recently 2004’s MP3. (Get it? It’s their third album). Personally, I think it’s their best. “No One’s Boy” and “Barfly” are two of my favorite songs ever. I hope you’ll give it a try.

[MARCY PLAYGROUND; MP3] [multiply] [yousendit]

Official Site: Marcy Playground

Myspace: Marcy Playground

I have no words.

I’m livid. Livid. I hope these advertising execs can sleep at night.

Read more here.

JRS in The Tudors

Remember I mentioned that there will be a new series about the life of a young Henry VII? I came across these promo shots and mayeb something is wrong with me because looking at the pics of Jonathan Rhys Myers actually made some pieces of my dinner come back up in my throat. Maybe he is trying to hard or something. But, the idea of the show is totally still giving me a pbr*. I am totally obsessed with British royalty, especially since I started reading The Other Boleyn Girl. More on that later.

*pop culture boner

28 and never been *%(#&%(# by John Mayer

That’s what I am going to put on a sign and show to John Mayer, because he just might take me up on it.

So at a concert, someone held up a sign saying they had never been kissed, and wanted John Mayer to be the first. It was kind of cute that he did it, and also kind of creepy.

DM!!!

What the kids are watching: Skins

Is this

a. The cast of the new Larry Clark film

b. a picture from The Cobra Snake

c. your 13 year old cousin’s myspace photo

d. a new Calvin Klein ad

Apparently, it’s a promo pic from a British “adolescent drama” Skins. It’s kind of like a Degrassi Junior High/Saved By the Bell/Dawson’s Creek thinh except it’s British so therefore awesome. I need to see it immediately. Plus, it has the kid from About A Boy except he is no longer akward and kind of indie. Kind of like Zac Efron on crystal meth.

I wonder if this is coming out on dvd.

what the kids are listening to: Young Love

[YOUNG LOVE; Too Young to Fight It] [multiply] [mediafire]

You’ll hear this one on the streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn or on a club kid’s ipod. I guess it’s pretty good. It’s like angsty-indie-dance. Apparently this guy used to front a grunge band, but wanted to explore his pop side. Also, you may recognize the song “Find a New Way” as the theme to the MTV show Dancelife*.

Wikipedia: Young Love

Myspace: Young Love

*Don’t judge. It’s kind of good.

oh lordy

A part of me is a glutton for punishment and loves to watch crap just to hate on it. Why do you think I watch The Hills? I just saw the grandaddy of all crap chick flicks, The Wedding Date. This had every bad cliche of every rom com in the book. I kept checking imdb to see if it was directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans as a spoof on all wedding-themed movies. Debra Messing hired a PROSTITUTE to take her to the wedding. And then they had SEX WHEN THEY WERE DRUNK AND HE LIED TO HER ABOUT IT! Uh, date rape anyone? There was a FIGHT THAT BROKE OUT AT THE WEDDING! There were kooky parents involved! The wedding almost didn’t happen! There was a FASHION MONTAGE! There was a Corrs song on the soundtrack! Debra Messing played a successful, skinny woman who had no luck in love! God, the cliches are endless.

cannibalism = hot

I didn’t realize Hannibal Rising was out this week, and I despite the disaster that Hannibal was, I’m all wanting to see it. And, the actor who plays young Hannibal is pretty hot. And…the fact that he plays Hannibal is making him hotter. What is wrong with me?

snl

I missed SNL last night, but this clip was pretty fricking funny. It’s the Dakota Fanning show! “I get raped in my next movie!”

And Lily Allen was the musical guest. HOW CUTE IS SHE? I want to be her. She performed my favorite song from her album, “LDN”. I can’t believe it JUST came out in the US.

could you die

Fuck the Bears and whoever else is playing. Just make sure you watch the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet. And even better, the kitty half time show. I can’t even take it.

The one on the upper right looks super worried. Omg! His name is Quesadilla! [faints from the cuteness]

Also, if that’s not enough, check The Daily Puppy. (Thanks Brian).

Essential Albums: The New Pornographers

The New Pornographers are one of the bands I had in mind when I first started posting essential albums, but I’ve been putting in off in fear that I could not do the band justice in my writing. They only formed in 1997 but basically created instant classics that I think are going to outlast all the other hyped bands that come out every five minutes. What do they sound like? I guess power pop is how they have been described, with influences cited as Cheap Trick, the Cars, Burt Bacharach and Brian Wilson. The songs are insanely melodic with lots of layered instruments, including pianos, organs, and acoustic/electric combos, and harmonized vocals. They also have a rotating lineup of male and female singers, including Neko Case, who is known for her solo work wihich is more country-based. It is hard to pick a best album. Many would go with Electric Version, which came out in 2003.

I’m posting the whole discography here, because you should own all their albums. Period. End of story. Listening to them will make you understand good songwriting, musicianship, lyrics, singing ability, the whole deal.

Here’s the discography listed out by song. If you are overwhelmed by this, I can let you know that the best songs are (and many like to argue with me over this)

• The Slow Descent into Alcoholism
• Letter From an Occupant*
• The Body Says No
• The Laws Have Changed
• The New Face of Zero and One
• Miss Teen Wordpower
• When I Was a Baby*
• The Bleeding Heart Show
• Twin Cinema

*Tracks so good I actually cry.

And here is each album individually. Believe me, you won’t be sorry.

[MASS ROMANTIC] (2000)

[ELECTRIC VERSION] (2003)

[TWIN CINEMA] (2005)

Previous Essential Albums

attention sopa opera lovers

The Scissor Sisters are going to appear on some episodes of Passions to get more exposure to a US audience. And Passions is the way to do that? Someone fire their publicist.

Ladytron To Open For NIN?!

Silversun Pickups join Snow Patrol for US tour

Bloc Party call Jack White ‘treacherous’ : maybe they should wrestle to resolve the dispute

Sarah Silverman – The Sarah Silverman Program – TV – New York Times: did anyone watch it?

Common Rider

[COMMON RIDER; This is Unity Music] [mediafire] [multiply]

Jesse Michaels from Operation formed this band and it combines reggae and indie rock. Amazing. Too bad the band broke up and Jesse Michaels will not emerge with a project for another 10 years or so.

Previously: Operation Ivy

Mando Diao

[MANDO DIAO; Bring 'Em In] [mediafire]

This band is one of my favorite Swedish garage rock bands ever. They even sound a bit like Brit Pop Beatles. They have three albums, this is their first and one of the best. They were actually the last show I saw before I left New York. Whatever that means. And before you ask, I do like several Swedish bands (The Hives, The Sounds, Caesars, Sahara Hotnights…)

Extras

The New York Times has a good review of Extras. It really is growing on me. I’d love to see Orlando Bloom make an ass of himself.

I’m done

Ed Helms is going to be upgraded to a regular on The Office. He is annoying, and not in a funny way. The dynamic of a bad boss is a good premise, but a collection of zany coworkers is more like Murphy Brown. I’m kind of over Pam’s wishy-washyness, so I think I’m giving up. Someone give me a call if it gets good again.

Asted-Way Ittle-Lay Eejay-Day

Oooooo, I love the View. And I love tour montague videos!

Hint: the chorus is in pig latin.

Out: Cocktail parties; In: Bigot parties

This is becoming a new fad, and Clemson is jumping on the train. For a second I thought that maybe this was irony a la Reno 911, but I am a little skeptical that these kids at Clemson had that in mind.

I’m From Barcelona

[I'M FROM BARCELONA; Let Me Introduce You to My Friends]

They sound a little like the Polyphonic Spree. If the Polyphonic Spree were good.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

[YEAH YEAH YEAHS; Fever To Tell]

This album is a bit old (meaning 2001) but gawd it rocks. This was the beginning of the explosion of the New York scene of a few years ago. Before Karen O was a cliche, she was pretty awesome. “Y Control” is the most amazing thing to ever touch your ears.

it hurts

I thought they were on the rocks. John is so tall.

Jessica Simpson Rocks Out at John Mayer Concert | Room for Squares, Jessica Simpson : People.com

cityrag: Jessica Simpson and John Mayer Heat It Up