Rilo Kiley - The Moneymaker

Recent Discoveries

-Beck released a new single, "Timebomb", this Tuesday via Itunes. I've only listened to it once, so I'm not sure what to make of it just yet. I must admit, his last album really disappointed me. My expectations were huge after Guero and the kick-ass live show opening for the Stones at Hershey in October of 2005. Still probably my favorite artist who's still in the game.
-Rilo Kiley's new release, "Under the Blacklight", seems to be quite the rock/pop gem. Sure to become a classic.
-Other new albums I am currently enjoying include (as if you care):
1990s - Cookies
Against Me - New Wave
Blitzen Trapper - Wild Mountain Nation
Caribou - Andorra
M.I.A. - Kala
Tegan & Sara - The Con
-Jamie T.'s "Panic Prevention" reminds me of a British G. Love & Special Sauce. I can't get enough of the funky beats and odd lyrical stylings. It's not for everyone, and it does take some getting used to, but I recommend it!
-Oasis started recording a new album on August 6th at Abbey Road studios in London. This is now my most anticipated album.

"Yeah well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man."

Joel Selvin wrote an article for the San Francisco Chronicle entitled, "Producers howl over sound cut out by mp3 compression". I do not argue the fact that mp3 is a lossy format. Don't get me wrong, my favorite way to listen to music is on vinyl. Nothing is better than hearing Glenn Miller or The Beatles or Frank Zappa through a record player. But how much music would I miss if that was my only option?
It would be extremely difficult to drag my relatively tiny record collection and player even downstairs. Imagine taking the amount of music that fits on a 30 gig Ipod on vacation without the help of technology and the internet.
I do not pretend to believe that my massive mp3 collection won't be obsolete in the near future. But for right now, it's absolutely fantastic.
I can tell when I have a crappy copy of something. I can also tell when I have a great digital recording. Ideally, I would spend tons of money on the best possible stereo equipment. But since I don't choose to do so, what's really more detrimental to the tunes I hear? Hell, Left of Center on Sirius broadcasts in mono! It's amazing to me that they can't send a stereo signal when they are already operating a satellite in outer space. But what do I know... I won't even admit that my brain isn't triggering emotion from my music in mp3 format.

Sharing the Groove

If you don't already regularly visit An Aquarium Drunkard, you have been missing out. Take for example these two recent priceless posts:

1. Foamfoot - Live at the Troubadour 1-8-94

2. The National - The Black Sessions (Paris, 2005)

Live music at its finest.

Steely McBeam

There is nothing you can say about the Steelers new mascot that can possibly make me feel any worse.

Dylan and Elvis

Glide Magazine has announced the most exciting pair-up of the fall:

"Elvis Costello will be serving as the opening act for Bob Dylan's upcoming fall tour. The two Rock and Roll Hall of Famers kick things off Sept. 22 in Duluth, GA. Singer/songwriter Amos Lee will offer additional opening support during the tour."

As if I needed another reason to grow a pencil-thin moustache!

Wouldn't it be nice

The Beach Boys was the first concert I ever attended. The Civic Arena in Pittsburgh with my parents. It was the only time I ever saw them open the roof of what is now known as the Mellon Arena (the oldest in the NHL).
This video seems to take a while to load, but it is worth the wait. Just hit pause, and then check it in a few minutes.

Contrary to popular belief

According to Spin.com:

"Contrary to rumors regarding the release of Radiohead's follow up to 2003's Hail to the Thief before year's end, a U.S.-based band spokesperson told SPIN.com the speculations are indeed false, stating "there were never plans for anything, there was never a scheduled release… there's also not a Beatles or Led Zeppelin album release this year either." Um, ok."

Fine. I can wait. But by that same logic, I'm sure there will be no Zep or Beatles album released next year either. Or the year after that. Huh...

Reposado Tasting

Among some of our other bright ideas this past weekend, Gus and I decided to conduct an extremely scientific Reposado tasting. The clear winner was Cazadores, followed by Sauza Hornitos, and then 1800. I say clear, but it wasn't actually that clear. I don't think Las Chicas had anything to do with all this, but I chose to include this photo of them anyway. The most important conclusion from this weekend is that the 4 hour drive separating Gus and I is the only thing keeping our livers in a state of operation. Pitchers of Straub washing down the sounds of Triple A Blues, pounders of PBR, some Tullamore Dew, Otto's microbrews, the ever-popular Paloma, Cubans and Drunken Uno. 5,4,3,2,1... AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our wives must have been so proud of us.

Give in to Hemptation...

Tonight marked the beginning of the third season of Weeds on Showtime. It won't take the place of John From Cincinatti, but it is one of the best shows on television right now. Kevin Nealon plays a perpetually stoned accountant. Mary-Louise Parker plays a widowed mother who makes ends meet by selling "Milf Weed" (as Snoop calls it). The soundtrack is incredible; tonight's episode featured a song by Ween that I have heard on Left of Center recently, but it could never be played on terrestrial radio in a million years. The show has much more to offer than one may originally suspect. It's a hilarious social commentary about the cookie-cutter lives middle America is encouraged to lead, and the alternate underground many prefer. What is the American dream after all?

How exciting.

I remember being about 7 or 8 years old. My parents would take me to Three Rivers Stadium to see the Pirates play baseball. I always wanted to sit in the outfield so I could be close to my favorite players. At the time, Barry Bonds was one of them. He seemed so cool. What the hell happened? Was it that he left Pittsburgh like every other player who gets their start in our city? That's part of it, but I don't dislike my other heroes who came and went. I don't even hate Jagr for abandoning the Pens. I guess it's just because Barry Bonds is a jagoff. I agree he is talented. But seriously, just look at this dude. That's not the same guy who used to stand in the outfield at Three Rivers. So I honestly couldn't care less about the fact that he hit 756 homeruns. As far as I'm concerned, Barry Bonds no longer exists.

Jamie T - Sheila

Wow. Monkeys are awesome.

TV on the Radio - Wolf Like Me on Letterman

As Gus would say, "Gonna Teach You Tricks That'll Blow Your Mongrel Mind"...

Clutch - Electric Worry

It's like hardcore blues. I can't get enough of that harmonica player. The live shows must be insane. Imagine seeing them jam out in a shady little underground blues bar like Zeno's...

Smart Bird

This bird is clearly smarter than everyone else on the set. I think the lady might have too much free time. Is the host that dude from Saved by the Bell? Slater is cool.