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.

O-Qua Tangin Wann

Uhhh... listen here. I am sharing with you this beautiful symbol created by Riley Martin with the help of Tan. I'm sure many of you already know of Riley Martin and his adventures aboard the Biaviian mothership near Saturn. This symbol was recently sent to me via electronic communication by a good friend named Rug. I do not believe Rug has ever had an encounter with the Biaviians himself, although I fear he may be a Targzissian, as he is clearly a malevolent reptilian. I fear that Rug's tendencies toward fishing may indicate some unconscious desire to find and destroy Nyptonians. Nonetheless, I would encourage you to listen to Riley's radio program on Howard 100 and Howard 101... and things of this nature.

Not About Love

Also be sure to check out the same comedian, Zach Galifianakis, doing his best Kanye impression: http://www.kanyewest.com/?content=video_cant_tell_alt

Come Waste Your Time With Me

If you do not have time to waste, then do not click on this link. Gravity Pods will destroy your productivity in all other aspects of life. I, unfortunately, made this mistake because I did not receive a similar warning. Who knew physics could be so addictive? Sorry this post is so short, but I gotta go play Gravity Pods.

Beastie Boys - Shake Your Rump

Best...Party Song...Ever.

Playboy's Drink of the Summer

An interesting feature appeared in the July issue of Playboy magazine entitled "A Century on Ice". What a great concept: 100 years of summer drinks. They are separated by decade with some history and a recipe for each concoction. Since I know many of you out there are boozehounds like me (and many of you are not fortunate enough to have your wife buy you a subscription to this fine publication), I have included each recipe. Drink up the sun:

1907-1916: Mamie Taylor - Squeeze half a lime into a tall glass three quarters full of ice, drop in the lime shell, add two ounces of blended scotch and top off with chilled ginger ale. Stir briefly. Feel free to sing.

1917-1926: French 75 - Squeeze half a lemon into a cocktail shaker, add a teaspoon of superfine sugar, stir briefly and add one and a half ounces of gin. Shake well with plenty of ice, strain into a tall glass three quarters full of cracked ice and top off with chilled champagne.

1927-1936: Tequila Sunrise - Fill a tall glass three quarters of the way with ice, squeeze half a lime into it, add two bar spoons of grenadine, one bar spoon of creme de cassis and two ounces of white 100% agave tequila. Top off with club soda.

1937-1946: Singapore Sling - Fill a tall glass three quarters of the way with ice, squeeze half a lime into it, add two ounces of gin, half an ouce of Benedictine and half an ounce of Cherry Heering. Top it off with chilled club soda, stir briefly and garnish with a marashino cherry.

1947-1956: Salty Dog - Rub a piece of lemon around the rim of a tall glass and dip it in kosher salt. Fill the glass three quarters of the way with ice, add two ounces of vodka and top it off with grapefruit juice (the yellow, sweeter kind, not the pink stuff).

1957-1966: Mai Tai - Squeeze a lime into a cocktail shaker and add one ounce of dark Jamaican rum, one ounce of aged rum from Martinique, half an ounce of orange curacao and half an ounce of orgeat (almond) syrup. Fill the shaker with cracked ice, shake well and pour into a large rocks glass. Add one of the squeezed-out lime halves and a sprig of mint.

1967-1976: Harvey Wallbanger - Fill a tall glass three quarters of the way with ice, adding one and a half ounces of vodka and four ounces of chilled orange juice. Stir, then float one ounce of Galliano on top.

1977-1986: Miller Lite - Open can (or, if feeling sophisticated, bottle). Drink.

1987-1996: Vodka Tonic - Fill a tall glass three quarters of the way with ice, add two ounces of vodka, fill with chilled tonic water and perch a lime wedge on the rim of the glass. Have fun at Betty Ford.

1997-2006: Mojito - Put one teaspoon of superfine sugar in the bottom of a tall glass. Add six to eight mint leaves, muddle lightly, squeeze in the juice of half a lime, add two ounces of white rum and stir. Add ice and top off with chilled club soda and a straw.

2007: Paloma - Squeeze half a lime into a tall glass full of ice and drop in the squeezed-out shell. Add two ounces of reposado tequila and a pinch of kosher salt. Fill with grapefruit soda, stir and add a straw. Ahhhh....