Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Someone Has a Case of the Mondays

Goodmorning Jan. 3, 2007. Honestly, I didn't know I had to work yesterday, until about 5pm on Monday. Fun times I tell ya. So, my tops of 2006 list, will not be ready until this weekend. I'm gonna keep things short, so I can feature more albums, as well as movies, tv shows, food and books. Yeah, I can read. Funny huh! Hooked on Phonics really works!


Came across this story this morning though. Toyota is developing a system that detects drunken drivers and automatically shuts the vehicle down if sensors pick up signs of excessive alcohol. Cars fitted with the system will not start if sweat sensors in the steering wheel detect high levels of alcohol in the driver's blood, Now, what happens if you've say, cut your hand and have some rubbing alcohol on them. Or if you were making a wine reduction sauce and you realize you need to head to the store for some garlic. Hmmmmm?

Randy Johnson is still a Yankee, and Roger Clemens is still a free agent. Not that I like either one of them very much, but the Big Useless really needs to go back to Arizona. Too bad we can't get Javier Vasquez back. Replacement Level Yankees Weblog comes up with an interesting note on the Useless and how he may not actually be as bad as he was last year, and how in reality, losing a guy who could pitch 200 innings may hurt the bullpen, and ultimately, the team. Plus, we came to realize, he might have played hurt all year long. Gimme Clemens and some decent minor league prospects, and I'm sold.

Playboy Magazine says Mercury Lounge & Cake Shop are two of America's 10 best rock clubs. Uh... I"m not sure what the criteria for their selections were. Not that I disagree with the Mercury Lounge selection. They book great bands. It's a great place to see a show, and the sound is always great. But the Cake Shop?! Aside from feeling like the ceiling in the basement is going to fall on your head, the lack of being able to see the stage and the way the venue sweats during warm days, I can't imagine why people would like the place. The only semi-redeeming quality is the booking is occasionally solid. The Cake shop has become one of the prerequisite first stops for many bands both foreign and domestic playing NYC.

Macworld Expo is coming. iLounge gives a big rundown of what to watch out for. Could the much speculated iPhone finally be unveiled. Or how about a new video iPod with a larger screen. Damn you Steve Jobs. All this speculation. I blame this on you.

"Over 60 exhibitors are expected to formally show iPod-related products at this year’s Expo, with additional exhibitors likely to make smaller appearences at private meetings. Our detailed list of exhibitors below allows you to click on virtually any company’s name to see additional details on the company and all of the products that have been featured on iLounge."

Listening Pile:
On my recent holiday journeys, The Legends Up Against The Legends, kept coming up on the iPod. And I thought it a good time to go back and revisit an amazing album. Pitchporky even managed to give it an 8.0 ranking back in 2004. The Legends, a nine-piece Swedish band whose high-energy pop music makes its debut disc, Up Against the Legends, a fuzzy, feedback-drenched, lo-fi affair. Fronted by Johan Angersgard of the Acid House Kings and Club 8, channels the Velvet Underground and Pet Sounds-era Beach Boys. Up Against the Legends offers an even dozen well-crafted indie pop gems dressed up in reverb and feedback, twisting guitar lines, bouncy rhythm section, handclaps, and great girl backing vocals.