Forgive what I have done

The first news of at least someone coming back to the tube came out earlier this week. Jay Leno and Conan both said their shows will be back in the New Year. Thank you jeebus. Now if we can only get the writers for Heroes and 30 Rock back, I'd be OK.

Besides telling peeps to back off on Jenny Love Hewitt, Big Hank still believes that the trade for Johan Santana remains a possibility. I have to say, I hope not. While I love Melky and Ian Kennedy, I'm not opposed to giving them up for Santana. Yet, I'd rather not see them packaged with Phil Hughes for the 2 time Cy Young winner. I think Johan is a great pitcher, but that's a lot to give up for a pitcher that the Yankees have hit in the post season and one that never looked right last year. If anything, wait out the year, see how the young arms develop and if necessary, make a change in July at the trade deadline, or try to sign CC Sabathia next off-season.

Came across this article about how a Google exec: iPod to hold all world's content by 2020

Speaking at the 2007 Captains of Industry Conference in Singapore, a Google executive speculated that at current rates of storage growth, an iPod capable of holding all the worldís content could be a reality as soon as 2020.

Put in perspective, the original iPod debuted in 2001 with 5GB of storage and a price of $400. Currently, Appleís highest-capacity iPod, the 160GB iPod classic, sells for $350 ó 32 times the storage, for $50 less than the original.

That is pretty nuts, but not completely unbelievable to see being possible. Plus, if you caught the last episode of journeyman, and how one piece of technology moved up nano-technology twenty years, it seems more than likely. Crazy stuff isn't it.

Listening Pile:
Soulsavers are an English production and remix duo, Rich Machin and Ian Glover. They've released two albums, Tough Guys Don't Dance in 2003 and It's Not How Far You Fall, It's the Way You Land (with Mark Lanegan and others) in 2007.
They've been best known for their remixes for the Doves and Starsailor, which lead me to check out their work. The pair are also making headway as film score composers, with a portfolio of work that includes 2 feature documentary's. I've been listening to a few songs on their Myspace page and have also heard their song, "Revival" a ton on Spinner, which I honestly thought was Spiritualized the first time I heard it. It's good stuff.

Every Word From Your Lips Is A Lullaby...

So, it's been a while since I've posted. Been doing my kwanzaa shopping. Duh! Got to get it out of the way before festivus hits, you know.

Anyhows, the big news that I can't seem to escape these days is all about the Mitchell Report. The implications this report will have on Major League Baseball will probably hurt the game for years to come. So far, the guys considered to be the greatest pitcher and hitter of our time, have been implicated, Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. Who else's name will come out in the next few months, or weeks, who knows, but how much more damage can this do to the game. I was really surprised by Andy Pettite's admission to using HGH. He's always been a good guy, and I think that's one of the things lots of people need to keep in mind. It's not all bad guys like Canseco, Bonds and Jose Guillen, it's lots of good guys that you admire and support, like Pettite, Clemens and Tejada. I'm sure you'll hear a lot of what Pettite said, that they took them while injured to get back on the field. Excuse or no excuse, I'm not sure if it's something fans should forgive so easily.

I'm gonna come up with a top 20 or something records of the year soon, but I wanted to give some props to other favorites so far this year.

Movies:
No Country for Old Men
Transformers
Superbad
Bobby
For Your Consideration
Hot Fuzz(love these guys, hope they make another funny film)
The Last King Of Scotland (Forrest Whitaker was brilliant)
Once(music in this was amazing)
The Science Of Sleep
300
Mr. Brooks(Costner was great in this)
The Simpsons
Knocked Up(funniest move of the year)
Music and Lyrics, if only for this

TV Shows:
Heroes(wow, killed the sophomore slump)
LOST(when the hell is the new season debuting)
Journeyman(which has been canceled, just as it was getting good, too bad they aren't making it a Sci Fi show)
Chuck
Cavemen(also cancelled, tho funny as hell)
Pushing Daisies(the best new show on TV)
30 Rock(the best show on TV)
The Office(sooo funny)

Mommy's in the doorway, Trying to leave

I'm so bummed I missed the Office Convention in Scranton, PA. Man, does that seem like a good time or what. I wonder if there were more guys dressed as Dwight or Jim?

Came across this article on the NY Times.Com

To find cask ale, you need to find a dedicated beer bar, especially one that is partial to British ale traditions. For bars in the New York area, this is an excellent resource. Here is a good source for cask ale outlets around the rest of the United States and in Canada, while here is a great web site for all matters pertaining to cask ales and craft beers

Never realized there were so many great bars nearby with cask ales available.

Loving this new PJ Harvey album, White Chalk. It's a little more quiet than her last two albums, but man, can that woman write a killer song. Her voice is a sultry and poignant as ever and she plays quite a bit of piano on this album. She wrote it, not on guitar as usual, but on piano and other instruments, such as zither, harmonica and harp. Longtime pals Eric Drew Feldman and Jim White of the Dirty Three augmented the mostly hushed, atmospheric tracks with Mellotron, delicate percussion, guitar and banjo. Very similar album to 1998's Is This Desire? -- also co-produced by Harvey, Flood and John Parish -- but "White Chalk" is even more ethereal. I'm so bummed I missed her in concert the last two times she's played NYC. Hopefully she makes a return trip to NYC to play even more of her new album and old faves.

fat bloody fingers are sucking your soul away...

CMJ came and went. It was a lot of fun. It started on Monday night with a party at Rebel. The venue is a lot different since the last time I was there. I didn't like the set-up. It was too small of a stage and a sweaty mess as We Are Scientists drunkenly played through their set. It was also pretty funny that they had a bunch of hardcore dudes djing, like Freddy from Madball and they were playing hip hop. Too funny. Next up on Tuesday was Little Ones at NME's club night. They were actually pretty good. Unlike Tiny Masters Of Today, which was very awkward to say the least. Followed that up with a friend's birthday party at Motor City bar. Wednesday I took it pretty easy, checking out the 1990's at a Table Tennis video game event. The one thing I'll say about that band is the drummer kinda sings like a little girl. I turned in early...well more like passed out on my sofa at about 10:30 that night.

No problem, as Thursday was the big day. I started it off with an awesome set by Biffy Clyro at the fader house thing. They killed it. They rocked so hard, that they literally made the place shake. It was awesome. They played mostly all new songs from their latest release, except 'Glitter and Trauma' from their last record. Next up was iliketrains at White Rabbit. They were great, though the sound wasn't exactly the best at that place. Next up was We Are Wolves and Born In The Flood at another club NME event. They were both pretty good. I was really surprised by Born In The Flood. Never heard of them before I saw them, but they impressed. Next up, was the one band I had to make sure I saw, UNKLE. Man, it was amazing.
I didn't really know what to expect. Best known as a dj and a collaborative project, I didn't know how James Lavelle and Co. would play the songs and sing the parts usually sung by guests like Thom Yorke, Richard Ashcroft, etc...But they totally pulled it off. Playing mostly stuff from the new album, they did kick in a few jams from the first two albums too, capped off by the encore of 'Rabbit In Your Headlights' melted into 'Eye For An Eye'. It rocked pretty hard. Lights killed and visuals were awesome too.

Friday I didn't catch all that much, aside from iliketrains again and the Macabees, who were dreadful. Saturday, I headed over to the newly re-designed, Music Hall of Williamsburg, formerly known as the Northsix. It's now a massive venue. I'm not sure if I really like it. guess I'll have to see another show, or another band. As the band playing that day was Trail Of Dead, who tend to be way too loud and sloppy anywhere they play. They were solid the other afternoon, but it was so loud you could barely here certain instruments and vocals. And that's about it. I drank a bunch of free beer, and closed out my night with dinner at Cafe El Portal and too many margaritas.



So, the Joe Torre saga has finally come to an end. He was a great manager and had 12 amazing seasons with the Yankees, highlighted by the 4 World Series, in five years. But honestly, I've felt like the team has needed a change for some time. I love Torre and all he's done for the team, but I think his ways have become a thing of the past, and I always think he's been bad at managing a pitching staff and using his bench properly. He stuck by veterans, when others would have taken them out of the line-up. He failed to motivate his players and make adjustments in the playoffs, which ultimately sealed his fate. So, now what's next for the Yankees?

My vote is for Joe Girardi to become the next manager. I think he's smart and really understands the game well. He's a former catcher and has worked with a young pitching staff, both as a player and manager in Florida last year. While Don Mattingly is my favorite player of all time and monumentally adored by fans, I just don't think he's ready to be a manager, though maybe one day he could be. To me, it seems like next year will be a rebuilding year and Girardi seems like the right guy to lead a team like that. I can easily see A-Rod playing for Anaheim of Los Angeles of Disney of Petuluma or whatever that team is called now. Clemens will not return, and it's possible Pettite, Rivera and Posada don't return either.

We'll have a very young staff with Hughes, Kennedy and Joba, not to mention Wang who is only still 27. Giambi's huge contract will not match his quickly declining health and skills. The bullpen looks like a mess, however it could be promising if one or two of the youngsters, Ohlendorf, Ramirez, Veras, Bruney, Britton, etc... can effectively throw strikes and mix up their pitches. Will Cano and Cabrera finally mature and become elite hitters. Can Damon and Jeter continue to be big-time run producers. Will Moose rebound from an awful year. Man, lots of questions. It was disappointing to see this season end the way it did, especially with the big come back from their dismal start. I really didn't think I'd find myself rooting for the Indians to be the AL champs.


Listening Pile:
I leave you with the Warlock's 'Baby Blue', the pretty and deliciously retro 7" and CD single taken from the LP arrived awash with sitars, a touch of feedback and a melody that sounded like it had blown in from the West Coast of pop. The single's extra tracks featured two songs from the album recorded on their British tour, "Hurricane Heart Attack" boasting a guest appearance from ex-Spaceman 3 front man Sonic Boom that together with "Inside Outside" successfully conveyed a sense of the band's gigantic live sound. They announced the Warlocks new album "Heavy Deavy Death Skull Love" is finished, and due out on Tee Pee Records this week.

Look for a full-body and amber color.

Last night on PBS, I came across Explosions In The Sky's Austin City Limits Performance.
Explosions in the Sky Song List
Recorded June 29, 2007: * Yasmin the Light / Catastrophe and the Cure / Memorial
After seeing their great performance, I'm really bummed I didn't get to see a show there when I was in Austin. Next time, I guess. The performance was pretty great and really showed off some of the band's wonderful music.

I don't think I've ever written anything about this band before, but they are indeed awesome. They formed in Austin, in 1999. Explosions has become known for its elaborately developed guitar work, and its narratively styled instrumentals, as well as their enthusiastic and emotional live shows. I'm a big fan of 2003's The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place and their most recent album, All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone, released earlier this year. They also scored the soundtrack to the great Friday Night Lights movie, after being contacted by director Brian Reitzell. Despite having access to rare equipment in the studio for that project, the band kept to their songwriting style in creating original material, which is still used on the TV show as well.


I drank my very first Post Road Pumpkin Ale of the season the other night as well. The Brooklyn Brewery's Post Road Pumpkin Ale is a revival of a beer brewed by the early American colonists. Pumpkins were plentiful, flavorful and nutritious and they blended nicely with barley malt. Hundreds of pumpkins are blended into each batch of Post Road Pumpkin Ale, creating a beer with an orange amber color, warm pumpkin aroma, biscuity malt center and crisp finish. Post Road Pumpkin Ale is spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg. There are a few other really great Pumpkin Ales, including, Smuttynose and
Dogfish's Punkin Ale, both of which are fantastic.

Don’t get any big ideas, they’re not gonna happen.

The CMJ Music Marathon is coming this week. While the magazine itself, has become a 6 page pamphlet in recent years. The marathon is still kicking, alive and well. It's always a great week, with tons of bands to see, parties to attend and friends to catch up with. UNKLE and British Sea Power are probably the two bands I want to see most. Saw some parties with cool lineups too, which invariable, always end up being some of the best shows, plus they tend to have free booze. Can't complain there.

So earlier this week, Radiohead, announced the release of In Rainbows. It's safe to say, few bands have been able to reinvent rock as often as the British quintet has in recent years. Now Radiohead has gone and done it again, and not necessarily by the music itself, but the means by which it is being distributed. By choosing to release their seventh studio album, In R
ainbows, as a digital download through their own site, on a sliding scale, determined by each consumer willing to part with an email address. An idea, that was actually coined by, Jonah Matranga with his Onelinedrawing project. After two days, sources within the band’s camp were claiming that more than 1.2 million copies had been downloaded.

As guitarist, Jonny Greenwood has said over the past few days, the band’s intent is not to start a revolution or give away its music, but rather to prevent it from leaking out to the public over several months before the official CD release next year. In turn, it is the band’s hope that once fans hear the music on compressed MP3 files, they’ll want to buy the sonically superior physical product. An lp version, cd bonus and the downloads up front. All for $81, which seems high, but I guess it all makes sense, when those are the superfans buying it in the long run.


On Monday, Trent Reznor posted on the Nine Inch Nails website, that he has finished his contract with Interscope and his hoping to put out is his own albums, free of label pressure and interference.

Hello everyone. I've waited a LONG time to be able to make the
following announcement: as of right now Nine Inch Nails is a totally
free agent, free of any recording contract with any label. I have
been under recording contracts for 18 years and have watched the
business radically mutate from one thing to something inherently very
different and it gives me great pleasure to be able to finally have a
direct relationship with the audience as I see fit and appropriate.
Look for some announcements in the near future regarding 2008.
Exciting times, indeed.

So, his upcoming Year Zero Remix will be released on the label, and could be the last. Trent Reznor announced a release date and format options for the upcoming Y34RZ3R0R3MIX3D, also known as Year Zero Remixed. This follows the April release of Year Zero and features contributions from Saul Williams and Ladytron, both of whom have recently opened for Reznor's crew, as well as mixes from the Faint, Fennesz and members of New Order and the Knife. One track, "My Violent Heart" by Pirate Robot Midget is actually "a fan's work," he wrote, adding "I thought it was great, it filled a need."

Just read that Nada Surf will be releasing their new record, LUCKY, on February 5th, 2008 on Seattle label, Barsuk Records. This is Nada Surf’s fifth record and third for Barsuk, following the highly successful and critically acclaimed Let Go (2003) and The Weight is a Gift (2005). You can hear and download "See These Bones" now, in a bunch of different places. Do it. It's a great song. The album was co-produced by the band and John Goodmanson (Death Cab For Cutie, Blonde Redhead, Sleater-Kinney). Many great artists make guest appearances on the record, including: Ben Gibbard, Ed Harcourt, and Jesse Sykes. To help announce the coming of the new record, Nada Surf is about to embark on a national headlining tour. The dates begin October 13 in Philadelphia and end November 2 in Baltimore. Sea Wolf will support.

So what'd you have to do that for?

I was lucky enough to check out the Shudder To Think sorta re-union the other night. Craig Wedren and Nathan Larson joined each other on stage for the first time in about eight years at Mercury Lounge. Nathan came on about half way through Wedren's solo set and performed six Shudder songs with the Craig's band, which included former Shudder drummer Kevin March(who also played in GBV). The artists played "X-French Tee Shirt," "Red House," "Lies About the Sky," "No Rm. 9, Kentucky," "Day Ditty" and "Appalachian Lullaby," which featured vocals from Larson's wife, the lovely Nina Persson, of the Swedish pop group, The Cardigans, who also put out a great album last year. Wedren was funny, recounting stories about the first songs they wrote for movies, how the brief reunion happened and Larson meeting Persson when they collaborated on a song.

This was certainly one of the coolest and low-key re-unions in some time. I think we've been lucky enough to see a few really great bands re-unite over the past few years, Texas Is The Reason, the Jesus and Mary Chain, Seaweed, the Pixies and of course, the ill-fated, Police. If now we could only get Quicksand,Dismemberment Plan and Failure back together.

Came across this logo the other night. Kinda looks a lot like a band's logo if you ask me. I smell a lawsuit, HA!







Listening Pile:
As you might know by now, Les Savy Fav has an incredible new record entitled Let's Stay Friends that came out earlier this month. Praise the Lord! Its the first all new material from the band since 2001. Please go to the media section at their label, French Kiss now and check out "The Equestrian" and "What Would Wolves Do?". This band is awesome. They make great records, run their own label and play the most incendiary shows this side of old Trail Of Dead. I mean, come on! Who doesn't love a portly man running around kissing people and hugging them in bikini briefs? Who?

I Bring Her Home Everything I Want, Nothing That She Needs

Made my way over to Madison Square Garden the other night to catch Interpol playing their biggest NYC show yet. It's pretty crazy to think they are now big enough to play MSG, and not the Paramount Theater at MSG, but the main floor. You know, where the Knicks and Rangers play. To think, I remember seeing them 6 or 7 years ago at Brownies(R.I.P.) and Mercury Lounge. You have to give this band some credit, they've worked pretty hard and toured endlessly to get where they are. And what a great night for a fantastic show featuring the New York quartet. The band seemed perfectly at ease on the large stage at MSG. Sam, as always, was powerful and precise on the kit, Daniel's guitar soared all night long, as he was found doing his shuffling dance moves and White Guy rap on 'PDA'. Carlos, for once looked happy, posturing himself with his new urban cowboy look, all over the stage. Paul, always seemed reserved and never strained with his trademark monotone vocals, while busting out the black wristbands ala James Hetfield style. They rolled through a powerful set, trading new tunes from their solid new album, Our Love To Admire, with classics from the first two albums, such as 'PDA', 'Stella Was A Diver', 'Obstacle 1', 'Narc', 'Hands Away', 'Slow Hands' and 'NYC'. The audience went nuts when they played recent single, 'The Heinrich Manuever', and worked themselves up into a frenzy when they played singles from the first two albums.

Now, I will say, despite a great set from the band, I can easily do without seeing another concert at MSG for some time. At one point I found myself in a bar that wouldn't have been out of place in Hoboken watching the Yankee game. Strange.
And later on, as I tried to make my way down to the floor to meet up with friends, I ended up in some random hallway deep inside the Garden. I swear, I think the ghost of Ernie Grunfeld must have been following me around. Anyhows, a great show and certainly a good time had. I didn't see Liars open, even though I really wanted to. Cat P ower, seemed oddly out of place on the large stage, and I really don't understand what's up with that backing band. Makes her sort of sound like a bar band. Really it doesn't do her justice, as she's a great singer, albeit certifiably insane.

Listening Pile:
I've been meaning to write up something about the SoftLightes for some time now, but have managed to completely forget to even mention this band. Guys, I apologize. This band is great, as are their electro-tinged indie-pop tunes and videos. ‘Heart Made of Sound’ maybe their best jam, though it's one of many great ones, is a light tune with hints of faint piano keys embellishing the harmonies. The Softlightes, from San Diego, is the latest project from Ron Fountenberry, who's better known as The Incredible Moses Leroy. He put out a fantastic album a few years back, and has now resurfaced with a new band and sugary pop gems. Fans of Leroy will instantly absorb The SoftLightes, who continue where Leroy left off with their new album Say No! to Being Cool. Say Yes! to Being Happy. The album may have come out last winter, but it’s a great album and now there is a new ep w/ some remixes and alternate takes.

While we're here, I came acoross this Cadillac commercial the other day. I have to say, I was more than a little shocked to hear one of my favorite songs from the mid 90's as the background music. Yes, listen again. It's Hum, with their hit, 'Stars'. Very, very strange indeed. I was taken back by it. Add to that, the introduction by Grey's Anatomy star Kate Walsh and it's a strange moment in time. Cadillac is really reaching for a new crowd huh. I used to think only old men drove Cadillacs. Guess they are trying, desperately maybe, to change that.

And Your Words Came Just Like A Hard Rain

The Juice is loose, again! Seriously, from the Files of Police Squad:

"Thursday night just before 8 p.m., Las Vegas police responded to a call of a person as a victim of an armed robbery at the Palace Station casino," Dillon said. "The victim stated that one of the suspects involved in the robbery was O.J.
Simpson. The items that were taken were various sports-related products."

The items were in a hotel room at the casino, authorities said, adding that although they had seized many of the items they could not describe them.

Simpson told the Associated Press that the memorabilia were his and that he entered the room without breaking in to retrieve the items.

I bet he thought all that stuff was his. Didn't he feel the same way about his ex-wife? Was that out of line? Too soon? I kinda feel bad about that now. Man, has there ever been such a monumental fall from grace, as O.J.? Mike Tyson, Superman, Mike Vick, Webster or Wrestling? I think O.J. has got them all beat. Check out this timeline of his happenings since '94.

Anyhows, over the next few weeks we'll start seeing our favorite TV programs, and surely some new ones we fall in love with, debut on the tube. I have to say, I personally cannot wait for the new seasons of LOST, 30 Rock, The Office, Heroes, Friday Night Lights, How I Met Your Mother. Some new shows that look like they could be interesting, Chuck, Cavemen, Journeyman, Back To You, Pushing Daisies, and what could become something like the next X-Files, the Sarah Connor Chronicles, which has her on the run, trying to keep son John safe in order to save the future of humanity and hide him from the Governator. Also, looking forward to some old favs, like CSI and CSI Miami, Cold Case, Family Guy, and Law & Order.

New shows that look like they'll be on for a month then disappear, Cane, Dirty Sexy Money(despite what looks like a great cast), Gossip Girl, K-Ville, Big Shots, and even though I want it to succeed, Bionic Woman, plus anything on WB or UPN, .. Check out this fall tv preview thingy AOL has up. One thing that seems good about the fall TV lineups, less reality. Yes! I think we can all agree we could use less reality in our lives these days.

Listening Pile:
I've professed my love for the Swedish band, The Shout Out Louds before. And I'm about to do it again. They are back with their new album, Our Ill Wills. Two years after hitting US shores with their debut album, Our Ill Wills, Produced by Bjorn of indie-darling Peter Bjorn & John, is 12 wonderful songs of bouncy, gleaming guitar hooks on deceptively up-tempo pop songs, self-deprecating lyrics in a vocal stylings very, very similar to that of The Cure's Robert Smith. 'Tonight I Have To Leave It' kicks off the record jangly guitars and bursts of waltzing strings. The band dips into darker territory when keyboardist Bebban Stenborg helms the mic on the standout 'Blue Headlights' to deliver a sultry tune laid gently over simple, spare percussion and guitar. The Shout Out Louds have always worn their beaten hearts on their indie pop sleeves, yet they provide just enough mystery and spontaneity is what keeps things exciting, like the album’s awesome ending, 'Hard Rain,' a song that methodically builds into a cataclysmic ending that matches its title perfectly. Of course my favorite track is the bouncy pop gem 'Normandie,' about falling for a girl and well...sailing away to Normandie.

It's Always Someone Else's

The Whole Foods by us, just made it that much better to go to. Last week they opened the Beer Room. With 200 different beers, from pilsner and weisse to lambic and porter, they've got anyone's beer needs covered.
You can also fill a 64 oz. growler with one of six local beers on tap. The first one I went for was, Bluepoint No Apologies Double IPA. Malty flavor upfront followed by a pleasant caramel sweetness and it's got a crazy 10% alcohol content. It was pretty good to say the least.

So glad that the NFL came back this week. There's no better thing to do on a Sunday than be lazy around the house, kick back watch some football and take naps. Seriously, I can think of no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Anyhows, if you watched any football this weekend, you noticed the Patriots and Colts looked pretty good, as expected, and everyone else is basically playing for third place. Huge disappointments from New Orleans, Kansas City, and both New York/Jersey teams. I keep reading lots of pre-season picks saying the Jets and Giants should win 8-9 games, which I'm finding really hard to believe. I can easily see both teams not winning more than 7 games. Rutgers easily won against Navy on Friday, to start their season at 2-0. Not too shaby. And how about A-Rod. Think he's got something like 7 home runs in his last five games. Sick! Hope he continues to hit well going into the last month of the season and hopefully, the postseason.


listening pile:
Definitely my favorite album of the year, Fil m School returns w/ Hide out. The band has mastered a dark pop sensibility that reminds of you of all the best qualities of new wave, shoegaze, and alternative rock. With the help of Phil Ek, who mixed the new album, the band found a dense, layered, dark texture with swirling guitars, dreamy production and instrumental flourishes that the band incorporate almost perfectly into every song. The guitar intro of 'Dear Me' pretty much leads you into the compressed, noisy guitar and synth-drone atmosphere of the entire record. To say this album is shogaze is an understatement. Not only are there are some female vocals, courtesy of new bassist Lorelei Plotcyzk, but guest musicians, like Colm O’Ciosoig of MBV, help deliver the best shoegaze album not born of the 90's. This album kills from start to finish and certainly dispels any concern of a sophomore slump. Where their last album suffered from being a bit uneven, Hide out is an ambitious effort and easily the best headphone experience of the year. Somehow, the album ends on it's best song as well, 'What I Meant To Say', which could be the most rocking and complex song on the album.

I'll Be Sitting On The Left Side, You'll Be Sitting On The Right

Headed down to Webster Hall last night for a fantastic show, featuring the Birmingham, England quartet, Editors. The band seemed at ease as its piercing rhythms kept pace with the strobe lights, and melodic theatrics when singer Tom Smith traded in his Telecaster for a seat at his custom-made piano, all Chris Martin style. The biggest cheer of the set came during the encore with 'Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors,' a tale about death that impressively shifted from a soaring cascade of glacial guitar work into an anthemic chorus. They started off their set with the title track from their new album, An End Has A Start, which is one of the better songs on the new disc. They shifted through a powerful set, trading new songs with old favorites like 'Bullets', 'Munich' and 'Lights'. Even the new material sounded great in a live setting.

The Scottish trio, Biffy Clyro opened and received a warm reception, enough so to keep singer, Simon Neil, bare-chested the entire set as the group blurred between aggressive rock and roller-coaster power pop. They mostly played material from their exceptional new album, Puzzle, also their fourth, but did include "Glitter and Trauma" and "The Ideal Height" from their previous two albums. This band killed it live. They are finishing up their tour w/ the Editors and then hitting the road with the mighty Queens of The Stone Age, how about that. I cannot wait to see them again, and I'd be even happier to see them play a headlining show to play more of their older stuff. Love this band and finally happy to see them get their fair due here in the US, after getting huge love in their native UK. Puzzle which is available now in the UK & Ireland, will be released on September 18th in America. The album features the singles 'semi-mental', 'Saturday Superhouse', 'Folding Stars', 'Living Is A Problem Because Everything Dies' and forthcoming UK single 'Machines'.

is there anybody alive out there

Nice series win for the Yankees against Boston the other day, but what the hell happened last night. Big let down after a great 3 game sweep of the Red Sox. With about 29 games left in the season, each game takes on significant importance. Games like these against the Devil Rays need to be won. There's just no excuse. Phil Hughes did his best Mike Mussina impression last night. Ian Kennedy makes his major league debut today. Good luck to the kid.

The Bronx Is Burning concluded the other night, with the team winning the 77 Championship. Definitely thought the mini-series could have been a little better. Wish we would have gotten a little more Graig Nettles, Sparky Lyle, Ron Guidry and Lou Pinella. Some really colorful characters that were almost completely left out of the series. John Torturo was pretty good in the role of Billy Martin. That dude that played Reggie Jackson was not that great, in fact, i kept thinking of C. Thomas Howell as the Soul Man every time I saw him. I did think using actual news footage during the riots and blackout, the world series, as well as the Son of Sam slayings and the following of the case by police was a nice touch.

Rutgers football season started the other night against the mighty University of Buffalo. They won pretty easily, which is good. With all their success in the last two years, especially last year's Cinderella season, I think people have sort of forgotten that Rutgers was actually a pretty awful football team for some time. In fact, I think they won more games last year, than they did in the 4 years I attended Rutgers. I was talking to a buddy the other night about how lucky those kids attending now have it. We had nothing like that when I was there. It's gotta be a lot of fun. Hoping to get down there for the USF game in November. Bet that will be fun.

Listening Pile:
New Bruce Springstein track, Radio Nowhere is available as a free download at iTunes. It's a great track, from the Boss's new album, Magic. I really enjoyed his last album, The Rising too. This one is apparently a little bit more of a rocker and also features the E Street Band. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have announced their first full scale tour of the US and Europe since 2002-03, starting in Hartford, CT on October 2, the release date for the new album. I have some friends that are all about this.

We play today, we win today, das it.

The other day, I found myself watching Mission: Man Band. I know, I know, what has my life come to? Well, I have always wondered what happened to the white guy from Color Me Badd. The band, which calls itself Sureshot, consists of four members:

* Bryan Abrams (Color Me Badd)
* Rich Cronin (LFO)
* Chris Kirkpatrick (*NSYNC)
* Jeff Timmons (98 Degrees)

Who are those three other clowns? Basically, they got the dude that's not JT from Nsync and the dude that's not Nick Lachey from 98 degrees. I guess the dude from LFO was picked to round out the crew. What the funny looking guy from the Backstreet Boys was busy? Honestly, this show is pretty bad, but it's just too funny to not watch. You know, in that unintentionally funny kind of way. Sorta like Flavor of Love. By the way, when I googled Color Me Badd, I came up with this tidbit; they are listed on Billboard as the 7th biggest musical act of the 90s. Really? Were the 90's that bad?

As for a good show to watch, I've really been into this show Mad Men on AMC. Good show about Ad Execs during the early 60's. From the executive producer and writer of "The Sopranos" Matthew Weiner, comes Mad Men. It's a provocative tv show about the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Madison Avenue advertising firm. Good cast to boot, with John Hamm playing a really dark and introverted character, and the lovely January Jones(best known as Cadence from the American Wedding movie) as his wife. I like this show a lot.
It's probably the best TV show to debut this summer. While I'm at it, the other day I caught one of those VH1 Classic Albums shows. This one was about Nirvana's Nevermind. Pretty cool documentary on the making of that album. Includes interviews w/ Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic, producer Butch Vig and Thurston Moore.

Yankees have been playing like crap the last few days. Losing two of three to the Angels didn't help. And so far splitting the first two games against Detroit. Not looking good going into a huge series against Boston this week, who have been playing well. This is that stretch where they really needed to play well, and they have played just OK. A few things that have hurt the Yanks are the starting pitching has been pretty bad lately, namely Mike Mussina and Roger Clemens. Wang and Pettite have both pitched well their last time out(hopefully that continues), and Phil Hughes continues to be an enigma. Fans are starting to hate on the Joba Rules, believing the kid should pitch when the team needs him, despite the strict rules to keep him from getting hurt. Big series against Seattle next week too. It's kinda funny because, the Yanks really have their own destiny in their own hands. Ask most teams and players, and that's what they would want. It's pretty basic, you play to win today and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow. Where are those Mariano Duncan t-shirts when you need them.


Listening Pile:
I downloaded Bishop Allen's new album, The Broken String the other day after I clicked on a banner by accident linking me to their song"Rain". I have their 2003 album, Charm School, which I thought was a pretty good listen, but a little uneven.

The band released an EP every month for a year, and they ended up with some 4 dozen songs, of which they picked 8 and added two new ones to make up this album. After years of underground rumblings with their self-released debut the Brooklyn by way of Boston - based group should command a bit more attention for their new masterful album, combining cinematic lyrics, plaintive, passionate vocals and jangly indie-rock. "Rain" is a bouncy, new wave-ish track, and the rest of the album is playful, capturing life's fragile, beautiful moments.

Holy Cow!

It's been a very sad two days in my household. We lost a very close friend in the Scooter, Phil Rizzuto. He was beloved for this off-beat announcing, giving people shoutouts on their birthday(before they were shoutouts), his love of canolis, his wife Cora, and of course of the game. He was the voice of the Yankees for many a generations. To this day, just about every game I watch, I think to myself, this would be so much more entertaining and insightful if the Scooter were doing this game. He holds a dear place in my heart. Here is a greatMike Lupica Article about the Scooter.

I was saddened at Old Timers day when they announced the Scooter couldn't be in attendance. That day, was the first time it even dawned on me that he might be gone one day soon. I had the pleasure to meet him once when I was about 8 years old. I used to live in the same town as him in New Jersey and we went trick or treating in his neighborhood. I remember ringing the doorbell and none other than the Scooter answering the door. I'm sure we weren't the first kids that night to ring his doorbell, nor the last, but he treated us as if we were friends. He just said, "Holy Cow! Look at those costumes and put a bunch of pennies in our bags. I actually kept those pennies for years, and kinda still wish I had them. '

Listening Pile:
No music today. Just listening to the voice of the Scooter. So glad Mike and the Mad Dog played an interview from June of 05 on their show yesterday. He sounded old and beat up, but still full of life. Go to youtube, the yes network and listen to some old play by play by the Scooter. One of my favorite stories by the Scooter, can't remember who it was with, but they were talking about an oval shaped hotel room. The Scooter just said something like, "I couldn't stay in a room like that, I'd have nowhere to corner Cora." Go here to read some more.

And my dreams all fade away

Pete Abe at the Lohud Yanks Blog posted this earlier:

Received this press release from YES today:

The YES Network is enjoying its highest New York Yankees ratings ever, with its primetime Yankees telecasts ranking No. 1 in New York on 27 of the past 29 game nights. YES’ primetime telecasts have regularly outperformed ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and all other New York broadcast and cable stations this summer.

Tuesday’s Yankees-Blue Jays telecast on YES registered a 7.4 TV household rating (715,000 viewers), the highest-rated and most-watched program on YES since September 29, 2005, when the Yankees-Orioles telecast scored a 7.6 TV household rating (731,000 viewers).

This suggests two things to me: People really like how this team is playing and there’s not much on in the summer.

Um... yeah, you think. Last night I found myself watching The Nine and Top Chef. Seriously, what has my life come to. There are times I pray for death looking for something to watch on TV during the summer. I also have been watching Survivor...er... Big Brother Season 112. Things are bad. I literally watched Feasting on Asphalt for the 2nd time in 3 days last night, while the Yanks were getting killed. I will say, one good thing that came out of the Bonds home run chase, was getting to watch all his games on ESPN2. As an East Coast baseball fan, I never get to see any of the NL teams play, especially the NL West. That was kinda nice. The parks in LA, San Diego, Arizona and SF are sure nice too. Some of the best out there from what I've seen.

Anyhows, here is when the Yanks' schedule gets ridiculous. 17 out of 20 games against the Red Sox, Angels, Indians, with 3 each, and 8 against the Tigers(and Placido Polanco's misshaped head), who beat mercilessly on the Yanks last year in the postseason. You can come out of those games two games over .500, and win two of out 3 against the Orioles, who have given the Yanks fits all season, and we have a very good shot of getting into the postseason.

Listening Pile:
Just saw that UNKLE is playing a show in NYC at Webster Hall on October 18th. I am totally blown away by this information. With his U.K. label Mo' Wax, James Lavelle helped launch the instrumental mid-'90s downtempo breakbeat era, eventually dubbed trip-hop. Lavelle has always found a way to make some of the most interesting electronic music out there, with lots of guests on his records singing their parts, from Josh Homme, Thom Yorke, Ozzy, to Ian Brown and Ian Astbury. My man's technique is sick. Psyence Fiction and Never, Never, Land were outstanding albums, and so far from what I've heard of War Stories, it's top notch too. Plus, you need to see the video for "Burn My Shadow" w/ the Eastern European dude from ER.

Theres no bathroom, and there is no sink.

things have been crazy the last few weeks. lots of work crap to deal w/ last week as i was taking friday off to have wrist surgery, also took monday off. yay short workweek. the surgery hurt like a mofo. i was totally out of it on friday, the day of the procedure. i don't know what it is about hospitals and doctors, but i have no idea why they keep you waiting around so long. like, for no reason. just sit there and wait, and wait, and then more waiting. then you go somewhere else, and wait more, before you see a doc for five minutes, then you go and wait more. ugh! so, like injured baseball players, i guess i'm just day-to-day. or, dunno, would i be on the DL?

somehow the yanks went from 9.5 games out of the wildcard on july 7 to .5 games out today. that's 9 games they picked up on the indians,or the tigers, whomever is not leading the central. phil hughes looked pretty good the other day in his first start back from the D.L. i really hope that kid can start to finish off batters and not mess around so much and nit-pick when he has two strikes on a guy. he threw way too many pitches in only 4 and 2/3 innings the other day. but, lots of people have been saying that having a kid like him at the back of the rotation is like trading for a solid starting pitcher. plus i came across a stat the other day talking about how clemens and pettite are two of the winningest pitchers of all time in the month of august. good, we'll need it!

joba chamberlain is up too, which is kinda nice, and not just because the dude's first name is joba, which opens up endless possibilities for a nickname and theme music, but also because he's been lights out since his conversion to the bullpen in AAA ball.. The 21-year-old, 2006 draft pick, has been lights out all season, going 9-2 with a 2.45 ERA over 3 organizational levels. In 88.1 innings, he has allowed 62 hits and struck out 135. Just the other day, he struck out 5 in two innings of work. I dunno, I like this team a lot better than the old, slow, stumbling team we had in April and May. I hope bringing back Giambi doesn't hurt the team. It's strange, but it seems the team has played so much better without him and you have to hope his return doesn't impede the development of Melky and Andy Phillips, who have thrived in their new starting roles.

i've been watching this big brother 18, or whatever season it's in now.(isn't there like one every six months now or something?) i know one of the guys, eric. nice guy, met him once when we went out for drinks w/ some friends. he's america's player, so america, gets to pick stuff for him to do. i hope someone asks him to punch that tommy lee looking dude(dick) in the face, or at least that jen chick. that would make for must see television. i mean, seriously, do they turn off the AC in that place. why are people standing around in their underwear? who cooks in a bikini? this show is so irrational, but people love it.

Listening Pile:
I'm not sure yet, but I really think I like this new Rilo Kiley jam, Silver Lining It's from their upcoming fourth album Under the Blacklight. "Silver Lining" has got some 60's am pop vibe to suck you in and cute little Jenny Lewis just sucks you right in. Damn her! I have to say, I've never been into the Rilo, nor her solo stuff, but she always manages a way to make me at least want to check out her records.

By the way, has anyone noticed Silverchair is back with a new album, that apparently is only available from Newbury Comics? Apparently, it's their best selling album, which is hard to believe, since Frogstomp seemed to be everywhere back in 95. I dunno, why I'm talking about this. Just seems weird.