MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

...and here's looking to something brand new in 2010 (both the year and a new blog)!

Toys for Tots...

Whoa! If this isn't a walk down memory lane, I don't know what is. I think I received almost all of those during my rookie X-mas career. Who needs a Leapfrog when you have wooden dog w/ wheels for feet?!

Oh Tenen-BOMBED!

Christmas Tree is up at the AMBFAD Laboratories and the entire staff is passed out...nude...on the front lawn. Now, bring me some figgy pudding and 'fix me a turkey pot pie!'

An AMBFAD Holiday Tip...

The above may be the worst holiday idea ever...it's certainly not a happy one...unless of course you are attempting to get someone sick for Christmas...retribution for a traumatizing past gift of underoos or something.

Speaking of UK Sci-Fi...

...we received bad news back in June that ITV's 'Primeval' had gotten the axe and wouldn't return to airing on BBC America here in the U.S. (or anywhere else for that matter). Luckily, in late September, it was announced that a deal had been struck between ITV, BBC Worldwide and several other partners to produce two new series of the show to air in 2011.

Nowhere nearly as good as 'Doctor Who' and/or 'Torchwood', plus it kind of lost some of it's luster by the end of Series 3. That said, I enjoyed the hell out of it and it became a staple in my weekly viewing habits. Good to see it'll be back!

Just a Reminder...

I'm both excited and a bit saddened to say that the final 'Doctor Who' specials marking the end of the David Tennant/Russell T. Davies era drop over the next two weeks. 'The End of Time - Part I' will air here in the states on the Beeb America on 26-Dec-09 and 'Part II' on 2-Jan-10. Very cool that, unlike 'Water of Mars', we only have to wait one day after they air in the UK!

This past year has seen my level of fanboy-dom over this show reach near obsessive heights and I see no signs that it'll decrease in 2010. My hope is that Matt Smith and Steven Moffat can further expand on what has truly become one of the most fascinating characters on TV (sci-fi or otherwise). I know i'll be watching.

Is it Christmas? Is it Christmas?

Not yet...but it's coming quick. Enjoy this nice holiday ditty from Captain Sensible while you wait impatiently.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like...

CHRISTMAS!

I realize I haven't posted up w/ any yule logs or good tidings, but i've been mega-busy trying to wrap up an absolutely crazy six months at my not-so-new-anymore job. Don't think i've forgotten about the AMBFAD faithful...i've been doing some planning for the 2010 'reboot' and ask that you continue to stay tuned.

To everyone who contributed to the over 10,000 views this blog has received...THANKS! Considering I haven't posted up w/ anything new in quite a while, that's encouraging to see.

GEEK BLING!!!

Ran across the above Doctor Who 'Tomb of the Cybermen' Promo Pin rooting around online a few weeks ago and went ahead and nabbed it. It'll (fix up) look sharp on my new Spiewak winter jacket I purchased a while back.

Still working on my official return to the Blogosphere, but I may post a few updates here prior...just to help shake the rust off. Stay tuned!

THE HIATUS IS NEARLY OVER!!!

Greetings, true believers! Rumours of my (blog's) death have been greatly exaggerated...okay, maybe slightly exaggerated. I know it's been a while, but the itch to impose my stupid opinions on the internets seems to be coming back slowly. It's either that or a new found peanut allergy.

Anyhow, this post serves as notice that i've gone back into the lab to re-create my e-presence and whip up another plan for world domination. To note, said research has included the prospect of killing off AMBFAD and letting a NEW blog rise from it's ashes.

Whatever the case, STAY TUNED TO THIS SPACE FOR DETAILS! THE FUTURE OF USELESS POP-CULTURE IS COMING SOON!

Oi! Where Does the TIME Go?!

Wow. I knew it had been a while since i'd updated the blog...but not that long. It's not without good reason though, I FOUND NEW EMPLOYMENT!

Honestly, i'm still a little unsure when i'll get back to posting more robust dollops of useless pap. I've got a lot to focus on over the next few months, but i'll try and get back to it as soon as I can. I'm sure I won't be able to keep my opinions to myself for too long...so keep checking back, kids. BE WELL!

School's Out for Summer...

Well, for the boys it is...the Mrs. isn't out for break until tomorrow. I'll be taking the Aquamen to a new batch of swimming lessons starting this morning and then, perhaps, some Happy Meals. Exciting, huh?

A Brief Programming Note...

Hey kids, i've hit a great string of job interviews as of late and really haven't had time and/or felt like updating things here. When things get back to normal, i'll (hopefully) be able to bring the noise.

Please check back later and thanks for checking in at all!

NO STUFF TODAY...

...way too busy w/ getting our carpet cleaned (amongst other stuff). More later, promise!

JAY BENNETT 1963-2009

Your amazing talents will be missed, but you'll live on forever in some of my favorite music ever recorded. R.I.P. and all my prayers to Jay's family and friends.

Saturday Bonus Track...

I've been revisiting some of the semi-disposable punk-pop (or is it pop-punk?) I have enjoyed as a 'guilty pleasure' over the years. Perfect example: Sugarcult.

Y'know what...life is too short not to enjoy fun music. So, enjoy 'Stuck in America'.

No Such Thing as a 3-Day Weekend...

...when you're unemployed. Heh.

That said, everybody have a great holiday weekend and, please, don't forget to say thanks for all the Veterans who've given their lives to keep this country safe. Thanks!

For Kids of ALL Ages...

Both the boys and I have recently been enjoying DC's 'Tiny Titans'. Kind of an Elementary-school version of the Teen Titans, it's a really fun take on the 'DC Universe' that you can enjoy with your kids. The 'Dynamic Duo' kept getting into my Wizard magazines to further quench their growing thirst for Superhero knowledge and, quite frankly, some of the stuff within is just a little too graphic for them to be taking in right now. Well, at least that's what Wonder Woman (AKA Mommy) thought.

So, I started grabbing a couple of back-issues of the 'Tiny Titans' and the recent 'Super Friends' comic based on the toyline. They are both kid-friendly as all get out, but the latter is rife w/ a lampooning of the actual characters I can appreciate as well. I mean, where else can you see Darkseid as the school lunchlady? Plus, the art by Chicago's-own Art Baltazar is really fun to take in. Highly recommend whether you have kids or not.

Back in the Saddle Again...

I have another job interview this afternoon, so no good stuff today. As always...fingers crossed.

'He Was a Bad Dancer'...

...'til he learned to shimmy.'

Wow, were The Connells one of the most underrated bands EVER or what?

To Boldly Go, Where No Trek Flick Has Gone Before...

As I said on Friday, I caught that new 'Star Trek' flick and thought i'd step up w/ a tad meatier review today. I've never been a 'Trekkie' by any means...watched the original series here and there as a kid...caught the first 2-3 films and really only liked 'Wrath of Khan'...caught an occasional episode of 'New Generation'...and then completely lost interest as the whole property became diluted by all the spin-offs. Leave it to J.J. Abrams to not only capture my interest again, but make a total geek over it.

This film successfully captures a lot of the best elements of the original TV series and infuses it w/ a more modern, more action-packed attitude. Don't take that the wrong way...there is plenty of substance here. 'Star Trek' just leans a little more on the fiction than the science and it works. I would have felt dirty watching it had it just been a sexier, younger version of the property and, while it definitely is both sexier and younger looking, felt pretty satisfied they blended it w/ an engaging story as well.

The flick is a fun twist on the origin story of the crew of the Enterprise. Via the plot device of time-traveled altered realities, the film really becomes a true re-boot and a fresh one at that. Abrams dipped into the old Trek mythos where appropriate, but never really panders to it either. As with the original, the relationship between Kirk and Spock is the foundation for the rest of the story and both Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto did a great job in making that happen. Actually, Quinto completely nailed the whole Spock thing and the rest of the casting worked well to boot.

Bottom line, a whole mess of fun and i'm thinking it is going to be pretty hard for any other flick to come close to beating it this Summer. I'm already stoked about the potential for a sequel and the film has only been out for a few weeks. Whether your a sci-fi nerd like myself or not, you'll enjoy this...or may I choke on a Tribble.

Saturday Bonus Track...

I have absolutely fallen in love w/ this song (and the album it came from) all over again.

Soul Asylum in 1988, performing 'Sometime to Return' on what may have been MTV's 120 Minutes or some other short-lived variety show from when that channel was still cool.

Sorry Kids...

A lot of good traction w/ some possible job leads, had some beers w/ a friend yesterday afternoon and went and saw that new 'Star Trek' flick this afternoon. Review forthcoming on the latter, but suffice to say...PHENOMENAL.

Live Long. Prosper. Have a Great Weekend!

WILCO (THE STREAM)!

Well, no need to be all clandestine about things...check out Wilco (The Stream) at Wilco 'The Album'. Thanks, Wilcoworld!

It's the Little Things...

...that make me happy as of late. Things like my kids being in a good mood this morning, the LOST season finale tonight and (best of all) a new Wilco album.

More on the last one coming soon.

Oh, Why the Hell Not...

The tune they play every time the Hawks score a goal (and in Amstel beer ads)...'Chelsea Dagger' from The Fratellis.

Best use of a U.K. rock song at an American sporting event since Gary Glitter's 'Rock 'N' Roll Part II'.

HOLY CRAP...GO HAWKS!

The youngsters on the Chicago Blackhawks, are advancing to the NHL Western Conference finals for the first time since 1995 after beating the Canucks 7-5 in one crazy-ass third period of hockey!

Who'da thunk it'd be hockey i'd be getting excited about this Summer? GO HAWKS!

Hooray! 'Primeval' Season 3!

I was watching 'Doctor Who' on BBC America last night and saw that Season 3 of 'Primeval' starts this Saturday, 16-May! Like I said earlier, while not as good the good Doctor...it's still a really fun show. It'll be perfect for some Summer UK Sci-Fi escapism and I highly suggest you give it a try.

Also saw that 'Torchwood: Children of Earth' will air in July! Going to be some good stuff to catch this Summer!

Saturday Bonus Track...

I heard this at the grocery store of all places, over a week ago...still can't get it out of my head.

ZZ Top battling a monster truck in the video for 'Sleeping Bag'...of course.

ROCK IS DEAD...ALMOST.

Great sketch from Kids in the Hall. 'If I can't air guitar...I want no air at all.'

When I Get A Job...

...these cubist-inspired Chucks may be one of the first things I buy. Kind of loud, but cool.

Mo' Joe...

Official full-fledged trailer for the upcoming 'G.I. JOE: The Rise of Cobra'...still looks kind of fun to me.

Needs More Magneto...

In another late review, I actually went and saw 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' last Friday to kick off the Summer-popcorn-movie-palooza (and get out of the house). It was fun enough, but suffered from some of the same foibles the actual 'X-Men' flicks did. The flick started off pretty focused actually, but (like 'X-Men') it ended up feeling overcrowded w/ too many mutants...you couldn't feel invested in any of the characters.

That said, the casting was pretty damn good. Hugh Jackman took another decent turn at Wolverine...Liev Schreiber was actually a pretty awesome Sabertooth...Taylor Kitsch played a great Gambit...but the biggest surprise was how much I liked Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson (AKA Weapon XI/Deadpool). 'The Merc w/ a Mouth' doesn't get that much screen-time, but enough to kick-start a possible spin-off.

Throw in some eye-catching big ole' action sequences and you've got a pretty enjoyable flick for the most part. Not sure if those w/ no X-Men comic experience will do w/ it...they could like it more via lack of preconceived ideas or less than us geeks who revelled in the subtle nods to the Marvel Universe throughout. See it for yourself and decide, bub.

ART BRUT

'Art Brut vs. Satan'

Have you ever wondered what the Pixies would sound like if they were fronted by Shaun Ryder instead of Black Francis? Me neither, but thanks to the UK's Art Brut...I do now and, thankfully, I like it. Fittingly, after their last tour, the band went to Portland, OR, in late 2008 to record songs with Frank Black as producer. The sessions took just two weeks, and their third album, 'Art Brut vs. Satan', hit the ground running a couple of weeks ago. It's been in regular rotation here at the AMBFAD lab and I had to give it a review (late or not).

'Art Brut vs. Satan' is a raw, semi-freewheeling and extremely fun listen. The band's indie-punk ode to no-frills recording, 'Slap Dash for No Cash', captures the ethos of how this album was made and sounds perfectly. Calling out Brian Eno on said track, frontman Eddie Argos issues a manifesto for the records he likes and, obviously, likes to record as well. That said, the album is actually pretty tight...in fact, so tight and/or economical, it's the complete antithesis to bodies of work more over-produced.

While the band has great chops musically, the real draw here is Argos' lyrics and delivery. Oft snotty and borderline adolescent, he still manages to sneak in some really clever stuff. The line 'I fought the floor and the floor won' from the almost funky attempted recollection of a night out in 'Mysterious Bruises' is pure gold. Throw in a tale of arrested development that hits kind of close to home in 'DC Comics and Chocolate Milkshake', a tuneful rediscovery of a favorite old/new band in 'The Replacements' and the cheeky 'Alcoholics Unanimous'...I dare you to not have fun listening to this disc.

Like I said earlier, 'Art Brut vs. Satan' has been out for a few weeks and should be readily available wherever you prefer to nab your music. If you are looking for a great 'Summer Album' to enjoy while you imbibe adult beverages and/or grill up animal flesh...this'll do it. Your neighbors may hate you afterwards, but who needs 'em. If you like your neighbors, maybe you should test the waters w/ a sample in the AMBFAD jukebox. Whee!

DOM DELUISE 1933 -2009

R.I.P., Captain Chaos.

Hey Kids...

I've been home w/ a sick kid since yesterday, opening a can of whoop-ass on my yard and continuing job search activities. Stay tuned for some new stuff w/in the week including both a music and movie review, tennis shoes and more Jack Kirby stuff!

Saturday Bonus Track...

Busy day! We've got swim lessons this morning and then heading downstate this afternoon...the Mrs. and my Sis are going to see Jason Mraz in Champaign and (after kids are in bed) i'm going to have some adult beverages at my bro-in-law's basement bar. Somewhere in there, I also have to make it to a comic book shop for FREE COMIC BOOK DAY! Damn.

It'll be a little late, but look for a review of Art Brut's latest album early next week...i'm smitten w/ it. Until then, enjoy the vid for 'Emily Kane' from earlier platter 'Bang Bang Rock & Roll'.

Back in Action?!

Yeah, a few posts, but i'm still not quite feeling it...i'm getting there though. Keep checkin' in, kids!

DON'T FORGET, TRUE BELIEVERS...

Free Comic Book Day is only 3 days away! Always the first Saturday in May, participating comic book shops across North America and around the world give away comic books (duh) absolutely FREE to anyone who comes into their stores.

I'm looking forward to the following goodies...

and for the kiddos...

Go to the OFFICIAL WEBSITE for more details and a participating shop near you!

More 'Halloween'...More Zombie!

Excited! I had no clue that there was even plans for Rob Zombie to helm another 'Halloween' flick until my buddy Gep pinged me about it a few weeks back. Looks as if, much like the last reboot, 'H2' will re-interpret the original sequel following the 'night after' and offer up some more Zombified back story/detail as well.

Check out Sheri Moon Zombie returning as Michael's Mammy, effectively making Norman Bates and Jason Voorhees look like a much wimpier pair of mama's boys...

Saturday Bonus Track...

Feeling a little better. Not quite up to a full return to daily poop, but I thought i'd throw up the 'Bonus Track'. I've got a lot of good things still in the mix, just need to focus and drive them into something concrete. Stay tuned!

A live version of 'Emma Blowgun's Last Stand' from Beulah, lifted from their excellent tour doc 'A Good Band is Easy to Kill'...because they/the song freaking rule and it always makes me smile.

Wall of Sleep/So Long (For Now)...

I fell asleep watching TV until 1AM, woke up and i've been up since. Just can't sleep. Again, i've hit kind of a lull in my job search after a big flurry of activity and it's kind of rattled me a little.

May need to take a break from the blog for a while and regroup, refocus, realign, etc. I'm sure it won't be a long hiatus, I just need to do some other stuff. Not sure what that stuff may entail, but I do know it involves getting away from the computer more often. Peace!

How El (uhhh) Needs to Get His Groove Back...

Up way too early after attending to one of the kids and couldn't get back to sleep...still kind of bummed about not getting that job. I've been pretty positive amongst all this, but I am feeling like if I haven't hit a wall yet...it'll happen soon.

Just need to stay energized and keep moving forward. That said, Starbucks is opening in 5 minutes, so at least now I can go get some coffee I shouldn't be spending $ on.

Ugh. How Appropriate...

In a tie-in w/ both my last post and the earlier one about that job interview...today officially became a little bit of a 'Blue Monday'. Per the email I just received, I guess I came off 'great'...just a tad shy of experience in one area in comparison w/ the other candidate.

Still waiting on another interview's results, so...chin up, chin up.

It's Twistin' My Melon, man...

Seriously. How did I not catch this back when it came out...or, worse yet, finally watch it until ~ 7 years later?! I've caught it three different times on IFC over the past few weeks and, quite frankly, could watch again today.

What a GREAT fooking movie.

...OH MY!

Amazingly, I almost forgot to post up w/ major props for 'da Bulls, Cubs and Hawks...what a GREAT weekend that was for Chicago sports fans, eh?

Just Wondering...

...when the hell are we going to get airdates for the new Torchwood?

I've read both Spring and Summer of 2009, but nothing concrete. Cool thing is, it'll air on both the UK and American Beeb at the same time! No waiting...unlike the next Who special, that won't show up until late in the year.

Saturday Bonus Track...

As I said yesterday, I had an interview and thought i'd post up w/ something appropriate while I wait, hopefully, to hear I got the job.

Gang of Four performing 'To Hell w/ Poverty' on the 'Old Grey Whistle Test' in 1981.

No New Poop Today...

I've got a job interview this morning, so cross your fingers for me. Peace!

And Speaking of the Cubbies...

...i'm about due for a new ball cap. Thinking I may go w/ the 1968 Cooperstown 'Franchise' cap from Twin Enterprises, as they fit great and can take a helluva beating.

So Does 'Chinese Democracy' but...

...today, I couldn't agree more w/ Axl's t-shirt. GO CUBS!

I *HEART* THE ENGLISH BEAT

...and that one General Public tune.

Best. Photo. EVER!

...and why i'm STILL interested in getting a team together and joining a league. Maybe I can get the 'Stoned Rollers' back together for one last gig? Pic courtesy of the amazing Monkeys For Helping.

I Wonder what MS. PAC-MAN would Look Like...

I love the internet. Yet another completely awesome thing lifted this week from Electronic Cerebrectomy...PAC-MAN Reimagined. I'm sorry, I can (and have) stare at this thing for almost a half an hour.

I swear to God those 'ghosts' are from a Scooby Doo episode though. I'll tell you what else...'Blinky' looks like he might just choke a bitch. Damn.

BOB MOULD

'Life and Times'

A little late w/ a review on this one, but i'd be remiss if I didn't give Bob's latest it's due. Mr. Mould is one of those rare artists from the heyday of the 80's post-punk college alt-rock scene, much like Paul Westerberg and/or Black Francis, that i'll always give an eager listen to w/ each new project. One could challenge, actually, that his post-Hüsker Dü output (both solo and w/ Sugar in the 90's) may just be a bit more consistent than the other two aforementioned artist's post-Mats and Pixies catalog.

On 'Life and Times', Bob continues to hone his alt-pop craftsmanship to solid results. Definitely not as much adrenalin as Hüsker Dü or even Sugar for that matter, but it still rocks...hard. Not as folksy as 'Workbook', but it has similar beautiful moments of more refrained introspection. Not as electronically-infused as 'Modulator' (or even the last few solo albums), but it effectively leverages dollops of similar augmentation where it makes sense. Really, it's a combination of all of those things and I dig it.

Perhaps I don't dig it as much as the previous album, 'District Line', but there isn't a huge gap between the two. The title track is pretty representative of the melding of previous styles I alluded to earlier...sparse acoustic to nearly orchestral to big angry rock (it's all in there). He throws down some absolutely shimmering power-pop on the hooky 'City Lights (Days Go By)', only to melt your face off w/ a blistering, Hüsker-esque 'Argos' a mere two tracks later. I'm a big fan of the pumping 'Spiraling Down' as well.

The ballads peppered throughout are vintage Bob as well, but i'd be lying if I said I didn't like the more uptempo stuff than when he gets his sad-face on. The only real mis-step I hear on 'Life and Times' would be the plodding, synth-heavy final track in 'Lifetime'...just a little too murky for my tastebuds. Also, let me be clear, lyrically, Bob is still lamenting about how bad love can stink, but he just seems more at peace w/ that this time around. That said, it's a solid album worth grabbing...listen to a sample in the AMBFAD jukebox and see what you think.

A Little More WHO for YOU...

Came across this awesome little 'family portrait' of all 10 Doctors. Courtesy of Dave Perillo, who also did some fun horror flick caricatures I posted up during last year's AMBFAD Halloween Spook-tacular.

Be sure to go check out his other work spanning all your favorite folks from across the pop-culture universe!

MARILYN CHAMBERS 1953-2009

A fond farewell and R.I.P. to the other Marilyn...safe travels Behind the Green Door and beyond.

Speaking of TIME...

...it seems it won't let The Bravery go. I'm tellin' you, I can't help but dig this band...no matter how mopey they get. Cool video(s) too.

Ohhhhh...MAGIC BUS!

Yikes! I got so busy w/ a family-filled weekend, that I didn't even notice the second Doctor Who special, 'Planet of the Dead', had aired across the pond on Easter Sunday! I sat down with it this morning after the kids went to school (thanks YouTube!) and wow...IT WAS FOOKING PHENOMENAL! I think I actually enjoyed it even more than the X-mas special and that was great spot of TV as well.

The story was so well written and David Tennant was, again, BRILLIANT as The Doctor. It made the whole experience of watching it extremely bittersweet...w/ both Russell Davies and Tennant leaving the series after the 2009 2-part X-mas special, it feels like a fantastic ride that you never want to end. Michelle Ryan as this go-round's companion, Lady Christina de Souza, was excellent as well. I'd love to see a whole other season of her and David, but (alas) that ain't in the cards.

That said, we'll have another special airing later this year prior to the big Tennant X-mas finale, in 'The Waters of Mars'...which looks pretty badass as well. Wonder if we'll find out anything more on those '4 knocks' and how they tie in w/ The Doctor's inevitable regeneration. Time(lord) will tell, I suppose. Allon-sy!