Saturday Bonus Track...

...in honour of AMBFAD-regular 'The Jesus' and the possibility of attending a 'St. Valentine Day Massacre' at Metro next month.

It's The Godfathers - BIRTH SCHOOL WORK DEATH. Rock!

STOP THE PRESSES!

CBR News broke today, that Neil Gaiman & Mike Allred are working together to create a 12-page Metamorpho story for an as yet-unannounced Allred project for DC Comics! HUZZAH! Read more HERE.

For those not paying attention, 'Doc' Allred is one of my favorite comic creators (Madman, The Atomics, Red Rocket 7, X-Statix) and Gaiman is responsible for the amazing Sandman comic/other writing duties too numerous to mention. This is an awesome pairing of two legends for true comic heads. I'm REALLY stoked for more detail on the entire Allred project, but this taste is cool enough for now.

COOL TOY ALERT!

Character Options is introducing its new Time Squad line, which features The Doctor and the best WHO baddies in collectible sets! Very similar to the Star Wars Galactic Heroes and Marvel Squad lines of kid-friendly good guys and villains...these look awesome.

Looks like Wave 1 will feature The Doctor, Cyberman, Daleks, Scarecrow, Vashta Nerada, Sontaran, Sycorax, Ood, Pyrovile Centurion, Clockwork Man, Davros, Slitheen and even a Weeping Angel! They are available for order from a slew of online toy stores...I know i'll be placing an order soon.

Onward. Upward. WORD.

After 12 years w/ Motorola...life has informed me it's finally time to move onto something else. Not too sure exactly what that is quite yet, but i'm looking forward to figuring it out.

Stay tuned, true believers...new adventures await!

Catch the Sun (and New Single)!

Just posted up w/ some classic Doves over the weekend and *POW*...the first single, 'Jetstream', from their upcoming album 'Kingdom of Rust', showed up as a FREE download on their website, doves.net, earlier in the week. The album is actually due out 6-Apr-09 and if the Ridley Scott / Blade Runner-inspired single is any indication of the rest of the album, i'm more than stoked. Check it out on the AMBFAD jukebox if you have trouble getting into their site.

Full Tracklisting:
1. Jetstream

2. Kingdom Of Rust

3. The Outsiders
4. Winter Hill

5. 10.03

6. The Greatest Denier
7. Birds Flew Backwards

8. Spellbound
9. Compulsion

10. House Of Mirrors

11. Lifelines

I continually get into them more and more w/ each album, maybe this one will finally put me over the edge into real fandom. Seems they are doing some upcoming gigs in the UK as well, so my brothers and sisters across the pond should look for details on dates/venues.

When I Go...

...I want to go eating an entire one of these things w/ a case of Bell's Amber to wash it down.

That's right...'The Bacon Explosion'...a massive torpedo-shaped amalgamation of two pounds of bacon woven through and around two pounds of sausage and slathered in barbecue sauce. Witness it in all it's meaty glory HERE.

Next to being 'smothered' to death by the entire female cast of Russ Meyer's 'Beneath the Valley of the Ultra-Vixens'...I couldn't think of a better way to meet my maker.

Great Video...GREAT JOB!

Holy. Crap. I think this may be one of the best YouTube videos ever made. A Tim & Eric (GREAT JOB!) collaboration w/ Eric Fensler where they re-cut the original footage from the classic TV show 'Space Giants' and re-voiced it. 'Shampoo House.'

Praise be to the almighty Monkeys for Helping for posting this originally and if you've never watched 'Tim & Eric Awesome Show' or 'Tom Goes to the Mayor' on Adult Swim...you are, as Fred Sanford would say, a BIG DUMMY.

Sorry Folks...

I'm slammed right now...bouncing back and forth between adding folks to my LinkedIn/Facebook networks, deleting old work emails, updating contacts in my personal email account and cleaning up/out my desk.

More silly crap later, perhaps you should play a computer game while you wait?

I Don't Care what Seth Rogen says...

...both tunes and videos just hit the spot right now. No matter how hard I try and how much 'indie-cred' it costs me, I just can't hate Coldplay.

Granted, i'm a total sucker for stadium-friendly anthemic alt-rock (see U2) and if that makes me gay (not that there's anything wrong w/ that)...let's dance, bitches. HA!

Best. 'Marvel Team-Up'. EVER.

Received a heads-up on this one from my fellow comic book aficionado (AKA GEEK), Tully Blanchard. Doctor Doom and Dracula...planning World domination...ON THE MOON!

Too head-scratchingly awesome. Get the 4-1-1 HERE.

Like Billy Dee said: 'Works Every Time.'

Swamped today. While you wait for fresh nonsense, pour yourself (and a friend) an ice cold Colt 45 and play a board game perhaps.

Saturday Bonus Track...

...just because it's been stuck in my head for days. Great Tune. Great Video. Great Flipping Band.

(It's Doves 'There Goes the Fear' in case you are wondering)

Saturday AFTERNOON Post (Who Edition)!

I got pretty busy w/ other things yesterday, so I decided to throw down the elusive weekend post on all y'all. I know there has been a lot of semi-cryptic posts as of late...some of you get them and some of you don't (or don't care). I'll provide more details later, when I feel like it. Suffice to say, i'm feeling good and ready to change things up a little...okay, A LOT.

Anyhow, I finished watching Season 4 of Doctor Who last night. I'm now completely caught up w/ the entire 're-boot' and can say w/out any pause...FAVORITE SHOW EVER. I ended up enjoying Season 4 more than I thought I would, even though it did seem a little heavy on hokey plot devices and the finale, while so fun it gave me a headache, got a bit crowded w/ all of the cross-over cameos. That said, it had a ton of great moments and I have to admit...I got misty (again) several times.

Yesterday, the BBC confirmed that Michelle Ryan (UK's 'Eastenders' and US's 'Bionic Woman' remake) will guest star as the Doctor's companion in the forthcoming Easter Special which began filming this week in Wales. 'Planet of the Dead', a story focused on a 'bus-trip which takes a very unexpected detour into danger', will premiere in the UK in the Spring (and, hopefully, shortly thereafter online for those of in the States). ALLON-SY!

Until then, as I mentioned in an earlier post, I finished Season 1 of Torchwood last week and will start in on Season 2 sometime soon. I liked it enough...entertaining as hell, but they could tone down the soap-operatics just a bit. Not too sure if I have any interest in the Sarah Jane Chronicles, that may be too far to the other end of the spectrum. Eh, we'll see after I start jonesing for some British Sci-Fi. Hmmmm...in fact, wonder when Season 3 of Primeval hits the Beeb America?

Anywho, tonight, 'THE CULT: LIVE FROM IRVING PLAZA' DVD or I finally subject myself to 'Wanted'. Not sure yet, but you enjoy the rest of the Weekend!

Are You A Little 'LOST'?

Premiere of Season 5 last night was a lot to digest, but it was cool enough to get me geeked up about what's ahead. The whole tweeked out time and space angle might get a little hard to follow, but that's what I like about the show...it challenges you to stay sharp and keep up w/ it. I'm kind of stoked my main man Desmond looks to have an important role, his storyline/episodes last season were some of the best.

My wife, however, vowed that she was officially done w/ the show at the conclusion of last night's episode...as she has done w/ each and every episode since Season 2. Heh.

'C'mon...IT'S HOPE, DAY ONE!'

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Changefest '09 - Obama's Inaugural Speech

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

'Why is cheese delicious on italian food, but when you melt it on chinese food it's disgusting?!'

I laughed my ass off...uncomfortably.

New Day Rising...

Best of Luck, Mr. President...we're ALL going to need it. That said, still think you are the best man for the job and look forward to seeing you prove me right. God Bless America.

These Boots Are Made for Rocking?

'Get On Your Boots'...the first single from U2's new album 'No Line On The Horizon', due out 3-Mar-09. Listen to it HERE. A straight-forward rocker, but w/ tinges of 'Achtung' and 'POP'...nothing revolutionary, but I like it.

'NLOTH' was produced by Brian Eno, Danny Lanois and Steve Lillywhite...word on the street it will have moments that are of a more experimental vibe ala the aforementioned discs. That, makes me very happy. The album cover artwork (which I really dig) above, is an image by Japanese artist and photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto.

Full Tracklisting:

1. No Line On The Horizon

2. Magnificent

3. Moment of Surrender

4. Unknown Caller

5. I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight

6. Get On Your Boots

7. Stand Up Comedy

8. Fez - Being Born

9. White As Snow

10. Breathe

11. Cedars Of Lebanon

I'm cautiously optimistic, but the timing of a new U2 album couldn't be more perfect...in uncertain times, they are always there when I need them.

You Just Have to Think Things'll Be Okay...

...when the above song is the first thing you hear on your stereo on the car ride into a new chapter in your life. Crazy enough, I don't think i've felt this exhilarated since my kids were born. Onward. Upward. More later.

P.S. Guys, do yourself a favor, type in 'Destination Unknown' on YouTube and check out the video for the Crystal Waters tune of the same name...it'll make your day better no matter what may be ailing you. Wow.

MMMMMMORE MUGGS!

Doh! I must have missed it (again), but looks like Wave 5 of Hasbro's MIGHTY MUGGS are available. Mach I Iron Man, Vision, A Skrull and (for some reason) an Ultimates version of Captain America. I'd really wish they'd focus on all new stuff versus the different versions of the same ala Spidey, Shellhead and Cap.

Looks like Wave 6 will feature another Wolverine (Logan in casual duds), but in much cooler X-Men news...Sabertooth, Cyclops and Phoenix. Personally, i'm still waiting on them to do a Magneto, Green Goblin, Mysterio, Electro, Daredevil, Invisible Girl and Doctor Strange (amongst others).

For my fellow geeks who aren't so much into the Marvel line, they've also started doing Muggs based on two classic late 80's afternoon cartoons/toylines...G.I. JOE and TRANSFORMERS. The JOEs are cool, the 'Bots and Cons'...not so much. COBRAAAAAAAA!

While You and I Wait...

...how about some wicked clever music videos for two pretty decent tunes?

DISCLAIMER: Video #1, is an extremely well-done rip-off of the vid for REM's 'Pop Song 89' and pretty well NSFW. Video #2 is...well...just plain awesome.

Today Should Be Interesting...

There is a doozy of an ironic analogy in there somewhere. Read the news and cross your fingers if you have no idea what i'm talking about at this point.

TV Bonus Party Cut...

Volume 4 of 'Heroes' airs the Monday after the Super Bowl. I enjoyed Volume 3 just fine, but 'Villains' did get a little too all-over-the-place even for a comic book geek like me. Hopefully, 'Fugitives' will be a little more focused.

Perhaps a bit more exciting, Season 5 of 'LOST' starts next Wednesday! You can catch the Season 4 finale tonight...'enhanced' w/ with facts, clues, and helpful back story popping up on the lower third of the screen. Kind of like VH1's 'Pop-up Video' for Losties. I can't wait for next week...

More TV Catch-Up / Sci-Fi Geekery!

One slight bright spot in what's shaping up to an otherwise abysmal week...Season 1 of 'Torchwood' is waiting for me to pick it up at the library after work. I'm in line to get the Doctor Who Season 4 set next week, but thought i'd get a jump on this spin-off while I wait.

For those of you non-Who fans, 'Torchwood' is set in Cardiff and follows the Welsh branch of a covert agency called the Torchwood Institute which investigates extraterrestrial incidents on Earth and scavenges alien technology for its own use. To paraphrase Torchwood Three's 'commander-in-chief', time traveller, former con-man and occasional Doctor Who companion, Captain Jack Harkness, the organisation is separate from the government...outside the police...and beyond the United Nations. Cool by me!

The series actually started in the UK on the back in 2006, aired here in the States on BBC America in 2007 and was released on DVD in 2008, but (just like the new Who) I missed the boat but, by the time Season 3 makes it's way over here...I should be up to snuff. Looks to be a little more 'adult' and sexier sci-fi than Doctor Who, so it should be interesting at least. Check out the trailer and see what you think...

Speaking of Yetis...

...how cool is the ultra-boss limited edition 'Big Vinyl Yeti' from Gama-Go?! Produced in collaboration with Ningyoushi in an edition of 1000, they've actually sold out at at Gama-Go.com. No worries, Yeti-lovers, you can still nab one at Ningyoushi.com for $90.

For those unfamiliar w/ the most excellent Gama-Go, in late 2000, Tim Biskup, Chris Edmundson & Greg Long started screen printing t-shirts out of the basement of Greg's house. The business grew to include other cool limited edition clothing and accesories featuring some of Biskup's characters. In 2006, Tim (still a partner) stopped working creatively for Gama-Go to focus on his illustrious career in fine art.

Fun stuff, available only in certain boutique-ish joints and online. For further fun, you should check out Tim Biskup.com for a link to his blog and some examples of his work...or just google him. I have been a huge fan for a long time now and really dig that Jim Flora album cover influence to his style. Retro-influenced, but w/ his own mark to it.

The Weather Here is So Crappy...

...even the obligatory AMBFAD Yeti joke has high-tailed it to Asia to escape the freaking cold/snow!

Remain Calm...

Relative to my last post, me/my family's health and home life is just peachy...nobody freak out and stay tuned.

The Waiting...

...it really is the hardest part. Could be some big changes on the horizon for your old Uncle EL. I'll have more clarity over the next few days, but until then...enjoy Eddie Vedder w/ Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers from back in 2006.

Hard to Stomach...

We've a got a fun little stomach flu making it's rounds through our household. Owen, the dog and I are the only ones to escape it's wrath (for now). Seriously...it'd been like a vomitorium up in here since Saturday night. Luckily, it seems to be of the 24-hour variety. Whoo!

BLA-GONE-JEVICH!

The Illinois House voted overwhelmingly this morning to impeach Gov. Rod Blagojevich, setting up a Senate trial on whether he should be thrown out. Impeachment required just 60 votes...the final result was 114-1.

'Elvis' has (almost) left the building.

More Snow Means...

...more unfunny yeti posts. Seems to be a bit of a lull out there right now and I was able to dig things out. More on the way though. JOY!

Speaking of Eiji and Godzilla...

Smashing Pumpkins covering Blue Öyster Cult back in 1992. Jesus, were they ever that young and...well...that awesome?!

Oh. No. Tokyo.

AMBFAD Book Club

'Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters: Defending the Earth with Ultraman and Godzilla'

First 'Book Club' post of the year and it's a good one! I've actually been lusting over this since it was published by the always-awesome Chronicle Books back in 2007. There was a lone copy at one of the nearby Barnes & Noble, but the price tag always kept me at bay. Thanks to some well-placed holiday gift cards, I finally nabbed it.

For those who aren't familiar w/ the name, Eiji Tsuburaya was the visual effects mastermind behind 'Godzilla', 'Ultraman' and numerous Japanese sci-fi movies/TV shows revered around the world. The first book on this legendary film figure in English, this highly visual biography details his fascinating life and career, featuring hundreds of film stills, posters, concept art and on-set photos. Beautifully designed and lovingly authored by August Ragone, it's a fitting tip of the hat to one of the cinema's semi-unsung heroes.

For die-hard fans of Tsuburaya and the genre as a whole, the book also features profiles of his film collaborators, details on his key films and shows (most available on DVD) and features on the enduring popularity of the characters he helped create. Seriously, it is packed full of some great stuff.

I grew up on both the Godzilla films and the American syndication of the original Ultraman series...both are cultural pillars to me. If you can say the same, this book is worth checking out! Still in print and available via most online booksellers.

SAVE THE DATE!

The quality of the start of each new year is very contingent upon my calendar(s) at work. Don't know what it is, but staring at a great calendar in the midst of day of craziness is very zen to me. However, as I always like to try and get it for the inevitable after-Christmas 50% off...sometimes I end up having some trouble finding the one I actually want.

That was the case w/ the beauty above. As they didn't do a 2009 version of the Museum of Modern Art Vintage Monster Movie wall calendar I had up last year...I opted for the Vintage DC Comics Super Heroes deal you see pictured above.

It features archival-quality reproductions of Golden and Silver Age covers from the DC Comics pantheon. Each month's 11 x14 image is printed on heavy, 100% recycled paper with soy-based inks and (best of all) removes easily to fit a standard frame. Looks cool and is cool for the environment!

I saw it back in October at my local Borders and by the time I was ready to go and get it...gone. Same w/ the 3-4 other Borders, Barnes & Nobles and mall calendar shops I went to. Finally found it at a place nearby work and I was so close to ordering it from the publisher for full price. Nuts...I know.

...but is it as nuts as purchasing the same version of desk calendar every year since 2002? Call it superstition or OCD, but i've had the Cavallini Japanese Woodblock Painting one pictured above religiously placed next to my phone since then. *Serentiy Now!*

BEST OF 2008

Okay kids, as anybody who's been reading this little slice of web buffoonery can tell you...AMBFAD has so not been a 'music blog' for a long while now. Actually, one could challenge it never really was. That said, I still do love me some good music and, as you know, I really love to share my opinions.

So, w/out any further fanfare and the returning disclaimer this is more of a 'Best of the Stuff I Actually Got Around to Listening To' than an all-encompassing list of Pitchfork proportions, here are my favorite albums of 2008:

1. Paul Westerberg - '49:00'

2. Bob Mould - 'District Line'

3. Beck - 'Modern Guilt'

4. M83 - 'Saturdays = Youth'

5. R.E.M. - 'Accelerate'

6. Helio Sequence - 'Keep Your Eyes Ahead'

7. Sloan - 'Parallel Play'

8. The Duke Spirit - 'Neptune'

9. Ra Ra Riot - 'The Rhumb Line'

10. The Verve - 'Forth'

No really big surprises, most of these showed up on here at some point during the year. Also no big surprise that the two top spots went to two of my favorite artists EVER, but both Westy and Bob earned it w/ stellar releases. Nice to see R.E.M. back on my list for the first time in, well, forever. Perhaps not w/ an album on par w/ earlier classics...but a nice body of work nonetheless.

The Duke Spirit was a late addition and the only album that didn't get a full review on here earlier. Totally worth checking out if you like beautiful vocals over the scuzzy (yet polished) buzz of rock'n'roll. You can go back and read the earlier reviews of the others, but each comes w/ the all-important 'AMBFAD Seal of Approval'...guaranteed sweet sounds for your ear goggles.

As I always say, here's hoping that we're treated w/ more good music in 2009! Oh, for those of you wondering where 'Chinese Democracy' ended up ranking...somewhere after #10 and on someone else's list. Good lord did that suck. Thanks for the Dr. Pepper, Axl.

Doctor WHO?!

Last Saturday, the BBC announced that little-known actor Matt Smith will become the 11th regeneration of The Doctor in 2010. Current star, David Tennant, plans to leave the show after four special episodes this year and Season 5 begins.

I just finished Seasons 1-3 last night and i'd be lying if I said that i'm not kind of bummed Tennant will be leaving the show. He's brought such depth to the role and I know i'm not alone in saying that he may just be one of the best Doctors to own the title.

That said, i'll give the 26-year-old, youngest actor ever to play the Time Lord a chance...I would have never thought i'd fall so hard for this show again, so stranger things have happened. Good luck, Mr. Smith...er, Doctor.

The (Holiday) Spirit in Review

Over the holidays, I did get a chance to go and see Frank Miller's 'The Spirit'. After such a great year for comic-based films and being a total fan of Miller's work, I had lofty expectations. Unfortunately, while the flick was a lot of fun, I was a bit underwhelmed.

Funny enough, while it was mega-slick visually ala 'Sin City', both the plot and dialogue were steeped in the borderline dark goofiness found in Will Eisner's original comics. It was said ham-handed noir-ish dialogue that ended up frustrating me a little...it worked for me in 'Sin City', but not this time.

The acting wasn't bad by any means, but most of the performances left me flat. Outside of Sam Jackson who, as main-baddie The Octopus, did a great job being, well, Sam Jackson...everybody else came off a little stiff and forced. Oh yeah, i'd be remiss if I didn't give props to the stellar performance by Eva Mendes's butt...or Eva Mendes's butt double. Wow.

So, yeah, the flick wasn't bad...it just wasn't that good. Like I said, I did have some fun taking it all in and it does deliver some cool things visually. I'd wait until it hits DVD and then decide for yourself...or pick up Darwyn Cooke's recent DC run on 'The Spirit' in TPB form.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

ALL OUR BEST TO YOU AND YOURS...HOPEFUL THAT THIS YEAR MAKES LAST YEAR LOOK LIKE CHOPPED LIVER! 2009 BABY!