Christmas Vacation

'Is Rusty still in the Navy?'

I've been working on painting the nursery for a majority of my time off and should finish this morning. It's a cool set up, but the rooms have a lot of angles and detail work. I'll give you all a tour MTV CRIBS (Ha!) style when it's done. Next up...assembling the two cribs.

The two boys are doing well and growing big time...much like the tummy of Mrs. Famous. 2006 is going to be a wild year for us...no sleep til 2007!!! Anyhow, if I don't get a chance to wish it to thw two people who read this: HAPPY NEW YEAR BITCHES!!! One of my resolutions is to post up here more often, so we'll see how that goes. PEACE!

It's a (beer) celebration bitches!!!

So, at least in my family, the holidays are all about eating and drinking and togetherness and stuff. While I love it all, i'm going to forgo parting w/ my secret recipe for the world's most dangerous fruitcake (which, for the record, isn't referring to Richard Simmons) and focus on the DRINKING. Submitted for your enjoyment, is a short list of seasonal brews i've been digging this Christmas:

SIERRA NEVADA CELEBRATION ALE

As far as a beer you can find in most good groceries and liquor stores, this would probably top this year's list. Great flavor, very hop-laden w/ a slight bit of a fruity taste, but not too overpowering. Just the right blend of everything. Check out their website HERE.

BELL'S WHITE WINTER ALE

Bell's Amber Ale is one of my favorites all year long and their White Winter Ale has proven to be a fantastic holiday alternative. I usually go more for wheat ales in the Summer, but being it's a smooth and lightly carbonated beer w/ hints of clove, banana (!), and cinnamon...it serves as a nice precursor to the darker/heavier stuff i'll be imbibing Jan-Feb. Check out their website HERE.

PYRAMID SNOWCAP ALE

This came in on recommendation from a friend and I had to go to one of those liquor superstores (Binny's) to track it down. A potent red-brown ale, noses and tastes a little bit burnt, and has cinnamon and nutmeg notes. Even though it's spiced, it's not as overbearing as some like beers are prone to be. Check out their website HERE.

MICKEY FINN'S SANTA'S MAGIC ALE

Mickey Finn's is a nice microbrewery out here near where I work in Libertyville, IL and has what may be the best beer I have ever tasted called Santa's Magic. It's a Belgian strong ale...higher alcohol content, but smoother than hell...nice flavor too, a little hint of fruit and spices. Unfortunately, they don't bottle or distribute to other resellers and it's only available for a very limited time (it's already off tap). So, next year, i'm going to get a growler as soon as it's available. Check out their website HERE.

So, there you are...drink up. If you have any favorites of your own, I implore you to take 30 seconds to clue me in via the comments section. Again, please be sure to DL my annual holiday mix a couple of posts down...as you'll need some good holiday music to dance around like an idiot too after enjoying too many of the fine beverages above. My blog...'IT'LL GET YOU DRUNK!!!'

Damn You Casey Kasem...Damn You Straight to HELL!

As this is supposed to be a music blog and the end of 2005 approaches, that means we are on the eve of the inevitable 'Best Of' list that every music freak is required by our Union to put together. I've got mine whittled down, but i'm still fine-tuning. Until then, courtesy of My Blog is Poop, is the 'so dead on it hurts' guide to How To Make A Hip End of the Year 'Best Albums' List:

• Before you begin, make sure you pre-empt your list by saying/blogging/writing in your journal that there weren't many great albums out this year and that music sucks in general right now. If you don't, people will assume that you derive pleasure out of making lists about your favorite things. And that's soooo unhip.
• Remember to include at least one (but no more than 3) hip hop albums. This shows that you are receptive to all types of music (except everything but rock and hip hop) and that you are "down." Don't get fancy, stick with what works: Kanye, Outkast, and A Tribe Called Quest are always safe, even if they didn't release an album this year.
• If you don't plan on naming a couple of Import albums that don't come out in this country until the Spring of next year then stop reading right now and get the fuck out of my blog.
• This should go without saying, but be sure to include one band that nobody's ever heard of. This is a good time to list your friend's band's 3 track EP that he gave you one night when you were out drinking. Including his band's album on your list accomplishes two things: 1) it's a safe bet they're completely unknown, and 2) it makes him happy. Hooray.
• Don't include your actual favorite album. It may have been good when you started listening to it, but now it's cliche. Deal with it.
• Make sure to include an album that just came out. This will lead people to believe that you got an advanced copy months ago and had plenty of time to get into it. But WARNING- BE CAREFUL- make sure it's not something that will become popular or produce a radio-friendly single in the next couple of months. Nothing will kill your indie cred than including the next Killers on your next Hip List.
• If you're gay, don't feel obligated to include the new Madonna album. We'll just assume.
• Space out your "The" band albums appropriately. It doesn't matter if you like The Subways the second most and The Comas third. You throw those two bands next to one another on a list and it's going to look like it's 2001 all over again. Be careful.
• To really drive home the point that you're not mainstream, add a list of "Albums that just missed the cut." There-- and ONLY there-- do you include the bands that had a song on the radio in 2005. That way you can look at everybody else's lists and say "Oh... Bloc Party? Yeah, they just missed the cut on my list. What, you had Silent Alarm at number 2? Ouch."
• Speaking of Bloc Party; If you MUST include them you better rank the Remix album higher than the actual album. You know, to make a point.
• And finally, the best advice of all: don't make an End of the Year 'Best Albums' list. Because you, like, don't have the time for that kind of stuff. Totally. Totally.

The First...errr...THIRD Noel

Felix Navidad!!! This is the third installment of my annual holiday mix, that is given (in most cases, against their will) to family, friends, co-workers, celebrities, heathens, girls named 'Candy', department store Santas, snow angels and casual onlookers. Some of you may have been on the receiving end of the previous two audio lumps of coal ('ALOT LIKE X-MAS' and 'A LOT LIKE XMAS TOO'), so some of these tunes (my favorites) have been trotted out before...just can't break from tradition I guess.

An extra helping of good tidings to Tualla (nicked that Cool Breezes tune) and Wendy (didn't have the Jimmy Eat World tune) for their help in decorating this year's Charlie Brown tree of a CD. As a lot of holiday music you hear this time of year leans more towards the traditional, i'm a big fan of the odd contemporary x-mas tune (ex: Cheap Trick, Waitresses, Ringo Starr)...something that captures the holiday spirit one can only find in clotheslining an old lady at 5AM to get that marked down salad shooter or photocopying your ass at the office christmas party. However, some of these (ex: The Beach Boys, ELP, Smashing Pumpkins)...as cheesy as they may be...really do capture the peace, happiness and hope I feel around this time of year

So, if it's your thing, don your gay apparel (not that there's anything wrong with that), be naughty or nice (the same thing in my book) and, if you're a braver person than I, try some of that figgy pudding the kids are all rapping about. Better yet, as Ray Davies reminds us in what may be my favorite Christmas song of all time...

'Have yourself a merry merry Christmas
Have yourself a good time
But remember the kids who got nothin'
While you're drinkin' down your wine'

Human kindness should a year-long thing, but please go out of your way to do something good for somebody this holiday...donate some time or $ or just a smiling face. May the big man above bless you as he's blessed me 100x over the past year. Happy holidays (WHATEVER YOU CELEBRATE) and a wonderful New Year to you all. Now, here's the music (DL it from the link below)...

A LOT MORE LIKE X-MAS

Track Listing:
Christmas, Don't Be Late - The Chipmunks
Come On Christmas - Cheap Trick
Waiting for Christmas - Adventures of Jet
Come On Christmas, Christmas Come On - Ringo Starr
Father Christmas - The Kinks
Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses
Last Christmas - Jimmy Eat World
Frosty the Snowman - The Cocteau Twins
Socko the Smallest Snowball - The Bell Sisters
It's Christmas Time - Yo La Tengo
Joy to the World (Mocean Worker Remix) - The Cathedral Brass
Christmas is Going to the Dogs - The Eels
The Night Before Christmas Song - Gene Autry & Rosemary Clooney
I Believe in Father Christmas - Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Little Drummer Boy - Los Straitjackets
Jesus Christ - Big Star
Morning Christmas - Beach Boys
Christmastime - Smashing Pumpkins
Hello Mr. New Year - The Cool Breezes
The New Year - Death Cab for Cutie

Bow-wow-yippie-yo-yippie-yeah

So, as you can see, I changed the look and feel of this place to something a little more lively and in the process, lost all my links. It was for the best, as I needed to update them anyhow.

Outside of that, everything is going pretty decent (Thanksgiving was great, Mrs. Famous and the twins are looking good, the Bears are actually winning games, etc.)...sans one (hopefully) minor thing. Our dog, Penny, came back from the kennel (which happens to be at our Vet's office) w/ some sort of wicked left eye problem. It was kind of shut closed and when it wasn't, she was blinking it profusely and it was tearing up something fierce. They did some quick tests and there didn't seem to be anything in it or any scratches on the eye. So, we're putting this ointment in her eye three times a day...which is totally a goat rodeo, but it seems to kind of be working. At least I hope it's working, it just doesn't seem to be working fast enough. It's heartbreaking to see her eye all messed up and it's obviously annoying her. Granted, she doesn't seem to be in pain...but she does act like it's bugging her. Guess we'll wait and see on Friday (it'll have been the prescribed week's worth of eye medicine by then).

I always say this, but I hope to post up a little more in the near future...I do have some ideas and the x-mas season is coming, so plenty of material to work with. Until then, be well!

Pardon our dust. Playing around...

...w/ some new templates. Things may look goofy for a while. Thanks!

Let's KETCH UP.

Damn. I knew I hadn't posted up here in a while, but I didn't realize it had been over month. It looks like the spam kept a rollin' in the comment section of my last post...dog training, ways to quit smoking, lost arc of the covenant...god bless the internets.

Biggest news would be that things keep rolling in a positive direction w/ the twins. We had our 20-week checkup two Fridays ago and everybody looked great...plus, we found out we're having TWO BOYS! Pretty exciting stuff and we are now dipping our toes into the water of looking at all the baby raising equipment you need...strollers, car seats, pack'n'plays, etc. So much stuff...rather, TOO much stuff. Then, multiply it times two and it'll make your head spin. Anyhow, I think it's cool they'll both have built-in playmates and there won't be any barbie dolls versus legos when they decide what they're going to play with. We're still weeding throuh possible names, but we've decided tentatively to go with GERONIMO and KONG...you know, good Irish names. It seems like the due date is a million years away, but then you realize all that you still have to take care of and it seems like they're coming tomorrow. Crazy.

Outside of that, music-wise, i've been on a rather large hip-hop bender since we last spoke. Two discs (one old and one new) have been receiving non-stop rotation and I have to make mention of them:

OHMEGA WATTS

'The Find'

This album has that true old school throwback feel i've been looking for in a new artist for quite a while now. Hailing from the burgeoning Portland, OR hip hop scene (Portland?! Who knew?), Ohmega Watts is an insanely talented producer and impressive MC. A large part of the beats and instrumentals are original compositions that have been chopped up, put back together into some truly funky head bobbing tracks and, together, make up a musical breath of fresh air in totality. Lyrically, it's also a throwback to the days of the 'call and response' block party jams from back in the day...before it became rehashed beats and brags on how much ice you had around your neck. There is enthusiasm, positivity and respect for the genre's history on this disc that reminded me why I love hip hop (and music) in the first place. Most likely, my top album of '05. Check some samples HERE and if you're in the Chicagoland area, go catch him live w/ RJD2 at the Abbey on November 12th.

K.M.D.

'Mr. Hood'
Big ups being beamed via satellite out to my man Charles in Arizona for clueing me into this one. K.M.D. got the jump off via the classic 3rd Bass jam, 'The Gas Face'. The cuts are mostly soul/jazz-based mixed with the odd clip from a children's album, laid down over some nice uptempo beats and basslines. The album loosely centers around a character named Mr. Hood that has been constructed from some sort of self-help/instructional tape to pretty hilarious results. Lyrically playful, but with some biting commentary on racial stereotypes...it all sums up to a satisfying listen ala De La's '3 Feet High and Rising'. After the death of his brother (and KMD DJ) Sub-Roc, group-leader Zevlove X would later go onto become underground hip-hop's mad genius, MF Doom. This album was recently re-released on vinyl out of the UK, but the CD seems to be out of print...worth scouting for online or in the used bin at your local shop.

So, that's it for now true-believers. Hopefully, it won't be as long a wait for the next post...I know you're all setting your watches to them and male the sad face when there isn't anything new to digest (right). Be well and PEACE!

A Few Quick Hits...

Long time no post. As always, just been too busy to come up w/ something worth putting in front of anybody. Nothing of great levity to report at present time...Mrs. Famous (and, thusly, the Wonder Twins) are doing okay...the D-O-G is still a sweetheart (but a handful)...took in a few Cubs games (where they lost to both the Cardinals and Brewers)...LOST is back on the air and the season premiere was pretty good...VH1's Hip Hop Honors airs on Monday (decent list of honorees, but the scheduled performers look kind of weak...blah, blah, blah.

Luckily, I do have a couple of musical suggestions worth mentioning:

DIOS MALOS

'dios (malos)'

Awful album cover, but a great band out of Hawthorne, CA. Breaking away a little from tripped out Grandaddy covered by the Beach Boys sound of their debut (which was stellar BTW), the band offers up a heaping helping of uptempo psychedelic folk rock for the indie stoner set. I've loved this band since their first EP was released a few years back and it's great to see them come back strong. I'd list highlights, but really...I like the whole thing cover to cover. DL the lead-off track ('Feels good Being Somebody') and two of my favorite tracks from their previous disc HERE.

M83

'M83'

I gave a brief round of props a few months back to M83's 2005 release ('Before the Dawn Heals Us' )and the previous album ('Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts') is one of my favorites to grace my iPod in the past few years. As luck what have it, the French duo's (now a one-man-show) debut album from 2001 received domestic release earlier this month. Orchestral and sparse in the same breath, this is more of the M83 brand of synth-heavy ambient pop music that ranges from spooky to frenetic. Good stuff. You can stream samples from all of their albums HERE.

So, there you go...for now. Enjoy. Peace.

Puppies and Babies and Cigarettes...OH MY!

Say hey there kids! It's been a long time since i've both posted and rock'n'rolled...so here's a little update to (hopefully) kickstart me back into throwing down some of the inane junk that you love so much.

First off, and probably the biggest thing going on in the 'House of El', Mrs. Famous and I are happy to be able to say we're expecting. When I say 'expecting', I mean in a having a baby sort of way...and when I say 'having a baby', I mean in a we're having twins sort of way. Yep. TWO. We're 13 weeks along as of yesterday and both spawn of Famous, as of our last ultrasound, are looking really good. Our projected due date is March 16 of 2006, but per the doc...could happen a little earlier. Without going in to detail, this is an absolute blessing for us and we've been working at this for a while now. We've got a long road to travel over the next 6 months, but as of today I feel like the luckiest cat in the world. Obviously, expect periodic ramblings about me becoming a father to come. Yay babies!

Nowhere near as monumental, but pretty cool nonetheless, would be the status of our current 'baby' Penny. I still haven't posted pics or anything, but for those of you who were reading a few months back, Penny is the Golden Retriever puppy we brought home back in June. She is an absolute trip and has been both fun and an exercise in patience. She's already grown so much and everybody that has seen her keeps informing us she's going to be huge. Looking at the size of her paws and seeing how much she weighs today w/ another 7-8 months of growing up to do, it's kind of hard to disagree. We've been going to obedience training and her last class is next week. She is an absolute socialite, loving both people and dogs and inanimate objects alike. Smart as a whip, but still dealing w/ the goofiness that comes w/ both her age and her breed. That said, methinks she's going to be a great pet in the long run.

Finally, you may be asking yourself: 'self...w/ two babies on the way and a dog and all that other cool stuff, where is my favorite hipster doofus at w/ the quitting smoking thing?' The short answer would be: right now? Nowhere. I'm, uh, regrouping so to speak. It's something I absolutely have to do and will. I just think my last pass at it wasn't anywhere near as organized as it needs to be, so i'm coming up w/ a plan and then deciding on the best time to put it into motion. As the whole pregnancy thing seems much more real to me, it is weighing heavier on my mind and a hell of a good inspiration. So, as always, stay tuned and wish me luck...again.

So, there you are, we're pretty much all caught up. I've seen a few flicks and listened to a few new albums, but nothing so exciting I feel the need to go off about them. I'm not going to go too far into the whole horrible Katrina thing right now...it's a disaster on so many different levels and i'm just praying for the best for all those affected by it. If you haven't yet...DONATE. Then, after you've donated some coin, look into donating your time or any other resources you have available...religious or no, churches in your area may have organized efforts underway to provide relief and it's going to be a huge job. Bottom line, do something. There will be plenty of time for picking apart what went wrong (as there was plenty) and bitching about gas prices soon enough. Peace out until next time and God bless!

A Good DVD is(n't) Easy to Kill

BEULAH

'A Good Band is Easy to Kill'

I've posted up on this DVD twice before, but hadn't gotten around to actually watching and/or reviewing it until now. I would have just posted an update or something, but this turned out to be a really fun DVD and worthwhile delving into a little further.

For me, Beulah is one of those truly great indie bands you get turned onto...only to have them ride off into the sunset. Luckily, as I think I mentioned before, I did get a chance to see them play one of their last gigs in Chicago on their 'farewell' tour. Rumors of an impending breakup followed the band for years before it actually happened last year. This DVD chronicles the band on it's tour prior, but it really does serve as a precursor to the band's demise.

I enjoyed this documentary immensely, for a few reasons:

• It's cool to see what I find one of the most unnderated bands (indies or otherwise) EVER, captured on film.
• Tons of live footage, in the actual film and full performances included as extras (high-quality and lo-fi).
• What i'm guessing is an accurate representation of what life on the road is really like.
• Great insight to the 'indie' scene, following a band and music in general.

As far as the 'life on the road' part, in Beulah's case, it's both frustrating and funnier than hell. Flat tires, weird venues, loss of voice, messed up sound...it's all there. Also there, is what seems to be a bunch of guys having a lot of fun w/ the whole thing (both the journey and the gigs themselves). Good stuff.

More interestingly, is band co-founder Miles Kurosky's views on the music business and the downside that comes along w/ the 'indie' label. He disses everybody from the Elephant Six collective they (unwittingly) started out being a part of to Bob Dylan (a truly classic bit of film in the opening sequence). This is a guy who wanted something bigger for the band he's put his life into and it never really quite happened.

Kurosky's final 'carpe diem' thoughts on seeing bands you love before they go away are so fitting. Beulah is a perfect example of one of those bands people get into too late and then kick themselves for never seeing them live when they had the chance...words to live by. While this DVD serves as a saving grace for those who missed the boat, opportunities like it don't happen too often for bands of similar ilk. That indie band you love today, could be a fleeting memory tomorrow...

If you missed it the last two times, check out the trailer HERE. Good stuff.

I'll Never Travel Far, Without a Little...

BIG STAR

'In Space'

Finally, a new record by one of the architects of the musical genre known as 'power pop'. I delved a little into the band in one of my previous posts, when I talked about the excellent Chris Bell album 'I Am the Cosmos'. Countless alt-rock bands like R.E.M., the Replacements, the dB's, and Teenage Fanclub (to name a few) have cited them as a major influence and if you've ever heard '#1 Record', 'Radio City' or 'Third'...you'd see why.

After the band called it quits in the mid 70's, the band's catalog garnered a cult-following after all the name-checking by artists like the ones mentioned above. Then, in 1993, the Posies' Jonathan Auer and Ken Stringfellow backed original members Alex Chilton and Jody Stephens for a reunion gig at the University of Missouri...a smattering of subsequent gigs followed and over the course of the past 4-5 years, talk of a new album. Auer and Stringfellow released some dazzling p-pop themselves in the Posies, so their addition to the band made sense.

Upon hearing the news a full album was in the works, I had mixed feelings. The intital reunion resulted in a tepid one-off single ('Hot Thing') and, thusly, I didn't really know how this would end up sounding. While it's nowhere near the caliber of '#1 Record', it's still a great listen. Sunny sounding pop rock ('Best Chance We've Ever Had') to stoic balladry ('Lady Sweet') and surprisingly funky ('Love Revolution')...there's something for everybody. As always, I ask that you judge for yourself and DL some clips HERE.

While you're at it, make your record collection cooler and add the following:


(L to R): #1 Record, Radio City and Third/Sister Lovers

To make it easier, the first two are avail on one disc. Really, two of my favorite albums ever. Enjoy!

Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra

'Moods and Grooves'

It's been a while since I posted up w/ any new music, but the latest from Shawn Lee's Ping Pong Orchestra is too good not to pimp. To be clear, there is no actual orchestra...but Mr. Lee has one badass record collection. This disc is an amalgamation of everything from classic jazz, soul and funk loops to soundtrack-esque orchestral arrangements, then put in a blender w/ some seriously impressive beats. Most of the tunes come in at no longer than 2-3 minutes, but the 25 tracks in entirety make for one hell of a satisfying listen. This offering is a little more chilled-out than it's predecessor, yet just as enjoyable. If your tastes run everywhere from Ennio Morricone to Kurtis Mayfield to Lee 'Scratch' Perry to DJ Shadow, you'll likely dig this. It was released back in April, so you should be able to find it in your local 'Electronic' music section.

Also worth checking out:

'Music & Rhythm'

The orchestra's first release features is just as rife w/ amazingly funky beats, but also dips heavily into spaghetti western and bollywood-like instrumentals. Honestly, I think I do like it a little better than 'Moods and Grooves', so you may want to start w/ this one. Test drive both of them HERE if you're so inclined.

Oh, for those of you wondering about my attempt at quitting smoking...i'm regrouping and trying again next week. This is not a monkey on my back, it's a 500lb gorilla.

Damn.

43 hours. I made it roughly 43 fucking hours and then I broke down, bought a pack when I stopped for gas on the way to work this morning and lit up in the parking lot. The pisser is, up until this morning, I was feeling pretty good about the whole thing and the urges didn't seem that bad. Honestly, if I would have tried a little harder, I really do think I could have gotten past it again this morning. 'They' say that it takes a lot of people a couple of tries before they can quit and, unfortunately, that seems like it may be the case w/ me.

Ah well, just goes to show i'm going to have to take this pretty seriously if i'm going to actually do this. Am I weak? You betcha. So effing weak that I can't quit? Nah. I'm going to toss this pack into one of the garbage cans outside and hop back on the wagon for another spin around the block...i'll be doing my best parade wave and throwing out pieces of Bazooka (or, better yet, Nicorette) gum to the crowd as I pass by...it'll be fun.

The Drugs Don't Work...

After just a few days on that Wellbutrin crap, I stopped taking it. I'm highly-strung as it is and that shit just made me feel like I was coming out of my damn skin. However, I am sticking to tomorrow being the pre-determined 'quit date'...i'm just going to try and do it w/out mind-altering substances. Coooold turkey.

Should be fun. Well, not really. Regardless, it's gotta' be done. Mrs. Famous made a point to inform me before I left for work that Peter Jennings (R.I.P.) just passed from lung cancer, which is a bummer. I don't think I wanna' go out like that and, again, hope to stay around for a while longer than the Vegas odds would have put me at 11-12 years ago...who am I kidding, 4-5 years ago.

I can do it. I am a cowboy. On a steel horse I ride. Throw in the fact, that I have seen a million faces and (w/ extreme proficiency) rocked them all...this should be a walk in the park. Granted, that would be Central Park...at night...wearing a suit made of $100 bills and vials of crack...but i'm gonna' try.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post, where I have immediately gained 200 pounds and spent most of the day curled up in a ball underneath my desk, humming 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' over and over. It'll be a hoot.

By the way...

...as much as that last post is smothered in attempted humor...i'm scared shitless. I really want to do this and don't want to fail. I also don't want this medicine to make me feel out of sorts. 'Serenity now, Serenity now...HOOCHIE MAMA!'

Awww fuck it, I can do this...I have to. Upward and onward, rant over.

Now Departing Flavor Country...

SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: THE FOLLOWING POST MAY CAUSE BOREDOM, CYCLOPS-LIKE GROWTH OF AN ADDITIONAL EYEBALL, NIGHTSWIMMING, 75mph WINDS, THE ROCKING PNEUMONIA AND/OR THE BOOGIE WOOGIE FLU.

So, yeah, i've started down the path of trying to quit smoking. I've been thinking about it for years, just never took the initiative to actually make a plan and stick to it. Knowing that the cold turkey approach wasn't going to cut it, I paid a visit to the doctor and was prescribed something called Wellbutrin.

Now, for those of you aren't pharmacists, manic depressives or Courtney Love...Wellbutrin is an anti-depressant. I guess they discovered that one of the side-effects from taking it was an aversion to smoking and it was approved as a smoking cessation drug a few years back. Granted, SEIZURES are also a potential out of the myriad of 'possible' side-effects as well...so I have that going for me. Whee.

I started taking 1 pill a day on Monday and move up to two starting tomorrow. My quit date is actually this coming Tuesday, you're supposed to take this junk for a week prior. To be honest, i've had the pills for a few weeks and i've been a little effing scared to start taking them...I hate taking medicine. I'm really looking forward at doing my damndest to quit, but if this shit makes me go all Syd Barrett...i'll do it w/out the pharmacology.

You may be asking yourself: 'He's an accomplished smoker at it for almost 17 years, WHY QUIT?!' (or, conversely, you could be thinking: 'This blog sucks...I wonder if they have new pictures up at bustyfreckledasiansonspeed.com?'). Well, I have a pretty huge reason that i'll go into later...but, at the end of the day, I just hate being Lady Nicotine's bitch and want to try and do what I can to stick around for as long as possible. I can't bear to think about Mrs. Famous having to deal w/ something like that, she deserves so much better.

We'll just have to wait and see...(un)til Tuesday, smoke 'em if you got 'em and wish me luck. Peace.

Paperback Writer

Not much to weigh in on as of right now. I did finish the Klosterman book and definitely give it the thumbs up. Again, not as solid as the other two...but still worth reading. Think i'm finally going to get around to reading this:

'Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim' - David Sedaris

Came out in paperback over the last few months and nobody tells a story like Sedaris. His prior book, 'Me Talk Pretty One Day', had me laughing out loud while waiting for a delayed flight from O'Hare a few years back. Most of his material is based around his family and the absolutely bizarre path his life has taken since birth. Any and all of his books are worth checking out, so do yourself a favor...pick one up.

So, that's a shorty for you...I have a couple of ideas rolling around in my head for some future topics. Stay tuned and peace out.

I Heard the News Today (oh boy)...

Major league busy once again...work, getting our dog into a training course, turning 34...all that good stuff. Just about 45% of the way through the new Klosterman book (semi-reviewed in the last post) and it's pretty good. Not as good as the other two, but still an excellent read. Getting an earful of some good new music coming down the pike and i'll pony up w/ some info on that closer to their actual release dates.

As far as anything new to recommend, i'm thinking I may just have to go out and get this:

THE DAILY SHOW - 'Indecision 2004'

I still stand by my statement that Comedy Central's Daily Show is simultaneously the smartest and funniest show on television. Not only does it do a fantastic job of bringing to light just how insanely upside down our political system can be, but how it completely takes the piss out of the media outlets that cover it (the recent coverage of the coverage of both the Michael Jackson trial verdict and Hurricane Emily were instant classics). Once could challenge, that underneath the comedic bent of the weekly delivery of 'fake news', it's really one of the only places to go to get a more realistic look at the days events...sans spin and any sort of agenda. Plus, the insanely talented 'news team' helmed by Jon Stewart are unparalleled smartasses that could make just about anything funny.

Anyhow, while i've always enjoyed the show, I became absolutely enamored with it during their coverage of the 2004 presidential election...lovingly titled: INDECISION 2004. This 3 DVD set supposedly captures the best moments of said coverage, which (due to the sheer breadth of all the funny stuff I saw over the course of that year) seems to me would be an amazing feat to synopsize. It came out on June 28 and looks like it has a gaggle of bonus footage as well. If you've never watched, it's time to start...check out their web page HERE. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Give Me Something to Look Forward to...

In the past few weeks, i've been slightly time-challenged relative to music-listening, movie-watching and book-reading. Mrs. Famous and I did go see 'War of the Worlds' and it was a nice Summer FX bonanza...nothing worth writing about though. However, there are a few things that have either just come out or are on their way soon to look forward to. Hopefully, i'll get a chance to check them out further and post up w/ some real reviews, but in the meantime kids...put the following things on your radar:

BOB MOULD - 'Body of Song'

Mould's first new album-length release since 2002, and his first since 'Last Dog and Pony Show' (released in the mid-90s) to employ a guitar-heavy full-band approach. Nowhere near 'Workbook' or 'Black Sheets of Rain'...definitely not as fulfilling as Sugar's 'Copper Blue'...hella enjoyable nonetheless.

The last few were near full-fledged techno albums, so it's nice to hear a return to a full-band guitar-driven approach...guest musicians include Brendan Canty (Fugazi), David Barbe (Sugar), Matt Hammon (1998 Bob Mould Band). There are still some subtle electronic effects ala 'Modulate', but it's a rock album first and foremost. Hits the streets July 26, but you can check out the track 'Paralyzed' HERE.

CHUCK KLOSTERMAN - 'Killing Yourself to Live: 85% of a True Story'

Klosterman's previous works ('Fargo Rock City' and 'Sex, Drugs & Cocoa Puffs') pretty much read like a book would sound if I actually got up off of my ass and wrote one (or, at least, how i'd WANT it to sound). 'Fargo Rock City' specifically had me convinced that Klosterman had stolen my past in a doppleganger-like fashion and just replaced rural Illinois w/ rural North Dakota. 'S,D & CP' was less biographical and more of a philosophical look at popular culture, but nonetheless hilarious.

His newest is supposed to expand upon an article he wrote for Spin about driving cross-country in a rental car to visit several of America's most famous rock and roll death sites, from the Rhode Island club where more than 90 Great White fans died in a fire, to the Iowa field where Buddy Holly's plane crashed. From what i've heard though, he focuses again on more his life-experiences than the sites themselves...which, depending on how much you like his work or not, could be kind of a letdown. I'll reserve judgment until after I actually read it. It's out now, so don't wait for my review...get it or any of his other books post haste.

THE NEW PORNOGRAPHERS - 'Twin Cinema'

The brainchild of Canada's Carl Newman, The New Pornographers are an indie-semi-supergroup consisting of artists you may not have ever heard of...featuring Newman, Dan Bejar (AKA Merge recording artist Destroyer) and alt-folk-country-etc. songstress Neko Case. Their 2000 debut ('Mass Romantic') turned many a head, but it was 2003's 'Electric Version' that made them simultaneously an indie-rock and power-pop fan's wet dream. Multi-instrumental pop hooks and vocals so sweet you could lose a tooth with clever-as-hell lyrics to boot. Seriously, one of my favorite albums of the past 5 years.

The follow-up looks to dish out much of the same, which (in this case) is NOT a bad thing at all. Tunes like 'Use It' and 'The Jessica Numbers' elevate the power pop game to a Julius Erving level. 'The Bleeding Heart Show' manages to surge from plaintive torch song to soaring power ballad to flat-out smile-on-your-face singalong...amazingly, without ever falling into the dreaded chasm of cheese that serves as an elephant graveyard for songs of similar ilk. Like I said, they have discovered indestructible pop rock formula that causes each tune to be ultra-listenable. Could be a front-runner for favorite of the year. The album drops on August 23, but you can get a taste by DL'ing the title track HERE.

BEULAH - 'A Good Band is Easy to Kill'

This is the second time in this blog i've called this out and, also, the second time I have no 'official' review. All I can say, is that Beulah had to be one of the most underrated indie-bands to walk the face of the earth and this DVD sounds like it will do an admirable job of documenting their next-to-last tour together.

It also sounds like it has enough deleted scenes and live footage (17 songs played in their entirety) to choke a horse...not that one would ever want to do that...especially w/ a perfectly good music documentary. Comes out on August 2, but (again) you can check out the trailer HERE.

PAUL WESTERBERG - 'What Me Worry? T-Shirt'

I'm waiting on the company who made these to print up a new batch of LARGES and pretty much think it's the Westy tee i've been waiting all my life for. Heh.

Finally, to bring this blathering post full-circle via Mould and Westy (again, thanks to the Man w/out Ties site for the heads-up), the latest issue of MAGNET to hit the newsstands will feature a cover story called A TALE OF TWIN CITIES, described as: "All the brilliance, beers, breakups and bastards of young: MAGNET presents an oral history of the '80s Minneapolis scene and the stories of Husker Du and the Replacements, told by the band members and those who were there."

Nice. MAGNET is one my favorite music mags out there and, if this piece as anywhere near as good as their retropsective on power-pop they did last year, this'll be a keeper. As always, you can click on the link to head to their site via the wonderfully conveniennavigationon bar located on your right.

That'll do it for now, as i've posted more in this one section than I have the entire week. However, all of this stuff is that worth checking out and Uncle EL only tells you these things because he loves you. Peace!

Elo (and SORRY) kiddies.

I've been too insanely busy to post up w/ anything, so please accept this autographed picture of Vincent Price as 'Egghead' from the Batman TV series as a peace offering...
























I promise i'll be back w/ some good poop about music, TV, film and lunch meat soon. Thanks for reading!

I'd Like to Get to Know You Well...

I'll have some reviews of newer offerings soon, but here are some albums that you may not be familiar with and that I think you should get to know a little better. Granted, there are tons more where this came from, but it should be some good stuff to chew on for a while...

JOHN FRUSCIANTE - ‘Shadows Collide w/ People’

This 4th solo offering from RHCP’s guitarist came out in early-2004 and is still receiving regular rotation. Up until John’s return to the Chili Peppers back in 1999, so much focus was always placed on Anthony and Flea…but ‘Californication’ and ‘By the Way’ proved what those of who’ve followed the band for years have know all along: Frusciante is the creative nucleus from which RHCP’s atomic revolves around.

‘Shadows’ is a more polished studio version of the adventuresome lo-fi work done on previous solo efforts, yet remains rife w/ wonderfully creative songwriting. The music ranges from soaring power-chord-laden balladry to electronically-enhanced experimental sound collage…and it all just works together. Personal highlights include ‘Omission’, ‘Regret’, ‘Song to Sing When I’m Lonely’ and ‘Time Goes Back’…but the whole album is great cover to cover.

FRANK BLACK - ‘FrankBlackFrancis’

Released in the back half of 2004, this two disc offering was a cool juxtaposition of both raw and revamped versions of some of the Black’s finest offerings from his days leading the Pixies. Disc one, are solo demos that were recorded on a walkman the day before the Pixies went into the studio to record ‘The Purple Tape’ (some of which would become ‘Come on Pilgrim’). Being that it’s just Black and a guitar, you really get some stripped-down insight into what made him and the Pixies such alt-rock standard-bearers to so many. The lack of the additional bombast provided by the rest of the band shifts focus to Black’s vocals and eventual ‘Black Francis’ persona and the music takes on a haunting angular 50’s-influenced folk quality you don’t hear on the eventual studio release…an interesting fly-on-the-wall view on what was to come.

Disc two had the potential to somewhat soil the Pixies legacy, as it found Black re-working some of the band’s most classic works w/ the help of Pere Ubu’s Two Pale Boys. Instead, for me, it ended up offering a surprisingly fresh approach I didn’t think possible. The fragile version of ‘Caribou’…the ska-like brass approach to ‘Holiday Song’…the drifting space-rock campfire version of ‘Wave of Mutilation’…I guess it just shows that some of the best covers can come from the artist who did them originally. Granted, if you aren’t familiar w/ the Pixies (which really should be punishable by death), it may not be as fascinating…but I still think it would hold up on its own merit.

CHRIS BELL - ‘I Am the Cosmos’

Any card-carrying music geek, at some point, familiarizes him or herself w/ the collective work of Big Star. One of the founding fathers of the musical genre that would eventually be called ‘power pop’, Big Star has been cited as an influence by too many bands to list here. The more well-known member, Alex Chilton, was immortalized in my favorite Replacements song of the same name…but history seems to have proven he was only part of the equation.

Unreleased for over 15 years until 1992, ‘I Am the Cosmos’ (combined w/ work done on Big Star’s ‘#1 Record’) shows the creative impact that original Big Star co-leader Chris Bell brought to the table and shows a different side to his talents as well. The upbeat power-pop that Bell had a large part in formulating as part of the Star is present in songs like ‘Get Away’ and ‘I Got Kinda Lost’…but it’s the introspective nature of songs like the title-track and ‘You and Your Sister’ that make this album such an interesting listen. Knowing how Bell’s life would head down a chemically tragic path upon his departure from the band and eventually end in a tragic car accident, this album serves as posthumous window to Bell’s tortured soul. The schizophrenic nature of this disc is telling and really what makes it so fascinating.

'I'm...Batman.'

Been too busy to post up this week, but went and saw the new Batman flick ('Begins') last Sunday. Definitely more akin to the whole 'Dark Knight' series of graphic novels and the whatnot and, overall, a pretty decent piece of work. As I was more of a Marvel comics kind of guy, i'm not too sure if the whole origin angle in this one is true to form or not...but it added more detail to the whole 'you killed my father, now prepare to die' kickstart to his crimefighting gig.

Christian Bale came off a bit too stiff as Bruce Wayne for my blood, but wasn't horrendous. As the key to a really good superhero flick is it's villains, I would say 'Begins' left me a little disappointed. Not that they were bad, but I really felt they could have done a little more w/ Cillian Murphy AS the Scarecrow. Liam Neeson as (ahem) Henri Ducard was pretty decent, but lacked the pinache that a big screen villain should. Plus, the big scheme to put Gotham City on it's ass became a little tiresome. That said, it was still a lot of fun and visually impressive (filmed in Chicago, you can see Marina towers in one of the sequences).

As far as how it stands up to the other flicks released in the franchise, i'm torn. The last one w/ Clooney as the Caped Crusader blew as bad as a movie could, but I really enjoyed the others. I still think Jim Carrey as The Riddler was one of my favorite performances in a Batman movie and Nicholson's Joker is still a classic. Then again, I loved the TV show in all it's goofy glory as well...so that could tell you something. Anyway, 'Begins' is still a great Summertime Megaplex Blockbuster Whoop-dee-doo and I enjoyed it in totality. Word is, next go around...Crispin Glover as The Joker. Now, THAT would be interesting.

Want to have some REAL Bat-fun? You have to check out BATMAN - THE MOVIE starring the original Batman, Adam West and the classic villain line-up of the Joker, Penguin, The Riddler and Catwoman...AND A SUBMARINE! KA-POW!!!

Big Ol’ Jet Airliner...

For those of you who share my fanaticism for ABC's LOST, it seems the show's creators have served up a website just as much of a brainteaser as the show itself: OCEANIC AIR. It's supposed to be the website for the airline being flown by the Lostaways before it went pinata on their unlucky asses and dumped them out all over the beach of Weirdaritaville. I guess it's been online since May, but I just heard about it yesterday.

You can play around with it and figure it out for yourself. I'll just say that using Hurley's unlucky numbers will open up areas of the site w/ some interesting 'easter eggs' that include some hints (or red herrings) towards the identity of illusive smoke-belching 'monster' and an actual preview for Season II. Looks like that aside from sharing the island 'The Others', crazy french lady and polar bears...there may be some survivors from the OTHER side of the plane.

Again, IMO, best drama on TV...if not the best thing on TV, period. Can't wait for Season II, Fall TV suddenly seems a million miles away.

Working For the Man Every Night and Day...

Got a lot on the plate work-wise and home-wise, so i'm guessing you won't see a lot of new stuff on here over the next couple of weeks. However, i'll try to post up with anything interesting that comes onto the radar screen.

I'm enjoying the new Foo Fighters (In Your Honor) and will post a full review soon. In the meantime, you can stream the entire album HERE . PEACE!

There beneath the blue suburban skies...

We have a new addition to our household...(PRETTY AS A) PENNY (LANE). To clarify, not the loveable groupie played by Kate Hudson, but an 8-week old female golden retriever pup. I'll post up w/ pics later. Carpet has only been desecrated a few times so far and we got a grandiose 3-4 hours of sleep...we're having fun!

To Be Young

I was waxing nostalgic yesterday and (as music geeks are prone to do) got a list in my head I needed to exorcise. So, here you go, irony-free:

TOP 5 MOST INFLUENTIAL LP'S BEFORE I TURNED 13

KISS - 'Rock and Roll Over'

Purchased at a next door neighbor's garage sale when I was 7, while I wouldn't consider it their definitive release...it shaped a perception of what rock'n'roll should look and sound like that still holds fast today. (Like the band itself) the album sleeve was hypnotic, larger than life and absolutely fascinated me. 'Calling Dr. Love' sounded like something I shouldn't be listening to, which pretty much made it the coolest thing ever. It was at this point where Ace Frehley replaced Spiderman as my favorite superhero.

THE BEATLES - '1962-1966'

Around age 6 or 7, I was downstairs playing w/ legos, when my Dad came home from work and (without explanation) handed me this LP. It was my first double-album and my first Beatles recording. I played the thing to death...literally. The wax became so scratched up it was unplayable, not for a lack of trying. I usually didn't receive albums as a gift, unless it was x-mas or my birthday...so it meant a lot on so many levels and,actually, still does.

QUEEN - 'Flash Gordon Soundtrack'

Obviously, this was not Queen's watershed album...but, after receiving it on christmas, it received regular rotation for months and months after. As they were tracks done exclusively by the band versus a collection of artists, this album altered my perception of what a soundtrack could be and the music altered my perception of what a rock band could sound like. Numerous Queen albums would soon follow it on the way into my record stack. 'FLASH! Ahhhhaaaahhhhh.' Killer.

STYX - 'Kilroy Was Here'

My first Styx LP was actually 'Paradise Theatre', transfixing in and of itself for the rainbow colored lithograph on the album's surface, but this is the one I played over and over again. 'Kilroy' was my first introduction to the concept album and, while it's funnier than hell looking at it today, the storyline about the censorship of all things rock and one man's journey back to revive it was engaging as hell. Besides that, 'Mr. Roboto' was quite the popular jam at the rollerink and still makes me smile when I hear it today.

ABBA - 'Arrival'

I didn't actually own this album, but at a young age I would consistently pick it out of my parent's collection of eight-tracks to listen to. It was pop music unrivaled from anything i'd heard before and the orchestral production made me completely overlook just how goofy the music was lyrically. Pretty much the standard-bearer for perfectly crafted pop, it gave me a respect I still have today for what the genre can accomplish if done right.

Honorable Mention:

KISS - 'Alive'

'You Wanted The Best. You Got The Best. The Hottest Band In The World ... KISS!!!' While we should have been outside playing, you could often find me and my best gradeschool friends in my buddy Gregg's basement...lip-synching and using hockey sticks to play along w/ 'Deuce', 'Strutter' and 'Cold Gin'. Like I said earlier, they were superheroes to us and the embodiment of what a rock concert should be (before we had ever seen one). To note, it may be the only live album i've actually enjoyed.

It should also be noted, that Gregg broke his arm falling off a desk while hanging the posters from the KISS solo albums...earning him our upmost respect and a permanent place is the KISS Army fo' sho.

CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH

'Clap Your Hands Say Yeah'

Props are 'Hot-lanta' bound towards my compadre GVD, for the heads up he provided me on a relatively new band w/ a name as interesting as the music they perform. CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH seem to be based out of NYC and their self-titled debut is proving to be both refreshing and adventuresome. Versus following the recent trend of paying homage to 80's new wave and post-punk bands like The Cure and Gang of Four or the more mainstream Duran Duran, CYHSY go the artier way of David Byrne and the Talking Heads.

Granted, it's not a complete regurgitation of the Heads sound, but the multi-faceted composition bouncing around from stripped down to cacophony, Byrnes-esque jerky vocals and more intellectual lyricism make it the best comparison out there...throw in some more modern musical touches and there you be. Whatever you want to call it, I like it.

Right now, it seems you can buy their debut CD exclusively at gigs and their website HERE or check them out by downloading the following tracks so kindly offered up on the same site: In This Home On Ice Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood Over and Over Again (Lost & Found). Enjoy.

Bounce wit me, bounce wit me...

In lieu of anything music-related to post up with, I submit this helpful household tip I received from my mom at work re: different uses for Bounce Fabric softener sheets:

"The US Postal service sent out a message to all letter carriers to put a sheet of Bounce in their uniform pockets to keep yellow jackets away. Use them all the time when playing baseball and soccer. Use it working outside. It really works. The yellow jackets just veer around you.

It will also:

- Chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them.

- Repel mice... spread them around foundation areas, or in trailers, cars that are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle.

- Take the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened too often.

- Repel mosquitoes...tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.

- Eliminate static electricity from your television (or computer) screen...since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling.

- Dissolve soap scum from shower doors...clean with a sheet of Bounce.

- Freshen the air in your home...place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet or a sheet in vacuum cleaner.

- Prevent thread from tangling...run a threaded needle through sheet of Bounce before beginning to sew.

- Prevent musty suitcases...place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.

- Freshen the air in your car...place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.

- Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan...put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food.

- Eliminate odors in wastebaskets...place a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket.

- Collect cat hair...rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will magnetically attract all the loose hairs.

- Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds...wipe the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.

- Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering...a used sheet of Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.

- Eliminate odors in dirty laundry...place an individual sheet of Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.

- Deodorize shoes or sneakers...place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight."

My sources tell me they will also lift voodoo curses, keep you from burning up upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, increase your bust size, teach you how to make millions buying and selling foreclosure properties, allow you to hear the ocean when you hold one up to your ear and give you x-ray vision if ingested properly...and that's a good thing.

Better Late than Never.

As i've only had this blog up for a few weeks, i'd be remiss if I didn't provide a heads-up on a few earlier releases that are still receiving heavy rotation:

SPOON - 'Gimme Fiction'

For those who dig the Pixies, Sonic Youth or Pavement...the latest from Britt Daniel and company is getting a lot of deserved hype in all the music rags. Very angular-sounding indie rock w/ quirky (but cool) lyrical stylings. Not as amped up as some of their previous releases (their last one, 'Kill the Moonlight', is a classic), but like the McRib sandwich...me lovin' it. One of my favorite bands, be sure to catch them live (check out their website in the LINKS section for tour dates and to download the track 'I Turn My Camera On').

LOW - 'The Great Destroyer'

One of my favorite albums of the year so far. Layers of distorted drums, organ, guitar, synth, strings and heartbeat-like electronic drums. Very melancholy at times, it would almost be a depressing listen if the overall composition wasn't so damn beautiful. Be aware, despite all that, this is NOT a snoozer...there are moments where a wave of sound will come crashing down on you like a ton of bricks. You can stream a handful of tunes from this release and their back catalog HERE.

M83 - 'Before the Dawn Heals Us'

Synth-heavy electronic orchestral pop muzak...it's like a film score. I liked the previous effort (Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts) a little bit better, but this is an insanely interesting listen in it's own right. I found it more polished and slightly poppier in spots, barring the wonderfully creepy 'Car Chase Terror' (turn off the lights and listen on headphones for maximum weirdness). Check out the tunes at his website (streaming via Real Player) HERE.

So, enjoy. I've got a lot going on this week, but that should hold the 2 people reading this thing for a while. Whoo.

AMBFAD Book Club

'Mix Tape: The Art of Cassette Culture' (edited by) Thurston Moore

Long before the burning of CD's, bit torrents, podcasting and music blogs, the act of sharing music (and, more importantly, sharing a bit of yourself) was done by way of the compact audio cassette. Like a lump of clay on a potter's wheel, in capable hands, this non-descript combination of plastic and magnetic tape could be molded into a device used to express everything from love to hate...despair to optimism. A lovingly assembled mix tape could be a window to the soul or, worst case, turn you on to band that changes how you look at art, music and maybe even yourself.

That may sound like overly-romantascized pap, but I could cite an assemblage of mix tapes that have come and gone through my life that shaped who I am today. More importantly, allowed me to communicate w/ people on an entirely different level that I couldn't do w/ words. I can't paint, the cassette was my canvas used to express myself. Hell, I still think that a mix tape made for a certain girl my Junior year in college...was responsible kickstarting a series of events that eventually made her my wife.

Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, has curated a collection of stories, essays and images from a collection of tapes compiled by various contributors over the last 20 years. From the Romantic Tape, to the Break-up Tape, the Road Trip Tape, to the 'Indoctrination' Tape...this book isn't a just bunch of tracklists, it focuses more on the stories behind them. Offerings from a diverse bunch that includes Mike Watt, Christopher Knowles, Glen E. Friedman, Kate Spade, Ryan McGinness and Jim O'Rourke, show that a mix tape can leave a lasting impression that goes way beyond the first time you listened to it.

There is no denying that CD burners and artwork software have taken the act of creating a mix to an entirely different level. I still spend hours making various mixes for friends and family. There is a little unibomber inside me though, that longs for the days spent with your stereo assembling one solitary collection of 90 to a 120 minutes of music...with the hope that it could possibly change somebody's life, even if just a little. Great book. Available now. Go get it.

For those mixologists looking for something more interactive, check out THE ART OF THE MIX. A website dedicated to making mix tapes and cds, you can browse through submissions of collections made for every reason (and then some) under the sun OR submit your own.

COLDPLAY

'X&Y'

In many of the musical circles I find myself associated with, any artist pegged by the press to be the 'Biggest Band in the World' is considered hipster kryptonite. Writing anthems? Contrived. Filling stadiums? Pompous. Shipping Platinum? Sell-out. Actually accepting the fact you're a rock star? UNHEARD OF. Where they used to be billed as a either a kinder, gentler Radiohead or a moodier version of Travis...the band you'll hear Coldplay most associated with on the eve of their third release, 'X&Y'? The absolute antithesis of the oft-aloof indie-rock ethos: U2.

So, in a decidedly un-indie move, i'm going to go ahead and say i'm finding this album extremely enjoyable. I was thoroughly impressed w/ the sophomore release 'A Rush of Blood to the Head', but this effort is (at least initially) holding my attention even more. The album as a whole is vast-sounding, stadium-friendly, saurion-esque (heh)...plus, I like the guitar hook on 'Talk'...it reminds me of Big Country. Other standout tunes are the Floyd-esque lead off track 'Square One', 'White Shadows', (the first single) 'Speed of Sound' and the hidden track 'Kingdom Come'. Lyrically, one could challenge it's a little generic in subject matter...meaning, these songs could mean something to anyone. Frankly though, I think that's what they're gunning for...they want to connect w/ as many people as possible. Depending on how ironic your t-shirt, that could be either a good or bad thing.

While I can agree, from the global appeal, penchant for activism and arena-ready sonic-stylings, there is obvious parity between the band and their rock'n'roll forefathers in U2. They have a lot of ground to cover to truly go down on the books as being that important...however, 'X&Y' is a huge step in that direction. I'm obviously hooked, but you can go to MTV.com and (like me) listen to the album before it hits stores on June 7th HERE. 'Biggest band in the world'? Take off the trucker cap, put down the haterade and decide for yourself.

Besty...Resty...WESTY.

Per the internet altar of all things Westerberg (Kathy's wonderful MAN WITHOUT TIES site), iTunes has released a mini-version of the Rhino's highly-debated 'Besterberg' called (nyuck, nyuck) 'Resterberg'. $7.92 will buy you just the new and soundtrack songs included on the full release:

Dyslexic Heart/Seein' Her/Man Without Ties/A Star Is Bored/Stain Yer Blood/Once Around the Weekend/All That I Had/C'mon, C'mon, C'mon

To note, when I said 'highly-debated'...that may just be me. Maybe it's because i'm such a fan, that I felt the compilation was nowhere near representative of his best work. Focusing on his earlier major label work, it barely nods to the breadth of what I felt was some of his most creative solo output in 'Stereo/Mono', 'Come Feel Me Tremble' and 'Folker'. '14 Songs' is a classic in it's entirety, but the two albums that followed ('Eventually' and 'Suicane Gratification') were lacking despite a FEW great tunes on each.

That said, if you've never looked into P-Dub's post-Mats work or you're a completist who has to have every release...check out the Rhino 'Besterberg' page HERE for a tracklisting (w/ audio clips) and some additional video goodies.