Let Them Eat Cake

Sorry for the lag in anything to read, true-believers! February was insanely busy w/ a bunch of new products at work and (a lot more fun) MY BOYS TURNING A YEAR OLD!!! That's right, a full 365 days and they are still in near-mint condition.

We had decent sized party w/ friends and family alike at a bar/restaurant called Durty Nellie's in Palatine. Nellie's used to a be a total dive hole-in-the-wall we would, in our much younger days, go to see bands play as we sweat our asses off in the over-crowded, closet sized 'music room'. Time passed...giant condos and row homes erupted from the earth in downtown Palatine...Nellie's closed their original location and re-opened as a huge restaurant/bar/state-of-the-art music venue. So, as we enjoyed a few pints of one of the gazillion micro brew/imports they have on hand while children squirmed around on our laps, we all had to laugh how times have most definitely changed.

Anyhow, everything went great...even though, after almost a full 12 months of barely a runny nose between them, Logan came down w/ a cough/fever thing that kind of took him off of his game. They got tons of cool gifts, including their first real lace-up shoes...suede PUMAS (red & white and black & white, respectively). They played around w/ the cool cake their mom had made for them and were absolutely wrecked by the time they hit the crib that evening. In the few weeks that have followed, they continue to change before our eyes...a lot of 'talking' and no walking yet, but confidently moving from one piece of furniture to the other. Owen has also developed an ear for music and will go all Beat Street when he hears it...the kid has moves. Logan, will now greet me when I come home from work w/ a big 'HIYYYEEEE!' and a wave of his chubby little hand. They rule and I love them dearly.

So, I do have some stuff to post up with soon...how about reviews of the upcoming RJD2, Wilco and Modest Mouse releases? More goodies from YouTube surfing? A few book reviews? Six-demon bag?! I promise not so long of a lag this time...unless either of the two midgets currently residing in my house decide to walk on their own accord. Peace!

TV Party

As stated in an earlier post, I only have a handful of 'Must-See TV' shows I watch religiously each week. NBC's 'Heroes' started back up a few weeks ago and is still going pretty strong. In fact, one could challenge it's actually picking up steam w/ Sylar's escape and the whole mommy/daddy thing w/ Claire (AKA THE Cheerleader). Not to over analyze, but the fresh take on the baggage that comes w/ someone finding out they have special capabilities you don't see in most comic-based films and TV, is what gives the show it's underlying charm. Much like my other favorite, ABC's 'LOST', the way that the characters are all interwoven into the crazy storyline is the other plus. It'll be interesting to see if they can keep the momentum going after the Summer break, but for now...still good stuff.

Speaking of 'LOST', the new season started last night and I wasn't disappointed. While I still refuse to miss an episode, the show has kind of slowed down a little. Part of the issue being, the large portion of the fall run focusing on the shit going down on the OTHER island w/ Jack, Sawyer and Kate. It's been cool getting a lot of insight into 'The Others' and all, but it's been at the sacrifice of the other gaggle of Lostaways and how they fit into the story as well. I read that the show's creative team has promised that they'll re-focus on what's happening outside of 'Other-ville' starting in a couple of weeks. That said, last night's episode was pretty action-packed and did throw a few nuggets our way...but you can never tell what's truth and what's a mind-game.

NBC is back to form w/ their Thursday night line-up. 'My Name is Earl' and the US version of 'The Office' are back to that Seinfeldian brand of quirkiness that just can't be forced. Both shows are creative as hell, have a strong ensemble cast and, most importantly, make me laugh. 'Scrubs' (in it's final season) and '30 Rock' are good too, but I usually get sucked into watching ABC's 'Grey's Anatomy' w/ Mrs. Famous during the same time slot. Funny enough, I should be annoyed w/ that show...but it ain't really that bad. Good schlocky fun, actually.

Outside of that, there really isn't much I have to watch...and yet I still find myself in front of the TV even when none of these shows are on. Digital Cable w/ 5 majillion channels to surf through will do that to you. I have actually found time to read a few books and will drop a triple-play Book Club post as soon as I finish the one i'm on right now. Until then...Peace!

I'll Be You(Tube)

Gotta' love the gems you'll dig up on YouTube...



Interview w/ the Mats circa 'Pleased to Meet Me' on some show called IRS - Cutting Edge or something. Check out the eyebrows (or lack thereof) courtesy of the Young Fresh Fellows.

Sunday Bloody Sunday

Damn. Outside of Owen deciding during the game to finally crawl on all fours and the amazing run back on the kickoff...what a mess. Can't take anything away from Indy, especially their running game and defensive line...but the Bears just seemed to be dead men walking after the first quarter. Luckily for me, i'm also a Cubs fan and accustomed to finding solace in the phrase: 'There's always next year.'

So Fucking Party You Will Die

Back in 1999, an album came out that i'll admit now...I didn't quite get at all. An album since that time that I grew to love and, without sounding too corny, become completely entranced by. 'Since I Left You' by Aussie sonic collage artists, The Avalanches, is one of those records where upon first listen you can tell is something really unique and cool, but end up scratching your head over. Then, eventually, after tucking it away, you bust out later to give it another spin...and then another...and another, until...PING! It all comes together.

Not quite a hip hop or a dance or an electronica album, but equal measures of all of them combined. Really, it's the closest successor to the Beastie Boys sample-laden masterpiece 'Paul's Boutique' which is amazing for one glaring reason. After said B-Boys release and De La's '3 Feet High & Rising' dropped in the late 80's, the business of sample clearance hit artists hard and, in my opinion, almost neutered the genre of hip-hop/rap completely. Where albums like those cut apart and wove different pieces of music and sound into amazing tapestry, legal issues basically reduced the art (yeah, ART) of sampling to the wack practice of Diddy looping the hook from a Bowie or Zeppelin tune and rhyming over the top of it.

'Since I Left You' was a feel-good bouillabaisse of disco/flamenco grooves, hip-hop beats, movie dialogue and other 'everything but the kitchen sink' sound effects blended seamlessly together to create something special. Much like 'Paul's Boutique' and '3 Feet High' before it, billions of snippets were painstakingly assembled into one unified body of work w/ the sole purpose of making your head bob and your toe tap. Outside of the whacked-out tune to the insanely good video above, the rest of the songs are like musical Calgon and take you away to place where you can't help but feel good. For those that don't have it, I highly recommend adding it to your collection.

So, now you're probably saying: 'just awesome my man, but why review an album that came out over 6 years ago?' Well, after dropping this gem on the unsuspecting world and laying down a series of insane live shows w/ dozens of folks on stage to recreate what was on wax, they pretty much disappeared outside of a mix album and random side projects/DJ sets...most fans assuming they'd never hear from the band again...until last Monday. The following post showed up from the band on their website forum just a scant few days ago:

Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007
4:49 pm

Post subject: a chinese new year message from the avalanches

-----------------------

abracadabra!

happy new year yall. we've
made a heap of mixes and stuff available while we finish the record. they wont
give you a hint of the new albums magical sound unfortunately, but they will
keep you pilgrims well nourished until the next harvest.

its a really thrilling time
for us right now as this record comes together, its so fuckin party you will
die, much more hip hop than you might expect, and while there is still no
accurate estimated time of arrival, were sure you're gonna love it when it
arrives.

much of last year was spent
cutting up the spoken word/instructional records we need to tell the albums
musical story, and we have some 40 odd songs we're narrowing down and finishing.
so its real, it exists, and you know we wouldn't be serving anything up unless
it was gonna give you that same special feeling that since has. funnily enough
its ended up sounding like the next logical step to since, we just had to go
around in a big circle to get back to where we belong.

and one day when you least
expect it you'll wake up and the sample fairy will have left it under your
pillow. so big up to clint for all his work in making the downloads available
for everyone to enjoy, and have a great oh seven.

The post came w/ a mix you can DL HERE and, like they said, not completely indicative of their sound, but a great sample of how fun this band and their music can be if you let it. Enjoy and PEACE!

'THIS IS NOT A GAME, PEOPLE!'

I've got a lot of guilty pleasures, but one of the biggest as of late has to be VH1's 'The White Rapper Show'. Kind of an American Idol / Survivor / Real World hybrid, the just of the show is finding the next 'Great White Hope' of hip-hop. The show throws 12 wannabe MC's from various locales and backgrounds in a hovel in the birthplace of hip-hop, the Boogie Down Bronx, and pits them against each other in various challenges testing both their mic skills and knowledge of the game.

The show is hosted/moderated/judged by a white hip-hop legend in his own right, MC Serch from 3rd Bass, and super-producer Prince Paul (the man behind De La's opus '3 Feet High & Rising' ) and luminaries from Grandmaster Flash to Kurtis Blow to Brand Nubian to Just Blaze are brought in to drop knowledge on these kids as they strive to become last MC standing. Seriously, not only are these lucky contestants getting an opportunity to blow up...but they are getting schooled by true legends.

The actual contestants are way too new school for my taste. Some of them have decent skills on the mic, but they are all kind of cookie-cutter to what's selling records in the genre today. That said, watching some of these youngsters and how tweaked they are is what gives the show it's charm. One cat, the self-professed 'King of the Burbs' John Brown, is seriously from another planet. The dude drives people nuts by repeatedly referring to a "Ghetto Revival", a personal social movement scant on details other than the claim that it's a "lifestyle brand" that will support "the revival of ghettos and all types of different struggles throughout the world". BWA-HA! Even better than the interaction between the housemates, is the freestyle contest at the end of each episode to decide who stays and who'll step off.

Really, i'm not doing it near the justice it deserves, so tune in or hit up Vh1.com and check it. Outside of that, i'm digging on NBC's 'Heroes', plus the Thursday night 1-2 punch of 'My Name is Earl' and the US version of 'The Office' (F the Haters, it's just as good as the original). Then, next week, ABC kicks back in w/ the Winter season of 'LOST'...WHOO-HA! Be sure to tune in next time...same Dalek time, same Dalek channel. Bzzzzt.

HOLY (FOOT) BALLS!!!

Not only was it a landmark day in the Famous household due to the boys hitting 11-months, but THE FREAKING BEARS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!!! I was lucky enough to see them go in 1985 while in Junior high, but my boys get to see this before they even turn a year old!

It'd be cliche for me to post up w/ the Super Bowl Shuffle, so, instead, be a Grabowski...

GO BEARS!!!

The Man With Two (RED) Shoes...

As anybody who knows me can tell you...I am an absolute sneaker junkie. I really can't remember the last time I wore anything but a pair of tennis shoes to go about my daily routine. Via post-Christmas shopping excursions, I was stoked to find a light grey pair of Adidas Superstars (w/ the shelltoe) and (even though outside of the Onitsuka Tiger kick a few years back I usually rock Adidas exclusively) a pair of coffee colored suede Pumas...both on sale.

That said, even better than those finds, was the gift I received from Mrs. Famous. Originally, she had gone to the Converse website and was one click away from ordering me a pair of low-cut Chuck Taylors she had designed for me herself. Unfortunately, she went to the other room to check on the kids and never completed the order...which I stumbled upon getting on the PC several hours later. Since the surprise was ruined, she ended up just giving me a gift certificate to design my own. Roughly 3 weeks later...

...BOOM BIP! There you go. Nothing too radical in the design, but they came out great. It has some fresh bandanna/skull print for the inner lining and the personalization on the back is embroidered. Ooh. La. La. Throw in that they are hella comfy and that Chucks are just so timeless, i'm a happy camper.

Even better than all of that though, as part of the (Product) RED initiative, 15% of the net retail sales of the kicks will be paid to The Global Fund for AIDS Relief. Those of you may recall from my post a few weeks back, that I recently headed the development work for the two first US phones for Motorola's RED offerings at Sprint and US Cellular. Other particpants like GAP and Apple have some cool offerings too...you should check what it's all about and where you can 'shop RED' to make a difference...IT'S A RED THING. Peace!

Here in my car...

There is a brief period every morning, totalling no more than 35 minutes, where anything seems possible. As I take the drive into work, sip my coffee, sing along w/ whatever is on the stereo... the world passes by through automatic windows and over the top of my dashboard. A new day begins and the rigours of work and everything else yet to beat me down. It's one of my favorite moments of each day, very empowering and eclipsed only by the moment each night when i'm greeted at home by the two boys and my wife.

More stuff later. Peace.

...and TWINS!

I promised a long overdue update on the boys in my return to blogdom a few posts back, so here you go...

OWEN (AKA MR. MEAN MONKEY FACE)

O is really our thrill-seeker of the two. He's army-crawling at breakneck speeds, sitting up at the drop of a dime and pulling himself up onto coffee tables, pack'n'plays, couches, etc. I had to lower the cribs earlier than expected before the holidays, as my wife exclaimed one afternoon while I was on the phone w/ her from work: 'I just heard a thud! I think Owen fell out of the crib!' She informed that she found him on the floor on his back, completely fine but a little shaken up and (best of all) not wearing any pants...pretty much like me any given day in college. He also can not only withstand the Baron Von Raschke Brain Claw, but will place his face into your outstretched hand just to mock you.

Seems he's also fashioning himself quite the lady's man, flirting w/ any female w/in a 2-foot radius. A friend of the wife was over to see the kids and, after flashing some puppy dog eyes and his trademark grin, he decided to help himself to an under-the-shirt/over-the-bra handful...pretty much like me any given day in college. I figured it's okay to let him revel in the random grope before he's old enough to get sued for it.

He has an arsenal of interesting facial expressions, most of them Zoolander-esque versions of the same thing. The Mean Monkey Face, The Stinky Cheese Face, The Booker T Face...all of them usually brought out to express his displeasure that you're not letting him do something that he wants to. He eats like a horse, rarely turning down any thing put in front of him...uses an excellent pincer grasp on cheerios and fruit puffs too (one at a time, very efficient). Outside of that, he's a really content kid...as long as he can be a busy-bee, he's happy!

LOGAN (AKA BIG CAT)

While O may be catching up, Lo is still the beefier 'big' brother of the pair. However, under that slightly chubby exterior lies a total creampuff 90% of the time. He's extremely social and loves to be around other people...more specifically, HELD by other people...especially Mommy. We still haven't received our infant decoder ring, but it seems he's babbling about some very important stuff. When he's not talking, he's testing additional uses of his mouth and vocal chords by yelling ('HEY!')...motorboatin' ('PHHHBBBBBBTTT!')...or, when upset, reaching out to his Mother ('MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA!'). He's a little more content to stay in one place than Owen and, since he has a few more pounds to work with, hasn't quite grasped pulling himself up...but when he's army-crawling, he moves really quick.

It's funny to watch how he really has two moods. While the word 'jolly' is rarely used to describe something other than Santa Claus or a Rancher, I can't think of a better way to describe him when he's in a good mood. Big deep laugh and a huge open mouth smile to show off what seems to be the 200 teeth he's had come in over the past 3-4 months. Loves to play peek-a-boo, even though his hands usually end up on his forehead versus over his eyes...will laugh until he has tears playing tug-of-war w/ the dog (or Daddy)...claps his hands in celebration when somebody says 'HOORAY!' Then, something happens that he doesn't like or, most of the time, somebody has told him he can't do something...to say he gets agitated would be an understatement. Fists pound, legs kick, screaming/crying ensues...just articulating to you the best he can that's most definitely not happy. Luckily, this usually only happens 2-3 times a day...especially in the morning if he hasn't had his bottle yet (just like Dad and his coffee).

Speaking of food, depending on the day, Lo can be quite the challenge to get through an entire meal. If he doesn't like something you've offered up to eat...he'll let you know by swatting his arms around or trying to wrestle the spoon from your hand to throw to the floor. Recently, he's also chosen mealtime to practice spitting things out of his mouth...not because he doesn't like what' he's eating, but just because it something new. He finds it hilarious...Mommy, not so much. That said, he has taken to holding his bottle himself and pound the whole thing w/out any assistance and can put down a handful of cheerios/fruit puffs/shredded cheese in the blink of an eye. Bottom line, he's such a fun kid to watch grow up...every week it's a new trick and we're so proud to watch it happen.

So, if you couldn't already tell, i'm one extremely proud poppa. They'll be a year old next month and I can hardly believe it. They came into this world 3-weeks early and so tiny when we brought them home. Now...they're like little men and, next to Mrs. Famous, the most amazing thing to happen to me in my lifetime. Until next time...PEACE.

AMBFAD BEST OF 2006

Well, here it is...my obligatory 'Best Of' list required of every music geek...

1. The Hold Steady - Boys and Girls in America

2. The Roots- Game Theory

3. Asobi Seksu - Citrus

4. Cut Chemist - The Audience is Listening

5. Ghostface Killah - Fishscale

6. TV on the Radio - Return to Cookie Mountain
7. Yo La Tengo - I Am Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass
8. Neko Case - Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
9. People Under the Stairs - Stepfather
10. Mr. Lif - Mo' Mega

I'll refrain from pontificating what it was I dug about each release, as a few of them I already reviewed earlier on. Suffice to say, the Hold Steady swooped into the top spot at the final hour. The Roots brought the goods...but the Springsteen meets Thin Lizzy rock'n'roll throwdown was too infectious not to give the crown to. Fishscale made every hipster's list as the obligatory hip-hop release, but it's wacked out lyrics and tripped out soul clips that backed them up deserved all of the hype. That said, the more indie hip-hop releases from PUTS (awesome beats) and Mr. Lif (lyrics and flow you won't hear on the radio) were tight as well...and definitely worth checking out. TV on the Radio's latest finally got me on their bandwagon w/ it's eclectic (but uptempo) line-up of tracks and YLT/Neko brought some sweet sounds that ran the gambit from perfect chill-out to moderately freaky.

That's kind of a lazy recap, but it's about all I have the energy for right now. Decide for yourself, go out and listen to clips via your normal means and hook yourself up w/ some good tunes. More next week. PEACE!

I know I hurt you and I made you cry...

...and to love I rhapsodize.

Wow. 4 months. It's been 4 months since I updated this thing and we're a few days into a brand new shiney 2007. It's not that i've been gathering moss or anything...to the contrary, actually. I got a new gig at work (where I launched the US versions of the RAZR for Bono's Project RED campaign for starters), the boys have grown so much and gone mobile and, thusly, we've had our hands full.

Anyways, as part of my New Year's resolution (amongst others) to get back to writing more, i'm going to get back to filling the interweb w/ more useless bullshit about music, film, TV, art, fast food, physics, kung fu and general pop culture tomfoolery. (Segue coming...watch for it) I'm also going to try and really reconnect w/ my love of music (new and old), as I only really dabbled in what was out there in 2006. Which leads me to...

...the video for the new(ish) single from U2 from their recent 'singles' collection 'U218'. The collection itself is kind of useless for most long-time fans of the band and contains the above tune and the Katrina relief tune they did w/ Green Day. I liked the tune when I heard it, but this is one of those rare moments when a video takes a song to a new level and gives it meaning. The just, being that even the biggest of bands are fans in their own right...that they can be fanboys and/or music geeks as much as the guy typing this. The video, literally gave me chills the first time I saw it. On top of that, the droves of performance footage from such a diverse collection of some of the greatest performers to grace a stage used throughout is just too fun to watch (check out the clip of 'The Killer')...see if you can name all the artists included.

Speaking of U2, I received their huge book 'U2 by U2' for Christmas and i'll provide a review after the 3 months it'll take me to read it (it's chocked full of stuff). I'll also post my my Top 10 of 2006 by week's end, which (self-admittedly) is really only the few records I listened to the past year and really enjoyed. Plus, some pics and an update on the twins and other stuff I planned on throwing on here in 2006, but didn't get to. Promise (he says w/ his fingers crossed behind his back). So, as always, stay tuned and peace out. Whoo.

An actual music post?! Oh, snap.

Yep. I'm actually serving up a few quick hits of stuff i've been digging on over the past few weeks. I've also got more wack bullshit i'm tinkering with in the lab...the AMBFAD 'Battle Royale'...(finally) the eagerly anticpated follow up to 'Mix Tape Manifesto'...more music, movie and book reviews...for real, son!

So, here we go. It's an El Famous music celebration and your eardrums are invited, bitches...

SOUND TEAM - 'MOVIE MONSTER'

An indie-rock hybrid of everything from Sonic Youth to Spoon to Ride and maybe even the Killers if they weren't so weaksauce. Post-punk new waveishness w/ their own flair about it, it sounds inventive...not at all textbook. Probably one of my favorite things i've listened to so far this year.

ASOBI SEKSU - 'CITRUS'

A take on the whole shoegazing genre w/ generous nods to My Bloody Valentine, Lush and Ride for 2006. However, there's also some sweet tasting power pop bubbling underneath it all, that gives it a fresh perspective. Great production brings out the swirling guitars and gorgeous vocals (sung alternately in Japanese and English). This one is sure to be a grower and take a spot high atop the year-end 'Best-of'.

CUT CHEMIST - 'THE AUDIENCE IS LISTENING'

Former DJ for Jurassic 5 goes solo and dishes out a hot platter full of turntable goodness. A nice mix of influences/sounds ranging from brazillian to funk to rock and all sort of wild shit. Track #8, Storm, also features two of my favorite MC's du jour: Mr. Lif and Edan...fucking tight. Fans of former collaborator DJ Shadow and RJD2 are sure to dig.

Speaking of DJ Shadow, came across 4 tracks from his upcoming release ('The Outsider') and if they are any indication of the rest of the disc, it's going to be some seriously hot shit. Same goes for Illadelphia's Roots crew, who have the most excellent 'Pre-Game' EP out on iTunes to give us a taste of their upcoming 'Game Theory' album. All the tracks sound fantastic and you can DL the first single 'It Don't Feel Right' on their myspace page for free HERE.

Stay classy, Word Wide Web...Uncle El will be back soon. Peace.

I'm sorry...so sorry.

Again, a gajillion years between posts on here. I'd like to show, for the record, that I actually spent some time working on a brand new layout for AMBFAD, but haven't finished it...thus the lame-o back-to-basics dilly you see here. Still trying to figure out some HTML and you know, it's all ball-bearings nowadays (hey!).

I have actually got a bunch of new music to talk about, so i'll post up by week's close w/ some reviews. The boys are doing great...there is cereal, veggies and fruit being eaten (and spit out), some sitting up nearly unassisted, much rolling over and we had studio portraits taken for the first time ever (which, i'll post soon)!

Stay tuned, true believers...fresh goofy crap will be coming your way soon. Peace!

Sitting in the back of a car

or, maybe, keeping w/ the Big Star thematic...'When My Baby's Beside Me'? (Thanks BK)

As this post finds me on the horizon of my very first Father's Day, i'd like to give a shout-out to Dads everywhere...including me own. I credit my Pop for my sense of humor, amongst other things. I only hope I can provide a life for my kids like he provided for us. I still can't comprehend his need to put salt in his beer (don't ask me) or his allegiance to the St. Louis Cardinals, but he's my old man and i'll let him slide.

My plans for the weekend look to consist of a couple of bottles of the inaugural batch of Fat Tire shipped to Chicago, a copy of 'Kung Fu Hustle' fresh from Netflix, Cubs vs. Detroit in the comfort of air conditioning, BBQ ribs on the grill, a possible viewing of 'Nacho Libre' w/ the Mrs. while Grandma watches the boys and a mystery gift (ooh) that will be unveiled on Sunday. While all that adds up to a Father's Day weekend fit for a king, the best part of it will be spending time w/ the two monkeys that have bestowed me w/ the title of 'Dad' and the wonderful woman who blessed me by bringing them into our life.

So, to those of you who are Dads...have a great weekend. To those of you who aren't...be sure to give yours a ring, pat on the back, hug, salt shaker for his beer, whatever. I've said it before, it's the hardest job i've ever done...but it's also the best thing i've ever been given the opportunity to do.

'It's been a long time since I...'

Has it really been almost two months?! Wow. Between being slammed at work and the two even bigger reasons you see above, having even 5 minutes to post up w/ some assemblance of anything anybody would want to read...just hasn't been in the cards.

Anyhow, as you can see, the Brothers Famous have changed sooo much. It's crazy. It's getting harder to call Owen (Left on the B/W and bottom photo) a 'Peanut' and Logan (Right on the B/W and top photo) could be the youngest linebacker in NFL history...if I didn't insist both of them go to college first. Logan is all smiles for the most part, the kid is either sleeping, eating (a lot), dirtying his diaper or grinning from ear to tiny ear. Owen is coming around too, the kid is smiling more every day and will actually giggle on command. Both are holding their own heads up while sitting upright and lifting their necks when on their tummy. Logan has quite the melon on him though, so it's a little tougher for that neck to hold it up. All that and more new tricks every day...Owen has even turned over a few times. Completely by accident, but he'll master it soon enough. They are truly amazing and both have come so far...little fighters through and through. So blessed.

Not much to report outside of the twin-cultivation business. Listened to some decent music here and there...most recent Neko Case is good, still trying to get the big deal over Ganrls Barkley (Cee-Lo and Dangermouse) and getting into Frank Black's back-catalog. New Mats songs have surfaced and will be featured on a 'Best Of' being put out by Rhino. The track selection itself is kind of meh, but i'll end up buying it for completist reasons...and the new tunes really are pretty decent. Again, i'm torn about any sort of reunion tour...but it worked for the Pixies and God knows the Mats deserve a big payday.

Throw in an excellent season finale of 'LOST', the new KFC chicken bowls and too many baseball games sure to educate my sons on the pain you endure being a Cubs fan (seriously, I still bleed Cubbie blue, but how much worse can they get). I'll really try to get back to some legitimate business on here...but, obviously, you should take my threats to do so w/ a grain of salt.

As always, peace.

Speaking of GAS FACE...

Kick 'em in the Grill Pete?

Oh. Snap.

That's right, it's the MC Serch talking alarm clock and it looks pretty badass from where i'm sitting. May have to pick me up one or two of them. Outside of that and babies (who are kicking much ass), I have a lot of music to let everybody know about and promise to get to it soon. Let's just say that between his own album and two of the mixes I can't stop listening to...Edan the DJ has my stereo in a figure-four leglock and is yelling 'WHOO!' as I bob my head to the music. Believe that or get the gas face. BRRRRRUHHHHHHH!!!

It Takes Two

Well, first week back at work under my belt. It was rough. I missed the Wonder Twins and their Mama big time, but they got along fine while I was out. Logan caught the same stomach bug that his Mom and Dad had earlier in the week and we had our first 'sick kid' experience...and a lot of laundry as a result. He's doing good now and (hopefully) Owen won't catch it as well. The pediatric visit at the front part of the week showed both gaining a lot of weight and getting overall favorable marks in everything else. Sleep? Still a commodity, but we're getting better w/ coping w/ the lack of it. Next to disposable diapers...naps are a parent's best pal.

Outside of babies, I have received a lot of insanely good music from people like my man Matt outta' Chi-diggity and my fellow b-boy Charles. Breakastra...J Dilla...Dilated Peoples...Edan...The Roots...reviews/deeper dives to follow. Signed up for Netflix, so some movie posts forthcoming as well. New Dr. Who series from the Beeb started showing on Sci-Fi last nite...but Comcast moved the channel to the digital package and Mrs. El doesn't want to spend the $ to upgrade quite yet. I'm hearing good things and it's got Daleks...can't go wrong there yo. I'm pretty close to having 'Son of Mix Tape Manifesto' under wraps as well. So, until then, be good and PEACE!

Little baby goes...woo! (all night long)

As I still can't quite put the whole fatherhood thing into coherent thought quite yet, here's some more pics...being posted after a whopping 1 hour of sleep. Woo indeed.

I will say this...being a Dad is the hardest job i've ever had, but i'll be damned if it isn't also the most fullfilling. They change a little bit every day, in some of the most amazing ways...more alert, stronger, vocal and (when we're lucky) smiley. So blessed.

Heyyyyyyy, Brother.

Logan Wolf Dunham and Owen Anderson Dunham. Yep, i'm a poppa. More to come...

LIGHTHEADED

'Wrong Way'

For me, made obvious by the numerous shout-outs in previous posts, 2005 was all about Portland, Oregon DJ/MC/Producer OhMega Watts. His solo joint ('The Find') received regular rotation and his work w/ other West Coast indie hip-hop artists (Giant Panda, Time Machine, People Under the Stairs, Etc.), rekindled my love affair w/ the genre in a big way. So, I was stoked to see that TRES Records would be releasing a new album from OhMega's crew: Light Headed.

Light Headed is comprised of MC's OhMega, Othello and Braille w/ a revolving cast of DJ's. I got my first listen to the entire group via the killer tracks 'That Sound' and 'Long Ago' (OhMegha and Othello) on 'The Find'. The trademark OhMega production/composition runs rampant over all but three or four of the tracks, a sound that bobs a head to the Old School/Golden Era where the soul and funk is so thick you could sop it up w/ a biscuit. Additional DJ/production work is provided by DJ Bombay, Rob Swift and Muneshine and holds up as well. Seriously, one listen to the floor-rockers 'Timeless' and 'Soul Power' and you'll see what I mean.

Even more of a pleasant surprise...the lyricism and mic skills on display, especially from Othello and Braille. They flow like liquid and come confident w/out the tired braggadocio most would associate w/ hip hop today. Actually, there may be a little bragging going on, but it's not about their cars or bankrolls...it's about both their skills and faith. Yeah...THAT kind of faith, but they never come off preachy and use it as fuel for positivity. In fact, you may not even realize you're being taken to (Sunday) school until a few listens...but, again, it never polarizes and excludes those who aren't of the same beliefs. Regardless, mad skills all the way around.

Tres Record's less-than-major-label distribtuion may mean you need to order online or head to either your local indie store or Tower Records. You could also wait until it hits iTunes (they do have some albums up in there), but no clue when that'll be. No clips to be found, but you can check the promo vid featuring 'Soul Power' below:

Alive and Kicking

As i've been busy w/ insurance customer service lines, doctor visits, hospital stays, baby showers, housework and regular work...obviously posting up hasn't been a priority. I'll just be Reader's Digest and say that EVERYBODY is doing okay. The closest thing to news would be that Mrs. Famous is home on light bedrest and that we will likely be parents well before the original March 16 due-date they gave us at the beginning. She's chilling out and keeping the boys cooking for as long as she can, but average term for twins is 35-36 weeks...we're at 34. Zoiks! Anyhow, the next post you read may be about us having our babies...if you're the praying type, please put in a good word and if you're not, cross your fingers or chase down a rabbit to rub it's foot. Hopefully, i'll be able to drop the sequel to the last mix before things go all 'goat rodeo' on us...but don't count on it. Gracias!

Friends

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING POST COULD QUALIFY AS THE TYPE OF HEARTFELT BLOGOSPHERE OUTPOURING THAT THE KIDS FROM WHITE CASTLE TO THE NILE ARE CALLING 'EMO'. IF YOU CANNOT READ THE 'EMO' WITHOUT 'TOSSING YOUR COOKIES' OR 'POPPING A CAP IN SOMEBODY'S ASS' (AS THE KIDS ALSO SAY)...PLEASE STOP HERE AND WAIT FOR THE NEXT INANE RAMBLING ABOUT BIG DADDY KANE, THE QUEST FOR THE PERFECT TENNIS SHOES, ROBOTS OR WHY NETFLIX CARRIES NONE OF THE COLLECTED WORKS OF ONE MR. RUSS MEYER.

I've got some of the best a guy could ask for. We've never danced w/ umbrellas around a fountain and nobody ever went out and copied our haircuts (which, if you saw us in high school or college even, would make complete sense). I've known them forever (or at least kindergarten) and we can go for days, months, years with out talking to each other and then...when we do get a chance to get together...it's like no time has passed. It's amazing really and I feel blessed.

I'm blessed to have the type of friends that you don't think twice about hopping on a plane to w/ a day's notice to be with them in a time of need...because you know they'd do the same for you. I'm blessed to have the type of friends that can make taking said journey with a cathartic experience that YOU needed on the cusp of life-changing events. I'm blessed to have the type of friends that can make sitting in a nearly deserted bar in Prescott, AZ...on the eve of one of the toughest days one of them will ever experience...the best 2-3 hours you've all had in a long time, using only the three of you, a couple of pints and a Tesla song on the jukebox to make it happen.

Outside of my wife (truly my best friend in the entire universe), i'm lucky to have a small group of truly amazing people I can all call 'best' friends. All of us very different, but the same in just as many ways. Constantly rooting each other on in whatever race the other has decided to enter and helping to pick the other up when they feel like they can't make it to the end. Full of advice or silence, when you really just want somebody to listen. Most importantly, the ability to make the other laugh...even when they feel it's the last thing on earth they want to do.

To two of the best friends...brothers...one could ask for: Kev, Kory...dudes, god bless you both and thanks for ALWAYS being there. Life will place many challenges ahead of us, but we can face them all (or as Mr. Jovi once said: 'ROCK them all') knowing you always have the others to carry you through them. Muchos...MUCHOS...gracias. Peace.

Hummin'... Comin' atcha...

So, every year for x-mas I make my brother a mix CD and (as mentioned in the previous post) i've really been on a major hip-hop binge over the past few months. Thusly, this year's mix turned into a non-stop hip-hop joint and (honestly) is one my most favorite mixes i've ever done. It's a combination of both old school and some new (albeit more undergound/indie) shit i've some into...the results were actually pretty damn fresh. In other words, you could rock a party w/ it for at least an hour if need be. So, for a limited time, you can DL it right here:

MIX TAPE MANIFESTO

TRACKLIST:

INTRO (These R Sounds) - Mista Rogers

This Is A Recording 4 Living In A Fulltime Era (L.I.F.E.) - De La Soul

Diggin' In The Tapes - Giant Panda

Flava in Ya Ear - Craig Mack

Make Some Noise - Edo G & Masta Ace

How Ya Like Me Now - Kool Moe Dee

That Sound - OhMega Watts (Featuring Lightheaded, The Procussions & Noelle of the Rebirth)

Treat 'em Right - Chubb Rock

Energy Drink - Ugly Duckling

Freak Out - 9:15 & Jaysonic

Jimmy James - The Beastie Boys

Nitty Gritty - KMD

Deep Down and Dirty - Stereo MC's

Don't Believe The Sensorair - DJ Pantshead vs. Cabaret Voltaire vs. Public Enemy vs. Air vs. Pharcyde

Follow the Leader - Eric B & Rakim

Sum Of Us - Jurassic 5

You Gots to Chill - EPMD

Breakfast Club - Z-TRIP

Ogre - Fingathing

Matter Transporter - Time Machine

Hope you enjoy it and if anything grabs you, please support the artists featured by purchasing their album or single from iTunes or whatever. I'm not looking to take food off of people's tables, but I am looking to turn people on to new sounds. Word.

P.S. As i'm on a roll, keep checking in...'SON OF Mix Tape Manifesto' is already almost complete and is proving to be a worthy follow up. Peace.

THE AMBFAD 'BEST OF 2005'

That's right kids, it's time for the inevitable 'Best of' list...encapsulating the best music that 2005 had to offer (or at least what I heard of it anyways). 2005 was a decent year for music, one that found me fall back in love w/ hip hop upon discovering there is still some great shit out there being put on wax (see #1 and #3). The #2 pick on this year's list saw the return of some badass power pop from one of Canada's finest supergroups and new albums from some indie stalwarts made the list as well. So, without further ado, here's my favorite albums of the past year:

1. 'FLY SCHOOL REUNION' - GIANT PANDA

This one came from out of nowhere to grab the top spot w/in the final couple of weeks of 2005. Some righteous hip hop from the Left Coast, GP delivered an album chock full of great beats, fun rhymes and the best ode to the mix tape i've ever heard. Great stuff.

2. 'TWIN CINEMA' - NEW PORNOGRAPHERS

I gave a shout out to this one earlier in the year. Finely crafted power pop from Canadian indie darling Carl Newman, Dan Bejar, Neko Case and crew. Just as solid of an effort as their previous release, 'Electric Version' and sweet sounding from cover to cover.

3. 'THE FIND' - OHMEGA WATTS

This disc didn't leave my car stereo for almost a month and I gave a full download in a previous post. Positive lyrics that take you back to the Golden Era of hip hop, laid down over fresh beats and instrumentals constructed by the Portland-based producer/DJ/MC. Big ups.

4. 'THE GREAT DESTROYER' - LOW

My first introduction to Minnesota's LOW was a doozy. Contrasting styles ranging from stark melencholy to feedback drenched walls of sound...and that's often just within one song. A completely engaging listen, creepy and beautiful in the same breath.

5. 'DESCENDED LIKE VULTURES' - ROGUE WAVE

As I wasn't a huge fan of their debut or the performance I caught when they opened for A.C. Newman last year, this one was a pleasant surprise. Up-tempo rockers and polished balladry coexist in a wonderfully produced shiney package.

6. 'BEFORE THE DAWN HEALS US' - M83

Much like the previous effort, this album played out as a synth-laden soundtrack to a movie that didn't exist...but if it did, would likely be a cool one. Orchestral and layered, sometimes shining and sometimes frantic/frightening. Whatever the mood of each individual track, a cool listen in it's entirety.

7. 'GUERO' - BECK

A return to the multi-genre stew of 'Odelay' and in complete contrast to the folky 'Sea Change', Beck dropped one hell of a fun album on us in 2005. Sample-based upbeat sonic collages that ran the gambit style-wise, a fine return to form. Check out the remix album, 'Guerolito', as well.

8. 'ILLINOIS' - SUFJAN STEVENS

The second submission in his ambitious project to release a musical companion for all 50 states. 'Illinois' is rife w/ wonderful compostions that may not be too in depth lyrically relative to the state it's covering, but tunes like 'Chicago' have a sound steeped in optimism and make for a pleasant audio experience.

9. 'GIMME FICTION' - SPOON

One of my favortie elder statesmen of indie rock, Britt Daniels and company released a critic's favorite that received a lot of music press. Angular and interesting as ever, they released much better...but relative to other releases, still deserved of an appearance in my list.

10. 'DIOS (MALOS)' - DIOS (MALOS)

The purveyors of a sound that brings to mind the bastard son of Brian Wilson and Grandaddy (raised by the Pixies), the boys from Hawthorne, CA released another fantsatic collection of spacey psychadelic folk rock. More uptempo in spots than their debut, this disc was a great sophmore follow-up.

There you are. It should be noted there is a massive list of 'Hornorable Mentions' that deserve your attention as well (Eels, Pernice Brothers, Time Machine, etc.)...but I don't have a Jan Wenner-sized writing staff to do an organized list of 25 ot 50. Just go back through the archives and see if anything hits you. Anyhow, again, Happy New Year...may 2006 bring us audio goodness worthy of another list come next time. PEACE!

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!