London (Bowie?) City Represent

In California for the next 10 days

2009-06-05T14:29:00.002+01:00

Yes, its been long overdue. I'm on a California vacation for the next 10 days mother fucker. I've never been, but I'm sure I will take to it like a fish to water, or like the city of Baltimore to crack cocaine.

Will be starting off in San Diego for the first few days and then driving north up the coast to LA and then San Francisco. I'm sure LA and San Fran will be more than cool, but I'm definitely most excited for the Whale's Vagina itself. There's just something mystical about San Diego, especially for someone thats never been there before. I've never heard one bad word about the town from anyone thats ever been there. Should be an awesome time.

Places I'll be dropping by:

San Diego, CA

Los Angeles, California

San Francisco, CA

Fast Food Mount Rushmore

2009-05-11T04:05:00.003+01:00

The top four fast food/take out places in the entire universe. There can only be four. "Good and good for you" says it all.

Chick-fil-A (Thomas Jefferson)

Subway (Abe Lincoln)

Chipotle (George Washington)

Panda Express (Teddy Roosevelt)

iLike: Forgetting Sarah Marshall

2009-03-29T23:18:00.005+01:00

The best of Judd Apatow's cinematic masterpieces, Forgetting Sarah Marshall continues to deliver well after the initial viewing. It is certainly my favorite of all the Apatow pictures, and that's a pretty tall order given how many good ones are out there.

To me, this movie is not only Russell Brand's coming out party, but also Jason Segel's, who I feel is often overlooked in the presence of Brand's immortal Aldous Snow (undoubtedly the hit of the movie). Segel has been getting it done for years in various sitcoms (Freaks and Geeks, How I Met Your Mother) and small roles in other Apatow films. However, it was FSM that allowed Segel to stake a claim in the spotlight and shine as the insecure, puppet loving Peter Bretter. The cameos from Jonah Hill and Paul Rudd are also sublime.

I paid around 20 bucks American to see this movie in London last June with my friend John as a break from my grueling exam study schedule (around 10 hours a day). It was well worth it. I'll never forget my other LSE friends who were too good to see FSM, but went to see Jumper instead (16% Rotten Tomatoes score and all)...tsk tsk ladies, you chose poorly.

I just went from six to midnight.

New U2 Album Is?

2009-03-13T03:59:00.004Z

Very good.

Upon the first few listens, I didn't like it all that much. That could have also been because I wasn't really paying attention. However, when I finally took No Line On the Horizon (another awful title, but that's alright) on a 'power walk' with me, I was able to really crack it open and take it in.

It's definitely their best album since 1991's Achtung Baby. For the most part, it sounds very different from their last two albums, which is a good thing. Here is how I described it to my lovely bro in an e-mail-

"Yeah, on second thought, the new U2 CD is actually really good. I would say seven of the songs work very well and they rest of them, although not on the same level, do in fact work. There are a few songs in the middle of the album that sound a lot like past two albums, and I would argue these are the weaker of the tracks."

That pretty much sums it up. This album definitely takes U2 back to a place they haven't been in some time, tearing down the walls and sounds they've built up the last few years. The 4-5 tracks that bookend the album on each side are more experimental and standout, while as mentioned, the middle is not quite as good and sounds a bit overused. That being said, it's refreshing to hear U2 in this new Brian Eno-experimental-waves of sounds form. Part of being the greatest rock band in the world (self stated, but very possibly true) is staying fresh and relevant. U2 has overwhelmingly managed to achieve this with NLOTH.

SBF Follow-Up

2009-02-11T17:11:00.002Z

Well, I suppose the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't totally invalidate my Super Bowl theory this year, although their poor pass defense in the second half almost blew it for me.

I revalidate my theory on the James Harrison 100 yard interception return right before half-time, without which, the Steelers wouldn't have won. The Cardinals were setting up for a sure 3-7 points before the half, but with that pick, Harrison swung the pendulum by at least 10-14 points. Subtract that from Steeltown's final point tally and the Arizona Cardinals are the Super Bowl champions...it gives me the shivers just thinking about it.

Chalk it up to another elite D - 2008 - Pittsburgh Steelers - D (James Harrison)

The Simple Super Bowl Formula

2009-01-28T05:16:00.008Z

Thinking about this year's big game between the Cardinals and Steelers (about how I really don't care who wins, as long as it's a somewhat decent game) I began to develop/ponder a theory about what it takes to win a Super Bowl in this era's NFL. Looking at the winners of the last sixteen Super Bowls, a team must have one of two obvious components to win the whole enchilada...an elite Quarterback or an elite Defense.

Let's break down the last sixteen Super Bowl winners and the element (either elite QB or D) they had to prove this simple point. (The years are done by season, not by when the Super Bowl takes place, which is always the January/February of the following year)-

2007 - New York Giants - D
2006 - Indianapolis Colts - QB
2005 - Pittsburgh Steelers - D
2004 - New England Patriots - QB
2003 - New England Patriots - QB
2002 - Tampa Bay Bucs - D
2001 - New England Patriots - QB
2000 - Cleveland Browns (some may call this team the Baltimore Ravens) - D
1999 - St. Louis Rams - QB
1998 - Denver Broncos - QB
1997 - Denver Broncos - QB
1996 - Green Bay Packers - QB
1995 - Dallas Cowboys - QB
1994 - San Francisco 49ers - QB
1994 - Dallas Cowboys - QB
1993 - Dallas Cowboys - QB

*It should be obvious with the victors from 93'-98' and winners of 01', 03', 04' and 06'. From 1993-1999 only four different teams won the Super Bowl and they all had hall of fame QBs with Troy Aikman, Steve Young, Brett Favre and John Elway. In the 2000s Tom Brady and Peyton Manning have held down four of the eight Super Bowls thus far, and you know they're going to Canton.

*I don't think anyone would argue that the Ds of the Browns, Bucs and Steelers of 00', 02' and 05' respectively were anything but elite. Tampa Bay had the number 1 overall D of 2002, giving up a measly 12.3 points a game with Tony Dungy's leftovers and in 2005 Pittsburgh had the 4th overall D, but was number 1 in rushing yards allowed with only 86 a game.

*2007 and 1999 are the shakiest examples of the formula, however many would argue that Kurt Warner is a sure hall of famer, and his numbers from 1999 are impressive-over 4,300 yards, 41 TDs (only 13 INTs), and a QB rating of 109.2 along with an MVP trophy. At least that year, Kurt Warner was an elite QB. 2007 is really the year that gives me the most trouble, as the Giants pulled a huge upset over Brady and company in the Super Bowl. Eli Manning's numbers were pretty lackluster during the regular season, but he became seemingly invincible during the playoffs. I put the victory more on the Giants' D, however, as even though they were only ranked 7th overall during the season, that D line of theirs was probably one of the nastiest of all time.

*What does the formula mean for this year? Elite D (Steelers) V. Possibly Elite QB (Warner and the Cardinals), who wins? I'm going with the Steelers. This isn't 1999, and I get the feeling Kurt Warner is going to remember to put the ball on the ground a least a few times this Sunday.

*What else does all of this mean? I can reluctantly conclude that with their lack of a elite QB (sorry Jason Campbell) and a defense that refuses to make big plays, my beloved Redskins won't be winning a Super Bowl anytime soon. Compound that with the problems of the owner, general manager (lack there of), ridiculous free agent signings and wasted draft picks, we'll be lucky to make the playoffs anytime soon.

(The only thing Kurt Warner loves more than football is women who look like men)

Collecting Those Degrees...

2009-01-28T04:57:00.003Z

Yep, after long last I finally received my Master's Degree from the LSE, courtesy of my local postal service. The degree itself isn't quite as fancy as I had imagined (since it's seemingly printed on ordinary computer paper) but I suppose it will do the trick. Hopefully, this will somehow translate into some kind of gorgeous job opportunity. Only time will tell. For now though a "fancy' frame from Michael's awaits.

More degree pictures yet to come.

I'm collecting degrees like trading cards baby. Gotta get em' all!!

White people really do love graduate school.

All Dilding, All the Time.

2008-09-15T11:36:00.011+01:00

(Just the tip in this one)
(Michael and his favorite building)

Can you sense the theme?

Observations on British summer

2008-08-21T19:38:00.003+01:00

Since I didn't get the opportunity to spend any summer months in London when I studied abroad here in 2005, I had been looking forward to it since beginning LSE late last September. All in all, it's not quite what it's chalked up to be. Here are a few of my observations on the 'British summer' as August draws to a close.

*The weather sucks. I could say it a hundred ways- British summer is equal parts fall and spring. It doesn't really exist. It comes in intervals of a day or two at a time followed by weeks of rain and 60 degree weather. It never lasts for more than 2-3 hours a days when it does decide to arrive. Etc, etc. Basically, it blows. I will say this though. When you do get a decent British summer day (low 70s and sunny), or even a few hours of one, you appreciate it that much more.

*The British birds let the twins out all summer long. Enough said really. It appears any kind of cleavage is 'good cleavage' during the London summer. I, however, would seriously beg to differ. Never in my life have I seen so many 40-50 year old ladies letting the twins roam free under the not so hot limey summer sun.

*The pink ties are in full affect. I think it must be a law that if you are a male working in London, specifically in banking, or basically just any job that requires business casual dress, then you are required to wear a pink tie to work at least 3 days a week. Now I have nothing against a little pink in the wardrobe, but the sheer amount of pink I see on the street everyday in the wardrobe of heterosexual (I'm assuming) men is a little disturbing.

*It's sponsored by Pimm's No. 1. Never even heard of this popular cocktail until the early summer months. Even after living in London for an already combined total of over a year when you throw in the study abroad months. Anyways, this drink is fucking everywhere. You really can't go into any bar or pub in town without a bunch of Pimm's shit, like posters and signs, right up in your face. I did finally get a chance to try some recently and it's actually not half bad. They mix it with Lemonaide and you can usually get a glass for around the same price as a pint. And with Pimm's having a higher alchoal content it gets you f'ed up for less money, which is truly what it's all about.

Ipod-Summer-Randomizer

2008-07-29T23:15:00.002+01:00

Here's a semi-novel idea. Take your ipod, (or itunes software) turn on the random or shuffle function, hit 'next track' button and see what five random songs come.

Now, your five song experiment may humiliate or make you seem totally uncool, but that's part of the fun ain't it? Mine actually isn't all that bad.

1. Jay-Z - "Get Your Mind Right Mami"

2. Amy Winehouse - "Just Friends"

3. Beck - "Elevator Music"

4. The Strokes - "Between Love & Hate"

5. Paul McCartney - "Certain Softness"

Could be much cooler though.

Showtime is the new HBO.

2008-07-28T00:19:00.007+01:00

I'm sure I'm not the first person to come up with this concept, and I'm positive I won't be the last.

What really got me going on this idea was that I finally checked out Californication, you know, the new David Duchovny series on Showtime. Yeah, the mere fact that 'Agent Mulder' was the show's headliner immediately turned me off to it also, but as they say, you can never judge a premium channel t.v. series by its washed-up star (see Bill Paxton-Big Love and Lisa Kudrow-The Comeback...the former being decent, the latter not so much).

I've only seen the first two episodes of Californication, but if they are any indication, this series is going to rock. Duchovny's character, Hank Moody, is a washed-up author (surprise, he relates to the role pretty well) who lives in L.A., but despises everything the city represents and pretty much just bangs every chick in sight. Hank is a total total douche, asshole, whatever you want to call him, but he's so so good at it. Trust me, you'll find yourself pulling for the guy in no time. I don't want to give anything away, but if you like your shows full of nudity, quick-wit, anti-establishment banter and self-loathing then trust me, Californication is for you.

Back to my main point though. What does HBO really have going for it these days? No more new episodes of The Sopranos, Rome, The Wire, Sex and the City or Six Feet Under, which were all decent and acclaimed series, whether or not you were/are a fan. The best seasons (the first two) of Entourage seem well behind us and the network's new series don't seem to be hitting the mark with viewers (see John from Cincinnati, which I've actually heard was pretty decent. Gasman, can you back me up here?).

Besides Big Love and Curb Your Enthusiasm, HBO simply doesn't have much going for it these days while Showtime seems to be cranking out hits like Weeds, Dexter (only seen a little bit, but I hear the new season is amazing) the L Word (oh yeah!) and of course, Californication.

Alright, maybe Showtime hasn't quite hit HBO status yet as some of those retired HBO series rank up there with some of the best TV series of all time. However, unless HBO gets it shit together, there could be a changing of the guard in the premium channel TV series universe.

Strap on your raccoon suit and throw down some spaghetti.....

2008-07-16T00:47:00.005+01:00

...because you haven't had this much fun since you were 6-8 years old (I assume anyone who isn't a 20-something doesn't read this piece).

No, but really, Super Mario Bros. 3 for the original Nintendo entertainment system is perhaps the finest video game ever created. You may be thinking to yourselves right now, "hey man, you missed the boat by like 15 years, video games have a come long way since then with the X-Boxes and the Wiis, Playstations, and the internets (yes, all of them)." I respond by suggesting you go out on those very internets and download a NES emulator and SMB3 (not sure if this is totally legal, good thing an "anonymous friend" downloaded it and not me) and tell me it's not a complete blast.

The best part, besides me going out and buying a controller so I don't have to use the annoying keyboard buttons (on my friend's computer), is that I still remember all the old tricks, power-ups, hidden 1-UP green mushrooms, whistle locations, and those what-have-you's that turn the blocks into coins for like 30 seconds. All the different worlds are pretty sweet too....except for that fucking pipe one (world 7 I think).

This game has surely been the biggest obstacle to stop me from getting to work on my dissertation. Now, only if I can find somewhere to buy a gat-shaped controller so I can get some Duck Hunt crackin'. Mamma Mia!!!

Where I live now...

2008-07-13T12:52:00.004+01:00

Well, not exactly on Brick Lane, but close enough.

In case you didn't know, I moved from my old location of pretty much right in the middle of Trafalgar Square (Northumberland House) to the Liverpool Street-Brick Lane area of East London. More specifically, Lilian Knowles House on Crispin Street, right around the corner from where Jack the Ripper killed a bunch of prostitutes in the late 1800s. In fact, the "Jack the Ripper" themed waking tours stop pretty much right in front of my building. Kinda creepy eh?

Anyways, although I do miss the central location of Northumberland, I have already noticed some striking differences including less tourists, less expensive bars/pubs and the feeling of living in an actual neighborhood. Overall, it should be a good place to ride out the last few months of my graduate school career and work on that dissertation of mine...yeah, about that dissertation...

What is a Blog?

2008-07-12T19:50:00.002+01:00

Wiki - "A blog (an abridgment of the term web log) is a website, usually maintained by an individual, with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse chronological order.

Interesting...

Recently, in my personal world of ESPN podcasts (I listen to about 5 a day while working at the LSE library), the term "blog" or defining what a blog actually is has come under some scrutiny. Can it consist of written columns instead of merely just "posts"? Does it have to be updated every day to be considered a blog? Is there a certain length entries or posts should try and aim for? Does it necessarily need to be dedicated to one specific subject or issue? The questions go on and on.

The point is this...London City Represent has certainly been neglected by me recently as I'm sure it will continue to be over the new few months as I work on my dissertation. My goal is now daily short and sweet posts on anything I feel like talking about. It had been aimed more toward music, but I think LCR should be modeled more closely after its creator, and thus from now on will know no bounds. Music will probably still play a big part, but it's time to mix it up. Enjoy.

--(The author of LCR posing for a picture on the street of some quaint European town.)

Boss Concert Update

2008-06-07T15:42:00.004+01:00

Well, it has been a week since I went to the Bruce concert in London. I haven't been able to update until now because exams are officially kicking my ass and I have been studying literally 10 hours a day to prepare. I still don't really have time to write a full review, but let me just say it totally kicked ass. Unquestionably one of the best shows I have ever been to...almost three hours of non-stop rocking with Bruce and the E Street Band. Since I don't have time to write a full summary, I'm going to let someone else do it for me...

LONDON, UK
Friday, May 30
Saturday, May 31

Bring the noise

by Kathryn Stokes

"As for the second night (note: they played two straight shows in London, the one I was at on Saturday and one the previous night on Friday) everything started better -- the fans, the band, the sound system -- than it had the night before. Bruce went completely off-piste, letting audibles rule the opening five songs. There was an amazing guitar solo in "Gypsy Biker," and again, Bruce took requests from the crowd. He gathered a handful and laughed his way back to the microphone to declare, "I'm gonna put these in my file," dropping them good-naturedly to floor at his feet. He then singled out one requester, who had a banner that read, "In memory of Danny," and said, "This is for you," and launched into "Sandy. (Note: Danny Federici, for 40 years the E Street Band's organist and keyboard player, died April 17, 2008 at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City after a three year battle with melanoma.)

Aftert that, Bruce told a few signature stories about Danny and thanked the crowd for their condolences and support. All the women in the stadium melted when he sang "I'm on Fire" straddling a chair.

Returning to the requests in his "file" he pulled one out, laughed, and said, "This one's from a guy who obviously has no job and no girl," then showed us the placard which read, "no job - no girl - DOWNBOUND TRAIN."

Opening "the smallest request ever," a folded piece of paper he pulled out of his pocket, Bruce kicked it off with a single word to Roy at the piano -- "Backstreets." Had there been any doubt, the full-on mic stand backbend during "Tenth Avenue Freeze-out" proved that not only has the Boss still got it, but we've got a lot more to look forward to!"

Well, not exactly a full summary, but a little taste. Also here is the set list from that night-

1. Out In the Streets  
2. No Surrender  
3. Darkness On The Edge of Town  
4. Gypsy Biker
5. Radio Nowhere  
6. 4th of July Asbury Park ( Sandy )  
7. Growing up  
8. Downbound Train (tour premiere). 
9. I'm On Fire ( tour premiere). 
10. Because The Night  
11. She's The One  
12. Living in the Future  
13. Mary's Place  
14. Promised Land  
15. Backstreets  
16. The Rising  
17. Last to Die  
18. Long Walk Home  
19. Badlands

Encores:  
20. Girls in their Summerclothes  
21. Jungleland  
22. Born to Run  
23. Tenth Avenue Freeze Out
24. American Land

Pretty much a lot of what I wanted to hear (i.e. "Jungleland" and "Badlands"). It was also especially nice to hear "I'm On Fire" done by the guy who actually wrote and recorded the song instead of the douche-bag guitar players in downtown Annapolis.

Bruce Springsteen Itinerary

2008-05-31T13:19:00.006+01:00

Today is the big day of the Bruce Springsteen concert in London. Of course, I planned accordingly and made up this itinerary for the day. As long as I keep my eye on the prize and maintain this very strict regiment, it should be one to remember.

Bruce Springsteen Itinerary

12:00 (noon) – Wake Up (nice and early start to the day).

2:00 pm - Mickey D’s breakfast/lunch (might as well make it a total American day).

3:00 pm - Buy 8 pint cans of Budweiser (I actually did this yesterday, I was at the grocery store anyway. I also decided to go with the pints cans instead of the 10-pack bottles because I’m pretty sure I’m getting more beer this way…plus the cans are more portable…as much fun as lugging around 10 glass bottles sounded.

3:30 pm - Cut sleeves off t-shirt.

3:45 pm - Fashion some sort of American flag headband to wear.

4:00 pm - Put on Stone Pony NJ t-shirt (sleeves freshly cut off).

4:15 pm - Commence drinking buds.

4:45 pm – Leave for Emirates Stadium.

5:15 pm - Find some Americans to party, eat and drink beer with (in the US we call this a tailgate, say it with me now London. Often the best part of some events, see college football). Note: If people in Britain don’t tailgate, at least I have some time to try and kill all 8 beers before the show.

7:00 pm - Sneak whatever remaining buds I have into Emirates Stadium.

7:30 pm - Concert begins (hopefully have an very nice buzz on, enough that I can’t feel my legs, but not so bad that I won’t be able to remember most of the concert)

7:31 pm - Rock Out!

9:30 pm - Make my way to the front of the stage.

9:35 pm (estimated) - Get pulled up on stage for “Dancing in the Dark” with Bruce.

9:37 pm - Dance with Bruce.

9:40 pm - Strip clothes off on stage.

9:41 pm - Drape naked body in American flag stolen from some random fan.

9:42 pm - Try to not get taken away by security.

9:45 pm - Enjoy the rest of the show.

11:30 pm - Somehow find my way home (It’s always the sure sign of a good night if I can’t remember my journey home or for that matter how exactly I got home.

Should be an awesome day.

Coldplay - "Violet Hill" Video (Alternate Version)

2008-05-20T19:24:00.003+01:00

If you want a good laugh at politicans making asses of themselves check out this alternate video to Coldplay's single "Violet Hill." I must admit this version is much better than the other clip, which is just kind of lame and slightly homosexual...kind of like Coldplay.

Anyways, check it out. Definitely worth 3 minutes of your time. Personally, I'm a fan of Karl Rove doing that "penguin" like dance and Tony Blair stroking his axe. Enjoy.

Gettin' Ready for the Boss

2008-05-14T13:54:00.005+01:00

Oh yeah. I will be seeing Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band totally live in a little over two weeks on Saturday May 31st at Emirates Stadium (where Arsenal FC plays) in London, England.

I'm glad I'm getting to see the Boss in a huge stadium atmosphere (Emirates had a seat capacity of over 60,355) because honestly, it's Bruce Springsteen baby, the man epitomizes everything that is stadium rock. What makes it even better is that my ass won't be up in one of the seats, but down below on the grassy lawn, which is general admission...so it will pretty much be a free for all.

I just need to make sure that I drink enough beer to think that I'm actually back in America for this bad boy. It's strangely ironic how I'm finally getting to see the Boss live, and it's in London, England. It should be an awesome experience either way. If anything, seeing Bruce in London will only add to the nostalgia, although when he busts into "Born in the U.S.A.," I have a feeling I will be missing home quite a bit.

You Know How I Know You're Gay?

2008-05-07T22:52:00.003+01:00

...Because you like Coldplay.

Yep, the band made famously "gay" by classic film "The 40 Year Old Virgin" is in fact returning to the music scene this summer with new album Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends. In preparation for the album release the band is streaming an MP3 of "Violet Hill," a track that will be included on the new album along with 9 others.

To be honest, I have listened to the track about 5 or 6 times now and am still unsure of what to make of it. It's odd because the intro and outro sound exactly like every other Coldplay song (come on you know...piano...Chris Martin howling...the usual), but the middle is strangely contrasting. Chalk up the new sound to super producer Brian Eno working with the band on this track/album.

I have to admit that Coldplay is a guilty pleasure of sorts for me, although their last album, X & Y wasn't quite up to par with their others. It will be interesting to see how Viva La Vida... turns out.

Stream "Violet Hill" here - Violet Hill

Also, for the full Viva La Vida Or Death And All His Friends track list along with a clever article on how Coldplay is guaranteed to put you to sleep click here - Going night night with Coldplay

Thoughts On Prince..

2008-04-28T01:44:00.012+01:00

I'm sure I wasn't the only one who though Coachella 2008 got a hell of a lot better when Prince was added to the bill a couple of weeks ago. Not that the previous headliners were anything to totally scoff at, Jack Johnson (yawn) and Roger Waters (old), however no one could deny the festival in the desert lacked a proverbial punch in the main acts department. Well, apparently it was a good move for the Coachella crew as the purple one brought down the house last night (according to the media and internet).

Prince mainly stuck to his greatest hits set-list but managed to throw in some Radiohead and Beatles covers ("Creep" and "Come Together"), as well as some face melting guitar solos. He even had Morris Day join him on stage for a stirring rendition of "Jungle Love."

I always thought Prince has been underrated in the classic rock realm. I've never had the privilege to see him live, but his performances from last year's Super Bowl and his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (He busts out a sweet rendition of George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps") are enough evidence for me to see that he is one of those live acts you should see any chance you get.

Check out the full set-list here - Prince live at Coachella

Stuff White People Like

2008-04-26T23:44:00.004+01:00

Not exactly a music post. Although, white people apparently like indie rock, music piracy and Mos Def, so I guess it's related after all. Anyways, this list is so hilarious and so so true (at least for most white people). So, if you haven't seen this already, give it a gander.

Full List - Stuff White People Like

Personal fav's of stuff white people like include: graduate school, "not having a tv" and "hating their parents."

Mos Def---(White people love this man)

I'm Baaaack

2008-04-24T18:32:00.006+01:00

I'm back after a long absence of having a good ass time. Check out this new hip hop/production duo from Chi-Town, the Cool Kids. There is a write up on them in the new issue of Spin. Sounds like they are the real deal. Give it a listen.

The Cool Kids - "Action Figures"

My Main Man's Top 10 albums

2008-02-05T01:14:00.001Z

And the top ten album debate continues here at LCR. Here is my main man Tommy L. hitting you with his own top 10 album list with full explanations included...a man after my own heart indeed.

"10. Nas - Illmatic.

An album that I initially found to be boring. It simply was not "sexy" enough for me. A few listens later and I was hooked. No rap album has ever had the staying power of Illmatic. I spent an entire Summer with this cd in my car deck and I could do it again. The word play is just so consistently amazing yet simple, ie:
Poetry, that's a part of me, retardedly bop
I drop the anciently manifested hip-hop, straight off the block
I reminisce on park jams, my man was shot for his sheep coat
Chocolate blunts make me see him drop in my weed smoke
Highlights: Life's A Bitch (fantastic AZ opening, love the horns), Memory Lane, Represent

9. Velvet Underground - The Velvet Underground and Nico.

Lou Reed's voice is enchanting and haunting. I was immediately sucked into "Heroin" and while the album is nothing more than a week in the life of a yuppie junkie, it is strangely captivating. It is a softer, less angry, more artsy Nevermind, which I had to leave off the list in favor of this album, too much filler on Nevermind. The production is incredibly weird but it still manages to give it a very pop sounding quality.
Highlights: Heroin, Sunday Morning, I'm Waiting for the Man

8. David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.

I love concept albums, if they are done right, other wise they can be brutal and disturbing. This is my favorite concept album of all time, obviously, no others made the list. The songs do the title justice as like any good story (a season of The Wire) there is a clear arc. And no other album made me want to be in a band, like this one, after all I would have gotten out before the "Rock 'N' Roll Suicide. "I could make it all worth while as a Rock and Roll star."
Highlights: Ziggy Stardust, Rock N Roll Suicide, Five Years

7. The Clash - London Calling.

Combination of reggae, ska, punk, and rock. And unlike Sublime it works at an extraordinary level. The lyrics are groundbreaking as far as the genres of punk and reggae are concerned. It proves that Reggae can be fun with out being ridiculously poppy (think Jammin or any top 10 reggae hit) and punk does not have to be miserable just because it is political(Bad Religion, Dead Kennedys). It rises from the despair of the fall of the British empire and how it has become a single Island in a very insignificant part of the world. It is politically righteous, fun, depressing, catching and all in one album. But its 19 tracks so that is like an album and a half.
Highlights: London Calling, Lost in the Supermarket, Spanish Bombs.

6. The Who - Who's Next.

My favorite album cover of all time. The instruments and lyrics are simply flawless; the drums, the guitar, the vocals, even the god damn synthesizers work in perfect unison. When the Who are on they are simply the greatest band ever. Sadly they are often too ambitious (Townsend and Daltrey) or were too drunk (who the fuck else) for their own good. They also seem to suffer from filler, every album has a song or two that just seems destined for radio. That just might be because I grew up at a time where every song is in a car commercial.
Highlights: Baba O'Riley, Wont Get Fooled Again, Behind Blue Eyes.

5. Bob Dylan - Blood On the Tracks.

While Pet Sounds is the better album, this is the best breakup album of all time. That is unless you want to shoot yourself in the face then go listen to Beck "Sea Change" (great album) or pretty much any thing Radiohead has done. Blood on the Tracks is more reflective than it is bitter. This is the closest thing to a concept album that Dylan has ever done and I believe it was initially trashed, not political or folk enough for the "true fans." But Bobby plays by his own rules and loves to rub it in the face of those who think they know a thing about him. Blood On the Tracks contains all the feelings that make up a fiery relationship, the enchanting first meeting, the growth of the relationship, the bitter fights, and gradual acceptance that things will never be as they once were. This would also be his most poetic of any album, as demonstrated in the simplicity of Buckets of Rain:
"Life is sad
Life is a bust
All ya can do is do what you must.
You do what you must do and ya do it well,
I'll do it for you, honey baby,
Can't you tell?"
And if as further proof to this being a type of concept album go find "Up to Me" which was unreleased, also the last track, and is the perfect opposite of the opening song "Tangled Up In Blue"
Highlights: Idiot Wind, If You See Her Say Hello, You're A Big Girl Now

4. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On.

Another album out of the late 60's, early 70's born out Vietnam, the influx of heroin, and inner city poverty. Gaye's soulful, almost angelic voice nearly disguises the anger feels deep within. He wrote much of this album while in a deep depression. If one were not to listen to the lyrics they would think this is a happy, fun album. However no one has made such beautiful music in response to suffering and injustice. You hear that Korn? Just because you are pissed off does not mean you need to make shitty, angry music. This album is just as relevant today as it was during the Vietnam War and it will always be that way. And there in lies its greatness.
Highlights: What's Going On, What's Happening Brother, Mercy Mercy Me

3. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds.

This album is just like Blood on the Tracks as it centers around the start and end of an important, loving relationship. All you have to do is throw out Sloop John B, which makes no sense, and does not fit the album. I think it was put on there by mistake, possibly while high... Brian Wilson, I am looking in your direction. God Only Knows and Wouldn't It Be Nice are impeccable examples of the crazy genius of Brian Wilson. Every part of each track is absolutely perfect from the vocals to every little background note. Also who else was using bicycle bells and dog whistles? I thought only dogs could hear dog whistles. Either way when I was high on pain killers, after my wisdom teeth were taken out, this is all I wanted to hear on the car ride home. My father was a little weirded out, but we listened to it, damn it!
Highlights: Caroline No, God Only Knows, Wouldn't It Be Nice.

2. The Beatles - Rubber Soul.

I am sure this comes to a complete surprise to you as I often underrate and under appreciate the Beatles. However this album represents the pinnacle of pop music. Maybe Sgt Peppers is more revolutionary but when I want to listen to the Beatles, usually on a road trip, this is the album I go to. Almost every track is catchy and will be stuck in your head, which is pretty much the Beatles greatness and the entire reason why they get on my nerves some times. Simple yet genius, the inspiration for the above album, Pet Sounds.
Highlights: Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown), Michelle, In My Life.

1. Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited.

When Bob Dylan broke out the electric guitar in 1965 at the Newport Folk Festival it was a big fuck you to the crowd, at least that is how they took it. But is a man not expected to grow? Don't we continually demand more from our musicians, athletes, and astronauts? Well either way they booed all the way from the start of Maggies Farm to the end of Like a Rolling Stone. At the start of the latter song a man yelled "Judas!" to which Dylan responded "I don't believe you, you're a liar." And then a triumphant "Play it fuckin loud!" Later that year the full range of Dylan's talents would be on display for the whole world to hear with the release of Highway 61 Revisited. This was not your folksy Dylan from "The Times They Were a Changing" but this was no longer the same America either. Just 2 years earlier the Vietnam War had begun and just before that JFK had been gunned down. This was an America divided . No one seemed to know where we were going or how we were supposed to get there. That was this album is about. From the clueless aristocracy of Like a Rolling Stone, to the clueless Mr. Jones of Ballad of a Thin Man. Mr Jones faces an out of control world which makes no sense to him. The phrase that best sums up this time in America comes from that very song. "Cause some thing is happening here and you don't know what it is. Do you, Mister Jones?" The simple, folksy protest songs of Dylan's earlier years have slowly evolved in to a revolution, both musically and lyrically. While Like a Rolling stone is the greatest song of all time, Ballad of a Thin Man just may be the most important.
Highlights: Like A Rolling Stone, Ballad of a Thin Man, Desolation Row."

It may not be apparent from this list, but Tommy has a huge man crush on this sexy sexy man...

Sarah Silverman - "I'm F'in Matt Damon" Music Video

2008-02-01T18:14:00.001Z

Fucking hilarious.

My Bro's Top 25 Albums

2008-01-30T14:41:00.000Z

You know, they say great brothers think alike, and after my bro gave me this first draft of his top 25 albums of all time, I don't doubt that one bit. I'll let the man himself tell you-

"Here are my top 25 albums of all time, in no particular order. There are a lot of omissions of course. I’ll probably revise it again at some point. I based them on how unique, innovate, or influential these albums were or how they created or heavily influenced a genre. Or, just how much I liked them. I’m forgetting some but here goes for now:

U2 "The Joshua Tree"
U2 "Achtung Baby"
Pink Floyd "Dark Side of the Moon"
The Who "Who's Next"
The Clash "London Calling"
Jimi Hendrix "Are You Experienced?"
Michael Jackson "Thriller"
Led Zeppelin "IV"
Led Zeppelin "How the West Was Won (live)"
Radiohead "Kid A"
Police "Zenyatta Mondatta"
Rage Against the Machine "Live at the Grand Olympic Auditorium"
Beatles "Sgt. Pepper's"
Bob Marley "Live!"
Sex Pistols "Never Mind the Bollocks"
Public Enemy "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back"
Public Enemy "Fear of a Black Planet"
Joy Division "Unknown Pleasures" or “Closer” (either)
Van Halen "I"
Rolling Stones "Some Girls"
Rolling Stones "Beggars Banquet"
Echo & the Bunnymen "Porcupine"
Prodigy "The Fat of the Land"
Nirvana "Nevermind"
The Pretenders “The Pretenders” (self-titled)"

I especially like the Public Enemy thrown in. In the words of the immortal Flava Flav, "Yeaaaahhhh Boooooy."

Sweet Strokes "Reptila" Cover

2008-01-29T19:32:00.001Z

Pretty sweet video I came across today. Alex Tuner, of Arctic Monkeys fame, joined Lightspeed Champion for a cover the Stroke's killer jam "Reptila" at White Heat in London. Anyone who has played Rock Band would be familiar with this kick ass song. Enjoy.

The Ones That Didn't Make It...

2008-01-27T17:09:00.001Z

Quite simply, the hardest part about this album list was getting it down to only 10. I started the process with 25 albums I thought were possibly deserving of top 10 status and went from there. The process included hours of "tedious" research and many many re-listens, but in the end I believe the albums I selected are the cream of the crop. In case anyone is curious, here are the 15 albums that barely missed the cut...in no particular order.

Pet Sounds - The Beach Boys
Rubber Soul - The Beatles
Abbey Road - The Beatles
The Beatles ("The White Album") - The Beatles
Blonde on Blonde - Bob Dylan
Are You Experienced? - The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Houses of the Holy - Led Zeppelin
What's Going On? - Marvin Gaye
Illmatic - Nas
Nevermind - Nirvana
Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd
Innervisions - Stevie Wonder
The Joshua Tree - U2
Tommy - The Who
Quadrophenia - The Who

However, if I absolutely had to pick a number 11 album out of these it would be Pet Sounds by the Beach Boys. That's right...go get yourselves some Brian Wilson love. The man was a genius when he wasn't incredibly high all the time.

#11-

(My) Top Ten Albums of All Time - Part Deuce

2008-01-25T19:59:00.001Z

I left off yesterday with Who's Next at number 6, so let the list continue.

Quick recap so far-

10. Thriller - Michael Jackson
9. Atchung Baby - U2
8. Highway 61 Revisited - Bob Dylan
7. Exile on Main Street - The Rolling Stones
6. Who's Next - The Who
..............................................................................................................................................

5. London Calling - The Clash (released in the U.K. in 1979, released state-side in 1980)

London Calling is one of the finest rock & roll albums of all time, and certainly the greatest punk/new wave album to ever be recorded. Nothing released previously had sounded anything like London Calling as the band used and experimented with new sound and recording techniques never used previously. "Continuing Clash practice, the record is politically motivated lashing out against injustice and rebelling against the establishment. This album explores many themes like the end of the world, such as in the title track "London Calling", an apocalyptic song, detailing the many ways the world could end, including the coming of the ice age, starvation, and war. (Wiki)"

The key to LC is that the Clash didn't just stick with their punk sound from past records. "Besides straightforward punk rock, it features a much wider array of styles than the Clash's earlier albums, with elements of rockabilly, ska, reggae, hard rock and R&B in tracks such as " Train in Vain," "The Guns of Brixton," "Clampdown" and "Spanish Bombs," (Wiki)." While all the tracks should be considered very good, there are more "great" songs on this album than any other one listed so far, and that is what lands The Clash at number 5. Much like Thriller, London Calling defines an era (the 1980s), but more than that, it also defines the whole punk/new wave genre along with rock in general. This album is the reason why the Clash were dubbed "The Only Band That Matters" in the early 1980s......and that statement was 100% correct.

4. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen

Not to spoil the surprise, but Born to Run is the highest rated album left on the list by a U.S. recording artist. Thus, not only are my top 3 albums of all time made by people not of American descent, but, by default, this makes Born to Run the top U.S. album of all time (in my opinion). However, I feel it is deserving. I can't think of any other record that conveys a sense of American music better than this one. The Boss, once again teaming up with the E Street Band, displays the emotion and "wide open sound" that has come to define American recordings. You can actually visualize in your mind the details of Bruce's stories and visions as he paints the everyday struggles of 1970's American working class towns and people. You can't really tell if Springsteen is looking forward or to the past. Nevertheless, the album occupies its own special place in American folklore.

The album itself is dark, gritty and sickening yet tremendously hopeful at the same time. Out of the eight total tracks on the album, half are considered "uplifting odes to escape," while the other four detail "epics of loss, betrayal, and defeat." Opening track "Thunder Road" is considered by many to be the second best written rock song of all time, only behind Led Zep's "Stairway to Heaven." I, however, put "Thunder Road" at number 1, especially since you can't listen to the radio or go into any music shop without hearing the dreaded "Stairway." The over nine-minute-long closing track, "Jungleland," is in fact one of the songs about loss and defeat, but in my opinion, the best song both on the album, and of the Boss' long career. The crucial element that makes it great is Bruce Springsteen's story telling combined with tenacity of the E Street Band. Springsteen was always good by himself, but it was the E Street Band, with Little Stevie V and Conan's Max Weinberg (yes you read that right) that really let the Boss open it up and create the numero uno American album of all time.

3. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles

Bam, there it is. The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band landing at number 3 and not number 1. Clearly I am breaking with the (un)godly influence of Rolling Stone Magazine by doing this, but I had to blow it up. No question, this is the most experimental (in historical context) album of all time and one of the Beatles' top 2. I feel there is a need to justify not putting it at number one, so I had to think of a reason. Perhaps the total radio, commercial and parental saturation this album has had on modern society makes it sound less fresh and experimental to me. I still enjoy listening to it on occasion, but how many times can you hear "Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds" or "With a Little Help from My Friends" (which was run constantly in GE commercials for years and years) before you start to appreciate them a little less? It could easily be number 1 on my list..and maybe it should be. However, I will blame society, specifically cultural saturation, and put it at number 3.

Sgt. Pepper's of course came after the Beatles had completely finished touring and decided to move inside the studio permanently (besides the whole Let It Be rooftop thing). With the touring and "Beatlemania" over, the boys were able to experiment in the studio with George Martin like never before and the fruits of their labor produced a tremendously rewarding album. The idea first came to Paul McCartney as a concept album of sorts. "McCartney decided that they should create fictitious characters for each band member and record an album that would be a performance by that fictitious band (Wiki)." But the album became so much more than that, and the band eventually abandoned the concept idea, besides the first two tracks which carry on the Sgt. Pepper's theme. The best track on the record, and the best of the Beatles' catalogue, is the ending "A Day in the Life." The idea for the song came to John Lennon one morning while reading the London Daily Mail newspaper. It's funny how an event so common like that could become the most powerful song by the most influential group of all time. All in all, the legacy of the record cannot be denied and most would put it at number 1.

2. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars - David Bowie

This has to be the surprise of the list for most people. Rolling Stone put this album at number 35 on it's all time list (viewed here - RS Top 500). I, however, think it is much more deserving than a mere 35. The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, or Ziggy Stardust for short, is the greatest concept album ever created (yes, better than The Wall, Tommy and Quadrophenia), defines the decade of the 1970s and totally established the "glam rock" genre of rock & roll. Based on those three facts, Ziggy Stardust couldn't be any lower than number 2. Not to mention that the album is unavoidably enjoyable. Melody Maker magazine is more in line with my way of thinking as they named it the "definitive album of the 1970s."

Bowie lays down the guitar, keyboard, saxophone and locals for the album, all while co-producing it at the same time. In this event, it's impossible to give anyone else besides Bowie total credit for the album and he came up with the concept himself and brought it to fruition. In short, "The album presents the story of "Ziggy Stardust", a martian who comes to Earth to liberate humanity from banality. Ziggy, himself, is the definitive rock star, sexually promiscuous, wild in drug intake and with a message, ultimately, of peace and love; but he is destroyed by his own excesses of drugs and sex, and torn apart by the fans he inspired (Wiki). The album touches on numerous emotions and takes the listener on a cosmic voyage of epic proportions with songs like "Five Years," "Moonage Daydream," "Starman," "Ziggy Stardust" and "Rock 'N' Roll Suicide." There truly is no standout track on this album because they all are equally amazing and stand on their own. It's ironic that the number 2 album on my list is tracked as never even selling 1 million copies (although I'm sure that's changed by now). Nonetheless, Mr. Bowie sure outdid himself with this one as it truly is something not of this world. Better than Sgt. Pepper's? Maybe not. More fun, enjoyable, ambitious and better concept though? Absolutely.

1. Revolver - The Beatles

I guess everyone knew there had to be a Beatles' record coming here. I take credit though for not chalking up Sgt. Pepper's as number 1 like everyone else (patting myself on back) and putting the overall better record of Revolver at number 1. While it may not be as innovative and experimental as Sgt. Peppers, Revolver packs better writing and overall a better track list. Revolver was originally released before the Beatles stopped touring, yet they were unable to perform any of the songs live due to the complexity of them. Most fans seeing the fab four live were disappointed they weren't able to perform any songs from this album, but the music was getting more complicated, and thus impossible to play live given the studio techniques needed to generate the automatic double tracking (ADT) incorporated on the recording.

As mentioned, the songs on this album are the finest ever written. George Harrison even gets into the song writing act, as he occasionally did, with opening track "Taxman," (my favorite on the record), a song based on a common personification of tax collection agencies. John and Paul take it from there though as they really begin to hit their stride on Revolver with eternal tracks "Eleanor Rigby," "Got To Get You Into My Life,""Good Day Sunshine," "I'm Only Sleeping." and the original experimental track "Tomorrow Never Knows." This is the key to why Revolver is number 1 on my list. People say that Sgt. Pepper's was so experimental and whatnot, but all that experimentation and studio tech. stuff began to be incorporated by the band and producer George Martin on Revolver. Without Revolver there would be no Sgt. Pepper's. Simple as that. The album still sounds like a ray of sunlight to this day as it doesn't suffer from the saturation and overkill of Sgt. Pepper's and other Beatles' albums. Overall, Revolver is the finest album from the greatest musical group of all time and deserves to be number 1. While it's pretty much splitting hairs between this record and Sgt. Pepper's, I believe Revolver is overall the better effort.
.......................................................................................................................................

Well everyone, I hope you have enjoyed...I know I have. Hopefully LSE will accept this list as my dissertation at the end of the year because I feel like after this bad boy, my writing can only go downhill.

Feel free to comment with comments, critiques, or even your own top 10 lists!! I'm going to keep the top 10 train chugging along over the next few days with some breakdowns and statistics of my top 10 along with the list of albums that barely missed the cut....and let me tell you there are quite a few as it was not an easy choice at all. It's 4:34 London time, so goodnight from London City, remember to represent yourself and most of all enjoy yourself bitches.

-1

(My) Top Ten Albums of All Time - Part I

2008-01-24T01:21:00.000Z

Well, here it is. I can't even count how many times I've gone over various lists like this in my head throughout the years and the idea was once again recounted to me by a very good friend over winter break. So let's do it.....

Disclaimer: This is in essence my own personal list and thus reflects my own personal preferences and biases. However, I do believe that these 10 albums would make almost any one's top 10-20-50....probably.......maybe.....yeah, probably.

10. Thriller - Michael Jackson (1982)

No album quite remind me of childhood in general like MJ's Thriller. I'm sure I'm not the only one who recalls countless childhood memories with MJ laying down the background tunes from possibly the 198o's greatest album. This beast of a record went on to sell 26 million copies in the U.S. and a gargantuan 104 copies worldwide. Needless to say it remains the top selling album of all time. From Wiki - "Thriller is one of only three albums to remain in the top 10 of the Billboard 200 for a full year, spending 80 consecutive weeks there, 37 at #1." Fucking crazy. Can anyone imagine an album doing these sales and numbers in today's internet pirated world? Of course not.

Producer Quincy Jones truly out did himself with a collection of smash hits including "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin,'" "Thriller," "Beat it" and of course "Billy Jean." Even today, after all the court room battles, nose jobs and "jesus juice" allegations, Thriller sounds fresh and is a joy to listen to. It reminds you of the MJ from back in the day when he truly was the "king of pop," and was getting down with everyone from Paul McCartney to Macaulay Culkin. This album makes the list because it truly defines a decade (the 1980s). This is a claim I cannot make for any other album on the list. Overall, Thriller's legacy will be lasting. Even if MJ has tarnished his beyond repair.

9. Atchung Baby - U2 (1991)

Atchung Baby (or "attention baby" in German) is U2's finest album and contains 3 of their top 5 songs with "One," "Until the End of the World" and "The Fly." Released in 1991, after the massive success of Joshua Tree and the Rattle and Hum tour, few thought U2 would be able to recreate pass success and quality. It took two years, a total change of their sound, and the band almost breaking up for good, but the effort was worth the struggle as this album went on to become U2's most successful and critically acclaimed, especially with U2 fans themselves.

The Brian Eno and Steve Lillywhite produced album has an extremely dark sound, but there is light at the end of the tunnel as always with U2 and Bono (the ever optimist). Ending tracks "Acrobat" and "Love is Blindness" indeed provide the light to the earlier, darker and more electronic influenced songs on the record. Some may say Joshua Tree is the better album overall, and it certainly is if you're only interested in the "greatest hits form of U2." However, I say you go listen to both of then over again and then tell me which is better. Chances are, it will be the this one.

8. Highway 61 Revisited - Bob Dylan (1965)

I have never been a huge Dylan fan myself, but the brilliance and perfection of Highway 61 Revisited cannot be denied. The album is named for the long stretch of highway that connects Dylan's home state of Minnesota to New Orleans, Louisiana and even goes as far north as the Canadian border. The album is as diverse and divergent as the many different states that highway 61 crosses through, and Dylan highlights a range of sound over the course of the album.

"Like a Rolling Stone," unquestionably Dylan's greatest song starts the album off and "Desolation Row," arguably Dylan's most ambitious song, ends it. Other highlights include "Tombstone Blues" and "Ballad of a Thin Man." If you are any kind of a Dylan fan this album automatically makes your top three if not number one. That's why I will leave the details above as sketchy as they are. I'm really not the person to be describing this album, however, I can appreciate it's brilliance and scope and put it at number eight. Let the calls of "underrated" begin.

7. Exile on Main Street - The Rolling Stones (1972)

Exile on Main Street is The Rolling Stones' perfection record. While it may not contain some of their bigger hits you would hear seeing them on tour today, it is undeniably their most consistent album. And by consistent, I mean perfect all the way through. At this point in the list, all the albums left are deserving of the word perfection, and Exile is no surely no exception. Recorded in the area around Nice, France, because the Stones were on the run from the British government for owing an exorbitant amount of back taxes, Exile was put together in a furious spree in guitarist Keith Richard's rented vacation home. "Bassist Bill Wyman recalls the band working all night, every night from eight in the evening until three the following morning for a little over a month (Wiki)."

The tedious work of the band comes through in Exile as it paints a broad stroke of sound drawn from eclectic influences including rock, blues, soul and country. Highlights include "Rocks Off," "Rip This Joint," Casino Boogie," "Soul Survivor" and my favorite Stones' song ever, the eternally soulful "Shine a Light." The album is deserving because as mentioned earlier it is the perfection album from one of the most influential rock bands of all time. Who knows how much longer Mick, Keith and the boys will keep on rocking? By my guess, they have at least 5 more world tours left in em'.

6. Who's Next - The Who (1971)

If I had to pick absolutely only one Who album to be represented here it had to be Who's Next. Their best selling and most critically acclaimed album, Who's Next was recorded over a a two year period following the critical success of the rock opera Tommy. After the monumental success of Tommy, lead guitarist and song composer, Pete Townshend came up with a impossible idea for an album called the Lifehouse Project. The idea was way ahead of it's time and I'm not even going to attempt to explain it here, but for more info on it check out this link - Lifehouse. Anyway, the Lifehouse project drove Townshend to what he called, "the verge of a suicidal nervous breakdown," and was forced to scrap the project. What did come from the Lifehouse sessions although, was the tracks that would make up the flawless Who's Next.

Absolutely everything comes together on this record. Keith Moon takes a break from his lethal lifestyle to lay down some of his famous haphazard drumming and possibly the most famous drum solo of all time on "Won't Get Fooled Again." Other stand out tracks are "Behind Blue Eyes," Baba O'Riley," "My Wife" and "Going Mobile." All of the other elements come together on this record also including Roger Daltrey's voice, Townshend's guitar chops, and of course, John Entwistle anchoring the band as always with his bass playing. Moon and Entwistle are arguably the best musicians of all time on their instruments and Who's Next backs up that claim. Combined with Daltrey's voice and Townshend's guitar, it's an unbeatable combination. I consider The Who the greatest 'modern" rock band of all time and deserving of their place in the British Invasion "holy trinity," with the Beatles as the father, the Rolling Stones the son, and the Who as the holy spirit. In the early 1970s, with the Beatles broken up the Stones on hiatus, The Who was considered "THE BAND." Time magazine is even quoted as saying in early 1970 after the release of Tommy that, "Surely The Who are now the band against which all others are to be judged." Case closed. Also, If you want to hear the best use of a synthesizer ever, listen to the first 1:20 of Baba O'Riley. I guarantee you will be hooked from there.
.................................................

I'm done for today. I have already contributed waaaaaay to much time and research on this. Get ready for part two, albums 5-1, tomorrow my loyal viewing audience of about 3 people.

Sink your teeth into VAMPIRE WEEKEND

2008-01-12T17:04:00.000Z

I was lucky enough to catch these guys at Borderline show in London on October 23rd. Before seeing the gig, I had only heard of them through the internet hype machine that is pitchfork.com. Thus, I didn't really know what to expect at the time especially with a name like "Vampire Weekend," but must say I was pleasantly surprised at the originality and sound of these college boys from NYC.

I also recently got my hands on a leaked copy of their new self-title album, due out at the end of the month and let me tell you, these guys are gonna blow up big time. The hype is there, the NYC love of course helps (look at the Strokes), and the music quality is actually pretty damn good. If your not familiar with these guys yet check out the links for yourself.

Vampire Weekend
VW (Free Songs)
My Space page

Connect Four!!!...(got three in a row, go for one more.....)

2008-01-11T03:10:00.000Z

Might as well get one more Kanye post in while I can. Apparently the "stronger" rapper/producer loves him some connect four (a man truly after my own heart) and recently dropped 9 out of 10 games to grand champion Beyonce (who knew) in Vegas. Definitely an interesting story I had to get in. Here is it in his own words -

"When I was in Europe I would play this game for hours and hours... it helped me zone out. Everybody would get envolved... Derrick Dudley (Common's manager) and Consequence were the best other than me... I beat Lexi... Don C beat Jay... Tony Williams beat Common... but every now and then people would speak of this legendary connect 4 champion........... BEYONCE!!! I had 2 play her!...so last night at Jay's new 40/40 club in Las Vegas (which is sidebar, crazy big w/ 24krt gold flooring, Black Jack tables, $500 slot machines,the biggest projection screen in the universe and the best turkey burgers I've ever had in my life) she beat me 9 times in a row! (and I didn't even spaz lol) here's a photo of the only game I won!"

By the way, if you want to kill about 2 hours of your day, click on the connect four link in the first paragraph. You'll thank me later.

My Main Man of Blogging

2008-01-11T00:50:00.000Z

I already strive to be like Kanye is all aspects of my life, but if you want to check out what blogging is all about pop on over to Kanye West's blog. Better yet, let me take you.....Kanye's Blog

Arcade Fire.

2007-11-21T01:28:00.002Z

Rocked my fucking socks off.....and I never, NEVER, take my socks off. That only proves how hard they did in fact rock last night at Alexandra Palace in London City. I was once a doubter of these critically acclaimed Canadian indie-rockers, but that transitioned with fresh listens to Funeral and morphed to respect and admiration when Neon Bible was released last year. Songs like "No Cars Go," "Keep the Car Running" and "(AntiChrist Television Blues)" don't miss and reclaims a genre of music that hasn't been this good since the Boss was laying down Nebraska in 1982. The hype is real.

Arcade Fire's versatility is shown through the fact that there are 11 of these minstrels on stage at once playing all types of instruments and switching back and forth throughout the show. For example, Regine Chassagne, wife of front man Win Butler and co-founder of AF, started the gig on her trademark hurdy gurdy, switched to drums, transitioned to organ, changed to keyboard and also knocked out tracks on the accordion, xylophone while busting out lead vocals for a few songs. Amazing gig. Showmanship and music quality get a 10/10.

This was their last gig for the current tour but catch Arcade Fire at some point next time around. You will not be disappointed.