Wednesday, November 24, 2004
It's that time of Year Again...for my 2004 picks for top albums of the year. I can do this because I'm musically minded. I think last year I said Outkast had the best record (because they did). This year I have to give it to some mates across the pond.
I cast aside the November releases, so I wouldn't get overly excited for the new U2 or Gwen Stefani releases. Figured it would make things more fair.
#1. Muse Sing for Absolution
My record of the year. The most astonishing alternative rock since Radiohead released Ok Computer. Check out "Blackout" or "Thoughts of a Dying Aetheist". Matthew Bellamy is the real deal. Seriously.
#2. Jay-Z The Grey Album (remixed by DangerMouse)
Hands down, one of the greatest bootlegs in hip-hop history. If you're a pirate music downloader on the internet - Key in all of the songs from Jay-Z's Black Album and put "Grey Album" next to the song title. The Black Album was decent in its own right - (all right, maybe better than decent) ... but then this DangerMouse character (you real music buffs know who he is) swooped down from the sky and replaced all the music with remixed snippets he cut from the Beatles White Album. He chopped everything - EVERYTHING right down to Ringo's kick and snare drums - to rebuild all of the songs to fit underneath Jay-Z's vocals. It was totally unauthorised - totally illegal - and totally brilliant. If you find nothing else on the internet, look for "What More Can I Say - Grey Album" and soak up the genius rendition of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". Jay-Z may never have hooked up with Linkin Park if it weren't for this.
#3. Modest Mouse
Good News For People Who Love Bad News
This album doesn't really work for an album. It's not all that linear and in spots it can be a bit annoying. But people rarely buy albums these days to enjoy it as an album...it's all about the songs. "Bury Me With It" and "The View"[!] are the best original sounding sonics since...well come to think of it it's not all that original sounding at all. That is, if you were a Modest Mouse fan before this CD came out. But, Ashbury/Simbarashe/Lift Project fans tend to me musically educated.
#4. Wilco A Ghost Is Born
There's something about it. It's got the Beatles' White Album all over it. Most of the songs were performed with a different lineup (bar lead singer/guitarist Tweedy and the drummer, yet it has this cohesion to it that's unmistakeable. All of the songs breathe the same colour. "Hummingbird" is one of the best non-radio friendly songs released this year. If you life Ghost I highly recommend Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
#5. The Streets A Grand Don't Come For Free
A young hipster screws up returning a DVD to the store; can't pull out any money from his ATM because he's overdrawn; upsets his mother because his cell phone is shitty; his telly doesn't work; and his girlfriend wants him to kiss off. And it's still morning. Some of the best creators of concept records couldn't make it this good. Mike Skinner creates a world that you vividly see while you listen to him rhyme. He's not nearly as complex as Eminem, and he doesn't deliver Jay-Z's cadence, but he might go down as being one of the greatest storytellers ever.
Near Misses
Incubus A Crow Left of the Murder - I actually had a synopsis written for this, but Modest Mouse was too good to pass up. Side by side, it just has way more to offer. But Incubus is still the best traditional rock album this year. Switchfoot doesn't count. Velvet Revolver? Maybe.
Maroon 5 Songs About Jane - Driving slow on Sunday morning... you know...this was a good one too
Kane West College Dropout - If it weren't for the Grey Album, I'd be talking about this one
Usher Confessions - Seven million people in the US who bought this can't be wrong!
Yellowcard Ocean Avenue - ok so this came out in 2003. But it wasn't on my list in 2003. The more I hear them the more I like them.
Monday, November 22, 2004
3 Random Things......was at a Nation's restaurant today in Moraga. Ordered some food and watched two kids (probably 5th graders) eat and chat. They left, and the cashier came by and subsequently bussed the table. The kids came back in, presumably looking for something, saw the clean table, and the "short!" one goes, "DAMN!" Couldn't help but laugh. What's that word doing in his vocab?
...somewhere between Fairfield and Benicia there was an aftermath of a car wreck on the shoulder of the highway. The pickup truck was only frame, with a large dent near the fuel outlet; the truck had caught fire and burned all the way down to the metal. If there was a passenger, they wouldn't have gotten out. The car's front end was smashed all the way into the back seat. Irony is not the word to describe 'no survivor' type crashes. Even so when you see them in person.
...everybody thinks Jeremaine O'Neal threw the punch of the year. Go to ESPN.com and download ESPNmotion. Did you SEE the one Stephen Jackson when they initially went up into the stands? The fan's head disappeared from the frame. Exciting. now you see him now you DON'T!
Friday, November 19, 2004
Someone complained earlier...The Low Morale video for 'Creep' by Radiohead will be back up December 1st. Sorry if you were late linking to it the first time I posted it (was only up for a week). It truly is one of the better wonders in internet technology.
Low Morale [ Clicky. ]
Thursday, November 18, 2004
Oops I did it...For a tall skinny person, the most peculiar thing happened to me last night. I was on my way to the store when I pulled in the lot. Made to get out of my car and POP .. my jean's button dislodged. I thought it was a tight fit this morning. I couldn't help but laugh; I felt like a fat chick. Anyway, got home, stepped on the scale and, tada tada, my weight hadn't changed. Hmmm.
Anyway. those of you who know me know that I'm a Cancer. But here's my moon sign data:
If one had to describe you with one word, that word would probably be...conservative. You tend to fear anything outside the norm. You are deeply moved by anything that is beautiful. You differ from Aries in that you are not impulsive. Although you both might seek the same end, success, you will try to reach it conservatively, through hard work. The Moon in Taurus is well suited for you then, as those with this sign tend to attract good company, and usually end up with more than their fair share of money and property. You are also attracted to things that are old and established. As far as money is concerned, you will receive your financial reward, no matter what type of work you do. This vocation may not be considered to be worthy of your abilities or standing in the community, but that should not bother you. Your occupation may also have an aura of mystery around it. You are generally sociable, and actually quite sensual. Your social life suits your needs, but sometimes you tend to be a little too materialistic in your relationships. You have a good speaking or singing voice, and have a natural attraction to the theatre. You enjoy making new friends, and like joining clubs or other social circles.
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
How to Dismantle an Atomic BombI've spent the better part of the evening listening to the new U2 record, due to hit stores on the 23rd. It's amazing how, in their simplicity they were able to craft together one body of work that is, well, as good as anything I've heard all year. So the early buzz is true. It is to my discern, distinctively better than Eminem's new album out. Linkin Park and Jay-Z have a great collaboration due out Nov. 30. And as for the next Ashbury release? Yeah, I'm wondering about that too [laughs].
We'll get 'Chickens Outside My Window' out to you all soon, promise.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
A Typical Day (?)I filled out a questionaire that followed me throughout the course of a day, from the moment I woke up until the moment I fell asleep. Apparently, I don't eat, I don't do much, I do excercise, but I spend way too many hours awake. It was somewhat depressing, actually.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Syndicate Dolphonic!If you have a customised 'My Yahoo!' page, you can now have updated entries from my journal sent directly to your page. If you're interested, click on the button below. It takes less than 5 seconds to complete.
This is especially cool for those of you who view this site from work. Donica Pine, all the time
This is clearly the most difficult piece of literature that I've ever had to proof. Any headway I make sidesteps the fact that it seems to feel like an endless abyss of pages--page after page after page Pah! Though I am quite certain I am over half finished--Sara Owen's entries are the most prolific of the book; and I haven't even started with her. The style of speak isn't so complex though; I'm hoping to blow right through it.
I was in Moraga a few days ago and decided to sit down and watch Fox Sports Net. I always liked it because they (cough cough) put on European football leagues (i.e. soccer). But they decided to show Rugby instead. I don't recall ever watching (let alone paying attention) to rugby in Manchester. But rugby is hardcore. It takes the best parts of soccer and the best parts of American football and merge them together into a sport with the messiest rules since...Monopoly. The match was between New Zealand and England. England got stomped, but I was REALLY into it. Gotta look into getting Fox Sports Net next year. Bloody dishes and digital cable. Oh well. I still have The O.C. and South Park. And Drawn Together(!!!)
Saturday, November 06, 2004
and her name was Kate...When I was thirteen years old she lived next door. And I'd walk around in circles in the street while she played with her sister on the porch. And her brothers would make her father angry, as they laughed and filled the storm drains with smoke bombs. Amazing. And then the chubby brother invites me into their game of 'war' - 'war' - as it was, consisted of sending casualties down the laundry shoot and anything that could be picked up - was - a weapon. And she'd stay on the porch and watch from a distance, with some minimal amount of awe in her eyes - for these were her brothers, and they could very well be role models if they wanted to. And when you play war, you have to be accurate, deadly accurate, because it's a game of kill or be killed. And I remember when they gave me a ticket to see my first concert - U2/Bjork/Public Enemy. Zoo TV. Zoo Station. Projectstation. And the Sugarcubes from sugar land.And these would be my friends for a year. But she was surely the nicest one. If any of them could become extrordinary, it would be her. So she is now, so the magazine reads under their heading of 52 people that 'you should meet'. And we met already, long ago, 12 years ago, at the end of the drive on the steps of the colonial looking building with green shades. And today she is deadly accurate with her craft. And perhaps she is one of the best at it. And I am proud to say that I knew her once.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
red and blueI voted today. Nothing else to talk about blabbablabba