Baseball, Music and Other Good Stuff

Top 40 Albums of 2011

2012-01-02T17:30:00.000-06:00

This is always difficult to do, but so much fun. Surprisingly, there were a lot of really good albums to come out this year. I am sure some of you reading this are saying, what’s an album, but yes, if you look hard enough, you can still find stores that even sell them.

Well, here we go, I am sure the order on these will change on me in the next few days, but before that happens, let’s get this done now.

40. Radiohead – King of Limbs

Favorite Tracks: Morning Mr. Magpie, Lotus Flower & Codex

39. The Raveonettes – Raven in the Grave

Favorite tracks: Recharge and Revolt, Forget That You’re Young & Ignite

38. Hooded Fang – Tosta Mista

Favorite Tracks: Clap, ESP & Vacationation

37. Big Troubles – Romantic Comedy

Favorite Tracks: She Smiles for Pictures, Minor Keys & Softer than Science

36. Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes

Favorite Tracks: Youth Knows Know Pain, I Follow Rivers & Rich Kid Blues

35. British Sea Power – Valhalla Dancehall

Favorite Tracks: Who’s In Control, Cleaning Out the Rooms & Thin Black Sail

34. Beady Eye – Different Gear, Still Speeding

Favorite tracks: Four Letter Word, Beatles and Stones & The Beat Goes On

33. Cut Copy – Zonoscope

Favorite Tracks: Take Me Over, Where I’m Going & This is All We’ve Got

32. Pains of Being Pure At Heart – Belong

Favorite Tracks: Belong, Heaven’s Gonna Happen Now & Heart In Your Heartbreak

31. I’m From Barcelona – Forever Today

Favorite Tracks: Charlie Parker, Always Spring & Dr. Landy

30. We Are Augustines – Rise Ye Sunken Ships

Favorite Tracks: Chapel Song, Headlong Into the Abyss & New Drink for the Old Drunk

29. Black Lips – Arabia Mountain

Favorite Tracks: Modern Art, Raw Meat & New Direction

28. Stephen Malkmus & the Jicks – Mirror Traffic

Favorite Tracks: Tigers, Senator & Stick Figures in Love

27. Girls – Father, Son, Holy Ghost

Favorite Tracks: Honey Bunny, Die & Love Like A River

26. Destroyer – Kaputt

Favorite Tracks: Chinatown, Savage Night at the Opera & Kaputt

25. Foo Fighters – Wasting Light

Favorite Tracks: Bridge Burning, Rope & Dear Rosemary

24. Masters of the Hemisphere – Maybe These Are The Breaks

Favorite Tracks: Eggshell, Watch It Go Away & Jim Belushi

23. Viva Voce – The Future Will Destroy You

Favorite Tracks: Plastic Radio, Black Mood Ring & The Future Will Destroy You

22. The Black Keys – El Camino

Favorite Tracks: Lonely Boy, Gold on the Ceiling & Little Black Submarines

21. Yuck – Yuck

Favorite Tracks: Get Away, The Wall & Georgia

20. Bass Drum of Death – GB City

Favorite Tracks: Nerve Jamming, Get Found & Leaves

19. Dum Dum Girls – Only In Dreams

Favorite Tracks: Always Looking, Bedroom Eyes & Wasted Away

18. The War on Drugs – Slave Ambient

Favorite Tracks: Best Night, Your Love is Calling My Name & Baby Missiles

17. St. Vincent – Strange Mercy

Favorite Tracks: Chloe in the Afternoon, Cruel & Northern Lights

16. Male Bonding – Endless Now

Favorite Tracks: Tame the Sun, Seems to Notice Now & Channeling Your Fears

15. The Smith Westerns – Dye It Blonde

Favorite Tracks: Weekend, Imagine Pt. 3 & Dance Away

14. Okkervil River – I Am Very Far

Favorite Tracks: The Valley, Rider & Wake and Be Fine

13. Beastie Boys – Hot Sauce Committee Vol. 2

Favorite Tracks: Make Some Noise, Too Many Rappers & Don’t Play No Game That I Can’t Win

12. The Dodos – No Color

Favorite Tracks: Black Night, Hunting Season & Don’t Stop

11. Real Estate – Days

Favorite Tracks: Easy, It’s Real & All the Same

10. M83 – Hurry Up, We’re Dreaming

Favorite Tracks: Midnight City, Raconte-Moi Une Histoire & New Map

9. The Strokes – Angles

Favorite Tracks: Under Cover of Darkness, Taken For A Fool & Gratisfaction

8. Los Campesinos! – Hello Sadness

Favorite Tracks: By Your Hand, Hello Sadness & The Black Bird, The Dark Slope

7. Wild Flag – Wild Flag

Favorite Tracks: Romance, Something Came Over Me & Future Crimes

6. Beirut – The Rip Tide

Favorite Tracks: A Candle’s Fire, Santa Fe & Port of Call

5. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – Hysterical

Favorite Tracks: Same Mistake, Hysterical & Into Your Alien Arms

4. Arctic Monkeys – Suck It and See

Favorite Tracks: She’s Thunderstorms, Don’t Sit Down Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair & Library Pictures

3. PJ Harvey – Let England Shake

Favorite Tracks: Let England Shake, The Glorious Land & The Words That Maketh Murder

2. Liam Finn – FOMO

Favorite Tracks: Neurotic World, Don’t Even Know Your Name, Cold Feet & The Struggle

1. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds

Favorite Tracks: Everybody’s On The Run, Dream On, If I Had A Gun, The Death of You and Me, Soldier Boys and Jesus Freaks & Broken Arrow

It's Here, the best of 2010

2010-12-21T23:18:00.009-06:00

A list of my top 20 albums of the past year. Feel free to share your list or criticize mine.

20. Male Bonding – Nothing Hurts

Sometimes less is more, and that is exactly what works on this album. This three-piece from London writes short catchy rock tunes, in fact the album is under 30 min and has 13 songs on it. They don’t mess around here; they just get down to business and make some quality rock and roll tunes.

Personal Favorites: Year’s Not Long, All Things This Way & Weird Feelings

19. Morning Benders – Big Echo

Do you like the Beatles, the beach boys, the shins & pavement? Well, so do these guys. You can hear elements of all of those bands in these songs. A very good collection of music here that varies from traditional pop songs like “Cold War” to a song that might as well have been written with Brian Wilson like “Excuses.”

Personal Favorites: Excuses, Promises, Cold War & Stitches

18. Land of Talk – Cloak and Cipher

Another addition to the long growing list of female rockers to come out of Canada. It seems like that country keeps spitting out quality music, especially from female songwriters. In America, we get Jewel and Miley Cyrus, while our neighbors from the north give us Elizabeth Powell, Feist, Emily Haines & Amy Milan. This is an album that can be passed along to everyone. It is filled with pretty songs for the ladies to rock songs for the guys, so everybody line up and take a listen.

Personal Favorites: Cloak and Cipher, Quarry Hymns, Swift Coin & Hamburg, Noon

17. Apples in Stereo – Travellers in Space and Time

Here’s another band that just can’t get enough of those Brian Wilson types of tunes. However, over the years they have moved towards a dancier version of those pop songs by including more synths, pitch shifters and effects, but regardless of how they have done it, this band still continues to construct great music. Now this new music may sound a little more Bee Gees than Beach Boys, but either way they are still great tunes.

Personal Favorites: Dream About the Future, Dance Floor & No Vacation

16. Frightened Rabbit – The Winter of Mixed Drinks

This album is not about bartending in the snow; instead it is about heartbreak and wow, what heartbreak it sounds like. Whoever did this guy wrong must have been an awful person, but I can’t be too mad at them because they have helped this band write some great tunes. Think of these guys like a darker version of Travis and just like Travis, they are Scottish.

Personal Favorites: Things, The Wrestle, Skip the Youth & Nothing Like You

15. Dr. Dog – Shame Shame

Philadelphia, you must be very happy right now. You have one of the best pitching staffs ever assembled and you have this band that never seems to disappoint. Another band that loves their harmonies and catchy hooks, Dr. Dog really show how tight they are as a band on this disc and when they perform live.

Personal Favorites: Stranger, Shadow People, Where’d All The Time Go & Later

14. Titus Andronicus – The Monitor

Straightforward rock and roll from New Jersey that was influenced by the Boss, the Replacements and the Pixies. How could you go wrong?

Personal Favorites: A More Perfect Union, Titus Andronicus Forever & Four Score and Seven

13. Wolf Parade – Expo 86

Maybe it’s just me, but these Canadians always seem to put out quality music. A combination of punk rock and synthesizers, they constantly rank up there with their with my favorite albums of the year each time they release new music. Sadly, it looks like they are on hiatus now, so this may be the last album we here from this group.

Personal Favorites: Cloud Shadow on the Mountain, What Did My Lover Say?, Yulia & Cave-O-Sapien

12. Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

OK, we all know that this guy is an egomaniac and is usually off his rocker on how the world works sometime, but when he wants to, he can make some amazing music. Never a huge fan of his actual rhymes, the music behind the lyrics is incredible. Complex and layered beats with quality samples make this the best Kanye album since his first.

Personal Favorites: Dark Fantasy, Gorgeous, Power, Monster, Hell of a Life & All of the Lights

11. Girl Talk – All Day

You either like it or you don’t. It’s a mash up album that is done very well. From the first track you hear Black Sabbath mashed up with Ludicris then it goes into Jane’s Addiction, pretty awesome. What I really like about this album over his others is that it sounds like he has done less altering with the songs to make them go together. I never thought that General Public and Jay-Z would go so well together.

Personal Favorites – Oh No, Let It Out, This is the Remix & Triple Double

10. Surfer Blood – Astro Coast

One of my favorite finds of the year, which is a surprise considering these guys are from Florida, a state that is not really known for anything other than the sound machine. To me it sounds like these guys really like the Shins and Beulah, which I think is a great thing. A short album, but it is packed with some great catchy tunes, most of which all have a different sound to them. I am sure a lot of fans of Vampire Weekend will like these guys, but I think this band shows more promise because of their ability to create different types of sounds and songs.

Personal Favorites: Floating Vibes, Swim, Take it Easy, Twin Peaks & Fast Jabroni

9. Beach House – Teen Dream

Don’t be fooled by the name of the band or the album, this is some very dark music, but with incredible melodies and harmonies. Too me, it is dark and beautiful. Very pretty songs about dark topics with extremely eclectic sounds. If you are into the Magnetic Fields, Mazzy Star, Blonde Redhead or even Ride, I think you will like this album.

Personal Favorites: Zebra, Silver Soul, Walk in the Park, Used to Be & 10 Mile Stereo

8. The National – High Violet

Another dark and dreary band that makes pretty music, but comes with one major difference than number 9, they can rock when they have too. This album is good, but not as good as their last album. Heavily produced, like their other albums, it will be the perfect gift for the sad bastard music lover in your life. It is also the perfect gift for anyone who likes quality music because that is what this band continues to write. Very layered and dark, this will be a favorite for anyone who liked their previous albums.

Personal Favorites: Terrible Love, Afraid of Everyone, Bloodbuzz Ohio & Lemonworld

7. The Dead Weather – Sea of Cowards

Four words to describe this album: ROCK AND FUCKING ROLL!!!!!! I never drank the Jack White Kool-Aid, but I think he got it right on this album, especially with the guitars because they sound so tough. From the opening riff on the first song, you know you are either going to like this album or not. And if you don’t there is something wrong with you because you probably hate America.

Personal Favorites: Blue Blood Blues, The Difference Between Us, I’m Mad & Die by the Drop

6. The New Pornographers – Together

Another Canadian band has made this list and for good reason, these guys continue to produce great tunes. Fronted by great songwriters like Nico Case and AC Newman, this album sounds more like their Twin Cinema days than the Challengers album, which I think is a good thing. Covered with well-constructed songs with catchy hooks, this album is a must have for anyone who says they like music.

Personal Favorites: Crash Years, Your Hands, Sweet Talk, Sweet Talk, Up in the Dark & A Bite of my Bed

5. Broken Social Scene – Forgiveness Rock Record

I think I should actually just move to Canada, because here is another band and it is not the last on the list. The Indie-Rock Canadian Super Group, Broken Social Scene puts together another great piece of work with the help of the full band, which features Kevin Drew, Brendan Canning, Leslie Feist (Feist), Emily Haines (Metric) & Amy Milan (Stars) just to name a few of the artists. Just like their previous albums, this album is big and filled with many layers of sounds, guitars, vocals and incredible percussions. Like I said, it is big. The band is big, roughly 12 members or so, and the sound is big, but it is not overdone or excessive, which I believe is a very important piece and makes this album an incredible collection of songs.

Personal Favorites: World Sick, Texico Bitches, Forced to Love, All to All, Art House Director & Sentimental X’s

4. Black Keys – Brothers

I am not going to say much about this album with the exception that if you don’t like it, go to the doctor because there is something wrong with you. Who doesn’t like straightforward rock and roll that has been powered by the blues? I am not sure, and I think the marketers think this is true too because these guys are all over the TV. Hard to watch TV without hearing a song of theirs in an ad these days. Sellouts? Maybe the Aragon 3 nights in a row! Not bad for 2 guys from Akron. In fact, these guys might be loved more than the other hometown kid from Akron, LeBron James.

Personal Favorites: Everlasting Light, Next Girl, Tighten Up, Howlin’ For You, The Only One & Never Gonna Give You Up

3. Arcade Fire – The Suburbs

I promise, this is the last Canadian band on my list this year, I swear. I am not sure what I could say about this band that has not already been said. They are good. This album is very good. This band is exceptional live. There, you have it. Just get it if you don’t have it already. I think what makes this album incredible is how well it goes together. Some albums you can pick tracks up here and there, but that doesn’t do this album justice. You need to listen to it from beginning to end. Not because the singles don’t stand out on their own, but just because the album goes so well together and you would not be doing yourself any favors to skip around on this one.

Personal Favorites: All of them, but if you had time to only listen to a couple – The Suburbs, Ready to Start, Modern Man, We Used to Wait & Sprawl II

2. LCD Soundsystem – This is Happening

It's a shame that I didn't have the chance to see this band when they were here this past year, because I really believe they got it right on this album. Their previous efforts were good, but not great and boys and girls, this album is great. Filled with pop, dance and electronic songs, you will find it very difficult to turn it off once you hit play. Like I said, it is a shame, I missed it live because I heard it was amazing.

Personal Favorites: Dance Yrself Clean, Drunk Girls, All I Want, You Wanted a Hit, Pow Pow & Home

1. Gorillaz – Plastic Beach

Damon Albarn is a genius. The founder of Blur has done it again with by far his best effort with this animated band. And to top off writing an amazing record, he brought in ½ of the Clash to work with him on this. Yes, Paul Simonon and Mick Jones helped lay this down for him in the studio and then followed that up by going on tour as the Gorillaz. Amazing! In addition to the Clash, Damon brought in many other talented musicians to truly make this album special. Artists like De La Soul, Snoop Dogg, Mos Def, Bobby Womack, Gruff Rhys & Lou Reed appear on this album playing with the Lebanese National Orchestra and the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. It is truly an amazing accomplishment to bring all of these styles of music together and to make one incredible album. What is interesting is that Gorillaz started off as a spoof on manufactured bands and has now moved on to something completely different to become a great concept for a musical group. Like I said, Damon Albarn is a genius.

Personal Favorites: Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach, White Flag, Rhinestone Eyes, Superfast Jellyfish, Empire Ants, Some Kind of Nature, On Melancholy Hill & Sweepstakes.

Movies That Rock!

2010-02-24T23:53:00.002-06:00

I was reading an article the other day about the best movies about music, so I figure, what the hell, I’ll post my top 5 and my bottom 5. Feel free to share yours.

Top 5
1. This is Spinal Tap
2. Stop Making Sense
3. 24 Hour Party People
4. The Song Remains the Same
5. Hard Days Night

5 worst
1. Rattle & Hum
2. Some Kind of Monster
3. Hysteria – the Def Leppard Story
4. Glitter
5. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonley Hearts Club Band

and just for the record, I only got to see about 5 minutes of "Glitter," and my decision was made.

2000 – 2009 Top 50 Albums

2010-02-12T08:54:00.033-06:00

I meant to do this a long time ago, but hey, I’ve been busy. So, without wasting any more time, I give you the top 50 albums from 2000-2009. Now I put this list together over Christmas and after looking at it again, I am sure I can mix it up a bit, but I am confident in at least the first half of the list being 100% accurate.

Now there may have been other albums that should be in the top 50, but I put the restriction of only 1 album per band on this list. And if you want to listen to any of the top 25 on this list, just click on the names of the album.

Feel free to leave your favorites in the comment section.

Thanks and enjoy - JP

50. Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Pains of Being Pure at Heart

49. Beulah – The Coast is Never Clear

48. Black Keys – Rubber Factory

47. Frightened Rabbit – Midnight Organ Flight

46. Camera Obscura – Let’s Get Out of This Country

45. Spiritualized – Let It Come Down

44. Stereophonics – Just Enough Education to Perform

43. … And You Will Know Us By The Trail of the Dead – Worlds Apart

42. The Thrills – So Much for the City

41. Kevin Drew – Spirit If

40. The Hives – Tyrannosaurs Hives

39. Belle & Sebastian – Dear Catastrophe Waitress

38. The Decemberists – Crane Wife

37. Gorillaz – Demon Days

36. Apples in Stereo – New Magnetic Wonder

35. New Pornographers – Twin Cinema

34. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend

33. Elf Power – Creatures

32. White Stripes – Elephant

31. Band of Horses – Everything All the Time

30. Arnold – Bahama

29. Sonic Youth – Rather Ripped

28. South – With the Tides

27. The National – Boxer

26. The Raveonettes – Pretty in Black

25. Interpol – Turn on the Bright Lights

24. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

23. Grandaddy – The Sophtware Slump

22. Blur – Think Tank

21. Mojave 3 – Excuses for Travellers

20. Aimee Mann – Bachelor #2

19. Broken Social Scene – You Forgot it in People

18. Okkervil River – The Stand Ins

17. Travis – The Man Who

16. Beirut – Gulag Orkestar

15. Elliott Smith – From a Basement on the Hill

14. Primal Scream – Xtrmntr

13. Wilco – Yankee Hotel Foxtrot

12. Radiohead – Hail to the Thief

11. Arcade Fire – Neon Bible

10. Badly Drawn Boy – Hour of Bewilderbeast

9. Super Furry Animals – Rings Around the World

8. Coldplay – Parachutes

7. Libertines – Up the Bracket

6. Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots

5. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Howl

4. The Strokes – Is This It

3. Doves – The Last Broadcast

2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Show Your Bones

1. Kings of Leon – Aha Shake Heartbreak

Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, I bring you the BEST OF 2009

2009-12-27T22:23:00.022-06:00

Sorry it has taken me sometime to post this, but I have been busy lately. Well, let’s not wait any longer.

Here are my best albums for 2009. Later on this week or weekend, I will post the top 50 albums from 2000-2009.

20. Karen O and the Kids – Where the Wild Things Are

Album Favorites: All is Love & Rumpus

19. Jarvis Cocker – Further Complications

Album Favorites: Further Complications & Angela

18. Depeche Mode - Sounds of the Universe

Album Favorites: Wrong & In Chains

17. the Dodos - Time to Die

Album Favorites: Fables & Small Deaths

16. Camera Obscura - My Maudlin Career

Album Favorites - French Navy & Honey in the Sun

15. Sonic Youth - The Eternal

Album Favorites: Sacred Trickster & Anti-Orgasm

14. Arctic Monkeys - Humbug

Album Favorites: Crying Lightning & Cornerstone

13. Cymbals Eat Guitars - Why There Are Mountains

Album Favorites: Indiana & Wind Phoenix

12. Beirut - March of the Zapotec and Realpeople Holland

Album Favorites: My Night with a Prostitute from Marseille & La Llorona

11. Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion

Album Favorites: My Girls & In The Flowers

10. Super Furry Animals - Dark Days/Light Years

Album Favorites: Inaugural Trams & Helium Hearts

9. Mos Def - The Ecstatic

Album Favorites: Supermagic & Twilite Speedball

8. Flaming Lips - Embryonic

Album Favorites: Convinced of the Hex & Sparrow Looks Up at the Machine

7. Dan Auerbach - Keep It Hid

Album Favorites: I Want Some More & Mean Monsoon

6. Doves - Kingdom of Rust

Album Favorites: Kingdom of Rust & House of Mirrors

5. Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

Album Favorites: Lisztomania & 1901

4. Raveonettes - In and Out of Control

Album Favorites: Suicide & Bang

3. Japandroids - Post-Nothing

Album Favorites: The Boys are Leaving Town & Young Hearts Spark Fire

2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - It's Blitz!

Album Favorites: Heads Will Roll & Zero

1. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Album Favorites: Young Adult Friction, Everything With You, Come Saturday & This Love is Fucking Right

Random Baseball Post

2009-12-17T00:05:00.002-06:00

in the spirit of all of the top ten lists coming out, I give you my top 10 WORST White Sox players in the past 10 years.

10. Royce Clayton
9. Antonio Osuna
8. Rocky Biddle
7. David Riske (could not find a sox photo)
6. Dewon Day
5. Boone Logan
4.Mike Jackson
3. Jose Paniagua (look at that era!)
2. Billy Koch
1. Joe Borchard

Feel free to post your 10 least favorite players from your favorite team in the comments section

2009 Best of list coming soon.

2009-12-16T23:28:00.002-06:00

in the meantime, start working on yours.

I am also working on the best albums from the last ten years as well as the best songs from the decade.

I'll try and post more regularly this week.

until then, check out this super sweet cover

30 Songs You Just Can't Live Without

2009-11-06T09:03:00.002-06:00

My brother posted this to me the other day and I thought it would make a good post over here as well, so forgive me for stealing his "thunder" on this topic. Anyway, if you were told by someone, something or some higher being that for the rest of your life you can only listen to 30 songs, what would they be?

After putting a list together pretty quickly, I realized that I missed a few. After looking at this list again, I noticed that there were still some more missing, but I can swap songs on here for the rest of eternity, so I am just going to leave it as is.

Now these don't need to be in any specific order, just 30 songs.

well, here we go, here are mine

1. Ned’s Atomic Dustbin – Happy 
2. Oasis – Supersonic 
3. Blur – Chemical World 
4. Beatles – A Day in the Life 
5. Radiohead – The Bends 
6. Rolling Stones – She’s A Rainbow 
7. Jesus & the Mary Chain – Cracking Up 
8. Catherine Wheel – Here Comes the Fat Controller 
9. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Y Control 
10. Talking Heads – This Must Be The Place 
11. Jane’s Addiction – Three Days 
12. Doves –There Goes The Fear 
13. Neutral Milk Hotel – Two-Headed Boy pt. 2 
14. David Bowie – Moonage Daydream 
15. The Clash – (White Man) In Hammersmith Palais 
16. Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now 
17. Kings of Leon – Slow Night, So Long 
18. Police – Murder By Numbers 
19. Nine Inch Nails – Ringfinger 
20. Beirut – Postcards from Italy 
21. New Order –Ceremony 
22. Smashing Pumpkins – Siva 
23. Led Zeppelin – No Quarter 
24. Ride – Time Machine 
25. The Smiths – Boy With a Thorn in His Side
26. Van Halen – Hot for Teacher 
27. Weezer – Only In Dreams
28. Spiritualized – Let it Flow 
29. Nirvana – Drain You
30. Journey – Don’t Stop Believing

Post yours in the comment section

Top 5 Debut Albums

2009-10-09T10:12:00.003-05:00

Well it has been awhile since I have done one of these, but here we go. Top 5 debut albums. Now this should be self explanatory, but just in case there is confusion, this would the first album released by an artist, not a reissue of an earlier work, but the first release.

For example, The Beastie Boys, their debut album would be “Licensed to Ill” and not the reissue of their old songs on “Some old Bullshit.” Got it?

Post yours in the comments section.

Here are mine:

1. The Clash – The Clash
2. Nine Inch Nails – Pretty Hate Machine
3. Spiritualized – Lazer Guided Melodies
4. Ned’s Atomic Dustbin – God Fodder
5. Oasis - Definitely Maybe

Top 5 Fight Scenes

2009-09-04T13:15:00.001-05:00

Today’s top 5 is about being tough. When I was a kid, I remember watching such films as Die Hard and Road House and saying to myself, that scene was a tough as it gets. With that in mind, I bring you the top 5 best fight scenes.

1. They Live
2. Road House
3. Bloodsport
4. Kill Bill Vol. 1
5. The Last Dragon

I couldn’t find the clip for die hard when John McClaine beats up Karl, so that is not why it is on here.

Submit yours in the comments section

Top 5 late 80's early 90's dance songs

2009-08-28T10:50:00.002-05:00

For some reason I am in some sort of weird late 80’s early 90’s dance mood. So, here we go. Top 5 dance tracks from that time. Seems like the more obnoxious the better.

And in no particular order

Dee Lite – Groove is in the heart
Snap – The Power
Nenah Cherry – Buffalo Stance
M.A.R.R.S. – Pump up the Volume
Expose – Point of No Return

leave your list if you dare, in the comments section.

Top 5 Concept Albums

2009-08-21T11:04:00.001-05:00

It’s been a little while since I posted a new top 5, but out of a recommendation from my friend John, I bring you the Top 5 concept album list.

Now I know, some will vary on what they believe is a concept album, but general definition is an album that is unified by a single theme. I am sure this will be all over the place, but let’s have some fun with it.

Here are my Top 5 concept albums.

1. David Bowie – The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars
2. Neutral Milk Hotel – In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
3. Pink Floyd – The Wall
4. The Who – Quadrophenia
5. The Flaming Lips – Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots

Put your top 5 in the comments section.

Lollapalooza 2009

2009-08-02T00:56:00.002-05:00

It's right around the corner and I am starting to get really excited. On the side of this you will notice a new playlist I created that is filled with bands that will be playing this weekend in Grant Park.

If you are torn on whether to go or not, give it a listen and see if anything strikes your fancy.

Top 5 most underappreciated Bands of all-time

2009-07-24T10:27:00.002-05:00

Now everyone knows the stones, the beatles, the beach boys and U2, but what about those bands that should have been huge, but never really caught on? Now I know this is going to vary from person to person, but that is the whole point of these, but what are yours? What bands do you think should have been bigger, but just didn’t get the respect they deserved?

Well, here are mine and these could either bands that no longer exist or current one.
1. Ned’s Atomic Dustbin (awful video)
2. Doves
3. Catherine Wheel
4. Olivia Tremor Control
5. Elf Power

Share your list in the comments section.

New Shows On Sale This Weekend

2009-07-14T22:59:00.002-05:00

Here's a list of new shows going on sale this weekend.

Notables: BBD, Japandroids, Most Serene Republic & Phoenix

NEW LISTINGS

BELL BIV DEVOE Country Club Hills Theater, Country Club Hills, 8/22, 7 PM, 708-798-8133.

BIG SANDY & HIS FLY-RITE BOYS FitzGerald's, Berwyn, 8/28, 9:30 PM, on sale Fri 7/17, 9 AM.

BLOWOFF FEATURING DJS RICHARD MOREL & BOB MOULD Metro, 8/1, 11 PM, on sale Sat 7/18, noon, metrochicago.com.

CAPTURED BY ROBOTS Abbey Pub, 10/17, 9 PM, 18+, on sale Sat 7/18, noon.

BRANDI CARLILE, ANGEL TAYLOR House of Blues, 9/25, 7:30 PM, all-ages, on sale Fri 7/17, 10 AM.

CELTIC THUNDER Rosemont Theatre, Rosemont, 10/30, 7:30 PM, on sale Fri 7/17, 10 AM.

CLARKS Beat Kitchen, 9/19, 10 PM, 17+.

CLUTCH, WINO, REVOLUTION MOTHER Metro, 9/26, 9 PM, 18+, on sale Sat 7/18, noon, metrochicago.com.

DIVISION DAY, BAD VEINS Subterranean, 9/15, 8:30 PM, 17+, on sale Sat 7/18, 10 AM.

DOES IT OFFEND YOU, YEAH? (DJ SET) Abbey Pub, 8/22, 11 PM, 18+, on sale Sat 7/18, noon.

DRUMMER Schubas, 10/23, 10:30 PM, 773-525-2508.

ELLIOT BROOD Schubas, 10/20, 9 PM, 773-525-2508.

TIM EXILE Sonotheque, 9/30, 9 PM.

FRUIT BATS, IRAN Schubas, 9/20, 7 PM; 9/21, 8 PM, 9/20 is all-ages, 773-525-2508.

GASLIGHT ANTHEM, CONSTANTINES Double Door, 8/8, 11 PM, tickets only available through q101.com.

GRIZZLY BEAR, BEACH HOUSE Metro, 7/27, 7 PM; 7/28, 9 PM, all-ages, 9/28 is 18+, metrochicago.com.

HAVOK, HATCHET Beat Kitchen, 9/17, 8 PM, 17+, on sale Sat 7/18, 10 AM.

JOLIE HOLLAND Schubas, 10/14, 9 PM, 773-525-2508.

IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE Abbey Pub, 9/26, 10 PM, 18+, on sale Sat 7/18, 10 PM.

INSANE CLOWN POSSE Pearl Room, Mokena, 10/27, 6 PM, on sale Sat 7/18, 11 AM.

JAPANDROIDS, COATHANGERS Schubas, 10/9, 10 PM, 773-525-2508.

MAT KEARNEY, DIANE BIRCH House of Blues, 10/9, 7:30 PM, all-ages, on sale Fri 7/17, 10 AM.

KID KOALA Abbey Pub, 10/4, 9 PM, 18+, on sale Sat 7/18, noon.

KORN, FILTER, POWERMAN 5000 Toyota Park, Bridgeview, 7/31, 7 PM.

IAN MCCLAGAN Martyrs', 11/20, 7 PM, 800-594-8499.

MOBY the Vic, 9/30, 7:30 PM, all-ages, on sale Sat 7/18, 10 AM.

MOST SERENE REPUBLIC, STILL LIFE STILL Schubas, 9/10, 9 PM, 773-525-2508.

MUSHROOMHEAD Pearl Room, Mokena, 8/12, 6 PM.

NEEDTOBREATHE, ALTERNATE ROUTES Schubas, 10/30, 7 and 10:30 PM, 18+, 773-525-2508.

THEE OH SEES, FRESH & ONLYS Schubas, 9/27, 9 PM, 773-525-2508.

OMEGA MOOS, WYLLYS Double Door, 7/26, 10 PM, on sale Sat 7/18, noon.

OTEP Pearl Room, Mokena, 8/13, 6 PM.

OWEN, BOB NANNA Beat Kitchen, 9/18, 7:30 PM, all-ages, on sale Sat 7/18, 10 AM.

OWEN, DAVEY VON BOHLEN Beat Kitchen, 9/18, 10:30 PM, on sale Sat 7/18, 10 AM.

MANDI PERKINS, RESIDENT HERO Abbey Pub, 8/10, 8 PM, on sale Sat 7/18, noon.

PHOENIX, CHAIRLIFT Riviera Theatre, 9/23, 7:30 PM, all-ages, on sale Sat 7/18, 10 AM.

PIERCED ARROWS Empty Bottle, 10/3, 10 PM.

POLVO Bottom Lounge, 9/5, 9 PM.

DJ QBERT, DJ FRANCO DE LEON Smart Bar, 8/21, 10 PM, on sale Sat 7/18, noon, smartbarchicago.com.

SAVIOURS, SOURVEIN Subterranean, 8/3, 8:30 PM.

SON VOLT the Vic, 9/25, 8 PM, 18+, on sale Sat 7/18, 10 AM.

STEEL PANTHER Double Door, 8/30, 8 PM, on sale Sat 7/18, noon.

TEENA MARIE Country Club Hills Theater, Country Club Hills, 8/29, 7 PM, 708-798-8133.

ROB THOMAS the Venue at Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, 10/30, 7:30 PM, on sale Fri 7/17, noon.

PAUL THORN BAND FitzGerald's, Berwyn, 9/24, 8:30 PM, on sale Fri 7/17, 9 AM.

TOBACCO Empty Bottle, 9/24, 9:30 PM.

THE TWILIGHT SAD, BRAKES BRAKES BRAKES, WE WERE PROMISED JETPACKS Empty Bottle, 10/12, 10 PM.

VADER Pearl Room, Mokena, 11/13, 7 PM, on sale Fri 7/17, 11 AM.

MARTIN VALVERDE UIC Pavilion, 8/27, 7:30 PM.

WEBB WILDER FitzGerald's, Berwyn, 8/8, 9 PM, on sale Fri 7/17, 9 AM.

Friday's Top 5 - Storytellers

2009-07-10T10:53:00.001-05:00

Well, I know, I have been slacking here with the top 5 lists, but this one is not only difficult, but also very good.

Since everyone is famous in his or her own eyes, there is a possibility of your life story being publicized. If you were going to have someone write your life story who would it be?

I bring you, this week’s top 5.

Top 5 authors you would want to write your biography.

Here are mine.

1. Nick Hornby
2. Nelson Algren
3. David Eggers
4. David Sedaris
5. Steve Martin

Share yours in the comments section.

Live Concert of the Week

2009-06-29T23:17:00.003-05:00

These guys are playing the Pitchfork Music Festival in a couple of weeks and if this the kind of show we are looking at, it should be a great one.

Watch the full concert at baeblemusic.com

New Shows On Sale This Weekend

2009-06-23T22:25:00.002-05:00

A lot of new ones worth checking out, plus included in here you will find a lot of the Lollapalooza after shows going on throughout the city.

ARCTIC MONKEYS Metro, 8/7, 11 PM, 18+, on sale Sat 6/27, 10 AM, metrochicago.com.
BAND OF HORSES, CASS MCCOMBS House of Blues, 8/7, 11 PM, 17+, on sale Sat 6/27, 10 AM.
BARCELONA, MEESE Beat Kitchen, 7/30, 7:30 PM, 17+.
BEASTIE BOYS Congress Theater, 8/6, 8 PM, 17+, on sale Fri 6/26, 10 AM, 773-276-1235.
BRENDAN BENSON Schubas, 8/20, 7 PM, 18+, 773-252-2508.
BLITZEN TRAPPER, LOCH LOMOND Empty Bottle, 7/19, 9:30 PM.
BREEDERS Metro, 8/13, 9 PM, 18+, on sale Sat 6/27, noon, metrochicago.com.
BUTTHOLE SURFERS Metro, 10/7, 6:30 PM, all-ages, part of Riot Fest, metrochicago.com.
TRACY CHAPMAN Park West, 8/12, 7:30 PM, all-ages, on sale Sat 6/27, 10 AM.
CHILDREN OF BODOM, SKELETONWITCH House of Blues, 9/27, 6 PM, all-ages, on sale Sat 6/27, 10 AM.
ROY CLARK Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, 10/11, 6 PM.
COCK SPARRER, LOWER CLASS BRATS, FLATFOOT 56, FEAR CITY Metro, 10/11, 6:30 PM, all-ages, part of Riot Fest, metrochicago.com.
CROOKERS, MAJOR LAZER, BLOODY BEETROOTS Congress Theater, 8/7, 8 PM, 17+, on sale Sat 6/27, 10 AM, 773-276-1235.
CYMBALS EAT GUITARS, SYBRIS Bottom Lounge, 7/17, 8 PM.
DAVID MEAD, SILVER SEAS Schubas, 9/3, 8 PM, 773-525-2508.
DEAD MILKMEN, TEENAGE BOTTLEROCKET, TEEN IDOLS Metro, 10/10, 6:30 PM, all-ages, part of Riot Fest, metrochicago.com.
DEATH, ROUGH FRANCIS Empty Bottle, 9/26, 10 PM.
DECEMBERISTS, HEARTLESS BASTARDS Metro, 8/6, 9 PM, 18+, on sale Sat 6/27, 10 AM, metrochicago.com.
DEERHUNTER, DAN DEACON, NO AGE Logan Square Auditorium, 8/9, 10 PM, all-ages.
DRUG RUG Hideout, 8/20, 9 PM.
DUKE & THE KING Schubas, 8/14, 10:30 PM, 773-525-2508.
MARK FARINA, PEZZNER, FRANK SOLANO Smart Bar, 8/7, 10 PM, on sale Sat 6/27, 10 AM, smartbarchicago.com.
FIERY FURNACES FitzGerald's, Berwyn, 7/10, 9:30 PM.
FIERY FURNACES, DOUBLE DAGGER Hideout, 7/9, 9 PM.
FIERY FURNACES FitzGerald's, Berwyn, 7/10, 9:30 PM.
FLEET FOXES, DUNGEN Metro, 8/8, 11 PM, 18+, on sale Sat 6/27, 10 AM, metrochicago.com.
LOU GRAMM Joe's, 9/19, 9:30 PM.
GREEN MUSIC FEST WITH ART BRUT, LUCERO, TAPES 'N TAPES, MURDER BY DEATH, THESE UNITED STATES, VAMPIRE HANDS, AND OTHERS Eckhart Park, 8/15-16.
WILL HOGE Double Door, 10/23, 8 PM, on sale Sat 6/27, noon.
KYLE HOLLINGSWORTH Martyrs', 9/12, 10 PM, on sale Sat 6/27, 10 AM.
EDDIE JOBSON Martyrs', 8/22, 8 PM, 800-598-8499.
DANIEL JOHNSTON Metro, 8/15, 9 PM, 18+, on sale Sat 6/27, noon, metrochicago.com.
JOURNEY, HEART Rockford Metro Centre, Rockford, 8/18, 7:30 PM, 877-598-8703.
KASKADE, JAMES AMATO Smart Bar, 8/8, 10 PM, on sale Sat 6/27, 10 AM, smartbarchicago.com.
KOTTONMOUTH KINGS, SWOLLEN MEMBERS House of Blues, 8/10, 5:30 PM, all-ages, on sale Fri 6/26, 10 AM.
LONEY DEAR, ASOBI SEKSU Bottom Lounge, 10/10, 8 PM, 18+.
MSTRKRFT, LA RIOTS Bottom Lounge, 8/9, 9 PM, 18+, on sale Sat 6/27, 10 AM.
MUM Logan Square Auditorium, 10/28, 8 PM, all-ages, on sale Sat 6/27, 10 AM.
MURDER CITY DEVILS, DEAD MILKMEN, RIVERBOAT GAMBLERS Congress Theater, 10/9, 5:30 PM, all-ages, part of Riot Fest.
NAKED RAYGUN, NO EMPATHY Metro, 10/9, 6 PM, all-ages, part of Riot Fest, metrochicago.com.
NOBUNNY, SMITH WESTERNS, BIRD TALK Bottom Lounge, 8/15, 10 PM.
NOFX, COCK SPARRER, 88 FINGERS LOUIE, YOUTH BRIGADE, SHOT BAKER Congress Theater, 10/10, 4 PM, all-ages, part of Riot Fest.
OUR LADY PEACE the Vic, 8/22, 7:30 PM, all-ages, on sale Sat 6/27, 10 AM.
PAINS OF BEING PURE AT HEART, DEPRECIATION GUILD, CYMBALS EAT GUITARS Empty Bottle, 9/8, 8 PM.
PINBACK Bottom Lounge, 11/3, 8 PM, 18+.
PSYCHEDELIC FURS, HAPPY MONDAYS House of Blues, 9/8, 8 PM, 17+, on sale Fri 6/26, 10 AM.
QUEENSRYCHE Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet, 11/1, 7 PM.
RAVEONETTES, LIVING THINGS Empty Bottle, 8/8, 10 PM.
BRYAN SCARY & THE SHREDDING TEARS Schubas, 9/5, 10 PM, 773-525-2508.
SCREECHING WEASEL, ALKALINE TRIO, PEGBOY Congress Theater, 10/11, 5:30 PM, all-ages, part of Riot Fest.
BRITNEY SPEARS Allstate Arena, Rosemont, 9/9, 8 PM.
STRYPER, FLIGHT PATTERNS House of Blues, 10/4, 6:30 PM, all-ages, on sale Sat 6/27, 10 AM.
STS9 House of Blues, 8/8, midnight, 17+, on sale Sat 6/27, 10 AM.
SUNNY DAY REAL ESTATE Metro, 9/24, 6:30 PM, all-ages, on sale Sat 6/27, noon, metrochicago.com.
TAYLOR SWIFT, KELLIE PICKLER Allstate Arena, Rosemont, 10/9-10, 7:30 PM, on sale Fri 6/26, 10 AM.
TEENAGE JESUS & THE JERKS, DAILY VOID Empty Bottle, 10/5, 9:30 PM.
THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS the Vic, 10/10, 4 and 8 PM.
THIEVERY CORPORATION, FEDERICO AUBELE House of Blues, 8/6, 9 PM, 17+, on sale Sat 6/27, 10 AM.
THROW RAG Beat Kitchen, 8/29, 9:30 PM, on sale Sat 6/27, 10 AM.
WEAKERTHANS Bottom Lounge, 9/25, 8 PM, 18+.
CHUCK WICKS Joe's, 10/24, 9 PM.
WOVENHAND, DRMWPN Empty Bottle, 10/1, 9:30 PM.

Top 5 Movie Soundtracks

2009-06-19T10:02:00.003-05:00

Everybody loves movies and everybody loves music. So, let’s see what would be on your top 5 soundtrack lists.

Submit yours in the comments section

Here are mine with clips of songs featured on each soundtrack.

1. A Hard Day’s Night – The Beatles
2. Singles – Various Artists
3. Trainspotting – Various Artists
4. Pretty in Pink – Various Artists
5. Grosse Poinet Blank – Various Artists

Top 5 Bands You Want to See Reunited

2009-06-12T09:14:00.002-05:00

Top 5 Bands You Want to See Reunited

Since this is the first day it seems like the sun has been out in June in Chicago, it got me thinking about the upcoming summer festivals that will be taking place in this great city.

One thing that has been consistent over the years has been bands reuniting to play Lollapalooza, Pitchfork or even the Taste. So, with that in mind, I bring you today’s top 5 list: Top 5 bands you want to see reunited to play live at your favorite summer festival. Now there is only one rule to this, the members need to alive, since John and George are gone. Now you could do something like Queen or Zeppelin since they have played live since the loss of Mercury & Bonham.

Anyway, here are mine, please submit yours in the comment section

1. The Smiths
2. Blur
3. Stone Roses
4. Catherine Wheel
5. Ned's Atomic Dustbin

On Sale This Weekend

2009-06-10T11:14:00.001-05:00

Nothing that great going on sale this weekend, but De La Soul at the House of Blues and the Trash Can Sinatras at Schubas could be really cool.

RYAN BINGHAM, JESSE DAYTON Martyrs', 7/11.

C.J. CHENIER & THE RED HOT LOUISIANA BAND, LOST CITY RAMBLERS FitzGerald's, Berwyn, 6/26, 9 PM.

CHICKENFOOT, DAVY KNOWLES & BACK DOOR SLAM Chicago Theatre, 8/7, 8 PM, on sale Sat 6/13 11 AM.

DAVID COOK, NEED TO BREATHE House of Blues, 7/12, 7:30 PM, all ages, on sale Sat 6/13 10 AM.

CURUMIN Rumba, 7/16, 10 PM, brownpapertickets.com.

MILEY CYRUS, METRO STATION United Center, 10/27, 7 PM, on sale Sat 6/13 10 AM.

DE LA SOUL House of Blues, 8/26, 9 PM, 17+, on sale Sat 6/13 10 AM.

DRAGONFORCE, SONATA ARCTICA House of Blues, 9/30, 5:30 PM, all ages, on sale Sat 6/13 10 AM.

JAMIE FOXX Arie Crown Theater, 8/1, 8 PM. Star Plaza Theatre, Merrillville, 7/31, 8 PM.

BRYAN GREENBERG Schubas, 7/16, 7 PM, all-ages, 773-525-2508.

HARVEY DANGER Schubas, 8/15, 10:30 PM, 18+, 773-525-2508.

COLIN HAY Abbey Pub, 8/16, 7:30 PM, on sale Sat 6/13 noon.

I AM GHOST, Reggie's Rock Club, 7/3, 5 PM, all ages.

JAMEY JOHNSON Joe's, 10/3, 11 PM.

KINDRED House of Blues, 7/9, 8 PM, 17+, on sale Sat 6/13 10 AM.

GREG LASWELL, ELIZABETH & THE CATAPULT Martyrs', 7/24, 9 PM, 800-594-8499.

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF SOUND, SILVERIO Congress Theater, 7/11, 7 PM, all ages, 773-276-1235.

MINT CONDITION House of Blues, 7/30, 9 PM, 17+, on sale Fri 6/12 10 AM.

BOB MOULD BAND Metro, 10/12, 8 PM, 18+, on sale Sat 6/13 noon, metrochicago.com.

LES NUBIANS Green Dolphin Street, 7/9, 9 PM, brownpapertickets.com.

OWL CITY, KATE HAVENIK, UNICORN KID Metro, 9/25, 7:30 PM, all ages, on sale Sat 6/13 noon, metrochicago.com.

PET SHOP BOYS Chicago Theatre, 9/14, 8 PM, on sale Sat 6/13 10 AM.

PRETENDERS, CAT POWER, JULIETTE LEWIS Aragon Ballroom, 8/18, 7:30 PM, on sale Sat 6/13 10 AM.

REEL BIG FISH, ENGLISH BEAT, SUPERVILLAINS House of Blues, 8/14, 7 PM, all ages, on sale Sat 6/13 10 AM.

LUPILLO RIVERA House of Blues, 7/11, 9 PM, 17+.

RUSLANA the Venue at Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, 7/25, 8 PM, on sale Fri 6/12 noon.

LEA SALONGA the Venue at Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, 9/26, 9 PM, on sale Fri 6/12 noon.

SERGENT GARCIA Logan Square Auditorium, 7/20, 8:30 PM, brownpapertickets.com.

SICK PUPPIES, HURT, VEER UNION House of Blues, 7/23, 5:30 PM, all ages, on sale Sat 6/13 10 AM.

TRASH CAN SINATRAS Schubas, 8/9, 8 PM.

ANDRE WILLIAMS, DEADSTRING BROTHERS, HARDLINE DRIVE FitzGerald's, Berwyn, 6/27, 9 PM.

WISIN Y YANDEL Allstate Arena, Rosemont, 9/24, 8 PM.

PETE YORN Park West, 8/3-4, 18+, on sale Sat 6/13 10 AM.

Top 5 Cover Songs

2009-06-04T13:23:00.003-05:00

I’m going to have a lot of running around to do tomorrow, so I thought I would post the weekly top 5 list today instead of on Friday.

Going back to the music realm of top 5’s, I ask you for your top 5 cover songs.

Now I know I am going to catch shit from some of you on these because of who is covering the tunes, but god damn, if you can't admit they are quality, you in fact may be a (insert insult)

anyway, here they are:

1. Pixies – Head On (Jesus & Mary Chain)

2. Ned’s Atomic Dustbin – Saturday Night (Bay City Rollers)

3. The Cardigans – Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Black Sabbath)

4. Travis – Killer Queen (Queen)

5. Nine Inch Nails - Dead Souls (Joy Division)

I originally had this as number 5, then I remembered how good of a version trent did of that joy division classic.

6. Oasis – Cum on Feel the Noize (Slade)

Random Updates for today

2009-06-03T10:29:00.002-05:00

Here are some random links to interesting items I found on the interweb. Also, below you will find a list of new concerts going on sale.

Stream the new Sonic Youth album Eternal here

Pitchfork Reviews the new Jarvis Cocker album Further Complications. As always, I think pitchfork takes off a few points for everything that is not 100% “indie”

The new Mos Def album, True Magic comes out on August 24.

Baebelmusic posted a Beirut concert a few weeks ago, so I thought I would make sure you all got to check it out. The first song is “East Harlem” which apparently he wrote when he was 17.

Paste Magazine provides their top 10 list of music magazines to follow on twitter.

Filter Magazine lists their best albums of the year, thus far.

Michael Caine spills the beans on who will be the next villain in Batman. God, please let this be true.

Concerts going on sale this weekend:

AC/DC United Center, 8/14, 7:30 PM, on sale Sat 6/6, 10 AM.
AMERICA Genesee Theatre, Waukegan, 9/24, 8 PM.
APPLESEED CAST; BRIGHTON, MA Subterranean, 6/26, 9:30 PM.
ART BRUT Subterranean, 8/14, 10:30 PM, 17+, on sale Sat 6/6, 10 AM.
ADRIAN BELEW Martyrs', 7/22, 8 PM, on sale Sat 6/6, 10 AM.
BLINK 182, FALL OUT BOY, PANIC AT THE DISCO, CHESTER FRENCH First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, 8/15, 6:30 PM, on sale Sat 6/6, 10 AM, 877-598-8703.
BRIDGEVIEW MUSIC FEST WITH LITA FORD, BILLY SQUIER, STARSHIP, WARRANT, L.A. GUNS, AND OTHERS Toyota Park, Bridgeview, 7/3-4, 2 PM.
CANDLEBOX House of Blues, 7/18, 9 PM, 17+, on sale Fri 6/5, 10 AM.
CANS 7TH ANNIVERSARY BASH WITH NAUGHTY BY NATURE AND VANILLA ICE Cans Bar & Canteen, 6/26-27, 8 PM, 773-227-2277.
CHICAGO JAZZ FESTIVAL WITH MADELEINE PEYROUX, GONZALO RUBALCABA QUINTET, DAVE HOLLAND BIG BAND, AMINA FIGAROVA SEXTET, WILLIAM PARKER, ARCHIE SHEPP QUARTET, NICOLE MITCHELL, DEE ALEXANDER, AND OTHERS Grant Park, 9/4-6, free.
HUGH CORNWELL Abbey Pub, 9/20, 7:30 PM, on sale Sat 6/6, noon.
DAT POLITICS Empty Bottle, 6/16, 9:30 PM.
MORRIS DAY & THE TIME Country Club Hills Theater, Country Club Hills, 6/27, 7 PM, 708-798-8133.
ANI DIFRANCO the Vic, 9/23, 7:30 PM, all-ages, on sale Sat 6/6, 10 AM.
DOMMIN Beat Kitchen, 7/9, 6:30 PM, all-ages.
LUPE FIASCO Grant Park, 6/26, 5:30 PM, free.
HAVE HEART, SHIPWRECK A.D., CRUEL HAND Subterranean, 9/4, 6:30 PM, all-ages, on sale Sat 6/6, 10 AM.
HEY MERCEDES Double Door, 9/19, 9 PM, on sale Sat 6/6, noon.
HONOR SOCIETY House of Blues, 7/11, 1 PM, all-ages, on sale Sat 6/6, 10 AM.
JET Double Door, 7/5, 7 PM, on sale Sat 6/6, noon.
SYLEENA JOHNSON Congress Theater, 7/4, 10 PM, 18+, 773-276-1235.
KMFDM House of Blues, 10/3, 9 PM, 17+, on sale Fri 6/5, 10 AM.
TOBY LIGHTMAN Martyrs', 6/30, 8 PM, 800-594-8499.
LIL' MO Congress Theater, 7/3, 10 PM, 18+, 773-276-1235.
MAGNOLIA ELECTRIC CO., DONKEYS Schubas, 7/11, 10 PM, 18+, 773-525-2508.
MAGNOLIA ELECTRIC CO., SALLY TIMMS Hideout, 7/12, 9 PM.
STEPHEN MALKMUS & THE JICKS Bottom Lounge, 7/2, 8 PM, 18+.
MAN MAN Bottom Lounge, 7/5, 8 PM, 18+.
MEST, ROOM ONE ELEVEN Subterranean, 7/13, 6:30 PM, all-ages, on sale Sat 6/6, 10 AM.
MOTORHEAD, REVEREND HORTON HEAT, NASHVILLE PUSSY House of Blues, 8/30, 8:30 PM, 17+, on sale Sat 6/6, 10 AM.
PETER MURPHY House of Blues, 7/14, 8:30 PM, 17+, on sale Sat 6/6, 10 AM.
PUSSYCAT DOLLS the Venue at Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, 8/28, 8 PM, on sale Fri 6/5, noon.
RADIATORS FitzGerald's, Berwyn, 7/10-11, 9 PM.
RAPTURE (DJ SET), HEARTSREVOLUTION, THE RUB, DJ FUNK, ROB THREEZY, AND OTHERS Congress Theater, 6/19, 7 PM, 17+.
RIOT FEST WITH SCREECHING WEASEL, NOFX, ALKALINE TRIO, DEAD MILKMEN, MURDER CITY DEVILS, COCK SPARRER, AND OTHERS Congress Theater, 10/7-11, five-day passes on sale Sat 6/6, noon.
JOSH RITTER Metro, 7/30, 7 PM, all-ages, on sale Sat 6/6, noon, metrochicago.com.
RX BANDITS, DREDG Bottom Lounge, 8/6, 5 PM, all-ages.
SO MANY DYNAMOS, CAST SPELLS Beat Kitchen, 8/2, 7 PM, all-ages.
STEELY DAN Chicago Theatre, 8/31-9/1, 7:30 PM; 9/3-4, 7:30 PM, on sale Sat 6/6, 11 AM.
SUNN O))), EAGLE TWIN Empty Bottle, 7/2, 9:30 PM, on sale Fri 6/5, noon.
THOSE DARLINS, PUKING PEARLS Schubas, 7/17, 10:30 PM, 773-525-2508.
GRETCHEN WILSON, JOE NICHOLS Toyota Park, Bridgeview, 7/24, 2 PM.
NAT & ALEX WOLFF House of Blues, 8/12, 6:30 PM, all-ages, on sale Sat 6/6, 10 AM.

Top 5 Lists - Simpsons Episodes & Quotes

2009-05-31T01:54:00.002-05:00

Since I have been slacking on the updates and the top 5 lists, I decided to do two today.

After talking with some friends, I thought these two would be fun and also a little difficult. Please feel free to email or put yours in the comment section.

Top 5 Simpsons Episodes

1. Lisa on Ice – This is the episode where Lisa needs to play an outside sport in order to avoid getting a “F” in gym class. A Bart vs. Lisa classic.
2. Last Exit to Springfield – Homer because the union rep for the power plant and goes into negotiations with Mr. Burns after the plant goes on strike.
3. Homer the Great – In this episode, Homer becomes the chosen one to a underground group known as the Stonecutters
4. Cape Feare – The Simpsons re-inactment of the movie with Side Show Bob
5. Bart Sells His Soul – This one starts off with Bart getting Iron Butterfly played in a church service. Moe also opens up a family restaurant in his bar too. A classic!

Top 5 Simpsons Lines (I know, this one is impossible)

1. “Surly on looks out for one guy...Surly” – Surly Dwarf
2. “In America, first you get the sugar, then you get the power, then you get the women.” – Homer
3. “No children have ever meddled with the Republican Party and lived to tell about it..” – Sideshow Bob
4. “I’m going to the back seat of my car, with the woman I love, and I won’t be back for ten minutes!” – Homer
5. “Women and seamen don’t mix.” - Smithers

New Shows Announced

2009-05-26T22:23:00.002-05:00

I am going to be updating this every week with new shows that have either been announced or go on sale the upcoming weekend. Now I am copying and pasting these without any filter, so just because they are on here, does not mean they are worth seeing. Some however are must sees. Charlatans UK, anyone?

JP

NEW LISTINGS

TORI AMOS Chicago Theatre, 8/3, 7:30 PM, on sale Sat 5/30, 10 AM.

ARC ANGELS House of Blues, 8/1, 9 PM, 17+, on sale Fri 5/29, 10 AM.

BABYFACE, AFTER 7 Country Club Hills Theater, Country Club Hills, 6/13, 7 PM, 708-798-8133.

BENGA Smart Bar, 6/11, 10 PM, smartbarchicago.com.

CAGE Reggie's Rock Club, 7/7, 8 PM, 17+.

CASIOKIDS Schubas, 8/4, 9 PM, 18+, 773-525-2508.

KASEY CHAMBERS & SHANE NICHOLSON FitzGerald's, Berwyn, 6/13, 9 PM.

CHARLATANS, HATCHAM SOCIAL Double Door, 9/20, 9 PM, on sale Fri 5/29, noon.

CKY, GRAVEYARD, ASG House of Blues, 8/5, 7:30 PM, 17+, on sale Fri 5/29, 10 AM.

THE CULT House of Blues, 9/2, 8 PM, 17+, on sale Sat 5/30, 10 AM.

ALBERT CUMMINGS House of Blues, 8/14, 10 PM, on sale Fri 5/29, 10 AM.

ROB DICKINSON Schubas, 6/21, 8 PM, 773-525-2508.

DR. JOHN & THE LOWER 911 BAND Beverly Arts Center, 6/26, 8 PM, all-ages.

FEATURES, AUTOVAUGHN Schubas, 7/10, 10 PM, 773-525-2508.

FOGHAT Beverly Arts Center, 6/19, 8 PM, all-ages.

FUTURE OF THE LEFT Schubas, 7/21, 9 PM, 773-525-2508.

GAELIC STORM Beverly Arts Center, 8/13, 8 PM, all-ages.

TREVOR HALL Beat Kitchen, 8/6, 7 PM, all-ages, on sale Sat 5/30, 10 AM.

HATEBREED, CHIMAIRA Pearl Room, Mokena, 8/7, 6 PM, all-ages, on sale Sat 5/30, 11 AM.

JEFFREE STAR, ARTIST VS. POET Reggie's Rock Club, 8/10, 6 PM, all-ages.

LITTLE FEAT Old Town School of Folk Music, 8/28, 7:30 and 10 PM, all-ages, on sale Fri 5/29, 9 AM, 773-728-6000.

MEKONS Schubas, 7/30, 7 PM, 773-525-2508.

MONO, MASERATI Bottom Lounge, 10/4, 8 PM, on sale Mon 6/1, 4 PM.

OUTLAWS Beverly Arts Center, 8/7, 8 PM, all-ages.

PETE AND J Schubas, 7/31, 10:30 PM, 773-525-2508.

RATT, EXTREME House of Blues, 7/24, 9 PM, 17+, on sale Sat 5/30, 10 AM.

REBIRTH BRASS BAND, MAS TRUENO Martyrs', 7/31, 10 PM, 800-594-8499.

RIBFEST CHICAGO WITH MARGOT & THE NUCLEAR SO AND SO'S, HARLEM SHAKES, WALTER MEEGO, ANNUALS, OFFICE, ASYLUM STREET SPANKERS, AND OTHERS Lincoln & Irving Park, 6/12-14, 773-525-3609.

XAVIER RUDD, JEREMY FISHER the Vic, 8/11, 8 PM, 18+, on sale Sat 5/30, 10 AM.

SCHOOL OF SEVEN BELLS Empty Bottle, 10/14, 9:30 PM.

THE SCRIPT, PARACHUTE Martyrs', 8/9, 9:30 PM, on sale Sat 5/30, 10 AM.

SMV, REGGIE HELM Country Club Hills Theater, Country Club Hills, 6/20, 7 PM, 708-798-8133.

STAIND, SHINEDOWN, CHEVELLE, HALESTORM Congress Theater, 8/27, on sale Sat 5/30, 10 AM, 888-512-7469.

TEEN IDOLS, SQUIRTGUN Reggie's Rock Club, 6/24, 7 PM, 17+.

THIN LIZZY House of Blues, 7/16, 9 PM, on sale Fri 5/29, 10 AM.

TREWS, ZO2 Schubas, 8/5, 9 PM, 773-525-2508.

TYCHO, SOLVENT, KILL MEMORY CRASH, DARK PARTY Empty Bottle, 8/21, 9 PM.

KANYE WEST Chicago Theatre, 6/11, 8:30 PM.

DAR WILLIAMS, STEPHEN KELLOGG & THE SIXERS Old Town School of Folk Music, 8/23, 7 PM, all-ages, on sale Fri 5/29, 9 AM, 773-728-6000.

KELLER WILLIAMS Park West, 10/17, 8 PM, 18+, on sale Sat 5/30, 10 AM.

JOHNNY WINTER Beverly Arts Center, 7/17, 8 PM, all-ages.

WORLD'S LARGEST BLOCK PARTY WITH BEN FOLDS, GAVIN DEGRAW, COLLECTIVE SOUL, AND OTHERS Madison & Des Plaines, 7/10-11, 5:30 PM, worldslargestblockparty.com.

Friday's Top 5 list - Toughest Guitar Solos

2009-05-08T11:27:00.002-05:00

After rocking out on my way home last night, I thought this week’s top 5 should deal with shredding.

Ok people, your top 5 tough as nails guitar solos and we are talking kick you in the face tough, not difficulty. We’re talking the kind of tough where after you heard it, you wanted to buy a guitar, get a hotel room and trash the fuck out of it.

1. Eddie Van Halen – Eruption (this solo was so fucking bad ass, they just made it a song)

2. Jimi Hendrix – Voodoo Child – I can hear Jimi, can you?

3. George Lynch – Mr. Scary – You gotta love the hair and the triggered drums, but they don’t come close to taming the massive shredding going on here.

4. Kirk Hammet (Metallica) – One – It may have been their first video, but in this song you can hear how amazing of a guitar player Kirk Hammet is. One of the best and smoothest shredders of all time. Solo begins at 5:45.

5. Marty Freedman (Megadeath) – Holy Wars – The actual solo begins at 4:36 mark, but the song as whole is pretty bad ass!

2009 Lollapalooza lineup

2009-04-24T12:44:00.003-05:00

The Lineup for Lollapalooza 2009 was announced this week and in my opinion, looks like it will be a good time. Lots of Rock and more importantly the reformation of my favorite childhood band, Jane's Addiction. Yes, I know, they have played together a couple of years ago, but that wasn't the same. Flea was not in the original lineup, Eric A was. Now that Eric A is back, Jane's Addiction is back! Chances of them being boring 50/50.

Below is the lineup for this years festival. Chances are there will be at least 3 more bands added. I am hoping for Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Super Furry Animals & Blur!

* Depeche Mode
* Tool
* The Killers
* Jane's Addiction
* Beastie Boys
* Kings of Leon

* Lou Reed
* Ben Harper and Relentless7
* Thievery Corporation
* Snoop Dogg
* Rise Against
* Andrew Bird
* TV on the Radio

* Vampire Weekend
* The Decemberists
* Neko Case
* STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9)
* Animal Collective
* Band of Horses
* Of Montreal

* Arctic Monkeys
* Coheed and Cambria
* Ben Folds
* Fleet Foxes
* Silversun Pickups
* Kaiser Chiefs
* Crystal Castles
* Bon Iver
* Santigold
* Atmosphere
* Dan Auerbach
* Cold War Kids
* Deerhunter
* Lykke Li
* Robert Earl Keen
* Peter Bjorn and John
* Heartless Bastards
* Gomez
* Glasvegas
* Federico Aubele
* Dan Deacon
* Passion Pit
* Zap Mama
* The Raveonettes
* The Gaslight Anthem

* The Airborne Toxic Event
* White Lies
* Ra Ra Riot
* No Age
* Asher Roth
* Los Campesinos!
* Bat For Lashes
* Chairlift
* Gang Gang Dance
* The Virgins
* Amazing Baby
* Portugal. The Man
* The Knux
* Ida Maria
* Delta Spirit
* Friendly Fires
* Manchester Orchestra
* Constantines
* Ezra Furman & The Harpoons
* Hockey
* Miike Snow
* Alberta Cross
* Hey Champ
* Sam Roberts Band
* The Henry Clay People
* Davy Knowles and Back Door Slam
* Cage the Elephant
* Living Things
* The Low Anthem
* Blind Pilot
* Langhorne Slim
* Other Lives
* The Builders and The Butchers
* Eric Church
* Joe Pug
* Kevin Devine
* The Greencards
* Carney
* Thenewno2

And spinning at PERRY'S

* Bassnectar
* MSTRKRFT
* Simian Mobile Disco
* Deadmau5
* Boys Noize
* KiD CuDi
* Crookers
* A-Trak
* Hercules and Love Affair (DJ Set)
* The Bloody Beetroots (DJ Set)
* LA Riots
* Kaskade
* The Glitch Mob
* Hollywood Holt
* Rye Rye
* He Say, She Say
* Car Stereo (Wars)
* Dark Wave Disco
* Moneypenny
* Yello Fever
* Animal Collective (DJ Set)

Top 5 Hot Summer Jams

2009-04-24T12:25:00.003-05:00

The weather outside is no longer frightful, so it is time to crank up those jams that make you want to sit outside with some friends, have a cold one and just have a great time. Think of the kind of jam that you hear, roll the window down and just blast!

Top 5 Hot Summer Jams

1. Talking Heads - This must Be the Place
2.David Bowie - Young Americans
3. Masters of the Hemisphere - Take Time
4. Elf Power - The Naughty Villain
5. The Icicle Works - Birds Fly (Whisper to a Scream)

put yours in the comments section.

Friday's Top 5 list - Action Movies

2009-04-17T11:16:00.002-05:00

Every now and again, a couple friends of mine and I would put together top 5 lists to demonstrate what we thought would be the best 5 in our minds on a specific subject. So, to kick off that idea on this website, I bring to the world, the BMAOGS first Friday top 5 list.

Top 5 action movies. Now we are talking straight up action here. No comedy action films or sci-fi, just straight blowin' shit up action.

here are mine

1. Die Hard
2. Dark Knight
3. Predator
4. Leon: The Professional
5. Raiders of the Lost Ark

put yours in the comment section and feel free to explain if necessary.

And The Winner is...

2009-04-08T23:48:00.001-05:00

THE CLASH – LONDONG CALLING

#1 The Clash – London Calling vs. #2 Bob Dylan – Like A Rolling Stone

Like the actual national championship game, this one was no contest. Having received more votes for this contest than any other in the tournament, the Clash walked away with the rock and roll trophy of the year, by putting Mr. Dylan down for good.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this tournament. It was just as much fun putting it together as it was to participate in the voting.

Now I think the best way to pay tribute to the winner and the late great Joe Strummer is by sharing some of my favorites of their catalog.

And to thank all for participating, I have cd’s of the sweet 16 for everyone.

Thanks again, JP

Also, keep checking back every now and again, because I have some other ideas for fun time killers.

The Guns of Brixton

Tommy Gun

Rudie Can’t Fail

White Riot

White Man (In Hammersmith Palais)

Hateful

This is Radio Clash

Safe European Home

Police & Thieves

The Championship Game

2009-04-04T14:05:00.002-05:00

and then there were just 2.

#1 Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song vs. #1 The Clash - London Calling

Joe vs. Robert and Mick vs. Jimmy. A tough and very even match, but in the end The Clash had more support.

Winner: The Clash

#2 Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone vs. #2 David Bowie - Space Oddity

The Folk legend met up with the Starman for a nail biter. After going back and forth, and I do mean this because almost every vote that came in for this one would be in favor of one and then the other. In fact someone tried to vote for both of them.
In the end, the protest song writer earned one more point than the labyrinth king.

Winner - Bob Dylan

and now, our Championship Game

#1 The Clash - London Calling

VS.

#2 Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone

2009 Great Rock N’ Roll Tournament FINAL FOUR

2009-04-02T09:04:00.001-05:00

It’s a battle of number 1 seeds and number 2 seeds. Please get your votes into me by the end of the day on Friday. I would like to have these posted Saturday morning so we can vote over the weekend and crown our champion on Monday.

#1 Led Zeppelin – Immigrant Song

VS.

#1 The Clash – London Calling

#2 Bob Dylan – Like A Rolling Stone

VS.

#2 David Bowie – Space Oddity

The Road to the Final Four

2009-04-02T09:03:00.002-05:00

Wow! This round received the most participation out of any round we have had so far. Some good matches here, but they will only lead to more difficult decisions in the next round.

Hacienda Bracket

#1 Led Zeppelin – Immigrant Song vs. #2 The Beatles – A Day In The Life

A matchup of heavyweights that could only happen in a tournament like this one. McLennon vs. PlantPage If this were an actual fight, it would probably be on the level of Ali vs. Frasor, Lakers vs. Celtics or Manchester United vs. Chelsea. A true matchup of some of Rock n’ Rolls all time greatest square off here and in the end, there was just too much rock. Ringo got a hangnail and had to leave early and McCartney had some benefit show that he felt was more important. So after halftime, it was just John and George and despite their best effort they could not keep up with Viking Rock!

Winner: Led Zeppelin

CBGB Bracket

#1 The Clash – London Calling vs. #2 The Ramones – Blitzkrieg Bop

This could have been a final four matchup if not a finals matchup, but due to some unfortunate breaks with the seeding, The Ramones could not handle Joe Strummer and his songwriting abilities.

Winner: The Clash

100 Club Bracket

#2 Bob Dylan – Like A Rolling Stone vs. #4 Black Sabbath – War Pigs

In a close matchup, beautiful songwriting ended up being a little too much for face melting rock and roll. Ozzy and Dylan traded shot for shot for much of this battle but in the end the movement that Dylan created with his song writing was just too much for sweet guitar riffs.

Winner: Bob Dylan

Whiskey-a-Go-Go Bracket

#1 The Who – My Generation vs. #2 David Bowie – Space Oddity

This was definitely the best matchup of the entire tournament. People were torn, rock was at a standstill and charts were to be broken with both of these songs, but in the end Mr. Stardust was just too much for Roger and co.

Winner: Bowie

THE ELITE 8

2009-03-30T22:40:00.002-05:00

Wow, there are some tough ones here. Please get these into me by Wednesday night. I would like to post our Final 4 brackets up Thursday morning.

Hacienda Bracket

#1 Led Zeppelin – Immigrant Song
vs.
#2 The Beatles - A Day In The Life

CBGB Bracket

#1 The Clash – London Calling
vs.
#2 The Ramones – Blitzkrieg Bop

100 Club Bracket

#2 Bob Dylan – Like A Rolling Stone
vs
#4 Black Sabbath – War Pigs

Whiskey-a-Go-Go Bracket

#1 The Who – My Generation
vs.
#2 David Bowie – Space Oddity

Sweet 16 Results

2009-03-30T22:32:00.002-05:00

Here are the results from the Sweet 16. Looks like the Elite 8 will be a war!

Hacienda Bracket

#1 Led Zeppelin – Immigrant Song vs. #5 Prince – I would Die 4 U

Well, the kid may have put up a good fight against his dad and Morris Day & the Time, but this time, he was no match for the Thunder brought down by Plant & Page.

Winner: Led Zeppelin

#2 The Beatles – A Day In The Life vs. #3 Bruce Springsteen – Born To Run

At the tip, the Boss took a quick lead and looked like he was going to cruise to victory. However, at half time, Bruce was visited by an awkward dancing Courtney Cox and ruined any sort of mojo he had. McLennon & company then began getting better by fixing a hole where the rain was coming in by raining some long distance bombs of their own.

Winner: The Beatles

CBGB Bracket

#1 The Clash – Debaser vs. #4 Pixies – Debaser

This was a tough one. I will just say that the votes did not reflect how difficult this one was because almost everyone who voted for it mentioned how difficult it was. After the game, both teams met at half court to shake hands and praise each other for their rockin’ efforts.

Winner: The Clash

#2 The Ramones – Blitzkrieg Bop vs. #6 Pink Floyd – Fearless

One of two #6 seeds in the sweet 16, Pink Floyd put up decent fight, but just could not match the 3 minute 3 chord power of the Ramones.

Winner: The Ramones

100 Club Bracket

#1 Rolling Stones – She’s A Rainbow vs. #4 Black Sabbath – War Pigs

This was the Villanova Pitt game of this round. A back and forth matchup turned in some of the most clutch performances of the tournament. When the Stones started off slow, Mick brought them back with his range. When Sabbath trailed, Ozzy put the team on his shoulders slayed the dragon of doubt. In the end, Ozzy’s frontcourt dominance and baby breaking skyhook sent the Stones home and the Pigs of War to the Elite 8.

Winner: Sabbath

#2 Bob Dylan – Like A Rolling Stone vs. #3 The Animals – We Gotta Get Out of this Place

No contest here. Dylan and his harmonica blew out the animals. They didn’t have to go home, but they gotta get out of this tournament.

Winner: Dylan

Whiskey-a-Go-Go Bracket

#1 The Who – My Generation vs. #5 Talking Heads – This Must Be The Place (Naïve Melody)

David Byrne and company started this game off hot. They felt there were right were they wanted to be because The Who benched Keith Moon because he failed to show up at a mandatory work out and a pre-game meeting. Moon was then allowed to get into the game after the half and he brought the Who back from a double-digit deficit to take the lead for good.

Winner: The Who

#2 David Bowie – Space Oddity vs. #6 Elvis – Suspicious Minds

One of the most hyped matchups of the tourney put the King up against the Starman. Well, it looks like the king took the chameleon of rock for granted, because Ziggy knocked the King off his throne, and he did it convincingly.

Winner: Bowie

So, I am on a chick kick

2009-03-30T21:46:00.003-05:00

Seems like I have been listening to a lot of bands that are headed by women. Does that make me weird?

I don't think so, especially when the songs are just down right good.

I bring you Canada's own, Stars

Looking forward to this album

2009-03-29T03:05:00.003-05:00

I just heard the new single from the upcoming Camera Obscura album, and all I can say is I can't wait for the full album to come out.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. JP

2009 Great Rock N’ Roll Tournament Sweet 16 Matchups

2009-03-27T00:59:00.000-05:00

If you thought it was hard before, this is only going to get more difficult.

Time to separate the Casey Kasems from the Mark Goodmans

The Hacienda Bracket

#1 Led Zeppelin – Immigrant Song
vs.
#5 Prince – I Would Die 4 U

#2 The Beatles – A Day In The Life
vs.
#3 Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run

CBGBs Bracket

#1 The Clash – London Calling
vs.
#4 The Pixies – Debaser

#2 The Ramones – Blitzkrieg Bop
vs.
#6 Pink Floyd – Fearless

The 100 Club Bracket

#1 The Rolling Stones – She’s A Rainbow
vs.
#4 Black Sabbath – War Pigs

#2 Bob Dylan – Like A Rolling Stone
vs.
#3 The Animals – We Gotta Get Out Of This Place

Whiskey-a-Go-Go Bracket

#1 The Who – My Generation
vs.
#5 Talking Heads – This Must Be The Place (Naïve Melody)

#2 David Bowie – Space Oddity
vs.
#6 Elvis – Suspicious Minds

Results from the CBGBs & 100 Club Bracket

2009-03-27T00:56:00.000-05:00

some very close matchups and of course some blowouts as well.

#1 Rolling Stones – She’s A Rainbow vs. #9 Echo & The Bunnymen – Killing Moon

Echo came running out of the locker room and took a quick and convincing lead. Mick and the boys were a bit shocked by this, then they all started to drink the “vitamin water” that Keith brought with him and then the game quickly turned around.

Winner: The Stones

#4 Black Sabbath – War Pigs vs. #5 Joy Division – Love Will Tear You Apart

Ozzy and company came into this tournament riding a solid winning streak and were picked to be one of the biggest sleepers in this tourney, but Joy Division gave them a run for their money. In what ended by some tough defense put up by Luke’s Wall, Sabbath prevails.

Winner: Sabbath Bloody Sabbath!

#3 The Animals – We Gotta Get Out of this Place vs. Neutral Milk Hotel – Holland, 1945

All I have to say is now I know who the cool kids are and who the VH1 fans are.

I can’t write about this matchup.

Winner: the animals.

#2 Bob Dylan – Like A Rolling Stone vs. #7 Blondie – Heart of Glass

Not the biggest blowout of the tournament, but one of them. Sorry Debbie, but Dylan’s got your number.

Winner: Bob Dylan

CBGB Bracket

#1 The Clash – London Calling vs. The Jam – A Town Called Malice

Now I love me some Paul Weller and the Jam, but sorry, as my boy Tekachi said in Revenge of the Nerds, “they stand no chance now.”

This was the biggest blowout by far in the tournament.

Winner: Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon & Toppe Headon – The Clash

#4 Pixies – Debaser vs. The Kinks – You Really Got Me

Well, Black Francis really had Ray Davies here, because not only did the pixies get the kinks, they destroyed them.

Winner: Pixies

#3 Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody vs. Pink Floyd – Fearless

David Gilmour really stuck it to Freddy Mercury in the 2nd half of this game. NO, not like that you sickos. Let me clear this up, David Gilmour did not, I repeat, did not fuck Freddy Mercury. His song did come from behind to claim victory though.

Winner: Pink Floyd

#2 The Ramones – Blitzkrieg Bop vs. #7 Guns N’ Roses – Welcome to the Jungle

OK, no doubt about it, this may have been one of the toughest matchups in the tourney. Not the closest, because people still know right from wrong, but definitely one of the more difficult choices. In the end, Joey Ramone kicks Axl’s dick and Slash asks for a trade.

Winner: The Ramones

Round 2 for the 100 Club & CBGBs Brackets

2009-03-24T23:18:00.000-05:00

I want to speed this up a bit, so please get these into me by Thursday Night. I would like to post the results Friday morning if possible.

thanks, JP

100 Club – Round 2

#1 Rolling Stones – She’s a Rainbow
vs.
#9 Echo & The Bunnymen – The Killing Moon

#4 Black Sabbath – War Pigs
vs.
#5 Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart

#3 The Animals – We Gotta Get Out Of This Place
vs.
#6 Neutral Milk Hotel – Holland, 1945

#2 Bob Dylan – Like A Rolling Stone
vs.
#7 Blondie – Heart of Glass

CBGBs – 2nd Round

#1 The Clash – London Calling
vs.
#8 The Jam – Town Called Malice

#4 The Pixies – Debaser
vs.
#5 The Kinks – You Really Got Me

#3 Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody
vs.
#6 Pink Floyd – Fearless

#2 The Ramones – Blitzkreig Bop
vs.
#7 Guns N’ Roses – Welcome to the Jungle

Results from Round 2 of the Whiskey-A-Go-Go & Hacienda Brackets

2009-03-24T23:11:00.003-05:00

Whiskey-A-Go-Go – Round 2

#1 The Who – My Generation vs. #8 The Smiths – How Soon is Now?

Before tip-off, Johnny Marr & Pete Townsend shared some heated words, which turned into pure fuel for Keith Moon. Morrissey scored a quick basket and then followed with a foul for making fun of a girlfriend in a coma in the front row. Keith Moon then became the boy with the thorn in his side by banging the boards and taking over with his pure rock star drumming. At half-time Morrissey refused to come out of the locker room and the Smith’s had to forfeit.

Winner: The Who

#5 Talking Heads – This Must Be The Place (Naïve Melody) vs. #4 Nirvana – Drain You

In what turned out to be the first double overtime game of the tournament, New York withstood the seesaw matchup from the grunge rock gods from Seattle.

Winner: Talking Heads

#6 Elvis – Suspicious Minds vs. #14 Van Halen – Hot For Teacher

The underdog Van Halen brothers brought the thunder in the beginning of this matchup with some of the toughest drumming & guitar openings in rock n’ roll history, but as they said in Highlander, there can be only one (king of rock and roll). Elvis proves to be too much in the end, drawing tears from DLR and causing Michael Anthony to join Sammy Hagar in Cabo.

Winner: The King

#2 David Bowie – Space Oddity vs. #10 Arcade Fire – Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)

This is Bowie to Canada, the French Part: FUCK OFF!! No contest. Actually, Canada abandoned the monarchy after this. Oh well.

Winner: Major Tom

The Hacienda Bracket - Round 2

#1 Led Zeppelin – Immigrant Song vs. #8 Radiohead – The Bends

They came from the land of the ice and snow to melt the faces of their art rock foes. Another #1 seed blows out their competition and straightens out Thom Yorke’s eyes.

Winner: Led Motherfucking Zeppelin

#4 Sex Pistols – God Save the Queen vs. #5 Prince – I Would Die 4 U

These 4/5 matchups are really turning into being the best of the tourney. Johnny Rotten and company got off to an early lead, but as always, the boys from London got distracted and Sid Vicious starting shooting up syringes instead of 3’s. The Purple Blouses put on one hell of a show in the 2nd half and cruise to victory.

Winner: Prince

#3 Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run vs. #6 Elvis Costello – (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love & Understanding

This was another difficult choice for me because Elvis Costello rules, but Born to Run is absolutely mega. It is one of the songs that you hear and can just loose your shit. In a good way, not in a “Depends” way. Bruce keeps moving on in this runaway American Dream.

Winner: The Boss

#2 The Beatles – A Day in the Life vs. #7 Rod Stewart – Maggie May

I really thought this would be a lot closer matchup then the end result showed, but I guess a tiny man from Scotland is no match for a god from Liverpool.

Winner: The Beatles.

2nd Round - Whiskey-A-Go-Go & Hacienda Brackets

2009-03-18T23:31:00.005-05:00

And now we move on to the 2nd round.

Since we have been doing 8 matchups per voting period, I say we continue doing to that to speed up the process. I've been terribly busy lately, so let's say, just get these into me by Sunday Night. I am sure the actual NCAA Tournament will take away from some people's free time this weekend too.

Here are the second round matchups for the games in the Whiskey-A-Go-Go and Hacienda brackets.

Whiskey-A-Go-Go Bracket – 2nd Round

#1 The Who – My Generation
vs.
#8 The Smiths – How Soon is Now?

#5 Talking Heads – This Must Be The Place (Naïve Melody)
vs.
#4 Nirvana – Drain You

#6 Elvis – Suspicious Minds
vs.
#14 Van Halen – Hot For Teacher

#10 Arcade Fire – Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)
vs.
#2 David Bowie – Space Oddity

Hacienda Bracket – 2nd Round

#1 Led Zeppelin – Immigrant Song
vs.
#8 Radiohead – The Bends

#5 Prince – I Would Die 4 U
vs.
#4 Sex Pistols – God Save The Queen

#6 Elvis Costello – (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love & Understanding
vs.
#3 Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run

#7 Rod Stewart – Maggie May
vs.
#2 The Beatles – A Day In The Life

Results from the CBGB Bracket

2009-03-18T23:22:00.000-05:00

No surprises in this bracket. None at all.

#1 The Clash – London Calling vs. #16 B-52’s – Rock Lobster

This thing was over before Joe Strummer hit the first notes on this tele. All this rock from Joe Strummer and company almost turned Fred Schneider straight.

Winner – The Clash

#2 The Ramones – Blitzkrieg Bop vs. #15 Ned’s Atomic Dustbin – Happy

This was a personal conflict for me because there are very few songs that have had a greater impact in my life than this Ned’s song. I can remember the first time I heard it and to this day, it changed the way I listen to music. That being said, it was still no match for the 3-chord brilliance of the Ramones.

Winner – The Ramones

#3 Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody vs. #14 Beck – Girl

This may not be Queen’s best song, but is probably their most recognizable. This song goes through a variety of flavors and ends up with the most common in this tournament, the rock! Brian May’s solo melted Beck’s face. It was not restored.

Winner – Queen

#4 Pixies – Debaser vs. The Doors – L.A. Woman

Say what you want about Jim Morrison, but he was an overrated songwriter and turned into an even fatter prick. This song may rock and is my favorite Doors song, but it doesn’t stand up against Black Francis.

Winner – The Pixies

#5 The Kinks – You Really Got Me vs. #12 The Police – Roxanne

This was the closest match in this bracket, but in the end, the better songwriter came out on top. I am certain that if Sting didn’t break this band up and didn’t turn into a complete douche, this song might have been rated higher, but since he did, Ray Davies owned him in this matchup.

Winner – The Kinks

#6 Pink Floyd – Fearless vs. #11 The Stooges – I Wanna Be Your Dog

In one of the strangest matchups of the tournament, straightforward raw rock and roll met beautiful psychedlia. Turns out beauty overwhelmed brute force.

Winner – Pink Floyd

#7 Guns n’ Roses – Welcome to the Jungle vs. Kings of Leon – Slow Night So Long

This was possibly the most rockin matchup of the tournament. In what started out as a close game, Slash took over in the 2nd half and completely killed the kings with his massive solo and pure shredding. If you could compare guitar work with the basketball, Slash got a triple double in this game.

Winner – G n Fucking R

#8 The Jam – Town Called Malice vs. #9 Elton John – Tiny Dancer

Up until right now, I didn’t realize how many gay musicians were in this bracket. Despite sexual orientation and the use of Kate Hudson to sing this song, Elton could not handle the pure brilliance of Paul Weller and the Jam. One of the more forgotten British Rock groups, The Jam came back from an early deficit in this game to really stick it to Elton.

Winner – The Jam

Opening Round of the CBGBs Bracket

2009-03-15T12:30:00.002-05:00

Please have your votes in by Tuesday night. I would like to post the 2nd round Wednesday morning.

Here we go

#1 The Clash – London Calling
vs.
#16 B-52’s – Rock Lobster

#2 The Ramones – Blitzkrieg Bop
vs.
#15 Ned’s Atomic Dustbin – Happy

#3 Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody
vs.
#14 Beck – Girl

#4 Pixies – Debaser
vs.
#13 The Doors – L.A. Woman

#5 The Kinks – You Really Got Me
vs.
#12 The Police – Roxanne

#6 Pink Floyd – Fearless
vs.
#11 The Stooges – I Wanna Be Your Dog

#7 Guns n’ Roses – Welcome to the Jungle
vs.
#10 Kings of Leon – Slow Night So Long

#8 The Jam – Town Called Malice
vs.
#9 Elton John - Tiny Dancer

Results from the 100 Club Bracket

2009-03-15T12:24:00.001-05:00

#1 Rolling Stones – She’s A Rainbow vs. #16 Peter Bjorn & John – Young Folks

Not the biggest blowout of the bracket, but definitely one of them. The Swedes were no match for the Stones. Looks like people prefer pianos to whistling.

Winner – Rolling Stones

#2 Bob Dylan – Like A Rolling Stone vs. #15 The Libertines – Death on the Stairs.

Rolling stone voted this Dylan song to be the greatest song of all time. I wonder if it had anything to do with the title of the magazine. Well, these drugged out modern punkers didn’t stand a chance in this one.

Winner – Dylan

#3 The Animals – We Gotta Get Out of this Place vs. #14 Psychedelic Furs – Love My Way

Psych furs started this game with an early lead, but costly turnovers and a couple of broken xylophone mallets resulted in a 2nd half rout by Eric Burdon and the Animals.

Winner – The Animals

#4 Black Sabbath – War Pigs vs. #13 Blur – Parklife

Two good songs, but two very different styles. The moves that the boys from London learned in the mid 90s were outdone by the pure rock and roll of Ozzy and company. After the game, all faces were restored to their normal status after the onslaught of the face melting guitar solos.

Winner – WAR PIGS!

#5 Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart vs. #12 Beirut – Postcards from Italy

These interesting Balkan sounds were no matchup for the post-punk gods of Ian Curtis and company.

Winner: Joy Division

#6 Neutral Milk Hotel – Holland, 1945 vs. #11 Elliott Smith – Son of Sam

In the interesting matchup of Anne Frank vs. David Berkowitz, the diary spoke louder than the neighbor’s dog.

Winner – Neutral Milk Hotel

#7 Blondie – Heart of Glass vs. #10 Stone Roses – I Wanna Be Adored

OK, this one kind of pissed me off a bit. For as much as I like and appreciate all of the blow and good songs Debbie Harry did, in my opinion the higher seed winning was an upset. I wanna be adored, opened up the doors for a whole new genre of great British music in the late 80’s and 90’s and now they have gone down to Blondie. This was truly a matchup between brackets because both bands helped put CBGBs and the Hacienda on the map.

Winner – Blondie

#8 The Cure – Pictures of You vs. #9 Echo & The Bunnymen – The Killing Moon

In the West Sussex vs. Liverpool game, Echo fell behind early but then turned up the full-court press and ended the game on a 16-2 run. Some may think this is the biggest upset of this bracket, but I think people may be trying to tell Robert Smith to either stop eating and get Ian McCulloch to start writing again.

Winner – Echo & The Bunnymen

Opening Round for the 100 Club Bracket

2009-03-10T23:52:00.001-05:00

Please get me your votes by email or in the comment section by Friday Night. I would like to have the winners and the final opening round bracket posted on Saturday.

#1 Rolling Stones – She’s A Rainbow
vs.
#16 Peter Bjorn & John – Young Folks

#2 Bob Dylan – Like A Rolling Stone
vs.
#15 The Libertines – Death on the Stairs

#3 The Animals – We Gotta Get Out of this Place
vs.
#14 Psychedelic Furs – Love My Way

#4 Black Sabbath – War Pigs
vs.
#13 Blur – Parklife

#5 Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart
vs.
#12 Beirut – Postcards from Italy

#6 Neutral Milk Hotel – Holland, 1945
vs.
#11 Elliott Smith – Son of Sam

#7 Blondie – Heart of Glass
vs.
#10 Stone Roses – I Wanna Be Adored

#8 The Cure – Pictures of You
vs.
#9 Echo & The Bunnymen – The Killing Moon

Results from the Hacienda Bracket

2009-03-10T23:48:00.002-05:00

#1 Led Zeppelin – Immigrant Song vs. #16 Pearl Jam – Porch

This wasn’t even a contest. Like a commenter said, Vikings kick the shit out of flannel wearing vegans. Enough said.

Winner: Led Zeppelin

#2 The Beatles – A Day in the Life vs. #15 Broken Social Scene – Anthems for a 17-Year Old Girl.

Another blowout. Kevin Drew and company could just not compete with Lennon. In fact in the 2nd half of this game, the Beatles benched Ringo and John and George played with only their left hands.

Winner: The Beatles

#3 Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run vs. #14 Ride – Twisterella

Despite Twisterella being a personal favorite of mine, this thing was over with the countdown done by the Boss. This was nothing but a death trap, a suicide wrap for the kids from Brixton.

Winner: The Fucking BOSS!!!

#4 Sex Pistols – God Save the Queen vs. #13 The Strokes – You Only Live Once

You can say what you wish about the pistols and how they couldn’t play their instruments, but the bottom line is outside of the clash, there are very few punk bands that have mattered as much as these guys. No future for the Strokes, Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious destroyed the rich boys from New York

Winner: Sex Pistols

#5 Prince – I Would Die 4 U vs. #12 Sonic Youth – Teenage Riot

For as much as I like Teenage Riot, it just could not handle the genius that comes from the man from up north wearing the purple blouse. Close game, but Prince pulled away in the 2nd Half.

Winner: Prince

#6 Elvis Costello – (What’s so funny ‘bout) Peace Love & Understanding vs. #11 Doves – There Goes The Fear

I think this matchup showed how much of an influence that Elvis Costello had on the voters because this thing turned into a blow out early. Like a republican running for office on the west side of the city, the Doves had no chance.

Winner: Elvis Costello

#7 Rod Stewart – Maggie May vs. NIN – Wish

In what turned out to be one of the closest matches in the tournament, Rod Stewart dropped a half court shot at the buzzer to send Trent Reznor packing up his equipment and heading back to Ohio. Rumor has it, Rod called up Ron Wood at half time to talk about strategy and a Faces reunion.

Winner: Rod Stewart

#8 Radiohead – The Bends vs. Oasis – Supersonic

This turned out to be the love / hate battle of the opening round. With exception of a few people, I think the majority voted for the one they hated less. I can see that coming from people about oasis, but I was surprised to see that on Radiohead. In a match that will be remembered for all of the turnovers and poor shooting percentage, the art rockers beat out the slags.

Winner: Radiohead

Opening round of the Hacienda Bracket

2009-03-07T11:04:00.002-06:00

And now we move to the Hacienda Bracket, which we find a lot of choice tunes.

Please submit your selections to me by email or in the comments section by Tuesday night.

#1 Led Zeppelin – Immigrant Song

vs.

#16 Pearl Jam – Porch

#2 The Beatles – A Day in the Life

vs.

#15 Broken Social Scene – Anthems for a 17-Year Old Girl

#3 Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run

vs.

#14 Ride – Twisterella

#4 Sex Pistols – God Save The Queen

vs.

#13 The Strokes – You Only Live Once

#5 Prince – I Would Die 4 U

vs.

#12 Sonic Youth – Teenage Riot

#6 Elvis Costello – (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love & Understanding

vs.

#11 Doves – There Goes the Fear

#7 Rod Stewart – Maggie May

vs.

#10 Nine Inch Nails – Wish

#8 Radiohead – The Bends

vs.

#9 Oasis - Supersonic

Results from the Whiskey-A-Go-Go Opening Round

2009-03-07T11:02:00.000-06:00

After several days of intense competition, the opening round of the Whiskey-A-Go-Go bracket was filled with some blowouts and some buzzer beaters.

In the opening game, the number 1 seed, My Generation destroyed the Stereophonics. The same thing happened in the match up of Bowie vs. Canadian Rock Stars, the New Pornographers. The News, were no match up for the Star Man.

Our first upset came in the 3 vs. 14 match up, where the lower seed Van Halen, came out of the gate in the 2nd half running with the devil. The massive shredding of Eddie Van Halen’s Axe and DLR’s yelling really put Brian Wilson and the boys in their place.

Nirvana, the #4 seed thought they were going to have a tough matchup against Oklahoma’s own Flaming Lips, but there was too much rock coming out Kurt Cobain during this game. Nirvana took this one easily.

Now this Match-Up was one of the two in this bracket that I had a hard time doing myself. These are two of my favorite songs of all-time and it showed that you are big fans too, because this was a close one. This was our first overtime matchup of the tournament, because it was not decided until the last couple of votes came in. After the final votes were counted, the Talking Heads emerged on top over a worthy opponent in the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

In the 6 vs. 7 game, Elvis fought back and eventually defeated the Metal Gods of Metallica. This match up was close, but in the end Elvis showed that he is still the King.

Now I know this one will piss some people off, but hey this why we play the games because anything can happen. #7 AC/DC lost a tight match up to the French Canadian Arcade Fire. It was close, but in the end Tunnels was the one that rocked.

This was the one that was difficult on me and I am assuming it was a tough one for everyone else too. The 8 vs. 9 games are always the tough ones, but in the end, New Order was no match up for the Smiths. Johnny Marr and Morrissey destroyed Peter Hook’s crew. I thought this one would have been a lot closer.

Recap
#1 The Who – My Generation defeats #16 Stereophonics –Dakota
#2 David Bowie – Space Oddity defeats #15 New Pornographers – Sing Me Spanish Techno
#14 Van Halen – Hot For Teacher defeats #3 Beach Boys – Sloop John B
#4 Nirvana – Drain You – Defeats Flaming Lips – Race for the Prize
#5 Talking Heads – This Must Be The Place defeats #12 Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Y Control
#6 Elvis – Suspicious Minds defeats #11 Metallica – Creeping Death
#10 Arcade Fire – Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels) defeats #7 AC/DC – Long Way to the top (If you wanna rock n’ roll)
#8 The Smiths – How Soon is Now? defeats #9 New Order – Perfect Kiss

Play-In Game Results and Whiskey-A-Go-Go Bracket

2009-03-03T22:56:00.003-06:00

The results for the play-in game are in and the winner by just 2 votes is Athens, GA own B-52’s with Rock Lobster. After that close one, they will now face off against the Clash in the CBGBs bracket later in the week.

Now that our brackets are set up, I will be posting them up 1 round at a time for several days to make sure that as many people can vote as possible.

In this post, there will be 8 match-ups, which equal all of the first round contests in the Whiskey-A-Go-Go bracket. I will keep these open until first thing Saturday morning. That gives everyone until late Friday night to submit his or her selections. To vote for these, you can just email me or post in the comments page, your winners for each match up.

And here we go…

#1 The Who – My Generation

VS.

#16 Stereophonics – Dakota

#2 David Bowie – Space Oddity

VS.

#15 New Pornographers – Sing Me Spanish Techno

#3 The Beach Boys – Sloop John B

VS.

#14 Van Halen – Hot For Teacher

#4 Nirvana – Drain You

VS.

#13 Flaming Lips –Race for the Prize

#5 Talking Heads – This Must Be The Place (Naïve Melody)

VS.

#12 Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Y Control

#6 Elvis – Suspicious Minds

VS.

#11 Metallica – Creeping Death

#7 AC/DC – Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock N’ Roll)

VS.

#10 Arcade Fire – Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)

#8 The Smiths – How Soon Is Now?

VS.

#9 New Order – Perfect Kiss

The Seedings and the Play-In Game

2009-03-02T12:54:00.002-06:00

And here we go.

After a lot of anticipation, I bring you the full 65 songs that have made the inaugural Great Rock n Roll Tournament.

We will start off today with the play-in game, which features the lowest vote getter against a random song submitted by you, the voter.

B-52’s – Rock Lobster

vs.

Smashing Pumpkins – Cherub Rock

Tomorrow, I will have the first bracket set up and we will be voting on all of the first round songs in that specific bracket. So that means, there will be 8 match-ups to vote on. I will keep each round of voting open for 3 days because I know how busy we all are these days. Feel free to either put your votes in the comment section or just email them to me.

Once again, thank you to all that submitted their rankings and helped me name the brackets. I think this will be a lot of fun and without further ado, here are the songs and their brackets.

CBGBs Bracket

1. The Clash – London Calling
2. The Ramones – Blitzkrieg Bop
3. Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody
4. Pixies – Debaser
5. The Kinks – You Really Got Me
6. Pink Floyd – Fearless
7. Guns N’ Roses – Welcome to the Jungle
8. The Jam – Town Called Malice
9. Elton John – Tiny Dancer
10. Kings of Leon – Slow Night, So Long
11. The Stooges – I Wanna Be Your Dog
12. The Police – Roxanne
13. The Doors – L.A. Woman
14. Beck – Girl
15. Ned’s Atomic Dustbin – Happy
16. PLAY IN GAME – (B-52’s Rock Lobster vs. Smashing Pumpkins, Cherub Rock)

The 100 Club Bracket

1. Rolling Stones – She’s A Rainbow
2. Bob Dylan – Like A Rolling Stone
3. The Animals – We Gotta Get Out of This Place
4. Black Sabbath – War Pigs
5. Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart
6. Neutral Milk Hotel – Holland, 1945
7. Blondie – Heart of Glass
8. The Cure – Pictures of You
9. Echo & The Bunnymen – The Killing Moon
10. Stone Roses – I Wanna Be Adored
11. Elliott Smith – Son of Sam
12. Beirut – Postcards from Italy
13. Blur – Parklife
14. The Psychedelic Furs – Love My Way
15. The Libertines – Death on the Stairs
16. Peter Bjorn & John – Young Folks

The Hacienda Bracket

1. Led Zeppelin – Immigrant Song
2. The Beatles – A Day In The Life
3. Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run
4. Sex Pistols – God Save the Queen
5. Prince – I Would Die 4 U
6. Elvis Costello – (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love and Understanding
7. Rod Stewart – Maggie May
8. Radiohead – The Bends
9. Oasis – Supersonic
10. Nine Inch Nails – Wish
11. Doves – There Goes The Fear
12. Sonic Youth – Teenage Riot
13. The Strokes – You Only Live Once
14. Ride – Twisterella
15. Broken Social Scene – Anthems for a 17-Year Old Girl
16. Pearl Jam – Porch

Whiskey-A-Go-Go Bracket

1. The Who – My Generation
2. David Bowie – Space Oddity
3. The Beach Boys – Sloop John B
4. Nirvana – Drain You
5. Talking Heads – This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody)
6. Elvis – Suspicious Minds
7. AC/DC – Long Way To The Top (If you wanna Rock n’ Roll)
8. The Smiths – How Soon is Now?
9. New Order – Perfect Kiss
10. Arcade Fire – Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)
11. Metallica – Creeping Death
12. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Y Control
13. Flaming Lips – Race for the Prize
14. Van Halen – Hot for Teacher
15. The New Pornographers – Sing Me Spanish Techno
16. Stereophonics - Dakota

One more week to nominate

2009-02-22T20:46:00.003-06:00

Thank you to everyone who has participated in the rankings thus far. Right now we are seeing some solid first round matchups, but a lot can change if we get more people to participate.

In an a effort to encourage others to participate, because I know how long it can take to put these lists together, I will keep the rankings open until next Sunday, March 1.

Here are the songs again, I hope you enjoy this and thanks again to all that have played so far. Also, feel free to pass this on to anybody else you think might have an interest in this.

Also, don't forget to submit one extra song as your number 65th choice for the play in match up.

JP

Ned's Atomic Dustbin – Happy

Oasis - Supersonic

Rolling Stones - She's A Rainbow

Stone Roses - I Wanna Be Adored

The Beatles - A Day In The Life

Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song

AC/DC - Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)

The Clash - London Calling

Blur – Parklife

The Doors - L.A. Woman

Prince - I Would Die 4 U

The Beach Boys - Sloop John B

Guns N' Roses - Welcome to the Jungle

Nirvana - Drain You

Van Halen - Hot For Teacher

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Y Control

Radiohead - The Bends

Nine Inch Nails – Wish

Ride – Twisterella

Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run

Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart

Beirut - Postcards from Italy

Elvis Costello - (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love & Understanding

Talking Heads - This Must Be The Place (Naïve Melody)

Black Sabbath - War Pigs

David Bowie - Space Oddity

The Libertines - Death on the Stairs

Pixies – Debaser

Echo & The Bunnymen - The Killing Moon

New Order - Perfect Kiss

The Cure - Pictures of You

The Who - My Generation

Peter Bjorn & John - Young Folks

Doves - There Goes The Fear

Stereophonics – Dakota

Arcade Fire – Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)

Neutral Milk Hotel - Holland, 1945

The Animals - We Gotta Get Out of this Place

The Smiths - How Soon is Now?

Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

Pearl Jam – Porch

The Jam - Town Called Malice

The Police – Roxanne

Sex Pistols - God Save The Queen

The Kinks - You Really Got Me

Bob Dylan - Like A Rolling Stone

Elvis - Suspicious Minds

B-52's - Rock Lobster

Blondie - Heart of Glass

Rod Stewart - Maggie May

Elton John - Tiny Dancer

Kings of Leon - Slow Night So Long

Broken Social Scene - Anthems for a 17-Year Old Girl

Elliott Smith - Son of Sam

Pink Floyd – Fearless

The Strokes - You Only Love Once

Metallica - Creeping Death

Sonic Youth - Teenage Riot

Flaming Lips - Race for the Prize

The Psychedelic Furs - Love My Way

The New Pornographers - Sing Me Spanish Techno

The Stooges - I Wanna Be Your Dog

Beck – Girl

The Ramones - Blizkrieg Bop

65th Seed

2009-02-18T23:04:00.002-06:00

Right now the leading vote getter for the 65th entry is....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1N_qX_r4Iw

Feel free to submit others

The Great Rock 'n' Roll Tournament

2009-02-17T00:32:00.005-06:00

Now I knew before I started putting this project together that I would not be able to make everyone happy with this list. Nobody can. In fact, if I were to go back and put this together again, I am sure I would come up with a different 64.

Well, after 5 days of thinking about it, I put together a list of 64 songs that I thought we could turn into a tournament. My selection process had no define lines with the exception of one, no duplicate artists. Now this is what made the selection process a bit difficult. Sure, you can go through and pick a ton of rolling stones, Beatles, Dylan and Who songs, like Rolling Stone magazine did, but what fun would that be.

When making these selections, I tried to put together a good collection from different genres. Some old, some new, some rock, some roll, some pop and some metal. Regardless of where theses songs may fall, they all have one thing in common, they are all great tunes. Now in order for me to get down to 64, I had to leave behind many good tunes. You will notice that there is no rap, hip-hop, funk, R&B, reggae, Philadelphia Soul, Regular Soul, U2, The Eagles and Aerosmith. The reason behind this is because I needed to narrow this down and if I included those genres, there is now way I could have narrowed this down to 64. And those other bands, well, I just don’t like them.

These songs, I have not put in any particular order, so that is where I need your help. I gave you 64 songs, now I need you to help me rank them for the tournament.

This will be set up just like the NCAA Basketball tournament, so we will have 4 brackets of 16, with songs ranked 1-16 in each bracket. Now, I know that 64 songs is a lot to go through, but rank what you can. Even if you can only rank your favorite 8 songs in the list, that will help me set up the top 2 seeds in each bracket.

UPDATE: also, if you want to submit an additional song for the list, feel free. What I will do is have the most requested song off the list, play the song with the worst ranking in a play-in game, just like the tournament. The play-in game winner will then play the best ranked song in the opening round.

And just to clear up any confusion, please rank the songs from 1-64, with 1 being your favorite and 64 being your least favorite.

thanks to all who have participated already. this looks like it could be a lot of fun.

Well, here you go. Here are the 64 songs.

Ned's Atomic Dustbin – Happy

Oasis – Supersonic

Rolling Stones - She's A Rainbow
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O60kvW1dyCw

Stone Roses - I Wanna Be Adored
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huaCEYIvaXE

The Beatles - A Day In The Life

Led Zeppelin - Immigrant Song

AC/DC - Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock ‘n’ Roll)

The Clash - London Calling
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqO1b-5RsAs

Blur – Parklife

The Doors – L.A. Woman

Prince - I Would Die 4 U

PRINCE "I Would Die 4 U/Baby I'm A Star"

Beach Boys - Sloop John B

Guns ‘n’ Roses - Welcome to the Jungle

Nirvana - Drain You

Van Halen - Hot for Teacher

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Y Control
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3zPbBMbnjI

Radiohead - The Bends

Nine Inch Nails – Wish
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68KxXeeHXHk

Ride – Twisterella

Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run

Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart

Beirut - Postcards From Italy

Elvis Costello – (What's So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love & Understanding

Talking Heads - This Must Be The Place (Naïve Melody)

Black Sabbath - War Pigs

David Bowie - Space Oddity

The Libertines - Death on the Stairs

Pixies – Debaser

Echo & The Bunnymen - The Killing Moon

New Order - Perfect Kiss

The Cure - Pictures of You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l54xuQmwks

The Who - My Generation

Peter Bjorn & John - Young Folks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae9l36SlyZM

Doves - There Goes the Fear

Stereophonics – Dakota

Arcade Fire - neighborhood #1 (tunnels)

Neutral Milk Hotel - Holland 1945

The Animals - We Gotta Get Out of this Place

The Smiths – How Soon is Now?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U5HpeA_WSo

Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

Pearl Jam – Porch

The Jam - Town Called Malice

The Police – Roxanne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3kG-7I_Y6k

Sex Pistols - God Save the Queen

The Kinks - You Really Got Me

Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone

Elvis - Suspicious Minds

B-52s - Rock Lobster

Blondie - Heart of Glass

Rod Stewart - Maggie May

Elton John - Tiny Dancer

Kings of Leon – Slow Night So Long

Broken Social Scene - Anthems for A 17-Year Old Girl

Elliott Smith - Son of Sam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rggjfnX20nw

Pink Floyd – Fearless

The Strokes - You Only Live Once
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk1fl_U1dKU

Metallica - Creeping Death

Sonic Youth - Teenage Riot

Flaming Lips - Race for the Prize

Psychedelic Furs - Love My Way

New Pornographers – Sing Me Spanish Techno

The Stooges - I Wanna Be Your Dog

Beck – Girl

The Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop

The Great Music Tournament

2009-02-11T22:54:00.001-06:00

As the middle of February approaches, some people get excited about the upcoming hallmark holiday. Others, maybe looking toward the upcoming change of seasons, while the rest may think about Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday, celebrate Black History Month or just think about the joy of taking out books at their local library since February is Library Lovers Month. Now I am sure people look forward to other things, but so what.

Now for me, I see pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training while college basketball teams make their final push to make the tournament. This is one of the best times of the year for me. The College basketball tournament may be the best playoff system in all of sports and on top of that when spring training begins, all baseball fans are optimistic about what their team might do in the upcoming year.

Well, I think we should take this opportunity to pay homage to this great time in the sports year and combine it with our favorite music. I think we should put together a list of 64 songs and create our own tournament to find out what song will emerge on top.

Now I am going to be gone for a few days, but I would like to start getting some songs submitted by the readers and then early next week, I will submit mine as well. The top 64 songs that get nominated the most will be in the tournament. I know that 64 is a lot, so it will take some time, but I also think that it will be more fun than work.

Well, please take some time and submit yours. If you only come up with 10, 14,30 or all 64, just submit what you got. I will start putting them together into brackets next week and we can start having a little fun with the lists.

I will submit a few to get the ball rolling.

In no particular order:
Rolling Stones – She’s Like a Rainbow
The Who – My Generation
Prince – I would die 4 U
Ned’s Atomic Dustbin – Happy
Oasis – Supersonic
The Smith’s – How Soon is Now
Led Zeppelin – Immigrant Song
The Beatles – A Day in the Life
The Clash – London Calling
The Jam – Town Called Malice
Talking Heads- This must be the place
Pixies – Debaser
Radiohead – The Bends
Nirvana – Drain You
The Animals – We Gotta Get Out of This Place
Doves – There Goes The Fear
Libertines – Death on the Stairs
Blur - Parklife

Dio, Man, Myth and Metal God

2009-02-06T10:58:00.001-06:00

Sometime ago, a friend of mine proposed a rather interesting question to me. The question was one for the ages and of great thought. Only a select few would dare try to handle the question’s style, but since it has been some time, I believe it is time to propose that question to the rest of the world.

“Which Dio video do you think rocks the hardest?”

That is the kind of question that could melt one’s face or freak their mind. Despite the danger, it is a question we must ask and have the balls to answer. So people, which Dio video do you think rocks the hardest?

Rainbow in the Dark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJ_FgL5l1og

Rock N’ Roll Children
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzXuH7Ck34U

Last In Line

Holy Diver

Despite the awesomeness of the first three videos, Holy Diver is the answer for me. From the tough guitar riffs to the Dio with a Sword singing “ride the tiger!” nothing matches this video’s fierce ways.

Rock on Dio, Rock on!

Anyway, please discuss your answers. Not sure if you can give a wrong one.

Finally, it's here! 2008's top 20 albums

2008-12-29T10:47:00.003-06:00

I meant to post this a while ago, but it's been a busy time of year. I hope everyone has had a very nice holiday and here's to having a very safe and happy new year! Enjoy, JP

1.Okkervil River – The Stand Ins

Fuck yeah! I love this album. Their last album was hyped up, so naturally I dismissed it for being acclaimed by all the so called critics, but I can openly admit now that I was wrong, because the “Stage Names” has become one of my favorites. Needless to say, when the new album came out, I got it the day it was released. There was a point where it was all I listened to for days. Great lyrics and incredible songwriting overall make this my favorite album of the year. If you don’t have a copy of it, get it and sit back and listen. I think you will like it.

Key Tracks – Lost Coastlines, Singer Songwriter, Calling and Not Calling My Ex, Pop Lie

Lost Coastlines

Calling and Not Calling My Ex

2. Portishead – Third

Like the rest of their fans, I have been waiting with great anticipation for this album to come out and thank god it was no Chinese Democracy. Unlike Axl, these guys make it worth the wait. A very complex album with a ton of noises going on in the background that seems difficult to pull off, but that is why I attached the live takes of some of these songs because it is quite impressive to see how they pull this off. A great dark trip hop album that will haunt you and make you move. It should not cause night terrors though.

Key tracks – Silence, The Rip, We Carry On & Machine Gun

Silence

We Carry On

3. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes

Beautiful harmonies accompanied by very well orchestrated music is why this was the year’s biggest surprise for me. In fact, I am still kicking myself for not going to see them play a free show at the Petrillo Band Shell this summer. Imagine you caught the beach boys and put them in a cage with Dylan back in the day. It might sound something like this. It also goes extremely well with the holidays.

Key Tracks - He Doesn’t Know Why, White Winter Hymnal, Ragged Wood

Ragged Wood

White Winter Hymnal

4. Vampire Weekend – Vampire Weekend

This album was a very nice surprise for this year. This came out with a lot of hype and as always with a lot of hype there is a long way to fall, but this album actually did a pretty good job of living up to it. Picture yourself listening to this while wearing a pastel colored polo with a white sweater tied around your neck lying nicely on your shoulders while walking around with your brand new top of the line Sony walkman. It’s a good feeling!

The album combines simple David Byrne pop with a world music influence to it. I guess if you took the Talking Heads and had them make an afro-beat album; it would sound similar to this. Whether that is your thing or not, this is a very good album and one of my favorites of the year.

Key Tracks – Mansard Roof, Oxford Comma, A-Punk, M79, Campus & The Kids Don’t Stand a Chance

A-Punk

Oxford Comma

5. Girl Talk – Feed the Animals

No other album this year put a larger smile on my face than this album did the first time I heard it. A mash up dance album that is absolutely perfect. Let me tell you the first time I heard Big Country’s “In a big country” mixed with “whoop, there it is!” my mind was freaked.

Key Tracks – Play your part (part 1), Set it Off, No Pause & Hands in the Air. Really, this album should be listed in one take from beginning to end.

Still Here

Like This

Hands in the Air

6. Frightened Rabbit – The Midnight Organ Flight

This was given to me by a friend this fall and I couldn’t have been happier to receive it than I did. It was something new that I had not heard but with a sound that was very familiar to what I am used to. This Scottish band blends sounds from bands such as Travis, Arcade Fire, The Shins, Badly Drawn Boy and there is even one song that has a bit of a Ned’s Atomic Dustbin sound. Now, I am just waiting for them to tour with Travis and the Mull Historical Society and call their tour the “If it’s not Scottish, it’s crap” tour. I’d go!

Key t racks – The Modern Leper, Heads Roll, Twist, I Fell Better

Heads Roll Off

I Feel Better

7. Sea and Cake – Car Alarm

What could be labeled as Chicago’s very own supergroup, the Sea and Cake continue to keep putting out quality albums that sound completely different than what is out on the music market these days. The musical stylings of Archer Prewitt and Sam Prekop have not sounded better in years and that is exactly why this album has made my top ten. Individually, these guys are absolutely amazing musicians and together they can almost form the Voltron robot of the music scene. If you are unfamiliar with these guys, think of smooth experimental mellow rock and roll.

Key tracks – Aerial, On a Letter, Car Alarm, Weekend

Weekend

On a Letter

8. Oasis – Dig Out Your Soul

OK, I am not going to write much about this, because if anyone knows me they know I love this band and are also probably surprised I didn’t make it my album of the year. Well, although it is good, it is not as good as the others on the list ahead of it.

In this album, Noel and Liam continue to prove that they can write quality songs and are now receiving help from Gem and Andy Bell. Overall, a very good album that shows these guys can still rock.

Key tracks – Shock of Lightening, Waiting for the Rapture, I’m Outta Time, Bag it Up, Falling Down

Shock of Lightening

Waiting for the Rapture

9. The Dodos – Visiter

This Bay Area duo released one of the best new albums of the year and it was the perfect time for this band to hit the streets. Giving the kids who bought the Vampire Weekend album something else to listen to, these 2 guys made a great album that could appeal to the mainstream and all those indie rock nerds too. Sort of an artsy alternative folk act, the dodos can make a pretty big sound with 2 just pieces. Think of something in-between the violent femmes and wilco, with a hint of Elliott Smith.

Key tracks – Walking, Red and Purple, Fools, Winter and Jodi

Fools

Winter

10. Dr. Dog – Fate

This was one band that I always had on the backburner. Always meaning to listen to them, but never getting around to it. Well, this year I finally did and I found one of the best surprises of the year. This Philadelphia band takes a lot of cues from great American rock and roll legends such as Bob Dylan and the Beach Boys and combines them with some good soulful sounds. Philly Dans La Maison!!!

Key Tracks – The Breeze, Hang On, The Rabbit, The Bat & The Reindeer, From & Uncovering the Old

Hang On

The Rabbit, The Bat & The Reindeer

11. Spiritualized – Songs in A&E

Last year I went to go see Spiritualized play an acoustic show at the Apollo theatre and since then I was sitting with great anticipation to hear this album. When it came out, I was extremely pleased with the final product. As Spiritualized is one of the reasons that I am in love with music, I am also very critical of the things that Jason Spaceman releases because I try to compare everything to his first album Lazer Guided Melodies and I need to learn that nothing will ever be as good as that album.

Jason does continue to blend a very solid balance of drug induced rock and roll with gospel tones. Some may say sacrilege, but I say genius.

Key tracks – Soul on Fire, You Lie You Cheat, Yeah Yeah, I Gotta Fire, Borrowed Your Gun

Soul on Fire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_k1s2xBXMDg

You Lie You Cheat

12. The Raveonettes – Lust, Lust, Lust

It is no secret that I am a sucker for distortion on a bass guitar. When it is done correctly, it can provide you with the COOLEST FUCKING SOUND ON THE PLANET. Now when you accompany that with a hot bass player and REALLY LOUD FUCKING GUITARS, you get the Raveonettes.

Key tracks – Aly, walk with me, Hallucinations, Dead Sound, Blush & You Want the Candy

Aly, Walk With Me

Hallucinations

13. British Sea Power – Do You Like Rock Music?

Yes, Yes I do! And if you do too, you will listen to this album.

Key tracks – No Lucifer, Waving Flags, Canvey Island, A Trip Out & All In It

No Lucifer

Canvey Island

14. Liam Finn – I’ll Be Lightening

The son of Neil Finn, Liam is starting to separate himself from his dad’s shadow and make a pretty solid name for him. In this album, you can hear how his dad has influenced his songwriting by showing him how to write beautiful melodies, but you can also hear how musicians like Elliott Smith and John Lennon have influenced him as well.

This album is filled with great songs that can lead one to believe that this kid has a long future in this business.

Key Tracks – Better to Be, Second Chance, Lead Balloon, Wise Man & I’ll Be Lightening

Better to Be

Second Chance

15. Wolf Parade – At Mount Zoomer

Canada strikes again! Not only do our neighbors from the north take care of their residents with health benefits, but they are also exporting awesome these days too. The sophomore album by these French Canadians proves to be a successful follow up to their last album while keeping their quirky heavy rocking synth sound.

Key Tracks – Soldier’s Grin, Language City, California Dreamer, The Grey Estates

Soldier’s Grin

The Grey Estates

16. Broken Social Scene Presents…. Brendan Canning – Something for All of Us

The second album in the series of “solo” albums called Broken Social Scene Presents, Brendan Canning takes us on a tour of his contributions to the Canadian Rock and Roll Collective. Showing that he is the Ying to Kevin Drew’s Yang, Brendan puts together a collection of different types of sounds ranging from experimental and straight forward rock and roll to even a disco tune. More of a composer than a front man, Brendan shows all the broken social scene fans with this album that he is one of the main reasons the band has such a fantastic sound.

Key Tracks – Something for all of us, Hit the Wall, Churches Under the Stairs, Love is New

Hit the Wall

Churches Under the Stairs

17. Tokyo Police Club – Elephant Shell

A fun little band from Canada. I know it seems like all things coming out of Canada are pretty fucking cool these days, but these guys can actually stand up and prove it. I’ll admit it that these guys are not for everyone, because they can be a little teeny boppy, but on a whole they have a nice blend of 80’s synth pop and punk rock. Normally I would say this combination would be annoying, but they seem to pull it off pretty well. Think of a more rocking version of the Rentals.

Key Tracks – In A Cave, Juno, Tessellate & Your English is Good

Tessellate

In A Cave

18. Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks – Real Emotional Trash

The former lead singer of Pavement comes out with possibly his most accessible album since the last Pavement album. Still showing off his quirky side, Malkmus combines that talent with some amazing pop and rock and roll hooks. A pleasant surprise for the year and still keeps hope alive that one day a new Pavement album will arrive.

Key tracks – Dragonfly Pie, Hopscotch Willie, Gardenia & We Can’t Help You

We Can’t Help You

Gardenia

19. MGMT – Oracular Spectacular

The big “IT” album to start off the year, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked this album from this dance group from New York. A lot of hype, but still a lot of good tunes on this debut album. Overall this is just a fun piece of work that will make you get up and move. Great listening to have a party to or to even just clean your home too.

Key tracks – Time to Pretend (one of the best singles of the year in my mind), Kids, Electric Feel & Weekend Wars

Time to Pretend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVnRzEjpUmE

Electric Feel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtUI5MC9tVM

20. Travis – Ode to J. Smith

Ah, OJ Smith, he just can’t go away, well until this album came out. Has anybody else noticed that it was only a matter of weeks after this album was released in the states that OJ was finally put behind bars? Coincidence? Not sure, but either good job! Anyway, the Scottish rock sensation known as Travis, follows up last year’s album with another great piece of work. If these last two albums would have followed “The Man Who,” these guys would still be playing large venues in the states.

Key tracks – Something Anything, J. Smith, Chinese Blues, Long Way Down & Last Words

Something Anything

J. Smith

30 - 21

2008-12-17T16:12:00.001-06:00

30. Black Keys – Attack & Release
The Akron, OH duo got Danger Mouse to produce this album and you can definitely tell which songs he had an influence on. From what I have read, this album was originally supposed to be a Black Keys and Ike Turner album, but due to Turner’s death this past year, DM went on and produced a full black keys album. I’m still interested to how that album would have sounded. Oh well, here are a couple songs from Attack & Release.

Strange Times

I Got Mine

29. Death Cab for Cutie – Narrow Stairs
I gave up on these guys because their album in my opinion was about as boring as you can get. Well, I decided to give this album a shot and to my surprise it turned out to sound more like their older albums then their newer ones. A little more rock and a little less bore the shit out of me is always a better combination.

Cath…

I Will Possess Your Heart

28. Land of Talk – Some Are Lakes
Canada continues to export awesome in the form of great rock and roll. This album was given to me by a friend and it has been in heavy rotation since then. If you like Sleeter-Kinney or liked Belly back in the day, check this out.

Some are Lakes

Yuppie Flu

27. I’m From Barcelona – Who Killed Harry Houdini?
One of my favorite albums in 2006, I’m From Barcelona’s album “Let me introduce my friends” was my feel good hit of the year. In fact it was so good, I put it on last year’s list too because it was released in the states in 2007. Well, their first album may have been super poppy, but the new album is quite dark. The band still packs the stage and the studio with 20+ members, so it is still fun, but despite the singles the new album has more melancholy friends than poppy ones.

Paper Planes

Mingus

26. Los Campesinos! – Hold On Now, Youngster!
There is something about bands from Wales that make me happy. Everything from Gorky’s, Stereophonics to the Super Furry Animals, the place is always good for putting out some good music and this album from Los Campesinos is no exception to that rule. Kind of wild and all over the place, but has a solid melody and behind each of the songs on the album. And besides, in the video to Death to Los Campesinos, a unicorn comes out of an amplifier and kills the bass player. Pretty bad ass when you think about it and a rather unlikely way to go.

Death to Los Campesinos

You! Me! Dancing!

25. Little Joy – Little Joy
This side project by the drummer of the Strokes may show some people that the drummer may have more influence on the band’s songwriting than originally have thought. A lot of the songs sound like the strokes, but with a different vocal type. Think of the strokes with a little more of a world sound. Overall a very good album.

Next Time Around

No One’s Better Sake

24. The Hold Steady – Stay Positive
Modern day rock and roll at its best! These guys just plain rock and have a lot of fun doing it. Just hit play, smile and enjoy.

Constructive Summer

Sequestered in Memphis

23. Beck – Modern Guilt
Another Danger Mouse produced album makes my list in a very quiet way. Most everybody loves Beck because they think he is so hip and original, but when he gets on his dark side kicks, people tend to drift away. Luckily for me, that’s when I think his songwriting is his best. This album would have been much higher if it were not produced by Danger Mouse. All his stuff sounds the same, so I get kind of bored with it. Regardless, another solid album by one of America’s better modern song writers.

Gamma Ray
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIBw-lbxtT4

Modern Guilt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FD0F9p5IjSc

22. Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson – Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson
This 24 year old singer / songwriter has been influenced by a lot of different musicians on this album. You have songs that you can hear Dylan, the Kinks and Richards playing. A quality piece of work that should be on a regular rotation on anyone’s ipod or cd player.

Buriedfed

21. Radiohead – In Rainbows
This album should be much higher on the list, but since it really came out last year, I just couldn’t let it crack the top 20. There really isn’t anything left to be said about this band that has not been said already. And if you haven’t heard this album yet, well, hit play.

Reckoner

All I need

Best of 2008, 40 - 31

2008-12-03T12:50:00.001-06:00

40. Clinic – Do It!
From the same place that brought the world the Beatles, we have some sort of a new wave punk hybrid with hospital masks. These guys are great and I think that if I would have listened to this album a lot more than I did it would have been much higher on my list. Anyway, here are a couple songs off the album

The Witch

Tomorrow

39. Neon Neon – Stainless Style
OK, I know right off the bat that this will not be for everyone, but neither is this list as a whole. Let me see what I can make if I were to put Super Furry Animals (the band, stay way PETA) in a blender with Depeche Mode and Duran Duran. It would probably sound something similar to this album. Only if I could listen to this while cruising in a Delorean.

I Told Her on Alderaan

I Lust U

38. Be Your Own Pet – Get Awkward
Very straight forward angry suburban kids. It has it’s moments and it’s kind of fun to hear punk rock girl sing about zombies. The second song was recorded for the album was banned in the states. Gotta love our 2nd amendment.

The Kelly Affair

Becky

37. Santogold – Santogold
A decent combination of some r&b, reggae, electronic rock, punk and dance music. Not great, but the album on a whole has it’s moments.

L.E.S. Artistes

You’ll Find A Way

36. Kings of Leon – Only By The Night
Usually these guys would be much higher on my list because they were one of the few bands out there that would bring the rock and roll to the stage. Well, some might say when bands get older, they mature, I say they stop rocking. Some of the songs are OK, but there is no Velvet Snow, California Waiting, or McFearless on this album. Despite that, there is still some quality music on this album.

Sex on Fire

Use Somebody (mark my words, this song will be used in some upcoming bad chick flick)

Slow Night, So Long (I had to attach this to remind people why this band is so good)

35. David Byrne & Brian Eno – Everything That Happens Will Happen Today
I love the Talking Heads. Need I say more?

Strange Overtones

Home

34. Coldplay – Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
I know, I know, it’s Coldplay. Call me what you wish, but this is a pretty good album. Darker than their last with a little more of an edge.

Life In Technicolor (This is just a very big instrumental, a very good one at that)

Violet Hill

33. Albert Hammond Jr. – Como Te Llama?
A very good pop rock album by the guitar player from the Strokes. His last album was a very pleasant surprise and this one, although not as accessible as the last, is still as solid piece of work.

GFC

Bargain of the Century

32. Elf Power – In A Cave
One of the coolest bands to come out of the Elephant 6 collective, but then again, there are very few bands that came out of that group that suck. A slight departure from their other albums, but it still has that TRex sound to it! (sorry, but I could only find one song on youtube, so I linked their myspace page. Owl Cut, Spiral Stairs and Paralyzed are all from In A Cave)

Spiral Stairs

http://www.myspace.com/elfpower

31. Hot Chip – Made in the Dark
Dance baby, Dance! More electronic 80’s dance syth music for the list from London. This one is a little more dance than 80’s but still a damn good time.

Ready for the Floor

One Pure Thought

Best of 2008 List, 41 - 50

2008-12-02T11:14:00.002-06:00

This year I have decided to expand my list to a top 50 because there was just way too much out there to listen to in 2008. Here are my picks at 41-50. I will try and post these pretty regularly so I don't lose track. Enjoy!

50. TV on the Radio – Dear Science
Depending on the day of the week, I find myself liking these guys, but just don’t ask me what day. At number 50 with a bang!

Dancing Choose

Golden Age

49. Supergrass – Diamond Hoo Ha
As a whole, this album is just ok, but it does have some great individual songs. In fact, every now and again, you can hear the rockin’ Supergrass of old.

Diamond Hoo Ha Man

Bad Blood

48. The Verve – Forth
OK, the reason this is on the list is because it is number 49 and it has been way too long since we have heard new material from the combo of Ashcroft and McCabe. After listening it to a couple of times, it turned out better than I expected, but that “Love is Noise” single is complete shit because of that stupid sample in it. Fuck that. Ashcroft, you are better than that, at least I thought you were. Anyway, here are a couple of tracks from the album that I think are worthwhile. One is a decent single and the other is a song that reminds you of what the Verve once were, a psychedelic rock and roll machine!

Rather Be

Columbo

47. My Morning Jacket – Evil Urges
A lot of people really liked this album, but I could never get completely into it. Don’t get me wrong, it has some pretty good rock and roll songs on it, but it just didn’t have much staying power. These guys are great musicians and make my list for that and for the fact that they are amazing live.

I’m Amazed

Touch Me I’m Going to Scream Pt. 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFFwBA9DO34

46. Tapes n’ Tapes – Walk it Off
Ok, I just like the way the first couple of songs on this album rock. Nothing more.

Hang Them All

Conquest

45. Mates of State – Re-Arrange Us
Kind of lame, but there are some really catchy pop songs on this album. I know, it’s not for everyone, but give it a listen to if you want. Trust me, there are much worse husband and wife duos and Lawrence, Kansas doesn’t usually produce much in the realm of music.

Get Better

Jigsaw

44. REM – Accelerate
After that shit album they put out a few years ago, the boys from Athens, GA brought out the guitars again. Not their best work, but a solid album that reminds you of their talents.

Supernatural Superserious

Living Well is the Best Revenge

43. Of Montreal – Skeletal Lamping
Well, it is not as good as Cold Lamping with Flavor, but it does have it’s moments. Another band from Athens, GA makes the list and provides us with some solid tunes. Lead singer Kevin Barnes has been labeled by some as the next Bowie, but I just don’t see it. Just because you are weird and dance around wearing make-up does not make you rock god! Here are some songs from the album with putting your teeth into.

An Eluardian Instance

Id Engager

42. Nine Inch Nails – The Slip
Well, Trent may not be the sad man we once knew on pretty hate machine and the downward spiral, but he still can deliver some angry strong rock and roll. On top of that, it no longer takes him seven years to put out new material. Just for that he makes the list.

1,000,000

Echoplex

41. The Walkmen – You & Me
After their last album and hearing about how bad these guys are live, I wrote them off completely. Well, let me thank eMusic for giving me extra credits, because that is why I bought it. A unique or annoying voice accompanies these dark haunting riffs.

In the New Year

On the Water

THIS JUST IN... 2007's Top 20 Albums

2007-12-18T12:12:00.000-06:00

1. Arcade Fire – Neon Bible

From the opening sounds of “Black Mirror,” you can tell this is going to be a huge album. Now believe me when I say, I understand that there is a lot of hype around this band and nobody wanted to dismiss this album to the sophomore slump pile more than I did, but I’m sorry, this album is amazing. The sound is big and beautiful and it leaves you wanting more from this band. If you have never had the opportunity, please make sure the next time they visit your town, you go and see them. This was my favorite album of the year as well as concert of the year at the Chicago Theatre.

Suggested Tracks: The whole fucking album! But if you have to listen to single tracks try these: Black Mirror, The Well and the Lighthouse, (Antichrist Television Blues), No Cars Go & Neon Bible

2. Radiohead – In Rainbows

The album the world was waiting to buy, or not to buy. That was the option the band gave their fans when the album was released. You got to pick the price you pay and I will tell you this, regardless if you got it for free or paid $1,000, you got your money’s worth. Their best album since OK Computer! From the opening track to the last song, this album plays off of the entire bands talents. You have your rock songs, your art songs, and your mellow chill ones. A very good piece of work that deserves all of the hype it received.

Suggested Tracks: Bodysnatchers, Nude, Faust Arp, Jigsaw Falling Into Place & Videotape

3. Beirut – The Flying Club Cup

Despite barely being able to buy a beer, Zach Condon can really arrange the fuck out of some vocals, horns and strings. The follow up to the acclaimed Gulag Orkestar, the Flying Club Cup is a great mix of melodies, harmonies and intrigue. Even if you do not like the Balkan sounds of this band, do your ears a favor and give it a listen. It is too interesting not to enjoy.

Suggested Tracks: Nantes, The Penalty, Cliquot & Forks and Knives

4. Interpol – Our Love to Admire

This is one of those bands that you look at and you just want to hate. One of those cocky New York poser bands that should really just suck, but you know what? THEY ROCK!!! Immediately after hitting play on your iPod, CD player, Turntable or whatever you use to listen to music these days, you find out that this album is a fantastic piece of work. Our Love to Admire is the third studio album released by Interpol and they just keep getting better.

Suggested Tracks: Pioneer to the Falls, No I in Threesome, The Heinrich Maneuver & Mammoth

5. The National – Boxer

Recommended by a friend, this album has quickly turned into one of my favorites. This is a very dark piece of work, but dark in the way a band like Joy Division can be, dark yet beautiful. Solid percussion work that stands out on its own accompanied by picturesque lyrics and delicate melodies makes this a must own for 2007.

Suggested Tracks: Fake Empire, Mistaken for Strangers, Squalor Victoria & Apartment Story

6. Apples in Stereo – New Magnetic Wonder

Two words to describe the new album: BILL DOSS. That’s right kids, the Bill Doss is a member of the Apples in Stereo. One of my favorite musicians from the Olivia Tremor Control is now playing keys, tambourine and providing sweet harmonies for the Apples. The new album is a quality piece of work ranging from their straight up beach boys pop sounds to their psychedelic beach boys sounds. Basically, Robert Schneider still has a hard on for Brian Wilson, but can you blame him? Not Elijah Wood, that‘s for sure. Yes, that Elijah Wood, the kid who played Frodo and North is a big fan of this band and made them the first group to sign on his new record label.

Suggested Tracks: Can You Feel It?, Energy, 7 Stars & Sun is Out

7. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Baby 81

The follow up to 2005’s Howl, BRMC loses the gospel rock and goes back to what originally made them special, psychedelic noise rock. From the opening notes on the first track, you realize that this album was going to be different then their last. A solid combination of noise and blues, these three guys from San Francisco show why they are one of the best American bands out right now.

Suggested tracks: Took Out A Loan, Weapon of Choice, Not What You Wanted, Need Some Air & All You Do Is Talk

8. Blonde Redhead – 23

Now these guys are just fucking cool! And on top of that, they are great live. Creating another very dark and moody album for the year, Blonde Redhead put together a fantastic group of songs made up of intriguing rhythm sections and soothing vocals. They are just as interesting to listen to as Sonic Youth only not as rocking. Don’t worry, it is still very good.

Suggested Tracks: 23, Dr. Strangeluv, SW & Top Ranking

9. The Good, The Bad & The Queen

This just in… Damon Albarn is a genius. What originally started off as a solo album turned into an unnamed band created by Albarn that includes Simon Tong (the verve), Tony Allen (Afrobeat) and the Clash’s Paul Simonon. Now, how cool is that? The creator of Blur and Gorillaz gets members of the verve, clash and one of the best percussion players in the world to start a band. The music of this band is dark and tells tales about life in London, which I hear is also very dark. The organ and crazy drums give this album sort of a crazed carnival feel. Definitely worth a listen!

Suggested tracks: Hurculean, Northern Whale, Kingdom of Doom, Three Changes & The Good, The Bad & The Queen

10. Band of Horses – Cease to Begin

You knew this album was going to be good before it even came out, because if you pre-ordered the album, they were going to send you a koozy with a dead bird on it that said band of horses. Now what kind of a band creates koozys for their fans? Two kinds, ones that rock and ones that suck. Yes, very scientific, but luckily for these guys they are of the rockin’ category. A great album that combines good old fashioned southern folk music with some straight up rock and roll!

Suggested tracks: Is There A Ghost, Ode To LRC, No One’s Gonna Love You & Island On the Coast

11. Broken Social Scene PRESENTS… Kevin Drew – Spirit if…

Some may say this is a solo album for Kevin Drew and for the most part it is, but considering that just about every member of the scene was on this album and the fact that album sounds exactly like a broken social scene album, I will consider this their new album. All of the ingredients are there. You have the slow intros orchestrated by the brass section, great melodies and guitar riffs, beautiful harmonies and amazing percussion. Sounds like another victory for the broken social scene.

Suggested Tracks: Farewell to the Pressure Kids, Lucky Ones, Safety Bricks & Bodhi Sappy Weekend

12. The Shins – Wincing the Night Away

Probably their most commercial album to date, Wincing the Night Away plays well for the traditional fans and opens up a new audience with such singles as Australia and Phantom Limb. Highly recommended and a great listen for anyone who needs a nice pick me up

Suggested Tracks – Sleeping Lessons, Australia, Phantom Limb, Sea Legs & Turn On Me

13. Albert Hammond Jr. – Yours to Keep

I picked up this album because of my allegiance to the strokes and to be honest, I had very low expectations for it, but after just one listen I was very impressed. In all honesty, as a strokes fan it is hard not to like this album. Why? Because it sounds just like the strokes, minus the major commercial rock song and the angry singing. So I guess it can best be described as a strokes album minus the “edge,” but either way a very good album.

Suggested Tracks: In Transit, Call an Ambulance, 101 & Hard to Live in the City

14. Feist – The Reminder

Wanna buy an iPod? Just ask Fiest, she has been selling them with her single “1 2 3 4” all over the world. Despite being overheard and seen every 20 minutes on the TV, this is a very good piece of work. Someone should ask her if she rents or owns those wings, because she has the voice of an angel. She has amazing range that can be used for jazz, pop or rock music and has done that on this album as well as her work with Broken Social Scene.

Suggested Tracks: I Feel It All, My Moon My Man, See Lion Woman, Past In Present & 1 2 3 4

15. Arctic Monkeys – Favourite Worst Nightmare

OK, I really hate to say this, but I actually like these guys. I mean kids. I think the oldest might be 23, but if you can write good songs, does it really matter how old you are (see Beirut for example)? This album is a nice mix for the band and you can really hear how they are influenced by such bands as the jam, the kinks, oasis, the clash and the smiths.

Suggested Tracks: If You Were There, Beware, Teddy Picker, D is for Dangerous, The Bad Thing & Fluorescent Adolescent

16. Travis – The Boy With No Name

Back in the late 90’s early 00’s, this was one of my favorite bands on the planet. I had seen them about 7 times during those years, but it seemed over time their music became extremely boring and adult contemporary, which is a shame for a band with great talent and whose opening track on their first album was called “all I wanna do is rock.” Despite the rock still not being there (and that’s ok), this album should have been the follow up to “the Man Who,” because it seems to pick up where that album left off. This is a great listen for anyone who at one time was or is a Travis fan.

Suggested Tracks: 3 Times and You Lose, Selfish Jean, Colder, Big Chair & My Eyes

17. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver

OK, this is one of those “it” bands that I tend to write off because they are all hype with little to no substance, however after seeing these guys at Lollapalooza this year, I decided to give the album a chance, and I am glad I did. This upbeat groovy New York group makes you want to sing and dance. Albeit in the hipster dork-robot way of dancing, but still dancing nonetheless.

Suggested Tracks: All My Friends, Time To Get Away, North American Scum & Someone Great

18. The Polyphonic Spree – The Fragile Army

After their last album, I thought this band had worn off on me, but after seeing them perform live at Lollapalooza, I remembered why I liked them. Their sound is big and full of energy and because of that, they rarely disappoint me. Because of that, this album exceeded expectations and because of that, it squeezed into my list.

Suggested Tracks: Guaranteed Nightlife, Running Away, Watch Us Explode & The Fragile Army

19. Kings of Leon – Because of the Times

The third album from the band that was labeled as “the southern strokes” comes off a bit different than their other albums. Why? Because they are taking that “we’re getting older,” “we’re more mature,” “we don’t need to rock as much” approach with this album. Now don’t get me wrong, the songs that do rock on this album will kick you in the chest with the distortion pedal of god, but then again there are others that will only hit you like a slap bracelet.

Suggested Tracks: Knocked Up, Fans, On Call, Camaro, Arizona & McFearless

20. I’m From Barcelona – Let Me Introduce My Friends

The only reason this album is not higher on my list is because it was on my list last year. Yeah, I could have put another album on here to close out the 20, but this album is still the feel good album of the year. First, the reason it made both lists is because it was released in the states this past March and second, you cannot listen to this album and not clap your hands, stomp your feet of bob your head. It’s just fun! Just sit back, relax and let those crazy Swedes take you away to land filled with great pop music.

Suggested Tracks: Oversleeping, Collection of Stamps, We’re From Barcelona, Treehouse & Barcelona Loves You

Other notables (in no order)
• White Stripes – Icky Thump
• The Thrills – Teenager
• The Sea and Cake – Everybody
• The New Pornographers - Challengers
• Bjork – Volta
• The Hives – The Black and White Album

Disappointments (in no order)
• Of Montreal – Hissing Fauna, are you the destroyer?
• Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank
• Jarvis – Jarvis
• Clap Your Hands Say Yeah – Some Loud Thunder
• Wilco – Sky Blue Sky

Lollapalooza Photos

2007-08-27T21:40:00.000-05:00

Here's the link to some of the photos that I took during Lollapalooza weekend.

Lollapalooza Photos

enjoy,
JP

Finally, a new post

2007-08-05T14:10:00.000-05:00

It has been some time since I put anything on here, so I figured why not start all over by posting about Lollapalooza, the reason I started this blog.

I will write more about the show later, but I thought I would share some pictures for the time being. Enjoy - JP

Viva Voce

LCD Soundsystem w/ Skyline

Daft Punk = French Robots

I'm From Barcelona - I could not fit the whole band in the photo. I counted at least 20 of them on stage.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Karen O is the coolest

Athens Baby, Athens!

2007-01-29T00:16:00.000-06:00

As I do every week or so, I get on a Athens, GA kick. Everything from the B-52's to the Olivia Tremor Control. Here are a few videos to put you in the same mood.

Of Montreal - Heimdalsgate Like A Promethean Curse (This is the first single of their new album Hissing Fauna Are You the Destroyer)

Elf Power - All the World is Waiting (from the album Back to the Web)

The Apples in Stereo - Energy (First single from their new album New Magnetic Wonder)

The Masters of the Hemisphere - The New Freemdoom

The B-52's - Rock Lobster (from SNL)

Coming Soon - My reviews of the new Clap Your Hands Say Yeah & The Good, The Bad & The Queen albums.

too fucking rad

2007-01-03T22:39:00.000-06:00

What's on tap for 2007?

2006-12-27T15:52:00.000-06:00

Here is a list of albums that could see the light in 2007. The list consists of some old familiar names to go along with some of the newer more popular names in modern rock. What albums are you looking forward to?

I wouldn’t expect all of these bands to actually come through and provide us with new music in the upcoming year, but if most of this list becomes a reality, it would be another really good year for music lovers.

Arcade Fire
The Shins
Bloc Party
Doves
The Good the Bad and the Queen
Apples in Stereo
B-52’s
BRMC
Blanche
Kings of Leon
The Cure
Feist
Hives
Interpol
My Bloody Valentine (every year, you have to hope)
Ned’s Atomic Dustbin
Polyphonic Spree
Portishead
Radiohead
The Sea & Cake
Stereophonics
Subways
The Thrills
Travis
Wilco

Also, here is a list of the Onion’s essential 2006 list
http://www.avclub.com/content/node/56969

2006 Top 20 Albums

2006-12-14T13:24:00.000-06:00

The wait is over, my list is complete. It has taken a bit of time, but I am pretty happy with the way this turned out.

1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Show Your Bones

These guys sure do know how to rock. I remember when I first got this album; I immediately sent messages to a lot of my friends telling them that I just heard the best album of the year, by far. Several months later, I was right. From the opening drum beat on the album and Karen O’s powerful voice, you knew that the trio from New York was going to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump.

Key Tracks – Gold Lion, Cheated Hearts, Dudley, Warrior, Turn Into

2. The Decemberists – The Crane Wife

In my opinion, this was the surprise of the year for me. Not because I dislike the Decemberists, but because of how incredible the album is from start to finish. The band has gotten better with each album, but the jump from last album to the Crane Wife goes from good to great. The band also switched from a small label to major label and that is usually the kiss of death for artsy bands, but Colin Meloy and company didn’t let that get in the way from their best work to date. Oh yeah, their live show for this album was by far the best concert I have seen all year.

Key Tracks – The Crane Wife 1 & 2, The Crane Wife 3, O Valencia

3. Sonic Youth – Rather Ripped

These guys have been around forever and in my opinion, they are still getting better. I have always been a fan of Sonic Youth, but I have also found myself not being a fan of their albums as a whole. For me, it was always one good track followed by a lot of noise. Don’t get me wrong, I like noise rock, but after a while, that is what it was, just noise. Rather Ripped is an incredible piece of work for these “old” rockers. The album flows with beautiful melodies and strong rhythms throughout. Definitely one of my favorite albums and I don’t just mean for this year.

Key Tracks – Incinerate, Jams Run Free, Reena

4. The Strokes – First Impressions of Earth

The critics will bash them with every new album they put out, but I think their songwriting continues to get better with each release. Despite the awful title, the album starts off strong and finishes with a nice kick, just like every other strokes album. However, you do hear Julian Casablancas write one of those ever popular “respect me, I’m an artist” songs, “Ask Me Anything,” which is right dead in the middle of the album. Well, that song sucks, skip it. The rest of the album is the rock you are searching for.

Key Tracks – You Only Live Once, Razorblade, Electricityscape, Fear of Sleep

5. Elf Power – Back to the Web

Is Athens, GA the rock capital of the world? It might be if it continues to produce great bands and albums like this one. From the Elephant 6 collective, Elf Power strips down their normal crazy guitar rock sound and provides the world with a gentler form of the Athens Rock scene. Even with a heavier use of the acoustic guitar and violins, you still know it is an Elf Power record by the great hooks and melodies.

Key Tracks – Come Lie Down With Me (and sing my song), Peel Back the Moon, Beware!, All the World is Waiting

6. Beirut – Gulag Orkestar

The Doors had no bass, the Gypsies had no homes and Beirut had no guitars. Despite the heavy collection of string instruments on this album, there are no guitars, which is not a bad thing. A great Middle Eastern sound with a bit of a Neutral Milk Hotel feel to it and you got the latest hot album from a 19 year old from Albuquerque.

Key tracks – Postcards from Italy, Mount Wroclai (Idle Days), After the Curtain

7. South – Adventures in the Underground Journey to the Stars

Despite the awful name, this is a really good album. In fact, this is the best New Order album to be released since Republic. I still can’t find Bernard Sumner or Peter Hook in the album notes, but I’m telling you, they are there somewhere.

Key Tracks – Shallow, You are One, A Place in Displacement

8. Built to Spill – You in Reverse

The boys from Boise do it again by creating another solid rock and roll album for the masses. The songs tend to run a bit long and Doug Martsch does let his guitar run a bit wild, but this is still their best work since 97’s “Keep It Like A Secret.”

Key Tracks – Going Against Your Mind, Conventional Wisdom, The Wait

9. I’m From Barcelona – Let me Introduce My Friends

Swedish pop music at it’s best. Well, some of it’s best. This is the kind of album you put on and all of a sudden you are in a good mood. You may not make it through the whole album because too much happiness might turn you into a Panda bear or something like that, but still a nice surprise for the year.

Key Tracks – Oversleeping, Collection of Stamps, We’re from Barcelona

10. M. Ward – Post-War

Recommended by a friend and NPR, this album caught me by surprise considering how pretentious and overrated his other albums were, but this one is a solid piece of work. Great guitar playing and solid melodies over a melancholy album make this one of the year’s best.

Key Tracks – Poison Cup, To Go Home, Chinese Translation

11. Mojave 3 – Puzzles Like You

Neil Halsted and company continue to create great music, however this album is slightly different then their previous works. Normally when you come across a pop album, one of the last bands you would think of would be Mojave 3. After all, this was the reincarnate of the Reading, England shoegazing band Slowdive, not really a beach boys pop band, but this album is filled with great pop tunes. They are getting older, but the music continues to be great!

Key Tracks – Truck Driving Man, Breaking the Ice, To Hold Your Tiny Toes

12. Graham Coxon – Love Travels at Illegal Speeds

OK, this guy is becoming a really good solo artist. The former guitar player for one of my favorite bands of all time, Blur, Graham Coxon released his 6th studio solo album in May and in my opinion, this is his best work to date. Graham, do me a favor, put the solo act down and get back and tour with Blur, trust me, it will be FANTASTICAL!!

Key Tracks – Standing On My Own Again, You and I, Tell It Like It Is

13. Belle & Sebastian – The Life Pursuit

In all honesty, I want to kick my own ass for liking these Scots. So cheesy, so lame, so trendy, yet so good. The past couple of albums have gotten away from that whole sad bastard genre of music, and this one is no different. Silly lyrics with incredible hooks. I think Jack Black’s character in High Fidelity would reconsider calling this band’s music sad bastard music if he heard this album. However, I do like that sad bastard stuff.

Key Tracks – Another Sunny Day, We Are the Sleepyheads, Funny Little Frog

14. Beck – The Information

I honestly don’t need to write a lot about this album, because what needs to be said about Beck has already been said. Very original and not afraid to challenge his audience is all I have to say. Yeah, I know he is a Scientologist, but if they could all channel their ways into great music, I might not be so critical of space alien spirits being sent down from space into volcanoes, so when the volcanoes erupt, those spirits are spread across the world into all of us. Isn’t that what they believe?

Key Tracks – Strange Apparition, Nausea, No Complaints

15. Peter Bjorn and John – Writer’s Block

If I had heard this album earlier in the year, it would have been much higher on my list. I’m telling you, the Swedes got it! I don’t know what it is, but between these guys and the Barcelona band, they got it. This trio really puts together a full sound for a small group. Their songs range from straight out rock to mellow dance grooves. Think of them as a poppier version of Soundtrack of Our Lives with a hint of Of Montreal, only not as crazy.

Key Tracks – Objects of my affection, Young Folks, Up Against the Wall, Paris 2000

16. Be Your Own Pet – Be Your Own Pet

I will let the band describe themselves with a line from one of their songs, “I’m an independent mother fucker and I’m here to take your money. I’m wicked, rad and I’m here, to steal away your virginity.” Now that is tough and it is coming from a female singer. This band from Nashville is all energy and a lot of fun. Just a pure punk rock album, the way punk rock is supposed to be done.

Key Tracks – Bunk Trunk Skunk, Bicycle Bicycle You Are My Bicycle, Adventure

17. Artic Monkeys – Whatever You Say I Am, That Is What I’m Not

Stupid name for a band and a stupid name for an album, but then again, that is why we listen to the music or never judge a book by its cover. This band swarmed on to the scene with nothing but hype. Being compared to the Clash, well let me tell, the clash they are not. A good modern punk band, yes, they have accomplished that. As a good friend of mine says, “There ain’t no monkeys in the arctic,” he’s right, they are instead from South Yorkshire doing the modern punk movement a good deed by putting this album out.

Key Tracks – A Certain Romance, Dancing Shoes, I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor

18. The Flaming Lips – At War With The Mystics

“With all your power, what would you do?” That’s a great question by a band who continues to make quality experimental rock and roll with an inspirational touch. This is the weakest of the last three albums, but it is still a quality piece of work. I know, everybody can say this, but if you get a chance, listen to this album on your walkman, discman or ipod, basically through your headphones, it’s great!

Key Tracks – The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song, Free Radicals, It Over Takes Me

19. Band of Horses – Everything all of the time

One of the indie rock kids “it” albums of the year. Surprisingly, it is pretty good. Generally when I read about an album on the interweb and in magazines and they all say the same thing “amazing” I tend to go away from it. Well, the hype brought me in and it’s pretty good. Not complete, but it does have its moments.

Key Tracks – The first song, Weed Party, Funeral

20. …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of the Dead – So Divided

This is what happens when you put cocaine, guitars, black t-shirts and two drummers in a band in Austin, TX. ROCK and ROLL!!!

Key Tracks – Stand in Silence, Wasted State of Mind, So Divided

WEEKEND PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

2006-12-09T16:29:00.000-06:00