A rarity for sure, that's what a Sunday afternoon blog from me is. But I have some rather important news.
My little slice of MySpace is apparently irreversibly broken. Since this past Wednesday I've been unable to comment blogs, make a functioning link, send messages to some profiles, and generally enjoy my time here. If you've been wondering why I've been pretty much MIA, there's my excuse.
My hand has been forced.
Therefore I'm vacating my little corner here for a new home.
Oh don't worry. I'm still on MySpace just a new profile.
Becoming friends with the new old me is as easy as clicking here.
But here's the kicker. Starting with this upcoming week's "New Music Tuesday", all future blogs will be coming from the new profile. So if you're a fan of "New Music Tuesday" and "What To Do?" then you need to subscribe over there.
For the first time ever I'm postdating a blog but I need all 370 or so of you to read this. So my sincerest apologies to those that abhor postdating. It really is for a good cause.
I'm also disabling comments and kudos on this one because I can't comment back.
Fellow bloggers, I'm subscribed to a load of you here but updating my subscription list on the new profile is becoming a pain. Do me a favor and shoot the new profile a subscription request. I'd really appreciate it.
Enjoy your day all and hopefully I'll see all of you on the new profile.
This is the type of Tuesday that has me counting pennies and rolling coins.There are no fewer that four releases I'll be picking up today.What four could those be?It's New Music Tuesday for 04/29/08 kids.
MadonnaLouise Ciccone Ritchie is currently 49-years young.She had her first number one hit, "Like a Virgin," way back in 1984.The album of the same name was her second.She has since released eight more studio albums with varying levels of success.Earlier this year she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.And earlier this month "4 Minutes," the lead single from today's Hard Candy, became her 37th top 10 hit, the most of any artist in the rock era breaking a tie she previously held with Elvis Presley.The Miley's and Ashelee's of the world should take note that this is how it is done.
With collaborators like Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, and Nate "Danja" Hills on board, Candy has a decidedly urban feel but also manages to stay rooted in the dance/pop genere that Madonna has mined her entire career.Candy's collaborations also have the added benefit of ensuring that Madonna stays relevant and fresh to a younger generation of fans and admirers.Candy can't help but feed that persistant knack Madonna has for re-invention. "A couple of times I pushed her in a direction where it took a minute before we saw eye to eye," Timberlake told Hollywood Daily People. "Her approach was, 'Well, I just haven't done that' and I was like, 'Yeah, that's why you should do it'."
You know I'm going to throw the video for "4 Minutes" at you and marvel at that 49-year-old body.
It's been eleven years since a proper Portishead release ('97's Portishead).Today the atmospheric trip-hop group from Bristol, England drops their third studio album simply titledThird and its most unlike their previous releases.According to Billboard, "the torch song melodies and crackly samples are gone, replaced by psych-guitar and gothic folk."
Billboard goes on to state that "pitch-shifting strings punctuate the background like reminders of the cinema of the past, but this Portishead doesn't wink at anything, eschewing style altogether. In our self-referential culture, an album like this is an aberration. Again."
I couldn't have written it any better myself.
Take a look at the video for lead single "Machine Gun."
I've been an unapologetic Roots fan going back to '95's Do You Want More?!!!??!so please excuse my enthusiasm in regards to their 8th studio album released today titled Rising Down.Long regarded as perhaps the most creative hip-hop collective in the game, mainstream success has long evaded the Roots, not for a lack of trying.To appease executives at their label, Def Jam, who are aching for a radio hit to break the band wide, the group offered up "Birthday Girl" featuring Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump.The label loved it.Longtime Roots fans did not.Therefore, "Birthday Girl" is an iTunes-only release not found on the U.S. version of the album.It's a shame.The track, although not in keeping with the somber mood and style of the Roots in their current form, is instantly enjoyable.
And just because I'm feeling generous here's another clip. This one is titled "Get Busy" and features Dice Raw and Peedi Peedi and is more indicative of what can be found on the album.
Now to put something on your radar that you might not be familiar with.Philly born Santogold is poised to blow up in a big way.Her self-titled full-length debut drops today and is garnering wide critical praise.Combining aspects of 80s pop, rock, hip-hop, dub, and electronica, I promise that Santogold is unlike anything you'll hear this week and beyond.
"I'm A Lady" is spinning on the Flash Player up above and check out the video for single "L.E.S. Artistes".
Other notable albums released today include the US release of Swedish pop diva Robyn's self-titled fourth album, VYP: Voice of the Young People from rapper Lil Mama, Can't Love, Can't Hurt from rock act Augustana, This Kind of Love from Carly Simon,Songs From the Sparkle Lounge from Def Leopard, Nine Lives from vet Steve Winwood, A self-titled album from Mudcrutch, Tom Petty's reunited pre-fame band, and Lyfe Change from R&B artist Lyfe Jennings.
Now that I'm broke, anybody feel like loaning me a dollar or two.A Pimp has got to eat too.What To Do? is taking a break this week (buying a car Friday) so I'll see you this time next week for another New Music Tuesday.
When I see things like this it just reminds me of how much I miss college:
This my friends is an Edward Fortyhands challenge, a drinking game "in which each player duct tapes a 40 oz (1.2 litre) bottle of alcohol (usually malt liquor) to each of his or her hands and is not allowed to remove them until they've been consumed" (Wikipedia).
One of my college drinking buddies put this "game" on my radar this past weekend and my first thought was "fuck, why didn't we ever think of this."
Don't get me wrong.We had our games back in our day.
There was always Asshole and the insane rules you'd conjure if you were President three times in a row, rules like Thumbmaster and Waterfall.
Quarters was always a nice diversion but I sucked at it.And I, like most dudes, do not like playing a game I know beforehand that I am going to lose.
Case race, or Race the Case as we called it, was a great time as well.
Never heard of it?It's an amusing one.
We'd pair up with a case of beer and "race" to see which team could finish said case first.Drank fourteen beers in thirty minutes one night playing that one.
And yes, I'm fully aware that I'm retarded but in that same night I witnessed puke fly out of somebody's nose for the first time and it was an awe-inspiring event, up there with the birth of my children.
And we never needed an excuse to play the holy temple of drinking games, Beer Pong.
Yup, hearing about Edward Fortyhands took me back to the good ole' "stupid" days.
Wait!
The Wife will be out town this weekend.I sense a game of Edward Fortyhands coming on once I get the kiddies to sleep.Anybody game?And let me hear about some of your favorite drinking games.
Let's see what is on tap this weekend.
MOVIES: Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay – It would've been perfect if this were released this past Sunday (think about it). In this sequel to the cult classic Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle our lovable heroes (John Cho, Kal Penn) are mistaken for terrorists while traveling to Amsterdam for a little recreational pharmaceutical time.And yes, Neil Patrick Harris is back as well:
Baby Mama – God I love Tina Fey.Maybe it's those snuggling with the librarian or homeroom teacher fantasies bubbling to the surface.Or perhaps it's the allure of a brainy chick that can make me laugh.Or maybe I'm just horny.Whatever it is, I'm looking forward to this one in which she portrays a career oriented woman that hires a surrogate mom (Amy Poehler) to have her baby for her.
Deception – Ewan McGregor, Hugh Jackman, Michele Williams, sex club, missing woman, robbery.That's how Twentieth Century-Fox should be selling this one.
Rogue – This horror film about a massive man-eating crocodile in the Australian wetlands snuck up on me.I'd heard nothing about it until writing today's What To Do?That doesn't bode well for its financial success.
MUSIC:
RE: New Music Tuesday
Also need to throw a new Nine Inch Nail's track your way.A new single entitled "Discipline" is available for download, for free, from their site.It's straight ahead NIN so enjoy that one kids.
TELEVISION:
Your television options are slim this weekend.Tonight, over on CBS, is the Series Return of vampire drama Moonlight from 9-10PM.
Sunday (04/27) ushers in the Season Finale of Big Brother from 8-9PM.Damn, an entire season passes and I didn't watch one episode or get my Chinbot fix.
SPORTS:
My NFL addiction is bad if I'm reporting on the draft.The 2008 NFL Draft is this Saturday (04/27) starting at 3PM live from the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.The NFL Network is bringing you the coverage.Miami has already signed OT Jake Long out of Michigan so St. Louis is officially on the clock.
The Sprint Cup series is in Talladega, Ala. Sunday for the Aaron's 499 at the Talladega Superspeedway.The race starts at 2:20PM and can be seen on FOX.
Another What To Do? is complete.Don't forget to check out AnthroGeek's Blogger Bowl III (banner link is at the top of this page) and toss a vote my way.
Have a wonderful weekend friends and as always, please be good to each other.
I present today quite possibly the oddest pairing ever seen in New Music Tuesday history.Here is the best new music on 04/22/08.
After taking "flight" on their eponymous BBC radio and HBO series, the natural progression for Flight of the Conchords, "formally New Zealand's fourth most popular guitar-based digi-bongo acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo," (Wikipedia) was to release their self-titled full-length debut album.Some 15-tracks deep, most of these tunes have been heard before on the Conchords' HBO series sans the studio polish applied by producer Mickey Petralia.But fans and non-fans alike should have no problem finding a cut or two that'll put a smile on their face.
I've been spinning tracks off the album on the Flash Player up above for a while."Think About It" is up there right now.No videos yet but I couldn't resist showing you a performance of "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros" (studio version is on Flight) taken from HBO's stand-up comedy series "One Night Stand."
Future bride (Pete Wentz, seriously) and expectant mother (yet again, seriously) Ashlee Simpson has a lot on her plate these days.Things may get a bit more complicated with the release of today's Bittersweet World.From a production standpoint I'm actually somewhat intrigued by this one.The insanely talented combo of Timbaland and the Neptunes' Chad Hugo manned the boards for this release with Kenna chipping in songwriting duties.So far the word has been positive and with World garnering an "Eighties-influenced electro-rock" description from Rolling Stone I may be forced, against my better judgement, to pay attention to the mama/wife to be.
The Timbaland-produced lead single "Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)" has been hanging around since December but keep an ear out for second single "Little Miss Obsessive" featuring Tom Higgenson of Plain White T's.
Other notable albums released today include the vinyl only release of Momofuku from Elvis Costello and the Imposters, When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold from indie rapper Atmosphere, Everywhere At Once from Lyrics Born ("Whispers" is spinning on the Flash Player up above), Mr. Love and Justice from U.K. singer/songwriter Billy Bragg, The Seldom Seen Kid from U.K. rock act Elbow, and For My Friends, the first album from Blind Mellon since the '95 death of frontman Shannon Hoon.
Next week's releases are big, at least to me (Madonna, The Roots, Portishead), so make sure you're here around this time then.And don't forget to check out AnthroGeek's Blogger Bowl III (banner link is at the top of this page) and toss a vote my way.
Think green today, have a super week and I'll see you on Friday for another What To Do?
This is an oldie reworked a bit for AnthroGeek's Blogger Bowl III - Pop Culture Prose Category. Originally posted as the meat of What To Do? on 09/28/07, I really liked this one because it is a subject I carry much passion for. Hopefully you'll enjoy it as well.
Last Sunday I happened to come across the song title tag currently making the rounds via nwahS repuS's blog.I usually make a habit of avoiding tags if possible but since this one concerned music I actively lobbied to get "tagged."The basic premise of this particular tag is to compose a Top 10 list of your favorite songs beginning with a particular letter.nwahS repuS tossed the letter "P" my way.I've expanded the concept a bit and given you a brief reasoning as to why it is on my list.So open your ears and prepare yourself for my "Top 10 List of Songs Starting with P."
10."Passing Me By" – The Pharcyde
In the early 90's gangster rap wasn't the only sub-genre of hip-hop flowing out of South Central LA.The Pharcyde were busy crafting one of the benchmarks of the alternative hip-hop scene.Released in 1992, Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde was a humorous breath of fresh air in a genre overtaken by thug posturing.Its irreverent tone and jazz heavy production were not revolutionary but much needed at the time."Passing Me By" is by far the best track from the album and easily relatable to anyone that has ever had a crush.
9."Purple Rain" – Prince & The Revolution
The inclusion of "Purple Rain" on a list such as this is a no-brainer and I really don't need to justify it being here. Just sit back and enjoy what is perhaps the greatest power ballad of the '80's.Yeah, you read that right, the greatest power ballad of the '80's.
8."Potholes In My Lawn" – De La Soul
In 1989 I was a 14-year-old kid caught in hip-hop's tight grip.My healthy appetite devoured the raw sounds raining out of New York City.Boogie Down Productions, Eric B. & Rakim, Public Enemy, I couldn't get enough.Those raw gritty rhymes were my world.So imagine my shock when I discovered De La Soul and 3 Feet High and Rising.Here was a hip-hop group joyfully playing with the genre and expanding the limits of what hip-hop is much less extolling the virtues of peace and harmony.The fact that I still have this album on cassette is a testament to its impact on me.
7."Pass the Mic" – Beastie Boys
It's just about impossible for me to compose any list of this type without including a track from the Beastie Boys.1986's Licensed to Ill and 89's Paul's Boutique established a persona.But with their 1992 release Check Your Head the Boys flipped the script by picking up the instruments they had abandoned on their previous records and experimenting with wildly different musical genres."Pass the Mic" found them in a decidedly old-school frame of mind and highlights a fact somewhat ignored when discussions about the Beasties pop up: these white boys can rap.
6."Purple Haze" – Jimi Hendrix Experience
It's on this list but not for the reasons you may think.Most of you know that I attended college at East Carolina University.Most of you also know that I am an avid football fan and attend most home ECU football game in the Fall.In the moments before my Pirates take the field, the proverbial calm before the storm, the opening licks of "Purple Haze" blare through the PA system and Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium erupts in a frenzy of cheers.Thinking of it sends chills down my spine.My pirates emerge from the "purple haze" and it is most decidedly game time.
5."Praise You" – Fatboy Slim
This might strike some as an odd choice for a list like this so I must explain.There was a time when traveling with The Family was a bit more manageable (about two kids ago).It was during this time that The Family and I would spend the majority of our summer weekends at the beach.As musical director for these mini road trips it fell on me to find the right soundtrack for those summer drives and Fatboy Slim's You've Come a Long Way, Baby was just about perfect.I miss those weekends in the worst possible way and "Praise You" just brings those memories right back home.
4."Plush" – Stone Temple Pilots
"Plush" represents a college remembrance.I spent my first two years of college cohabitating in a room roughly the size of a cigar box.My roommate and I came from totally opposite ends of the spectrum in all aspects of life.Our first semester together was largely a feeling out process, gauging similarities and differances.Our differences were many.He was an art major prone to exploring the larger metaphysical aspects of life.I was a moderately sane fraternity pledge prone to exploring the physical contents of every Busch Light can.Our similarities: the artistic waifs he occasionally introduced me to and STP's "Plush."We bonded over "Plush" and became rather tight during our two years together.
3."Paid in Full" – Eric B. & Rakim
Released in 1987, Paid in Full introduced arguably the greatest lyricist the relatively new world of rap had ever heard in the form of Rakim.It threw down the gauntlet for any MC that followed in its footsteps.I'm a hip-hop junkie and trust me when I write that many have tried and failed.It is a touchstone of hip-hop and a fixture on any reputable list of the greatest hip-hop albums ever produced.It also made this then 12-year-old boy move his chunky ass in the worst possible ways.
2."Piece of My Heart" – Big Brother & the Holding Company
My mother and I have a somewhat strained relationship.One thing that remains constant with us however is a deep affinity for music.One of my favorite memories as a youth was spending lazy Sunday afternoons with my family browsing the stacks of LPs she and my father had collected.Since Janis Joplin was one of her favorite recording artists the needle would eventually drop on Cheap Thrills by Big Brother & the Holding Company.We would find our way to "Piece of My Heart," embrace and dance with reckless abandon."Piece of My Heart" is on this list because it reminds me of a time when things were much simpler between my mother and me.
1."Paranoid Android" – Radiohead
Most folks have comfort food or perhaps a trinket they hold tight that lets them know everything will be alright.I have comfort music and Radiohead's 1997 album OK Computer is what soothes me when things do not seem right in this chaotic world.It feels strange isolating one track off the album while neglecting the remaining ones, but "Paranoid Android," the first single released from the album and hailed by many as Radiohead's greatest song, is the perfect summation of why this album will never be far from me.
Indulge me a little bit and take a listen to this.
These comments were made just over a week ago during local morning radio show Bob and the Showgram.Bob and the Showgram airs weekdays on G105, 105.1 FM WDCG-FM and is a production of media conglomerate Clear Channel Communications.Up until that point I had spent most mornings uncontrollably laughing at the exploits of self-professed redneck Bob Dumas, DJ Mike Morse, and Kentucky Kristin.I few years ago I even took part in the early morning madness in an effort to win American Idol tickets for The Family.
But I don't think my radio dial will make its way to 105.1 as frequently.
For I am a Lumbee Indian, born and largely bred in Robeson County, NC.
I have been a target of such ignorance in the past.My dark skin tone and kinky hair is, in less than idea settings, a bulls-eye.Little old ladies have drawn their purses close as I've sat on a bench near them to light up a smoke or simply people watch.I've felt eyes on The Wife and I when we are out and about, their wheels no doubt turning, wondering what a white woman is doing with such an "ethnic" looking man.I have been called a nigger.
The response from WDGC-FM was swift.Bob and his buddies were given three days suspension and the station issued a public apology.In the days since there have been various protests and demonstrations calling for the permanent removal of Bob and the Showgram from the air with the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolinaleading the charge.It's a rather noble cause but one that I feel is somewhat misguided.
Although some measure of satisfaction can be obtained by watching these people lose their occupation, a narrow-minded view of a culture will only get narrower and a polarization of two schools of thought will occur.And I know it's naïve to hang on to the idea that through understanding and education man will one day embrace each other regardless of heritage or race, but it's dreams like these and others that inspire me to wake each morning.
Besides, I'm from the school of thought that if you don't like what you are seeing, hearing, or reading it's as simple as a…CLICK.
This past Wednesday the N.C. Commission of Indian Affairs accepted an apology from WDGC-FM and has agreed to partner with Clear Channel Communications on "future efforts to promote and support issues of importance to North Carolina's American Indian population."Bob Dumas, DJ Mike Morse, and Kentucky Kristin were able to retain their jobs.While this resolution may not be satisfactory to all parties involved is does enable a necessary dialog to occur.Hopefully a little edification and knowledge will bring about some much needed mutual respect.
Let's see what is on tap this weekend.
MOVIES:
Forgetting Sarah Marshall – Much is being made of star Jason Segel's willingness to go full frontal over several shots very early in this film.Now before you ladies get all hot and bothered this is who I'm writing about:
And I don't want to hear any of that bullshit about his sense of humor making him sexy.I'm secure enough in my manhood and knowledgeable enough about sexy to tell you that Jason Segel is not sexy.
88 Minutes – What would you do if you got a phone call telling you that you have only 88 minutes to live?Al Pacino says "Whoo-ah!"
Forbidden Kingdom – Jason Williams (Michael Angarano) finds an antique Chinese staff that transports him back in time.His task while there: return the staff to it's rightful owner.This flick is notable for being the first time that Jackie Chan and Jet Li have shared the screen together.
Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden? – Documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock turns his attention away from value meals towards America's favorite cave dwelling terrorist.After looking at the trailer Spurlock is either a genius or insane:
Zombie Strippers – I couldn't possibly make this shit up.
MUSIC:
RE: New Music Tuesday
TELEVISION:
Tonight brings the Season Premiere of Doctor Who on the Sci Fi channel from 8:30-10PM.
Sunday (04/20) brings finales and returns.Stop by HBO for the Series Finale of John Adams from 9-10:05PM and run over to ABC as soon as that ends for the Series Return of Brothers & Sisters from 10:02-11PM.
SPORTS:
The Light Heavywight title is on the line this Saturday (04/19) night as Welshman Joe Calzaghe, relatively unknown outside of his native country despite a 44-0 record, takes on Bernard Hopkins in a 12-round bout brought to you live by HBO (9:45PM) from the Planet Hollywood Casino in Las Vegas.I'm taking Hopkins in five.
The 2008 NBA Playoffs begin tomorrow.In the Eastern Conference Washington takes on Cleveland at 12:30PM (ESPN).Out in the Western Conference, Phoenix invades San Antonio at 3PM (ABC), Dallas faces New Orleans at 7PM (ESPN) and in the nightcap at 9:30PM we'll see Utah going up against Houston (ESPN).On Sunday you'll see Toronto at Orlando at 12:30PM (TNT), Denver at the Lakers at 3PM (ABC), Philly at Detroit at 6PM (TNT) and Atlanta at Boston at 8:3
