Things seen and heard on my first day at UK (well...first day that wasn’t in the summer)
Current mood: Sweaty

I learned from a sign (held by a crazy preacher) that "Homo Sex is Sin", and that God does indeed hate some people (it was unclear as to who he hates...I hope it's not me!).

I walked past a frat house, only to hear them blasting "Where Are You Going" by Dave Matthews Band...at the same time, a man exited the building wearing a tight white shirt, khaki cargo shorts, sunglasses, and sandals (also, his hair was bleach-blonde).  I had to chuckle a little at the extreme stereotypicalness of it all.

Less than 5 minutes later I walked by another frat house, only to hear "Sexyback", by Justin Timberlake, blasting from the windows.  I half expected to see a homoerotic dogpile happening in the back yard, but, alas, no such luck.

Ahhh...college.

Currently listening : Girls & Boys By Ingrid Michaelson Release date: 16 May, 2006

10:52 AM - 6 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Zeitgeist
Current mood: excited

Just how hard does the new Smashing Pumpkins album start?

Ridiculously hard, that's how hard.

They're back, baby.  Watch out all you wannabes...The Pumpkins are back to crush heads, not unlike what Rambo will do when he comes back on the scene.  July 10.
Buy it.
Buy it.

(Oh yeah...disregard the questionable cover and the sometimes lame song names.  It actually is quite good.)

Currently listening : Zeitgeist By Smashing Pumpkins Release date: 10 July, 2007

7:41 PM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

When?
Current mood: ecstatic

When am I going to stop lying to myself and admit that I don't listen to Journey because I get a kick out of it...I listen to Journey because I really enjoy their music, and sometimes, just sometimes, I wish that "Faithfully" was played at our wedding.

Currently watching : Die Hard Release date: 07 September, 2004

9:33 PM - 9 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Thank You Oral B!

Here's a phrase I'd like to see used more:

"Pure plaque-busting genius."

Discuss.

9:18 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Dusty's Fantasy Football Team
Current mood: tired

I have 3 fantasy teams heading into the season tomorrow, but this is the one I'm most excited about.  For the first time in my history I went to a live draft, and it was more fun than I thought it would be.  We joked, ate pizza, got hyped on caffeine...you know, all the things I think you're suppose to do at a live draft.  And I came out with a much better team than I thought I would...I guess having the second overall pick doesn't hurt.
So here's my team (by draft order):

LaDainian Tomlinson (RB, Chargers)
Chad Johnson (WR, Bengals)
Matt Hasselbeck (QB, Seahawks)
Vernon Davis (TE, 49ers)
Reggie Bush (RB, Saints)
Joey Galloway (WR, Bucs)
Panters Defense
David Akers (K, Eagles)
Philip Rivers (QB, Chargers)
Doug Gabriel (WR, Patriots)
Laurence Maroney (RB, Patriots)
Heath Miller (TE, Steelers)
Chad Jackson (WR, Patriots)
Chris Henry (WR, Bengals)
Joey Harrington (QB, Dolphins)

All in all, I think it was a very good draft, and I'll defend my picks to anyone.  So bring it...

8:27 PM - 4 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Dusty's Very Own Music Blog

If you're checking this space for a new music blog...well...this is to let you know that it's been moved to another location.
I like my music blogs to be long.  Fairly long to quite long.  I like to write rambling thoughts about CDs not many people care about.  To properly express myself, I felt I had to break free of the Myspace blog, and create my own...you know, to give it some room to work with.
So go to:

dustylikesmusic.blogspot.com

It's easy to remember, and so on, and so forth.
Check it out.  Write some comments.  Be excellent to each other...

3:21 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Blog Series: Tom Waits, Part 2
Current mood: tired

And now, the second part of my (no doubt) highly anticipated blog about Tom Waits.

1983 - Swordfishtrombones
His first album since he got married, this album marks a new era for Tom.  The albums heavily marred in jazz and blues are gone.  Those influences are still there, but, starting here, Tom gives a new twist to those influences.  This album also waves goodbye to his lyrics about the down-and-out, and focuses instead on odd, surreal story-songs.  Not his best album, but there is some good stuff on here.
Essential Tracks: "Shore Leave", "16 Shells From a Thirty-Ought Six"

1985 - Rain Dogs
This album is viewed by many as his best album.  I don't know if I agree with that, but it's definitely near the top of his list.  Whereas Swordfishtrombones sounded fairly confused (like he knew he wanted to change is sound but wasn't quite sure exactly how to go about it), Rain Dogs sounds like Waits with a purpose...he knows where he's going now, and he's doing it.  (Side note: This album includes "Downtown Train", which was originally written/recorded by Tom Waits for this album, but was later turned into a Top 10 hit for Rod Stewart...yet more proof as to why all is not right with the universe)
Essential Tracks: "Singapore", "Clap Hands", "Time" "Gun Street Girl"

1987 - Frank's Wild Years
In 1986, Tom went on the road and performed a musical called "Frank's Wild Years".  A year later, he decided to record the songs from that musical and release them as an album, which he did here.  As with Rain Dogs, odd musical arrangements classify this album.  There's some great stuff on this album (Side note: Contrary to popular belief, the songs on this album have nothing to do with the actual song "Frank's Wild Years" that was on Swordfishtrombones).
Essential Tracks: "Hang on St. Christopher", "Innocent When You Dream", "Yesterday is Here"

1988 - Big Time
Live recordings from his "Big Time" tour (which took place after Frank's Wild Years).  Most of the material found here was taken from his previous 3 albums.  The theatrical Tom Waits definitely comes out here, as most of these songs are even more over the top than the studio versions.  Apparently this tour was something to behold, which is kinda tough, as the VHS has been out of print for years, and they've yet to release it on DVD.

1992 - Night on Earth (Soundtrack)
While technically not a Tom Waits album, he and his wife worked on these songs together for the Jim Jaramusch movie.  Not much I can say, as this is mostly instrumental.  If you can find it for less than $13, I would pick it up.

1992 - Bone Machine
Now here we go.  This is one of my favorite albums of his.  By far, his creepiest and darkest album to date...but also his coolest.  You'll definitely have to work up to this album, but, once you do, you'll love it...even if it does scare the garbage out of you from time to time.  (Described by allmusic.com as a "nightmare".  Yeah, that's accurate)
Essential Tracks: "Earth Died Screaming", "Who Are You", "Jesus Gonna Be Here", "Goin' Out West"

1993 - The Black Rider
This album was recorded for an musical of the same name, that was written by William S. Burroughs.  Not his best work, although it features some pretty cool percussion, and one of the best intros I've ever heard.
Essential Tracks: "Lucky Day (Overture)", "Gospel Train"

1999 - Mule Variations
Along with Bone Machine, this would have to be my favorite album from this era.  Just some great songs here.  This was my first Tom Waits album, and it intrigued me enough to check out the rest of his stuff.  There's really not a bad track on this album. 
Essential Tracks: "Hold On"*, "House Where Nobody Lives", "What's He Building", "Picture in a Frame", "Georgia Lee", "Filipino Box Spring Hog", "Come On Up to the House" (told you I loved this album)

2002 - Alice
All of these tracks were originally written for a stage production based on Alice Liddell; Lewis Carroll's inspiration for writing "Alice in Wonderland".  It ran for a short time in Europe in 1992, but was never recorded.  10 years later, he finally decided to record it...luckily for all of us.  This album is completely different from anything he'd recorded during this era.  Instead of dark songs about criminals and crazy people, this album contains some of the most straight-forward love songs he's written in a long long time.  This album is often overlooked in favor of the other album released on the same day (coming up next), but that's a shame.
Essential Tracks: "Alice", "We're All Mad Here"

2002 - Blood Money
Much like Alice, this album was also written and recorded for a stage production...only this one is not nearly as sunny or cheery as one about "Alice in Wonderland".  The plot of this musical?  How about a German soldier who went crazy from a series of medical experiments, which, in turn, drove him to kill his lover.  Good times, good times.  I once read that this album sounded like Oscar the Grouch singing over French carnival music.  Yeah...that sounds about right.
Essential Tracks: "Misery is the River of the World", "Coney Island Baby", "All the World is Green"*, "God's Away on Business"

2004 - Real Gone
His first album to be written and recorded without the aide of a piano.  Highlighted by his son's work on the turntables, Marc Ribot's decidely more bluesy (some nasty, filthy blues) guitar lines, and Tom's own vocal percussion, this album is definitely worth picking up.  This album is also home to Tom's most political songs.  I'm not talking about stupid Dixie Chicks politcal songs, either.  These are songs that'll make you think, and, in the case of one, even give you chills.
Essential Tracks: "Hoist That Rag", "Shake It", "Don't Go Into That Barn", "Circus", "Make it Rain", "Day After Tomorrow"*

Okay, now you've got it.  My short, scattered reviews on the entire Tom Waits catalog.  It's a massive catalog to be sure, but one that should be looked into, if you haven't already. 
I don't have a good way to close this, as my fingers are exhausted. 
Goodbye.

(Oh yeah...Tom has a new boxed set due out November 12.  It's called Orphans, and it's going to be 3 discs of rarities and B-sides, and, as he has said, "some songs that slipped behind the stove".  Should be amazing.)

Currently listening : Bone Machine By Tom Waits Release date: 08 September, 1992

8:53 AM - 2 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Blog Series: Tom Waits, Part 1

It's tough to sum up an artist as amazing as Tom Waits in just one blog, so I'm splitting it up.  This will be a too-brief overview of one of the great performers/songwriters of our time...even if not enough people know it yet.  My job is to educate everyone here.  If you don't love him now, you'd better learn soon.
Most people currently think of Tom Waits as an odd fellow with a crazy look and demonic Cookie Monster-esque growl.  While that may be true, there was also a period before that, when he was based heavily in jazz stylings, and his voice had more of a Dylan quality to it. 
A lot of people split Tom's career up into 3 recording periods: Asylum, Island, and Anti.  I normally split it up into 2 time periods: Before Kathleen Brennan and With Kathleen Brennan.
Oh, and just for the record, I am listing the "Essential Tracks" off of each album.  You know, so you media savvy folks can download and/or listen to the tracks on iTunes, or whatever you kids use these days.
With that, let's start into "Before Kathleen Brennan":

1973 - Closing Time
An amazing way to kick off a career.  Tom sings lonely barroom blues tunes about late nights and lost love.  A beautiful beautiful album, and the best album to listen to when driving through downtown at 2 in the morning.  Jazzy and vaguely depressing.
Essential Tracks: "Ol' 55", "Martha"*, "Grapefruit Moon"

1974 - The Heart of Saturday Night
An amazing follow-up to a hard-to-follow-up debut.  Similar style as Closing Time, but this album had a bit more instrumentation in it.  There are some absolutely gorgeous tracks on this album.
Essential Tracks: "San Diego Serenade"*, "Shiver Me Timbers", "(Looking For) The Heart of Saturday Night"*, "Fumbling With the Blues"

1975 - Nighthawks at the Diner
After 2 amazing albums, what comes next?  How about a double-record set of completely new, live material?  Backed by a group of amazing jazz musicians, Tom rips through a 70+ minute set of new material, interspersed with stories and audience banter.  This album didn't really get good reviews, and the sales tanked, but it's worth getting.  The songs are good, but the real reason to pick this up is just to hear his stories.
Essential Tracks: "Eggs and Sausage (in a Cadillac with Susan Michelson", the story directly before "Better Off Without a Wife", "Warm Beer and Cold Women"

1976 - Small Change
At first listen, this album disappointed me a little bit.  The first track is absolutely amazing, and the rest (I felt) didn't really live up to it.  Upon multiple listens, however, I found this to be an amazing album.  It has a little bit of everything: heartbreaking love songs, uptempo beat/jazz numbers, carnival-esque ad-hawking...everything.
Essential Tracks: "Tom Traubert's Blues"*, "Step Right Up", "I Wish I Was in New Orleans", "The Piano Has Been Drinking (Not Me)"

1977 - Foreign Affairs
This is where he starts dropping off for me (at least unti his Phoenix-like uprising in the 80s).  This album is enjoyable, but there's really nothing new.  A strange duet with Bette Midler...where did that come from.  As with every album, there's still good stuff here, but the album as a whole is not one of his best.
Essential Tracks: "Potter's Field", "Burma Shave"

1978 - Blue Valentine
While this does have one of the greatest songs of all time on it ("Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis"), this album is, sadly, not that strong, although (as with all of his stuff), still worth listening to (as the old addage states, "Better a weak Tom Waits album than a strong James Blunt album").
Essential Tracks: "Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis"*, "Romeo is Bleeding"

1980 - Heartattack and Vine
And so the great Tom Waits enters the 80s.  There's some good stuff here, but it really points to some great stuff to come (as well as a song that, I believe, made him a great deal of money).
Essential Tracks: "Jersey Girl", "'Til the Money Runs Out", "On the Nickel"

1982 - One From the Heart
While this is, indeed, the soundtrack from the movie, it is all original, all completely new Tom Waits material.  And, while he doesn't sing on every track (Crystal Gayle sings some duets as well as solo on this album), it's still a good album, and a great soundtrack.  And, for all those who were big fans of his early work, this brings to close a great chapter in his career...you know, before he went all "wacko".
Essential Tracks: "Tom's Piano Intro/Once Upon a Town", "Picking Up After You"

And that brings to close part 1 of this series.  Part 2 will come...you know, whenever I get around to it.
Oh yeah, the * after specific tracks marks songs that should really be a part of any "Best Songs of All Time" argument.

Currently listening : Small Change By Tom Waits Release date: 25 October, 1990

2:57 PM - 3 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Music: A New Blog Series by Dusty

I aspire to be more like Buck Fifty every single day of my life.  "Buck Fifty is awesome."  "Buck Fifty eats raw hamburger."  "Buck Fifty stands about 7 feet 10 inches and weighs 875 pounds," and so on and so forth.
But here's the one that got me.  "Buck Fifty has a blog series about a girl in high school."  A blog series?!  Whaaaa...
So, between my striving to be Buck Fifty and an email from Ben requesting more music blogs, I have decided to start a blog series about music.  That's right.  Suscribe now and guard your wallets...a new blog series is coming.
Here's what'll happen:
I'll write a review (or overview, or, well, whatever I feel like) of a CD roughly every week or so.  That CD could be anything: new, old...whatever.  I'll pretty much write about something I've been listening to lately, or I may just pick an album at random off of my shelf.  Who knows.  Hey, I may even write entire artist overviews.  You don't know.  You see, I'm wacky like that.
I, in fact, am so wacky, that'll I'll probably start on my first one today.  Watch out, kids...don't get freaked out by the sheer awesome of it all...and so on.
Suscribe now.  It's so on.  I just gotta figure out how to kill the bunny...with this, I'm not quite sure how to...

2:48 PM - 3 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment

Why Hip-Hop Kicks in '06
Current mood: excited

Try picking a hip-hop album of the year.  Go ahead...I dare ye.  There's just waaaaaaaaaaaaay too much good stuff coming out.  Here's the list so far:

Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere (okay, not technically a hip-hop album...it's really more like an R&B album...but it does include Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse, so I think it qualifies)

And then, within the next couple of months, we have new albums from:
 The Roots - So wicked awesome I almost pee my pants every time I listen to it

DJ Shadow - This guy can't do any wrong in my book. Absolutely nothing wrong.  It's only his 3rd album in 10 years, so every album is an event.  This one is a little different than his previous ones, but it's still stinking amazing.

Common - Once again, with Kanye on board with the production.  Considering that his last album (Be) won my hip-hop album of the year last year, I'm very excited about this release.

Mos Def - The Mighty Mos is finally releasing another album!  Pretty much anything this guy does is ridiculously amazing, so I'm completely and utterly hyped for this one.

Those are the big ones.  Released in different years, I can pretty much guarantee you that they would all win an award.  It's a crowded market this year, baby, and I'm loving it.

Oh yeah, and next year...well...there's rumors that Danger Mouse is producing Black Thought's (of The Roots) solo album.  Words can't express how much I'm looking forward to that.

Sound off, suckas!  You agree?  Disagree?  Have more to add? (Steve, I know you're out there with your own list, so give it)

"In 2006...it was a very good year..."

Currently listening : Game Theory By The Roots Release date: 29 August, 2006

6:39 PM - 7 Comments - 11 Kudos - Add Comment