Picture of the Week

New Music Tuesday 9-29-09

Here is a sampling of some new music that is on the shelves today. Enjoy

Zero 7 - Yeah Ghost
Breaking Benjamin - Dear Agony
Ghostface Killah - Ghostdini-Wizard Of Poetry
Madonna – Celebration
Melvins - Chicken Switch

Not a bad showing. Of course there are far more releases. These are simply the ones that jumped out at me.

Best Time of the Year is Coming!

There is electricity in the air this time of year. The end of summer signals the start of fall baseball. This is when everything is on the line. Six teams square off for a piece of sports history. The MLB Playoffs are where legends are made. Who can forget Kirby Puckett, Kurt Schilling, Joe Carter or the many others who came up big in the post season. What makes the MLB Playoffs so unique is that the limelight is not simply reserved for the big names. Who can forget Scott Podsednik's home run in the 2005 playoffs or Aaron Boone's walk off winner. There is nothing like the MLB Post Season.

Football fans will cling to the Super Bowl but honestly how many truly great playoff games have their been? I am not blaming football but the format of baseball's multiple game championships leads to more memorable moments. Get ready baseball fans October 7th will be here in no time.

New Music Tuesday: 9/22/09

Here is a sampling of some of the new albums in stores today. Enjoy

Basement Jaxx - Scars
Brand New - Daisy
David Gray - Draw the Line
Pearl Jam - Backspacer
Sea Wolf - White Water, White Bloom
Castanets - Texas Rose, Thaw & The Beasts
Nick Cave & Warren Ellis - White Lunar
They Might Be Giants - Here Comes Science

Status Update: Facebook is Lame

I try to steer clear of any sort of politics on this blog but I cannot help it. I just read that Sarah Palin has been getting her message out through Facebook. Leave it to Sarah Palin to rid Facebook of any coolness factor it had left. Granted, I have cut back on Facebook since the term "social media" came to fruition. It also felt a little strange when my parents became friends with me. I want them to know what is going on with my life but like having a filter. Leave it to Sarah Palin to prove that things are way cooler until your parents get involved.

What is the deal with Fleet Foxes?

Is there anyone else who is just not that into them? I feel as though I am the only person in the world who does not dig Fleet Foxes. It has become so bad that when people ask me if I listen to them I have to preface my answer with, "I don't know what my deal is but..." It is as if I feel guilty not liking them. Their self titled album is on all of my trusted media sources top albums of 2008 lists. No I am not referring to Rolling Stone and Spin. The album appears on nearly every single reviewer for Pitchfork's list. Maybe I am just missing something here. They sound a lot like the Byrds, I get that but what makes their music so special? There is only one other band that has alluded me like these guys do, Arcade Fire. What bands are just not that into?

Pitchfork's top albums of 2008 list

The Gaslight Anthem, Ogden Theatre, Denver CO

Say hello to the crowd, tell some stories, play a few songs, crack a couple of jokes and say goodnight. The format for a live concert is fairly predictable, even for those who have not attended very many. The Gaslight Anthem’s ability to take this simple formula and turn it into something memorable is what separates them from many of the others bands I have seen. The band exuded confidence, charisma and lightheartedness as they tore through their set. It was evident that they thoroughly enjoy playing live together. What impressed me the most was the way they connected with the crowd. They were genuine. I was not just seeing another band go through the motions. This was a band that cared and was real. They laughed and joked around with each other. It was like watching a group of my friends play. It was refreshing to see a band that does not take their fans or popularity for granted.

It is rare that I go to a show and not have any complains. The crowd was electric, the setlist fantastic and the band sounded perfectly gritty. I felt a bit nostalgic as the show reminded me of the hardcore shows of my youth. All in all, The Gaslight Anthem puts on a show that is not to be missed. This is their final tour before the release of their next album, hopefully in early 2010.

The Gaslight Anthem Website: http://www.myspace.com/thegaslightanthem