Friday, March 23, 2007

This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug

All in all, a pretty decent week for yours truly ...

"Twin Ports Roller Derby Squad in the Works" -- Hail, hail the Harbor City RollerDames! (Rejected lede: "If happiness is all the rage, then roller derby is a close second.")*

"Discover Duluth: Gooseberry Falls State Park, Vol. 1" -- For this photo essay outing, I ventured around the Falls View Loop and the incredible Gitchi Gummi Trail ... how could I have missed that trail for so long? While the Fifth Falls Trail will also hold a special place in my heart, Gitchi Gummi is a close second.

"A Denver Songstress, Literate Fusion Grass and Minus the Bear's Deconstruction" -- Reviews of new albums from Angie Stevens (a seductive cowgirl from Denver), the Chris Silver Band (that would be the "literate fusion grass") and Minus the Bear. <- Although, to be fair, theirs is only a crappy remix album ... probably not entirely their fault.

*I liked it, but my editor somehow didn't buy that it is a common saying in Milwaukee. Imagine that! ha ha ha

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Don't Tell a Soul, Vol. 22: Once knew a girl by the name of Emily

I'm so sorry everyone. I've been sitting on this mix tape for WAY TOO LONG. (In fact, I think it's beginning to hatch....)*

1. Mike Relm - "Body Rock"
That bass is just epic. I can't wait to see him open for/perform a number with ...

2. Blue Man Group - "Time to Start"
Is there anything cooler than this female voice saying "It's time to start"?

3. Of Montreal - "Suffer for Fashion"
There's a "fake" intro and then -- bam! -- pure, unadulterated Of Montreal bliss.

Definitely going to top some "Best of 2007" lists.


4. Wired All Wrong - "Nothing at All"
Representatives from Self (Matt Mahaffey) and God Lives Underwater (Jeff Turzo) -- two of my favorite bands -- joining forces? Genius!

"Once knew a girl by the name of Emily / Who I'd go and visit on the downtown scene."

(Not that anyone's keeping score, but this one is way more Self than GLU -- with the faux Justin Timberlake vibe and all.)


5. Arcade Fire - "Keep the Car Running"
One for those who grew up on Echo and the Bunnymen / listened to college radio in the '80s.

Plus, it's wife-approved!


6. Aqueduct - "Broken Records"
Aqueduct is just pure gold. There's nary a bum note on the new album.

7. Paul Westerberg - "Waiting for Somebody"
Hey, remember the "Singles" soundtrack?

8. Pearl Jam - "Rearviewmirror"
Hey, remember the '90s?

Unlike the other stuff I listened to in grade school *cough* C+C Music Factory *uncough* this still sounds good.

Real good.


9. Redd Kross - "You Lied Again"
I feel for rockers with "trust issues."

10. Escape the Fate - "Not Good Enough for Truth in Cliche"
Is anyone else a sucker for these paint-by-numbers HS summer anthems?

Nope?

That's what I thought....


11. 22-20s - "Baby, You're Not in Love"
I'm also a sucker for anything that even remotely resembles classic rock, although I'm not as afraid to admit that.

That's right; I'm a bona fide classic rock fan. (See 15 and 21.)

12. Heavens - "Another Night"
"Another night with your head in the oven"? Boys, boys, boys ... is that how we start songs these days?

No harm, no foul: Gorgeous melodies save the day.


13. The Avalanches - "Ray of Zdarlight" (live)
This is great. And that upsets me. -> It's been seven f*cking years since "Since I Left You" (their last album). Hopefully all those live -- yet terrific-sounding -- MP3s floating around the net are a sign of things to come.

On the other hand, according to the group's Web site, they're currently sifting through 40 tracks and there's still no ETA for Album No. 2.


14. The Jam - "And Your Bird Can Sing" (Beatles cover)
How can you go wrong: Jam? Good. Beatles? Good.

Put your hands together.

15. The Beatles - "I Want to Hold Your Hand" ("Love" vers.)
Somehow this "Love" version is more exciting than the original. (Maybe it's the hordes of screaming fans in the background....)

16. The Surfactants - "The Clocktower"
If you like God Lives Underwater (or, hell, even Wired All Wrong), throw in a little 8-bit inspiration and you've got Minnesota's the Surfactants. Great stuff.

17. No Wait Wait - "Faith and Words"
Speaking of great "Minnesoter" records, No Wait Wait is f*cking great. I know I've said it before, but you really, really, really deserve to own their records.

Also make sure to check out the Gallows, frontman Marc Gartman's latest adventure.


18. stellastarr* - "Born in a Fleamarket"
Like Arcade Fire, stellastarr* occasionally sounds like its sound was sucked right out of the '80s.

19. Starflyer 59 - "Loved Ones"
Good stuff. I'm a know-nothing, though.

20. Robbers on High Street - "Hudson Tubes"
Classy stuff. A little whiskey-soaked, too. When I open my Superior bar, "The Pierce Arrow,"** this will definitely be in the jukebox.

21. Electric Light Orchestra - "The Bouncer"
As will everything from ELO, my beloved ELO ... even 1986's "Balance of Power." (It's better than you think.)

22. The Long Winters - "(It's a) Departure"
Like Aqueduct (a fellow Barsuk act), the Long Winters are consistently magnificent. Just good ol' rock 'n' roll.

But, you know, cool enough for record store snobs....


23. Prince - "I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man"
Prince's best stab at Billy Joel catchiness is another wife-approved "jam."

24. Grandaddy - "Broken Household Appliance National Forest"
I still get a little teary-eyed when I remember that Grandaddy is no more. This sh*t is epic. (I know I say that a lot, but I truly, madly, deeply*** mean it this time.)

*Ouch, right? I know (I'm lame).
**Unless someone from Pierce-Arrow, the turn-of-the-last-century luxury car manufacturer sues me first.
***Hey, if it's good enough for Savage Garden (hotties!), then it's good enough for this f*cking blog. Eh?

Monday, March 19, 2007

Paging Dr. Kearney...


I know what you're thinking, but this was ENTIRELY unintentional. Truth be told: I'm not some deranged Kearney superfan or anything. (Although he was quite enjoyable to talk to on the phone the other day....)

(Image courtesy of Aware Records.)

Friday, March 16, 2007

This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug

Somehow I pulled off only writing about A&E topics this week -- my "forte," if you will....

"A New Home for Blues Fest" -- Through a series of interviews, press conferences and Web-exclusive stories (which were very well-received, by the way), we finally nailed it: Bayfront Blues Festival, Duluth's second-largest event (behind Grandma's Marathon), is moving 10 minutes down I-35 to the Buffalo House complex. While nothing's in stone yet, that's the word from festival president Chris Mackey.

THIS JUST IN: As I was prepping this blog entry, I got a rather ... contradictory e-mail from Duluth Mayor Herb Bergson: "Blues Fest was never leaving the city. It will be here again this year."

"Megastardom 101: A Blue Man Breaks His Silence" -- Matthew Banks, one of Vegas' Blue Men (who also just happens to be out on the road for How to Be a Megastar Tour 2.0, which is coming to Duluth March 28), was gracious enough to speak with me. Man, I am so f*cking excited to see these guys -- I feel like a child going to his or her first baseball game. I mean, I've been a huge fan of their "The Complex" album since it came out a few years back. For my money, nothing tops "Time to Start," "Your Attention" and, the grandaddy of 'em all, "What is Rock." (Before I forget, the show's opener, Mike Relm, has a great free download at MP3.com and numerous DVDJ clips on YouTube.)

"Duluth Public Schools Exhibit Showcases Student Art" -- I'm a little jealous. I wish they had annual art shows when I was going to school on the Cuyuna Range. Who knows, maybe I could've started "Discover Duluth" in third grade ... ha!

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Chuck Klosterman Quote of the Moment

"Casual music fans assume anybody who does rock criticism would hate ABBA,
but everybody who does music criticism loves ABBA."

(as told to The Onion for a recent installment of "Random Rules")



I couldn't agree more. ABBA is heavenly -- especially "S.O.S." (Hell, even the Dan Band's ABBA covers work!)

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Random Thoughts: What I learned from RS 1022

From the mouth of Rolling Stone ...

Dolce, Dolce, Dolce ... what are we going to do with you?

But I suppose it's only fair. Every other company under the sun uses naked women to sell things.

Parts of Nine Inch Nails' new album, "Year Zero" -- due April 17 -- were recorded in Malibu. How Hole. Ha ha ha....

"2 Become 1"
XM and Sirius are merging. That's not really news, but, the more I think about it, the more I'm scared. Where is the competition? Satellite radio was supposed to be the bright new medium to save radio, to get away from Clear Channel's evil empire.

According to Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme, the new album is going to be "dark, hard and electrical -- like a construction work."

Wait ... what?

In a series of three concerts, Prince, Dave Matthews and -- surprise, surprise -- Christina Aguilera have sold their souls to Citi. Rock hawking credit cards? So sad.

Note to self: Check out Dr. Dog. If they're brave enough to rip off the "Pet Sounds" cover shot in a photo gallery, there's probably something of substance there. Also: Check out Stewie's talk show and PBS's "News War."

Funniest Quote of the Week
"It's living in Oregon and just seeing these worthless, talk-too-much-about-what-people-are-doing-wrong, not-really-doing-anything-themselves f*ckin' hippies. That I despise." Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock on Grateful Dead fans

Win a trip to Ireland from Irish Spring.

The FLips are putting together a Broadway version of "Yoshimi" with the guy behind "Tommy."
I wish I could say I'm excited, but the only decent "Tommy" byproduct was the film.

In an odd way, the new (but definitely not improved) hairless Britney kind of resembles an ogre.

RS asked Twist & Shout -- an excellent record store in the last place I called home (Denver) -- what it's 10 top-selling albums were. As expected, I don't own a single one. The closest I would ever consider purchasing is the new Shins album.

But I don't think a band has ever been as overrated as them.

Right?

Right?

ANYWHO, Jewelsleeve.com might just be the Web site that saves my marriage.

Good news for my wife!

Kidding, only kidding ... it's good news for everyone everywhere.

Only click on this link if you're not a conservative Christian or if you have a sense of humor.

Oh, who am I kidding? That's like asking for a soda when you actually want a pop.

HA HA HA

Southern Culture on the Skids' new album, "Countrypolitan Favorites," is all covers. I LOVE records like that. Where do I sign up?

Reviewer Robert Christgau doesn't think Modest Mouse's new album has a "Float On" on it. I have to take issue with that -- did he not hear "Dashboard"?

I think I should have that man's job.

No, you get out of town.

Speaking of adventures, there is an ELO reference in the review for the Apples in Stereo's "New Magnetic Wonder."

Must.

Buy.

Immediately.

(This wasn't in RS, but the remaining ELO catalog has been remastered and re-released. Just in time for my birthday!)

Finally, WeirdAmerica.com looks like a great place to not* visit while you're on the clock.

*My boss claims she reads these posts, so, you know....**
**OK, all clear. She just left the building. Now I can tell you what I really thi***
***Sorry to interrupt this broadcast, but I think I just heard her come back inside. More on this continuing story when****

[FIVE HOURS LATER.]

****Sorry about that. I just got out of a "brief, polite meeting" with my boss about the company's Internet usage policy. Boy, was she pissed!

I hate to sound like a Hold Steady whore, but ...

damn, they have some cool merch!


(Image courtesy of Blue Collar Distro.)

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Don't Tell a Soul, Vol. 21: Who loves life more?


Many of these I scraped together from various free sources online -- mostly eMusic, though. I was feeling generous, so I decided to lend out a helping hand and link to wherever I found them. (At the time of posting, they were still free.)

Enjoy!


1. Modest Mouse - "Dashboard"
Everything you liked about "Float On" (except the undercurrent of infinite sadness) is here, so I think it's safe to say, in my suavest (yet a little rough) voice, "I know you gonna dig this."

2. The Strays - "Bastards of Young" (Replacements cover)
How do you improve on one of Minneapolis' most legendary anthems?

You can't.

But this holy rollin', scream-to-high-hell** version is the closest anyone could possibly get to matching it.


3. Arcade Fire - "Black Mirror"
I have this strange sense (a sixth one, perhaps?) every time I listen to this that I'll look out of the corner of my eye and my chihuahua will be mouthing "black mirror."

Other than that nightmarish image, the song continues Arcade Fire's fine tradition of rendering every other 2007 release uninspired by comparison.

(I must admit, "Neon Bible" is slowly inching its way up to the No. 1 spot <- despite any previous comments to the contrary.)


4. SoftLightes - "Heart Made of Sound"
I gave these guys a spin because they're on Modular (home of my beloved Avalanches), but they definitely hold their own. Plus, it's free, so you really have no excuse not to enjoy it.

5. Bumblebeez 81 - "Pony Ride"
There are no words for this long, strange trip (with amazing bass!).

6. Clipse feat. Pharrell - "Blaze of Glory"
From the occasionally excellent Star Trak label showcase "Clones." Check it out.

7. Chin Up Chin Up - "Water Planes in Snow"

"Ice, ice, ice, ice...."

8. The Tyde - "Glassbottom Lights (James Figurine remix)"
This band is traditionally the indie rock equivalent of the Beach Boys (basically, the ladies dig both of 'em), so to hear them "technofied" in a non-annoying way is quite a treat.

9. Tim Fite - "I've Been Shot"
The funniest fake rap song that actually has somewhat of a groove. Just try not wince when Fite sings "Got a bullet hole in my penis."

10. Junior Senior - "Move Your Feet"
For fans of the Jackson 5 and Har Mar Superstar (with a pinch* of the Avalanches). Needless to say, it's big with the kids.

11. Hit the Switch - "Imperial Horizon"
It teeters on the verge of snotty punk, but they pull it off. Rancid Jr. perhaps?

12. J Church - "I've Got a Crazy Feeling"

What is that, an accordion? J Church attempts ska, in their own f*cked-up way? Who cares, I like it.

13. The Roots - "Dilltastic Vol Wonder(ful)"
A haunting tribute to hip-hop's J Dilla, who passed away just over a year ago after struggling with TTP and Lupus.

14. Soundgarden - "Head Down"
When's the last time you rediscovered "Superunknown"? It's somehow better than you remember....

15. Feist - "One Year A.D."
Dave Mehling turned me on to this femme fatale. Very nice.

16. Smoking Popes - "I Know You Love Me"
The more I think about it, I don't think there's a song that's more fun to sing along to than this one.

"This world is freezing cold...."


17. Baboon - "King of the Damned Laser Gag"
If you would've approached me in the early '90s when Baboon was just starting to make records, I would've laughed if you would've said they had a "Something Good is Going to Happen" in them. First of all, it defied all expectations from the group, but, more than that, it took hard rock to a place no one could've ever imagined. Hopefully they can pull it off again with their upcoming, self-titled release, which is expected to drop Oct. 10.

18. Snowden - "Black Eyes"
This was really a great find. Thanks, eMusic! (In my best I-should-be-getting-paid-to-say-this-because-I'm-so-damned-excited-it-can't-be-natural "voice.")

19. Sloan - "Who Loves Life More?"
Another MP3 player "discovery." How in the hell could I have passed this one up on the album proper for so long?

Either way, the best "classic rock" recorded in the 2000s.


20. Frightened Rabbit - "The Greys"
Definitely not classic rock. More like an independent record store employee's mix tape fodder....

21. The A Sides - "Cinematic"
Very nice percussion. It's almost -- dare I say? -- cinematic.

22. Wilco - "What Light"
Wilco does Dylan.

If Dylan had penned "What Light"....


23. The Sandwiches - "Good Morning (Alright)"
I'll admit, this is over-the-top dork rock, but the Sandwiches always leave yours truly with a smile.

Who needs expensive medications? No one loves life more than I.

And, to prove it, I'll use one of those "emoticon" smiley faces favored by little girls (and Perverted Justice team members).

Wait for it.

...

Wait for it.

...

OK, I was kidding. Totally kidding. Go to bed already.

...

:-)

OMG, I totally went there.

That's just silly.


*Sorry, I
loathe music reviewers when they abuse that expression.
**At least for the first five seconds....

Two free William Tell downloads

Former Something Corporate guitarist William Tell has gone it alone so he can ... make girlfriend-friendly pop nuggets.

Either way, "Slipping Under (Sing Along to Your Favorite Song)" and "Fairfax (You're Still the Same)" -- from his upcoming release, "You Can Hold Me Down" -- will make for some excellent summer cruisin' tunes in a few months.

They're both available for free here. Just enter the following code: j7YRPNJgf. I'm not sure if this code can only be used once, but it does expire July 10 <- just about the same time you'll need them for your trip to the UP mix tape.

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Rhymesayers, say it ain't so

From Billboard.biz...

Rhymesayers Jumps To WMG's ILG
March 09, 2007 - Indies | Retail

By Todd Martens, L.A.

Minneapolis-based hip-hop label Rhymesayers Entertainment has joined the Warner Music Group's Independent Label Group for North America distribution. The imprint, which has released albums from the likes of Atmosphere and Soul Position, among others, was previously distributed by Navarre Corp.

The Independent Label Group will assume control of the Rhymesayers catalog, which will be handled by the major's independent distributor, the Alternative Distribution Alliance. The first Rhmyesayers release via the new arrangement will be Brother Ali's "Undisputed Truth," due April 10.

Rhymesayers co-founder Brent "Siddiq" Sayers says the label group appealed to him because he'll have access to major label services at his discretion. There is an upstreaming component to the deal, but there is no automatic sales point at which a Rhymesayers artist will move to a Warner-affiliated major, says Sayers.

"If we have someone who wants to be on a major label, we can, in fact, do that," he says. "But if we have someone, like Atmosphere, who does not want to do that, we can keep doing what we're doing and bring in some select [promotional/marketing] services."

The Independent Label Group is comprised of WMG's Asylum Records, East West Records and Cordless Recordings. East West president Fred Feldman worked closely with Rhymesayers on the release of Atmosphere's "God Loves Ugly," when Feldman headed Fat Beat Records.

"They encompass what we look for an indie label," he says. "They have that entrepreneurial spirit. They've built a great thing in 10 years, and I've been a fan for a while. They bring a punk rock feel to do what they do when you look at how their acts tour.



One quote caught me, though: "If we have someone who wants to be on a major label, we can, in fact, do that. But if we have someone, like Atmosphere, who does not want to do that, we can keep doing what we're doing and bring in some select [promotional/marketing] services."

That reminds me of one of Slug's most memorable lines:
"I still say f*ck a major label 'til it limps." (from "One of a Kind," on Atmosphere's 2002 release, "God Loves Ugly")

Friday, March 9, 2007

Don't Tell a Soul, Vol. 20: The king's taken back the throne

I love music, and I heard rumours she's kind of digging the Matt action too....

1. Arcade Fire - "Intervention"
Song of the year. Without a doubt.

2. Grandaddy - "Jeez Louise"
Now when Jason Lytle sings about Modesto, I can only think about the most disturbing scene in "Zodiac." Eerie.

Did I mention you have to go see that? It's long, but you'll never know: It sucks you in and flies by. David Fincher is a master storyteller. (Excellent performances by Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., John Carroll Lynch and Clea DuVall* never hurts, though.)

3. Stories - "Brother Louie"
As you can probably tell, "Zodiac" was still very much fresh on my mind when I put this one together -- "Brother Louie" and other classics from the era dot the film's soundtrack.

4. Molemen feat. Slug - "Lambslaughter"
Come to think of it, this modern-day hip-hop epic could easily fit in on "Zodiac's" soundtrack, with its chilling, dysfunctional circus organ. And what's with that film clip in the middle -- does that not sound like Ruffalo?

OK, I'm done: No more "Zodiac" pimping. If you see it, you see it.

If you don't, that's just your too bad.

5. The Format - "Ape Man" (Kinks cover)
You'll probably hate this song the first time you hear it.

And the second.

And the third.

And the ... get the picture? It took me three months to warm up to it, but now I love it. It's the aural equivalent of a sugar high. It's hard not to smile when you listen to it (for the 332nd time...).

6. J Church - "Vampire Girl Prefers Me Alive"
These guys are back ... and they've still got it. Infectious, melodic and angular punk at its best. Best of all, their upcoming album, "The Horror of Life," is only $7 through No Idea Records -- pick it up!

7. The Who - "Rael 2"
A brief little hymnal before ...

8. The Black Lips - "Not a Problem" (live)
One of the most exciting songs this year. I can only imagine that this is what garage/surf rock sounded like before anyone had the idea that putting them together would be a good idea.

The next Trashmen? One can only hope.

9. Cars & Trucks - "I've Been Wondering"
Stupid f*cking name, I'll admit, but these guys f*cking rock, so it's OK.

Eat it, numbnuts. (Apparently I've been touched "in a special place" by the words of Tony Bennett.) (Or maybe it's just the Fat Tire talking....)

10. Charles Douglas - "I Don't Care"
Charles Douglas is on fire!

Won't somebody help him out?

11. Dealership - "Green"
Never ever say Berkeley kids don't know how to rock. <-That's just rude.

12. Radiohead - "I Might Be Wrong"
I probably take my Grandaddy allegiance too far sometimes: This is some amazing stuff.

13. Thin Lizzy - "Whiskey in the Jar"
I'm so ashamed I heard Metallica's version first....

14. Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley - "It Was Written"
As far as white reggae fans go, I'm probably the least likely to be able to successfully pull it off, but you can't deny the musicality going on here. This is at the same level as his father. (No joke.)

15. Echobelly - "Today Tomorrow Sometime Never"
This isn't anything you'd think to listen to, but when it pops up on your MP3 player, you can't help but fall in love with it (and
Sonya Aurora Madan) all over again.

16. Batteries - "Childproof"
I don't know much about this Duluth group, but I do know that I like what I hear.

17. Bob Dylan - "On a Night Like This"
I was just at a get-together at the Democrat headquarters in town, and, next to all sorts of posters of prominent Democrats in office, they had a picture of Duluth's native son. Do they know something I don't?

Dunh dunh duh....

18. Rjd2 - "You Never Had It So Good"
This is magical, and I let my fellow music dorks at eMusic know it:

Give it a chance Perin from Duluth, Minn.
I can see/hear why longtime fans are upset, but every couple songs you run into pure gold, like laid back Money Mark. Radical departures in sound should probably be accompanied by clever pseudonyms (so as not to upset the stubborn folk) but what is Rjd2 to do? "Chris Gaines" was already taken....

Much better than anything else he's ever done. Look for it to top quite a few year-end lists come December.

19. Underworld - "Born Slippy"
I usually don't have the attention span for songs clocking in at 9:44, but, like [A CERTAIN NEW-RELEASE MOVIE THAT I'M NOT A-S'POSED TO TALK ABOUT ANYMORE], it really draws you in, ya know?

20. The Moody Blues - "Ride My See-Saw"
Wow, what a change of pace. I like it, though.


*Yeah, that's right; not one but two "Carnivale" greats. What a treat!

This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug

Holy sweetness, I am proud of this issue. Check it out:

"Duluth Native Explores World, Almost Dies" -- Marty Essen is the man. Read on.

"Former Woodland Hills Student Comes Full Circle, Joins Board of Directors" -- The first in the school's 98-year-history to do so! (A special thanks to Cindy Finch for showing me around the main campus.)

"Denfeld Auditorium Restored to '20s Elegance" -- This place is gorgeous! Check out the pics, eh. (Again, special thanks to Claudia Anderson for showing me around.)

"In Like a Lion"
-- Not one but two post-blizzard photo galleries, including the latest "Discover Duluth." (From which this photo kind of came from.)

Like? Dislike? Let me know what you think, pallies.

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

Random Thoughts: What I learned from RS 1021

Most of this comes from the mouth of Rolling Stone...

My beloved eMusic*, which is now No. 2 in digital music sales behind the almighty iTunes, "appears close to a deal" with EMI for the sale of unprotected MP3s. No freakin' way. I love you, eMusic ... kiss, kiss?

Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke explains his group's reasoning behind its new sound: "There were literally a zillion bands coming out of the U.K. with that staccato guitar sound and disco drum beats."

Literally a zillion bands? Really? (Why don't you get back to us after you look up the definition of "literally.")

Chris Cornell quit Audioslave. That's good for everyone involved -- especially people with ears.

No word yet on a Soundgarden reunion, though....

RS called Prince's Super Bowl XLI halftime show "one of the most electrifying in history." I would have to go one further and say it's the only one I actually tuned in to watch.

Verdict? Best. Ever.

College radio's Top 15 albums includes Of Montreal's "Hissing Fauna, Are You the Destroyer?" (No. 2) and Sloan's "Never Hear the End of It" (No. 4). That makes me smile.

It's probably because of all the exposure they're getting from "Don't Tell a Soul," my awesome mix tape series. A HA HA

Norah Jones likes the Specials ... who knew? Her music is still impossible drech, but I like her more and more as a person -- especially after seeing pics of her "secret" punk group, El Madmo.

Damn the Man, Take 26: On assignment in Cordova, Alaska (the sight of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill), intern Colin Stutz said he only had to dig down six inches into the beach's sand to find oil and smell gasoline.

This is 18 years later, people!

Apparently there's a video on College Humor showing Joe Rogan confronting Carlos Mencia -- who has long been accused of stealing other comedians' material -- during one of his sets.

Way to go, Joe, I applaud you. Your humor has long been a "horsesh*t comedy" punchline, but you don't deserve it because A) I know my mom sure appreciates you and B) at least you come up with your own stuff.

I haven't seen a flattering paparrazi shot of Britney for some time....

Quote of the Week
On his group's new album, "It Won't Be Soon Before Long": "It's so weird the Police are getting back together just as our Police rip-off record is coming out." -- Maroon 5's Adam Levine

Say what you will about Levine's "new" group, but Kara's Flowers was something to write home about -- long a "DTAS" favorite.

NoDak repealed its 117-year-old law that equated premarital cohabitation to a sex crime. (As a former resident of Fargo, I can finally confess to living in sin with not one but two different women.)

An enormous weight has been lifted....

Fall Out Boy's Pete Wentz sans trendy T-shirt? Thanks, Peter Yang, that's what the magazine's reputation really needs. May as well slap "Now Exclusively for Teens" on the front cover somewhere....

Maybe covering up Wentz's disgusting man nipples?

Note to self: Buy Air's "Pocket Symphony" and listen to M.I.A.'s new song, "Bird Flu," on her MySpace page. And definitely Netflix "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" and "Once" (with the Frames' Glen Hansard) -- but definitely not "Hounddog." (I don't need to see Dakota Fanning, 12, raped by a milkman....)

Justin Timberlake brought Andy Samberg onstage at his recent Madison Square Garden show to reprise their "Saturday Night Live" bit/YouTube hit "Dick in a Box." I've seen funnier faux R&B parodies (on "Mr. Show," namely), but I'm glad "SNL" is once again reaching more of an audience than me and anyone who happens to be in my company on any given Saturday night.

Random Shirts has a new one with the slogan "Girls Make Better Ninjas." Nice. (Meanwhile, PalmerCash has "Now Remember, Billy, Only Retards Wear Their Collars Up!"....)

Most Embarassing Quote of the Week
So sayeth Creed's Mark Tremonti back in '02: "We don't want to be the artistic band that one kid who wore stockings on his arms in class listened to. We want to be the band that 20 years from now you'll still hear on the radio."

There are no words to describe the hate I'm feeling for this man right now. It's that kind of attitude that fuels magazines (like RS) to pander to the lowest common denominator (aka Fall Out Boy fans who don't know that their favorite band is just a carbon copy of the Stereo).

*While you're there, download Arcade Fire's "Neon Bible." Album of the year? Nah. Top 10 maybe. But it does have the song of the year, "Intervention." For reals....

Pilot for NBC show to be set in Duluth?

I found this rather cryptic Craigslist post:

Pilot for NBC New Comedy Business Class Now Casting


Reply to: see below
Date: 2007-02-14, 6:54PM EST


Veteran salesman Chuck Haverchuck is forced to take his new partner Terry
O'Hara on a business trip to Duluth for their soft drink company, and the two soon discover that they're poles apart as far as business goes, with Chuck being ruthless and amoral, and Terry guileless and honest.

TO APPLY PLEASE CLICK HERE




Role: CHUCK HAVERCHUCK - A born salesman, professional, looks like a winner, incredibly charming, charismatic and completely amoral, Chuck is the top traveling salesman for a popular soda brand. A man with no life outside his job, he's a consummate deal-closer with nothing but contempt for normal emotional reactions or relationships. His own deeply buried emotions were in danger of surfacing when he is partnered with sincere, naive Terry O'Hara.
Male - All Ethnicities


Role: TERRY O'HARA - A family man with an honest face and trusting nature, he's the perfect mark for any salesman; unfortunately, he IS the salesman, in this case, the newly promoted (and clueless) partner of piranha salesman Chuck Haverchuck. Though Terry is embarrassed at his own lack of travel savvy compared to Chuck, he soon becomes horrified at Chuck's utter lack of morals regarding his job. His frustration with Chuck leads to an outburst that shocks both and ultimately ends up clinching their first deal together.
Male - All Ethnicities

TO APPLY PLEASE CLICK HERE



Along with a similarly cryptic call to the Budgeteer, I think the fine people of Duluth might have the next "Fly High, Duluth!" on their hands....

EDIT: Found "Business Class" on Internet Movie Database.

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Can you go a day without ...

turning on your computer? I can't.

I mean, sure, technically I can, but I like to unwind on the weekends with an awesome mix tape and a smarmy blog entry ... who doesn't? As Gob might say, "Come on!"

Agree? Disagree? Join the conversation at Shutdown Day.

The 'SNL' skit that started it all ... brilliant!

Monday, March 5, 2007

Sometimes it's just fun to look back...

I found this curious CNN article from way back in '96. Favorite line: "Laser discs could be replaced by digital video discs." (Note "could.")

Remember vinyl?

CDs might become thing of the past, too

April 3, 1996
Web posted at: 8:40 p.m. EST

From Tokyo Bureau Chief John Lewis

TOKYO (CNN) -- Technology never stops spinning out new hardware with new applications. One of the newest products in the multi-media field is DVD; which stands for digital video discs, digital virtual discs or digital versatile discs.

With this possible replacement for the VCR only a few months away from the marketplace, manufacturers are looking at the next step: digital audio discs that could replace the popular compact discs of today.

Digital video discs can compress video signals so that at least twice the capacity of a normal laser disc can be packed on a platform the size of a CD or CD-ROM.

Laser disc
CD

Manufacturers hope that translates into sweeter music in the audio field. "By using very large capacity of this DVD disc, we'd like to accommodate much better sound quality, perhaps 'super' audio sound," said Kiji Hase of Toshiba.

Toshiba, along with Time-Warner, is leading the band toward this new technology.

"We were used to vinyl black records, but when we heard CD audio we thought it's great," Hase said. "I think this migration into better media will happen."

It may. But even Hase says it's at least two years or more away.

Prototype

"Only audio nuts are talking about it now," said Tsutomu Nagato, a Tokyo marketer. "The general consumer is satisfied with existing CD technology. So unless it appeals to end-users through much better quality and cost, I think the new format may face some difficulties."

The biggest problem right now is that except for a few prototypes, the format is still just an idea. .

Related sites:

Sunday, March 4, 2007

MRP Around the Web, Pt. 1

Please don't think I have a big head or anything, but I still get excited when random Web sites quote me in some manner.

Guess where I found the following (click on it for the result):


What a fun game! I expect a call from Parker Brothers any moment....

Don't Tell a Soul, Vol. 19: Take another picture with your click, click, click, click camera

A number of these tracks I discovered through Alan Williamson's excellent *SIXEYES MP3 blog, which, in turn, he got from South by Southwest's similarly excellent site.

1. The Wannadies - "Nothing Wrong"
Sweden has a long history of the best pop music ever released (namely ABBA and Ace of Base), so it's only fitting that its best indie rock group's sound is steeped in it.

2. Dressy Bessy - "Lipstick"
And Denver ... doesn't really have too much of a musical history, so it's nice that the members of Dressy Bessy are taking that small feat upon themselves. (Bonus: This cut has one addictive intro.)

3. Sloan - "Ill Placed Trust"
This comes from my favorite album of 2006, so I don't think you should need any more convincing than that. Put your trust in me, young Padawan learner.

4. Wilco - "Either Way"
One of three leaked tracks from their upcoming album, "Sky Blue Sky," "Either Way" finds our favorite all-male group from Chicago* getting on their AM mellow gold. Reactions to this new career path have been quite varied (and, sometimes, incredibly harsh), but I like it. I really, really do.

5. Bloc Party - "Hunting for Witches"
Everything you've heard about "A Weekend in the City" is probably true: It's not all that great, but there are a few tracks (like this one) that are worthy successors to "Silent Alarm's" massive highs.

6. The Village Green - "When the Creepers Creep In"
Solid tune, but I'm at a loss of words as to what to say about it. (So sorry!)

7. Pop Levi - "Sugar Assault Me Now"
This one comes on like Michael Jackson's epic "Black or White," but it doesn't end up there -- thankfully. The vocals are kind of tortured, like [PLEASE HELP ME OUT BY FILLING IN THIS BLANK].

Layne Staley?

Perhaps....

But definitely getting closer.


8. Pleasant - "Where You Are"
These guys are swell, like a less-frantic Plastic Constellations. They achieve a really warm sound, like good buddies running through a few numbers in their living room during an impromptu performance.

9. Heiruspecs - "A Tiger Dancing"
This fine example of "live hip-hop" is 80 percent kickass until 1:43, when it kicks into interstellar overdrive, defying logic and launching into the 100-plus percent atmosphere** ... ANYWAY, I cannot wait until they drop their new album. The whole world's watching now, Heiruspecs.

10. Herbert - "Something Isn't Right"
I stumbled upon this enjoyable little ditty on my MP3 player the other day. Like so many others, I have absolutely no idea where it came from, but it's damn good.

11. Pearl Jam - "Pry, To"
A nice little break in the action before ...

12. The Golden Dogs - "Never Meant Any Harm"
Who are these diamond dogs? This sh*t is hot! (Think late-period XTC meets any given calculated, enduring 8-bit soundtrack. It kind of makes me miss "Bubble Bobble.")

13. The Procession - "Major and Minor"
Speaking of periods, this takes Sloan's obsession with mid-period Beatles, peppers it with a little late-period Redd Kross and crosses that line to near-mimicry. It's good, though, because ... well, I have a theory: There are two type of people. Those who love the Beatles and those who don't yet know that they love the Beatles.

Simple enough, right?


14. Rock Plaza Central - "My Children, Be Joyful"
Add this to that emerging subgenre of semi-precious bands that sound as if they're fronted by mountain men.

Plus, bonus, they tastefully throw in some Beulah horns because, let's face it, everyone knows that everyone misses that band.


15. The Avalanches - "Avalanche Rock"
Another little mini-nugget thrown in to keep listeners on the edge of their seats. (Ha!)

16. Nada Surf - "Blizzard of '77"
As the Twin Ports were blessed with just less than 20 inches of snow, I thought I'd throw this in. (Just remember: "2007" is as easy to sing as "'77.")

17. Spoon - "Sister Jack"
What a lovely pop song. Spoon really has its formula down these days.

18. Ol' Yeller - "The Universe"
This is half-surf epic, half-rollicking Iron Range anthem = I love it.

19. Midlake - "Roscoe"
Miss Fleetwood Mac? (Really? Me too!) Not anymore, my son....

(p.s. Check out the "M*A*S*H" theme undercurrent. Beautiful.)


20. Protokoll - "Moving Forward"
Good, but, like the Village Green, doesn't inspire any "witty" quips.

21. The Alrights - "In a Way"
This sounds like a recovering wedding band (or early Spymob, if you want to get technical), but they pull it off.

22. Bishop Allen - "Click Click Click"
What's better than songs about cameras (that don't suck)? "I Turn My Camera On," you're close to losing your crown.

"Take another picture with your click, click, click, click camera."


23. You Am I - "It Ain't Funny How We Don't Talk Anymore"
I don't know the exact definition of "power chord," but I'm pretty sure at least a few are employed here.

24. The Frames - "Sad Songs"
This doesn't rock like No. 23, but, much akin to "Roscoe," it conjures up the ghost of the golden age of "The Mac." (At least the chords in the beginning; the rest sounds like classic Frames action.)

25. Pete and the Pirates - "Come On Feet"
Sweet name. Sweet Frames-esque groove, too.

26. Dirty on Purpose - "No Radio"
I haven't yet made the commitment to being a full-fledged Dirty on Purpose fan, but everything I've heard so far is really, really great. Don't make the same mistake as I.

Additional recommended listening:
Humanoid, a Duluth supergroup featuring none other than the infallible Greg Cougar Conley (Both, the State Champs, "Billy Bumblebee," etc.). Since I don't have their "Ancient History" EP -- with the wonderful "Believe" -- yet, I thought I could at least link to their MySpace page.

*I have to make this distinction because I'm in love with Anna Fermin's Trigger Gospel.
**Confused yet? Sadly, you're not alone.

Today's Moment of Zen

Layoutchef.com is your one stop myspace resource

(Image courtesy of Layoutchef.com.)

Saturday, March 3, 2007

This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug

Wow, I actually felt productive this week:

"'Grey's Anatomy' fave comes to UMD" -- The future's so bright for Columbia Records recording artist Mat Kearney, he's gotta wear shades. (Listen, I don't care if I used this lame joke a few weeks back ... it's my lame joke.)

"Matuszak harkens back to 16th century for UWS play" -- Brian Matuszak's a funny guy (the Twin Ports' Scott Adsit, if you will), so I thought it'd be cool to play "catch-up."

"A parents' guide to online predators" -- This is an area of expertise I've contemplated giving up journalism for ever since I saw my first "To Catch a Predator" episode during my NDSU days in Fargo.

"You'll never look at Skywalk the same way again"
-- As a Skywalk "aficionado," I really appreciate what Rachael Martin is doing with her tours.

"Discover Duluth: Steam Utility District No. 1" -- My photo essay series returns with Canal Park's steam plant. As one would expect, it was quite "steamy" in there. And I had to wear a hard hat, so it was awkward looking through my camera lens!

As always, if you check out any of these, let me know what you think!

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Don't Tell a Soul, Vol. 18: It's not living a lie if you're not living at all

OK, no more excuses -- I must get this latest mix done. Actually, I have NO excuses: I'm stuck at home in the middle of the biggest storm I can remember ... one that will, in all likelihood, KILL US ALL.

In other news, there are three very good reasons to survive this storm: "Either Way," "You Are My Face" and "Walken," leaked tracks from Wilco's new album, "Sky Blue Sky" (due May 15)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ladies and gentleman, this is your birthday. The following 24 tracks -- which are EXCELLENT, by the way -- are just the candles on the overworked cupcake.

Enjoy!

1. Toadies - "Velvet"
Yeah, this is one of those songs you can tell the lead singer was mad -- real mad -- when he wrote it. Sample lyric: "You hurt me, you f*ck!"

Raw power, man.


2. The Broken West - "On the Bubble"
It's OK that these guys are uberhyped right now; they deserve it. This is some "pretty" rock. (Don't miss the bubbling bass lines in the intro ... fantastical!)*

3. Nillah - "February"
Infectious female-fronted fun. Definitely one of my favorite under-appreciated acts working right now.

4. Aqueduct - "Living a Lie"
A lot less "The Princess Bride," but still dark nonetheless -- an existential crisis posing as a pop song if I ever did hear one. (I pretend to know what big words mean....)

5. The Frames - "Falling Slowly"
From their new album, "The Cost." After just a few listens, I'd have to say this is the ideal song for driving around in the rain. After being dumped. By someone you actually cared for.

6. Murder City Devils - "Rum and Whiskey"
"Guitar Hero 3" should be jumping all over this. If that were the case, I'd run out to buy another PS2 in a heartbeat.

7. The Surfactants - "A Black Matter for the King"
If you long for Man or Astro-man?, this quasi-Duluth group has a tune or two for you. It really gets under your skin, doesn't it?

8./9. Ms. Dynamite - "Natural High/Dy-Na-Mi-Tee"
I know, I know; this goes against THE MIX TAPE RULES, but ... you just can't listen to one without the other. When "Natural High" lends itself to "Dy-Na-Mi-Tee," there are just no words. (This one means even more to me because I discovered Ms. Dynamite the same day I discovered the Polyphonic Spree and American Hi-Fi's "The Art of Losing."** That sure was a good mail day.)

10. Dynamite Hack - "Anyway"
I totaled my first car to this song. Nervous tension aside, it's a great soundtrack for almost dying.

11. Arcade Fire - "Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)"
Since I haven't been able to get my grubby little paws on "Neon Bible" yet, I thought I'd reconnect with this gem from these Canadians' last triumph.

12. Nerf Herder - "Feeling Bad"
Catchy, per usual, but what's with that "And then I touched myself" line?

13. Lady Sovereign - "Hoodie"
This cute little midget is infallible -- I love it! It harkens back to the golden age of pop. <- I don't know ... just go with it.

14. The Bravery - "An Honest Mistake"
Sorry, I've just really been on a Bravery kick lately. And it's not even new Bravery, either.

15. Neutral Milk Hotel - "Love You on a Tues." (live)
I'm used to (for the most part) sweet sounds from Jeff Mangum and his "orchestra majestica," but here, he makes Kurt Cobain's job seem ... easy.

I kind of miss grunge. (Yeah, I know; this coming from a Bravery and/or Kanye West fan of all people....)

16. Kanye West - "Celebration"
The first time I bought Kanye's second album, I ... sold it on Amazon.com later in the day. I decided to buy it again because his first album was pretty much the soundtrack to whatever summer it came out in, and I've found that album No. 2 isn't without its "moments." This one's great, especially the line "It's a celebration, bitches!" Pure Kanye = more of a caricature than someone who could actually exist.

17. No Wait Wait - "Beaches of the World"

ObsCuriosities Retro (720 E. Fourth St.) has this album for 5 bucks, brand new. It's excellent, and so is the store. (I found a copy of the Move's "Shazam" on vinyl!)

18. Ash - "Everybody's Happy Nowadays" (Buzzcocks cover)
What a great song. How could you not like Ash?

19. VietNam - "Welcome to My Room"
Hey, it's the new Mudhoney.

20. Josh Joplin Group - "Happy at Last"
And the new mid-period R.E.M.

21. Mark Mallman - "We Only Have Each Other in the Night"
I've been told this is Mallman's most well-known song. It is enjoyable, but I hesitate to back that statement because I neglected to put it on my handpicked Mark Mallman greatest hits mix. Oops!

22. Dave Mehling - "Morning Sun"
Dave is the man, but how could he be younger than me? He sounds so old, so wise -- an guitar-playing enigma, living right here in Duluth. Excellent.

23. My Morning Jacket - "Dancefloors"
Per my recent conversation with Mehling about his group the Brushstrokes, I thought I'd put him back-to-back with the band he compared their approach to. I like the way he thinks.

24. Whiskeytown - "Mirror Mirror"
If you have an affinity for listening to great '70s classic rock records and burning incense like you've got something to hide, here's a worthy shot from Ryan Adams' first group.

*I'm a little worried that my text editor believes "fantastical" is a legitimate word....
**Say what you want, but you know that that album's title track is golden.