Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Don't Tell a Soul, Vol. 56: I find myself at 90 degrees to the rest of the world

Submitted for the approval of the Twin Ports Awesome Mix Tape Appreciation Society (wanna join?) ... the latest installment of "Don't Tell a Soul."

As always, to encourage the consumption of music that doesn't suck, I have provided -- wherever available -- links to free, artist-sanctioned MP3s of the songs.

Kawaba! Kawaba! Kawaba!
Matt


(Questions? Comments? Want one of your band's songs to be considered for an upcoming awesome mix tape? E-mail mperrine [at] duluthbudgeteer [dot] com.)

*******

1. Smashing Pumpkins - "Tarantula" (listen here)
I thought I'd give it a shot because, hey, this band's given me so many great memories over the years....

2. Rory Allen Phillips - "Faking a Feeling" (some downloads here)
The man with the golden ear -- he helped found, among other outfits, the Impossibles, the Stereo and slowreader -- recently struck out on his own, and the results are as satisfying as anything else in his illustrious career.

3. Pearl Jam - "Untitled" (from "Live on Two Legs")
What a beautiful, beautiful song -> I'm really glad this was able to find its way onto a record of some sort.

4. The Beta Band - "Round the Bend"
Oh, man, back in '99 this was my fucking anthem!

5. The Decemberists - "The Perfect Crime #2" (A Touch of Class remix) (listen here, download others)
I've never been too keen on the Decemberists' sound, but anything A Touch of Class touches comes straight from the heavens.

6. The Pixies - "The Happening"
Paging Gonzo Science.... (This was supposed to go on my UFO mix tape -- influenced by GS's Area 61 convention, I'm sure -- which, sadly, kind of went by the wayside.)

7. Statistics - "No Promises" (DL other Statistics MP3s here) (and here!)
I want to make a really bad joke about combining my two favorite things in life (glamorous indie rock 'n' roll and stats), but I just can't muster the strength. LOL

8. Voxtrot - "Kid Gloves"
You like Best Friends Forever and the Wedding Present? Then maybe you try on Voxtrot for size, "bruddah."

9. Goldrush - "Feel" (DL others here) (and here too)
This sounds a lot like modern-day Nada Surf. <- A good band to rip off if I ever did hear one.

10. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - "I Won't Back Down"
After listening to Pearl Jam's cover of this song incessantly a couple months back, I just had to return to the source material. As tasty as ever. (Did anyone else out there listen to Brainerd's kickass "Power Loon" radio station throughout, like, their entire formative years?)

11. Big Star - "I'm in Love with a Girl"
A big cyber-hug (ha ha ha) to Briana Smith, for introducing me to these guys so many years ago. She knew I'd love Big Star -- she just knew it.

12. Badfinger - "Love is Easy"
Man, I was really in a classic rock mood when I drafted this mix tape. Nonetheless, the day I stop digging the Badfinger action is the day you have permission to brand me a soul-suckin' jerk (and/or pretentious asshole).

13. Supergrass - "It's Not Me"
Music to fall in love to. Sincerely.

14. J Church - "Anybody" (some hard-to-find MP3s here)
When they're on, they're on. Melodic punk never sounded sweeter.

15. Grickle-Grass - "Tractor Beam"
FYI: These guys jump out of your speakers just like the Plastic Constellations, so remember that when you're planning your next party mix.

16. Radiohead - "Jigsaw Falling Into Place"
"In Rainbows" was, as a whole, overrated, I'll agree -- but you can't deny the immediate appeal of this mesmerizing track.

17. Pigeonhed feat. Jerry Cantrell - "Marry Me"
Alice in Chains' Jerry Cantrell is one of the most underrated guitarists (and songwriters, while we're at it) of all time, so it was with great pleasure that I stumbled across this Pigeonhed collaboration at the local Pawn America the other day.

18. Ed Harcourt - "Hanging with the Wrong Crowd"
I don't know where this guy came from (or where he's going), but everything he records is utterly beautiful. -> If I were a rich man, I would proposition him to record a this-is-so-gonna-pay-for-itself ballad for my lovely little lady.

19. Pedro the Lion - "Indian Summer" (some free MP3s available here) (here too!)
Man, these guys should've been HUGE!

20. The Webb Brothers - "All the Cocaine in the World"
A tender little ditty about *ahem* the white stuff. A-ha.

21. Miles - "Pretty Day"
Kind of poppy, but kind of infectious at the same time.

22. The Black Crowes - "Wiser Time"
I'm not even kidding when I say that this C&W-tinged anthem makes me want to move to Wyoming, buy a big ol' ranch and ... set up shop against an old, rickety wooden fence. I mean, I know I couldn't pull off one of those iconic cowboy poses, but it sure would be fun trying!

23. Sun Kil Moon - "Tiny Cities Made of Ashes" (Modest Mouse cover)
It's weird, right, that Mark Kozelek recorded an entire album of Modest Mouse covers? ... Is Isaac Brock the next Dylan??

Stupid questions aside, this is one of the most beautiful tracks I have ever heard. A nice song to daydream to.

("Poster" credits: Original image courtesy of Dynamic Video Images of Ft. Lauderdale and/or Naples, Fla. -- digital manipulation by yours truly.)

Monday, November 26, 2007

Appendix to last week's This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug

Blame it all senseless, but I forgot to share with you my contributions to this season's Canal Park Times, which was printed alongside this weekend's edition of the Duluth Budgeteer News:

"Views from the Top" -- Frank Nichols, a retired bridge worker (and Crosby and/or Ironton, Minn., native!), explains what it's like to sit on top of the Aerial Lift Bridge and snap a few photographs.

"Discover Duluth: Canal Park" -- A few weeks ago I took my photo essay series down to Duluth's entertainment/tourism district, and these are the results. Hope you enjoy!

Saturday, November 24, 2007

This Week's (Belated) Shameless Budgeteer Plug: Tony Bennett/Cars & Trucks, Clearwire's PC card and pics of 'Squirrel Man'

Oops! I musta been too busy enjoying the fruits (err...) of Black Friday to update this here blog. Anywho, here's what you'll find if you wander on over to DuluthBudgeteer.com this weekend:

"Speaking as a Child of the '70s" -- Tony Bennett is a bona fide Duluth Renaissance man, and the power pop-infused Cars & Trucks is just his latest sterling achievement.

"Clearwire: 'Fastest Card on the Market'"
-- Clearwire takes on Sprint and Verizon in Duluth's wireless-Internet PC card arms race.

Finally, as a I promised, check out "Meet 'Stinky' -- Not Tall, But Definitely Dark and Handsome" to see my pics of a domesticated squirrel living in east Duluth. (Yeah, that's right!)

And now ... for a little taste of the silliness: "Only in Duluth..." -> Duluth merchant makes swimsuit-related funny.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Before you freak out on a store clerk tomorrow morning...

Please read the following, my account of working a "Black Friday" at Fargo's Best Buy a few years back. I've been there; it's not their fault! (p.s. I haven't read this since I wrote it last year, so hopefully it's not too offensive or anything....)

*******


Stuck inside of Best Buy with the day-after-Thanksgiving blues again
Matthew R. Perrine
Budgeteer News - 11/17/2006

When I think of Thanksgiving, I hear a song.

Not one of the myriad of Christmas songs coming up through my record needle 24/7 (thanks, wifey), but one from Milwaukee’s the Promise Ring.

“Get on the Floor” includes three stellar and potentially prophetic lines: “I feel paranoid / I get on the floor / And I just freak out.”

Now, this might not make a lot of sense until I let on to the fact that, at this time last year, I was working at Best Buy No. 13 (Fargo).

One of my responsibilities included a pre-dawn, day-after-Thanksgiving shift in the camera department. (Cue sinister theme music.)

Who better to tell “day-after” war stories than someone who has worn that dorky blue polo and lived to tell about it?

The weekend prior to Black Friday (as it’s known in “the biz”), Store 13’s army commenced for an early morning training session. The mission was simple: Prepare everyone for the day-after onslaught.

We’d all heard rumors, but how bad could it really be? As the hilarious accounts on BestBuySux.org’s forums were my only window into that madness, I was decidedly shocked when our store manager popped in a video from the previous year’s Black Friday.

The few that bumrushed the poor soul who had to open the doors (which were, by that time, busting at the seams) snowballed into an avalanche of rabid bargain hunters — all in a matter of seconds.

It had the look, the sound and, from what I gathered last year, the smell of a stampede.

These people were nuts. Not in the way bargain-store shoppers hover over your shoulders (you know, in case you somehow stumble upon the deal of the century ... otherwise known as “the one”), but in the sense that putting “blood” and “thirsty” together doesn’t even come close to cutting it.

It was complete and utter madness. At least a few of them had dollar signs glowing in their eyes where pupils used to sit.

Of course, now knowing what we were up against, a trial run was conducted. Leading the pack were senior team members who had “been there, done that.”

It was scary. Some coworkers I considered halfway normal became werewolfs, getting in my face and barking at me for this or that from all imaginable directions.

“Ha, good one,” I scoffed.

Little did I know that they were going easy on me. As I would soon find out, Black Friday bargain shoppers are freakin’ lunatics. If you don’t give them X amount of cameras in Y amount of time (a couple of seconds ... if you’re lucky) for Z amount of dollars, you will be in some sort of XYZ hurtbag.

I had never been so scared in my life. When the stampede reached my department (near the back of the store), it had been all of 2.2 seconds since the doors opened. (Not to be outdone by physics, the accompanying trail of saliva still attached to the corner of their seething mouths somehow reached us first.)

There wasn’t any time to think, let alone blink. My department supervisor would later admit that, from time to time, he’s had employees literally freeze up. No joke. They had to be taken to the break room to recoup. But it’s entirely understandable. Had half of Fargo’s television news media not been there recording every move, I could’ve fallen by the wayside.

Not me, though. I wore my “blues” proud that day. Sure, I kind of wished I had been born with more arms, but, after the initial rush, the legions of zealous shoppers were ushered into a checkout line that wrapped around the entire store.

The cattle had had their day. Now it was time for them to queue up. Moo?

But this triumphant feeling soon fizzled. Sure, I was free enough, standing in my own space, but then the glares hit me. I knew what they were thinking: “If only you had moved a little faster, I would’ve gotten that cheap digital camera or that cheap memory card or....”

They didn’t appreciate the fact that I had busted my butt. No, all they could imagine was just how fast I could’ve moved.

Their faces said, “Black Friday is your one day to transcend your human form, Matt. Channel that inner mutant.”

Mouthing “I tried my best” or “I’m just one man” or “Yes, I agree, my mother should have enjoyed some Morgan Park water back in ‘82” wasn’t going to cut it — and that’s exactly why I had to retire from the game.

Matthew R. Perrine is the Budgeteer’s news clerk/reporter. He can be reached at 723-1207 or mperrine@duluthbudgeteer.com.

*******

This concludes the first installment of my new series, THE RECYCLER: OLD STORIES MADE NEW AGAIN! (All hail the almighty Slate!)

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Just another reason to hate the Red Hot Chili Peppers

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are suing Showtime over the name of one of its latest shows, "Californication."

As you probably already know, that was the name given to the group's first foray into "suckitude," the 1999 album and single "Californication." (Let's face it; 1995's "One Hot Minute" was the lone decent release in the band's catalog -- but most of that credit should probably be directed at former Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro, who was only a member of RHCP for the one album.)

Even more shameless is RHCP frontman Anthony Kiedis' statement on this whole matter: "'Californication' is the signature CD, video and song of the band's career, and for some TV show to come along and steal our identity is not right."

Cry me a river, sellout!

Full story here: http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Music/11/20/redhotchili.peppers.ap/index.html

Monday, November 19, 2007

Don't Tell a Soul, Vol. 55: THE OWLS ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM

Submitted for the approval of the Twin Ports Awesome Mix Tape Appreciation Society (wanna join?) ... the latest installment of "Don't Tell a Soul."

As always, to encourage the consumption of music that doesn't suck, I have provided -- wherever available -- links to free, artist-sanctioned MP3s of the songs.

Snoqualmie!

Matt


(Questions? Comments? Want one of your band's songs to be considered for an upcoming awesome mix tape? E-mail mperrine [at] duluthbudgeteer [dot] com.)

*******

1. Eels - "Dog Faced Boy" ("Skywriting" available here)
True story: "E" knows how to rock it.

2. Mac Lethal - "Jihad!" (some great MP3s available at Lethalville.com)
As does Mac. -> Lazerbreak's sweetass trunk-fulla-amps production and crafty shout-outs to Mitch Hedberg certainly don't hurt, either. (More thoughts on this song here.)

3. Rebekah Higgs - "Mr. Weatherman" (other songs available here)
Wasn't the White Stripes/Holly Golightly collab "Well It's True That We Love One Another" just dandy? If you concur, then step ahead and join the "Rebekah Higgs is a lovely, lovely thing" party forming ever so rapidly.

4. Fin - "This is My Heart"
Guitar!!! Solo!!! Yes!!!

5. What Made Milwaukee Famous - "Sweet Lady" (listen here)
Easily one of the top 20 finest songs ever recorded ... what's not to love with WMMF's uncanny knack for irresistible bouncy anthems?

6. Burden Brothers - "Your Fault"
Although some aren't aware of this, the (first) dissolution of the Toadies was just the beginning of Vaden Todd Lewis long and illustrious career as Texas' leading gee-tar man.

7. Cinerama - "Apres Ski"
Songs don't get much prettier than those conceived by the genius mind of David Gedge (also of the Wedding Present).

8. The Clash - "Spanish Bombs"
I wonder what all the snot-nosed punks were thinking when this came out.... I wish I was alive in '79 to see their faces!

9. The Rentals - "Please Let That Be You" (video here)
Hey, remember when Moog was god?! Sometimes I miss '95.... But, hey, I just learned something cool today: This song is a reworking of a Weezer demo Matt Sharp wrote called "Mrs. Young."

10. Electric Light Orchestra - "Daybreaker"
I HEART ELO. AIN'T NONE HIGHER. NO JOKE. SO DON'T TAKE IT AS ONE.

11. The Who - "Do You Think it's Alright?" (live at the Isle of Wight Festival, 1970)
Though the Who is a close second (or third, after the Pixies ... you know, to be honest, I think I have a new favorite band every goddamn day!).

12. Rogue Wave - "Seasick on Land" (other classics here) (and here!)
Yes, Rogue Wave has also been known to be in my "top five." Snappy little tunes they produce, eh?

13. Ash - "There's a Star" (album vers.) (see video here)
Another true story: This gorgeous track appeared on one of the five lovely (yet still awesome) mix tapes I made for my wedding celebration. (Which was held in McGregor, Minn., of all places!)

14. Storyhill - "What was Wrong"
I really dig the lyric "You left the same station on / To static / All night long." So memorable, in fact, that it stood out during the duo's recent performance at Weber Music Hall on the campus of the University of Minnesota Duluth (aka one of the best concerts mine eyes have ever witnessed).

15. Saturday Looks Good to Me - "Make a Plan"
Do Quentin Tarantino soundtracks turn you on? Well, the music these guys kick up kind of sounds like all of them rolled into one: Classy, yet not without a slight edge.

16. Golden Dogs - "Dynamo" (listen here)
Indie rock at its finest, yet (there's that word again...) it could almost work on the next installment of "Guitar Hero." I'm always looking out for that sort of thing ... as if they'd actually let a stupidass blogger help them make those (kind of, sort of) tough decisions!

17. Liam Finn - "Second Chance"
Liam Finn = 1/3 Neal Peterson + 2/3 Cinerama. Intriguing stuff here -> must find more.

18. Hum - "Green to Me" (watch video and download a whole lot here)
I *sob* saw these guys on their *sob sob* farewell tour. *sob sob sob* (Seriously, will there ever be another band this freakin' cool? I haven't really followed the group members' respective solo careers, so perhaps there is one already out there. Do you think?)

19. Camper Van Beethoven - "Pictures of Matchstick Men" (Status Quo cover) (DL a few tracks here)
Stoner anthem meets "Brokeback Mountain" soundtrack (well before its time). Congrats, David Lowery, only you (or a member of the Pixies) could pull off something that surprising in 1989. p.s. Can you believe this was a No. 1 hit for CVB when it came out?

20. Scissor Sisters - "Music is the Victim"
I never thought the Scissor Sisters' brand of disco/rock fusion would ever appeal to me as much as it does, but consider me a convert: I love this shit!

21. Lookdown Moon - "Plastic Trumpet"
It was a very, very good year for the local scene. For fans of the Geraldine Fibbers (at least this one). BONUS! (SCORE!): An interview with Lookdown Moon's Ann Loop.

22. Angelo Badalamenti feat. Julee Cruise - "Falling" (hear a sample here)
Not to get too into the (true) holiday spirit or anything, but there needs to be only one item on your Christmas list: "Twin Peaks: The Definitive Gold Box Edition." If you can ignore the stupid cover design (a crappy homage to "The Wizard of Oz"?), you're in for 10 discs of unparalleled bliss.

23. The Amps - "First Revival" (live MP3 here)
I just love Kim Deal's original name for her post-Breeders group: Tammy and the Amps. (Cool, too, is the rumor is that Robert Pollard suggested it to her.)

Sunday, November 18, 2007

Don't Tell a Soul, Vol. 54: THAT WISCONSIN CD

Submitted for the approval of the Twin Ports Awesome Mix Tape Appreciation Society (wanna join?) ... the latest installment of "Don't Tell a Soul."

As always, to encourage the consumption of music that doesn't suck, I have provided -- wherever available -- links to free, artist-sanctioned MP3s of the songs.

Today's mix tape is a collection of the finest rock 'n' roll Wisconsin has to offer. I hope you discover a new favorite band or two.


Forward!

Matt


(Questions? Comments? Want one of your band's songs to be considered for an upcoming awesome mix tape? E-mail mperrine [at] duluthbudgeteer [dot] com.)

*******

1. Garbage - "I Think I'm Paranoid"
Hails from: Madison, though singer Shirley Manson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Sounds like: highly refined "alternative."

2. Brother Ali - "Truth Is"
Hails from: Madison (moved to Minneapolis at age 15). Sounds like: the best damn albino "indieground" rapper you'll ever come across. BONUS! (SCORE!): Click here for my review of Brother Ali's latest, "The Undisputed Truth."

3. El Oso - "Tonight's Now Tomorrow"
Hails from: Milwaukee. Sounds like: a lighter, fluffier Grandaddy (or maybe an American Gorky's Zygotic Mynci?).

4. Steve Miller Band - "Serenade"
Hails from: Waukesha. Sounds like: blues rock in the key of "classic."

5. Josh Harty - "Last Known Address" (listen here)
Hails from: Fargo, but his *ahem* last known address was Madison (Harty recently relocated to the Chicago area). Sounds like: folk rock with a hint of early gospel influence. BONUS! (SCORE!): As it turns out, Harty is also a very nice man. (He let me interview him.)

6. Violent Femmes - "Out of the Window"
Hails from: Milwaukee. Sounds like: hey, they could be Canadian (?).

7. The Buffali - "Sophie" (listen here)
Hails from: Madison. Sounds like: (I've said it a million times but...) deee-ranged indie pop.

8. Sleeping in the Aviary - "Another Girl"
Hails from: Madison. Sounds like: rambunctious indie rock 'n' roll not unlike Weezer's demos for "Weezer." Or, as the band puts it, "the best three-piece since Grand Funk." Amen.

9. New Sense - "What If I Get Sick"
Hails from: Milwaukee. Sounds like: a cross between Deckard and Deathray (aka music to drive to parties to ... whatever that means).

10. Youngblood Brass Band - "Culture:Envy:War" (some MP3s available here)
Hails from: Madison. Sounds like: Galactic, but more college-y/frat boy-friendly. (Hint: The group's original name was "One Lard Biskit.")

11. Five Mod Four - "I'm the Funniest Person You Know"
Hails from: Milwaukee. Sounds like: the Wrens (they did release a split with that group in '04, after all).

12. Citizen King - "Safety Pin"
Hails from: Milwaukee. Sounds like: half-annoying, half-brilliant space-cadet rock. Like a subdued version of the K.G.B., if you will.

13. Spill - "I Don't Mind"
Hails from: Milwaukee. Sounds like: umm ... an even-more-Americanized Bush? Good ol' earnest rock 'n' roll, I guess is the best way to describe 'em.

14. QuinnElizabeth - "Day You Die" (listen here)
Hails from: Eau Claire. Sounds like: if the walls of Red Mug could talk.... BONUS! (SCORE!): I too have an article on these three lovely ladies.

15. Rainer Maria - "There Will Be No Night" ("The Double Life" MP3 available here)
Hails from: Madison (later Brooklyn). Sounds like: a more-feminine Cheer Up Poems.

16. Northern Room - "We're on Fire"
Hails from: Milwaukee. Sounds like: extremely polished (but pleasant) modern rock. Funny fact: Has opened for Bon Jovi.

17. Decibully - "Penny, Look Down"
Hails from: Milwaukee. Sounds like: definitely not what you'd think (for some reason the Audio Bullys keep coming to mind...). The misleadingly named Decibully actually peddles a refreshing sound that's as invigorating as anything my beloved supergroup the New Pornographers has dreamed up.

18. Number One Fan - "Come On"
Hails from: Appleton. Sounds like: dreamy mall punk that somehow doesn't make me want to say "Ugh, gag me with a spoon."

19. Stephanie Rearick - "Hymn" (listen here)
Hails from: Madison. Sounds like: an oftentimes brilliant chartreuse (would make for a sufficient Julee Cruise replacement).

20. No Longer Micah - "Removal of Apathy"
Hails from: Milwaukee. Sounds like: I'm drawing a blank, but there are four groups Download.com is insisting they sound like: Pedro the Lion, Low, Death Cab for Cutie and Sunny Day Real Estate. I really don't hear the Low comparison, but the other three are fairly accurate.

21. Jerry Harrison - "Flying Under Radar"
Hails from: Milwaukee (though he later made a name for himself in the Modern Lovers and the Talking Heads). Sounds like: a bloated attempt at recapturing that Talking Heads magic -- though, somehow, his solo stuff kind of grows on you.

22. Maritime - "Calm"
(download others here!)
23. The Promise Ring - "Happy Hour" (DL some classics here) (and here!)
24. Mark Mallman and Vermont - "Too Hot" (listen here)
It's the ... Davey von Bohlen trilogy! Something must be in that Milwaukee water (besides beer, asshole!), for von Bohlen's gone on to form a handful of the best bands to ever grace my awesome mix tapes -- even, strangely, singing on the Jimmy Eat World song "A Praise Chorus." (I just learned that today, so I hope it's true....)

Friday, November 16, 2007

This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug: Beer, organs, killer seagulls and Eyedea & Abilities!

Strange combo, eh?

Nevertheless, before heading out to Cinema Lounge tonight at the Tech Village, give these beasts a shot:

"Spitfire: An Intimate Conversation with Eyedea" -- The E&A crew is back with a new tour, "Appetite for Distraction," and it's coming to Duluth!

"Please Read Responsibly: Doug Hoverson's 'Land of Amber Waters'" -- Think you can't learn anything from books anymore? Try this one on for size: Olde English was originally brewed in Duluth ... how's that for a bombshell?

"Bringing People Together with (Organ) Music" -- It's like "Guitar Hero" but with a lot more keys....

And, finally, an outtake from a recent photo shoot: "The Birds III: Canal Park Feeding Frenzy" (aka "When Seagulls Attack!"). (Do you appreciate the silliness as much as I do ... do ya?)

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Duluth artists, this is a call to all

This is a really good cause, so, if you have anything (at all) to contribute, please drop Jeff a line at Black Umbrella Books.

Duluth Homeless Youth Need You!!!

Life House, a one-stop resource center for low-income, homeless Duluth youth, is hosting a Silent Auction fundraiser Thursday, November 29, 2007, to help raise funds for homeless kids.

Life House provides a safe place for youth on the streets. They provide a warm meal, a safe place to hang out, and caring staff who build relationships with teens who may have nowhere else to go. The Life House Youth Center, located in downtown Duluth across from Sammy's Pizza, provides housing, education, employment, mental health, and teen parent programs to assist low-income, homeless youth in transitioning out of homelessness and off the streets.

LIFE HOUSE IS AT A CRITICAL POINT -- The Youth Center needs to raise funds to cover operating costs and to keep its doors open. HERE IS WHERE YOU CAN HELP...

DONATE YOUR ART FOR THE SILENT AUCTION AND HELP SAVE KIDS ON THE STREETS!!

The event will be held at Life House (102 West First Street) on Thursday, November 29, from 4-7pm. There will be an opportunity over the lunch hour that day (Noon - 1pm) to take a sneak peek at the items available for auction. That afternoon, the event will begin at 4.30pm and will include live music, food, and a chance to tour Life House and hear from the youth who use its services. The auction will conclude at 6.30pm.

ARTISTS: Not only will your donation assist a worthy local agency in maintaining its services to a needy community, but also it's a chance for you, as members of a local community yourselves, to bring attention to the Duluth art scene, and yourselves among it! Accompanying each item will be a brief description of the item, the artist who donated it, and contact information (if desired) as a means for future artist connections.

If you are interested in participating in this worthy cause, or if you have further questions about Life House or the event, please reply to this post and I will contact you ASAP.

NOTE: WE NEED THE ITEMS FOR THE AUCTION NO LATER THAN FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23, TO ASSURE PROPER SET-UP FOR THE EVENT.

I know this is short notice, but I will be around all this Thanksgiving, and I can meet anyone, anywhere (within reason, of course) to pick up the items, if they so choose. Elsewise, arrangements may be made to drop off the items at Life House Youth Center before November 23.

If you cannot give, feel free to attend the event and get to know Life House in your community. But if you can give...

PLEASE CONSIDER GIVING WHERE IT COUNTS THIS THANKSGIVING, AND HELP KEEP KIDS OFF THE STREETS!!!

Thank you.

~Text courtesy of the Life House Youth Center, photo by me

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Don't Tell a Soul, Vol. 53: We live in the city, but our heart's elsewhere

Submitted for the approval of the Twin Ports Awesome Mix Tape Appreciation Society (wanna join?) ... the latest installment of "Don't Tell a Soul."

As always, to encourage the consumption of music that doesn't suck, I have provided -- wherever available -- links to free, artist-sanctioned MP3s of the songs.

To facilitate your enjoyment of this particular, especially awesome (and exceedingly private) mix tape, here's a hint: These 22 tracks are best enjoyed on a solitary road trip in the autumn time down to Chippewa Falls and/or Eau Claire. (Additional hint: Whilst in the proximity of the Chippewa Valley, why not enjoy a little exercise and tour the nation's seventh-oldest brewery?)


Sunset Wheat!

Matt

(Questions? Comments? Want one of your band's songs to be considered for an upcoming awesome mix tape? E-mail mperrine [at] duluthbudgeteer [dot] com.)

*******

1. The Plastic Constellations - "Davico"
2. Splitsville - "Forever"
3. George Harrison - "Ballad of Sir Frankie Crisp (Let it Roll)"
4. Pinback - "Good to Sea" (some MP3s available here)
5. Hum - "Ms. Lazarus" (plethora of MP3s available here)
6. Mason Jennings - "Darkness Between the Fireflies"
7. Unified Theory - "Wither"
8. Lookdown Moon - "Bowie Song"
9. Built to Spill - "Reasons"
10. Frank Black - "Village of the Sun"
11. The Julies - "Drive Me Mad"
12. Camper Van Beethoven - "51-7"
13. Oasis - "The Girl in the Dirty Shirt"
14. Dashboard Confessional - "Fever Dreams" (MP3s from DC's more-generous labelmates here)
15. Fitzgerald - "How Far North?" (here too)
16. Jerry Cantrell - "Between"
17. Moist - "Resurrection"
18. Taylor Hawkins & the Coattail Riders - "Wasted Energy" (listen here)
19. R.E.M. - "Make it All Okay"
20. The Beach Boys - "I Know There's an Answer" ("Pet Sounds" buddy icons!!!)
21. Nada Surf - "What is Your Secret?" (some excellent MP3s available here)
22. Soul Asylum - "See You Later"

A&E FYI: Fruitcakes for funny, or: Renegade hosts second annual holiday party

Renegade Comedy Theatre begins the holiday season with its second annual holiday party from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. (Admission is free, but donations will be taken at the door.)

The goal of the evening is to raise funds to help support Renegade Comedy Theatre and its many programs, including Out of the Hat, the Renegade Radio Hour, a full slate of original and scripted comedies in its mainstage season and Tugboat Children’s Theatre – which features adult performers staging shows specifically for kids and their families.

There will be a “noisy” silent auction, a celebrity fruitcake cook-off and live entertainment from Renegade. The holiday party is sponsored by Cub Foods.

Doors will open at 6 p.m., with a social hour full of free food and drinks. There will be opportunities throughout the evening to put your bids in on great items in the Renegade Noisy Silent Auction. (You will have to be there to see how a noisy silent auction works....)

At 7 p.m., the Celebrity Fruitcake Cook Off will begin, as George Kessler, Mayor Herb Bergson, Mayor-Elect Don Ness and other local celebrities vie for the title of Yummiest Fruitcake – as determined by members of the audience.

Finally, at 8 p.m., the entertainment will begin as members of Renegade and Tugboat perform scenes from the past season. There will also be a free sneak peek at the brand-new Holiday Comedy Revue titled “Walkin’ in a Bergson Wonderland, or: I’ll Be Herb for Christmas.”

WHO: Renegade Comedy Theatre
WHAT: Holiday party fund-raiser
WHERE: Teatro Zuccone, 222 E. Superior St., downtown Duluth
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m.
INFO: (218) 722-6775, (888) 722-6627, www.renegadecomedy.org

~Image and text courtesy of Renegade Comedy Theatre

A&E FYI: My Bloody Valentine reunion confirmed

It's true. Album and all. Kevin Shields said so.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Help Paste lose a lot of money!

In the tradition of Radiohead's "In Rainbows," Paste (yes, the uber-hip magazine that comes with a free CD each month) is offering up a "Pay What You Want" (minimum $1) promotion. Snatch it up before they get some sense!

Friday, November 9, 2007

Don't Tell a Soul, Vol. 52: I'd rather ride in the car by my goddamn self

Submitted for the approval of the (nonexistent) Twin Ports Awesome Mix Tape Appreciation Society ... the 52nd installment of "Don't Tell a Soul."

As always, to encourage the consumption of music that doesn't suck, I have provided -- wherever available -- links to free, artist-sanctioned MP3s of the songs.

Before I forget: Original photo by Sarah R. Perrine -- from Haleakala National Park -- design by me, per usual.

Chips Ahoy!
Matt

(Questions? Comments? Want one of your band's songs to be considered for an upcoming awesome mix tape? E-mail mperrine [at] duluthbudgeteer [dot] com.)

1. Mac Lethal - "Calm Down Baby" (other MP3s available here)
OK, the cat's out of the bag ... my thoughts on "11:11," this Kansas City MC's Rhymesayers debut: "Party album of the year. Hands down."

2. Faith No More - "Midlife Crisis"
Sometimes I love Pawn America: only three bucks for an only-slightly-bent-out-of-shape copy of "Angel Dust" ... yes!

3. Cake - "Never, Never Gonna Give You Up" (Barry White cover) (listen here)
Interesting "factoid" on Cake's Web site: "Just 38 percent of Radiohead fans paid for the latest album, according to data recently supplied by comScore. The band allowed fans to name their price for the downloadable release, 'In Rainbows,' a closely watched experiment. While most fans grabbed the album for nothing, a significant percentage paid modest amounts. According to the data, 17 percent paid an average of $4 for the album, while 12 percent paid between $8 and $12."

4. M. Ward - "Bean Vine Blues #2" (John Fahey cover)
Holy smokes, this is a veritable white light riot!

5. Dear Machine, - "Keep Me Me"
Sadly, Dear Machine, (sic) is no longer BUT the group's frontman is still kicking ass under his own name: Jason Shannon.

6. They Shoot Horses Don't They - "A Place Called L.A."
Best band name ever! (Though I just found out there's a 1969 Sydney Pollack film of the same name....)

7. The High Strung - "Truce"
Friendly reminder from the "happy hardcore" High Strung: PLEASE TURN THE VOLUME UP.

8. Anna Fermin's Trigger Gospel - "Romance" (listen here)
Paging Molly & the Heymakers.... <- Hayward's finest!

9. Six Mile Grove - "Hollywood" (listen here)
These alt-country* torchbearers are great, but, before I go any further, an ... A&E FYI: Six Mile Grove's frontman, Brandon Sampson, will perform a solo set at 8 p.m. Dec. 28 at Fitger's Brewhouse. Check it out.

10. The Who - "Substitute" (live at the Isle of Wight Festival, 1970)
I just saw "Annie Hall" last night. Nothing to do with this song 'cept a classic is a classic.

11. Pearl Jam - "Leash" (live at the Gorge, July 2006)
America's greatest rock 'n' roll band! Rediscovered only recently by a fan from way back....

12. Dexys Midnight Runners - "Geno"
Did you know there was life beyond "Come on Eileen" for Dexys** Midnight Runners? I certainly didn't; not until I stumbled upon this amazing track on a bargain-bin new wave compilation I purchased at the Electric Fetus for [PRICE REMOVED FOR THE SAKE OF THE ARTIST ... JUST IN CASE, YOU KNOW, I EVER MOVE TO THAT PARALLEL UNIVERSE WHERE '80S HAS-BEENS ACTUALLY READ MY SILLY LITTLE BLOG], that is.

13. Marah - "The Closer"
America's second-greatest rock 'n' roll band? (Wilco is also a strong contender for this "post.")

14. The Wannadies - "Easier to Sing"
UMD, freshman year, '01/'02. I have a roommate = Johan. That's right; Swedish. So, what happens to him when he gets back to his home country? I hit him up for all those hard-to-find-in-the-States Wanndies releases. <- I LOVE LIFE.

15. Datarock - "Computer Camp Love" (listen here)
OK, here's my kind-of-sort-of-sounds-like comparison shopper: P.O.S. (by way of Blueprint's "naughtiness") fronting TV on the Radio for a "Grease" soundtrack retread ... phew.

16. Bangers & Cash (Spank Rock and Benny Blanco) - "B-O-O-T-A-Y" (listen here)
How's this for a concept album: A full-on tribute to the X-rated sounds of Miami bass greats like 2 Live Crew. Sweet.

17. Buck 65 - "1957" (listen here)
"1957" is good, damn good.

18. Apollo Sunshine - "The Egg"
There are a million bands copping the magical hum of the Beach Boys and the Beatles, but only a handful -- Apollo Sunshine included, of course -- are worth a damn.

19. Baboon - "Breaking Glass"
I feel like I can't say enough nice things about this group. Their later output is just phenomenal ... why won't you love them already?! (HA HA HA)

20. Batteries - "Recording the Stuff that You're On"
Recommended if you like My Diet Pill, Pinback and ... a million other excellent bands I can't think of right now. (Just trust me on this one, "brah.")

21. Symposium - "Disappear"
This group knows how to party: "By the end of 1999, the band left Infectious Records in protest of its new primary investor, Rupert Murdoch." (Thanks for the factoid, Wiki!)

Anyway, since the group is on extended holiday, its leader (if you will), Ross Cummins, went on to form another group, Paper Cuts, whose 13-track self-titled album is available to download for free on Last.fm.

22. Switches - "Drama Queen" (listen here)
If somebody played this for me in a "blind taste test," I would say: "That's gotta be the Dandy Warhols." Then, after minutes of bickering about the fact that it's actually Switches, I would -- again -- say, "No, you're mistaken; this is something off of the 'Thirteen Tales' album."

Point (not so subtle one that it is...): These guys sound a whole lot like the Dandys. But that's all right, 'cause the Dandys rule ... OK?

23. Rick Springfield - "I Get Excited"
You've gotta hand it to Rick Springfield; not only did he write the super smash hit of a blockbuster, "Jessie's Girl," but, for the very next album, he wrote "Jessie's Girl" again, with different lyrics, and called it "I Get Excited." Damn, what a thrifty feller! (Still, I can't resist his gorgeous pop gems.... LOL)

24. Steve Reynolds - "Intro"
(from "Exile")
I use this brief (but gorgeous) track on a lot of my mix tapes -- it provides a nice segue for a variety of tracks.

25. Pipsqueak - "Sweet Liquor"
This sounds really, really familiar ... like I wrote it in one of my dreams and the Pipsqueak dudes, like, read my mind and shit. (Yeah, boyz!!!)

*In a good way.
**Yeah, this is actually how they "prefer" it to be spelled. Hey, man, I don't mess with success! (Just Texas....)

This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug: Billings Park, CD reviews, Sunrise Survivors and ... GO, C-I, GO!

Remember: Sunday is Veterans' Day.

Until then, munch on these words, fellers:

"Dan Jandl: From the Land of Ice and Snow" -- Danny's a photographer from Crosby, Minn.; and he's kind of amazing. (I'm just tryin' to put it down for my hometown....)

"CD Reviews: New Releases from Neal Peterson, Mac Lethal and Cliff Eberhardt" -- "Yay" on Mac and Cliff. Neal still has some work to do before he receives that coveted accolade.

"Discover Duluth: Billings Park" -- True to that "in and around the region" clause in my contract, this weekend's installment of "Discover Duluth" actually comes from *ahem* Duluth's southernmost neighborhood.

Also, I had the opportunity to snap a few shots for Jana's story about the Sunrise Survivors, "Conversation, Coffee and Comfort," which was a lot of fun.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

A&E FYI: The Blood Brothers call it quits

This came through the wire today:

Dear Friends,

After 10 years of making music as The Blood Brothers, we have made the collective decision that our time together has come to an end. We feel extremely fortunate to have spent such a deeply memorable and amazing part of our lives with each other. At this point, however, we feel it's best that our futures move forward on separate paths. We'd like to express our sincerest thanks and gratitude to all the bands we've played with, individuals who have helped us make our records, and fans who have come to our shows and picked up our music throughout the years. Your friendship, support and love hold such a profoundly special place in each of our hearts. We hope that the memories you attach to our music are as fond as those you have given us. Thank you and take care, we'll miss all of you.

Love,
The Blood Brothers

If you're unfamiliar with the group's work, take a listen to the MP3s on their Web site. Thanks for keeping us in the loop, Nasty Little Man.

(Photo courtesy of Nathan Martin.)

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

A&E FYI: Angie Stevens to perform at Beaner's Thursday night

That's right; Denver songstress Angie Stevens will return to Beaner's Central tomorrow night.

The lowdown:
Cincinnati's Jack Redell and South African-born singer/songwriter Gregory Alan Isakov open. Show's at 7. Cost is $5. For more information, visit www.angiestevens.com.

To read what I had to say about her "Stand Up Girl" EPs -- which I wrote in conjunction with her last visit to the Twin Ports -- click here.

Got any hot A&E tips? E-mail mperrine [at] duluthbudgeteer [dot] com. (Remember, sharing keeps hell hot!)

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

MIX TAPE REVIEW: CMJ New Music Monthly Issue 151

Each month's CMJ New Music Monthly (aka "The Best Magazine You Ever Heard") includes a handy-dandy mix tape, and each month I review its contents.* (Or at least have the best intentions to.... LOL)

(Links to free, artist-sanctioned MP3s
provided wherever available.)

1. Beirut - "A Sunday Smile"
Right away I thought Rufus Wainwright knockoff, but, then, "artsy-fartsy" quickly came to mind. Like the group's earlier records, I think they're going for that "recommended if you like Neutral Milk Hotel" point of reference a little too much.

2. PJ Olsson - "A.D.D. (People Stop Running)" (listen here)
From the man who brought us the delectable "The Whistle Song" comes another safe-for-even-gramma pop shiner. (In the best way possible, of course.)

3. Castanets - "This is the Early Game"
Sleepy, country-tinged Bob Dylan throwback ... pass.

4. Eldar - "I Remember When"
Oh, boy, a "magical" piano odyssey ... ugh. For fans of Vanessa Carlton or Keri Noble -- but you can forget about all the sass and I'm-cuter-than-thou 'tude.

5. Mud - "Should've Known" (listen here)
Hey, remember the mid-'90s, when every single female-fronted group sounded like Compulsion? Well, so does Mud.... Heck, even the band's name is unimaginative! (I'm sorry to sound so bitter tonight, but I've heard better CMJ mix tapes. Much better.)

6. Mason Proper - "Life's Cornucopia"** (some MP3s available here)
Now we're onto something. Fresh off a performance at the Monolith Festival at Red Rocks (where they were joined by personal faves Cloud Cult), Mason Proper is quickly becoming the new indieground "it" band. And I can see why; this has "Don't Tell a Soul" written all over its beautiful melodies and moody, midtempo atmospherics.

7. The Dirty Secrets - "Five Feet of Snow"
Hey, what do you know? Just in time for the Northland's first display of "the white stuff." Recommended if you like the Killers -- and I really, really mean that. One smarmy question, though: A Killers knockoff group ... so soon?

Nevermind, disregard that last comment: I'm really starting to dig "Five Feet of Snow." I don't want the Dirty Secrets hating yours truly from the get-go.

8. The Forms - "Red Gun"
For fans of Pinback or any one of Rob Crow's assorted outfits. Pretty decent.

9. Blood Red Sun - "All at Once" (listen here)
The best of early-'80s pop rock meets the best of late-'90s college rock. Rick Springfield meets Creeper Lagoon, if you will. I'm impressed so far.

10. Little Birdy - "Come On, Come On" (listen here)
Timing reminiscent of early Weezer, and the synths are warm and inviting, but the female vocalist is a little too cover band-sounding. She needs to do a little more to stand out, I guess.

11. Ben Jelen - "Where Do We Go" (listen here)
Jelen is a talented singer/songwriter for sure, but a little too safe and predictable for my tastes. (The strings are a nice touch, though.)

12. The Shapes - "Escape from New York"** (some MP3s available here)
Yes! The raw rock 'n' roll sound w/o all of that unnecessary bloodshed. (Coming soon on an upcoming "DTAS," believe you me.)

13. Tulipomania - "The Bum"
This is awful ... just awful. I don't even know what they're going for -> it's that awful.

14. Demetra - "Beam Me Up (Scotty)"** (some MP3s available here)
Remember what I said about Little Birdy's singer? Take that and multiply it by, like ... a lot.

15. The Panda Band - "Sleepy Little Deathtoll Town"
Very cool -- I'm in love with the Panda Band! Like the Weakerthans, the Eels and fellow countrymen Augie March combined, but much, much poppier. My new favorite group of Aussies (well, after the Avalanches, that is).

16. Shotgun Honeymoon - "13" (listen here)
If INXS was reinvented as an indie rock group. (I know; it's like, Whoa, what's with all the Australia references?! he he he)

17. Fruitkey - "Stand" (listen here)
OK, remember what I wrote about Mud. (No, it's not what you're thinking....) This, too, has mid-'90s female-fronted action revival written all over it, but Fruitkey does so by way of the Amps/the Breeders/Throwing Muses. Much, much cooler.

18. Macon Greyson - "Minnesota Weather Map" (listen here)
Pandering to the locals -- both by composition title and by the fact that this kind of sounds like a bad Mr. Highway 61 impersonator fronting a less-quirky Giljunko (early Little Black Books, perhaps?).

19. Biography of Ferns - "John the Barber"*** (pictured)
Definitive "DTAS" fodder. This group definitely has a lot of potential.

20. Eskimo Joe - "Black Fingernails Red Wine" (listen here)
For fans of the Standard, late-period R.E.M., Live (before they really started sucking...).

21. The Matt Truman Ego Trip - "Industry Standard"** (listen here)
Hey, you like "Nuggets"? Really, you do??

22. Modico - "Hills"** (free MP3s here)
Sort of aggressive power pop straight outta Oklahoma.

23. Two Loons for Tea - "Marietta"
All you need to know: On the Two Loons for Tea Web site, you'll find a contest called "Show the World Your Monkey." Do you really even want to know? Not really....

*And, no, I'm not kidding ... this is my life. (However sad it is!)
**Denotes OurStage contest winner.
***Denotes CMJ SonicBids Spotlight winner.

Monday, November 5, 2007

Don't Tell a Soul, Vol. 51: A world begins where the road ends

Hey there. Hi there. Ho there!

This right here is the latest installment of "Don't Tell a Soul." Like those that came before it, it is a mix tape of the "most awesome-est" caliber ... and I only wish I were kidding.

Like usual, to encourage the consumption of music that doesn't suck, I have provided -- wherever available -- links to free, artist-sanctioned MP3s of the songs.

Also, too, please be advised that I am, first and foremost, a dumbass.

Mahalo!
Matt

(Questions? Comments? Want one of your band's songs to be considered for an upcoming awesome mix tape? E-mail mperrine [at] duluthbudgeteer [dot] com.)


1. Northern State - "Better Already"
The girls in Northern State are "all grown up," returning with a sound influenced by (as far as I hear it) the post-punk sheen of Seattle's Pretty Girls Make Graves.

2. Sloan - "The Best Part of Your Life"
The late-period-Beatles worship never ends with these guys, but that's OK because -- let's face it -- Sloan's early affinity for American grunge music was only going to get them so far. (To get this "Never Hear the End of It" bonus track, sign up for a free "My Stash" account at YepRoc.com.)

3. Nada Surf - "See These Bones"
If this leadoff single is any indication of what we can expect from its respective album, "Lucky" may as well be renamed "The Weight is a Gift, Pt. 2." Hey, there's still time ... the album's not supposed to ship until '08. (These comments may come across as "jerky," but, believe you me, I have all the love in the world for Nada Surf ... I'm just saying that if any Nada Surf album should have a sequel, it's "The Proximity Effect." That album all but got me through 2002.)

4. New Pornographers - "Showstoppers" (demo vers.)
That's how talented these Great White North guys (and gal) are: This is almost more invigorating than the final, polished-up studio version.

5. Frank Black and the Catholics - "Somethings I Can't Get Used To"
Why ever was this perfectly beautiful rocker relegated to being-on-an-album-hardly-anyone-has-ever-heard status? (Hint: Do yourself a favor and seek out "Snake Oil.")

6. The Standard - "You Will"
Underrated to the most tragic extreme. In a perfect/McMatt(hew R.) world....

7. Foghat - "Terraplane Blues"
Dearest people who select the songs I rock out to on "Guitar Hero": "Slow Ride" was definitely the highlight of "Legends of Rock," but will you not consider this out-of-this-world cosmic groover for the next installment of your ever-so-awesome game series?

By the by: Is there a support group I can join ... maybe one created for people who enjoy pretending to be rock gods a little too much? I mean, I kind of sprained my wrist trying to beat Rage Against the Machine's* Tom Morello on the "hard" setting this weekend -- that ain't right.

8. The Darkness - "English Country Garden"
(listen here)
Oh, and while you're at it, why don't you stop hating the Darkness and also include this heavenly rocker on "Guitar Hero IV: Half of Yous Guys Buying These Games are Probably Bitter Rock Critics Who Never Learned How to Play a Real Instrument."

9. John Fogerty - "Don't You Wish it was True"
10. Eddie Vedder - "Far Behind"
Hey, Billy Corgan, these two songs are proof that solo albums don't have to suck.

Bitter? Who's bitter?!

(p.s. You'll probably be hearing this a lot in the coming weeks, but "Far Behind" may be the greatest song recorded since "Intervention." It'll be a dead heat between Arcade Fire and Ed Ved come the end of the record-buying year.)


11. Les Savy Fav - "Comes and Goes"
(listen to some LSF tunes here)
Les Savy Fav may not be the most consistent band, but, man, when they're on, they're on. That said, "Comes and Goes" does not -- by any means -- rock. It's more of an experiment in "balladry." Very, very interesting.

12. Okkervil River - "Unless it's Kicks" (listen here)
I don't know where this "new" Okkervil River came from, but I sure am grateful. (For whatever reason, I could never seem to get into "Black Sheep Boy.")

13. Tangier 57 - "Beethoven Five"
From communist Duluth with love.

Err, I mean: It's not a band, it's a vibe.


14. Atmosphere - "Lyndale Avenue User's Manual"
Slug ... Ant: Do either of you two ever sleep?

15. Thurston Moore - "Fri/End"
This brings me right back to "A Thousand Leaves." (p.s. Did anyone else see Sonic Youth touring for that album in Minneapolis -- with Helium opening?)

16. The 1900s - "When I Say Go"
(listen here)
Piano-y goodness. Amen.

17. Fitzgerald - "And All I Got was this Lousy T-Shirt"
(some free MP3s here)
So far my favorite Pawn America "find" this year. Every single Fitzgerald track is infectious (in the good way ... not in the Holiday Center way).

18. Stars - "Midnight Coward"
(listen here)
Stars sit alone on a planet not all that close to Earth ... kind of like Space Boy, if you think about it.

19. Broken Social Scene presents ... Kevin Drew - "Fucked-Up Kid"
(listen here)
Kevin Drew doesn't need that "Broken Social Scene presents ..." before his name; his music has the legs to stand on its own. "Aww...." (How cute, I know. LOL)

20. Radiohead - "Faust Arp"
Personally, the jury's still out on "In Rainbows," but this one at least caught my attention right away.

21. Electrelane - "To the East"
Is it impossible to be both epic and laidback at the same time?

22. Band of Horses - "Is There a Ghost?"
I wasn't trying to be cheesy or anything, but I listened to this record on repeat this Halloween. What a killer song. It's like one part Built to Spill and two parts My Morning Jacket -> how great is that?

*I purposely chose not to associate his highness with the mediocre "pap" that is Audioslave.

A&E FYI: UWS opens theater season with black comedy ‘The Dead Guy’

University Theatre at the University of Wisconsin-Superior is set to open its 2007-2008 season with the black comedy “The Dead Guy,” by Eric Coble.

The show will be staged Nov. 8-10 and 16-17 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 18 at 2 p.m.

All performances will take place in the Manion Theater, located in the Holden Fine and Applied Arts Center on Catlin Avenue and Nineteenth Street on the UWS campus. (For maps and directions to campus, click here.)

“The Dead Guy,” which contains adult language and situations, is a new script that takes a satirical look at reality television by following the ultimate premise for a show: find a “loser,” give him a million dollars to spend however he’d like in one week, then, at the end of that week, have viewers decide on the best way to kill him on live television.

This show features a unique collaboration between University Theatre and University Video Production. There will be live television cameras following the action onstage and projecting moments from the show up on a live television monitor.

Tickets for all University Theatre productions are $10 for adults, $8 for students and $1 for UWS students with a valid ID. Discount rates of $5 per person are available for groups of 10 or more.

All tickets can be reserved by calling the University Box Office at (715) 394-8380.

University Theatre is a co-curricular activity of the Department of Communicating Arts Department of the University of Wisconsin-Superior.

~Image and text courtesy of University Theatre. Photo information: Reality TV makes your dreams come true, or so Eldon Phelps (Greg Anderson) believes as he finds himself in Disneyland with two hookers (Amanda Hanson and Katharine Wallin) in this scene from “The Dead Guy,” opening Thursday at UWS.

Friday, November 2, 2007

This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug: Three sweet (supersweet!) CDs and some assorted odds and ends

Hey there. Hi there. Ho there.

Just a friendly reminder that tonight, at Thirsty Pagan in Superior, the Buffali will be playing a set at 8. (The Buffali are coming? ... The Buffali are coming!)

Anywho, here's how I spent my week:

"CD Reviews: Three Albums that will Restore Your Faith in Recorded Sound"
-- As far as records go, you have to give it up for Best Friends Forever's "Romance Conflict Adventure," Buck 65's "Saturation" and the Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank's "Sing!" What a good week to be an album reviewer!

I also did some photos for "Elections Right Around the Corner" and "Deer Hunters Out in Force this Weekend"* -- and my Web story "DECC Official Responds to Parking Lot Break-Ins" is still available to read for free.

*This isn't something I support -- by any means -- but, hey, maybe my cute deer picture will turn a few hunters away from the dark side ... or not.