Monday, March 31, 2008

Watch Mark Ryan's 'Landing Lights'!

Another terrific video from Mark Ryan (aka "Lester Park's Golden Boy"). This early '80s masterpiece is ideal for helping you forget a bad day -- or just fresh snow when you were pretty sure winter was finally [EXPLETIVE DELETED]-ing over!

This Week's (Belated) Shameless Budgeteer Plug

Online anonymity is great, isn't it?

"'I'm a Lot Bigger in Minnesota than in L.A.'" :: The always-entertaining Eddie Money prepares for his April 6 tour stop in Hinckley. I, Matthew R. Perrine, don't care what they're saying on hateful sites like Perfect Duluth Day; it was an honor and a thrill to talk to the man whose music I grew up listening to!

"One-Woman Cabaret Comes to Play Ground" :: “It’s kind of an experiment in storytelling — through stories and songs both — movement and music, and putting it all into one package,” says Two Harbors resident Rachel Nelson, explaining her latest project, “Living the Questions.” (A reworked version of the story I posted on DuluthBudgeteer.com last week.)

"'Leatherheads' a Throwback to Classic Cinema" :: There is no link because, unfortunately, you won't be able to read my movie review until Friday (when the movie opens). It's a long story....

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

I (Heart) Samantha Brown

As far as geek crushes go, she's the new Tina Fey (or Jenna Fischer). In case you were wondering....

Although I have to give props to Minnesotan Andrew Zimmern, Samantha is definitely my favorite Travel Channel personality. (OK, OK; I watch her show religiously....)

~Image courtesy of Travel Channel

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

This Week's (Midweek) Shameless Budgeteer Plug: The New Roots Duo, Depot madness, Rachel Nelson, White Light Riot and ... Merle Haggard?


I know this probably seems excessive, but I don't care -- I have a lot of bonus DuluthBudgeteer.com work to share with y'all:

"Also Released: Random Records from Random Folks" :: In this online exclusive "event" -- which I hope to turn into a semi-regular series -- I review, in brief, records from Merle Haggard, Pachyderm Studio (it's a compilation, featuring the likes of favorites White Light Riot and Chris Koza) and Twin Cities act the New Roots Duo, which will be making the drive up to Duluth for an April 4 show at Beaner's Central.

"One-Woman Cabaret Comes to UWS, Play Ground" :: Rachel Nelson will perform “Living the Questions,” a one-woman cabaret of original music, storytelling, dramatic performance and spoken word, April 5 at the Play Ground.

"Discover Duluth: Leatherheads Day" :: To drum up publicity for their new film “Leatherheads,” Hollywood heavy hitters George Clooney and Renee Zellwegger made a stop in Duluth Monday. (I know I teased this yesterday, but it was so popular I thought I'd try to milk it for another 24 hours....)

Starstruck, or: The REAL Reason Everyone was at the Depot Monday

I know what you're thinking: "If I read one more account of George Clooney and Renee Zellwegger's visit to Duluth, I'm going to vomit." Rest easy, disgruntled Fly High, Duluth! reader, for today's post will probably catch you a little off guard (but it really shouldn't, because ... it's me). See, while everyone was going gaga over the Hollywood stars, I was much more excited about getting my picture taken with the Pine Journal's editor, Lisa Baumann. She's really coming into her own as a photographer*, and it's always nice to meet fellow enthusiasts -- especially when they're such great company!

*Need proof? Check out two of her current P.J. pieces, "Winter's Last Stand" -- which I love, love, love -- and this one, which nicely frames up a truck-train collision.

(Thanks for the pic, Lisa; apparently we are all made of stars!)

Monday, March 24, 2008

UMD student in Playboy contest!

I received an unexpected (to say the least) e-mail from Playboy today:

LOCAL DULUTH BEAUTY WANTS YOUR TEXT:

TOP-10 FINALIST SELECTED TO COMPETE

FOR “MISS PLAYBOY MOBILE 2008” CROWN

-- Miss Playboy Mobile Winner to Receive Crown, Sexy Photo-shoot

at World-famous Playboy Mansion, $5,000 Cash-prize --

Last month, Playboy launched a nationwide search for Miss Playboy Mobile 2008, and now Alexandra Fowler wants your text. America’s sexiest beauties had the opportunity to submit their prettiest non-nude pin-ups via MSPBM.com. After the first round of voting, 19 year-old Duluth stunner Alexandra Fowler received an overwhelming amount of texted votes, ultimately naming the petite 5’ bombshell as 1 of 10 finalists from almost 1,000 submissions nationwide. Now, Alexandra -- along with 9 other finalists -- will compete in a second round of text-based voting from March 16 through March 31; the winner will be crowned Miss Playboy Mobile 2008 during an exclusive VIP event at the Hugh Hefner Sky Villa at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas on April 2, 2008. The prize will include the inaugural Miss Playboy Mobile crown, a professional photo-shoot at the world-renowned Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, and $5,000 cash-prize. To vote for Alexandra Fowler, text "PBF182" to 67000. There is no fee for voting, but normal text-messaging rates may apply. For official rules, please visit www.mspbm.com.

Clooney and Zellwegger visit Duluth!

To celebrate this monumentous occasion, I put together a special, Web-exclusive photo gallery (dubbed "Discover Duluth: Leatherheads Day") for the Budgeteer's Web site. Check it out!

~Renee Zellwegger portrait by yours truly, Matthew R. Perrine

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Friday, March 21, 2008

First impressions of ... Mt. Wilson Repeater's self-titled debut


Not much is out there yet about Mt. Wilson Repeater's self-titled debut (which will be released April 15 on Eastern Fiction), but I do know that it is the brainchild of Jim Putnam of Merge recording artists the Radar Bros. And, since that band has always been a favorite of mine -- as you may already know from my "Don't Tell a Soul" mix tapes -- I am going into this initial spin with high hopes indeed.

*******

1. "Canmtady"
A meandering, low-key intro that is a nice companion piece to the last song I was listening to before it (Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt").

2. "Out Country Way"
In sharp contrast to the album opener, this upbeat gem -- an easy recommendation for fellow Built to Spill fanatics -- is the ideal song for ushering in the new spring season. (For followers of this blog, this definitely has "Don't Tell a Soul" written all over it.)

3. "Island in the Sun"
Sadly, no Weezer cover here ... just kidding, how awkward would that be? In all seriousness, another beautifully sculpted gem. I'm really starting to dig this Putnam side project.

4. "Pencils/Pens"
Reminds me of Track 2, but in the best way possible: With songwriting of this caliber, how does Putnam continue to put out Radar Bros. records too? (That group also released an album already this year, "Auditorium.")

5. "Basketball Song"
Another golden meditation like "Canmtady." I can definitely see some quirky independent filmmaker using a majority of these tracks for a number of different scenes.

6. "All Night Every Day" (click through for a free MP3!)
I think I heard this last night in one of my night tremors....

7. "The Conversation"
Ladies and gentlemen, prepare to soul-search.

8. "Everyone Say Hello"
Kind of a somber affair -- though it could also pass as a lullaby. Yadig? (I sure hope so.)

9. "In the Week of a Whale"
A builder with no big payoff. Still, you have to hand it to him for coming up with such memorable atmospheric noodlings.

10. "Maid Marion"
Another bright spot -- perhaps what it would sound like if you were listening to Big George Webley's cover of "Handbags and Gladrags" underwater after midnight in some southern full moon fever-type swamp. (Still haven't figured out the schematics of this one yet....)

11. "Tether in the Haze"
Absolutely gorgeous. Putnam's lyrics add a lot to his musical creations.

The Infamous Fly High, Duluth! Mountain Range

D-d-do ya see it?

This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug: An abbreviated review of 'Leatherheads,' Number One Common, Manheat, Words to a Film Score and Boulder Lake

It was a big week for Duluth.

The NCAA women's hockey Frozen Four is being held at the DECC (in which the UMD Bulldogs have advanced to Saturday's national championship game against the Wisconsin Badgers -- congrats, ladies!); select community members* were given a sneak peek at George Clooney and Renee Zellwegger's latest film, "Leatherheads," which is based in Duluth; and it was announced that both Clooney and Zellwegger will make an appearance at the Depot Monday to drum up publicity for the film. I should be there, so I'll try to get some shots of it for this here blog.

In other news, here's what I was working on this week:


"An Offer You Can't Refuse" :: Local hard rockers Number One Common (now with electrolytes!) offer up new album, "Secrets, Lies and Alibis," as free download. I speak with Cory Jezierski, the group's lead singer/growler, about this and Number One Common's Brawndo sponsorship deal.

"Discover Duluth: Boulder Lake"
:: Though it’s not more than 30 minutes outside of downtown Duluth, Boulder Lake Management Area feels like it belongs on a different planet altogether. A companion piece to Matt Suoja's feature on the Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center, "Beauty and Recreation Go Hand in Hand."

"The Recorded Sounds of Words to a Film Score and Manheat" :: Reviewed this week: Words to a Film Score's "Hope for the Best ~ Prepare for the Worst" and Manheat's "When Dreams Become Memories."

*I was one of them -- thanks Visit Duluth! -- and here are my initial thoughts on the film, which also stars John Krasinski (Jim Halpert on NBC's "The Office"): Perfectly average in every way. (I don't want to ruin anything, because next weekend's edition of the Budgeteer is to feature a full review-type-thing....)

Monday, March 17, 2008

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Megastardom 101: A Blue Man breaks his silence

To celebrate the Blue Man Group's encore performance April 22 at the DECC, I've decided to resurrect the feature I did for the group's last go-round in Duluth. Enjoy!


Megastardom 101: A Blue Man breaks his silence
Matthew R. Perrine
Budgeteer News - 03/16/2007

What does megastardom take? Well, for three New Yorkers, it started with an ample supply of black clothing, latex “bald” caps, blue grease paint and the ability to keep mum. (But just at work.)

Since its inception in the ’80s, Blue Man Group has grown into a worldwide institution, spawning shows in five countries and employing more than 50 of the blue guys — not to mention entertaining fans of all ages with a number of highly acclaimed albums, videos, rock tours, products (including children’s instruments) and television appearances.

Matthew Banks, a “second-wave” Blue Man, explains how it all works.

“The creators, the founders of the company, are always involved in the opening of a show,” he said, referring to the original trio of Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton. “They still write material. They still direct. They just don’t perform regularly in the shows anymore.”

Banks, a mainstay at the group’s show at the Venetian in Las Vegas, is out on the road for How to Be a Megastar Tour 2.0. When the Budgeteer caught up with him, he was in “sunny as all get-out” Columbus, Ga.

“We are forbidden to speak,” he said of the group’s in-costume rules of engagement. “The Blue Man says a lot without speaking. He’s very involved — very, very engaged — in what is happening around him.”

Throughout the phone conversation with Banks, he added a number of items to the “how to be a megastar” checklist above, including physical endurance and, well …

“I had to catch things in my mouth — that were thrown at me from about 15 feet away — for half an hour every day for six weeks,” he said of the extensive training sessions he had to endure in New York City before he could join the elite army of blue.

Banks also had to return to drumming, something he had “kind of let go” since his high school days.

“Within each piece, I would learn about the character and his drumming style. Because it’s not just like regular drumming; it’s a little more primal … beastly,” he said, laughing.

Banks was living in his native Toronto in ’98 when the Blue Man Group rolled into town seeking new members. He hadn’t heard of the group, but he knew he fit the bill, so he showed up.

“A friend of mine said, ‘They want a drummer, an actor and you have to be six feet tall, so you should go to that (audition),’” Banks said. “I was like, ‘Right on.’ I didn’t even know it was going to be a paying job or anything.”

After the training workshops in New York, he performed a year’s worth of dates before moving to Las Vegas, where Blue Man Group set up its flagship show at Luxor. (The group would eventually move to the Venetian in late 2005 after the resort, as Banks explains, “totally redid a huge section of its property and made it our theater.”)

Although he didn’t like it at first — “I kept on telling myself, Nothing should be here. This is a desert.” — after seven years, the city is finally starting to grow on him.

“I have a cat,” he said, laughing. “It’s a simple, peaceful life out in the suburbs.”

Banks also said he enjoys the fact that he can take off his makeup and not be recognized outside of work.

“The only hindrance is when I tell people I am a Blue Man,” he said, “and they don’t believe me.”

‘Your attention please’

How to Be a Megastar Tour 2.0, which will bring Blue Man Group to the DECC March 28, is an extension of the group’s 2003 tour in support of its star-studded rock album, “The Complex.”

“There’s a lot more supporting material (in the new tour) that goes along with the theme of what it takes to put on a rock concert,” Banks said, “and what the ingredients are for becoming — and sustaining — megastardom.”

According to the tour’s Web site, www.howtobeamegastar.com, Banks and company will “celebrate, skewer and otherwise deconstruct rock stardom in all of its narcissistic glory” through a satirical workshop.

Opening up for the group — and joining them onstage for “Your Attention” — is DJ, turntablist and video scratcher Mike Relm.

The group hand-selected the artist after catching some of his live clips on YouTube.

Relm, who has done some remixes for Adult Swim and will appear at the Coachella festival next month, utilizes emerging DVDJ technology to spin, scratch and mix video clips alongside his records.

For more info about the show, check out www.blueman.com or www.mikerelm.com.

News to Use
The Blue Man Group will perform at 7:30 p.m. March 28 at the DECC. DJ, turntablist and video scratcher Mike Relm opens. Cost is $49.50 or $75. For tickets, call 727-2121 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.


This article was originally published in the Duluth Budgeteer News on March 18, 2007. It can be found on the Budgeteer's Web site at www.duluthbudgeteer.com/articles/index.cfm?id=19781.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

This Week's (Belated) Shameless Budgeteer Plug: Great Lakes Aquarium, 'Late Nite with Don,' 10,000 Lakes Festival and Hermantown's wedding planner

... and I still don't know what I think about "Human Giant" either.

Anywho, here's some reading material for your glorious weekend:


"Discover Duluth: Great Lakes Aquarium" :: Though it hasn’t been without its fair share of financial problems, Great Lakes Aquarium is still a fun place to go — especially for those with children in their company. (A photo tour of the joint.)

"The Twin Ports' Very Own Late-Night Talk Show" :: Don Yoder is a talk show host of another breed, and, fittingly, he wants "Late Nite with Don" to stand out from other talk shows.

"'Cosmic Break' for Local Bands Only a Few Clicks Away" :: Detroit Lakes' 10,000 Lakes Festival offering regional bands a chance to share the stage with the Flaming Lips and other luminaries.

"Joining a Fan Club" :: Esteemed watercolor artist Cheng-Khee Chee — aka “Duluth’s Cultural Ambassador to the World” — made a surprise appearance at the reception for Ladona Tornabene’s “Living the Dream” photography exhibit Tuesday afternoon at Master Framing Gallery. Tornabene (right), clearly a fan, enthusiastically introduced Chee to a majority of those in attendance. (A standalone photo.)

"The Wedding Planner Has Arrived" :: Margilyn Valle only opened up her shop in November, but is already making a number of connections — thanks in part to belonging to the Association of Bridal Consultants, a one-of-a-kind international trade association that’s dedicated to wedding professionals worldwide. (The latest entry in my "Getting Down to Business" series.)

Today's Moment of Zen: 'Bat Country'

There are no words.... (All hail Hunter S. Thompson!)

(Image courtesy of "Josh.")

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

A&E FYI: NIN reveals first-week figures for ‘Ghosts’

Nine Inch Nails’ 36-track instrumental opus, “Ghosts I-IV,” released March 2 via NIN.com, has amassed a first week total of 781,917 transactions (including free and paid downloads as well as orders for physical product), resulting in a take of $1,619,420.

“These figures represent the most relevant and contemporary metric for measuring how Nine Inch Nails’ music is reaching its fans,” said NIN manager Jim Guerinot.

NIN’s label, The Null Corporation, will not be releasing traditional sale figures to Soundscan.

As previously reported, the $300 “ultra-deluxe” limited edition edition of “Ghosts I-IV” immediately sold out its run of 2500.

The $5 download, $10 2-CD set and $75 limited edition deluxe versions are still available at NIN.com.

The $10 2-CD set will be released to retail April 5 in Australia and Japan, April 8 in North America and April 7 in the UK and most European territories. A $39 4-LP vinyl version will be available at retail April 8.

“Ghosts I-IV” has been released under the Creative Commons license.

~Nasty Little Man PR press release

Today's Moment of Zen: Who's hot now, Chandler Bing?


I'm no "Star Wars" geek, but this sure would've kicked a lot of ass -- I can only imagine the unstoppable death force Boba Fett could've brought to the one-legged arena!

~Image courtesy of Action Figure Insider

Friday, March 7, 2008

First impressions of ... Dark Meat's 'Universal Indians'


Ladies and gentlemen, Dark Meat is upon us.

I'm sure you'll love this 17-piece psychedelic rock collective from Athens, Ga.
-- think a bigger, badder Haus Meeting -- which features members from Of Montreal, Elf Power, the Instruments, We Versus Shark, Gnarls Barkley and more. (I know, I know, surprise, surprise; there are members of Elephant Six luminaries in a group from Athens!)

Anyway, the group's debut, "Universal Indians," originally released on the seminal Orange Twin
label, will be re-released by Vice Records April 8 with three bonus tracks.

The group will be in Minnesota April 27 for a show at Nomad World Pub in Minneapolis.

*******

1. "Freedom Ritual"
After an unsuspecting vocals-only intro, the song explodes; never coming down until the seven-minute-plus odyssey of hot brass and classic guitar rock calls it a day.

2. "Well Fuck You Then"
Maybe I've been listening to too much Bowie lately, but this sounds like what would've happened had Ziggy Stardust been invited to jam with an amped-up Lynyrd Skynyrd. (The sound is actually closer to an acid-induced Black Crowes masterpiece, but the decades don't quit line up....)

3. "Dead Man"
Again, this takes more than a few '70s-copping moves from the Crowes' playbook -- I fucking love it!

4. "Birdson + Foorsteps, Flute, Horn"
A throwaway little interlude piece before ...

5. "Three Eyes Open"
another horns-a-blazin' epic.

6. "Angel of Meth"
There's so much going on here, my god ... but the easiest "sounds like" I can think of is a southern-fried Chicago (circa those glorious early years).

7. "One More Trip"
We get it: You guys like your drugs and musical mayhem!

8. "In the Woods"
Amps up to "11"? Check. Enough back-up singers to make the "We Are the World" singalong seem like a joke? Check. Sense of direction? Nope....

9. "Disintegrating Flowers"
Another meandering, waste-of-space interlude. Why do you do it, Dark Meat?

10. "Assholes of Eyeballs"
This is what they call "the bad part of the trip."

11. "There is a Retard on Acid Holding A Hammer to Your Brain"
Let's see, they spent all their time thinking up a funny, Flaming Lips-esque song title and *oops* forgot to write a song to go with it! (Better go back to the beginning of the record, where the group's sound actually seemed fresh.)

dtas74: MY SOUL IS IN THE MAIL


I make a lot of awesome mix tapes -- here's the latest:

1. Stuart Davis - "Rock Stars and Models"
Recommended if you like bombastic pop music, like "Deity Freak" from his new album "Something Simple" (which I reviewed in the Duluth Budgeteer News).

2. Gnarls Barkley - "Run" (radio edit)
R.I.Y.L. anything else Danger Mouse and Cee-Lo have cooked up together. (That is to say there are no surprises here ... though this song's video getting banned from MTV is somewhat surprising.)

3. Cloud Cult - "Everybody Here is a Cloud"
R.I.Y.L. subdued indie rock, like Rogue Wave's latest turn.

4. The Mother Hips - "Time We Had"
One of my "Rock Band" favorites.

5. Lansing-Dreiden - "Our Next Breath"
R.I.Y.L. the Who's theatrics, Arcade Fire's sense of place.

6. Giljunko - "My Soul's in the Mail"
R.I.Y.L. every Mark Lindquist project, because you're cool like that.

7. Sage Francis - "Makeshift Patriot" (live)
R.I.Y.L. lines like "Who would Jesus bomb?"

8. Nine Inch Nails - "3" (from "Ghosts I")
R.I.Y.L. Download, PlatEAU, artists maturing.

9. Atmosphere - "Don't Know How Much"
R.I.Y.L. P.O.S., Suicide Girls.

10. Self - "Joy, The Mechanical Boy"
R.I.Y.L. knowing that Matt Mahaffey exists.

11. Weezer - "No Other One"
R.I.Y.L. ... come on, who doesn't like "Pinkerton"?

12. R.E.M. - "Supernatural Superserious"
R.I.Y.L. a brilliant return to form.

13. The Superfantastics - "Turn on Me"
R.I.Y.L. being a small-town art fuck (that's no fun).

14. Hayden - "Where and When"
R.I.Y.L. PJ Olsson.

15. "The Butters Show" theme song (from "South Park")
R.I.Y.L. the musical genius of Matt Stone and Trey Parker.

16. Ol' Dirty Bastard feat. Method Man - "Dirty Dancin'"
R.I.Y.L. hip-hop. You like hip-hop, don't you?

17. Enon - "Mr. Rat-A-Tat" (Daytrotter vers.)
R.I.Y.L. whatever Walt Dizzo tells you to listen to!

18. Wang Chung - "Dance Hall Days"
R.I.Y.L. "Romy & Michelle's High School Reunion" (that's where I found this gem).

19. What Made Milwaukee Famous - "Sultan"
R.I.Y.L. fake Cream City rockers.

20. Transplants - "Doomsday"
R.I.Y.L. Gnarls Barkley, Rancid's sunnier sides.

21. Faces - "If I'm Late on the Side"
R.I.Y.L. classic rock. (Come on, just admit it already, you jaded fuck!)

22. Roy - "The Bolivian Army Lays Siege to Seattle"
R.I.Y.L. some of the best music on this here planet.

23. Look Down - "We've Got the Same Number"
R.I.Y.L. the Plastic Constellations, other MPLS indie rawk.

24. Crooked Fingers - "Mansion on the Hill" (Bruce Springsteen cover)
R.I.Y.L. songs to waste gasoline to.

Thus concludes "Don't Tell a Soul" program 74.

This Week's Shameless Budgeteer Plug: Biodiesel, novelist Jeffrey Woolf, Retribution Gospel Choir, Stuart Davis and Alt-Ctrl-Sleep

Life is good right now, real good. I'm overcoming a mild case of the flu (self-diagnosed) and Queen and David Bowie's "Under Pressure" is rockin' on the stereo -- what else could I ask for? (Well, besides a case of Brawndo*....)

Anywho, here's what I was up to this week:

"Cloquet Grad's Biodiesel Discovery Might Just Save the World" :: With (at least) two recent major studies decrying the benefits of some biofuels, Brian Krohn’s biodiesel discovery seems even more urgent today than it was two years ago when he first started his investigation.

"Everything In Its Right Place" :: Local author Jeffrey Woolf releases his debut novel, "Apples of Arcadia," his way — in true Duluth DIY style. (Order here.)

"CD Reviews: Retribution Gospel Choir, Alt-Ctrl-Sleep and Stuart Davis"
:: Reviewed this week: Stuart Davis' "Something Simple" and self-titled full-length debuts from Retribution Gospel Choir and Alt-Ctrl-Sleep. I really enjoyed all of these records, but one in particular, Davis', has been in constant rotation for a couple days now.

*Speaking of "The Thirst Mutilator" -- it's got electrolytes, you know -- rumor has it local hardcore outfit Number One Common (or however the hell they're spelling it these days) just got a sponsorship from this as-made-famous-in-"Idiocracy" energy drink. Congrats! (Monster trucks optional....)

Sunday, March 2, 2008

dtas73: A POWERFUL FORCE SHAPING LIVES


Submitted for the approval of the Twin Ports Awesome Mix Tape Appreciation Society,
the latest installment of "Don't Tell a Soul,"

or:
a playlist for my radio show on an imaginary station.

Cheers!
Matt

p.s. I'll try not to be so half-assed next time ...
I'm just having a hard time catching up with my record-collecting disease.

(Questions? Comments?
E-mail mperrine [at] duluthbudgeteer [dot] com.)


*******

1. Chris Walla - "Geometry &C."
Shitting on Chris is so 2007. Lighten up, folks; this is the next best thing to a new Death Cab album.

2. Bluebird - "Falling Back to Earth"
Bloody ferocious -- I love it! For fans of Murder City Devils, Pretty Girls Make Graves.

3. The Long Winters - "Ultimatum" (EP vers.)
So good it's turned into a "repeater" song for my darling wife.

4. Rogers Sisters - "Freight Elevator"
Viva los Pixies!

5. Duran Duran - "Hungry Like the Wolf"
He he he....

6. Dandy Warhols - "Every Day Should Be a Holiday"
Really, the second coming of Duran Duran.

7. Hot Hot Heat - "Let Me In"
Sometimes I like pop music and ...

8. The White Stripes - "Little Cream Soda"
sometimes I just like the sound of heavy metal falling from the sky.

9. Orbital - "Quality Seconds"
Ever seen "White Noise"? Pretty terrifying, if you ask me.

10. Alt-Ctrl-Sleep - "Satellites (Venus to Mars)"
On the pleasanter side of things, this one's sure to be a hit in Duluth, home of Low.

11. Inouk - "No Danger"
Cool music, even cooler artwork.

12. Chad VanGaalen - "Wind Driving Dogs"
No more Great White North jokes, this guy is a visionary.

13. Sector 7G - "This is Not Me"
Grimy, grimy hip-hop approved by Eyedea.

14. Ant - title unknown (Track 4 from "Melodies and Memories 85-89")
I didn't know what to expect from the Atmosphere mastermind's journey into his record collection, but it's well worth that hour I worked to pay for it.

15. Rhymefest - "Dancin' Machine"
Before "That's ignorant / You're ignorant" was a "South Park" punchline....

16. Heiruspecs - "Guns and Knives"
A decade strong (and growing)!

17. NOFX - "All Outta Angst"
I don't buy that for one second. Just listen to "No Fun."

18. De Novo Dahl - "Dance Like David"
Because boys named "Matt" don't really know how.

19. The Raveonettes - "Blitzed"
Here's what I said in the Budge.

20. Retribution Gospel Choir - "What She Turned Into"
I don't want to spoil anything (as far as my upcoming record review is concerned), so I'll just say RGC's proper debut is another fine Alan Sparhawk product.

21. Alex Chilton - "Like Flies on Sherbert"
It's quite apparent that Alex Chilton went completely insane after Big Star fizzled, but there are still remnants of greatness in his solo catalogue.

22. trYke - "Head Lamp Adventure"
Some really trippy stuff. I can only imagine this is what the soundtrack to a night tremor would sound like.... (p.s. If you dig this, check out the recorded output of Thrill Jockey recording artists Trans Am.)

23. Harvey Danger - "Little Round Mirrors"
Wow, this is the same group that gave us "Flagpole Sitta"?! This is just beautiful.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

dtas72: THOUGHTS OF A DYING ATHEIST


Submitted for the approval of the Twin Ports Awesome Mix Tape Appreciation Society,
the latest installment of "Don't Tell a Soul,"

or:
a playlist for my radio show on an imaginary station.

Cheers!
Matt

(Questions? Comments?
E-mail mperrine [at] duluthbudgeteer [dot] com.)


*******

1. Kaiser Chiefs - "Born to Be a Dancer"
2. David Bazan - "How I Remember"
3. James Moors - "Sunshine"
4. Father Hennepin - "She Thinks I Still Care"
5. Bob Dylan - "Lay Lady Lay"
6. New Order - "Everyone Everywhere"
7. Dealership - "Domesticated"
8. Ministry - "Brick Windows"
9. Dr. Pepper Family - "Wasteland"
10. Kosheen - "Dangerous Waters (Kosheen Mix)"
11. Of Montreal - "Jimmy" (M.I.A. cover)
12. Muse - "Thoughts of a Dying Atheist"
13. Polysics - "New Wave Jacket (Reform)"
14. Parlour Steps - "Thieves of Memory"
15. QuickBreath - "Yours"
16. What Made Milwaukee Famous - "Hellodrama"
17. Phantom Planet - "Always on My Mind (London Vers.)"
18. Dance Band - "Digital" (Live at The Current)
19. James Wilsey - "Diabolic"
20. Sia - "The Girl You Lost to Cocaine"
21. Nada Surf - "I Like What You Say"
22. Dog Pookah feat. Patrick Nelson - "You Mice"
23. Creedence Clearwater Revival - "Someday Never Comes"

Lost Gem of the Moment: Crystal Pepsi

Right here ... right now ... Crystal Pepsi.

Blazing saddles, I can't remember a beverage phenomenon that fizzled out as fast as Crystal Pepsi, the "Clear Cola."

Truth be told, I'm partially to blame -- that is, PepsiCo can sleep well knowing its demise rests entirely on my shoulders: I can only honestly remember drinking one 2-liter bottle of the stuff.

While doing my "research" for this post, I came across an interesting commentary on the whole fad and an excellent blog, X-Entertainment, which brought my attention to 7-Up Gold (which I've never heard of -- and which is actually an unused Dr. Pepper invention) and includes an impressive collection of '80s TV commercials. (The downloads cover everything from Freshen-Up gum to a "The Legend of Zelda" teaser.)

Lost Gem of the Moment: Food Fighters! (Courtesy of Cracked.com)

As promised -- from Cracked.com's list of "The Five Most Ill-Conceived Action Figures," it's ... Food Fighters (coming in at No. 4...):

What probably started as a slightly clever play on words that should have never made it as far as a toy designers' self-congratulatory smile exploded into a full-on line aimed at the portly, but purchased by all. They must have figured that America's rotund youth would happily go on magical adventures with anthropomorphic hot dogs and donuts while their more athletic peers played outside.

"Combat at its kookiest!" was Mattel's tag line for the toys, but the figures actually came with little plastic guns to shoot each other with. So it wasn't a situation where Major Munch (the donut) was squirting wacky cream filling at Private Pizza. No, the implied combat was done with real bullets. The victims merely looked kooky, which does not make the combat itself "kooky" under modern rules of warfare.

Mean Weener (a sad little fellow with a dripping frankfurter hanging loose from his lips) seems to realize the tragedy of their situation.

"Taco Terror" has seized on his role as warrior and meets the enemy with a scowl, unaware that his tiny helmet is protecting nothing, and only a layer of shredded cheese is protecting his guts from Weener's .45 caliber hollow points.

Worst Toy in the Line:

The rest of the figures sport Taco's crazed, wide-eyed expression of war-time rage, with the exception of Sergeant Scoop. A half-melted chocolate and vanilla ice cream cone that, judging by his googly eyes and retard smile, was drafted into this war of dinnertime dominance straight out of his "special care" institution.

One can venture to guess that if there were to be a big budget Hollywood adaptation of "Food Fighters" Sergeant Scoop would be the dim-witted, yet lovable solider that we grow attached to only to watch him melt away in a hot fryer grease explosion. The Bugerdier General (a hamburger with arms and legs... duh) would assume a grim voice and say--in voice-over: "It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you slurp you cone!" Actual words from Scoop's packaging.

(Image and text courtesy of Cracked.com. To read the entire feature on awesomely bad toys, direct your browser to www.cracked.com/article_15813_5-most-ill-conceived-action-figures.html.)

Lost Gem of the Moment: Rock Lords!

Hey, what's better than Transformers, you ask? Transformers ripoffs that look like rocks, of course!

Ladies and gentlemen, Rock Lords!!!

I recently stumbled across a Web site, Toy Archive, that has pictures of all of them. This makes me so happy: Along with Food Fighters (which I will next dig up information on), Rock Lords are my favorite nearly-forgotten-about gems from my childhood.

At right is Stoneheart, always one of my favorite characters....

While I was at the site, I also ran into the Go Bots Command Center. This awesome Star Wars-looking beast, made by Tonka, was also one of my favorite pre-T.M.N.T. favorites.

(Image courtesy of Toy Archive.)