Avatar

Great fucking movie.

Fell in love with the world - Pandora - and with Neyriti, the Navi creature that -- I'll be damned -- is fucking hot.

I give the movie 4/4 stars. Yup, I'm stoked.

Before I saw the movie a lot of my buddies were harping on the visuals, etc., and saying that it was basically just a stupid sci-fi story. I couldn't disagree more. Though the story is pretty conventional and you pretty much know how everything's gonna turn out, I didn't expect a touching love story and a poignant message. Cameron has, in the words of a friend, "done it."

The best praise: the movie would've been great even if a new technology hadn't been invented.

See it to be stunned, and see it to be touched.

ANOTHER ANIMAL: Uncool as Cool/Invincible Band

The parenthical portion ["(I'm not sure they're capable of that particular expression, to be honest.)"] of this excerpt from Mark "the Collective Animal Collective's Penis Inside Me" Richardson's recent Pitchfork review is dead-on, though he doesn't seem to perceive this negatively, as I do. If you have ever listened to any two Animal Collective albums - because you might think that the seriousness was just a one album thing - you'd know that these guys take themselves and/or their music very seriously. There isn't room for self-effacing parody in Animal Collective's music, and it's a shame and a drag. The greats all make fun of themselves and what they're doing, from Warren Zevon to Dylan to the Hold Steady to the Replacements, even the Beatles. A good artist knows that when you get right down to it writing and recording music is a little silly.

Further: has anyone seen the audience that Animal Collective makes music for? The way they act, dress, and what gets them off? Mark "play Sung Tongs at my funeral" Richardson says that AC isn't trying to be cool - and I don't think they are. But he fails to mention that Animal Collective's core audience will undoubtedly think that this uncool vibe is very, very cool. And I'm not gonna say that this music is uncool, I'll just say this: many people in this audience wear cosmetic glasses; glasses not needed; glasses whose only purpose is to look like you have bad vision, which is, uh, cool.

As to the Fall Be Kind EP itself: dank stuff. I like it. I like all of Animal Collective's music and this EP is not an exception. Two things, though:

1) Mark "Avey Cock" Richardson says he can't imagine them failing - as if that is a good thing! How utterly fucking boring. The only band that has never failed musically is - wait for it - The Beatles, and you could debate that issue and I just might agree with you. But a band that you can't imagine failing? That's horrible. That's part of the excitement, listening to a band you love, knowing they take chances, and wondering, Is this gonna suck? Are they gonna fuck up? And then, when it's good, it's that much sweeter.

and 2) If you're reading this Animal Collective, let's get a little less serious and start smirking a bit, eh? I've met YOU, Avey Tare, in the flesh, and I could see that stick poking out of your asshole. Let's get it out and start realizing that you're just making music and maybe it's time to embrace some levity and start laughing at yourselves for making ridiculous albeit good music - and the masks aren't enough because you've stopped doing it and that was part of some attempt to seperate musician/performer from the audience blah blah blah that's fucking stupid: why the fuck would you want to distance yourself from the audience, that's what I say.

Anyways, that's it. Another critical blog post about Animal Collective. But hey, any band that would cause me to write this much about them must be doing something right - I mean, they ain't doing anything wrong because, you know, they can't fail.

PHUCK YEAH PHISH: PRE SHOW

Aight, so I'm going to a Phish show tonight at MSG, their phirst of three gigs there (they'll play Thursday and Phriday nights, too) and my phirst Phish show since November 2003, six years ago.

It certainly doesn't pheel that long ago. Not at all. But to think I was a junior in high school seeing Phish...

I remember the phirst Phish show I bought - Live 01, 12.14.95, Broome County Arena, Binghamton, New York - and not knowing what it was that I had purchased. As with many things musical, it is often when you get something simply by chance or on a whim that it has the greatest effect on you, maybe because there is the added value of, "Wow! I lucked out!" and "I'm glad this doesn't suck!"

Listening to Live 01, I was surprised that the songs lasted, like, a long time, man. Like, 10 minutes plus, bra. I didn't know Phish was a "jam band." I don't think I was even familiar with term.

I was a little put off. It initially didnt' click. [Note: I think this lasts to this day. I enjoy Phish, always have to varying degrees, but I never had that moment where BAM! you know this shit is for you.] but as time went on I started to dig it. I think some things helped this process -- cough! cough! -- my friends' eventual unbridled enthusiasm for them-- though there is a moment that sticks in my mind:

I'm waiting phor my mom to pick me up from school -- I wanna say I'm a high school phreshman, maybe sophomore, so this is a good year at least before I phirst saw Phish live -- and I'm listening to the aphorementioned live release on my discman. It's a crisp phall day and phor some reason I am almost certain I am wearing my red Billabong hoodie. "Tweezer" is playing -- "Look who's in the phreezer/Uncle Ebenezer" -- and the combination of the weather and the music was just right. Phrom then on, I have always looked upon Phish phavorably.

I'd say my peak interest in Phish was in high school, starting with that December day. Since then I've rarely listened to them on my own, though I've constantly been around many phans. Occasionally I'd go through a short spurt, i.e., a night or day of Phish music.

But I'm seeing them tonight. And I'm pumped. Real pumped. More than I thought I'd be. Maybe it's cuz I just randomly got the ticket by chance less than 24 hours ago -- yes, that's definitely a part of it -- but I'm looking forward to connecting with something from what is essentialy my past. I mean, to some it may not seem that long ago (Moms, Dads) but in the terms of my life thus phar, it's not unsignifcant. It's December and getting cold: it's like that day waiting phor my mom to pick me up. The timing couldn't be better. Plus, the show's at MSG. That always sweetens the deal since there's a certain amunt of excitement that comes phrom seeing a show at the world's most phamous arena.

Oh, and let's not phorget that this is still the phabled reunion tour. It may seem like they've been back together phorever already (maybe because every knew they were going to sooner rather than later) but it still adds some more excitement to the whole thing.

So I'll blog about the experience either tomorrow or ASAP. I can't wait to see what they play! I feel like I have a knack for getting disappointing setlists (ex. Bruce at the Meadowlands; my phirst Phish show at Nassau Colliseum). I hope that isn't the case tonight. And, yes, there is a part of me that is dreading those looonngg jams - never so much my thing, less so in the last three, four years -- but it doesn't matter. I'm seeing Phish again. Life is good. And though this hookup came via an unfortunate occurance (WE LOVE YOU, MAN!) it'd be in every one's best interest for me to soak up the vibes and music tonight.

SHOW OPENER CALL: Prince Caspian (LEGENDARY)

Quick Thoughts I Thought of Real Quick

Why don't they have raisin flavored soda? Because you can't shrink a can of grape soda in the sun! It just gets hot!

Whenever I go somewhere or buy something - whenever I spend money on a product of some kind - I like to be told beforehand that it's "worth the price of entry." Then I know that it's worth it. I like that.

How many passwords do you have?

How come it takes so long for the first issue of a magazine to come to your place of residency after starting a subscription? Why is this so complicated? All they gotta do is print that little white sticker and then slap it in the bottom right hand corner. A blind man could do this. But, as easy as it may seem, it'll take a month, maybe more, for that first issue to arrive.

Mornings, if I look like hell, people sometimes ask, "Rough night?" and I don't get it. There was nothing rough about the night - the morning is rough. The night was fun, a blast; chances are, I don't even remember it. No, the nights are usually fine. But the mornings can be rough!

My new tattoo

Old Pic

Blackberrys

I look around and they're everywhere.

Riding the Long Island Railroad into Manhattan every day, more people seem to have Blackberrys than not. People are fondling that little ball for the entire fifty minute ride, sometimes not even looking up to make eye contact with the conductor checking tickets. It's as if these little guys are life support; severe the connection and you will flat line.

Of course, there's nothing new about this; Blackberrys have been common place for years now. But that doesn't mean that it's right, damn it! Look, I'm a realist, I know Blackberrys are here to stay and there's nothing I can do to change that - nor would I want to. I want one myself because these things are useful, damn useful. You can check the internet whenever, wherever, which means you can email, tweet, watch porn and jerk off, check the weather, follow the game even though there's no TV around...Basically, you can do it all, anywhere.

But, just like everything else, let's not forget about MODERATION. Just because this wonderful technology is available does not mean you should abuse it. And the thing is, it's so easy to abuse the use of a Blackberry.

1) You've got alerts coming from every which way. With a phone you had your calls and your texts. With a Blackberry you get alerts from everything, from emails to tweets to BBMs (more on that later). With an older cell phone you got your calls, you checked your voicemails, you communicated via text. But with a Blackberry, there are so many possible alerts, which means that just when you've finally put it down - oh wait - Jeanie just tagged a photo of you, Bobby, Mitch, and Steve on Facebook dressed up as dildos for Halloween and you've just gotta check that out while you're shopping for tampons in Duane Reade. Just like that, you're back on the BB.

2) Blackberry Messaging. Oh man oh man. Remember when you thought texting was convenient? Well fuck that shit now, you've got BBM, baby! It's free and it's easy and everybody else has a Blackberry too so you can talk to almost anybody NONSTOP. With texts there was an ebb and a flow but with BBMing it's an all out assault. You can just chat and chat and chat. Instead of maybe just sending a few texts to get some details and then it's over, with BBM it can last all day long because you can just talk and talk and talk, and it's free. No charge. Simple questions and greetings now seem to always turn into a full length discussion. Now people are talking about anything. MORE TIME ON THE BLACKBERRY.

3) The QWERTY key pad makes it easy to text and BBM. It's inviting and easy to use. You may miss T9 but this shit really makes it easier.

4) I can go on and on about how having access to the internet is an obvious time consumer. You know why, I won't go into it. But when you got the internet, fuck, why not use it? Remember when you had to remember the location of a restaurant? Long gone. THE INTERNET IS ALWAYS RIGHT THERE FOR YOU.

5) It's cool. Using a Blackberry has become - more or less - a cool thing. It's cool being on ur BB! Yo, yo, yo, BB in the house. It's a status symbol. You're hip, you're cool, you're with it. If it's not a smart phone then it ain't a phone, my friend.

You get the point. There's a reason they're nicknamed CRACKberrys. All I'm trying to say is that it is easy to be consumed with these guys but people need to look up and smell the roses every now and then. I'm not saying don't enjoy the conveniences that the Blackberry affords you, I'm just saying that there comes a point where one needs to realize that there is a window on the train; that is a tree passing by that window; and maybe once in a while you should take a look at that tree passing by that window instead of dicking around on your Blackberry just because you can.

And don't forget about people. There are people all around you -- sometimes people you know. Why not give them the care and the attention they deserve. Don't have your nose in the Blackberry throughout a conversation. A lot of people I know don't even realize they're doing it either. It's become natural. It's a shame.

JUDGEMENT. CONSIDERATION. MODERATION. USE BLACKBERRY WITH CARE AND CAUTION.

Here's an image of a friend of mine with their Blackberry. Don't let this be you:


Put down the Blackberry and enjoy that beer, damn it!!!

Quick Thoughts I Thought of Real Quick

Why don't they have raisin flavored soda? Because you can't shrink a can of grape soda in the sun! It just gets hot!

Whenever I go somewhere or buy something - whenever I spend money on a product of some kind - I like to be told beforehand that it's "worth the price of entry." Then I know that it's worth it. I like that.

How many passwords do you have?

How come it takes so long for the first issue of a magazine to come to your place of residency after starting a subscription? Why is this so complicated? All they gotta do is print that little white sticker and then slap it in the bottom right hand corner. A blind man could do this. But, as easy as it may seem, it'll take a month, maybe more, for that first issue to arrive.

Mornings, if I look like hell, people sometimes ask, "Rough night?" and I don't get it. There was nothing rough about the night - the morning is rough. The night was fun, a blast; chances are, I don't even remember it. No, the nights are usually fine. But the mornings can be rough!

PITCHFORK

If you have any interest in new music - the kind, for the most part, that isn't heard on the radio, on MTV, i.e. the music that isn't popular outside a relatively small community - you check out the indie music mecca, Pitchfork.com.

History: music fan Ryan Schreiber starts music site/proto-blog (pitchforkMEDIA) in the late 90s about music he cares about, offers polarizing opinions, recognizes some quality, obscure music; the site slowly rises through the 2000s to become a trendsetting music site where all the artists that are, purportedly, worth the time of day will be showcased, through reviews, news, and features, from interviews, best of lists, and weekly columns.

Parallel History: a young, impressionable music fan named Dan Grgas has an insatiable thirst for new music; finds Pitchfork and, through the site, discovers tons of new shit that he truly enjoys, at times revering the opinions given by Schreiber and co., seeking out, to a certain degree, only the music that has been approved as worth the time of day by the gurus at Pitchfork.

But lately I have become very disenchanted with Pitchfork, as, I believe, many others have in the recent years/months. Why? Good question.

It's not something that can truly be distilled; there is no overwhelming reason that this site has gone downhill - some may argue that it hasn't gone downhill at all, and I may even agree: maybe I'm just getting smarter and less impressionable as I get older and am able to form opinions independently from Pitchfork whereas at one point in time I was not. The site certainly hasn't changed much, in terms of attitude and their general air of superiority. I am growing and their growth has not grown parallel to mine.

But, if we must try and understand all that is wrong with pitchfork, you can look at their opinions towards one band: Weezer. Ever since their first review of a Weezer album - Green - they have trashed them in almost every way; lately, they don't even take them seriously at all, it's all a bad joke to these guys. "Oh, how amusing! I'm so baffled by this choice that Rivers has made - ha ha ha, they're such parodies of themselves! They're music is so pedestrian and simple and silly!"

Now, I'm not going to make the claim that Weezer is for everyone, or that they should be considered great by anyone. It happens to be my cup of tea, but I totally understand where the haters are coming from. It is juvenile and silly. I just don't like the higher than thou attitude; I can see the smirks on these guys faces as they write these reviews, laughing it up while listening to more mature artists like Sufjan Stevens, who releases 40 track Christmas albums and fifth grade music projects based on the 50 states.

Unfortunately, the writers at pitchfork are not as smart as they think they are. This is their fatal flaw. Take their recent review of Julian Casablanca's debut solo album Phrazes for the Young. Ryan Dombal gives us a well written, well researched review. Obviously, this guy is a fine writer who took the time to seek out Phrases and Philosophies for the Use of the Young, Oscar Wilde's collection of witticisms that Casablancas drew inspiration from while writing and recording Phrazes. But instead of using this information as a background, the review turns into a comparison of past and present, between Casablancas' time as a Stroke and his current incarnation as a solo artist, all while incessantly referring to Wilde's book as if Casablancas were adapting it into a feature film, not simply drawing inspiration and nodding to it as an influence on him and his music. The review becomes a lesson - to both artist and fan - of what the album should have sounded like given Casablancas' past and Wilde's influence, all the while paying little attention to why an artist like Casabablancas may have created this album in the first place.

Adding insult to injury, Dombal accuses Casablancas of lacking humor, that he fails to instill some into this record; reading his review, it seems Dombal should take his own advice, as should the rest of the staff at Pitchfork. They forget that music hits you in the crotch and in the heart; only later does it hit your head, if at all. When reading a Pitchfork review very rarely does the reader come away with a sense that the reviewer jumped up and danced around to what they are reviewing; rarely can you picture them shedding a tear because a song moved them. Why? Because the reviews are a masturbatory exercise, more about the review than what is being reviewed; more about the reviewer than the reader. These are long, academic pieces that are best skimmed, searching through the review for the tidbits where the music is addressed directly, as what it is as it pops up out of speakers at any given moment, not as what it means in the context of history. These comparisons are fun and oftentimes shed light on a record, but when a review spends so little time addressing the music itself, something is wrong. Take a look at the first two paragraphs of any given Pitchfork review and you will see that oftentimes the record in question - the music in question - isn't mentioned.

This is not to say that Pitchfork has never produced a good review. They most certainly have. The problem is that the good reviews - that is, the ones that are readable and insightful the whole way through - are about artists that they favor; artists that have, time after time, gotten favorable reviews from the Pitchfork staff and have become their darlings. A good review should be as readable and insightful as a bad review - but you won't get that at Pitchfork. An album that gets a 4.5 will be mocked and put down in the manner described above: as an indulgence of the reviewer, looking down upon the fallen, the clueless, the hopeless, and, probably the greatest sin of them all, the popular.

It goes back to the thinking that if so many people like something, how can it be that good. But, if only me and a few other people like something then hey! there must be more artistic merit in this than what it is popular. And this is Pitchfork's downfall: elitism. I almost feel stupid saying it because it's so obvious and has been said - repeatedly - by so many people: they're snobs. But it's the truth. Pitchfork lacks the scope and vision to venture out and embrace the popular! Yes, there are some popular artists that garner favorable reviews or are still deemed worthy enough to be reviewed on their site, but they are few and far between. By now, everybody knows what Pitchfork likes and doesn't like, so much so that you can predict how they will rate an album with considerable accuracy before you even listen to it. Animal Collective gets 9's. Weezer gets 4's and 5's (or sometimes 0.5's - unforgivable). Pitchfork is in their own little world - some might say they're trapped there. How can they get out?

They can't because they would no longer be Pitchfork. It wouldn't be the same site -and nor should it be: it is what it is - who wants Pitchfork to become Rolling Stone? No one. But they can improve:

1) STEP DOWN FROM THE TOWER EVERY NOW AND THEN. We get it, you like what's weird, different, and unlistenable: how else can something be authentic and of artistic merit if it's easy to listen to?? But still, how about some humility now and then? Wipe the smirks off of your faces and then tell me why you don't like something. I may listen.

2) WRITE WITH YOUR HEART AND NOT WITH YOUR BRAIN. There's got to be thought to it, but this isn't a history lesson. This is...

3) MUSIC. Write about the music, always. If it doesn't directly relate keep short or lose it completely. Someone once told me, The best writer edits away the sentences and words they love the most because usually these words are just flash, just the writer showing off, in love with their abilities.

4) WRITE FOR THE READER, NOT FOR YOURSELVES. Should I have to say this?

5) CREATE A SPACE WHERE READERS CAN EASILY COMMENT ON THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED ON YOUR SITE. This is a glaring omission. There is NO feedback on the site. The fans are ignored. I guess that fits in with their image - pissing on the peons - but you can't have a site like this where there is no way for the masses to agree or disagree with the opinions you put forth. This should be in a place where, if your on the site, you can't help but find it. Are you guys afraid? What's the deal?

Lastly, I'd like to say that the reason I am writing at such length about these guys is because they represent so much of what is wrong in music today. Yes, they are part of the problem. Pitchfork would rather music reach as little people as possible, to keep it amongst the chosen - and who will choose? Pitchfork, of course. There is nothing wrong with reaching as many people as possible. There is nothing wrong with fame. If more indie artists would strive for the spotlight, if more would strive to be - OMG, is he gonna say this? For real? - like U2 and try to connect with as many people as possible, then music would rise again. People would buy CDs again. I'm not saying that artists have to change anything or water themselves down. Write what inspires you, that is always what it comes down to. But any willful dismissal of what is popular, of what inspires many, of what reaches out to thousands, millions, is to ignore what makes music so great. Pitchfork looks down on too many people; they embrace only what is in their comfort zone. They are in many ways more close minded and ignorant than those who listen only to American Idol - and at least I believe that those who love American Idol truly love American Idol. I cannot say the same for Pitchfork.

So, Pitchfork, listen up. You guys are good in so many ways - interviews, guest lists, NEWS (great fucking news updates, that's the best part) - just understand that you come off as pompous douche bags so damn often, it's tough take you seriously. You guys have really turned me onto a lot of good shit. In many ways I owe you. All I'm saying is try a little harder not to come off as such pompous, snide, close-minded, condescending douche bags.

Thank you.

#unseenprequels

This is the kind of shit I love: naming non-existent movie prequels to existing movies. I was doing it so much on twitter I decided to just do a big ass list and post it!

Here are all the prequels to AFI's 100 Greatest Movies list! [Click here actual list to compare and see what the movie is the prequel to because some are a little out there at first - but most - I think - make sense in the end! I hope!]

1) Immigrant Kane
2) Berlin
3) The Godhusband
4) Here with the Wind
5) Larry of England
6) N.E.W.T. Student of Oz
7) One Final Left to Go For a Fifth Year Senior
8) Off the the Waterfront
9) Schindler's Thoughts
10) Humming in the Rain
11) My Life's OK
12) Sunup Street
13) The Bridge Over the Tributary Kwai
14) Some Like It Lukewarm
15) Gases That Have Not Yet Formed Together Wars Episode -IV: A Newer Hope
16) Some Details Are Missing Concerning Eve
17) The African Princess
18) Sane Guy
19) Indochinatown
20) Zero Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
21) The Grapes of Mild Disgust
22) 2000: An Earth Journey
23) The Maltese Egg
24) Raging Calf
25) N.L.N.M.T.: The No-Less, No-More Terrestrial
26) Mr. Normalcrush
27) Clyde
28) Apocalypse Soon
29) Mr. Smith Packs His Suitcase for His Trip to Washington
30) The Burying of the Treasure at Sierra Madre
31) Annie Door
32) The Jesusfather
33) Low Noon
34) To Bring a Mockingbird to the Edge of Death Only to Spare It's Life
35) Nothing Has Happened Yet This Late Afternoon
36) 10 Minutes to 12 Cowboy
37) The Best Days of Our Lives
38) Single One Sided Transaction
39) Resident in Training Zhivago
40) North By West
41) West Side Idea
42) Rear Shades
43) Born of Nobility Kong
44) The Conception of a Nation
45) A Streetcar Nicknamed Desire
46) A Clockhobby Orange
47) Rickshaw Driver
48) Lips
49) Sleet White and the 6 Dwarfs
50) Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Zygote
51) A Philadelphia Story
52) From Here to a Long Time
53) Wolfgang
54) Some Quiet on the Western Front
55) The Silence of an Unplayed Piano
56) KASH
57) The Second Man
58) Reality
59) Self Respecting Citizen With a Purpose
60) Raiders of That Ark, Right There
61) I Love Heights!
62) Struggling Actor
63) Stageassistantcoach
64) Encountered the Third Kind
65) The Lambs Haven't Stopped Screaming yet, Have They, Clarice?
66) One Single Entity
67) The Manchurian Debater at the National Democratic Convention
68) A Greencard Holder in Paris
69) What's That Guy's Name, Riding in the Distance?
70) The Franco-Prussian Connection
71) Sapling Gump
72) Ben
73) Wurthering Downs
74) Take Your Time, It's Only Silver
75) Getting to Know the Wolves
76) Hamlet Lights
77) American Can of Spray Paint
78) Smooth
79) Before the Deer Turned On Me
80) The Wild One
81) PreHistoric Times
82) Midget
83) Private
84) Outside Fargo
85) Diced Duckling
86) Morale Is High on the Bounty
87) Young Frankstein
88) Dammit, Fucking Rider!
89) Patoff
90) The ASL Signer
91) No One's Fickle Girl
92) Homeless in the Sun
93) Living With My Parents
94) Decentdudes
95) No Pulp Fiction
96) At First They Were Content to Let It Be
97) Intercourse
98) Forgiven
99) The Extension of an Invitation to a Friend
100) Where Can I Find a Feather to Call Macaroni?

Do We Still Need...

No Smoking Signs? I look around and I see no smoking signs posted everywhere, as if people were threatening to smoke at every turn, regardless of the location. I thought people got it: You can't smoke anywhere that's not outdoors, and even then, think twice. Do we still need signs all over Penn Station - underground - that tell you that it's not OK to smoke while waiting for your train? Anyone who's gonna smoke there probably needs to be reminded not to just shit and piss anywhere they like. Do we need no shitting signs? "Excuse me, sir, I've noticed you just dropped a deuce in the middle of the Applebee's foyer. Did you not notice the 'No Shitting Sign'?" I guess it's a precaution so everyone is accountable for their actions, but I'm just sick of seeing them. You can't smoke anywhere indoors. Just don't do it. That being said, I was able to kill a man in the public library yesterday because there wasn't a 'No Murder' sign.

To tell people to vote? This is so fucking annoying to me, for some reason. "Make sure you vote!" "Don't forget to vote!" Sure, it would be nice if everyone voted, but it's not like people are forgetting they can - they just don't give a shit. Instead of telling people that they should vote, I think a better option is to say, "Give a shit!"

To say, "Tomorrow is another day"? Of course it is. Even if your dead, tomorrow is still another day, just not for you.

Food? I've been harping on this for a long, long time now, the fact that we can put a man on the moon but we still have to shovel food into our mouths three times a day. Where is the pill? The one that you take once in the morning and then you don't have to eat for the rest of the day. You're good, you're set. Then, instead of taking the time to eat, you can sing a song - cuz you can't fucking sing with food in your mouth! RIGHT!?!?

Yemen? What has this place given us?

False Idols? This should have stopped with the Golden Calf, but no, it hasn't. More and more pop up every day and it's depressing. I would question the need for regular idols, but they may still be relevant.

Laughter? Just kidding!

DG Interviews Dan, Part One

I recently interviewed Dan in an office in midtown Manhattan. He was promoting his latest tweet.

DG: Well, it's nice to finally meet you in person Dan, I -
Dan: It's nice to meet you, too.
DG: Thank you, it's...so good of you to say that.
Dan: It's the truth.
DG: (laughs): I'm sure it is. Now, we're talking here today because you've been kind of...stagnant lately.
Dan: Stagnant?
DG: Well, maybe not stagnant -
Dan: No, Dan, don't worry. It's OK. I guess I just hadn't heard someone say it aloud, like that.
DG: Does it make you uncomfrotable?
Dan: No, not really. I guess I don't really feel that way. But you sense it so...
DG: Well, I don't sense it, really, it's just what my researcher handed me. He found it out.
Dan: How'd he manage that?
DG: Twitter, your blog, friends.
Dan: Friends? What'd they say?
DG: Well, Dan, I'd rather not - do you want to change the topic?
Dan: No, no. I'd like to hear what they said about me.
DG: OK. Well, here's one quote: "Danny's best days are behind him. He was funnier in 7th grade."
Dan: Ouch. Who said that?
DG: I really couldn't say. The interviewees all wanted to remain anonymous.
Dan: Typical.
DG: Why do you say that?
Dan: I don't know. I feel like if you're gonna say something about me, I wanna know who it is. They're hiding.
DG: I guess they don't want to upset you.
Dan: It doesn't really upset me, Dan. I just would like to be able to ask this guy why I'm not as funny as I was when I was in seventh grade. Do you think I was funnier in seventh grade?
DG: Well...
Dan: Oh come on, out with it.
DG: I do think you've lost a step, yes.
Dan: Is it because I still do the wallet/cellphone gag?
DG: Not so much that one -
Dan: Good, cuz that's a really good one.
DG: Agreed.
Dan: So...
DG: Well it's more that you're less funny than an asshole.
Dan: See, I don't think that. People always say that to me and I always think, Man, I don't mean to be mean. I don't even see it that way. I'm just kidding around.
DG: But to other you aren't.
Dan: I guess that's true. I don't know. Maybe.
DG: Here's another quote: "He can dish it out but he can't take it."
Dan: Oh, not again.
DG: Is that true?
Dan: I mean, I guess it is, but...I just defend myself, you know? I give one back.
DG: Can't you just let it go?
Dan: I could, but I don't want to. It's not that I'm hurt, I just don't like to hear it. Why should I take things laying down just because others do? They have the option to say, "Fuck you, Grgas" they just don't.
DG: I see your meaning. But it may be tough cuz you're kind of a bully.
Dan: I hate bullies!
DG: I know you do, who doesn't. But that's what people say, that you are a bully.
Dan: Maybe I am. I know that it can come off like that, but in my head it's not playing out like that.
DG: Maybe you've got to get out of your head and see yourself how others see you.
Dan: Maybe.

A Great Song

One of the underrated songs of the 2000s. The chorus gets me going like...it's a truth, you know? It's not necessarily that NYC cops are stupid, but...Julian Casablancas is getting something off his chest. He knows what he means, I know what I mean, you know what you mean, she knows what she means. What does she mean? Ah...

"New York City Cops" - The Strokes

Oh! I meant - Ah!

No, I didn't mean that at all

Here in the streets of American nights
Rise to the bottom of the meaning of life
Studied all the rules, and I want no part
But I let you in just to break this heart
Even though it was only one night
It was fuckin' strange

Nina's in the bedroom
She says, "Time to go now"
But leavin' it ain't easy

I've got to let go
Oh, I've got to let go

And the hours they went to slow
I said every night
She just can't stop sayin':
"New York City cops
New York City cops
New York City cops
They ain't too smart
New York City cops
New York City cops
New York City cops
They ain't too smart"

Just kill me now 'cause I'll let you down
I swear one day we're gonna leave this town
"Stop"

Yes, I'm leaving 'cause this just won't work
They act like Romans, but they dress like Turks
Soft time in your prime
See me, I like the summertime
But...hey

Nina's in the bedroom
She says, "Time to go now"
But leaving it ain't easy

Oh, I've got to let go
I've got to let go

Oh, trapped in an apartment
She would not let them get her
She wrote it in a letter,:
"I've got to come clean
The authorities, they've seen
Darling, I'm somewhere in between"

I said every night
She just can't stop sayin':
"New York City cops
New York City cops
New York City cops
They ain't too smart
New York City cops
New York City cops
New York City cops
They ain't too smart"

THINGS YOU NEED

1) Coffee. You need this. Without it, you won't survive.

2) A Lighter. Without this, you will not be able to start fires.

3) Paper. This helps to start a fire and can be written on.

5) iPod. Music to listen, on this.

6) Headphones. To access the music on the iPod.

7) A Shoulder. To cry on. Use this when you are low, feeling down. Cry on a shoulder.

8) Eyes. Use them to see!

9) The Sun. Makes life possible.

10) The Five Senses. Underrated. Put them to use.

These were 10 things you may need.

Kanye, Spike Jonze

This is a great video. It proves that Kanye West is an asshole for real.

Behind the Scenes With Kanye from We Love You So on Vimeo.

THIS GUY GETS IT!!!

I had the pleasure of seeing "Where the Wild Things Are" last night at a very public screening with two of my friends, for the low fee of eleven dollars.

From the first title card - complete with illustrations from Max, the boy who would be king of the wild things - I was enthralled. Start to finish the movie had me, hook, line and sinker. If you're interested in seeing a film that is really good, I suggest you go and see WTWTA.

What made it so special? It all comes down to the man himself, director Spike Jonze. His vision was unique and utterly complete. I could tell that everything had been thought of, from costumes to the inner working's of all the character's minds (I'm sure my boy Dave Eggers - who co-wrote the script with Jonze - had something to do with this), and was considered in terms of the movie as a whole. HOWEVER, I don't think Spike's vision made it to the screen entirely. That's right, I suspect the muckety mucks made him cut the film down so that it would run shorter and faster, thus ensuring a quicker, more audience friendly flick.

Which isn't all that bad. The real drawback was that I wanted to see more. The movie makes sense as is; though I can't help but feel that it was a tad rushed. It needed a little more time to marinate; let the monsters develop more of their character; let Max develop.

The acting was superb. Max Records, who plays Max, was phenomenal - and it's really tough for a kid to win me over on screen. All of the wild things were beautifully constructed: that mix of live action and CGI really was tasty as a motherfucker. The actors providing the voices were all dynamite, adding so much humanity - and humor - to monsters!

By the film's end I was moved to tears. The relationship between Carol (head Thing) and Max, from its start to its finish, is life in a nuteshell. The way you interact with others, the frustration and the love - and the times you can't distinguish between the two - is in that relationship. It's not tangible, but how could it be? We're talking about WILD THINGS! It all comes down to the ahOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

AhOOO, indeed. I was proud of this movie for living up to my high expectations - and in the way the film dealt with the resolutions between its characters. Rarely does a movie say so much by saying nothing at all.

AhOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen...

The Flaming Lips.

To me, these guys have meant different things. So let's start at the beginning.

I read about The Flaming Lips on amazon.com a few months after Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots came out, at the end of 2002. The site had so many positive reviews posted by listeners, and amazon's editors ranked Yoshimi one of the top five best albums of the year or something like that, so I bought it. Truthfully, I don't remember exactly how I felt about it when I first heard it, but I did like it enough to seek out The Soft Bulletin and Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell soon after.

I enjoyed all three albums, though I wasn't enamored. At that time there seemed to be something silly about the Lips - and there most certainly is something silly about the Flaming Lips, I wasn't wrong about that. What I was wrong about, or, more accurately, what I didn't realize, was the genius in their silliness and, ultimately, in their music.

So after those first few months in 2002 and early 2003 when I was into the Lips I didn't really pay that much attention. I saw them open for Wilco on New Year's Eve back in 2004. They put on a kick ass show. In fact, I was rocking so hard, enjoying the giant balloons landing on my head so much, that I didn't notice images of George W. Bush flashing on the screen during their cover of Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" until halfway through the song. Now, I'm neither advocating or criticizing President Bush and his actions. That doesn't matter to me. I just don't want to see it at a rock concert. It turned me off. The politics made me lose my buzz. I couldn't just rock out anymore. It was complicated now. Damn.

In general, for a few years I just felt they were overrated. Stupid. Not that great. Mediocre, even. I tried Zaireeka and it was more trouble than it was worth (that's 4 discs intended to be played simultaneously).

But lately I've come to my senses. The Flaming Lips are as good as people say they are. This realization was sparked - this past Tuesday, in fact - when they released their newest LP, Embryonic.

I fell in love the first time I heard them play "Convinced of the Hexx" on The Colbert Report. They totally rocked - and they freaked me out in the best sense of the word. When I downloaded the album I was amped, ready to go. And the album delivered. It's 70 or so minutes of Bitches Brew like freak outs, mixed, of course, with the Lips' distinct sensibilities. The bass is mesmerizing. The keyboards - it sounds like Hancock and Corea but don't be fooled, it's only Steven Drozd! Damn. So fucking good. I can't say how great this album is. It really is a masterpiece, and one of those casual masterpieces. Where the band is just fucking rocking for themselves and they inadvertently deliver a fucking gem. It's the kind of album you bust out the pipe for, you know? But, what's cool is, even if you're not stoned it's still fucking freaky and psychedelic as shit.

After listening to Embryonic a handful of times, I moved on (back) to The Soft Bulletin. My first thought: How could I dismiss this band even in the slightest when they have produced an album that sounds like this? The Soft Bulletin is craft incarnate - without loss of emotion. Sonically speaking, can there ever be another album that sounds like this? I don't think you hear too many Flaming Lips wannabes nowadays because most everybody realizes you can't do what they do so don't try. TSB is moving. The sounds move you. The songs move you. The album as a whole moves you, in its humble, effortless greatness. Their are some bold moves on this album but it's all pop music. It's honestly like a Pet Sounds. Innovative. Beautiful. Awesome. Epic.

Enough. You can tell I think the album's diesel. Next stop: The Fearless Freaks, the documentary about The Flaming Lips. I watched it last night and was riveted. It started out as me just wanting to catch a scene or too but by 11:30 I wished it wasn't over. The Lips are weird, but they're sweet guys. They believe in family. They believe in the good things, even though they come from families where a lot of fucked up stuff has happened, i.e. suicide, drugs and jail. Still, they press on.

The entire flick is great because it's so honest. Nothing seems contrived. True, Wayne Coyne comes off a little strong, but he's Wayne Coyne. He's the face of the Lips. It's honest, man, I loved it. Best/Worst scene: watching Steven Drozd talk about his heroin addiction while cooking up some dope. The camera rolls as he searches for a vein. Cut away. Cut back: he's high. So good. Well made. True. Watch it.

So that's it. I'm excited to listen to more shit from earlier on in their career. I've been ignoring so much music. I even can't wait to try and Zaireeka again!

I'll leave you with two things. One, make sure you have really given The Flaming Lips a fair shot. Don't dismiss them like I did cuz they're silly. They're the real deal. Why? Because they're honest guys making the music they know how to make. I've come full circle since dismissing them. Thank god. Two, The Fearless Freaks:





Enjoy, you freak.

The Quest for the Perfect Drink

There are so many drinks out there. There are millions and millions of drinks just waiting to enter my mouth, waiting to be savored, waiting to quench my thirst.

Now, when I say drink, I mean, you know, a drink. Not Gatorade or Fresca. I'm talking alcoholic beverage. This is not say that those other drinks aren't drinks. Quite the contrary: they are drinks. But who cares what sodas I like or wanna try? It's a little fem and fruity (hey, that sounds like a great drink name, the Fem and Fruity).

I enjoy the art of the cocktail. I enjoy trying new, exciting, creative, and - sometimes - frightening drinks, like, you know, a pickle juice martini (verdict: not bad). Why? Because there is so much art in it. There's an art in making these drinks, especially in creating them. How does one do it? Why is one compelled to mix ingredients A and B together? Why are some people better at making a drink than another when all you gotta do it follow the instructions?

Who knows. You see, there's so much to it, and it definitely goes beyond the desire to loosen up and get drunk. That's only the by product of the drink, getting drunk. I like everything behind it. I love the appreciation. That might be the word. Appreciation. Because it's one thing to try a drink, another thing to drink it to get drunk, and yet another thing to try it and appreciate it for the beautiful thing that it is.

What got me thinking about this? Well I've been reading this book called Shaken and Stirred, by William L Hamilton, which is about different cocktails. And this man appreciates a good cocktail. It's his living. It's like any other food or beverage - there should be no taboo involved (if you're over 21!). Enjoy it like you would a good steak or something.

And then I stumbled upon this video. David Cross sharing a drink that he likes. Now I want to try it. It sounds great. I am privileged to know about it because, I am sure, one day I will make it and it will hit the spot.



So that's it. Just wanted to share that. Maybe I'll post stuff about drinks as I experience them or hear about them, or -

Oh, OK, here we go. I made a martini last night, and we finally had olives in the house. Green olives, not stuffed with anything - I think that's a crime. And we also had gin. Hmm. I decide to go with a dirty martini. I had tried it once and it was a disaster. Didn't like it. Dumped the whole damned thing in the sink (I know, crazy). But that was a while ago, so I decided to do it up, since I have more experience making drinks now. I made it and boy was this motherfucker tasty. I put two splashes of the brine in the shaker and it added this very subtle taste to the drink, really gave it a little kick, you know? Two splashes of olive brine and you totally transform the drink. I don't know about you, but I think that's cool. It's like a science. This is the closest I will come to being a scientist, making drinks - but it's also much different; there's a lot of feeling in making a drink. I don't like to measure out anything, I just go with my gut. Cuz I think people just have the knack for it. I got the knack. (Note: I think a dirty martini suits gin better than it does vodka. The taste of the brine really compliments that edge that gin has, you know, the one that tastes kinda like Christmas or your grandpa? With vodka I think you're better off going with a cocktail onion, or a twist. A vodka martini with a twist is pretty refreshing.)

So now I've got another drink in the arsenal, something else to enjoy, depending on how I'm feeling. FDR loved his martinis dirty. Now I do too!

But the quest for the best drink will still continue - it has to! If you have a unique drink leave the recipe as a comment. I'll definitely be jazzed and will definitely try it out. Then I'll blog about it! Oh man, how fucking sweet, right?!

THE COUNTDOWN CONTINUES!

OK, the next five. HERE:

20) Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, Blink 182 - OK, I'll say it: I love blink 182 more than any artist that will appear on this list. So why 20 and not higher? This isn't their best. But it's still a very, very fine album, full of great songs, each one good in its own right. This is the album where blink started realizing that they wanted to be serious - they were growing up, for real this time. Their personal lives were changing, they were settling down with significant others, kids were on the way - it all finds its way into the songs. Which is fine, because they still manage to convey humor and stay young at heart. In fact, some lyrics are damned childish - "Pick you up for our very first date," "the girl at the rock show" that kind of stuff - and that's part of the charm. There are going to be hundreds of serious albums released every year by serious artists, you know, carefully orchestrated somber chamber pop music - I'm looking at you Grizzly Bear - all striving to be meaningful and to be taken seriously, but none of them will be serious as TOYPAJ WHILE ALSO BEING as happy, infectious, childlike, and, of course, as funny, as blink is on this record.

Online Songs - blink-182

19) Weezer (Green Album), Weezer - A pop gem. Weezer's third album is so simple and straightfoward which is why it's so fucking great. The lyrics: guy loses girl, some variations on this theme. The melodies: catchy. Hummable. There's a whole lot of major chords, and, when there is a minor change, the resolution back to a major makes the whole damn thing seem even more joyous. The arrangements: nothing more than what's essential. The biggest extravegances are handclaps and the solos very rarely stray from the vocal melody line. This is my kind of album: short, simple and sweet.

I don't think people understand Rivers Cuomo. He's a pop songwriter. That's all he's ever been. He's doing the same thing now that he was doing with the Blue Album except that the times have changed. Everything needs weight nowadays to be taken seriously; some sort of indie cred that will make people feel better about listening to something silly or simple. And it can't be delivered straight. The Green Album is incredibly straight, and that's what makes it such a breath of fresh air every time I hear it. It doesn't need anything else - no story, no scene, no nothing. It's a band playing Rivers' songs, each one a gem.

18) Microcastle/Weird Era Cont., Deerhunter - This album reminds me of cold sunshine. Or maybe sunshine on a cold day. I remember I bought it from Soundgarden in Syracuse, NY, went home and pumped it in my house ASAP, where the first blast of "Cover Me (Slowly)" made me turn my head.

What an introduction, what a start! What a sound! Everything seems to be coated in that cold sunshine - most often reverb, sometimes distortion, sometimes the lack of an effect - seemingly seeping out of the disc itself. There may be unifying lyrical themes on the album (sacrifice, suicide) but I only know that cuz I read about it. Both of these albums have a feeling about them - I guess Weird Era Cont. is a, well, continuation of the weird feelings from Microcastle - that unifies all of the tracks. The sound is whole, the feeling's there, the melodies pop and the hooks hook but it's all about that sound, pumping from speakers at full blast. It's music your mind shuts off too and absorbs; you bob your head and jam and turn your head to the speakers, but it's only later, after a few listens, that you can piece it all together. But even then, it's better to lose yourself to that feeling, that weird, visceral feeling, and ignore reason. The music exits like cold sunlight streaming into your head! LET IT IN!

Never Stops - Deerhunter

18) Liars, Liars - "I wanna run away, I wanna bring you, too/I wanna run away, I wanna bring you, too!" starts "Plaster Casts of Everything," the lead track on Liars' eponymous LP, the follow up to their stunning mind-fuck, Drum's Not Dead. In a sense, it feels like those opening lines are the band saying, "Hey, we spent a lot of time in crafting a sonically rich, dense, difficult record in Drums - which was awesome! - but now we just wanna get away and rock out - and you can come, too!" And we do. Weird, listenable, hard, and they're still totally true to themselves, 100 percent. It feels like all of their stylistic variations (from punk to drone) really come together here coupled with a desire to just fuck you up cuz Liars hates you.

Plaster Casts Of Everything - ...

17) Plague Park, Handsome Furs - There's been a lot of talk this decade, especially in the latter half, of folk music. Free folk, freak folk, folk folk folk. Folk's folking everywhere. Devendra Banhart, the Dodos, Akron/Family, the earlier work of Animal Collective. These are just a few of the bands that have been called, in some way, folk artists. A name that does not get mentioned? Handsome Furs.

Yeah, upon first listen Plague Park doesn't sound terribly folky, what with the electronic drum beats and ringing electric guitars, but this is folk music. All of the songs could be performed with just voice and acoustic guitar. If you listen closely, you'll hear Dan Boeckner's acoustic underneath it all, I'm assuming the track overwhich everything was built on. This is an album made up of folk tunes. Lyrically, the album works like a folk album. "We hate this city, we hate it's drone," Boekner sings. That's a tenent of folk music, hatin' something and getting out. The subject matter may have changed with the changing times, but the attitude's still the same. Maybe you'd call it this, maybe you'd call it that, I think it's folk, an album of bare, emotionally resonant tunes crafted by a husband and wife duo where, in the end, all you really need are the words, voice, and acoustic guitar to convey a feeling that is very large.

And: Dan Boeckner is a personal favorite artist of mine. I love the way he sings, plays guitar, and writes. I like the attitude and the subject matter. I think we'd get along if we met. I hope we'd get smashed.

Sing! Captain - Handsome Furs

STAY TUNED FOR MORE OF THIS SHIT.

ALBUMS OF THE 2000s

Yo everyone, DG here, and I'm gonna be doing a countdown of my top 25 Favorite Albums of the 2000s, or the naughties, or whatever you wanna call 'em, since I must copy everything Pitchfork does in some way, shape or form (it's not like they invented the list! God did when he gave the tablets to Moses!).

These are simply the albums I think are best from this decade. No reasons other than I prefer them, me, Dan Grgas, no one else, just me, no one is paying me to say any of this. I mean, sometimes a certain album also happens to be an important album, you know, in the history of music, so that's a factor - but that's still just how it effects me, really, when you come to think of it, because I'm part of the history of music, too! Everyone is!

Two rules: 1) The album had to be released from 2000 to THIS second, and 2) an artist can only appear once. I know, then is it really a true list of the albums I thought are best if I may be omitting some that may be fucking awesome just because of some stupid rule? Yes. But this way the list is more varied and it makes it - for the most part - easier for me to pick and choose. If an artist appears on here there's a good chance I really like a lot of their other work and some of that work might have been on this list instead of other works but, due to rule numero 2, they ain't.

OK, here's the first five. Enjoy, and let me know what you think of these albums and what I have to say about them and whether they're worth it, etc. etc. etc.

25) Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers, and Bastards, Tom Waits - Some may consider this a compilation and not an album proper and, yes, there are tracks on here that have been available before, but Tom Waits also rerecorded many old tracks and put them on here, along with rarities, covers, B-sides and the like, most of which have never, EVER been released. The result? A coherent ALBUM - or TRIPLE DISC ALBUM - made up of great Tom Waits songs, most written by, all performed by Tom Waits, split into three categories based on the nature of the beast. No more needs to be said. This is Waits at his eclectic best.

Here's a heartbreaker:

Bottom of the World - Tom Wait...

24) Post-Nothing, Japandroids - I think this is a dude's album and that's why I dig it. Take the cover: two bros, lookin like bros do. And it's all about girls - well, girls, and being young and getting thinking about getting old when all you wanna do is "think about sunshine girls". That's Post-Nothing in a nutshell. Great melodies. "Young Hearts Spark Fire" into "Wet Hair" is an epic one-two punch. Possible alternate title: Post-Graduation, eh, recent grads?

Young Hearts Spark Fire - Japa...

23) Grinderman, Grinderman - Killer, grungey rock n roll. Nick Cave is a great lyricist, one of my favorites of all time. His words have character, they are unique, and, though he can seem kinda scary and intense, the man has a great sense of humor, as can be seen in the hilarious - though poignant - lead single, "No Pussy Blues". The sound and style of this project is illustrated perfectly in this track, drums pounding, bass throbing, and electric mandolin - courtesy of Warren Ellis - screaming away. Great stuff. BTW, make sure you check out the B-side to "NPB," "Chain of Flowers," the perfect counterpoint to "NPB."

No Pussy Blues - Grinderman

22) Nouns, No Age - I was tempted to put Weirdo Rippers on here instead of Nouns, but we're talkin' about albums here, man, and this is certainly an album. Weirdo Rippers works surprisingly well as an album considering it was made up of four EPs, and it does have my two favorite No Age tracks ("Every Artist Needs a Tragedy," "My Life's Alrite Without You") but I've found that Nouns is the more rewarding listen. Everything flows sonically; it's the kind of album that sounds as if it was recorded all at once, one take. Each track encompasses the entire album but you need to hear every track to understand the entire album as a whole. Great moments abound and - you know what I love? - I love that they're all brief. It's one quick guitar lick and that's it, you may not hear it again. Some artists find a hook and hit you over the head with it. No Age is content on doin it once, ON MAKING IT SPECIAL, which also ensures that you'll come back for more.

Eraser - No Age

21) Insignificance, Jim O'Rourke - Everything is executed perfectly on Insignificance; everything is there for a reason, thematically, emotionally and sonically - I mean, could you expect anything different from Jim O'Rourke, the guy bands (Sonic Youth, Wilco, Joanna Newsom) go to for everything and anything? The album is perfect, but it doesn't feel calculated. It's like a puzzle; all of the pieces fit together; if you take away one piece it wouldn't be complete. I picture Jim recording one last guitar part and then going, "Oh. It's all there. It's done. I can't do anything else; all the puzzle pieces are connected." Sometimes I appreciate albums more than I enjoy them. Insignificance is an album where I do both. A really rewarding listen - whether you're listening with a stethoscope or just blasting it in your car!

[No Lala available]

And there's the kick off, the first five albums. More to come tomorrow, I think, should be, can't see too many reasons why it wouldn't!

Part 2: Who Taught You How to Throw the Dick Down the Stairs!

It may sound weird to many when I say, "Blink 182 is probably the closest to the Beatles I'm gonna get." What? Did I hear you right, Grgas? Blink 182? Aren't you the guy who went through an avant garde jazz phase? Aren't you the guy who was into Glen Kotche's solo drum record? In fact, didn't you buy that?

Grgas, you're a straight up snob, man. This proclamation goes against everything you've ever said!

Ah, c'mon! I'd say. That's not true. I am quite frequently an asshole, true, and I like what I like and I will most definitely let you know that you don't know what you're talking about if you don't know what you're taking about, but my tastes are certainly not restricted to what is respected by the critics or to some idea of high art over fodder for the masses. If I like it, I like it. End of story.

So it makes perfect sense that I feel as if Blink 182 are my Beatles. The Beatles are my Beatles, too, but they were gone long, long before I was even a glint in my father's eyes. Blink's what I grew up on. They've informed me during a time when they were still forming themselves, growing as I grew. They aren't like The Beatles where I discovered their music and it's like opening up a time capsule - a timeless one - but still a capsule.

And so it began. The "What's My Age Again?" video really reeled me in, right at the same time I was digging "All Star" by Smash Mouth. Why do I mention this? Because, much to my shame, I decided to buy the Smash Mouth CD over Blink's "Enema of the State"! Yes, I knew it was a poor decision as soon as I made it, but I made it for some fucking reason, what's done is done, what -

Whatever. That video was hilarious and I was the perfect age for it, I think seventh grade, so like 13, probably closer to 14 because I remember getting into Blink in the summer between seventh and eighth grades.

And since then I've loved them. I have consistently returned to each one of their albums. Cheshire Cat for the exuberance and pure joy and hate in the songs; Dude Ranch for the perfect craftsmanship of emotionally pitch perfect tunes of such character; Enema for the catchy tunes that you gotta sing along with; Take Off Your Pants and Jacket for the evolution, the maturity; and the self-titled has a few good tracks on it, but it's OK.

I could wax rhapsodic on each of these albums, but here are three main things that have kept Blink as my second favorite band of all-time:

1) Humor. Every song is funny in some way, or at least 85 percent of them. They don't take themselves seriously but they still manage to convey so much emotion - Blink 182 has a catalogue that, song by song, hits closest to my heart, consistently. They bring me back to an earlier me, but that younger me is still a part of me, now, and the songs have only increased in meaning as I have grown to understand what it is about those songs that made me feel as I did when I was younger.
2) Mark and Tom. Both in the songwriting and their singing and playing. Simple but affective lyrics, infectious melodies and little pretension. They remind me of a Lennon/McCartney duo, Tom more Lennon, Mark more McCartney. The chemistry between them is dynamite - it's what drives the band. Their voices and sensibilities clash and adhere perfectly. It's luck - or fate - that made this band as great, the meeting of two musical soul mates.
3) Friends. I have been very close to a few friends for my entire life and Blink is - if push came to shove - the soundtrack of our friendship (Weezer is damned close). It may just be the way I view it - I haven't really asked them if they agree - but that's enough. Blink really is the perfect soundtrack for us; the humor, the vibe, the speed, the personality - perfect. And even as more people came into this fold, as close as any other, of course they loved Blink as much as we did. This is the real reason I love Blink. It reminds me of great times with great people. Something truly shared.

OK, I'll end it there. Stop three on my magical journey. In summation: Blink is the best. Naysayers be damned, there isn't too much to say against this bad, I think. Immature? Maybe. But other than that, I think they're as close to perfection as I'm gonna get. Sometimes you can't choose what you like, you just like it. And that's fine by me.

He's a ghost, he's a god, he's a man, he's a guru

IF YOU WANT YOUR MIND BLOWN CLICK HERE

ART IS

Art is the product of what you hate to love. Or, what you love but don't or can't have. Or the love you've given up or lost - missed opportunities. These and slight variations are what makes me produce what I have made. There is creation strictly for love's sake, but the shit's usually a little weak because if you unconditionally love something you're better off just loving it, dammit, don't waste time creating art about it! Love it, her, him, don't fucking waste time putting pen to paper, lens to life, music to air. Remember, there's no pain, no gain. End of story.

Part 1: King of the Castle

A few days ago I gave a little back story as to the foundation of what makes up my musical DNA, that is, I told you how The Beatles always seemed to be around, playing (not live), when I was growing up. All music is compared to the Beatles in some way, specifically: Does it make me as happy as their music does? I don't literally say this, but if there is an ultimate watershed, this is is.

In two posts I'm going to talk about two bands: Dave Matthews Band and blink 182, both of which had a profound effect on the young me -- and one of these two still really, really does!

I remember driving home from Sagamore Hill - you know, the famed Long Island home of Teddy Roosevelt? - with my mom and my sister, when I was about thirteen years old, and "Crash" by DMB came on the radio. Now, at this point most in my life my music listening habits were regulated to, A) whatever my parents listened to, and B) Weird Al Yankovic. I love Weird Al - in so many ways he's a genius - but I wouldn't quite consider him part of my musical journey. Sure, I love comedy nowadays, but that's more of what Weird Al is to me, comedy, humor. It just happens he choose music to get laughs.

OK, so we were driving along, the sun was shining, and on came "Crash Into Me" and, right away, the tune really thrilled me. Even now I remember the day, listening to it in the car, going to Mario's Pizzeria thinking about the song, humming the "I'm the king of the castle" part Dave does at the end. I knew I had to have it, my parents knew I had to have it, so I used their credit card to buy it dirt cheap on Half.com.

The next few days sucked. Waiting for that package. It was almost as bad as waiting for Pokemon Blue to come in the mail. By Saturday morning the disc still hadn't arrived, and as I got myself ready to go to a Bat Mitzvah - I think I had a little bit of a crush on the bat mitzvahee - I was pissed the fucking thing was still in transit.

So I danced, acted like a jackass thirteen year old all day, was pretty tired at 7 PM when someone's mom picked me up -- BUT WHEN I GOT HOME "CRASH," DAVE MATTHEW'S SECOND LP, WAS WAITING FOR ME. Didn't even change out of my nice clothes. I put that thing on my discman and listened to the entire record, pining for my young Jew crush as I followed along with each and every lyric printed in the CD booklet, straight to the end of "Proudest Monkey."

DMB was the first band I got hooked on, ON MY OWN. No one else played it for me. My mom or my dad weren't into it. I was going to have to turn THEM on to it (Mom/Dad: "The music is nice but I don't like his voice/lyrics."). This was my band, I discovered them, I bought all of their records and inhaled them, they were mine. DMB is significant because of the independence I discovered, the thrill of choosing what music to listen to. And also the feeling it invoked in me. I remember being really emotionally involved in "Crash," feeling like it was totally how I felt about that girl.

Part of enjoying music is about that search for something new, and when it's good - when it's emotionally resonant - the discovery is almost spiritual, and thrilling to boot. I don't listen to DMB on a daily basis anymore, but I don't need to. I listen to the occasional song every once and a while, though no new stuff for me. I can't abide people who are constantly thrilled with this guy, even though I realize the power and allure of his songs because I was there, but I was a thirteen year old, not a 25 year old U of F grad who still swoons when they hear that Dave is king of the castle. It was a jumping off point. The beginning. You gotta start somewhere and I'm totally happy Dave got me to where I am today.

"The Forever War" by Dexter Filkins

The book is a love song about Iraq. I quote the "Acknowledgments" section of "The Forever War," last paragraph:

"I fared better than many of the people I wrote about in this book; yet even so, over the course of the events depicted here, I lost the person I cared for most. The war didn't get her; it got me."

Love is a forever war. That's what it means to be in Iraq and Afghanistan for seven years. I know the feeling. This is a love story, and it's hard, you hate missin' it, but what a story it is.

PROLOGUE: Happinness Is A Warm Beatle

Guinness anyone?

Music and me. My history, as seen (heard?) through the music I've loved throughout the years. This is the beginning.

I said I was going to start with my formative years, 13 years old or so, but I think we just need a bit of prologue first, to understand everything that follows:

I grew up in household where the Beatles seemed to be in everything. The air, the water, the food I ate. You name it, the Beatles were in it.

To say my parents love the Bealtes is true. They love the Beatles. But they're not obsessed or anything. They're not idiots. They don't have all the collectibles, just the music. Sure, we have the occasional Beatles coaster or magnet, and yes, we have pretty much all the DVDs and CDs (remastered mono box set status: still waiting), and I'm sure my mom can be moved to tears by them at certain moments, but that's as it should be. They love the music and definitely enjoy the history of the band; seeing the band play, talk, laugh, interact with each other; the trivia...Basically if a Beatle is involved, they're interested. Not blindly, not like a dumbassess. They just love the band because they make them happy. It's their favorite band, man, since the Beatles were around, since probably, I'd assume, the first time they heard their music.

So Beatles' music was always playing. There's a great video of me as a one year old just chillin' by a speaker with "Helter Skelter" blasting at full volume, my mom taping away as her son experiences hearing loss and, possibly, brain damage. It's fucking awesome. Best thing my mom ever did, but she was/is always doing things like that.

The Beatles are the touchstone. Any music I listen to and talk about is measured...not necessarily against them, but with them in mind as perfection. As what music should be. As what makes me happiest, just like my folks, becauase I am a second generation Beatle fan, born and bred with the Beatles since before I can remember.

Hello,

Mr. Lighter than air.

2000s: Music & Me

2000s: Music and Me
(what a fucking picture...taken December 2004 - 18 years old, so impressionable)

Music. It's been pretty good for the last ten years, during the 2000s, or the Naughties, and it was during this time that I really started to become interested in music. Finding it, listening to it, buying it, stealing it, paying for three songs on iTunes...My musical tastes were shaped during these years. I went from Dave Matthews Band all the way to Joanna Newsom (and sometimes back again!) during this time, and boy, what a ride!

There's a period in a life where music has the greatest effect on you. Those impressionable ages - I'd say 13 (Mazel tov!) to, oh, I don't know, 20, 21...basically until the end of college - when music really seeps inside of you, into your soul. It happened to my parents - and god knows how many other Baby Boomer types - with the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, etc. I know my parent's interest, or should I say passion, for music is centered on these few years. They listen to a lot of stuff, but mostly they like what they liked when they were these ages. It's what they always return to, for enjoyment and comfort.

I know I'm just out of this age range, but I do feel out of it. For better or worse (better), my tastes and preferences for music were shaped during this past decade, 13-21 years old. But it wasn't really shaped by the music from the 2000s, though there are certainly albums and songs that have. I was toying around with the idea of doing the twenty best albums of the past ten years and it just wasn't fulfilling enough (hey, if pitchfork.com is doing something like this, I gotta do it!). I'll prob compile a top 20 just for the hell of it mad soon, but I kind of wanna spend a few posts talking about key musical moments for me that occurred during the 2000s, more or less that period of time I was talking about just before. It could be an album or song from any time period, as long as I discovered it or it affected me greatly in the 00s. I'll include other musical moments, too, such as concerts, jam sessions, a song that was playing at a party one night, a conversation with somebody, a mix...

So I'll talk about the music and what was going on in my life, how the music shaped certain times, all that kind of stuff. I may go chronologically, I may not (I think I may).

OK, I'll start shooting some stuff out, maybe later today, maybe tomorrow, who knows? Just hopefully not in the 2010s!

the fuhyive

uh, so, uh, here are some things that i've been, like, digging, uh...

1) The Forever War by Dexter Filkins - almost done with this incredibly gripping read about the Iraq war. This man is pretty brave. He's been in a lot of places that only soldiers and dead people have been. His writing is immediate and real, that is, it doesn't seem contrived or altered - the man writes about what happened, no changes made to make it more dramatic. This man has some great stories - and insights - about quite a war. I hope it does last forever - so he can write another book! (Just kidding, war is bad.)

2) Gmail. It's pretty good. Convenient. It gets me my mail. Very happy with this thing. Has everyone heard of it?

3) "Horrible People" and "Back On Topps" - two web series(es?). "HP" is a pardoy of a soap opera and it's fucking funny. My favorite kind of humor: so serious it's ridiculous. And it's also just plain ridiculous. A dude fills up a turkey baster with his own semen - what more need I say? And "BOT" is a surpisingly hilarious show starring the Sklar Brothers, you know those guys, you recognize them. They love sports, they were on Entourage, one wears glasses the other doesn't...Both great damned shows. I'd reccommend checking out the two links I've posted and watching these two first episodes and see how you feel.

4) Joe Lo Truglio - cousin to the BLT, the JLT has been on my mind since "Superbad". He's so damned funny in that movie that he doesn't need to be in anything else: "Hey - I'm a nice guy" "Welcome to the thunderdome! We're gonna rock out with our cocks out. No, just kidding. But we are gonna rock out." "Sounds like she fully wants it. And who's gonna give it to her, my man? You, that's who." "So you guys on MySpace or..." I could quote his lines near-perfectly all day and night and smile. But the reason he's on my mind right now is that he is awesome in "Horrible People". Classic JLT - with a beard. He's always been funny in the past, he will be in the future, but, if he never worked again, was never even in a fucking Extenz commercial (call him up, extenz!) for the rest of his life, I would be happy just thinking about him in Superbad. God bless, JLT.

5) The Americano - I had this cocktail recently and enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I'd had Campari before - tasted Campari before - and it was pretty damned bitter, though that's what Campari is, it's a bitter, so what was I expecting? Just that, and I wasn't crazy about it. But after watching Bill Murray ask an intern to get him a Campari on the rocks in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou [Ed. Note. This movie would represent the 6 if this was called "the six"] I knew that it would hit the spot sometime in the very near future. However, Campari on the rocks itself wasn't cutting it, so I did some research and found that the Americano is more or less the standard Campari cocktail: Half Campari and half sweet vermouth, served on the rocks in Collins glass with a splash of club soda and an orange slice. It's a refreshing drink, different than other cocktails that have more hard A in it. And it's also not going to be everyone's cup of tea - it's a little funky, which is fine for me. I mean, recently I made a martini with pickle brine in it (so-so: I need better brine!). For me, though, the beauty of the Americano is the mix of bitter tastes (the Campari) and sweet tastes (the vermouth), with that splash of club really adding that extra crispness you so desire in a well-made cocktail. Personally I think that going half and half with the Campari and vermouth is a guideline - I think it tastes better when it skews slightly towards the bitter side. Then again, you may like it sweeter. Regardless, I think this is a pretty classy drink and, though it's getting colder and the Americano strikes me as a summer drink, I encourage you to try one, if you have the opportunity. I you come over my house, I can surely make you one!