January 2010
1 post
“I am aware that many object to the severity of my language; but is there not...”
– William Lloyd Garisson
(Fine. I admit it. It’s in the opening track of the new Titus Andronicus album. Still. Love it.)
December 2009
2 posts
These are a few of my favorite things...
It’s my birthday. So (obviously) I’ve been thinking a lot about myself. As a result, I’d like to share some of my favorite things with the world, in the hopes that they become some of your favorite things. All links via youtube, b/c that’s what I have access to at the moment. This should also silence those who tell me I don’t like anything.
Possibly the Best...
So... this is a thing now...
Remaking the Bob Rivers Christmas parody “classic” ‘The 12 Pains of Christmas”. You may remember this from the more ‘edgy’ radio station that played Christmas music for holiday season. It contained hilarious observations about the trials of what is usually considered a joyous time. Here it is, in its original ‘kooky-take-on-life’ glory:
...
November 2009
2 posts
2010: Best Year in Music Ever?
I’m going to go ahead and say 2009 wasn’t the greatest year for music releases. We’ve all been paying more attention to our best of the decade lists anyway. But the probable new releases in 2010 have got a lot of promise. Stereogum has a list of 25 Most Anticipated albums, but I think a good half of them are crap so here’s my own (because I’m up early on a Saturday...
Is this illegal? This is a commercial breakdown that came out today looking for a new spokesperson for a mystery beer. I was gobsmacked to see that one of their types they were looking for was everyone’s favorite bald-headed twat, Karl Pilkington:
Hero of the Ricky Gervais Podcast and kidney-stone survivor, Karl Pilkington is a man plucked from obscurity by a semi-sadistic Ricky Gervais...
October 2009
1 post
That's Broadway, Folks
Some angel from above gifted the NYTimes with the transcript of Jeremy Piven’s arbitration hearing. As a result, we have this hilarious exchange between producer Jeffrey Richards and Piven’s doctor:
“Soon after, Mr. Richards and Dr. Colker had a heated phone conversation, which ended when Dr. Colker abruptly hung up. According to Dr. Colker’s testimony, Mr. Richards called back...
September 2009
3 posts
TITUS ANDRONICUS IN TWO WEEKS →
To step away from that last issue, and hopefully open up this blog again on a consistent basis. Titus Andronicus are coming to the Knitting Factory in Brooklyn in two weeks and I am really excited to finally be seeing them. They’re touring the southern states now (how I wish I could see them at Local 506 in Chapel Hill!) and the Brooklyn date is their last, so I’m hoping for a huge...
Let's Talk About Rape
God help me from taking a break in tumbling to post on this. So last week the world trotted out the Roman Polanski case again so we could all talk about rape and Hollywood and artists and blah blah blah blah blah again.
I’m not going to talk about that because frankly, we’re all sick of hearing about it and what we think doesn’t really matter one way or the other. It’ll...
Wrapanap gets its first review! (Positive,... →
July 2009
4 posts
America, This is You
R. Kelly “gets it done” with the national anthem at boxing.
June 2009
13 posts
MICHAEL JACKSON
I will say: my most recent favorite Michael Jackson songs were the kitschy crap songs I’m sure he would have liked to disown (if he cared about his own catalog after buying so much of the Beatles’). I’m talking ‘bout PYT. I’m talking ‘bout THE GIRL IS MINE.
But there was a time. A SEGA Genesis “Moonwalker”-playing time. When I looked at this man...
I Love Bill Maher More Each Week
Hate and Terrorismism in America
PBS special about the terrorism of those who claim to be “Pro-Life”.
And I really think Bill O’Reilly has no ‘soul’.
Gawker - Israeli Woman Accidentally Tosses... →
I echo one of the commenters when I say:
“There’s always money in the banana stand!”
Also, this sucks. Sorry, lady.
Gawker - You: Doomed [Science] →
Fuck.
PLEASE GOD, BUY A TICKET FOR A TOURING MUSICAL aka...
Oh hi. It’s the Tony Awards. The Tony Awards, like most award shows, have gone from honoring excellence to advertising desperately for musicals touring the country. That’s why you’ll see the touring company of Legally Blonde performing tonight (which wasn’t even nominated for a ‘Best Musical’ Tony last year) and Jersey Boys (a show that’s three years...
Pool Parties 2k9 @ Williamsburg Waterfront
If it’s a Sunday in July/August, you’d be hard pressed to find a better activity than the following:
Sunday, July 12 - Mission of Burma, Fucked Up & Ponytail Sunday, July 19 - Magnolia Electric Co. AND Dirty Projectors and ???? Sunday, July 26 - ??? The Hold Steady???? (just a random guess) Sunday, Aug 02 - Dan Deacon, No Age & Deerhunter Sunday, Aug 09 - Simian...
McG talks to Adam Smith about on-set fights and... →
One more reason I love Bill Murray.
He headbutted that twat, McG.
American Hero.
May 2009
14 posts
Books don't give autographs, SQUIDBRAINS!!!
Oh, this is just ridiculous.
So Kanye West, whose mother was an English professor, has come out with a press release saying that he is a “proud non-reader of books” … but also that he’s written … a book. Here’s some brilliance:
“I am not a fan of books. I would never want a book’s autograph.”
“I am a proud non-reader of books. I like...
a note on what happened in california today...
So all the headlines read: California Supreme Court on Prop. 8’s Ban of Same-Sex Marriage.
And yes, that is mostly true, but not really accurate. Remember, this is the same Supreme Court who GRANTED same-sex couple the right to marry last year.
Then came a ballot initiative, Proposition 8. In California, a ballot initiative can be voted on by the public in order to CHANGE the state...
If you're spending time in a National Park this...
don’t forget to pack your FIREARM.
Now, I believe that gun ownership is not a right, but a privilege. Really, the practice of the US is in agreement (that’s why you’re supposed to acquire a license), despite the constant bellowing of people’s “right” to bear arms. There are many responsible gun-owners in America. There are also a lot Americans who sublimate...
So far, I am not a fan of this Jorn Hurum...
So…
Meet the Missing Link (or at least the latest claim to the throne). What makes this one different, however is how we are apparently going to be bludgeoned over the head with it’s purported significance. Now, there’s a reason why the NYTimes covered this under their ‘Media’ section and it’s because of the (upsetting) bit described below:
“the...
WatchUmmmmm… wow.
Here’s your first (I’m assuming) terrestrial view of our galaxy.
Thanks to William Castleman via Gizmodo.
'Bitte Orca' Owned My Weekend
Never been into Dirty Projectors before this weekend. I thought I’d give the new album ‘Bitte Orca’ a try, because who am I to disagree with the music blog elite?
The album is pretty damn good. I started with “Flourescent Half-Dome” then meandered my way through “Useful Chamber”, “Temecula Sunrise” (my favorite) and the rest. I should...
Get Me Off This Rock - Gizmodo →
Gizmodo had a great feature this week dedicated to man’s history in space. Remember 50 years ago when we were confined terrestrially? Yeah, neither do I, which is why I take something like space flight as an assumption when I should be more like: holy shit dude, we’ve left the freaking planet that randomly spawned life millions of years ago and returned. Science is awesome.
Dr. Larry Dossey: Premonitions and Spirituality →
This has to be the most absurd self-indulgent crap I’ve ever heard. YOU’RE LIVING IN A FANTASY WORLD. I’m quite upset to find it on a news site that carries commentary with which I usually agree.
Soldiers In Afghanistan Given Bibles, Told To... →
Spending the weekend reading ‘God is Not Great’ (which, unlike the deity, IS) makes me fume even more at this.
Disgusting.
"On and On and On" 'Tab'
Because why not?
Found some rough tabulature on this song and decided to work it out as it’s not been posted anywhere except the viachicago forum.
Piano intro:
e ——0 ——0
B —8— x8 —8— x8
G —11— —11—
D —10— —9—
If you’re a good finger-picker you can...
Jezebel - Comic Confrontations: Judge Judy Vs.... →
Between this lady and Mr. TOUCHERISM, I think it’s time I ran for congress…drunk.
April 2009
27 posts
KneeJerk Reaction: Peter, Bjorn & John @ Webster...
Here’s the thing. Perhaps you can judge from this picture, but one of my former ‘new favs’ has devolved into douchedom. The swedish trio have always seemed like they were playing with someone else’s tools, dancing in daddy’s shoes. On ‘Writer’s Block’ I believe this was done to great effect. On ‘Living Thing’ I think they fell...
KneeJerk Reaction: "The Road" (The Movie)
A quick one: Went to a test screening of “the Road” tonight (thanks to Dane). I had not read the book, but the concept seemed (as Tyler put it) right up my alley. Post-apocalyptic survival/morality exploration. Viggo looks AWFUL, but I guess that’s the point. The kid actor is not very good, but I’ll give him a decent break. Charlize Theron is underused but has probably...
yancey:
this is the best song in the world today....
Miley Cyrus is not a Good Christian (and Neither...
This dude says in a different way what I’ve been trying to say. People are trying to contort their deisired religion to fit their inherent beliefs on rights, etc. because it doesn’t make sense to them. The rules are crap, so they ignore them (see: the ‘don’t eat shellfish’ bit). However, this should mean that they abandon the whole system but they don’t. ...
Eh... Not Catholic... Not Protestant... What Else...
Time did a story on how many Americans change their religion/faith/belief. They found that, in the sample group, 44% had changed religion at least once. This info I found interesting:
“Former Catholics who switched either to another tradition or became unaffiliated cited unhappiness with church teachings on abortion and homosexuality and disagreements over the role of women in the church....
KneeJerk Reaction: The Walkmen @ Webster Hall...
Will add to this tomorrow…
Caught The Walkmen’s warm-up show at Webster Hall before they go off on tour with Kings of Leon (a crime that they are not equally as popular as those nouveau-chic Southern boys). Opening for them were (supposed to be) Beach House and Cymbals Eat Guitars. For some reason, Cymbals got booted from the bill (hopefully not for Vega/Crystal Castles...
The Tallest Man On Earth - KneeJerk Review
Obligatory ironic picture post.
Right. Caught The Tallest Man on Earth at Bowery Ballroom tonight with openers Red Cortez. Frankly, I was disappointed from the start that he was plugged in for the set. The atmospheric acoustics on the album are part of the appeal. Also sad that he opened with “I Won’t Be Found”, arguably his best but definitely his most popular song. I...
KneeJerk Reaction: "Ashes of American Flags"
I was at a screening tonight for a new tour film, “Ashes of American Flags” featuring Wilco on their recent North American tour. Nothing special or exclusive. I bought a ticket. Don’t want to brag.
Wilco was the subject of the fantastic “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart” film, which was an incredibly interesting look into the band’s turmoil around the time...