Music and other ramblings

The Simpson Maker

2006-01-23T15:29:00.000-05:00

Create your own personal Simpson character.

Ovechkin; what a freakin' goal

2006-01-17T11:00:00.000-05:00

Best Goal Evar? Check out Ovechkin's great awesome tally last night versus Phoenix here.

Ultimate Showdown

2006-01-17T10:57:00.000-05:00

Who will win?

http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=14683

Taco Town

2006-01-16T13:40:00.000-05:00

Tacos ! SNL skit ... hilarious.

http://www.devilducky.com/media/40841/

Funny...

2006-01-09T12:35:00.000-05:00

SNL Chronicles of Narnia Rap
http://www.devilducky.com/media/39845/

This is just hilarious ... hahaha cupcakes.

SNL (again) Lettuce Help
http://www.devilducky.com/media/39579/

A couple more worth mentioning ...

2006-01-09T12:25:00.000-05:00

Brendan Benson – Spit it Out
Detroit singer who is pretty damned good, his album The Alternative to Love is another one of this year’s good albums. Good hooks, I’m a sucker for them every time. Honorable Mention – What I’m Looking for, Warm Hands (Cold Heart).
www.brendanbenson.com/

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Ain’t No Easy Way
From their “Howl” record, I really enjoy this track … it’s a very simple song with very simple lyrics. It’s got a great beat that makes you want to stamp your feet along with it. Howl is a good album, not what I expected, but after a couple listens it grew on me. Honorable Mention – Weight of the World.
www.blackrebelmotorcycleclub.com/

Audioslave – Doesn’t Remind Me
Is it just me or does Chris Cornell do the weirdest things in the world just so he doesn’t get reminded of things? Driving backwards in the fog .. dude, youre freaking crazy. Good song from the Audioslave lads with the strong guitar from Morello, good hook and chorus. This is another one of those songs that sticks in your head ... and unfortunately has been played to death by any modern rock. Honorable Mention – Um, how about Soundgarden and Rage Against the Machine? You like that side boob? Cause that’s MY side boob!
http://www.audioslave.com/main/

A Day Late ... The Top Four

2006-01-03T12:55:00.000-05:00

4. Green Day – Jesus of Suburbia
Okay, this is the album of 2005. No Question. Hands down. Green Day is probably the band of the year and had I made this list a couple months earlier there would be no question that this song would be number one. At nine minutes and change this song is a little long to listen to on repeat but it works on so many different levels. I guess the only reason this is not higher is because it came out a while ago and its no longer on heavy rotation in my ipod. Well done Mr. Armstrong, also keep dissin’ Dubya and Co. … I quite enjoy it.
Honorable Mention – Wake Me Up When September Ends, American Idiot, Boulevard of Broken Dreams
www.greenday.com/

3. Elbow – Forget Myself
Elbow, another of my personal favorites … I simply can’t get enough of the tunes they compose and then place great vocals with smart lyrics over it. This song is off their new album “Leaders of the Free World” which I highly recommend; currently I have this in very high rotation.
Honorable Mention – Leaders of the Free World, Great Expectations, Station Approach
www.elbow.co.uk/

2. The White Stripes – My Doorbell
Jack and Meg rock. Nuff Said.
Honorable Mention – Blue Orchid, The Denial Twist, Forever is for Her, Take Take Take
www.whitestripes.com/

1. Bloc Party – This Modern Love (Remix)
Silent Alarm is my favorite album of the year. Bloc Party is definitely an acquired taste but I can’t believe how much I actually listen to this album and this song. The remix of this song is actually off a separate album called “Silent Alarm Remixed” but I include it on the album because I think it is better than the original track.
Honorable Mention – Banquet, Helicopter, So Here We Are
http://www.blocparty.com

There you are. Bonus picks tomorrow or later today.

Go Canada Go.

Happy New Year - 13 - 5

2006-01-02T11:15:00.000-05:00

13. Athlete – Wires
Wires was released earlier this year in the UK by Athlete and immediately caught my attention. I saw them with Snow Patrol in May and the lead singer explained that this was about his baby girl who was born premature and very ill. He has got very unique vocals and he puts together a great chorus and they are a very solid live act.
Honorable Mention – Twenty Four Hours, Maps, Half Light, Street Maps
www.athlete.mu/

12. Nada Surf – Always Love
This band has experienced a complete makeover since they arrived on the grunge scene with their hit “Popular” way back in 2000. Their new album “The Weight is a Gift” has grown on me recently. They are a fun band, not too heavy and very catchy with infectious hooks.
Honorable Mention – Concrete Bed, Do it Again, Blankest Year
www.nadasurf.com/

11. Franz Ferdinand – Do You Want To
It took a couple listens for me to really get into this song, I really didn’t know what to think of it at first. It’s a great song though and I must say I am glad I gave it another chance. The video is also well done and quite enjoyable. This is a great album too with 3 to 4 other standout tracks which I’m sure will keep Franz Ferdinad in the charts well into 2006.
Honorable Mention – I’m Your Villain, The Fallen, Walk Away
www.franzferdinand.co.uk/

10. Jack Johnson –Badfish/Boss DJ (Sublime Cover)
Jack’s a song writer, although personally I find his songs better when incorporated into a mix along with other genres etc. Its not that I don’t like his albums, but I find it becomes a wash because all of the songs sort of have the same tempo and feel to them. The Sublime tribute album that came out this year featured a track where Jack actually covered two Sublime songs in a medley … he totally pulled it off. Bravo, well done sir.
Honorable Mention – Breakdown, Sitting Waiting Watching, Good People
www.jackjohnsonmusic.com/

9. Ambulance Ltd. – Primitive (The Way I Treat You)
Cool song, really catchy. The Self titled album by Ambulance ltd is a difficult one to track down. But it was worth the hunt, it’s really an enjoyable listen … I don’t think these guys will be a one hit wonder, I think they have a pretty bright future.
Honorable Mention – Heavy Lifting, Sugar Pill, Orphelia
www.ambulancenyc.com/

8. Stereophonics – Rewind
My Favorite band, so I am a little bit partial to any album that they put out. This is some good material though from Kelly and the boys. This band is at the top of my list to see live this year … I don’t care where I have to travel to do it. Check out their album “Language, Sex, Violence, Other?”
Honorable Mention – Dakota, Superman, Devil
www.stereophonics.com/

7. Foo Fighters – The Best of You
“In Your Honor” is my favorite double album of the year; anything Dave Grohl does is gold in my opinion. The Foo Fighters help me keep some faith in good old Rock and Roll. They put out great material, they never take themselves too seriously and they really put on a fun live show.
Honorable Mention – DOA, No Way Back, Resolve, The Last Song, Another Round
www.foofighters.com/

6. Coldplay – Fix You
Some find this track corny; I’m not one of those people. This is a great song and the mood and atmosphere it creates it unbelievable. The feeling that it creates at about the two minute mark when the song really picks up is wicked. Nicely done gentleman … a melancholy, thoughtful song that’s not just a fluffy ballad pre-packaged for the radio.
Honorable Mention – ‘til Kingdom Come, Speed of Sound, Talk, X & Y
www.coldplay.com/

5. Beck – E-Pro
Beck is cool. I enjoy this album and this song on so many different levels; I highly recommend picking up “Guero”. Only negatives: a couple Spanish speaking tracks and a little weirdness here and there … but if you can deal with the quirkiness the other stuff is money and in my opinion so good that its almost the album of the year.
Honorable Mention – Girl, Go it Alone, Black Tambourine, Rental Car
www.beck.com/

More Later Today ...

Top Tracks 18 - 14

2005-12-27T11:58:00.000-05:00

18. The Sun – Say Goodbye
This song starts out kinda slow and meandering … okay so nothing special right? Well, check it out at about 2:30 or so .. I think its a great tune. Really, good album by these guys … one of my favs this year. Honorable Mention – Romantic Death, We Tried, Must Be You
http://www.milkandcookies.com/article/2939/ - A funny video that they made of all kinds of people’s “O, O” faces (Yes, that is an Office Space reference).

17. Spoon – Sister Jack
Great track from their album “Gimmie Fiction”. They also have a couple other decent tunes off the same album, this song however was definitely the standout song for me. This is still to this day in heavy rotation on my ipod. Honorable Mention – I Summon You, I Turn My Camera On.
http://www.matadorrecords.com/spoon/music.html

16. Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc.
At first this I thought this song was really weird, then I thought you know what weird is good. Same with the album, the Gorillaz crew is very different and but that alright by me. Honorable Mention – DARE, Dirty Harry, pretty much the whole dang album.
www.gorillaz.com/

15. Shout Out Louds – Very Loud
Awesome, Awesome song. Check it out kids ... lots of fun. Honorable Mention – The Comeback, Hurry Up, Lets Go
www.shoutoutlouds.com/

14. The Kaiser Chiefs – I Predict a Riot
I remember the first time I heard this song; It was really hard to find a good quality version of it on the net the file I had was a little grainy. Poor Quality or not, as soon as that big rambling “I Predict a Riot” chorus hit I was sold. Tight album too. I just recently got the Enjoyment DVD and it appears that they are solid live (not that they will ever be in Ottawa). I look forward to big things from these lads. Honorable Mention – Oh My God, Everyday I Love You Less and Less, Born to be a Dancer.
www.kaiserchiefs.co.uk/

Stay Tuned ... More to Come.

My Top 30 Tracks/Artists of 2005

2005-12-24T00:23:00.000-05:00

30. The Black Keys - 10 AM Automatic
Great Band From Dayton Ohio. Really I wish I could have caught then in concert when they came to Ottawa in November, they would probably be higher on the list if I did, oh well. Honorable Mention - Till I Get My Way, Girl is on My Mind, All Hands Against His Own.
http://www.theblackkeys.com/

29. LCD Soundsystem – Daft Punk is Playing at my house
Groovy little number from this dude, he released a 2 disc album earlier this year. Honorable Mention - Tribulations.
http://www.lcdsoundsystem.com/

28. Death From Above 1979 - You're A Woman, I'm A Machine
Toronto Band, two guys the vocalist plays the drums ... which scores big points in my book. Saw these guys on Conan and they rocked, Max Weinberg even played the drums for them at one point during their set ... really good stuff ... I look forward to hearing new stuff from them soon. Honorable Mention - Sexy Results, Black History Month, Romantic Rights.
http://www.deathfromabove1979.com/

27. Mike Doughty – 27 Jennifer’s
Mr. Doughty used to be the lead singer for the band Soul Coughing (remember Super Bon Bon?). Some really catchy stuff from him; 27 Jennifer’s stayed in my head for quite a while this year. Honorable Mention – Looking At the World From the Bottom of a Well.
http://www.mikedoughty.com/

26. (Dios) Malos – Broken Bones
A twanging, sweeping chorus Alt-Rocker type dealie. I don’t know what strikes me about this song. But it’s just great. Favorite Line of the year – “Alcohol Leave me cold, Mary Jane take me home” and I slowly Wake Up, Nothing’s Changed I’m still all Fucked Up.” I don’t even like “Mary Jane” … I’m such a poseur.
http://www.diosmalos.net/

25. Pinback – Fortress
I dig the strings in the background and the sing along chorus “ Stop, its too late, Im feeling frustrated”. It’s a catchy little ditty. Pitchfork.net gave these guys an 8.1 rating ... and they are cutting edge hipsters that we should all listen to … right? Honorable Mention – AFK.
http://www.pinback.com/

24. Augustana – Stars and Boulevards
Nice ballad here, at least I think this qualifies as a ballad. Its got all the qualities of a hit radio song … lets see if they make it big with this song, then we can all jump off the bandwagon and hate them cause the radio will kill another decent song. Honorable Mention - Boston
http://www.augustanamusic.com/

23. Bedouin Soundclash – When the night feels my song
I think mainstream radio has played the living crap out of this song, as they should I suppose. Its better than hearing “my humps’ 15 times a day. Montreal band, dude has a great voice … this song reminds me of summer and Corona … mmmmm beer. Honorable Mention - Gyasi Went Home.
http://www.bedouinsoundclash.com/

22. Grand National – Drink to Moving On
This would be a good song to do the robot to, or drink to while playing NHL 2006 on the xbox. I’ve only tried the latter. Honorable Mention – Talk amongst Yourselves.
http://www.indielondon.co.uk/music/cd_grand_national_kicking_habit.html

21. Boys Night Out – Composing
Typical Emo? … maybe. It’s a decent song and then it hits you at about the 3 minute mark in and you start to beat your head in a rocking out fashion, Yes, Yes don’t stop the rock’in. Sing it with me: “Its all about … “ No? Okay forget you then. Honorable Mention - Medicating
http://www.boysnightout.com/

20. Josh Rouse – Winter in the Hamptons
This gives me that early spring at a ski report with Baileys and Hot Chocolate feeling. You know where the jackasses start skiing in their sweaters and jeans? That kind. Good song, but I like his older stuff so I’m a little impartial. Honorable Mention – It’s the Nighttime
http://www.joshrouse.com/

19. The Go! Team – Huddle Formation
When I first heard The Go! Team I wasn’t really impressed. But then I was exposed to a couple other tracks off their new album and was sold after a few spins. This song is fun, its got a great beat and it makes me wanna sing along, except I don’t know what they are saying … So I am kinda just like ….. …… … (Insert white guy dance). Honorable Mention – Ladyflash.
http://www.thegoteam.co.uk/

More To Come ....