What the Hell Have I?

Those were the best. Here are the rest revisited.
Grouped in order of greatness, but no particular order after that.

The Duh! Albums that have been declared legendary that any praise I have to add would only be redundant…

Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Honestly, I may have a new favorite Floyd album.

Led Zeppelin - II
…Yep… It’s awesome.

AC/DC - Highway to Hell
I love Bon Scott… God rest his drunken, horny soul…

Iron Maiden - Number of the Beast
Finally… and damn, what took me so long?!


The Righteous

Metallica - Kill ‘em All (1983)
I’ve been told to expect something harder and different whenever I decided to pick up the thrashers’ debut disc. As a bigger fan of post-Black Metallica than your average fan, I can now see why fans of their first music are so pissed now. Nothing but gut-wrenching, face-pounding, electrifying thrash. One cut after another, each one showing off a different theme. To cut away at light speed without sounding pedestrian, redundant, and just plain bad takes a lot of talent. And might I add that Cliff Burton has officially moved into my favorite bassists. With his vicious performances throughout, particularly on “Whiplash” and “Anesthesia”, he takes this four string to a whole other plane of existence. A clear example of why they are the best at what they did back in the day, Kill em All is unbelievably raw, yet subtly addicting.
Four Good Tracks: “Hit the Lights”, “No Remorse”, “Whiplash”, “Metal Militia”

Eagles of Death Metal - Death By Sexy (2006)
Even if I came into this not knowing about the addition of Josh Homme, I could have easily made the connection. His influence is rampant on this disc, even if he puts most of his work on the drum kit versus guitar. He leaves that and vocal duties to friend Jesse Hughes. EoDM is much more raw and straight-forward than QotSA. I think they take a page in the old adage about playing loud if you can’t play good. Not that it’s terribly written. But it’s not remarkably creative, and many other bands are more talented. What is remarkable is how wonderfully electrifying their stuff is in spite of their limited talent pool. Give props to the production team and crack editing staff for that aspect. A very top-heavy album, most of the memorable tracks come from the top half. “I Want You So Hard” gets the party rocking right away. “I Got a Feeling (Just Nineteen)” follows with brazen quality, leading into masterfully produced single “Cherry Cola”. A very wild and erratic album, it does keep it simple every once in awhile, which tend to get tawdry. But with such explosive tracks like “Don’t Speak” and “Poor Doggie”, the good moments make the album worth the time every time.
Four Good Tracks: “Don’t Speak (I Came to Make a Bang!)”, “Poor Doggie”, “I Want You So Hard (Boy’s Bad News)”, “Cherry Cola”

AFI - Crash Love (2009)
It was certainly an interesting anticipation waiting for this band to return. What kind of album would they put out after dramatic, prismatic, gothic performances of Decemberunderground and Sing the Sorrow? The answer was certainly interesting. It sounds like it combines the best of both worlds: their hair-raising Misfits loving days of Black Sails et. al, and the dramatic dark worlds of their last two. From what I’ve heard, the collective AFI fanbase is pleased. I’m pleased as well, but I’ve also seemed to like their last two albums more than most. This disc was filled with promise, delivering some solid cuts. Leadoff “Torch Song” is the most resembling of their drama path, and “Beautiful Thieves” that follows it is the lynch pin of this entire disc. Then you delve into the rest, which are good in their own right but never make that elevation to great. One negative that I docked points from was the fact that unlike their last couple ventures, Crash Love doesn’t feel as wholly an album’s work then the rest. It speaks well as a group of songs, but as an album, it doesn’t reach some levels they’ve reached before. But that aside, Crash Love is a welcome addition to the AFI name.
Four Good Tracks: “Beautiful Thieves”, “Torch Song”, “I’m Trying Very Hard to Be Here Right Now”, “Okay, I Feel Better Now”

Minus the Bear - They Make Beer Commercials Like This (2004)
The only difference separating this from every other MtB album is about 5 songs’ length. A worthy EP filled with dynamic sound that MtB is known for. Even trying out new sounds, as heard on leadoff track “Fine + 2pts”. It did take a couple spins before separating each song into their own manifestation. But it works well, and works a hell of a lot better than their debut EP, which had an identity crisis all its own. Now with a fully established sound, this disc floats on much more agreeably. “Dog Park” has their insignia written all over it, paired with a venturous wild chorus. “Pony Up” combines euphoric rhythms with a tell tale acoustic. Most interesting on the album. Keeping the album cruising is the low-tempo pseudo-ballad “I’m Totally Not Down With Rob’s Alien” (winner of best track name this year), which is a well-written coil unleashing slowly. This was the final MtB disc I needed to complete the collection, and it certainly wasn’t a disappointment.
Four Good Tracks: “Fine + 2pts”, “I’m Totally Not Down With Rob’s Alien”, “Houston, We Have Uh-Oh”, “Dog Park”

Placebo - Without You, I’m Nothing (1998)
90s wonders from back in the day. And in listening to this album and then Meds it’s easy to see that their brazen sound is still in tact. There is a lot to love about this album. Fuzz, feedback, and monstrously succinct production. In-depth music writing. Unique sequential structures. A great, important track order pinning slow-and-low songs with mid-tempo buzzsaws and uprising rockers. “Allergic (To the Thoughts of Our Mother Earth)” is vibrant and electrifying, as is “Every You, Every Me”, showing off the band’s torrid side. Make no mistake though that Placebo’s coup de grace is their magnificent slower tracks. On this album are some of the band’s very best. Consider “My Sweet Prince” a cosmic slow burn worthy of your time, and the loud indignant title track heartbreaking. “Ask For Answers” and “The Crawl” are worthy slow-footed tracks as well. A strong album altogether with many good moments.
Four Good Tracks: “My Sweet Prince”, “Without You I’m Nothing”, “Allergic”, “Summer’s Gone”

The Thoroughly Enjoyable

Pearl Jam - Vitalogy (1994)
When I came into this album, I was attracted to how many songs I was already familiar with. It soon turned into a problem as the familiar songs became the only good songs on the disc. I wanted the album to get the album tracks and create it as an album as a whole. For the first couple months afterward, I just didn’t get that feeling. But I never give up on a good album—not that it was bad to begin with anyway. All the singles are brilliantly picked, and there are many songs on here that have become staples of PJ’s career. Opening with a torrid rip starting with vintage PJ “Last Exit”, to grunge-tastic “Spin the Black Circle”, and ending the great stretch with lucid stinger “Not For You”.And after awhile, it just started clicking… sort of. I still don’t get some of the stop-gap tracks on here, most particularly the freakish 7 minute blob of nothing that ends the disc, but at least has an amusing name, “Foxymophandlemama, That’s Me!” But if that quadet of randomness can be ignored, it makes for a pretty decent slice of music. Quintessential to Pearl Jam’s career.
Four Good Tracks: “Better Man”, “Not For You”, “Immortality”, “Whipping”

Jean-Luc Ponty - Cosmic Messenger (1979)
As an instrumentalist, the instrumental albums are going to automatically get plus points in my book. And this album does not let those points go to waste. Jazzy, light, ethereal, vast, and electrifying every step of the way. This album does cover all gates. Opening title track is mystifying and thought-provoking with its lucid tempo. “The Art of Happiness” pops and wiggles with jazzy inflections. “Puppets Dance” and “Fake Paradise” tingle with swaying tones, while “Don’t Let the World Pass You By” is a cosmic whirlwind privy to the title of the album. It all comes to a head as “Egocentric Molecules”, in all its jazz-rock, bass-thumping, speed-fusion glory, takes the album out on its apex. Truly stellar work.
Four Good Tracks: “Egocentric Molecules”, “The Art of Happiness”, “Don’t Let the World Pass You By”, “Cosmic Messenger”

Rustic Overtones - New Way Out (2009)
The Tones pushed their latest work in November of 09. After my history with the band, I thought I new what to expect. New Way Out proved that … no, I did not know what the hell just hit me. A completely revamped style, a page length of instrumentalists and musical contributors to the album, and even a different production method. Supremely different than anything they’ve done in the past. And with that newness comes reluctance, of course. When you’re used to a certain sound, you’re served with something different, it’s only natural to think “…what?” But with this transformation into neo-jazz-progressive-… frankly unplaceable genre, the Tones totally reinvent a sound that is just dazzling in its eccentricity. Moments of fresh genius shows face in title track album opener, flush with an insane amount of instrumentation. “All Together” may be the best of the new sound, crushing with ballistic instrumentation and smart vocals. And who can’t love “Like the Blues”, a sound as exact as the title? Granted that with every turn of sound comes the stuff that doesn’t work out as well. “Nuts and Bolts” is psychotic as the name entails. And some of the slower stuff like “Love and a 45” is a bit mundane. But they don’t leave before showing off their signature style. “Common Cold” is bar none the most Rustic track one could hope for. Overall, it’s a definite departure, and one I’m glad they ultimately made. I wouldn’t be disappointed if they continued down this avenue, but would rather hope they revert to their jazz-punk days.
Four Good Tracks: “Common Cold”, “All Together”, “Arizona”, “Like the Blues”

Eighteen Visions - Eighteen Visions
There are always going to be pratfalls when trying to combine 21st century punk with nu-metal and neo-progressive metal. Let’s start with the cons and get them out of the way. With such a diverse sound, it all kind of gets cluttered in the rush for attention. Then you got the whine factor, coming off way too much like generic high school drama in some cases. But there’s enough content here to keep around. The band’s sound is huge, fit to be blasted in stadiums everywhere. A massive sound goes a long way. They sound vibrant in darkness with opener “Our Darkest Days”, while they show massively succinct production on lead single, and heavy-as-hell radio track “Victim”. There are good moments, and uninspired moments. But the good ones are worth keeping around.
Four Good Tracks: “Victim”, “Coma”, “Black and Bruised”, “Truth or Consequence”

Mighty Mighty Bosstones - Question the Answers
The mighty mighty reunion inspired me to dig up some past treasures from this band that I almost forgot that I loved. QTA was almost a given to go after considering the level of praise it’s gotten from their hardcore fans. It’s very astute and powerful, a perfect example of the Tones’ signature sound. “Picture to Prove It” and “Dogs and Chaplains” are quintessential MMBT tracks. Perfect combination of all parts, especially showing off their brilliant horn section. No more do they shine than on “Hell of a Hat”. It’s all perfectly executed. There are times on this disc that it sounds a bit too raw; I’m looking at you, “365 Days”. But with Dicky Barrett at his heyday best and the rest of the band sounding unstoppable, this disc really is a smashing fold of music.
Four Good Tracks: “Dogs and Chaplains”, “Hell of a Hat”, “Dollar and a Dream”, “Toxic Toast”

Explosions in the Sky – All of a Sudden, I Miss Everyone
Spurred on by my recent competition, I acquired this disc from post-rock instrumentalist kings. The whole plays out like a great long audio mural, blending tracks in with one another. That tactic hits or misses, but this one was definitely a hit. A caustic blend of serene tones and ample energy, it makes for some brilliant moments. Aside from the fact that it’s hard to divide what where, which makes it hard to pinpoint some good moments, it is a sterling work. Calming, and a perfect soundtrack to novel reading, which is how they got such high praise from me to begin with. Inspired work, sometimes lulling but never too much to overtake the good parts, Explosions comes up with an expansive sound.
Four Good Tracks: all

Metallica - …And Justice For All (1989)
I’ve been around long enough to have heard the rumors about the sour production and mixing this album was saddled with. I was hoping upon picking it up those rumors were either put to rest as only elitists talking crap, or the song-writing was quality enough to where the mixing could be ignored. The result? Half and half. There are some great songs on here that attribute to Metallica’s legend. But even they could not disguise the misguided production here. And then there are the songs that are dry and bland because of their writing, made even moreso by the production. The title track of this disc may actually be the worst Met song of their thrash days (Yeah, I went there). It was a perfect storm that befell this disc: unfulfilling production and the hangover of an epic album preceding it. Like I said, though, there are some good moments on here. After all, this album did produce “One”. ‘Nuff said. But as an album, it proves to be on the bottom of the list when you think of the four thrash era discs.
Four Good Tracks: “One”, “Dyers Eve”, “Blackened”, “Eye of the Beholder”

The Downright Likeable

Metallica - Death Magnetic (2008)
Like many, I was a detractor of this album from the beginning. To be honest though, it grew on me over the year. Don’t read too much into it as all I’m basically saying is “At least I can sit through it without flinching unlike St. Anger.” My biggest problem exists with this: the songs all sound mechanical and emotionless. Manufactured without feeling. There’s no guttural anguish. It all seems fake. But it is under the Likeable category, and most of that extends from the first half of the album. Death Magnetic acts like a downward spiral. Its best is at the top, but as you continue it just gets worse and worse. At the top of that spiral is “That Was Just Your Life”, which gets a lot of its mojo from the fact that it leads off the album. Peaking the album is the next track “The End of the Line”, which gets steam from a decent refrain sequence. From there, it starts going down. “Broken, Beat, and Scarred” and “The Day That Never Comes” are alright. “All Nightmare Long” and “Cyanide” are decent at best. “The Unforgiven III” and “Suicide & Redemption” get boring real quick. And to top it off, “The Judas Kiss” and “My Apocalypse” reach a St. Anger level of badness. Overall, this album gets one big shrug of disinterest from me, save for a couple songs every once in a while.
Three Good Tracks: “The End of the Line”, “That Was Just Your Life”, “Broken Beat and Scarred”

Muse - The Resistance (2009)
Oh the things this album could have been. After scoring perfectly with Absolution and Blackholes, it was the perfect set-up for another slam dunk, music altering, crush of perfect musicality. What the album became instead was a harsh left turn into oncoming traffic. Matthew Belamy has established himself and his band as one of the preeminent musical geniuses, seemingly unable to do any wrong. But with this drastic switch in perception, it questions his geniosity in my eyes. The songs are in Muse’s element, but their performance and writing in general makes me wonder what the thought process was. My main problem with this album is simple: Where is the guitar? Belamy has electrified songs with the raucous guitarlines he implied. There isn’t one track on this disc that is driven by the guitar (don’t even try arguing for “Unnatural Selection”, it features the most guitar, but is far from the poignant center of the song as it should be). Even the highly anticipated Belamy conducted three-piece symphony three part overture was lukewarm compared to what was expected. In short, it sounds like Muse tried way too hard to produce a winning album. The problem with bands who put production before performance maintains to be that the content doesn’t nearly match the presentation. It puts to good use the old adage: “Polish a turd, it’s still a turd.” Production is the polish. Now, I’m not saying that it’s all bad here. With every different stroke, there is good with the bad. The aforementioned three-piece orchestraic piece “Exogenesis”, while not living up to immediate expectations, is still powerful. And the title track is a successful rampant gunge. I really tried to love this album. Unfortunately, it’s only likeable, which makes it ultimately a step backward.
Three Good Tracks: “Undisclosed Desires”, “Exogenesis”, “Resistance”

The Nightwatchman - One Man Revolution (2006)
Curious interest guided me to this one. Tom Morello had achieved this acoustic folk persona years before this debut, claiming he would never put it to record claiming “the Nightwatchman is for the people!” Well, he reneged on that deal, and to what a result. Naturally, knowing what Morello is capable of on an electric, it’s a bit startling to hear him go acoustic. But after the initial shock wears off, the goodness becomes evident. Morello’s vocals are dark and, while not a perfect folk voice, he creates his own style. With his lyrics, he really shows just what a pissed-off, albeit intelligent, freedom fighter he is. Everyone jumped on his back about his wailing electric screeches saying that’s all he does. This album really takes a step in showing up that stereotype in making Tom-fucking-Morello a more complete and versatile musician than people give him credit for.
Three Good Tracks: “House Gone Up in Flames”, “Maximum Firepower”, “Flesh Shapes the Day”

65daysofstatic - The Destruction of Small Ideas
A lot of brazenly eccentric instrumental music suffers from the same disease: its hard to tell when one track ends and the other begins. Sometimes that’s a good thing, sometimes it’s bad. Here’s a case where it’s both. It’s a lovely occurrence when it feels like just one big long track. But when that can’t be founded, it’s nice to have individual tracks to point out. Musically, this album is very likeable. It’s produced with a fine-toothed comb, bearing the brilliance down to the number. And musically, well, industrial-instrumental is a hard genre to accomplish well, but they have done so. While I find their music to be a great, grinding fit, there are times on this album that don’t measure up to others, and even the blending gets affected to wear you don’t realize the end of the track has come and gone. Nevertheless, I would recommend this album and this band to anyone looking for some downright sensational industrial mix.
Three Good Tracks: “When We Were Younger and Better”, “Music is Music as Devices are Kisses is Everything”, “The Distant and Mechanized Glow of Eastern European Dance Parties”

Paramore - Riot! (2007)
Was I a naysayer? Yes. But after actually giving them a shot (more like after listening to my girlfriend play their stuff a bunch of times) I came to a startling conclusion that, hey, they’re actually not bad at all. Don’t read a whole lot into it, as they aren’t exactly revolutionaries. Many have come before them, many will come after them. But on the flipside, I don’t quite think they’re simply a flash in the pan. While only on par with the genre they come from, a heavily dynamic producer makes all the difference. And David Bendeth who produced Riot! deserves a cookie for his work here. Musically decent, I honestly have to give props to singer Haley Williams who sings with the most rock swagger in a female the industry has heard since Joan Jett. “Misery Business” and “Born For This” accentuate this the best. An amusing band that, with a little help from their production team, can contribute something good going forth.
Three Good Tracks: “Born For This”, “Fences”, “Misery Business”

Rise Against – Siren Song of the Counter-Culture
I like what I hear from this band. But was this the best album to get introduced to them by? It played on in grating fashion and disassembled track listing. It actually took a good half year to fully get into this album. And when I got there, it was good stuff but possibly could have been better. Flaring guitars and rampant alt-punk drumlines are all well and good, but only when conveying full concept. With the vocals squelching uncontrollably, it’s important to keep it harmonic in the melody. Still, there are some good moments here. “Rumors of My Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated” is a rollicking way to end the album. “Life Less Frightening” gets right to the heart of the matter with a great rhythm to top it off. “Dancing For Rain” also gets a nod of approval. So it’s not a total loss, however I feel their overall performance could be enhanced. If that can be attained, this band would be godly.
Three Good Tracks: “Life Less Frightening”, “Give it All”, “The First Drop”

Rodrigo y Gabriela - Rodrigo y Gabriela (2006)
As far as talent and skill go, this is right at the top. People you see on the streets banging on paint buckets and rapping on guitars, you just say “Da~amn”. Well, this album is full of reactions like that. There are times when you have to think it’s damn near impossible to pull off with just two acoustics. The level of auxiliary percussion present (played while strumming mind you) really elevates the mood. Omnipresent Latin vibes with acoustic rock undertones. They keep things interesting by mixing up rhythms, tempos, and moods. Ethereal collectives from “Ixtapa” vary differently from the Spanish roka of “Juan Loco”. And “Diablo Rojo”… holy crap. Even their pair of covers, a unique Latin version of “Stairway to Heaven” and a very well-done version of Metallica’s “Orion”, strike gold if only to segregate the album into decipherable halves. Well done by this Mexican duo.
Three Good Tracks: “Diablo Rojo”, “Orion”, “Juan Loco”

Metric - Live it Out (2005)
This album was really miss, then hit for me. I shelved it for a month or so before deciding to give it another shot. Good thing I did. Blinded by their indie nature first, their excellence was seen thereafter. There are times when the production and structure clash leading to some unfavorable moments. But for the most part, this album is bank. “Empty” is a sterling opener and sets the mood for the rest of the album. The fact that the rest of it can’t measure up to it sort of hurts it in that aspect, but they make up for it with songs like “Monster Hospital” and “Hand$hake$”. Indie music is extremely hit-or-miss for me. But Metric is one of the few that warrant a direct hit.
Three Good Tracks: “Empty”, “Monster Hospital”, “Glass Ceiling”

One Thumb Up

Lacuna Coil - Shallow Life (2009)
I pinpointed the problem with this one nearly immediately. Early in their career is when they sounded their best. And that’s because their heaviness was more subtle, trading straight-up distortion for a more wavy, tremolo induced method of distorting, as well as infrequent, and thereby better, vocal nodes. On this album, and even Karmacode before it, they regressed their sound by refining it, bringing regular hard distortion to the table with pedestrian vocal structures. Everything’s predictable. Sure, there are some moments to like, and the album as a whole is listenable track-to-track. But anyone else holding out for another Comalies like I was might want to move along.
Two Good Tracks: “I Won’t Tell You”, “Underdog”

311 - Uplifter (2009)
This album might have been acceptable if it followed the same 2 year span that most albums are released. But this is the end result of 4 years between discs. This album only continues the downward spiral of this band, and further proves my general point: after a band releases a Greatest Hits compilation, their music goes to shit. (I’m sure there are exceptions if I thought hard enough, but for the most part it’s true). It produces some of the most annoying and overall embarrassing songs they’ve released to date. Lead single “Hey You” is quite bad, undoubtedly their worst single. “It’s Alright” is saved only by the grace of a decent bass solo during the bridge. And “Mix it Up” is embarrassingly elementary. Surprisingly, the album starts to get a little better after stumbling out of the gate. But it still doesn’t get very enjoyable with album tracks “Daisy Cutter”, “India Ink”, and “Never Ending Summer” barely garnering interest. If there’s any solace to take in this disc, it’s actually in their slower, quasi-ballad-esque tracks. “Two Drops in the Ocean”, “Golden Sunshine”, and “My Heart Sings” are generally the only tracks that save the album from a disgrace, as well as the closest thing that is to vintage 311 in “Jackpot”. Overall, a disappointing album. But one that isn’t immediately dismissed to its credit.
Two Good Tracks: “Jackpot”, “Golden Sunshine”

Breaking Benjamin - Dear Agony (2009)
At some point, a band has to evolve. Keep the sound they become famous for, but enhance it. With this release, Benjamin seemingly refuses to evolve. There is nothing here that hasn’t already been done by this band, and is absent of any effectively strong tracks altogether. Sure, it’s definitively post-grunge rock with some heavy rhythms. But there’s very little substance going on here. Simply put, it’s a very bland album. However bland it may be, it still warrants a listen simply because it still has energy to give. This band still has a lot to give, so if they can find a way to enhance their sound, their next disc will be a steady improvement. But of the four they’ve put out, this is number four.
Two Good Tracks: “Fade Away”, “Hopeless”

the Offspring - Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace (2007)
If there is any life left in this band left, it was very hard to come by on this disc. A four year departure achieved this lackluster disc. How the mighty have fallen. Some of the stuff on here is really elementary stuff, not that the Offspring were ever revolutionaries, but still. It’s track after track of mediocrity. Real ordinary rock. Bland ballads like “Kristy, Are You Doing Ok” and “Fix You” aren’t doing them any favors. And a generic “stuff sucks!” anthem like “Stuff is Messed Up” is lyrically painful. Don’t get me wrong, the album is listenable, if only for the killer lead-off tack in “Half-Truism”, and even radio rock alum “Hammerhead” is a likeable strum. But the rest of it is lukewarm and barely passable. Is there anything left in the tank for another go-round?
Two Good Tracks: “Half-Truism”, “Hammerhead”

Static-X - Cult of Static (2009)
The X is like a TV show that was REALLY good when it first came out. But as the show goes on, you come to find they just use the same plot devices but in different ways so it seems like its fresh. But once you realize that it’s all the same story every season, it becomes predictable and thus not as fun to watch. Everytime X releases an album, you know what’s coming. You may not know in what form that is, how it’s performed or produced in this case. But generally, it’s going to be in the ballpark of prediction. Cult does not stray from that course. Taking everything they’ve already achieved five times over and re-hashing it into another disc: distorted juts of guitar, wailing vocals, and some form of program sampling. All meshed together as securely as a belt on a plumber. Sure, there are always the one or two standouts (this disc is no exception), but I certainly wouldn’t have faulted anyone for giving up after Machine.
Two Good Tracks: “Terminal”, “Stingwray”

Saves the Day - Stay What You Are (2001)
It’s an album not to be listened to with articulate thought. As an album, and even as songs in general, it pales in many places. However, shut the brain off while listening, and it’s a decent 35 minute disc. I’m not going to sit here and poke holes in this disc that, while nothing near brilliant, is still amusing. After leading off with quintessential 21st century radio rock staple in “At Your Funeral”, it’s a hodgepodge of decent tracks. Short and sweet, it has faults, but is still a good listen.
Two Good Tracks: “At Your Funeral”, “All I’m Losing is Me”

the Airbourne Toxic Event - the Airbourne Toxic Event (2007)
There is a lot of potential to this band. Some of the tracks on here are vibrant, full, and bound for greatness. Leadoff track “Wishing Well” and jaunty head-swinger “Happiness is Overrated” really show off their talent. But what strikes this disc down is two-fold. Number one, at 10 tracks long, it’s quite short, not showing off nearly enough especially for a debut disc. And two, in between their shots of brilliance are little tips of quirkiness. Now, nothing is wrong with a quirky track on an album. But on a disc as short as this, the four tracks that I consider quirky are way too much. Tracks like “Does This Mean You’re Moving On” and “Missy” are fun and everything, but on a musical standpoint pale in comparison. A little less quirk, a lot more action. I do look forward to their next album to see if they improve upon those parameters.
Two Good Tracks: “Wishing Well”, “Sometime Around Midnight”

Street Sweeper Social Club - Street Sweeper Social Club (2009)
I used to believe that Tom Morello could do no wrong. No that I’m older and musically wiser, I know that even geniuses make clunkers. Don’t take that the wrong way, as I do enjoy this album. It is nice to hear Tom get back to rocking out. More than that, he does it with more than just Rage-tastic guitar noises, actually rocking some righteous riffs. That, and he’s a damn fine bass player at that. Who knew? Case and point, the bass-clunking, smash-blasting, rock-roller “Fight! Smash! Win!”, the big winner on this album. Boots Riley is a decent lyricist as well, committing decent lyrics to moderate flow. However, there’s not enough substance to make this a worthwhile effort. Side-project release, perhaps it makes the grade. But I would be wary about continuing down this career path. I never expected it to be Rage 2.0 by any means. But it feels like the two’s personal styles seem to clash on certain parts. Regardless, still an effort that achieved some good points.
Two Good Tracks: “Fight! Smash! Win!”, “100 Little Curses”

the Vines -Melodia (2009)
The Aussie garagers are now making a career of making short concise albums out of short concise songs. Structured very similarly to longer, more genuine songs, they’re subsidized into track lengths varying from 45 seconds to 2 and a half minutes. And honestly, they run the gamut of styles, from gunge-stabbing rock (“Manger”), high-soaring alternative (“Merrygoround”), and a bevy of quieter acoustic driven weepers. And true to form, they’re able to pull out one 6 minute quasi-epic in the same ilk as “1969” and “Spaceship” on albums before it. This one’s known as “True as the Night”, and it fits in well with the theme of the disc. A slow, campfire tale set to a swaying rhythm, paired with a telltale violin toward the end. Very nice in its essence. The Vines have essentially lost all their substance after their debut album. But for a short burst of flailing rock and jaunty acoustic numbers, you could do worse.
Two Good Tracks: “Merrygoround”, “True as the Night”

Only Occasionally

Snow Patrol - A Hundred Million Suns
Really didn’t know what to expect when picking this one up. I’ve been told it’s one that has to grow on you. At the time of this typing, it has not yet. Sure, it has some good tracks that’ll make me keep it on the iPod. But the album is for the most part bland and boring. Neo-contemporary is a very shaky genre. However, I can’t deny that for such a unique sound, they have an awesome grasp of musicianship. That alone sets them apart from their crappy counterparts. They sound like The Fray, if they could actually write and perform thrice as good as they do now (read: they suck ass). So, maybe that light, acoustic, vocally drippy sound will grow on me. But right now, I’ll take “The Golden Floor” and “Lifeboats” and leave the rest.

Def Leppard and Taylor Swift - Crossroads (2009)
It was by sheer, morbid curiosity that I picked this one up. I figured, hey, what the hell? True to form, it was baffling. Listening to it the first time, I couldn’t help but wonder who cooked up this bizarre combo. I wonder if they realized that she would be singing songs that are older than she is. But after awhile, the shock factor wore off and what remained was remarkably likeable… well, some of it. Obviously, the four reconfigured Swift tracks are unique, but still not my kool-aid. The four Leppard tracks are indeed worthy though. “Photograph” is well done with the female lead, and she takes a well appropriated backseat to “Hysteria”. I actually came to wonder just how far they could’ve taken it. “Bringing on the Heartbreak”? “Love Bites”? “Foolin’”? The world will have to wait for the next one. In the mean time, stay tuned for Motley Crue and Carrie Underwood… …just kidding… … …hopefully.

Axed!

Nine Inch Nails - Ghost I-IV (2007)

Sincerely not what I thought it was going to be. When I hear instrumental album from Trent Reznor, I think “Man, that would be awesome”. Not so much. His idea of instrumental is 2 minute intervals of bizarre computer generated gunk. Over and over, there’s no substance to it at all. No reason to listen to it more than once. Hell, I barely got through both discs with sanity in tact. So disappointing that I had to axe it right away.


The Compilations One doesn’t really judge greatest hit compilations by album context, basically solely on did they include all the good stuff. All the ones here made the grade.

The Eagles - Their Greatest Hits
Now #6 on the all-time albums sold list.

The Police - Every Breath You Take: The Classics
Nailed it.

David Bowie - Best of Bowie
Bowie is the most underrated overrated musician ever (Yeah, I went there).


Best “Newly Introduced” Band

Hesitation to call it a “new” band anymore considering most of the winners of this Bobbo award are bands that are in fact not quite so new anymore. At any rate, this year’s competition was swarmed thanks in large part to the Battle of the Bands contest earlier this season. A lot of newbies were warmly welcomed. But here’s a shock: The winner of the Best “New” Band was not an entrant from that contest.

Placebo

I said last year that I would continue to dwell into my 90’s adoration. Doing so led me to this band, hitting high marks almost immediately. Vocally unique and decipherable amongst an odyssey of fakers. Musically impactful and succinctly performed. And the production value is continually scored perfectly. I was introduced via 2004’s Meds. I was hooked immediately by the dark theme, visceral tones, and flagrant mood. Their ability to rock halfway between alternative and industrial is well noticed. But they transcend their sound tenfold when they bring it down a notch into their low alt-industrial ballads. Moloko’s vocals are pristine in this mode. Spark plug 1998 album Without You I’m Nothing only solidified their position in my book. I have plans to snag last year’s release soon as well, and even backtracking to their older stuff. A unique band with a dynamite all around sound, but one that is even more electrifying when slowing it down. Kudos!

Honorable Mentions

Moneen - Awesome sound that won them the 2009 Bobbo Battle of the Bands competition
British Sea Power - I will never hate on post-rock before giving it a try again.
Blood Red Shoes - Minimalist British garage rockers. Damn right!
Iron Maiden - It would just be too easy to give it to them. At least my eyes are finally open.
Eagles of Death Metal - Raucous.
Jean-Luc Ponty - Excellent composer of eclectic fusion.


Best in Show

Because of financial constraints… big time financial constraints… I was only able to venture to one concert this year.

April 15 – Dredg, Torche – the middle east
I met up with Chrisanne to take this scurry of musical activity in. Good times were had.

We ended up going later than the doors opening considering neither of us have heard of the opening bands. Still we showed up halfway through Torche’s set. They seemed like a band that I might have enjoyed if I knew their music. But not knowing, and just watching them play, they were boring. Thus they failed at their secondary concert goal: attract new ears (the primary being to rock faces off of course).

But Dredg came on afterward and quickly rocked the basement club. There was no better way to open the gig than with “Ode to the Sun”. As pristine and perfect live as it was on record. They ripped through some old stuff, highlighting most of their great Catch Without Arms album. But when they broke out new stuff, that’s when it got good. The first one they played turned out to be the ¾ croon “Ireland”, and they followed it with “Saviour”, which featured their drummer going 100% apeshit on his snare drum. During their outro, he began by standing up and reaching up for a pipe on the ceiling, wailing on it full-out (instead of hitting rimshots on his snare as called for in the song). It was truly stellar. Unfortunately, they didn’t produce an encore, which I thought was a little strange. You’d think they’d follow concert etiquette. But all in all, Dredg definitely rocked it, and is a band worth seeing again.


And now…

The 2009 Big Kahuna

The winner of this year’s best in personal attainment was once again a two band race. But it was a fairly easy pick considering just how much expansive they grew within the balance of the year.



Rustic Overtones
Left for dead, they disbanded 6 years ago only to come back alive in 2008. In that year, they finally released an album waiting in the wings for that span of time. That released disc became the best one I picked up all year, scoring the number one song, and the number one album for my attainment this year. Light at the End. It’s a glorious 40 minute celebration of the Tones’ reunion. And they returned again in November, dropping the vastly territorial New Way Out. It channeled new elements that no one could even fathom was in their arsenal. It sincerely transformed the band. Between two great albums—and if I had actually been paying attention, I could’ve caught them in Portsmouth for free in December. Damn my lack of focus!—the Tones are back and are only hitting their stride on a musical sense. Keep it coming, sons of Maine!

Honorable Mentions
Dredg - Finally returned to action after four years with the concept piece The Pariah, The Parrot, the Delusion. Also caught their bombastic live show at the Middle East in Cambridge in April.
Metallica - A close 3rd place, 3 albums acquired (ranging from great to tolerable), and their own Guitar Hero which entertained me for a couple weeks.
Alice in Chains - A massively successful return with Black Gives Way to Blue. They have my approval to keep this thing going!
Tom Morello - Between the Nightwatchman and Street Sweeper Social Club, it was a good attainment for my personal guitar hero.


…See you next year when I review more new-and-old music that I ended up acquiring. May 2010 bring me g00d m00sic.

Yeah, so sue me, I'm a month behind. But this year's big bad music review was delayed in writing for some reasons. So without further ado, the odyssey of musical attainment for 2009.

Another year has come and gone. 2009 has left some decent musical selections. But more than that, it was a big year for personal attainment, mostly in claiming some righteous music from a bygone year. 51 new albums have been added to the amorphous brain known as my musical knowledge. That brings the grand total up to 478. There’s no doubt in my mind that the next year will breach the benchmark 500th album, something I’ve been looking forward to for years, if you believe how sad that is.

It’s been a good year, better than last year at any rate. The final year of the decade has been kind to me. How kind? Well, let’s find out, starting with the best songs of the year.

25 - “House Gone Up in Flames” – the Nightwatchman from One Man Revolution (2006)
||Tom Morello proved that he’s more than flash and weird noises with his transformation into the Nightwatchman. This track does the best job proving his worth in his folk set. A wave of jutty changing chords set the tone for his Cash-meets-Hayes vocals. A stalwart to legitimizing this (hopefully) side project.||

24 - “Diablo Rojo” – Rodrigo y Gabriela from Rodrigo y Gabriela (2006)
||Who could’ve thought busk could sound so electrifying? Listening to them go, it really is hard to believe it’s only two acoustic guitars going at it. With sounds that represent auxiliary percussion running rampant, it puts a lot of accentuation on the viral running lead line. Over and over, section after section, a different charismatic, spine-tingling nine is dropped. Tinged with Latin overtones, it takes flamenco and busk and knocks it up a notch.||

23 - “Half-Truism” – the Offspring from Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace (2007)
||Its unfortunate the downward spiral this band has taken from its one fine pedestal. It’s not all wreckage though as shown by this inspiring album opener. Not quite a blast from the past, it’s as good as they got since “All I Want”. A perfectly catchy, sing-a-long-able chorus knocks it out of the park. Proof that there’s still life in this veteran band’s blood.
“If we don’t make it alive
Then it’s a hell of a good day to die.”||

22 - “Dogs and Chaplains” – Mighty Mighty Bosstones from Question the Answers (1996)
||Vintage ‘Tones. Everything that they became originated from their great early work, this track representing their best. Jumpy tempo, brazen vocals, and my favorite, uber-jittery horns driving the wickedly smart outro to full drive. Perfectly Bosstonian.||

21 - “Single” – the Fall of Troy from In the Unlikely Event (2009)
||Troy has not fallen , not with electrifying slices of awesomeness like this one. Reserved yet ardent with a serene tone and injected with a powerful tempo. Great use of delay on the intro, somewhat reminiscent of “FCPREMIX”. A brilliant, structurally sound blast of charismatic rock.||

20 - “Undisclosed Desires” – Muse from The Resistance (2009)
||With a venture into a different style brings both disappointments and brilliance. This one is the latter—the pinnacle of brilliance found on this album. Pizzicato synth lines combine with the productive drums for a ponderous, low key jaunt that’s almost keen and detective. But it’s Matthew Belamy’s vocals that take precedent here. Combining several vocal tracks together gives it drama and assurance. Persuasive, accomplished, and above all, brilliant.||

19 - “Carnival” – Rustic Overtones from Light at the End (2008)
||To date, there are six songs in my music collection with the title of “Carnival”. There is no utter question that this one blows the other five out of the water in all aspects. Musically, amazing. Sequentially, cannot be topped. Lyrically, divine. And with the looming horns on the chorus paired with the carousel impersonating organ, it easily creates illusion of a carnival. I’m a sucker for songs that equate to their song title, what can I say? A well done ballad that is among the ‘Tones best.||

18 - “Forgive Nothing” – Blood Red Shoes from Box of Secrets (2006)
||In an album filled with garage rocking smacks, this one somehow found its way to out-hit them all. Heavier than anything else they put out, it claims a seething rock line, complimented by the ballistic, cymbal-smashing drums. The turn-based vocals work exceedingly well on this track, punctuating the cascading chorus that much more. There’s a lot more than petrol stains coming from the garage in Britain.||

17 - “Egocentric Molecules” – Jean-Luc Ponty from Cosmic Messenger (1978)
||My take on jazz fusion never really thought of electric violin. This song has changed my mind. Outspoken with every instrument involved, it stirs the pot with its electrifying theme and rip-roaring tempo. As good as the guitar, violin, and synth parts are, I have to give it to the bass on this one. A gouging main line to begin with, two minutes in gets a monstrously ingenious bass solo. Simply stellar, and a surefire eye opener for me to this talented band.||

16 - “There Are a Million Reasons Why This Shouldn’t Work… And One Good Reason Why it Will” – Moneen from The Red Tree (2006)
||21st century punk power-ballad. Despite those who might cringe at the words, this one was pulled off exceedingly well. Amazing instrumentation choreographed perfectly in sequence. The vocals are where it’s at though, bringing a wealth of deliverance to its time. The chorus bringing an on-off dual-vocal stretch is where the magic happens. Sounding much like a more knowledgeable brand of The Used, this one is a flooding emotional, excellent piece of work.||

15 - “Empty” – Metric from Live it Out (2005)
||Dazzling with dark subtlety, Metric delivers a solid smash with this one. A little bit pop, a little bit alternative, and all amazing. A solid wavering guitarline/vocal intro sets up a wispy, misty feeling. Out of nowhere, the song erupts into vagrant guitar wailing rock, fully equipped with smashing drums, crunchy bass, and baby soft vocals. Leading into a re-return to the soft outro, it comes full circle in just under 6 minutes. A visionary treat from this eclectic, electric band.||

14 - “Webs” – the Fall of Troy from In the Unlikely Event (2009)
||What I love about this band is their uncanny ability to create something new every time out. With each album they release, I get more and more taken by their unflappable nature to refurbish their sound. The pinnacle of this sound is definitely heard on “Webs”. Mixing elements of jazz, blues, and punk into a blender and set in an andante tempo, it equates to pure amazingness. The song gets more vibrant as it progresses, ratcheting up in every aspect, from the sullen jaunt guitar to the recumbent-to-dynamic drums and definitely Thom Erak’s visceral vocals. Simply stellar work from the band, they set the bar exceedingly high for their first (quasi) ballad.||

13 - “Beautiful Thieves” – AFI from Crash Love (2009)
||Veteran bands constantly live two lives: their early work, usually more hardedged and straight, and their later work, usually more articulate and artful. AFI isn’t an exception to this. But they achieve something on “Beautiful Thieves” that remains elusive to most veteran bands: the perfect blend of old and new sounds. Simply put, AFI delivers quite possibly their overall best creation since “God Called in Sick Today”. Simply an amazing piece of work that combines every good aspect the band has put forward.||

12 - “Down on the Ground” – British Sea Power from Do You Like Rock Music? (2008)
||I honestly never thought a post-rock song would wind up on my best-of list anywhere. But here I am proven wrong. BSP deliver the goods with this song, blending the ambience of post-rock with the structure and substance of alternative rock. Give props to the drums for rocking it out and keeping the beat moving along. Bright, clean, and vivid, “Down on the Ground” was the quintessential wake-up call for me that not all post-rock is created equal.||

11 - “Last Letter” – One Day as a Lion from One Day as a Lion (2008)
||Absolute vintage De La Rocha. I couldn’t believe the power and malice he put into this song. Anyone thinking he lost a step at all or lent all his good rhymes and cuts to Rage Against the Machine needs to give this track a listen. Bringing the pain with a guttural drumline and livid synth line, Zack takes total control of the song with his vicious words and diabolical flow. Easily would fit the mold as a Rage song if it carried more instrumentation, Zack’s performance on this song has to be considered among his best works… and that’s saying something from one who has a crowded list to begin with.||

10 - “Ich Tu Der Weh” – Rammstein from Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da (2009)
||Speaking on bands that continually break the mold and refuse to be typecast, Rammstein once again prove whatever they touch turns to gold. Unlike any song they’ve done in their career (yet not as brazenly off the charts as “Stirb Nicht Vor Mir” was before it) the band kicks it with a rollicking drumline, vintage guitar gush, and Till Lindemann serving up a fresh bout of vocals. Veteran bands need to keep it fresh, and no one seems to make it happen like Rammstein does. Always something to behold.||

9 - “A Looking in View” – Alice in Chains from Black Gives Way to Blue (2009)
||It never ceases to amaze me: How is it that songs that don’t click immediately, over time, end up being songs that are vastly more appreciated than other songs? Think about it: if you don’t like a song after it comes out, yet months later change your mind, suddenly it’s beyond amazing. That’s this song for me. I can’t tell you how disappointed I was upon first hearing this song a couple times online over the summer. But after getting the album in the fall, it finally started to click. And once it did, it became the solid stand out on the disc. Crushing with beautiful distortion and perfectly aligned vocals, it’s all accented by Sean Kinney’s succinct drumming. If not one chorus length too long, this one marks the successful return of this legendary band.||

8 - “Saviour” – Dredg from The Pariah, The Parrot, The Delusion (2009)
||The Dredg boys finally add some distorted flair to their blend of progressive-alternative. Taking the cap off the snare, the drumline is altogether crushing. Fine instrumentation by the others, including some electrifying vocals. Beautifully crafted, this song was absolutely amazing hearing it live. I never thought a man could hit a snare drum that hard without breaking it. A true rock nova for Dredg to call their own.||

7 - “ADHD” – Blood Red Shoes from Box of Secrets (2008)
||When researching tracks for my Battle of the Bands competition earlier this year, this was the first song I came upon. How is it that the catchiest song in the bunch was selected first? And it’s amazing how catchy it is considering how simple it is. Four stymied notes dribbled with distortion and complimented by a shimmy-shake hi-hat line. But the big reason why this one takes the cake is in the vocals. Not pretty by any means, but damn right it rocks. Crushing rock, yet refreshingly creative, this track is remarkably fun.||

6 - “No Need to Cry” – British Sea Power from Do You Like Rock Music? (2008)
||I throw around the word “amazing” a lot. But trust me, there is no short-changing the meaning of it. Everything I dub “amazing” really does inspire amazement. So don’t take it lightly when I call “No Need to Cry” freaking amazing. A brilliantly scribed post-rock ballad, driven by a saddened guitar, helped along by wavering synth and ambience. Coming up from the music soup is a lovely vocal line that drives the crestfallen rhythms right into the heart. In a year where ballads seemed to get my ear most, this one takes the cake.||

5 - “Broken Promise” – Placebo (featuring Michael Stipe) from Meds (2004)
||A lonely and adverse piano guides the intro, setting the tone as a vocal line is practically murmured. And without warning, the song explodes from cricket quiet to torrid and vicious, complete with strong guitars and blaring drums. Brian Moloko enters with indignant vocals, perfectly setting up the depressingly seething second verse. It all comes to a head on the seeing-eye breakdown, venturing outward into the cascading outro. Perfectly performed and quintessentially regarded as the key track to the album, it really delivers a vicious strike from all musical, vocal, and lyrical fronts. Moloko and Stipe as a tandem really puts the emphasis on the vocals.||

4 - “Rock Like War” – Rustic Overtones from Light at the End (2008)
||Ever since my inception to this band, and seeing them twice in concert, I thought they would never outdo themselves as an album or concert opener as they did on “C’mon” (from the epic Viva Nueva! disc). I thought if they opened an album or concert any other way, it would get things off to a bad start. I stand corrected. Not that “Rock Like War” is better than “C’mon”, but it does give them a secondary kick-start track that really coagulates together in vicious triumph. Perfect sequencing, audacious instrumentation, sterling production, and a marvelous performance make this an instant Rustic classic. In short, when I attend another of their concerts, if they start out with this song versus “C’mon”, I would not be any less psyched.||

3 - “Don’t Speak (I Came to Make a Bang!)” – Eagles of Death Metal from Death By Sexy (2004)
||Songs that make it onto this list every year are usually songs that stand out from their brethren of the album. When listening to the album, the song usually becomes a benchmark, one you can’t wait to hear. Songs that make this list are songs that simply cannot be stopped listening to. They’re songs that are so good that they get stuck in my head all day. Songs that get played on full blast, to hell if it hurts your hearing. Songs that make me, as a solitary musician who doesn’t play other’s music anymore, run out and learn it just to play when noodling on guitar, or bass, or drums (or all three). Songs so crazily infectious that its amazing heads don’t explode.

“I Came to Make a Bang”… all of the above.||

2 - “All Secrets Known” – Alice in Chains from Black Gives Way to Blue (2009)
||There’s a lot running through your mind getting a new album from a band—a favorite band at that—that has been defunct for 13 years. That apprehension right before you press play. Will it be awesome? Will it be terrible? How much has the sound changed in that time? How does it compare to the old sound? Bands that take hiatuses that long, especially returning with new members, rarely do well in the short and long runs.

“All Secrets Known” is the leadoff track to AIC’s new disc. All apprehension would be levied or relieved at its substance. The only way I can put it: it’s Alice in Chains. Not Jerry Cantrell+3. Not New Alice. Not AIC ’09. It was definitively Alice in Chains.

Thirteen years culminated into “All Secrets Known”. And it was worth the wait.||

1 - “Oxygen” – Rustic Overtones from Light at the End (2008)
||Whenever I try to describe the Overtones’ sound to someone, after waffling around with it, I usually come back to one particular statement: jazz-punk. An unusual combination, but one I thought sat well. Never has that statement been justified more than on “Oxygen”. Driven by the flippant drumline, guided by blues-rock vocals, and made simply exemplary by the wild instrumentation of horns, synths, and violin.

The ‘Tones actually went on hiatus for six years, and this is what they delivered in their return. What a brilliant way to return: by delivering the year’s best track for personal attainment 2009.||

Honarble Mentions (in no particular order):
“In the Cold Light of Morning” – Placebo
“Fine + 2pts” – Minus the Bear
“Happiness is Overrated” – the Airbourne Toxic Event
“Fight! Smash! Win!” – Street Sweeper Social Club
“The Politics of Living and the Shame in Dying” – Moneen
“Carsick” – Rustic Overtones
“One Day as a Lion” – One Day as a Lion
“Torch Song” – AFI
“Uprising” – Muse
“Catastrophe and the Cure” – Explosions in the Sky


And now onto the best albums I finagled over the year… Top 10 style!

#10

One Day as a Lion - One Day as a Lion (2008)

Ever since the dismantling of Rage, I waited for Zack de la Rocha’s next move. A solo album was planned, but never achieved fruition. Then he collaborated with Trent Reznor, but that one got shelved as well. 8 years after Rage quit, he finally returned (along with Joseph Theodore formerly of the Mars Volta). Zack finally laid down some science in the form of the self-titled debut E.P. from O.D.a.a.L. The results speak for themselves. When I first heard that there were no guitars on the disc at all, I was taken back a bit. But after hearing it, it sounds complete with the set up. Hard-rock drums, dynamic electro-techno synth, and vocals imprinted with Zack’s unmistakable flow. It’s vintage stuff, proving he’s a mastermind in his own right. At only 5 songs length, it at first feels like it’s a little malnourished. But it’s an appropriately girthy five songs full of substance, and each one carrying its own brand. Leadoff track “Wild International” represents a more subtle and fluent hard-hip hop blend. “Last Letter” is a rush of indignant force. And the closing “One Day as a Lion” is pulled straight from the Rage days. If one song could be easily cloned into a Rage song, it’s that one. Five songs, but a grandiose style of anger and violence. If Rage doesn’t play again, I will take some consolation in another O.D.a.a.L album if they would oblige.

Four Good Tracks: “Last Letter”, “One Day as a Lion”, “Wild International”, “If You Fear Dying”

#9

Blood Red Shoes - Box of Secrets (2008)

If there’s one thing that can always get my ear, it’s minimal two-person bands. In forgoing a quintessential rhythm section, it’s necessary that they step up all other fronts tenfold. While some fail, BRS manage to capture the loud, brash sound required to stay afloat. But they do it with pizzazz as well. From their unique set up (Laura-May Carter on guitar, Steven Ansell on drums, both fielding vocals) they’re able to pump a lot of creativity into their works. Such creativity can be found in the oblong timewarp “It’s Getting Boring By the Sea” and the unique slippery cut “Take the Weight”. But along with creativity, the duo brings the rock, no more evident than “Forgive Nothing”, vicious and cutting in its brooding excellence. And stellar blast “ADHD” is spine-tingling catchy. The entire make-up of the band can be found right in their opener, mid-tempo rock crooner “Doesn’t Matter Much”. Loud and creative is how this British duo does it.

Four Good Tracks: “ADHD”, “Forgive Nothing”, “Doesn’t Matter Much”, “This is Not For You”

#8

Dredg – The Pariah, the Parrot, the Delusion (2009)

It took Dredg four years to finally release this disc. And after the epic delivery of Catch Without Arms, it would interesting to see how they followed it up. The result was exactly that: interesting. The band comes back with a concept album revolving around a publication entitled A Letter to the 6 Billionth Person. I’m always wary with concept albums. Too many bands try to wedge their sound into the concept instead of working the concept around their sound. While I hear a little bit of forced conception going on in some corners, ultimately this album is a success. In true concept form, there are slight pauses and transition pieces in between the real meaty tracks of the album. Sometimes they’re useless, but in some cases they work as a good album divider. Dredg advance their sound away from alternative and more into progressive, which includes a delving into deeper production. It works effectively… sometimes too effectively. “Lightswitch” could have been pulled back on the power-producing and worked a little bit more with the instrumentation. But there are enough golden moments on this disc. The sound style is amazingly tied together, blending each one in with another. “Gathering Pebbles” is great transcending piece, placing emphasis with instrumentation and production. It bleeds into the stellar piece “Information”. But they break out of the style a little bit, a welcoming respite, starting with the hard-smacking “Saviour”, and the two unique instrumental tracks, “Down to the Cellar” being the better of the two. An endearing venture from the band winds up being a complete success. Almost like they knew they couldn’t top Catch Without Arms without changing it up, this is an effective follow up to it.

Four Good Tracks: “Saviour”, “Information”, “Gathering Pebbles”, “Quotes”

#7

British Sea Power - Do You Like Rock Music? (2007)

Each rule has an exception. And as an experienced rule, post-rock was never my kind of genre. Bands like Animal Collective and A Silver Mt. Zion and Godspeed! You Black Emperor really never held a lot of promise for me. British Sea Power, on the other hand, becomes the exception. Blending the vast open ambient stylings of post-rock with the structure and sequencing of more refined alt-contemporary rock, it becomes more enjoyable. I point particularly at the straight-up drumlines that keep it fresh and tangible. But not to be overlooked are the well crafted Britton vocals. Musically, it’s a sound that is bright, vibrant, and mystifying. Songs like “Down on the Ground” and “Waving Flags” are triumphant, victorious, and electrifying with the vast guitars and moving vocals. They flex their unique flair by drawing songs into sub-structures as heard on “Lights Out For Darker Skies” and “Atom”. Not to be outshined, the andante pieces are also constructed masterfully. Take a bow, “No Need to Cry” and “Canvey Island”. Nothing short of marvelous, BSP has enlightened me beyond any other representative of this genre.

Four Good Tracks: “No Need to Cry”, “Down on the Ground”, “Lights Out For Darker Skies”, “No Lucifer”

#6

Moneen - The Red Tree (2006)

The state of punk music has changed tenfold in the 21st century. It’s mostly been a change for the passively uninteresting. However, Moneen finally changes the tone. Placing a lot more emphasis on articulate instrumentation than any other modern punk band, it makes each piece pop and dance more than others. Vocally, it sounds like he’s taken a page from the Used, which isn’t automatically a bad thing. There are times when the vocals shine just as brightly as the music in front of it. The band likes to mix up tones and styles. “Bleed and Blister (version 3)” is a blistering bullet, quickest track on the disc. Meanwhile, “If Tragedy’s Appealing, Disaster’s an Addiction” is more aerodynamic and free. Blending their sound with alternative sporadically throughout the album, the top moment in this blend has to be the opener, “Don’t Ever Tell Locke What He Can’t Do”. They touch each corner efficiently, striking homeruns on two ballads, albeit very different. “There Are A Million Reasons…” represents a more arduous quasi-power ballad while album closer “The Song I Hoped Never to Sing” is a quiet farewell loosed of all power. Both work amazingly well. Moneen’s versatility prevent the disc ever getting to stale. Therein lies the difference between them and others in their ilk.

Four Good Tracks: “There Are a Million Reasons Why This Shouldn’t Work… And One Good Reason Why it Will”, “The Politics in Living, and the Shame in Dying”, “Don’t Ever Tell Locke What He Can’t Do”, “If Tragedy’s Appealing, Disaster’s an Addiction”

#5

Placebo - Meds (2004)

Bands from the 90s seemed to have a hard time continuing their brand of sound in the 00s. Placebo was able to keep their buzz alive by evolving their main sound while keeping the style their so known for. Electronic meets alternative rock in a great combination culled into oneness by vocalist Brian Moloko. His avant garde vocals have been described as androgynous and adulterated. Think Geddy Lee-meets-Michael Stipe… oh wait, that is Michael Stipe. The REM guru lends his vocals, albeit in a subdued role, to the album’s climatic power surge called “Broken Promise”. A slight departure in mood, but still fitting in with the overall crestfallen momentum of the album. True to the theme, there are many slower and mid-tempo tracks here, but it all comes off evenly. “Space Monkey” is steeped in dark suspense. “Pierrot the Clown” represents the most sullen track on the album. But it’s the dreary outro that really sets the album off, starting with the aforementioned “Broken Promise”. It leads into vintage Placebo in “One of a Kind”. Then comes “In the Cold Light of Morning”, which uses amazing artful allusions. Creepy and incandescent, it’s the soundtrack to a balmy drug haze. Taking it down is the appropriate “Song to Say Goodbye”. As an album, Meds delivers a soma-induced album of love, betrayal, and depression so deep only drugs can reach it.

Four Good Tracks: “Broken Promise”, “In the Cold Light of Morning”, “Space Monkey”, “Drag”

#4

Rammstein - Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da (2009)

The German sextet has gained a massive global following by adhering to a simple creed: to rock without regard for human decency. Gobs of controlled distortion levied with a tight drumline and vicious rhythm. Pair with an undeniable irreplaceable voice and stir with ambient keys, and boom… you get Rammstein. But even an incorrigible veteran group like Rammstein needs to remain fresh. In this fickle music world, it’s what have you done for me lately. It’s a tricky tightrope walk of fresh and vivrant with vintage and style that has become known for. With Liebe Ist Fur Alle Da, Rammstein has proven they have not fallen off the horse. Markedly a step up from their previous effort, it falls about middle of the pack when it comes to their entire album catalogue. But given that this is a completely different theme altogether makes this album stand out. The opener, “Rammlied”, is deafening with power and malice. And in doing so, it creates the quintessential concert opener. “Ich Tu Der Weh” follows, and it brings forth that ample freshness that is so needed. Unique sequencing prepared with a venomous Dave Kruspe guitarline makes for an important cut. Ultimately, this really takes shape as arguably their heaviest works. Take the growling smash nova “Weiner Blut” and questionable “B******” as examples. But even with their heavy comes the remarkably keen and drawn out. “Fruhling in Paris” may be their best alternative working in their repertoire. And “Roter Sand” is a unique way to end the disc, but calming all around. And no review would be complete without mentioning the insanely quasi-English performed vulgarity “Pussy”. The song is great if only for novelty purposes. In essence, Rammstein had to come hard and with a vengeance after the mediocrity of Rosenrot. Mission accomplished.

Four Good Tracks: “Ich Tu Der Weh”, “Rammlied”, “Fruhling in Paris”, “Waidmanns Heil”

#3

Alice in Chains - Black Gives Way to Blue (2009)

When bands return from extended hiatus and release an album, 9 out of 10 times it’s going to disappoint. Listen to CDs like Smashing Pumpkins’ Zeitgeist or Portishead’s Third for just two of the many examples there are. So as much as I craved this album, anticipating it since their temporarily permanent reunion in 2005, I knew odds were stacked against them. I mean, look at their resume: one of the preeminent bands of hard rock in 90s, sterling albums, colossal #1 singles, the only band to have an EP debut at #1 on the charts. And a prime vocalist in rock history. That’s a lot to make up for after 12 years and one lead singer’s death later. So what would Black Gives Way to Blue offer? I had my doubts, for sure. Would it sound like Jerry Cantrell’s mundane solo work trying too hard? Or would it be necessary to call it New Alice? Would William DuVall and 12 years of absence fuck with the chemistry? But curiosity and allegiance always make you give it a try.

“All Secrets Known”, the leadoff track, took thirteen years of anticipation to achieve fruition. And the one thing that can be said… it is definitively Alice in Chains. I was startled at how true to sound it was. It continues with radio rock single “Check My Brain”. The sound is incredible, so much so that I honestly think it’s one of the best mixed albums I’ve ever heard. And that is as much apart of the AIC sound as the actual music is. Mixing Jerry and William’s voices with the right distortion and wave is crucial, just like it was with Layne.

As for highlights, there are many. It’s a top-heavy album with most coming in the first half. Aside from the kickoff blast of “All Secrets Known”, lead single “A Looking in View” shows off what ballistic hard rock roots they possess. “Last of My Kind” gives William DuVall a moment to shine. “Your Decision” is a quintessential AIC ballad. There’re even some stylistic changes that, although different, are not too far off from the standard band evolution. “When the Sun Rose Again” is an amazing mix of secluded guitars and perfect pitch vocals. And the album closing title track shows off a remorseful side the band hasn’t shown.

I could go on and on about my amazement at how this album defied the odds and became a crucial album to their repertoire. It’s obviously not in a category with the likes of Dirt or Jar of Flies. But to go through as much as this band has and come out this strong? Impossibly good. I honestly hope this is more than a one-time go-around.

Four Good Tracks: “All Secrets Known”, “A Looking in View”, “Your Decision”, “Last of My Kind”

#2

the Fall of Troy - In the Unlikely Event (2009)

The fight for second place this season came down to splitting hairs between Black Gives Way and this one. In any case, it should be considered a tie. But I gave a slight edge to the Fall of Troy’s latest because of their evolution. Since their inception they have progressively been getting better and better. From their unkempt, rabid grassroot days of Doppelganger, to mature structured wildness on Manipulator, it all comes to a powerful head on their latest release. Musically superb, it achieves the one thing I mentioned back when I first heard this band, and I quote from that post: “Doppelganger is a frustrating album. If they can learn to make blueprints to a song before they let loose on a random tangent, this band will be the next big thing.” And now thanks to that improvement, they are. But it was beyond just structure that they added. Their music writing has become more refined. And their violent aesthetic is still evident within the refinery to keep their stylistic sound in tact. Vibrant sounds meet flashes of erratic crunch. Thom Erak’s vocal performance has improved tenfold. With the band’s amazing ability it brings along some of the best songs they’ve written. Right from the get-go, “Panic Attack!” sets the stage for their brilliance, perfectly blending Fall of Troy’s signature sound with requited rhythms. Jumping right into “Straight Jacket Keelhauled”, the most vintage Troy track, revisiting the chaotic days of old. From front to back, there is a wealth of versatile power on display here. “Battleship Graveyard” and “A Classic Case of Transference” continue the amazing opening stretch. And as great as the opening stretch is, it only gets better from there on out. Hitting indignant sullen thinkers like “Single” and “People and Their Lives” to transcendent mid-tempo rushes in “Empty the Clip…” and “Walk of Fame”. And hitting a new all-time high creating their first quasi-ballad with the nu-blues formatted “Webs”. When a band progressively gets better and better, it’s beyond words what they can accomplish. If this is the apex of the Fall of Troy, they have amassed a great achievement. But something tells me the band is only just hitting its stride.

Four Good Tracks: “Webs”, “Single”, “Empty the Clip, the King is Dead, Long Live the Queen”, “A Classic Case of Transference”

#1

Rustic Overtones - Light at the End (2008)

The decision to top the album charts this year was simple. Light at the End is nearly the perfect album, and has crossed the threshold as one of my favorite albums of the whole decade. There are no holes in this album, and each track is important to one another. A perfect assortment of up and down tracks hitting every spot on the totem pole. There’s little more to say about it around it being the best album I picked up this year. Trust me, it’s #1 for a reason. Let’s just take it to the tracks. “Rock Like War” is the quintessential opener, rocking with the surge of its namesake. “Troublesome” brings the jazzy punk vibes, leading into the third and final version of “Hardest Way Possible”, the most mellow sounding of the trio. Then the album kicks into full gear, starting with the rip-roaringest song in Rustic’s history, “Oxygen”. #1 song of the year, as previously mentioned. “Carsick” is brilliantly blues-rock in every facet. Slowing it down appropriately is “Carnival”, aptly named. And to levy everything out, the hard-blasting title track may be the most essential supporting track there is. Simply put, it’s the best 43 minutes your ears could possibly enjoy.

Four Good Tracks: “Oxygen”, “Rock Like War”, “Carnival”, “Carsick”


To be continued...

Tiger Woods cheated. Oh shit, say it ain't so! You mean the world's greatest golfer isn't a saint?! Oh no! Stop the world, it's an absolute travesty! Let's talk about it for 3094340 hours!

Ok, I get it, Tiger Woods cheated. And adultery is a terrible, terrible thing. Hell, I think cheating on your significant other is complete crap. Cheaters are the scum of the earth only two steps above rapists in my book. So yes, cheating is wrong.

But the way the media has been jumping all over this is unbelievable. In all honesty, it even can contend with the coverage that Michael Jackson's death received. Seriously, I haven't seen this much media hooplah since Paris Hilton went to jail. And even then I vented my frustration. And it's actually in the same context. The way the media's been running this thing, you'd think Tiger Woods was the first man to cheat on his wife. Breaking news: a man has coitis... and it's NOT WITH HIS WIFE! Thousands of people, men and women alike, cheat each year. Where is their breaking news bulletin?

I know, I know. It's all because of who he is. Tiger Woods is arguably the greatest golfer of all time. His accolades are beyond measure in this day and age. It's known that anyone who reaches that level of stardom with have anything, especially all the negativity, magnified in great lengths. It doesn't excuse him by any means, of course.

But the fact remains: Tiger Woods has been the lead story in Sportscenter, Entertainment Tonight, AND Nancy Grace every night for a week straight. It's a shock that it came from Tiger, a man who seemed like a really good guy. I guess that's what the big scoop is about. Or that he's a serial cheater with mistresses coming out the woodwork (but honestly, how many are being truthful and how many are in it for the fame and potential fortune remains to be found out).

I'll tell you the best thing that's come out of this is the bevy of golf related double entendre. Use your imagination if you haven't heard them yourself. Replacing divots. Water hazards. Sand bunkers. Playing the back nine. Hitting the fairway. Oh the hilarity of it all!


Brace yourselves, sports fans. Bobbo is back in action!

Ah, Livejournal, how have you been?

I have returned to put my official picks for the upcoming NFL season onto paper (... text?)

Away we go.

NFC East
1 - New York Giants
2 - Philadelphia Eagles
3 - Dallas Cowboys
4 - Washington Redskins

NFC North
1 - Chicago Bears
2 - Minnesota Vikings
3 - Green Bay Packers
4 - Detroit Lions

NFC South
1 - Atlanta Falcons
2 - New Orleans Saints
3 - Carolina Panthers
4 - Tampa Bay Buccanneers

NFC West
1 - Seattle Seahawks
2 - Arizona Cardinals
3 - San Francisco 49ers
4 - St. Louis Rams

Wild Cards
Philadelphia Eagles
New Orleans Saints

First Round Byes
New York Giants
Atlanta Falcons

AFC East
1 - New England Patriots
2 - New York Jets
3 - Miami Dolphins
4 - Buffalo Bills

AFC North
1 - Pittsburgh Steelers
2 - Baltimore Ravens
3 - Cleveland Browns
4 - Cincinnati Bengals

AFC South
1 - Indianapolis Colts
2 - Jacksonville Jaguars
3 - Houston Texans
4 - Tennessee Titans

AFC West
1 - San Diego Chargers
2 - Oakland Raiders
3 - Kansas City Chiefs
4 - Denver Broncos

Wild Cards
Baltimore Ravens
Jacksonville Jaguars

First Round Byes
Pittsburgh Steelers
Indianapolis Colts


MVP: Matt Ryan - quarterback - Atlanta Falcons

Coach of the Year: Jim Mora, Jr. - Seattle Seahawks

FIVE BOLD PREDICTIONS
#1 - The Arizona Cardinals will not make the playoffs. The NFC West is back in the clutches of the Seahawks. The 'Hawks, finally healthy, pull out 10 wins and scrap out hard-nosed football. As a result, Jim Mora is named Coach of the Year.

#2 - The Houston Texans will finally escape the basement of the AFC South. With seven wins, they'll finally start to play like a real football team. They will take advantage of the Titans--first place a year ago--now showing their age.

#3 - The Oakland Raiders will be second place in the AFC West... with six wins. This may be the worst division in NFL history. The Chargers are the only good team in the division--so bad it seems like the division could be won with just seven wins. But with the Chiefs still in dire straights, and the Broncos under a new coach for the first time in over 10 years.

#4 - The Miami Dolphins will not repeat their surprising run. With a renewed Patriots team, and with the "surprise" factor gone, it'll be a lot tougher for them to even attempt to repeat their performance.

#5 - The Detroit Lions will win... not once... not twice.. but THREE times this year! Start planning the parade, Detroit!


PLAYOFFS

Saints defeat Bears
Eagles defeat Seahawks
Patriots defeat Jaguars
Ravens defeat Chargers

Giants defeat Saints
Eagles defeat Falcons
Steelers defeat Ravens
Colts defeat Patriots

Eagles defeat Giants
Colts defeat Steelers

COLTS defeat EAGLES

MVP: Reggie Wayne

More than a little late, true. BUT we did do it on time. I was just mucho late getting it up. S'alright. This the 6th year of the March Madness of Music. As usual, the MMOM is a bracket based off March Madness done by me, Ana, Tim, and Josh.

Usually, we each pick 16 bands, musicians, songs, albums, or other music related fields and debate until there is but one. This year, we went a little different route. Four brackets were divided into each of the major eras of rock music. 1960's and 70s, the 80s, the 90s, and the Double-Zeroes. Each one of us picked 4 of the music notes from each era, each one seeded a bracket, and then we continued along our merry way.

So, which era ended up with the 2009 MMOM champion? Well.. have a look at the entire bracket.

1st and 2nd
3rd and 4th
Final Four

A breakdown of each pick is behind the cut...

( Read more... )

It's time once again. No longer do we have to get excited about pitchers and catchers. No longer do we have to listen to the drudgery of spring training. The baseball season is finally upon us!

And to lead the way, here are the Bobbo Approved Official Pre-Season Picks

AL East
1 - Tampa Bay Rays
2 - New York Yankees
3 - Boston Red Sox
4 - Toronto Blue Jays
5 - Baltimore Orioles

All that firepower spent by the Sox and Yanks, and yet I still think the youth of the Rays will win out. I give the Sox third based on their back end of the rotation. Why is every Boston fan excited about old and injury prone pitchers a la Brad Penny and John Smoltz. You'll be lucky to get 20 starts out of them combined. The fact of the matter is, injuries are a part of the game. And in that aspect, the youth pays dividends for Tampa. These aren't your grandfather's basement dwelling Rays!

AL Central
1 - Cleveland Indians
2 - Chicago White Sox
3 - Minnesota Twins
4 - Detroit Tigers
5 - Kansas City Royals

This division is always a clusterfuck. No one seems to show up until the last second. After last year's second half resurgance, I think this will be the team that we expected to see last year. As for the Tigers, they have woes up the yinyang. How's that Miguel Cabrera/Dontrelle Willis trade workin' out for ya?

AL West
1 - Anaheim Angels
2 - Oakland A's
3 - Seattle Mariners
4 - Texas Rangers

It's the Angels' division to lose. Not this year, even with the Holliday A's. Will he even make the entire season on the team? Survey says... maybe. And I can see the M's being slightly better this year. And it has little to do with Griffey.

Wild Card: Chicago White Sox

Surprise Team: Seattle Mariners

Disappointment: Boston Red Sox

MVP: Justin Morneau - Minnesota

Cy Young: Gavin Floyd - Chicago

Coach of the Year: Eric Wedge - Cleveland

You heard it here first: a postseason without the Red Sox or Yankees. How will the MLB survive?! The fact of the matter is they all will beat heavily on each other, bruising each other's records, and I predict both Boston and New York are the most liable to be injury prone. It's written all over their players. So Chicago comes in and snipes the Wild Card with a week left in the season.

Morneau has been nothing but sensational since he came to the league. That one MVP seemed like a fluke at the time, but he's certainly making himself known

And proving once again that preseason picks are bullshit, and the fact I refuse to pick back-to-back winners or the en vogue pitcher that the media drools over. Here are the facts. Floyd is in prime position to get a barrelful of wins. Pitching in the number 2 or 3 spot behind Buerhle, another year of experience. He's ready to wow.

And Eric Wedge may simply be the most underrated coach in the league. Simple as that. He works well with what's given to him year in and year out. Doesn't always translate to playoffs, but he still grinds it out.

NL East
1 - Atlanta Braves
2 - Philadelphia Phillies
3 - New York Mets
4 - Florida Marlins
5 - Washington Nationals

Quaaaa?! Yep, you see it here. I predict the Braves to take the NL East this year. What do I have to prove such a statement? Nothing. Just a hunch. But sometimes that's all you need. If history is any indication, expect the Mets to have first place all year EXCEPT with 10 days left in the season.

NL Central
1 - Chicago Cubs
2 - St. Louis Cardinals
3 - Houston Astros
4 - Milwaukee Brewers
5 - Pittsburgh Pirates
6 - Cincinnati Reds

Cubs still have all the tools to chase another playoff tank-out.  But the Cards are right there and will make it a fight. The rest of the division will be out of it by August. I see the Astros as an improved team, and the Brewers as a team that might finally fall back to earth a bit. And what's this? Pirates out of the cellar? ... And so it seems, only in dreams...

NL West
1 - Los Angeles Dodgers
2 - San Francisco Giants
3 - Arizona Diamondbacks
4 - San Diego Padres
5 - Colorado Rockies

Even a bigger crap shoot than the AL Central. But I give to LA, as they look like they have the most direction. Manny definitely adds dimension to the lineup. The Dodgers' biggest problem was their transparent offense until Manny came around. If their pitching staff can stay up to speed, they'll take it. But taking a look at second, I do think the Giants will be a much improved team. They're hanging around with a lot of chemistry to grow. And baby face Tim Lincecum is the next dominant ace of the league.

Wild Card: Philadelphia Phillies

Surprise Team: Atlanta Braves

Disappointment: New York Mets

MVP: Geovany Soto - Chicago

Cy Young: Cole Hamels - Philadlephia

Coach of the Year: Bruce Bochy - San Francisco

Phils will still get a crack at defending their title as the Wild Card.

Geovany Soto showed so much poise as a rookie last year, running away with the RotY award. This year, I see getting even better. Now, he won't have the gaudy numbers of your typical MVP. In fact, I see at least 2 more guys having better overall numbers than him. But, when you take into account defense and that leadership intangible, I think Soto takes it.

Hamels is the next big thing in the National League. If he can stay healthy, he's got a 20 win season in the bag.

And Bruce Bochy does a lot with a little. That lineup won't scare anyone, but the right coach can squeeze every last drop out of a lineup. And a pitching staff like the Giants have is undoubtedly going to keep them close in games. They'll lead the league in one run games. And Bochy will make sure that they're on the winning end of that statistic.

PLAYOFFS

Chi Sox defeat Anaheim
Tampa defeats Cleveland
Philly defeats Chi Cubs
LA Dodgers defeat Atlanta

Tampa defeats Chi Sox
LA Dodgers defeat Philly

LSC MVPs
Evan Longoria - Tampa
Russell Martin - LA

Tampa defeats Los Angeles

World Series MVP
B J Upton

In case anyone hasn't seen it, the Bobbo-oriented Battle of the Bands is once again in full-swing! This is an update after not even a week into the contest.

What a resounding success it's been so far! In 6 days, I've had 9 entrants for a total of 36 suggestions. That easily trumps what I got all of last contest.

Though that's a sizable amount of music to intake, I still encourage EVERYONE WHO READS THIS to enter. It's simple. Just look at the list of my favorite music (Posted at the end of the entry), get a general idea of potentially similar music, and suggest it to me. If it's not on the list, it's fair game (but take it seriously. I'm not going to go listen to Limp Bizkit just because its not on the list).

Two amendments must be made to the original post. Firstly, as the number of bands continues to grow, and I want ample time to fairly judge each band, the end of the contest won't occur until June 15th.

Secondly, I was given a good idea about the prize of winning such a contest. Instead of a song about the winner, the winner should actually do a song with us when we record! Ah snap! It's just been knocked up a notch!

For the record, I've already had three people "assure victory" with their picks. That's going to make it hilarious when I have to inform a couple of them--even funnier if I have to inform all three of them--that they were no victorious.

Thinking I won't like anything you have to give? Just remember, Elliot won last time... ELLIOT, of all people! (No offense, but seriously, you understand). We seemingly had no musical taste in common and out of nowhere, he delivers. So all is not lost!

June 15th will come sooner than you believe, so do your Pat Benetar impersonations and hit me with your best shots!


FIRE AWAY!


The List after the jump... ( Read more... )

For old times sake, I'ma do one of my favorite things of old: put my playlist on shuffle and talk about music. And away we go...!

"Bag of Hammers" - Local H
Humble beginnings for the duo. Maintains to be one of my favorite songs from their debut Hamfisted album. Straight up garage-y and all around raucous. I'm sure I would lose my mind if they ever played it live while I was in attendance. It has been done, as I have a video clip of the insanity. But to witness it would be awesome.

"Hypersonic" - Jane's Addiction
Anyone else hear that apparently Jane's Addiction is getting back together... ...again? And apparently even Sean Avery is joining the ranks this time. While it's awesome, I get tired of hearing about this band's break ups and reunions. It's almost as bad as that couple in high school that broke up every three weeks only to get back together the next week. Props for the band, but still make up your mind.

"Drag" - Placebo
Solid album track. I still find it a little ironic that I'm getting into this 90s staple band via their latest album, released in 2007. Oh well, whatever works.

"Born Like This" - Three Days Grace
If not too cliche, then a listenable track. I don't immediately hate 3DG. And in Bobbo terminology, that is a compliment.

"Serial Thrilla" - Prodigy
Love it. Hard-trance is one of my guilty pleasures, but I haven't found a lot who does it better than this era of Prodigy.

"Night Bird Flying" - Jimi Hendrix
When surrounded by all the other greats, it's hard to notice how good this song is, particularly the guitar breakdown toward the end. I look up and smile as I see my newly minted Jimi Hendrix poster displayed right over my computer. Huzzah!

"Hours" - TV on the Radio
Essentially the track that pushed Cookie Mountain from good to amazing. Low key yet rollicking. This band is so strange. They'll pluck out amazing gems like this one. But then they go freaking crazy looney toons two tracks later. I suppose that's part of their charm though.

"Drag the Waters" - Pantera
Props for Rex Brown. Not just because of this song, but for being, essentially, the fourth man in a four man band. But when you play behind absolute legends like Dimebag, Phil Anselmo, and Vinnie Paul, somebody's got to hang their hat last.

"Dread Rock" - Oakenfold
Hard-trance making itself known this time, it seems. I can't agree with all of Oakenfold's stuff. After all, he collaborated with the douches from Crazy Town. But for the most part, I give him my approval.

"When it's Over" - Sugar Ray
Synonymous with my summers in Connecticut, Sugar Ray is. Granted, this song isn't so keen. And Mark McGrath is still a tool. But still, I verily listen to this pop-whore band once in occasion.

"Always On My Mind" - Phantom Planet
Let it be told: post-Jason Schwartzman Phantom Planet >>>>>>> Phantom Planet w/ Schwartzman. It was a distraction to the music. "HAY GUYZ! I am pathetic actor, but look, I DRUM IN COOL BAND!". Good job for ditching him, guys.

"Transformer" - Smashing Pumpkins
One of my least favorite Pumpkins' b-sides. And yet, it's still better than anything they've done recently. Fuck you, Zeitgeist.

"Hey, Johnny Park!" - Foo Fighters
I have been on a huge Foo Fighters kick lately. It's just reaffirming my love of everything Dave Grohl. I'm about to delve into his Probot side project in hopes that it's just as good.

"Good Morning, Beautiful" - Deftones
From their self-titled album; an album that gets no praise whatsoever. There is nothing wrong with that. It really only has a couple good songs and the rest is just skip-button fodder. This song is not among the good ones.

"The World You Love" - Jimmy Eat World
Silly emo kids. It grates if you listen to it too much, but every once in awhile, sometimes that jimminy sugar dripped vocals makes you smile.

"Let's Fight" - Super Mario RPG
Maintains to be the most happy-go-lucky fight song of any video game.

"Remote Control" - the Clash
This song brings me back to Lyndon State College. One time, the teacher was late. So I put my CD player on, playing this CD, and put my head down. When I picked my head up, not only was she there, the class was half over. Whoops! Thanks, Clash!

"The Lunarians" - Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy IV)
The beginning of this song used to spook me out.

"Told You So" - Drowning Pool
Why do I still love nu-metal? I just do. <3

"Combustible" - Rustic Overtones
As modern rock as the Tones ever get. If ever there was a song they should've played at the concert, I wish it was this one. Still, a perfect concert experience regardless.

"Institutionalized" - Suicidal Tendencies
This song is absolutely hilarious. ... Just... hilarious... "All I wanted was a PEPSI!"

"Old Man and Me" - Hootie and the Blowfish
For some reason, I really think that this was once a Garth Brooks song at one time. I know it's not, but it has the built-in twang that he would abuse in a version he would do.

"Inner Light Spectrum" - 311
Ah yes, I wish everyone a belated 311 Day! I celebrated by listening to all of the band's material, as I do every year.


....Alright, I'm done. Enjoy your day!

I ran into an old friend of mine today. Well... he never was a friend. More of an advanced acquaintance, if you will. I haven't seen him since the summer of 2004, so we had a lot of "catching up" to do.

Just a disclaimer... He isn't a "tool", per se. What I like to think is over exuberant with a side order of malnourished arrogance.

His name is Ryan Smith, but everyone called him Smitty as a nickname. He once joked that he should just change his name to accommodate it. We all laughed.... not so much anymore.

"Yeah, a week or so after I turned 19, I went up to the courthouse and applied to change my name legally to Ryan Smitty! You guys fuckin' laughed but I did it! See it's on my driver's license. Isn't that awesome?!"

We talked about sports... well, he talked about sports. I just responded every ten seconds with a varying assault of "You're full of shit", "You're fucking naive if you believe that", or "Denial is an ugly thing"....

"Dude I knew A-Rod was on steroids the entire fucking time. I bet Jeter is on them too. And Posada. And Pettitte. And Rivera. And Texiera. And all them fucking losers! Because every single Yankee ever was a cheater. Even Babe Ruth and Yogi Berra were on steroids, don't try to deny it!" ... "Have you noticed that no Sox players were found guilty yet? Oh yeah, that's right. Because they are the only good and clean team out there. They win clean in a league of cheaters. How awesome is that that they could win even on an uneven playing field! Fuck you, Bobbo!"

And at the suggestion that even Red Sox fans are conceding that David Ortiz, Jason Varitek, and a couple others stuck themselves with juice?

"No fucking way, dude! Big Papi is my homeboy! And Tek is just getting old, but he was SOLID back in the day. Don't drag a REAL team down with your fucking cheating asses!"

Of course, it's his false sense of grandeur that makes me think 4 and a half years wasn't long enough talking to him. But the subject changed quickly.

"Oh, did I tell you I have a little baby daughter now?"

He showed me a picture, and she was a lovely 5 month old girl. And I should've seen the next thing coming...

"Dude, guess what her name is?"

This ought to be good....

"Mega"

"Mega?" I pronounced back to him.

"Yep. Guess her middle name."

I hate that phrase. A lot. "Guess this". I don't want to, because the way we word that phrase makes it an answer we never would guess. Plus when people use that expression, chances are good people are barely listening anyway. So you threaten to lose their attention with that annoying ass statement. But anyway...

"Awesome!"

....."What?"

"That's her middle name. Awesome!"

So... your daughter's name is...

Mega Awesome Smitty

And I'm speechless. But I humor him. "Wow, how in the world did you convince the mother to allow that?"

"Oh that's easy. I got her drunk. She never says no to me when she's hammered. But I guess that's how we ended up in this situation to begin with."

Too... much... info....

"It's good though. She got a monogram nameplate that says 'Meg', but my girl just took a sharpie and put an 'a' at the end of it."

What great parents they will be. I hope neighbors have child services on speed dial.

*fart*

Seriously? In the middle of this retail store?

"Sorry man, just had a sack of burgers from Wendy's and I got the runs. But we'll still talk. Here, follow me into the bathroom."

I've never been so happy to utter the phrase. "I have to get back to work."

He gave me a man-hug and pushed aside an innocent 9 year old girl to get into the bathroom.



You know, I take it back. He is just a tool. But an amusing one. I look forward to our next encounter five years from now.

Maybe I'll get to meet Mega Awesome Smitty by that point!

I've been obsessively writing for the past couple months. I've always had the knack for writing, but I've been taking it to possessive proportions recently. This is what prevents me from "blogging" on a regular basis anymore. Every time I get the notion to blog, my brain says "Well, why not just write constructively instead of wasting time?" Most of the time, my hands will agree.

Let it be known, like it's not already known but whatever, that my aspirations have turned me to become an author. And I'm pretty much all-in. I honestly don't know what my career aspirations will become if I don't succeed. It's not desperation, and I don't have my hopes in the stratosphere where they would shatter if they're shot down.

I've done research on the processes of publication. I know that you start small and cross your fingers. I'm also aware that there's a good chance you have to shell out a couple hundred dollars to get the publishing process going. It's all about betting on the right horse and hoping they fly with it to turn a profit. In that notion, I'm also well aware it may be years before any serious noteriety is gained. The trilogy His Dark Materials (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass) has just recently achieved a mainstream fanbase, while the first of those books was released 10 years ago. 

This is no passing fancy, as I'm certainly preparing myself for an eventual pitch as early as next January. I'm currently penning a first in a trilogy and plan to complete that first segment before committing. Also I intend to have up to three pieces of different stories of different ideals ready to present. With a completed novel and three segments, I should be well prepared.

I've received a wealth of encouragement from members of my family, friends, and--surprisingly the most--from co-workers.

At any rate, I will start updating more often to this and my many other mediums shortly. But indeed, this longing to be a writer has consumed me. All I can say is wish me luck, and please catch me if I fall back to Earth.

Hey. Everyone still paying attention. A little heads up stating that Wednesday Night Fight is back in action. Follow me there!
community.livejournal.com/wnf/

Check back every Wednesday night for a new match.

Another year of music has been added to my collection. Truth be told 2008 was not a great year for yours truly. I say that on the stand point of new released music, and also personal attainment. Over the span of the year, I subtracted a number of albums that were not worthy or that I simply could not listen to very much anymore. And as far as newly listened stuff, I only added 20 albums to the collection this year, and effectively deleted 20 of them. So after breaking even, the number is still at 431

I do have an explanation for the low numbers though. About halfway through this year, I finally made a decision; one I've avoided for years.

I actually bought an iPod.

Others were as caught off guard, or "shocked" if you will, with my decision as I was. For how much I preached about my love for tangible goodness and all that shit, it just couldn't be overlooked anymore: the convenience of the Pod was just too great to ignore. I'll tell you what the kicker was though. I bring in CDs to work to listen to. After listening to one CD I had just acquired only months earlier start to skip, I got fed up. Scratched CDs were my biggest annoyance in the world. Pair the convenience factor with the fact that mp3s don't skip, and it just made sense to get one.

I'm going to be honest, I felt like I had died a little inside getting one. It was the end of an era. My two massive cases of CDs no longer meant jack shit. I retired them to the recesses of the closet and there they have stayed since I finished up transferring them all to media content (which actually took quite a freaking long time. It takes many moons to transfer over 400 CDs to mp3s, believe you me).

But still, I've since grown disenchanted with CDs and love the hell out of my iPod. I am scared to death of it though. I went through CD players way too quickly. Something always went wrong with it, and I always had to replace it. With my bad luck with electronics, I'm just scared something will happen to it. I don't even have a case for it yet. But since I don't trust myself with it, I'm actually taking real good care of it. Haven't even dropped it yet (knock on wood).

Anyway... the advent of the iPod hindered my acquisition of anymore new musics.

Onto what I did end up getting into this year.

( Read more... )


Here's to 2009.

A glorious season of football is now in the books. We look to the playoffs, and what the NFL likes to call "the second season". But before the new playoff predictions, we shall look at my preview and point, and laugh. I recall one little pick is bound to kill a man with laughter. Let's just say one of my division winners hasn't been in the race since.... ... the preseason.

New York Giants

The Giants responded more resiliently than many people thought they would... they didn't surprise me though. They proved that their defense, even banged up and after retirees, is still a force to be reckoned with. They were bar none the highlight of the year for the team. With their insane pass rush and massive linebacker core, they pounded the middle and assaulted all oncoming QBs and running backs. Even the rookies played like steely veterans. The cornerbacks are rapidly shoring up the secondary. Corey Webster and Aaron Ross are monsters and will be crucial for the playoff run.

The whole Plaxico situation makes me sad. He played with a lot of passion last year, granted that he did consistently miss practice and only played on gameday (also known as Allen Iverson Syndrome). His actions only worsened this season and culminated in some stiff fines and finally a full-on season long suspension. Lots suspect his days with the Giants are numbered. I have mixed feelings about that. One, they should drop his ass. A team doesn't need that kind of distraction, even how focused they claim they are, in the locker room. But on the other hand, elite receivers are few and far between. And it becomes apparent that, while they don't necessarily need it, the Giants are a better team when they have that deep threat over the top. It'll be interesting to see how it shakes out.

Eli Manning has finally become a real boy! This is by far his most consistent and upright season. It wasn't up and down, he didn't make stupid mistakes play after play after play. His turnovers were down, and he made the right play on most occasions. He didn't rack up the stats, but that's what you need.. the quarterback who knows what it takes to win. Its in the Manning pedigree. He proved it this year. It's shocking to think that, even up to a year ago, he did not look like a leader ready to become a big time QB. Eli has finally won over the New York fans.

THey have the #1 seed in the playoffs, and are the Vegas favorites to win the whole enchilada. But its why you play the game on the field. It'd be downright saddening to see them get axed just the way they axed last year. But at any rate, this team will compete, and it will be dominant. They will be the hardest out in the playoffs this year. Kudos to any team who does it (pfft.)



Seattle Seahawks

Wow....

....

What an ugly season. It's a shame that Mike Holmgren has to leave on such a disastrous note. It's not a reflection of his greatness. Murphy's Law is in full effect this season. Things went wrong, and how. They regressed from division giants to a scrappy, but uneffective team. Lucky for them they don't have to blow up the team and start from nothing. They have enough talent to be ready to compete again next year. Just gear up, stockpile from the draft, and hit them again under a new coach. Hopefully Hasselbeck and the rest of the team show good results under Jim Mora's system.

So a bad year, but I have my hopes for them next season.


St. Louis Rams

At least I didn't expect much from them this year, so it wasn't much of a surprise.

They've been bad for so long now it's hard to see them getting much better. But I did see some signs of life. Their defense looks like it could be good with some more pieces. And if they shore up that swiss-cheese O-line, they might find some more life for Bulger. Whether this is enough to translate to anything remains to be seen.

It also will be intersting to see if Marc Bulger is at least challenged at quarterback. Would it be in the cards for the Rams to draft Sam Bradford? It would be magnificently interesting. It would essentially tell Bulger to play better, or else. Whether Bradford ends up superceding him or Bulger has a Drew Brees-Philip Rivers mantra going on would be good.

They won't compete next year either, but maybe... just maybe... they can take the baby steps next year to be able to compete by 2010.



New York Jets

Let me just say this: I never approved of the Favre trade. I thought it would be pointless, and he would not help the team as much as they thought. Sure, it looked good earlier. But there was no way in hell he repeated his amazing season last year for this team. He showed his age, especially down the stretch. Losing 4 of 5, there was no way they deserved the playoffs. Any one of those wins would have essentially locked up their division. But here we go with another round of Favre retirement schpeals, and the Jets were knocked out the playoffs.

Mangini was fired today. Mixed feelings, but overall, I guess I agree. It all depends on who they bring in to guide them next year. They have the talent to go far. We saw that. The defense played stoutly and Thomas Jones became the back they always wanted. But every single player seemed to regress and give up the last 5 games. I'm a fan, but even I think they got their just desserts with Chad Pennington, who I am still a huge fan of, dumping on them and handing them an early vacation.


THEN AND NOW

NFC East
Then:
1 - Dallas Cowboys
2 - New York Giants
3 - Philadelphia Eagles
4 - Washington Redskins

Now:
1 - New York Giants
2 - Philadelphia Eagles
3 - Dallas Cowboys
4 - Washington Redskins

Never again, Dallas, will I pick you. The soap opera hit over drive and really threw the team down. The Eagles came on strong late, and the G-Men were explosive all season.

NFC North
Then:
1 - Detroit Lions
2 - Minnesota Vikings
3 - Green Bay Packers
4 - Chicago Bears

Now:
1 - Minnesota Vikings
2 - Chicago Bears
3 - Green Bay Packers
4 - Detroit Lions

"I'm just as shocked as you are. But Jon Kitna is the only "real" QB in this division now." My exact words in claiming the Lions would win. ... I have nothing to say to that... I'm just going to leave it as is.. and walk away..... walk far far away.

NFC South
Then:
1 - New Orleans Saints
2 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3 - Carolina Panthers
4 - Atlanta Falcons

Now:
1 - Carolina Panthers
2 - Atlanta Falcons
3 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
4 - New Orlean Saints

With the emergence of the Falcons, the NFC South now becomes the best division in football. But at what point do you blame Sean Payton for the Saints consistent demise? They have the talent of a championship team. After that, you have to look at the coaches.

NFC West
Then:
1 - Seattle Seahawks
2 - Arizona Cardinals
3 - San Francisco 49ers
4 - St. Louis Rams

Now:
1 - Arizona Cardinals
2 - San Francisco 49ers
3 - Seattle Seahawks
4 - St. Louis Rams

Cards wrapped it up surprisingly early thanks to Kurt Warner and a punchy offense. They give everyone who's been claiming they were on the front step for years some validation finally.

AFC East
Then:
1 - New England Patriots
2 - Buffalo Bills
3 - Miami Dolphins
4 - New York Jets

Now:
1 - Miami Dolphins
2 - New England Patriots
3 - New York Jets
4 - Buffalo Bills

"When will this be a competition again?" I spouted. This year! Finally this division was fun to watch again. I'm still shocked that this one win team is heading into the playoffs. And how. They look really good, and may finally be a full time competitve team. Three 10-win teams in this division makes it one of the best in the league.

AFC North
Then:
1 - Pittsburgh Steelers
2 - Cleveland Browns
3 - Cincinnati Bengals
4 - Baltimore Ravens

Now:
1 - Pittsburgh Steelers
2 - Baltimore Ravens
3 - Cincinnati Bengals
4 - Cleveland Browns

I may have boarded the Cleveland fanbus a bit too early. Whoops! And honestly, I did not expect such an uprising by rookie Joe Flacco and the Ravens.

AFC South
Then:
1 - Indianapolis Colts
2 - Jacksonville Jaguars
3 - Tennessee Titans
4 - Houston Texans

Now:
1 - Tennesse Titans
2 - Indianapolis Colts
3 - Houston Texans
4 - Jacksonville Jaguars

This was the division with the most surprises. But no bigger than Jacksonville. How do you go from a championship caliber team to bottom feeders?

AFC West
Then:
1 - Denver Broncos
2 - San Diego Chargers
3 - Oakland Raiders
4 - Kansas City Chiefs

Now:
1 - San Diego Chargers
2 - Denver Broncos
3 - Oakland Raiders
4 - Kansas City Chiefs

Your division winner doesn't even have a winning record. An 8-8 division champ. Wow. Enjoy your 37 point playoff loss, San Diego. Didn't a whole bunch of people think they were going to win the Super Bowl? Idiots.

Wildcards
THEN:
New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns

NOW:
Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles
Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens

Oh god, revoke my prediction license. I only guessed correctly on 3 playoff teams... out of 12 spots. Oi vei.

First Round Byes
Then:
Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints
Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots

Now:
New York Giants, Carolina Panthers
Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers

At least I got one bye right. History has shown that it's more often than not that the teams who have byes will not meet each other in the conference championship. Expecting a New York/Carolina and Tennessee/Pittsburgh conference titles? I wouldn't.

Most Valuable Player
Then: Adrian Peterson - Minnesota
Another solid year from him, and he may indeed garner some votes. But overall probably not your 2008 MVP

Now: Chad Pennington - Miami
Fuck stats. You show me a player who has shown more impression on his team than this man. From one win to East champions. He was named as offensive captain only two weeks after arriving. That is valuable in ever aspect.

PLAYOFFS

Then:
New York Giants defeat Detroit Lions
Seattle Seahawks defeat Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Indianapolis Colts defeat Cleveland Browns
Jacksonville Jaguars defeat Denver Broncos

Dallas Cowboys defeat Seattle Seahawks
New York Giants defeat New Orleans Saints
Indianapolis Colts defeat New England Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers defeat Jacksonville Jaguars

Dallas Cowboys defeat New York Giants
Pittsburgh Steelers defeat Indianapolis Colts

Pittsburgh Steelers defeat Dallas Cowboys

Super Bowl MVP: Willie Parker

Now:
Philadelphia Eagles defeat Minnesota Vikings
Atlanta Falcons defeat Arizona Cardinals
Indianapolis Colts defeat San Diego Chargers
Miami Dolphins defeat Baltimore Ravens

New York Giants defeat Philadelphia Eagles
Carolina Panthers defeat Atlanta Falcons
Indianapolis Colts defeat Tennessee Titans
Pittsburgh Steelers defeat Miami Dolphins

New York Giants defeat Carolina Panthers
Pittsburgh Steelers defeat Indianapolis Colts

New York Giants defeat Pittsburgh Steelers

Super Bowl MVP: Brandon Jacobs


I realize it's always dangerous picking your team to win it all, especially since it looks like you're a homer and biased. But honestly, I think that game with Carolina could go either way. And so could the Indy/Pitt game. It could very easily be the other way around, an Indy/Carolina Super Bowl.

...and if you think about it, this year will probably be the best, and potentially only, year we could witness the Manning Bowl. Don't think it'll happen, but it'd be an awesome match if it comes down to it.

So ... yeah. 15 games into the NBA season, I finally decide to do my predictions. Nothing wrong with being a little late though. Plus it gives me a leg up in making my predictions look more legit. I would feel bad, but hey, remember last season I picked the Chicago fucking Bulls to win the NBA Finals. I deserve a reprieve, thus my lateness should be forgiven.


Atlantic Division
1 - Boston Celtics
2 - Philadelphia 76ers
3 - Toronto Raptors
4 - New Jersey Nets
5 - New York Knicks

The worst division in the game is slowly trying to get better. The Raptors and Sixers are ready to start competing. The jury's still out on the Nets and Knicks.

Central Division
1 - Cleveland Cavaliers
2 - Detroit Pistons
3 - Indiana Pacers
4 - Chicago Bulls
5 - Milwaukee Bucks

The LeBrons are becoming a dominant figure and should lock this one early. The Pacers and Bulls are slowly trying to get back to respectability. The Bucks as well, but they're going at a slower pace.

Southeast Division
1 - Orlando Magic
2 - Atlanta Hawks
3 - Miami Heat
4 - Washington Wizards
5 - Charlotte Bobcats

Can the Hawks really be this good early on? I think with Mike Bibby was a bigger trade than people thought.

Southwest Division
1 - New Orleans Hornets
2 - San Antonio Spurs
3 - Houston Rockets
4 - Dallas Mavericks
5 - Memphis Grizzlies

Is the window of opportunity closing on the Mavs? Survey says... ...yes.

Northwest Division
1 - Utah Jazz
2 - Portland Blazers
3 - Denver Nuggets
4 - Minnesota Timberwolves
5 - Seattle Sonics Oklahoma City Thunder

It's crowded at the top... crowded with mediocrity. The T-Wolves seem ready to bounce back, but probably not this season. They're in the right division whenever they get ready to compete again.

Pacific Division
1 - Los Angeles Lakers
2 - Phoenix Suns
3 - Sacramento Kings
4 - Golden State Warriors
5 - Los Angeles Clippers

Showtime has returned to Los Angeles. The rest of the division, however, is full of shams (Warriors) and also-rans (Suns).

Playoff Seeding

East
1 - Boston Celtics
2 - Cleveland Cavaliers
3 - Orlando Magic
4 - Detroit Pistons
5 - Philadelphia 76ers
6 - Atlanta Hawks
7 - Toronto Raptors
8 - Miami Heat

West
1 - Los Angeles Lakers
2 - New Orleans Hornets
3 - San Antonio Spurs
4 - Utah Jazz
5 - Phoenix Suns
6 - Houston Rockets
7 - Portland Blazers
8 - Dallas Mavericks

MVP: Chris Paul - New Orleans

Coach of the Year: Mike Woodson - Atlanta

Rookie of the Year: Derrick Rose - Chicago

PLAYOFFS
FIRST ROUND
(1) Boston defeats (8) Miami
(4) Detroit defeats (5) Philadelphia
(3) Orlando defeats (6) Atlanta
(2) Cleveland defeats (7) Toronto

(1) Los Angeles defeats (8) Dallas
(5) Phoenix defeats (4) Utah
(6) Houston defeats (3) San Antonio
(2) New Orleans defeats (7) Portland

SECOND ROUND
(1) Boston defeats (4) Detroit
(2) Cleveland defeats (3) Orlando

(1) Los Angeles defeats (5) Phoenix
(2) New Orleans defeats (6) Houston

CONFERENCE FINALS
(1) Boston defeats (2) Cleveland
(1) Los Angeles defeats (2) New Orleans

NBA FINALS
Boston defeats Los Angeles

FINALS MVP: Paul Pierce


I know, it looks awfully familiar tolast year. But I reckon that's what I think will come about this NBA season.

The 2008 baseball season has run aground, and the playoffs are upon us. Even despite certain circumstances this season, I still think baseball in October is one of the most magic times on the sports calendar, ranking right up there with March Madness and the NFL playoffs.

 

( Read more... )

 

Can you say "2008 Champion Tampa Bay Rays"?

Well, it's that time of year again. Summer is counting down, kids are heading back to school, and the leaves will change color soon. That's right, baby! Are you ready for some football?!

As has become tradition, I kick off the preseason with my preview of the season. Of course, we start with my quadet of teams.


My God, is this what it feels like to be called the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants? What a feeling. I was going to try to focus on this season and not last, but can you blame me? New York Giants... the WHO? vesus, the 18-0 "best offense ever" New England Patriots. Who wins? Why don't you ask Plaxico Burress, and he may show you a nice shiny ring.

Ok seriously, time to put that incredible, demonstrative Super Bowl smackdown in the rear view. It'll always be a pleasant memory looking back and remembering the 2007 New York Giants, but it's 2008 now. We'll see how good they can be this year to defend their crown.

Surprise, surprise, the Giants are getting little respect. Some are already claiming they lost too much via free agency and trades that they'll falter and miss the playoffs. True, they did lose a lot. Kuwika Mitchell was a key piece to the championship team that left to free agency. Gibril Wilson is gone because Oakland (idiotically) threw a truckload of money at him. Micheal Strahan rode off into the sunset and retired. And Jeremy Shockey was recently traded. But what people fail to notice is that they can easily fill the gaps for those roles. Justin Tuck is more than ready to anchor the left side of the d-line. Kevin Boss is definitely going to be more of a threat than some people think. And the secondary will accommodate for Gibril's absence with the emergence of Corey Webster and Aaron Ross, with veterans Sam Madison and R. W. McQuarters there to supply leadership to the secondary. Plus, with Antonio Pierce fully healthy, he'll make up for Mitchell's departure.

The thing I'm liking about the Giants this year is they will be more offensively potent than they were last year. Eli Manning showed a lot of huchspa out-gunning Tom Brady. I know all the Giants' fans are praying he's turned the corner and won't show any of the crippling inconsistency he's tried to shake all his career. But I have faith in him now where I don't think every pass he throws is an interception. But now, look at his weapons. First of all, the management did a fine job making sure they kept the immovable wall known as their offensive line in tact with some nice, but not overpaid, deals. Diehl, Snee, O'Hara, Seubert, and McKenzie. It will be impertinent to keep these guys healthy as they were last year. You may be looking at one of the best o-lines in football right there.

Then take a look at their backfield. Stacked. Who do you give the most touches though? Brandon Jacobs, the lethal smash mouth contact runner. Ahmad Bradshaw, the Tiki-esque finesse runner. Derrick Ward, the slasher/gunner style runner. Reuben Droughns, the punchy jutty runner. The combo of Jake and Bradshaw seemed to work miracles late last season. They contrast so well it keeps defenses guessing. I think they get the majority of the touches while you keep Ward and Droughns in for 3rd downs, breathers, injury insurance, and to mix up a little up. I love the backfield. Where it was a question mark last year with the absence of Tiki, I am very confident with the running team this year.

Don't listen to the media, their defense is still stout. Tell me there's somebody who wants to barrel up the middle only to be baptized by Antonio Pierce. Yeah, nobody. The problem last year though was sometimes the defense would wither and allow huge gains, yet the exact same personnel would then stiffen and cinch the attack at 3 yards from scrimmage. I called it the "brick wall defense" and "1st grade defense". We need more of the "brick wall" variety this year. This defense is one to be respected.

After last year, I expect a great, gutty season, leading them to the playoffs to defend their title.

Best Case Scenario: 12-4, NFC East title, reaching the NFC Championship game
Worst Case Scenario: 5-11, Eli regresses, O-line injuries, defense collapses.
Realistic Scenario: 10-6, first Wild Card spot, raring to make more noise in the playoffs.


It's no longer a forgone conclusion that the Seahawks will run away with the NFC West. Their window looks like it's starting to shut. Hasselbeck is another year old, their former franchise back is pounding the pavement, and their hall of fame coach is leaving after this season. The team is regressing while the rest of the division is getting better.

That all said, I still believe the NFC West is Seattle's to lose. They are still the best team out there, granted that the three other teams are getting better. But I still put faith in Hasselbeck as one of the smartest QBs in the game. He knows how to make the right plays and makes fewer mistakes than most others.

I'm still a little shocked at the outright release of Shaun Alexander. He just fell off the face of the Earth after his Super Bowl, MVP season. Injuries and inconsistency called for him to be released. It's still a little startling, and it makes me question how deep their running back position is. Julius Jones was an interesting pickup, presumably to share snaps with Maurice Morris. I don't think I trust either as my leading back. TJ Duckett is another interesting option. The running game will be interesting this year. Hopefully it'll be able to take the load off of Hasselbeck and his arm from time to time.

One thing is for sure, I still love the Hawks' defense. Lofa Tatupu up the middle. Patrick Kerney on the line. A torrid secondary. They will win a lot of games because of their defense. Jordan Babineaux and Marcus Trufant patrol that area like policemen.

Overall, I think the Seahawks can have a shipshape season. Their schedule looks very favorable to take another NFC West title. They might want to turn it on in the playoffs though. Because their window is closing.

Best Case Scenario: 12-4, first round playoff victory.
Worst Case Scenario: 7-9, string of inconsistencies as well as an uprising from another NFC West team does them in.
Realistic Scenario: 9-7, not a good record, but still solid enough to fend off the other teams and head into the playoffs.


Last year was pretty gruesome for the Rams. And it ain't looking any prettier for them this year. Could it be possible to have a worse year? We're about to find out.

Already the injuries are piling up. When you have injuries during training camp, something is just not right.

Then there's the Steven Jackson thing. His holdout is really hurting him and his team. He's going nowhere and is his team. So why try to holdout on a losing team? Though , I guess that's the motivation. "We suck. Give me more money." He's sitting now, but I think he'll be suiting up before preseason ends. Will that hurt his game? It might.

I've seen more than enough of this team giving Marc Bulger an opportunity. He came along after Kurt Warner was injured 6 years ago. He had some big games that year and looked like the Rams' future. But that future has been terrible so far. The big games he had his rookie season had to be because the league wasn't familiar with him. Once they realized he was a "regular" QB, they started pummeling him and picking him off every chance they got. And when you think he'll be able to step up and silence his critics, he goes and gets injured again. If he doesn't go injure-less and put up some Pro-Bowl type numbers, I think the Rams should cut his ass and move on.

Granted Marc gets no help from the porous offensive line. Did they take tips from the early years' Houston Texans or what? The defense is comparable to a screen door. There's just no way this team does anything this year.

Scott Linehan is fired after the season... if I wasn't so broke, I'd put a lot of money on that bet. A lot.

Best Case Scenario: 6-10, they get a surprising boost from an unsuspecting rookie, showing signs of life for the future.
Worst Case Scenario: 2-14, usually they give pisspoor teams a lighter schedule. Not for the Rams.
Realistic Scenario: 4-12, Scott Linehan's swan song will be another atrocious season. Thanks Scott! Take Marc with you!


What a mess. Bad contracts, aging players, no concrete quarterback plan.

It's hard to see how this season will be a win for Gang Green. They need to decide on Pennington or Clemens, and they need to make a decision now. I think right now, Pennington gives the team the better chance to win right now. However, you keep his leash short. The moment he starts to tank, throw in the Kid to see what he can do.

This will be a mostly rebuilding season for the Jets. Unless they find a hidden gem of a player who can spark the entire team, this will be a rocky season. But there is hope. Their defense isn't exactly terrible. And their offense is potentially only one player away.

This will be a learning season for the Jets. It'll allow them to see what they have to work with for the following seasons.

Best Case Scenario: 8-8, the QB controversy sparks one or the other (your call) to play great ball and reach .500
Worst Case Scenario: 4-14, the team seems disoriented right now. If it continues, the season will be long.
Realistic Scenario: 6-10, At least they'll have an answer by the end of the season: Kellen Clemens, yes or no?


And here's how I think the whole league will play out.

NFC East
1 - Dallas Cowboys
2 - New York Giants
3 - Philadelphia Eagles
4 - Washington Redskins

Tony Romo is the Alex Rodriguez of football: Awesome regular season, sucktacular postseason. And sorry, Washington, Jason Taylor and Colt Brennan won't save you from the basement.

NFC North
1 - Detroit Lions
2 - Minnesota Vikings
3 - Green Bay Packers
4 - Chicago Bears

I'm just as shocked as you are. But Jon Kitna is the only "real" QB in this division now. The Favre situation will only distract the team, A-Pete can't run AND throw for the Vikes, and Rex Grossman... need I say more? The Lions make the playoffs... god,that sounds strange.

NFC South
1 - New Orleans Saints
2 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
3 - Carolina Panthers
4 - Atlanta Falcons

Drew Brees and company get back on track after an off-year. It won't be a cakewalk though as Tampa will challenge the entire way. Carolina is falling apart and Atlanta is rebuilding.

NFC West
1 - Seattle Seahawks
2 - Arizona Cardinals
3 - San Francisco 49ers
4 - St. Louis Rams

This is the year the 9ers need an answer. Is Alex Smith really the answer? He's been a pathetic excuse for a QB so far. The Cards have the wherewithal to challenge, but ... wait.. they're the freaking Cardinals, no they don't. The division is the Seabags almost by default.

Wild Cards: New York Giants, Tampa Bay Bucs
First Round Byes: Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints


AFC East
1 - New England Patriots
2 - Buffalo Bills
3 - Miami Dolphins
4 - New York Jets

Pats play in undoubtedly the worst competing division in football. When will this be a competition again?

AFC North
1 - Pittsburgh Steelers
2 - Cleveland Browns
3 - Cincinnati Bengals
4 - Baltimore Ravens

People are ignoring the Steelers again. It's not good to do that. That team is stacked on defense. And the Browns will continue to improve.

AFC South
1 - Indianapolis Colts
2 - Jacksonville Jaguars
3 - Tennessee Titans
4 - Houston Texans

Poor Texans. They play in the toughest division in football. They will compete with the Titans for the rights to 3rd though. I feel Indy's supremacy is fading, but they should still sew it up easily. The Jags have yet to prove they can hang with the Colts.

AFC West
1 - Denver Broncos
2 - San Diego Chargers
3 - Oakland Raiders
4 - Kansas City Chiefs

I'm calling the upset. I think Mike Shanahan will find the right combination and make it work. Jay Cutler is ready to take that next step into consistent leader. As for the Chargers, they're getting complacent I feel. Plus, I just don't trust Philip Rivers as a good competent QB.

Wild Cards: Jacksonville Jaguars, Cleveland Browns
First Round Byes: Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots


Most Valuable Player: Adrian Peterson - Minnesota

PLAYOFFS
New York Giants defeat Detroit Lions
Seattle Seahawks defeat Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Indianapolis Colts defeat Cleveland Browns
Jacksonville Jaguars defeat Denver Broncos

Dallas Cowboys defeat Seattle Seahawks
New York Giants defeat New Orleans Saints
Indianapolis Colts defeat New England Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers defeat Jacksonville Jaguars

Dallas Cowboys defeat New York Giants
Pittsburgh Steelers defeat Indianapolis Colts

Pittsburgh Steelers defeat Dallas Cowboys

Super Bowl MVP: Willie Parker

Shits and giggles.


( Last.fm survey )