Bits O' Music

It's time now for something when you're in those reflective moments. If Elliot Smith was a little happier and loved the Beach Boys as much as he loved the Beatles, I think he would sound like the autumn defense. This is one of those albums I just sort of stumbled upon browsing through the record store. It happens maybe twice a year for me, but rarely so well. This is for when you're driving along the PCH at dusk with the top down letting the cool ocean breeze wash off that mid-day heat. Man I love the sound of timpani.

the autumn defense-the world(will soon turn our way)-circles

If you are an artist or artist representative being featured on this blog and want me to take down a song, let me know, and it will be removed from the server immediately.

The Go Team!'s album to get US release.

Saw this over at Pitchfork. While the new tracks are cool, I'm little worried about the slight differences that will be made. I'm afraid it might end up like Jurassic 5's EP when it was re-released by Interscope records.

Creepy Fan Mail or (The Fan w/ Perfect Memory)

Dear Robin Shou,

My name is Jack Tam and I've met you a few times at Staples in Alhambra, California back in 1997-99 when I was working as a sales associate over there. My co-workers took some pictures with you (I've got a copy) but I didn't get a chance to take a picture with you because I was busy helping other customers. Second time I met you I remember you came up to me and asked if we repair computers (I guess you had problems with your computer at that time) and I replied to you that we didn't repair computers and also I've sold an electronic organizer to you. It's amazing to watch a movie (Mortal Kombat I) and then actually get to meet a movie star in person! It was awesome! I wrote to you awhile back but then I didn't use the internet for awhile so I don't know if you've received my email or not. I'm just wondering if you'd make any new movies like Mortal Kombat 3? Last but not least...You've mentioned on a Chinese TV interview that you're not Bruce Lee but hey! what the heck! You're as good as it can get! He's a legend but you're alive that's the main difference! Good Luck with everything!

Jack Tam

Half-way through the Wrigleyville Rollercoaster.

If the second half of the Cubs season is anything like the first season, I’m going to need a sickness bag. From anguish to hope to dumbfoundedness and back to hope, it has been a rough first half for the Cubs and their fans. Only the Cubs could go on a tear through the West coast after losing two of their top pitchers and then lose eight straight when they get them back. Yes, it’s that kind of season.

The good things this season: The best thing the Cubs did this season was trade Sosa. This probably should have happened a year earlier so they could have gotten more in return. Many questioned the Cubs being able to replace the power numbers of Sosa. Well, I think any intelligent baseball fan could have seen the inevitable drop off for Sosa. If we had kept Sosa, Patterson wouldn’t feel so bad about the boos he got. Alou is one the Cubs miss, despite his feud with the Cubs announcers. The acquisition of Burnitz has turned out fairly well, despite two major gaffes the last month. Dempster in the closer’s role has worked out rather well. I wish Dusty had stuck by his spring training plans, but I realize losing Prior and Wood put him in a bind to find capable starters. Am I now completely confident when Dempster takes the mound in the ninth? Hell no. But it’s better than Hawkins, who the Cubs were somehow able to deal to the Giants for a promising starter in Williams and one of their top first round draft picks. Other GM’s must feel like the frolicking couple in a slasher film when they see Hendry. They know they’re screwed. Ramirez has been putting up his regular numbers once he got over that groin issue. The Cubs spot starters did a nice job keeping the Cubs afloat while Prior and Wood were on the DL. Though, if we had kept Clement, it wouldn’t have been that bad. The first two months of Perez was a nice bonus. The best thing that has happened this season is obviously Derrek Lee. It’s amazing what learning how to turn on the inside pitch can do for your game. With Lee, Burnitz, and Ramirez as our 3,4,5 hitters, the Cubs have a solid heart of the order. They just don’t have anyone else hitting.

The bad things this season: Losing Garciaparra for the first 2/3rds of the season was a nasty blow. This has really been evident now that Perez has come back to reality and is hitting under .200 the last 30 days. Losing Prior and Wood was obviously a blow. It’s put a heavy burden on our starters and bullpen. Speaking of bullpen, it’s the bane of the Cubs existence. Dempster being the only consistent bullpen pitcher we have has put games out of reach for the Cubs so often it’s become evident that changes need to happen. The last game in the Washington series being a perfect example. The Cubs came back from two down only to have the bullpen give up two more runs, which the Cubs came back from again, only to finally lose the game. Bullpen should be the Cubs main concern, but since it’s clearly every other teams concern, the Cubs may have to deal with what they have. The other big missing piece is a lead off man. Patterson was never a lead off guy and never will be. He’s not that kind of player, and Dusty shouldn’t have been so blind to see this. With Kotsay signing an extension with Oakland that leaves not many players available that could fit the role. My best suggestion would be Lawton from Pittsburgh. He’s better than anyone else we have, and the Pirates have to deal him. There have been rumors of the Cubs acquiring Preston Wilson from the Rockies, which would be a big mistake. The man is hitting .258…in Colorado! The Cubs need a leadoff man. It’s a simple as that. If they had a guy who could consistently get on base, Lee would already have 100 RBI.

I don’t know if the Cubs can make the playoffs. I would have a little more hope if they didn’t have to chase the Braves, who consistently play better in the second half. I do have hope though. I hope they make it. Because, with are top three starters, anything can happen.

Finally the ugly of the first half.

Don't Forget the Alcohol!

You know that thrill you get when a song from one of your favorite bands is showcased on one of your favorite TV shows? To make it even cooler they don't use a single, they use a remix from an artists EP. That happened last night when the remix of "Rebirth of Cool" by the Afghan Whigs was used in last night's episode of "Rescue Me". The song comes from a covers EP titled Uptown Avondale. I don't know what the thrill is when something like this happens. Maybe it's an (unneeded) confirmation of cool of your favorite band. Perhaps it's just seeing two favorites of their respective media forms seamlessly blended together. It's probably just because it was an unexpected surprise. I've said enough already in this blog about Dulli's greatness, so let me throw in a little about Rescue Me. If you haven't seen the show, you absolutely should. It's easily one of the best shows out there right now. It's quite a feat when you can create such a despicable character in Tommy, yet have the audience still sympathize with him. Outstanding and very funny show.

Bits O' Music

It's now time for a little grimey R&B with your rock n' roll. This song comes from former Afghan Whigs guitarist Rick McCollum and his group Moonmaan. This song could fit nicely in the "Black Love" era of the Whigs. It's got that smokey R&B swagger from the straight intro lift of The Spinners "I'll Be Around" to that McCollum wha wha sound. They don't have an ablum out yet, just this demo and two others at their website. Being an Afghan Whigs fan, I'm really looking forward to a full album.

Moonmaan-Chain Your Soul

If you are an artist or artist representative being featured on this blog and want me to take down a song, let me know, and it will be removed from the server immediately.

Mr. Parker! I Want My Black Ninja and I Want Him Now!

This weekend I got to relive a bit of my youth as "Enter the Ninja" was on TV. It was many a Saturday I would plaster my ass in the couch for a double dose of ninja action with "Enter the Ninja" and "Revenge of the Ninja." Back then those movies along with the television series "The Master" were the coolest things ever. Today, they are nostalgic pieces of ninja exploitation where my pleasure is unfortunately found in laughing at them rather than being in awe of them. Which is rather sad since these movies had a big impact on my youth. You see they inspired me to take up the way of the ninja myself. Once a month, I'’d go to the flea market with my aunt or grandmother and waste my allowance on Chinese throwing stars. My favorites were the all metal four point stars. I even had a little pouch to carry them in. Part of my extensive ninja training was throwing them against the house for target practice under the cover of night. In the morning I'd then use the oil paints my grandmother gave me to cover up the holes. Unfortunately, I was never able to get the correct shade and the dark splotches of paint only helped to accentuate the holes. After months of penny pinching, I was finally able to afford my most valued ninja weapon: a set of hide-a-chuck nunchakus. At first glance it looked like a simple metal pipe, but after two minutes of unscrewing them, I had a lethal set of nunchakus with which I could bruise myself often. I was so proud of them I even snuck them into school by strapping them to my leg, using a baseball injury as an excuse for the limp. Only the trusted few were allowed to gaze upon such a dangerous weapon. Word though spread around our little circle of friends, and I was able to start up a little black market in Bob Jones Junior High. I went by the codename "The Frog"”, and used my best friend at the time as my middle man. I would buy the Chinese stars for a buck and then my friend would sell them for $3. That's one heck of a mark-up, and I was rolling in the money. I could see how being an evil ninja could pay off so well. As a bonus, "“The Frog'’s"” real identity was becoming the hot topic at lunch time. Our enterprise though quickly ended as all criminal enterprises do. Someone got caught with them at school. Luckily, the perpetrator couldn'’t rat me out, because nobody knew I was "The Frog."” But the PA announcement of "“No more Japanese shooting stars will be brought to school!" was enough to scare off our clientele. Once again, I was left alone to pursue my ninja training. That is till the cute girl across the street mentioned it wasn'’t very cool, and I gave up my way of the ninja, because well...she was really, really cute. Now I"’m left with only a laughably bad movie to spark the reminiscing of my time as a ninja and wondering whatever happened to that really cute girl that lived across the street.

Bits O' Music

In 2001 Jon Spencer of the Blues Explosion got together with Luther and Cody Dickinson of The North Mississippi Allstars and cranked out this “one off” album under the moniker Spencer Dickinson. It’s more of the same rock n’ roll blues you’ve known them for, which obviously isn’t a bad thing. Even though it’s a Japanese import, there is a listing on Amazon for the album (at an import price).

Spencer Dickinson-Sat Morn Cartoons

If you are an artist or artist representative being featured on this blog and want me to take down a song, let me know, and it will be removed from the server immediately.

Creepy Michael Paré Fan Mail (He's a Bad Habit but in a Good Way)

Dear Michael,

your captivating eyes has me tied in knots your kind smile has my heart pounding a little fast, your heavenly voice has me tongue tied but dont worry it will pass, you are just a proximity infatuation in my world i can never even dream of having you, in my world though i silently wish that dreams, my dreams will eventually come true, you captured my heart and took my breath away you stole my love and yet you dont have it, your my deepest desire but your also a bad habit, not in a bad way just the fact that its not real that i can never be inside your secure embrace, i could never hear you heavenly voice i could never watch the moonlight dance across your face, my wishes always seem to burn with the stars for my dreams will can never come true, they will always remain false hopes of one day knowing and falling in love with you.
Love

Your biggest fan
Shelley, Canada

Bits O' Music

Here's just some straight up rock n roll (hand claps included) from The Hold Steady. This song comes from the eMusic Sampler Crisp Songs Vol. 1. If you dig this song then I highly recommend their two albums Almost Killed Me and Separation Sunday.

The Holdy Steady - You Gotta Dance (with Who You Came With) - Crisp Songs Vol. 1.

If you are an artist or artist representative being featured on this blog and want me to take down a song, let me know, and it will be removed from the server immediately.

Rogers uses picture book to apologize for altercation.

07/06/2005 4:00 PM ET
By Brad Iten / MLB.com

ARLINGTON – Among a spread of milk and cookies, Rangers pitcher Kenny Rogers apologized Wednesday for his altercation with two television cameramen last week. But the lefty ace said he has not yet decided if he will participate in next Tuesday's All-Star Game.

Rogers, who is appealing a 20-game suspension, showed a six-page, hand-drawn picture book in front of local media, his first interaction with reporters since the altercation on June 29. He was visibly emotional and paused several times while flipping the pages.

"I have been around this game for over 20 years and I prepare myself everyday to control my emotions and act accordingly," Rogers said. "In this instance, I failed miserably."

Last week before a game against the Angels, Rogers first shoved Fox Sports Net Southwest's David Mammel, who was shooting video of the pitcher on his way to a pregame stretch, and told him, "I told you to get those cameras out of my face." The pitcher then approached Larry Rodriguez of Channel 4 KDFW and took the camera from Rodriguez before throwing it to the ground and kicking it.


Rogers’ picture book depicted his version of the altercation, and his hope to some day, be able to apologize to Rodriguez. "This incident was completely out of character and I think without question, you know it will never happen again," Rogers said. "I have already personally apologized to my teammates and I hope in the future that there will be a chance for me to personally do that to Larry and David."

Rogers, who said he was showing the book against the advice of his legal counsel, vowed that such an incident would never be repeated. Rogers declined to answer questions about the incident. Rogers said, “The pictures should be clear enough.”

He is on track to start Saturday for the Rangers against the Blue Jays. His suspension, which will come after the All-Star Game, could be part of the reason the club is considering starting him immediately after the All-Star break in the opener of a four-game series at Oakland on July 14.

Rogers, who is a free agent after the season, has declined speaking with the press since there was a published report during Spring Training alleging he threatened to retire if he wasn't given a contract extension.

But Rogers has faced increased media scrutiny since he fractured the fifth metacarpal bone in his right hand on June 17, when he hit a dugout water cooler after being pulled from a game against the Washington Nationals. Rogers had allowed just one run in 6 1/3 innings and earned the win. The 40-year-old made his next scheduled start against the Angels, but lasted only 3 1/3 innings and allowed six earned runs to take the loss. He missed his next scheduled start.

When asked how he got his kids to illustrate the book, Rogers replied, “What kids?”

Bits O' Music

This nice little power pop song is from three brothers on the other side of the pond. As you regular visitors will discover, I'm a sucker for songs with hand claps or cow bells. Ranking a little lower is "Whoah's" and for me this song is all about the "Whoah's." You'll either dig it or find it annoying.

The Cribs - Mirror Kissers - The New Fellas

If you are an artist or artist representative being featured on this blog and want me to take down a song, let me know, and it will be removed from the server immediately.

Happy Fourth of July Weekend!

Happy Fourth of July from Lou Dobbs and Manimal!

Creepy Fan-mail for 80's TV Shows (Real or Fake?)

To: TiffanyBrissette@fan.net
Subject: tiffany you are the cutest.

Hello Babydoll(vicki). how are you our sweet little robot?

I am a resident in Bombay(India)

Vicki, I am watching Small Wonder on the star tv network since 1996. Wow what a sitcom. (Now they show it on air -mon to fri 1500, 1730, and 0030hrs and sunday 0900hrs) It is so nice that i still watch it now. You performed the role of vicki the robot so well that i really fell in love with that character. You not only proved to be a versatile actress but a sweet little star of the celluloid screen. Vicki, You are really to good. I read about you in your homepage and was really overwhelmed on your achievement which you have attained through your hard work. You have given your 3-Ds in your career in a very tender age (Dedication, Devotion and Determination). you have these 3-Ds, i think, since you are born. The bottomline is that you are a born star that shine in the eyes of the small wonder fans. I am the greatest small wonder fan myself. I have a made firend ship with an imaginary friend called Vicki the robot. I really worship here with my whole heart. She lives in my imaginations as my guide in life and my tormenter in my deeds. Vicki ,you are that cute.

This is something personal. Vicki your eyes are too beautiful. And what about your smile. Its like the most beautiful thing god has ever made and that is the pure innocent smile of a child. Your looks are hypnotising and your serious look are really enchanting.
I am typing this messages with your imaginations in my memory bank and your image sweet image in the computer screen. I have always imagined you as a long lost friend but never felt you so close to my conscience. The fact is "I never miss you in my thoughts but whenever I think of you I really miss you alot."

Its true very much to my heart that I have imagined you as the same cute little obedient and loveble robot in your real life. I thank God that he had blessed me with the previlidge of seeing the most beautiful girl on earth.

I wish you all the best for your future career and would wish to see you again on t.v. in a new role.

A request to you, Vicki. Please, kindly answer my email message on my email address as given below.

I will feel really blessed and on top of the world if you would reply. I will wait for The reply message from my real imaginary heart proclaimed friend VICKI LAWSON.

Ok tiffany, God Bless You. Take Care. see yah.

L.L.L.( Live Life Long).

OH REALLY SHE'S A SMALL WONDER.

Ebay Gold!

This is the greatest thing I've ever gotten off ebay.

Joyful Noise

It's difficult categorizing music that combines B-girls rapping, cheerleaders cheering, 80's action TV themes, and kitchen sinks. Some call it toy rock. I call it fun.

The Go! Team - The Power is On - Thunder, Lightning, Strike

I've heard that there have been problems with clearing some of the samples for a US release. I was though able to find it on iTunes. I'm also still working on a permanent title for this feature, so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

If you are an artist or artist representative being featured on this blog and want me to take down a song, let me know, and it will be removed from the server immediately.

My American Single for July

She calls herself "big blonde." Bless you American Single for knowing not what I want but what I need.

Let's Hear You Bucks Fans!

I'm sure Milwaukee Bucks fans are thrilled that the main negative about their #1 draft pick, Andrew Bogut, is he "lacks athleticism." How many Buck fans were hoping to instead hear Marvin Williams name? Probably not as many Raptor fans that burned their jerseys right after they heard the name Charlie Villanueva. Their best player, Bosh, plays the same position. This is what they do after getting zip in trading Carter? It's like watching a victim in a horror movie. After she enters the scary house, and then folows the noise up to the attic, you eventually find yourself rooting for the slasher. Are they trying to move the team out of Toronto? How else can you explain screwing up two first round draft picks like that?

Bonus Track for Your Love

I've come to the realization that I want to post more than one lame song a week. This leaves the short lived title "Song of the Week" obsolete. Which isn't really a bad thing. I hate coming up with titles, so I am asking for your help. I offer this song of musical comedy gooooold in exchange for a title suggestion or two. Thank you.

Freelove Freeway - David Brent

Whew!

That blustery wind blowing out of the Midwest was actually the collective exhale of the Cub faithful after the way Prior pitched yesterday after coming off the DL. With the Cubs taking two of three from the White Sox, and Kerry Wood coming back Wednesday, the hopes and expectations for the Cubs are going to rise. I hope they can meet them, and take the Wild Card.