Free Music is Always Good

If you're in the market for free mp3s that won't end in a trip to court, Pitchfork Media is always a good source.

A word of warning:  It's a haven for obscure bands seeking exposure.  But really, where's the fun in downloading a top 40 hit?  No surprise there.

Happy music shopping! 

PS  Check out Monolith's Ruby Dear and Treewave's Sleep.

The Year of our (Sith) Lord

I'm sure most of you are privy to the following, but in case you've been stuck on Dagobah or even Hoth, creator George Lucas announced the title of the final? installment of the Star Wars saga,
Episode III:  The Revenge Of The Sith.

In case you're wondering what The Sith is, congratulations on not being a geek.
Here's how the AP sees the Sith:

The Sith is the evil sect that corrupts Anakin -- played by Hayden Christensen -- by drawing him into the dark side of the Force, which is the cosmic power that balances the universe in the series. The unveiling of the title was made in San Diego at a gathering of thousands of sci-fi and superhero fans by revealing a black T-shirt with the words, "Revenge of the Sith." The movie will be released in May.

More Star Wars trivia:  Did you know that the original title of Episode Six (Jedi) was "Revenge of the Jedi"?
The name change, according to this site:

The film was originally named Revenge of the Jedi until it was pointed out that revenge is contrary to the Jedi code, though many speculate that the change was always planned to throw fans off. But it has also been claimed that Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan was originally subtitled The Vengeance of Khan, and that the title was changed because of its similarity to Revenge of the Jedi.

They even had merchandise and T-Shirts that leaked to the public in 1983 with the defunct title.
Man, I would love to have one of those T-Shirts!
Well, I guess I could always make one from this copy of the original teaser poster.

Sun Hits The Sky

Get off my back, OK?  So it took me forever to realize the genius in Supergrass (see post below) and their sophomore effort, In It For The Money...at least I'm admitting my wrongdoing.

Please forgive me.  I truly meant no harm.

Seen The Light
It's official.  I get Supergrass now.  Life on Other Planets is a revelation.
 
From the song that shares the title of this post, while he may just be "a rock n' roll singer in a rock n' roll hand, it sounds otherworldly to me.
 
Some more favorites from L.O.O.P:  Za Song, Prophet 15, Grace, Seen the Light, Rush Hour Soul, just to name a few.

If nothing else, they have some of the coolest websites I've ever seen, so at least they got that goin' for them, which is nice.

Case in point:  Check out this site, now with album demos and other cool stuff.

First Gunther, Now This!
 
From the guys that brought you Powder Blue Pine Tar (despite the Royals' best efforts to squelch my and their love for the game) comes an exciting new venture dedicated to the day-to-day minutiae of my beloved Kansas City Chiefs aptly titled Red Zone Blitz.

A special thanks go out to G and G for restoring my faith in humanity.

If nothing else, you can count me in as a loyal reader. 

The 2004 season kicks off July 29th in River Falls for training camp.  The groundswell for the 2005 Super Bowl starts now.

2004 Kansas City Chiefs Schedule

In A World ruled by Cliche and Derivative Storylines...

Disclaimer:  This audio file exceeds the FCC requirement for needle drops. 

You've been warned.

Scathing Bi-Partisan Cartoon of The Week

Just in case you've been living in a cave, this is the political fodder du jour in the newsroom this week.

By the reaction I've witnessed, it seems to be the one touchstone on which the left and right can agree:  Both of these guys are idiots. 

Netiquette - Your Dear, Dear Friend
 
Tired of all the constant spelling of words?  Unsure of the proper procedure in a chat room?  Looking for an effective way to communicate in the workplace?
 
The next time you ponder whether to use that emoticon or enter that chat room, stop and consult the manual.
 
Now we can all breathe a little easier.

A Message From The Management
 
A little propaganda never hurt anyone.

Is That A Hankerchief You're Wearing...
 
If you haven't seen this clip that happened in the break on Letterman, check it out here.
 
Words can't even describe it....it's like Costanza feeling that lady's fabric and promptly losing his job as a bra salesman.

Plight of the American Soldier
I found this great article in The New Yorker about the change in the psyche of the American soldier since World War II. 
 
Plus, there's a nice plug in it for the Red Lobster here in town.  You know me...always pimpin' the Lobster. 

Breaking Out In Hives

Sweden's favorite punk band is launching another assault on the U.S. charts with a new album hitting stores July 20th.

Check out their new single "Walk Idiot Walk" streaming on their website. Enjoy.

Too Much Livin'...Is No Way To Die
Well, I made a new compilation. Keeping with the theme of driving on the open road and my friend's recent post about Jay Farrar's latest, I decided to come up with a "best-of" mix of Farrar's post-Tupelo band Son Volt especially for the highway. All selections are taken from the band's wonderful trinity of albums, Trace, Straightaways, and Wide Swing Tremolo.
With a lot of my comps, I try to arrange the tracks in a format that I see fit. With Roadcase, I kept the songs in the same order as they appear on the albums, in chronological order of the album's release.
Artistic License or Laziness? You be the judge.
Below is the tracklist for the 80 min disc. I know that some of you out there will have a difference of opinion on said list. Don't be shy. That's why we have the comments section.
Let your voice be heard...and let the debate begin.

Roadcase - The Best of Son Volt
Windfall
Live Free
Tear Stained Eye
Route
Drown
Loose String
Catching On
Too Early
Mystifies Me
Caryatid Easy
Back into Your World
Picking Up The Signal
Left A Slide
Creosote
Last Minute Shakedown
Been Set Free
Straightface
Driving the View
Medicine Hat
Strands

Disclaimer: This disc is best heard while operating heavy machinery, preferably for a low wage, on a strip of pavement, with a Peterbilt logo adorning the front and mudflaps. Gimme Cap Optional, but encouraged.

Chinese Utensil Torture

Kirsten and I have been meaning to bring this up for a while now, and I'm interested to hear what the masses think about this odd, yet growing problem.

Why do buffets feel the need to use slotted spoons for Solid foods, and solid spoons for foods that would better suited for said slotted spoons?

Don't misunderstand me. I'm pro-slotted spoon. I've also gone on record stating the Spork (that ingenious hybrid of fork and spoon, available at your nearest KFC) may very well be the greatest utensil nay, invention of all time.

Can't the good folks tending to our buffets stop, put down those endless trays of crab legs they're sending to the hordes leering over the smorgasboard, and consider the dilemma at hand.

I mean, slotted spoons for Jello? Why? Find the need in that scenario. Meanwhile, the pineapple and peaches, equipped with your garden variety solid spoons, beg the same question: Why?

Maybe this will help. Maybe, by starting a groundswell for the proper uses of buffet-serving utensils, we can put a stop to this baffling problem plaguing the good human troughs of America.

Hey, if I can change one restaurant owner's mind, it'll all be worth it.

Because, in the end, it's all about the kids.

Join the fight, won't you?

P.S. There's a band called Spork. I've never heard their music, but I love them already.

Kerry and Eddie in 2004

Well, since we've got that out of the way...Press the flesh, boys!

Kissing hands and shaking babies...that's the name of the game.

BTW...The Post, such a cute little rag. Hey, at least they got the headline first!

-post created with the aid of Wilco's "Theologians"

Ready For My Next Slice

The good folks over at Sunless Suitcase have brought my attention to a wonderful development: a new slice from Cake is due this October 5th.

Great news, indeed. I had just finished compiling a "best-of" comp from Cake's highly underrated four albums(see trackist below), and while taking in their sweet Sacremento sounds, anxiously awaited the release of album 5.

The wait is over...well, almost.

Tracklist from Slice-The Best of Cake:

Opera Singer
Ruby Sees All
The Distance
Never There
Friend Is A Four Letter Word
Guitar
Short Skirt/Long Jacket
Jolene
Commissioning A Symphony In C
Walk on By
You Part The Waters
When You Sleep
Rock 'n' Roll Lifestyle
Comfort Eagle
Italian Leather Sofa
Alpha Beta Parking Lot
Stickshifts And Safetybelts
Mr. Mastodon Farm
I Will Survive
Ain't No Good
Sad Songs And Waltzes

Top heavy with Motorcade songs, I know.
What can I say? I'm proud of the fact that I knew them before they sold out. Plus, Only when you have a Willie Nelson cover as the closing track do you have a true album.
Word.

L.A. Showcase

In the past, the Los Angeles Dodgers are far less than a blip on my radar.

With that in mind, 2004 has changed that drastically. Not because I've decided that Gagne is amazing and worth following very closely (which he is).
Not because new GM and Moneyball disciple Paul DePodesta is a great hire for an up-and-coming team (also true)...and definitely not because I share the home of the Columbus Catfish, L.A.'s Class A affiliate.(although said city has something to do with it.)

The answer: Edwin Jackson.
Jackson grew up in Columbus, GA (the home office of COD Blog) and exceled at Shaw High School before being drafted by the Dodgers.
After a brief minor league career, Jackson made his major league debut in the Sunday night ESPN Game of the Week last year on his 20th birthday. His opponent: Future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson. Yikes.
So, what does the kid do? Dominates from the first pitch, outduels The Big Unit and picks up his first major league win. Oh, did I mention that he turned 20?

Consider myself (and many a baseball fan) a believer.

So, why this lament on a 20 year old?

Edwin got the call to join the big club again, against crosstown rival Anaheim and their reluctant ace, Bartolo Colon.

Prediction: A solid performance for Edwin, and a permanent spot in the rotation.
With Nomo's health concerns, I think L.A. feels the time is right to hand the ball to their top prospect and see what he can do every fifth day. Edwin never returns to AAA and finishes the season in the bigs.

Now to the real question: Will he still be in Dodger Blue?

While I feel that Edwin is being given his long-awaited shot, I can't help but think it's all a showcase for a potential suitor to help bolster L.A.'s rotation and/or lineup with talent and power.

Will DePodesta pull the trigger on a trade? Most likely.

Will Jackson's name surface? Definitely.

Will the future be sent packing for the now. Too close to call.

I can say this: The kid looks awfully good in Dodger Blue.

The ball is in your court, Mr. DePodesta. I trust you'll make the right call.

Royals Order a "Ruben"

Another move today, again involving cash.

Well, it seems KC is shoring up their corner OF depth.

How good is said depth? Aye, that's the rub.

New Kid on The Blog

Real original title, I know. What IS original is my friend's great new blog that just opened its doors to the masses.

Fellow music and film lover -B just logged on a few days ago, but I implore you to go check out his new scene here at the Sunless Suitcase. He's infinitely more talented than I and has a keen eye and ear on the music and film that matter to me, and maybe even yourself.

So do me a solid and check it out. If nothing else, you'll do wonders for contributing to our collective sanity.

Isn't that what life is all about?

Cumberland Takes The Fall

The Royals fired their pitching coach today.

As much as I complained about his mismanagement of the young arms, but is he really the sole man to blame?

Not likely, but like in business, the line is Results, Results, Results.

Greinke Time

Well, after a ray of hope with Mike Wood's first game(and subsequent victory) as a Royal, What else do we persistent Royals fans do to ward off these sick yet familiar feelings?

Take in a game with young Mr. Greinke on the hill. This kid cures all.

(Warning: May cause uncontrollable cheering and high-fiving. Ask your doctor if watching Zach Greinke is right for you.)