Car Mix: November 2006

Every once in a while I like to compile a list of songs that I’m currently listening to onto a CD to make drive time a little more bearable so I can avoid hearing that chain hang low song one more time on the radio. So here are some suggestions of songs that you should be listening to these days. This CD comes in at 76:09.


1. When You Were Young (2006 MTV Video Music Awards) - The Killers (Okay so I may have been harsh on the Vegas boys, see Nobody Ever Had a Dream Round Here, but this is one of the best rock songs of the year and one of the few good performances at the VMA’s this year)
2. God’s Gonna Cut You Down - Johnny Cash (See the great video: Go Tell That Long Tongue Liar, Go and Tell that Midnight Rider; also check out my album review: He Said “John Go Do My Will”)
3. Goodbye Earl - Me First and the Gimme Gimmes (See my album review: Yippee-I-Yah Yippee-I-Yo)
4. Call Me When You’re Sober - Evanescence (See my album review: I Want to Stay in Love with My Sorrow)
5. Wine Red - The Hush Sound (A wrongfully overlooked ditty from the summer. If you have .99 burning a hole in your pocket, it’s worth the download)
6. Smile - Lily Allen (I know I’ve been waxing poetic about Ms. Allen for a while and hopefully you picked up this song when it was free over at iTunes; and just remember where you first heard of her when she hits it big here in the States)
7. Promiscuous - Nelly Furtado (See my album review: I've Been Hurt by My Past but I Feel the Future)
8. I Wish I Was a Punk Rock Girl (With Flowers in My Hair) - Sandi Thom (See the video: When They Own the Information They Can Bend it All They Want)
9. Under the Weather - KT Tunstall (See my album review: Her Face Is the Map of the World)
10. Work it Out - Jurrasic 5 & Dave Matthews (See my abum review: We Would Say Our Rhymes to the Beat Right)
11. Dynamite (Going Postal) - Rhymefest (I can’t believe no one had sampled Jimmy Walker before; see my album review: Who Rapper You Know Before His Album Drop Is a Grammy Winner)
12. Don’t Feel Right - The Roots (See my album review: I'll Make it Hotter than Shaft in Africa)
13. Waiting on the World to Change - John Mayer (See my album review: It’s Not a Silly Little Moment, it’s Not the Calm Before the Storm)
14. The Saints Are Coming (Live from New Orleans) - U2 and Green Day (Finally this song hit iTunes this week and even though it doesn't say so on the page, I believe all proceeds go to Music Rising charity)
15. Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol (check out my album review which I published long before any crappy televisions shows co-opted the song: The Final Word in the Final Sentance)
16. Don’t Download This Song - “Weird Al” Yankovic (Of course if you are feeling lucky you can always download the song at dontdownloadthissong.com)
17. Easy - Barenaked Ladies (see my review: Musings From the Back 9: Music Edition II)
18. Juicy - Better Than Ezra (see my album review 3 ½ Minutes, Felt Like a Lifetime)
19. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley (The best song of the summer, and the fall for that matter. Be sure to see how high the song land on the Best Songs of 2006 coming next month)
20. Here I Come (Late Show with David Letterman) - The Roots
21. Tribute to Rakin - 2006 Hip-Hop Honors (The best tribute at this year's event.

I Like This Show, it’s Tawdry

Since Lost is on hiatus, I’ve decided to go with a new name for my Veronica Mars analysis so I wouldn’t have the “Lost vs. Veronica Mars” title for three months despite there being no Lost over that time. As for the title, it obviously a reference back to the pilot episode and has always been one of my favorite quotes and one I use quite frequently in my every days life and works for almost situation, just take out “case” and insert anything, in this instance “show.”

As for the latest episode, Of Vice and Men, it was as great an episode can be that didn’t feature Dick or Parker. But you really can’t beat starting an episode with a straight from the shower in boxers Ronnie. Really, how can she fault Piz for staring? And you gotta love the look everyone gave Vee when they needed someone to help the chick from Much Music (fun fact: She was up for the role of Parker) as she quickly became the go to helper in college much like at Neptune High. Although it was odd that Ronnie did this case pro-bono. If Piz was upset about the friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend I can’t imagine he was too happy that some random chick got her services for free and took his bed at the same time.

The case itself was just your run of the mill wild goose case but at least some of the spots along the way were fun, specifically Ronnie’s return to The River Stix. I didn’t know if I should have been scared or laughing when Liam picked Vee up to “dance.” And Merle picking up the bottle was just the topping on the cake. And it was nice to see Vinnie do something redeemable and not self severing for the first time in the series. I was also glad that the Fitzpatricks show up again because I never thought they would be ones to let the whole Not-Kendall thing end like it did especially when they knew Keith was involved. Granted it still has been left unresolved although I wonder if Vinnie is still under retainer after his stunt.

As for the end sequences, they were some of the best of the series. I not convinced that the person we saw last night was the rapist, you’re not going to shave a chick’s hair before you rape her (granted this backs up Not-Lucky’s no DNA thing and maybe there were never rapes in the first place). I’m betting that it was just Nish who was backing up her threat to make Ronnie pay. And now for my far out there theory of the week: The R.A. Yes Mr. Frak himself. He has access to the dorm rooms; he’s the only dude with a small enough frame that would match the person in the parking lot, and let’s face it, dude’s probably not that lucky with the ladies.

Then there were the previews for next week, which for the third week in a row hints at a Ronnie/Logan split. Seriously end it already. I never liked the coupling in the first place and have the break up be teased for almost a month straight is just making it worse. And am I the only one who thinks we haven’t learned the whole truth about the trip to Mexico. Mercer said to Vee that Logan had a good reason not to tell anyone about the trip. Maybe he’s in debt to him also. And with a title like The Lord of the Pi’s it’s safe to assume that Ronnie will be looking into Chip Diller’s debt next week. And hopefully that means more Dick. And who doesn’t (heart) Dick?

Lyrics Quiz: Mystery Theme

I’ve decide to switch things up this month for the lyrics quiz and not giving you the theme outright. If you guess the theme of this quiz, you will receive three extra points and of course the person with the most points will then be added to the Lyrics Quiz Winners list on my sidebar. I tried to make the quiz hard enough that the first person who guesses a lyric won’t be able to guess the theme nor will be too hard that it will take a MENSA member to see the pattern. But as usually you need to put both artist and title in the comments section (along with the theme if you think you know it) and if you are correct I will un-bold it and give you credit. Now onto the quiz:

Theme was correctly guessed by Angie. It is an alphabet theme as the lyrics are in alphabetic order (no Z though). She also guessed the most lyrics this month so congrats to her. Check back on December 15th to see if you can do better than her on the next Lyrics Quiz. And a hint to the quiz: The Best Lyrics of 2006, so study up.


1. There’s been times, I’m so confused. And all my roads they lead to you. Just can’t turn and walk away. It’s hard to say what I see in you, wonder if I’ll always be with you. (All for You - Siste Hazel; guessed by Dara)
2. Hope you got your things together. Hope you aren’t quite prepared to die. Look like we’re in for nasty weather. One eye is taken for an eye. (Bad Moon Rising - Creedence Clearwater Revival; guessed by Cybercelt)
3. My kid turned ten just the other day, he said, “Thanks for the ball dad c’mon lets play. Can you teach me to throw?” I said, “Not today I got a lot to do.” (Cats in the Cradle - Harry Chapin; guessed by Monique)
4. When they pumped out your guts, filled you full of those pills. You were never quite right deserving all those chills. (Desperately Wanting - Better Than Ezra; guessed by Monique)
5. I know it sounds funny but I just can’t stand the pain. Girl I’m leaving you tomorrow. Seems to me girl you know I’ve done all I can. You see girl I’ve beg, stole and I borrowed. (Easy - The Commodores; guessed by Monique)
6. I hear the train a coming, it’s rolling round the bend and I ain’t seen the sunshine since I don’t know when. (Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash; gueessed by Angie)
7. Get to mackin’ to this (girl) named Sadie. She used to be the homeboy's lady. Eighty degrees, when I tell that (girl) please. (Gin and Juice - Snoop Doggy Dogg; guessed by Angie)
8. Drying up in conversation, you’ll be the one who cannot talk. All your insides fall to pieces; you just sit there wishing you could still make love. (High and Dry - Radiohead; guessed by Kristi)
9. I got to get my props, cops, come and try to snatch my crops. These pigs wanna blow my house down, head underground, to the next town. They get mad when they come to raid my pad and I'm out in the nine deuce Cad’. (Insane in the Brain - Cypress Hill; guessed by Cybercelt)
10. Standing in the rain, with his head hung low. Couldn’t get a ticket, it was a sold out show. Heard the roar of the crowd, he could picture the scene. Put his ear to the wall, then like a distant scream. (Jukebox Hero - Foriegner; guessed by Angie)
11. If I go crazy then will you still call me Superman? (Kryptonite - 3 Doors Down; guessed by Angie)
12. If you, if you could get by, trying not to lie, things wouldn't be so confused and I wouldn't feel so used. But you always really knew, I just wanna be with you. (Linger - The Cranberries; guessed by Dara)
13. Americano got the sleepy eye, but his body’s still shaking like a live wire. Sleepy seorita with the eyes on fire. (Mexico - James Taylor; guessed by Kristi)
14. I told you that we could fly. ‘Cause we all have wings, but some of us don't know why. (Never Tear Us Apart - INXS; guessed by Angie)
15. I only smile in the dark. My only comfort is the night gone black. I didn’t accidentally tell you that. (Only Happy When it Rains - Garbage; guessed by Dara)
16. I see your face every time I dream, on every page, every magazine. So wild so free so far from me, you’re all I want, my fantasy. (Photogragh - Def Leppard; guessed by Dara)
17. Knowing it ain’t really smart. The joker ain’t the only fool who'll do anything for you. (Queen of Hearts - Juice Newton; guessed by Angie)
18. Built like she was she had the nerve 2 ask me if I planned 2 do her any harm. So, look here, I put her on the back of my bike and we went riding down by old man Johnson's farm. (Raspberry Beret - Prince; guessed by Angie)
19. I don’t mind spending everyday out on your corner in the pouring rain. (She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5; guessed by Angie)
20. Ooo, traffic jam, got more cars than the beach got sand. Suck it up, fill it up ‘til no more. I’m no crazy creep I got it coming to me ‘cause I’m not satisfied the hunger keep on growing. (Too Much - Dave Matthews Band; guessed by Angie)
21. Hold this thread as I walk away. Watch me unravel, I'll soon be naked lying on the floor. (Undone - The Sweater Song - Weezer; guessed by Dara)
22. Uno, dos, tres, catorce. (Vertigo - U2; guessed by Angie)
23. And that’s about the time that (girl) hung up on me. Nobody likes you when you’re 23 and are still more amused by prank phone calls. (What's My Age Again? - Blink182; guessed by Monique)
24. A million lights are dancing and there you are a shooting star, an everlasting world and you're here with me eternally. (Xanadu - Olivia Newton John; guessed by Angie)
25. My outfit's ridiculous, in the club lookin' so conspicuous. And Rowl! These women all on the prowl, if you hold the (expletive deleted) steady I'ma milk the cow. (Yeah! - Usher, Lil John & Ludacris; guessed by Angie)

She May Rise if I Sing You Down

With the release of O, Damien Rice made some of the most beautiful, yet haunting, music in recent memory. He even won the Shortlist Music Prize for the album back in 2003. Of course that award is a blessing and a curse because it means you’re really good but you haven’t sold very many records (less than 500,000 to be eligible). But the album did have some staying power as many with songs showing up in different movies and television shows, most recently Delicate was used to close out an episode of Jericho two weeks ago. This wasn’t first time the song was used for ending an episode because as it was also done previously on Lost and Alias. Gee it’s not like television producers to use songs that have been used multiple times before for the same reasons. End sarcasm.

Just when you think Rice couldn’t come up with a more simplistic title for an album than O, he does with the release today of 9. The new album is much of the same as the songs still manage to be beautiful and haunting at the same time. Although the songs sound a little more polished this time around, they don’t lose their emotional rawness and even with all the emotion seeping from the songs they still avoid being sappy. And before you make a The Blower’s Daughter comparison to Elephant, Rice beat you to the punch as it was originally titled The Blower’s Daughter II before the title was changed during recording.

Lisa Hannigan, who shined on O’s Volcano, is back and featured on the album opener 9 Crimes but unfortunately is relegated to backup singer for the rest of the album because their back and forth is always something great. That’s not to say Rice can’t handle a track by himself. He even branches out on the album with the harder sounding Rootless Tree and Me, My Yoke & I with all the rage, screaming and lyrics that wouldn’t get past my censors. Then on Coconut Skins, Rice straps on an acoustic guitar and channels early Dylan. And be sure to turn up the volume when the album ends because the last sixteen minutes features a Tibetan singing bowl that supposable has healing powers. But it’s The Animals Are Gone with its soft beginning into a souring orchestral ending that will most like be co-opted that will likely be closing out an episode of your favorite television shows for years to come.

Song to Download - The Animals Are Gone

9 gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.

I Think Rock and Roll Is Really Funny When it's Serious

Grammy nomination day is always a great one as I scour the five hundred categories to see who got the nod. Every year there are always a few surprises like someone getting a nomination you wouldn’t have thought would even be a contender, and rarely there is an act that comes out of nowhere to grab a nomination in a major category or two. That was the case back in 2003 for the Texas based quartet Bowling for Soup that got the nod in a couple of pop categories. The boys walked away empty handed that year, but they took the momentum and scored a hit the following year with the nostalgic 1984 and the even catchier follow up Ohio (Come Back to Texas). Now the band is back with their eighth full length album The Great Burrito Extortion Case.

On the new album, the boys get serious and try to channel their inner-U2. Just kidding, it’s just more of the same power-pop sounds with lyrics that borderline on “Weird Al” territory of silliness much like their previous work. Headlining the album is the ever so true High School Never Ends that chronicles this nation’s obsession with celebrity likening Reese Witherspoon to the Prom Queen, Brad Pitt to the quarterback, and Bill Gates as the captain of the chess team.

Other sophomoric ditties include Val Kilmer where they sing about who there life isn’t how they thought it would turn out using movie themes as metaphors and even throw in a debate about the title’s namesake’s career. Then there’s I’m Gay. No the band hasn’t been outed by some lame blogger with nothing better to do, they instead are kicking it old school, so old that they are referring to the time when the word meant happy, ask your grandparents. See what they did, they made you think one thing, but then they turned around and meant something entirely different, you know, like you did in middle school. And there in lies the problem with the band, they create fun pop song but the shelf lives are not that long, and that’s no different here on The Great Burrito Extortion Case. The songs are fun the first time around, but the more you hear them the less entertaining they become.

Song to Download - High School Never Ends

The Great Burrito Extortion Case gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.

There Were Moments of Gold and There Were Flashes of Light

Back in my youth, my parents talked of this mythical creature they called Meat Loaf. Unlike the mystery meat that would show up on the dinner table every couple week, the other Meat Loaf was a singer who released an Bat Out of Hell before I was born and was a massive hit only for Meat to disappear into obscurity not to be heard again. But then out of nowhere the same dude somehow had a hit song and accompanying video, the puzzling titled I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) that somehow made it onto MTV at the height of alternative rock and gangsta rap as well as the top of the singles chart. But unlike the previous album, Loaf didn’t fall back into obscurity and found successes as a character actor staring such cinematic gems as Fight Club and Spice World.

But much like its predecessor, Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose came out a decade later than the previous volume. But unlike the other two Bat Out of Hell records, number three is the first that doesn’t have “Songs by Jim Steinman” on the cover as Meat Loaf’s partner decided not to partake in the third go around which caused a major riff considering Steinman controls the trademark on “Bat Out of Hell” and took the Loaf to court to keep him using the name. Obviously an agreement was reached that let Meat use the title but he won’t be able to use the phrase in the title so when his next album is released in 2020, it won’t be named Bat Out of Hell IV.

So Meat Loaf brought in Desmond Child, best know for his work with Aerosmith, to produce and help write a big chuck of the album. The still has the grandeur feel as it mixes Broadway theatrics with hard rock, but without Steinman, most of the songs just don’t have the same emotional connection that the previous songs had with him on board. Steinman does show up in the writing credits as the Loaf tackles some of his older work that he hasn’t done before including two song that were featured in the MTV version of Wuthering Heights which surprised me because I never realized that Wuthering Heights was a musical. He also poached two songs from Steinman’s Batman: The Musical project. I think it’s lucky that the musical never came to fruition from the lackluster songs the Loaf sings here despite Steve Vai showing up on In the Land of the Pig, the Butcher Is King, a song that most have been the villains theme.

Then there is It’s All Coming Back to Me Now, a song from a never released Steinman album that was made famous by Celine Dion. This time around Loaf turns it into a duet, a long staple in the Loaf catalog which plays to much effect by pitting Loaf against a female singer. On the song his counterpart is Marion Raven who you might remember as a member of the early 00’s Norwegian pop act M2M (wait you don’t, well me neither). Meat also shares song with longtime concert partner Patti Russo on What About Love? as well as Jennifer Hudson, who appently lost some karaoke contest on television, for the song The Future Ain’t What it Used to Be. But none of the songs stand up to Meat’s past greatness which makes you wonder how much better this project could have been had Steinman been fully involved.

Song to Download - It’s All Coming Back to Me Now

Bat Out of Hell III: The Monster Is Loose gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.

Go Tell that Long Tongue Liar, Go and Tell that Midnight Rider

Usually I wait until I have a couple music videos to share for my occasional “Don’t Download These Videos” posts, but this here is a video that need to been seen right away nor shouldn't have to share the spotlight with lesser videos or artists.

God's Gonna Cut You Down - Johnny Cash

Yeah, the video could be a little pretentious with all the celebrity cameos, and you can sense early on that Bono would show up eventually, plus the Justin Timberlake into Kate Moss transition was befuddling as well as the dude I didn’t recognize who is air humping in the middle of the video (I’m thinking John Leguizamo and if anyone know for sure who this is or the black dude reading the bible in the limo near the beginning, let me know in the comments section please), you are wonder why Owen Wilson gets the last appearance with Rick Rubin, and it’s not quite as great as Hurt but nonetheless it still gave me chills. I do find it interesting that there are more rappers in the video than modern country music singers. But then again much like the only modern country act in video, the Dixie Chicks, Johnny Cash got blacklisted from country radio turned their back on him a long time ago. Now even though it’s more than a month until I unveil my “Top 100 Songs of 2006” list, but God's Gonna Cut You Down is a lock to make the top ten, and if there was one recommendation you take from me, it’s to download this song. And as an added bonus here’s the video for Hurt (another song that should be in your library) courtesy of YouTube. You can download the video for God's Gonna Cut You Down here.

If You Can't Hear the Music, Turn it Up Loud

Back in 2000, there was collation of epic proportions, in one corner you had the greatest blues player ever to pick up a guitar, in the other was the greatest rock guitarist ever. And in a dream made in music history, the two greats decided to team up for an album Riding with the King. Those two were of course B.B. King and Eric Clapton. The album was a classic in its own right and the only complaint anyone could have was that they didn’t do it earlier or more often. Well Clapton is back at it again, this time with another hero of his, J.J. Cale.

Cale may not be the household name that Clapton is but you have undoubtedly have heard his songs before including a couple of Clapton’s biggest hits, Cocaine and After Midnight. One of the reasons Clapton reached out to Cale to make a record together is that he has for a while tried to make a Cale sounding album but could never get it right so the best way to accomplish that feat would bring in the man himself which culminated in the album The Road to Escondito. And the session musicians the pair brought in to help them are no slouches which including Steve Jordon, Pino Palladino, Derek Trucks, Taj Mahal, and John Mayer and also featured the last songs Billy Preston ever played on.

Cale naturally took over most of the writing for the session writing all but three of the tracks. Clapton then had credits of two of the song, one of which, Hard to Thrill, he co-wrote with Mayer that turned out to be the albums most bluesy song. The rest of the songs are harder to pin down as they blend folk, blues, country, bluegrass, and rock but never focus on a specific genre for any given song. The duo even get political on When the War Is Over where the sing that even if we bring the boys home that still doesn’t help the ones already dead from the war.

The pairing on the album also seems to help Clapton. On his last couple albums it sounded as if he was struggling with being the guitar god he once was and the elder statesman he was becoming now that he’s in his sixth decade. With King Cale’s guidance and more laid back approach to music, maybe Clapton’ next solo outing will finally make that transition complete.

Song to Download - Ride the River

The Road to Escondido gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.

Toss Up: Lost vs Veronica Mars week 6

Lost is hitting .500 when it comes to finales. The first season finale was cumbersome and left most everyone upset that we didn’t actually get inside the hatch. The second season finale was much better as we learned why the plane crashed (maybe), what happened when the buttons aren’t pushed, and we even got a glimpse of someone off the island for the first time not via flashback. Even though last night’s Lost wasn’t a proper finale, we will have to wait three months until the next episode which is about the time of the summer break. But due to the hiatus, this will be the last Toss-Up until February. Well maybe longer depending how long the Veronica Mars break takes when it goes on hiatus at the conclusion of the first mystery arc. Well onto the Toss Up:


Love Triangle
Lost: Kate, Jack, Sawyer
Veronica Mars: Harmony, Keith, Harmony’s Husband
Winner: Lost


Wardrobe Decision
Lost: Kate had to decide between wearing a sack over her head or not
Veronica Mars: Ronnie had to decide between and Earnest bowling shirt or a crappy old shirt with a stupid saying
Winner: Veronica Mars


MIA
Lost: Dick, Mac, Weevil, Lamb
Veronica Mars: Claire, Charlie, Sun, and Jin
Winner: Lost


Admitting Their Crimes
Lost: Not-Monica admitted to her husband that she killed her father
Veronica Mars: Wallace admitted to cheating on his test
Winner: Lost


Desperation Sex
Lost: Sawyer and Kate getting it on when it looks like Sawyer will die
Veronica Mars: Keith and Harmony get it on after Keith’s near death experience
Winner: Lost


Machiavellian Plot
Lost: Everything The Others do seem way too complicated then they should be
Veronica Mars: Not-Lucky went too far out of his way to get Ronnie to find out Landry was a horn dog
Winner: Veronica Mars


Not Their Type
Lost: Kate is not Zeke's type
Veronica Mars: Parker is not Piz's type
Winner: Lost


Surprised to See You
Lost: Jack was surprised to see Kate when she begged for Sawyer’s life
Veronica Mars: Ronnie was surprised to see the Dean’s wife when looking for who was behind her term paper
Winner: Veronica Mars


Almost Caught Doing It
Lost: Jack sees Kate and Sawyer lying in the cage naked presumably after sex
Veronica Mars: Ronnie sees Landry and the Dean’s wife at the hotel presumably before sex
Winner: Lost


Jealousy
Lost: Jack was jealous that Sawyer got Kate before him
Veronica Mars: Piz is jealous of Logan for landing Vee.
Winner: Veronica Mars


Why You Should Boycott Fox
Lost: For canceling Firefly staring Kate’s husband
Veronica Mars: For not renewing Arrested Development which guest starred the Dean sans eyebrows
Winner: Veronica Mars


Cliffhanger
Lost: Not-Henry has an incision in his kidney, Sawyer has a gun to his head, and Kate has to decide with running and staying with Sawyer
Veronica Mars: Logan says he’s Mercer’s alibi for the rape that happened over the summer but can’t tell Ronnie what that alibi was
Winner: Veronica Mars


Next Time On
Lost: We get a Juliet flashback, but that is in February
Veronica Mars: Ronnie gets drugged, which will be seen next week
Winner: Veronica Mars


Another squeaker for Veronica Mars. But had Lost had been exciting for the whole episode as it was the last fifteen minutes, it may have won by a landslide as it went on hiatus. The Locke scenes were basically useless and I have a feeling I missed a scene in-between the one where Locke and Sayid got the shovels and the funeral where Locke and Sayid talked about where they were actually going and why. Presumably it was to get the Jesus stick but I bet there was a scene cut somewhere. Then throw in some boring flashbacks (of course are there any other kind recently).

But the big story this week was in Otherville, especially the last couple minutes. Yeah it’s safe to assume that Sawyer and Not-Henry will survive and Kate won’t leave Sawyer, but it still had me on the edge of my seat mostly because of Jack’s actions. It’s surprising that he would jeopardize his own escape just to get Kate away from Sawyer. And just how many times have we seen Kate cry in the rain? There was also what could be a very important line that many people may have missed in passing that I really need to hear again when the vengeful Other said something to the effect that, “Shepard wasn’t even on the original list.” And weren’t only good people “on the list.” Does this make Jack not a good person?

In other Otherville news, it looks like Alex take after her mother in the crazy department when she started to attack gun-toting people with a sling-shot. Just who is the guy she is looking for, is he an Other? A Tailie? And just where is her mother? I don’t believe we have seen her since she shot Not-Henry. And why did Juliet lie to Not-Henry when he asked if Alex asked for him. I really hate you Lost. Oh and see you in February.


Then on Veronica Mars we had an episode that was very reminiscent to last season when Vice Principal Clemmons sent Ronnie on a wild goose chase that ended in the then principal getting canned. This time around Not-Lucky laid a plan to have Vee find out her possible mentor is nailing the Dean’s wife, who seems to get around. Remember Chip Diller got 300 points for hitting that. Not-Lucky also informed us that there has been no DNA evidence found in any of the rapes that lends even more credence to my “The Lilith House Did It” Theory. Granted Not-Lucky’s serial killer bulitin board officially puts him on my list of suspects.

But the Dean’s wife wasn’t the only one getting their creep-on, as Keith finally acted on his feelings after a near death experience. That scene was really shocking, just when you think the show was about to do another musical montage with I’m Not in Love, BAM. But in an episode entitled Hi, Infidelity, Ronnie and Logan’s was the only one that went unharmed despite it highly being alluded to in last week’s preview. Another trouble in paradise preview this week, but with the ending, it may come to fruition next week. And I know a certain Clash lover who won’t be sad to see that breakup.

Speaking of the Clash lover (but really, who doesn’t love the Clash), Piz if defiantly growing on me especially after asking Ronnie out on a date that isn’t a date debacle as I been through such awkwardness myself. Then there is someone who grew on me a long time ago Parker who was giving me a Meg circa pre-Duncan vibe last night. And despite obviously crushing on Ronnie, how can Parker not be Piz’s type, Parker’s everyone’s type, well as long as she keeps her wig on. Speaking of the wig, does anyone else think Parker’s “wig” looks more real than her “real hair”? Of course if you look at the picture of Julie Gonzalo it’s pretty obvious that Parker’s “wig” is Julie’s real hair.

Also growing on me is Dean O’Dell. At first I though he would be a poor man’s Principal Clemmons, but his part dick, part moron is starting to be very entertaining in not a rip-off of Clemmons sort of way. And speaking of Dicks, where was he this week? I can’t go without my weekly fill of Dick for two weeks in a row. And for those keeping track at home, Dean O’Dell has been in more episodes this season than both Mac and Weevil.

Next week obviously no Lost, but instead we get Day Break. Of course the irony would be that it gets canceled early and ABC ends up having to put Lost reruns in it’s place. Then on Veronica Mars it looks like Ronnie will come face to drugged up face with the rapist. Or maybe not, I have a sinking suspicion that this is Nish’s revenge, remember she told Vee she would regret getting her fired. Then again, maybe it really is the rapist which begs the question who will come to her rescue. My money’s on good ol’ Chip Diller. Either way, at least there will be a Veronica Mars next week.

Oh and check out the prices of the first two season of Veronica Mars at Amazon to see if you can still get them at half price which they are as I write this.

The Best of Dave Matthews Band

Along with all the thumpin’ the Democrats laid yesterday (President Bush’s word not mine) yesterday also saw the release of the first retrospective for the Dave Matthews Band, The Best of What’s Around. The set democratically takes two songs off each of the band’s major label studio album, but much like most greatest hits packages there is plenty of my favorite songs from their catalog missing. So since I have all of the band’s studio albums (and most of their live ones too), I made my own Best Of album that clocks in at 78:40 and feel free to let me know what I left out and what you would replace in the comment section (I’m sure whatever you say I missed will show up on vol. 2 whenever I get around to posting that):

1. Recently (Edit 2) - Recently - EP (1994)
2. The Best of What's Around - Under the Table and Dreaming (1994)
3. Jimi Thing - Under the Table and Dreaming (1994)
4. Warehouse - Under the Table and Dreaming (1994)
5. Say Goodbye - Crash (1996)
6. Crash Into Me - Crash (1996)
7. The Stone - Before These Crowded Streets (1998)
8. Don't Drink the Water - Before These Crowded Streets (1998)
9. When the World Ends - Everyday (2001)
10. The Space Between - Everyday (2001)
11. You Never Know - Busted Stuff (2002)
12. Grace Is Gone - Busted Stuff (2002)
13. Bartender - Busted Stuff (2002)
14. Old Dirt Hill (Bring That Beat Back) - Stand Up (2005)


But if there were a reason to pick up The Best of What’s Around vol. 1 would be the companion second disk with over an hour’s worth of live performances chosen by the fans that includes a rousing version of Don’t Drink the Water, Louie, Louie finding its way into Warehouse. Also Robert Randolph pops up on Louisiana Bayou. And if you check out the iTunes release of the album, you will find two bonus tracks not on the CD release. Unfortunately you have to buy the whole album to get some of the live tracks from the iTunes store.

Vote Early, Vote Often

To be honest I wasn’t planning on voting today but after receiving phone calls lately from Rudy Giuliani and Laura Bush I have changed my tune and will vote against anyone who called me or whatever candidate they were endorsing. Sorry Ken Blackwell, had your wife not ironically interrupted Pardon the Interruption yesterday, I totally would have voted for you. Granted good ol’ Kenny has the power to void, or outright change my ballot so it’s not like voting against him matters to him (Fun Fact: Blackwell replaced Jerry Springer as mayor of Cincinnati). Hopefully some other state has a major voting scandal so Ohio is now longer the poster child for voting fraud. Can’t Florida bring back the butterfly ballot? Now say what you want about the God-hating, baby-killing, terrorist-sympathizing, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip-watching Democrats, but at least they have yet to interrupt my television watching schedule.

In all seriousness, Election Tuesday is one of my favorite days of the years to the point where I treat it like a sporting event, grabbing a case of beer on my way home, lounge on the couch all night and cheer and boo appropriately. Luckily my class tonight is supposedly ending early so I should be getting home just in time for the early results to start pouring in. If the races are as close as the media would have us to believe, I may even tape Veronica Mars as not to miss anything. And long time readers know it takes a lot to drag me away from my favorite show on television.


On a non-political note, since it is Tuesday, we do get a few new albums released today, but looking at the lineup of releases today, it looks like the record companies are avoiding competing with the election with the collaboration between Eric Clapton and J.J. Cale being the only new release of note today (look for a review later this week). In other music news, this week iTunes is giving away one of my favorite songs in recent memory, Smile by Lily Allen for free. If you remember I featured the video for the song a couple weeks ago (Don’t Download These Video vol III) and now if you click on her name, you will be directed to the page in iTunes where you can download the song at no cost. A great song for free, what more can you ask for? Just don't hold it against Lily that her song Take What You Take is the soundtrack to The CW's Aerie Tuesdays.

The Best New Shows of Fall 2006

Recently of few television bloggers including myself put together a list of the best new shows on television the season. And here is what we came up:

1. Heroes - NBC (3)
2. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip - NBC (1)
3. Friday Night Lights - NBC (1)
4. The Nine - ABC (1)
5. Ugly Betty - ABC

numbers in parentheses denote first place votes
Also recieving votes: Brothers and Sisters; Men in Trees; Ice-T’s Rap School; Dexter; Justice; Jericho; Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making the Team
Voters: Ducky, Raelee, Scooter McGavin, Sheila, Tube Talk Girl, TV Fan

First off I guess I should mention that none of the voters are on the NBC payroll. But looking at the list, it looks like it’s a down year for new shows at least compared to recent years. Last year saw the return of the sitcom with My Name Is Earl and Everyone Hates Chris. The year before there was the debut of the two best shows this decade in Veronica Mars and Lost. And even the summer before those two aired was when Rescue Me started its run. Now keep in mind the list above does not reflect my personal tastes because I see enough ugly people in my everyday life that I have absolutely desire to see ugly people on my television, so in a measure of full disclosure here’s my ballot:

1. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip (NBC)
2. Friday Night Lights (NBC)
3. Ice-T’s Rap School (VH1)
4. Dexter (Showtime)
5. Heroes (NBC)


As evident of the four different number one votes on the above poll, our television tastes vary a little, but if there is something that all of the voters can agree on is that you should be watching Veronica Mars if you are not already. And as I am writing this Amazon has both season of the show for for half price which is under thirty dollars (see bottom of post for ads). If you do the math, that’s just over a dollar per episode which is less than you can purchase an episode of a show on iTunes so here is your chance to get into the show at a low price or if you already watch the show, it would make a great Christmas present for someone who doesn’t (or for yourself if you haven’t picked them up yet). And to show you how great the show is, here is my personal favorite scene in the show’s history courtesy of YouTube:




One last television note, Linda Blair will be appearing on this week's installment of Supernatural and I have some exclusice pictures of the upcoming episode courtesy of The CW. So maybe this Thursday at 9:00 you can catch quality programming instead of a General Hospital in primetime ripoff, whatever city CSI is in this year, or the dude from Little Monsters saying "Deal or no deal" for an entire hour:

Musings From the Back 9: VH1 Reality Albums Edition

Earlier this summer, MTV had two of its reality stars release albums in the same week (see Jamie Kennedy and Cheyenne Kimball) and now MTV for old people, VH1 tries to outdo it with the release of three albums by its reality stars in a two week period. And let’s face it, Vh1 shows some of the guiltiest of the guilty pleasures. The channel started its reality empire when it fleeced The Surreal Life from the now defunct WB in its third season. That was the season that brought us the very first reality show for the greatest hype man in the business, Flavor Flav, who would later go on to star in two spin-offs, Strange Love and Flavor of Love, whose two finales garnered VH1 its two highest ratings in the channel’s history.

And I was one of the seven million that say New York get rejected not once, but twice. The main reason why I sat there week in and week out was because I am a long time fan of Public Enemy and will support the group no matter how trashy the venue is. Okay so the main reason I watched Flavor of Love was I find woman degrading themselves just to get on television entertaining and will stoop so low to hook up with a midget, crack-head on the wrong side of forty just to get screen time. But anyways.

To coincide with the finale of his show, the former William Drayton has released his first solo album that has been in the works for a while. The problem though with a Flavor Flav solo album is that he as his best as the hype man and not the center of attention and just making an occasional comment to Chuck D’s political words. Yeah 911 Is a Joke is a classic, but do you really want to hear a whole album full of those types of song? Listening to Flavor Flav answers that question with a no. The bright spot on the album is the production which Flav does most of as well as play most of the instrumentation himself (young Drayton was a trained classical pianist). But really the only song of any interest would be for those that have wanted to get the Flavor of Love theme song that shows up on the album as Flavor-Man.

New to the reality game is Ice-T who has been biding his time in recent years on the set of one of the Law & Order shows. But he got recruited by VH1 to turn eight middle schoolers at a prep school into a rap group. The show is surprisingly heartfelt and okay for the whole family with the Iceman actually doing a good job teaching the kids. But don’t bring the kids to listen to his latest album Gangsta Rap that definitely lives up to the title. The album is the first by Ice-T in seven years and still sounds like vintage Ice which is not necessarily a good thing. I’m sure if I was still a youngster who memorized every gangsta rap album I could get my hands on, this album would be right up my album. Unfortunately I have matured in my old age so nothing really strikes me on the album. And Ice replaces he usual tracks about various women with one about his wife Coco (whose appearance on the cover has gotten the album banned in a few stores) which show a softer side of the man that we haven’t hear on an album yet. But for any of you that love the watered down rap that finds its way to the radio, you may want to check out the album to here what real gangsta rap sounds like.

Then in a completely different musical direct there is the debut album from Brooke Hogan better known as Hulk’s daughter. The Hulkster has been quite open about the reason he signed up for a reality show and that was to advance his daughter’s music career using the VH1 connection to get tickets to various award shows. It eventually paid off when Brooke was the first artist signed to producer Scott Storch’s record label. Storch was also responsible for the production on Hogan’d debut Undiscovered. The album is filled with your token R&B songs over rap beats that oversaturated the market two years ago. And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the voice that appears on this album sounds suspiciously like the one that appears on Paris Hilton’s album considering Storch was involved in both projects. This begs the question who’s voice is it, Brooke’s or Paris’, or could it be a third singer all, together? Either way, I smell something fishy and that fish looks strikingly like Milli Vanilli.

Flavor Flav gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.

Gangsta Rap gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.

Undiscovered gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.