A Case of the Fridays

Alas, it’s not a short week like last week, and there’s no stuffing to be had, unless you’re still feasting on leftovers. But, the music still beats on. So we’ll lead off with some Copeland. “You Have My Attention” provides majestic guitar rock with some ethereal vocals. If you like what you hear, they’ll be at the 9:30 Club Wednesday, December 6th.

MP3: You Have My Attention - Copeland

And then we close out with “One Small Step,” by Sparky’s Flaw. It’s a catchy little pop song that you’ll be singing after it stops playing. And of course, if you like what you hear, Sparky’s Flaw will be at IOTA Friday, December 1st.

MP3: One Small Step – Sparky’s Flaw

The Office Romance

Rainn Wilson (Dwight) and Angela Kinsey (Angela) of The Office give their humorous insight regarding the whirlwind romance that is "Dwangela" in a TV Guide interview here.

Brady

This tribute to the Patriots' Tom Brady, set to Kenny Rogers' "Lady," is a little bit funny, a little bit wrong...but watch and decide for yourself.

Choose Your Catchphrase

Continuing my television-themed posts, TV Land has compiled a list of the "100 Greatest Catchphrases in TV." Let us all bask in the warm glow of TV...

It's Like New Scrubs

Don't forget, kids. The new season of Scrubs begins this Thursday, November 30th, at 9:00. Be there or the Janitor or will be...upset.

Prison Break

The "fall finale" of Prison Break is on tonight. I must admit, I had been turned off by the sheer ridiculousness (or my newly created "ridiculocity") of the plot turns and events after the actual prison break early this season. And I had actually been tempted to stop watching. But the past several weeks have redeemed the show with some riveting prime time television - I can't wait to watch!

The 2007 MINI Cooper

Here's some photos of the slightly redesigned 2007 MINI Cooper. I think I like the previous design better, but it's still pretty cool-looking.

Dilana Comes To Town

I was just perusing the schedule for Jammin Java in Vienna, VA, and lo and behold, Dilana - the Melissa Etheridge-voiced, straggly-multi-color-haired former Rockstar Supernova contestant - is going to be playing there with her band on December 4th. Interesting.

Nels Cline

My friend Pete over at Ickmusic just posted the interview he did here with Nels Cline, the guitarist for Wilco. I must admit, I haven't listened to much Wilco - but maybe now I'll finally buy Yankee Hotel Foxtrot!

Rockin' Jason D. Williams

I was just channel surfing tonight, when I came upon this dude playing some crazy boogie-woogie piano, Jerry Lee Lewis-style, on public television. Turns out the guy's name is Jason D. Williams, and he and his band can wail. Check out a clip of them here.

Thanksgiving Is For...Used CDs

Well, I made my trip up to NJ to see my family for Thanksgiving w/ CC, and of course we stopped at my favorite used CD store when we were there. So I got to trade in a bunch of CDs that I don't listen to for a bunch of used CDs at discount prices. Anyway, I was kind enough to let CC purchase The Best of Corey Hart CD that I discovered.

MP3: Sunglasses At Night - Corey Hart

I did, however, manage to pick up Avril Lavigne's Under My Skin, The Monkees Greatest Hits, and Hard-Fi's Stars of CCTV on the cheap. Yes, it's a rather odd combination.

MP3: Daydream Believer - The Monkees
MP3: Nobody's Home - Avril Lavigne

Ain't Nuthin' Like A Slap Bet

I just watched this week's episode of "How I Met Your Mother" that we taped. And the slap bet is oh-so-freaking hilarious!

A Case of the Fridays

It’s a short holiday week, kids, and the turkey countdown has begun. But keep in mind, there’s plenty of music to be had after the stuffing and mashed potatoes are finished. We kick things off some tight, catchy, modern guitar rock from Kill The Alarm (formerly Granian). If you like what you hear, they’ll be at Jammin Java this Friday, November 24th w/ Niki Barr and Getaway Car.

MP3: Fire Away – Kill The Alarm

And we close out this special holiday edition of ACOTF with “Southtown Girls,” by The Hold Steady. It’s got a cool a cappella vocal intro which erupts into full guitar and rock organ goodness. So I’m digging Craig Finn’s swaggering, distinctive vocals. And if you like what you hear, The Hold Steady will be at the Black Cat Saturday, Nov 25th.

MP3: Southtown Girls – The Hold Steady

New Eminem

Check out the leak of the new Eminem track "No Apologies" over at Idolator here.

Battle of the Bands

I was a guest judge representing MetroMusicScene.com last night at the Bodog Music Battle of the Bands at the Rock & Roll Hotel. Ten bands over five hours, so I got my fill of local music. And mohawks. Some of my favorites:

1. Eleven: 54 - Blink-182-esque pop-punk, w/ harmonies and hooks
2. Lazlo Lee & The Motherless Children - think White Stripes/The Kinks guitar riff-rock
3. The Fif - hip-hop w/ some soul and a very skilled full band a la The Roots

Another Stunt?

Looks like David Blaine is up to his old tricks again. For his next stunt, he'll try to escape from shackles after spending two days in a spinning gyroscope suspended above New York. Expect a television special next week...

New Urban

Well, I got my first good listen of the new Keith Urban CD, Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing, borrowing it from CC. For some reason, Mr. Urban didn't see fit to capitalize a portion of the CD title. Anyway, he delivers a pretty solid effort, though I don't think there's enough of the trademark stomping guitar/banjo rocker numbers that I've liked off of his previous efforts. Maybe the cocaine was slowing him down. So far, I'm liking the slow burner, "Stupid Boy" and toe-tapping "I Told You So."

MP3: Stupid Boy - Keith Urban
MP3: I Told You So - Keith Urban

A Case of the Fridays

The long week is complete, so fuel up for the weekend with some Gasoline Heart. Their track “Paralyze” has got a classic rock feel to it. And with its husky vocals and triumphant choruses, it would fit comfortably next to some Springsteen on your next mixtape. Take a listen.

MP3: Paralyze – Gasoline Heart

And now we close things out with Finley Quaye’s “Dice.” The song itself is relatively catchy, with additional ambient sounds and rhythms, electronic textures and ethereal female backing vocals providing an extra spark. Give it a listen.

MP3: Dice – Finley Quaye

Top 40....Sort Of

Information Leafblower has posted the 2006 Top 40 Bands In America. At least, they are according to a bunch of indie-rock bloggers. It's a good read, and there's even some MP3s involved. Go check it out.

thanks to Senor Holden for the tip

KFC From The Air

If pilots or astronauts have a sudden craving for some of the Colonel's extra crispy fried chicken, they'll be able to spot this particular location of KFC, thanks to the huge painted-tile-piece logo on the desert ground.

thanks to Pete for the tip

Awake Is the New Sleep

I just wanted to thank Ben Lee for helping me get through a hard commute home this evening. His album, Awake Is the New Sleep, expecially the song, "Catch My Disease," powered me on my drive...

MP3: Catch My Disease - Ben Lee

My Cover Is Blown!

Check out this American Accent Quiz (as recommended by Lady Brett). I prefer to think that I speak clearly, distinctly, and without an accent. Perhaps that's the definition of "Philadelphian."

What American accent do you have? Your Result: Philadelphia Your accent is as Philadelphian as a cheesesteak! If you're not from Philadelphia, then you're from someplace near there like south Jersey, Baltimore, or Wilmington. if you've ever journeyed to some far off place where people don't know that Philly has an accent, someone may have thought you talked a little weird even though they didn't have a clue what accent it was they heard.
The Northeast
The Midland
The Inland North
The South
Boston
The West
North Central
What American accent do you have? Take More Quizzes

The All-TIME 100 Albums

In case you haven't heard, Time Magazine has selected their top 100 albums of all-time. So far, the big buzz is about the fact that there are no Pink Floyd albums in their top 100. Obviously they're wrong about not including DSOTM and The Wall. And frankly, WYWH could easily bump a few of the albums off the list. But it's an interesting read, nonetheless, since you're able to click on each selection and read a bit about it. I like that feature.

Say It With Soda

Jones Soda Company has never been typical, as far as their special holiday soda flavors are concerned. This year is no exception, as the Holiday Pack will apparently include slections such as Green Pea Soda, Sweet Potato Soda, Dinner Roll Soda, and Turkey and Gravy Soda, and Antacid Soda. Yummy!

Excellent!

Wyld Stallyns can be a reality now, with this new T-shirt that turns air guitar into music! Motion sensors convert arm movements into guiar riffs. Nice!

The Return of Aronofsky

Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream) is one of my favorite directors, and his new film, The Fountain, comes out on November 22nd. Anyway, ew.com has got a nice little story on Aronofsky, the making of The Fountain, and all that good stuff here.

Bob Schneider

I've been listening to my Bob Schneider CD, I'm Good Now a bunch lately, and it gets better with each listen. I'm particularly enjoying the lyrics in "God Is My Friend" ("I can see God on a cloud in the sky, on top of the world, watching the world roll by. With a great big grin and some good cocaine, Jesus by his side in the pouring rain."). Anyway, Mr. Schneider's got a show scheduled at the State Theatre over in Falls Church on 12/9, so I'm looking forward to seeing him live.

MP3: C'mon - Bob Schneider
MP3: God Is My Friend - Bob Schneider

Songs of...New Jersey

I never expected to find a post that included 22 songs about New Jersey. But I did! How can you beat that! So go check it out here at WFMU's Beware of the Blog.

Weekend Pic

leafy

Mustachioed

Y'all know I can't pass up a good mustache post, right? Anyway, for any other fans of kick-ass facial hair, go check out "TV's Top Mustachioed Men," as selected by MSN.com.

Spidey 3 Trailer

Though Spider-Man 3 isn't showing up in theaters until May 2007, you can whet your appetite for all things arachnoid and peep the trailer right here. I still like the animated series better, by the way.

New Cash Video

You can check out the new Johnny Cash video for "God's Gonna Cut You Down" from the American V album at MTV here. A wide variety of celebrities make appearances in the video, including Bono, Iggy Pop, Billy Gibbons, Kanye West, The Dixie Chicks, and Woody Harrelson, just to name a few...

The Ultimate List of Hip Hop Videos

This list of awesome hip videos (all linked to YouTube clips), courtesy of Sneakmove, is definitely worth checking out. And it should definitely kill at least an hour. Or two.

Stupid Sexy Flanders!

One of my favorite scenes from The Simpsons evar...

The OfficeBack

This video to Justin Timberlake's "SexyBack" using scenes from The Office is freaking hilarious! Highly recommended!

Most Extreme

It's back! Season 5 of MXC begins this Friday night at midnight on the Spike Network. Don't be eliminated!

A Last Helping of Meatloaf

I was watching a little VH1 this morning, and I happened to catch Meatloaf's new video for "It's All Coming Back to Me." Yes, Celine Dion recorded the Jim Steinman tune back in the day, but I actually like Meatloaf's version better. He doesn't just belt it out (a la Celine), and he digs into the lyrics and brings some feeling to a very pretty song. But I do think his duet partner, Marion Raven, is up too high in the mix. Alright, I think I've exceeded my quota for Meatloaf and piano ballads for the month....

MRE

dinner, anyone?

Urban Angst

Keith Urban was supposed to be playing at tonight's Country Music Awards, and he puts on a damn good live performance. Unfortunately, he's not going to be able to make it, since he's in rehab, so I decided I'd put up a video of him and his band doing "Somebody Like You" at MusicFest 2004. Gotta love that riff...

Randomness For You

After a nice weekend away visiting William & Mary w/ CC, I have returned. Pretty place, and The Cheese Shop there has some of the most tasty sandwiches evar. Anyway, I have posted the November MP3 Bunch of the Month to the right for your listening pleasure. And today's post is sponsored by Sam Goldberg's photograph above.

The Shat Is Back!

You thought Howie Mandel could bring the cheese as a game show host? Well, I'm betting William Shatner can bring some gouda of his own. Shatner will be hosting a new game show on ABC titled "Show Me the Money" (I'm guessing Cuba was unavailable for hosting duties). Anyway, there will be trivia questions, big dollars, and dancing women involved, along with the Shat. Can you smell the ratings?

thanks to LeeHead for the tip

All Your Energy Drinks - Here

Everyone's buzzing about energy drinks these days, no pun intended. But if you want to read about what the common man thinks about particular brands of drinks, Dan Mayer keeps a blog here where he reviews each new energy drink he consumes. I'm guessing he doesn't sleep a lot.

Is It Lupus?

Lupus is the official diagnosis of House, apparently.

Pollock

Got $140 million? Then you can get could have purchased Jackson Pollock's "No. 5, 1948."

Prince Does Vegas

The artist currently known as Prince will be playing weekend shows in Las Vegas at the 3121 Nightclub in the Rio Hotel beginning November 10th. Perhaps he'll meet up with Barry Manilow and Celine Dion to have a few drinks after his shows...

Various New Music

A few new albums are out...

*What's with the progressive-rock sound of Meatloaf's new album? Of course, this is just based on one Thirty Seconds To Mars-esque song. Perhaps the all-star cast of characters may have been overkill, and he should have left the album to himself and Jim Steinman. Listen here.

*Kellie Pickler's first single, "Red High Heels," is pretty damn catchy. Really. Listen here.

*You can listen to a track off of the new My Chemical Romance CD here. I'm liking it a bit, and I'm not even wearing eyeliner right now.