After the first 2000 debate, which Al Gore won on substance but committed hari-kari on style, did the "dial" groups that the networks love reflect that?
By comparison, the first 2004 debate was a complete knock out for Kerry in every possible way.* Bush's debate coach considered the worst beatdown in presidential debate history as it was occuring.
* The two biggest victories in terms of just annihilating your opponents were Kerry v. Bush I in 04 and Mondale v. Reagan I in 84. Notice that neither "victor" won the ultimate prize.
Friday, September 26, 2008
My Mid-Debate Thoughts
Yes! Two mentions of Latvia!
Things aren't going as well as I hoped for Obama...I hadn't really expected that we would talk so much about cutting spending after both candidates pretty much agreed they would support a $700 billion financial crisis bill...if cutting spending actually matters to voters then McCain will benefit from that based on his debate showing...
Things aren't going as well as I hoped for Obama...I hadn't really expected that we would talk so much about cutting spending after both candidates pretty much agreed they would support a $700 billion financial crisis bill...if cutting spending actually matters to voters then McCain will benefit from that based on his debate showing...
My mid-debate reaction
John McCain is either winning, ala John Kerry in the first 2004 debate, as being forceful, pointed and sharp. Or he is losing, ala Al Gore in the first 2000 debate, with his devilish grin, interrupting and hectoring. Right now, I can't figure out which.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Wire: Seasons 2 & 3
I didn't post a review of Season 2 of the Wire because there wasn't the single moment that jumped out at me like in Season 1...But right away in Season 3 we have drug dealers using Robert's Rules of Order and as a former Parliamentarian I am simply in love! You can see the scene at the 1:57 mark in this video:
Parliament -- Handcuffs
Parliament -- Give Up the Funk [Tear the Roof Off the Sucker]
Both songs are from the Mothership Connection album.
This Blog Is Being Suspended
I am suspending this blog until the end of my financial crisis [which is semi-serious...I need a job, like, yesterday]...thanks John McCain for the great idea[I say half jokingly]...CS, I hope that you prove able to stand up to this financial crisis and continue to blog...be strong!
New York Dolls -- Personality Crisis
This is the fundamental New York Dolls track as it is Track #1 of Album #1.
Teenage Fanclub -- Personality Crisis [New York Dolls Cover]
The Go! Team -- Milk Crisis
This track could be found on the Proof of Youth bonus CD.
Bonus Track:
Placebo -- 20th Century Boy [T.Rex Cover]
This song, as well as the Teenage Fanclub cover, are from the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
"John Edwards Is A Total Loser"
You know whenever John Edwards pops into my mind I get angry...I don't know if it will ever go away but I think each month that goes by makes it easier...after watching this I feel a bit better:
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Songs of the Future: September 20th
1. Secret Machines -- Atomic HeelsThis is the first track from the new Secret Machines album which will be released October 14th.
2a. Watcha Clan -- I Mean Diaspora
2b. Watcha Clan -- Eli
Recommended if you like a mixture of "North African, Spanish, Arabic, Hebrew, and French influences along to a strong dance beat." These tracks are from the Diaspora Hi-Fi album.
3. Portugal The Man -- New Orleans
From the Censored Colors album that came out last Tuesday.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Cold War Kids
Next week's release of Loyalty to Loyalty has got to be one of the most anticipated of the year especially with the great first single "Something Is Not Right With Me."God, I hope that this album is great.
Cold War Kids -- Something Is Not Right With Me
Cold War Kids -- Golden Gate Jumpers
This track has a laid back Tom Waits feel to it.
Relevant Review: Ben Folds "Way To Normal"
Artist: Ben Folds
Album: Way To Normal
Ranking: William Howard Taft
My first impression is that I'm afraid Ben Folds will never make another album as good as anything from the Five discography. But then again isn't that worry just stupid nearly 10 years after their breakup? I am just going to have to get over it I guess.
In terms of solo albums, I would put this squarely between Rockin' the Suburbs [my favorite] and Songs for Silverman [better than 97% of all other albums but you know...not quite...you know...] in likability. The finest track is Folds latest addition to his "Bitch" trilogy" [after "Song for the Dumped" and "Bitches Ain't Shit"] with "Bitch Went Nuts." The song title tells you all you need to know about the song's content.
The opening track, "Hiroshima," takes a couple of listens to appreciate and at first you might think you have stumbled upon another Ben Folds live album but instead it turns into the funniest opening track since "One Angry Dwarf..."
Ben Folds -- Bitch Went Nuts
Ben Folds -- Hiroshima [B B B Benny Hit His Head]
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Songs of the Future: September 18th
I was sent this by a member of the band through SoundCloud. It's not quite the music you would expect from a band with a poster like that.
This is the 2nd single from Look At Life Again Soon.
From the upcoming album Firelight which is out October 7th.
From the upcoming album Dark Developments which will be out October 28th.
From the Alive on the Vine album.
Relevant Video:
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin -- Pangea
Watch the full concert at baeblemusic.com
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
In Memory of Norman Whitfield
Song writer Norman Whitfield passed away today and he will be greatly missed around the YASR offices. He wrote some of the greatest R&B songs ever and was responsible for the psych-R&B trip that The Temptations went on in the late '60s and early 70's. In particular, I absolutely love "Ball of Confusion"...get yourself a good pair of headphones, put that song on, and turn it up as loud as you can stand and just listen to all that is going on on that track...if for nothing else you will understand that the problems we face today in America are from original.In my opinion, here are his greatest hits:
Andrew Sullivan has gone off the deep end
I agree with everything said in this blog post, but wanted to add one point.Andrew's Palinophobia officially insulted and offended me with this post.
She is a long-time member of the Assemblies Of God. That's all you need to know.
In Sullivan's mind the conversation would be similar to this.
Sullivan: That's racist.
Someone else: I'm not sure. I think there is an innocuous point there.
Sullivan: David Duke said it. That's all you need to know.
In one easy swoop, Sullivan outed himself as a religious bigot. I understand that as a proudly gay man, Sullivan probably hasn't had the greatest experiences with evangelicals. But what he is practicing here goes directly against what he extols in his book. He praises the Oakeshottian view that faith rests on doubt, not certainty. The point is inarguable: faith requires doubt. There is no need for faith to believe in incontrovertible facts.
Look at Sarah Palin's prayer:
“That our national leaders are sending them out on a task that is from God, that’s what we have to make sure we are praying for, that there is a plan, and that plan is God’s plan.”
Because Sarah Palin never expected Andrew Sullivan to fisk her faith, she probably didn't worry about the wording. But the intent is clear to any reader who is not trying to denigrate her or her faith. She is making one of the most simple prayers any Christian can make: thine will, not mine, be done. It's a prayer I have uttered countless times myself. It's a prayer of uncertainty: Lord, I do not always know what you will is, but I ask that it be done. I ask that you give me guidance and wisdom. Or in this case: I ask that your will be done in Iraq. I am sending my son there and I ask that the plans of our leaders are your plans. Your will, not ours, be done.
Instead of showing the work behind his tortured logic, Sullivan dismisses it with the wave of a hand. "There is no need to for me to explain Sarah Palin's relationship with God. She goes to an Assemblies of God church, ergo she is a misguided fundamentalist bigot who thinks the Iraq war is a mission from God, Blues Brothers-style."
There can be no other way to put it: Andrew Sullivan is just as bigoted as the people who would deny him the love he feels for and from his husband.
Songs of the Future: September 17th
1a. Vancouver -- Penalty Box
If there is one band that I've found that shares the intensity and lyrical gusto that Ted Leo & The Pharmacists have it is Vancouver. That is very evident in "Penalty Box" while "Shape of Your Knees" calmly strums along for nearly three minutes until the lyrics kick in. It is a prime example of a band that is comfortable with their own song structure. Both tracks are from Even My Winters Are Summers.
2. So Many Dynamos -- Search Party
From the Flashlights album.
3. The Dears -- Money Babies
This is from the upcoming album Missiles out October 21st.
From the Flashlights album.
3. The Dears -- Money Babies
This is from the upcoming album Missiles out October 21st.
From the Midnight Matinee album that came out yesterday.
5. Mystery Jets -- Half In Love With Elizabeth [Delorean Remix]
The Mystery Jets are my "unknown in the United States" British band and that might all change if their album 21 ever gets released on this side of the Atlantic.
The Mystery Jets are my "unknown in the United States" British band and that might all change if their album 21 ever gets released on this side of the Atlantic.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
The Electric Company
We got the first official look at the Chevy Volt today...it will be available in 2010 and save the world shortly thereafter.Captain Beefheart -- Electricity
From the Safe as Milk album.
Moby -- Electricity
From his self-titled album.
Suede -- Electricity
From the Singles collection.
The Avalanches -- Electricity
From the classic Since I Left You album.
The Strokes -- Electricityscape
From the First Impressions of Earth album.
New Cinematic Titanic
Just in time for Halloween, a new episode of Cinematic Titanic hits on October 9th and this time it's a horror movie called Legacy of Blood:
Monday, September 15, 2008
Songs of the Future: September 15th
1. The Streets -- The EscapistsThis is from the Everything is Borrowed album and reminds me a little bit of "Dry Your Eyes."
2. Jenny Lewis -- Acid Tongue
The first thing I've heard from the upcoming second solo album of the same name out September 23rd.
3. Dylan Champagne -- From Here To There
I've been watching The Wire, so I can't help but think of Omar as the whistling begins in this song. The press release accompanying this music lists comparisons with Iron & Wine but I don't hear "the distance" that is often in Iron & Wine's music...it's hard to describe I guess...this just seems more intimate.
4. Almamy -- French Kiss
It's got a good beat you can dance to.
5a. The Unbearables -- The Darker Part
5b. The Unbearables -- The Loose Connection
Wow, this is awesome. If I had a Band of the Week category this would be it! Imagine a harder rocking Sufjan Stevens [with full band]. Or maybe Yes combined with the Ben Folds Five song "Steven's Last Night In Town"...how's that for a unique description?
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
New episodes of my 2nd favorite show begin on Thursday and I can't wait...for the show to be put on iTunes I mean because I don't have cable...Here's a little preview of what we have in store:
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