Whigs..on letterman

I mentioned the Whigs a week or so ago.

Last night they played Letterman.

They brought it...

Male or female?

You might not have known this, but a lot of non-living objects are actually either male or female. Here are some examples:

FREEZER BAGS: They are male, because they hold everything in, but you can see right through them.

PHOTOCOPIERS: These are female, because once turned off; it takes a while to warm them up again.
They are an effective reproductive device if the right buttons are pushed, but can also wreak havoc if you push the wrong Buttons.

TIRES: Tires are male, because they go bald easily and are often over inflated

HOT AIR BALLOONS: Also a male object, because to get them to go anywhere, you have to light a fire under their butt.

SPONGES: These are female, because they are soft, squeezable and retain water.

WEB PAGES:
Female, because they're constantly being looked at and frequently getting hit on.

TRAINS: Definitely male, because they always use the same old lines for picking up people.

EGG TIMERS: Egg timers are female because, over time, all the weight shifts to the bottom.

HAMMERS: Male, because in the last 5000 years, they've hardly changed at all, and are occasionally handy to have around.

THE REMOTE CONTROL: Female. Ha! You probably thought it would be male, but consider this: It easily gives a man pleasure, he'd be lost without it, and while he doesn't always know which buttons to push, he just keeps trying

Ponder this...

The next time you are sitting around all wasted trying to "whoa" each other drop this one..

If you start counting at one and spell out the numbers as you go, you won't use the letter "a" until you reach 1,000.

Whoa dude...you hear that..that was my skull..I'm so wasted!

Quick note...

Tomorrow at 12noon ET I will be taking down the mp3's from my faves of 2007, so if you wanted something..get to it.

Skate with the Providence Bruins

This past Tuesday, Little March and I went down to the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence to "skate" with the Providence Bruins (who are 30-7-2-1 by the way). This is one of the two "meet the player" events that the Providence Bruins put on each year for season ticket holders.

Little March asked MONTHS ago if she could do the "skate party" this year. So the time came and we headed down.

For one hour you are on the ice with all the players (no sticks/pucks etc) and about 150 or so other fans. Its very laid back with the jumbo tron showing highlights, music playing and just overall good times.

One of the really great parts (actually the best) is the fact the guys "get it". Meaning they do three sessions like this and seem to enjoy it. They sign everything handed to them, smile, pose for pictures and are just "nice". Like I said, they get it, they are in a place where they'd love to get to the "big show" so why not enjoy it. They are a classy organization that does a lot for the fans, and if you do these things you may gain younger fans (ie the season ticket holders of the future). So, here are some pictures from the evening..nothing fancy for a series of reasons (camera is not the best, sometimes we were moving when a picture was taken etc). So check em if you want.


The banners:


The Bruins have a lot of hope on this guy, his name is Tuukka Rask (pronounced TOO-Ka). He is a goalie they hope will be the starter/superstar for years to come. He has been up to the Boston Bruins a few times, but the goal for this season was for him to get a lot of ice time with the Providence Bruins. When we met the players this fall, Tuukka was up in Boston, so it was nice to see/meet him this time.



This is Pascal Pelletier. He currently leads the Bruins in goals (and the whole AHL) with 24. Very friendly guy.


The guy wearing #2 is Matt Hunwick, he has been up to the Boston Bruins a few times this season.



By the end of the skate most players seem to gravitate towards the bench and watch the jumbo tron of highlights:



This picture is my favorite. Little March asked me if she could take pictures. She is not so good on skates but wanted to take pictures. She got over towards the bench and looked for players to take pictures of. The guys were chatting, then stopped, pointed at Little and posed:



Thanks guys..

Favorite cds of 2007

Well here it is, the list of my 20 Favorite cds of 2007. I steer clear of saying the "best" mostly due to that being a totally subjective topic, as well as the mood I am in at the time I listened to the cds. These 20 cds just found their way into the cd player more often than others and struck a chord.

I hope you'll check the list and check out some of the tracks. If you are not really a "downloader" but have Quicktime you should be able to just click on the link and it will open/stream the track. Otherwise, if you are an mp3 person you know "Save target as.."

Nobody really asks me what my faves are, just something that is fun to do and I think its my ninth or 10th year doing one.

Enjoy...

20. Kanye West - Graduation

Before you cry fowl I want to go on record as saying his cds have made my favorites of the year in the past. For all his arrogance the guy can write one serious hook and can market himself better than anyone out there right now. He seems generally interested in seeing his music reach as wide an audience as possible and is willing to work and push himself to achieve the goals.
Previous list appearances - Late Registration #10 in 2005

The download was "Homecoming"

19. High on Fire - Death is this Communion

High on Fire continue to shine, showing the few that seem to pay attention that they are one of the best metal bands out there at this time. The albums never let up, and even though vocalist Matt Pike sounds like he swallowed a cup of razor blades and washed it down with a fifth of Jack Daniels no other "singer" could fill his shoes in this band. This years winner of the "Sound track to a speeding ticket" award too.
Previous list appearances - Art of Self Defense #7 in 2000 and Surrounded by Thieves #12 in 2002

The download was "Fury Whip"

18. Animal Collective - Strawberry Jam

It seems like over the last few years if you blinked your eyes a new Animal Collective cd, or ep was coming out. Couple that with the fact that the band members each have active side projects (or is the A.Collective a side project). A mish mash of sounds that is chaotic at times as it is moving. Not a cd that I reached for a lot, but when I did I always felt like it was the right time.
Previous list appearances - Feels #9 in 2005

The download was "Derek"

17. The Sea and Cake - Everybody

The Sea and Cake continue to release very easy to listen to records. A very lo-fi affair the band wears their trademark sound on their sleeves. Keyboards, bass, drums and occasional vibes or other instruments keep you guessing. The Sea and Cake continue to release solid collections of work that might not be ground breaking, but they are solid releases top to bottom.
Previous list appearances - One Bedroom #16 in 2003.

The download was "Crossing Line"

16. The White Stripes - Icky Thump

First and foremost, the most impressive thing continues to be the fact that two people make this music, two. Jack and Meg White blast through the 14 tracks on the album in what feels like a blink of an eye. That is sort of the trademark though, get in, get rocking, get out. Toss in the odd ball cover (Conquest which the original is heard in an eBay commercial now) and you get the idea. Never a band to sit on the two instruments, we are washed with piano, drums, trumpets and of course the stellar Jack White guitar work.
Previous list appearances - Elephant #6 in 2003 and Get Behind me Satan #24 in 2005

The download was "Icky Thump"

15. Band of Horses - Cease to Begin

Admittedly I was sort of let down with the sophomore effort from Band of Horses. The debut was such a top notch and it still gets spun a lot. Singer Ben Bridwell continues to be in fine voice, somehow hitting notes that shouldn't be hit. A recent move from Seattle to the Carolinas didn't seem to change the sound of the band, but members seem to be dropping off at a pretty steady clip. Hopefully, things settle back in for the band, and we will get only stronger releases. Its better than I am giving it credit for but I think I wanted so much more. I wasn't let down, but wasn't wow'd like I was the first time around.
Previous list appearances - Everything all the Time #2 in 2006

The download was "Is there a Ghost"

14. Shins - Wincing the Night Away

Most folks by now know this is the band that Natalie Portman professed would change your life in Garden State (this is the 825,291,001 time it has been mentioned on line or elsewhere). The band was already pegged as sellouts and the next big things at the same time. Released in early 2007 the only thing that kept this from being higher on the list is that after a month of solid spins it sort of fell to the bottom of the pile. A wonderful pop record, if you are new to the band this is a very good record to start with, and your local Target even carries it...damn sell outs. ( i kid!)

The download was "Sea Legs"

13. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

A very mellow record that Wilco pretty much had to make. It was a year that many fans cried "sell out" when they had a few songs sold to Volkswagen but band leader Jeff Tweedy kept the nay sayers in check. A moody album that would have me reaching for the fast forward button at some times, and the rewind button at others. The yin to the yang worked and Wilco continue to release terrific records.
Previous list appearances - Summerteeth #14 in 1999, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot #6 in 2002, A Ghost is Born #3 in 2004

The download was "Shake it Off"

12. Queens of the Stone Age - Era Vulgaris

People that know me are probably rubbing their eyes saying "march you love Queens how can they be #12?" Well honestly this record failed to grab me really from the outset, losing valuable time. Being a long time fan when they played a local show I was in attendance and the new songs packed such a whollop. The cd went back in to heavy rotation and it got many the spins it was neglected of prior. A little uneven at times Homme and co. seem to have the formula locked down and band members are sticking around for longer than one record so if the unit sticks together we will be in for a treat for years to come.
Previous list appearances - Self Titled #19 in 1998, Rated R #1 2000, Songs for the Deaf #1 in 2002 and Lullabies to Paralyze #3 in 2005.

The download was "3's & 7's"

11. M.I.A -Kala

If there is on thing Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam tries to prove, yet again, is you can't pin her down as a specific genre of music. Hip hop to grime (a UK term for drum and bass) there are a myriad of samples to wade thru as well. M.I.A wanted to settle in to a studio to work on the record but had a series of visa issues and censorship issues she resorted to myspace and the internet to get her music out. She "vacationed" around the word and recorded various sections, all which seem to bleed in to the tracks. At times a sort of uncomfortable listen since its both poppy but political, it still leaves you wondering what the next track will bring and how much more you can stand. A very interesting listen. Check out the down load of the track "Paper Planes' where she samples the loop from the clash song "Straight to Hell" and samples gun shots and cash registers
Previous list appearances - Arular #8 in 2005

The download was "Paper Planes"

10. Amy Winehouse - Back to Black

Oh where to begin? If you had no idea this woman's back story over the last several months consider yourself lucky. If she can get her act together, and even come close to what she captures on Back to Black on the follow-up these ears will be VERY happy. She needs to get it together, and fast as this downward spiral she has been in as of late is going to end badly. If you haven't heard of Amy, put on the record and be taken away, this woman has some pipes and quite a soul, albeit a little blackened at the moment.

The download was "Tears Dry on Their Own"

09. The Arcade Fire - Neon Bible

It seemed like ages between records but Arcade Fire made the wait worth it. A tighter record (yet a smidge weaker) than Funeral the Montreal band lived up to, and exceeded expectations. We can only go upward from here and America bore witness when they tore the roof off on Saturday Night Live.
Previous list appearances - Funeral #2 in 2004

The download was "Intervention"

08. Explosions in the Sky - All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone

In reading many year end lists it surprises me that this was was not on many (at least the ones I read). Just when it seemed like the band is about to get "bigger" they announce a break is looming. This will leave me, and like minded individuals salivating for a while, but if they come back refreshed, it is a good move. How their music is not used in more tv shows or movies is beyond me (yeah I know they scored the sound track to Friday Night Lights) watch that film and you'll understand what I mean. Always an explosive, and mind bending listen from these Texans.
Previous list appearances - Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place #3 in 2003.

The download was "Welcome,Ghosts"

07. Tunturia - Maps

Sometimes you just have to believe what you read. Glowing reviews for the Toronto band piqued my interest before even hearing a single note of music. After tracking the cd down, and paying over $20 US dollars for it I pretty much wanted to be floored. Well, i have fallen and I can't get up. As the bands mypsace page declares about their sound/image: "the exact opposite of what happens at a rock show"

The download was "Echoes of the Umoved Mover"

06. Rosetta - Wake/Lift

Yet again, I read a glowing review of another record (this record)and it sort of seemed to sum up some of my favorite bands and genres. So, what the heck, lets take a chance. This is not a record for just anyone. I am not saying it to be arrogant, pretentious or what have you. The music hits VERY hard and the vocals are very growly and almost indecipherable couple those two things and I am sure most of the people reading just tune out, but for those that are willing to check it out the reward is immediate. This is not your big brothers cheezy hair metal rip off stuff. Each member seems to understand the abilities of their instrument with the the context of the track no one person goes off noodling on their instrument.

The download was "Lift/3"

05. Caspian - The Four Trees

Boston instrumental band seemingly came out of nowhere to grab me, shake me and restore my faith that good music is still begging to be found. A record that causes me to grin ear to ear on each listen. This is the third totally instrumental album on the list and a few others have very little vocals. Sometimes music really can strike a chord without some sappy lyrics getting in the way. If you can, track down the ep "You are the conductor" and complete the already awesome collection of releases.

The download was "Some are White Light"

04. Kings of Leon - Because of the Times

Read enough message boards of people singing praises to a certain band it can sometimes pique your interest. I saw KOL open for U2 in the past and they were "okay" but did little to have me rush out to grab their cds. After glowing fan reviews I decided "what the the heck, if it sucks seems like enough people would buy it". It is a rock record, straight up rock. Nothing fancy just four guys chugging out the monster riffs and hooks to pull you right in. So many tracks were put on repeat over the past year. When the line is sung "Geeetah..go get'cha" in "Black Thumbnail" it gets me every time. Rock needs to be this fun all the time.

The download was "Black Thumbnail"

03. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights

Every year I surprise even myself (and perhaps some of you readers) by tossing a cd on the list that is from "left field" as some like to say. I read a great review on this cd and took a chance, so glad I did. You should too. This is the real deal folks. Hop on the band wagon now.

"The download was "Let them Knock"

02. Sigur Ros - Hvart/Heim

Hvart means Disappeared while Heim means Home. One disc acoustic the other older tracks the collection is perfect for new and old fans. Currently there is no single band making music now, or perhaps ever, that has moved me the way that Sigur Ros has. Goosebumps and throat lumps, this band gets to me every time.
Previous list appearances - Ágætis Byrjun #1 in 2001, ( ) #3 in 2002 and Takk #1 in 2005

The download was Hijomalind

01. Battles - Mirrored

Every now and again a cd comes along that restores your faith that there is still great music to be made and heard. This album, a challenging listen mind you, offers such a wide variety in one single package. After a few years of eps the band finally put out a stunning full length cd. Easily my favorite record of 2007.

The download was "Atlas"

Well that is it, a very strong year I felt overall. A few records didn't make the cut that should have, and, I am sure, even next week, albums on this list I will have thought should have been higher or lower.

Enjoy, and please check some stuff out. The songs will only be posted for a week..seriously, so if you want em, grab em. If you check something out and dig it, buy the whole thing. Please support the artist/bands buy grabbing a cd, or seeing a show. The mp3's are really just meant to be a sample and can and will be removed at the artist/management request. If you are one of those persons please contact me and the song will be removed as soon as I am made aware.

Happy 2008 to all the readers (all 4 of you?) and for those that have stuck around be sure to check back soon for the first Random Musings/March to the Sea giveaway prize package extravaganza!

All the best in 2008
-march

Check back monday if you please...

Wanna know some of my favorite cds of 2007? Come back here Monday and see for yourself. 20 cds that got the most spins, that I talked about the most, or just really dug.

This year there will also be mp3 samples of a track from each...

yeah..lots doing (hence the lack of updates..lotsa cuttin and pastin going on..)

Have a good weekend..see ya Monday I hope.

Thursday joke.....

A man and his wife were spending the day at the zoo.

She was wearing a loose fitting, pink dress, sleeveless with straps.

He was wearing his usual jeans and T-shirt.

As they walked through the ape exhibit,

They passed in front of a large, silverback gorilla.

Noticing the wife, the gorilla went crazy.

He jumped on the bars, and holding on with one hand and 2 feet he grunted and pounded his chest with his free hand.

He was obviously excited at the pretty lady in the pink Dress.

The husband, noticing the excitement, thought this was funny.

He suggested that his wife tease the poor fellow some more by puckering her lips and wiggling her bottom. She played along and the gorilla got even more excited, making noises that would wake the dead. Then the husband suggested that she let one of her

Straps fall to show a little more skin.

She did... And the gorilla was about to tear the bars down.

'Now... Show your thighs and sort of fan your dress at him,' he said. This drove the gorilla absolutely crazy, and he started doing flips.

Then the husband grabbed his wife, ripped open the door to the cage, flung her in with the gorilla and slammed the cage door shut.

'Now. Tell HIM you have a headache.'

Some goals for 2008

I know, resolutions are a "bad" word so I like to say "goals". Just a few random things I'd like to do/get done in 2008.

1. Read more. I say this every year...
2. See at least 20 live shows this year...
3. Sell crap on ebay, dvds, books..whatever..get it gone.
4. up my roth IRA again
5. Put the kayak in the water at least twice.
6. Play 18 holes of golf
7. Go to the beach at least once
8. Get re-certified with my Scuba licence
9. Ride my bike more
10. Sign up for, and take a spin class
11. Get the podcast version of FDF rolling again.

All the other crap too..eat better, drink more water, be nicer...yeah yeah yeah that too...

In the News.....

New York City is on track to have less than 500 homicides this year. The lowest since police began to keep track in 1963. - New York Times. (this was for 2007)

Out of the 2.12 million recreational parachute jumps in the US last year on 21 ended in death. In 2005 it was 27. - Wall St. Journal.

Louisiana is now the 3rd largest movie production center in the US behind California and New York. - Marketwatch.com

The Tucson Citizen Daily newspaper raised its newspaper price from 35 cents to $1.50 for its Thanksgiving edition of the paper. The increase "reflects the value of the giant sized advertising load" - Tucson Citizen

The Motion Picture Association of America has teamed with some Boy Scout Troops to offer merit badges to kids that respect copy write laws. - Forbes

There are only about 130 known pictures of President Abraham Lincoln. As recent as November 2007 two more have been found.

When King Juan Carlos of Spain told Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to "Shut up" during a recent summit, it became the most popular ring tone down load. A bout 500,000 people down loaded it in the first week.

Hubris, a restaurant in New York that introduced a gold laced $25,000 dessert as a publicity stunt was closed down by health inspectors. The kitchen was infested with live mice, flies, and cockroaches.

The surnames Garcia and Rodriguez have cracked the list of the 10 most common names in the nation according to the US Census Bureau - New York Times

Most dangerous city in the US? - Detroit, followed by St. Louis, Flint MI, Oakland, CA and Camden, NJ - Miami Herald

Nearly 4,700 soldiers deserted this year - a 42% increase over a year - Associated Press.

U.S Mobile phone users received an estimated 1.1 million spam text messages in 2007, up 38% since 2006 - Business week.

Canada's Royal Ontario Museum was looking for a rare skeleton of the 80 foot long Barosaurus. They found one, it was in storage at the museum since 1962.

A couple from Ontario Canada won $13,000 in the lottery, then the next day won 18.5 Million. The couple who live on a farm and "hate to fly" will stay where they are.

Housewives in America are now hosting "taser" parties to promote ownership of the crime fighting device.

The decline of smokers of in America has stalled. For 3 years running the the % of Americans who smoke has remained about 20.8%. Until 2004 it fell every year for 40 years. - Washington Post

One on four of the nations homeless is a veteran of the military. On any given night 196,000 veterans are sleeping on the street or homeless shelters. - Philadelphia Inquirer.

Of the 2 million soldiers sent from the US to fight in Europe on World War I, only one remains alive, Frank Buckles who is 106. - New York Times.

Progressive Auto insurance added a collision benefit for pets. Progressive will pay up to $500 if a customers pet is hurt or killed in an accident - Associated Press.

A State Liquor official in Utah is calling for restaurants that serve alcohol to cover up the bottles because some may be offended by the sight of alcohol.

The Whigs - cool band alert

Check out a really great mp3 for the song "Right Hand on My Heart" from the Athens, GA trio "The Whigs" right here

The band has an official page here
and a myspace page here

The band is set to release "Mission Control" on January 22nd. Pre-orders
here for a chance to get a 7 inch as well.

If you dig, check em on tour.

01/04 Macon, GA/ Hummingbird *
01/05 Augusta, GA/ Soul Bar *
01/09 Chattanooga, TN/ Rhythm & Brews
01/10 Knoxville, TN/ World Grotto
01/11 Birmingham, AL/ Bottletree
01/12 Memphis, TN/ HiTone
01/16 Auburn, AL/ Bourbon Street *
01/17 Oxford, MS/ Proud Larrys *
01/18 Hattiesburg, MS/ The Thirsty Hippo
01/19 Little Rock, AR/ Sticky Fingerz
01/25 Atlanta, GA/ The Earl =
01/26 Athens, GA/ 40 Watt
01/28 Late Show with David Letterman
01/30 Chapel Hill, NC/ Local 506
01/31 Baltimore, MD/ 8 X 10 #
02/01 Brooklyn, NY/ Music Hall of Williamsburg #
02/02 Philadelphia, PA/ Johnny Brenda's #
02/04 Buffalo, NY/ The Mohawk
02/05 Toronto, ON/ Horseshoe
02/06 Pontiac, MI/ Crofoot
02/07 Cincinnati, OH/ Madhatter
02/08 Cleveland, OH/ Grog Shop
02/09 Chicago, IL/ Shubas
02/12 Minneapolis, MN/ Varsity
02/13 Madison, WI/ Majestic
02/14 St. Louis, MO/ Creepy Crawl =
02/15 Indianapolis, IN/ Birdy's =
02/16 Milwaukee, WI/ Rave Bar =
02/22 Fayetteville, AR/ Majestic
02/23 Nashville, TN/ Mercy Lounge #
02/26 Asheville, NC/ Grey Eagle #
02/27 Charlotte, NC/ The Visulate #
02/28 Charlottesville, VA/ TBA #
03/01 Lexington, KY/ The Dame #
03/04 Omaha, NE/ Waiting Room #
03/06 Denver, CO/ Larimer Lounge #
03/07 Colorado Springs, CO/ TBA #
03/09 Albuquerque, NM/ Launchpad #
03/11 San Antonio, TX/ TBA #
# with the Spinto Band
* with Dead Confederate
= with Wax Fang

No Boston or Providence shows...yet.