I got the internets working and the time to type something, so here it goes
Hold on. I know I have something to say.
No...wait...oh, damn, I got nothing really.
Wolverine was a decent movie, but the special effects on the claws were laughable. LAUGHABLY BAD! That is inexcusable in today's world where special effects are beyond spectacular. This movie had a huge budget, yet the claws looked 1000 times better in the first Xmen movie, which came out 9 years ago! The rest of the movie was pretty decent though, despite the 107 minute run time.
Star Trek on the other hand, was PHENOMENAL! I was never a fan of Star Trek, but this movie is definitely a winner. It is a re-imagining of the original story, with a shit-ton more action and a good script. This movie may win over those (like myself) who previously hated the series, and with good reason. This movie rocks! Everyone played their parts exceptionally well. I didn't even know Eric Bana was the bad guy, Nero. I suggest everyone sees it, especially you Claudio. I know it'll make you go from 6 to midnight.
I am super excited for Terminator Salvation
I still hate my job
I also hate Sports Center's Top 10 not listing Jiri Hudler's goal from yesterday's Red Wings game anywhere in there. He slapped the puck out of the air for a goal. I don't watch SC very often, so if it's the Top 10 from today only, then that's just stupid. Fuck you, fuckers
Why is it that when I get deja vu, its always something stupid and insignificant? Why can't I get deja vu when I'm getting a BJ or something better?
Well, its time to sleep so I can get up for another day of bullshit
Showing posts with label Top 10. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Top 10. Show all posts
Monday, May 11, 2009
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Top 10 Simpsons Episodes
I found this article on AskMen.com and found it quite interesting. How do you select 10 episodes of one of the greatest shows of all time? I agree in some aspects of this but not all. What episodes do you think were left off? I definitely agree with Cape Feare as #1, that is one of my all-time favorite episodes. God, I cannot just pick one!! One is the Apu wedding and another is Jasper freezing himself. "Moon Pie! What a time to be alive."
I think I'm going to do my own Top episodes and/or quotes soon....excellent.
Oh, sorry for not answering my own questions, I post the question for you guys (usually at work) then I forget to go back and answer it myself. Whoops!
Cottonmouth, you will get your update my friend real soon! If I am bored at work, which is a good possibility lately, I will do a lot of blogging I think :)
I think I'm going to do my own Top episodes and/or quotes soon....excellent.
Oh, sorry for not answering my own questions, I post the question for you guys (usually at work) then I forget to go back and answer it myself. Whoops!
Cottonmouth, you will get your update my friend real soon! If I am bored at work, which is a good possibility lately, I will do a lot of blogging I think :)
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Bar Talk: Top 10 Favorite Bands of All Time
OK I know I'm way late but... I'm bored
Honorable Mentions
(To clarify this, I think all of these bands are amazing, but I'm reserving the top 10 for bands that I know most/all of their music and that I listen to continuously)
in no particular order:
The Beatles
Pink Floyd
Queen
Gorillaz
BT
Smashing Pumpkins
Silverchair
Minus the Bear
Ben Folds Five
Elliot Smith
Rufus Wainwright
Count Zero
(I know there's a lot, shut up!)
And NOW
the top 10
#11 Brand New - WHAT?! Mark's not allowed to do a top 11 is he?!?!?! Well here's the deal - in honesty, I listen to #11 more than I do #10 because I truly am a child of the nineties, but I strongly believe #10 is a better band. So that's how I justify it. Anyway...
#11 Brand New - I don't venture into the emo realm very often, but Brand New is a notable exception. Their lyrical ability shines on the band's second release, Deja Entendu, which proved that emo doesn't all have to be about crying over a break-up. Some song subjects range from a guy seducing a drunk girl in the wonderfully creepy "Me vs Maradona vs Elvis", to the loss of innocence in "Sic Transit Gloria: Glory Fades". Especially notable is their ability to write varied, accessible music. They're just an overall great band.
Favorite Song: Okay, I Believe You But My Tommy Gun Don't
#10 Led Zepplin - Hearing live recordings of them is just unbelievable. Their music defined a generation and influenced probably thousands of musicians afterwards. Never since Led Zepplin can we truly say that we gave the world rock gods. They weren't afraid to push the envelope, with songs ranging from the slow, introspective "No Quarter" to the epic "Achilles Last Stand" to the bluesy "Dazed and Confused. They could do it all - and that's exactly what they did.
Favorite Song: Kashmir
#9 Beck - From the moment I heard his first popular single, the mopey "Loser", I knew I would be a fan. Beck's music is everywhere, used as transition music on radio stations, in television specials, commercials - and the best part about that? His music has not suffered for commercial success. His singles are staples on most major radio stations, like "Where It's At", "The New Pollution", "Sexx Laws", "Beautiful Way", "E-Pro", "Devil's Haircut" - and the list goes on and on. Able to produce incresingly unique albums, while still keeping his trademark sound, Beck is liable to be around for a while. Also he uses crazy puppets in his live show. It is nuts.
Favorite Song: Get Real Paid
#8 The Mars Volta - This band is basically what you get when you combine punk, psychadelic, progressive rock, and a complete loss of grip on reality. Despite the difficult time one has understanding their lyrics (seeing as how they speak a mixed-up, schizophrenic version of English), their albums are always thought provoking, and follow a concept that people devote entire websites to translating from Mars Volta-speak to normal English. Having seen them live, they know how to put on a great show, love to jam and use obscene numbers of people to participate in the dense music making.
Favorite Song: Viscera Eyes
#7 DJ Shadow - Trip-Hop legend DJ Shadow is a force to behold when you see him live - emplosive and trippy images accompany his unbelievable turntable abilities. He is able to seamlessly integrate portions from certain tracks into others to give each live show a complete unique sound. Everything he attaches his name to is thought out from the first second to the last, and it's impossible to hear his music and not want to dance. I also include UNKLE's first album under this number, because 90% of it is courtesy of Shadow.
Favorite Song: The Number Song
#6 Nine Inch Nails - It is almost unfair for me to put this band on this list considering I only got into them less than a week ago, but it's honestly like this band is an addiction of mine. I have already bought three albums, and plan to buy the others soon. Every dark, grinding, emotional song gets into my head so intensely that I feel like my thoughts sound differently now. The music is so beautiful in its own unique way. Trent Reznor's ability to create a cohesive album is unparalleled, and I think that "The Downward Spiral" and "The Fragile" are the greatest concept albums I've ever heard. Bonus points for sheer musicality, using rhythms and tone colors Stravinsky would have envied. Give me a few months and this band may even move up a few spots...
Favorite Song: The Fragile
#5 Umphrey's McGee - In my opinion, the undisputed kings of the jam music scene. With hundreds of songs in their repertoire of original material, and another couple hundred covers, of everything from the Beatles to Toto to Smashing Pumpkins. They tour pretty much constantly throughtout the year, generally playing two to four hours of sweeping jams and mind-boggling guitar solos. They never play the same show twice, and every show is a completely different experience to the listener. Their studio albums, though underappreciated compared to their live act, are all tight and varied, with a great usage of the benefits of the studio.
Favorite Song: Bright Lights, Big City
#4 311 - Another band you just can't help but dance to. Their live show is awesome, their music is fun and funny, and every track across their eight major albums is amazing, and they have experienced basically no dip in popularity since their first big release almost fifteen years ago. Their singles are known my pretty much everyone everywhere, and they are known for their catchy infectious riffs. Can't wait to see them in a few weeks!
Favorite Song: Omaha Stylee
#3 Incubus - Another band on my list which went through a big change throughout their career, from their Primus-inspired roots to the pop-rock stardom they've achieved today. Incubus became a household name after their release of the single "Pardon Me", and since then have been dominating alternative radio stations with each release. The concert we attanded last thursday was absolutely unbelievable, busting out basically whatever they wanted from their whole career, including some amazing, guitar heavy songs from "A Crow Left of the Murder" along with their new favorites "Anna Molly" and "Dig". Brandon Boyd sings like an angel and is also hot as hell and likes to take his shirt off. :)
Favorite Song: Just a Phase
#2 Muse - Finally having shucked the critics' beliefs of being Radiohead wannabes, with their newest cd, Muse is basically on top of the world. They have had 15 singles on four albums, and are currently wowing crowds with their high impact live show. Their music is like minimalism meets angry rock. Especially on their sophomore release "Origin of Symmetry", lead singer Matt Bellamy is not afraid to scream and wail, in complete contrast to his normal vocal crooning or ridiculously high melodies (that rival even Freddie Mercury's range). Owing to their recent success, they have already announced a return to the studio for a new album, probably due out late next year. Thank God.
Favorite Song: Space Dementia
#1 Radiohead - are my idols. They have continuously reinvented themselves with cds that range from poppy acoustic songs to full blown techno, and yet when you hear them scroll through their repertoire in concert, they are so consistent in their sound that you'd never question that the songs belong to different genres. Thom Yorke sings amazingly, and there is not a track they've released (since their questionable premiere album, Pablo Honey) that I do not have the utmost respect for. This review also includes Thom Yorke's "The Eraser", which although is not part of the band's repertoire, still shares a lot of similarity with their b-sides.
Favorite Song: How To Disappear Completely
Honorable Mentions
(To clarify this, I think all of these bands are amazing, but I'm reserving the top 10 for bands that I know most/all of their music and that I listen to continuously)
in no particular order:
The Beatles
Pink Floyd
Queen
Gorillaz
BT
Smashing Pumpkins
Silverchair
Minus the Bear
Ben Folds Five
Elliot Smith
Rufus Wainwright
Count Zero
(I know there's a lot, shut up!)
And NOW
the top 10
#11 Brand New - WHAT?! Mark's not allowed to do a top 11 is he?!?!?! Well here's the deal - in honesty, I listen to #11 more than I do #10 because I truly am a child of the nineties, but I strongly believe #10 is a better band. So that's how I justify it. Anyway...
#11 Brand New - I don't venture into the emo realm very often, but Brand New is a notable exception. Their lyrical ability shines on the band's second release, Deja Entendu, which proved that emo doesn't all have to be about crying over a break-up. Some song subjects range from a guy seducing a drunk girl in the wonderfully creepy "Me vs Maradona vs Elvis", to the loss of innocence in "Sic Transit Gloria: Glory Fades". Especially notable is their ability to write varied, accessible music. They're just an overall great band.
Favorite Song: Okay, I Believe You But My Tommy Gun Don't
#10 Led Zepplin - Hearing live recordings of them is just unbelievable. Their music defined a generation and influenced probably thousands of musicians afterwards. Never since Led Zepplin can we truly say that we gave the world rock gods. They weren't afraid to push the envelope, with songs ranging from the slow, introspective "No Quarter" to the epic "Achilles Last Stand" to the bluesy "Dazed and Confused. They could do it all - and that's exactly what they did.
Favorite Song: Kashmir
#9 Beck - From the moment I heard his first popular single, the mopey "Loser", I knew I would be a fan. Beck's music is everywhere, used as transition music on radio stations, in television specials, commercials - and the best part about that? His music has not suffered for commercial success. His singles are staples on most major radio stations, like "Where It's At", "The New Pollution", "Sexx Laws", "Beautiful Way", "E-Pro", "Devil's Haircut" - and the list goes on and on. Able to produce incresingly unique albums, while still keeping his trademark sound, Beck is liable to be around for a while. Also he uses crazy puppets in his live show. It is nuts.
Favorite Song: Get Real Paid
#8 The Mars Volta - This band is basically what you get when you combine punk, psychadelic, progressive rock, and a complete loss of grip on reality. Despite the difficult time one has understanding their lyrics (seeing as how they speak a mixed-up, schizophrenic version of English), their albums are always thought provoking, and follow a concept that people devote entire websites to translating from Mars Volta-speak to normal English. Having seen them live, they know how to put on a great show, love to jam and use obscene numbers of people to participate in the dense music making.
Favorite Song: Viscera Eyes
#7 DJ Shadow - Trip-Hop legend DJ Shadow is a force to behold when you see him live - emplosive and trippy images accompany his unbelievable turntable abilities. He is able to seamlessly integrate portions from certain tracks into others to give each live show a complete unique sound. Everything he attaches his name to is thought out from the first second to the last, and it's impossible to hear his music and not want to dance. I also include UNKLE's first album under this number, because 90% of it is courtesy of Shadow.
Favorite Song: The Number Song
#6 Nine Inch Nails - It is almost unfair for me to put this band on this list considering I only got into them less than a week ago, but it's honestly like this band is an addiction of mine. I have already bought three albums, and plan to buy the others soon. Every dark, grinding, emotional song gets into my head so intensely that I feel like my thoughts sound differently now. The music is so beautiful in its own unique way. Trent Reznor's ability to create a cohesive album is unparalleled, and I think that "The Downward Spiral" and "The Fragile" are the greatest concept albums I've ever heard. Bonus points for sheer musicality, using rhythms and tone colors Stravinsky would have envied. Give me a few months and this band may even move up a few spots...
Favorite Song: The Fragile
#5 Umphrey's McGee - In my opinion, the undisputed kings of the jam music scene. With hundreds of songs in their repertoire of original material, and another couple hundred covers, of everything from the Beatles to Toto to Smashing Pumpkins. They tour pretty much constantly throughtout the year, generally playing two to four hours of sweeping jams and mind-boggling guitar solos. They never play the same show twice, and every show is a completely different experience to the listener. Their studio albums, though underappreciated compared to their live act, are all tight and varied, with a great usage of the benefits of the studio.
Favorite Song: Bright Lights, Big City
#4 311 - Another band you just can't help but dance to. Their live show is awesome, their music is fun and funny, and every track across their eight major albums is amazing, and they have experienced basically no dip in popularity since their first big release almost fifteen years ago. Their singles are known my pretty much everyone everywhere, and they are known for their catchy infectious riffs. Can't wait to see them in a few weeks!
Favorite Song: Omaha Stylee
#3 Incubus - Another band on my list which went through a big change throughout their career, from their Primus-inspired roots to the pop-rock stardom they've achieved today. Incubus became a household name after their release of the single "Pardon Me", and since then have been dominating alternative radio stations with each release. The concert we attanded last thursday was absolutely unbelievable, busting out basically whatever they wanted from their whole career, including some amazing, guitar heavy songs from "A Crow Left of the Murder" along with their new favorites "Anna Molly" and "Dig". Brandon Boyd sings like an angel and is also hot as hell and likes to take his shirt off. :)
Favorite Song: Just a Phase
#2 Muse - Finally having shucked the critics' beliefs of being Radiohead wannabes, with their newest cd, Muse is basically on top of the world. They have had 15 singles on four albums, and are currently wowing crowds with their high impact live show. Their music is like minimalism meets angry rock. Especially on their sophomore release "Origin of Symmetry", lead singer Matt Bellamy is not afraid to scream and wail, in complete contrast to his normal vocal crooning or ridiculously high melodies (that rival even Freddie Mercury's range). Owing to their recent success, they have already announced a return to the studio for a new album, probably due out late next year. Thank God.
Favorite Song: Space Dementia
#1 Radiohead - are my idols. They have continuously reinvented themselves with cds that range from poppy acoustic songs to full blown techno, and yet when you hear them scroll through their repertoire in concert, they are so consistent in their sound that you'd never question that the songs belong to different genres. Thom Yorke sings amazingly, and there is not a track they've released (since their questionable premiere album, Pablo Honey) that I do not have the utmost respect for. This review also includes Thom Yorke's "The Eraser", which although is not part of the band's repertoire, still shares a lot of similarity with their b-sides.
Favorite Song: How To Disappear Completely
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Bar Talk: Top 10 Favorite Bands of All Time
We all have our favorite bands, ones that we will listen to when we are excited, when we are depressed, when we are just relaxing, or when we simply want to sing. These are the bands that have always done those things for me. Nothing beats driving with the windows down, the bass up, the music blaring, and singing every lyric to every song. That, my friends, is heaven. I will never be able to do this list justice as there are many bands that deserve to be listed, but to me these bands are ones I can always turn on when I simply want to drive and jam.
10. 311
This band mixes many different types of music from hip hop to punk rock to funk. Yet without failure they can play you a slow song (i.e. a cover of the Cure's "Love Song") also. Having seen the band in concert twice (with #3 coming next month) they have won me over on some songs I did not like otherwise. Plus without a doubt anyone who listens to their music would love nothing more than to go to one "311 day" (Held March 11) in New Orleans is out of their fucking mind.
Favorite song: I'll Be Here Awhile
9. Ozzy Osbourne
I agree with Hock that the man cannot speak English (nor speak period) very well but when he sings you listen. The man has made some of the most recognizable songs in history either by himself or with Black Sabbath. He commands respect when he stands at that microphone...plus he is just a little south of crazy. Ozzfest is also a concert I would love to attend one day, just to say that I did.
Favorite song: Perry Mason
8. Incubus
I've never been the biggest Incubus fan you will ever see but dammit if they don't suck me in every single time I put on a song. From "Make Yourself" to "Light Grenades" Incubus has found new ways to top the charts year in and year out. Incubus also does a fantastic job with their DVD releases of their live concerts (one of which I own: "Live at Red Rocks"). I have also seen them live several times (with Hock) and we are in agreement that they can rock like nobody else.
Favorite song: Privilege
7. Fuel
This was the first band I ever saw in concert and they will always hold a special place in my heart for that. It was St. Andrews Hall in Detroit and they blew the roof off. There is not one song on their CD Natural Selection that will find you not wanting to turn up the volume and rock to it. Brett Scallions as the voice of Fuel will be missed, as he departed the band last year, but he left us with some fantastic songs like "Hemorrhage (In My Hands)", "Sunburn", and "Bad Day." Now the torch is passed to Toryn Green (former lead singer of Something To Burn) who takes the reins of a band that has a wonderful future ahead of them. If you want to hear their new stuff with the new lead singer, the new CD "Angels and Devils" will be coming out August 7, 2007 and their new single "Wasted Time" is currently out on the radio and iTunes.
Favorite song: Sunburn & Hemorrhage (In My Hands)
6. Linkin Park
There is something about this band that simply makes them one of my favorites but it is difficult to pinpoint just one reason. I have not seen them in concert (yet) but the first CD I owned "Hybrid Theory" was one that first turned me onto the band. This was the time I was coming into touch with hard rock and they were a definition of that with songs like "Crawling" and "One Step Closer." The continued to win me over with their mixture of guitars, keyboards, and drums with their CD "Meteora" and songs like "Breaking the Habit" and "Numb." The new CD "Minutes to Midnight" was several years in the making, and time spent by me upset a new CD was not out, but was worth the wait. When Chester and Mike stand up at the microphone, either together or separate, I know that we are ready to rock.
Favorite song: Leave Out All The Rest
5. Aerosmith
I know that some of you reading this who know me may be surprised by this one. This is one of the bands that I grew up listening to with my dad before I knew what music I really liked. I remember sitting in the backseat driving to the Detroit Lions games and singing "Love In An Elevator." True, I did not know all the words, but something about that song, and many others, had me tappin' my toes and ready to sing. Aerosmith has defined many generations of music and continue to do so, or at least try, to this day. Steven Tyler's voice is unmistakable and Joe Perry's guitar skills are unbelievable. Aerosmith has entertained fans for many years and they released their first album almost ten years before I was even born! They are currently working on their 15th studio album, slated for release next year.
Favorite song: Love In An Elevator
4. Queen
I would have liked to put this band lower on my list but I would feel that would not do the lower ones, that I have liked for longer, justice. That is not to take a single thing away from this terrific band. They have been a mainstay of pop culture and music for a very long time. Unfortunately their band is linked with another singer who left us too soon in Freddie Mercury. AIDS awareness was raised by his death, so it was not in vain. Hearing Mercury's voice with Brian May on guitar and Roger Taylor on drums is enough to make you pay attention. The band found new life with Paul Rodgers after Mercury's death and, from what I hear, will be producing a new album and will tour again in 2008!
Favorite song (with Mercury): Fat Bottomed Girls
Favorite song (with Rodgers): The Show Must Go On
3. Rascal Flatts
Here resides my country section of the Top 10. A major reason for my liking of this band is the fact that I was not the one to discover it for myself. An ex of mine turned me onto this band while we were dating and it has stuck with me ever since. They have released four major CDs in their years together and I could probably sing you every song off of every one. Gary, Jay, and Joe Don have grown with each album yet their overall sound has remained true to form. When you cannot pick one single song as your favorite (don't worry I will) because you are torn amongst ten, that says something about how much this band gets to you. Also, I have seen them in concert several times and have never been disappointed.
Favorite song: Waiting All My Life
2. Metallica
The band that defines heavy metal, it does not get much better than that. Hetfield's vocals are a definition and a staple of Metallica and it's fans. I grew up with this band as well, listening to the Black album in the backseat of my dad's car. "King Nothing" was constantly sung by my brother and I. This band has been through death, alcoholism, drugs, and new band mates and yet has survived to produce some of the greatest music ever written. The guitar solos are simply amazing to listen to and Lars on the drums always keeps the beat going in every song. I agree with Hock when he mentioned the "Mandatory Metallica" makes the band just that great.
Favorite song: King Nothing
1. Disturbed
They simply rock. Down to my core and those of their loyal and adoring fans. I have seen them live several times also and they never cease to amaze me, especially this last years performance at Cobo Arena in Detroit. This was shortly after the release of their latest album "Ten Thousand Fists" and the pyrotechnics, the lights, and the stage were absolutely fantastic. They got everyone on their feet, except maybe Kiznox, on every song. For those fans of the band you know there is nothing better than rockin' out to "Down With The Sickness" live and in living color, or even on your own at home. They are my favorite hard rock band and they continue to amaze me with every new CD.
Favorite song: Stupify
Honorable mention: 12 Stones, System of a Down, Green Day, Alice in Chains, ZZ Top
10. 311
This band mixes many different types of music from hip hop to punk rock to funk. Yet without failure they can play you a slow song (i.e. a cover of the Cure's "Love Song") also. Having seen the band in concert twice (with #3 coming next month) they have won me over on some songs I did not like otherwise. Plus without a doubt anyone who listens to their music would love nothing more than to go to one "311 day" (Held March 11) in New Orleans is out of their fucking mind.
Favorite song: I'll Be Here Awhile
9. Ozzy Osbourne
I agree with Hock that the man cannot speak English (nor speak period) very well but when he sings you listen. The man has made some of the most recognizable songs in history either by himself or with Black Sabbath. He commands respect when he stands at that microphone...plus he is just a little south of crazy. Ozzfest is also a concert I would love to attend one day, just to say that I did.
Favorite song: Perry Mason
8. Incubus
I've never been the biggest Incubus fan you will ever see but dammit if they don't suck me in every single time I put on a song. From "Make Yourself" to "Light Grenades" Incubus has found new ways to top the charts year in and year out. Incubus also does a fantastic job with their DVD releases of their live concerts (one of which I own: "Live at Red Rocks"). I have also seen them live several times (with Hock) and we are in agreement that they can rock like nobody else.
Favorite song: Privilege
7. Fuel
This was the first band I ever saw in concert and they will always hold a special place in my heart for that. It was St. Andrews Hall in Detroit and they blew the roof off. There is not one song on their CD Natural Selection that will find you not wanting to turn up the volume and rock to it. Brett Scallions as the voice of Fuel will be missed, as he departed the band last year, but he left us with some fantastic songs like "Hemorrhage (In My Hands)", "Sunburn", and "Bad Day." Now the torch is passed to Toryn Green (former lead singer of Something To Burn) who takes the reins of a band that has a wonderful future ahead of them. If you want to hear their new stuff with the new lead singer, the new CD "Angels and Devils" will be coming out August 7, 2007 and their new single "Wasted Time" is currently out on the radio and iTunes.
Favorite song: Sunburn & Hemorrhage (In My Hands)
6. Linkin Park
There is something about this band that simply makes them one of my favorites but it is difficult to pinpoint just one reason. I have not seen them in concert (yet) but the first CD I owned "Hybrid Theory" was one that first turned me onto the band. This was the time I was coming into touch with hard rock and they were a definition of that with songs like "Crawling" and "One Step Closer." The continued to win me over with their mixture of guitars, keyboards, and drums with their CD "Meteora" and songs like "Breaking the Habit" and "Numb." The new CD "Minutes to Midnight" was several years in the making, and time spent by me upset a new CD was not out, but was worth the wait. When Chester and Mike stand up at the microphone, either together or separate, I know that we are ready to rock.
Favorite song: Leave Out All The Rest
5. Aerosmith
I know that some of you reading this who know me may be surprised by this one. This is one of the bands that I grew up listening to with my dad before I knew what music I really liked. I remember sitting in the backseat driving to the Detroit Lions games and singing "Love In An Elevator." True, I did not know all the words, but something about that song, and many others, had me tappin' my toes and ready to sing. Aerosmith has defined many generations of music and continue to do so, or at least try, to this day. Steven Tyler's voice is unmistakable and Joe Perry's guitar skills are unbelievable. Aerosmith has entertained fans for many years and they released their first album almost ten years before I was even born! They are currently working on their 15th studio album, slated for release next year.
Favorite song: Love In An Elevator
4. Queen
I would have liked to put this band lower on my list but I would feel that would not do the lower ones, that I have liked for longer, justice. That is not to take a single thing away from this terrific band. They have been a mainstay of pop culture and music for a very long time. Unfortunately their band is linked with another singer who left us too soon in Freddie Mercury. AIDS awareness was raised by his death, so it was not in vain. Hearing Mercury's voice with Brian May on guitar and Roger Taylor on drums is enough to make you pay attention. The band found new life with Paul Rodgers after Mercury's death and, from what I hear, will be producing a new album and will tour again in 2008!
Favorite song (with Mercury): Fat Bottomed Girls
Favorite song (with Rodgers): The Show Must Go On
3. Rascal Flatts
Here resides my country section of the Top 10. A major reason for my liking of this band is the fact that I was not the one to discover it for myself. An ex of mine turned me onto this band while we were dating and it has stuck with me ever since. They have released four major CDs in their years together and I could probably sing you every song off of every one. Gary, Jay, and Joe Don have grown with each album yet their overall sound has remained true to form. When you cannot pick one single song as your favorite (don't worry I will) because you are torn amongst ten, that says something about how much this band gets to you. Also, I have seen them in concert several times and have never been disappointed.
Favorite song: Waiting All My Life
2. Metallica
The band that defines heavy metal, it does not get much better than that. Hetfield's vocals are a definition and a staple of Metallica and it's fans. I grew up with this band as well, listening to the Black album in the backseat of my dad's car. "King Nothing" was constantly sung by my brother and I. This band has been through death, alcoholism, drugs, and new band mates and yet has survived to produce some of the greatest music ever written. The guitar solos are simply amazing to listen to and Lars on the drums always keeps the beat going in every song. I agree with Hock when he mentioned the "Mandatory Metallica" makes the band just that great.
Favorite song: King Nothing
1. Disturbed
They simply rock. Down to my core and those of their loyal and adoring fans. I have seen them live several times also and they never cease to amaze me, especially this last years performance at Cobo Arena in Detroit. This was shortly after the release of their latest album "Ten Thousand Fists" and the pyrotechnics, the lights, and the stage were absolutely fantastic. They got everyone on their feet, except maybe Kiznox, on every song. For those fans of the band you know there is nothing better than rockin' out to "Down With The Sickness" live and in living color, or even on your own at home. They are my favorite hard rock band and they continue to amaze me with every new CD.
Favorite song: Stupify
Honorable mention: 12 Stones, System of a Down, Green Day, Alice in Chains, ZZ Top
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Top 10 Television Shows (Part 2)
The time has come for Part 2 of my wonderfully amazing take on television shows. I know you were all on the edge of your seats wondering what would make the Top 5...well wait no longer! I give you the Top 5 television shows...at least in my eyes.
5. That 70's Show (Weekdays on FX and the CW - syndication) :
I wasn't around for the 70's and I hear it was a damn good time indeed. Well here is your chance to live in the 70's with a wide variety of characters and the most stereotypical (yet true) acts of the age. Come if you will to Point Place, Wisconsin and main character Eric Forman's basement. This is where most of the show originates from and usually most episodes begin. The cast of characters (and I mean that in every sense of the word) include Forman himself (Topher Grace as a skinny, somewhat awkward teenager), Stephen Hyde (Danny Masterson as a hard-rocking stoner who lives in Forman's basement and Forman's best friend), Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon as Forman's girlfriend and next door neighbor), Michael Kelso (Ashton Kutcher as a narcissistic ladies man), Jackie Burkhart (Mila Kunis as a wealthy teenager who is preoccupied with how beautiful and bossy she is), and Fez (Wilmer Valderrama as a foreigner from a far away country who is looking to score with anything that moves). Together these group of teenagers, along with their families, go on adventure after adventure figuring out what to do with their lives, hooking up with each other, and being there for each other. The reason I say that it takes you back to the 70's is that there are so many references to Nixon, wars including the Korean War and battle of Iwo Jima, as well as the infamous pot smoking that occurs pretty much anywhere anytime, but usually in Forman's basement. These moments of the show are referred to as "The Circle" in which four of the teens (sometimes with others like Forman's sister or stoner Leo would be there) would be sitting in a circle smoking pot and the camera would move to one of them at a time while they would have a conversation about something totally off the wall. The series ended May 18, 2006 after 8 seasons on Fox. The show has done well in syndication and continues to shine on DVD releases.
4. Scrubs (Thursdays @ 9:30pm on NBC) :
This show, which has become one of my favorites thanks to syndication on Comedy Central, focuses on the lives of several characters working at fictional Sacred Heart Hospital. The main character, John "J.D." Michael Dorian (played by Zach Braff) is the narrator of every episode except seven. He stars as an intern at the beginning before moving onto resident and currently an attending physician at the hospital. J.D. is a nerdy character known by most to be quite the geek. He is best friends with Surgical Attending Physician Christopher Turk (Donald Faison), who is married to Nurse Carla Espinosa (Judy Reyes). Other characters on the show include Dr. Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke) whom J.D. has been in and out of relationships with throughout the course of the show, Dr. Robert "Bob" Kelso (Ken Jenkins) who is the Chief of Medicine at the hospital, the Janitor (Neil Flynn) who is obviously a Janitor who loves to torture and kid with J.D. (appears in every episode but one), and Dr. Percival "Perry" Cox (John McGinley) who is an Attending Physician, Residency Director, J.D.'s mentor, and overall bad ass motherfucker. If you ever want to hear a good rant or just see someone who loves to argue and be cruel watch Dr. Cox call J.D. a girl's name or have him battle the wits with Dr. Kelso. Some guest stars have included Colin Farrell, Tara Reid (J.D.'s girlfriend on and off as well), and Brendan Fraser (Dr. Cox's brother-in-law and best friend). Scrubs will conclude it's seventh and final season this fall.
3. Family Guy (Sundays @ 9pm on Fox) :
Welcome to Quahog, Rhode Island and the home of the Griffin family. Created by Seth MacFarlane (who voices many of the animated characters), the Griffin family consists of father Peter (MacFarlane), mother Lois (Alex Borstein), sons Stewie (MacFarlane) and Chris (Seth Green), daughter Meg (Mila Kunis), and pet dog Brian (MacFarlane). The show revolves around the antics of Peter, his family, and the surrounding Quahog neighborhood. The show constantly references pop culture as well as just simple family daily life, from learning to drive to throwing a birthday party for Stewie. Family Guy is probably best known for it's use of flashbacks and random antics that are brought up by the characters. There are typically about five to seven of these occurrences per episode. Overall between the Griffin family as well as supporting characters like Quagmire, Cleveland, and the Swansons, Family Guy has become a hilarious show that will touch on most anything in the world. They gained fame early on before falling out and being cancelled by Fox a few years back but due to their huge commercial success on DVD release the show was brought back and is here to stay!
2. House (Tuesdays @ 9pm on Fox) :
I was originally going to put this as the number 1 show but the more I thought about it, plus I got a few choice words from Hock last night, I figured that even though this show is the best show on TV at the moment, it is not the greatest television show...at least not yet. House is a medical drama series starring Hugh Laurie as the infamous Dr. Gregory House. Dr. House is the head of Princeton Plainsboro's Department of Diagnostic Medicine who specializes in infectious diseases and nephrology (kidneys). Although those are his specialties he appears to be an expert in almost anything medicine related. Along with his "residents" Dr. House diagnoses and treats patients that no one else can seem to diagnose. The doctors that "help" him with these patients are Dr. Eric Foreman (Omar Epps), Dr. Allison Cameron (Jennifer Morrison), and Dr. Robert Chase (Jesse Spencer). I say "help" because it is shown in every episode that these doctors run the tests, take the medical history, and relay the information to the patients while Dr. House sits back, seemingly already able to diagnose the problem. He is best friends with Dr. James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard), an oncologist who frequently provides aid to Dr. House and, it has been noted, that Dr. Wilson may be House's only true friend. Keeping all of these doctors in line is Dr. Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edlestein) who is the Dean of Medicine at the hospital. House, as a show, has been the winner of Emmy awards, Peabody awards, Golden Globe awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2007 for Laurie. It is not hard to see just how special this show is. Dr. House as a character is someone who encompasses a wide range of emotions without every actually showing any of them. He may not show them but his fellow doctors and his patients show them, and Dr. House is always there to tell them exactly what is wrong with why they feel this way. Sometimes it is philosophical and sometimes it is just plain common sense. Either way there is nothing better than sitting in front of my TV and watching Dr. House deal with another mysterious illness and watch him masterfully work to cure it.
1. The Simpsons (Sundays @ 8pm on Fox) :
What other show could you honestly choose in this spot? It is the definition of television history and it is embedded as such in our minds. From the show's debut on December 17, 1989 to present day, the Simpson family has graced our homes every Sunday night. On May 20, 2007 "The Simpsons" ended their eighteenth season with their 400th episode. There is a cast of seemingly thousands on "The Simpsons" regular episodes. The main family, which needs no introduction, includes Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart, and Maggie. They are your typical American family with two pets, three children and a house but they are very atypical in their daily lives. Only on "The Simpsons" could you constantly not show up for work because you feel like doing something else that day. Only on "The Simpsons" could you go every place imaginable (US states and foreign countries) at the drop of a hat when your family is seemingly getting by financially day by day. Only on "The Simpsons" could you be transported into a life ripe with trials and tribulations that most of us are glad we never encounter but still in some way, shape, or form we can relate almost any episode to our individual lives. I am a Simpsons nerd by all interpretations of that phrase and I can honestly say that there have been seemingly endless occurrences where I can relate something that just happened in my life and immediately think back and say that "The Simpsons" touched on that topic in one way or another. In the end, that is the definition of a fantastic show. It is what all shows strive to do and unfortunately not many accomplish. That is the reason that "The Simpsons" has been around for so many years and that is why I believe this show is, by far, the greatest show ever created.
There you have it. The Top 10 Television Shows of my time. You may agree or you may disagree, in the end we all have our own opinions on the subject. There are some that I will agree are not for everyone, but if you watch an episode of any of these shows I dare you not to tell me you cannot see the goodness in what they try to accomplish and why they are found funny or entertaining by most people. Television finds new and exciting ways to entertain us and keep us glued to our seats every day of the week. These shows do that for me every week without fail. Which ones keep you glued? Let us know.
5. That 70's Show (Weekdays on FX and the CW - syndication) :
I wasn't around for the 70's and I hear it was a damn good time indeed. Well here is your chance to live in the 70's with a wide variety of characters and the most stereotypical (yet true) acts of the age. Come if you will to Point Place, Wisconsin and main character Eric Forman's basement. This is where most of the show originates from and usually most episodes begin. The cast of characters (and I mean that in every sense of the word) include Forman himself (Topher Grace as a skinny, somewhat awkward teenager), Stephen Hyde (Danny Masterson as a hard-rocking stoner who lives in Forman's basement and Forman's best friend), Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon as Forman's girlfriend and next door neighbor), Michael Kelso (Ashton Kutcher as a narcissistic ladies man), Jackie Burkhart (Mila Kunis as a wealthy teenager who is preoccupied with how beautiful and bossy she is), and Fez (Wilmer Valderrama as a foreigner from a far away country who is looking to score with anything that moves). Together these group of teenagers, along with their families, go on adventure after adventure figuring out what to do with their lives, hooking up with each other, and being there for each other. The reason I say that it takes you back to the 70's is that there are so many references to Nixon, wars including the Korean War and battle of Iwo Jima, as well as the infamous pot smoking that occurs pretty much anywhere anytime, but usually in Forman's basement. These moments of the show are referred to as "The Circle" in which four of the teens (sometimes with others like Forman's sister or stoner Leo would be there) would be sitting in a circle smoking pot and the camera would move to one of them at a time while they would have a conversation about something totally off the wall. The series ended May 18, 2006 after 8 seasons on Fox. The show has done well in syndication and continues to shine on DVD releases.
4. Scrubs (Thursdays @ 9:30pm on NBC) :
This show, which has become one of my favorites thanks to syndication on Comedy Central, focuses on the lives of several characters working at fictional Sacred Heart Hospital. The main character, John "J.D." Michael Dorian (played by Zach Braff) is the narrator of every episode except seven. He stars as an intern at the beginning before moving onto resident and currently an attending physician at the hospital. J.D. is a nerdy character known by most to be quite the geek. He is best friends with Surgical Attending Physician Christopher Turk (Donald Faison), who is married to Nurse Carla Espinosa (Judy Reyes). Other characters on the show include Dr. Elliot Reid (Sarah Chalke) whom J.D. has been in and out of relationships with throughout the course of the show, Dr. Robert "Bob" Kelso (Ken Jenkins) who is the Chief of Medicine at the hospital, the Janitor (Neil Flynn) who is obviously a Janitor who loves to torture and kid with J.D. (appears in every episode but one), and Dr. Percival "Perry" Cox (John McGinley) who is an Attending Physician, Residency Director, J.D.'s mentor, and overall bad ass motherfucker. If you ever want to hear a good rant or just see someone who loves to argue and be cruel watch Dr. Cox call J.D. a girl's name or have him battle the wits with Dr. Kelso. Some guest stars have included Colin Farrell, Tara Reid (J.D.'s girlfriend on and off as well), and Brendan Fraser (Dr. Cox's brother-in-law and best friend). Scrubs will conclude it's seventh and final season this fall.
3. Family Guy (Sundays @ 9pm on Fox) :
Welcome to Quahog, Rhode Island and the home of the Griffin family. Created by Seth MacFarlane (who voices many of the animated characters), the Griffin family consists of father Peter (MacFarlane), mother Lois (Alex Borstein), sons Stewie (MacFarlane) and Chris (Seth Green), daughter Meg (Mila Kunis), and pet dog Brian (MacFarlane). The show revolves around the antics of Peter, his family, and the surrounding Quahog neighborhood. The show constantly references pop culture as well as just simple family daily life, from learning to drive to throwing a birthday party for Stewie. Family Guy is probably best known for it's use of flashbacks and random antics that are brought up by the characters. There are typically about five to seven of these occurrences per episode. Overall between the Griffin family as well as supporting characters like Quagmire, Cleveland, and the Swansons, Family Guy has become a hilarious show that will touch on most anything in the world. They gained fame early on before falling out and being cancelled by Fox a few years back but due to their huge commercial success on DVD release the show was brought back and is here to stay!
2. House (Tuesdays @ 9pm on Fox) :
I was originally going to put this as the number 1 show but the more I thought about it, plus I got a few choice words from Hock last night, I figured that even though this show is the best show on TV at the moment, it is not the greatest television show...at least not yet. House is a medical drama series starring Hugh Laurie as the infamous Dr. Gregory House. Dr. House is the head of Princeton Plainsboro's Department of Diagnostic Medicine who specializes in infectious diseases and nephrology (kidneys). Although those are his specialties he appears to be an expert in almost anything medicine related. Along with his "residents" Dr. House diagnoses and treats patients that no one else can seem to diagnose. The doctors that "help" him with these patients are Dr. Eric Foreman (Omar Epps), Dr. Allison Cameron (Jennifer Morrison), and Dr. Robert Chase (Jesse Spencer). I say "help" because it is shown in every episode that these doctors run the tests, take the medical history, and relay the information to the patients while Dr. House sits back, seemingly already able to diagnose the problem. He is best friends with Dr. James Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard), an oncologist who frequently provides aid to Dr. House and, it has been noted, that Dr. Wilson may be House's only true friend. Keeping all of these doctors in line is Dr. Lisa Cuddy (Lisa Edlestein) who is the Dean of Medicine at the hospital. House, as a show, has been the winner of Emmy awards, Peabody awards, Golden Globe awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2007 for Laurie. It is not hard to see just how special this show is. Dr. House as a character is someone who encompasses a wide range of emotions without every actually showing any of them. He may not show them but his fellow doctors and his patients show them, and Dr. House is always there to tell them exactly what is wrong with why they feel this way. Sometimes it is philosophical and sometimes it is just plain common sense. Either way there is nothing better than sitting in front of my TV and watching Dr. House deal with another mysterious illness and watch him masterfully work to cure it.
1. The Simpsons (Sundays @ 8pm on Fox) :
What other show could you honestly choose in this spot? It is the definition of television history and it is embedded as such in our minds. From the show's debut on December 17, 1989 to present day, the Simpson family has graced our homes every Sunday night. On May 20, 2007 "The Simpsons" ended their eighteenth season with their 400th episode. There is a cast of seemingly thousands on "The Simpsons" regular episodes. The main family, which needs no introduction, includes Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart, and Maggie. They are your typical American family with two pets, three children and a house but they are very atypical in their daily lives. Only on "The Simpsons" could you constantly not show up for work because you feel like doing something else that day. Only on "The Simpsons" could you go every place imaginable (US states and foreign countries) at the drop of a hat when your family is seemingly getting by financially day by day. Only on "The Simpsons" could you be transported into a life ripe with trials and tribulations that most of us are glad we never encounter but still in some way, shape, or form we can relate almost any episode to our individual lives. I am a Simpsons nerd by all interpretations of that phrase and I can honestly say that there have been seemingly endless occurrences where I can relate something that just happened in my life and immediately think back and say that "The Simpsons" touched on that topic in one way or another. In the end, that is the definition of a fantastic show. It is what all shows strive to do and unfortunately not many accomplish. That is the reason that "The Simpsons" has been around for so many years and that is why I believe this show is, by far, the greatest show ever created.
There you have it. The Top 10 Television Shows of my time. You may agree or you may disagree, in the end we all have our own opinions on the subject. There are some that I will agree are not for everyone, but if you watch an episode of any of these shows I dare you not to tell me you cannot see the goodness in what they try to accomplish and why they are found funny or entertaining by most people. Television finds new and exciting ways to entertain us and keep us glued to our seats every day of the week. These shows do that for me every week without fail. Which ones keep you glued? Let us know.
Bar Talk: Top 10 Favorite Bands of All Time...
As stated by Hock, these bands reflect our personal views. I am guessing that most people are going to disagree with my choices for Top 10 Bands but I am willing to deal with that because I dont like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Yep. I am drawing a direct correlation between the kind of music I enjoy and the fact that those sandwiches taste awful to me. That said, I give you my Top 10 Favorite Bands of All Time. Ever.
10-Regina Spektor
Russian-born American singer-songwriter and Pianist. This amazing woman has the talent to make magic out of 4 notes and a solid beat with lyrics that transcend the simplistic rhythm of much of todays music. Her ability to intertwine nonsense with metaphor, gibberish with reality, and crackling notes with extreme high pitch opens doors to my imagination I never knew I could have. I have been lucky enough to see her in concert once and though the crowd was probably 25 strong she gave us everything that any music lover could have hoped for.
Favorite Song: Samson
9-Old 97's
"Alt-Country" band from Dallas, Texas, taking their name from the Johnny Cash song, "Wreck of the Old 97", make their way to this list with inspired songs such as "Bird in a Cage" and "Question". (which is possibly one of my favorite two and a half minutes of music ever.) They rock fairly softly but manage to kick out a few classy riffs, with scratchy vocals and an obvious Texan attitude. Rhett Miller, the band's lead singer, has recently stepped out on his own to record a couple of albums. Though, not as good as when with the band, even these are worth a listen.
Favorite Song: Question
8-Jason Mraz
Singer-songwriter with an amazing ability to cover some of the greatest songs of all time and add just a bit of his own touch, usually producing a better sound than the origional. Much of his music has a bit of twang to it, but the real kicker is his voice. I dont know of too many other singers that have the range that Mraz has, and he proves it every time he belts out "Ave Maria". Saw him live at one of the most awkward concerts of my life, (long story) and once the broad shut up it was fucking amazing. He covered "Tiny Dancer" and rocked it out for about 8 minutes. Beautiful.
Favorite Song: Plane
7-The White Stripes
One of the few amazing things to come from Detroit in a very long time, this dynamic duo is about as amazing as simple rock gets. Everything they do can be summed up with that word, "Simple". What the fuck else are you going to classify these two with? I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of "Icky Thump", especially since 89x played the entire CD on the radio a few weeks ago. I didnt get to listen to the whole thing, but man, what I did hear was amazing. Always a great band to listen to when you want to get pumped up.
Favorite Song: Seven Nation Army
6-The Beatles
What can I say? I'm a total sucker for "Abbey Road". Definitely would have loved to see this band live. In fact, this probably would have made one of my all time favorite memories...but alas, I am way too young to have seen them. The first Beatles song that I listened to was "Yellow Submarine" and that was the moment that I fell in love with these 4 Brit-Pop artists with a penchant for long hair, beards, and occasionally going shoeless.
Favorite Song: Lady Madonna
5-Incubus
Here is a band that has gone through many changes over the years. Initially sounding very garage-punk mixed with DJ beats and scratches, moving toward experimental rock after recording "Science", and finally coming into their own with the amazing album "Make Yourself". Though my personal favorites are "Morning View" and "Crow to the Left of Murder", every CD that these guys record is amazing in its own right. Never sticking to what they know, they are constantly evolving and pushing the limits of themselves. I have yet to see them live, but as long as they dont cancel this concert I'll be seeing them this July.
Favorite Song: Southern Girl
4-Andrew Bird
American musician, songwriter, whistler, and multi-instrumentalist, Andrew Bird is pretty much the fucking shit. This is one of the few people who I listen to without any inclination to analyze the lyrics. Though, the times that I have done so have yielded some pretty interesting results. His music is difficult to describe but I will say that every note seems hand-picked, as if the man has put his entire being into each and every moment of music. Bird's ability to whistle is nothing to balk at, as he can reach higher notes than most violins. Next time he comes to town, which wont be soon, I plan on seeing him tripped out of my mind.
Favorite Song: A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left
3-Jamie Cullum
This English jazz/pop pianist and singer-songwriter won me over with his CD "Twentysomething" and etched his way into my top 3 by playing the most amazing concert that I have ever been to, and probably ever will be part of. Amazing vocals, an incredible talent with the piano, and the ability to take a 3 minute song and turn it into 15 minutes of mind-blowing awesomeness are what make Cullum one of my absolute favorites.
Favorite Song: Nothing I Do
2-Damien Rice
Irish Folk singer and general all-around awesome dude. Rice and his former cohort Lisa Hannigan have put together some of the most moving music of our current generation. Generally acting as an activist through song, the duo also has an incredibly deep grasp on the human spirit. Every track reminds me of a moment in my life, and because of that I have a deep respect for Rice's storytelling ability. When the two sing together, it reminds me of an ocean.
Favorite Song: 9 Crimes
1-Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
An American musician immersed in the deepest recesses of Americana. An affinity for the spiritual, Harper and his band are the my all time favorite. Their ability to jam along with Harper's acid tongue completely funk my soul. Though I have never seen the band in concert myself, the few DVD's that I have seen were absolutely amazing. It would seem that they put on a great concert, and I can only hope that one day I will be part of the crowd.
Favorite Song: The Gospel
Honorable Mentions: Modest Mouse, Green Day, Architecture in Helsinki, Rage Against the Machine
10-Regina Spektor
Russian-born American singer-songwriter and Pianist. This amazing woman has the talent to make magic out of 4 notes and a solid beat with lyrics that transcend the simplistic rhythm of much of todays music. Her ability to intertwine nonsense with metaphor, gibberish with reality, and crackling notes with extreme high pitch opens doors to my imagination I never knew I could have. I have been lucky enough to see her in concert once and though the crowd was probably 25 strong she gave us everything that any music lover could have hoped for.
Favorite Song: Samson
9-Old 97's
"Alt-Country" band from Dallas, Texas, taking their name from the Johnny Cash song, "Wreck of the Old 97", make their way to this list with inspired songs such as "Bird in a Cage" and "Question". (which is possibly one of my favorite two and a half minutes of music ever.) They rock fairly softly but manage to kick out a few classy riffs, with scratchy vocals and an obvious Texan attitude. Rhett Miller, the band's lead singer, has recently stepped out on his own to record a couple of albums. Though, not as good as when with the band, even these are worth a listen.
Favorite Song: Question
8-Jason Mraz
Singer-songwriter with an amazing ability to cover some of the greatest songs of all time and add just a bit of his own touch, usually producing a better sound than the origional. Much of his music has a bit of twang to it, but the real kicker is his voice. I dont know of too many other singers that have the range that Mraz has, and he proves it every time he belts out "Ave Maria". Saw him live at one of the most awkward concerts of my life, (long story) and once the broad shut up it was fucking amazing. He covered "Tiny Dancer" and rocked it out for about 8 minutes. Beautiful.
Favorite Song: Plane
7-The White Stripes
One of the few amazing things to come from Detroit in a very long time, this dynamic duo is about as amazing as simple rock gets. Everything they do can be summed up with that word, "Simple". What the fuck else are you going to classify these two with? I cannot wait to get my hands on a copy of "Icky Thump", especially since 89x played the entire CD on the radio a few weeks ago. I didnt get to listen to the whole thing, but man, what I did hear was amazing. Always a great band to listen to when you want to get pumped up.
Favorite Song: Seven Nation Army
6-The Beatles
What can I say? I'm a total sucker for "Abbey Road". Definitely would have loved to see this band live. In fact, this probably would have made one of my all time favorite memories...but alas, I am way too young to have seen them. The first Beatles song that I listened to was "Yellow Submarine" and that was the moment that I fell in love with these 4 Brit-Pop artists with a penchant for long hair, beards, and occasionally going shoeless.
Favorite Song: Lady Madonna
5-Incubus
Here is a band that has gone through many changes over the years. Initially sounding very garage-punk mixed with DJ beats and scratches, moving toward experimental rock after recording "Science", and finally coming into their own with the amazing album "Make Yourself". Though my personal favorites are "Morning View" and "Crow to the Left of Murder", every CD that these guys record is amazing in its own right. Never sticking to what they know, they are constantly evolving and pushing the limits of themselves. I have yet to see them live, but as long as they dont cancel this concert I'll be seeing them this July.
Favorite Song: Southern Girl
4-Andrew Bird
American musician, songwriter, whistler, and multi-instrumentalist, Andrew Bird is pretty much the fucking shit. This is one of the few people who I listen to without any inclination to analyze the lyrics. Though, the times that I have done so have yielded some pretty interesting results. His music is difficult to describe but I will say that every note seems hand-picked, as if the man has put his entire being into each and every moment of music. Bird's ability to whistle is nothing to balk at, as he can reach higher notes than most violins. Next time he comes to town, which wont be soon, I plan on seeing him tripped out of my mind.
Favorite Song: A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left
3-Jamie Cullum
This English jazz/pop pianist and singer-songwriter won me over with his CD "Twentysomething" and etched his way into my top 3 by playing the most amazing concert that I have ever been to, and probably ever will be part of. Amazing vocals, an incredible talent with the piano, and the ability to take a 3 minute song and turn it into 15 minutes of mind-blowing awesomeness are what make Cullum one of my absolute favorites.
Favorite Song: Nothing I Do
2-Damien Rice
Irish Folk singer and general all-around awesome dude. Rice and his former cohort Lisa Hannigan have put together some of the most moving music of our current generation. Generally acting as an activist through song, the duo also has an incredibly deep grasp on the human spirit. Every track reminds me of a moment in my life, and because of that I have a deep respect for Rice's storytelling ability. When the two sing together, it reminds me of an ocean.
Favorite Song: 9 Crimes
1-Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
An American musician immersed in the deepest recesses of Americana. An affinity for the spiritual, Harper and his band are the my all time favorite. Their ability to jam along with Harper's acid tongue completely funk my soul. Though I have never seen the band in concert myself, the few DVD's that I have seen were absolutely amazing. It would seem that they put on a great concert, and I can only hope that one day I will be part of the crowd.
Favorite Song: The Gospel
Honorable Mentions: Modest Mouse, Green Day, Architecture in Helsinki, Rage Against the Machine
Bar Talk: Top 10 Favorite/Best Bands of All Time
So, we were drinking at the bar tonight, watching a bunch of music videos that were played on the TV because Mondays are music video nights and we come up with the idea of a top 10 list of what we think the best bands of all time are. Now, this will be very biased, due to the fact that they are our opinions and our favorite bands, so just bear with us. These are the bands that I can listen to over and over again without getting annoyed with it. Also, this was extremely hard to narrow down to just 10, as there are so many good ones out there. My list is as follows:
10. Ozzy Osbourne/Black Sabbath
Sure, he doesn't speak English very well. Sure, he's a crazy fucker who bit the head off of a bat. None of that matters when he picks up a microphone and starts singing. I just love his voice, it has a soothingly rock style. He brought us Ozzfest, along with some of the best songs ever.
Favorite Song: No More Tears
9. Jimi Hendrix
He was one of the best guitar players ever, in the history of the world. He also had an amazing voice to go along with his insane guitar work. His rendition of the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock is absolutely astounding. He definitely died way too young and if he was still alive, he would still be doing some amazing work.
Favorite Song: Purple Haze
8. Nine Inch Nails
Industrial rock shines with NIN. They have some of the best sounding songs I have ever heard. They have a wide range of songs, from the pseudo-ballad "Hurt" to the extremely graphic "Closer" that shows they have the skills to play everything and do it amazingly well.
Favorite Song: Closer
7. Alice In Chains
Another player in the grunge rock movement, they are simply amazing. Jerry Cantrell wails on the guitar, while Lane Staley (another singer to leave us too soon) has the voice that just works. If the new singer can come close to what Staley did, then this band is back.
Favorite Song: No Excuses
6. The Beatles
A band that my parents grew up with, still remains one of the best ever. They put out album after album and didn't disappoint. The British foursome seems to receive a new fan everyday, even though they have been disbanded for decades.
Favorite Song: While My Guitar Gently Weeps
5. Nirvana
Without Nirvana, there would of been no grunge movement. Kurt Cobain, rest in peace, was a tortured soul and his songs and eventual suicide prove it. But don't let that turn you off from this band. They are one of the greatest 90's bands ever.
Favorite Song: Heart Shaped Box
4. Pink Floyd
Psychedelic rock shines with Pink Floyd. Another band my parents grew up with and another that grew on me. Their album "Dark Side of the Moon" is one of the best albums ever made by any band. Not only can it be synced up with the movie "The Wizard of Oz" but it is an absolutely brilliant album. They are just awesome.
Favorite Song: Time
3. Incubus
Having actually seen this band live, I can guarantee you that they put on one hell of an awesome show. This is one very talented band that, hopefully, will continue to produce albums. If you need some proof that they are an awesome band, pick up a copy of "Make Yourself" or "Morning View" trust me, you won't be disappointed.
Favorite Song: The Warmth
2. Metallica
Metal was brought back because these guys simply rock. They are relentless with their execution of their songs. With the use of dual guitars, along with James Hetfield's vocals, they have produced some of the most amazing sounding songs I've ever heard. When several radio stations have a "mandatory Metallica" spot, you know that this band has to be great.
Favorite Song: Fuel
1. Led Zeppelin
It's freakin' Led Zeppelin. 'Nuff said.
Favorite Song: No Quarter
Honorable mentions: The Doors, 311, Umphrey's McGee, Tool, Aerosmith, and The Police
10. Ozzy Osbourne/Black Sabbath
Sure, he doesn't speak English very well. Sure, he's a crazy fucker who bit the head off of a bat. None of that matters when he picks up a microphone and starts singing. I just love his voice, it has a soothingly rock style. He brought us Ozzfest, along with some of the best songs ever.
Favorite Song: No More Tears
9. Jimi Hendrix
He was one of the best guitar players ever, in the history of the world. He also had an amazing voice to go along with his insane guitar work. His rendition of the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock is absolutely astounding. He definitely died way too young and if he was still alive, he would still be doing some amazing work.
Favorite Song: Purple Haze
8. Nine Inch Nails
Industrial rock shines with NIN. They have some of the best sounding songs I have ever heard. They have a wide range of songs, from the pseudo-ballad "Hurt" to the extremely graphic "Closer" that shows they have the skills to play everything and do it amazingly well.
Favorite Song: Closer
7. Alice In Chains
Another player in the grunge rock movement, they are simply amazing. Jerry Cantrell wails on the guitar, while Lane Staley (another singer to leave us too soon) has the voice that just works. If the new singer can come close to what Staley did, then this band is back.
Favorite Song: No Excuses
6. The Beatles
A band that my parents grew up with, still remains one of the best ever. They put out album after album and didn't disappoint. The British foursome seems to receive a new fan everyday, even though they have been disbanded for decades.
Favorite Song: While My Guitar Gently Weeps
5. Nirvana
Without Nirvana, there would of been no grunge movement. Kurt Cobain, rest in peace, was a tortured soul and his songs and eventual suicide prove it. But don't let that turn you off from this band. They are one of the greatest 90's bands ever.
Favorite Song: Heart Shaped Box
4. Pink Floyd
Psychedelic rock shines with Pink Floyd. Another band my parents grew up with and another that grew on me. Their album "Dark Side of the Moon" is one of the best albums ever made by any band. Not only can it be synced up with the movie "The Wizard of Oz" but it is an absolutely brilliant album. They are just awesome.
Favorite Song: Time
3. Incubus
Having actually seen this band live, I can guarantee you that they put on one hell of an awesome show. This is one very talented band that, hopefully, will continue to produce albums. If you need some proof that they are an awesome band, pick up a copy of "Make Yourself" or "Morning View" trust me, you won't be disappointed.
Favorite Song: The Warmth
2. Metallica
Metal was brought back because these guys simply rock. They are relentless with their execution of their songs. With the use of dual guitars, along with James Hetfield's vocals, they have produced some of the most amazing sounding songs I've ever heard. When several radio stations have a "mandatory Metallica" spot, you know that this band has to be great.
Favorite Song: Fuel
1. Led Zeppelin
It's freakin' Led Zeppelin. 'Nuff said.
Favorite Song: No Quarter
Honorable mentions: The Doors, 311, Umphrey's McGee, Tool, Aerosmith, and The Police
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Top 10 Television Shows (Part 1)
We all know that we would be totally lost without television. What would we do to pass the time? Actually talk to each other? Naw. That's too hard and too much work. There is no need to argue about this since we all learned what we can do without television during the blackout several years back...and no one went crazy! Interesting...but I digress.
We all love TV and because of that we all have our favorite TV shows. It varies with each of us...whether you love pure drama (like Law & Order) or comedy (The Office) or any other wide variety of genres for TV shows, you have your favorite TV shows that you will never miss. The following is the beginning of my list of Top 10 TV shows. You may disagree with my analysis and I know my fellow bloggers on this site will disagree with at least two of the shows but these shows are the ones you will likely find flashing on the scene in my house.
Honorable Mention:
Brothers & Sisters (Sundays @ 10pm on ABC) :
This show, which will enter it's second season in the fall, was a surprise hit for ABC's Sunday night line up. Following Desperate Housewives, which begins at 9pm, Brothers & Sisters is a drama series based on the lives of the Walker family. The show focuses on the daily trials and tribulations of mother Nora Walker (Sally Field), who was widowed following the first episode where her husband, William Walker, has a heart attack, and her kin: Sarah (Rachel Griffiths) who is married with two children and, after her father's death, now runs the family business Ojai (O-hi) Foods, Political Theorist Kitty (Calista Flockhart) who now works for a US Senator (Rob Lowe) who is running for President, Oldest son Tommy, openly gay lawyer Kevin, youngest son and Afghanistan war veteran Justin, and the bastard child of the deceased William Walker: Rebecca. The show involves quite a bit of drama as well as comedy and mixes extremely well. The cast flows well together and Sally Field is a wonderful addition to the cast. I never really like Calista Flockhart (mostly because I cannot stand to look at her) but she does a wonderful job in this series in which her political affiliation (Republican) clashes with that of her mother (Democrat) and the two constantly are arguing over who is right and who is wrong. Every family can relate to something that this family goes through, whether it is death, arguments, disagreements, or family dinners and this is what makes the show so interesting to watch.
10. Whose Line Is It Anyway? (Weekdays @ 10pm on ABC Family - syndication) :
"Whose Line" is a half hour improvisational comedy show that consists of a cast of 4 members who create characters, scenes, and songs right off the top of their heads. The show originated in England and was broadcast on the BBC. In 1998 the show moved to the US and was hosted by Drew Carey with several of the cast members returning from the English version. Those cast members include Ryan Stiles (co-star on the Drew Carey Show), Colin Mochrie (a comedian who hails from Canada), and Wayne Brady. Those three became the show regulars and have a 4th person added each show such as Greg Proops, Brad Sherwood, and Kathy Greenwood. The show revolves around the host giving the performers scenes to act out in the form of many games (here is a list). The games provide many different styles of comedy and all the performers make fun of themselves or each other. The show also played host to several celebrities that would fill that 4th participant spot, such as Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, and Stephen Colbert. The game takes the form of an almost fake game show in which the participants are rewarded points (which simply don't matter) and at the end a winner is selected at random and does a game with host Drew Carey. There have been so many classic moments during the run of the show in the United States and none more memorable than Richard Simmons guest appearance to play one game with the participants...I cannot do this clip justice (just see for yourself and you'll know just why this is one of the funniest shows I have ever seen).
9. Robot Chicken (Saturday-Wednesday @ 11:30pm on Adult Swim) :
From the mind of Seth Green, Robot Chicken is an animated sketch show that makes fun of pop culture using dolls and action figures. It has been renewed for a 20 episode season beginning August 12th. The shows are short, only 11 minutes a piece but have no commercial interruptions throughout. Also to move from one sketch to the next a screen appears made of static to act as though you are changing the channel to view something new. Recently the show aired a tribute to Star Wars that was a 30 minute episode and featured clips from previous Robot Chicken episodes, as well as new material created for the special. Prominent voices on the show are Seth Green, Breckin Meyer, and Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy) and loads of celebrity voices including the cast of "That 70's Show." Not every show is filled with nonstop laughs, but what show is? Robot Chicken hits on so many issues in pop culture and totally turns them around to simply make them funny (i.e. Optimus Prime having prostate cancer).
8. Lost (Wednesdays @ 10pm on ABC) :
This is a topic of debate for some viewers. Some people love the Lost mysteries and philosophical topics while others simply have become confused and frustrated with the same issues. Lost is a drama about a group of plane crash survivors who were traveling on Oceanic Flight 815 from Sydney, Australia back to the US. The series is going to enter it's fourth season in February with 16 nonstop episodes. It was also announced by the creators and producers that the show would conclude after season 6 "on their own terms." There are so many thematic and mythological tones to the show that it would take an entire day to catch you up on them. My favorite part of the show, and the great mystery besides who else is on the island, is learning who each survivor was before the crash. We've seen surgeons, con artists, murderers, and insurance salesman as well as other professions that define who these people are. We see lives and significant events that shaped how the survivors got to where they are, including how and why they were on Oceanic Flight 815. Lost did come under some scrutiny for not giving enough answers to the many asked questions of the show and have fast-tracked some answers to accommodate the viewers, including the shocking season finale of Season 3 in which Jack confronts Kate (two of the main characters) years later from now saying "We have to go back! We shouldn't have left them!" If you want to get into the series and have not seen an episode so far...you may need to catch up with the previous seasons as this is not a show that you can simply turn on and catch onto the plot and characters quickly.
7. The Shield (Tuesdays @ 10pm on FX) :
This police drama set in Los Angeles focuses on Detective Vic Mackey and his "Strike Team" as they clean up the gang-infested streets of LA while also dealing with their own personal demons. The show is entering their 7th and final season in early 2008. The show has been criticized for it's portrayal of corrupt officers (especially Mackey's group) for stealing money, striking deals with gangs for immunity in return for information, and the use of brutality on citizens. The show has featured guest appearances by Forest Whitaker and Glen Close, respectively as an Internal Affairs officer and Captain of the LAPD and Mackey's Strike Team. There are many subplots that have carried over the years but Mackey and his team have remained a driving force of the show as they deal with the gangs of LA as well as Mackey's divorce, his children with Autism, his partner's death via murder from another member of the team, and his IA investigation by Whitaker. The Shield is not your typical cop show, and that is why it has lasted so long.
6. South Park (Wednesdays @ 10pm on Comedy Central) :
What more needs to be said about those loveable kids from South Park? Probably not much, if you have seen but just one episode of this hilarious animated comedy from the minds of Matt Stone and Trey Parker then you will know exactly what I speak of. Stan, Cartman, Kyle, and Kenny give us insight into politics, pop culture, religion, and anything else you can think of. They are fouled mouthed, they are intuitive, and they are fucking hilarious to a fault. The part that makes the show entirely whole is the fact it is not just these four kids that make the show. Their parents and the townsfolk make the show just as interesting and intriging to watch every week. You can turn on an episode and always count on these boys to give you a new way of thinking about a situation, whether it be Scientology, the show "Family Guy," Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, saving the rainforests, or Paris Hilton. South Park, and it's creators, are extremely talented on finding new and exciting ways to handle references to those sometimes "politically correct" topics.
Well that is Part 1 of my Top 10 TV Shows. Part 2 will be coming soon with even better shows, ones that all meet the criteria for such an honor. However I will say this...none of the shows listed on this Top 10 are on CBS because CBS is for old people and never in my life have I watched anything on CBS besides the "Price is Right." Nothing good comes out of CBS and I'm just not sure why. It claims to be America's most watched network but I've never really seen a show worth watching on that network. That is all.
We all love TV and because of that we all have our favorite TV shows. It varies with each of us...whether you love pure drama (like Law & Order) or comedy (The Office) or any other wide variety of genres for TV shows, you have your favorite TV shows that you will never miss. The following is the beginning of my list of Top 10 TV shows. You may disagree with my analysis and I know my fellow bloggers on this site will disagree with at least two of the shows but these shows are the ones you will likely find flashing on the scene in my house.
Honorable Mention:
Brothers & Sisters (Sundays @ 10pm on ABC) :
This show, which will enter it's second season in the fall, was a surprise hit for ABC's Sunday night line up. Following Desperate Housewives, which begins at 9pm, Brothers & Sisters is a drama series based on the lives of the Walker family. The show focuses on the daily trials and tribulations of mother Nora Walker (Sally Field), who was widowed following the first episode where her husband, William Walker, has a heart attack, and her kin: Sarah (Rachel Griffiths) who is married with two children and, after her father's death, now runs the family business Ojai (O-hi) Foods, Political Theorist Kitty (Calista Flockhart) who now works for a US Senator (Rob Lowe) who is running for President, Oldest son Tommy, openly gay lawyer Kevin, youngest son and Afghanistan war veteran Justin, and the bastard child of the deceased William Walker: Rebecca. The show involves quite a bit of drama as well as comedy and mixes extremely well. The cast flows well together and Sally Field is a wonderful addition to the cast. I never really like Calista Flockhart (mostly because I cannot stand to look at her) but she does a wonderful job in this series in which her political affiliation (Republican) clashes with that of her mother (Democrat) and the two constantly are arguing over who is right and who is wrong. Every family can relate to something that this family goes through, whether it is death, arguments, disagreements, or family dinners and this is what makes the show so interesting to watch.
10. Whose Line Is It Anyway? (Weekdays @ 10pm on ABC Family - syndication) :
"Whose Line" is a half hour improvisational comedy show that consists of a cast of 4 members who create characters, scenes, and songs right off the top of their heads. The show originated in England and was broadcast on the BBC. In 1998 the show moved to the US and was hosted by Drew Carey with several of the cast members returning from the English version. Those cast members include Ryan Stiles (co-star on the Drew Carey Show), Colin Mochrie (a comedian who hails from Canada), and Wayne Brady. Those three became the show regulars and have a 4th person added each show such as Greg Proops, Brad Sherwood, and Kathy Greenwood. The show revolves around the host giving the performers scenes to act out in the form of many games (here is a list). The games provide many different styles of comedy and all the performers make fun of themselves or each other. The show also played host to several celebrities that would fill that 4th participant spot, such as Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, and Stephen Colbert. The game takes the form of an almost fake game show in which the participants are rewarded points (which simply don't matter) and at the end a winner is selected at random and does a game with host Drew Carey. There have been so many classic moments during the run of the show in the United States and none more memorable than Richard Simmons guest appearance to play one game with the participants...I cannot do this clip justice (just see for yourself and you'll know just why this is one of the funniest shows I have ever seen).
9. Robot Chicken (Saturday-Wednesday @ 11:30pm on Adult Swim) :
From the mind of Seth Green, Robot Chicken is an animated sketch show that makes fun of pop culture using dolls and action figures. It has been renewed for a 20 episode season beginning August 12th. The shows are short, only 11 minutes a piece but have no commercial interruptions throughout. Also to move from one sketch to the next a screen appears made of static to act as though you are changing the channel to view something new. Recently the show aired a tribute to Star Wars that was a 30 minute episode and featured clips from previous Robot Chicken episodes, as well as new material created for the special. Prominent voices on the show are Seth Green, Breckin Meyer, and Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy) and loads of celebrity voices including the cast of "That 70's Show." Not every show is filled with nonstop laughs, but what show is? Robot Chicken hits on so many issues in pop culture and totally turns them around to simply make them funny (i.e. Optimus Prime having prostate cancer).
8. Lost (Wednesdays @ 10pm on ABC) :
This is a topic of debate for some viewers. Some people love the Lost mysteries and philosophical topics while others simply have become confused and frustrated with the same issues. Lost is a drama about a group of plane crash survivors who were traveling on Oceanic Flight 815 from Sydney, Australia back to the US. The series is going to enter it's fourth season in February with 16 nonstop episodes. It was also announced by the creators and producers that the show would conclude after season 6 "on their own terms." There are so many thematic and mythological tones to the show that it would take an entire day to catch you up on them. My favorite part of the show, and the great mystery besides who else is on the island, is learning who each survivor was before the crash. We've seen surgeons, con artists, murderers, and insurance salesman as well as other professions that define who these people are. We see lives and significant events that shaped how the survivors got to where they are, including how and why they were on Oceanic Flight 815. Lost did come under some scrutiny for not giving enough answers to the many asked questions of the show and have fast-tracked some answers to accommodate the viewers, including the shocking season finale of Season 3 in which Jack confronts Kate (two of the main characters) years later from now saying "We have to go back! We shouldn't have left them!" If you want to get into the series and have not seen an episode so far...you may need to catch up with the previous seasons as this is not a show that you can simply turn on and catch onto the plot and characters quickly.
7. The Shield (Tuesdays @ 10pm on FX) :
This police drama set in Los Angeles focuses on Detective Vic Mackey and his "Strike Team" as they clean up the gang-infested streets of LA while also dealing with their own personal demons. The show is entering their 7th and final season in early 2008. The show has been criticized for it's portrayal of corrupt officers (especially Mackey's group) for stealing money, striking deals with gangs for immunity in return for information, and the use of brutality on citizens. The show has featured guest appearances by Forest Whitaker and Glen Close, respectively as an Internal Affairs officer and Captain of the LAPD and Mackey's Strike Team. There are many subplots that have carried over the years but Mackey and his team have remained a driving force of the show as they deal with the gangs of LA as well as Mackey's divorce, his children with Autism, his partner's death via murder from another member of the team, and his IA investigation by Whitaker. The Shield is not your typical cop show, and that is why it has lasted so long.
6. South Park (Wednesdays @ 10pm on Comedy Central) :
What more needs to be said about those loveable kids from South Park? Probably not much, if you have seen but just one episode of this hilarious animated comedy from the minds of Matt Stone and Trey Parker then you will know exactly what I speak of. Stan, Cartman, Kyle, and Kenny give us insight into politics, pop culture, religion, and anything else you can think of. They are fouled mouthed, they are intuitive, and they are fucking hilarious to a fault. The part that makes the show entirely whole is the fact it is not just these four kids that make the show. Their parents and the townsfolk make the show just as interesting and intriging to watch every week. You can turn on an episode and always count on these boys to give you a new way of thinking about a situation, whether it be Scientology, the show "Family Guy," Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, saving the rainforests, or Paris Hilton. South Park, and it's creators, are extremely talented on finding new and exciting ways to handle references to those sometimes "politically correct" topics.
Well that is Part 1 of my Top 10 TV Shows. Part 2 will be coming soon with even better shows, ones that all meet the criteria for such an honor. However I will say this...none of the shows listed on this Top 10 are on CBS because CBS is for old people and never in my life have I watched anything on CBS besides the "Price is Right." Nothing good comes out of CBS and I'm just not sure why. It claims to be America's most watched network but I've never really seen a show worth watching on that network. That is all.
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