The Sunday Rounds, Volume 159
I woke way too early after a late night of rock `n roll, partying, crankin' it up, and playing till my fingers bled.
This is also known as going through an entire Co-Op career on Guitar Hero with my 7 year-old son. A kid who, you should know, can rock the bass line of Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast" like nobody's business! (Seriously, this might be the best video game ever. You know why? Well, because of this game my 11 year-old and my 7 year-old actually have Blue Oyster Cult on their musical radar and this may just be one man's opinion but we're better as a nation when kids are familiar with "Cites on Flame With Rock and Roll".)
It was a hard night of rockin' and there is a good chance that even Gavin -- the year old in question -- will need some of this coffee I'm sippin' to recover.
On to The Rounds...
"Like George and Tammy, or something"
http://www.sendspace.com/file/4cdilv
In case you missed yesterday's post and update, the new edition of Soundtrack is ready for download any set of ears that want to check it out. This is show #23, "He Said, She Said" and it has a message and reply kind of vibe, plus some kick ass duets.
As I noted in the write-up in Saturday's entry, if you download it please let me me know and, once you've listened, please remember to leave a comment letting me know what you thought; what was good, what you liked, what you didn't like, what was bad, etc. Thanks!
"Baby, I do love rock and roll!"
http://www.azpeacemakers.com/jj/
I am just a link providing fool this morning but I would be really, really remiss if I didn't plug the above link and the band associated with it.
Here, in the earliest parts of 2008, I've been given proof once again of why Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers are not only my favorite band but quite possibly one of the more innovate acts in the digital music/web-based age.
If you explore the above link and the band's broader site you can get more details but the gist of it goes like this: Less than one year after the release of their latest studio album, Clyne & Co. kicked off the new year by renting a house along the Mexican coast for about 10 days, taking their tour manager, video guy, recording equipment, and producer with them. The goal was to spend 8 days writing and recording, with a goal of a complete song per day. The project is now done and the band not only finished 8 new songs but they posted them immediately (click on the audio player at the site; if you only listen to one song make it "State of the Art"!) and provided a daily video update showing their process and progression. It is a very cool look inside at a great band creating new music.
I'm not sure what the band's long term plans are from these sessions -- dubbed "Turbo Ocho" -- but hopefully they will put them out as an EP or an i-Tunes release or perhaps round out the 8 songs to a fuller CD but, wow, what a kick-ass demonstration of what a talented band can do in a very simple setting. No big studio, no big label... just creativity, talent, and an inspiring setting.
"Everybody Loves a Winner But When You Lose You Lose Alone"
Every so often I get a great reminder of 2 things: Why I love hockey and why I love my Colorado Avalanche. In this case I love the entire concept of the 3rd period rally!
It has been tough to be an Avalanche fan lately. Joe Sakic... out for two months with hernia surgery. Ryan Smyth... fractured ankle, also out two months. This has led to more losses than victories lately, despite some close games and decent goaltending (for a change). Last night looked like another chapter in the story of a ship beginning to take on too much water. A strong first period where they outplay the opposition (Carolina Hurricanes) but still find themselves down 2-0. A quick goal to open the 2nd period and it's 2-1. A soft goal shortly after that and it's 3-1. Ouch. Hard work by the Avs gets it to 3-2 but then, dammit, another soft goal and it's 4-2 to end the 2nd. I damn near threw the remote control, screaming "Fuck it!", and wondering why the hell the NHL has a team in the South anyway. But I stuck it out, thinking that if my boys can get a goal and make it 4-3 then they might get some momentum. I was right... and then some. McLeod scores... 4-3. Svatos scores... 4-4. Svatos scores again about 2 minutes later. 5-4 Colorado. And that is how it stayed, with the Avs getting a seriously much needed win.
I can guarantee that if Colorado rides out this terrible injury rash and ultimately make the post-season the team and their fans will look back to last night and see it as the pivotal moment. Down 4-2 in the 3rd. Looking at a 3rd straight loss. Knowing they have to play 2 more games on this road trip. Ugh. But they turned it on, turned it around, and overcame! That is the difference between good teams and bad teams. And I am very glad I didn't toss the remote and miss it.
"Detroit Rock City"
I'll bet that right about now Senator Barack Obama is a little bummed that the Democratic Party decided to "punish" Michigan for trying to move up its primary date. Mind you, none of the Democrats are going to get a "win" in Tuesday's primary but you've got to figure if there was a standard primary in that state this week it would play well for Obama who could regain the momentum after this past week's surprising loss in New Hampshire. The only Democrat campaigning in Michigan is Dennis Kucinich. A candidate with no chance campaigning in a contest where the results won't be validated by the national party. Does this man not have anything better to do?
I said to a colleague this week that the New Hampshire loss could turn out to have been a blessing for the Obama campaign. Mind you, a victory there would have been massive and could have been the tidal wave that would sweep him into the nomination. But the loss could serve to reflect just how bad he wants this, how hard the Illinois Senator is willing to fight. Senator Hillary Clinton may not be my first choice of a cup of tea but there has never been a doubt in my mind that she is a hell of a campaigner and is willing to bust her ass to win. As long as that desire doesn't cross the line into 'wanting it too much', which leads to dirty tricks and truly despicable campaign tactics (see also: Bush campaign in South Carolina vs. McCain in 2000), I can respect that.
When I look at the days ahead for the Democrats I can imagine a couple of different scenarios. First, there is the Nevada caucus vote (Saturday) and I have no idea who is supposedly ahead, aside from the fact that Obama got the union endorsements. If he wins Nevada it will make for a nice prelude to a South Carolina win and give him good momentum heading into Super Tuesday. A loss in Nevada followed by a win in South Carolina looks like more tit-for-tat, "it's a really close race" talk. If Obama loses both I think that could be the ballgame. It would put the mantle of inevitability back on Senator Clinton.
The best case scenario for Obama is this: Edwards drops out before Super Tuesday. And if Edwards doesn't finish better than 2nd in South Carolina -- or even if he does comes in 2nd -- he should drop out. While it is within his right (of course) to stay in the race as long as he wants it would be the "right thing" to take a page from Bill Richardson's book and see the forest through the trees. Dropping out is a formal way of telling one's supporters that its okay to give up on them and put their weight behind their 2nd choice. And while I have no polling or even much anecdotal evidence to support this, something tells me the Edwards supporters would split about 3-2 for Obama, which could provide him with a crucial edge heading into certain states on Super Tuesday. If Edwards really wants to be a saint he could drop out and endorse Obama.
On the subject of endorsements... outside of the endorsement of Oprah Winfrey, I don't think they matter much in terms of swaying people's votes. But what I think a lot of people lose sight of is that endorsements can mean a lot on the ground. The recent endorsements of fellow Senators and some Governors for Obama can mean legs on the ground, networks of contacts, and campaign assistance that gets people to the polls. I also think that the Senatorial endorsements, in particular, kind of reflect how members of that body feel about the potential "coat tail" effect. Democrats seem confident in a November victory but it would definitely that seem that a Clinton victory won't have a ripple effect to Senate and House seats. An Obama win probably would.
On the Republican side...
This is going to be an interesting week. I think Michigan is going to be tight and it is more or less the last stand of Mitt Romney. I don't think another "silver medal" will do. He needs the gold and if he doesn't get it then I think that's the end because this guy isn't going to play well in South Carolina and Florida isn't exactly fertile ground either. That said, a Romney win in Michigan is a major blow to the McCain campaign, especially since South Carolina looks competitive for Mike Huckabee. Imagine for a moment a Romney win in Michigan, a Huckabee win in South Carolina, and then a Giuliani win in his firewall state of Florida. What does that spell? A Republican base that has no idea what the hell it wants and with very little faith in any of their candidates to emerge victorious come November. But that is just a would-be scenario and I don't think it will come to pass. I think McCain is going to win Michigan.
That's all I've got. I'll try harder next time.
J
****************
CD of the Week: The props this week go to an album that flew under the radar in late 2007: Teenager, the third (and best) release from Irish imports The Thrills. But put the Ireland thing out of your mind because the sound at play here is more like a mesh of The Smiths, REM, Buffalo Springfield, and The Byrds. It is rare that a song or set of songs can be melancholy and sunny at the same time, but The Thrills pull it off throughout Teenager. Everything ties together... the jangly guitars, piano, the yearning vocals of Conor Deasy, the breezy vibes... its a listen that is very easy to love.
****************
The Weekly Survey
1. A music question: What is your prognosis for the future of the CD? How many more years will they be around? (Note: CDRs should not be factored, as I suspect they will be around. I mean actual CDs with pre-recorded material)
2. A political question: When your candidate of choice doesn't appear viable, what do you generally do? Not vote? Back someone else? Should candidates who realistically can't win owe it to the process to drop out or should they stay in? Share your thoughts.
3. A link question: Did you check out either of things I linked to: Soundtrack (my podcast) or the link to the Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers? In general, how often do you find yourself clicking on a link you see in someone's blog?
(In case you missed them)
Soundtrack: http://www.sendspace.com/file/4cdilv
RCPM: http://www.azpeacemakers.com/jj/
4. A meme question: Since I've added quite a few new folks this week... ask me a question. Any question you'd like. :)
Thanks for stopping by.
This is also known as going through an entire Co-Op career on Guitar Hero with my 7 year-old son. A kid who, you should know, can rock the bass line of Iron Maiden's "Number of the Beast" like nobody's business! (Seriously, this might be the best video game ever. You know why? Well, because of this game my 11 year-old and my 7 year-old actually have Blue Oyster Cult on their musical radar and this may just be one man's opinion but we're better as a nation when kids are familiar with "Cites on Flame With Rock and Roll".)
It was a hard night of rockin' and there is a good chance that even Gavin -- the year old in question -- will need some of this coffee I'm sippin' to recover.
On to The Rounds...
"Like George and Tammy, or something"
http://www.sendspace.com/file/4cdilv
In case you missed yesterday's post and update, the new edition of Soundtrack is ready for download any set of ears that want to check it out. This is show #23, "He Said, She Said" and it has a message and reply kind of vibe, plus some kick ass duets.
As I noted in the write-up in Saturday's entry, if you download it please let me me know and, once you've listened, please remember to leave a comment letting me know what you thought; what was good, what you liked, what you didn't like, what was bad, etc. Thanks!
"Baby, I do love rock and roll!"
http://www.azpeacemakers.com/jj/
I am just a link providing fool this morning but I would be really, really remiss if I didn't plug the above link and the band associated with it.
Here, in the earliest parts of 2008, I've been given proof once again of why Roger Clyne & The Peacemakers are not only my favorite band but quite possibly one of the more innovate acts in the digital music/web-based age.
If you explore the above link and the band's broader site you can get more details but the gist of it goes like this: Less than one year after the release of their latest studio album, Clyne & Co. kicked off the new year by renting a house along the Mexican coast for about 10 days, taking their tour manager, video guy, recording equipment, and producer with them. The goal was to spend 8 days writing and recording, with a goal of a complete song per day. The project is now done and the band not only finished 8 new songs but they posted them immediately (click on the audio player at the site; if you only listen to one song make it "State of the Art"!) and provided a daily video update showing their process and progression. It is a very cool look inside at a great band creating new music.
I'm not sure what the band's long term plans are from these sessions -- dubbed "Turbo Ocho" -- but hopefully they will put them out as an EP or an i-Tunes release or perhaps round out the 8 songs to a fuller CD but, wow, what a kick-ass demonstration of what a talented band can do in a very simple setting. No big studio, no big label... just creativity, talent, and an inspiring setting.
"Everybody Loves a Winner But When You Lose You Lose Alone"
Every so often I get a great reminder of 2 things: Why I love hockey and why I love my Colorado Avalanche. In this case I love the entire concept of the 3rd period rally!
It has been tough to be an Avalanche fan lately. Joe Sakic... out for two months with hernia surgery. Ryan Smyth... fractured ankle, also out two months. This has led to more losses than victories lately, despite some close games and decent goaltending (for a change). Last night looked like another chapter in the story of a ship beginning to take on too much water. A strong first period where they outplay the opposition (Carolina Hurricanes) but still find themselves down 2-0. A quick goal to open the 2nd period and it's 2-1. A soft goal shortly after that and it's 3-1. Ouch. Hard work by the Avs gets it to 3-2 but then, dammit, another soft goal and it's 4-2 to end the 2nd. I damn near threw the remote control, screaming "Fuck it!", and wondering why the hell the NHL has a team in the South anyway. But I stuck it out, thinking that if my boys can get a goal and make it 4-3 then they might get some momentum. I was right... and then some. McLeod scores... 4-3. Svatos scores... 4-4. Svatos scores again about 2 minutes later. 5-4 Colorado. And that is how it stayed, with the Avs getting a seriously much needed win.
I can guarantee that if Colorado rides out this terrible injury rash and ultimately make the post-season the team and their fans will look back to last night and see it as the pivotal moment. Down 4-2 in the 3rd. Looking at a 3rd straight loss. Knowing they have to play 2 more games on this road trip. Ugh. But they turned it on, turned it around, and overcame! That is the difference between good teams and bad teams. And I am very glad I didn't toss the remote and miss it.
"Detroit Rock City"
I'll bet that right about now Senator Barack Obama is a little bummed that the Democratic Party decided to "punish" Michigan for trying to move up its primary date. Mind you, none of the Democrats are going to get a "win" in Tuesday's primary but you've got to figure if there was a standard primary in that state this week it would play well for Obama who could regain the momentum after this past week's surprising loss in New Hampshire. The only Democrat campaigning in Michigan is Dennis Kucinich. A candidate with no chance campaigning in a contest where the results won't be validated by the national party. Does this man not have anything better to do?
I said to a colleague this week that the New Hampshire loss could turn out to have been a blessing for the Obama campaign. Mind you, a victory there would have been massive and could have been the tidal wave that would sweep him into the nomination. But the loss could serve to reflect just how bad he wants this, how hard the Illinois Senator is willing to fight. Senator Hillary Clinton may not be my first choice of a cup of tea but there has never been a doubt in my mind that she is a hell of a campaigner and is willing to bust her ass to win. As long as that desire doesn't cross the line into 'wanting it too much', which leads to dirty tricks and truly despicable campaign tactics (see also: Bush campaign in South Carolina vs. McCain in 2000), I can respect that.
When I look at the days ahead for the Democrats I can imagine a couple of different scenarios. First, there is the Nevada caucus vote (Saturday) and I have no idea who is supposedly ahead, aside from the fact that Obama got the union endorsements. If he wins Nevada it will make for a nice prelude to a South Carolina win and give him good momentum heading into Super Tuesday. A loss in Nevada followed by a win in South Carolina looks like more tit-for-tat, "it's a really close race" talk. If Obama loses both I think that could be the ballgame. It would put the mantle of inevitability back on Senator Clinton.
The best case scenario for Obama is this: Edwards drops out before Super Tuesday. And if Edwards doesn't finish better than 2nd in South Carolina -- or even if he does comes in 2nd -- he should drop out. While it is within his right (of course) to stay in the race as long as he wants it would be the "right thing" to take a page from Bill Richardson's book and see the forest through the trees. Dropping out is a formal way of telling one's supporters that its okay to give up on them and put their weight behind their 2nd choice. And while I have no polling or even much anecdotal evidence to support this, something tells me the Edwards supporters would split about 3-2 for Obama, which could provide him with a crucial edge heading into certain states on Super Tuesday. If Edwards really wants to be a saint he could drop out and endorse Obama.
On the subject of endorsements... outside of the endorsement of Oprah Winfrey, I don't think they matter much in terms of swaying people's votes. But what I think a lot of people lose sight of is that endorsements can mean a lot on the ground. The recent endorsements of fellow Senators and some Governors for Obama can mean legs on the ground, networks of contacts, and campaign assistance that gets people to the polls. I also think that the Senatorial endorsements, in particular, kind of reflect how members of that body feel about the potential "coat tail" effect. Democrats seem confident in a November victory but it would definitely that seem that a Clinton victory won't have a ripple effect to Senate and House seats. An Obama win probably would.
On the Republican side...
This is going to be an interesting week. I think Michigan is going to be tight and it is more or less the last stand of Mitt Romney. I don't think another "silver medal" will do. He needs the gold and if he doesn't get it then I think that's the end because this guy isn't going to play well in South Carolina and Florida isn't exactly fertile ground either. That said, a Romney win in Michigan is a major blow to the McCain campaign, especially since South Carolina looks competitive for Mike Huckabee. Imagine for a moment a Romney win in Michigan, a Huckabee win in South Carolina, and then a Giuliani win in his firewall state of Florida. What does that spell? A Republican base that has no idea what the hell it wants and with very little faith in any of their candidates to emerge victorious come November. But that is just a would-be scenario and I don't think it will come to pass. I think McCain is going to win Michigan.
That's all I've got. I'll try harder next time.
J
****************
CD of the Week: The props this week go to an album that flew under the radar in late 2007: Teenager, the third (and best) release from Irish imports The Thrills. But put the Ireland thing out of your mind because the sound at play here is more like a mesh of The Smiths, REM, Buffalo Springfield, and The Byrds. It is rare that a song or set of songs can be melancholy and sunny at the same time, but The Thrills pull it off throughout Teenager. Everything ties together... the jangly guitars, piano, the yearning vocals of Conor Deasy, the breezy vibes... its a listen that is very easy to love.
****************
The Weekly Survey
1. A music question: What is your prognosis for the future of the CD? How many more years will they be around? (Note: CDRs should not be factored, as I suspect they will be around. I mean actual CDs with pre-recorded material)
2. A political question: When your candidate of choice doesn't appear viable, what do you generally do? Not vote? Back someone else? Should candidates who realistically can't win owe it to the process to drop out or should they stay in? Share your thoughts.
3. A link question: Did you check out either of things I linked to: Soundtrack (my podcast) or the link to the Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers? In general, how often do you find yourself clicking on a link you see in someone's blog?
(In case you missed them)
Soundtrack: http://www.sendspace.com/file/4cdilv
RCPM: http://www.azpeacemakers.com/jj/
4. A meme question: Since I've added quite a few new folks this week... ask me a question. Any question you'd like. :)
Thanks for stopping by.