Sleeping too well?
Here's the new nightmare of a video from Pearl Jam for their second single Life Wasted. It's my favorite song on the new album, but I won't be watching this video before bed.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Friday, May 19, 2006
Bill Walton.
I have had the opportunity to watch some playoff basketball because I am unemployed and I have to admit that Bill Walton is the worst announcer I have ever heard call a game. To aleve the sting from this ego crushing blog, I will admit I have heard him on radio shows and I believe his energy and passion translate quite well. He seems always prepared with a long winded take on contemporary NBA life that is entertaining and amusing, but listening to him call a game one starts to think his cleverness is scripted. When I watched Portland Trailblazer games in my youth, Walton would constantly dog my home team while professing his everlasting love for the greatest human being to walk the planet since our lord and savior Jesus Christ aka Shaquille O'Neal. I once believed that maybe Walton wanted to have Shaq's love child or maybe his years in P-Town were so unpleasant he holds a grudge, but listening to him this year I am coming to terms with the fact that he just loves to say the most profound thing that comes to his mind whether or not it is or is not true. You can tell by the way fellow announcer Steve Jones gasps for breath while repeating whatever senile word vomit quote Walton has just dropped that his peers might just feel the same as I do. Bill, I don't want to sound too angry I really am not, but your energy translates just fine w/o a profound statement every five seconds. Good luck to all of us as the finals quickly approach.
I have had the opportunity to watch some playoff basketball because I am unemployed and I have to admit that Bill Walton is the worst announcer I have ever heard call a game. To aleve the sting from this ego crushing blog, I will admit I have heard him on radio shows and I believe his energy and passion translate quite well. He seems always prepared with a long winded take on contemporary NBA life that is entertaining and amusing, but listening to him call a game one starts to think his cleverness is scripted. When I watched Portland Trailblazer games in my youth, Walton would constantly dog my home team while professing his everlasting love for the greatest human being to walk the planet since our lord and savior Jesus Christ aka Shaquille O'Neal. I once believed that maybe Walton wanted to have Shaq's love child or maybe his years in P-Town were so unpleasant he holds a grudge, but listening to him this year I am coming to terms with the fact that he just loves to say the most profound thing that comes to his mind whether or not it is or is not true. You can tell by the way fellow announcer Steve Jones gasps for breath while repeating whatever senile word vomit quote Walton has just dropped that his peers might just feel the same as I do. Bill, I don't want to sound too angry I really am not, but your energy translates just fine w/o a profound statement every five seconds. Good luck to all of us as the finals quickly approach.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Oregon. It's my favorite state.
Yesterday I went to Applegate Lake with my wife and friends. I realized when we drove off our second dirt road onto the side of a tributary just how beautiful my great state is and just how much I will miss what Oregon means to me. To me Oregon is a place of natural beauty, friendly people, and meth. I love how quickly a person can move from the bustle of the city to the utter peace and quiet of a stream, trail, or mountain. The water in the river was about 33 degrees fahrenheit, which for the educated, means about a half-hour ago it was still snowpack.
So we went to the swimming area of the reservior. I was coaxed in, and after five minutes the stabbing pain went away and normal breath patterns could resume. As we ready for our cross country journey I cannot help but think about how much I will miss buzzing, chirping, non-motor motivated water movement, and just how small nature can make one feel.
Yesterday I went to Applegate Lake with my wife and friends. I realized when we drove off our second dirt road onto the side of a tributary just how beautiful my great state is and just how much I will miss what Oregon means to me. To me Oregon is a place of natural beauty, friendly people, and meth. I love how quickly a person can move from the bustle of the city to the utter peace and quiet of a stream, trail, or mountain. The water in the river was about 33 degrees fahrenheit, which for the educated, means about a half-hour ago it was still snowpack.
So we went to the swimming area of the reservior. I was coaxed in, and after five minutes the stabbing pain went away and normal breath patterns could resume. As we ready for our cross country journey I cannot help but think about how much I will miss buzzing, chirping, non-motor motivated water movement, and just how small nature can make one feel.
Friday, May 12, 2006
I am Stuck on an Island: Hear's Ten Discs for me to Bring.
Arcade Fire: Funeral
If you have not heard this album, you need to. Every song is a gem and I could listen to it on replay for a week and not be board track 1 is one of my favorite songs of all time.
Audioslave: Audioslave
If I needed to cut down a palm tree or do anything that required testosterone, I would be listening to this beefy disc to get it done. Plus I really like it.
Interpol: Turn on the Bright Lights
Have to thank GAP for putting a newer song on their CD that I could seek out and purchase one of my new favorite bands second CD. This is their first and it is genius. Moody might soon pop up to you as a theme in music choices and these guys certainly fit that bill, but the energy of this album is terrific.
The Killers: Hot Fuss
The Killers could keep me dancing all nigh long, terrific CD, for me the disc that ushered in this contemporary rock scene we are in and I appreciate that very much.
Pearl Jam: Yield
My favorite band, not sure how to pick just one, but this is the album PJ was touring on when I saw them in concert first and I remember the first single Give in to Fly played on a radio during class in high school and I will never forget the feeling of hearing it for the first time when I should not have been listening to the radio at all.
Postal Service: Give Up
Endlessly listenable. The result of a terrific collaberation that will hopefully make another record.
RadioHead: OK Computer
Creepy, but that is why I like it. RadioHead seems to march to their own tune which reminds me of PearlJam in that they would cut off their noses to spite their faces and not sell out. I admire them very much for that.
REM: Automatic For the People
A classic. I have been a fan of this album as long as I have been seriously listening to music. It is one of the best all time albums.
The Smashing Pumkins: Siamese Dream
Another moody piece that reminds me of my youth and yet feels accomplished and contemporary.
The Strokes: Room on Fire
The Strokes saved rock, it has been said and I agree, they gave me something to listen to when the smell of bubble gum and M&M's were ruling the radio. It is also no coincidence that the rise in popularity of The Stroke is in direct correlation the decline in popularity of LimpBisquick, so thank the Lord for The Strokes.
Honorable Mention
Coldplay: A Rush of Blood to the Head, Counting Crowes: august and Everything After, Cranberries: No Need to Argue, Death Cab for Cutie: Transatlaticism, David Gray: White Ladder, Green Day: Dookie, Nirvana: Unplugged in NY, Mazzy Starr: So Tonight That I Might Sleep, The Shins: Oh! Inverted World, Soundgarden: Superunknown, StoneTemplePilots: Core, U2: Achtung Baby, The Verve: Urban hymns, Weezer: The Blue Album, Yeah Yeah Yeah's: Show Your Bones,
Oldies but Goodies
I was trying to pick singular albums that through my life I have tried to wear out. These artists are from an era before me and all I have at this point are greatest hits albums that obviously rule because they are the best of collections. So here are the artists who's songs I cherish, but whose albums either never existed or I am not familiar enough with just one to pick. This does not diminish the importance of this music however, because I do own most of these greatest hits albums
The Beatles
Johnny Cash
Bob Dylan
Jimi Hendrix
Elvis Presley
Rolling Stones
Violent Femmes
The Who
Neil Young
Arcade Fire: Funeral
If you have not heard this album, you need to. Every song is a gem and I could listen to it on replay for a week and not be board track 1 is one of my favorite songs of all time.
Audioslave: Audioslave
If I needed to cut down a palm tree or do anything that required testosterone, I would be listening to this beefy disc to get it done. Plus I really like it.
Interpol: Turn on the Bright Lights
Have to thank GAP for putting a newer song on their CD that I could seek out and purchase one of my new favorite bands second CD. This is their first and it is genius. Moody might soon pop up to you as a theme in music choices and these guys certainly fit that bill, but the energy of this album is terrific.
The Killers: Hot Fuss
The Killers could keep me dancing all nigh long, terrific CD, for me the disc that ushered in this contemporary rock scene we are in and I appreciate that very much.
Pearl Jam: Yield
My favorite band, not sure how to pick just one, but this is the album PJ was touring on when I saw them in concert first and I remember the first single Give in to Fly played on a radio during class in high school and I will never forget the feeling of hearing it for the first time when I should not have been listening to the radio at all.
Postal Service: Give Up
Endlessly listenable. The result of a terrific collaberation that will hopefully make another record.
RadioHead: OK Computer
Creepy, but that is why I like it. RadioHead seems to march to their own tune which reminds me of PearlJam in that they would cut off their noses to spite their faces and not sell out. I admire them very much for that.
REM: Automatic For the People
A classic. I have been a fan of this album as long as I have been seriously listening to music. It is one of the best all time albums.
The Smashing Pumkins: Siamese Dream
Another moody piece that reminds me of my youth and yet feels accomplished and contemporary.
The Strokes: Room on Fire
The Strokes saved rock, it has been said and I agree, they gave me something to listen to when the smell of bubble gum and M&M's were ruling the radio. It is also no coincidence that the rise in popularity of The Stroke is in direct correlation the decline in popularity of LimpBisquick, so thank the Lord for The Strokes.
Honorable Mention
Coldplay: A Rush of Blood to the Head, Counting Crowes: august and Everything After, Cranberries: No Need to Argue, Death Cab for Cutie: Transatlaticism, David Gray: White Ladder, Green Day: Dookie, Nirvana: Unplugged in NY, Mazzy Starr: So Tonight That I Might Sleep, The Shins: Oh! Inverted World, Soundgarden: Superunknown, StoneTemplePilots: Core, U2: Achtung Baby, The Verve: Urban hymns, Weezer: The Blue Album, Yeah Yeah Yeah's: Show Your Bones,
Oldies but Goodies
I was trying to pick singular albums that through my life I have tried to wear out. These artists are from an era before me and all I have at this point are greatest hits albums that obviously rule because they are the best of collections. So here are the artists who's songs I cherish, but whose albums either never existed or I am not familiar enough with just one to pick. This does not diminish the importance of this music however, because I do own most of these greatest hits albums
The Beatles
Johnny Cash
Bob Dylan
Jimi Hendrix
Elvis Presley
Rolling Stones
Violent Femmes
The Who
Neil Young
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
America, you dumb idiots
I understand that of the top four American Idols, rocker Chris Daultry would be the least in need of an AI title to enjoy a successful music career, but what the bleep people. He has not had one bad week, not every one perfect, but mr. consistancy goes out in fourth place. Bad form and I am ashamed to be an American right now. You may be asking yourself if I have the right to complain? You bet I am an AI voter and my voice was not heard. Luckily I still have a touch of McFeeeever and the voters better make her the new princess of pop or else. Lastly the term "douche bag" has been thrown around on a couple of my good friends blogs and I would like to now nominate myself for that perticular title. E Strahl OUT
I understand that of the top four American Idols, rocker Chris Daultry would be the least in need of an AI title to enjoy a successful music career, but what the bleep people. He has not had one bad week, not every one perfect, but mr. consistancy goes out in fourth place. Bad form and I am ashamed to be an American right now. You may be asking yourself if I have the right to complain? You bet I am an AI voter and my voice was not heard. Luckily I still have a touch of McFeeeever and the voters better make her the new princess of pop or else. Lastly the term "douche bag" has been thrown around on a couple of my good friends blogs and I would like to now nominate myself for that perticular title. E Strahl OUT
Friday, May 05, 2006
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Five-Second Movie Reviews
Match Point was an interesting movie that suffered from a slow second act. The middle of the movie kind of hung for a while with what seemed like no place to go. Which is weird because the character development was good, and as an audience we knew the direction the story would head toward but the pacing seemed a tad stagnet. The movie is 2 hours 4 minutes. Overall I turned off my DVD player with a sense that I had been entertained by a movie more mature and sophisticated than the next reviewed masterpiece American Dreamz with a Z. This movie was the unfiltered bitter rantings of what I hope is an educated liberal American. If that is true it did not come through in the telling of this perticular story. Some good comedic performances, but nothing exciting was said. And that is why I go to the movies my friends, to see something better than I feel I could come up with after an evening's discussion with friends. This movie sucked.
Match Point was an interesting movie that suffered from a slow second act. The middle of the movie kind of hung for a while with what seemed like no place to go. Which is weird because the character development was good, and as an audience we knew the direction the story would head toward but the pacing seemed a tad stagnet. The movie is 2 hours 4 minutes. Overall I turned off my DVD player with a sense that I had been entertained by a movie more mature and sophisticated than the next reviewed masterpiece American Dreamz with a Z. This movie was the unfiltered bitter rantings of what I hope is an educated liberal American. If that is true it did not come through in the telling of this perticular story. Some good comedic performances, but nothing exciting was said. And that is why I go to the movies my friends, to see something better than I feel I could come up with after an evening's discussion with friends. This movie sucked.
It is Here
The much anticipated Pearl Jam by PearlJam was released today. My review will have to wait until I have more chances to spin the disc, my wife for some reason didn't want to listen to it on repeat for hours, but the pre-order from tenclub that I mentioned last week arrived on the release date and the bonus live concert is awesome.
The much anticipated Pearl Jam by PearlJam was released today. My review will have to wait until I have more chances to spin the disc, my wife for some reason didn't want to listen to it on repeat for hours, but the pre-order from tenclub that I mentioned last week arrived on the release date and the bonus live concert is awesome.
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