No one is safe from the perils of the economy

Batman Garage Sale with Adam West from Adam West

Black White and Red house furniture

This is a real commerical for a furniture store in North Carolina. It's also my favorite piece of advertising ever!!

Tori Amos - Welcome To England: Album Version

New Song off Tori's 10th album "Abnormally attracted to sin" which will be released May 19th. I like the song. I'm not in love with it. I mean the song and I could totally be friends. I'm interested to hear the album, I hope some of the other material is a little more compelling.
The video is a little odd. No? Sort of has an advertisment for England tourism vibe.
I will say, without a doubt, I always love Tori's lyrics. She's quite a storyteller in all her music.
My favorite lyrics from this song:

perfect, heal it
because your other half has got himself
a devil’s excess

it’s not a question, if i care
fight by your side
and we’ll stand

when your heart explodes
is it deathly cold
you must let the colors violate the
blackness, the rest
a magic world in parallel
so leave your daily hell

welcome to England, he said
welcome to my World

Eh, I'm reserving all judgement until I hear the album. Also keeping my eyes open for a tour..Always have to see Tori when she comes through NYC.

Spiderman: Turn off the Dark

Spidey is swinging onto the Great white way in 2010. I've been following the development of this show with a baleful sort of curiosity. I'm not sure exactly what to think. One the one hand I think it's just a shameful milking of the Marvel machine. On the other, if done right I suppose it could be fun. Bono and the Edge are doing the music, so despite all else at least that shouldn't be disapointing. Which is a definte check in the plus coloumn, Then in a recent press release director Julie Taymor describes the show as "circus rock-n-roll drama,".....it's hard for me to wrap my brain around that description with anything less than an overwhelming sense of trepidation. Is it just me, or does that description conjure up images of cirque du soleil with a U-2 soundtrack? This show can only go one of two ways...Complete surprising sucess or complete embarrasing flop. Honestly I might actually enjoy it either way.
If you're as morbidly curious as I am you can sign up for updates at the offical website: http://spidermanonbroadway.marvel.com/

NIN live from rehearsals Letting You

Nin still sound great. Am very excited to be going to see them and Jane's Addiction at PNC in June. It's a dream concert from my teen years, also known as "I sure do miss the 90s" It's gonna be a great show...Goddamn Trent is buff huh? Never in a million years would've imagined that...he is still god...

Disney Farm Fresh Eggs Commercial

Disney is selling eggs? Really? What won't they pimp to kids? I really thought this was a joke...but no, apparantly it's as serious as sin, Disney is now selling eggs...I'm baffled.....Just when I thought they couldn't possibly endorse something more ludicrious and bit offensive then the Jo-bros...they go and prove me wrong

Neil Young Fork In the Road

Neil Young - Fork In The Road



"So You Tube is the new radio.....but not quite.
Radio used to introduce music to the masses and was crucial to every new release, with identical compensation for every artist and label. Since You Tube has given some labels better deals that others, the Media Giant is treating artists unequally, depending on which label they are on."- Neil Young posted on his blog last week. Clearly his dissatisfaction with youtube- and digital media in general,as evidenced by the lyric :
"I'm a big rock star
My sales have tanked
But I still got you
Thanks
Download this
Sounds like shit"
shine through in this video. I like it. It's a clever concept. Simple. To the point.
Entertaining. I like Neil Young, but this video clearly outshines the song. Yes Neil, you are a big rock star, but I'm not going to download this song. I may however watch the video again!

The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark

I'm currently reading Carl Sagan's Demon Haunted World. Through a serious of essays Sagan discusses the importance of scientific skeptical thinking verus psuedoscience, superstions and religion. While it may be comforting to believe in fantasy and that which is otherwise unbelievable, when logic and evidence are well, non evident, there really isn't much substance. One quote from the books states : "the siren song of unreason is not just a cultural wrong but a dangerous plunge into darkness that threatens our most basic freedoms." In his writings he presents the scientific method in such a way that it is easily assecible to people on any level. Carl Sagan passed away in 1996, and this is, in part, his last interview. Demon Haunted World I suppose, became a fitting epitaph, and is really a must read for anyone who desires to think for themselves and develop a more critical assesment of the world around them.

Depeche Mode - Wrong

Depeche Mode's new (and 12th) album "Sounds of the Universe" drops (if you will) April 20th...almost like a belated birthday gift to me...thanks guys....Anyway this is the video for the first single off the album entitled "Wrong"...It's got an interesting sound, not so much like the Depeche Mode sound that lingers in my internal soundtrack, but not entirely offputting either. It's interesting. The song has that undercurrent of darkness that's always been layered under their sound, even their more poppy sounds, and which has undoubtly attracted me to the band time and time again. I actually like this track alot better than "fragile tension"., which was leaked onto the internet earlier this month. Although Dave Gahan has stated interviews that the version of that song was actually a rough cut not the finished product. The video for Wrong is interesting too. How unlucky can one guy get? Think you had a bad day? Think again.
DM is also slated to play the Garden in August....I'd like to see them live again...

ADELE - Make You Feel My Love

Adele's cover of Dylans's to make you feel my love is really quite beautiful. FYI she's not lip synching in the video, she was filmed singing live. Which is pretty interesting and very cool in this day and age. The album cut of the song and video stirred up quite dichotomous emotions in me. The single sounds hopeful and pretty and almost like a spontanous outpouring of devotion in a candid moment, while the video on the other hand felt depressing and desperate. (yet in no way detracting from the song's appeal) More like supplication to an errant boyfriend or love. Whom I suppose actually does call in the end, albiet well past 4am, but lets not split hairs....Maybe I'd do better to just enjoy the song without being overly analytical.
I wanted to find a clip of Bob Dylan performing the song, just to compare and contrast, but really audio sucked on all the clips I found on youtube...unless I wanted to suffer through a "tribute" video...and really I think we're all better for not viewing one of those...oh well

The Amazing Ny Race

Last Sunday I took part in the amazing New York Race. It is, as the official website calls it, "Part scavenger hunt, part obstacle course, ALL New York." The races are organized by Pogo events and there are a multitude to choose from. All of which take you on an interesting hunt around NYC, trying to solve clues and complete tasks within the designated (approx 4 hour) time frame. I'm sure you're familiar with the CBS show, (which the website is quick to point out they are not at all affiliated with), so you can pretty much grasp the concept of the races.
The one I took part in last Sunday was the underground race. It took place entirely in the subway system, which even for a native NYer can be tricky to navigate at times. Anyway each team was given a packet at the start of the race, which included pictures of different places of interest withing the subway system. Murals, artwork and such. Some of which were fairly easy to locate (like the Alice in Wonderland mural at 50th st), and various tasks, such as "take a picture with a person wearing red shoes" and "take a picture with 5 men in suits in Grand Central". Each team had to take a picture to document their accomplishment of each thing on the list, and each team member had to be in the picture. There was also a road block,a mental road block, which was a list of letters,each of which was a letter from a famous corporate logo. And a detour which was a choice between either collecting 10 matchbooks from restaurants (near impossible in smoke free NY) or collecting 10 business cards from ice cream parlors. Everything on the list had points attributed to them, with a bonus 15 points if you arrived back at the meeting point by 5:45. My team of 3 (myself, Steven and Beth) choose the name "The F N 1ers"...the effin oners...nice NY tude eh? It was quite a whirlwind running around subterranean NY. For the most part the people we encountered were really into it. Everyone was pretty compliant with our at times weird demands. I mean is there really a non-weird way to ask someone if you and 2 friends can take a picture with them while they're talking on the phone? Or to buy a newspaper just to ask someone to "please pretend to do the crossword puzzle, while we take a picture?"
The few notable, non compliant individuals were: the surly token booth agent who refused to let us take a picture, the old man in grand central who ran from me clutching is wallet, when I approched him. (FYI in my humble experience muggers do not approach their victims with a kindly "excuse me sir" while wearing name tags), and the man at the newsstand who refused to be photographed holding a SI swimsuit issue (the challenge was to take a picture with someone holding a girlie mag) because he would much prefer to be holding "golf digest"...yea I know....what would people on facebook think if that picture ever surfaced...oh the shame...
Anyway, our team came in somewhere in the middle of the pack with a respectable 238 points. The winning team had 280 something points, but that victory was rife with controversy. Originally the winners were announced to be "The trainspotters" (a team comprised of our friends), until the winning team demanded a recount and were declared the actual winners. Ah, well all is fair in love and scavenger hunts I suppose.
All in all it was a really good time. It's a fun way to see the city and interact with people, all while depending upon your wiles and organizational skills to get yourself through the day. Great cardio workout too!
Check out more about these races at pogoevents.com and maybe sign up for one yourself. I'd do it again sometime. Hmmm..maybe I'll even get to compete against you....

Silversun Pickups - Well Thought Out Twinkles

Cool band. They've got that 90's alt sound I miss so. Not to mention , in the shadowy quality of the video the frontman kinda looks like a young Billy Corgan, doesn't he?

Cool random concert info

So here's a cool tidbit if you're a TMBG fan. I just recently discovered that the last Saturday of every month They Might Be Giants play @ Le Poisson Rouge in NYC.
Tickets are only $28 (plus a $4.50 fee), which is fairly reasonable not only if you're a fan of the band, but also for a grammy winning one (they recently won a grammy for best musical album for children for their album "Here come the 123s)
Le Poisson Rouge is located at 158 Bleecker Street, and you can learn more about not only TMBG shows but other upcoming (and reasonable priced) shows and events at their website http://lepoissonrouge.com/ Even in these bleak economic times, you can still go out and have fun on a budget!

Dirt Off Your Android- Jaydiohead

Jaydiohead - Dirt Off Your Android from Minty Fresh Beats on Vimeo.

Whoever woulda thunk Jay-z and Radiohead would mesh so well? Well they do! I'm completely not a fan of the rap rock genre, and was skeptial at first, but I would totally be down with a Jigga man and Radiohead collaboration! I love when two seemingly diverse musical genres are able to merge into something new and altogether original. I doesn't always work so well. I think this nifty little musical marriage is what the organizers of Amsterjam (which promised amazing live mashups) were hoping for and never delivered. Maybe if they could make this happen, they would bring the festival back...NYC is quite devoid of music fests...and seeing Snoop do and Red Hot Chili Peppers together or (the less random pairing) of Foo Fighters and Tom Petty was pretty nifty...oh well....anyway you can check out more songs like this @ jaydiohead.com

Bon Iver -- Lump Sum

I'm currently digging...Bon Iver. His real name is Justin Vernon. The moniker Bon Iver is actually a take on the french term "Bon Hiver" (which means good winter), which the singer was inspired to adopt after hearing the phrase mentioned on the series Northen Exposure. His album For Emma, Forever Ago was written during a period of isolation while he was recooperating from a bout of mononucleosis of the liver in his father's cabin in northern Wisonsin. Iver's vocals are haunting, angelic and all together moving. For Emma feels so personal, it almost feels intrusive at times listening to it. It's beautiul and simple. Iver plays all the instruments and relied heavily on overdubbing on the tracks. Check him out...

Joaquin Phoenix Rap Concert At Vegas Club Tavo, Fails Miserable, Drunken Stumble Fall Off Stage

So Joaquim is giving up acting for a career in rap....The beard is very Rick Rubin-esque isn't it? I'm so in love right now with all the controversy this is causing. People seem so invested in his career.. I think it's going to make a hellofva documentary. It's just so very Andy Kauffman (who was billiant by the way) and unlike most other celebrity antics, which leave me well bored to tears, this is interesting...rap on Joaquim...rap on....

Kings of Leon @ MSG

Have you heard "Only by the Night"? No? Well you should. It's a good album, despite what any cooler than thou indie detractors might say.It's amusing to me the vitriol Kings of Leon inspire in that aforementioned assemblage. I can't for the life of me understand the appeal of the "I only listen to obscure musicians no one has ever heard of" game. Do you win points if you can rattle off a litany of obscure bands, and musical references? Does someone keep score? If a band plays and no one is there to hear them, do they make a sound only pretentious ears can hear? Well, I also don't understand the appeal of the skinny jean uniform, so I'll probably never be granted my cool card.
I have no problem with mainstream music. I like what I like without any pretense or preamble. In the history of music, no one has ever formed a band to languish in the depths of obscurity. Arena rock has it's appeal, especially when done right. but there is something much more appealing, satisfying and pure about a no frills rock show. I can live without pyrotechnics and over done staging. That's why everyone should support their local talent. I find people who refuse to acknowledge anything outside of mainstream radio equally annoying and douchey to their indie purist counterparts. I am however an expert of nothing stave my own opinions. But, I digress...
I'll admit I was surprised when I found out KOL were headlining the Garden. I was even more surprised when the show was touted as sold out. By the looks of the arena last night, they drew a decent sized crowd. They played a set list heavy with songs from the new album. I think the band sounded good. I think Caleb sounded good. His vocals were strong and just as compelling to me live as on the album. I was happy they played "Cold Desert", but I like the version on the album better. The album version had something, some emotion maybe, that I guess can't ever be truly reproduced entirely. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves last night. Dancing, drinking, smoking having a good ole time. The only downside to the night was the truly annoying MSG usher who would continuously pester me to "find my seat" every time I moved into the aisle to try and see the band from a better vantage point. It's not my fault I'm short.
They're still a relatively young band. I'm interested to see how they progress, and next time they're in NYC I would definitely see them again.

Lykke Li -I'm good I'm Gone

One of the more interesting and different songs from '08. I love the sample of Lee Dorsey's "working in a coal mine", it just works. Good to see Hip hoppers haven't cornered the market on creative sampling. It's an infectious lil diddy, with a judicious use of hand clapping, in lieu of say a power chord. I'd like to see more bands incorporate hand clapping in their repertoire.

Dollhouse Exlusive Sneak Peek

Dollhouse premieres feb 13th on Fox. Finally. I'm still anticipating this series, even more so since there has been very little in the way of information or spoilers leaking out. I like spoilers. They makes me feel like I'm being thrown a bone, and I do truly enjoy having my curiosities sated. Well, at least the series premiere is right around the proverbial network corner. My only hope is that Fox gives it a fair shot at finding it's niche.

KOL- Sex on Fire

Going to see KOL @ the Garden on the 29th, currently alone. I don't understand how none of my friends know this band, or at the very least what might just be the best single of '08. I guarantee, I give my word, if they would just trust me they too would groove to the tunes of these talented southern rockers.

A touching review of "The Secret"

The following is a real customer review from Amazon.com for the mind boggling self help book "The Secret", I have to say after reading this review all reservations I may have had about just how "life changing" this so called "secret" might be melted away. Call it New Age psuedo-science if you will, but this book truly changed one young readers life, and for the better dare I say! Read on please...

1,385 of 1,406 people found the following review helpful:
The Secret saved my life!, December 4, 2007
By Ari Brouillette (Kensington, CA United States) - See all my reviews


Please allow me to share with you how "The Secret" changed my life and in a very real and substantive way allowed me to overcome a severe crisis in my personal life. It is well known that the premise of "The Secret" is the science of attracting the things in life that you desire and need and in removing from your life those things that you don't want. Before finding this book, I knew nothing of these principles, the process of positive visualization, and had actually engaged in reckless behaviors to the point of endangering my own life and wellbeing.
At age 36, I found myself in a medium security prison serving 3-5 years for destruction of government property and public intoxication. This was stiff punishment for drunkenly defecating in a mailbox but as the judge pointed out, this was my third conviction for the exact same crime. I obviously had an alcohol problem and a deep and intense disrespect for the postal system, but even more importantly I was ignoring the very fabric of our metaphysical reality and inviting destructive influences into my life.
My fourth day in prison was the first day that I was allowed in general population and while in the recreation yard I was approached by a prisoner named Marcus who calmly informed me that as a new prisoner I had been purchased by him for three packs of Winston cigarettes and 8 ounces of Pruno (prison wine). Marcus elaborated further that I could expect to be raped by him on a daily basis and that I had pretty eyes.
Needless to say, I was deeply shocked that my life had sunk to this level. Although I've never been homophobic I was discovering that I was very rape phobic and dismayed by my overall personal street value of roughly $15. I returned to my cell and sat very quietly, searching myself for answers on how I could improve my life and distance myself from harmful outside influences. At that point, in what I consider to be a miraculous moment, my cell mate Jim Norton informed me that he knew about the Marcus situation and that he had something that could solve my problems. He handed me a copy of "The Secret". Normally I wouldn't have turned to a self help book to resolve such a severe and immediate threat but I literally didn't have any other available alternatives. I immediately opened the book and began to read.
The first few chapters deal with the essence of something called the "Law of Attraction" in which a primal universal force is available to us and can be harnessed for the betterment of our lives. The theoretical nature of the first few chapters wasn't exactly putting me at peace. In fact, I had never meditated and had great difficulty with closing out the chaotic noises of the prison and visualizing the positive changes that I so dearly needed. It was when I reached Chapter 6 "The Secret to Relationships" that I realized how this book could help me distance myself from Marcus and his negative intentions. Starting with chapter six there was a cavity carved into the book and in that cavity was a prison shiv. This particular shiv was a toothbrush with a handle that had been repeatedly melted and ground into a razor sharp point.
The next day in the exercise yard I carried "The Secret" with me and when Marcus approached me I opened the book and stabbed him in the neck. The next eight weeks in solitary confinement provided ample time to practice positive visualization and the 16 hours per day of absolute darkness made visualization about the only thing that I actually could do. I'm not sure that everybody's life will be changed in such a dramatic way by this book but I'm very thankful to have found it and will continue to recommend it heartily.

Better than Brittany? You Decide

Quite possibly one of the better cover songs I've heard. AAR cover "Womanizer", note if you will the young gentleman in overalls playing the beer bottles. Please to enjoy