Saturday, December 29, 2007

What a great freakin' Christmas!

I don't know about you, but my Christmas was great. A ton of great gifts, got to see family, everyone is great! I won't bore you with the details, but I am always touched by gifts I give and ones I receive. My parents went above and beyond this year, I still can't believe what they did. (Not going to tell you, sorry.) I will share one gift that I received, a moleskin journal from Ashley's parents. I am writing in it and hope it improves my writing. I've always wanted a journal to carry around and put my inner most thoughts down. I also hope to use it as a sketchbook for more involved writing. I'm going to post my top albums of 2007 very soon, so keep an eye out.

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Listening to: Bob Dylan - I Don't Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met)
via FoxyTunes

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Listening to: Manic Street Preachers - Stay Beautiful
via FoxyTunes

ESPN - Colts' Sanders signs for five years, $37.5 million -- tops among safeties - NFL

Defensive MVP!!!

ESPN - Colts' Sanders signs for five years, $37.5 million -- tops among safeties - NFL

Saturday, December 22, 2007

American Thinker: The Rage in Huckabee's Voice

This is one reason that I won't vote for him...

American Thinker: The Rage in Huckabee's Voice

A Little Baseball in my Politics

I said that I would be posting a political blog soon, but I've since lost some steam. However, I will try to write a little of what I had previously planned. Have you been paying attention to the polls? I have to admit that I am a political junkie and Presidential election cycles are like heroin. From the beginning it seemed as though Hillary and to a certain extent Rudy had their respective nominations locked up. Since that time both have taken great falls in the polls. There are various explanations for the rise of some candidates and to the fall of others, but it comes down to this simple fact, the American voter doesn't know what the hell he or she wants. We are confused and quite frankly, a little scared. Despite the fact that we haven't had an attack since 9/11, we live in the most uncertain times since we were able to pull ourselves out of Vietnam. We know this election is an important one, especially since some of us think that we royally screwed up the last two.

I think this is why Clinton and Rudy serged ahead so quickly. When you are so uncertain about a difficult decision, you tend to latch on to what is familiar and safe. Both of those candidates permeate our national consciousness and we couldn't help but latch on to them like a drowning former cruise boat traveler who was thrown a life vest as the ship pulled away and the crew convinced the other passengers that we never existed. However, familiarity breeds contempt and we soon realized that both of the front runners, while familiar old faces, represented old solutions that most of us are tired of seeing trotted out year after year. So we have slowly looked elsewhere and with the help of some guides (Oprah, conservative Christians) we have found new options that might not be that bad.

For my part I really hope that my options are some candidates that I won't reject right away. I'm not going to vote for Hillary, or Huckabee, or Romney, or any of the candidates that hasn't a legitimate shot. (Although, Ron Paul, who is CRAZY, might tempt me...no he's too crazy.) I want to believe that Obama is my generation's JFK, but I'm afraid to look any closer as he might not live up to such lofty expectations. I also fear for our first black candidate for president, there are a lot of whack jobs out there. I've always liked McCain, but until recently it doesn't seem as though he has a shot. If those two go up against each other, it will be be tough choice for me. I like Thompson, but I think I've made it clear that he doesn't have the political will to get the nomination. Rudy is Rudy, he's okay, but I can't get past the fact that he was a mayor and his record is mixed at best.

On a completely different note, the Mitchell Report came out and boy howdy did it create a stir. Maybe when I have more energy and my dog isn't whining to go for a walk I will put more effort into this topic, but let me just say this: Isn't it weird that media types talk about this story incessantly, but then claim that the general public doesn't care if our players are juiced out of their minds? I think they reason they do that is to excuse them of their ineptitude to really crack this story. Except for one or two exceptions, no one in the media has had the "All the President's Men" story that has cracked this wide open and proved guilt. This is a direct result of the media turning a blind eye to the problem when baseball was making a huge comeback as a direct result of players taking 'roids. Look, we care, but we also know that right now there isn't much we can do about it. So, the media keeps wringing its hands and instead of just admitting that they missed this awhile ago they have strong prejudices about who to go after (Bonds vs. Clemens) and don't want the general public to have a nuanced opinion about the subject. For my part, wipe out the last 15 years of records and let's start over.

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Listening to: The Beatles - Get Back
via FoxyTunes
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Listening to: Miles Davis - Miles Runs The Voodoo Down
via FoxyTunes
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Listening to: The Bad Plus - 1980 World Champion
via FoxyTunes
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Listening to: The Beta Band - Push It Out
via FoxyTunes

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Ahead of Iowa, Republican Race Is Wide Open - WSJ.com

When I have time I want to comment further on this, but it just goes to show that the public at large has no idea what they want in a candidate....more to come later.

Ahead of Iowa, Republican Race Is Wide Open - WSJ.com

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Fred Thompson: Lazy as charged - Roger Simon - Politico.com

I love to say I told you so...so I will. He's not going to do anything people. Big political blog to come later.

Fred Thompson: Lazy as charged - Roger Simon - Politico.com

Scary Experiment

So, here's an interesting experiment I accidentally tried the other day.  Take something that you consider to be common knowledge but others might see as a belief.  Something that you know that some people believe one way, but you are fairly certain that the rest of society believes in what you believe in.  Next, go around to acquaintances of yours, not friends, for they will probably have the same beliefs as you, that's why you hang out with them.  But go up to people that you sort of know, but not really.  Ask them what side of the issue they come down on.  If your experience is anything like mine, you will be shocked to find out what people believe or profess to believe.  Be forewarned that this could blow up in your face and these acquaintances will become enemies, but if you want to be blown away, try it out.

Friday, December 14, 2007

One of my Favorite Pictures from Our Honeymoon


This was taken last year on our honeymoon. The pic is of Catherine's summer palace outside of St. Petersburg.
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Add me to the Colts' defeated list | IndyStar.com

Add me to the Colts' defeated list | IndyStar.com

Lennon vs. McCartney

Part of the reason that I love the Beatles is the dynamic tension between Paul and John. It is amazing to me that two people with completely different tastes, beliefs, styles, soul, etc. could coexist and create some of the greatest pop music ever. To hear those differences in a song, "Day in a Life", or an album, "The White Album", is fascinating. If you want to really see how contrasting both of these artists styles are, take a look at their Christmas songs. Paul's is a sweet, innocent pop song that makes you want to grab your girl and enjoy every Christmas cliche. John's turns the whole concept of a Christmas song on its head. It is introspective, thought provoking, almost haunting. Listen to both songs back to back and then remember that these two were in the arguably the greatest band of all time and WORKED together as friends. No wonder they have their issues and fights, the proof is in the Christmas pudding that they were both from different planets. Below are the lyrics for both.

"Wonderful Christmas Time" by Paul McCartney
The moon is right
The spirits up
We're here tonight
And that's enough

Simply having a wonderful christmastime
Simply having a wonderful christmastime

The party's on
The feelin's here
That only comes
This time of year

Simply having a wonderful christmastime
Simply having a wonderful christmastime

The choir of children sing their song
Ding dong, ding dong
Ding dong, ding Ohhhh
Ohhhhhhh

Simply having a wonderful christmastime
Simply having a wonderful christmastime

The word is out
About the town
To lift a glass
Ahhh don't look down

Simply having a wonderful christmastime
Simply having a wonderful christmastime

The choir of children sing their song
They practiced all year long
Ding dong, ding dong
Ding dong, ding dong
Ding dong, ding dong

The party's on
The spirits up
We're here tonight
And that's enough

Simply having a wonderful christmastime
Simply having a wonderful christmastime

The moon is right
The spirits up
We're here tonight
And that's enough

Simply having a wonderful christmastime
Simply having a wonderful christmastime
Simply having a wonderful christmastime
Simply having a wonderful christmastime

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Christmastime

"Happy Christmas (War is Over)" by John Lennon
So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
Ans so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over over
If you want it
War is over
Now...




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Listening to: Brian Eno - Another Green World
via FoxyTunes

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

NBA/NFL: Polar opposites in the same city - Posted Sports

NBA/NFL: Polar opposites in the same city - Posted Sports

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Listening to:
The Roots & Cody Chestnutt - The Seed (2.0)
via FoxyTunes

Would someone please kill my TV?

I hate television. I wish it was never invented and if that means we would still be reading by candlelight, so be it. The main reason that I hate television is that I can't help but to watch it. I'm weak; if there is a television on in the room, I will stare at it. I was in a play this past summer that had a television on during the whole play, the director gave me a note that I was staring at the TV too much. I've tried to adopt a no TV Tuesday, but this past week I completely forgot about it. It drives me insane that even though there is nothing on TV, I can watch it for hours on end, mindlessly flipping through channels. To make matters worse, I will watch programs that drive me crazy: News Channels, MTV, reality television, VH1, etc. The news channels are terrible, have you ever watched Nancy Grace? Her self righteousness is so over the top you would swear you were watching a bad impression of a talk show host. Most shows on MTV just make me angry and I usually end up throwing my shoe or something, I just feel bad when I watch reality television. All of these shows, and let's face it most television programs play to our laziness, stupidity, and base, shallow emotions. The sad thing is, we let them. Most shows are on now are designed not to spark a thought or spur your curiosity through compelling stories, but to say and show outrageous things that make you shocked, mad or stupefied. Every been in a traffic jam only to find out that everyone was slowing down to look at an accident...on the other side of road???

Of course there are exceptions to every rule. In my opinion, there is one show that rises above its premise as a reality show to become a truly heartwarming tale that while it might be contrived, should still be a model for all other reality TV shows. Run's House on MTV is a truly great television show and one that I don't feel guilty for watching. Run's family truly seems to care for each other. Run is a wonderful father who doesn't take himself seriously and while it is impossible not to spoil your children when you are one of the founding fathers of a entire music genre, he still manages to teach them responsibility and how to be a good person. I dare anyone to watch the most recent episode with Kid Rock and not feel a little warm and fuzzy. I guess part of the reason I keep watching TV is because every once in awhile a show comes along that makes you feel good, not bad for having it on. I should just let other people find those shows and let me know, until then I'll be reading a book....or playing a video game.

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Shots fired at Pacers’ Jamaal Tinsley | IndyStar.com

Shots fired at Pacers’ Jamaal Tinsley | IndyStar.com

True Tragedy (Originally posted April 18th, 2007 on myspace)

There is going to be a lot of hand wringing over the next few weeks over the horrific events at Virginia Tech. I just got done watching the NBC nightly news and they were showing the parts of the package that the killer sent in between shootings and I can't shake what I believe to be the real problem or issue that many will ignore. Most will talk about "warning signs" and try to armchair quarterback how the university handled the events on that fateful day. Listen people, we need tougher controls on guns in this country. If you haven't figured it out already, it is way too easy to get guns and ammunition in this country. We are the only civilized country where getting a handgun is as easy as getting a Big Mac. This is what we have in common with third world countries, everybody can get a gun.

We are so gun crazy in the country it is ridiculous. The problem is that we have made it so easy to fulfill a sick fetish that some still have romantic notions about. We are so crazy about our 2nd amendment rights (which by the way, if the framers knew that muzzle loaded guns would evolve into semi-automatic rifles, they probably wouldn't have included that baby in the bill of rights) that if someone brings up putting restrictions on who can by a gun, we go ape shit. At some point in our history we thought it was a good idea to outlaw alcohol, but god forbid that we put restrictions on guns. I'm not idealistic enough to think that we can ban guns from society all together, but do you think that maybe it should be harder to buy a gun than it is to get a driver's license? And you say we are infringing on law abiding citizens to buy guns, shut up. You are basically saying that adding some inconvenience in buying a Glock isn't worth Joe Crazy shooting up a bunch of innocent people.

And please don't give me that crap about criminals either not caring if they break gun control laws or that they buy all of their weapons on the black market. Guns aren't drugs. You can't grow a bunch of semi automatics and then sell them illegally to your neighbors. They are manufactured by companies, who have to sell them somewhere! If you limit their legal sale, it is bound to have some effect on the illegal sale of weapons. It is a trickle down effect, but it will eventually have some good results. And if I'm wrong and guns are going straight from manufacturers to the black market, maybe we should inflict strict penalties on gun companies if their guns are sold illegally. You think the companies would then take some drastic steps to stop guns ending up on the black market?

If you feel it necessary to defend your home with a handgun, great. I know that there are stats out there to support that having a gun in the home can prevent attacks. But what a lot of those studies ignore is that there is no way of telling if alternative measures could have been just has effective, like an alarm system. They also don't tell you if the gun was necessary to defend, if the mere presence of a homeowner or catching an attacker in the act would stop it. Plus you are taking the risk that your kid grabs the gun and kills him or herself.

The only way we are going to end our fascination with guns is to somehow make them unattainable. I've fired guns before and I will admit that there is a sense of power and awe in handling a gun and firing it, but that is when the obsession really takes hold. Let's stop that step from happening, so the obsessions stops at small curiosity and we easily find something else to pass the time, like badminton or something.

I don't have many strong opinions. (Really, I don't.) But I am anti-gun. I just wish that there were more people who were as well; because if we are ever going to stop the tide of violence caused by an all too powerful gun lobby, there is going to have to be a lot of us.

Friday, December 07, 2007

Guns and the Truth

I posted an article yesterday about the latest gun massacre.  I really don't have the energy to haul myself back on my soapbox and prostheltyze about the evils of guns and the need for more gun control.  I hope that the article speaks for itself.  I might post my original blog from another website that I posted after the VT shooting.
 
Speaking of ignoring the facts, what is it about today's youth that causes them to blatently lie in the face of overwhelming fact and logic.  I really want to find out how we have trained so many kids to deny, deny, then deny some more.  We have taught them nothing about self discipline and culpability, which continues the digusting patter of no one in today's society owning up to mistakes they have made.  Why has truth become so hard to accept?  Why has it become such a nebulous word?  How can we feel justified in clouding truth with our own interpretations and excuses?  It is so frustrating and disconcerting. 
 
On another note, Bruce is coming to Conseco.  YES!   

Sunday, December 02, 2007

Wednesday, November 28, 2007



A couple of shots from the cell phone at the IU vs. Purdue game. IU won and seems to be headed to bowl for the first time since the HW Bush was President. Great game, I was totally obnoxious to some Purdue fans sitting behind me. It was all in good fun, but it is great to complete demoralize your rival. The last picture is the students rushing the field. Don't know if I believe in the afterlife, but if there is one, I know Coach Hep is smiling!
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At the Bruce Concert a couple of weeks ago in Chicago, way up there...
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Sunday, November 25, 2007

MoMA


We recently returned from NYC. This is a picture from MoMA (Museum of Modern Art). More to come later...
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I'm back and consolodating

I don't know what it is about this time of year that makes me want to post on a blog. I get antsy and my creative juices feel neglected, so I decided to try and fulfill them through online posting, it usually only last a few days, weeks whatever and I quit. I think I have the solution to at least make a concerted effort to blog. It consists of the following.

1) Get rid of Myspace and Facebook. I really am too old for these things and they become a obsession of gadgets and keeping tabs on people that I really don't care about. All I really want is a place to write when I feel like it, which leads us to number 2.

2) I am not going to concentrate on making this a window to my soul, tastes, etc, etc. I'm just going to write and posts some pictures. That's it. I will occasionally let you know what books I'm reading, music I am digging, TV I am watching, but don't expect fancy links and pictures of book covers. Too much work, too much time padiddling with crap that at the end of the day I don't give a shit about.

3) I will write something at all costs. If this is going to be a launching pad for more serious writing, I've got to get better. My writing sucks and while I am often inspired by other things I read (just finished Jonathan Lethem's Fortress of Solitude, excellent, excellent read) and I can sure as hell think my amazing writing in my head, when I set down to write, it sucks ass. So I have got to figure out how to fix that. Using only single syllable words is probably part of the problem, but what can I say, I'm a simple man.

4) I'm going to stop worrying about you. Yes, sorry, I'm done trying to write for imaginary people who read my blog. The question is, then why write a blog at all? It's here and I like to write and to tell the truth, the slight chance that others might read it still boosts my ego a little. The other little tidbit I discovered is that I enjoy going into the past and looking at what I have posted previously.

5) Pictures, pictures, pictures.

I think that is about it. So, if you are interested that I'm back, great! If no one but me reads this, so be it. I'm off to go delete my other online identities, wish me luck.

Friday, January 05, 2007

Top Ten Albums of 2006

Okay, just because I had fun writing this, my Blogger blog returns...

I've always wanted to put one of these together. I thought about a couple of different ways to put this list together. At first I thought I would put together a list of albums I bought in this past year, whether they were released in 2006 or not; mainly because there are albums that I have bought or will buy from this past year that might crack my top 10 but alas no one is paying me to listen to albums on a non stop basis. I also thought it was a cop-out to just talk about the best albums that I've bought, knowing that it would take a little more work to figure out which albums released in this past year I liked. Let me just say that I haven't given any of these albums the in-depth listen they deserve, but only a few people are going to be reading this so...who cares. So, I took on the daunting task and found that there were actually more than 10 albums I liked this year so I had to narrow down my choices. . .and they are...

10. Natalie Walker--Urban Angel I don't think there will ever be the U.S. answer to Beth Orton, but Natalie Walker comes pretty close. She has the ability to sing whisper quiet and yet still put enough power behind your voice to pay attention. Beside a brilliant cover of Counting Crow's "Colorblind" such tracks as "Red" and the title track prove that she is more than just a pretty voice laid over some good beats. Natalie at least staved off me giving up on the whole Electronic genre for another year and that means something. Hopefully, she will continue and garner some praise in spite of her choice in genre; either that or she will find some other type of music to grace. Oh and she's from Indiana, so that's cool.


9. Amplivate--Kid Beyond To be fair this is an EP, but the music on this album is too cool not to include on this list. I was concerned when I heard of Kid Beyond that it would be gimicky, Bobby McFerrin on crack or something. You can't help but think that when you hear that every track on this album is completely composed using only Kid Beyond's voice and beatboxing skills. What saves the album from my deepest fears are Kid Beyond's lyrics. His songs have meaning and resonance beyond just some cool beatboxing because his words express some deeper perception of the world around him.




8. The Essex Green--Cannibal Sea Lead singer Sasha Bell is cool. I really have nothing to base this on excpet for Essex Green's album. The music is quirky and cool and Bell's vocals float over the chords like a ship would on the waves on their cover. This is an album that I need to listen to more, but I can't get past a couple of the songs, they are too good. On "Snakes in the Grass" the repetitive bass line echoes Bell's voice in perfection. Some of the songs are funky, some are extremely poppy, but all of them are a great listen.



7. The Loon--Tapes n' Tapes Tapes n' Tapes are not the pardigm shift in indie rock that some are claiming, but there album is very good. I think that some were confused that while "The Loon" is a great indie rock album, it is also just a great ROCK album. TnT seem be more concerned with rocking than being clever or unique and that in turn has the effect of being clever and unique. There is no 5 star song on the album, but there are many just quality 4 star songs that seem to reach out and grab you through the speakers. Every year there is one album that reconnects me to my hard rock roots and this year its this one.


5. Ganging up on the Sun--Guster Alright look people, Guster is still Guster. Yes, their last album is somewhat of a departure of their previous work, but at its core it contains all of the things that make Guster great. I really hate when people begrudge a band for making a change in direction, especially when the overemphasize the change itself. Guster is still producing great pop/rock songs but on this album you can tell the group not only took some time with the lyrics, but took time crafting the music. "Satellite" is by far the best track and "Captain" shows some great lyrics. An added plus is the best album cover of the year.

Okay due to some unforeseen circumstances I have a tie, I know its now a top 11, but get over it.

5. (tie) Love--The Beatles Part of the reason that I have a tie is because I was very hesitant to put this album in my top 10. For the most part, there are no "new" recordings on this album (George Harrison did put down some new vocals for "While my Guitar Gently Weeps") However, at the very least, these songs are reimagined or reworked or however you want to phrase it and the fact that Sir George Martin worked on the tracks means that they are good, really good. This is like a Beatles mash up record, mashed up with, well, the Beatles. Songs are interwoven and put together in ways never thought of and it pays off it a great way to hear all the best songs again. Can't wait to see this show in Vegas.




5. (tie) The Greatest--Cat Power The other reason that I had to have a tie was that I just bought this album and in the quick listen I gave, it instantly broke into the list. I was always a little leary of Chan Marshall a.k.a. Cat Power. I really like Fiona Apple and one female vocalists who has a tendency to melt down on stage seemmed to be enough. But it seems Fiona has gotten her act together, so I decided to give Cat a shot. Besides, after seing her perform on Austin City Limits, I was blown away and instantly bought the album. This album is sexy and soulful, quiet and powerful and just a great listen. The title track makes you sad and happy all at the same time and "Where is My Love" is haunting. (And I hate that description of a song, feel that the term as gotten overused, but in this case it is perfect.) Go buy this album now.




4. Into the West--Pilot Speed I don't know much about this band other than they are Canadian and are good. They represent what Coldplay could have been if they weren't COLDPLAY. There songs are sweeping in scope and just feel like they could take you away. There is nothing surprising on the album, but it doesn't matter. You know, for the most part, where each song is going, but you don't care because it is okay that they are taking you there. You can tell that this album and this band are a ripple of Coldplay's effect on the music scene today, but it doesn't feel copied or a tribute, it just feels that this band now has permission to be, which is nice. "Over-Ground" probably is the best example of this as it abounds with a slow release from something.




3. How We Operate--Gomez Anyone who knows me knows that I love Gomez. The band is always a fav of mine, I love the trading off of lead vocals and the use of electronic undertones that make for an interesting and powerful listen. "How We Operate" is not the album for you if want a sens of the band's past work. This is Gomez's best attempt at the mainstream here in the U.S. (the band is huge in the UK) and probably as far as it will ever reach out to us Yankees. The songs are catchy and sincere with just a hint of the usualy Gomez quirk. (The one exception is "Woman! Man!") Whereas Gomez is usually cheeky almost to a fault, these songs represent some really deep thoughts. Even "Cry on Demand" which contains the words "boo hoo" and even whistling, at least seems sincere. I knew that this album was making some progress when of friend of mine had this CD in her stack along with Red Hot Chili Peppers and Dave Matthews.



2. High Society--The Bees (U.S.) I have to be honest, the main reason that this album is in my top 2 is that I love this band. The Bees have become my new favorite band. Take the rock twang of The Jayhawks, mix it with Guster's pop sensebility and then add just a bit of brit rock's bravado, and there you have The Bees. This album is not as good as there first "Starrey Gazey Pie" but it is still really good. From "Imaginary Girl" to "Catch Your Own Train" the songs are straightforward and fun, the kind that you want to learn the words to quickly so you can sing along. While the lyrics aren't Dylan, they do inspire some thought and touch certain parts of your soul. I really hope this band does well.




1. The Dust of Retreat--Margot and the Nuclear So and So's Through a loophole, my top album of 05 is my top album of 06. While the local version of this album was released at the end of 05, the national label version, complete with some re-recordings of songs and a new song, dropped at the beginning of the year; and I kept thinking, "Man, this album is good, but Margot's is better." Am I biased becasue they are from Indy? Sure I am, but this is a great band. I recently saw them on the 30th after a lengthy national tour and they looked a little burnt out and I think their lead singer Richard Edwards needs to watch how much of the tortured rock star life he adapts and their second percussionist needs to get a clue and they need some better management, but if they can somewhat pull their shit together I have no doubt that they will succeed even more than they have already. The album itself is great, I love every track except the damn cat song which I refuse to remember its title. It would take me a long time to go though this album only to say that if you enjoy thoughtful, metaphor filled (not in a cheesy way) lyrics over quirky, rocking grooves that not only remind you of your life or the life you wish you would have led, but challenge your current situation of apathy giving way to feeling as though you have sold out somewhere, this album is for you. "Quiet as a Mouse" is epic in a small chamber pop sort of way, "Skeleton Key" does exactly as it sounds, squirms and slinks, and "Barfight Revolution" makes you want to dance and fight with a girl all at the same time.

There you go there is the list. Give these a listen, if you don't like them, sorry your taste sucks...not my fault.