Friday, January 30, 2009

Download This Track NOW !!!


This song has been playing over and over in my head all last week like a guilty pleasure.

Flosstradamus ft. Caroline Polachek - "Big Bills"

Caroline Polachek is the lead singer of NYC's Chairlift (of iPod Nano commercial fame - "I try to do handstands for yooooouuuuuuuuuuuuuuu"). While not a manly song, "Big Bills" will shake your fanny, and sometimes that is what we need.



On a similar note of rump shaking, I sure missed out on Eli "Paperboy" Reed last year. Born and raised here in Brookline, MA, Reed migrated to the Delta and Clarksdale, MS. Apparently, he was dipped and bathed in the soulful waters of the Mississipp'.

Eli "Paperboy" Reed - "The Satisfier"

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Stupid Joggers

I just can't get over these people. You have a problem. You have an addiction. Seek help. We are expecting 8-18inches of snow today (depending on where you live in the Massachusetts Bay area). Yet, I still see this everyday. Even when it is 13 degrees with a wind chill of 5.........there they are! JOGGERS! Today, I saw something that I see quite often also: the dreaded walker/jogger with baby stroller in snow. Are you serious? Really? The kid is NOT A FREAKING DOG! You don't have to walk it!!! ERRRGGGHHH!!! That kid looks real happy. He'll be even happier after he get's pneumonia. Kill yourself, you crazies!

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Weekend at the Movies

We played catch up this weekend with back-to-back matinees on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday afternoon, it was Revolutionary Road. Whew.... I'm going to need some time. Going into any Sam Mendes (American Beauty) flick, you can't expect an uplifting or sunny experience. This movie is no surprise in that respect. The Wheelers are a post-newlywed couple that had big dreams for their lives but find themselves rounding 30 and living dead-end lives on the dead-end of Revolutionary Rd. Kate Winslet is a classic Hollywood starlet and chilling til the end. The scene stealer, though, is Michael Shannon as John, the mid-thirties son of the Wheeler's gossipy realtor played by Kathy Bates. John has lived for years in the looney bin but may be the most sane person to grace the screen in RR. People have noticed his performance as his ~10min on screen have earned him a Best Supporting nod from the Academy (something not seen since Dame Judi Dench's Supporting nod and win in 1999 for even less screen time in Shakespeare in Love). Like other Mendes films, the movie builds to a climactic finish that leaves the audience silent, bewildered, and somewhat disturbed. I even got a little emotional outside the theatre when I couldn't find my parking stub... The movie hit me in places I don't know if I look too often. Tread lightly my friends especially all my 20-something married friends with or without children. As we left the theatre, Whitney couldn't help but think of this quote:

"Maddest of all is to see things as they are and not how they should be." - G.K. Chesterton

For Sunday's Matinee, we took the trip we've been trying to take since before Christmas. Finally, we made our way to the heart of India and Slumdog Millionaire. This movie is a tour-de-force and an amalgamation of many other films. Director Danny Boyle's touches are everywhere. The story as I'm sure you are all now aware of follows the gutter rat contestant of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire through his life up until his eventual interrogation by the local police convinced of his cheating. The visuals and music will leave you breathless, and the situations will leave your stomach in knots. First arriving on the scene with Shallow Grave and hitting the mainstream with Trainspotting, Boyle finally directs his crowning achievement. Much like his last movie, Millions, Boyle again strikes gold with the stars of his picture being innocent children with good in their hearts trying to avoid the horrors found in an adult world. Boyle's signatures seen in Trainspotting and Millions are here along with his visions from somewhere across the globe last seen in The Beach. Speaking of The Beach, this story seems very akin to the material usually found in the novels of Alex Garland, the author The Beach, who struck a chord with Boyle in the late 90's. Equal parts Garland and Boyle, Slumdog borrows scenarios from everything from The Usual Suspects to Blood Diamond. Much like Diamond, you are forced to watch children thrust into horrible situations. Hold your breath. You are in for a ride....

Have you seen these?
What did you think?
I'm gonna need time to process as it has only been a couple of hours.
This is the rapid reaction.
..

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Say It Ain't So, Jimmy

Well for all you non footies out there, January and August serve as the Transfer Windows in the world of Soccer/Futbol. No matter the league or the country, it turns into an all out free-for-all to sign players, sell players, spend money, and make money. My lowly Fulham Cottagers have just sold the heart and soul of their team for a measly 5 million quid. Really? Fulham's owner is Mohammed Al-Fayed. Like he or the team needs another 5 million especially for the engine of their team. Jimmy Bullard is their central midfielder and the player that takes all free kicks. His final free kick last year careened off the head of Danny Murphy for the goal that kept Fulham in the Premier League. Around the goal, his kicks strike fear in the hearts of keepers as he bends his shot wicked good. Yes, he has had a lackluster year compared to the heroics of last. Alas, it is all gone. He his now at Hull City. Blegh! Now what will we do?

Here is a shot from the old boy last year
(fast fwd to 1:30 to see the replay)

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Two for Tuesday (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love/Accept the President)



"And we're BACK!"

It's the 1st Two for Tuesday of the year. Today, we find two releases from 2 prolific pop/rock/folk experts. A.C. Newman (or Carl) is the lead singer of New Pornographers, the super group composed of members of the Broken Social Scene crew and Neko Case. His 2nd solo album, Get Guilty, comes out today. If you've never listened to him or New Pornographers, get off the couch. The man can sure craft a power pop wonder. Check out Twin Cinema from 2005 (even though critics will tell you that their 1st 2 are better.....I also will fight to say that Chutes to Narrow is the stronger Shins album over Oh, Inverted World - Bring IT ON, ZACH BRAFF!!!) I digress....I'll be honest I haven't heard much from Get Guilty and may have to go on faith alone.....


On the other side of the coin, we have Andrew Bird, who unlike Newman is an American. Bird has put out something like 7 albums. I'll be honest that I was not aboard the Bird express until 2005's The Mysterious Production of Eggs. 2007's Armchair Apocrypha continued his whistle/violin/troubadour vibe. You heard "Heretics" off that one, yeah? Today, marks the release of #7 - Noble Beast. Apparently, it lacks the chops of the last 2 albums, but we'll see...Check it out for yourself. The man can write a song.


January 20, 2009

SIDE NOTE: If you buy the Mp3 of Get Guilty you get a free T-Shirt at InSound (it may be the other way around.....buy shirt, get songs...who knows)

Have a great week everyone

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Saturday Night Lame

Wow! We watch nearly every SNL each week thanks to DVR, but I stayed up last night to watch the boys of Fleet Foxes. Yikes. That was one of the worst SNLs I have seen in a long time. I feel bad for the band as many people probably never got to see them, because they couldn't get through the horrible skits. On the bright side, FF killed. "Blue Ridge Mountains" was excellent. As far as the show, maybe they could have done some more racially sensitive skits with host Rosario Dawson. How many different ethnicities (Arabic, African-American, Hispanic) did they have her play, and how many Latino skits were there? It wouldn't be bad, except they were not funny. "Giiiiiiiiilllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.......!". Even Kristen Wiig couldn't save the show.

We did enjoy the Guantanamo Bay Liquidation Sale.


Fred Armisen's Latin band leader always makes me laugh, but that's about it.

All in all a great show....

I'm juuuust keeeeeeding!
Ay Dios Mio!

Friday, January 16, 2009

The Blues Walked In Our Town

Right after Whit and I moved here, we went and saw Rilo Kiley at this big club behind Fenway called Avalon. I'm pretty sure it closed the next day. Unbeknown to me, it has been refurbished to become a House of Blues chain. While it is nothing super special as most major cities have one now like a Hard Rock Cafe. Nevertheless, let's take a moment to pay respect to some of Belushi and Ackroyd's finest work. If you have never seen the movie....God help you. I have only been to the House of Blues once. It was the original in New Orleans, and I was 15....In town for a dental meeting with the parents, I hit Bourbon Street late night with "the men". Pretty sure I saw some tranis and was very confused. Sheryl Crow was playing there, and I had a minor crush on her in her "All I wanna do" days. Dr. Felts and my dad pretty much lobbied with the bouncer to get me in the door even asking me to instantly grow a mustache. We got inside but did not stay. I did get an all black T-shirt that resembles the picture above. Bloc Party is playing there when it opens next month.

Whit, you wanna go? Me neither.....

Thursday, January 15, 2009

It's Bigger Than Hip-HOP


So, I'm not trying to endorse alcoholism or binge drinking by any means, but I have found a pretty tasty number. The Hercules Double IPA from Great Divide Brewing Co. out of Colorado is one heck of an IPA. Now many of you probably hate the hops in beer....I LOVE HOPS. We are known as HOPHEADS (which also is slang for someone addicted to Opiates.....not that).

Check out the description from their website:

Hercules Double IPA definitely is not for the faint of heart. Hercules Double IPA is, however, an elixir fit for the gods. A brash but creamy wonder, Hercules pours a deep orange-coppery color, forming substantial lace in the glass. Hercules Double IPA delivers a huge amount of piney, floral, and citrusy hop aroma and flavor from start to finish. A hefty backbone of nutty, toffee-like malt character balances Hercules’ aggressive, punchy hop profile.

It truly has a rainbow of flavor complexities, and honestly it's borderline worthy of eating with fine cheeses like a fine wine. I didn't think it was possible, but it has dethroned Racer 5 IPA as my IPA of choice. It is a might expensive being from a microbrewery, so get it for a special occasion (just watch out for the 9% APV). Try it with some spicy fish dishes or just some chips and guacamole. Tasty, Tasty. In my quest for more hops, I also came across the Green Flash West Coast IPA (which I continue to call Green Hornet....). It is not as great as Racer 5 or Hercules, but it's OK. We have a restaurant in Washington Square in Brookline near our house - The Publick House. It's a Belgian Pub, and they've got quite the selection of suds and cheeses, too. Get you a wooden slab, some French fromage-Livarot or Taleggio (Italy). Bottoms up and happy tasting!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

2008 Movie Recap...


(In honor of the Globes)

Well, I have to admit - I have not been the best moviegoer since my Dental education began. As I sit down to write a Top 10 list for 2008, I can only think 1 thing: "Did I even see 10 movies this year....?". I may not have. There are PLENTY of amazing movies that I did not see: Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Burn After Reading, The Wrestler, Revolutionary Road, Slumdog Millionaire, Rachel Getting Married, Pineapple Express, Benjamin Button - Lots of great movies that I SO wish I had seen.....We still have time...

These were the ones I enjoyed

In Bruges
Atonement
Juno
Dark Knight
Wall-E
Iron Man

Tropic Thunder
(parts at least)

I also saw (sadly)

Sex and the City
Indiana Jones and the Alien Space Skulls

Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day (which I did enjoy, I think?)


Wow, only 11 movies were seen by me.....pitiful.
(not counting the ones I was trying to make up for from '07)
Let's do better in '09, yeah?

There Will Be Blood


I really can't type/think straight right now......
I'm about to put this laptop through the TV.....

The game was BASICALLY settled on the field. TN had 3 turnovers INSIDE the 30 yrd line - costly. They lost Chris Johnson and never recovered offensively. They had 12 penalties (many of which were chippy personal fouls).

Regardless, the picture above will forever haunt me. Had Baltimore simply marched down the field and scored on the final drive, I would sleep fairly well tonight. BUT - this penalty was NEVER called, and the Ravens got a 1st down on this play. Had they not, they would have punted and settled for overtime....3rd and 7 is a mile from 3rd and 2 for a team that hadn't exactly had a great offensive day. Thank the backjudge and the rest of the refs and thank your lucky stars.
Stupid Ravens....

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Happy New Year / Centennial


Not only do we celebrate the beginning of a new year, it is the 100 post milestone for FWYH.
Thanks to all who have read along this past year

(I sure wish you would speak up)

Since this is a music Blog 1st and foremost,
here are things to look forward to these 1st couple of months.

These are the albums I am eager to hear!

Franz FerdinandTonight: (January 26)
Andrew BirdNoble Beast (January 20)

Black Lips200 Million Thousand (February 24)

AC NewmanGet Guilty (January 20)

Lily Allen - It's Not Me, It's You (February 10)
Bishop Allen - Grrr (March10)

Jeremy Jay - Slow Dance (March 24)

Phoenix - Wolfgang Amadeus (Spring 2009)

The Thermals - Now We Can See (April 7)

The Soft Pack/The Muslims - EP (February Repress)

(I'm sure I'll eat my words at this years' Willy's, but I could care less about Animal Collective and all that hype...They have always been completely bizarre for no reason - 9.6 on Pitchfork? Hmm....)

-----Wishing and Hoping-----

The Strokes
The National
Mew
Doves
Wilco
Arctic Monkeys


Happy New Year, Kiddos !!!