pop quiz time

ok people, i need your help.

which is more creepy?

this

or

this?

i really need some help on this one.

thanks.

i feel dirty for this post...

...but i HAVE to make one comment about the train wreck that is: rockstar: supernova.

tonight, they finally realized what has been so apparent since the beginning:

that dave navarro's boy-toy, ryan, sucks donkeys.



seriously, i know that the rest of the group is awful as well,* but if i had to hear this guy screach his way through ONE more classic, i was gonna kill something.

ryan, you ruined the who, coldplay and almost r.e.m. for me. good riddance.

when will this thing end so i can stop watching it? i hate reality tv. what the hell am i doing?

*- while ice-dude and psycho killer are somewhat passable, the hooker, goat boy and the australian nightmare just make me angry.

just another two weeks in new york

today begins (if it stops raining) the 2006 u.s. open tennis grand slam. in other words, i will be finding it impossible to go into the cable-less store for the next 14 days.

there are so many stories this year: the usta center gets named after billie jean king. will anyone be able to stop roger federer? will jimmy connors cure roddick of whatever the hell is wrong with him? there are no american women in the top 10 for the first time ever. serena williams is a wild card?

while all this is intriguing, this year's tournament has one over-arching theme that puts the rest to shame...one only. the retirement of this man:




in my tennis life, agassi has always been there. while he was quickly replaced in my book by one mr. pete sampras as my favorite player, there has never been anything but utmost admiration and respect for andre. he is the reason i started to watch tennis in the first place, i took tennis lessons so i could be like him (a goal for which i am still awaiting the fruits,) and i always, ALWAYS enjoy watching him.

well, he is retiring. and every match he plays in this open could be his last.

i'm not naive enough to expect a sampras-like twilight run and for agassi to go out a champion. it would be amazing, but just not plausible. what i do expect is an emotional journey that hopefully extends beyond the first few rounds.

i was fortunate enough to get to see him play a couple of times. he's a living legend. he would have been a legend even had he NOT reinvented his game and stormed through the late years of his career instead of walking away.

it's weird to see the last of my tennis heroes retire. somehow, at the end of this tournament, the sport will seem different.

best of luck, andre. and thanks.

sad news for those of you who knew and loved our friend, pluto

that's right. pluto is no longer with us. we didn't even get a chance to really get to know him

i miss him already.

series finale *tear*

this is it. the moment that you (all 3 of you) have been waiting for. here are numbers 1-20 of my 100 favorite POP songs.

do you think you've guessed them? do you think you know me that well? well, we'll see.

20 - "run" / snow patrol -- final straw (2004) track 7 - my former roommate, art, had a habit of playing a song over and over again. everything from james' laid to the refreshments' banditos. at one point, he got stuck on run. i thank him profoundly for that.
19 - "unwind" / don chaffer -- you were at the time for love (1994) track 3 - again, the fact that i have had so many talented friends around me has not gone unappreciated in my life. here, don works his pre-waterdeep magic in one of the most beautiful songs about redemption anyone has or will ever hear.
18 - "i will not take these things for granted" / toad the wet sprocket -- fear (1991) track 12 - i would be remiss if i didn't acknowledge my profound love for toad. (to be honest, i purposely left about 6 of their songs off of this list to try and be fair to others.) leave it to glen to point out the beauty in everyday life...and do it so exquisitely.
17 - "annie waits" / ben folds -- rockin' the suburbs (2001) track 1 - "annie says, you see? this is why i'd rather be alone." we all know annie. we've all been annie. everything about this song is achingly beautiful.
16 - "it's the end of the world as we know it (and i feel fine)" / r.e.m. -- document (1987) track 6 - i hesitated. i really did. but the fact remains that this song can get me to sit up and sing along regardless of time or situation. and i can sing every word. and that's gotta count for something.
15 - "summerland" / king's x -- gretchen goes to nebraska (1989) track 3 - i've referenced my love for nostalgia and for songs connected to specific memories. this one is inescapable. "summerland" is more than a song to me. it's a place. and one that i love dearly.
14 - "a day in the life" / the beatles -- sgt. pepper's lonely hearts club band (1967) track 13 - words don't cut it. it's simply one of the greatest songs (my list or not) ever written. it's harmony in the midst of chaos. it's two of the greatest song writers in history working perfectly off of each other.
13 - "jet airliner" / steve miller band -- book of dreams (1977) track 2 - if i had an actual official theme song, this is it. for reasons both obvious and not. it's very southern. it's very 70s. but, it's a great melody. it's a man finding his way in the world. rock on, mr miller. rock yourself on.
12 - "just" / radiohead -- the bends (1995) track 7 - fall 1995; cade to roommate: "this is the band that did that creep song? this is really good." it's more than good. it's mysterious, powerful and ultimately inspiring. and it has one of the greatest guitar outros of all time.
11 - "fly from heaven" / toad the wet sprocket -- dulcinea (1994) track 1 - back to the boys from santa barabara. utter perfection. a staggering melody laid over one part acoustic/one part electric with some of the most honest lyrics you can ever hope to hear. good gracious, i love this song.
10 - "skin" / vigilantes of love -- blister soul (1995) track 3 - bill mallonee's ode to vincent van gogh dares to say what needs to be said more often. if you think you know what love is all about, you better be prepared for the brutal reality, cause you're probably wrong. it's as encouraging as it is depressing and it's entirely wonderful.
09 - "late in the evening" / paul simon -- one trick pony (1980) track 1 - why was paul the only one to really tap into this horn section meets earthy rhythm meets block party vibe? if there were more tunes like this out there, i believe the world would be a better place.
08 - "everybody's guilty" / waterdeep -- to chase away the birds (1995) track 7 - ignoring, for just a moment, the opening drums/bass/harmonica. ignoring the sad tale of the heroine, jane. ignoring the brutal imagery and wrenching vocals, this song would still remain right here if only for one reason. in all of the tenure and grassroots hubub that surrounded the indie sensation waterdeep, guilty remained, without exception, the greatest live song they ever wrote. if you don't believe me, check it out on '99's "live at the new earth." you will agree.
07 - "sweet emotion" / aerosmith -- toys in the attic (1975) track 6 - let's see. unbelievable bass line: check. well placed harmonies: check. grab you by the throat guitar hooks: check. yeah, it's a no brainer. tom hamilton is the friggin' man.
06 - "no pressure over cappucino" / alanis morissette -- mtv unplugged (1999) track 3 - i have had more conversations like this than i care to count. some good. some bad. but it always comes down to one thing. you know and relate to that person across from you. and it makes those moments last forever.
05 - "sweet child o' mine" / guns 'n' roses -- appetite for destruction (1987) track 9 - it's instantly recognizable. it's surprisingly endearing. but mostly, it's quite simply the greatest guitar anthem of my generation. there is no other song that comes close.
04 - "bad" / U2 -- the unforgettable fire (1984) track 7 - you wanna see me cry? if so, you're sick. but if you really have to see it. all you have to do is put me on a mountain or anything overlooking a vast and sunset drenched land/sea scape and play this song. you will get your chance. not that it has ever happened.
03 - "genesee" / huckleberry -- tragicomic (1996) track 5 - astounding guitar loops couple with brilliant lyrical imagery to create one of my favorite places of all time. i've never really been sure exactly where genesee is. but i'm willing to bet that i would love it there.
02 - "tear for tear/about love" / the choir -- circle slide (1990) tracks 5/6 - in my mind, the single greatest love song(s) ever written. it's not sappy or warm and fuzzy. it is grounded in absolute and unflinching reality. a beautiful reality that is only enhanced by the dreamy soundscape than can only come from the choir. the two songs cannot be separated. they are one and must be listened to as such.
01 - "scenes from an italian restaurant" / billy joel -- the stranger (1977) track 4 - anyone surprised? it's nostalgic. it's brilliantly executed. it's 3 songs in one. two friends meet over a bottle of wine and the past comes to life in a flurry of wonderful tangents. for my money, it's the perfect song. so, i guess that's why it is at the top.

that's it. that's the list. all 7 hrs 25 min 36 secs of it. there are probably some notable omissions, but i figure there are a lot of songs out there that i haven't heard. that's why this is an ever-changing list. anyway, i feel i've wasted enough time on this. feel free to comment/agree/disagree/tell me i'm crazy.

i love the company.

thanks.

penultimate-ness

we are in the home stretch of our countdown to the 100 favorite POP songs. getting close to some real doozies (in my opinion anyway.)

no set ups this round. i will just let the songs speak for themselves.

40 - "dreams" / the cranberries -- everybody else is doing it, so why can't we? (1993) track 2 - simply put, this song makes me feel like the best darn air-drummer in the whole world.
39 - "the promise" / when in rome -- when in rome (1988) track 1 - it's a lovely and often overlooked one-hitter from the 80s. just try and NOT sing along...i double-dog dare you.
38 - "everybody wants to rule the world" / tears for fears -- songs from the big chair (1985) track 3 - tears for fears are one of the few bands i can actually claim original listenership to from the reagan-era. none of this 10 year later discovery that happens when one is too young to remember. anyway, this is probably too simple of a choice, but it's a great freakin' song.
37 - "the stairs" / inxs -- x (1990) track 3 - the hidden diamond in the inxs catalogue. it follows it's brother disappear but in many ways, far outshines it.
36 - "drums of heaven" / midnight oil -- earth and sun and moon (1993) track 7 - if you have never heard anything by midnight oil, do yourself a favor and find/buy/download "earth and sun and moon." if you are not completely satisfied, i will buy it from you.*
35 - "something" / the beatles -- abbey road (1969) track 2 - potentially the greatest love song ever written. i only say potentially because there may be a more obscure one lurking in the wings further down the list. either way, george harrison was awesome.
34 - "special" / garbage -- version 2.0 (1998) track 5 - 3 average white guys from milwaukee and a scottish bombshell. the ingredients for a killer band if you ask me. this is them at their sonic richest.
33 - "prelude/angry young man" / billy joel -- turnstiles (1976) track 6 - some would argue this is my un-official theme song, but it really comes down to one thing: billy can't play this song sitting down. he can't. that's how cool it is.
32 - "sometimes" / ours -- distorted lullabies (2001) track 4 - ever had one of those "why have i never heard this" moments? if you haven't heard this brutally beautiful anthem...then you just had one.
31 - "just like heaven" / the cure -- kiss me kiss me kiss me (1987) track 8 - leave it to me to pick the cheeriest of all cure tunes. what can i say? i like the dark songs, but they just aren't this catchy.
30 - "leaving town" / dexter freebish -- a life of saturdays (2000) track 1 - finally, the 3rd and final song that saved 2000 for me. call it a one-hit wonder. but, i love me some one-hit wonders. i'm still waiting for their triumphant return.
29 - "lonely sometimes" / waterdeep -- sink or swim (1999) track 5 - some songs break your heart. this one shattered mine. over and over again for a long, long time.
28 - "within a room" / sixpence none the richer -- this beautiful mess (1995) track 4 - a master stroke in the unique sound that was "pre-kiss me" sixpence. this towering ode to pain in life holds so many spots in my heart...not the least of which was hearing it performed live for the first time ever (perfectly of course) followed by dinner with the band. but i digress.
27 - "the ocean song" / the regulars -- glimmerdays (1998) track 5 - call it nepotism, but i have some incredibly gifted friends. in the years after huckleberry and before red guitar, nick nave made this "solo" project. as beautiful as its namesake, this song is a must for anyone who feels pulled a direction they don't understand.
26 - "street fighting man" / the rolling stones -- beggar's banquet (1968) track 6 - watch v for vendetta. listen to the closing credits. and you will agree with me. it was on the list before that movie came out, but not nearly as high.
25 - "running to stand still" / U2 -- the joshua tree (1987) track 5 - for all the brilliance that is "the joshua tree," the quietest song on the album is the one that will not let go of me. it's a devastating song.
24 - "synchronicity II" / the police -- synchronicity (1983) track 6 - hands down, my favorite melody line...period. sting could sing about random things like lemmings and lake slime and it would still be awesome. oh wait, he does.
23 - "penny lane" / the beatles -- magical mystery tour (1967) track 9 - i once again play the nostalgia card. john and paul wanted to write a song about the things they remembered growing up in liverpool. and they brought the whole world along with them. that takes some talent.
22 - "me in honey" / r.e.m. -- out of time (1991) track 11 - the quartet from athens, ga is one of my all-time favorites. but, with all of their hits, of course, i opt for an album ending obscure track that sounds more like a jam session than a song. a fantastic jam session with kate pierson and a driving guitar hook.
21 - "welcome to struggleville" / vigilantes of love -- welcome to struggleville (1994) track 1 - from a lyrics standpoint (i know, i know) i have to point out that bill mallonee is my favorite lyricist. he seemlessly blends the inane with the beautiful. the tragic with the hopeful. and he's not a half bad musician either. if the title alone doesn't get you, the stark imagery of what it means to live this life which we all are most certainly will.

almost there kiddos. almost there.

* - i'm not joking.

and we're back.

welcome back.

in this episode of 100 favorite POP songs, we ask the questions "just how important is nostalgia?" and "will cade EVER shut up about the 80's?"

the answers? i guess we will find out.

60 - "plush" / stone temple pilots -- core (1992) track 9 - this song kicks ass. that is all i can say.
59 - "everybody knows a little bit" / king's x -- gretchen goes to nebraska (1989) track 4 - quite simply, "the greatest stereo headphone song ever recorded." don't believe me? show me one that's better.
58 - "go your own way" / fleetwood mac -- rumours (1977) track 5 - remember when stevie nicks still had a good voice? the power. the timing it's just excellent.
57 - "birdhouse in your soul" / they might be giants -- flood (1990) track 2 - finally, an ode to fire and the electric light bulb. throw in some greek mythology and we are in business.
56 - "nobody's fault but mine" / led zeppelin -- presence (1976) track 4 - i've been listening to a LOT of zeppelin lately. that said, i can't really say that any of the songs have cracked the 100 for me yet. there are so many good ones...it's just...well, it's zeppelin. it can't be contained on a list. so i put this one (which was orginally introduced to me via the 77's on 1994's drowning with land in sight.)
55 - "new york state of mind" / billy joel -- turnstiles (1976) track 4 - a collective sigh from all you joel fans out there. he's on the list. the piano man nails the feeling for those of us who have ever considered the big apple home....even if we haven't actually LIVED there.
54 - "yellow" / coldplay -- parachutes (2000) track 5 - "what is this? this is pretty good." i remember thinking to myself when i heard this song for the first time. it is number 2 of 3 songs that saved pop music in the summer of 2000. good job, coldplay.
53 - "something about you" / level 42 -- world machine (1985) track 1 - the song i searched for for years. i knew it from growing up. i knew it by heart. i could sing every word. but NO one knew who it was. finally, in college, level 42 was unveilled as the matching group. and now i love them.
52 - "soul to squeeze" / red hot chili peppers -- coneheads OST (1993) track 7 - by far, the only good thing to come out of this movie. an essentially acoustic offering from the normally plugged in l.a. group. this was one of the first songs i learned on the bass. much to my roommate's shagrin i would imagine.
51 - "until the end of the world" / U2 -- achtung baby (1991) track 4 - it's classic "the edge" guitar, doomsday optimism and metaphors galore. the album is a masterpiece, and this song makes me want to drive really, really fast.
50 - "give me strength" / over the rhine -- films for radio (2001) track 3 - a very atypical song from the ohio-ians. produced by none other than brit-songstress, dido...it shows. it's soaring and i love it.
49 - "criminal" / fiona apple -- tidal (1996) track 4 - the song that made heroin-chic popular in the suburbs. it was apple's first hit. there should have been a lot more to follow than there have been, but i digress.
48 - "disappear" / inxs-- x (1990) track 2 - with all due respect to the brilliance of their previous two albums, x or "x" as i like to call it for short, is pure cade. you know the song, i won't waste your time.
47 - "king of pain" / the police -- synchronicity (1983) track 8 - holy imagery, batman. sting somehow manages to cram more vivid paradoxes into this song than an applied geometry convention. and it works.
46 - "a million parachutes" / sixpence none the richer -- divine discontent (2002) track 13 - i am a notstalgiac person, for good or bad, at heart. if you paint a nice picture of the past in a well written song, chances are good you're gonna end up toward the top of this list (hint, hint.) as for sixpence, they capture quite well the feelings for the san francisco bay area for those (especially in my circle) who have left it.
45 - "southern cross" / crosby, stills and nash -- daylight again (1982) track 3 - the scene: january, 2003. a garden in camden, nsw, australia. me, staring up at the southern sky listening to my mp3 player. the line "when you see the southern cross for the first time / you understand now why you came this way" hits me...as i am looking at the southern cross for the first time. i am a vagabond. this is a vagabond song. pure and simple.
44 - "sick of myself" / matthew sweet -- 100% fun (1995) track 1 - one part great tune. one part memory association. songs that spark specific memories for me are usually gonna last for quite a while.
43 - "airbag" / radiohead -- ok computer (1997) track 1 - "in an album full of fantastic songs, how do you go with the lesser, first one?" easy, it sets the tone for what is to follow. i know that when i hear airbag, chances are good the next hour or so is gonna be alright.
42 - "underground" / ben folds five -- ben folds five (1995) track 6 - love it or hate it. it started my audiophillic love affair with mr. folds. besides, who doesn't want to party with officer friendly's mohawk-donning little boy?
41 - "21 things i want in a lover" / alanis morissette -- under rug swept (2002) track 1 - honestly, a tough call for me. many know that alanis is a favorite of mine. and there are obviously more pertinent and deserving songs, but this one is just too damn much fun.

top 100 (continued)

in this episode of 100 favorite POP songs we take a closer look at how pop music can attach itself to one's psyche whether we want it to or not.

we will also start to uncover some over-arching life themes of the staff members here at the annex. of course, we will leave those up to you, the reader, to figure out.

'cause we are tired and lame.

here we go:

80 - "solsbury hill" / peter gabriel -- peter gabriel (1) (1977) track 2 - growing up, i loved genesis. somewhere along the line, the prog rocker in me all but died. there are two indirect remnants of that band in this list. along with #91, this is the second one. funny how that's all that's left.
79 - "free" / phish -- billy breathes (1996) track 1 - phish hasn't necessarily been my cup of tea as a whole, but they can put together some pretty amazing tunes. free is harmonic perfection.
78 - "pink moon" / nick drake -- pink moon (1972) track 1 - if you don't know it...you've undoubtedly heard it. advertisers have profitted off of drake's untimely death quite well. that changes nothing of the song in my opinion.
77 - "paper scratcher" / blind melon -- blind melon (1992) track 4 - sure, the bee girl got all the press. but this is just that much groovier and trippier than no rain. alas, another stupid death also cut this act short.
76 - "don't look back in anger" / oasis -- (what's the story) morning glory (1995) track 4 - i like oasis. sue me. morning glory is full of great cuts, but this one still kills me. in the good way.
75 - "experimental film" / they might be giants -- the spine (2004) track 1 - after an unexplained hiatus from my consciousness, TMBG stormed their way back into my world through the quirky humor of homestarrunner.com. we've been back together ever since.
74 - "two of us" / the beatles -- let it be (1970) track 1 - the (not really) last album of the world's greatest band starts off with this love song that frollicks along to surprisingly touching effect.
73 - "these are days" / 10,000 maniacs -- our time in eden (1992) track 2 - simple minds meets the '90s...with natalie merchant. we came so close to having this as our senior class song. but, we weren't quite cool enough to pull it off apparently.
72 - "luritja way" / midnight oil -- capricornia (2001) track 4 - a band that is out there simply because they still love making music. and this song proves that dispite the heavy poilitics that permeate their body of work..they can still make it fun.
71 - "hey jealousy" / gin blossoms -- new miserable experience (1992) track 2 - yeah it was overplayed. but that didn't mean i couldn't sing along loudly in my car whenever it came on. and i did. a lot.
70 - "god put a smile upon your face" / coldplay -- a rush of blood to the head (2002) track 3 - there are arguably better songs on this landmark album. but like i said, i am a sucker for a killer bass line.
69 - "deadweight" / beck -- a life less ordinary OST (1997) track 1 - the best use of the guiro in any song...ever. it's beck at his oddest. and finest.
68 - "china grove" / the doobie brothers -- the captain & me (1973) track 3 - the best thing about texas since agent b. or maybe that's vice versa. either way, this stuff is what the 70's SHOULD have been remembered for.
67 - "in the waiting line" / zero 7 -- simple things (2001) track 8 - introduced to me (and most of the world) by zach braff in his movie "garden state," i was haunted by this song for months. not easy to do.
66 - "camera one" / josh joplin group -- useful music (2000) track 5 - i give up on pop music about every 3-4 years (see #87.) in the boy band wasteland that was 2000, there were three songs that gave me hope. this one and two more later in the countdown.
65 - "open up your eyes" / tonic -- lemon parade (1996) track 1 - the song alone would stand solid on my list, but the video...it was the tuxedo-tshirt-roller-skate-laden video...well, that cemented it.
64 - "here's where the story ends" / the sundays -- reading, writing and arithmetic (1990) track 2 - a band that has a few really great songs but nothing else that has captured me. this tune is holding a place for not only itself, but also for the more poppy "summertime." ('97's static and silence) which rightfully belongs on this list, but i didn't think about until i was typing this. call it a 2 for 1.
63 - "1308 ohio" / lori (coscia) chaffer -- old stuff (1998) track 10 - originally recorded on her solo cassette in the early '90s, the only place to find it now is on this waterdeep retrospective. it's a fun experiment in parallel song writing. and i just happened to live in that house in college. automatic bid onto the list.
62 - "landed" / ben folds -- songs for silverman (2005) track 4 - it's a "flying as being lost" metaphor. i couldn't possibly relate to that. besides, it's flippin' beautiful.
61 - "counting blue cars" / dishwalla -- pet your friends (1995) track 3 - you can go ahead and ask me why this radio-friendly, borderline sacrilegious* song sticks with me to this day...and i won't be able to answer. it just does.


more soon. have a great weekend.

* - to some people. myself not included.

in purest vh1 fashion...

...we present the (non)definitive coutdown of the 100 favorite POP songs, as voted on by the staff here at cadeland and the annex.

editor's note: there is a post that went up earlier today below this one that may or may not interest you. just didn't want it to get shafted.

editor's note: part of me wants to wait 'til mr wilcox is back from his lewis and clark expedition to start this process so he can fully participate...but i am bored today.

a few things to keep in mind. this is in no way a complete list. in fact, i made a change while i was typing that last sentence. it is merely a chance for you, the loyal viewers, to get some insight into what makes my musical ear happy.

you will no doubt notice a few themes:

- as was discussed on fellow boards in the past, i subscribe to a music-first, lyric-second methodology when it comes to liking a song (this will be obvious almost immediately.)
- i am also drawn to songs with killer bass lines and/or guitar hooks.
- i am a sucker for harmonies
- i am coffee house rat at heart.
- if a song has a penchant for causing me to speed while driving...it makes the list.
- for the sake of gentry, this list has been guaranteed to be keane free...but just barely.
- it is also free of songs from musicals to spare you all my love for the theatre.
- i'm sure you will find more trends.

so, without further ado, here is part 1 of the list.

100 - "kyrie" / mr. mister -- welcome to the real world, (1985) track 7 - i'll start off simple. an 80's anthem that appealed to youth group and secular kids alike. it's a classic.
99 - "the look" / roxette -- look sharp (1988) track 1 - this lyrical nightmare is so stinkin' catchy that it can't be ignored. the opening riff gets me pumped every time i hear it.
98 - "my favorite mistake" / sheryl crow -- the globe sessions (1998) track 1 - sheryl has had her moments. i know some folks who love her and some that hate her. i proclaim neither, but i love this retrospective tune.
97 - "on the sunny side of the street" / steve tyrell -- a new standard (1999) track 2 - i do love the standards, but most aren't as meaningful to me as their more contemporary fellows. and with all due respect to the masters like frank and nat...tyrell's version is exactly the way it should sound.
96 - "look" / the 77's -- pray naked (1992) track 9 - if i had to pick one song from this album...i would not be able to, but for pure listening enjoyability...this bass-laden one does the trick. plus it is fun to sing in sign language.
95 - "say it ain't so" / weezer -- weezer (blue) (1994) track 7 - come on. do i really need to explain this one?
94 - "looking forward" / over the rhine -- drunkard's prayer (2005) track 7 - exhibit a.
93 - "come sail away" / styx -- the grand illusion (1977) track 4 - the greatest karaoke song ever written! the first of many epics you will see in this collection.
92 - "goodbye yellow brick road" / elton john -- goodbye yellow brick road (1973) track 4 - the landmark album. the cornerstone (along with maybe rocketman) of an amazing career.
91 - "take me home" / phil collins -- no jacket required (1985) track 10 - phil used to end his concerts with this. it's soaring. it's plaintive. it's the perfect ending.
90 - "whenever god shines his light" / waterdeep -- everyone's beautiful (1999) track 4 - and the first waterdeep entry is...a cover? yes but what a cover. my favorite line up of this indie band. four-part harmonies. brilliant in concert. van morrison would be proud.
89 - "pinball wizard" / the who -- tommy (1969) track 13 - my "back door" showtune. long before the deaf, dumb and blind kid hit broadway, this frantic guitar ode to the penny arcade was part of the ambitious rock opera that helped define what pop music could do in the years to come.
88 - "spiderwebs" / no doubt -- tragic kingdom (1995) track 1 - there once was this little band from orange county that cut a HUGE record. i wonder what ever happened to them?
87 - "take your mama" / scissor sisters -- scissor sisters (2004) track 2 - in the summer of 2004 i had resigned to hating just about everything played on popular radio. when i first heard this ridiculously catchy tune, i had to re-evaluate my tastes. it's fun in a bottle...of peroxide.
86 - "hotel california" / the eagles -- hotel california (1976) track 1 - i guess this entry means i am a satanist. it obviously has nothing to do with the melodic tour through the desert and some of the best "double" guitar work ever.
85 - "how soon is now" / love spit love -- charmed: the soundtrack (2003) track 11 - ok. i prepared for whatever hell i catch for this one. but, as much as i love the smiths original, this one hits everything perfectly...and is about 3 minutes faster. blame shannen doherty. it's not my fault.
84 - "homecoming king" / guster -- keep it together (2003) track 5 - instant nostalgia for a recent transplant to the bay state. great album. fantastic tune.
83 - "africa" / toto -- IV (1982) track 10 - it's africa people! the wild dogs cry out in the night! what's not to frickin' love?
82 - "don't you forget about me" / simple minds -- the breakfast club OST (1985) track 1 - i was born in 1975.
81 - "not an addict" / k's choice -- paradise in me (1995) track 1 - the best of 90's drug scene wrapped up in one tidy little, depressing, awesome package.

stay tuned.

i had heard the rumor...

Depp and Burton Together Again,

it's not so much THAT they are working together again, but WHAT they are working on.

i can't being to tell you how much this makes me want to tap dance.

where are they now? advertising icons

you know who i miss?

this guy.

we just got to know him and love his hilarious antics...and then he disappeared.

how sad.

i suppose the only solice is that he is now playing cards in pitchman hell with this one and this one.

continuing the apparent trend...

this one's for gentry (again.)

link

how to get your insurance reinstated in 38 easy steps

STEP 1 acquire a spare $90.
STEP 2 go to the local RMV.
STEP 3 ask what is needed to transfer an out of state (oos) license to a mass license (the answer: 4 forms of i.d. including a utility bill that is OVER 60 days old to prove residency.)
STEP 4 dig through this to find EITHER a birth certificate or social security card.
STEP 5 walk to place of business. try and find a utility bill that is OVER 60 days old AND shows current address.
STEP 6 abandon above quest. settle on phone bill from old address (appropriate mailing address for 60 days prior to process.)
STEP 7 return to local RMV.
STEP 8 somehow avoid the crazy line in the "registration" section and move relatively quickly to the "license" counter.
STEP 9 pour out the follow items: birth certificate, u.s passport, out of state drivers license, debit photo card, cell phone statement, check book.
STEPS 10 and 11 (simultaneously) discover that what is needed is a bill that is UNDER 60 days old at current address. discover that computer system for oos transfers is momentarily down.
STEP 12 leave local RMV for second time.
STEP 13 walk back to place of business. try and find a utility bill that is UNDER 60 days old that is in personal name and NOT in the name of said business.
STEP 14 abandon above quest for utility bill. settle on credit card statment at current address from previous month.
STEP 15 return to local RMV a few hours later.
STEP 16 somehow avoid the crazy line in the "registration" section for the second time in a day and move IMMEDIATELY to the "license" counter.
STEP 17 pour out the follow items: birth certificate, u.s. passport, out of state drivers license, debit photo card, credit card statement, notice from us post office of "change of address" (unopened,) check book.
STEP 18 discover that credit card bills do not count toward proof of residence.
STEP 19 convince RMV employee that between everything that you have given her...you do actually live here. to which she begrudgingly accepts the post office notice.
STEP 20 write check for $90. receive temporary license.
STEP 21 leave local RMV for third time.
STEP 22 wait one business day and then call local insurance company. explain situation.
STEP 23 wait one more business day. drive to local insurance company. fill out mountain of paperwork. write another check.
STEP 24 revel (albeit briefly) in fact that for the first time in 6 months, you are insured (pending.)
STEP 25 return to local RMV.
STEP 26 fail to avoid crazy "registration" line. take number.
STEP 27 sit next to nutcase lady who thinks she knows everyone in the place.
STEP 28 force a smile everytime said lady asks loudly "is it my turn yet?"
repeat STEP 28 as many times as necessary. it may reach or exceed a dozen times. be prepared
STEP 29 prepare yourself for the very real possibility of not only having to replace your auto plates (which aren't even a year old) but also going through your 4th vehicle inspection in under 2 years to complete re-registration.
STEP 30 go to window after 45 minute wait.
STEP 31 be surprised by relative ease in which transaction is handled.
STEP 32 write yet another check.
STEP 33 revel (albeit briefly) in fact that plates remain unchanged and 4th inspection isn't necessary.
STEP 34 leave local RMV for 4th time in 3 days.
STEP 35 take newly insured (pending) car to local "pre-inspection" place. in this instance, a glass shop.
STEP 36 get free "pre-inspection" complete with notice of broken windshield. (which, of course, occured shortly after original insurance was revoked.)
STEP 37 write yet another check. *
upon completion of new windshield install: STEP 38 get "pre-inspection" signed off. *

...and VIOLA! you are insured in the commonwealth of massachusetts.

it's THAT easy.

* - steps pending. to be completed in the next few days.