The 11 Best Songs of 2010

Even though I'm not a huge fan of the digital world...even though I'm not a huge fan of Apple...I can't help but find myself loving the new Apple TV.  It takes making mixes to the next level.  Even better than an ipod.  I have 100,000 songs.  Now, all my playlists have instant access to all my music at any time.  I guess for every two steps back...there is one step forward.

There's still time to

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The Unknown: Ryan Adams at KCRW

All week I have scoured the city for a hard copy of the new Ryan Adams album.  Best Buy (the once best place in town to buy new CDs) had it on back order.  But they had a dozen of the new Bryan Adams. True story!  I went to Target, they didn't have it either.  I went to three independent music stores.  None of them had it.  I ended up buying it on Amazon.  Certain albums I don't mind getting

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The 11 Best Songs By Ryan Adams & The Cardinals

It's been three years since we've seen any new material from Ryan Adams.  That's an insane drought from a guy that released a five new albums a year for most of the decade.  Sure, there was Orion (get it?  O Ryan)...but does that really count?  Then there was the Pax-AM single series...but then again...I don't even know anyone who was lucky enough to score a copy of any of the singles.  And, even

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The Best Albums of 2010 (#12-#22)

Our list continues...one day to go.

Get me your top albums of the year...pronto.  Remember...your top 20...your top 10...or your top 7...or 2...whatever you liked.  It's up to you.

And visit our $5 store to keep the blog alive.




Here are the Best Albums of 2010 (#12-#22):

12. Kid Cudi – Man on the Moon II (Maybe)
13. She & Him – Volume II (I Knew It Would Happen This Way)
14. The National –

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The Best Albums of 2010 (#23-#33)

Today I said goodbye to Emusic.  It's strangely symbollic that exactly 5 years ago today, I signed up for emusic.  For most of you that don't know and have been living with a 14.4 modem since the mid-90s, emusic was a pay service for music.  You pay them $10 a month and you were allowed to download 40 songs a month.  Over the years it changed...it went to $12 a month for 30 songs.  A little

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The Best Albums of 2010 (#34-#44)

As the countdown to my favorite albums of 2010...I still want to hear yours.

Just send me your list of favorite music.  It can be 1or 2 albums...it can be 10...or even 20.  Send whatever you want.  I will compile everyone's lists into one master list and post it at the end of the year.

Until then, check our updated $5 store for a lot of great cheap deals.



Here The Best Albums of 2010 (#34-

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The 11 Best Songs By Daft Punk

Pushing forward to the end of the year, it's time for me to do a little pandering to my lovely peeps.  That's you...stand up and take a bow. 

Running this site isn't free.  Nor do I have hours of unlimited time to host lists and very cool MP3s.  Don't get me wrong...I love doing it.  But it would be nice that it wasn't a money-losing venture for me.  Anyway...all I ask is if you can get the

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The Best Albums of 2010 (#45-#55)

It's that time of the year again.  Time for the "Best of" lists!  It's the time for all us music bloggers to take all the countless hours of listening to music and pour it through our collective strainers.  But don't take our word for it...it's time for your opinions, too.

I want all of you to send me your 20 best albums of 2010. The only rule is that the album had to be released in 2010.  It

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Free Music Friday: Girl Talk (Thanksgiving Edition)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

This Thankgsgiving, I am thankful for free music.  I am thankful for Greg Gillis and Girl Talk.  I am thankful that Girl Talk makes some of the best running mixes ever.  I am thankful that Girl Talk makes some of the music I can't stand...actually listenable.

Have a great holiday and be sure to celebrate America with Black Friday.

Get Girl Talk's new album...All

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The 11 Best Songs By Kanye West

Is Kanye West an asshole...or just a rock star?  Or, is it a requirement that a rock be an asshole?  How many lead singers are introverted, shy guys?   It takes a certain personality to want to be on stage in front of the thousands of people wanting them to cheer for them.  If you really thing about it, all singers are narcissist to some degree.  Yet, we find it so surprising when a lead singer

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The 11 Best Bruce Springsteen Songs of the 00s:

There are certain albums that come along in a band's career that are above comparison.  For me, these would include The Cure's Disintegration, GNR's Appetite For Destruction, Michael Jackson's Thriller, and Pearl Jam's Ten.  These artistss have all had good careers and churned tons of great music, but these albums remain their zenith of perfection.  Each an untouchable album of pristine quality.

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The 11 Best Songs By Cee-Lo Green

I was discussing...more like debating...with a friend the merits of  Cee-Lo's hit song, "Fuck You!"  I personally think it's an awesome song.  I think the profanity perfectly exhibits that frustrated high school sentiment of sitting in your room learning that the girl you have a crush on is going out with the biggest douche bag in your class.  We've all been there.  My friend disagrees.  Though

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The 11 Best Songs By N*E*R*D

When I was younger, hearing a band exhibiting a throwback sound always instigated a feeling of disgust.  I was instantly appalled by the incredible lack of creativity that the band was ripping off someone else's sound instead of creating their own.  I preferred completely unique and original bands like Guns N Roses and Depeche Mode. 

It wasn't until I was older that I realized that Axl Rose was

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The 111 Best Weezer Songs

As I was logging in to do my nightly post, I noticed this will be my 600th post?  Shit...I had no idea.  I was going to do a list for the new N*E*R*D album...but hell...this calls for something much bigger.

With two new Weezer releases...I might as well do my own "expanded list."

Buy Weezer's 2 new releases, Death To False Metal and Pinkerton Deluxe

Here are the 111 Best Weezer songs:

1. The

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11 Good Albums from the Past Couple Months

Sorry I've been on hiatus as of late.  Had some family stuff come up.  Followed by the Giants unbelievably making it to the World Series...and winning.  A work crisis.  And finally topped it off with some good old fashioned stomach flu.  There's one thing I realized while having my untimely bought with the stomach flu...there's a band, an album, or a song for every situation.  As I slowly

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Free Music Friday: Bad Religion Tribute Mixtape

Buying a Halloween costume for a 5-year-old is possibly one of the most difficult tasks a parent will ever undertake.  Picking out birthday or Christmas presents pales in comparison.  With presents, worst case, you can just let your kid go on a feeding frenzy in a toy store and just buy whichever toys they amass.  They go home happy.  You go home happy.  Halloween costumes are another difficulty

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The 11 Best Songs By Ima Robot

In TV, when a show has hit a wall for new ideas, they do something called "jumping the shark" in refernce to Fonzi on Happy Days epic episode about jumping over a tank of sharks on his motorcycle.  Most of the times, the producers will have one of the characters gets pregnant because new babies add a plethera of cheesy cliche episodes about stinky diapers.  I have two kids.  I watch TV to get

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The 11 Best Songs By Kings of Leon

Let's just get one thing straight.  There are two versions of the Kings of Leon.  There's the diry south, grungy unwashed version that delivered the first three albums.  Now we have the second incarnation of the band that has gone for a smoother, grander sound in the vein of U2.  Most of the fans that have been follwing the band since the Youth and Aha days, curse the new version of the band. 

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The 11 best Songs By Idlewild

On my October release poll, we had one vote for the new Idlewild.  Made me think it was not worth doing a list for the band, since no one was excited to hear the album.  Then I thought, maybe the whole reason that no one is excited to hear the new album is because you guys are not familiar with the band.  Therefore, here's a catch-up for all those who don't know them.  Hope you enjoy the Scottish

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The 11 Best Songs By Belle & Sebastian

I never understood how Belle & Sebastian could be happy all the damn time.  Is Stuart Murdoch taking some sort of ultradose of SSRIs 24/7?  Sure, there are things in life to make you happy...but there are also things that make you sad.  I quote the famous poet, Butthead, when he said, "You have to have things that suck, so you know what things are cool."  For example, if those miners hadn't been

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The 11 Best Songs By Cursive of the 00s

Today, I stopped by a Crown Book liquidation center.  I only planned on buying some $1 books for stocking stuffers.  Thought I'd walk out of there spending no more than  5 or 6 bucks.  Not even close.  I did a ton of really good deals.  A ton of respectable $1 books...if there is such a thing.  But I made one unique discovery.  Something I never thought in a hundred years I would find...a CD.

In

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The 11 Best Songs By Travis of the 00s

Have the 90s finally died?  Or just waiting to be re-incarnated?

This year has become the year of the solo album.  But most of these solo albums are alum from bands who blasted onto the music scene in the 90s.  Incubus, Live, Sleater-Kinney, Outkast, Radiohead, and the Wallflowers were all big names in the 90s.  They were the trendsetters in the 90s.  Now, outside of Radiohead, they have become

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The 11 Best Songs By Revenge

I wonder if the music industry is purposely trying to shoot itself in the foot or they're really just the biggest morons this side of the government.  It's like they're making a bigger effort to fail than to succeed.

This past week, Soundgarden sold 1 million plus copies of their newest hits compilation, Telephantasm.  Only it was packaged with Guitar Hero.  Therefore, Billboard disqualified all

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The 11 Best Songs By Sleater-Kinney

In last week's LA Times, there was an article on the owner of the Amoeba Record chain.  In an eye-opening write-up (eye opening to everyone who thinks they know the music industry but doesn't), it revealed that in this digital age of music...Amoeba records has seen no sales decrease.  Let me repeat that...Amoeba Records in the worst era ever for the music industry has seen zero sales decrease. 

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The 11 Best Chris Cornell Solo Songs

lLast week, I went to the Sonic Youth/Pavement show.  There was something comforting about listening to 2 1/2 hours of fuzzy guitars and warped lyrics while pounding an Estrella Damm Inedit (best beer in the world).  Then a strange realization hit me.  Pavement's been around almost 20 years.  While Sonic Youth is pushing 30.  These two indie niche bands have surpassed many of their hitmaking

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The 11 Best Songs By Pete Yorn

Last night I saw the Black Keys at the Hollywood Palladium.  I thought it was interesting that two years ago, when their Danger Mouse produced album, Attack & Releases, was...uh...released, it was poised as their big breakthrough effort.  Yet last night, they only re-visisted that album for a single song.  The Black Keys are a very unrestrained band and Danger Mouse employs a very restrained

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The 11 Best Songs By Jimmy Eat World of the 00s

For all of those cats out there who run their own blogs, you all know that there's a new type of spammer running around.  Programs or bots automatically go out and search for key words in blogs and place comments in the comment section.  These comments are ads for other sites...like porn, fake rolexes or even offers to have your blog advertised in the comment section of other blogs.

These random

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The 11 Best Songs By Bad Religion of the 00s

My friends and I had a debate over the notion of freewill. The topic started from a quote by Bad Religion singer Greg Graffin: "The allusion of freewill is so strong that we might as well assume we have it." It's an interesting quote when you start to explore the thought behind it. Now remember, this quote is coming from Graffin, who is a sworn atheist. He believes that because of our genetic

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The 11 Best Songs By TV on the Radio

It seems to the be the year of the side project/solo album:  Gayngs, Tired Pony, Broken Bells, Dead Weather, Junip, S. Carey and about a dozen more solo albums.  Looks like TV on the Radio does not want to be left out of the trend.  David Sitek has put out his own side project called Maximum Balloon.  After a few listens, this might the best one yet. 

Believe it or not this is the third side

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The 11 Best Side Project Songs By Justin Vernon

I learned about the new S.Carey release (bassist of Bon Iver) the old fashioned way:  word of mouth.  Not only did I not know that his solo album had been released, I didn't even know the bassist was out recording his own album.  Discovering a great album like this really like finding that diamond in the rough.  What makes it especially awesome is how I found out.  It wasn't in some big music

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The 11 Best Songs By Jose Gonzalez

Did you know you can only fold a piece of paper in half 7 times?  Eight times if it's a thin napkin or tissue.  If somehow you were able to fold it 42 times in half...it would stretch up to the moon.  Swear.  I tried to explain exponential growth to a friend.  They didn't get it.  They could not believe I was serious...and they thought I was a fool for suggesting such.  To me, exponential growth

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The 11 Best Songs By The Killers

Brandon Flowers is douche bad.  The guy called Green Day anti-Americans for performing American Idiot in England.  That honestly doesn't even make sense, especially coming from a guy sporting a Hitler moustache.  Being a douche bag is a common trait for lead singers...so I guess I can forgive it as long as he keeps making good music.

Against better judgement, I went and bought the new CD at

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The Unknown: Weezer - Schrutitude

Here's my time of the month to be a dick.  I get to lecture you about how nothing in this life is free.  Well, mostly.  It costs me money to keep the blog going.  So I ask you, my loyal readers (all 3 of you) to take a look in my MP3 store.  I always update my store with $5 albums.  Some great one from 2010 this month:  Ted Leo, BT, Nada Surf, School of Seven Bells, Delphic, and Band of Horses.

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The Unknown: Thom Yorke The Pencil

I don't get the whole Digital Music bullshit.  My last three takedowns were all for posts where there was no music links.  Seriously.  The last takedown was from a bad review I gave of the last Dixie Chicks album....four years ago!  Yes, I got a takedown letter for giving a bad review!!  So let me get this straight...I can give away your product as long as I say something nice about it.  No

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The 11 Best Little Boxes

Happy Jew year!

New season of TV coincides with the Jewish New Year. Coincindence? Showtime kicked it off early with the newest season of Weeds which has almost nothing to do with the show in the first season...but hey, what else are you going to watch...every thing good has been cancelled.

Here are the 11 Best Little Boxes:

1.  Elvis Costello
2.  Melvina Reynolds
3.  Man Man
4.  Jenny

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The 11 Best Songs By Interpol

Last night I had my second of two Fantasy Football drafts.  Going into both drafts, I super high expectations for myself.  I had studied.  I was prepared.  I was going to kick ass all over our draft.  Then the draft happened.  And it was all downhill.  I ended up taking players I didn't want.  I passed on players I did want.  And at the end of it all...I was left with a team I hated.  Both times

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The 11 Best Songs By Jenny Lewis

Everybody loves free music. Even me.  I know a lot people read this blog just for the free tunes.  And that's okay.  Because I know there are some people who read the blog for the blog as well as the free tunes.  And, every once in awhile, I can alert people to new music...or a new band...or a new album that just got released.  In all fairness, I do think the bands deserve money...and the labels

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The 11 Best Songs By Film School

I hate the phone.  I know it's supposed to be a great convenience but how come whenever I use it, it's nothing by an inconvenience.  It always rings when I get in the shower.  It always rings when I'm sitting down to dinner or lunch.  It always rings when I'm walking out the door.  It always rings when I'm sitting down to work.  It always rings when I'm talking to someone on the other line.  And

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The 11 Best Songs By Menomena

I'm tired of Apple people claiming that the ipod and itunes are these two apexes of industrial invention.  I like the ipod...it's a neat device...but perfection?  Far from it.  First of all...the scrolling sucks.  When you have 500 artists on your ipod, there's nothing more irritating than wanting to listen to Zero 7 or Zwan and needing to spend 5 minutes scrolling through the entire alphabet.

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The Good: Free Music Friday (Levi's Pioneer Sessions)

I haven't bought a pair of Levi's in about 15 years. Nothing against the company...just wear a lot of shorts. So this isn't some shameless whoring out to a big corporation. Not that there's anything wrong with some shameless whoring. I'll be more than happy to take cash from any corporation to hock their product. That said...not sure what this series of music session has to do with Levi's

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The 11 Best Iron Maiden Songs of the 80s

This weekend I saw Blue Oyster Cult put on a free show at the mall. Yes, at the mall. (watch the clip!) Granted it was half-park/half-outdoor mall. But still...should a band that wrote one of the greatest rock songs of all time (Don't Fear The Reaper) be giving free shows at a shopping complex near the kids' play area? Don't get me wrong, I appreciated it. Took my daughters, who actually

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The Unknown: Arcade Fire - Dark Prayer

I'm not sure there was anything more gratifying than reading last week, that not only did the Arcade Fire have the number one album (The Suburbs) on Billboard's Top 200, but they knocked Eminem out of the top spot to do it. I like Eminem. But this ousting is significant. It's symbolic. It's a glowing neon sign. It goes to show that people want more than what the big labels are shoveling down

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The Unknown: Primus - Live In Studio EP (FREE)

Thinking about renaming Fridays....Free music fridays. Any thoughts? Ideas? Criticisms?This week see Primus in studio, prepping for their upcoming tour...and possibly new album????This is a free EP given away by the band. Don't thank me. Thank Les.Get the EP For FREE...here!

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The 11 Best Songs By The Band Brad

AC/DC might be geniuses. Their albums sales continue to remain steady while everyone else's have been slipping. The first thought is the reason for that is because they don't sell their music via itunes, etc. They would be wrong. Not selling your music on itunes does not prevent internet downloading. That's not how people trade music. They trade via peer-to-peer networking. But AC/DC has

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11 More Best Albums of 2010 (so far)

Last week I made my best albums of 2010 list halfway list.  I had a lot of albums I had been listening to, and was unimpressed by most of them.  But since then...I took some good recommends from you readers and did some exlporing on my own and found some great albums I had neglected to pick up and some albums I had no idea had even been released.  This list does not replace the previous list...

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The 11 Best Songs By Jay Bennett + FREE NEW ALBUM!!

I was very excited to hear that there was a practically completed Jay Bennett album left behind by Jay.  Not that that's good news when I'd much rather have Jay still around turning out some extremely heartfelt tunes.  As much as Jeff Tweedy was the soul of Wilco, Bennett was the heart.  Usually when a winning combo like this break apart...the amount of good material dwindles.  That's not true

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The 11 Best Songs By Arcade Fire

Less is more. It's my creedo. On my computer monitor I have it printed on a post-it. With everything I write I try to say as much as I can in as little words as possible. It's not easy. I feel the same way about music. Albums don't need to be 16 albums long. Just because CDs can hold more...doesn't mean they should. 10-12 songs should still be the bench mark for all albums. Keep it simple. Less

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The 11 Best Songs of The Year (so far):

I'm a sucker for a request.  Had no intention of doing this...but if the fans want it...then...

Here are the 11 Best Songs of the Year (so far):

1.  I Was A Teenage Anarchist - Against Me! (White Crosses)
2.  25 To Life - Eminem (Recovery)
3.  Odessa - Caribou (Swim)
4.  Soft In The Center - The Hold Steady (Heaven Is Whenever)
5.  You Wanted A Hit - LCD Soundsystem (This Is Happening)
6.  

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The 11 Best Albums of the Year (so far):

Over halfway through the year and I am unimpressed.  Eminem's new album is pretty good and definitely a return to form.  But the best of the year?  It's not even the best Em album.  Maybe 3rd best.  And Massive Attack, Morcheeba, and MGMT have all made nice albums...but these are far from their best material.  So what gives?  Last year at this time, the Animal Collective, the xx, Grizzly Bear,

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The 11 Next Best Songs By Zero 7

I was a little stunned to discover that Zero 7 was releasing a greatest hits comp.  They're just not the band I think of ever being a "hitmaker."  It's like making a compilation of Woody Allen's greatest action sequences.  You could do it...but wouldn't you rather watch the whole film?  This is kind of the reason I hate greatest hits collections.  Yeah...can you believe that coming from me?  My

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The Unknown: Beck's Record Club - Kick

Here's my monthly bribe attempt.  Here's the lastest completed installment of Beck's Record Club.  It features members of St. Vincent, Os Mutantes, and the Liars.  And does an A+ job of re-imagining a classic.  I was never a fan of INXS before this covers record...I am now.

In return for this piece of internet-only music, check out my $5 store.  Tons of awesome albums this month: MGMT's

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The 11 Best Songs By Crowded House

This week I went out to dinner with my daughters, and their little cousins.  We went to the culinary palace known as Islands.  It was packed.  Lots of kids.  But there was one couple across from us who were trying to have a romantic dinner and kept scowling at us all night.  It's Island's, you morons.  If you want romance, fork out a couple more bucks for a place that doesn't have kids' menu. 

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The 11 Best Song By Incubus (of the 00s)

The best thing about July is the lack of major new releases, giving me some time to catch up on some other stuff I may have missed.  And with the NFL pre-season still 3 weeks from kick-off...I should have no problem catching up by the time all the September major releases roll around.

Brandon Boyd, lead singer of Incubus, delivers his first solo album.  He promises it to be just as average as

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The 11 Best Songs By Deer Tick

Mel Gibson is nuts.  Or is he?  Like everyone on this planet, I've now heard a few of Mel Gibson's rants and tirades to his girlfriend/ex-wife/floozy/mistrees.  I've heard them set to a slide show of Mel Gibson movies.  I've even heard them inserted into an episode of Dora the Exploerer (check youtube).  But is Mel Gibson is as crazy as he sounds?  Or was he baited?  I have a very hard time

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The 11 Best Songs By Outkast of the 00s

I feel like every month or so I make a list for a band that doesn't deserve to be narrowed down to 11 songs.  This month, it happens to be OutKast.  I'm only constructing a list of songs from one decade, I would hate to do this list and include their albums from the 90s.  And no...no songs from Andre 3000's solo kids' album didn't make the list.  Yes, he has a kids album...look it up.

My

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The Unknown: Public Affection - Death of a Dictionary

According to Prince, the internet is dead.  Itunes is about to go the way of MTV and the Dodo.  And you know what, he may be onto something.  The internet itself is not dead.  But getting music via the internet may be hitting its peak.  It's too easy to get music on the internet.  There's too much of it.  And when you have too much of something, you stop appreciating it.  There was a time when

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The 11 Best Songs By Bloc Party

I'm back from vacation.  Well, I wouldn't call driving up and down California for 10 days in a car with a whiny 5-year-old and attention-starved 2-year-old much of a vacation.  I didn't I find sleeping in 5 different strange beds very restful.  Nor, did I enjoy the endless supply of grease-filled foods at the roadside rest stops.  And most importantly, nothing was more pain-inducing than

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The 11 Best Songs By The Roots of the 00s

The 00s might be best described as the Roots experimental period.  Their songs challenged the tradition hip-hop norms and opened new doorways to what the genre could be.

I first saw the Roots in the 90s in a college gym.  I had never seen a rap group use guitars and a drum kit.  That in itself was intriguing.  But then they came on stage.  They played four songs.  Better yet, they belted out

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The 11 Best Flavors of M&Ms

The first time I did an Eminem post, I had a couple of MP3s linked.  They were live tracks.  Unavailable to buy anywhere.  The web police had my post removed, deleted, and destroyed.  So, the second time I did an Eminem post I didn't add any MP3 links.  It was just a list.  And guess what?  It still got taken down.  As if just talking about Eminem was now illegal.  So here's my third attempt. 

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The 11 Best Songs By Morcheeba

I spent the day at E3 playing all the new video games in the coming years.  Playstation 3 has "Move" which is a wand like the Wii...Xbox has Kinect which has no controller whatsoever.  When I think of the future of video games I get excited.  Technology is giving developpers the ability to create games that we once only dreamed of playing.

When it come to music, I feel the exact opposite.  To

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The 11 Best Songs By The Gaslight Anthem

Today, I have the lucky honor of going to E3.  The massive video game convention where you get to walk around and do nothing but play video games.  And it's not just a few panels here and there.  There are thousands of panels.  Thousands of new games.  All unreleased. 

I'd write more...but the more time I spend here...the less time I get to spend there.

Here are the 11 Best Songs By The

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The 11 Best Songs By We Are Scientists

We Are Scientists "With Love and Squalor" was probably my last impulse musical buy.  Back in the day, when strolling through a used CD store, if a band name or album cover caught my eye...I would sometimes take a chance on the record.  This was especially the case when I was sifting through the dollar racks.  I discovered a lot of cool bands doing this.  Of course, I came home with a lot of crap

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The 11 Best Songs By Tom Petty of the 00s

The music industry never ceases to amaze me.  They complain about the internet destorying their industry.  Yet, they do everything in their power to aid and abet them.  The new Tom Petty comes out this week.  A blues-blasted masterpiece from my first couple listens.  I want to get the album on vinyl.   Because if anyone out there cares whether his album will sound good on vinyl, it will be Tom

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The 11 Best Songs By Hot Hot Heat

For weeks we've been hearing about the epic USA vs. England World Cup match-up. An epic game between countries with major political history.  I was in.  I was excited.  I planned my whole weekend around it.  I couldn't wait.  But after weeks of waiting for this slugfest...the game ended in a 1-1 tie.  A tie.  A stupid tie.  Whoever came up with the idea that ties should score the soccer teams a

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The 11 Best Songs By Tokyo Police Club

Why are the MTV movie awards more interesting than the Video Music Awards?  I honestly don't care for the awards part.  Any award show where Twilight takes home the movie of the year prize has some serious legitimacy problems.  But the show itself, the spoofs and the presenters are far more interesting than the video aawards.  Recently the video awards have been a full blown lip syncing dance

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The 11 Best Songs By Against Me

Getting old sucks.  Everything you used to be able to do as a kid...like, oh let's say...walk up a flight of stairs becomes not only harder as you get older but it gets actually dangerous.  This weekend, as I was walking up our stairs in our house, I twisted my back and have been on the floor ever since.  I didn't run.  I didn't trip.  I didn't fall.  I walked.  That's it.  Walking up my stairs

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The 11 Best Songs By The Jam

I don't think any band gets less appreciation than the Jam.  Just taking a listen to music today, you can hear their influence everywhere.  The Strokes, The Arctic Monkeys, The Libertines, Against Me! all owe their careers to the sound that Paul Weller and co. created decades ago.  And listen to "Set The House Ablaze" and tell me that's not a Bloc Party riff.  It's amazing how bands this good

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The 11 Best Songs By Jack Johnson

Every day on Memorial Day, every one I know says something like..."make sure you thank a soldier today."  And though there's nothing wrong with that, and we should do it, but why do we have to wait until Memorial Day to appreciate our soldiers?  Look, I know war sucks.  No one wants to ever go to war.  And no one ever should.  But sometimes...we have no choice...or I'd like to think that was

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The 111 Best Songs By The Cure

I imagine I'll inflict numerous hate email/comments about how wrong I am with this one.  But come on...it's the Cure.  Every song is great.  And each person has their own relationship with this epic band.  So take it with a grain of salt.  And before you say...you don't know the Cure...just know...I've been listening to this band religiously since 1983.  So suck on that...and yeah...I'm old. 

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The Unknown: The Cure's Disintegration Alternate Rarities & Disintegration Live in Dalla

Not only is the Cure's Disintegration one of the best Cure album (honestly, it's really just the best).  Not only is it one of the greatest alternative albums of the 80s.  Not only is it one of the 10 best albums of the past 30 years.  It is one of the greatest albums of all time.  Don't take my word for it...even South Park agrees.  And South Park doesn't like anything.  If they're praising

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The 11 Best Songs By Scott Weiland

For six seasons, the TV show Lost survived on viewers being unable to understand the show.  Being unable to see what was coming next, kept the show fresh and exciting.  You never knew who would die, you never knew if they were really alive or dead, or if they were all dead the whole time!  In a world of generic, same old shit, it was nice to have something that always left you guessing, even

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The 11 Best Songs By Stone Temple Pilots

STP was always the red-headed step-child of 90s alternative rock.  When they first came out, they were belittled for being a Pearl Jam knock-off.  Despite the negativity, Core was a hit.  But it was their follow-up, Purple, where they stood up for themselves.  That album, in my opinion, is one of the most underrated albums of the 90s.  It belongs up there with the likes of Ten, Nevermind,

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The 11 Best Songs By The Black Keys

Today marks an epic day in my childhood memories.  Both Empire Strikes Back AND Pac-Man turn 30 today.  It's very hard to think of these two major institutions having such influence 30 years later...Star Wars is still as big as ever...and Pac-Man pretty much helped pave the wave for all great video games to come.  If you haven't stopped by Google today.  I highly suggest you do for a quick trip

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The 11 Best Songs By Band of Horses

 Instead of commenting on something today, I'd rather share a short video with you.  It's about a music collector that kicks all of our asses.  If you think you own a lot of music, he has more.  He has more than me.  He has more than you and me...combined!  Check it out.

I don't know how to imbed video cause I'm old...so here;s the link
 
Here are 11 Best Songs By Band of Horses:

1.  Wicked

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The 11 Bad Religion Songs of the 00s

When people talk about bands who survive the test of time, rarely is Bad Religion mentioned.  With 4 of the 5 original members still in the band.  That's unheard of.  But 30 years in, the band is still cranking out much anticipated music.  It's a band that doesn't get the respect it deserves.  To thank its fans for 30 years of loyalty...the band is giving away a free live album celebrating their

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The 11 Best Songs By LCD Soundsytem

I bought myself a new record player this weekend.  I had one which fizzed out a few years ago...and never bothered to replace it.  Didn't think I needed to.  But after spending most of the day listening to my vinyl collection, I'm once again hooked.  It is true that a brand new vinyl played on by a brand new stylus is better quality than a CD.  And it's true that 90% of the people who listen to

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The 11 Best Songs By Gang Starr

This has been a weird year for music deaths.  It seems like there's a new death every couple weeks.  And it's not minor players or older musicians.  Each of them has been a pivotal member of their musical legacy.  Alex Chilton was Big Star.  Mark Linkous was Sparklehorse.  Jay Reatard was his own sound.  Malcom Maclaren helped invent hip-hop.  Dio had a solo career and was the other face of

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The Unknown: Jack White's The Upholsters

I had a discussion with my friends about the lowliness of the music industry.  Many of them think that the internet is the reason for the downfall.  Though I will admit it adds to the problems...I don't think it is the problem.  One of the biggest problems in my opinion is that music today (popular music, that is) really sucks.  Okay, some decent bands sneak through...but think about the last

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The 11 Best Songs By The National

I get a lot of crap from people that my lists are all wrong.  But these lists are by no means definitive.  They are my opinion of the best songs by a band.  I listen to the entire catalogue by a band before doing a list, so the music is fresh in my head.  I usually rate it on listenability, originality, how has it held up over the years.  My lists change.  If you look at bands that have been

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The 11 Best Songs By The Deftones

Let's talk Arizona.  I get the whole problem with immigration.  And I'm sympathetic. I can't blame anyone for wanting to leave their 3rd world country where they are making dirt to come here and make a better life.  I'd probably want (and maybe even try) to do it too.  But they are "illegal" immigrants...not "sorta legal" immigrants.  That's not to say our post 9-11 immigration policy is haywire

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The 11 Best Songs By Tomahawk

Since the break-up of Faith No More, Mike Patton has been on a recording frenzy.  Since 1997, he has recorded a total of 19 albums featured as a lead singer.  On top of that, he's been featured as a guest vocalist/musician/producer on an additional 50 albums.  A majority of the music is largely experimental with very few returns to traditional rock.  This is has caused fans to miss the good old

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The Unknown: Rival Schools - Album 2

After revolutionizing metal with his band Quicksand, Walter Screifels formed the band Rival School putting all the pop punk bands out there to shame.  He followed it up with Walking Concert, showing bands like Arctic Monkeys and the Strokes what was up.  Like Quicksand, all the bands broke up.  And like Quicksand, Rivals Schools broke up leaving a complete album sitting on the shelves.  The 3rd

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The 11 Best Songs By The New Pornographers

This morning I went for a light 5-mile jog in Los Angeles' mild 85-degree heat.  Always a good time.  During the run, I took a little break in the middle and walked a short portion.  I found myself behind three older women who were chatting it up about Facebook.  To hear their perception of Facebook was rather interesting and disturbing at the same time.
I was first quite alarmed when one woman

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The 11 Best Songs By Minus The Bear

Car Bomb in New York, Tylenol Recall, and giant oil slick about to gobble up New Orleans, a knife-weilding maniac in Target, and the death of Lynn Redgrave...all major new stories this weekend.  But it wasn't the new outlets who were have an orgasmic party with all this...it was Facebook.  Every morning I awake to my hundreds of Facebook friends commenting on all the current events that are

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The 11 Best Songs By The Hold Steady

Tonight I celebrate my 7th wedding anniversary...and to ensure I have an 8th one...I'm keeping this short.
Rock on.
Here are the 11 best Songs By The Hold Steady:
1.  Stay Positive (Stay Positive)2.  Stuck Between Stations (Boys and Girls in America)3.  Sequestered in Memphis (Stay Positive)4.  Cattle and the Creeping Things (Seperations Sunday)5.  Both Crosses (Stay Positive)6.  Hot Soft Light

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The 11 Best Songs By Bullet For My Valentine

I don't know why but a lot of friends think I should be a Bullet For My Valentine fan.  I like metal but I don't listen to it that much.  Maybe it's because I like Metallica. That's the way they try to sell me on it...they claim BFMV is this generation's Metallica.  I guess they're right if they mean to say that they're an emo version of Metallica.  I guess it could be worse.  They could be an

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The 11 Best Songs By Sparklehorse

Yesterday I went to Disneyland with my kids.  After the usual morning of the fancy new Disney rides, equipped with the newest technology...we found our way to the "Captain EO tribute."  I was surprised how good the show was.  Better than I remembered.  Maybe it's nostalgia.  Maybe it's sympathy.  Or maybe it's that making a great ride isn't about wowing your audience...but entertaining them.

I

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The 111 Best Unreleased, Shelved, Lost Albums

Recently I tried to find a comprehensive list of all the unreleased, shelved, lost albums.  It was almost impossible.  Most sites just had partial lists...missing many albums.  Some lists hadn't been updated in years.  Some lists only included albums that were pure speculation.  I wanted to create a big list that included as much as I could find.  Of course, since I had to make the list 111

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11 Ways to Save The Music Industry

Yesterday, I stood in line for Record Store Day. It was the first time I waited in line to buy a new music release in almost a decade. But I was excited to be there. I wanted to buy the exclusive releases by Great Lake Swimmers, Tegan & Sara, and Weezer. But they were gone by the time I got to the front. They sold out! When was the last time that happened. I ended up getting David Bazan, Cage The

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The 11 Most Exciting Record Store Day Releases

This Saturday, the world (yes, the world) celebrates one of the greatest institutions: The Record Store. Record Stores across the country are taking part in the annual celebration by featuring over 100 exclusive releases that will only be available at independent record stores. And these are minor garage bands, some of the releases are from the biggest names in music. Here's a shortlist of

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The Unknown: Beck's Record Club (featuring MGMT) - Songs Of Leonard Cohen

This weekend my wife got in a fight with her best friend over text message. What was the fight about?...one of them didn't understand what the other said in her text. Then she, misinterpreted it...and instead of calling and figuring it all out...they preceded to snap back-and-forth at each other in text over their cellphones, whipping each other into a frenzy. At one point, my wife said she

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The Next Best 11 Doors Songs:

Doing a top songs list by the Doors list would be pointless. Everyone knows the best songs by the Doors: Break on Through, Light My Fire, People are Strange, etc. I would just be telling you what you already know. So, instead, I'm digging deep in the Doors catalogue for the hidden gems. The rules for this list were such: no songs released as singles (B-sides are okay) and no songs that were

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The 11 Best Songs By Fatboy Slim

Getting excited about the collegiate womens' championship game is like getting excited for a new Fatboy Slim record. Sure, there's some great play. And the women are surely talented. And watching UConn win 78 in a row is certainly impressive. So why is it at the end of the game...I just really don't care? It's same with Fatboy Slim. He's talented. He's got a couple good songs. And hearing

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The 11 Best Songs By Slash's Snakepit

This weekend we celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ with Easter. And what Easter activity exemplifies the teachings of JC more than anything? That's right, a hunt for chocolate eggs that were hidden by a magic bunny. I took my little girls to the local park for a city-sponsored egg hunt. My littlest one is only 18-months old...so the city had a special egg hunt for the toddlers. The only

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The 11 Best Songs By Big Star

I know I'm a couple weeks behind on this news. I was out of town...and wanted to give it some time before jumping on the bandwagon.Alex Chilton may be more famous for being the name of a Replacements song rather than the lead singer of the 70s rock band, Big Star. A band whose infamy was bigger than their fame or fortune. Despite being praised by the likes of R.E.M., The Replacements, Elliott

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The 11 Best Songs By Ted Leo & The Pharmacists

This week the epic health care bill passed. Will it work? Will it save millions of uninsured Americans from deciding between their health and bankruptcy? I have no idea. I hope it works. But I'm not a soothsayer. What I have a problem with are the "end of the world" scenarios that we've heard over the past few days. That the Health Care bill is the worst bill to ever be passed in the

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The 11 Best Songs By Hall & Oates

It's so easy to point fingers. Every list I do...I get some jackass pointing out which song I forgot to include on my list. What these obvious musical genius neglect to say is which song I should remove from my list...or provide their Top 11 instead. What these turkeys don't take into account is that almost every band I do a list for has tons of songs left off the Top 11 that could be arguably

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The 11 Best Songs By Zooey Deschanel

Yesterday, William Shatner turned 79. Now, though many know him as a sci-fi icon, a 80s action star, and smart ass old lawyer...he is actually a trailblazer for something bigger and greater. Shatner was one of the first actors turned pop star. At first it was a novelty for fellow actors of his generation like Telly Savalas and crew member, Leonard Nimoy. But as we went through the 80s into

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The 11 Best Songs By The Drive-By Truckers

I spent the week in Vegas for March Madness. When I went in college, I was always blown away by the might and awe of Vegas. Anything was possible in Vegas. They built a mini-New York in Vegas...with a freaking roller coaster. But now that I'm older and more skeptical, Vegas has lost a lot of its polish. It seems that Vegas is frequented by one of three types of people: college students,

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Here are the 11 Best Songs By The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

March Madness starts this week. And though the actual tournament doesn't begin until next week, the conference tournaments serve as a filling yet enticing appetizer to the main event. What makes March Madness so exciting to watch is the unpredictability. Anything can happen. Anyone can win. And anyone can lose. Teams that have been picked to win it all have lost as early as the first game.

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The 11 Best Songs By Gorillaz

Right now we're selling our place. So for the next few weeks we have to live in a false existence of cleanliness. Anyone who has kids knows this is a near impossibility. But we need to impress all the prospective buyers by giving them a vision of what the place "could" look like if one decides to come a buddhist monk and shed all their worldly possessions. Isn't it better to show what the

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The 11 Best Albums By Danger Mouse

I love Netflix. As all of you know, I love making lists. Netflix allows me to make a list of all the movies I want to see. And then sends them to me in the mail to watch for as long as I want. What could be bad about that? Well...I'll tell you...it's everything if you're Warner Bros. Warner Bros just struck a deal with Netflix to delay all WB titles for 28 days before making them available

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The 11 Best Jimi Hendrix Songs

I don't think that any musical artist has been more prolific after their death than Hendrix and Tupac. In fact, I hear later this year, there's a Hendrix/Tupac duets album that is coming out. They cover a White Stripes song...so that should be good.Valleys of Neptune becomes the (approx.) 14th studio album released after Jimi's death. Yes, that's right 14 albums...after he died. Now as amazing as

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The 11 Best songs By Peter Gabriel

It was never my intention to do a posting on Peter Gabriel. I like PG. I was a big fan of So. But he lost me recently when he spent a good decade trying to teach monkeys how to play music. I swear.I had no intention of even getting the new album. Except that an album of covers, including modern takes on Bon Iver and Radiohead, peaked my curiousity. So I "downloaded" the album. I wasn't

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The 11 Best Songs By Rogue Wave

It's a sign of the times when living without the internet is as fatal as losing a limb. I came home after a brief road trip to find my modem dead. My 6-month old modem which comes with a 2-year warranty. I called AT&T (the India branch, obviously). They told me that my modem, which has a manufacturing date of 2009 printed right on the side, was actually purchased in 2004...and therefore the

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The 11 Best Johnny Cash Songs (of the American Recordings Era)

One of the most fascinating things about music is what the power of one song can do. When Johnny Cash first started his American Recordings with Rick Rubin during the 90s, it was seen with mild anticipation. Outside of Cash fans and the critics, very few people cared anymore what the man in black was up to. When he covered Glen Danzig on the first album, it was more of a novelty. Even

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The Unknown: Editors - The Beginning Has A Finish

What precise power do Dora the Explorer and Elmo have that infects our youth like an infant form of crack cocaine? My 18-month-old can't even say her sister's name but she knows how to stand in front of the TV and with perfect pronunciation, shout "Elmo, elmo, elmo" on endless repeat as she furiously points at the blank screen. It's like she's warning me that at any moment, Elmo is going to

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The Unknown: Editors - The Front Wall

For years, records companies have spanked loyal fans by releasing deluxe or extended editions of releases. Most recently, this happened with Lady Gaga and Eminem. For all those honest fans who go out and buy the album the day/week it comes out, they are stuck in a quandry when bands "re-issues" the same album a few months later with a couple more bonus tracks. Now, you're either cursed to go

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The Unknown: Travis - Poem To S. Jones EP

Travis lead singer, Fran Healy, and guitarist, Andy Dunlop, teamed up this summer for a leg of acoustic concerts, showcasing some of Travis' best songs in a stripped down, personal atmosphere. I have a lot of admiration for bands that shed their production skin once in awhile to show they can still achieve intimacy with their music.And since this is only half the band...it's not a real Travis

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The Unknown: Hot Chip - Hard Dance Night

I try to run everyday. I used to be up to five miles a day. But with sickness...sick kids...a concussion...and multiple work deadlines...I found myself taking a hiatus. Strangely...everyone I talked to (who wasn't a runner) thought that was a good idea. They all said running is really bad for your health. I always responded with..."compared to what?" Most didn't have an answer. Some would

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The 11 Best Songs By Massive Attack

Today I saw a car accident. It wasn't a bad one. It was a single car accident. And the driver walked away unscratched. But it was a strange one. The guy ran full speed into a cement railing on a freeway offramp. It wasn't like he lost control and slid into the railing...he just plowed straight into it. I wanted more than anything to ask the guy what the hell he was thinking...but felt like

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The 11 Best Songs By Midlake

Sarah Palin is fucking retarded. I mean seriously...is this one of the dumbest controversies ever? When I say someone is fucking retarded...I'm not saying that they have Down's Syndrome...I'm saying they are a fucking idiot. Retarded means slow or stupid. That's the dictionary definition. Mentally retarded refers to people with Down's Syndrome. And since Rahm wasn't talking to anyone with

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The Unknown: Wu-Tang Vs. The Beatles - Enter The Magical Mystery Chambers

Posted today. Get this while you can. Wu-Tang mixed with The Beatles.Wu-Tang vs. The Beatles - Enter the Magical Mystery Chambers

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The 11 Best Songs By BT

Who watches Dora The Explorer? Not for fun...obviously with their kids or cousins or nieces... Is it just me or is Dora a moron? I mean seriously this has to be one of the dumbest kids ever. Why? Have you ever noticed...she's always lost. Every single episode this kid gets lost going to some place she's been 100 times before. And to make matters worse, she has talking GPS with her. What

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The 11 Best Songs By Beach House

This week, theworld has been going Beach House crazy. Okay, just the music world. Well, really just the music blogger world. I've seen the new album called this year's Merriweather Post Pavilion. That's a pretty bold statement. Even Merriweather was running a distance 2nd to Bruce Springsteen's Working On A Dream this time last year. But the power of an album is really its staying power.

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The Unknown: The Can't See

First came Built To Spill. They came to Seattle to fill the void that Nirvana left.Next came Modest Mouse. They came to Seattle to fill the void when Built To Spill wasn't around. Everyone called them Built To Spill Jr. And if you actually said this to Isaac Brock, he'd punch you in the face. I swear. I saw it happen.Next came 764-HERO. They came to Seattle to fill the void when Modest

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The Unknown: Spoon - Get Nice!

I had a good response from my fans picking up the Spoon album this week. You can still get it from my Amazon store although the $3.99 offer has ended.So, as promised, I'm posting Spoon's very rare "Get Nice." A bonus CD of demos included on some copies of GAx5. But there's a catch. Sorta. I'm asking everyone to donate some money to the victims of the Haiti quake.Below are FIVE ways to donate

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The 11 Most Exciting Acts to see at Coachella 2010

The lineup for the 2010 Coachella show is out. And some strange headliners. Jay-z the first night...okay, I can see it. Muse the 2nd night...yeah, I guess...may be too commercial for the show...but okay. Gorillaz the 3rd night. Gorillaz? Headliner? Aren't they just a novelty act? Considering you have Thom Yorke (a previous headliner) and the Pavement reunion on the same night...you went

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The 11 Best Songs By Jay Reatard

Last week, Jay Reatard was found dead in his home. He was 29. I just learned about his death today. I'm not sure if that's a statement on my life. Two sick kids can keep you pre-occupied from breaking news. Or is it a statement on the current state of the music industry? Here is a very talented music maker, with a solid reputation for one hell of a live show and rabid following. Many

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The 11 Best Songs By Spoon:

The death of the CD store is coming. But for the moment...many used CD stores are actually booming in business. The reason: everyone is turning to computer-based listening. They're uploading their CDs and then selling them off. And the used stores are reeping the benefits. As convenient as it is to buy an album online, there's something to be said for walking through the wooden aisles of a

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The Unknown: Spoon - And The Dish Ran Away

Last night I re-watched the first act to Full Metal Jacket. Easily one of the best first acts in a modern film. In fact, the first scene in the barracks may be one of the best scenes written for film...ever. The dialogue is so sharp, it would make Swearingen from Deadwood blush. As brilliant as this film is...when it comes to war films, it seems to never get the wide recognition it deserves.

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The Unknown: Bad Lieutenant - Never Cry Another Tear

For those who don't know. Bad Lieutenant is basically New Order minus Peter Hook. It's Summer on vocals. Morris on drums, and Cunningham (who replaced Gilbert) from Siren's Call. The only new addition is for Hooky's bass.How unknown is this band? Well...I didn't know they existed and I'm a huge New Order fan. I knew the band broke up...but didn't know the others had reformed. My early

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The Unknown: Vampire Weekend - Daytrotter Sessions

My kids love new toys. In fact, the newer the toy the better. In fact, the anticipation of getting the toy is almost better than actually getting the toy. In fact, looking at the toy in the store with the anticipation of buying it may be the best feeling to them. About a year ago, my daughter saw this toy in Target and squealed just to see it. So I let her play with the box. She stared at

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The 11 Most Anticipated Albums of 2010 (July-Dec)

No, these are not official. But based on the rumors...the updates...even a couple tweets...this is likely what the end of the year should look like.Here are The 11 Most Anticipated Albums of 2010 (July-Dec):1. Outkast (Big Boi/Andre 3000 solo LPs) - (Sept)2. Dr. Dre - Detox (Nov)3. Radiohead - TBD (Oct)4. Soundgarden - TBD (Oct)5. The Strokes - TBD (August)6. Interpol - TBD (July)7. The Klaxons

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The 11 Most Anticipated Albums of 2010 (Apr - June)

This 3-month period reads like it could be the top albums of the year...Here are The 11 Most Anticipated Albums of 2010 (Apr - June):1. The Shins - TBD (May)2. Arcade Fire - TBD (May)3. Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee (June)4. LCD Soundsystem - TBD (May)5. She & Him - Volume 2 (Apr.)6. MGMT - Congratulations (Apr.)7. Gorillaz - Plastic Beach (Apr.)8. Against Me! - White Crosses (June)9

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The 11 Most Anticipated Albums of 2010 (Jan-Mar)

It's amazing how much busier I am during the holidays than I am during the regular part of the year. Here's a quick list of what's to come.Here are The 11 Most Anticipated Albums of 2010 (Jan-Mar):1. Spoon - Transference (Jan. 19)2. Vampire Weekend - Contra (Jan. 12)3. Hot Chip - One Life Stand (Feb. 9)4. Midlake - The Courage of Others (Feb. 2)5. David Byrne & Fatboy Slim - Here Lies Love (Feb.

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