What Can I Say...

... much to the annoyance of my roommate and mostly everyone I have ever encountered in my life, I have a strange love for R. Kelly.  In looking through this blog, you can see that typically I listen to indie rock/pop or experimental folk, so it is kind of odd to have an appetite for R. Kelly, too.

I like him partly as a joke and partly for legitimate reasons.  I think his over the top songs like "Trapped in the Closet" are impossible to not laugh at.  But as a often discuss with Dave, his beats and vocal talents are actually impressive from time to time.  And you can't but be impressed by the fact that he wrote all twenty-two parts of "Trapped" even though he can't read or write.

Last week, his new album Untitled was released. 

And I haven't stopped listening to it since then. 

It's okay.  Some of the songs are typical Kelly R&B joints that swoon with sensual lyrics and music.  For the other half of the album Kells does his best to sound like T-Pain with hip hop beats and auto-tune.  In the end, half from each of the two groups is crap while the other half is good, leading to one mediocre album.

But at least it's better than his last album, Double Up, which was a pile of hot crap.


Anyways, below are my two favorite songs from Untitled.  The second one is probably the most perfect R. Kelly song since "Trapped."

Passion Pit

Really into these guys right now, even though some random drunk dude at PassTimes said they sucked. 

And the middle of this video totally reminds me of Starfox 64.

Back to Life

Just to let you all know that I have not abandoned things here.  Life kind of interceded and blogging fell by the way side while I was up to more important things.  (Did you ever think I would declare that blogging is really not that important?)

Anyways, thanks to everyone that has helped me through everything.  It means a lot, and there is nothing I can do to repay you.  Thank you.

I will get back to 300 Level Banter and Start Wedman when I get caught up on school work.  Those blogs actually require research and time, although you wouldn't really be able to tell at first read.  Look for those to hit full force again within the next week though.

Until then, enjoy this little diddy I found.  I really like Bon Iver and Kina Grannis, so I guess a merging of the two was only inevitable.



Also, watching this video is like my Rob Gordon-meets-Marie De Salle-while-she's-doing-a-cover moment.  I think.

Dead Man's Bones, Again

I know I have already posted about Dead Man's Bones before, but I can simply not get enough of this video.  Beautiful.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

I literally stumbled into this band last week.  Ever since that point in time, I have not stopped listening to their first album, From Below.  It has a very creepy feel to it much like Dead Man's Bones.  In this case however, creepy is good.

Internet Favorites

Below are two of my current favorite internet sites. Both are highly recommended.

1. Steve Roommate. Okay, yes, this is a twitter account, but it may be the funniest one available. Genius use of the twitter platform.

2. Skinny Girls Big Sandwiches. The best combination on earth. Dagwood would agree wholeheartedly.

Enjoy los dos.

Too Catchy

I have been listening to this song a lot recently. Heard them first on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Thanks, Jimmy.

Missing Thao

If anyone in the Chicagoland area needs something to do on Friday, please go to this show for me. I want to go but am busy all weekend.

I will even lend you my sweet video camera to record the action for me. Just don't get it stolen by the bouncer.

Another Addition To The Wardrobe

Last week, I ordered the shirt pictured above from Homage Clothing.

Yesterday, it arrived in the mail. I love this shirt. It is just as comfortable as my previously mentioned Hanshin Tigers shirt. Plus, it is screen-printed, which simply makes any shirt ten times cooler. Later tonight, I think that I will have a rock-paper-scissors contest between the two shirts in order to see which one is my favorite.

Of course, since I got the shirt in the mail yesterday, I wore it to class today. There happened to be a class discussion regarding the recent cap-and-trade legislation making its way through the Senate (although the recent health care debates have pushed it to the back burner).

There also happened to be a right-leaning Big Three executive's son in my class. He gave my shirt dirty looks the entire time.

But that was alright, I schooled him in the discussion after he said that global warming is simply a myth.

So maybe my Obama shirt is now my new favorite in commemoration of my victory today.

Oh No...

... a song for the new Twilight movie?!?! What happened to We Have The Facts And We're Voting Yes? Damn it.

All Torn Up Inside

I love horchata. The mexican mix of leftover rice water with cinnamon, milk, and sugar is absolutely delectable. The drink's milky sweetness makes it a great post-burrito treat.

At Pat's Ice Cream in downtown Valparaiso, they have captured all of the creaminess and flavor of the horchata drink in one of their ice creams. If you eat that and then their "Snap-O-Lantern" ice cream, you will probably never want any other ice cream ever.

Now, Vampire Weekend has taken horchata to another level with this song:



I can't decide which of the three horchatas I like the best now.

Where The Wild Things Are

Every time I see the TV spots for Where The Wild Things Are, I'm disappointed that it is not the trailer with The Arcade Fire. It is so far superior.



I can't wait to see this movie next weekend. Golly, I'm so white.

Goodbye Life

Later this afternoon, I will be purchasing an iPhone.

My RAZR pooped out yesterday as the display screen no longer works. It has treated me well over the years, so I will miss it. Plus, I now have to get a new shaving mechanism.

But my life will be over as I have known it now. I love the internet. A lot. So having a phone with the internet will be bad news bears most likely.

So, life, I wanted to take this opportunity to kiss you goodbye since I will spending most of my waking (and some sleeping) moments with my nose buried in Steve Job's mobile device wonder. I will miss you, life.

Drunk History

This is simply genius. Video cameras were invented for things like this.

Dinner Anyone?

Because I'm making me some of this.

Volcano Choir Is Too Good For Words

Justin Vernon... you have done it again, you sly dog. There must be some magical spring in those Northwoods that makes writing incredible music too easy. I think The Beatles even visited there.



Whenever I hear this, I get this feeling in my gut. Not sure what it is. There is a possibility it could be the Taco Bell, too, I guess.

Who Would You Pick?

Yesterday, my buddy Kurt asked me if I could have a child with one living female musical artist, who would it be?

I really wanted to pick Chan Marshall because I have always wondered what a love fling with her would be like. But the question is who I would want to have a kid with... and Chan is fucking crazy. So she is ruled out. The crazy problem also eliminated Natasha Khan.

From there, naturally it came down to Leslie Feist and Zooey Danschel. So, I picked Zooey based on how awesome Almost Famous is. I do love that movie. Plus, with that cotton song, you can totally see her being a good mom.

Kurt also picked Zooey. I think Zooey is most people's first pick. That means there are a lot of people fighting over her. Which makes me doubt my chances of procreating with her. Not to mention, how am I going to compete with Ben Gibbard?


Then, later last night, I changed my mind. I completely forgot about Annie Clark. I felt like an ass. And then immediately informed Kurt of my change of heart. He can have Zooey. I call Annie. I think we will make some good families together.

I think the bridge of this song can make any situation seem epic.

Another Phase

I have really been getting back into music lately. When I was a senior in high school/freshman in college I was all about the indie scene and knowing all of the "hot" bands.

Then the rest of college sort of happened, and I lost touch with things a little bit.

But thanks to the numerous music blogs I follow, The Hype Machine, and StumbleUpon, I have been sampling lots of new stuff all across all genres. All I know is that I think I'm tiring Bruce out with my selections of experimental folk and shoegaze pop. Sorry, Bruce.

My favorite discovery has so far, hands down, has been Dead Man's Bones. They are a band out of LA headed by Ryan Gosling.

Yes, that Ryan Gosling.

And the music is incredible. They combine a mix of southern blues and folk with tribal beat and chant elements that comes together and creates hauntingly beautiful music.

They are coming to Chicago 10/21. To Schubas. The one right across from my future apartment. Unfortunately, it is sold out. And I can't really go anyways. I wish I could.

Until they finally release their CD, I'm left to listen to their single "My Body's A Zombie For You" on youtube. Enjoy.

Health Care Town Hall Mobs

I have been enjoying watching all of the media coverage of these things recently.

I'm still debating whether these meetings are actually discussions on health care or WASP conventions.

I Think I May Be A Prophet

I know this looks janky, but it is an attempt to copy what is on my buddy, Jon's facebook. He is studying in Spain right now and left this status up yesterday morning.

Just now, we defeated Spain, reigning Euro champions from 2008, by a score of 2-0. This is probably the biggest win in US Soccer history, and I caused it. I expect to be hearing from the coaching staff soon about coming on board for the 2010 World Cup.

Jon O'Rourke is Madridding. Looking forward to watching US vs. Spain in soccer tomorrow night.

Yesterday at 8:05am · Comment · LikeUnlike · Show Feedback (5)Hide Feedback (5)

You like this.

Michael 'Cooly' Couillard at 8:31am June 23

We stand no chance in that match. That's also what they said back in 1980. Fucking look out, Spain.

Susan ORourke at 8:53am June 23

I just love that young man!

Kayla Cille Terry at 11:32am June 23

until just now, i have been reading that as mad-riding.

Julie Taylor Monetta at 4:27pm June 23

Glad you're there safe and sound. Be safe and have lots of fun!

Luke Beasley at 3:26pm June 24

Excellent call Cooly!!! Go USA!

Another Blog

Being bored at work this afternoon, I decided to start up a new blog with some of my best buddies. It will be dedicated to our collective random musings about baseball and should promise entertain if you enjoy Fire Joe Morgan, Ump Bump, Bill Simmons, and/or MLB Trade Rumors.

You can support us here:

http://startwedman.blogspot.com/

Another Shirt Acquisition

Today, my Hanshin Tigers shirt (pictured below), which I ordered last week before the X-Man shirt, arrived.

I think it might have instantly become my new favorite. The tiger logo is so badass.

Plus, this shirt is the most comfortable shirt I have ever felt. It is definitely the type of shirt that chicks date dudes for in order to try and sleep in it and eventually acquire it in the break-up. I will need to make sure that never happens... so from this day on, I refuse to talk to women.

Day one of my woman strike starts now.

Published.

Big ups to one of my best buddies, Dave Matthews, aka the next big time sportswriter. His first story for The Pantagraph (reporting the dirtiest of the Dirty Dirty) was published yesterday. The article was a charming little piece on some local Special Olympic athletes, very moving.

Congrats, my man, I expect to be reading you in SI in just a few short years.

You can check out his work here:

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2009/06/14/scholastic/doc4a344940bc247668237143.txt

I Can't Wait For This To Arrive...

I just purchased the following shirt:


The X-Man, so awesome.

This purchase was completely inspired by this clip from Cameron Crowe's Singles.

My 2008-2009 NBA Coach of the Year

As we all know, Mike Brown, head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, was formally named the 2008-2009 NBA Coach of the Year by the league. Sure, the Cavs had the best record, but seriously, I could have won 60 games with LeBron this year. Brown did nothing but take a backseat to the King and hope that he was capable of breaking through quadruple-teams (someone always had to keep an eye on Big Z... he's dangerous!) and score a bucket or flip to an open Mo Williams. Brown then cemented his coaching legacy for the year by guarding Rashard Lewis with Big Ben Wallace at the end of Game 4. Of course, Lewis outran Big Ben and drained a three to put the Magic up two. I wish they could have revoked the award right then and there.

Plus, I hate the way Mike Brown looks. He does not have a well-rounded enough head to go bald like that. And he has that annoying muffin top on the side of his head created by his glasses. I hate that.

Instead, the NBA Coach of the Year should have gone to my new favorite sports figure, this guy:

Stan Van Gundy.

I love Stan Van Gundy. I love how he is way too intense about every call. I love the way he looks like Ron Jeremy. I love how sweaty he always gets. I love how raspy his voice becomes throughout the game. I love his pudgy frame. I love his love of the sweater/sport coat combo.

... and those are only a few of the biggest things I love about him.

I know that he really isn't much of a coach (I mean, how many times do I have to see that high screen and roll during these playoffs?), but in a joke of a league like the NBA, awards should partially be given to the biggest joke candidates. Hence, Elgin Baylor winning the NBA Executive of the Year with the Clips in '05-'06.

Admittedly, I was a little bit leery about Stan before this season. I did feel bad that Pat Riley had forced him out of Miami so that he could show off his Vaseline hair and crisp tan once again. But, pity is no reason to make me like someone. This, however, is:

Solid gold.

And that, Stan Van Gundy, is why I love you. I fully support your run for 2009-2010 NBA Coach of the Year even if Dwight Howard pulls an Andrew Bynum on you, resulting in a 12-70 finish. Keep up the good work.

A Great Undertaking

I have no idea what I was thinking.

About a month and a half ago, I decided that I needed to create a playlist that Kurt and I could play in our apartment. (Even though I believe there is probably a one in four chance of us ever living together)

Named "so fucking cool," (note 1) I am seeking to build a collection of music within my current library that sets an ambiance of cool and cultured relaxation. I want for us to be able to turn on this playlist and hang out with or without others while chatting, drinking, eating, fornicating, whatever. I'm seeking something that's eclectic and enjoyable. I also have the feeling that it will turn out quite pretentious. (note 2)

So what does it take to gain selection into this playlist?

1. The song must be cool (ex. anything by The National ..)
2. The song must be good (ex. nothing by Hinder)
3. The song must set a good mood
4. The song must be liked by me
5. Number four pretty much overrides everything else

Well, fuck, that must be easy, just make a list of your favourite songs, right?

Well, no. I have to be selective against some of my favorite artists like Bon Iver or The National because otherwise all of their songs would be in the playlist. I feel that it is unfair for a recent artist like either of these two to have their entire collection included while a great like Bob Dylan will have somewhere between 15-20 songs (although, I am yet to begin choosing what I want to represent Bobby). Choosing to do make this psuedo-rule has made everything more difficult, but I'm too stubborn and idiotic to change.

What if Bob Dylan walks in and sees that I've included all of The Boxer in my ultimate playlist, but only half of Blonde On Blonde? Then, I'm royally screwed, and any chance I had of being friends with Dylan will have gone straight down the tubes. Thus, I have to maintain my respect for the elders of great music (Dylan, The Beatles, Robert Johnson) while also incorporating all of my favorites. Difficult, but necessary.

However, my biggest problem in constructing "so fucking cool" is that I don't necessarily know the name of every song I would choose from each artist. Music always seems to be on in the background of my life via computer, car stereo, and ipod, so I'm not always paying attention to the title of the song playing. This may not seem to be terribly difficult, but one band clearly demonstrates this mini-hell I have created for myself.

Explosions in the Sky.

I can name precisely two Explosions in the Sky songs immediately upon hearing them:

1. Your Hand In Mine
2. Your Hand In Mine (with strings)

I bet you can't guess how I can distinguish them, right?

Outside of those two songs, I'm completely lost. I have no idea if "Six Days At The Bottom Of The Ocean" is any different from "First Breath After Coma" by looking at the song titles. But, no big deal, just listen to snippets of each and determine which one I like, right?

Wrong.

Not only are each of these songs longer than eight and a half minutes, but each has different so many different parts and about fourteen climaxes that I have no idea if I want the song in the playlist unless I listen to the whole thing. Hence, I am sitting here stuck listening to both of them. And afterwards, I still can't tell you which song is which if you played one of them for me.

Addtionally, I find myself running back to my computer in order to make sure I add a song that is playing and fits perfectly into the list whenever I'm doing something else like chores. Specifically, doing dishes. Apparently, my Macbook is quite resiliant to dishwater as I am constantly using my soapy hands to direct the songs I want into my playlist. Just my luck, when I finally get near wrapping up "so fucking cool," I will finally break my computer's back with my soaked hands and cause it to fry immediately. In that case, I'm finding a less complicated possible future roommate.

Now, I can't help but think while I sift my way through all of this music that my father never had to deal with a such a monumental problem when he was my age. He picked out which Pink Floyd or Alan Parsons record he wanted to listen to at that moment and sat back. Light a joint, flip it once, light another. Simple. Easy. Ambiance.

After considering this contrast, I have no qualms understading the existence of Prozac in modern day society.

(note 1) - Notice the lack of capitalization in the title, in honor of Kurt.
(note 2) - Side tangent, has anyone ever noticed that only pretentious people use the word "pretentious?" Even when folks say they are specifically trying to be "unpretentious," they automatically become pretentious in my book just because of their personal use of the word. I think the entire word "pretentious" could spawn its own Stuff White People Like post.