Play That Funky Music, White Boy

Well, now that I can spend the rest of my weekend basking in the knowledge that I'm entertaining the hostile and intolerant... let's go back to my January Mixtape and talk about what was on it.

Track One: Crown Of Love - The Arcade Fire
I can't even remember where I stumbled across this song. I've been a little mixed on some of the bands that are making it big as of late.. and I'm not entirely sold on the entire "Funeral" album either, but this track is one of my favorites that I've heard lately. In the 13 days it's been on my iTunes, it's played 16 times so far... so yeah, obviously I dig it a lot. Give it a shot and once you get past the off-kilter nature of the song, I think you'll like it.

Track Two: Racing In The Street - Bruce Springsteen
Ok... if you know me, you know I love the Boss. And when I talk to people who don't love Springsteen, it kills me a little bit inside. So, as part of this project, you can guarandamntee that every one of these Mixtapes will have my Springsteen Song Of the Month in an attempt to educate the masses to his greatness. This is one you probably don't know. I don't think I've ever heard it on the radio but it's a definitely highspot in the Springsteen catalog.

Track Three: Return - The Cure
This is a fond memory song for me. When B and I first got together, we listened to The Cure's "Wild Mood Swings" a lot [among a handful of other albums> when we were hanging out. This is one of my favorite tracks off that album. It's not quite so mopey as a lot of Cure songs and actually has some clever lyrics. "I really love the way you wear your hair and nothing more."

Track Four: Cannonball - Damien Rice
I don't have a lot to say about this one actually. Lately, I've found myself drawn to songs that are simpler. Just a few instruments and a voice. That's this song in essence. When a vocalist has a strong enough voice to let that carry his music, I'm impressed. You don't always have to have fancy studio tricks to make good music.

Track Five: Precious - Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode has always had ups and downs in my listening tastes. It started in the early 90's with Casey Kasem.

...

Yes, Casey F'n Kasem. You see... at the time, my friend, Brian, had discovered Depeche Mode in the form of the "Violator" album and was really pushing it on me. He loved "Enjoy The Silence" and played it all the damn time. One day, we were watching Casey Kasem's America's Top 10 show on TV [or was it 20?] and saw "Enjoy The Silence" at the number two spot... being held off by The Scorpions and "Wind of Change". Oh, the argument we had between those songs. I just couldn't stand Depeche Mode back then.

With time, as I was exposed to more of their catalog, I found myself enjoying them more... hell, I even like "Enjoy the Silence" now. So, with all that in mind... I like this song, bitches.


Track Six: Telescope Eyes - Eisley
How can you not like Eisley? First and foremost... they're named after the Mos Eisley Spaceport in Star Wars! Come on, people! You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy!

Anyways... the lead singer of Eisley's got a great voice and the band makes some damn fine songs. This is just one of them. Go check out Eisley. And while looking at their website just now, I just discovered they're a Christian band.

Suddenly, I feel dirty... but the band's good anyways! Go check 'em out!


Track Seven: Tears Of A Clown - The English Beat
Those of you that know me know that I have a strong love for weird cover songs. If there's a bizarre cover song out there, odds are that I'd love it. Punk bands covering 80's songs? Love it. Country bands covering rap hits? Gotta have it. I love me some weird covers. And this is one of those. While it doesn't capture the greatness of the original, it's just cool enough that I had to put it on here. You'll probably see an odd cover on each of these Mixtapes too.

Track Eight: Hackensack - Fountains Of Wayne
Forget "Stacy's Mom." If that's all the FoW that you know, you just don't know FoW. They are one of the most underrated bands that I've stumbled across in the past year or so. I've yet to come across one of their tracks that I didn't instantly enjoy and they're responsible for some of my favorite songs lately. Plus, you can't go wrong with songs that mention Christopher Walken, right?

Track Nine: Sgt. Major - Jet
Jet intrigues me. They have the bad rap of being ripoffs... but each of their songs seems to be so different than the other. One second they sound like AC/DC... the next, they sounds like some cross between The Beatles and Oasis... the next? Something completely different. This is one of those in the vein of Oasis and The Beatles. I believe it's a non-album track from them but it's very well done and easily could be a single for them. They also happen to be a very good live act as I caught them opening for Oasis in 2005.

Track Ten: Mi Mancherai - Josh Groban
Okay, so I know this looks to be an odd fit on this list but... well, here's the story. Anyone seen the trailer for the new M. Night Shamyalalayan movie? No? Go download it. The movie may very well be the worst thing ever... we'll know soon enough, I guess. But the trailer? It may be the most magical trailer for a movie I wasn't eagerly anticipating that I've ever seen. From the teaser trailer alone, I want to see this movie. And what more? I don't even want to see another trailer for it because I'm afraid it'll spoil the magic. Magic. This song... is magic.

Track Eleven: Drinking For 11 - Mad Caddies
I was on the prowl for ska for this disc. I love ska music... I really do. It's something else that throws me back to my college days when it was the bulk of what I listened to. All those live shows with Reel Big Fish... the Aquabats... Save Ferris... Buck O Nine... so, so, so many more. Even No Doubt before Gwen got to hang out with Dr. Dre. This isn't really the kind of ska music that I would have loved back then... but now? If it's got horns, I'm happy.

Track Twelve: Little By Little - Oasis
This song got stuck in my head. That's why it's here. Period.

Track Thirteen: Teenage Love Song - Rilo Kiley
This song intentionally has an old school vibe to it with some lyrics that definitely wouldn't match the time period. Throw that unique sound with the woman who sounds like she'd be hot and you've got a winner. "Portions For Foxes" was one of my favorite songs of '05 and I'm looking forward to finding more Rilo Kiley songs this year to be impressed by.

Track Fourteen: Gigolos Get Lonely Too - The Time
THE GREATEST BAND IN THE WORLD, MORRIS DAY AND THE MUTHAFUCKIN' TIME! Now... if this doesn't sound like a Prince song, I don't know what does. I love Prince and this sounded so much like him, I was damn happy to have it on here... despite it not really fitting with the rest of the tracks. Besides, how you go wrong with Jay And Silent Bob's favorite band.

Track Fifteen: Perfect Situation - Weezer
I have to admit that it was the video that first got me into this song. Elisha Cuthbert as the prima donna singer who gets replaced in the band? Sold! But then I listened to the song a few times and realized it was one of those classic Weezer songs that you just can't get out of your head. I've been listening to Weezer for over ten years now and have gotta say this is one of their better efforts. Now, if we could only wipe "Hash Pipe" and "Beverly Hills" out of our brainstems.

Track Sixteen: You've Got Her In Your Pocket - The White Stripes
The White Stripes are usually at their most successful when they're loud and boisterous so it's damn cool to hear them stripped down to something acoustic. It's actually quite the nice song too. White Stripes can usually be hit and miss to me. A lot of good tracks but a lot of stuff that just seems like filler to me. This one I recently stumbled upon and yes, it's one of the good ones.

Track Seventeen: Defying Gravity - Wicked Soundtrack
Wow, if you thought I was gay for talking about Harry Potter and Veronica Mars, I can just imagine what showtunes must do to your closed-off brainpan. But before the entire world, I shall TESSSSTIIIFYYYY! I love showtunes. I'm enthralled by the ability to tell a full story just through song. Usually, I only enjoy showtunes from musicals I've seen with a couple of exceptions. This is one of those exceptions.

And there you have it, peeps. My January Mixtape in a nutshell.

And in just mere days, you'll have the February gift of music that keeps on giving.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Be back on Monday with... well, probably Rumble thoughts... but we'll see.

Peace.

Let's Get Ready To Rumble

It's just about time for my second favorite day of the year as a wrestling fan. If I ever just completely stopped wrestling altogether... if it became so shitty that I just couldn't stand watching... I bet I'd still get the Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania on PPV. The only two guaranteed buys per year from me anymore.

So... it's prediction time with a little of my own creativity thrown in. For each match on the PPV, I'll give you what I think will happen... and what I think should happen.

These are for the listed matches on wwe.com so blame them if I miss anything.

Here we go...

WWE Championship Match - Edge vs John Cena
What should happen: You know what I think should happen. I think Edge should retain the title by hook or by crook. Preferably something decisive to avoid a Mania rematch.
What will happen: I think they'll do the right thing here. I'll pick Edge to retain with Vince hoping the strong ratings of late will continue.

World Heavyweight Championship Match - Kurt Angle vs Mark Henry
What should happen: Kurt should obviously win this one and do so cleanly to position him as the undisputed champion for Smackdown.
What will happen: Can't imagine any other finish than Angle retaining unless they decide to do a Feb PPV rematch. Eh... I'll pick Angle by pinfall.

The Boogeyman vs. JBL
What should happen: Boogeyman does his schtick, amuses the crowd, and eats a clothesline from hell to give JBL the win. I don't see Boogeyman ever doing big things in the E despite be fairly entertaining at the moment.
What will happen: Boogeyman takes the win... maybe by countout as JBL flees from some worm chicanery.

Mickie James vs. Ashley - Trish Stratus as special guest referee
What should happen: Something...anything to further the Trish/Mickie story. It doesn't really matter who wins in the long run.
What will happen: I'd imagine Ashley will win with some kind of controversy surrounding a Trish decision leading to Mickie/Trish at Mania.

The Royal Rumble
[NOTE: As of "press time", not all 30 people in the Rumble have been announced. I'll assume there's no major surprise coming when making my predictions.]

Let's break it down like this...

No Chance [That's What You've Got]
******************
Trevor Murdoch - Not a chance for ol' Trev. In an ideal world, he would have gotten pushed on arrival and would be at a solid IC level at the moment. But that didn't happen so he'll be cannon fodder for this one.

Viscera - Nope. No chance that the big pimp gets to main event a Mania.

Jonathan Coachman - 'nuff said.

Orlando Jordan - Nope. But he probably will get highlighted a bit in a brawl with Booker T to further their issue.

Sylvan - Riiiiight. In what bizarre world does La Resistance split up and the least talented of the three end up in the Rumble?

Road Warrior Animal - It'll be good for a nostalgia pop but that's about it.

Johnny Nitro - Some years, I'd say they might throw Nitro and Mercury out at one and two to relive the Demolition moment but this year I think they have other plans for number one.

Joey Mercury - See above.

Simon Dean - Poor, poor Nova. He won't even be in the Rumble unless Vince just finds it funny seeing him ride the Nova Cycle to the ring. Look for him to be the guy that gets punked out for his spot in the match... maybe by the Boogeyman.

Super Crazy - Crazy, since London and Kendrick didn't "make the cut", your job is to die in an incredible elimination spot. Carry on!

Psicosis - See above!


In A Dream World
****************
Rob Van Dam - In a dream world, RVD would come back from his injury to a triumphant victory in the Rumble, bringing a fresh face into the World Title scene as he moves on to Mania to meet... gasp... another fairly fresh face. Come on... like it's not the perfect tagline to say "What happens when the Rated R Superstar gets taken... to the Extreme."

Carlito - Too soon. Maybe in a year or two, Carlito will be a favorite but not yet.

Shelton Benjamin - Shelton should have been on the fast track to the Wrestlemania main event but got shoved back down the ladder after the mini-Triple H angle.

Chavo Guerrero - In a dream world, Chavo would have gotten the post-Eddy push since the fans are dying to cheer for him whenever they see him now. In a dream world, he would have lied and cheated and stealed [stealed?] his way to at least the very end of the Rumble. Alas, it's not likely to happen.

Matt Hardy - In a dream world, Matt Hardy wins the Rumble and immediately declares his intention to go back to Raw and finish what he started with Edge... and this time on the biggest stage of them all.

Lashley - Too soon, Brockcito.

Booker T - You had your shot, Booker. That train ain't comin' back around.


You Never Know
**************
Big Show - Vince likes big guys. I suppose Big Show/Angle might be a pretty decent main event and give Smackdown a little extra star power. Big Show/Edge doesn't sound too appealing though.

Kane - The movie's coming out. Can Vince resist the urge to cross-promote on the biggest stage of the year?

Chris Masters - The rookie's on a roll... but I don't think it's his time yet. Main eventing Mania would be a ungodly amount of pressure to put on him.


Here Comes The Money
********************
Shawn Michaels - The Vince/HBK angle has to be going somewhere. I'd imagine Vince will rig the drawing and put HBK #1. And I'd also imagine he'll probably almost go the distance to play up that angle. I don't think he'll win though. If he does, he'd almost have to jump to Smackdown to face Angle... and would Vince follow behind to mess with him on Smackdown instead? Might help Smackdown some. Possible... but not likely, I think.

Triple H - We're all stunned that HHH has managed to stay away from the World Title for an entire year. It's done his character a world of good as he doesn't instantly anger me when he's on camera. The Flair angle was good... the Big Show feud was done well. But I have absolutely no desire to see HHH/Cena or HHH/Edge. However, I'd be in favor of HHH/Angle... but would HHH jump off "the flagship" to help the B-show? Another one that's possible... not not likely, IMO.

Ric Flair - One last ride for the Nature Boy? Most of us would love to see it and the Edge/Flair angle seems like it could easily go until Mania with proper mic time for Flair. I'm totally in favor of this one without a doubt in my mind. And with as much as Vince loves Flair... I wouldn't be stunned if it happened.

Chris Benoit - Hrmm. While the idea of Benoit/Angle main eventing Wrestlemania gives most of us the happy pants, it seems kind of odd to put him in that position after losing the US Title series. Possible... but very unlikely, I think.

Randy Orton - Orton/Angle? Orton/Edge? Neither sound all that appealing to me. I think Orton's headed for an upper Mania match with Benoit but there's no gold in his future yet.

That brings me to the person who I both think should and will win the Royal Rumble...

Rey Misterio - All the chips are in place. He's over with the fans, he moves merchandize, he was positioned with the top guys for almost all of 2005. He's been put in the position of "almost winning" in both the battle royal for the gold and the #1 contender match. He's dedicated the match to Eddie. He drew HHH's attention at the Press Conference.

I think Rey will draw a low number and conquer all the odds for the ultimate in underdog stories that will culminate at Wrestlemania in what should be an incredible match between Angle and Rey.

If there was ever a time to give Rey a shot, it's now. If you ever had the faith that he _might_ be able to carry the company, you've gotta give him that chance right now. There will never be a better opportunity to see if he can bring back the youthful audience... bring back the Internet fans who shit on the product... bring back the Latino market they're bleeding away... bring back the fans who are saying the "other guys" have better in-ring action...

Rey Misterio as your World Champion?

It's gotta happen. The stars are aligned.

Make it happen, Vince... make it happen.

Song I'm Listening To Currently: None.. but dreaming of an iPod video
Book I'm Reading Currently: "Eragon" by Christopher Paolini (p. 129)
Movie I Last Saw: Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire [IMAX]

I Don't Want To Be Shyla

Hey peeps...

Lemme start with a "Bitch please", Mr. Anonymous. Don't even be dropping the "gay" thing on me for Veronica Mars and Harry Potter when your light-in-the-loafers ass is playing the "Who could forget Footloose?" card. Maybe instead of Mr. Anonymous, I should call you Mr. Pink in honor of Res Dogs... ohhh snap! It's the cheese!

Moving on... it's time for you all to go watch The Office tonight. If you missed last week's, you need to hit up the iTunes Music Store to pick it up. It was hands down one of the funniest half hours of TV I've seen all year. Plus, while you're there, you can now grab episodes of South Park, The Munsters, the A-Team, and the criminally underrated Drawn Together.

Lost was another character based episode last night. No huge reveals or big action scenes so it's guaranteed to piss off the thimbles. Watching Charlie battle his demons for 60 minutes was awesome to me but it was definitely a slower-paced show than last week's big Others showdown. Isn't it odd that there are two Hobbits on two of TV's top rated shows?

This came up recently in a conversation so I shall pass it along...

Top Five TV Shows Currently On The Air [in no particular order]
1. The Office
2. Arrested Development
3. Lost
4. Veronica Mars
5. 24

Honorable Mentions to my other shows I watch: The Shield, How I Met Your Mother, Alias, Scrubs, Bones, Desperate Housewives, Gray's Anatomy, The West Wing

Discuss amongst yourselves.

Stay tuned tomorrow for my Royal Rumble predictions. Plus, I still need to explain my picks for January's iMix before we lose the month! Stay tuned for February's iMix next week as well.

That's it for today. Back tomorrow with Rumble predictions.

Song I'm Listening To Currently: None.. but dreaming of an iPod video
Book I'm Reading Currently: "Eragon" by Christopher Paolini (p. 115)
Movie I Last Saw: Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire [IMAX]

Nice Guy Eddie

"Nice Guy Eddie: Did you see that daddy? Guy got me on the ground and he tried to fuck me.

Mr. Blonde: You wish.

Nice Guy Eddie: Listen Vic, I don't mind what you do, but don't try to fuck me in my father's office, I don't think of you that way. I like you a lot man, but I don't think of you that way.

Mr. Blonde: Eddie, if I was a butt cowboy, I wouldn't even throw you to the posse.

Nice Guy Eddie: Of course not, you'd keep me for yourself, you sick bastard. Four years of fuckin' punks up the ass you'd appreciate a piece of prime rib when you see one."

Damn. Far too young, my friends. Far too young. R.I.P. Chris Penn.

I guess I'll answer some comments from the Peanut Gallery today.

You fuckers really need to start registering so I know who I'm talking to. Don't make me address things to "Anonymous Guy #1."

But... now I shall... Anonymous Guy #1...

Now, now, now... let's not start tearing down the legends of the game. Kobe had an incredible accomplishment and has had a brilliant career so far... but never lose sight of what the legends of the game accomplished to make it all possible. There wouldn't be an NBA without the names you've mentioned and as much as we love our Lakers of today, don't forget who paved the path for them.

Anonymous Guy #2...
I did in fact see TNA last week. I don't know about them being the future of wrestling... yet. They're doing some great things but they're a long way from being a competitor to Vinnie Mac. Until someone with the balls to tell Jarrett to drop the strap for an extended period steps up, they're going to float on the edge. And what the fuck is up with giving Sting that much money to sit out two PPVs? That's a WCW move if I've ever heard one. Bad idea. Chris Sabin in PWG in LA. Was there, my friend. He was fairly impressive in his match with Kevin Steen this weekend. Hopefully I'll be able to make it out on the 4th for the big PWG show. Any of you in LA who like wrestling who aren't going to PWG? Be ashamed... very ashamed.

Anonymous Guy #3...
MVP, huh? I don't know. I've always been of the opinion that all sports leagues need to differentiate in their awards. There should be an "Outstanding Player" or something like that for the absolute best player in the league. Kobe wins that in a walk. MVP? MVP should go to the player who without him, his team is among the worst in the league... the player who does the most to make his team succeed. I have a hard time giving that to Kobe unless the Lakers seem poised to do big things in the playoffs. Kobe "raising the team up" and finishing in 9th place in the Conference doesn't do it for me. Sure, it's better than they'd be without him but I don't see it as enough of a contribution. Right now, I'd think you have to look at Steve Nash for keeping the Suns atop the heap without Amare as a good MVP choice. I'd pick someone on the Pistons but I don't think it's Billups and I don't know anyone else there that deserves it.

And finally...

Anonymous Guy #4...
Ahhh... Ron Artest. The most sought after player in recent NBA history. I don't think anyone has generated as much trade buzz coast to coast as Artest. Artest as a Laker? I'd like to see it at the right price. I'd like to see someone on the floor that scares the players a little bit... on both sides of the floor. Artest might be the difference between an early playoff exit and a trip to the Conference Finals. There's only two teams in the West that scare me in the playoffs... the Spurs and the Suns. With Artest, I fear them a little less. But don't trade Bynum... and trading Odom should be a last resort. As bone-headed as he's been lately, I hate giving up someone who should be an offensive threat on most nights.

And that's that. Lost tonight! The return of Veronica Mars tonight [another brilliant show you all are missing]!

Remember...

Tell them Eko let you live.


Song I'm Listening To Currently: None.. but dreaming of an iPod video
Book I'm Reading Currently: "Eragon" by Christopher Paolini (p. 107)
Movie I Last Saw: Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire [IMAX]

Livin' On The Edge

Ahhhh! So I saw Raw last night so once again, I can do a Tuesday review of it.

But I don't really want to.

Raw was okay. It had its moments. But for the most part, it was fairly lackluster. But I can say one thing about Raw and the WWE in general very clearly...

Do NOT take the title off of Edge on Sunday.

I never would have thought it'd be true but somehow Edge has made Raw infinitely more watchable since winning the title. He's a legitimate heel champion. He's someone the fans would pay to see get his ass kicked. He's the kind of heel that can truly make the statement, "The money's in the chase" ring true again. He's a vulnerable heel champion who you could see losing at any time.

Putting the belt back on Cena would be a mistake. Putting HHH/Cena as your Mania title match is an even bigger mistake. While it's probably the most high profile title match you can do, it's also a match that you don't need to do and one that a lot of people probably don't care to see.

I don't know who you put in there with Edge. Maybe a four way with Cena, HHH, and Flair? Don't know. But what I do know is that taking the title off Edge right now could be the worst decision they could make.

Gotta cut it short today. More tomorrow.

Song I'm Listening To Currently: None.. but dreaming of an iPod video
Book I'm Reading Currently: "Eragon" by Christopher Paolini (p. 73)
Movie I Last Saw: The Chronicles of Narnia

81

Wow.

I made the conscious decision this weekend to try and post on here a little more often. Last week really sucked so I was really bad in posting. But let's try and do something bright and sunshiny this week. And then I pondered... what to post about today.

And then?

81.

Yes... 81.

If you're not sure what the hell I'm talking about, you're obviously not an NBA fan. On a day filled with football that was filled with lopsided scores and boring "action" that I suffered through, I had almost forgotten that the Lakers were even playing last night. By halftime, I was wishing I had forgotten as the Lakers were hurting badly. I think they were down by 18 at the half. I changed the channel during halftime with the intent of not going back.

Some time in the third quarter, I saw the box score on Yahoo. "Wow. Kobe's got 47 points? Maybe I want to see the rest."

81.

I sat there stunned throughout the rest of the third... then elated throughout the fourth as he broke record after record.

His own personal career best? Gone.

Michael Jordan's alltime high in a game? Passed.

The Laker franchise alltime record? Shattered.

He continued to climb the list of the highest scoring games in NBA history, passing names like West... like Robinson... like Baylor... like Chamberlain.

Yes, he even passed Wilt.

Well... for second place anyways.

Wilt Chamberlain holds the alltime record for points in a game with 100. It's a record that most likely will never be broken... at least, not in our lifetimes.

But you know what? I heard the same thing when Orel Hershiser was throwing scoreless inning after inning in 1988. "It's a record that'll never be broken. No one can go that long without giving up a run."

59 consecutive scoreless innings were thrown that year. It broke a record that baseball fans believed would stand forever.

I've seen the "unbreakable record" broken.

81, people. 55 points in a half.

Is it possible?

If there's anything that the greatest player currently in the game has shown us...

When Kobe Bryant is on the floor, anything is possible.

Song I'm Listening To Currently: "Superman Theme" by John Williams
Book I'm Reading Currently: "Eragon" by Christopher Paolini [I'll start telling you page numbers soon. Don't have the book with me.]
Movie I Last Saw: The Chronicles of Narnia