Keep It Dark/Over My Head

"Keep it Dark" by Genesis, from Abacab (1981)

"Over My Head" by Fleetwood Mac, from Fleetwood Mac (1975)

My former roommate Julian turned me on to "Keep it Dark" early on in our days living in Ypsi together, and for some reason I just recently decided to go public with my love for it. Awesome sounding drums, cheesy but charming synths, nice melodies and such a great groove.

"Over My Head" is my top jam of fall 2011, so far. 1975-1987 Mac can virtually do no wrong.

2011 MLB Playoffs Preview

What an exciting way to end the 2011 MLB regular season yesterday, huh? Boston out (no qualms), Tampa in (totally stoked), Atlanta out (bummed) and St. Louis in (also, bummed). On to the playoffs!

ALDS

Detroit Tigers over New York Yankees, 3-2

Texas Rangers over Tampa Bay Rays, 3-2

The Tigers have plenty to worry about considering how stellar the Yankees' hitting always is, but, ideally Verlander will pitch twice, which all but guarantees two wins. Plus, believe it or not, Doug Fister has been even better than Verlander over the past month or two. Aside from Sabathia, New York's pitching is in trouble with how hot the Tigers have been to end the season. I am stoked for this series, and way more worried about Texas than New York.

Speaking of Texas, they're also going to have a tricky time with Tampa Bay and their hot streak to close the season. Texas' bullpen is the best in the business, and that is going to give everyone problems, but Tampa's starting pitching is better. Unfortunately, the Rangers have the better hitting, and I think that is going to overpower TB's starters by the end of the series.

NLDS

Philadelphia Phillies over St. Louis Cardinals, 3-0

Milwaukee Brewers over Arizona Diamondbacks, 3-1

The St. Louis Cardinals won yesterday only to be all but humiliated in their opening series against the Philadelphia Phillies. The Hunter Pence acquisition doesn't even matter at this point; Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels will shut the Cards down in three games.

The Brewers will have a slightly more difficult time with the D-Backs, but not by much. Justin Upton's and Ian Kennedy's magical seasons will come to an end quickly when facing Milwaukee's middle of the order, Weeks, Braun and Fielder, and it seems like the Brewers' pitching is totally underrated. I am so into this squad.

ALCS

Detroit Tigers over Texas Rangers, 4-3

Yes, I can realistically see this Tigers team reaching the World Series. I won't be surprised if they don't, because like I said, I fear playing this Texas team. However, I still give 'em a 50/50 chance to reach the "Who's-Gonna-Lose-To-The-Phillies? Bowl."

NLCS

Philadelphia Phillies over Milwaukee Brewers, 4-2

I love both of these teams, and I'd cheer slightly more for the Brewers than the Phillies, but I can't deny how much fun this series will be to watch. Milwaukee definitely has the better hitting, but, as good as their pitching is, Philly's is just that much more dominant. Just like everyone knew it would, that rotation will take Philadelphia all the way to the World Series (in spite of Roy Oswalt's sever underperforming).

World Series

Philadelphia Phillies over Detroit Tigers, 4-1

I hate to say it, but seeing as Detroit never faced Philly's aces during the regular season, our Tigers would be made to look like fools in this series. Once again, Philadelphia's starting rotation just dominates.

American Gods/To Kill a Mockingbird/Goodbye, Columbus

American Gods - Neil Gaiman (2001)
As much as I want to love Neil Gaiman's work, I'm having a difficult time with it. I've been reading the Sandman graphic novel series over the past few months, and while there are elements of it that are hit or miss, it has mostly been great thus far. His novels are another story. Neverwhere was haphazard and featured some of the least interesting characters I've ever come across. It wasn't a bad book; it had some redeeming qualities. American Gods bests Neverwhere in that the characters are slightly cooler and the story is better and more complex. The book's premise and overarching plot are actually quite awesome. An ex-convict is released from jail to find that his wife died of shady circumstances in a car wreck. Odin, the Norse god of war, hires him as a sort of bodyguard leading up to a battle that is to take place between the "old" gods and the "new," American gods (such as media). Actually, that sounds pretty nonsensical and ridiculous, but there are plenty of twists and turns in the plot that I guess ties everything together. I still think the characters are week, and don't get me wrong, I love fantasy, but it runs a little too rampant within the modern setting of this book. There's plenty to like about Gaiman's imagery and style, but his weaknesses (storytelling, character development, prose) really shine through in his novels. Ah well, American Gods was still enjoyable.


To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee (1960)
Believe it or not, this is the first time I've read Harper Lee's famous and important novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. I was not surprised by how much it tugged at my heartstrings while awesome being simply a light, fun read. The feel of Lee's writing and certain parts of the story are reminiscent of Mark Twain, especially the short adventures that occur at the novel's beginning. Lee's portrayal of an Alabama family living through the Great Depression is beautiful, and the way she touches on darker subjects such as racism and rape while still injecting some humor in there is brilliant. As spare and subtle as the story is, Lee's characters are easy to love and invest in. I'm glad I finally got around to reading this classic.


Goodbye, Columbus - Philip Roth (1959)
That Goodbye, Columbus is Philip Roth's debut is pretty mindblowing. The book collects the novella, Goodbye, Columbus and five short stories that showcase Roth's excellent form and knack for subtle and clever storytelling, even as early as his mid-20s. While the actual novella is a very good, slow paced, comical, summer love story that I'm sure was an inspiration to Woody Allen, it is not the best story here. All the short stories were even more impressive, especially "The Conversion of the Jews", "Defender of the Faith" and "Epstein." Throughout the collection, Roth does a great job of underlining the coming-of-age story (or snippets of, in the short stories) with the struggles faced by those Americans of the Jewish faith in the early mid-20th century. This all leads to great drama, and some really funny situations. In Goodbye, Columbus Roth's stories are almost reminiscent of a less depressing, brighter J.D. Salinger, and I would recommend this to pretty much any one of my friends. I can't wait to read more.

Summer Singles 7"/Gloss Drop

Summer Singles 7" - 1994!/Snowing/Boys and Sex/Algernon Cadwallader (Slow Growth, 2011)
I am loving this 90s midwest emo revival that is taking place these days on the east coast. Slow Growth's Summer Singles 7" showcases perhaps four of the best bands doing it. 1994! and Boys and Sex (terrible band name, I know) are a bit more on the screamier side. 1994!'s jam is especially impressive thanks to all its math and how full it sounds, considering the band is made up of only two dudes. The real gems here are the excellent tracks by Snowing and Algernon Cadwallader. Snowing's jam is mid-tempo emo pop at its finest, with the classic bad singing and all. Good thing the melodies and guitar work are tops. Algernon Cadwallader is seriously the cream of the crop involved in this resurgence, though. "(Na Na Na Na) Simulation" isn't even close to one of the band's best tracks, but it takes the cake here. These guys continue to add some pop to their noodly sound, and if people who give them a chance can get past the Cap'n Jazz comparisons, they should reach the top of the world at some point.


Gloss Drop - Battles (Warp, 2011)
I am pleasantly surprised by how much I like Battles' latest, Gloss Drop, when I didn't really get much out of 2007's Mirrored. Don't get me wrong, I was enamored with the creativity and technical ability presented on that record, but I just don't get much enjoyment out of listening to it. Gloss Drop, on the other hand, with all of its cartoon synths and insanely tight (and just insane) drumming, is fun to listen to. Every song is at least decent, most of them are totally good, but "Ice Cream" and "Sweetie & Shag" are just ridiculous. I wouldn't disagree with any argument stating that Mirrored features more variety, but I like how Gloss Drop has more uniformity, yet still sounds like it was composed by aliens. Battles are like no band pretty much ever, and that's one cool thing about them, but I am happy to be able to consider myself a fan, now.

The Larry Sanders Show

The Larry Sanders Show (1992-1998)

Several months ago, during a trip out to Fenton, my boy Kevin McGorey recommended that I check out the classic 90s HBO comedy, The Larry Sanders Show. My deep relationship with it finally began just over a month ago, when I first moved to Plymouth. My housemate/landlord Ian was somewhere towards the end of the second season or beginning of the third, and I just picked up there. Little did I know how much I would come to love the show's style, feel, and, most of all, its characters.

The Larry Sanders Show starred Garry Shandling as late night talk show host Larry Sanders himself, Jeffrey Tambor as Hank the sidekick, and Rip Torn as the show's producer. One couldn't have asked for better chemistry between actors within the context of these storylines. The minor characters, namely the show's booker, played by Janeane Garofalo, Scott Thompson as Hank's assistant, and Bob Odenkirk as Larry's agent, only added to that chemistry. In addition to all of these performances, the show featured incredible cameos. Most memorable were David Duchovny, John Stewart and Ellen DeGeneres.

While I would say that my favorite aspect of The Larry Sanders Show is easily the extensive list of intelligently crafted, hilarious characters, this comedy had so much more to offer. It's criticism of the "show business" is still fresh for today, considering the early to mid-nineties timeframe of the show's run. I'd also argue that it was ahead of its time; sort of a precursor to the critically acclaimed quirky comedies of the 2000s, like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Arrested Development and The Office. And, last, but certainly not least, the show's writing was just brilliant, the situations that the characters found themselves in were unique for that particular decade (some of them are dark and even heart-wrenching, which gives the show more of a human element), and again, I cannot stress how much chemistry there was between everyone on the cast. That totally made the show.

If you have never seen an episode of The Larry Sanders Show, and you consider yourself my friend, then chances are you will absolutely love it. Stop watching whatever stupid television show it is you're trying to catch up on, and let your mind and heart become subject to the power of Larry Sanders.

2011 NFL Preview

The most wonderful time of any year is finally upon us, people: Fall, aka football season. The 2011 offseason was short and completely insane thanks to the lockout, and thus should make this coming season sloppier and less predictable than previous ones. Still, I will try guide you as best I can through what should happen during this NFL season. Here we go.

DIVISION PREDICTIONS

AFC East
1. New England Patriots (13-3)
2. New York Jets (10-6)
3. Miami Dolphins (5-11)
4. Buffalo Bills (3-13)

After the dominant regular season the New Englad Patriots had in 2010, plus with all of the risky but likely beneficial acquisitions they made this offseason (Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth in particular), this could be the year Tom Brady finally wins another Super Bowl. It's going to happen at some point before he retires, and the way that Bill Belichick can coach disgruntled ex-greats, the time is pretty much now. I am still not convinced by Rex Ryan and his bold, obnoxious claims. The New York Jets are a fine time, with a potentially championship winning defense, but Mark Sanchez cannot really be the answer, can he? The Miami Dolphins will probably come back down from Planet Mediocrity, and actually be pretty bad this year. The Buffalo Bills showed some promise last year on offense, but they made no improvements and I see them playing at pretty much the exact same level. Perhaps Andrew Luck will save the day for them next year.

AFC North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)
2. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)
3. Cleveland Browns (4-12)
4. Cincinnati Bengals (3-13)

I think it's safe to say that we once again can expect an excrutiatingly tight race between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens. I am way into Pittsburgh's well-balanced offense and think they have something really special in the trio of Ben Roethlisberger, Rashard Mendenhall and Mike Wallace. The defense showed a few minor holes in 2010 that might be a cause for some worry in the coming years, but they still have one of the best defenses in the NFL. Their time might be running short though. If Baltimore can start acquiring some younger defensive studs for the great turnover that should be occurring over the next couple of years, they could totally overtake Pittsburgh (and New England, New York, Indianapolis and San Diego as well). I am completely sold by Joe Flacco and Ray Rice, and see them only getting better. Cleveland and Cincinnati both have some decent running games, but that's about it.

AFC South
1. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)
2. Houston Texans (9-7)
3. Tennessee Titans (6-10)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)

With this Peyton Manning injury, 2011 might see the beginning of the downfall of the Indianapolis Colts. Without Manning, the Colts are a three or four win team. With Manning, they could potentially win every game they play. However, he's getting up there in age, and the climate of the team is not what it used to be. It hurts me to say that Peyton may never get that second Super Bowl ring. The Houston Texans have been on the up and up for the past two or three years, yet their win-loss record has never really improved. It could finally happen this year, with that killer offense, and the slight improvements they made to an underperforming defense that actually has a lot of talent. In spite of having the best, albeit whiniest, running back in the NFL (Chris Johnson), the Tennessee Titans are pretty much screwed in 2011, and I guess the same could be said of Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

AFC West
1. San Diego Chargers (11-5)
2. Kansas City Chiefs (9-7)
3. Oakland Raiders (6-10)
4. Denver Broncos (4-12)

I only have San Diego slotted as the winners of the AFC West out of obligation. Sure, they had both the #1 ranked offense AND defense last year, but, how many games did they? Nine. And, they missed the playoffs. Vincent Jackson returns to form in '11, and that should be a huge help to Philip Rivers and co. I really think the Chargers are quite overrated, and will be rooting hard for the Kansas City Chiefs to repeat as division champs. Matt Cassel gets one more season to prove he's not a fluke, and if he succeeds again in 2011, he's the real deal. The KC running game is the best in the league, and they're defense ain't too shabby. The Oakland Raiders took a huge blow thanks to Nnamdi Asomugha moving on to greener pastures in Philadelphia, but at least Darren McFadden and Michael Bush are proving to be a formidable one-two punch at running back. The Denver Broncos are a complete mess, and it's going to take John Fox several years to get things back in order. There are plenty of players not named Tebow with potential on that team, and it seems like no one in the city of Denver cares about them. Maybe in 2012 Kyle Orton will be tearing it up for a playoff contender.

NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles (12-4)
2. Dallas Cowboys (9-7)
3. New York Giants (9-7)
4. Washington Redskins (5-11)

With the exceptional offseason the Philadelphia Eagles had, they all but have the NFC East in the bag. There are so many young studs on offense that Michael Vick should make even better, and the teams pass defense got exponentially better with the acquisations of Nnamdi Asomugha and Dominick Rodgers-Cromartie. The Eagles are arguably the team to beat in the entire NFC. I hate the Dallas Cowboys, and it bums me out to say that their atrocious 2010 season is most likely a fluke. Tony Romo is a stud, and he has a lot of weapons to work with and DeMarcus Ware is one of the greatest defensive players the NFL has seen in years. I'm not exactly sure what to make of the New York Giants. Part of me thinks that that team is loaded and is way better than everyone thinks they are. Their excellent defensive is on its way back, and suddenly they have an extensive passing attack (in spite of Eli Manning's mistakes). As far as I'm concerned, the Washington Redskins have nothing good going for them.

NFC North
1. Green Bay Packers (12-4)
2. Chicago Bears (9-7)
3. Detroit Lions (8-8)
4. Minnesota Vikings (8-8)

Pretty quickly, the NFC North is returning to the glory days of the Black & Blue Division. It is becoming one of the strongest group of teams in the NFL. If it weren't for all the moves that the Eagles have made, the Packers would pretty much have a fast track back to the Super Bowl. No team in the NFC, and maybe even in the entire NFL, is better. There are definitely questions in the team's running game (which I think will be answered once Ryan Grant quickly returns to form), but their passing attack and defenses are easily amongst the best around. It is likely that Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears overperformed last year, but that doesn't mean they're bad. In fact, with Matt Forte, the addition of drama queen extraordinaire Roy Williams, and Mike Martz running the show, the offense should be even better. And we all know that Chicago defense is usually great. The Detroit Lions are improving by the day. That defense can now be considered top notch, and I don't think Jim Schwartz will stop there. If Calvin Johnson isn't the best wide receiver in the NFL, he's second or third. If Matt Stafford can stay healthy for the entire season he will put up some incredible numbers, I am sure of it. I am not convinced of Jahvid Best yet, but am definitely rooting for him to succeed in this offense. Detroit is already close to contending for a playoff spot, and I'll be shocked if they don't make it in 2012. Now with Donovan McNabb at QB, I think the Minnesota Vikings will be better than everyone is giving them credit for. Adrian Peterson should be the focal point of the offense again now that Brett Favre isn't there, and I think that can only lead to good things. The defense underperformed last year, and I can't imagine Jared Allen and his crew doing that again.

NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons (12-4)
2. New Orleans Saints (12-4)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
4. Carolina Panthers (3-13)

It's hard to tell who is going to come out on top of the NFC South between Atlanta and New Orleans. Both offenses are incredible, and both got better with excellent picks in the draft (Atlanta picking WR Julio Jones and New Orleans getting a steal with RB Mark Ingram). Both defenses are subpar, and it seems that only Atlanta tried to get better in that department, so that's who I'm going with. However, I see Ingram becoming a franchise running back in New Orleans, which takes a lot of pressure off Drew Brees, which could lead to another Super Bowl run. As good as Matt Ryan is and all those weapons he has between Michael Turner, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez and now Jones, I just don't think they're ready quite yet. Tampa Bay surprised everyone last year, and I'm not sure why, but I'm sort of buying the hype. For as subtle as Josh Freeman's stats were, when you really take a look at them, they were insane. And, I'm excited about Mike Williams and LaGarrette Blount in that offense. Carolina has two of the most talented running backs in the NFC, and maybe they'll both return to their dominant performances of 2008 and 2009, but that's about the only bright spot on this team. I think Cam Newton will be a bust, and when Steve Smith doesn't have anyone of worth throwing to him, he just disappears. This team is still doomed.

NFC West
1. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)
2. St. Louis Rams (7-9)
3. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
4. Seattle Seahawks (5-11)

Any of the four teams in the NFC West could win the division crown, but that's not because it's tough and competitive there. It is just that weak. Arizona and St. Louis have half-way decent quarterback situations thanks to Kevin Kolb and Sam Bradford respectively, and while I'm convinced that Bradford will have a successful career in the NFL, Kolb hasn't actually played enough to prove himself, if he's actually as good as everyone seems to think he is. Throwing to Larry Fitzgerald definitely will help, and that's the only reason why I think the Cardinals will be slightly better than the Rams, but still not great. The 49ers have some real talent on defense, and Frank Gore gives them maybe the best running game in the division, but that quarterback situation does not look pretty. The Seahawks made the most moves, and made a lot of improvements in the passing game by adding Sidney Rice and Zach Miller, but who the hell is going to throw to these guys?

POSTSEASON AWARDS

Coach of the Year: Bill Belichick (New England)
Comeback Player of the Year: Albert Haynesworth (DE, New England)
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Patrick Peterson (CB, Arizona)
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Mark Ingram (RB, New Orleans)
Defensive Player of the Year: Clay Matthews (LB, Green Bay)
Offensive Player of the Year: Adrian Peterson (RB, Minnesota)
Most Valuable Player: Aaron Rodgers (QB, Green Bay)

PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

AFC
1. New England Patriots
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
3. San Diego Chargers
4. Indianapolis Colts
5. Baltimore Ravens
6. New York Jets

NFC
1. Green Bay Packers
2. Philadelphia Eagles
3. Atlanta Falcons
4. Arizona Cardinals
5. New Orleans Saints
6. Dallas Cowboys

AFC Wild Card Round
New York Jets over San Diego Chargers
Baltimore Ravens over Indianapolis Colts

NFC Wild Card Round
Atlanta Falcons over Dallas Cowboys
New Orleans Saints over Arizona Cardinals

AFC Divisional Round
New England Patriots over New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers over Baltimore Ravens

NFC Divisional Round
Philadelphia Eagles over Atlanta Falcons
Green Bay Packers over New Orleans Saints

AFC Championship
New England Patriots over Pittsburgh Steelers

NFC Championship
Green Bay Packers over Philadelphia Eagles

Super Bowl XLVI
New England Patriots over Green Bay Packers

Super Bowl XLVI MVP
Tom Brady (QB, New England)

Emotional Listening #13

Static Prevails - Jimmy Eat World (Capitol, 1996)
Into the month of August, I continued the nostalgia train by revisiting Jimmy Eat World's pre-Clarity material. Between that album and Static Prevails, these Arizona boys (well, men, now) had quite a run on Capitol Records (albeit short). Having started with Clarity back in early high school, I was pleasantly surprised by how fast and raw the songs on Static Prevails are. This is not the glossy, heavily orchestrated, ballad heavy emo pop record that Clarity is. Sure, a good portion of these songs can be considered pop songs, they're just heavier, which is pretty damn enticing. Jim Adkins' screaming on "Thinking, That's All" is a chilling touch, and the intensity of his vocals only let up a handful of times throughout the record. That the songwriting duties were split up on Static Prevails between Adkins and Tom Linton is sort of a bummer, as Linton's songs are not nearly as good (though, there are parts in "Seventeen" that are brilliant). "Claire" and "Digits" are outright highlights, and "In the Same Room" might just be Jimmy Eat World at their best. So emo, but so so good.
Top jams: "Thinking, That's All," "Claire," "Call It in the Air," "Seventeen," "Digits," "World is Static," "In the Same Room," "Anderson Mesa"

Singles - Jimmy Eat World (Big Wheel Recreation, 2000)
Before Bleed American, their ticket to the mainstream promised land, Jimmy Eat World released a collection of songs from 7"s and compilations released before and around Static Prevails, appropriately titled Singles. And, whoo boy, are there some gems. "Opener" absolutely should have been on Static Prevails. It is easily Tom Linton's best song, and "77 Satellites" is probably his second. "Spangle" is a very nice Wedding Present cover that I actually like much better than the original. The jagged rhythms of "What Would I Say to You Now" and "Christmas Card" and its emo dynamics have Jim Adkins and the rest of the band at the top of their game. They are two of the band's greatest jams and should have been included on a full length somewhere.
Top jams: "Opener," "77 Satellites," "What Would I Say to You Now," "Speed Read," "Spangle," "Ramina," "Christmas Card"