A fun interview with the scariest woman alive.

Huzzah!

From newsblues.com:

-CNN has ended its relationship with the conservative commentator Tucker Carlson and will shortly cancel its long-running daily political shout show "Crossfire."

CNN/U.S. President Jonathan Klein sided with comedian Jon Stewart, who used a "Crossfire" appearance last fall to rip the program as partisan hackery. "I think he made a good point about the noise level of these types of shows, which does nothing to illuminate the issues of the day," Klein told Howard Kurtz in the Washington Post. Viewers need "useful" information in a dangerous world, he said, "and a bunch of guys screaming at each other simply doesn't accomplish that."

I've finally gotten around to checking out the new Streets album, A Grand Don't Come for Free. Much less use of the word "geezer" than in the first album. Also, the song "Dry Your Eyes" is bizarrely tear-jerking.

There is huge feature about the oft-linked Pitchfork in today's Chicago Sun Times.

And to think, I remember when it was just pitchfork.com and the reviews were out of 100. I remember when Ryan Schreiber gave daft punk's homework a 76/100 and, beleiving that rating to be too low, I discredited all reviews on the site.

Nicole, after reading the first line of said article, I know why you moved to Wicker Park.

Link: http://www.suntimes.com/output/entertainment/cst-ftr-pitch03.html

Goddamnit! We have a friend come down from Minneapolis for just a weekend, and she get's a Craigslist missed connection written about her, while I've been waiting to have one written about me for months!!!

Here's some information on how those of you with iPods or other digital music devices can listen to my radio show whenever you want to (i.e. not at 4-6 am Friday mornings). I'm going to look into it more- maybe I can figure out how to post files of the show on the website.

New Year's weekend rundown:

RJD2 was very cool live, he set up four turntables and a video projector and ran around the stage changing records and scratching and whatnot. He played my favorites, "The Horror," "Ghostwriter," and "Good Times Roll Pt. 2," but unfortunately there were technical difficulties during "Ghostwriter" and he actually stopped playing for about 5 minutes while we waited for them to be sorted out. Other than that, the night was pretty underwhelming- I didn't drink nearly enough and I'd forgotten how annoying it is to be sober among hundreds of ragingly wasted people. The train ride home was no better.

Last night, however, was some of the most fun I'd had in awhile- live band rock n roll karaoke at Schubas. Becky and I sang "Just Like Heaven" by the Cure and some guy later told us we "moved his heart," DJ Lazer did the Hives' "Hate to Say I Told You So" and brought the house down with his dance moves. We are definitely going to make a regular night out of this, and I highly encourage anyone else living in Chicago to do the same, and anyone who lives in a city that doesn't have this to find a way to get it going. You got to be a rock star for 4 minutes!

Looks like RJD2 is sold out tonight, hopefully no one was planning on getting a ticket at the door. Happy New Year's everybody!!!!

So last night I dreamt I had become friends with Dizzee Rascal. But in my dream, he was American and living in Chicago. Also, I think his real name in my dream was John or something. Then I wanted to introduce him to my friends as a "rapper," but I wasn't sure if that would annoy him or not. Weird.

My top 20 is up on www.radiofreechicago.org. Good times.

iPod is up through the Faint now . . .

I'm now up through Devendra Banhart in my iPod. Slowly but surely, people, slowly but surely.

I've been listening to a lot of RJD2 in preparation for this Friday night, which will now official see the reunion of former PFFR hosts Nicole and DJ Lazer!

Can I get a 'huzzah!'?

Another Xmas, come and gone. I received the first season of Arrested Development, a book, a desk calendar, towels, a stuffed frog that was supposed to be some veiled reference to my French-ness, and an iPod. My iPod now has 1300 songs on it, with like, 3,000 more to add. I should be done with that by next Christmas.

In extremely small world news, in the article I wrote for TMT about the 10 best shows I saw this year, I mentioned this guy dressed like a skeleton at the Mouse on Mars show. Apparently that skeleton is a writer for Tinymixtapes, as he informed me by email. He did the article where he drew his favorite songs. SMALL SMALL WORLD.

New Andrew Bird album coming out this February, followed by some touring!! Yay! More info on his website.

Non-music related, but this is brilliant.

Another small list: best albums of 2003 that I didn't hear until 2004

Menomena- I Am the Fun Blame Monster
Unicorns- Who Will Cut Our Hair When We're Gone?
Songs: Ohia- Magnolia Electric Company
Frog Eyes- The Golden River
Califone- Quicksand/Cradlesnakes
Sufjan Stevens- Greetings from Michigan, the Great Lakes State

Tinymixtapes big year end issue is up now! I wrote the blurb about Joanna Newsom (#6 on the top 25!) and an article about my fav concerts of the year. I know none of you are getting much work done with Xmas coming up, so read away.

Motorcycle Diaries. That's my 5th movie to add to the list. 2 1/2 hours of a beautiful man riding around in beautiful scenery. Sigh.

Madison in the fake news

As long as we're all making lists, here's my fav movies of the year. It was a pretty slow year for movies overall.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Before Sunset (I was sure I was going to hate this movie, so you can imagine my shock when I loved it)
Garden State (though it needed to end about 5 minutes earlier)
Sideways

Hmmm, I was going to try to make 5 but I can't think of any others I saw this year. I'll think about it some more.

Huzzah!

If i were to have an honorary 11th best song of the year, it would be the Hold Steady's "Killer Parties." And I think the Hold Steady Almost Killed Me would be honorary 21st best album. Maybe I should have squeezed it in the top 20, but hey, it's too late for that.

Meanwhile, the filling of the music collection gaps continued this weekend with a trip to WLUW that netted me RJD2's "Deadringer," Pulp's "Different Class," Boards of Canada's "Music Has the Right to Children," and two older Superchunk albums. My thirst for new music is still not quenched as I have the new Stars album on the way, Annie's "Anniemal" on back order, and I'm trying to track down a new album by a band called Scientific American that isn't being sold in pounds. I might have to take a break from music sometime soon.

RJD2 tickets have been purchased. Lazer, keep us updated on whether or not we'll be seeing you that night.

Meanwhile, my Menomena concert review is up on tinymixtapes . . . let's just say this one's got a slightly different tone than others I've written.

Finals
There is no escape
I can't hide
I need a hit
Baby, give me it
They're dangerous
I'm not lovin it
But just one left

Great Spoon show, probably the best of the three I've seen. They did indeed play "Everything Hits at Once," and it was great. "Paper Tiger" was probably the best song of the night. The new stuff sounded pretty good, we'll see how that album sounds when it comes out in the next few months.

Also, I spontaneously stopped by Reckless last night and finally bought Sufjan Steven's "Michigan." I don't know why I resisted getting it for so long because it's amazing. And his next album is going to be about Illinois!

Spoon! Tonight! Be there! They should be playing lots of good stuff off their upcoming yet-to-be-named album. And hopefully "Everything Hits at Once." But I'll survive this time if they don't.

There's DEFINITELY nothing wrong with liking Toxic. I hated to admit that I think it's a fabluous song, but it is...
Finals are killing me...
killing...
me....
i'm dying....
maybe Toxic will save the day - I shall play it NOW (yes, it is on my computer)

Last night we checked out the free Wes Anderson Rocks! show at the Metro. I grossly underestimated how many crazed Wes fans there were out there, as the show was shockingly packed, more so than any other show I've ever seen at the Metro. The bands played covers of songs from Wes Anderson movies, such as Abstract Giants' hip-hop take on "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard," and movie clips played in between. Didn't see as many people dressed like Richie Tennenbaum or Max Fischer as I'd expected, but some people took that extra step. This was the best idea EVER. Also, Andrew Bird still rocks my world.

I've changed my mind. There is nothing guilty about loving "Toxic," and now it's on my top 10 as well. I think that should do it, unless I see another car commercial that reminds me of something else.

I just revised my top 10 songs of the year because I completely forgot about how awesome "C'mon, C'mon" by the Von Bondies is after hearing it on a car commercial.

Also, if I had a top 10 guilty pleasure songs of the year, "Toxic" by Britney would be on it.

Updated ODB news

Well, I guess it's a good thing I'm missing out on the final Guided by Voices show this New Years Eve at the Metro, if this review is any indication. That's ok, I was happy enough with my Guided by Voices viewing experience last year, I didn't need to pay $75+ to hear some really great songs and even more filler again.

It's official . . . I'm the new Tinymixtapes articles editor!!! This means I have more power, more recognition . . . and I'll get my own tinymixtapes email address!

*Cheers*

Best pick-up advice ever.

This is kind of random Blockbuster news

It's official- beginning in mid-January, I'll be back on the air!!!! 4-6 AM, Friday mornings. I will be resetting each of your alarms when you aren't looking to be woken up at 4 AM to my glorious voice.

Since there has been a significant lack of new music lately, I've been going back in time to fill in the holes in my music collection, mostly by burning CDs from WLUW but also by hitting up Reckless. Some recent additions:

Frog Eyes- The Golden River
Stereolab- Emperor Tomato Ketchup
Mum- Finally We Are No One
Slint- Spiderland
Superchunk- Foolish

Definitely time I got more into Superchunk I'd say.

Something to think about when doing your Christmas shopping this year . . .

And for New Year's Day . . .

Saturday, 1/1/2005 - 5:00 PM
The Fourth Annual Schubas' New Year's Rehab Night
featuring Bowl Games on the BIG screen all day
plus Live Band Rock 'n' Roll Karaoke with The Hootenanners at 10:00 p.m.
It's FREE

Live Band Karaoke is glorious- more info here

Can it be true? The Perfect Face for Radio, reunited, on New Years Eve? With the hot beats of RJD2 in the background? I think I'm about to faint from excitement! My DJ Lazer withdrawal can yet be soothed. It's a miracle!

From your perfect face for radio correspondent in New York:
First up, I would probably be down for going to RJD2 on New Year's Eve. We could stop by one of my friend's parties beforehand too.
All is well. I am in the middle of finals and hope to make it back to Chicago in the next two weeks.
I am plotting, scripting, planning, and contacting http://www.wbar.org/ for this summer's radio drama. Interest among my classmates is high. Already promised plot elements include, but are not limited to: A Giant Lobster attack.
Last summer's radio drama has now been distributed to both coasts of the US and northern Europe. Surprisingly, someone has yet to admit to hating it.
Finally, yes, the article in this week's Onion about killing mice directly applies to my current research where I, basically, dissect a whole lot of newly born mice, after which I slice their brains into thin sections to look at under a microscope. I assure you though, I am humane, and follow the oversized posted slogan in the mouse facility, which reads : "BE NICE TO THE MICE."

I was hanging out at WLUW today, and whoever was doing their show from 7-8 played some DPC! "Manifest Destiny" it was. Glad to see Madison bands are getting some representation on the air.

Some good shows that have just been announced in Chicago for January:

Friday, January 14: Neko Case w/ the Sadies at the Metro
Saturday, January 15: Constantines w/ Oakley Hall at the Empty Bottle
Sunday, January 16: Saturday Looks Good to Me w/ the Impossible Shapes, Canasta and the Dials at Schubas
Wednesday, January 19: Colin Meloy (of the Decemberists) at Schubas

Megan and I are currently closing in on that wholly coveted 4-6 AM Friday morning spot at WLUW for next semester!!!! Stay tuned, we should know in the next couple of weeks. Hopefully it won't take more than a semester for me to get enough seniority to move to a time when people are actually awake to listen (and I'm awake to DJ)- though I might be able to catch a few early risers. And hey- WLUW is webcast, for all you people in various parts of the country who are dying to hear me play the latest indie rock hits before the sun is even up. It'll be mid afternoon in Europe though- maybe if I just play a lot of Air and Stereolab I'll garner a strong French audience. You never know.

Hey, just because I cut up pictures of my favorites justices from the Washington Post to add to my bedroom mural, doesn't mean this article is about me...
And I think EVERYONE has fantasy scenarios about what kind of decision Justice Rehnquist will make in the matter of Jill L. Brown.

Look, the Onion finally wrote an article about Liz!

Looks like Hoobastank is up for Song of the Year at this year's Grammys, more proof that the Grammys stopped being relevant a looooong time ago.

Follow up on file-sharing article

This news blurb on Fox News and the Simpsons is hilarious. I'm just going to copy and paste it here since it came from a members only website I use for work.

FAUX NEWS

Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes can look you straight in the eye and insist that his cable news network is fair and balanced and isn't a shill for President Bush and the Republicans.
So, you can only imagine the rancor with which he viewed Sunday's episode of "The Simpsons" on Fox.

In Episode #FABF22 / SI-1522 "She Used to Be My Girl," Marge recognizes a TV news reporter named Chloe as somebody she went to high school with. Chloe, it turns out, works for Fox News, and there are some hilarious scenes featuring a Fox News satellite truck with a huge Bush-Cheney bumper sticker while the rock group Queen's classic "We Are the Champions" blares over the soundtrack.

According to Pulitzer winning TV columnist Tom Shales, the wicked sendup was "pretty ballsy since 'The Simpsons' plays on the Fox network, but it also shows how firm is the image of Fox News as Bush whores."

Lloyd Grove reports in the New York Daily News that "Simpsons" Executive Producer Al Jean ran into trouble "with the (Fox) broadcast standards and practices department, which told us we couldn't air it prior to the election because then it would present an 'equal time' problem."

The network's ethics cops simmered down when Jean assured them that the Bush-Cheney joke was for after the election.

Last November, show creator Matt Groening claimed the Fox News Channel threatened to sue him over a spoof news ticker.

Groening said the news channel backed down because it would have caused Fox to bring a lawsuit against itself.

The episode showed a rolling news ticker at the bottom of the screen, which read: "Pointless news crawls up 37 per cent... Do Democrats cause cancer? Find out at foxnews.com... Rupert Murdoch: Terrific dancer... Dow down 5,000 points... Study: 92 per cent of Democrats are gay... JFK posthumously joins Republican Party... Oil slicks found to keep seals young, supple..."

Groening told National Public Radio....
"Now Fox has a new rule that we can't do those little fake news crawls [tickers] on the bottom of the screen in a cartoon because it might confuse the viewers into thinking it's real news."

Article on file-sharing from CNN

When did I start succumbing to 2-day hangovers???? I can't be that old yet.

Slow concert December continues, though Madison's The Treats are playing in Chicago this Friday at the Big Horse Lounge, everyone's favorite venue-in-the-back-of-a-burrito-joint.

Meanwhile, New Year's Eve plans are being finalized, and it's down to 90 Day Men/the Ponys/Pit er Pat at the Empty Bottle for $20, or RJD2 at the Abbey Pub for $30. Chicago Rock n' Roll at my favorite venue or electronic/hip-hop dance party? If anyone wants to hang out with us here in Chicago that night and has a vote, please let me know.

Cool Chicago website to help increase anyone's burgeoning knowledge of electronic music: www.modsquare.com

Here's a pretty good article about/interview with Death From Above 1979 from the Badger Herald.

An unconfirmed (read: possibly false?) list of 2005 Coachella bands has been circulating the internet. Even though nothing is for sure until it goes up on the Coachella website, I'm going to post it here to continue to fuel the speculation. Just for fun. If it is true, though, I have serious questions about day 2's headliners.

April 30th, 2005
DAVID BOWIE
NINE INCH NAILS
PJ HARVEY
INTERPOL
THE FAINT
FRANZ FERDINAND
THE POLYPHONIC SPREE
BOARDS OF CANADA
TV ON THE RADIO
YEAH YEAH YEAHS
SQUAREPUSHER
CLINIC
FRENCH KICKS
SECRET MACHINES
PHOENIX
BEEP BEEP
DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS
DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979
THE HELIO SEQUENCE

May 1st
R.E.M.
TEARS FOR FEARS
WILCO
MODEST MOUSE
BRIGHT EYES
JIMMY EAT WORLD
MOS DEF
BADLY DRAWN BOY
THE STREETS
SPOON
CAKE
THE POSTAL SERVICE
THE SHINS
SLEATER-KINNEY
RILO KILEY
RADIO 4
DOVES
IRON AND WINE
THE ARCADE FIRE
MOVING UNITS

I'd just like to take a moment to pledge my undying love to Craigslist.org. You can find anything or anyone there. It's glorious.

More Onion genius with plenty of Wisconsin references

OK...here's a way to spend an evening. Listening to James Mercer and learn about the "glory" of tugboats.

DEC 10 FRI 8:30 PMWHITSELL AUDITORIUM — NW TRACKINGTOWLINES: A NIGHT OF FILM and MUSIC with MATT McCORMICK &JAMES MERCERTonight Portland director Matt McCormick and musician James Mercer premiere their newest collaboration, TOWLINES (2004), an experimental documentary about tugboats. The two first worked together in 2002 when McCormick directed a video for Mercer’s band The Shins and they found a fertile partnership. TOWLINES explores the visual and emotional characteristics of tugboats, those hardworking and invaluable contributors to our world and waterways who never seem to get their due recognition and glory. Borrowing the tone of a children’s book, a bit of history, beautiful cinematography and a bright soundtrack McCormick give the heroic tug a loving salute. In addition to the screening, Mercer will perform a set of acoustic material while McCormick fills the screen with projected film loops and sequences and the evening will be rounded out with the screening of several of McCormick’s earlier works, including GROUNDED (2004). (90 mins.)

Just bought tickets to Spoon! It looks like Maritime is going to be opening for them, which violates my (albeit half-hearted) vow not to see the new bands of ex-Dismemberment Plan members. But maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised; besides, I guess they sound a lot more like the Promise Ring than D Plan. Travis Morrison is coming in a couple weeks too, which I think I will probably pass on, unless I get some sign to do otherwise.

So there's a new show on Adult Swim called "Tom Goes to the Mayor." This guy Tom keeps going to the Mayor of Jefferton with stupid new ideas to improve the town. Like set up bear traps everywhere to increase child safety. And buy those bear traps from Jack Black and Kyle from Tenacious D. The animation is extremely bizarre- the characters are just these blue and white drawings that don't actually move. I can't decide if it's actually funny or not.

Oh my God, the Arcade Fire.

I didn't think anything could top Menomena, but . . . holy crap.

I'm not even going to get into the show right now. I'm writing an article for Tinymixtapes's year-end edition about the 10 best concerts I've seen in 2004, and this one is obviously going to reign at #1. I'll just post a link to it when it goes up.

Also, 4 of my top 10 concerts this year came from Canadian bands. Those Canadians . . . they know how to make good music.

And the Spongenapping continues

I am never, ever again driving on the day before Thanksgiving. It took me two and a half hours to reach my monumentous goal of 30 miles per hour. For those of you who know the Chicago drive to Madison, that took me to Hoffman Estates.

Spoon tickets on sale now, by the way. If you live in Chicago, I suggest picking them up at the Double Door to avoid ticketmaster charges- $20 tickets don't need to become $35 tickets if they don't have to.

Also, I just saw a band on Pollstar called "Pieces of Flair." That's hilarious.

The Great Spongebob Kidnapping of 2004. Aka, slow news day.

Wow. That's crazy...If you go to their Web site, you can see some great responses to that email. Some are pretty great.

This is hilarious. Check out the email that was sent to the WLUW music department:

From: AmericanPatriot <americanpatriot2004@yahoo.com>

Subject : Please Stop Playing Skinny Puppy or We Will Boycott Your Station

In the past few months a band by the name of Skinny Puppy has slandered Bush. At several of their concerts over the summer they have simulated an assassination of the president. On their current Fall tour they simulated a beheading similar to the ones happening in Iraq. When the vocalist pulls off their hoods he reveals the terrorists to be Bush and Cheney. This is unacceptable and I encourage you not to play their latest record, The Greater Wrong of the Right, that has been indicated by their record label as being played on your station. Conservatives are currently a majority of the populace now and we have voted into power a majority in every level of government. The people of this country have the power as evident by our boycott of the Reagan miniseries, the Superbowl, and the Dixie Chicks. If you still choose to play their music we have the ability to put financial pressure on your station through boycotts. Please remove Skinny Puppy from rotation or we will have no choice but to boycott your station. Currently, your station is listed on the boycott list found here: http://www.pabaah.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=717 . If you decide to stop playing Skinny Puppy as well as consider changing the format in order to provide more fair and balance we will consider removing you from the list.

- Daryl Mason\Patriotic Americans Boycotting Anti-American Hollywood

http://www.pabaah.com\\\

At the Empty Bottle this weekend, they had these amazing posters for the two Arcade Fire shows stapled up on their walls. I think they're Seripop.

Side one: Logan Square Auditorium, 11/25
Side two: Empty Bottle, 11/26

Some of them were split in two to represent the two different shows, but some of the posters up were in full form. So on Friday I'm bringing my staple remover. I counted 9 staples in the one I have my eye on. Should I slowly remove them throughout the night or just take it down all at once after the performance?

I hope there isn't a battle for it, because I will take someone down.

I've begun compiling my top 20 albums of 2004. The top 10 were easy, the second 10 much more difficult.

I also plan on writing a year-end article for tinymixtapes on the 10 best concerts I saw this year. There's a slight chance Menomena will be on that list :)

Matt Pond PA was ok last night, but Menomena just spoiled me for concerts for awhile. Though I did like Chin Up Chin Up- they had a great sound, though it took me awhile to get into the vocals. Next big show - Arcade Fire this Friday at the Bottle!

Spoon at the Double Door, Fri. Dec. 17!!!

Tickets are $20, which is pretty steep, but then again, they last played at the Metro, which is phenomenally larger. I'd suggest buying tickets when they come out, because this show is definitely going to sell out.

And more info on that show

This sounds awesome:

Wednesday, December 15
RedEye and Metromix.com present:
Wes Anderson Rocks...

THE AUTUMN DEFENSE
ANDREW BIRD & KEVIN O'DONNEL
THE SAFES
ABSTRACT GIANTS

Tickets $Free for RedEye Rewards Members
If you don't have a RedEye Rewards card, go to http://www.redeyechicago.com/rewards to sign up and receive your free tickets.

18 & over
Doors: 7:30pm / Show: 8:30pm

Bands will perform songs from Wes Anderson's films in addition to original material to celebrate the upcoming release of the new Wes Anderson film "The Life Aquatic".

Good shows this weekend:

Madison:
Friday, November 19: Pedro the Lion w/ Starflyer 69 and Elf Power at the High Noon Saloon
Friday, November 19: Sufjan Stevens w/ Nicolai Dunger and Awry at the Catacombs Coffeehouse
Saturday, November 20: Castanets w/ the Elanors, Dietrich Gosser, and Lichens at the Catacombs Coffeehouse

Milwaukee:
Friday, November 19: Castanets w/ Lichens at the Onopa Brewing Company
Sunday, November 21: Sally Timms w/ Johnny Dowd at the Bremen Cafe

Chicago:
Friday, November 19: Wolf Eyes w/ Psychic TV at the Empty Bottle
Saturday, November 20: Lucero w/ Matt Pond PA, Chin Up Chin Up and Old Canes at the Empty Bottle*
Saturday, November 20: Richard Buckner at the Hideout*
Saturday, November 20: Sally Timms w/ Johnny Dowd and Julie Doiron at Schubas

* Shows you will find me at

The Norweigan Kylie Minogue. Check it.

Cross dressing- it's like experimenting with drugs.

In work news that is the opposite of cool, I just got to call the NRA!

So I just called up this snowboarding magazine in California, and their hold music was INTERPOL. I didn't want to get off hold!!!!

Correction, ODB had 7 children. Only 4 illegitimate.

Ol' Dirty Bastard died this weekend, survived by his 13 children.

Now that it's not 4:30 in the morning, I'd just like to reiterate how freakin' HOT Menomena was. I mean the music, not the band, though they were all cute in their own right. Their voices, the saxophone playing, the drumming, their voices . . . mmmmmmm. I can't believe they didn't headline, the crowd visibly cut in half after their set was over. One of the best performances I've seen in a very long time.

HOT.

Saw Menomena tonight. Words cannot even describe how amazing they were. Actually, here are some words: hot. Sexy. Drool-worthy. I think I officially melted into the floor while they played. More tomorrow.

Tonight: Apostles of Hustle and Menomena! Word on the street is, Apostles of Hustle (a Broken Social Scene side project) are amazing live, and I have high hopes for Menomena. I'll be writing this one up for Tinymixtapes.

Another TMT writer reviewed the Interpol show I saw a few weeks ago. Now I liked the show and everything, but I definitely didn't have the religious experience he did.

My Plastic Constellations review is now up on TMT

You Minnesotans are too nice.

So I just got my haircut at a new salon. After telling my new hairdresser about my music aspirations, she told me about her friend from Touch and Go Records, and how she could talk to him about potential opportunities there. I gave her my email and she said she'd get back to me in a couple days. This is the coolest hairdresser on the face of the planet.

Check it out- I just bought this compilation for Chicago label Kranky on the Kranky website for SEVEN DOLLARS- it's a two CD compilation!!!! No shipping and handling! They're craaaazy! I've always wanted to check out some of their bands but never got around to it. Rockin'.

Heavenly States last night was good, though it would have been better with a raging crowd of some sort. They'll be in Madison on Thursday for all interested parties.

I finally got Jon Stewart's "America: The Book" in the mail! It's set up like a textbook and has a picture of the Supreme Court's heads on naked bodies. Should be good.

There is just so much that's funny about this abcnews article.

Heavenly States tonight at the Double Door, be there or . . . don't be there.

A red and blue map of the country by population I found on Salon. It draws out the country based on population rather than size. I don't think I described that well. It'll make sense when you look at it.

OH MY GOD.

I just heard Ratatat's "17 Years" in a HUMMER COMMERCIAL. I'm going to have to seriously reconsider my love of that song. I had no problem with Modest Mouse's "Gravity Rides Everything" being used to sell minvans, I understand artists need to make money, but I draw the line at selling Hummers. Anything but Hummers.

Last night I finished the last episode from my DVD of Freaks and Geeks, and now there is a void in my life that cannot be filled. The show rocks. Go rent it. Or, if you live in Chicago, borrow it from me. Sigh.

One option

Once again, the Onion comes through on its headlines:

America Comes Out Agin The Gay Marryin'
Bush Does Victory Lap Around World Trade Center Site
MoveOn CurlsUp InCorner
Poll: Youth Totally Meant To Vote In Record Numbers
Despite Republican Victory, Bush Supporter Has Tiny, Tiny Penis

Quite possibly the funniest music news ever. The Postal Service and the Postal Service, working towards a cooler Postal Service.

Courtesy of my mom:

>

At least I can be proud that all three states I've ever lived in (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois) are blue. The upper midwest should start its own country.

After I move to Canada, I'm starting a band called The New Florida.


A couple articles/blog postings that have very accurately reflected the things I've been thinking this morning:

The Internet makes it easy to find people we agree with. After Election Day 2004, maybe it's time to kick that habit

I'm not depressed, being filled with far too much healthy loathing for millions of my fellow Americans to let myself droop

On a slightly lighter note, the Karaoke Dokie's last night at Schubas were awesome. It's karaoke with a live band! If I'd been in better spirits, I would have gotten up there too- next time they play somewhere I'll take the opportunity to feel like a cool rock star for a few minutes.

Oh, my Black Heart Procession review is up now on TMT

I know it's old news and I had meant to post it sooner, but this is just too funny.

I voted this morning . . . on a punch card ballot. Talk about archaic. Now I see what was so confusing in Florida. Oh well, now my anxiety can begin as I check Salon.com every three minutes at work . . . come to Schubas tonight!

Tomorrow night Megan and I will be tabling for WLUW at Schubas for their Election night party. We'll be there from 6 PM until Kerry wins, so if you live in Chicago and need a few cold beers to get through the night, come on over. Details below:

Tuesday, 11/2/2004 - 6:00 PM
18 And Over

A Night Of Apocalyptic Possibilities featuring DVD Screenings of "pARTicipation" and "Fahrenheit 9/11" plus Rock 'n' Roll Karaoke with The Karaoke Dokies

6:00 p.m. - "pARTicipation"
7:30 p.m. - "Fahrenheit 9/11"
10:00 p.m. - Live Band Rock 'n' Roll Karaoke

After you vote on November 2 come to Schubas for the premiere of pARTicipation, the just completed documentary about the Interchange Festival, which took place throughout Chicago in August. The doc. includes performances by Andrew Bird, Bobby Conn, Diverse, The M's, Tortoise and more. After pARTicipation stick around for Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11, followed by the Karaoke Dokies. Perform your favorite rock songs, with a live band, in front of the election returns on the big screen.- What better way to celebrate, or commiserate, than over some movies and amateur rock performances? - The whole night is FREE!

Still recovering from Saturday night's craziness Monday morning, sad to say, enough so that I left work early. At least Chicago hasn't established a yearly Halloween riot though.