SPIRITUALIZED - COME TOGETHER (LIVE)

This is a really slick live version.

Pierce flip-flops between looking like Kyle MacLachlan and Ray Davies...though Ray was never so incredibly inanimate/unengaging...and Kyle: Dunno, maybe?!

I believe that I see Noel Gallagher (or his exact doppelganger) in the background blowing a trumpet - didn't know he could play...maybe he isn't playing at all? I'll have to investigate that one and change my post later! Regardless, if I had the choice, the horns are little much here: Too many and too high in the mix...I feel like a marching band invaded the coolness.

The 'new' version of this song with the video and our hero in the orange prison garb sucks: The lyrics are all cleaned up and the new guitar parts/mix/recording sound goofy in comparison to the original. Avoid at all costs.

The album version is the BEST, by far! Flawless.

This video is the best option of an audio/visual experience that I could find - I can (barely) live with the ending, even though the tempo change detracts from sheer coolness of the groove. I don't require two grooves from this drone-y master of a band, one will suffice...and it's a great one at that!

So yeah...don't muck with the COOLNESS!

KW

THE HOT RATS - "Can't Stand It"

This is a GREAT cover...one of the best, IMO. Let's face it, covers are rarely better than the original - especially VU covers. ("Sweet Jane" by the Cowboy Junkies might be another exception to this [loose] rule.)

Not crazy about the band name, but it could be "THE HOT NUTS" for all I care - just glad something new finally rocks it up! I could have done without the vocal stylings of the drummer...but now I am nitpicking...

Wicked and raunchy production with headphones on - Courtesy of Nigel Godrich.

Now where are the new originals with this kind of punch?!

Man, I am (finally) almost "with the times" with this post.

Whoopee.

KW

The Chili Peppers Aren't So Red Hot Anymore....

Is this song for real? When I first heard this "track" - if I may be so bold to call it that - I genuinely thought that this was some sort of parody or joke.

"HEY-OH that's what I SAY-OH..."

Somebody dug DEEP into the mine for this shiny gem of a chorus!

This is on par with a really bad nursery rhyme...except that nursery rhymes usually make some sort of sense.

I was a real fan of the Chili Peppers at one point. I remember liking some of the Hillel Slovak stuff (admittedly, not much). Back then, I think that the spirit of the band was cooler than the actual songs, in some cases. I particularly really liked the band when "Mother's Milk" was released; I think it was their coolest album. While I also liked "Under the Bridge" from "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" at the time...I soon got over it...and never reached for this cd again, until I eventually had to make physical contact with it to trade it in. It went on to become an anthem for meatheads...and that was that. Because the song was such a hit for them, they then seemed to release several singles that were in the same vein. Eventually, Dave Navarro joined the band and it started to get really bad...like most super groups: Some timeless names, but no timeless songs.

After that they reformed with the winning formula and (eventually) put this "hit" out - it just seems like the verse could just as easily be the following: "Scooby Doo and Scrappy Doo went on a long vacation...with Old Yeller, the Littlest Hobo & a 101 Dalmatians." (And repeat.) Incidentally, this verse also works for "Californication" and a slew of others, I am sure! Adam Sandler could probably put out a fine covers album dedicated to the band. They have exhausted that rap/scat-like style with the melancholy guitar licks...and then some.

It's like a contract is just being fulfilled and the band is just illustrating how completely lost their audience has become - YET SOMEBODY IS STILL BUYING THIS STUFF BECAUSE IT CHANGED THEIR LIFE, MAN.

Give me "Knock Me Down" or "Higher Ground" any day, you know? Then throw on a Fishbone album right after!

Oh well, I guess these are (now) the voices of modern industry. If you get that reference, cheers!

To misquote Barney from the Simpsons, "WE (DON'T) WANT CHILLY WILLY (ANYMORE)."

KW

FEDERER vs. WOODS - Athlete of the (last) Decade.

I read this post today @ THE BIG LEAD:

"I think that I have the answer to the Tiger Woods vs. Roger Federer debate. The average tennis star has a 1 in 2 chance of winning a match. The average golfer has a 1 in 156 chance of winning a Golf tournament. So which is more improbable, a tennis player winning 36 straight matches, or a golfer winning 7 straight golf tournaments?

Which is less, 1/2 raised to the 36th power, or 1/156 raised to the 7th power. Most people couldn’t estimate either one of those in their head.

The mathematical answer is that it is 10,320 times more difficult for the average golfer to win 7 straight golf tourneys than it is for the average tennis player to win 36 straight. (1 in 2.2 Quadrillion to 1 in 69 Billion). Federer would have to extend his streak to 51 matches to equal the improbability of Tiger Woods’ feat.

If Tiger wins again, then Federer would have to extend to 58 matches. If Tiger matches Byron Nelson’s 11 tourneys in a row, then 80 matches for Federer would be comparable."

- by "Peter" in 2007.

I HAVE TO DISAGREE WITH THIS LOGIC!

There were further posts from others about the terrain always changing in golf, whereas tennis is the same court each time. True, but not entirely - there are 4 different surfaces in tennis. Anyway, obviously golf IS a tougher and more obstacle-ridden playing field...but I don't think this proves much in comparing the athletic ability that is required to do well at either sport.

Well, time has passed and I think Federer has moved on in the stats race a little better than Woods has - for obvious reasons on Woods' behalf...

Peter's whole point of a 1 in 2 chance (in tennis) vs. a 1 in 156 chance (in golf) is a little unfair on several fronts: Tennis players have to earn their way into the tourneys against many more players than are actually IN the tournament. The tennis circuit is physically tougher. You could just as easily say that it is easier to actually GET IN to a golf tourney. Besides, how many times is the 156th ranked player going to beat Tiger? It's not like there are 156 equally tough oponents in the golf tourneys. I have also read posts from people stating that golf currently has a lot more talent in it than tennis does - not sure about that stat?!

Federer is the best now at his sport, bar none...I don't think we can say the same for Tiger just yet...not that he won't be. Woods may already the best in golf - even when he is out! He could also be considered the best golfer of any decade. But it all isn't "in stone" the way that Federer (now) is in his sport - which actually IS a "sport"...and not a recreational activity - hint, hint.

As I already mentioned, we should also consider is the physicality of tennis vs. golf: Tennis is MUCH tougher on the body and requires more bodily control at high speeds and strange angles. Federer's finesse and grace of movement is unparalleled...not to mention that he does possess power as well!

Yeah, golf courses might be a (more) challenging terrain, but tennis players don't get to consult with a partner (caddy) before every shot.

Golf doesn't really take into account reflexes or thinking on your feet.

Out of shape dudes can win at golf! (i'm looking at you John Daly.)

When Tiger loses, he usually loses BIG. Federer is almost always 2nd place when he loses (which is rare). Consistency does count for something!

To quote the tennis player, James Blake: "I mean, Woods has won a lot of majors, but it's not in that match play situation where you have one bad day and you're out. That's what we do in tennis. That means Federer can't have one bad day." Golfers are allowed to suck for a day in a major tourney and still win!

Woods plays a game that is more respected by the people that run things in the world. That, a catchy name and his unique minority status in a (nearly) totally white-ruled sport, ALL go to make him (perhaps most importantly) A BIGGER DRAW ON TELEVISION...but not necessarily a more dominating athlete.

I also think that Tiger has regularly shown a larger range of emotion than Federer: Woods is a BIG pouter when he loses and a fist-pumping, All-American showboat when he wins - again, ALL good for TV.

...and I won't even go into the fact that Federer proved to be a better role model BEFORE the vote.

Lance Armstrong actually earned more votes from the Associated Press than Federer did as well...and he might have deserved them?! But, c'mon - cycling is boring to watch! Did Lance show the best ENDURANCE of the decade...while beating cancer, no less? Sure he did...

Oh yeah, one last thing: Prize money QUADRUPLED since Tiger joined the PGA Tour!!! Game, Set, Match. ha!

Nonetheless, the "ATHLETE of the Decade" should have went to Federer.

(The biased) KW

Do the French Rule North American Football?

The Montreal Alouettes win! The main celebrations are to occur in the FRENCH City of Montreal - Nov. 2009 - GREY CUP #97:



The New Orleans Saints win! The main celebrations are to occur in the FRENCH Quarter of New Orleans - Feb. 2010 - SUPER BOWL #44:



Just sayin'...

KW

Elefant - Live at Coachella - 2009

Hmmm...maybe I spoke too soon (way too late) in my last post, if that makes any sense?! (It does.)
Seems to be a misfit or two at the show!

KW

Elefant - "Now That I Miss Her"

This is good art: Pop perfection to a clever beat!
I discovered this about a year and a half-ish ago (a little too late!) but it is still fresh and timeless (really)...so who cares?

I guess my point is, how many other people CRIMINALLY overlooked this track?

"Misfit" (off the same album) is great too. (For the record, I like the original album version better.) I hope they have more music out there that is this good, but I haven't heard anything else by them that rivals these two tracks.

...but then again, it might take me ANOTHER 5 years to find more songs, if they are out there!

BUY THE ALBUM

KW

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