as the worm turns

Apple turns 30 tomorrow! And even though I've always owned a PC, I have always admired the apple lore, product line, and ad campaigns which have been innovative to a fault, although not always as successful. My favorite part of the apple computrons of yesteryear remains the external double floppy drives (mmm, duplication). However, my lasting and perhaps most fond memory of the apple IIe was in the 4th grade when computer class was first introduced at my school. There really was not much to computing at the time, so in between our silly typing assignments, we busied ourselves with what is still one of the best computro games ever - Montezuma's Revenge, second perhaps only to the Zork trilogy (You are standing in an open field west of a white house, with a boarded front door). It was while plugging away at ol' Montes that Suzie Sunberg had the good sense to cut off my rat tail with a big pair of scissors (this was 1984 mind you).








-fah shun cents-

thurs reviews

the streets - Hardest Way to Make an Easy Living: A cracker of an opening track, 'pranging out', that I'm sure many of us can relate to. All your usual streets ingreideints are here. Stacato-y beats layered with baroque-y string punches, skinner's thick cockney, mellowed by the other guy's sing-songy melodies, all about debauched events of various types - the battle of the sexes, ripping people off, getting mashed, etc. Another brilliant release.

sondre lerche - Duper Sessions: Third full-length from this norwegian troubador. It all sounds like music from a scene from a movie in a cafe on the upper east side. Which is ah-ight in a woody allen flick, but wears thin after a while on this album. Sondre has always had kind of a schticky swagger to his vocal stylings, which works to his benefit on his more accessible pop-oriented outings like Two-way Monologue, where the schtick is not neccesarily expected, as it is here.

ben harper - Both Sides of the Gun: Two disc set that conveniently fits on one disc (!). The verdict's out on this one, as I have yet to be drawn in. Call me old fashioned, but his first two discs are still the best. Should transfer well in a live setting, regardless.

band of horses - Everything All of the Time: Much bally-hooed new indie rock sensation, which sounds like a cross between My Morning Jacket and Rogue Wave. It's still a weird listen because I keep thinking I'm listening to either of the aforementioned bands instead. They haven't yet carved out their own identity in my head.

why ya buggin

I had another casual friday night, a spell at the gym, then a rental - the island (logan's run + coma + gattaca). Early to bed, early to rise for a morning at mary jane. Flew solo for some warm up groomers, a smattering of more aggressive mogul runs, and some forest exploration. I stopped by my voit to grab some water. The couple who had parked next to me needed a bottle opener and we became fast friends once they whipped out their spread fresh off a shopping spree at whole foods - wasabi peas, olives, brie, paté, chocolate covered cofee beans & nuts, wine & beer. This is one of the reasons I dig MJ, she has ample parking slopeside and the lot scene is second to none.



Later that evening, jacq & dylan were host to an acton affair highlighted by another fine spread of foodies. More olives & brie, hummus, porter cheddar (really neat looking stuff, made with porter beer), and a fine shrimp dish in a white wine reduction courtesy of the risi bros . Delish. Took a tour of the new Third Street facility in gunbarrel, battling what was only a surprisingly mild hangover sunday morning.

-al dante-

while away the hours

During the lazy doldrums of the afternoon jacq & I often dream of jumping into oncoming traffic only to find that it has come to a screaching halt, much like the passing time. Luckily for us, I have found some great new ways to end our misery.

-tick tock-

the speed of silence

I was just wondering how on earth do the Slowskys (from the comcast adverts) get on top of those hard to reach places like the couch or the kitchen counter. So I asked them as much in their blog. Apparently they're in no real rush to do anything, so it may be a while before I get a response. In the meantime I checked out their timely entries about the world series and winter olympics. I also spent some time participating in a staring contest and watching grass grow.

-slo mo-

the beer prayer

Our lager,
Which art in barrels,
Hollowed be thy drink.
I will be drunk,
At home as in the tavern.
Give us this day our foamy head,
And forgive us our spillages,
As we forgive those who spill upon us.
And lead us not into incarceration,
But deliver us from hangovers.

For thine is the beer. The bitter and the lager
Forever and ever,
Barmen.

memoirs of a geisha's hand

-high five-

joobs

South Park 1, scientology 0. Being regretfully out of touch with my animated neighbors last season, I played a little catch up tonight in light of recent newsworthy events. I took both last seasons, 'Trapped in the Closet', and this season's premier, "The Return of Chef" (spoiler alert!). The season premier is priceless considering it is a direct response to this past week's events. I won't go into it, so as not to spoil the surprise. Let me know if you need a copy of either ep...

-choco-latte-

reviews in the vein of tuesday

king biscuit time - Black Gold: Steve Mason formerly of "hey, watch me sell five copies of" the beta band offers up his first solo disc. Beta fans rejoice, because this does not stray far from the beta sound. In fact, it's more stripped down than the last beta release, almost harking back to the E.P. days. Me dig, dig?

elf power - Back to the Web: Athens-based Elephant 6 cronies are back with their 8th album. I've picked up a handful of the elf's collection over the years, but this one grabs me the most so far. My interest in the wee elves has suddenly been rekindled. Perhpas it's partly due to some of their Elephant 6 cohorts' contributions, such as The Late BP Helium on bass, and OTC's john fernadez on violin & clarinet. Eerily reminiscent of certain latter-day r.e.m. ventures, but refreshingly void of that trademark voice we all either love or hate. Keebler power has got me hooked.

built to spill - You In Reverse: First studio album in 5 years, this leaked way back in december, but was riddled with "who is mike jones" samples, making for an agonizing listen at best. I'm still not sure if it's just coincidence that of all the random things that could have peppered this leak was the mike jones bit that me & robert decided would be a hoot to holler all throughout mike johnson's opening set for b2s back in september. Coupled with the lack of colorado dates on this next tour, it seems beyond coincidental, almost conspiratory actually. That being neither here nor there, most of these songs were debuted periodically during the past three years of incessant touring, which was one thing fans could be thankful for during the 'album hiatus' we had to endure. Oh, I complain, but I also gush - completely worth the wait. Built to thrill!

black heart procession - The Spell: Another gloomily enchanting release. Unfortunately, the heartbreak has worn a bit thin over the years since the brilliant triumverant of albums, 1, 2, and 3. The Procession realized this on their somewhat sunnier release, Amore del Tropico, but seem to be treading water here. I am glad to see 'the waiter' series continue, however, and will likely throw this on the next time I experience some disappointing matters of the heart.

-whoa may be me-

spring that thing you bring

Ahhh, you know it's the first day of spring when you climb through the trunk of your car because the doors are frozen shut. It's too bad most of the snow fell out in the eastern plains, the hills would be well served with a bit more of the white weather. Looking out the window now, I'm rather enjoying the snowfall for all its intrinsic tranquility.

Hit up the movies friday night, taking in a little V for Vendetta. Having never read the original graphic novel, I can only say it was better than some of the dodgey reviews it's received. So far as the plausibility issues go, you just have to remember that it was a comic book first.

Headed up to copper before the paperboy came. Had a great day riding exclusively on the super bee / resolution side of the hill, found some new tree terrain, and goofed around with some new tricks. Jacq and meg had a lovely aprés ski ready for the guys when we got back. Just enough fuel to get us going for round two in denver. After going to that mexican place by pat's old hut that we never went to while pat still lived there, we headed south to devin & kim's, before ending up at a short lived visit to the star bar of denver. Celebrated paul's b-day with the fam last night, after a day of vegging out to wind down from saturday's full plate.

-check it out-

scrum dilly umptious

dizzying heights

This is strangely mesmerizing, and worth a reprise even if you've already spent countless precious moments oggling at it already.

-fo sho-

tues reviews

simon joyner - Beautiful Losers: odds and ends comp ranging from 94-99. All over the road quality wise, but essentailly really basic, stripped down singer/songwriter stuff. I wound up studying to this for some reason. Worth it for the last track, 'One For The Catholic Girls'.

stereolab - Fab Four Suture: Collection of the three 7"s released last fall plus six new songs. Has it's moments, but pails in comparison the rest of the lab's ouvre.

mojave 3 - Puzzles Like You: I'm all for musical progress, but I'd much prefer if neil holstead returned to form with some slowdive-ish breezy drone, and not try his hand at pop with a mediocre re-hash of the kinks. If we're lucky, someone mislabled these files and I heard something else entirely. But then again, the 3 has never measured up to the dive.

herb alpert - Whipped Cream and Other Delights (re-whipped): I think I have two or three copies of the original 1965 release on vinyl, for the cover alone. What self-repecting vinyl collector doesn't? What we have here is a nice 'update/remixed' version along the lines of the Verve Remixed series, but jazzier. Great for getting your mellow on.

andy C - Nightlife 3: Every once isn a while I get the urge to throw down to some runnin' d&b. This cd did the trick. The advance copy even has MC Central Scrutinizer on it!

mates of state - Bring it Back: Oh goody, it's lunch time at my favorite new restaurant again! Sounds like how large curd cottage cheese, green olives, melted white chocolate, a slice of lemon peel, and onion shavings on sour dough with celery and a minced hotdog reduction might taste.

-when's desert?-

monolab

It all began with with a 5 year plan. That is, I saw stereolab once in 1996 at the old cotton club, then reprised that event with a furiously maniacle event at the variety in 2001. I decided to create a pattern out of chaos and check out some post-mary monolab at the gothic in '06. I tried rustling up some of my denver pals to come along, to no avail. But no worries, I figured I'd run tape and meet some new folks to pal around with at the show. While having some brews nearby the venue with robert & angie, I receivd a devastating phone call from Mike B informing me that he was just turned away with his gear. Shocking, it was as if he'd been turned away at a frickin' dead show. As anyone who heard my pull from the variety can attest, they are a great live band and have always been taper friendly. Oh well, it allowed me to have another beer with my buds before heading over to the show.



I had to try, and I actually got through the door with my rig, but was then 'told no' by venue staff once inside. Whatever, me & mike bitched and moaned for a bit before chalking it up to 'one of those things' during the opener, hot chip, who I had previously thought was kind of clever in the studio. They really sucked live, and I thought it funny that their name is synonymous with a fresh doo.



The fun thing about not taping is you can go close up to the performance. The steree-eree-o put on a good show, but I definitely missed the guitary wall of sound influence that mary had on the overall sound. Not to say that the countless moogs and brass instruments did not provide nice flourishes, but hey I prefer what I prefer. Despit my dick ebersol-isms, I rather enjoyed the evening.

-mr. modular-

30 second meals

Someone at the office today had the bright idea of reheating their fish dinner from last night in the microwave. Now the entire building has that ever present odor of oceany death. In lieu of being able to use smell-o-vision to convey my alarming discomfort, I have concocted some sandwhich ideas for the rest of the week that the guilty party might be subjected to eat:

Tuesday: Orange marmalade, cooked spinach, and grits on jewish rye.

Wednesday: Canned plums, feta cheese, ice berg lettuce, nuttella spread, canned salmon, saurkraut, ginger slices and some shaved beef in a pita with thousand island dressing.

Thursday: Minced sardines, vanilla extract, bologna, and I can't believe it's not butter on pumpernickle bagel crisps.

Friday: Gafilta fish jelly on jalapeno blue cornbread, with butterscotch, red wine sauce, pineapple cream cheese and a thick slice of spam along with some absinthe to wash it down.

-who needs rachel ray-

plan accordingly

-jesus jones-

switched on

Michelle and nathan are in town visiting this week. So, last saturday we all headed up to copper bright and early as usual. The powder hounds were a bit disappointed as there had been no new snow in over a week, and some pretty ridiculous warm weather to boot. It dawned on me, however, that it would be a great day to begin my mastery of riding switch, which I've suddenly grown rather excited about after having a good day of it. On the ride home, jacq put me and nathan in charge of planning the night's impending parade around boulder. We were pretty open on where we went, but the one thing we agreed on was not going to styr. So of course it will come as no surprise for you hear that the last vague memory we shared that evening was, where else, but at styr. I blame the rio...

-shaken-

preeeow!

To all the lady fans.

and we're baaAAaack!

Hey Gang! It’s me… Charles Nelson Pilly. I took off my ascot for you, and my pink cotton candy brain is sizing you up.

interior decor 101

client: We were looking for pictures for the house this past week and I went to a store in Kennesaw and they had a map of the different world's for Lord of the Rings. I wanted to get it, but of course was overruled.

decorator: I can't believe such. I have a poster of Ace Frehley playing his Les Paul guitar while it's shooting out smoke and looks like it is on fire from 1976 that you can have. It's packed but it can be unpacked. That would go great in your kitchen. My colleague has pictures of the AFLAC duck in her kitchen. She also has a stash of Chick Filet cow calendars that go back to 1998. Oh and don't forget her Strawberry Shortcake wallpaper in her living room and the poster of Levar Burton from his Reading Rainbow days in her bedroom. I told her to get a poster of Levar when he was Jordy Laforge on Star Trek Next Generation but she said that was gay. I told her that she was crazy. A nice framed picture of the Shire sure would be nice. You couldn't get her to go for that?

revuenalage

beth orton - Comfort of Strangers: Her teaming up with Jim O'Rourke on this one sparked my interest. That, and she still gets mad props in my book for being the chanteuse on the chem. bros. classic 'alive alone'. But in the end, this is a bit too smarmy folksy for me.

the concretes - In Colour: Nothing will top the pop bliss of 'say something new', made infamous by the target ad campaign. That being said this sounds strikingly similar to all the other songs on the first album, except 'say something new' of course, which is still brilliant.

grandaddy - Just Like the Fambly Cat: Grandaddy being grandaddy on their alledged swan song. If you already like them, you'll dig it, if you don't you won't. I liked the 'Todd Zilla' e.p. that recently preceded this a bit better, and to that end the grandfolk have always been more convincing as an e.p. band in general.

sunset rubdown - Shut Up I Am Dreaming: The second full-length from Spencer Krug, better known as one of the Wolf Parade dudes. Exceptionally better than their debut, but not nearly as good as 'Apologies to the Queen Mary'.

yeah yeah yeahs - Show Your Bones: 'Change of Hearts' will be the next 'Maps', and 'Gold Lion' will be the next 'Y control", (which was actually the next 'City of Light' by Siousxie and the Banshees). The rest of the album, much like their debut, sounds like an amped up version of the Pretenders. Overall a better cohesive listen than their debut 'Fever to Tell'. I've actually listened to this more than several times since aquiring, which is saying a lot, because I'm not usually big into female singers that 'rock'.

bright channel - Self-Propelled: After seeing these guys (and girl) live last week, I think they should release a live album, because it's just that much more in your face. If you liked their steve albini produced debut, which I did, you will enjoy this self-produced follow up. It's like these guys beat up She Wants Revenge, stole some of their gear, ditching the keyboard of course, and shoved the resulting concoction down your throat. Currently on repeat in my car.

-done & done-

pinky & the brain

AHHHH. That's my sigh of relief for having just finished my first MBA class. It was a lot more difficult and time consuming than I thought it would be. Not sure if I'm going to start right back up again with the next class on Wednesday, or maybe wait for the next one in April. Probably best if I forge on...

Had a busy weekend - andrew was back from aspen and we had some dogsitting to do in denver. Had a pretty swanky dinner friday at Lola's before heading off to the hi-dive to catch bright channel perform at their cd release party. Smashing good show - those three sure pack a punch!



Spent saturday out and about searching for mandolin picks, strolling promenades, having pints, and ulimately seeing one of the worst movies I've had the displeasure of seeing in a long time, Freedomland. Ouch. We walked out after we found out that julian moore let her son die from OD-ing on cough syrup. There was never a car-jacking. Oops did I ruin it? I really think it ruins itself all on its own.

After a more casual pizza dinner, we teamed up with our pertners ern crime and headed to Vinyl. Pleasantly less crowded on the main floor than the last time I was there, where we caught the nifty sounds of james zabeila on the 12's, or cd decks, or abeltroninator, or whatever the hell djs use these days. Great set & good times!

Which brings us to sunday when I started my project to be completed & presented last night (see top of post).

-clear for takeoff-

p.s. The brief theme music for 'the office' completely rocks.

just dusting off, man

I guess Of Montreal is reissuing a bunch of their older out-of-print discs, the most enigmatically titled of which is the '4-track demos'. In typical Of Montreal fashion, these song titles are most assuredly better than the songs themselves:

Dirty Dustin Hoffman Needs a Bath
Dustin Hoffman Gets a Bath
Dustin Hoffman Thinks About Eating the Soap
Dustin Hoffman Scrubs Too Hard and Loses Soap
Dustin Hoffman Does Not Resist Temptation to Eat the Bathtub
Dustin Hoffman's Wife Comes Home
Dustin Hoffman's Wife Seems Suspicious About the Absent Tub
Dustin Hoffman's Feigns Ignorance of Missing Bathtub (There Is Only One R in Ignorrance)
Dustin Hoffman's Wife Calls in Detective to Dust for Porcelain Particules on Dustin Hoffman's Tongue
Dustin Hoffman's Tongue Taken to Police Lab Where It Is Used as Toilet Paper and Reading Material While on the Toilet (Naughty)
Dustin Hoffman Offers Lame Possible Explanation for Missing Bathtub (Front Cover)
Dustin Hoffman's Wife Makes A Sarcastic Remark, Cuts the Head off of a Duck, Places It Where the Tub Was and Begins to Groan (Growl)
Dustin Hoffman Becomes Indignant and Wets Himself
Dustin Hoffman Quits Bathroom and Climbs a Tree
Dustin Hoffman's Children Enter the Bathroom
Dustin Hoffman's Children Don't Enter the Bathroom

-tootsie goes to canada-