The 11 Best New Artists of 2007

I was planning to post the Unreleased Weezer Double album that was scratched inbetween Green and Maladroit...but I ran out of time...maybe this weekend.

BUT and ONLY IF...everyone votes in my countdown for their 20 best albums of 2007. Now you don't have to vote for 20...it can be only 10 or even 5...or shut...even just 1.

I'll compile all the submissions, tally them up, and release a mega-list of the 111 Best CDs of 2007.

Either email me your picks or throw your picks in the comment box....either way, I'll get them.

To start things off...here are the 11 Best New Artists of 2007:

1. The Klaxons - Myths of the New Future
2. Elvis Perkins - Ash Wednesday
3. Albert Hammond, Jr. - Yours To Keep
4. Burial - Untrue
5. Justice - Cross
6. The Cinematics - A Strange Education
7. Vietnam - Vietnam
8. The Whitest Boy Alive - Dreams
9. The Terrible Twos - If You Ever See an Owl
10. Satelite Party - Ultra Payloaded
11. Eddie Vedder - Into the Wild (technically a new artist)

The UNKNOWN: Foo Fighters - There Is Something Left To Win

What does Christmas have to do with Jesus? Santa Claus was invented by Coca-Cola. The Christmas tree was used by Pagans hundreds of years before Christ's birth. Caroling is a form of Pagan ritual used to ward off evil spirits. And to top it all off...Jesus was born in February.

Therefore...we all should celebrate Christmas together for what it really stands for...capitalism.

As promised...here's my gift to you...

The Foo Fighters - There Is Something Left To Win

1. A320
2. Make A Bet
3. Iron & Stone
4. Fraternity
5. Have A Cigar
6. Darling Nikki
7. Sister Europe
8. Dear Lover
9. Danny Says
10. Life of Illusion
11. Walking A Line
12. Win or Lose


Buy Every Foo Fighters Albums....EVER!!! HERE.

The Unknown: Soundgarden - Black Sunshine

You know what I hate...I hate all those Christmas cards that get sent out every year by your so-called friends. I mean seriously, what is this garbage? When did this become an acceptable form of holiday greeting? Here's my problems with them: Basically, people have these Holiday cards made with a cheesy picture of themselves on them and some generic greeting that they send out to all the people they have ever written down in their rolodex. They do one mass holiday greeting so they don't have to wish everyone individually a happy holidays. It's condescending and it needs to stop. So here's the thing, if you're a close friend of this person, you're basically getting a generic holiday greeting from them...the same holiday greeting they send to their friends they haven't spoken to since last Christmas. And if you're a friend that never talks to them...you're getting basically getting a back-handed slap in the face by receiving a card...it basically says, "You're not important enough to talk to in person, so here's a generic card so I can feel better as a person."

If you really care about someone, take an extra five minutes and write them an original personal note. If they really mean something to you as a person, then don't they deserve at least 5 minutes of your time.

I believe in giving people what they want. And you asked for it...so here it is. My repost of Soundgarden's B-Side album. Black Sunshine. Now go buy Chris Cornell's solo album...Carry On and support the artist.

Soundgarden - Black Sunshine

1. Birth Ritual
2. Show Me
3. Blind Dogs
4. Karoake
5. Sub Pop Rock City
6. Fresh Deadly Flowers
7. Cold Bitch
8. Toy Box
9. I Don't Care About you
10. Can You see Me?
11. She Likes Surprises
12. Kyle Petty, Son of Richard
13. Come Together
14. Motorcycle Loop

The 11 Songs That have the Best Chance of Being Remembered in 10 Years

I've been reading the lists of top songs for 2007 and I'll have to say...most of them are pretty lame. There are a lot of good songs on them...but most of the songs are obscure tracks that were never released to radio. Therefore I doubt many of them will ever be classic tracks remembered in ten years. Back in the 90s, he big tracks on the radio were also the tracks that were loved universally. But the tracks that are dominating the billboard charts now are as foreign to me as a love song in Tagalog. I mean what the hell is a Baby Bash? And is there really an artist named Flo Rida? Seriously? You can pick any name you want and you went with Flo Rida? Let me guess...you're from Florida? Are you just trying to secure an opening spot on the Kansas/Chicago reunion tour?

Just a reminder...these are not my faves of 2007...these are the tracks I think have the best chance to last. It's interesting that so many good songs don't get played on the radio as much. It seems that a lot songs are finding life in TV commercials, TV shows, and even at commercial breaks of sporting events. Notice how many times you've heard Zeppelin during a NFL game during the past few weeks?

Here are my picks for the best tracks that have the best chance of being remembered in ten years: (be warned...these are not my favorites)

1. Rihanna - Umbrella

2. Fiest - 1234

3. Justice - D.A.N.C.E.

4. M.I.A. - Boyz

5. Amy Winehouse - Rehab

6. Kanye West - Stronger

7. White Stripes - Icky thump

8. Miranda Lambert - Crazy Ex-Grilfrriend

9. Foo Fighters - The Pretender

10. Nickleback - Rockstar - it's sad but true

11. Modest Mouse - Dashboard

The 11 Best Songs of 2007

Ella, Ella, aye aye...

Here are the 11 Best Songs of 2007

1. Modest Mouse - Florida
2. Kanye West - Stronger
3. Bright Eyes - Middle Man (MP3)
4. Travis - Big Chair
5. Velvet Revolver - Messages
6. Radiohead - Reckoner
7. Rilo Kiley - Breakin' Up
8. Great Lake Swimmers - Your Rocky Spine (MP3)
9. Bruce Springsteen - Radio Nowhere
10. Wilco - Sky Blue Sky
11. Talib Kweli - Hostile Gospel Part 1 (MP3)

The 111 Best Albums of 2007

It's time. Time for the endless series of "best of..." lists to begin. And for this one, I'm asking for all my faithful readers to join in. Submit me your 20 best albums of 2007. I'll compile all the submissions, tally them up, and release a mega-list of the 111 Best CDs of 2007.

Either email me your picks or throw your picks in the comment box....either way, I'll get them.

To start things off...here are my 11 Best Albums of 2007:

1. Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before The Ship Sank
2. Bloc Party – A Weekend in the City/Another Weekend in the City
3. The White Stripes – Icky Thump
4. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky
5. Radiohead – In Rainbows
6. The Klaxons – Myths of the Near Future
7. Tegan and Sara – The Con
8. Rilo Kiley – Under The Blacklight
9. Kings of Leon – Because of the Times
10. The Frames – The Cost
11. Bright Eyes – Cassadega

The 11 Best Led Zeppelin Songs:

There's one band everyone is talking about. There's one and only ONE band that matters today. That band is Led Zeppelin.

On the heels of last night's incredible reunion show, I wanted to do the 11 best Led Zeppelin songs. But picking 11 of the best LZ songs is like deciding which leg you're going to amputate. It's impossible. You can try to do it. Go ahead...you'll see how hard it is. Instead of posting just the best Zeppelin tracks, I've decided to post every single Led Zeppelin song from their 8 official releases. Believe it or not, below is the entire Zeppelin catalog condensed to a mere 3:30 seconds. Yep...hear every Zeppelin song in less time than it takes to listen to the opening track from Led Zeppelin 4.

Here are the...um...73 best Led Zeppelin Tracks:

1. Led Zeppelin I
2. Led Zeppelin II
3. Led Zeppelin III
4. Led Zeppelin IV
5. House of the Holy
6. Physical Graffiti
7. Presence
8. In Through The Out Door

Buy Great Led Zeppelin stuff here...

My 200th post

This is GBU's 200th post. It's been real...it's been fun...okay okay...it's been real fun. hope you have enjoyed my posts thus far...here's to another 200.

Here are my 111 favorite albums of all time.

1. The Cure – Disintegration
2. Nirvana – Nevermind
3. New Order – Low-Life
4. Radiohead – The Bends
5. Depeche Mode – Black Celebration
6. Pearl Jam – Ten
7. Sex Pistols – Never Mind The Bullocks
8. Guns N Roses – Appetite For Destruction
9. Elliott Smith – Either/Or
10. Bob Dylan – Blood on the Tracks
11. Tool – Aenima
12. Heatmiser – Mic City Sons
13. U2 – Joshua Tree
14. Tom Petty – Full Moon Fever
15. Jane's Addiction – Nothing's Shocking
16. Pixies – Bossanova
17. REM – Life's Rich Pageant
18. Rage Against The Machine – Rage Against The Machine
19. Soundgarden – Badmotorfinger
20. Morrissey – Viva Hate
21. Led Zeppelin – In Through The Out Door
22. Jay-Z – The Blueprint
23. Pink Floyd – Dark Side on the Moon
24. Weezer – Pinkerton
25. Nirvana – In Utero
26. Bright Eyes – The Story Is In the Soil
27. Beastie Boys – Paul's Boutique
28. Alice in Chains – Sap
29. U2 – Unforgettable Fire
30. Fleetwood Mac – Tango in the Night
31. Bob Marley – Exodus
32. Pearl Jam – Vs.
33. Jeff Buckley - Grace
34. A Tribe Called Quest – Low End Theory
35. Bad Religion – Stranger Than Fiction
36. Depeche Mode – Violator
37. Boston – Boston
38. Foo Fighters – Foo Fighters
39. NWA – Straight Outta Compton
40. The Cure – Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me
41. Radiohead – OK Computer
42. Green Day – Dookie
43. Joy Division – Unknown Pleasures
44. REM – Reckoning
45. Jane's Addiction – Ritual de lo Habitual
46. Smiths – Louder Than Bombs
47. Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here
48. Death Cab For Cutie – Plans
49. New Order – Technique
50. White Stripes – Elephant
51. Smashing Pumpkins – Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
52. Triplefastaction – Broadcaster
53. Garbage – Version 2.0
54. Bob Dylan – Planet Waves
55. Swell – Too Many Days Without Thinking
56. Green Day – American Idiot
57. Dr. Dre – The Chronic
58. A Tribe Called Quest – Midnight Mauraders
59. The Ramones - The Ramones
60. Jellyfish – Bellybutton
61. Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before The Ship Sank
62. Van Halen – 1984
63. Pavement – Crooked Crooked Rain
64. The Strokes – First Impression of Earth
65. Velvet Underground – Loaded
66. Marvin Gaye – What's Goin' On
67. Black Crowes – Shake Your Money Maker
68. Smiths – Queen Is Dead
69. Jimi Hendrix – Electric Ladyland
70. At The Drive-In – In Casino Out
71. Michael Jackson – Thriller
72. Ryan Adams - Gold
73. Pixies – Doolittle
74. Bruce Springsteen – Born in the USA
75. Beck – Odelay
76. U2 - War
77. Wilco – Summer Teeth
78. Led Zeppelin – 3
79. The Cars – The Cars
80. Fleetwood Mac – Rumors
81. Jay-Z – Reasonable Doubt
82. Def Leppard – Hysteria
83. Me First and the Gimme Gimmes – Are A Drag
84. Pixies – Surfer Rosa
85. Cheap Trick – In Color
86. Lush - Lovelife
87. The Postal Service – Give Up
88. Nine Inch Nails – With Teeth
89. Killers – Hot Fuss
90. Triplefastaction – Cattlemen Don't
91. Led Zeppelin – 4
92. Zwan – Zwan
93. Eminem – Marshall Mathers LP
94. Faith No More – The Real Thing
95. Zero 7 - Simple Things
96. Drive-By Truckers – The Dirty South
97. Tupac – Me Against the World
98. Morcheeba - The Big Calm
99. Modest Mouse – Lonesome Crowded West
100. Lou Reed – Transistor
101. Van Halen – Van Halen 2
102. Beck - Sea Change
103. Faith No More – Angel Dust
104. Bloc Party – Silent Alarm
105. Portishead - Dummy
106. Graham Parsons – GP
107. Garbage – Garbage
108. DJ Shadow – Entroducing…
109. Jose Gonzalez - Veneer
110. The Decemberists - The Crane Wife
     
111. The Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am

The 8 Best Hanukkah Rock Songs not sung by Adam Sandler

Truths about Christmas #1:

The Christmas Tree has nothing to do with Jesus. It was used by early Europeans about 500 years before Christ was ever born. It gets it name from the time of year it blooms...not for any religious association.

Here are 8 of my favorite Hanukkah songs that aren't sung by Adam Sandler:

1. Christmas Wrapping - Save Ferris
2. Give the Jew Girl Toys - Sarah Silverman
3. Westside - Dr. Dyke
4. Hanukkah Blessings - Barenaked Ladies
5. Hanukkah and Christmas Hand in Hand - Huffamoose
6. Bagels and Lox Rock - 2 Live Jews
7. Feast of Lights - They Might Be Giants
8. Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel - South Park

The Unknown: Nine Inch Nails - Quake

I've been a terrible blogger over the past few months. Sure I had one good week, but I have about 20 lists sitting in the queue. I'm so far behind, I still have not one but two Ryan Adams lists from back in July to do. Well, this is December and it's supposed to be a month of reflection. This is supposed to be the month where we look back and rank the best albums, songs, downloads, etc. etc. Instead I have to spend the month getting caught up. Otherwise the 11 Best Axl Rose guest spots will have to wait until Chinese Democracy comes out...and that...well, we all know how long that could be.

The best of the year lists are to come...that's for sure. Including an attempt at the second annual Music Blog Awards.

I will repost the Soundgarden B-sides double album...the second of the Foo Fighters B-sides album...and of course another of the Ryan Adams B-Side collections.

Until then...here is infamous Nine Inch Nails soundtrack to the Quake video game. At the time, Quake was the highly anticipated follow-up to the incredibly popular game, Doom...which went on to be a terrible film starring the Rock. The soundtrack was never officially released, you could only get it if you bought the video game. And until now...you couldn't even hear it unless you were playing the game. Happy Hanukkah, bitches!!

A couple weeks ago, NIN released a remix CD that is a quite impressive companion to Year Zero from earlier this year...And I have to be perfectly honest, the remix Cd (Y34RZ3R0R3M1X3D) kicks the original's ass. Yep...I said it...sue me.

Nine Inch Nails - Quake

1. Quake Theme
2. Intermission
3. Start ~ Whispers
4. Grisly Grotto
5. Slipgate Complex
6. Underearth
7. Castle of the Damned
8. Necropolis
9. Ziggurat Vertigo
10. Gloom Keep

The Unknown: Jeff Tweedy - Jesse Theme Song

It's amazing to think how many hidden musical treasures may be out there, burned to some cassette tape, buried in a box deep in someone's garage. When I went to UCLA, I know for a fact, someone working at the campus radio station recorded a mini-set by Nirvana. Has that ever surfaced? Sadly, no. How many concerts? How many demo tracks? How many radio sets will go lost to the fact that technology has just passed them by?

Well, I will not let that unjustice be lost on me. I have finally figured out how to transfer cassette tapes to MP3s. It's humorous that by taking a step forward, I'll need to take a big step back.

First up, Jeff Tweedy's lost theme song to the failed TV show Jesse. Back in 1998, Tweedy was asked to do a theme song to a show called "All My Life." This show was brought to you by the producers of the uber-hit Friends and starred Christina Applegate, David DeLuise, Bruno Campos. Tweedy cut two tracks for the show...but was ultimately too edgy for a show that was being pushed as Friends - Part 2. All My Life was renamed "Jesse." The Tories eventually did the theme song. And after two years, the show was canceled.

These two tracks are Tweedy's demos for the "possible" theme song. Take 1 is rougher quality and a bit harder to hear. This melody was eventually re-used on Tweedy's side project, Loose Fur, for the song "The Ruling Class." As far as I know, Take 2 has never been re-visited. Enjoy.


1. Jeff Tweedy - All My Life (Take 1)
2. Jeff Tweedy - All My Life (Take 2)

The 11 Best Songs By Duran Duran

Yesterday was Thanksgiving. And most of us have something to be thankful for...

If you're reading this, then you have to be thankful for your eye sight.

If you like music, then you have to be thankful for all the music blogs. And probably your hearing.

And if you're Duran Duran, then you have to be thankful that 25 years down the road...that you still have a sustainable music career. Buy their new album (Red Carpet Massacre) here.

The 11 Best Songs By Duran Duran:

1. Jenny Was A Friend of Mine (Hot Fuss)
2. Somebody Told Me (Hot Fuss)
3. Bones (Sam's Town)
4. All the Pretty Faces (Sam's Town Bonus Track)
5. Midnight Show (Hot Fuss)
6. Bling (Sam's Town)
7. When You Were Young (Sam's Town)
8. For Reason's Unknown (Sam's Town)
9. Mr. Brightside (Hot Fuss)
10. Under The Gun (Somebody Told Me B-Side)
11. Daddy's eyes (Sam's Town Bonus Track)

The 11 Best Songs By The Killers

Here's the deal. There's one key to staying relevant in the music world. Keep releasing music. It never surprises me how certain bands will release a debut album to great success, then spend the next 3 years making their follow-up, only to have it released to mediocre reviews and lukewarm sales. The reason why this happens...EVERY...SINGLE...TIME: people forget.

A band's shelf life is 18 months. If you don't release something within 18 months of your last release (or single), the band expires and the world of music moves on. Perfect example: the White Stripes. They've released 6 albums in 8 years...and what's the result? They're considered one of the biggest rock bands of the generation. On the flip side, anyone remember Hot Hot Heat? They had a huge break-out album in 2002...then took 3 years to put out a even better follow-up. But it didn't matter, by then, it was too late. People forgot about them. Linkin Park is a good example of how to take time in between releases but to stay relevant. Release a "Tide Over" album. That's an album that a band releases to "tide over" its fans until it's next big release. Linkin Park released a Live album, a remix album and a mash-up album, and each of their big releases kept the band at the top of the game.

The Killers have taken a page out of this playbook with the release of their new B-Side album, entitled Sawdust. What's kind of sad about this release, is that I think I like it better than the last "official" release. Regardless of what anyone thinks, the Killers are all over the place, even though they're merely re-issuing old tracks sprinkled with a few new ones. It's a smart move and look out for them when they release album number #3.

Here are the 11 Best Songs by The Killers:

1. Rio (Rio)
2. A View To A Kill (Decade)
3. Save A Prayer (Rio)
4. Anyone Out There (Duran Duran)
5. Hungry Like the Wolf (Rio)
6. Union of the Snake (Seven and The Ragged Tiger)
7. Of Crimes and Passion (Seven and The Ragged Tiger)
8. Girls On Film (Duran Duran)
9. Come Undone (The Wedding Album)
10. Reach Up For the Sunrise (Astronaut)
11. Ordinary World (The Wedding Album)

Buy Sawdust here.

The 11 Best Rage Against the Machine Songs

"Millionaire writers"...that's a term you've probably heard thrown around in the past few days. "Millionaire writers" are leaving their lavish swimming pools, second homes in Cancun and personal drivers to go and protest the poor struggling studios for more money. If you've turned on the TV over the past few days...this is something you could not avoid.

Well, here are some facts that are missing from that argument. The average salary for a screenwriter is $62 grand a year. Now that's not bad. But it's also not upper class...it's middle class. Now realize half the WGA makes LESS than that every year. All of sudden, these millionaire writers are so millionish anymore.

Friday...Tom Morello and Zac De La Rocha performed at a WGA strike. And when the guys from RATM are taking up your cause...you know you're at least in good company.

Here are the 11 Best Rage Against the Machine Songs:

1. Bulls On Parade (Evil Empire)
2. Killing In The Name Of...(RATM)
3. Guerilla Radio (The Battle Of Los Angeles)
4. Sleep Now In The Fire (The Battle Of Los Angeles)
5. Know Your Enemy (RATM)
6. Bullet in the Head(RATM)
7. Down Rodeo (Evil Empire)
8. Renegades of Funk (Renegades)
9. People of the Sun (Evil Empire)
10. Take The Power Back(RATM)
11. Maggie's Farm (Renegades)

Buy Rage Against The Machine Gear Here!!

The 11 Best Jay-z Mash-Ups From The Black Album

Jay-Z is to blame for the internet revolution. Two albums back...his supposed last album, titled The Black Album...was released in an Acapella-only mode. Jay-Z encouraged young budding DJ to remix his album for free. Sometimes, you have to be careful what you wish for. Hundreds of DJ took the chore to task turning out some blazing tracks. But one DJ saw the future. Danger Mouse (one part Gnarls Barkley), mashed the Black album with the Beatles White Album and created the Grey Album. Up until In Rainbows, it was probably the most famous internet-only album of all time. It was also the most illegal. Jay-Z didn't care and embraced it...but the Beatles were slightly pissed off. But Danger Mouse had opened the floodgates, DJs began combining Jay-z with ever musically themed color they could think of...we saw the Purple Album (Prince), The Double Black Album (Metallica), The Black and Blue album (Weezer)...people went farther sampling Nirvana's Unplugged, The Grateful Dead and even Beethoven. Linkin Park took to the Nth degree releasing a mash-up EP with Sir Jay-Z. Overall, some had some phenomenal mixes....some even better than the originals. I can't even listen to Encore without waiting for Linkin Park to kick. Overall the Grey Album is more listenable. And the Pavement remix may be the most ambitious hip-hop album...ever.

I've lost many of the remixes over the years...but here are some of the best that I have.

Here are The 11 Best Jay-z Mash-Ups From The Black Album:

1. Numb/Encore - Linkin Park & Jay-z (Hear the expanded version with 50 Cent, Eminem & Dr. Dre) - (Collision Course)
2. 99 Luft Problems - Jay-Z & Nena
3. What More Can I Say - Jay-Z and the Beatles (The Grey Album)
4. Say It Dec. 4th - Jay-Z & Weezer (The Black and Blue Album)
5. Encore - Jay-Z & The Beatles (The Grey Album)
6. What More Can I Singe? - Jay-Z and Pavement (The Slack Album)
7. Unforgiven Moment of Clarity - Jay-Z & Metallica (The Double Black Album)
8. Allure in the Garage - Jay-Z & Weezer (The Black and Blue Album)
9. Dirt Off Your Shoulder/Lying From You - Jay-Z & Linkin Park (Collision Course)
10. In The Mouth, An Encore - Jay-Z & Pavement (The Slack Album)
11. 99 Problems But True - Jay-Z & Metallica (The Double Black Album)

Buy Jay-z's new soundtrack to the movie "American Gangster" here.

The 11 Best Maynard James Keenan Solo Performances

Today, the writers are striking. First off, don't believe what you hear about in the news. The news media that you are watching are all owned by Fox, Universal, Warner Bros., CBS, NBC ABC...all the same people that the writers are striking against. They are not going to give you an unbias account of what is going on. They want to break the writers' union. Some people hate unions. They think this is good thing. But the WGA is not a typical union. Since the majority of all writers are freelance, it's the only central entity the writers can rally around. The WGA provides health care, pensions, copyright protection, among other things. This is a system that exists...and guess what...it works. There is no reason to break the system...except that the Producers want more money. That's it. The producers want to make more than the 20 million a year they are already making. The average WGA writer makes 40 grand a year writing. So as you've heard, this isn't a negotiation between millionaires. It's a negotiation between giant conglomerates and the little guy.

Speaking of little guys...Maynard James Keenan, singer of the band Tool and A Perfect Circle, released his first solo CD last week called Puscifer. The reviews have been mixed. Despite featuring members of Rage Against the Machine, Primus and Nine Inch Nails...the album is far off the beaten path. You know the "interludes" that Tool does inbetween their main songs? Yeah...well, this is whole album of that. Buy it here.

The 11 Best Maynard James Keenan Solo Performances:

1. Know Your Enemy - Rage Against The Machine
2. What's So Funny 'Bout Peace Love & Understanding? - Audioslave & Maynard
3. Silly Love Songs - Maynard & The Replicants
4. Mohammed My Friend - Tori Amos and Maynard
5. The Passenger - The Deftones & Maynard
6. Calling Dr. Love - Maynard & Faith No More
7. Comfortably Numb - Maynard Demo
8. Choked - Tim Alexander & Mike Bordin (feat. Maynard)
9. Divorced - The Melvins & Maynard
10. Ass Kickin' Fat Kid - Titannica & Maynard
11. Three Little Pigs - Green Jello

The 11 Best Songs by the Eagles

We've been waiting for this moment for years. Almost ten years to be exact. That's right, today marks the return of one of the biggest names in the biz....Jerry frickin' Seinfeld. Sadly, it's not another season of Seinfeld, which supposedly has been discussed...hmmm...how cool would that be? He's going to be starring in a kids' film called The Bee Movie. If you haven't seen promotion for this film...well, either you live in a cave or...you're dead. My daughter is 2 and she's says "Bee Movie" at least 20 times a day. Whether the movie is good or not, the marketing campaign has done its job.

Also returning to showbiz this week...the Eagles.

Buy their new album, Long Road Out of Eden at Walmart or at their website.

The 11 Best Songs By The Eagles

1. Doolin-Dalton/Desperado (reprise) - (Desperado)
2. Take It Easy (The Eagles)
3. Peaceful Easy Feeling (The Eagles)
4. Tequila Sunrise (Desperado)
5. I Can't Tell You Why (The Long Run)
6. The Last Resort (Hotel California)
7. One of These Nights (One of These Nights)
8. Hotel California Live (Hell Freezes Over)
9. On The Border (On The Border)
10. After The Thrill Is Gone (One of These Nights)
11. Take It To the Limit (One of These Nights)

The 11 Scariest Rock Songs

It's a day after Halloween and I'm as sick as the devil. Ugh...when you have a two-year-old...you end-up eating all her candy so she doesn't eat the candy. I wanted to post this last night...except I spent the day trying to corral my daughter whose candy-fueled excitement was at a fevered pitch.

Happy Day of the Dead!!

The 11 Scariest Rock Songs

1. Don't Fear The Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult (ever since I saw this song used in the TV movie for Stephen King's It...it has had haunting effects every time I listen to it)
2. Thriller - Michael Jackson (It's a horror pop song. Sure it should be number one...but it's always number one...I just wanted to give someone else a chance)
3. Every Breath You Take - The Police (It's about a stalker...I never understand why people play this song at weddings)
4. Pet Semetary - The Ramones (I don't know what was creepier...the song, the movie, or the way the band looked in the video.)
5. Mechnical Man - Billie Joe Armstrong (If you've seen this movie, the song is played while a puppet version of Charles Manson has gag-inducing sex...you will never get that image out of your head)
6. Lullaby - The Cure (Dude...the spider eats Robert Smith...eats him!!!)
7. Somebody's Watching Me - Rockwell (Michael Jackson is watching him from the shower...is there a scary thought?)
8. Dead Man's Party - Oingo Boingo (Whatever happened to these guys? When's their reunion concert?)
9. The Prowler - Iron Maiden (Every time I listen to this song I feel dirty)
10. Swamp Song - Tool (Maynard could sing Backstreet Boys songs and make them sound like someone is standing over your shoulder about to rape you)
11. Any song by Napalm Death

The 11 Worst Songs by the Eagles

Don't get me wrong...I like the Eagles. I grew up on their music. And I haven't been this excited about a new CD coming out since the new Radiohead. Funny you should bring up Radiohead. The month of October (of 2007) is going to be a very important one in defining the future of music. On one end of the spectrum, you have Radiohead. They released their new album for free on the internet, embracing the future of music distribution. On the other end of the spectrum, the Eagles have embraced the past, by only releasing their new CD (Long Road Out of Eden) at Walmart. Okay...okay, let's just put aside all the political implications of an uber liberal band only releasing their music in a super store chain run by a neo-conservative family. Here's the biggest problem with Walmart, unless you live in a small town America...they don't exist. There are very few Walmarts in big cities. I live in Los Angeles, the closest Walmart to me is 25 miles away and about a 45 minute drive. My brother lives in San Francisco. He said the closest Walmart to him is over an hour away on the other side of the bay. In the age of convenience, why would the Eagles choose to distribute their album in the most inconvenient way possible?

I guess you can buy it via MP3 here...but only if you have Internet Explorer...too bad I have Firefox.

Here are the 11 Worst Eagle Songs:

1. These Greeks Don't Want No Freaks (The Long Run)
2. Funky New Year (Christmas Single)
3. Disco Strangler (The Long Run)
4. Early Bird (The Eagles)
5. Good Day in Hell (On The Border)
6. Tryin' (The Eagles)
7. Certain Kind of Fool (Desperado)
8. Chug All Night (The Eagles)
9. The Girl From Yesterday (Hell Freezes Over)
10. Journey of the Sorcerer (One of these Nights)
11. Seven Bridges Road (Eagles Live)

The Best Non-Depeche Mode Songs by Depeche Mode Members

Halloween was much easier when you didn't have a kid. Sure it's more fun now...but I can't dress up like a serial killer when I have a 2-year-old daughter. That might actually be illegal in some states. I was going to be an evil clown...but even that will probably give her nightmares until her early teens. And if she has nightmares, that means I don't sleep. And it's not like my wife lets me eat the candy from Halloween anyway. I was allowed more candy when I was seven. Now if I eat more than a mini-snickers bar, I can't fit into my jeans. Life used to be so much better when I didn't know what a scale was.

The members of Depeche Mode are all growing up too. They are no longer the boy pop band from England. They are now full-fledged rock stars. How can you prove that: solo albums. Martin Gore has two, Alan Wilder (ex-member) has a bunch in his other band Recoil, even Alan Fletcher has an unreleased album (Toast Hawaii). This week, Dave Gahan released his second solo album, entitled Hourglass. It's a huge step forward from his first debut...maybe Gore will let him write a few more songs for the next DM album...

Here are the 11 Best Performances by Depeche Mode members outside of Depeche Mode:

1. Compulsion - Martin Gore (Counterfeit E.P.)
2. I Need You - Dave Gahan (Paper Monsters)
3. Dirty Stick Floors - Dave Gahan (Paper Monsters)
4. Reload - Dave Gahan (with Junkie XL)
5. Gone - Martin Gore (Counterfeit E.P.)
6. Coming Back To You - Martin Gore (Leonard Cohen Tribute Album)
7. In A Manner of Speaking - Martin Gore (Counterfeit E.P.)
8. Hold On - Dave Gahan (Paper Monsters)
9. Don't Look Back - Recoil (Liquid)
10. I Cast A Lonesome Shadow - Martin Gore (Counterfeit 2)
11. Last Breath - Recoil (Unsound Methods)

Buy Hourglass here and get a bonus DVD.

The 11 Best Depeche Mode Songs

In high school, you're surrounded by people who are popular, people who are sports stars, people who love drama, and people who disappear into the paint on the wall. When you're young and stoned out of your freaking gourd, you think that everyone you go to school with is going to go onto fame and fortune. The football QB will be playing for the Raiders someday, the President of the debate team will go onto Congress, the drama kids will get a spot in a hot indie movie. The truth is...none of this will ever happen. The QB will go onto sell real estate. The President of the debate team will likely become an overpriced lawyer who gets divorced annually, and the drama kids will either end up in rehab or teaching drama. Maybe...just maybe, the kid that everyone ignored may go onto some sort of success...developing the next big website or selling a screenplay to Spielberg.

Depeche Mode is that kid.

For years they were ignored, scoffed at, belittled and told that their 15 minutes of fame was 15 minutes past due. But 25 years later, they have remained as one of the premiere bands of the 1980s. Take that Richard Marx!!

Dave Gahan, lead singer of Depeche Mode (do I really have to say that?), is releasing his 2nd solo LP today. It's called Hourglass. If 25 years into your career, you get to release your 2nd solo CD...and there's still interest in what you're doing...well, that means you're doing something right. You don't hear people knocking each other down to get the new Loverboy CD (except for Walmart)....and Loverboy used to be huge. HUGE, I tell you.

Here are the 11 Best Depeche Mode Songs:

1. Enjoy The Silence (Violator)
2. It's No Good (Ultra)
3. But Not Tonight (Black Celebration)
4. Photographic (Speak and Spell)
5. Somebody (Some Great Reward)
6. Never Let Me Down (Music For The Masses)
7. Halo (Violator)
8. Shake the Disease (Catching Up With Depeche Mode)
9. Strangelove (Music For The Masses)
10. Walking in My Shoes (Songs of Faith and Devotion)
11. Sea of Sin (World in My Eyes B-side)

My 11 Favorite Albums

Yesterday was my birthday. Thanks for all the warm regards.

Every year on my birthday, I listened to my favorite albums. This year was slightly different since I had my 2-year-old with me. Instead of rocking out...I was singing the ABCs with Dora the Explorer and Old MacDonald with Elmo and Big Bird.

Here are my 11 favorite Albums: (in no particular order)

1. Nirvana - Nevermind
2. Guns N Roses - Appetite For Destruction
3. Bob Dylan - Blood on the Tracks
4. The Cure - Disintegration
5. Depeche Mode - Black Celebration
6. Radiohead - The Bends
7. Heatmiser - Mic City Sons
8. Pearl Jam - Ten
9. R.E.M. - Life's Rich Pageant
10. Tool - Aenima
11. Triplefastaction - Broadcaster

THE UNKNOWN: Radiohead - Photographic Memory

1.2 million. That's how many people download Radiohead's new album (In Rainbows) in its first week of release. 1.2 million. That's bigger than the Backstreet Boys at their peak. That's up there with Nsync...Garth Brooks...Kayne West...What the hell? When did Radiohead become a boy band? All I've been reading all week is how pissed off fans are that the song files are only 160kbs. Really? Out of 1.2 million people, how many people are complaining about this? 50? That's like .00001%. That's not news. That's a bunch of crybabies. Don't give them anymore face time, it emboldens them. Like terrorists. The more you talk about what they are doing, the more they are going to do.

What's more interesting is that Radiohead stands to make 10 million dollars from the sales of this album....if true, that would mean Radiohead would hold the record for the most profit for an artist from any single album sale. In fact, with the release of this album, Radiohead might become the most profitable artists (based solely off record sales) EVER.

Way to go Head. If you haven't bought the album...or downloaded it for free. You can do it here.

Here is Radiohead - Photographic Memory

1. The Amazing Sounds of Orgy
2. Cuttooth
3. Lull
4. Bishop's Robes
5. Talk Show Host
6. Molasses
7. Trans-Atlantic Drawl
8. Fast Track
9. Kinetic
10. Worrywort
11. Fog
12. How I Made My Millions

The 11 Best Joy Division Songs

Do you know how hard it was watching the movie Control based on the life of Joy Division singer, Ian Curtis? It's a 2-hour black and white movie about a guy who commits suicide. Granted, it's a very good movie but I literally had to leave the theater and go and rent Evan Almighty just to keep myself from running my car off a bridge (and in LA, there are no bridges, which means I would have needed to drive to Long Beach to do it.) By the way, Evan Almighty...almost as depressing only for not the same reasons.

Here's the deal, if you like Joy Division, go see this movie. If you appreciate Joy Division, go see this movie. If you think you're cool because you don't go see mainstream movies, then, yeah...go see this movie.

This is the first movie directed by photographer/video director, Anton Corbijn. So...if you like Depeche Mode videos, then go see this movie.

If you want to see a movie where shit blows-up...then don't go see this movie.

Buy the new soundtrack to Control...it's a great sonic snapshot of the time period.

Here are the 11 Best Joy Division Songs:

1. Love Will Tear Us Apart (Substance)
2. Atmosphere (Substance)
3. Transmission (Substance)
4. Disorder (Unknown Pleasures)
5. Isolation (Closer)
6. Shadowplay (Unknown Pleasures)
7. Dead Souls (Substance)
8. Walked in Line (Still)
9. Failures (Substance)
10. New Dawn Fades (Unknown Pleasures)
11. She's Lost Control (Unknown Pleasures)

The 11 Best Morrissey Songs

Is there anything more arbitrary than a Morrissey song? I thought I was in trouble when I tried to do a "best of" for Radiohead...but I luckily slid by that one unscathed. Maybe it was all the B-Sides I listed the day before. But picking the best Morrissey is like deciding which of your kids you like best. Better yet...deciding which Morrissey songs are the best is like deciding which of your kids to save from a burning building when you can only save one! That may seem like an exaggerated example...but have you seen Morrissey fans? If you spell his name wrong they'll castrate you on the spot.

Last night, I saw night 9 of Morrissey's 10-night stay at the Hollywood Palladium. This is the last concert series before the Palladium is demolished for possible remodeling...although the word is it may be turned into a mini-mall complete with a Dunkin Doughnuts and a Panda Express.

It's a very sad day for my live music viewing life. I have seen countless great shows at the Palladium (Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys, Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage, Foo Fighters, Rage Against The Machine, Green Day, Tool, Alice in Chains). This is a piece of my musical history...gone forever. Going out with Morrissey was almost poetic. I have never seen Morrissey, even though I've been a Smiths fan all my life. For lack of a better word...it was "perfect."

The 11 Best Morrissey Songs:

1. Tomorrow (Your Arsenal)
2. I Don't Mind If You Forget Me (Viva Hate)
3. Everyday is Like Sunday (Viva Hate)
4. Why Don't You Find Out For Yourself (Vauxhall and I)
5. We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful (Your Arsenal)
6. Will Never Marry (Bona Drag)
7. First of the Gang To Die (You Are The Quarry)
8. Suedehead (Viva Hate)
9. Sister, I'm A Poet (World of Morrissey)
10. The Youngest Was The Most Loved (Ringleader)
11. I Like You (You Are The Quarry)

The 11 Best Radiohead Songs

Today's topic...what is stealing?

A Sony exec recently claimed that if you buy a CD in a store, then upload it to your computer to use in your ipod...then that is considered "stealing." Sony's feeling is that anytime you make a copy in any way, shape, or form...whether it's for a friend or just for yourself...then that is stealing and should be punishable by law. Forget about how you regulate something like this. Forget about the 100s of millions of people who have done this and would be guilty (remember their failed "mixed tape" lawsuit?). What is truly amazing is how the record industry continues to shoot themselves in the foot. Suing your customers is not a way to win them back! I buy a lot of CDs...a lot. My wife is ready to divorce me over the amount of money I spend. I have no problem paying for music for a fair price. But there comes a certain point where the record industry needs to wake up and realize that the industry has changed. Downloading is here to stay...the only way it will go away is when someone invents something new. The only way to survive is to adapt or become extinct.

Sony's statement was made on the same day that Radiohead released their new album in a radical new way. It's available only on their website for download...and the price? That's up to you. You can pay $10 Euro...you can pay $1 Euro...you can pay nothing. The consumer makes the price. Radical, huh?

Now, I will say...I do believe it is wrong to download albums from bands illegally. Downloading a track to see if you like the music should be the exception. If you like it, support the band. Go buy the album (or a t-shirt)...they deserve it.

If you want part two of the Radiohead B-sides...then go buy the new album...here.

Here are the 11 Best Radiohead Songs:

1. The Bends (The Bends)
2. Paranoid Android (OK Computer)
3. No Surprises(OK Computer)
4. Karma Police (OK Computer)
5. Idioteque (Kid A)
6. My Iron Lung (The Bends) (OK Computer)
7. Like Spinning Plates (amnesiac)
8. A Punch-Up At A Wedding (Hail To The Thief)
9. Exit Music (OK Computer)
10. Fake Plastic Trees (The Bends)
11. Creep (acoustic) - (My Iron Lung EP)

Yeah...yeah...I left a bunch of songs out (High and Dry, 2+2=5, How To Disappear, Fade Out, Polyethylene, True Love Waits, Electioneering)...but HEY! It's Radiohead...they're all great songs. And I have to draw the line at 11...cut me some slack.

THE UNKNOWN: Radiohead - Caisson Disease

There are certain people in this society that are loved and worshiped by many while at the same time, completely despised by others. For example...Bill O'Reilly. He is loved by millions of Americans. Many of his viewers take his exact words as Gospel. Those who abhor him think of him as devil in a blue suit. His opinions have caused countless arguments and even fist-fights among his fans and his dissenters. But love him or hate him...he's a very integral figure in our society. Last week, Bill was blasted by many for making some racist comments about black restaurants. If you listen to his radio interview, it's pretty obvious that his quotes were taken out of context. You can trust me on this, I'm not one who would normally come to Bill's defense. It didn't matter what Bill said...the media wanted him to sound like a racist a-hole, so they twisted his words to make them as derogatory as possible. On the flipside, last week, the right wing, once again started their onslaught of the "anti-American" propaganda aimed at Bruce Springsteen. It's amazing that the right wing, who claims to be unfairly crucified for their views would hold a grudge against Bruce Springsteen for over 20 years, all because he wouldn't let Ronald Reagan use "Born in the USA" for his campaign. And one of the people leading this anti-Bruce campaign...Bill O'Reilly.

As we prepare for In Rainbows....Here is the first of 3 Radiohead B-side albums: (Caisson Disease, Photographic Memory, and Out Monochrome). As with all b-side albums, in order to get me post the second part (the third part won't be complete until next year), you must buy the new album. And for all of you think I'm not checking...I am. That means you Walther, Damon, Alessandro, Kelwin, Ghillie, Xylia, Dorran, Zin, Jozlyn, and Englebertha.

Caisson Disease

1. Maquiladora
2. Killer Cars
3. India Rubber
4. Pop Is Dead
5. Faithless The Wonder Boy
6. Million $ Question
7. Yes I Am
8. Inside My Head
9. How Can You Be Sure?
10. Coke Babies
11. Banana Co.
12. Stupid Car

The 11 Best Bruce Springsteen Songs

BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCEEEEE!!!!!!

The Best Bruce Springsteen Songs

1. Born To Run (Born To Run)
2. Dancing In The Dark (Born in the USA)
3. American Skin (Live in NYC)
4. Thunder Road (Born To Run)
5. Lost in the Flood (Greetings From Ashbury Park, NJ)
6. Brilliant Disguise (Tunnel of Love)
7. I'm On Fire (Born in the USA)
8. Atlantic City (Nebraska)
9. My City of Ruin (The Rising)
10. Streets of Philadelphia (Philadelphia Soundtrack)
11. Roslita (The Wild, The Innocent)

New Bruce Springsteen CD in stores this week. It's called Magic. And believe it or not, it can actually do Magic. I swear...I've seen people buy the CD and then just up and disappear. It's crazy.

Buy it here, here and here...all for under $9...that's cheaper than lunch and will last longer!!

And due to popular...and sometimes harassing emails...I'll post part 2 to the Foo Fighters this weekend.

THE UNKNOWN: Foo Fighters - For My Disgrace

I haven't played it yet. It's been out a week and no matter how hard I've tried I haven't been able to get my hands around it. The problem is that I'm married and my wife won't allow me to get it. She thinks I'll spend too much time on it. She thinks that I need to be doing important things like working and taking care of our kid. Look, hands down...this might be the most important release of the year. There is nothing else out there that has as much important as this. If I don't get it, then I'm never going to feel adequate with my friends. Everything I've heard about it is amazing. It's supposedly one of the best releases of all time. I am so bummed!

Besides the epic release of Halo 3...the Foo Fighters new disc came out last week. If you haven't bought it...you really should. Supposedly it's great to listen to while playing Halo 3. But I'm not allowed to get an Xbox in the house...so how would I know?

I know I promised a Part 2 of the 3 part Foo Fighters B-side anthology...but I decided to skip 2 due to time constraints. Here is part three...

Foo Fighters - For My Disgrace

1. The One
2. The Sign
3. Skin & Bones
4. Kiss The Bottle
5. Normal
6. Spill
7. I'm In Love With A German Film Star
8. I Feel Fine
9. Born on the Bayou
10. FFL
11. Never Talking To You Again
12. World (demo)

Buy the new Foo Fighters here and here and here....all for under $10.

THE UNKNOWN: Foo Fighters - The Height and the Weight

Sixteen years ago, the world was standing around at midnight, waiting for the new Guns N Roses albums to be released. Use Your Illusion were two CDs released at the same time by the biggest band on the planet. Everyone thought these records would change the world of music fo year to come. Everyone was wrong. Ironically, two albums by two unknown artists were being released at the exact same time. These albums would be the albums that would shape the musical landscape for the rest of the decade. The albums were Nirvana's Nevermind and Pearl Jam's Ten.

This month, the two most-anticipated rock releases are Eddie Vedder's first solo album (Into The Wild) and the Foo Fighters 6th official studio album (Echoes, Silence, Patience, Grace). History does repeat.

I do wish Dave had titled the album with an N-word (like Never, New, Nice, Normal) instead of Grace. Then, abbreviated, the album would have spelled ESPN. That would have been cool.

Here is part one of three Foo Fighters B-Sides albums. I will post the other two (There Is Something Left To Win and For My Disgrace) but only on one condition, that is that everyone goes out and buys the new Foo Fighters album. It's a thousand times better than their last album...and much more like their first 4 releases.

Purchase at any of these places (Overstock $9.49, The Disc Wizard $9.98, Circuit City $9.99 ). I'd also recommend the Bonus tracks version for slightly more...(here).

The Foo Fighters - The Height and the Weight (1995 - 1998)

1. How Do You Do?
2. Winnebago
3. Ozone
4. Podunk
5. How I Miss You
6. The Colour and the Shape
7. Baker Street
8. Requiem
9. Drive Me Wild
10. Down in the Park
11. Gas Chamber
12. Touch

The 11 Best Neil Diamond Songs

It's Yom Kippur. From Sundown to Sundown, we are supposed to be fasting. I already had a chocolate covered pretzel and a diet Sierra Mist. Thankfully, we don't believe in hell. It's great being a Jew sometimes...except for the fact I'm also half-Catholic, which means I get twice the guilt...but also twice the presents during the holidays.

Here are the 11 Best Neil Diamond Songs:

1. Forever in Blue Jeans
2. Sweet Caroline
3. Cracklin' Rose
4. Shilo
5. Done Too Soon
6. America
7. Song Sung Blue
8. Cherry, Cherry
9. Love on the Rocks
10. I Am...I Said
11. Mr. Bojangles

11 Great Eddie Vedder Performances (sans Pearl Jam)

Eddie Vedder is a rock n roll legend. He's an icon. He's the voice of a generation. When I was in college, I would buy an entire CD just to hear him singing back-up vocals for 3 seconds. Every thing he did was genius. At 19, I didn't have a lot to go on...but for my generation, he was ours and I wanted everything he ever did to be mine.

Sixteen years since the first Pearl Jam album, Eddie Vedder has done the thing that everyone knew he would do someday...that is releasing a solo CD. But in true Eddie Vedder fashion, he is releasing it not as a vanity project, instead, he did it as a soundtrack to the upcoming film, Into The Wild (directed by Sean Penn).

The early verdict, IMO, is great. This might be the best thing I've heard from Vedder since before I packed up my last flannel shirt. But this isn't the first time Vedder went off without the foundation of his badmates...here is a brief tour though some of his other visitations.

11 Great Eddie Vedder Performances (sans Pearl Jam)

1. Against The 70s - Eddie Vedder and Mike Watt
2. Break On Through - Eddie Vedder and the Doors
3. Light My Fire - Eddie Vedder and the Doors
4. Roadhouse Blues - Eddie Vedder and the Doors
5. Devil Doll - Eddie Vedder and the Supersuckers
6. I See Red - Eddie Vedder and Neil Finn
7. Croon Spoon - Eddie Vedder and Susan Surandon
8. Hymn - Eddie Vedder and Hovercraft
9. Watch It Die - Eddie Vedder and Bad Religion
10. Take Me Out to The Ball Game - Cubs Game
11. The Star Spangled Banner - Bulls Playoff Game

Buy Eddie Vedder's new solo CD...right now!!!

THE UNKNOWN: Pearl Jam - MTV Unplugged 1992

It was said best on Monday Night Football...The 49ers, Green Bay, Denver, and Cowboys are all undefeated and OJ Simpson is back in jail...it's the mid-90s all over again. Well, I'll add one more piece of nostalgia to that list...Eddie Vedder is back on top of the charts. This time he's solo. If you don't know that he's releasing a solo CD for the soundtrack to film, Into The Wild, then you must be living under a rock...or you just have something better to do with your life.

In celebration of the 90s flashback, here's Pearl Jam's MTV Unplugged performance from 1992.

1. Intro
2. Oceans
3. State of Love and Trust (Thank You instr.)
4. Alive
5. Black
6. Jeremy
7. Porch
8. Even Flow
9. Rockin' in the Free World

But Eddie Vedder's solo CD and get an exclusive t-shirt.

The 11 Best Songs By The Jesus Lizard

Happy New Year! It's Rosh Hashanah for all you Jews. For all you non-Jews, it's Thursday. And what better way to celebrate rebirth than with a retrospective with everyone's favorite Jesus! No, not that one. I'm talking about David Yow, lead singer of the 90s rock group, The Jesus Lizard. What does the Jewish New Year have to do with a lead singer that likes to get naked on stage and tuck his junk between his legs? Well, I'll tell you. On Tuesday, David Yow released his first CD since joining the band Qui.
Who?
Qui.
Who?
Not the Who. Qui?
Qui?
Yes.
Yes?
No, not yes. Qui!!
Who?

Oh nevermind....

Buy Qui's new album (Love's Miracle) here.

Here are the 11 Best Jesus Lizard Songs:

1. Puss (Liar)
2. Countless Backs of the Sad Losers (Down)
3. Then Comes Dudley (Goat)
4. Thumbscrews (Shot)
5. Gladiator (Liar)
6. Thumper (Shot)
7. Horse (Down)
8. Blue Shot (Shot)
9. Glamorous (Lash)
10. Nub (Goat)
11. Skull of a German (Shot)

THE UNKNOWN: Iron and Wine - His Specific Alphabetical Nights

My friends and I have been having a discussion over the notion of freewill. The topic on the table stems from this quote by Bad Religion singer Greg Graffin: "The allusion of freewill is so strong that we might as well assume we have it." It's an interesting quote when you start to explore the thought behind it. Now remember, this quote is coming from someone who is a sworn atheist. His belief is that because of our genetic make-up and our environmental upbringing our lives are practically pre-determined. No matter what you do...from the job you choose to work at to the lunch you are going to eat...has all be pre-determined in your subconscious decades prior to this very moment. For example, today for lunch I had canned Chef Boy-R-Dee's Ravioli. My choice to eat this lunch stems from 30 years of upbringing. I like the ravioli because I used to eat Chef Boy-R-Dee as a kid. So I have an affinity for it. Also, it's an easy to make meal that I can do in little time, since I work from home and had a lot of work to do today. I am also trying to conserve money and eat things that are inexpensive. The fact that I am responsible and try to conserve when it comes to meals comes from the moral codes that my parents raised me with. So as you see, I had no choice but to eat the raviolis.

Here is Iron and Wine's B-Side Album.

His Specific Alphabetical Nights

1. The Trapeze Singer
2. Dearest Foresaken
3. Peng! 33
4. Dead Man's Will
5. Love Vigilantes
6. Communion Cups and Someone's Coat
7. Such Great Heights
8. Sacred Vision
9. Same Old Song
10. Call Your Boys
11. Sleeping Diagonally
12. No Moon
13. Sinning Hands
14. Her Tea Leaves
15. Ab's Song
16. Carissa's Weird
17. Waiting For A Superman

Pre-order Iron and Wine's new album....The Shepherd's Dog (Due Sept. 24th)

Buy Greg Graffin's Book: Is Belief in God Good, Bad or Irrelevant here.