The Finale?

Wayne Blogged The..Finale?

So if you haven't noticed, I've pretty much given up on the whole blogging thing...sorry internet.

So as my final post (for now), I'll leave you with a simple reminder to vote Tuesday!

www.barackobama.com

do the research, learn the facts, and I hope you vote for Barack Obama.

Show Review: Ryan Adams

Wayne Blogged The...Show Review:
Ryan Adams & The Cardinals. Bank of America Pavilion, September 7, 2008
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Wait, there must be some mistake. The show I attended last night was a real, genuine Ryan Adams concert? What about the drunken tirades against the fans? What, no stumbling off the stage? And where are the disco boots? Believe it or not, the infamously immature rocker (now 33...acts 16) has mellowed out a bit, and puts on a very acceptable show.

Last night's two sets at the Bank of America Pavilion showcased the many avenues of Adam's catalog: the pop-rock hits, the country shuffles, and the heavy-metal imitating folk rockers. No opening act, no encore, just two sets of music by a band that seems to be truly enjoying their time on stage and their time with each other.

While most of the songs held up very well in a live setting (highlighted by a string of Jacksonville City Nights songs), pushed along by the faux-punker's scratchy vocals, there were some duds. Two of the four new songs The Cardinals premiered sounded like Rock And Roll throwaways, and the extended let's-rock-out-like-an-exp

erimental-band ending to first-set-closing Easy Plateau left the crowd wishing they were at a Wilco concert (where the feedback is tasteful).

But once the band emerged from the 15 minute intermission, the set list's pace quickened, and the true highlights from the show emerged. Let It Ride, Magnolia Mountain, and I See Monsters were a true representation of just how good this band is. And while I do feel that Catherine Popper's place behind the bass hasn't been filled correctly, there's no denying how tight of a band The Cardinals have become. Pitch (and picture) perfect harmonies were intertwined throughout the night, as Ryan Adams and Co. clung to their country roots.

And then it was over. With a wave and a "see you soon" the band left the stage, peacefully, with very, very few musical casualties.

Race for the Presidency

Wayne Blogged The...Race For The Presidency
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John McCain is a crazy, crazy man. A war hero? Yes. But also a crazy 72-year old man willing to change his beliefs in order to get elected. The senator McCain of eight years ago is NOT the same person running for President today. He has become a mirror-image of George W. Bush, right down to the campaign tactics.

Barack Obama on the other hand, is exactly what this country needs. His speech last night (watched by 38 million viewers) was one of the best political moments in recent memory.

So please, for the future of this country, vote Barack Obama!

Current Albums I'm Diggin' On

Wayne Blogged The...Current Albums (He's) Diggin' On
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In the past, I've listed the five albums I've really been into on the sidebar of this blog. But no more. Simply because by the halfway mark of the month, my taste has changed. So, here's the first addition of albums I've been diggin' on lately.

1) Voo Doo- D'Angelo
Pino Palldino is a funky, funky man. His bass playing is unbelievable on this record, so far behind the beat. It's also just a great R&B record, very good to chill out to.

2) Sea Change- Beck
Perhaps his best record to date, Sea Change melds Beck's folk sensibilities with his usual wackiness. Pretty great record.

3) Music For 18 Musicians- Steve Reich
I've been dabbling in the musical style of minimalism lately, and this record has blown me away. There's so much tension and release, and little musical nuances that really only musicians can appreciate. Not for the masses, but definitely for musicians.

4) Boxer- The National
The National have quickly become one of my favorite bands. And their latest release "Boxer" is one of the best albums to come out this decade. From start to finish, not a single dud.

Nod Of Approval: Norm Macdonald's roast of Bob Saget

Wayne Blogged The...Nod of Approval: Norm Macdonald's Roast of Bob Saget.
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Norm's roast of Bob Saget was the only original act of the night. Comedy Central should sell his act alone on ITunes...Either way, I still bought the entire thing for $4.

Check out another blogger's opinion, and the video itself here. Prepare yourself for the driest and funniest humor ever.

Show Review: Radiohead

Wayne Blogged The...Show Review:
Radiohead. Comcast Center, August 13,2008
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My oh my, if the indie rock gods don't smite me now they never will...

Last night's Radiohead concert at the Greatwoodstweetercomcast Center in Mansfield, MA left the 19,889 other fans (a mixture of dads, bros, and hipsters) blinded by the intensity of the performance. But none of them were listening.

Let me precursor this dangerous review with a fact: I love Radiohead. They've made continuley interesting music over the past decade, a feat not many bands can claim. But last night's show let me down.

The stage set up was amazing, the lights were great, the set list was solid, the opening band (Grizzly Bear) was great...but Radiohead's performance just seemed...truly uninspired.

Thom Yorke still did his impression of a chimp doing the running man during the set. The band was pretty tight, and seemed appreciative of the responce they were getting...but they really weren't connecting with the crowd...they were playing TO them. For such a non-conformist, Yorke's stage presence is very contradictory. Early on, you can tell he's uncomfortable in his situation. And instead of making the crowd feel like they're part of the show, or that this is a special night, the band just went through the motions in a very "we are the band, you are the audience, those are our roles." type of way.

And besides the fact that I felt like they were trying to convey the feeling of doing America a favor by touring, their music doesn't translate well live, no matter how hard they try to disguise that with their light show. There's no hope in their music, nothing to smile about. And that's fine, it's part of the reason everyone loves Radiohead. But live, it just brought me down. I don't know about the thousands of over crowd members, but I like smiling at concerts. I even like jumping occasionally (which is more like flailing like a Kermit The Frog puppet), but Radiohead's music just makes me cross my arms and contemplate my existence.

If there was ever a box set of all of Radiohead's albums, it should be called Music For The Bush Administration Years. Just a lot of angst, and uncertainty pumping from the loud speakers in Mansfield last night...

Bands That Need To Retire...part 2

Wayne Blogged The...Bands That Need To Retire
Part 2
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It's time for another installment of Bands That Need To Retire. I neglected to mention some key players in the nostalgia act genre last time...so here we go:

Bands That Need To Retire: NOW

Issac Hayes: You gotta know when to call it quits man.

Goodbye Children!

Show Review: Wilco

Wayne Blogged The...Show Review: Wilco
Tanglewood. August 12, 2008
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You'd think that after my five previous Wilco shows, it would become almost routine. But last night's show at the beautiful Tanglewood Theater in Lenox, MA was anything but routine. Tweedy and company, dressed in glimmering suits, ran a musical marathon with a two and a half hour set that acted as a collage of their career. The usuals were all there (I Am Trying To Break Your Heart, Heavy Metal Drummer, Jesus etc), but they were in good company with rarely played Summerteeth songs (Pieholden Suite, Can't Stand It, Summer Teeth) and a mixed-bag of other noteable rockers (Monday, Pot Kettle Black). The band seemed to be in good spirits, and seemed humbled to be playing at Tanglewood.

The Total Pros horn section joined the band on 10 of the 26 songs. The only surprise was that opener Andrew Bird didn't join the band onstage like he has in the past.
Speaking of the Birdman, he opened the evening with style. His 10 song set was polietly-received by the crowd, who were still filing into their seats (or scattering themselves on the lawn). Watching Andrew Bird perform is actually a bit uncomfortable. His stage-presence is a mix of Morrissey and Dave Matthews...but with a violin and in a shirt, tie, and slacks. For as good as Bird's set was, I couldn't help but feel it didn't really fit the mood of the evening.

Wilco's set was very well received, and the crowd seemed to be having a great time. A special night in the heart of Western Massachusetts.



Set List:

Either Way
Hummingbird
Remember The Mountain Bed
Muzzle of Bees
You Are My Face
Impossible Germany
IATTBYH
A Shot in the Arm
What Light (w/Total Pros horns)
California Stars (w/TPs)
Pieholden Suite (w/TPs)
Handshake Drugs
Pot Kettle Black
Summer Teeth
Jesus, etc.
Poor Places>
Spiders (Kidsmoke)
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Can't Stand It (w/TPs)
Hate It Here (w/TPs)
Walken (w/TPs)
I'm The Man Who Loves You (w/TPs)
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The Late Greats (w/TPs)
Heavy Metal Drummer
Monday (w/TPs)>
Outtasite (Outta Mind) (w/TPs)
I'm A Wheel

Thanks to Abbie Rickard for the photo.

Show Review: Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band

Wayne Blogged The...Show Review: Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Gillette Stadium. August 2, 2008
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Words honestly couldn't convey the spirit and energy of this concert. And only true fans will appreciate this...but look how awesome this set list is:

August 2, 2008
Foxborough, Massachusetts
Gilette Stadium

Summertime Blues
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out { lyrics }
Radio Nowhere { lyrics }
Lonesome Day { lyrics }
The Promised Land { lyrics }
Spirit In The Night { lyrics }
Tunnel Of Love { lyrics }
Light Of Day { lyrics }
Little Latin Lupe Lu [first time with E Street Band since 1977!]
Does This Bus Stop At 82nd Street? { lyrics }
Hungry Heart { lyrics }
Who'll Stop The Rain [Tour Premiere]
Youngstown { lyrics }
Murder Incorporated { lyrics }
She's The One { lyrics }
Livin' In The Future { lyrics }
Mary's Place { lyrics }
The Rising { lyrics }
Last To Die { lyrics }
Long Walk Home { lyrics }
Badlands { lyrics }

I'm Going Down { lyrics }
Jungleland { lyrics }
Born To Run { lyrics }
Glory Days { lyrics }
Dancing In The Dark { lyrics }
American Land { lyrics }
Rosalita { lyrics }

Bands That Need To Retire

Wayne Blogged The...Bands That Need To Retire
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After seeing The Eagles on Monday, and watching VH1 Rock Honors: The Who, I've been thinking a lot about "classic rock" bands that are receiving AARP info along with their royalties. Now, in my opinion, not all bands from the 60's, 70's, and 80's need to hang up the proverbial boots just yet. But there are some that do, no matter how blinded we are by nostalgia. So to make this a bit more organized, I'll include a grade of their latest performance/album, and a status as to when they should retire. Simple enough? Okay...

Bands That Need To Retire: NOW

-Bob Dylan: A legend indeed, but enough's enough Bobby D. Over the past decade Dylan has retreated into the genre of blues simply because he can't sing (or bark) anything else. There are rare nights (like the one I witnessed at McCoy Stadium in 2006) where he actually gives a great performance of some classics, but overall the mastermind behind such songs as Tangled Up In Blue, Like A Rolling Stone, and It's Alright Ma, I'm Only Bleeding is doing nothing but jeopardizing how the future generations of music lovers judge his legacy with songs such as Tweedly Dum & Tweedly Dee...(Modern Times: C-; Live show: D)

-Rolling Stones: Keiff, oh dear Keiff. Please stop. (A Bigger Bang: D; Live Show: C)

-The Who: This is a must. Only 50% of the band's original incarnation are alive, and of the two remaining, only Pete has anything left in the tank. Daltry's voice is gone, but what can you expect? I'm very surprised that this band still sells as many tickets as they do. I saw them four years ago, and have not been tempted to see them again. Not even for Pino Palladino's bass playing (I think Pino's better than Entwhistle, sue me). (Endless Wire: D; Live Show: D)

-Paul McCartney: Let me precursor this with the fact that I think Paul McCartney wrote better songs than any other Beatle. I think his solo work is very underrated by music snobs like myself, and I also think that Driving Rain is worth a second listen, you assholes. That being said, Macca hasn't put out a great album since Flaming Pie, which was over a decade ago. Don't get me wrong, Chaos and Creation was good, very solid, but 75% of Memory Almost Full is just awful leftovers from the pre-Mills era. Sorry Paul...(Memory Almost Full: D+; Live Show: B+)

-Ringo Starr: Seriously, how excited can a Beatles fan honestly be to see Ringo in concert. "Holy Shit! He's playing Don't Pass Me By!!!"...(entire post-Beatles career, excluding his stint as the conductor on Shining Time Station: F)

-Leonard Cohen: I'm in love with this man's early output, but he should've retired when the synthesizer was invented. (anything past 1984: C-)

Bands That Need To Retire: Within 5 years

-The E Street Band: It's gonna be a sad, sad day when this one comes. The Boss and Co. still put on amazing three hour shows, and release solid albums. But, they're droppin' like flies. Danny Federici's death earlier this year sparked my concern, which wasn't helped by the fact that the 'Big Man' Clarence Clemmons needs a chair on stage now...However, I can still see the band rockin' until 2012. As for Bruce, you're gonna have to look further down...(Magic: B; Live Show: A+)

-U2: I don't mind these guys. They're a good rock band. But Bono's not gonna be able to pretend he's 25 forever. (How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb: B; Live Show: B)

-Steely Dan: Honestly, if Steely Dan retired today, I'd be okay with that decision. Their band is tight, but times have changed and I don't feel like their music's appreciated in the 21st century. The only reason I'm giving them another five years is because I'm really hoping for one more album. (Everything Must Go: A-; Live Show: B)

-The Eagles: Sure, their show's great. Long Road Out Of Eden was a solid output as well. But it took them over 7 years of concentrated effort to make that record. It's good, but not 7 years good...(Long Road Out Of Eden: B; Live Show: A)

Bands That Can Die Doing What They Do:

Bruce Springsteen: His band may need to call it quits, but I can't see the Boss joining them. I have a vision of a 75 year old Springsteen playing Thunder Road at the Grammys somewhere in the future. (solo career effort: B; Live show: A+)

Elvis Costello: The Imposters may be dropped somewhere along the line, but Costello will be writing wittier songs that any of his contemporaries for a long time to come. (Momofuku: A; Live Show: B)

show review: The Eagles

Wayne Blogged The...Show Review: The Eagles
TD Banknorth Garden. Boston, MA. July 28, 2008
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Don Henley has been singing Hotel California for 31 years. That's a longer amount of time than he was alive when he wrote it (lyrics only). And besides a half-step key change, not much has changed since 1977 when it comes to The Eagles performance of the classic. The same can be said with the dozens of other classics played at the GAHD'N last night.

The show opened with four songs off of The Long Road Out Of Eden, the group's first full-length album since 1979, which was released last year. They sounded sharp, if not a bit hesitant, from the opening bars of How Long. The only noticeable difference was not an auditory one, but a visual. They looked old.

Henley, who turned 61 less than a week ago, had his hair slicked back in a very 'grandpa' manner; Timothy B. Schmit looked a bit like a corpse when the lights hit him in an unflattering manner; Joe Walsh looks a bit like this man now (minus the mustache); and Glenn Frey...well, Frey actually hasn't changed much over the years...good for him.

The new songs were received decently by the crowd of over 12,000. And, just like the classics, they were crafted to perfection on the road. The only surprise, which may have only been noticed by me, was that the key to I Don't Wanna Hear Anymore was lowered for Mr.Schmit. Only surprising for two reasons: 1) Schmit is renowned for his high tenor, and 2) The song's new...why not just record it in a lower key?

The first old song the band launched into was Hotel California. The obligatory mega-jam between Joe Walsh and sideman-extrodinare Steuart Smith went smoothly, and the crowd seemed to be relieved that The Eagles still had it, and that they wouldn't just be playing the new stuff.

Eight songs later, the first half concluded. And after a short pee-break, the band came back on stage and launched into the haunting four part harmony of No More Walks In The Wood. Followed by Waiting In The Weeds...

Now, I have a bit of an issue with this song. I love it, so much. It's easily the best song off the new record, and an overall wonderfully written song. But my lord, the cliches. Here's a list of them, all featured in this 7 minute 47 second song:
-every dog will have his day -the dream was over -go down in flame -final scene, frozen frame -slowly fade away -waiting for the dust to settle down -outskirts of this lonesome town -sunlight in your hair -even though you're with somebody else, he'll never love you like I do -flavour of the week -fallen out of your good graces

My oh my.

But all is forgiven, the boys still have it. They proved that soon-to-be-senior-citizens still rock harder than the majority of younger bands today. And as Frey and Walsh joked around before the beginning of Heartache Tonight, I couldn't help but feel a bit sad. These guys have gone through a lot together, but who knows how much longer this band can exist...they barely even tolerate eachother offstage, and they're not getting any younger. But for now, we can forget about all that and just enjoy, as Frey put it "The Eagles: Assisted Living Tour" as it's rolled into a town near you, most likely in wheelchairs.

Blog

Wayne Blogged The...Blog
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So, is anybody reading this blog? I really have no way to tell. So, here's the deal.

If you're reading this, leave a comment saying so. I just wanna see if I'm the only one interested in this...

The Dark Knight

Wayne Blogged The...Dark Knight
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Superhero movies have become a trend once again in the last decade or so. Superman Returned, Batman begun, Spiderman sucked. It seems to me that whenever America is caught in a very (ahem) delicate and scary position, the masses flood to superhero movies. As do the studios.

And to truly appreciate the good movies of this over-populated genre, you must consider the awful. The Fantastic Four...awful. Superman Returns was lackluster at best (since when is Lex Luther a real-estate guru/diabolical madman?). Ironman had a chance to be good, but was too self-indulgent and flashy. The Hulk (and it's twin follow-up/do-over The Incredible Hulk) barely even show up on the radar.

Then, in 2005, Christopher Nolan took the Batman franchise to a new high. Batman Begins was the most realistic and plausible superhero movie of all time. The film was intense, and it was great to see the backstory of Batman finally be explained. But even then, you felt like there was something more that could have been done. A certain greatness that was hinted at but not fully acheived.

That greatness has been acheived, fully. The Dark Knight was not only the best superhero movie I've ever seen, but it's also one of the best films I've ever seen. Heath Ledger's interpretation of the Joker is terrifying, and hilarious. An unbeliveable performance, which Ledger probably wouldn't have topped if he had lived long enough to challenge it. Hemingway said "all good stories end in death", and Heath Ledger's portrayal of The Joker fits that mold. Although the villan's fate is only hinted at, we all know what really happened to The Joker. In other words, he won't be in the sequel. Ledger's unfortunate death actually added weight and depth to the film...not a fair trade, but it works to the film's advantage.

If I keep writing, I run the risk of sounding like a fan-boy. So I'll leave it at this: I've never been this blown away by an "action" movie. I will be seeing it again, most likely tomorrow.

Boston Bruins 2007-08 season (A Retrospective)

Wayne Blogged The...Boston Bruins 2007-08 Season A Retrospective
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It's usually around this point in the summer when I really begin to miss hockey season, and look forward to October. This year is no different, and lately I've been YouTube-ing videos of games 3,5, and 6 of this year's Boston/Montreal playoff tilt.

Last season was one of the most exciting seasons in recent memory. Especially after the B's were presumed dead in late October when Patrice Bergeron suffered a season-ending injury. If that wasn't enough, off-season acquisition Manny Fernandez turned out to be (at least a temporary) bust when the ol' knee injury came back to haunt him. Aaron Ward, Andrew Alberts, Chuck Kobasew, and captain Zdeno Chara were all out for a decent stretch of the season with injuries. But the Bruins continued to play hard under new coach Claude Julien.

Tim Thomas shocked the hockey world with an All-Star year, Marc Savard played like a remodeled Adam Oates, and rookie tough guy Milan Lucic brought a new attitude to the Bruins. Supporting members Glen Metropolic, Marco Sturm, Denis Wideman, Phil Kessel, and David Krecj all helped push this team of spare parts into the postseason for the first time since the lockout.

And it had to be the Montreal Canadiens in the first round. I would have taken Pittsburgh over Montreal. Anybody over Montreal...

Make no mistake, I loathe the Habs. They're the only professional sports team I honestly hate. Their cheap style of hockey is the most annoying spectacle: classless diving, instigating, and unsportsmanlike flashiness. And don't even get me started on their fans; invading opponent's arenas with their flamboyant "ole'" chants. Singing "hey, hey, hey, goodbye" after GAME 1!! And their bad haircuts...

My hatred for the Montreal Canadiens is so deeply rooted. I've hated the Habs since I started watching hockey in 1990 (age 2...). So try to imagine my excitement being present at Game 3, in overtime, when Marc Savard scored the game winning goal, jumpstarting the Bruins and beating the Habs for the first time in 2008, and half of 2007.

And although the Black and Gold blew it in Game Seven, they only lost the series by one goal. Game 4's 1-0 loss was painful, as was Game 2's OT loss. Sadly, The Bruins ended the series in a similar fashion they began it, flat-footed and outplayed.

But I have nothing but good things to say about this Bruins team. And about the Bruins future. This season was incredible, down to the last game. With Bergeron back, and Manny on the mend, the B's have a good shot of extending their season. And I have a good shot of extending my playoff beard, so it's a win-win scenario.

Offseason

Wayne Blogged The...Offseason
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Summer is my least favorite season (In case you're wondering the order, it's 1) Fall, 2) Winter, 3) Spring, 4) Summer). It's hot, I don't have an AC, I'm stuck in suburbia, and baseball's the only sport on.

Don't get me wrong, I love baseball. But the "real" season doesn't begin until after the All Star Game. Right now it's just...blah. Football's still a couple of months away, hockey trailing shortly after that, and then basketball. I miss the action! I miss losing my voice on Sunday night's after a day of screaming at my TV. But most of all, I miss hockey. A lot.

My Bruins did great this year. They overcame injuries, and many-a-naysayer to actually make the playoffs and force a game seven against the (goddamn) Habs (see my next post about that whole series...)

But needless to say...there's not much to do around here. My band is on hiatus for the summer, my guitar strings are rusted, I'm broke, and working in a deli along with some of the most incompetent people I've ever met in my life...ever.

Luckily, there are some fun things to distract me for the next few months. I'll be seeing some good shows (Spoon, Wilco, Andrew Bird, Radiohead, The Eagles, and (hopefully) Bruce Springsteen), I've got a great group of friends who tolerate me and my fart-jokes, and I'll be heading into New York City this week proudly sporting a Red Sox shirt. Wish me luck...

The Silver Jews

Wayne Blogged The...Silver Jews.
namely, American Water
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There's something about indie rock bands with a revolving door of supporting members that intrigues me. And while other acts such as Guided By Voices and Golden Smog have been able to maintain the image of a band, I don't feel The Silver Jews have accomplished that. It seems more like a really cool club. Just a bunch of authors, poets, and rockers getting together to record an amazing album.

The brainchild of David Berman and Steve Malkmus (yes, THE Malkmus of Pavement), The Silver Jews have released six LPs since their formation, and have had 26 members over that time period. Awesome, right?

Berman's voice echoes Leonard Cohen's 1980's incarnation, while his writing has been compared to Bob Dylan. The music drawls on without much complaining, by neither the audience or the band. Yet, there's something hypnotizing about the band's output. I can honestly listen to American Water no matter what mood I'm in, and it fits. I've been on roadtrips, in depressive spells, underneath girlfriends, and on top of the world while listening to their music. (I hope you appreciate the humor in that last sentence as much as I do...)

I've been wanting to write down my favorite lines off of this record for a while. But here are a few I can remember:
The alleys are the footnotes of the avenues - Why can't monsters get along with other monsters?
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People ask people to watch their scotch.
People send people up to the moon.
When they return, well there isn't much.
People be careful not to crest too soon.
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o come let us adore them California overboard when the sun sets on the ghetto all the broken stuff gets cold. (holdin' up their trousers with extension cords)
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But perhaps my favorite song off the album (and perhaps of their entire discography) is Federal Dust, which is co-written and co-sang with Steve Malkmus:

They don't walk and they don't talk in Malibu. They don't vote and they don't smoke. I know you're blue… They don't cream and they don't dream in Kansas City. They don't crack and they don't act. I know you're ready… They don't cry and they don't die in South Dakota. (just like a seagull) They don't match and they don't hatch in South Dakota. Here comes the coda. Not much water coming over the hill…..
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State of The Union

Wayne Blogged The...
State 0f the union
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Friends, colleagues, benefactors, and cohorts,

Nothing is inspiring me, and I'm low on time as of late. Hopefully I'll have a good update for us all to enjoy sometime in the next few days. Until then...

Unenthusiastic Woo's volume 2

Wayne Blogged The...Unenthusiastic Woo's!
Volume 2
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For today's unenthusiastic woo, we turn to the late Warren Zevon. After being diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer, Warren began work on what would be his final album, The Wind. While the record holds some great songs, you can tell ol' Warren couldn't muster the same enthusiasm and energy as he had on all of his previous releases. So how does one fix that? Add an unenthusiastic "WOO!" right before a guitar solo on the opening number:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/3s0plu

I really wish I had a better way to share this with you, but until I figure it out...I've uploaded the "woo" so you can download it and add it to your personal collection.

Female Singer-songwriters I Fall In Love With Every Time I Listen To Them

Wayne Blogged The...Female Singer-Songwriters He Falls In Love With Every Time He Listens To Them
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Call me shallow if you must, but every time I put on a record by any of the following female artists, I fall in love with them...let the creep show begin...

5) Feist
- It could be the intimacy of the lo-fi recording, or the warble of her voice, but whenever I hear her sing "The Park" or "I Feel It All" off of The Reminder, part of me wants to move to Canada to find her...

4) Emmylou Harris
-Okay...this one may seem a bit out of left field, but her rendition of Orphan Girl is very, very good. And she wears the adorable combination of cowboy boots and a dress...

3) Zooey Deschanel (She & Him)
-I love harmonies, and it sounds like she's doing all of her own on the Beatle-esque debut album from She & Him. Beautiful voice and great songwriting.

2) Jenny Lewis
-Ms.Lewis currently holds the position of my favorite singer in this bunch. Although the songwriting is at times a bit twee for my liking, her voice almost overshadows the lyrics. Plus the cover of Handle With Care (originally by the ugliest group of all time, The Traveling Willburys) is so freaking good, despite the fact that Ben Gibbard whines every time he opens his mouth.

and

1) Jenny Owen Youngs
-What can be said? Batten The Hatches is a perfect album. Her cover of "Hot In Herre" has a great video, and the pop-sensibility in the mixing of Drinking S0ng (particularly in the second verse after the chorus, when the guitar fades out leaving a Fender Rhodes plucking at each chord with an unbelievable effect on the musically-nit-picking listener). I can't wait for her sophomore release...

Unenthusiastic "Woo!"s

Wayne Blogged...Unenthusiastic "Woo!"s
Volume 1
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This may prove to be less successful than I originally hoped, but I'm introducing a new section to this blog. Sometime this past month, probably a Wednesday, I decided that there were a lot of songs that included unenthusiastic "woo!"s.

What is an unenthusiastic woo?

It's when a singer/guitarist decides that the song needs to be more "rock and roll"-y, and can't contain themselves from a sudden outburst of enthusiasm. The problem is, although nice in theory, the energy is rarely flattering to the performer. A recording studio also generally inhibits the artists' raw-energy. These moments have been captured, and will live forever in infamy.

Unenthusiastic WOO Number 1:
Neil Young- Cinnamon Girl
http://www.sendspace.com/file/4qp830

I've captured the woo in all it's glory here, for you to download and cherish.

Until next time...

Evolution of Wilco

Wayne Blogged The...Evolution of Wilco
An Attempt At Converting Newcomers... ---


Whenever I talk about Wilco, I walk a very thin line between being a casual-Wilco-enthusiast, and all out fanboy. So before we start this entry, let me just get it out of my system: Wilco is the best band in rock and roll.

Now, a brief history lesson:
Wilco's humble beginnings came off of the breakup of alt-country group Uncle Tupelo. Jeff Tweedy rounded up a few of the musicians from Uncle Tupelo's last incarnation, as well as the band's manager, and formed Wilco (will-comply, Wilco). The group has released 6 studio albums, 2 collaborations with Billy Bragg (gross), and a live album.

The band's first studio effort, AM, is a predictable (yet enjoyable) record from a band trying to find an identity and a songwriter trying to distance himself from his past. Standout tracks are held to a minimum, however Box Full Of Letters, Pick Up The Change, and Passenger Side are good "easy rockers" in the style of Neil Young's Tonight's The Night album.

The lineup for this album included Jeff Tweedy, John Stirratt (bass), Ken Coomer (drums), Max Johnston (banjo, fiddle, etc.), and Brian Henneman (guitar).
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1996's Being There is (in my mind) Wilco's first full-band effort. Although the two-disc release is a bit uneven, there's so many great songs, and the sequencing is amazing. Also, this album marks the beginning of Jay Bennett's tenure with the band.
Along with the usual cast of characters (minus Henneman), Bob Egan joined the lineup briefly as steel guitarist.
Standout tracks from this record include the Stones-esque stomper Monday, Hotel Arizona, and the (dare I say) epic Misunderstood.
Shortly after Being There's release, Max Johnston was given his pink slip.
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Sick of being relegated as Uncle Tupelo-spin offs, Wilco made a giant leap in finding their own identity, while crafted some of the strongest songs in Tweedy, and Co.'s catalog for 1999's Summerteeth.
I consider this release to be Wilco's Sgt.Pepper. Songs like Pieholden Suite, and When You Wake Up Feeling Old are superbly constructed pop songs, while I'm Always In Love sounds like Wilco's imitation of Weezer. Other notable tracks are Nothing'severgonnastandinmyway(again), Via Chicago, A Shot In The Arm, and In A Future Age.
This record would be Ken Coomer's last with the group. While Leroy Bach would join the ensemble on piano.
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If you've only heard one thing about Wilco, it's probably about Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Considered by many to be Wilco's masterpiece, and I can't disagree with that sentiment. The group's new drummer Glenn Kotche adds sophistication only hinted at in previous released, Tweedy's collaboration with Jay Bennett reaches it's peak (and ultimate demise) on YHF. Soundscapes and texture act as a backdrop to some of prettiest songs ever written, as Tweedy finally comes into his own as a lyricist.
The album should be played often, and in order. Every song is a standout track.
Tension within the group eventually led to Bennett's departure, but his contributions to the group would be missed.
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If there was ever a way to follow-up a "masterpiece", Wilco did just that in perfect fashion with 2004's A Ghost Is Born. Mikael Jogernsen helps fill out the group's sound, while Jim O'Rourke (the man who mixed YHF to perfection) adds more than a few instruments into the mix on this album.
If YHF was a bustling city, AGIB is an empty hotel room. The textures are still there, the songwriting is impeccable, but A Ghost Is Born feels like a much more personal record. This could be due to Tweedy's almost whispering singing style (mostly used because of horrible migraines).
Standout tracks include Muzzle of Bees, Hell Is Chrome, and Company in My Back.
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A revamped Wilco returned to the spotlight with 2007's Sky Blue Sky. Leroy Bach had left, Jim O'Rourke had moved to Japan, and the group added virtuoso guitar player Nels Cline, and multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone.
At times sparse, the soundscapes have been stripped away, leaving the songs to fend for themselves. The sound of the album is very warm, but almost too safe for a group that has "pushed the envelope" with each release.
Standout tracks include You Are My Face, On and On and On, and Either Way.
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Superbowl (42)

Wayne Blogged The...Superbowl (42)
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This catch has haunted me for the past four months. I still have nightmares about it. I've actually had nightmares about a football game...

February 3, 2008 was quite honestly the worst night of my life. What should have been a triumphant and joy filled three-hour Patriot football extravaganza was turned upside down by the New York Giants.

The day after the loss, I wrote the following note about the loss:

Yes, I died a little last night.

With 3 seconds left on the clock, surrounded by overzealous Giants fans and devastated New England die-hards, I thought I was going to A) vomit, B)pass out, and C) cry. I only did one of the three (I shall not disclose which), but my dear god...the f*cking Giants are Super Bowl champions?

In European "football" there are no playoffs, the team who wins the most games and has the best record wins the championship...I like this way of thinking...

The New England Patriots: the first team to go 16-0, and the first 18-1 team to not win the Super Bowl. The 1984 49ers and the 1985 Bears both went 18-1, but lost their 1 during the regular season. So where does this leave the Patriots? I can't answer that.

In January of 1997 I was 9 years old, the Packers beat the Parcells/Bledsoe edition of the NE Patriots in the Super Bowl, and I expected it. The Packers deserved to win, as did the Chicago Bears of 1985. But I fully believe that the New York Giants are a fluke team.

I'm not saying they didn't earn their victory on this night, but the Patriots already beat the Giants, as did the Packers, Jets, Vikings, Redskins, and Cowboys (twice!).

New England on the other hand went through half the pre-season, the entire regular season and two-thirds of the post season without one loss. Yet, the New York Football Giants get to call themselves the best in the world...

And as for the Manning-jersey-sporting-bandwagon riders of the world, I have one question: can you honestly say that you did not utter the words "Eli sucks" to yourself after one of their many losses this season?

Junior Seau deserved a Super Bowl ring, Michael Strahan deserves another deodorant commercial. Randy Moss deserves the title, Eli Manning deserves a shirt that reads "my brother's pretty good, and we sorta look a like".

Am I whining? Yes, partially, but I'm very aware of the absurdity of many of my arguments, I just really hate New York.
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Time has passed, and my feelings toward the night have changed. When I wrote those painfully whiny paragraphs, I was in denial. In my mind, there had to be something wrong with the winner, because the losers were too good...

This was not the case. I've come to terms with the fact that the Giants outplayed the New England Patriots in Superbowl XLII. And I can now say that the Giants deserved the win. But it still stings...a lot.

I can also admit that my proposition of getting rid of the playoffs in the NFL is one of the most ridiculous ideas I've ever conjured up.

But really, what a year 2007 was for football. After a disappointing finish to the 2006 season, the Pats made history, and filled my Sundays (and the occasional Monday) with such unbelievable joy. And as we inch closer to opening day (still months away...jeez, Wayne, get a life) I'm looking forward to another great season of football, hopefully with a better ending this time around...

Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority

Wayne Blogged The...MBTA
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There’s a certain callousness in the air of a lengthy train ride. Passengers rarely make eye contact with one another, and if they do, it’s fleeting and accidental. Ticket collectors generally act this way as well. But there’s always an exception, a rebel ticket collector who feels it is his duty to not only rip your ticket, but to make awkward social contact with you in a sea of unsmiling travelers. This is why my amount of disdain for train rides has exponentially grown with each passing year since my first ride on the choo-choo at age two (choo)…
It takes approximately forty-five minutes to get from Boston to my fortress of solitude. I travel home about twice a month, which means four rides a month, totaling an average of forty eight train rides a year. This means I spend 2,160 of the 525,600 minutes available to me per year in a train. Which all in all, is not too bad. My favorite human’s father spends about four times that amount. And for that, he receives my pity.
Today’s ride is quite ridiculous. There’s about 150 people packed into a car that holds 75 seats. Everyone’s tired, and everyone’s annoyed (except for the lucky 75 who sit in their comfy seats of glorification). I pass the time by watching people fall asleep briefly, but not before either drooling or resting their head on their neighbor’s shoulder. Then I noticed an intriguing advertisement.
The ad is for a 1-800 number that gives you directions to the nearest _____. There is a picture of an attractive girl sipping on a root-beer float while listening to a male talk about presumably nothing important. There is a compass to the right of this image- North: Chapel; East: Jazz Club; West: Italian Restaurant; South: Motel.
North: Chapel; South: Motel.
Call me crazy, but this seems a bit too coincidental. Everyone seems to accept the fact that the universal image of heaven is up (north), and that hell is down (south). And more than a few prominent religions also frown upon pre-marital sex. Also, it’s a universal assumption that no one but crack addicts and fornicators go to motels. So why would a motel even be in the equation, unless this root-beer sipping floozy happened to have romping on the mind.
Now, am I saying that this is pro-life propaganda? No. I just find it amusing how this type of thing slips through advertising editors so effortlessly. Now, if it said “North: Chapel; South: Brothel”, I’m sure someone would take exception to this. But since it’s simply ‘motel’, no problem. Who knows what the conditions surrounding this girl’s thoughts are, right? Maybe she just needs a change of scenery and opts for her change to involve “COLOR TV” signs and plastic mattress covers. Maybe she enjoys falling asleep to the sounds of uninhibited sex followed by the regret-filled pillow talk- maybe she misses prom.

Eagles

Wayne Blogged The...Eagles ---

The nameless, baseball sized bird that usually perches itself outside of my window was not to be seen today; instead, I am awoken by a vehicular shouting match. And as soon as I open my eyes, I am fucked. It’s raining outside- this usually doesn’t bother me, but today’s rain is different, it’s much more of a consistent drizzle than a downpour or rather pleasant mist. I should also mention that the clock reads 1 PM, which means it’s noon (I never did jump on the daylight’s saving bandwagon). Once I stumble out the door it’s already quarter past. I walk past a girl that one could only describe as “uneasily attractive”, she ignores my half smile and I continue to make my way to the mailroom. There is nothing about this morning that will stay with me past today and, strangely enough, that makes me sad.
My head is filled with (what should be forgettable) songs from the 1970s as my eyes soak in the scenes of another Tuesday morning. I’ve been listening to The Eagles’ Greatest Hits vol. 2 for about 35 minutes, and I am now prepared to fight anyone who claims Don Henley sucks. Maybe it’s because I grew up listening to these guys, or maybe it’s because I sometimes feel like takin’ it easy, but I can only think of two things wrong with The Eagles: the song “The Greeks Don’t Want No Freaks”, and Joe Walsh’s guitar faces.
My adoration for the smooth sounds of Southern California’s finest commercially successful country-rock may come as a surprise to everyone except my (non-existent) financial advisor. Over the course of my life, I have spent roughly $555 on The Eagles. This includes: three (3) concerts, two (2) concert t-shirts, two (2) live DVDs, one (1) live VHS, one (1) CD box set, three (3) greatest hits compilations, seven (7) studio albums CDs, two (2) studio albums cassettes, and two (2) live albums. Don’t even get me started on solo material!
The crazy thing is, The Eagles aren’t even my favorite band (granted they were from grades 2-9). I’ve never bought multiple copies of their albums merely for the “bonus content” which oddly enough, I already own (like I do with Elvis Costello), nor do I have a man-crush on any of the members of The Eagles (as I do with Jeff Tweedy of Wilco). In fact, I may actively participate in a conversation that mocks The Eagles, if a potential advancement in my social status rests on my inclusion in such an event. And that’s because I’m incredibly shallow, which is why I listen to The Eagles, which is why I’m shallow, etc.

Ghostbusters

Wayne Blogged The...Ghostbusters
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In 1984, I was negative four; not even an idea yet. So how could something that occurred in June of that year affect my life so (dare I say) drastically? It's now 2008 and Ghostbusters still holds the position of my absolute, undisputed, favorite movie of all time...ever.

Even as I grow older, there's a kid in me that will not deny the awesomeness of a proton pack. Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis, and Ernie Hudson were constant visitors to my television set as a child. In fact, I'd say that I've seen this film over 150 times. And yet, every time it's listed on the TV Guide, I'll watch it.

There's something brilliant about this movie. An unspoken hilarity within the interaction of the characters keeps me entertained every single time. And I've never found the movie to be "ha-ha" funny, just undeniably entertaining.

I've defended Ghostbusters 2 (the 1989 sequel) from the people who call it a "re-hash" or "moneymaker". Even if it is both of those things, who cares? We needed a sequel then, just like we do now. However, it's becoming increasingly clear that Ghostbusters 3 will not be made...at least not in this lifetime. So I throw my enthusiasm behind this fall's Ghostbusters: The Video Game.

Written by Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd, the video game is sure to kick a lot of ass. All the familiar characters (minus Dana Barrett) return, and are voiced by the original actors! And I'd be lying if I said that the announcement of this game did not persuade me into opting for an XBox 360 last winter (for the record, and for my withering dignity, about 35-40% of my ultimate decision was influenced by this information).

It seems so very odd that next summer this movie will hit the quarter-century mark. It truly is timeless. And although the actors may have aged, Ghostbusters never will...at least not in this incredibly nerdy writer's eyes.

Bandwagon

Wayne Blogged The...Bandwagon
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For as many years as I have been a sports fan, I have hated the "bangwagoners". The fair-weather-fans who jump on board with a team only when success soon follows. And believe me, in Boston, there are a lot of bandwagon-fans...and now, I am one of them.

And it's all because of three men: Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce.

As a kid, I loved two teams: the Boston Bruins and the New England Patriots. Around 1999, the Boston Red Sox joined this list. But I never liked the Celtics. In fact, as a naive grade-schooler, I once claimed that I was a Washington Wizards fan...but I didn't even like basketball at the time.

I'm also the first to admit that I didn't follow basketball until the acquisition of Kevin Garnett. But now, I'm hooked. Like any male over the age of 14 who resides within 100 yards of a television screen, I've watched The Celtics climb their way back into the Eastern Conference Championship. I've cheered, I've fist-pumped...and I am ashamed.

I've become what I've always hated. And while I'd like to think I've earned my right to root for the Celtics simply because I've rooted for a team that plays in the same arena as they do for as long as I can remember, I still feel...dirty.

But how can I not want the Green, White, and Gold machine to win it all. This city deserves it.

I don't only root for the team, I root for the fans. I sympathize with the Celtic-faithful as much as I'm sure they sympathize with me- an always optimistic Bruins fan. I cheer for the guy who watched the 1996 team lose 67 games; the same man who watched last year's Celtics scrum together 24 wins. He deserves to see this team win.

I'm ecstatic about the fact the the Boston Garden (I don't care what it's called now, it's the Boston Garden) is still seeing sports action this late in the season. The sold-out crowds at the Garden bring back a lot of memories of the original Hub (closed in 1995), and those memories also came back to me watching 17,565 people cheer on the Black and Gold in their latest post-season run.

So yes, I'm a bandwagon Celtics fan. And I'm sure, sometime in the future, when dark times once again hit the (not so) Irish legion, I won't be there. But I'm enjoying the ride...

Spygate Scandal

...see no evil...

Wayne Blogged The...Spygate Scandal
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"I think I speak for all Patriot fans when I say that we're relieved that this is over..."-Robert Kraft

The man certainly speaks for me. Following the week one victory against The Jets, I read a headline on my ESPN widget saying a Patriots employee was found with a tape of the defensive signals. My initial reaction was "...big deal...", and that opinion remains the same today.

"There isn't a team in the league that doesn't try to steal signals," a longtime NFL assistant coach confessed to ESPN. "But you can bet everybody is trying to steal in some way. In fact, you can go to any NFL game and you'll find some coach whose sole job is to look for defensive signals."

Does that make it right? No, but there is a certain power in numbers...

Bill Belichick is still a genius. In fact, I think this whole scandal solidifies the notion of his mastermind. Even if he is the Darth Vader of the NFL, who can deny the awesomeness of Darth Vader? (This, obviously, is not my strongest argument...pretty much the equivalent of "but...c'mon...")

So here we are, 3 months into the offseason, and the Spygate issue is "officially" laid to rest. The Patriots are now among the most hated teams in sports, Bill Bellichick is the unofficial villain of the National Football League, and yet, I feel great. Excited, rejuvenated, and looking forward to a great (scandal free) Patriots season. Now I just have to find something to do with myself until September.

Internet

Wayne Blogged The...Internet
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Welcome one, welcome all to the official Wayne Whittaker blog: Wayne Blogged The...

Simple idea, every entry will cleverly feature a subject which I shall "blog" about. And while I'm well aware that I'm not reinventing the wheel here, it should be fun.

Blogs are an odd commodity. Yet we've all read them; silently studying our friends, colleagues, associates, and enemies' attempts at humor and social understanding. So at the very least, I hope to aid your endless hours of procrastination and nurture your boredom.

Thank you internet, you've finally provided me with an outlet to share my opinions with the dozens of visitors this site shall be graced with.