We Suck Young Blood

It's time for some angst, baby! Apparently there will be a new "Twilight" movie and it will feature a Thom Yorke song on its soundtrack. "New Moon" is expected to be out October 20th and will feature a Thom Yorke track "Hearing Damage". Get out your pale makeup and feel like no one understands you! CHOO-WOO!

You can listen to the new song here:

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I don't know what to make of any of these new tracks that keep popping up and this one especially. Should I instantly like it because I'm such a fan or should I instantly hate it because it's associated with "Twilight"? So much conflict. On first listen, it is really catchy and has a cool "dance" vibe to it. It actually reminds me a little bit of Joy Division though don't quiz me on that.

In related news, (anything to keep this post from being entirely devoted to Twilight) the online music magazine Gigwise have voted "Idioteque" the best song of the 2000's. I don't know, seems like it doesn't fit. A great song though, no argument about that, but the best song of an entire decade is so hard to judge and in my opinion this wouldn't even achieve "best song on the album" . But it's particularly good live where every performance, around the same time, one of the variations of "the crazy dance" makes an appearance. Never get tired of it, never get tired of the song.

Here's a really good version. I remember a friend of mine taped it off MTV for me a long time ago:

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See the full top 50 list here.

The Best Show on TV That You're Not Watching (And Nor is Anyone Else)

In order to determine whether a car should include a certain safety feature, an auto company breaks the decision down in monetary terms. On one side is the cost, in dollar terms, of manufacturing, testing, assembling the safety feature and including it in the car. On the other is the dollar cost of the deaths that the safety feature would, otherwise, have prevented. By merely comparing the two dollar values, the company has decided which is the right thing to do: the dollar values summarize utility, the lesser cost is the greater good.

Is this right? Can everything be summed in dollar values? If so, what is the dollar value of a single life? $One million? $10 million? $3,409.55? If no, what criteria should be used to make such business decisions?

Such large questions are just a few of the questions raised within the space of a few minutes of the show "Justice: What's the Right Thing To Do?". The show's format is the following: film Michael Sandel's lectures at Harvard in which he surveys significant philosophies and then show them on TV. That's it.

There are no actors, there are no plot twists, there's no comedy or celebrity interviews, no special effects, flashy editing or catchy music. "Justice" merely presents the moral and logical arguments made by philosophers (particularly as they relate to the world today) and asks, "Do you agree?... Why?", often with surprising results. Such are the reasons why almost nobody is watching the show and such are the reasons why the show is so amazing. In short, it forces the viewer to learn, it forces the viewer to think, yet still leaves it up to the viewer to decide. In spirit, it reminds me of the series "Ethics in America" (also fantastic) though with more emphasis on formal philosophical history.

From the show's website: "Is torture ever justified? Would you steal a drug that your child needs to survive? Is it sometimes wrong to tell the truth? How much is one human life worth?"

You may be able to find "Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?" on your local PBS station.

You can buy the series on DVD here.

But you can watch the episodes online here.

The Plastic Yorke Band

The band that was previously reported featuring Thom Yorke and Flea has played 3 gigs in LA and have announced that they'll do more in the future.

The standout song (for me) is "Atoms For Peace".


Love the bass on this, reminds me of "Fame". "Paperbag Writer".


The entire first gig is available here.

In other news Radiohead have announced they'll be working on a new album this Winter.

Rocktober 1

It's officially Rocktober again and check me out, I'm Spock. Deal, dude.

Let's go back and relive the memories.



PS - Chevy Chase on Jimmy Fallon tonight. To introduce him the Roots, with special guest Lenny Kravitz, played the "National Lampoon's Summer Vacation" theme song. A joy.

Yacht Rock Party: Epilogue

Epilogue: Johnny Louis never made it to San Francisco. He was hit and killed by a drunk driver.

Adam and Katie were married later that summer but divorced 5 years later. Both have since remarried.

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As a bookend to the Yacht Rock Party, here are some notable Yacht Rock songs that I either love or are just evocative of memories from their era.

Steely Dan - Peg

Knowledgeable music listeners will recognize that this was sampled in the also cool "Eye Know" by De La Soul. This song features Michael McDonald.

The Doobie Brothers - What a Fool Believes

Written by Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins. Michael Jackson has also claimed to have contributed to at least one backing track but is not credited.

Jefferson Starship - Sara

OK, maybe this one doesn't belong here, I don't know, but I felt it should be included. It's the epitome of "smooth rock" for better or worse in my opinion. Hey, is that Rebecca Demornay?! Yes, it is. I'm no doctor but if you suspect storms are brewin' in your eyes, you should seek medical attention and/or a meteorologist immediately.

Michael McDonald - I Keep Forgettin'

Man, Michael McDonald is dominating this list. Again, sharp music listeners will note that this song was sampled later by Warren G on "Regulate".

Christopher Cross - Never Be the Same

I really wanted to use "Ride Like the Wind" but I thought I would avoid repetition. This song though, REALLY sounds like it was used as a television show theme in the 80s. Perhaps it's just my imagination but I think it's from somewhere. What am I thinking of? It's similar to the "Doogie Howser" theme, but I think there's something else... Anyway, good song.

Personal Perfection Plus Prolific Ping Pong Paddles Positively Patents Peoples Pointless Pride

Two things to watch for in this glorious video.

1) The sweat stains on the guy going against Mr. Perfect. It's ping pong dude.
2) Be sure to stay tuned to the very end for a signature Mr. Perfect move.