Sunday, December 26, 2010
Merry Christmas!
And a happy new year! Hope you and your families all have a great holiday season and a new year. Merry Christmas to all, and to all 3 more days of waiting for a grade from Hancock.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Manning and Deeg in 2020
As an early Christmas present to you and yours, and as a thank you for checking the blog, I present to you Manning and Deeg. Here, Deeg wakes up in the future and Manning explains to him what he has missed.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Senior Thoughts
Hello. My name is Adam. I used to write on here a bit. Some of you may remember me. I took the month of November off, simply because it is the most overrated of all the months. Debate on this to come at some other time.
It is currently 4:46 a.m. in the building formerly known as East Residence Hall and I am working what is going to be my second-to-last desk assistant shift. "Why is that?" you ask. Well I'll tell you, person. I got fired from the desk.
Yes. I know what you're thinking.
----shift to you thinking---
Isn't this the same desk that every female who's had (for anonymity purposes we'll refer to him as...) Victor Conte as a boss missed at least eleventy shifts and not gotten so much as a finger pointed at them? So you missed one in February to celebrate your probation being over and another in November because you couldn't get out of bed with your 101.9 fever and had to miss all your classes that you would have had...and you got fired?
Yes.
Well the person who fired you must have no soul.
No comment.
Seriously though, wasn't that person who fired you, Dolleen Tracy I think her name was, the same person who completely butchered the schedules during the summer?
That was her.
And didn't she also not know when your shifts in the summer were supposed to end, even though she was the one who was completely in charge of them?
She was both unaware and in charge, yes.
And wasn't the only reason why she did figure it out thanks to your roommate during the summer sessions, whom she recently placed on probation in addition to your termination?
Why, yes.
Wow. So basically she's allowed to make mistakes and you're not?
You said that, not me. ;)
Wow. What a (degrading term for a female).
Ok, that's enough.
Now besides this lovely piece of bad news, there are a couple other things I'd like to discuss with those of you who haven't forgotten about me.
1. I know that the Broncos suck this year. Believe me, you are not crushing my soul when you tell me the Broncos suck. I see this. I watch them. They are 3-8 for a reason. I don't still believe that they are going to make the playoffs. Also, the Broncos suck. If you ask me about the Broncos, then I will also assume that you are being a prick. If they were doing well, you probably would have heard more about them than the occasional DUI or, you know, videotaping an opponent's walkthrough after the only other time that that's been done that team received heavy ramifications for it and lost their first round draft pick.
And aren't the Broncos likely to get a pretty good first round draft pick? So they shouldn't really lose that, right?
You are good.
2. This year is flyyyyying by. Just think, for the half of you that went abroad sometime last year, you'd have two more weeks, and THAT would be as long as you were here last year. Seems outrageous right? Having said that, this year is very fascinating to me, and that's a good thing. So many things have changed, altered, crashed, burned, rekindled, blossomed, came-out-of-nowhere, morphed, roller-skated, misremembered, shotgunned, apparated since even just last year, that you would have thought that this year had gone on forever if you just read all the things that were different. But alas, it has been the fastest semester I can ever remember, and I really don't want to know how fast the second one is going to go.
That's all for now. Maybe I'll see how this blogging thing goes and see if I'll do another post, like maybe in another month or so...
It is currently 4:46 a.m. in the building formerly known as East Residence Hall and I am working what is going to be my second-to-last desk assistant shift. "Why is that?" you ask. Well I'll tell you, person. I got fired from the desk.
Yes. I know what you're thinking.
----shift to you thinking---
Isn't this the same desk that every female who's had (for anonymity purposes we'll refer to him as...) Victor Conte as a boss missed at least eleventy shifts and not gotten so much as a finger pointed at them? So you missed one in February to celebrate your probation being over and another in November because you couldn't get out of bed with your 101.9 fever and had to miss all your classes that you would have had...and you got fired?
Yes.
Well the person who fired you must have no soul.
No comment.
Seriously though, wasn't that person who fired you, Dolleen Tracy I think her name was, the same person who completely butchered the schedules during the summer?
That was her.
And didn't she also not know when your shifts in the summer were supposed to end, even though she was the one who was completely in charge of them?
She was both unaware and in charge, yes.
And wasn't the only reason why she did figure it out thanks to your roommate during the summer sessions, whom she recently placed on probation in addition to your termination?
Why, yes.
Wow. So basically she's allowed to make mistakes and you're not?
You said that, not me. ;)
Wow. What a (degrading term for a female).
Ok, that's enough.
Now besides this lovely piece of bad news, there are a couple other things I'd like to discuss with those of you who haven't forgotten about me.
1. I know that the Broncos suck this year. Believe me, you are not crushing my soul when you tell me the Broncos suck. I see this. I watch them. They are 3-8 for a reason. I don't still believe that they are going to make the playoffs. Also, the Broncos suck. If you ask me about the Broncos, then I will also assume that you are being a prick. If they were doing well, you probably would have heard more about them than the occasional DUI or, you know, videotaping an opponent's walkthrough after the only other time that that's been done that team received heavy ramifications for it and lost their first round draft pick.
And aren't the Broncos likely to get a pretty good first round draft pick? So they shouldn't really lose that, right?
You are good.
2. This year is flyyyyying by. Just think, for the half of you that went abroad sometime last year, you'd have two more weeks, and THAT would be as long as you were here last year. Seems outrageous right? Having said that, this year is very fascinating to me, and that's a good thing. So many things have changed, altered, crashed, burned, rekindled, blossomed, came-out-of-nowhere, morphed, roller-skated, misremembered, shotgunned, apparated since even just last year, that you would have thought that this year had gone on forever if you just read all the things that were different. But alas, it has been the fastest semester I can ever remember, and I really don't want to know how fast the second one is going to go.
That's all for now. Maybe I'll see how this blogging thing goes and see if I'll do another post, like maybe in another month or so...
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
NBA and World Series Previews
So I am going to combine previews into one single post, to cut down on carbon emissions.
So here is how I see the NBA shaping up this year, in pictures.
Eastern Conference:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Rest of east: Bobcats, Wizards, Pistons, Pacers, Nets, Cavs, Raptors
Western Conference:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Rest of west: Suns, Grizzlies, Warriors, Hornets, Clippers, Kings, Timberwolves
Now for the World Series!
Game 1:
Game 2:
Game 3:
Game 4:
Game 5:
Game 6:
So here is how I see the NBA shaping up this year, in pictures.
Eastern Conference:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Rest of east: Bobcats, Wizards, Pistons, Pacers, Nets, Cavs, Raptors
Western Conference:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Rest of west: Suns, Grizzlies, Warriors, Hornets, Clippers, Kings, Timberwolves
Now for the World Series!
Game 1:
Game 2:
Game 3:
Game 4:
Game 5:
Game 6:
Sunday, October 24, 2010
sucks
We basically just got beat by a team that's 5/8's as good as us.... happens.
WS@prediction: Texans in 4 or less. Glad Cliff Lee's gonna get a ring. Hamilton too.
F*ck cody ross. F*ck brian wilson ( I hope game 4 is a walkoff by nelson cruz off the beach boy). Pat burrell you're not getting another ring wtihout us. Not happening. NL jokes will most likely result. Whatever. We would have beat either junior circuit rep. Instead they get a bye.
Sad to see werth go. 5 tool players r hard to replace.
Maybe we won't be as inconsistent offensively next year. We still have a ballin rotation. Doc is better than ur ace. Just saying. Oswalts the shizz. Hollywood's our #3. Madson and lidge, both respectable. This ones on the offense. Has been all year. Id be shocked if the texans trail at all this series. Bloop hits and sac bunts aren't gonna fly against a team that isn't offensively stagnant.
I refuse to acknowledge taunts from anyone not a sf or texan fan. Thus since I know of neither: stfu.
Go broncos.
WS@prediction: Texans in 4 or less. Glad Cliff Lee's gonna get a ring. Hamilton too.
F*ck cody ross. F*ck brian wilson ( I hope game 4 is a walkoff by nelson cruz off the beach boy). Pat burrell you're not getting another ring wtihout us. Not happening. NL jokes will most likely result. Whatever. We would have beat either junior circuit rep. Instead they get a bye.
Sad to see werth go. 5 tool players r hard to replace.
Maybe we won't be as inconsistent offensively next year. We still have a ballin rotation. Doc is better than ur ace. Just saying. Oswalts the shizz. Hollywood's our #3. Madson and lidge, both respectable. This ones on the offense. Has been all year. Id be shocked if the texans trail at all this series. Bloop hits and sac bunts aren't gonna fly against a team that isn't offensively stagnant.
I refuse to acknowledge taunts from anyone not a sf or texan fan. Thus since I know of neither: stfu.
Go broncos.
Friday, October 15, 2010
NLCS and ALCS previews
Ok so the four teams remaining in the MLB Postseason are the Giants, Phillies, Yankees, and Rangers.
First off let's take a look at how I did in my first round predictions:
YANKEES in 3 - Right on.
RAYS in 5 - False, but got the length correct
PHILLIES in 4 - I'm ok underestimating my own team.
GIANTS in 5 - Probably would have been right if Brooks Conrad doesn't make 3 errors.
On to the Championship series plural. First up, the junior circuit.
Yankees vs. Rangers
Stories all around. Cliff Lee faces the Yankees again. How will the Yankees rotation handle the Rangers tough lineup? Can the rest of the Rangers' rotation behind Lee step up? Will Mo avenge his 0-2 record against the Rangers? How will Jeff Franceour do in his first meaningful game in New York City?
The Yankees had many people that were question marks coming in to the Twins' series step up (Pettitte because of injuries, Berkman, Granderson, Marcus Thames) and they will most likely need them to do the same against the Rangers. The Rangers will need to win a game at home in order to win this series. If CJ Wilson and Colby Lewis pitch as well as tehy did in the regular season, I think the Rangers will take the series. Should be a very good series
Prediction - Yankees in 7
Giants vs. Phillies
The pitching in this series gives me chills. Halladay, Lincecum, Sanchez, Oswalt, Hamels, Cain... yum. It will most likely come down to which ever team's hitting will step up. The Phillies may have more potential to do that, but anything can happen in the playoffs.
This series will most likely come down to the fourth starters (Blanton, Bumgarner) in what will be a crucial game four. Also, Lidge and Wilson will be key, as Lidge has been good since the All-Star break, while Wilson is 0-2 against the Phillies (sound familiar?)
Prediction - Phillies in 6
First off let's take a look at how I did in my first round predictions:
YANKEES in 3 - Right on.
RAYS in 5 - False, but got the length correct
PHILLIES in 4 - I'm ok underestimating my own team.
GIANTS in 5 - Probably would have been right if Brooks Conrad doesn't make 3 errors.
On to the Championship series plural. First up, the junior circuit.
Yankees vs. Rangers
Stories all around. Cliff Lee faces the Yankees again. How will the Yankees rotation handle the Rangers tough lineup? Can the rest of the Rangers' rotation behind Lee step up? Will Mo avenge his 0-2 record against the Rangers? How will Jeff Franceour do in his first meaningful game in New York City?
The Yankees had many people that were question marks coming in to the Twins' series step up (Pettitte because of injuries, Berkman, Granderson, Marcus Thames) and they will most likely need them to do the same against the Rangers. The Rangers will need to win a game at home in order to win this series. If CJ Wilson and Colby Lewis pitch as well as tehy did in the regular season, I think the Rangers will take the series. Should be a very good series
Prediction - Yankees in 7
Giants vs. Phillies
The pitching in this series gives me chills. Halladay, Lincecum, Sanchez, Oswalt, Hamels, Cain... yum. It will most likely come down to which ever team's hitting will step up. The Phillies may have more potential to do that, but anything can happen in the playoffs.
This series will most likely come down to the fourth starters (Blanton, Bumgarner) in what will be a crucial game four. Also, Lidge and Wilson will be key, as Lidge has been good since the All-Star break, while Wilson is 0-2 against the Phillies (sound familiar?)
Prediction - Phillies in 6
Thursday, October 14, 2010
I Made It
Made it through hell week #7 at Loyola. And this time... the end comes with my 22nd birthday celebration. Not really that excited I'm 22, but I do want to celebrate the end of a great year and hopefully the start of another great one.
So to all of you, cheers.
Now I'm going to listen to this with the volume up really loud. Peace.
So to all of you, cheers.
Now I'm going to listen to this with the volume up really loud. Peace.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Hell Week
This week is going to suck. Two exams, a paper (on a book I still have to get), another paper, a quiz, and 2 other assignments. Yuck. Thursday cannot come soon enough.
But, at least there was this...
Good luck to everyone.
But, at least there was this...
Good luck to everyone.
Monday, October 4, 2010
MLB 2010 Playoff Preview
Another fun baseball regular season has come and passed. And before too many more NL teams that didn't make the playoff fire their managers, let's take a look at what to expect in the postseason.
First up, the NL.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
The defending NL Champs look like a better team than in 09, basically because they have 3 aces opposed to 1 last year. Roy Halladay has been the horse that they thought they picked up and then some, as he will most likely receive his second Cy Young award. Roy Oswalt has a 1.75 ERA since coming from Houston. And perhaps most important is that Cole Hamels has pitched like his 2008 postseason self throughout May-September 2010. The offense meanwhile has been an enigma. There are times when they can put up crooked numbers in just about any innings, but there have also been games where they are a threat to get no-hit deep into ball games. Jayson Werth has had a big year stat-wise, but has often failed to hit with runners in scoring position. Jimmy Rollins has been injured for three different stints, including one for much of September. The Phils have the best record in the majors and are 45-15 since July 22.
VERDICT:
Another telling stat? Brad Lidge's ERA is 2.96, which is just slightly better than his 7.21 ERA of 2009. They will need him to pitch how he has this season in order to get back to the Fall Classic a third straight time
CINCINNATI REDS
Stat-wise the best offense in the NL and for good reason. Joey Votto is one of the favorites for the NL MVP. Scott Rolen and Johnny Gomes have provided power and RBIs. Orlando Cabrera has reached the postseason for the 6th straight year, and Brandon Phillips has adjusted nicely to hitting leadoff. The question mark for the Reds is their starting pitching. They don't really have a Halladay, Lincecum, Sabathia, Lee, or Price to depend on. That being said, Edinson Volquez has pitched nicely in his last 4 starts: (31 K, 8 BB, 6 ER, 0 HR in 27.2 IP). If he's back to his early-'08 form, watch out.
VERDICT:
Probably the team that no one is talking about in the NL and I think they like it that way. They have the dubious task of playing the Phillies in the first round short series, but if they steal one of the first 2 at Philly, there is no reason why they couldn't take the series.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Clinching on the last day of the season, the NL West champs are not to be taken lightly. Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez is one of the best threesomes in the playoffs, and the bullpen is stacked, led by closer Brian Wilson and his incredibly obnoxious facial hair (which again affirms my belief that, unless you are Mariano Rivera, you have to either be a douche or look like one to close baseball games. Brian Wilson may fulfill both quotas). The offense finally got the spark that it needed to win the division, and it gets its punch from Aubrey Huff, Pat Burrell, and Pablo Sandoval. The table is usually set nicely by Andres Torres and Freddy Sanchez. From top to bottom, the Giants figure to be a tough matchup for anyone.
VERDICT: I don't know how far they will go, but I do know that there will not be too many runs scored in their home park. And with their pitching, that doesn't bode well for visitors.
ATLANTA BRAVES
The wild card of the NL is one in every sense of the word. The Braves are in the postseason for the first time since 2005. It's Bobby Cox's last year, and he has done one of his finest jobs managing in a long time. They are not the healthiest team in the playoffs however, as they will need to rely on role players to fill in for players such as Chipper Jones, Kris Medlen, and 2010 team MVP - Martin Prado. Their rotation is anchored by Tim Hudson (who will pitch 2nd since he was needed on Sunday to make sure Atlanta got in), Derek Lowe, and Tommy Hanson. Atlanta's pitching, perhaps even more than Philadelphia's, has been victimized by random acts of offensive ineptitude, and if they don't get run support in the playoffs, it will be a short-lived postseason for the chop.
VERDICT:
The Bravos had a 7 game lead on July 22nd (fairly more games left to play than 17...) but had to settle for the wildcard spot. It shouldn't matter too much, since they rarely played for a crowd in their home games anyway.
AL
TAMPA BAY RAYS
The AL East Champs look even better than they did in 2008, at least pitching wise. David Price has stepped up into the ace role nicely, Wade Davis pitched way better than expected, and Matt Garza was one of eleventy six pitchers to throw a no-hitter in 2010. Evan Longoria is the focal point of the lineup, BJ Upton and Carl Crawford have tremendous speed in the outfield (the latter can also hit for power), Ben Zobrist has had a decent year proving that his 2009 year wasn't a fluke, and even people named Reid Brignac and Dan Johnson are winning games for them. Carlos Pena is having another down year, but will still feast on a mistake by a pitcher by hitting it either very far or very high off of an alcove on the roof.
VERDICT: The Rays have a legit closer too now in Rafael Soriano. They don't have that deer-in-the-headlights look to them like they did in 2008, and are one of the favorites to win the American League.
MINNESOTA TWINS
The Twins have won the division for the second straight year, but in order for their season to be a success they are going to need to do some winning in the postseason. They get a chance at redemption by facing the team that knocked them out last year in the first round. The Twins, like the Braves in the NL, are not the healthiest team in the playoffs, as they are without key men Justin Morneau and Kevin Slowey. And like the Reds, they don't really have that ace. Francisco Liriano gets the ball in game 1, and while he's had a great first half of the year (should have been an allstar), his last few starts have not been encouraging. Carl Pavano and Brian Duensing are likely to start games 2 and 3.
VERDICT: Joe Mauer is still one of the best players in the game, but he's going to need help from guys like Michael Cuddyer, Delmon Young, and Orlando Hudson who have all had good years to carry their performance into the postseason, which has been difficult for Twins' role players in recent years.
TEXAS RANGERS
The AL West champs seem to be built for the postseason, but they basically won the division by default. That being said, I don't think there's a team that wants to play the Rangers in the playoffs. Josh Hamilton is the front runner for the AL MVP, Michael Young and Elvis Andrus set the table nicely (it's good to see the former get into the postseason finally btw), Josh, Vlad, and Ian Kinsler pack the punch, and Bengie Molina has one of the best arms behind the plate (and is a threat to hit for the cycle apparently too). Their rotation is anchored by Cliff Lee, who had a tremendous 2009 postseason, and Colby Lewis and CJ Wilson have both been pleasant surprises as well.
VERDICT:
You have to like the Rangers chances given that they have an ace now in Cliff Lee. And who wouldn't want to have him? ... Oh, right.
NEW YORK YANKEES
The defending champions are this years' AL Wildcard, but that doesn't mean they are the underdogs. Robinson Cano, once considered an afterthought in the lineup, has been the Yankees most consistent hitter and is an AL MVP contender. Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira are always dangerous, as is Mr. October, Derek Jeter. Nick Swisher and Jorge Posada have each had plenty of clutch hits in the regular season, and the Yanks will need them to continue that in the postseason. The rotation is led by the big man, CC Sabathia. Andy Pettitte is returning from an injury, but if he pitches as he has throughout most of the season, the Yanks will have 2 aces. The big question may be who they pitch after Pettitte, as AJ Burnett has been a headache, Phil Hughes may be on an inning count, and Javier Vasquez has not pitched like he did in 2009. Mariano Rivera has had a shaky September, but you still have to have confidence in him in October.
VERDICT:
They aren't the 2009 Yankees, but they are still a threat to win it all. Players like Cano, CC, Swisher, and Brett Gardner have all had better 2010's than the year they won it all. Role players and/or new acquisitions such as Curtis Granderson, Marcus Thames, Kerry Wood, and whoever the third starter is could decide if the Bronx Bombers are celebrating in ... well, November, again.
OK, now let's get to some predictions.
PHILLIES - REDS
The Reds are a great story, but I think the Phillies' H2O and experience will be too much for them. PHILLIES in 4.
GIANTS - BRAVES
This may be the best division series. I think eventually the Giants will wear the Braves out, though it probably won't be pretty. GIANTS in 5.
RAYS - RANGERS
Another good divisional series. I could see this going either way, but I'm just going to go with my gut and say the Rays win it. RAYS in 5.
TWINS - YANKEES
The Twins have too many holes for the Yankees to not take advantage of them. The biggest question in this series will be which rapper will write this years' Yankees fight song. YANKEES in 3.
I'm not going to make my predictions for the rest of the postseason until the NLDS and ALDS are determined. But if you want an early prediction on what I think will happen, I think we will have a repeat of one of the past two World Series. That's all I'm saying for now.
First up, the NL.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
The defending NL Champs look like a better team than in 09, basically because they have 3 aces opposed to 1 last year. Roy Halladay has been the horse that they thought they picked up and then some, as he will most likely receive his second Cy Young award. Roy Oswalt has a 1.75 ERA since coming from Houston. And perhaps most important is that Cole Hamels has pitched like his 2008 postseason self throughout May-September 2010. The offense meanwhile has been an enigma. There are times when they can put up crooked numbers in just about any innings, but there have also been games where they are a threat to get no-hit deep into ball games. Jayson Werth has had a big year stat-wise, but has often failed to hit with runners in scoring position. Jimmy Rollins has been injured for three different stints, including one for much of September. The Phils have the best record in the majors and are 45-15 since July 22.
VERDICT:
Another telling stat? Brad Lidge's ERA is 2.96, which is just slightly better than his 7.21 ERA of 2009. They will need him to pitch how he has this season in order to get back to the Fall Classic a third straight time
CINCINNATI REDS
Stat-wise the best offense in the NL and for good reason. Joey Votto is one of the favorites for the NL MVP. Scott Rolen and Johnny Gomes have provided power and RBIs. Orlando Cabrera has reached the postseason for the 6th straight year, and Brandon Phillips has adjusted nicely to hitting leadoff. The question mark for the Reds is their starting pitching. They don't really have a Halladay, Lincecum, Sabathia, Lee, or Price to depend on. That being said, Edinson Volquez has pitched nicely in his last 4 starts: (31 K, 8 BB, 6 ER, 0 HR in 27.2 IP). If he's back to his early-'08 form, watch out.
VERDICT:
Probably the team that no one is talking about in the NL and I think they like it that way. They have the dubious task of playing the Phillies in the first round short series, but if they steal one of the first 2 at Philly, there is no reason why they couldn't take the series.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Clinching on the last day of the season, the NL West champs are not to be taken lightly. Lincecum, Cain, Sanchez is one of the best threesomes in the playoffs, and the bullpen is stacked, led by closer Brian Wilson and his incredibly obnoxious facial hair (which again affirms my belief that, unless you are Mariano Rivera, you have to either be a douche or look like one to close baseball games. Brian Wilson may fulfill both quotas). The offense finally got the spark that it needed to win the division, and it gets its punch from Aubrey Huff, Pat Burrell, and Pablo Sandoval. The table is usually set nicely by Andres Torres and Freddy Sanchez. From top to bottom, the Giants figure to be a tough matchup for anyone.
VERDICT: I don't know how far they will go, but I do know that there will not be too many runs scored in their home park. And with their pitching, that doesn't bode well for visitors.
ATLANTA BRAVES
The wild card of the NL is one in every sense of the word. The Braves are in the postseason for the first time since 2005. It's Bobby Cox's last year, and he has done one of his finest jobs managing in a long time. They are not the healthiest team in the playoffs however, as they will need to rely on role players to fill in for players such as Chipper Jones, Kris Medlen, and 2010 team MVP - Martin Prado. Their rotation is anchored by Tim Hudson (who will pitch 2nd since he was needed on Sunday to make sure Atlanta got in), Derek Lowe, and Tommy Hanson. Atlanta's pitching, perhaps even more than Philadelphia's, has been victimized by random acts of offensive ineptitude, and if they don't get run support in the playoffs, it will be a short-lived postseason for the chop.
VERDICT:
The Bravos had a 7 game lead on July 22nd (fairly more games left to play than 17...) but had to settle for the wildcard spot. It shouldn't matter too much, since they rarely played for a crowd in their home games anyway.
AL
TAMPA BAY RAYS
The AL East Champs look even better than they did in 2008, at least pitching wise. David Price has stepped up into the ace role nicely, Wade Davis pitched way better than expected, and Matt Garza was one of eleventy six pitchers to throw a no-hitter in 2010. Evan Longoria is the focal point of the lineup, BJ Upton and Carl Crawford have tremendous speed in the outfield (the latter can also hit for power), Ben Zobrist has had a decent year proving that his 2009 year wasn't a fluke, and even people named Reid Brignac and Dan Johnson are winning games for them. Carlos Pena is having another down year, but will still feast on a mistake by a pitcher by hitting it either very far or very high off of an alcove on the roof.
VERDICT: The Rays have a legit closer too now in Rafael Soriano. They don't have that deer-in-the-headlights look to them like they did in 2008, and are one of the favorites to win the American League.
MINNESOTA TWINS
The Twins have won the division for the second straight year, but in order for their season to be a success they are going to need to do some winning in the postseason. They get a chance at redemption by facing the team that knocked them out last year in the first round. The Twins, like the Braves in the NL, are not the healthiest team in the playoffs, as they are without key men Justin Morneau and Kevin Slowey. And like the Reds, they don't really have that ace. Francisco Liriano gets the ball in game 1, and while he's had a great first half of the year (should have been an allstar), his last few starts have not been encouraging. Carl Pavano and Brian Duensing are likely to start games 2 and 3.
VERDICT: Joe Mauer is still one of the best players in the game, but he's going to need help from guys like Michael Cuddyer, Delmon Young, and Orlando Hudson who have all had good years to carry their performance into the postseason, which has been difficult for Twins' role players in recent years.
TEXAS RANGERS
The AL West champs seem to be built for the postseason, but they basically won the division by default. That being said, I don't think there's a team that wants to play the Rangers in the playoffs. Josh Hamilton is the front runner for the AL MVP, Michael Young and Elvis Andrus set the table nicely (it's good to see the former get into the postseason finally btw), Josh, Vlad, and Ian Kinsler pack the punch, and Bengie Molina has one of the best arms behind the plate (and is a threat to hit for the cycle apparently too). Their rotation is anchored by Cliff Lee, who had a tremendous 2009 postseason, and Colby Lewis and CJ Wilson have both been pleasant surprises as well.
VERDICT:
You have to like the Rangers chances given that they have an ace now in Cliff Lee. And who wouldn't want to have him? ... Oh, right.
NEW YORK YANKEES
The defending champions are this years' AL Wildcard, but that doesn't mean they are the underdogs. Robinson Cano, once considered an afterthought in the lineup, has been the Yankees most consistent hitter and is an AL MVP contender. Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira are always dangerous, as is Mr. October, Derek Jeter. Nick Swisher and Jorge Posada have each had plenty of clutch hits in the regular season, and the Yanks will need them to continue that in the postseason. The rotation is led by the big man, CC Sabathia. Andy Pettitte is returning from an injury, but if he pitches as he has throughout most of the season, the Yanks will have 2 aces. The big question may be who they pitch after Pettitte, as AJ Burnett has been a headache, Phil Hughes may be on an inning count, and Javier Vasquez has not pitched like he did in 2009. Mariano Rivera has had a shaky September, but you still have to have confidence in him in October.
VERDICT:
They aren't the 2009 Yankees, but they are still a threat to win it all. Players like Cano, CC, Swisher, and Brett Gardner have all had better 2010's than the year they won it all. Role players and/or new acquisitions such as Curtis Granderson, Marcus Thames, Kerry Wood, and whoever the third starter is could decide if the Bronx Bombers are celebrating in ... well, November, again.
OK, now let's get to some predictions.
PHILLIES - REDS
The Reds are a great story, but I think the Phillies' H2O and experience will be too much for them. PHILLIES in 4.
GIANTS - BRAVES
This may be the best division series. I think eventually the Giants will wear the Braves out, though it probably won't be pretty. GIANTS in 5.
RAYS - RANGERS
Another good divisional series. I could see this going either way, but I'm just going to go with my gut and say the Rays win it. RAYS in 5.
TWINS - YANKEES
The Twins have too many holes for the Yankees to not take advantage of them. The biggest question in this series will be which rapper will write this years' Yankees fight song. YANKEES in 3.
I'm not going to make my predictions for the rest of the postseason until the NLDS and ALDS are determined. But if you want an early prediction on what I think will happen, I think we will have a repeat of one of the past two World Series. That's all I'm saying for now.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Thoughts During the 12-4am Shift
Hello world. I was wondering if you wanted to hear a day in the life of a DA at a freshman dorm during the Wednesday turning into Thursday shift of midnight to 4am. What's that? You'd rather just go back to Twitter and tell your followers that you had the Venti Iced Coffee at Starbucks?? OK! Well I'll tell you anyway!
Here are some of the things I pondered while at the 2nd floor desk in Flannery O'C....I mean East.
Why is there a TV on but A. no one watching it and B. where neither DA can see it? And also, why was it on Jay Leno?
Why are there more people coming in the downstairs door? UPDATE: I figured this one out. It's closer to ask to get off at the library for freshmen if they went to York, than if they asked to get off at Butler. Oh Freshmen, you are learning so fast. Soon you'll learn that there was absolutely no point in taking that FE100 and that it's just about pointless to pick up a package right after you get out of class.
Why does this one kid always come back by himself and talk to me? And he talks to me about the strangest things. Like first he tells me how crazy Reefers or York Road was (I really don't need to hear this) and how the Phillies will win the World Series this year (I REALLY don't need to hear this).
I must see Arthur at least 5 times a shift.
I can hear the downstairs DA way better than they can hear me. I know this because he asked me what I wanted to listen to, to which I responded "Um, I'm listening to music up here." Idiot freshmen DAs.
Why are there so many chairs and benches in this foyer? It's not like there's anything of interest on this floor...besides me.
Why did a Cowboys offensive lineman just follow me on Twitter? I'm dead serious. He actually did. Check it out: http://twitter.com/adamr14. also, FOLLOW ME for XXX fun!!
I'm doing this theology homework by using the Bible online instead of using the Bible that I brought. And thus, there is a Bible (still wrapped in plastic) sitting on the desk next to me as people come in inebriated. Good times.
There are so many cameras around here. I really hope the DC doesn't watch me either because I did some pretty not so subtle butt-scratches when no one was here.
I wonder if I could just throw something over the ledge and freak the sh*t out of the DA below me. Not worth it. If I really wanted to I could call him up from the stairwell and whisper "seven dayssssss" and then just casually walk back to my desk.
Here are some of the things I pondered while at the 2nd floor desk in Flannery O'C....I mean East.
Why is there a TV on but A. no one watching it and B. where neither DA can see it? And also, why was it on Jay Leno?
Why are there more people coming in the downstairs door? UPDATE: I figured this one out. It's closer to ask to get off at the library for freshmen if they went to York, than if they asked to get off at Butler. Oh Freshmen, you are learning so fast. Soon you'll learn that there was absolutely no point in taking that FE100 and that it's just about pointless to pick up a package right after you get out of class.
Why does this one kid always come back by himself and talk to me? And he talks to me about the strangest things. Like first he tells me how crazy Reefers or York Road was (I really don't need to hear this) and how the Phillies will win the World Series this year (I REALLY don't need to hear this).
I must see Arthur at least 5 times a shift.
I can hear the downstairs DA way better than they can hear me. I know this because he asked me what I wanted to listen to, to which I responded "Um, I'm listening to music up here." Idiot freshmen DAs.
Why are there so many chairs and benches in this foyer? It's not like there's anything of interest on this floor...besides me.
Why did a Cowboys offensive lineman just follow me on Twitter? I'm dead serious. He actually did. Check it out: http://twitter.com/adamr14. also, FOLLOW ME for XXX fun!!
I'm doing this theology homework by using the Bible online instead of using the Bible that I brought. And thus, there is a Bible (still wrapped in plastic) sitting on the desk next to me as people come in inebriated. Good times.
There are so many cameras around here. I really hope the DC doesn't watch me either because I did some pretty not so subtle butt-scratches when no one was here.
I wonder if I could just throw something over the ledge and freak the sh*t out of the DA below me. Not worth it. If I really wanted to I could call him up from the stairwell and whisper "seven dayssssss" and then just casually walk back to my desk.
Friday, September 10, 2010
NFL Preview
The National Football League has kicked off last night. I'm so excited. Finally a sport where I don't get lumped in with stereotypes about Philly fans. Let's make some more predictions that will go horribly wrong, shall we?
NFC EAST
1. Cowboys - They obviously feel like Miles Austin's year last year was not a fluke, as they paid him $50 million. If they can get that same productivity, as well as production from Felix Jones and Marion Barber, the offense will be easy for Tony Romo to manage. Record: 11-5
2. Redskins - I really don't like the rest of the NFC East at all this year. Like, if I hear that this is the best division in football when the second best team finishes 8-8 I'm going to flip. Anyway, the Skins shouldn't be too bad, as McNabb is still one of the 10 best QBs in the league. Switching to a 3-4 might be tough to get used to, and there will be games that their alone defense loses. Record: 8-8
3. Giants - I don't really think their offense will be that good this year, while their run defense is still suspect. That being said their passing defense is still one of the best in the league, and if they get early leads they will feast on opportunistic QBs. Record: 8-8
4. Eagles - I'm not sold on Kevin Kolb. They won't say it back home, but from an outside perspective I can't see how it's not a rebuilding year for the E-A-G-L-E-S eagles. Record: 7-9
AFC EAST
1. Jets - They took their time, but finally got their man signed. They also signed numerous big named free agents such as Antonio Cromartie, Jason Taylor, and Santonio Holmes. Their D is top notch, but their season will go as far as Mark Sanchez can take them. Record: 11-5
2. Patriots - New England has a young secondary which is their biggest weakness, but their biggest strength (#12) should probably make up for it most of the time. Record: 10-6
3. Dolphins - The wild cat is the wild card in this division. Bringing in F My Blog favorite/headache Brandon Marshall will make it easier on up-and-coming QB Chad Henne. Record: 8-8
4. Bills - please. Record 4-12
NFC SOUTH
1. Saints - A lot of experts are picking the Falcons to take the division and put the defending champs in the wild card. Not me. Record: 11-5
2. Falcons - So much of their season will live and die on the performance of QB Matt Ryan and his key receivers Roddy White and tight end Tony Gonzalez. Even though they didn't make the playoffs, last season, the Falcons could boast producing consecutive winnings seasons for the first time in franchise history. Record: 10-6
3. Panthers - Thankfully for the Panthers they can pound the ball on the ground led by DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Defensively they shed Julius Peppers so the D-line could be problematic. Same goes for their season. Record: 6-10
4. Buccaneers - Offensively the Bucs are challenged as they don't have much of a running game -- and who knows how quickly young quarterback Josh Freeman will grow or if he even will? Last season they averaged just 15 points a game. Record: 4-12
AFC SOUTH
1. Colts - Peyton Manning is still the best QB in the game. Record: 10-6
2. Titans - Vince Young had a rebirth last year and hopes to find the same kind of success for the full 2010 season. Record: 10-6
3. Texans - Really, shouldn't the Texans have had that breakout season that everyone seems to predict by now? Record: 9-7
4. Jaguars - It should be a painful year to watch for the hundreds of Jaguars fans. Record: 5-11
NFC North
1. Packers - Rodgers has matured into a fine talent and with receivers such as Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and third-year tight end Jermichael Finley, he has plenty of surehanded receivers. Record: 12-4
2. Vikings - He's back. Is anyone surprised? Record: 9-7
3. Bears - Record: 8-8
4. Lions - The Lions will once again be lousy in 2010 even though they reached rock bottom two years ago and are making a slow climb back to mediocrity. On the plus side they have a young talent in QB Matthew Stafford and a terrific wide receiver in Calvin Johnson. Record: 3-13
AFC North
1. Ravens - My now-hometown team looks better than ever. Maybe even better than 2000. Record: 12-4
2. Bengals - Maybe it's because I'm a sucker, but I'm buying the hype. Record: 11-5
3. Steelers - BigBen might not even start? yikes. Record: 6-10
4. Browns - Sigh. Record: 3-13
NFC West
1. 49ers - Alex Smith is showing signs that he's a legitimate starting quarterback and they sport a terrific running back in Frank Gore. The passing game has got to succeed to lessen Gore's load. Record: 8-8
2. Cardinals - This one's easy -- no Kurt Warner, no Anquan Boldin, no playoffs. Record: 7-9
3. Seahawks - Pete Carroll's back in the NFL. Enuff said. Record: 6-10
4. Rams - Sam Bradford should bring some excitement back to the franchise which not so long ago was billed as the Greatest Show on Turf. They may not be the greatest this season but they will be improved. Record: 6-10
AFC West
1. Chargers - The division you've been waiting for. I think SD won't dominate the regular season like they normally do, but they should easily coast to another division title. Record: 10-6
2. Broncos - TIM TEBOW IZ THE FUTURE!! Honestly, I think we should be good on offense and if we get any prodcution from our defense we could finally have that elusive winning record. Record: 9-7
3. Chiefs - They have young talent but I think they are just one year away from being relavent... and as their luck would have it, there may not be a next year. Record: 7-9
4. Raiders - Many predicting them to finish 2nd, but these people are forgetting that they are the Raiders.
NFC EAST
1. Cowboys - They obviously feel like Miles Austin's year last year was not a fluke, as they paid him $50 million. If they can get that same productivity, as well as production from Felix Jones and Marion Barber, the offense will be easy for Tony Romo to manage. Record: 11-5
2. Redskins - I really don't like the rest of the NFC East at all this year. Like, if I hear that this is the best division in football when the second best team finishes 8-8 I'm going to flip. Anyway, the Skins shouldn't be too bad, as McNabb is still one of the 10 best QBs in the league. Switching to a 3-4 might be tough to get used to, and there will be games that their alone defense loses. Record: 8-8
3. Giants - I don't really think their offense will be that good this year, while their run defense is still suspect. That being said their passing defense is still one of the best in the league, and if they get early leads they will feast on opportunistic QBs. Record: 8-8
4. Eagles - I'm not sold on Kevin Kolb. They won't say it back home, but from an outside perspective I can't see how it's not a rebuilding year for the E-A-G-L-E-S eagles. Record: 7-9
AFC EAST
1. Jets - They took their time, but finally got their man signed. They also signed numerous big named free agents such as Antonio Cromartie, Jason Taylor, and Santonio Holmes. Their D is top notch, but their season will go as far as Mark Sanchez can take them. Record: 11-5
2. Patriots - New England has a young secondary which is their biggest weakness, but their biggest strength (#12) should probably make up for it most of the time. Record: 10-6
3. Dolphins - The wild cat is the wild card in this division. Bringing in F My Blog favorite/headache Brandon Marshall will make it easier on up-and-coming QB Chad Henne. Record: 8-8
4. Bills - please. Record 4-12
NFC SOUTH
1. Saints - A lot of experts are picking the Falcons to take the division and put the defending champs in the wild card. Not me. Record: 11-5
2. Falcons - So much of their season will live and die on the performance of QB Matt Ryan and his key receivers Roddy White and tight end Tony Gonzalez. Even though they didn't make the playoffs, last season, the Falcons could boast producing consecutive winnings seasons for the first time in franchise history. Record: 10-6
3. Panthers - Thankfully for the Panthers they can pound the ball on the ground led by DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Defensively they shed Julius Peppers so the D-line could be problematic. Same goes for their season. Record: 6-10
4. Buccaneers - Offensively the Bucs are challenged as they don't have much of a running game -- and who knows how quickly young quarterback Josh Freeman will grow or if he even will? Last season they averaged just 15 points a game. Record: 4-12
AFC SOUTH
1. Colts - Peyton Manning is still the best QB in the game. Record: 10-6
2. Titans - Vince Young had a rebirth last year and hopes to find the same kind of success for the full 2010 season. Record: 10-6
3. Texans - Really, shouldn't the Texans have had that breakout season that everyone seems to predict by now? Record: 9-7
4. Jaguars - It should be a painful year to watch for the hundreds of Jaguars fans. Record: 5-11
NFC North
1. Packers - Rodgers has matured into a fine talent and with receivers such as Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and third-year tight end Jermichael Finley, he has plenty of surehanded receivers. Record: 12-4
2. Vikings - He's back. Is anyone surprised? Record: 9-7
3. Bears - Record: 8-8
4. Lions - The Lions will once again be lousy in 2010 even though they reached rock bottom two years ago and are making a slow climb back to mediocrity. On the plus side they have a young talent in QB Matthew Stafford and a terrific wide receiver in Calvin Johnson. Record: 3-13
AFC North
1. Ravens - My now-hometown team looks better than ever. Maybe even better than 2000. Record: 12-4
2. Bengals - Maybe it's because I'm a sucker, but I'm buying the hype. Record: 11-5
3. Steelers - BigBen might not even start? yikes. Record: 6-10
4. Browns - Sigh. Record: 3-13
NFC West
1. 49ers - Alex Smith is showing signs that he's a legitimate starting quarterback and they sport a terrific running back in Frank Gore. The passing game has got to succeed to lessen Gore's load. Record: 8-8
2. Cardinals - This one's easy -- no Kurt Warner, no Anquan Boldin, no playoffs. Record: 7-9
3. Seahawks - Pete Carroll's back in the NFL. Enuff said. Record: 6-10
4. Rams - Sam Bradford should bring some excitement back to the franchise which not so long ago was billed as the Greatest Show on Turf. They may not be the greatest this season but they will be improved. Record: 6-10
AFC West
1. Chargers - The division you've been waiting for. I think SD won't dominate the regular season like they normally do, but they should easily coast to another division title. Record: 10-6
2. Broncos - TIM TEBOW IZ THE FUTURE!! Honestly, I think we should be good on offense and if we get any prodcution from our defense we could finally have that elusive winning record. Record: 9-7
3. Chiefs - They have young talent but I think they are just one year away from being relavent... and as their luck would have it, there may not be a next year. Record: 7-9
4. Raiders - Many predicting them to finish 2nd, but these people are forgetting that they are the Raiders.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
1 - RADIOHEAD
First off, I want to say thank you to all of you who kept up with my blog during this countdown, whether daily (which would be more than me) or every now and then. It's been great sharing my interests with you all and here's hoping that something along the way caught your interest and you can now appreciate it for the hard work that the people behind it put into it. There are probably 100 more bands that deserve my and your ears here's hoping we find them.
Second, do not worry. After this is over, my blog will return to the trademark wit and creativity that it's known for... or something like that.
I wanna live, breathe
At long last we have finally reached the end. And what an end we've reached. The acquired taste of alternative rock, the prime rib of the music steakhouse, my favorite band, Radiohead is at number one.
I'm not going to lie, there are plenty of times I wonder if Radiohead is really my favorite band. I mean Pearl Jam puts on amazing shows, changes their setlist a bagillion times, and the frontman buys beer for fans. Tool writes songs in 9.5/8 time signature and has a song that has words' syllables in the Fibonacci sequence. Incubus was the first concert I've ever been to and produced the sounds of my middle school. And Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse has a lyric in just about every song he writes that makes you think, re-think, double think and then grin because you think you understand...until you hear it a second time.
And I think for a moment of telling myself I have a new favorite band. But there's really only one thing I need to do to reinforce my favorite band. And that is listen to Radiohead's OK Computer on my bed with headphones. This will always be my favorite album, and listening to it from start to finish is one of the greatest joys I think a person can achieve solely through music. Their other albums (Pablo Honey excluded, still above average) are all also great musical achievments.
Wiki - Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano, beats), Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, keyboard, other instruments), Ed O'Brien (guitar, backing vocals), Colin Greenwood (bass guitar, synthesisers) and Phil Selway (drums, percussion).
Radiohead released their first single, "Creep", in 1992. The song was initially unsuccessful, but it became a worldwide hit several months after the release of their debut album, Pablo Honey (1993). Radiohead's popularity rose in the United Kingdom with the release of their second album, The Bends (1995). Radiohead's third album, OK Computer (1997), propelled them to greater international fame. Featuring an expansive sound and themes of modern alienation, OK Computer has often been acclaimed as a landmark record of the 1990s.
Kid A (2000) and Amnesiac (2001) marked an evolution in Radiohead's musical style, as the group incorporated experimental electronic music, Krautrock, post-punk and jazz influences. Hail to the Thief (2003), a mix of guitar-driven rock, electronics and lyrics inspired by war, was the band's final album for their major record label, EMI. The band's first six albums, released via EMI, had sold more than twenty-five million copies by 2007. Radiohead independently released their seventh album, In Rainbows (2007), originally as a digital download for which customers could set their own price, and later in physical form to critical and chart success.
Radiohead's work has appeared in a large number of listener polls and critics' lists. In 2005, Radiohead were ranked number 73 in Rolling Stone's list of "The Greatest Artists of All Time". Radiohead's live shows have also received acclaim. In 2004, Q readers voted the band's headlining performance at the 1997 Glastonbury Festival as the greatest British gig of all time, and in 2008, the band were ranked 14th in Classic Rock's "50 Best Live Acts of All Time". While the band's earlier albums were influential on British rock and pop music, musicians in a wide variety of genres have been influenced by their later work.
Discography -
1993: Pablo Honey
1995: The Bends^
1997: OK Computer*^
2000: Kid A
2001: Amnesiac
2003: Hail to the Thief
2007: In Rainbows
*-best album
^-top 10 fave albums
top 25 Radiohead songs
25 - Just
24 - Everything In Its Right Place
23 - Lucky
22 - Talk Show Host
21 - There, There
20 - 15 Step
19 - True Love Waits
18 - Electioneering
17 - How to Disappear Completely
16 - Idioteque
15 - No Surprises
14 - Jigsaw Falling Into Place
13 - Anyone Can Play Guitar
12 - High And Dry
11 - You And Whose Army?
10 - Karma Police
9 - Optimistic
8 - Go To Sleep
7 - The National Anthem
6 - Fake Plastic Trees
5 - Airbag
4 - Let Down
3 - Paranoid Android
2 - My Iron Lung
1 - Subterranean Homesick Alien
Radiohead - Street Spirit (Fade Out)
Uploaded by camiloandrex. - See the latest featured music videos.
Radiohead - Karma Police
Uploaded by donhubert. - Watch more music videos, in HD!
That's it folks.
Second, do not worry. After this is over, my blog will return to the trademark wit and creativity that it's known for... or something like that.
I wanna live, breathe
I wanna be part of the human race
At long last we have finally reached the end. And what an end we've reached. The acquired taste of alternative rock, the prime rib of the music steakhouse, my favorite band, Radiohead is at number one.
I'm not going to lie, there are plenty of times I wonder if Radiohead is really my favorite band. I mean Pearl Jam puts on amazing shows, changes their setlist a bagillion times, and the frontman buys beer for fans. Tool writes songs in 9.5/8 time signature and has a song that has words' syllables in the Fibonacci sequence. Incubus was the first concert I've ever been to and produced the sounds of my middle school. And Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse has a lyric in just about every song he writes that makes you think, re-think, double think and then grin because you think you understand...until you hear it a second time.
And I think for a moment of telling myself I have a new favorite band. But there's really only one thing I need to do to reinforce my favorite band. And that is listen to Radiohead's OK Computer on my bed with headphones. This will always be my favorite album, and listening to it from start to finish is one of the greatest joys I think a person can achieve solely through music. Their other albums (Pablo Honey excluded, still above average) are all also great musical achievments.
Wiki - Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano, beats), Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, keyboard, other instruments), Ed O'Brien (guitar, backing vocals), Colin Greenwood (bass guitar, synthesisers) and Phil Selway (drums, percussion).
Radiohead released their first single, "Creep", in 1992. The song was initially unsuccessful, but it became a worldwide hit several months after the release of their debut album, Pablo Honey (1993). Radiohead's popularity rose in the United Kingdom with the release of their second album, The Bends (1995). Radiohead's third album, OK Computer (1997), propelled them to greater international fame. Featuring an expansive sound and themes of modern alienation, OK Computer has often been acclaimed as a landmark record of the 1990s.
Kid A (2000) and Amnesiac (2001) marked an evolution in Radiohead's musical style, as the group incorporated experimental electronic music, Krautrock, post-punk and jazz influences. Hail to the Thief (2003), a mix of guitar-driven rock, electronics and lyrics inspired by war, was the band's final album for their major record label, EMI. The band's first six albums, released via EMI, had sold more than twenty-five million copies by 2007. Radiohead independently released their seventh album, In Rainbows (2007), originally as a digital download for which customers could set their own price, and later in physical form to critical and chart success.
Radiohead's work has appeared in a large number of listener polls and critics' lists. In 2005, Radiohead were ranked number 73 in Rolling Stone's list of "The Greatest Artists of All Time". Radiohead's live shows have also received acclaim. In 2004, Q readers voted the band's headlining performance at the 1997 Glastonbury Festival as the greatest British gig of all time, and in 2008, the band were ranked 14th in Classic Rock's "50 Best Live Acts of All Time". While the band's earlier albums were influential on British rock and pop music, musicians in a wide variety of genres have been influenced by their later work.
Discography -
1993: Pablo Honey
1995: The Bends^
1997: OK Computer*^
2000: Kid A
2001: Amnesiac
2003: Hail to the Thief
2007: In Rainbows
*-best album
^-top 10 fave albums
top 25 Radiohead songs
25 - Just
24 - Everything In Its Right Place
23 - Lucky
22 - Talk Show Host
21 - There, There
20 - 15 Step
19 - True Love Waits
18 - Electioneering
17 - How to Disappear Completely
16 - Idioteque
15 - No Surprises
14 - Jigsaw Falling Into Place
13 - Anyone Can Play Guitar
12 - High And Dry
11 - You And Whose Army?
10 - Karma Police
9 - Optimistic
8 - Go To Sleep
7 - The National Anthem
6 - Fake Plastic Trees
5 - Airbag
4 - Let Down
3 - Paranoid Android
2 - My Iron Lung
1 - Subterranean Homesick Alien
Radiohead - Street Spirit (Fade Out)
Uploaded by camiloandrex. - See the latest featured music videos.
Radiohead - Karma Police
Uploaded by donhubert. - Watch more music videos, in HD!
That's it folks.
Monday, August 30, 2010
2 - Pearl Jam
I know someday you'll have a beautiful life, I know you'll be a star
In somebody else's sky, but why, why, why
Can't it be, can't it be mine?
At number 2 is Pearl Jam. Before college, Pearl Jam was really not even a band that I listened too at all. I'm so glad I started to eventually because they truly one of the best groups of all time.
Wiki - Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder (lead vocals, guitar), Jeff Ament (bass guitar), Stone Gossard (rhythm guitar), and Mike McCready (lead guitar). The band's current drummer is Matt Cameron, also of Soundgarden, who has been with the band since 1998.
Formed after the demise of Ament and Gossard's previous band, Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam broke into the mainstream with its debut album, Ten. One of the key bands of the grunge movement in the early 1990s, Pearl Jam was criticized early on as being a corporate cash-in on the alternative rock explosion. However, over the course of the band's career its members became noted for their refusal to adhere to traditional music industry practices, including refusing to make music videos and engaging in a much-publicized boycott of Ticketmaster. In 2006, Rolling Stone described the band as having "spent much of the past decade deliberately tearing apart their own fame."
Since its inception, the band has sold over thirty million records in the U.S., and an estimated sixty million worldwide. Pearl Jam has outlasted many of its contemporaries from the alternative rock breakthrough of the early 1990s, and is considered one of the most influential bands of the decade. Allmusic refers to Pearl Jam as "the most popular American rock & roll band of the '90s."
Discography -
Ten (1991)*^
Vs. (1993)
Vitalogy (1994)
No Code (1996)
Yield (1998)*
Binaural (2000)
Riot Act (2002)
Pearl Jam (2006)
Backspacer (2009)
*-best albums
^-top 10 fave album
top 20 PJ Songs
20 - Dissident
19 - All Those Yesterdays
18 - Jeremy
17 - Rats
16 - I Am Mine
15 - Amongst The Waves
14 - Just Breathe
13 - In Hiding
12 - Brother
11 - Given to Fly
10 - Better Man
9 - Nothingman
8 - Life Wasted
7 - Release
6 - Inside Job
5 - Black
4 - Yellow Ledbetter
3 - Come Back
2 - Rearviewmirror
1 - Alive
A lot of people can't get into Pearl Jam (and the band who's at #1) because they don't like the lead singer's voice. And that's fine, there are plenty of bands that I can't get into because I don't like the singer's voice. But even these people cannot dismiss the fact that Eddie Vedder is one of the best lyricists of all time. Where Eddie really excels in his writing is the way that he can tell stories when he writes (see Alive, Present Tense, Gone, Why Go).
Mike McCready's solos are always full of soul and Vedder's passion on the mic is often recipricated through McCready's guitar pick.
These guys also played the best rock concert I've ever seen on October 30, 2009 at the Spectrum.
-I'm the one at 2:03 in the Phillies shirt..easy to see
Next Up: This long trip comes down... from a great height...from a greaaaaat heighttttt
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Top Ten Albums
So throughout this lovely countdown that I've been taking you through, I've been dropping nuggets about my top ten favorite albums from any artist. And now, that list is finally here. My favorite ten albums of all time!!
10. Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation
Key Tracks: Teenage Riot, Eric's Trip, Silver Rocket, Candle
9. Pearl Jam - Ten
Key Tracks: Even Flow, Alive, Black, Jeremy, Release
8. Metallica - Master of Puppets
Key Tracks: Battery, Master of Puppets, Welcome Home (Sanitarium), Orion
7. Radiohead - The Bends
Key Tracks: High And Dry, Fake Plastic Trees, Just, My Iron Lung
6. Weezer - Weezer (The Blue Album)
Key Tracks: Buddy Holly, Say It Ain't So, Holiday, Only In Dreams
5. Modest Mouse - The Moon & Antarctica
Key Tracks: 3rd Planet, Gravity Rides Everything, Dark Center of the Universe, Paper Thin Walls
4. The Strokes - Is This It?
Key Tracks: Someday, Last Nite, Hard to Explain, Take It Or Leave It
3. Incubus - Morning View
Key Tracks: Nice To Know You, Wish You Were Here, 11AM, Under My Umbrella, Aqueous Transmission
2. Tool - Lateralus
Key Tracks: The Grudge, Schism, Parabola, Lateralus
1. Radiohead - OK Computer
Key tracks: Paranoid Android, Subterranean Homesick Alien, Let Down, Karma Police
10. Sonic Youth - Daydream Nation
Key Tracks: Teenage Riot, Eric's Trip, Silver Rocket, Candle
9. Pearl Jam - Ten
Key Tracks: Even Flow, Alive, Black, Jeremy, Release
8. Metallica - Master of Puppets
Key Tracks: Battery, Master of Puppets, Welcome Home (Sanitarium), Orion
7. Radiohead - The Bends
Key Tracks: High And Dry, Fake Plastic Trees, Just, My Iron Lung
6. Weezer - Weezer (The Blue Album)
Key Tracks: Buddy Holly, Say It Ain't So, Holiday, Only In Dreams
5. Modest Mouse - The Moon & Antarctica
Key Tracks: 3rd Planet, Gravity Rides Everything, Dark Center of the Universe, Paper Thin Walls
4. The Strokes - Is This It?
Key Tracks: Someday, Last Nite, Hard to Explain, Take It Or Leave It
3. Incubus - Morning View
Key Tracks: Nice To Know You, Wish You Were Here, 11AM, Under My Umbrella, Aqueous Transmission
2. Tool - Lateralus
Key Tracks: The Grudge, Schism, Parabola, Lateralus
1. Radiohead - OK Computer
Key tracks: Paranoid Android, Subterranean Homesick Alien, Let Down, Karma Police
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
3 - Incubus
If this is right, I'd rather be wrong.
If this is sight, I'd rather be blind.
At numero tres is alternative rock band, Incubus. Incubus was my favorite band all through grade school and through some of high school, and was my first real concert that I attended.
Wiki - Incubus is an American rock band, from Calabasas, California. The band was formed in 1991 by vocalist Brandon Boyd, lead guitarist Mike Einziger, and drummer Jose Pasillas while enrolled in high school. The band expanded to include bassist Alex "Dirk Lance" Katunich, and Gavin "DJ Lyfe" Koppell, both of whom were eventually replaced by bassist Ben Kenney, and DJ Kilmore respectively.
Incubus has received both critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching multi-platinum sales, as well as releasing several highly successful singles. The band started branching out creatively and earned mainstream recognition with the release of their 1999 album Make Yourself. In 2001, Incubus became hugely successful with the single "Drive" and their follow up album Morning View. Their latest studio album, Light Grenades, debuted at #1 in 2006 and has received Gold certification in the U.S. Incubus released their first greatest hits album Monuments and Melodies in June 2009, accompanied by a tour of the United States and Canada.
Discography -
Fungus Amongus (1995)
S.C.I.E.N.C.E. (1997)
Make Yourself (1999)
Morning View (2001)*
A Crow Left of the Murder... (2004)
Light Grenades (2006)
*-best album/top ten fave album
Top 20 Incubus Songs
20 - Pardon Me
19 - Talk Shows On Mute
18 - Stellar
17 - Dig
16 - Circles
15 - Warning
14 - Aqueous Transmission
13 - Nice to Know You
12 - Are You In?
11 - Hilikus
10 - 11AM
9 - Psychopsilocybin
8 - Idiot Box
7 - Summer Romance (Anti-Gravity Love Song)
6 - Sink Beneath The Line
5 - Wish You Were Here
4 - Under My Umbrella
3 - Sick Sad Little World
2 - Deep Inside
1 - Nowhere Fast
I've seen Incubus 3 times, and that number needs to go up. I'm hoping they tour again in 2011 because I missed them last time they came around. There may be better musicians on this countdown, but there aren't better people.
Old Incubus is way different than newer Incubus, but both kick ass, so both are getting their due in my blog
next up: my top ten albums
Monday, August 23, 2010
Best of the Rest
In the spirit of music lists, here are my favorite songs that definitely deserved to be recognized from bands that did not make my top 100 (at least they wouldn't have in February)
Minus the Bear - Absinthe Party at the Fly Honey Warehouse
Thrice - Stare at the Sun
Mos Def - Quiet Dog
Jay-Z - 99 Problems
Fatboy Slim - That Old Pair of Jeans
Street Sweeper Social Club - 100 Little Curses
Ramones - I Wanna Be Sedated
Passion Pit - The Reeling
Cake - The Distance
Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up
Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal
The Used - I Caught Fire
Wu-Tang Clan - Wu Tang Clan Ain't Nothing To Fuck With (Tom Morello remix)
Streetlight Manifesto - Somewhere In The Between
Talib Kweli - Get By
Rancid - Ruby Soho
Temple of the Dog - Say Hello 2 Heaven
Yeasayer - O.N.E.
Aaaaaand guilty pleasure time:
Earth Wind & Fire - Shining Star
Rod Stewart - Gasoline Alley
Minus the Bear - Absinthe Party at the Fly Honey Warehouse
Thrice - Stare at the Sun
Mos Def - Quiet Dog
Jay-Z - 99 Problems
Fatboy Slim - That Old Pair of Jeans
Street Sweeper Social Club - 100 Little Curses
Ramones - I Wanna Be Sedated
Passion Pit - The Reeling
Cake - The Distance
Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up
Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal
The Used - I Caught Fire
Wu-Tang Clan - Wu Tang Clan Ain't Nothing To Fuck With (Tom Morello remix)
Streetlight Manifesto - Somewhere In The Between
Talib Kweli - Get By
Rancid - Ruby Soho
Temple of the Dog - Say Hello 2 Heaven
Yeasayer - O.N.E.
Aaaaaand guilty pleasure time:
Earth Wind & Fire - Shining Star
Rod Stewart - Gasoline Alley
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
4 - Tool
We'll ride the spiral to the end, and may just go where no one's been.
At number 4 is metal icons, Tool. The above quote is so awesome that it made my middle school yearbook quote. What an honor.
Wiki Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed in 1990. Since their inception, the band's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour. Tool has won three Grammy Awards, performed worldwide tours, and produced albums topping the charts in several countries.
Tool emerged with a heavy metal sound on their first studio album Undertow in 1993, and later became a dominant act in the alternative metal movement with the release of their second effort, Ænima, in 1996. Their efforts to unify musical experimentation, visual arts, and a message of personal evolution continued with Lateralus (2001) and the most recent album 10,000 Days (2006), gaining the band critical acclaim and success around the world.
Due to Tool's incorporation of visual arts and relatively long and complex releases, the band is generally described as a style-transcending act and part of progressive rock and art rock. The relationship between the band and today's music industry is ambivalent, at times marked by censorship and the band members' insistence on privacy.
Discography -
* Undertow (1993)
* Ænima (1996)
* Lateralus (2001)*
* 10,000 Days (2006)
*-best album/top 10 favorite
Top 20 Tool Songs:
20 - The Grudge
19 - Sober
18 - Rosetta Stoned
17 - Flood
16 - Third Eye
15 - H.
14 - Right in Two
13 - Parabola
12 - Intolerance
11 - Opiate
10 - Jambi
9 - Vicarious
8 - Eulogy
7 - Stinkfist
6 - The Pot
5 - Aenema
4 - Forty Six and 2
3 - Schism
2 - Lateralus
1 - Prison Sex
Tool Lyrics:
"I'm breathing so I guess I'm still alive, even if signs seem to tell me other wise."
"I know the pieces fit, cause I watched them fall apart."
"Vicariously I live while the whole world dies. Much better you than I."
"Pain is an illusion."
"Silence leech and stay out of my way"
"Learn to swim"
"Here in this hopeless fucking hole we call LA. The only way to fix it is to flush it all away."
Picture hint was Tim Allen. It's "Tool Time"!
And hey, I was here!
next up: my favorite songs from bands that didnt make this countdown
Monday, August 16, 2010
5 - Modest Mouse
THE TOP FIVE IS FINALLY HERE! NOW HERE's FIVE AWESOME BANDS THAT SOUND NOTHING LIKE EACH OTHER!
At number 5 is Modest Mouse, the second best band to quote on this countdown. Like seriously, some of the lyrics Isaac Brock writes are some of the best things I've ever read. But maybe that's because I haven't read many books.
Wiki - Modest Mouse is an American indie rock band formed in 1993 in Issaquah, Washington by singer/lyricist/guitarist Isaac Brock, drummer Jeremiah Green, and bassist Eric Judy. They are based in Portland, Oregon. Since their 1996 debut album, This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About, their lineup has centered around Brock, Green and Judy. Guitarist Johnny Marr (formerly of The Smiths) joined the band in May 2006, along with percussionist Joe Plummer (formerly of the Black Heart Procession) and multi-instrumentalist Tom Peloso, to work on the album We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank. Guitarist Jim Fairchild joined the band in February 2009.
The band has accrued significant mainstream success since being signed to Sony's Epic Records in 2000 and have been one of the leading bands in the popularization of indie rock, beginning with The Moon & Antarctica and Good News for People Who Love Bad News, which have been certified gold and platinum by the RIAA respectively. They have gone on to sell over three million records since. Elements of Modest Mouse's early sound have been likened to or inspired by that of Pixies and numerous other alternative rock and space rock bands. Their name is derived from a passage from the Virginia Woolf story "The Mark on the Wall" which reads, "I wish I could hit upon a pleasant track of thought, a track indirectly reflecting credit upon myself, for those are the pleasantest thoughts, and very frequent even in the minds of modest, mouse-coloured people, who believe genuinely that they dislike to hear their own praises."
Discography -
Studio albums
This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About (1996)
The Lonesome Crowded West (1997)*
The Moon & Antarctica (2000)*^
Good News for People Who Love Bad News (2004)
We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (2007)
EPs
Blue Cadet-3, Do You Connect? (1994)
Interstate 8 (1996)
The Fruit That Ate Itself (1997)
Night on the Sun (1999)
Building Nothing Out of Something (2000)
Everywhere and His Nasty Parlour Tricks (2001)
Sad Sappy Sucker (2001)
Baron von Bullshit Rides Again (2004)
No One's First and You're Next (2009)
*best albums
^top 10 favorite album
Top 20 Modest Mouse songs (deciding this alone almost took the whole 2.5 weeks between posts)
20 Dashboard
19 Gravity Rides Everything
18 Satelitte Skin
17 The View
16 Dark Center of the Universe
15 Ocean Breathes Salty
14 Jesus Christ Was An Only Child
13 Tiny Cities Made of Ashes
12 Float On
11 Parting of the Sensory
10 Florida
9 Spitting Venom
8 Night On The Sun
7 Never Ending Math Equation
6 Talking Sh*t About A Pretty Sunset
5 Missed the Boat
4 Dramamine
3 Trailer Trash
2 3rd Planet
1 Styrofoam Boots/It's All Nice, Alright
Modest Mouse is sharp, poignant indie rock. It is loud and aggressive, but it is also peaceful and ambient. Frontman Isaac Brock is known for his strong stage presence. Seeing them live is a must as they change their setlist around show-to-show, which I really respect in a band (see Pearl Jam), and you never know what shenanigan Brock might get into with the crowd.
For me, MM is introspective, and I love listening to them while contemplating life. LCW and tM&A are both worth listening to front to end, and Dramamine is my hangover song.
Now check them out, and their two drummers.
Ah yes, the clue for ModestMouse was the drawings done by the late Heath (Heath Heath Heath Heath) Ledger for the music video of the song "King Rat". The next clue is not quite so obvious.
next up: Shadows, Spirals, and Sodomy.
In this life that we call home, the years go fast and the days go so slow.
At number 5 is Modest Mouse, the second best band to quote on this countdown. Like seriously, some of the lyrics Isaac Brock writes are some of the best things I've ever read. But maybe that's because I haven't read many books.
Wiki - Modest Mouse is an American indie rock band formed in 1993 in Issaquah, Washington by singer/lyricist/guitarist Isaac Brock, drummer Jeremiah Green, and bassist Eric Judy. They are based in Portland, Oregon. Since their 1996 debut album, This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About, their lineup has centered around Brock, Green and Judy. Guitarist Johnny Marr (formerly of The Smiths) joined the band in May 2006, along with percussionist Joe Plummer (formerly of the Black Heart Procession) and multi-instrumentalist Tom Peloso, to work on the album We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank. Guitarist Jim Fairchild joined the band in February 2009.
The band has accrued significant mainstream success since being signed to Sony's Epic Records in 2000 and have been one of the leading bands in the popularization of indie rock, beginning with The Moon & Antarctica and Good News for People Who Love Bad News, which have been certified gold and platinum by the RIAA respectively. They have gone on to sell over three million records since. Elements of Modest Mouse's early sound have been likened to or inspired by that of Pixies and numerous other alternative rock and space rock bands. Their name is derived from a passage from the Virginia Woolf story "The Mark on the Wall" which reads, "I wish I could hit upon a pleasant track of thought, a track indirectly reflecting credit upon myself, for those are the pleasantest thoughts, and very frequent even in the minds of modest, mouse-coloured people, who believe genuinely that they dislike to hear their own praises."
Discography -
Studio albums
This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think About (1996)
The Lonesome Crowded West (1997)*
The Moon & Antarctica (2000)*^
Good News for People Who Love Bad News (2004)
We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (2007)
EPs
Blue Cadet-3, Do You Connect? (1994)
Interstate 8 (1996)
The Fruit That Ate Itself (1997)
Night on the Sun (1999)
Building Nothing Out of Something (2000)
Everywhere and His Nasty Parlour Tricks (2001)
Sad Sappy Sucker (2001)
Baron von Bullshit Rides Again (2004)
No One's First and You're Next (2009)
*best albums
^top 10 favorite album
Top 20 Modest Mouse songs (deciding this alone almost took the whole 2.5 weeks between posts)
20 Dashboard
19 Gravity Rides Everything
18 Satelitte Skin
17 The View
16 Dark Center of the Universe
15 Ocean Breathes Salty
14 Jesus Christ Was An Only Child
13 Tiny Cities Made of Ashes
12 Float On
11 Parting of the Sensory
10 Florida
9 Spitting Venom
8 Night On The Sun
7 Never Ending Math Equation
6 Talking Sh*t About A Pretty Sunset
5 Missed the Boat
4 Dramamine
3 Trailer Trash
2 3rd Planet
1 Styrofoam Boots/It's All Nice, Alright
Modest Mouse is sharp, poignant indie rock. It is loud and aggressive, but it is also peaceful and ambient. Frontman Isaac Brock is known for his strong stage presence. Seeing them live is a must as they change their setlist around show-to-show, which I really respect in a band (see Pearl Jam), and you never know what shenanigan Brock might get into with the crowd.
For me, MM is introspective, and I love listening to them while contemplating life. LCW and tM&A are both worth listening to front to end, and Dramamine is my hangover song.
Now check them out, and their two drummers.
Ah yes, the clue for ModestMouse was the drawings done by the late Heath (Heath Heath Heath Heath) Ledger for the music video of the song "King Rat". The next clue is not quite so obvious.
next up: Shadows, Spirals, and Sodomy.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
The Top Five
There you go. That should be easy enough to figure out, but don't worry I'll still do my posts on each of the top 5 bands.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
6 - Rage Against The Machine
We don't need the key, we'll break in.
At number 6 is Rage Against the Machine. I really found it weird when I had to pencil this band just out of the top 5, since I've always said that they were in my top 5, as recently as a year ago.
Wiki - Rage Against the Machine is an American Rap metal band, formed in 1991 in Los Angeles, California. The band's line-up comprises vocalist Zack de la Rocha, guitarist Tom Morello, bassist Tim Commerford and drummer Brad Wilk. Critics have noted Rage Against the Machine for its "fiercely polemical music, which brewed sloganeering leftist rants against corporate America, cultural imperialism, and government oppression into a Molotov cocktail of punk, hip-hop, and thrash." Rage Against the Machine drew inspiration from early heavy metal instrumentation, as well as rap acts such as Afrika Bambaataa, Public Enemy and Urban Dance Squad.
In 1992, the band released its self-titled debut album, which became a commercial success, leading to a slot in the 1993 Lollapalooza. The band did not release a follow-up record until 1996, with Evil Empire. The band's third album The Battle of Los Angeles was released in 1999. During their initial nine year run, they became one of the most popular and influential political bands in contemporary music.[3]
Shortly after breaking up in 2000, the band released the cover album Renegades. De la Rocha started a low-key solo career in One Day as a Lion; the rest of the band formed the rock supergroup Audioslave with Chris Cornell, then-former frontman of Soundgarden, which disbanded in 2007, and in April of that year, Rage Against the Machine performed together for the first time in seven years at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The band has continued to perform at many live venues and festivals around the world since 2007 but have not recorded any new studio material, as of yet.
Discography -
Rage Against the Machine (1992)*
Evil Empire (1996)
The Battle of Los Angeles (1999)
Renegades (2000)
*-best album
Top 20 best Rage songs:
20 Down Rodeo
19 No Shelter
18 Kick Out the Jams (cover)
17 War Within a Breath
16 Pistol Grip Pump (cover)
15 Voice of the Voiceless
14 Vietnow
13 Sleep Now in the Fire
12 Mic Check
11 Bulls on Parade
10 Take the Power Back
9 Testify
8 I'm Housin' (cover)
7 Microphone Fiend (cover)
6 Killing in the Name
5 Renegades of Funk (cover)
4 People of the Sun
3 Guerilla Radio
2 Know Your Enemy
1 Bullet in the Head
Rage are the last band on this countdown that I haven't seen in concert.
"And now the greatest band in the f*cking universe!"
next up: 5 awesome bands! (hint to come)
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
7 - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Music, the Great Communicator
At number 7 is the Red Hot Chili Peppers. I made this list and saw that both them, and the next band, were not in my top 5 and I was confused. Because they are awesome.
Wiki - Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The band's current line-up is Anthony Kiedis (vocals), Michael "Flea" Balzary (bass), Chad Smith (drums) and Josh Klinghoffer (guitar). Their musical style has fused traditional funk with elements of other genres including hip hop, punk rock and psychedelic rock.
The group originally featured guitarist Hillel Slovak and drummer Jack Irons. Slovak, however, died of a heroin overdose in 1988, resulting in Irons' departure. Irons was replaced briefly by former Dead Kennedys drummer D.H. Peligro before the band found a permanent replacement in Smith, while Slovak was replaced by up-and-coming guitarist John Frusciante. This lineup recorded the band's fourth and fifth albums, Mother's Milk (1989) and Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991).
Blood Sugar Sex Magik was a significant record for the band; having sold over fifteen million copies, it provided the group's initial mainstream commercial success. Frusciante grew uncomfortable with this new found success and left abruptly in the middle of the tour for the album in 1992, descending into heroin addiction. After recruiting guitarist Arik Marshall to finish the tour, Kiedis, Flea, and Smith employed Dave Navarro of Jane's Addiction for their subsequent album, One Hot Minute (1995). Although successful, it did not match the critical acclaim of Blood Sugar Sex Magik and sold less than half the copies of its predecessor. Shortly afterwards, Navarro departed the band due to creative differences. Frusciante, fresh out of drug rehabilitation, rejoined the band in 1998, at Flea's request. The reunited quartet returned to the studio to record Californication (1999), which went on to sell fifteen million units worldwide, becoming their most commercially successful album to date. It was followed three years later with By the Way (2002), which continued their success. In 2006, the group released the double album Stadium Arcadium, giving them their first American number one album.
Red Hot Chili Peppers have won seven Grammy Awards. The band has sold over 55 million albums worldwide, has had eight singles in the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 (including three singles in the Top 10), five number one singles on the Mainstream Rock charts, and holds a record of eleven number one singles on the Modern Rock charts.
Band Members
Members:
Anthony Kiedis (1983–1986; 1986 onward)
Josh Klinghoffer (2010 onward)
Michael "Flea" Balzary (1983 onward)
Chad Smith (1988 onward)
Former members:
John Frusciante (1988–1992, 1998–2008)
Dave Navarro
Jesse Tobias
Arik Marshall
Zander Schloss
D.H. Peligro
DeWayne McKnight
Hillel Slovak
Jack Irons
Cliff Martinez
Jack Sherman
Discography
The Red Hot Chili Peppers (1984)
Freaky Styley (1985)
The Uplift Mofo Party Plan (1987)
Mother's Milk (1989)
Blood Sugar Sex Magik (1991)*
One Hot Minute (1995)
Californication (1999)*
By the Way (2002)
Stadium Arcadium (2006)
*-best albums
Top 20 RHCP songs
20 Scar Tissue
19 The Zephyr Song
18 Wet Sand
17 Around the World
16 Fortune Faded
15 Give It Away
14 Get On Top
13 Parallel Universe
12 Aeroplane
11 Dani California
10 Johnny, Kick a Hole In The Sky
9 By The Way
8 The Power of Equality
7 Especially in Michigan
6 Californication
5 Higher Ground
4 Otherside
3 Fight Like a Brave
2 Can't Stop
1 Soul To Squeeze
It's easy to see how RHCP have matured and progressed throughout their 25+ year existence. As with a couple other bands (#3 and #5 specifically) in this top ten when this is the case, I appreciate all of their work. It's tough to pick if I like their older or newer stuff better, but I feel like BSSM and Californication are easily their best 2 albums, and they pretty much bookmark their two different styles of work (older and newer). Pick them up ASAP.
My favorite chili pepper has always been John Frusciante. There is no one who does backing vocals better than that man, and is also one of the most underrated guitarists in rock. He recently left the band to pursue more of his solo work (which, I ironically don't really like). 
Hey, since I actually did this blog post after Klein did his on them, I'll return the favor of shoutout by letting you in on what he said about RHCP.
KLEIN: RHCP is yet again, a better band than how they rank on here. I only have their greatest hits CD and a couple other tracks as well. When Romo posts his on them, read his. It'll be much better than this.
It was only slightly better.
next up: a band that 3 out of 4 members of have already been on the countdown
Thursday, July 22, 2010
8 - Queens of the Stone Age
We got some rules to follow. This and that. These and those. No one knows.
At number 8 is Queens of the Stone Age. QOTSA has gone through many lineup changes, but has always put out solid records of heavy alternative rock.
Wiki - Queens of the Stone Age is an American rock band from Palm Desert, California, United States, formed in 1997. Originally formed under the name Gamma Ray by guitarist Josh Homme, following the breakup of his previous band, Kyuss, Queens of the Stone Age developed a style of riff-oriented, heavy music which has been described by Homme as "robot rock", saying that he "wanted to create a heavy sound based on a solid jam, and just pound it into your head". Their sound has since evolved to incorporate a variety of different styles and influences.
Discography -
Queens of the Stone Age (1998)
Rated R (2000)*
Songs for the Deaf (2002)
Lullabies to Paralyze (2005)
Era Vulgaris (2007)
TBA (2011)
*-best album
Top 10 QOTSA songs:
10 Regular John
9 3's and 7's
8 Someone's in the Wolf
7 In My Head
6 Go With the Flow
5 Mosquito Song (Hidden Track)
4 Better Living Through Chemistry
3 God Is In The Radio
2 In the Fade
1 No One Knows
Oh, and yeah, Dave Grohl played drums for them...
next up: the last remaining band on here that I have never seen at least most of their members live
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