Old Friends

Episode 4

OLD FRIENDS: TRUCE (Episode 4) - watch more funny videos

Episode 5

Old Friends - Katie's Day (Episode 5) - watch more funny videos

Episdode 6

Old Friends - Love Story (Episode 6) - watch more funny videos

The Fun

SportsCenter anchors have been quoting "Got Some" while they ramble through baseball highlights lately. "Teixeira goes deep. Got some if you need it!" I love SportsCenter. It's been well-documented that I also love Pearl Jam. How come I don't know how to feel about SportsCenter anchors quoting Pearl Jam?

I really wish I hadn't seen Pitchfork's review of Backspacer before I had actually heard the album. Pitchfork is to the naysayers what I am to the yaysayers, so to speak... Now I feel like I have to maintain some sort of objectivity and integrity that I never had in the first place. It's a funny thing, listening to an album for the first time fully intent on writing a review, having already read [the first paragraph of] one. You can easily forget you're supposed to enjoy listening to music, lost in a fit of self-seriousness. This is supposed to be fun. Remember that.

Speaking of self-seriousness (segue!), Backspacer, PJ's ninth studio album, is undoubtedly its lightest in terms of sound and lyrical content. Coming in under 40 minutes, nowhere is the introspective weightiness of Ten or the dissident frustration of Riot Act or Pearl Jam. This album is less of a showcase for chops than anything else in PJ's catalogue. It won't blow anyone's mind who isn't already sold. It's not a masterpiece either, but it isn't trying to be. Backspacer is really fun to listen to, which is important. I forget that sometimes.

The album begins behind the power of a lilting bass line from Jeff Ament with a rock and roll energy that remains consistent until the appropriately titled "The End", save for "Just Breathe", track 5, which could have been included on the "Into the Wild Soundtrack". When Eddie croons "Stay with me, let's just breathe" about a minute in, the hair on the back of your neck will likely stand at attention. "Amongst the Waves" will make you want to get in the ocean. Triumphantly. On "Unthought Known", Boom Gasper's most prominent effort to date, when the opening chords chime by themselves just before Ed joins them in a whisper, I find myself eagerly anticipating the entrance of Boom's piano, because that means I'm that much closer to "Feel the sky blanket you With gems and rhinestones!!! See the path cut by the moon For you to walk on". In a departure from all of the material that has preceded it, this album is life-affirming, attesting to all its beauty and wonder. Like one of their shows.

When I started writing this review a few days ago, I expected to gently pan this album. In a strange way I wanted to. I wanted to prove to myself that I was capable of being objective about this band. Now, as I sit here listening to the album for maybe the 7th or 8th time, I can't help but laugh and shake my head while my it bobs back and forth and my left foot stomps. Who needs objectivity when you've got Pearl Jam? Not me.

Under Construction

I'm working on a review that at least two or three of you may have an interest in. Should be done by the end of the weekend.

In the meantime, no dopers:

Backspacer

Downloaded today, hopefully reviewed by the end of the weekend. Pearl Jam's 9th studio album is available exclusively at Target and downloadable on iTunes.

Thursdays at Augusta High School

Into the Mouths of Babes

Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo.

Kicked to the Curb

This is worth your time.... If you like laughing. It's a bunch of clips from Curb Your Enthuiasm.

The Other Clip

My Kid Brother at My Wedding...

Log It (Take 2)

Steve Tallent, who used to have a refreshingly honest if not vastly misguided blog, has been so kind as to grant me permission to post his revisionist-- though still timely because a regular season down has not yet been played-- predictions for the upcoming season. I've known Steve for maybe three years or so. While his politics are a little Glenn Beck meets Peter Griffin, his sports knowledge is pretty much can't miss. You can take these picks to the bank. Except, naturally, the one where he has the Giants losing in the playoffs...

AFC East
New England 14-2
Miami-4-12
Buffalo 4-12
NY Jets 4-12

AFC North
Pitt 15-1
Balt 12-4
Cinci 8-8
Clev 3-13

AFC South
Indy 12-4
Tenn 10-6
Houston 9-7
Jax 6-10

AFC West
SD 13-3
KC 4-12
Oak 3-13
Denver 3-13

NFC East
NYG 12-4
Wash 10-6
Phily 9-7
Dallas 8-8

NFC North
GB 11-5
Minn 11-5
Chi 9-7
Det 2-14

NFC SOUTH
NO 12-4
Atl 11-5
Car 10-6
TB 2-14

NFC WEST
Ariz 10-6
Sea 9-7
SF 6-10
St.Louis 1-15

AFC Wild Card Round
Tenn beats SD
Indy beats Balt

NFC Wild Card Round
GB beats Atl
Ariz beats Minn

AFC Divisional Round
Pitt beats Tenn
NE beats Indy

NFC Divisional Round
NYG beats Ariz
GB beats NO

AFC Conference Finals
NE beats Pitt
GB beats NYG

Superbowl
NE beats GB

AWARDS
MVP-Michel Turner RB Atlanta
Offensive Player of the Year-Drew Brees QB New Orleans
Defensive player of the Year-Vince Wilfork DT New England
Coach of the Year-Mike McCarthy Green Bay
Offensive Rookie of the Year-Donald Brown RB Indy
Defensive Rookie of the Year-Brian Orakpo DE/OLB Washington

Odds and Ends
The Vikings will start 5-1 or even 6-0 and ESPN will be sucking Favre's old nuts, then Pittsburgh smokes them in week 7 and the wins start to dry up. They make the playoffs only to have Favre throw 4 picks in a first round loss. After the game Favre is indecisive about retiring.

NE & SD will not lose a division game during the regular season.

Pitt will run the table until week 12 when the lose a Sunday night game @ Baltimore. They won't lose again until the AFC Conference title game against NE.

St.Louis won't win a game until week 17 at home against SF.

I will finally hit the pick 5 down the Cornerstone.

The Cornerstone is the establishment in South Boston where Steve tends bar on Saturday nights. If you're ever in the area, it's another can't miss. Ask him if he updated his F5. Or just tell him you're interested in two things: Writing accounts and keeping them. It's that simple.

USA

4th? Come on, America. We shouldn't lose to China, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia in ANYTHING. If this were an Olympic event (I've heard grumblings that the committe is considering it for 2012), we woulnd't even medal or get to stand on the podium!

Also, hang up your cell phone.