Hold'n Steady with Dave Grohl and Bob Dylan

I don’t know why I haven’t blogged about music lately. Usually a new CD or a good show ignites my posting passion. Even though music posts have been scarce, I’ve seen a couple of very good shows and purchased a few excellent CDs recently. Therefore, it’s time to pimp some of the artists that I think you should check-out.

First and foremost, The Hold Steady get top billing because I’ve enjoyed their new CD as much any in a long time and I absolutely loved their show. Lead singer Craig Finn continues to amaze me with both his unique style and his infectious performances. He slings stories of drug-addled youth with a gravelly voice and gritty lyrics. Minneapolis landmarks are sprinkled into the songs, giving them a touch of personalization for those of us in the Twin Cities. I appreciate it when artists give props to my adoptive hometown.

On my birthday, Ambular and I joined PW, Gates Brown, and Bridget for the Hold Steady show. They played a sold-out First Avenue. Never before had I seen a performer so utterly gleeful. Finn was truly the happiest person in the room. He bounced around the stage like a 7 year old kid who knew he was going to get to stay-up late. Those in attendance all seemed to know they were lucky to see Finn’s performance that night. I know I will remember it for a long time.

Here is their video for “Chips Ahoy” off their new album “Boys and Girls in America.” If you like the video at all, you’ll love their disc.



Second, I have a man crush on Dave Grohl. Ambular surprised me with a ticket to the Bob Dylan / Foo Fighters show for my birthday. I was stoked about getting to see Bob support his new album “Modern Times.” But to get both Dylan and the Foo Fighters on the same night was too good to be true. And the show did not disappoint. Both acts wowed the crowd, and would have been worth the price of admission individually.

My Foo Fighters collection has been in heavy rotation lately, and “For Your Honor” grows on me a little more each time I hear it. Dave & Co. make damn fine music.



That's all for now, but check back soon. I'm hitting my blogging stride again, the posts should be more frequent. Cheers.

Bush, Morneau, KG, and Samuel L. Jackson Walk Into A Bar

There are a couple of things I need to get out…

First, there are new reports out about the Bush administration’s use of domestic surveillance. It appears that “Big Brother” didn’t stop at wiretapping. Maybe I was naïve, but I never gave much thought to the possibility that a modern American government could/would go all 1984 on us. I carelessly dismissed those who expressed paranoid fear of “the man.” Boy was I wrong. This administration has treated accusations of civil rights abuse like most people treat parking tickets. There is always some excuse, and they haven’t changed their behavior.

With Rumsfield’s exit, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales moves to the top of my list of people I want out of authority. I’m not saying there aren’t some valid and enticing aspects of his unwavering “for American security” shtick. I freely admit that I allowed myself to go down that ideological road for a long time; but once Bush tapped the phones it all changed. Because in my mind, what’s the point of protecting the physical integrity of the United States if we allow social freedoms to be eroded that far?

Domestic Surveillance: Who’s eyes are watching you?

On a lighter note…

Canada native Justin Morneau, of the Minnesota Twins, was named MVP of the American League yesterday. Awesome. The Yankees’ Derek Jeter finished second. Double awesome. Finally, I have a reason to respect baseball sportswriters again. Like any good Twins fan, I hate the Yankees. It stems from Minnesota’s inferiority complex, I’ll admit that. But nevertheless, when a small market hero beats out the mega-star it makes me smile. Both players put together MVP-caliber years, but the Yankees would have faired much better without Jeter than the Twins would have without Morneau. And that’s what the MVP should be all about.

Third, It pains me to say it. But I think Bill Simmons is right. Kevin Garnett deserves the chance to play for a winner. He’s trapped by his own loyalty. Too bad the Wolves can’t find a way to keep from tripping over them selves. *Sigh* what could have been.

And finally, because I’m addicted to YouTube, and I’m on a sports-kick right now… Chris Chelios reflects on his junior days where he was coached by Jules Winnfield (Samuel L. Jackson's character in Pulp Fiction) Enjoy: (Warning: Not work friendly)

So Now What?

As expected, the Democrats took control of both the House and the Senate. For all the criticism heaped upon the Republicans, at least they had a plan. That plan may have been to over-spend, roll-back taxes willy-nilly, demonize gays, and generally piss-off the rest of the world; but at least the party seemed united in their effort. They all called the same hot-line to get the days talking-points, again at the very least uniform.

It has gotten so bad for the Republicans that even Rush Limbaugh is jumping on the ousted-Republican-bashing-bandwagon. Everyone’s favorite “the obese drug-addled gasbag”* said that he feels “almost relieved” that the Democrats have taken control of the legislature. Rush is glad that he no longer has to defend the terrible legislation that his ideological cronies had been producing. OUCH! As a conservative, you know you are in trouble when Rush Limbaugh flips on you.

But now what?

Will the Democrats be able to form a cohesive and rational platform? Or will they squander their new found political gains by failing into their old habit of in-fighting? Will power and the desire to keep it cloud their judgment, like their Republican colleagues?

Forgive me if I am less than confident with Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid in charge. I’m afraid that they will not reach-out and build the consensus that a split of control between the legislature and executive demands. I hope it will not (but am afraid it will) turn into pissing contest between Congress and Bush.

Here’s to hoping for good governance for a change.

* On Election night, CNN Democratic pundit Paul Begala spoke these very words on the air. I laughed. Thanks Cristy for preserving that moment of pure punditry perfection.

Borat Learns Football: "Sex Explosion"

For those of you (like me) who can't get enough of Borat...

When Will the Democrats Learn?

The Republicans are tied to the post, ready to be executed. Yet, Democrats insist on figuratively untying the Republicans’ hands and giving them a loaded gun. First, John “Munster” Kerry runs his mouth at a campaign stop and labels all U.S. soldiers in Iraq as uneducated. Da-um. A National Guard unit out of Minnesota came up with a clever rebuttal, click on the grey rectangle to view:



Then, Mike Hatch’s running mate Judi Dutcher couldn’t talk about E-85, a subject near and dear to most Minnesota farmers’ hearts. It’s not an unforgivable mistake, but Hatch’s response might be. According to the Duluth News tribune, Mike Hatch called a reporter a “Republican whore.” Double Da-um. Hatch claims that he used the word “hack.” Either way, it is clear Mike Hatch is rattled. He is frustrated and acting childish, not a good way to look coming down the home stretch.

All the Democrats have to do is not mess this election up. Go hide in a hole for 5 days, do whatever it takes to stay out of the news for doing something stupid. The Democratic mantra for the next few days should be: “Don’t be an idiot.” Democrats do not have to be great, innovative, or charismatic. They can just point at Bush, Abramoff, Mark Foley, Iraq, lack of affordable health care options, and the turbo-charged governmental spending that is expanding the national debt. “Trust us America… we cannot do any worse. Give us a shot. Vote angry, vote often.”

Yet the Dems sputter, stubble, and buoy the hopes of Republican candidates everywhere.