Indeed

On the train home from the gym I came to a conclusion. After many years of vacillation, review, and comparisons, I prefer The Crystal Method over The Chemical Brothers.

Dark and Brooding Always Wins

Not sure how much I like John Mayer. Still confuse him with Jason Mraz. Mayer sure does look good on today's new album and in the Who Says video. Guess I don't listen to either enough.

Like Clouds

Would occasionally catch parts of Lady Gaga's various videos at the club but it wasn't until this weekend that I had a chance to watch all of them. Wow. Granted having near naked men in all of them creates some of the allure. Yet the choreography and visual impact (costumes, props, make-up, et cetera) are more compelling. My favorite is Poker Face… the way it starts with her coming out of the pool in that skin-tight body suit. *str8 shivers* Heard some chick at the club saying that Gaga's songs have another six months of play before being gone for good. Sure it's fluff, but I hope not. I need fluff.

Not Even for Madonna

Got an announcement that Center Ringside seats are now available for Britney's show. Apparently it's right in the middle of all the action. They're going for, in pairs only, $550 each. I think not.

Many Years Ago

My Duncan Sheik ticket arrived in the mail last night. I really don't like General Admission shows but I've never seen him live. Plus $20 was nothing after pissing away $300 on tickets for Britney. Well, after facility charge, convenience charge, conversion charge, and order processing it was $32. Heh.

His self-titled album was incredible, setting the bar for me. Somehow I'd missed the release of Humming so I bought it along with Phantom Moon in 2002—much to my dismay. While his vocal timbre was still consistently enthralling, I found his later ballads roaming and pedantic. Couldn't avoid hearing the Gabriel & Dresden remix of “On a High” at the club, yet I never thought to listen to Daylight. Haven't heard anything from White Limousine.

Listening to the three new tracks stream from his website it seems nothing has changed. There's even an air of empty pretense to the composition. Yet I still like his voice. And that Holly Brook chick harmonizes with him very well. So it's worth checking out live. Plus he's still attractive despite all the facial hair. Not sure if I'll bother with the album though.

A Weapon of Massive Consumption

This new Lily Allen song won't leave me alone. Why am I such a sucker for the mainstream? *ugh* Oh well. Will have to pick up the album next month. Or maybe look for a torrent of the advance.

Merry XMas to Me

Britney Spears with The Pussycat Dolls On Tour

Britney Spears will make a highly anticipated return to the stage for her 2009 Circus World Tour. Following on the excitement of the just released sixth studio album, Circus, Spears will kick off the tour in New Orleans with The Pussycat Dolls.

Your Order Is Complete
Thanks for using Ticketmaster.

Fri, Apr 3, 2009 08:30 PM
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

Seat location: section 109, row W, seats 13-12
Total Charge: US $299.42

I Don't Know What I've Done to Deserve You

Though it was leaked a while ago, I managed to acquire Portishead's new album Third last night. While there are 5/5 stars on every track from the three previous albums this one will be different. We Carry On is a little long and rather annoying. Still not very happy with the one that's been released, Machine Gun. Maybe they'll grow on me; already in love with the nine other tracks. Guess it's silly to be critical of two tracks, but it is Portishead and I've been waiting almost a decade. Wonder if I can get the deluxe version in the States.

Keep It in the Closet

On the way into work the iPod chose Janet's Nasty Boys which got me thinking how I always loved her work over her brother's. Haven't even bothered to tune into XM Radio's 24/7 Michael station they have going to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the release of whatever. Thriller was great, loved the video, but his time is done. Not sure why I don't get nostalgic for his stuff like I do for so much other 80s and 90s stuff.

Remove All Doubt

Had forgotten how I enjoy some 98° tracks. Never listen for very long since it annoys me how strongly gendered they are. I suppose it's necessary for four softly handsome guys to throw in a lot of “…, girl” to dispel the Lance Bass suspicions. Kills the fantasy though; back to Enrique.

Groove

I really don't use my XM-Radio much but sometimes it seriously kicks ass. Their DJ Armando guy is really tearing it up right now on Channel 81. Must find track list.

EDIT: Mmmm! Chris Cox in ten minutes!

Money Well Spent?

Colby would be smirking at me right now, but thankfully he's a few times zones away.




It really is too expensive but I love ignoring cost when I want something. What started me iThinking was seeing RJ's alluring collection completely contained and how smooth the car-to-home transition is. My music tastes are finally maturing so there's a reason for all the space.¹ Not sure what pushed me over though. Being able to do the pictures and movies I suppose—nerd novelty.

The final barrier was my distaste for iTunes. The interface is too Mac plus I'm naturally adverse to anything that conceals data and enforces order. Yet I've been able to work with it in the past, even removing DRM with Colby's help.² It will do the album covers and lyrics, which are my minimal requirements so I'll acclimate.

Took six years to overcome my iPrejudice. Wonder if I'll ever get an iMac? Sure hope not.

Current iCount: 172 songs, 0 Videos, 0 Podcasts, 0 Pictures, 0 Contacts. (147gb free)

---

1. All of my music prior to 2000 ripped to just over 12gb. In the last seven years that has more than tripled.
2. Hopefully that process has gotten smoother.

Signs of Age

Hard to believe that Robert Jordan died yesterday. I remember picking up The Eye of the World when I first moved to Salt Lake. It felt almost self-contained but then I found out there were another five fat novels waiting for me. I was planning to reread them all when the twelfth, A Memory of Light?, was published. Guess I'll do the eleven and see what happens.

Does make me feel older… along with other things. As of the 5^th of this month I've been at my job twelve years. More and more of the songs from my youth are being covered or their melodies are stolen by hip-hop artists. The “hot” porn stars and waiters look so damn young. Guys younger than me have been in relationships longer than I've been single. It takes more than one hand to count the important people in my life that have died.

Now there's so much in my brain that its randomness can be startling. Like getting into work I found myself singing INXS's Disappear out of the blue. Or the way seeing or hearing things in everyday life take me back to places more than two decades away. Nothing to do but *sigh*.

Never heard of Pat Monahan until this morning, but I've really enjoyed listening to Last of Seven which went on sale today. Despite the age thing, it's nice that there are still surprises.

• I am barely stable
  I am afraid to be alone
  I am sorry that I always enable
  And every day I try to find another way to you
  
  I can't admit to my addictions
  And wish that I could be a better friend
  I am three kinds of crazy
  And every day I try to find another way to you
  Pat Monahan, Someday