Best Of 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
This time around I started my best of list back in October and continued to work on it up til this morning. I would add/remove cds as new ones came out as well as rediscovering ones that I missed out on. My official list had 70 cds that I thought were worthy of consideration and from there I whittled it down to my top 30. I thought about doing just a top 20 but I felt that I was leaving out too many good releases for the year. Depending on 2008 it may go as low as 20 or stay at 30. I share about 5 with Paste Magazine and I have no idea how many of mine will make Pitchfork's top 50. Its usually a nice competition I have with them to see how pretentious they can be. Anyways my list is below with a description of each cd.
30. Bruce Springsteen - Magic
Bruce is back and decided to bring the E Street band with him. Its not ’84 and Born In The USA its more of a view of modern times and the state of our country. Bruce doesn’t shy away from politics here and takes a dig at corporate radio on the opening track “Radio Nowhere”. It’s a great rock album from a man who has seen and done it all.
29. Jill Cunniff – City Beach
If you were a Luscious Jackson fan (I was a huge one, saw them 6x) you will enjoy this cd. Its full of NYC inspired sounds and eclectic arrangements that give you a chance to relive the 90s once again. Jill mixes it up with some moody and mellow beats, some break beat and world music influences.
28. Polyphonic Spree – The Fragile Army
I usually cannot make it thru the full cd (never have been able to on earlier releases as well) but I appreciate what the Spree offers. I like the full sunshine cult like hymns and with this cd, they are more song oriented and cohesive.
27. Kent – Tillbaka Till Samtiden
Kent is a band from Sweden who hit it big in the late 90s. Since then Kent has gone back to singing in Swedish with just a few songs done in English. This isn’t a big deal since the sound is what I love about them. With a bit of Depeche Mode influence, Kent delivers a more electronic and dance oriented album.
26. Klaxons – Myths Of The Near Future
This one was a last minute entry and I am still on the fence here. There are some very cool songs but I am not sure if it has lived up to all the hype. For a good 6-7 months NME and other music rags couldn’t get enough of this band. The hype has dissipated over the last few months and it makes you wonder if they will surface next year with another cd. Like fellow mates Kasabian, The Klaxons had to endure constant comparisons and crowns. The Klaxons ushered in the era of nu-rave, a conglomeration of dance beats, live instruments and lots of British ego.
25. Kristin Hersh – Learn To Sing Like A Star
For many of her solo releases, Kristin has relied on the stereotypes that it needs to be soft and acoustic. I am glad to see that Kristin has taken a page from her step sister’s (Tanya Donnelly) book and tried her hand in the world of pop. Kristin doesn’t disappoint and it’s a shame that its only now we are seeing this side of her.
24. Foo Fighters – Echos, Silence, Patience & Grace
The Foo’s can sound the same at times but they have mastered the Alternative radio sound and I find myself listening every time they are on the radio. There is something about the band that draws me to each cd and this one is no different. “The Pretender” is a great song and it sounds even better when turned up loud and driving down the expressway.
23. Deadstring Brothers – Silver Mountain
Pure Alt Country, full of slide guitars, twang and whiskey soaked lyrics are all here on the latest Deadstring Brothers release. The vocal sharing is key here and some of the strongest songs are one’s sung by Marsha. You don’t find many Alt Country bands with female vocals and this is desparately needed for the genre.
22. Siouxsie - Mantaray
I love this cd, its not goth, not industrial, not electronic, not pop but somehow a blend of all of these things. Siouxsie Sioux has broken away from the Banshees and Creatures sounds and delivers a fresh take on Alternative dance sound. If you are new to Siouxsie or have been a fan for years this cd will keep you entertained from start to finish.
21. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky
This time out, the Sonic Youth influences are gone and its back to a lighthearted California sound. It was a great summer record, the sunshine and pop melodies made for a great backyard soundtrack. With hints of the Band and other late 60s early 70s bands, Wilco has given us a straightforward Americana release that plays thru without any interruptions.
20. Grinderman - Grinderman
All I have to say is Nick Cave, anything he does is brilliant and Grinderman is no different. Nick strips off the baggage of the Bad Seeds and turns up the guitars. It’s obnoxious at times but the controlled chaos has a point. It’s a release for Nick and one that he can exercise his limitations that might be present when he is behind a piano.
19. Kula Shaker - Strangfolk
Crispian Mills had one of the most successful debuts and pretty much blew it with his 2nd release. 8 years later Crispian returns with a cd that doesn’t quite capture the mania but does a good job at reminding us why we loved Kula Shaker back in ’96. The blend of 70s guitar and Indian sitar proves once again that the Beatles were right way back then.
18. Spoon – Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga
Simplistic, intelligent and innovative are a few words that can be used to describe Spoon. The Austin, TX band has been around for a while but hadn’t really made its way into the hearts and minds of the masses until their last release. Spoon picked up where Pavement left off and added a bit of indie dance groove into the lo-fi sound. The horns, handclaps, and sparse sound of instruments keep you guessing how these songs were assembled. They don’t feel thin but it’s not a wall of sound either.
17. The Raveonettes – Lust, Lust, Lust
I loved the first Raveonettes EP “Whip It On” for its dark and moody feel. Their next 2 cds moved from the minor key and became a bit too 50’s kitsch for me. Their latest cd teeters between the dark and light world they have created and keeps you interested and wanting more. The opening track channels the Jesus And Mary Chain with its controlled noise and is one of the best examples of feedback I have heard in years.
16. Son Volt – The Search
Jay Farrar doesn’t disappoint here, he keeps the Alt Country sound alive while throwing a few curve balls to keep it interesting. The mix of horns turned me off at first but after a few listens I came around to appreciate what Jay was trying to accomplish here. The political lyrics are toned down a bit but are not gone and the music takes over.
15. Iron & Wine – The Shepherd’s Dog
Previous Iron & Wine cds would bore me but this one is different. It seems like Samuel Beam decided to add a few more instruments and leave the lo-fi recording style from before. It’s by no mean a huge commercial record full of ad jingles but it has a fuller sound that keeps your attention.
14. Dinosaur Jr - Beyond
J.Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph reunited after 16 years and recorded as if it was 1990 all over again. The loud guitars, feedback, trademark Mascis vocals and dry rock n roll are all present for this cd. It’s more of a nostalgia trip than anything since it seemed like Dino Jr never really had a proper send off. Maybe now people will understand what the band was all about and give them the respect they deserve.
13. Pinback – Autumn Of The Seraphs
Pure Indie Rock and probably the only cd I will have in common with Pitchfork but I have to give it up to Pinback. They know how to take that pretentious sound and keep it fresh and exciting. The mix of piano and guitars along with the alternating vocals creates a moody sound landscape.
12. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Baby 81
BRMC blended the early Brit Rock scene with some garage rock on their debut and by their 3rd release had embraced the Alt Country scene. This time out, they decided to give their fans some reverb and fuzz but stick to the states for the sound.
11. Dean & Britta – Back Numbers
If 60s kitsch, soundtrack music is what you like Back Numbers is your cd. Dean & Britta from Luna fame are back with their 2nd release and remind you that the era of duets is not long gone it’s just been underground. The lush production and classic Luna sound is present but on a more intimate scale.
10. Jesse Malin – Glitter In The Gutter
Not as popular as Adams but still amazing in his own right. Jesse blends genres and interjects a bit of punk rock into his latest release. He snags the Boss for one song and writes one of the best singles of the year “In The Modern World”. This guy very little air play and some bad press which I thought was unfair but what can you do. His cover of “Bastards Of Young” is brilliant.
9. Josh Rouse – City Mouse, Country House
Living under the radar for years, Josh continued to make classic Americana records that told stories and filled the room with sweet acoustic and mellow twang. On his latest release, Josh does a bit of genre jumping and includes some soul which he pulls off quite well. His often whispering vocals don’t stick out and just paint the surface of the beats. If you like toe tapping, upbeat acoustic pop Josh is your man. But it doesn’t end there; he is a master at creating beautiful songs with lush arrangements as well.
8. Stereophonics – Pull The Pin
Stereophonics have had an identity crisis the last few years. They strived too hard to appeal to American audiences which only backfired and left them mocked in both presses. This time out, they went back to their roots and gave us a brash, in your face, full of attitude record that makes up for past failures. Although many people don’t agree I see a lot of Oasis and the Jam in this cd.
7. Travis – The Boy With No Name
The last cd had a few good songs but was stale and seemed like the end of Travis. A few years off the radar and some much needed R&R, Travis return with an excellent release which comes close to the pure genius of The Man Who. The sounds that Coldplay stole and made so popular are here but jazzed up with a bit of sunshine. Songs like Selfish Jean play loudly from the radio while others are soft and introspective making you step back and take a look at your own life.
6. Air – Pocket Symphony
I dubbed this cd as headphone music when it first came out and I still believe this. The atmospheric beats and rhythms can be missed if you are not fully concentrating. As background music, it seems a bit plain and dull which is why I think it was not given higher reviews. Once you let yourself go and immerse your mind into the music you will understand what I mean.
5. Grant Lee Philips - Stranglet
One of my favorite musicians and one that rarely disappoints makes it onto the list once again. Grant Lee crafts a melody out of thin air and then spins it into a complete masterpiece. Grant made his start with his band Grant Lee Buffalo but has been solo for the last decade. His music is Americana with some new folk and a bit of rock n roll. He blew me away last year with his cover cd and took it to another level with his last release.
4. Interpol – Our Love To Admire
This cd took a few listens and it wasn’t until I put on the headphones did I really grasp what Interpol was giving us this time around. The music is big and has a stadium like quality about it. It swirls around your head and fills the room. The wall of sound builds and gives you glimpse of the past while providing you a peek into the future. Interpol started out by building on the bases of Joy Division but found a way to pave a new path into their sound. At times the lyrics may not make much sense but the soundscape created around them is what really matters.
3. Ryan Adams – Easy Tiger
Its not a year if Ryan isn’t present. He only had 2 releases this year but both were amazing in their own rights. Easy Tiger is pure Americana and showcases Ryan’s strengths as a singer/songwriter. He isn’t trying to impress anyone here, he has played the genre jumping game and has settled into a style that fits him best.
2. Buffalo Tom – Three Easy Pieces
It’s been 9 years since the last BT release and during that time all 3 members went their own ways and released solo works. The time off was good for them and this cd shows how BT can still craft a great melody within a 3 piece band. Both Bill and Chris take turns with the vocals and in classic BT fashion, offer two distinct writing styles. For a three piece BT offer a wide range of music, a bit of distortion, some country and lots of classic Alternative and Americana to suit your needs. They may happen to be one of the most underrated bands of the last 20 years but have been a staple on my cd player/iPod for years.
1. The National - Boxer
Dark, brooding, melancholy, somber are just a few words that can be used to describe the National’s lastest cd. Its beauty lies in lyrics, baritone vocals and unique arrangements. The mix of horns along with subdued guitars and stacatto drum beats makes for an intense listening experience. Think of this cd as a late nite with a lovely lady drinking martinis til the wee hours. The minor keys don’t bounce around your head like the latest pop sensation instead burrow deep into your psyche surfacing at odd times begging you to listen just once more.
Posted by mardenhill 12/16/2007 03:30:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Music
Jandek
Friday, December 14, 2007
Lo-fi is an aesthetic in music production which uses lo-fi recording practices. Its use is usually due to the artist's financial limitations. Many lo-fi artists use inexpensive cassette tape recorders for their music. The term was coined by WFMU DJ William Berger who dedicated a half hour segment of his program to home recorded music throughout the late 80's under the name Lo-fi.
.........................
While on my way home the other day I caught a story on NPR regarding Jandek. I had never heard of the guy but found his history amazing and wanted to share it with you. Back in '78 the first Jandek record was released and to date there are 51. Jandek has his own record label Corwood Industries that is a PO Box in Houston, TX where fans can order music from. You send in your money and nowdays get his recordings on CD. Pricewise its very cheap $8 to $12 and you get discounts for ordering multiple copies. Jandek never did interviews or live shows until '99 when he performed at a Scottish music festival unannounced.
Musicwise he is the king of Lo-Fi, just a few instruments, simple recordings with no extra production. Its folk rock, noise, avant guard with a very mellow and somber tone. At times its just him mumbling lyrics over a few guitar pics. Othertimes he has guest musicians who join in to fill out his intimate soundscape.
I am blown away how a musician has bucked the system for so many years and built a cult following doing it. Never to give interviews, to only play a handful of live shows and constantly deny that you are actually Jandek is impressive. It wasn't until the live performance that people actually knew what he looked like. There was usually a fuzzy photo of a man on the records but no one knew if it was him or not. If there wasn't a photo of him, Jandek would use pictures of instruments, the outside of his house, random pieces of furniture etc. Check out the link below for more information on this amazing man.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jandek
Posted by mardenhill 12/14/2007 06:50:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Music
2003 Johann Donabaum Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Berglage Loiben
Thursday, December 13, 2007
We are down to 5 Austrian wines and I decided that it was time to open another one. This time around it was the 2003 Johann Donabaum Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Berglage Loiben. If you are not familiar with Grüners they are a similar to Sauvignon Blancs but are only grown in Austria. This one has hints of mineral and green apple with a some pear and pepper on the finish. What really suprised me was how rich and creamy this wine was. I expected a bone dry and clean white that would be a bit acidic but I was definitely wrong. Unfortunately Winemonger is out of this wine but they still have plenty of others for you to enjoy.
http://www.winemonger.com/catalog/index.php
Posted by mardenhill 12/13/2007 09:50:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Wine
Mitchell Report
The Yankees were well represented on the Mitchell Report but the Tigers didn't get away scott free either. Looks like our DH Gary Sheffield was mentioned but as of now that is the only person affected. Not sure what this all means, will Gary be back next year, will he be suspended or will he just get a slap on the wrist? I guess we will have to wait and see.
I am not suprised that Gary's name is on the list, but I am glad that players like Maggs, Pudge, Verlander, Granderson, Polanco, Guillen and our latest draft pick Cabrera were not listed. I do hope that MLB takes this report seriously and lays the smackdown on players. We need to get steroids out of all sports and if it takes MLB to get it rolling so be it..........
Posted by mardenhill 12/13/2007 03:27:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Tigers
New James CD!!!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
James announce 2008 UK tour
Plus release date for new album
James have announced details of a new tour for 2008, and revealed they will release their first studio album for seven years around the same time. The band, who reformed earlier this year, are likely to air tracks for the as-yet-untitled album, out April 7, on the tour. It will be the group's first record since 2001's 'Pleased To Meet You'
..........................................
This is great news since it seemed like James "broke up" for no apparent reason and still had plenty of gas left in the tank. According to my rules James didn't wait a full 10 years so this really isn't a reunion, just a long lapse between records which gave the band a bit of a breather and a chance for Tim Booth to release a solo record. With that in mind this is just another James record and nothing more. I still excited tho and will take what I can get. I highly doubt that we will see a US tour but at least we get new music come April.
Posted by mardenhill 12/11/2007 09:31:00 AM 0 comments
Labels: Music
Montinore Estate Gewürztraminer 2006
Sunday, December 09, 2007
If you are a fan of Gewurzts you need to check out this wine. Its from Oregon and not that expensive, between $13-$15 a bottle. It has the classic Gewurztraminer aroma, a bit floral, fruit and minerals. The wine has a golden color with intense flavors to match. Its rich like a chard but not as oaky and a bit on the sweeter side. This wine could hold up to some spicy food with its ability to coat your tongue and give you a cool and refreshing finish.
http://www.montinore.com/index.html
Posted by mardenhill 12/09/2007 10:33:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Wine
Warren Miller Playground
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Last nite my buddy Chris and I went and saw the latest Warren Miller ski movie Playground. Since Jeep sponsors the event and my company does their advertising I was able to get on the guest list. It saved us $20 each which was nice since I have seen my full of ski movies over the years. I do enjoy them because they get you ready for the season but they tend to be the same thing over and over. This one took you to Dubai and inside their enclosed ski run. They also had clips of Alaskan heliskiing and resorts in Japan. I do have to say they upped the extreme skiing in this movie, there were just a few kids scenes and no dogs in bandanas which was always a staple in the past. The best part would probably be the lack of snowboarders these movies tend to focus more on skiers.Posted by mardenhill 12/08/2007 11:43:00 AM 0 comments
Biden For Prez
Thursday, December 06, 2007
I like Joe, he's a great senator (even when he puts his foot in his mouth which can happen more often than not) and an excellent presidental candidate. He knows his foreign policy inside and out and could deal with the diplomatic disaster we will be left with when Bush leaves office. Below is a great posting that he wrote regarding the NIE and Iran.
Will Biden win the nomination, probably not but no one expected Ron Paul to do as well as he has. Same goes for the huckster, the former governer came out of nowhere and became the media darling for the last couple weeks. The stories are starting to pile on and it will be interesting to see if Huckabee can withstand the criticism.
Biden would be a great Secretary of State but as of now he is not interested. I wonder if that will change come November when a dem wins the WH.
I havn't decided who I am supporting as of now, too many good candidates but Joe is on my short list. Unfortunately he withdrew his name from the MI primary so I won't be writing him or any other candidate in.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joe-biden/meeting-the-iranian-chall_b_75628.html
Posted by mardenhill 12/06/2007 01:57:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Politics
Whoops I Did It Again
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Hey Romney here is a simple concept, why not hire individuals who are legal citizens that you can verify yourself rather than relying on a service. You are running for prez you know things will be scrutinized why leave yourself open? Oh well, more fodder to play with and let me tell ya, it won't end here. Romney has based a campaign on bashing illegals maybe now you will realize that your narrowminded view is part of the problem.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2007/12/lawn_work_at_ro.html?p1=email_to_a_friend
Posted by mardenhill 12/04/2007 09:42:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Politics
L.Mawby Consort
Sunday, December 02, 2007
I was craving some sparkling so we opened up a bottle of L. Mawby's Consort last nite and it was great. It was sweet and smooth with lots of little bubbles. The Consort is made from Chardonnay and fermented in a stainless steel tanks before bottling. I generally perfer an oak barrel for additional flavor but steel tanks can produce some very good and clean flavors. With it being a Sec, its on the sweeter side but not too much and not quite a dessert wine.
The dryness scale goes as follows: Extra Brut, Brut, Extra Dry, Sec, Demi Sec and Doux. Most of your wines will be labeled Brut which is just a small dose of sugar and tend to be very dry.
We also have a bottle of L. Mawby's Talismon which is a cuvee, brut and fermented in oak. I am looking forward to drinking this one and havn't decided if it will be my New Years Eve bottle or not.
http://www.lmawby.com/buy/winesdetail.asp?id=9
Posted by mardenhill 12/02/2007 08:38:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Wine
Update: High Def
Friday, November 30, 2007
We received our new High Def cable box/DVR yesterday and was amazed at how clear the channels really are. As of now WideOpenWest offers 20 channels with more coming at the beginning of the year. We have the basic networks, ESPN, Discovery, TNT, PBS, WTV (wealth tv, very strange station), Food Network, Starz and a few others. I loved watching shows last nite on the Discovery since they come in at 1080i. Some channels will broadcast at 720p which is still really good but don't always use the whole screen. We watched the Redwings last nite which was amazing since it was easy to follow the puck and see all the action on the ice. Its almost better than being at the game. The cable box will always display the broadcasting size and also doubles as the DVR. Unfortunately we lost the shows we had saved on the previous ones but oh well, the high def makes up for it.
Starting next year we will be getting my favorite station of all time, the Discovery Science channel in HD which will be amazing. I can then watch all my favorite topics: space, technology, geography, geology, egypt, oceans anything that is more or less on the station. There will be another Discovery along with TLC and Animal Planet. I am not looking forward to Animal Planet tho, the animal rescue shows are bad enough I couldn't imagine them in HD, you could really see the abuse close up. Erika is looking forward to watching Tennis in HD and I am hoping that they replay the Planet Earth series.
Posted by mardenhill 11/30/2007 12:28:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Technology
Robert Hall Cabernet Sauvignon 2003
Thursday, November 29, 2007
While updating my wine inventory I discovered this Robert Hall cab in my cellar. One of the reasons I had bought it was due to it being from the Paso Robles region. I decided to open it and was very impressed with the taste. The first glass was very cold even though the wine had warmed up a few degees. It wouldn't open at all and it was just a bunch of fruit and nothing else. After a couple hrs the wine finally responded and became what I was hoping for. The plush flavors appeared and a bit of oak and spice made its way to the table. The tannins were soft but present and left a great taste on your tongue. You can definitely tell the difference between a California cab than one from Chili or Argentina.
http://www.roberthallwinery.com/roberthall/index.jsp
Posted by mardenhill 11/29/2007 10:39:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Wine
High Def
Wide Open West is coming today to deliver our High Def cable box/DVR I will followup with a posting once its done.
Did anyone catch the Republican debate last nite? It was the CNN Youtube debate and provided some pretty funny moments. For starters Fred Thomspon the so called great hope blew it last nite and his campaign is just about over. He is a lazy and useless schmuck that looks like and extra from the Evil Dead. Romney tried to weasel his way out of a few questions but got bitchslapped by McCain on torture. Hey Romney just say it, you are in favor of torture u love the idea. Guilani was blasted at the beginning and never really recovered but did get in a few 9/11s as well as a gimme question that was used to take the pressure off of him as a one trick pony. Tom Trancredo is still insane as ever and said that he wouldn't fund a misson to mars which pissed me off. The only one that seemed to shine last nite was Huckabee. He was a smooth talker, interjected some humor when needed and pulled it off. The guy is scary tho, he is the product of the new breed of republicans and I don't think the country wants to relive the whole "compassionate conservatism" all over again.
Posted by mardenhill 11/29/2007 08:32:00 AM 0 comments
Labels: Politics
Save Tucker
Monday, November 26, 2007
http://savetucker.org/index.html
I don't always agree with the guy but I think he is a great cable news personality. He is willing to make fun of himself and will take both sides to task for their ignorant stands on issues. After Jon Stewart kicked Tucker out of the park on Hardball years ago, he became a real person and a better pundit. It took a while but he lost the bowtie and lambasted partisans who refuse to take off their blinders. I respect him for this and although he still pisses me off from time to time I don't want to see him go.
Posted by mardenhill 11/26/2007 11:48:00 AM 0 comments
Labels: Politics
Lots Music News
For starters I have rules that I believe bands need to follow when it comes to "getting the band back together". No band should say they are reformed or back together if they have not reached the 10 year mark. This 10 year can be between releases or the dismantling of the band. So for groups like Janes Addiction and Smashing Pumpkins, those are just extended breaks between albums not official reformations. With that in mind I have a few bands I would like to discuss today. All three bands meet my criteria and are scheduled to resurface next year.
The first band is the Jesus And Mary Chain. After their Coachella show the Reid brothers decided to give it another shot and will be releasing a new cd next year. This will be 10 years since their last cd Munki and possibly a new direction for the band. Both brothers will be featuring their own songs and as of now there is no talk of newer music written together. This can always change so we shall see.
The second band is My Bloody Valentine who took the 10 year rule and blew it out of the water. Their last cd surfaced back in '91 so we are looking at 17 years. MBV were part of the shoegazing scene that pulled influences from JAMC, Sonic Youth and Cocteau Twins. Due to Kevin Shields insistence on perfection, MBV never released anything after Loveless until now, or so he says. Shields wants to pull a Radiohead and release online only but at a price no free music.
Our third band would be The Verve who hit it big with Urban Hymns only to crumble a year later. Yeah they pulled off some shows with a new guitarist but that never panned out and Richard Ashcroft dismantled the band and went solo. For the last 8 years Ashcroft put out cds that became progressively worse and for any credibility to be left he needed to get the band back together. Right now, The Verve are just re-releasing a greatest hits with a DVD packaged together. They did play some shows and posted about 20 minutes of music recorded during some studio sessions. The music didn't amount to much, no songs but a good starting point for work on a new cd.
All three bands are very important in the history of music, lets hope their reformations amount to some amazing sounds, something the music industry desparately needs.
Update: As for Janes Addiction, they had a 13 year span between cds but within that time were back together playing shows with members of Red Hot Chili Peppers throughout the late 90s.
Posted by mardenhill 11/26/2007 10:32:00 AM 1 comments
Labels: Music
New TV
Sunday, November 25, 2007
I left the store with his card and prices and headed back home for some more research. I checked everywhere else and no one except Amazon could come close to the price at ABC so I decided I would do one last check thru Costco then back there. Costco had the older Sharp model at a great price but online only so I used this as my bargining chip. I went back to ABC and told the guy I didn't want an extended warranty but was willing to buy at Costco due to the 2 year they give and asked what else he could do. He came back and knocked off another $50 and threw in a surge protector, HDMI cable, DVI to HDMI converter and glass cleaner at his cost (or so he says but it was a good discount none the less). I walked out of there with the Sharp Aquos LC 42D64U for $1450 which I believe was a great deal. This model has an additional HDMI port, a lower response rate 4ms and a slimmer design over the 62U series Costo was selling. I still have 30 days to decide if I want an extended warranty but I am not sure if I will do so.
Setup was easy, just screw in the base and plug in. We still need to swap our cable box for the HD version with the bigger DVR. The tv did an automatic scan for channels and once that was done we were watching. I am excited to upgrade to the HD since I will be able to watch Discovery channel in High Def. We also need to get a home theater in a box and will wait til xmas for that. Since our living room is not that big I didn't want to do the separate components and a simple dvd player/receiver with wireless rear speakers will work just fine. There are a few that I am looking at and all are very affordable. We plugged the Wii in last nite and played a game of tennis which was a lot of fun. Yeah its not High Def quality but the split screen was big enough that you could play against each other and see the ball. I will need to get the better cables for the Wii now but that's not a big deal. I will also have to calibrate the tv getting all the colors right but that is something I will do another day. So if you are in the market for a new tv, consider Sharp, they have all the necessary specs as well as a great design.
Posted by mardenhill 11/25/2007 10:02:00 AM 0 comments
Labels: Technology
Campion Edna Valley Pinot Noir 2002
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving everyone and hope that you had some good food and great wine today. With that in mind I will fill you on on what we served with our dinner. We had both a red and white for everyone and the red was a Campion Edna Valley Pinot Noir from California. Though not as heavy as an Oregon Pinot, the Campion holds up well and delivers a nice plump and earthy red. There is a bit of tannin on the finish and a hint of wood and spice creep thru. This is a $20 bottle and well worth it if you are looking for an easier drinking red but not too weak. This is definitely a wine I would buy again with no problems.
http://www.campionwines.com/wines/
Our 2nd bottle was the 2006 Blackstar Farms Late Harvest Riesling, a great example of Michigan wines. This is a sweet and crisp white with hints of apricot. A wine like this will go well with any spicy dish or with an audience of non wine drinkers who prefer sweeter juice. Michigan does excel in the white wines and Rieslings stand out on top. This wine is great on its own or served with a simple dessert of fresh fruit. This wine can be found for about $16 a bottle.
http://www.blackstarfarms.com/winery/wines/?id=34
Posted by mardenhill 11/22/2007 02:30:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Wine
My Moto Q9H
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Yeah I know I go on and on about how cool my phone is but I'm not lying, it really is that cool. The other day I installed a program to view YouTube videos in full screen mode (not something I watch a lot of but nice to have). I also discovered that the software can also stream internet radio. While driving up to Erika's family I plugged my phone into our iPod adapter and streamed Woxy Vintage while driving down the expressway. As long as you have a good signal it comes thru with no problems. When we were north of Lansing it started to go out. At that point I switched back to the iPod and continued on with our journey.
The ability to stream internet radio for free while driving around town is awesome and something I will do more of back at home. I didn't expect to have signal the whole way but was suprised by how far it did go.
I found a free weather and travel program that gives me updates as well as a Zaget restaurant guide.
Posted by mardenhill 11/21/2007 07:34:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Technology
Research in Motion Secretly Plans iPhone Killer
Word on the street is that RIM has its sights set on dethroning Apple and the iPhone. They will release a touchscreen device under the 9000 series in hopes of breaking their image of a business only device. They did make some headway with the Pearl, a small phone with a 2 type keyboard that is next to impossible to type on. They brought the keyboard back with the Curve and both devices had cameras onboard as well. This is good and all but when compared to windows based devices the Blackberrys do not hold up. They are not user friendly when it comes to 3rd party applications and you always feel like you are in business mode when using.
Another problem I have with Blackberrys is their desktop software, this is needed to sync and reconcile emails and files. Its completely stupid that I need a desktop software to keep my outlook organized. As for file transfer, thats fine since all devices have this. I have never worked with a Blackberry that is truly 100% wireless, something never syncs and its back to the usb cord once again. This is one of the reasons I love Active Sync and Windows Mobile, I never have to cradle my device unless I want to transfer files. My calendar, emails, address book, tasks and notes all sync flawlessly.
So with that in mind I don't see Blackberry coming close to an iPhone killer. Neither device is 3G which is a big deal for me. This is one of the reasons why I didn't go for the iPhone. If the 2nd generation sports 3G and a few other missing features then I will reconsider.
http://www.alleyinsider.com/2007/11/research-in-mot.html
If you are on the fence and are considering a Blackberry, look elsewhere and try a Windows Mobile device, I think you will be much happier.
Posted by mardenhill 11/21/2007 07:22:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Technology
2005 Domaine de la Motte Chablis Cuvée Vieilles Vignes
One of the problems with old world wines are the lack of photos and good websites. Anyways, the bottle in question is a 2005 Domaine de la Motte Chablis Cuvée Vieilles Vignes. This is a Chardonnay from the Burgundy region in France and one that many people will enjoy. While its not the over oaked chards from Australia, its not a simple and sweet wine either. Its the best of both worlds, a great nose with hints of tropical fruit and and wood. Its not some amazing Burgundian wine that should be held for years or rationed, its just a $13 bottle from Costco. I do recommend it tho, if you are in need of a chard for your cellar but want something other than the usuals give this a try.
Plus you can always look pretentious among your friends by pulling out a bottle with a name longer than most and one that can't be rattled off at will.
http://www.chablis-michaut.com/index.php?en
Posted by mardenhill 11/21/2007 09:27:00 AM 0 comments
Labels: Wine
Monsanto Chianti Classico 2003
Sunday, November 18, 2007
I am used to Chianti's being very cheap, thin and watery and never had the desire to buy a good one. I changed my mind and picked up the Monsanto from Costco. Fortunately it was only $15.99 and when I did a bit of research I discovered that outside of warehouse stores its well over $20 a bottle.
This Chianti is 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo and aged 24 months in oak. The color is a deep red and is hard to see thru. The flavor is rich and plump with a lot of fruit and a lingering spicy backbone. Even after 2 days this wine stood up and continued to offer flavor.
I am hoping that Costo has a few more bottles left because I will definitely pick up a couple to sit on for years to come.
Posted by mardenhill 11/18/2007 09:45:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Wine
Circuit City Are A Bunch Of Assholes
Friday, November 16, 2007
I don't do much shopping at Circuit City and after my experience today I will do much less, basically none. I had today off and decided to do some research on TVs for our upcoming purchase. I did my research online beforehand, I had my specs down, I want 42 inch, 1080P, LCD, multiple HDMI ports and a price around $1200 if possible. I saw a few TVs that interested me on Circuit City's website with one being a Phillips for $1499. It features the Ambilight technology and I wanted to find out if this was something that would work if you didn't have the TV mounted to the wall. The website states not available for store pickup which is fine since I wasn't 100% on this TV anyways.
I arrived at the store around 2pm with maybe 15 cars in the parking lot. I make my way to the TV section and the guy who pretty much ignored me when I came in finally came over to ask if I needed any help. I rattle off my specs and what would fit in this range and he showed me a JVC which was nice. I then asked about the Phillps and he said they didn't sell the TVs anymore hadn't in over 6 months. I then said I saw them online and he tried to fight with me that Circuit City doesn't sell them. What kind of moron doesn't know what is available on the website? If you work at a store you should be familiar with what is available online. Its not like they only sell one Phillips, they have 10 on their site. He gave me a non answer regarding the Ambilight so now I have to make a trip to Best Buy to see if they have one and have a person who can answer my questions. Its not like the store was packed, there were 2 people in the TV dept and there were 2 workers. So the guy was of little use, had a bad attitude and didn't even know what his company sells. I expect this from Best Buy and figured that Circuit City would have some knowledgeable folks in their TV dept. I guess I was wrong and will end up going to Costco for my purchase. At least I know I won't get any help and prefer that over some idiot kid who is clueless and needs a crash course in customer service.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Televisions/sem/rpsm/c/1/catOid/-12867/N/20012866+20012867+40000406/link/ref/rpem/ccd/categorylist.do
Posted by mardenhill 11/16/2007 04:49:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Misc
Slacker Portable Player
Thursday, November 15, 2007
I while ago I wrote about Slacker.com a website that allowed you to stream music by genres and artists. They are in the process of releasing a portable player which is pretty damn cool. You can get them in 3 sizes:
15 Station: $199
25 Station: $249
40 Station: $299
The devices are WiFi and I believe have a hard drive which will store music on it when you are away from an internet connection. You get album art, biography and reviews of the music you listen to. Its not a touch screen but there is a touch bar on the side that allows you to slide up or down.
The concept is very simple, you choose to listen to pre programmed stations or build your own by choosing artists and letting the service build around that particular sound. Its completely free to listen to online and you get 6 skips per hour. There is a premium level which runs $7.50 a month that will give you unlimited skips and higher sound quality. If you are interested in listening to new music or just tired of putting together your own playlists let Slacker take over for you. One of the cool features on the web and maybe on the player is the Up Next, that way you get a preview of the artist (not song) that is scheduled to play.
Unfortunately the website does not go into specifics on the portable player which I find disappointing. I would like to know battery life, hard drive size, how long you can stream without an internet connection and how long it take to sync. Hopefully they update this soon that way I can notify all of you on the latest in the coolest gadgets around.
Update:
Just found a site that gave battery life and its only 10 hrs which does suck a bit. You can play your existing mp3s which means there is a hard drive present, just not sure what size.
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/slacker-video-tour/slacker-portable-personalized-radio-player-video-and-gallery-323023.php
Posted by mardenhill 11/15/2007 11:52:00 AM 0 comments
Labels: Music, Technology
Nokia N82
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Nokia just released a new phone under their "N" series and its the N82. This phone is amazing in many ways but not one I would really go out and buy. Its loaded with GPS, WiFi, music player, microSD memory slot (comes with a 2gb card), internet browser, and camera that happens to be a 5 megapixel with a Carl Zeiss lens. No keyboard but for a media player phone this is nice. One of the great things about the Nokia phones is that you can buy them unlocked and just pop your sim card in. Now you are going to spend a great deal of money to do so but if you want a killer camera/phone/music player in one this is a device for you.
I still love the Motorola Q9H and should be getting my microSD card soon from Amazon. I plan on loading it up with mp3s, photos and apps.
http://www.nseries.com/index.html#l=products,n82
Posted by mardenhill 11/14/2007 04:39:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Technology
Obama Strikes Again
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
The Hillary lovefest is over and now its Obama's time to shine. Ever since Hillary's debate performance, her flip flopping on illegals and drivers licenses and the planted questions the media has set its eyes on a new candidate. Before it was Hillary this, Hillary that now its Hillary has stumbled, can she make it, is she too wounded etc.
I was watching the cable news shows last nite and every pundit spent their time fawning over Obama's performance at the Iowa dinner Saturday night. From the clips I saw, Obama did knock it out of the park and if he continues to turn up the heat, the nomination will be his. This was the Obama that everyone witnessed at the Democratic convention back in 2004. This is the Obama that could finally wrestle government control from the Baby Boomers who continue to fight the same battles since the 60s. This is one of the things I like best about him, he was too young for Vietnam and was not part of the counterculture movement. I just hope my generation doesn't follow the same path and spend 40 years fighting about the Iraq war. The good news is that the majority of the country knows it was a mistake and that Bush and co lied to get us in there.
I havn't decided who I am supporting, too many good candidates but Obama has made it to my shortlist.
Posted by mardenhill 11/13/2007 09:35:00 AM 0 comments
Labels: Politics
The Arcade Fire
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Last nite The Arcade Fire played on Austin City Limits and I have to say it was quite interesting. I don't love the band but I don't hate them either, they are one of those that I like a few songs but tend not to listen to all the time. After watching about 5-6 songs on ACL, I am glad that I have never seen them live, I don't know if I could handle a whole show. They are unique to say the least. They run around and swap instruments during songs but get a little too excited with the percussion. I find the lead woman very annoying tho, between her look and her singing, its enough to keep me from listening. She completely rips off Bjork with her style and she screams too much. If you have never seen them live I recommend finding some footage first, that way you can guage if its worth it.
Posted by mardenhill 11/11/2007 04:56:00 PM 1 comments
Labels: Music
Lack Of Postings
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Sorry for the lack of postings over the last couple weeks but I have been slammed at work and havn't had much time to write anything witty.
A few things to tide you over could be:
I still love my new phone, the Motorola Q9H is amazing and I have found more and more things that it can do. My latest was to download the Resco Internet radio client where I can listen to Woxy or Woxy Vintage while on the go. I have created some new ringtones and setup a new wallpaper. I am still waiting on a memory card, I can't decide between a 2 or 4 gig.
Well enjoy this little nugget and I promise I will get back to my normal schedule of postings soon.
Posted by mardenhill 11/08/2007 08:06:00 PM 1 comments
Labels: Misc
City Of Berkley Election Results
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
We had a charter ammendment to vote on in our city and the good news is it didn't pass. The city of Berkley has had a nativity scene out in front of City Hall for years but the charter would require the city to display this from the end of November thru January. It would require a Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus along with a Santa Claus and presents. Mind you there is a huge church a half mile down the road that could display all of this instead of City Hall. There is no reason why this should be on the property not to mention the tax dollars that will be wasted defending this. Its good to see that the citizens of my city came thru and defeated this proposal. We will just be labeled heathens by the nutballs who supported this but I really don't care. And the crazy lady who was running as a write in candidate lost as well. So overall it was a good day for my faire city.
Proposal: Requires the city to display a Christmas nativity scene on city hall property each year. ( 7 of 7 precincts)
NO
2,275
Yes
1,861
Posted by mardenhill 11/06/2007 10:06:00 PM 1 comments
Labels: Berkley
Nick Cave News
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds release their 14th studio album DIG, LAZARUS, DIG!!! on 3rd March 2008.
Produced by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds and Nick Launay who worked with the band on their last album Abattoir Blues/ Lyre of Orpheus, the new album was recorded over the summer at State of the Ark Studios in Richmond and mixed by Nick Launay at British Grove in Chiswick.
DIG, LAZARUS, DIG!!! features artwork by British artists Tim Noble and Sue Webster.
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds will announce single and tour news soon, and rest assured you will be the first to hear about it.
................................
I am very interested to hear what this cd will sound like. After Nick's side project with Grinderman, will he go back to the soft ballads or will he have an edge to his sound? Its great that there will be a tour but I am not holding my breathe for a Detroit date.
Posted by mardenhill 11/04/2007 03:49:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Music
Rogue Chipolte Ale - Oregon
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Chipolte Ale
Dedicated to Spanish author Juan de la Cueva, who, in 1575, wrote of a dish that combined seedless chipotles with beer: Chipotle Ale is based on Rogue’s American Amber Ale, but delicately spiced with smoked jalapeno (chipotle) chile peppers. Deep amber in color with a tight head, rich malty aroma, delicately smooth and crisp flavor, and subtle chipotle chili finish. Chipotle Ale is created from Northwest Harrington, Klages, and Maier Munich Malts; Willamette and Cascade hops; and Chipolte (smoked jalapeno) Peppers. Available in a 22-ounce (12/case), 12-ounce (24 loose/case) screened bottles, and on draft. Blend it with Rogue Chocolate Stout and create a Mole’ black and tan!
http://www.rogue.com/brews.html#MMsoba
........................................
While in Oregon we saw a display of this beer and wanted to try it. It took about 5 stores and finally Holiday Market in Royal Oak had it in stock. The beer is quite good and although it made with peppers its not what you think. I was expecting a more smokey flavor due to the chipolte but it was just heat at the end of the taste. You have the classic Rogue flavor with a bit of BAM at the end. If you have never had Rogue beer before you are in for a treat. They have some amazing styles and if the Chipolte Ale is too much, just try the Dead Guy Ale.
Posted by mardenhill 11/01/2007 09:30:00 PM 0 comments
Labels: Books
