My Girlfriend's Back...

She's angry. She's depressed, and she's quite frankly the hottest 38-year old girl I've seen in ages. Shirley didn't f*ck around whilst putting forth her lyrical contributions towards the latest release Bleed Like Me. The girl has been through a barrage of shit storms including divorce, various surgeries, and mental torment.

I started this flippin' post nearly a week or so ago but that busy corporate world has been hindering my ability to keep up on all fronts. SO here's a quick recap of what the hell has been going on.

• Bleed Like Me is out! Go buy it. I dig it and will post a swell review after I return next week. Overall, I give it
• Great interview with Trent Reznor in the latest edition of Spin - good edition overall. There's also a brief interview with my girl, Shirl and Joy Division revisited. Check it out.
• Muse @ The Pageant TONIGHT!!! I unfortunately will not be in attendance.
• ...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of the Dead - Miss. Nights this Thursday
• Coachella is this weekend -YAY!!! Departure from STL is slated for 9AM CST tomorrow.
• New NIN album With Teeth out soon! NIN will also be appearing @ Coachella.
  

And so it goes.... I'm headed for dementia and debauchery so I will catch you phat cats on the flip side. Keep on truckin'...
Smile! Shirley f#cking loves you!!

Ear(al) Pleasure

Greetings Freaklings....

Reporting to you from the bowels of corporate hellnation. What could I possibly have for all the lovely people on this fine Friday? Well, take a look....

LCD Soundsystem (Self-Titled)
I finally picked this album up last night and gave it a good whirl. You get two-two-two discs for the price of one. The first disc has some phatty phat tracks including "Daft Punk is Playing At My House", "Tribulations", and "Movement". This album dabbles with a touch of spice from various musical genres including punk, funk, and house. The 2nd disc doesn't have quite the fire power as the first, but it has it's moments with "Losing My Edge" and "Beat Connection". Check out LCDSoundsystem.com for more info. on this artist. As for the album, I give it .

New Flippin' Releases
Lots of super new albums coming out over the next few months. Most of these will be out by early/mid May, but some are available now. And we're off.

Garbage - Bleed Like Me
Nine Inch Nails - With Teeth
Daft Punk - Human After All
The Raveonettes - Pretty in Black
New Order - Waiting for the Sirens' Call
Pet Shop Boys - Back to Mine
Monty Python's Spamalot (featuring original cast members)
Autechre - Untilted
David Bowie - Collection
John Digweed - Choice: A Collection of Classics
Belle & Sebastian - Push Barman to Open Old Wounds
Stephen Malkmus - Face the Truth
Beck - Guero

The Morning After...

And so it goes. Being #2 in the nation with only two losses this season is nothing to be depressed about. It was a phenomenal season regardless of the outcome. Check out this article as it has several good statements from Bruce Weber. Until next year....



Season tickets are now on sale for Illinois football. Looking forward to the '05 season with new head coach, Ron Zook. Hopefully, he can give the offensive and defensive lines a good overhaul/kick in the ass and make a name for Illini football. Despite their win/loss record, Illinois football is still as exciting and entertaining as it ever was. Now that the basketball season has concluded, I can take a breather from the orange and blue. Football season is on the radar.

Next up..... Coachella 2006
featuring Bauhaus, Coldplay, The Chemical Brothers, Weezer, The Raveonettes, UNKLE, New Order, Nine Inch Nails, Roni Size, The Doves, Spoon, Josh Wink, Black Star, Bright Eyes, and a f#cking shiteload of other bands and artists. The grand road trip kicks off three weeks from tomorrow. The actual Coachella Music Festival will be held April 30th and May 1st. Visit the Coachella site for the complete list of artists as well as anything you ever wanted to know about the festival. A 2-Day pass is required to catch performances for both days. However, sobriety is optional. Hopefully, I'll remember enough to share following the great trek back. We shall see....


Tune in next time!

Holy Flippin' Crap

They made it. They made it. They made it....

for the 1st time in 100 years. Perhaps after tonight, I'll be able to sleep again. The anticipation for tonight's match has been brewing since the tournament bracket was announced. By the way, meet Ceasar Perez. He resides in the fine city of Champaign, Illinois. Imagine that. Disowned by his family and friends and clinically insane, but you've got to love his spirit. He's got my vote for most devoted fan.

I must say that I watched a good portion of the MSU/North Carolina game on Saturday, and I wasn't all that impressed with the Tarheels. I felt more confident after watching their performance as they are one of the few teams I've not had the privilege to watch this season. Not saying that they're horrible and play a wretched game of basketball, but I do believe they can be beaten. In a mere 6 hours, we shall see.

And tomorrow....
it will all be over until next year. This 'dream team' has spoiled Illinois fans. Seasons like this just don't come around as often as we would like. Who knows when the next Final Four appearance will be? It took sixteen long years this time so breath it all in, folks. Enjoy it while it lasts. I know I've certainly enjoyed this spectacular season.

1 Day 5 Hours 37 Minutes

The team arrived Wednesday night along with Michigan State, and UNC. Let thy party begin. The Final Four segment of Sportscenter is broadcasting just outside Union Station in case you want to go slap Dick Vitale around. Everyone is gearing up for the big games tomorrow.

Have an extra ticket? Need a date that's a sure thing? Call me. Kidding, but do get back with me about Monday's game should Illinois win tomorrow.

If you're not able to enjoy the game due to overpriced tickets and bullshit politics, then I highly suggest you get your ass to a bar or a friends to support my team. I, myself, will be hosting a small gala Saturday afternoon. If you can find the place, then it's fair game. It's the house with the Illini wind sock a-blowin' on the front porch. Good luck with that....

At any rate, this weekend will either bring tears or joy or sorrow to all the folks following these last four teams. May the best team prevail. Until Monday, my friends....


OSKEE-WOW-WOW!!