:: Sunday, November 30, 2003 ::

James' Top 10 Albums Of 2003, 5-1

#5 ~ Penalty Life ~ The Pillows
I wasn’t expecting these guys to pop up in 2003, but then again I don’t really keep up with the latest happenings in the Japanese music industry. After hearing their awesome AWESOME work on the FLCL anime soundtracks, I snatched up this album without questioning it’s quality; a very wise move indeed. From the very first explosive guitar riff to the last harmonic fade out, these guys have taken pop rock to a peak consisting of an irrisistable blend of American and Japanese music and language. This stuff can easily be enjoyed by mainstream USA, I wonder if it’s only a matter of time before I hear The Pillows on my local radio…



4 ~ Poodle Hat ~ Weird Al
I actually skipped over writing this review, and now I feel like I am rushing an not giving it the attention it deserves. It’s fucking hilarious… it’s nothing revolutionary from Al, but it shows that once you become a dude in your 40s your career as an artist certainly doesn’t have to be waning. I’d have to say I love “Party at the leper colony” most, the title caught my attention before I ever even heard it. “A complicated song” was one of those songs I just loved sharing with people and watching them crack up as they listened and thought of how stupid Avril Lavigneneensfasee is. The greatest thing of all though was the MTV special accompanying this album, where he totally rips up Eminem. Bravo.



3 ~ Everything to Everybody ~ Barenaked Ladies
I was sold after stunt. I went back and listened to Rock Spectacle and some of their earlier stuff and only craved more. When Maroon came out in late 2000, I bought it the week it came out without hearing a single song from the album beforehand; I knew that I could trust BNL to put out music of high calibur. Fastforward to early 2003, where I was reading www.bnlblog.com and tracking their studio progress of their new album. They wrapped up in June and there wasn’t an update on their site for about three months, and after that frustrating time I heard the first single from the album, ‘Another Postcard’. It sounded exactally like the Barenaked Ladies, except that was the problem; this song could have easily been from the Stunt sessions and didn’t offer anything new! Sure it was catchy, and I do like the song, but I was afraid if I was just going to get a cookie-cutter album from the amazing minds of the guys in BNL. Luckily October came around and I wasn’t disappointed- Everything to Everybody is one of the most authentic albums of the year. The melodies are genuine, and much more piano-driven than in previous albums- I love it. I hope I get to see these guys on tour soon.



2 ~ Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robot ~ The Flaming Lips
There are several items on these lists that aren’t literally from within the last year, but are things I’ve discovered in the past year and they are simply too great to not mention here. Enter The Flaming Lips. This album came out in July of 2002 so it is still fairly recent. What could make an album so great as to rival the spectacular Hail to the Thief? Vision and growth. These guys have a long history from what I’ve read, and as I begin to dig into their music of the past (the only song I had heard of theirs before was ‘She Don’t Use Jelly’) I’m amazed at how they’ve matured from gigs where their encore was the batman theme to the simple yet profound chords and lyrics in “Do You Realize” off of this album. Everything flows nicely, tied loosely together with the concept of “Yoshimi” battling the “Pink Robot” and puts a light spin on the age old man versus machine concept. Also I can play a few of the songs on this album on guitar \m/



1 ~Hail to the Thief ~ Radiohead
It’s perfect. They are my favorite band that is still together (only Pink Floyd stands above them on my list). I wish I had listened to people earlier when they were telling me about radiohead, and had downloaded a few more songs than just Idioteque and The National Anthem. Dear Asa-the-pothead-who-sat-behind-me-in-french-last-year: I’m sorry for not taking your advice. That being said, this is one of those albums which I will be playing for my kids when I grow up and telling them about how all was not lost when I was a kid, and that we still had some really innovative, talented bands from my generation. Actually these guys have been at it for over a decade, but within the past 6 (and especially 3) they have really taken off and there’s no stopping them. God, what can I say to describe this album? Every single fucking song is so catchy and deep and means so much on so many levels. I’m doing it injustice by attempting to explain it in words… for God’s sake just go buy this piece of history.

:: Floydthebarber 11/30/2003 10:17:00 AM (0) comments [+] ::
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JAMES' TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2003, 10 THROUGH 6

#10 ~ The Complex ~ The Blue Man Group
I hear the concerts rock. I should go sometime. Not all of the songs on this are stellar, but there are definitely some catchy ones. Hooray for weird tubes. Oh oh! And it’s funny. They’ve grown a lot over all these years. I would recommend this to you if you enjoy pvc and weird noises and blue people. Oh yeah!



#9 ~ Room On Fire ~ The Strokes
TheHumanCow told me to download the new album from these guys, and once again his musical taste doesn’t fail in paralleling my own. I had heard a few songs by The Strokes before, and after listening through this one so much I feel guilty not digging their older stuff sooner. The riffs are straight up and catchy, and the music is very American sounding.



#8 ~ Self-Titled ~ The All-American Rejects
So I bought into a pop band… fuck you. These guys are pretty good. Well I think this album is pretty good for a first release. Their next one will be a true testament to their lasting value and talent. In the mean time, I can look past the vaguely whiny lyrics and appreciate the catchy tunes and energy these dudes have. I saw a video one time of them all getting tattoos together.



#7 ~ The Wolf ~ Andrew W.K.
Those brits have a lot of pent up angst, and Andrew W.K. is their (an my) savior for release. He also happens to be the hilarious pillar of hilarious hilarity among many many nerds online. I didn’t think it could get better than Party Hard, but the song Make Sex is an epic and MOVING piece of musical art. This album will be touching the bleeding hearts of angst-filled teenagers for millennia to come. And besides, this album speaks to me. After all, I LOVE MUSIC and also I am TOTALLY STUPID and REALLY IN LOVE. \m/



#6 ~ True Love Waits ~ Christopher O’ Riley
Okay, so O’ Reiley didn’t actually write the music on this album himself, but his playing is so fucking incredible that it merits it’s own place on the top 10. Basically he covers about 15 Radiohead songs entirely solo and entirely on the piano. I don’t think I’ve heard somebody play piano this expressively in a long time. While most of it is slow, somehow it seems perfectly fitting for background music during Gunbound or whatnot. You don’t even have to be a fan of radiohead, just a fan of classical. A perfect blend of the two.

:: Floydthebarber 11/28/2003 09:47:00 AM (0) comments [+] ::
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Hey wow I haven't really used this thing in a while. Well since i'm just sitting here waiting for dinner and gunbound, why don't we blog!

A few people have been getting all upitty about what I said regarding some religious stuff... I think people just aren't listening as closely as they need to and then get mad at me and I either come back too strong, or just let it drop and whatnot. Whoever dan is, dan, I didn't say you d00ds don't read the bible, I said that some parts of catholicism seem contradicting to what the bible says, that's all. I wasn't disproving the bible in fact I love it..... okay I'm tired already. Whatever dan and etc.

When was the last time I went to a gathering? About a decade or uh a month. I wasn't invited to Corey's or Jen's (whenever that was I can't remember) and I think there was something going on tonight I wasn't invited to? Ah who cares. SB has a really sore throat and I hope she gets bettar! And Anna should start talking to me again because I am lonely and talking to girls is fun.

I hate school and I'm glad i'm not in it for a while. I hate all the work and I'm looking forward to a fresh start with this final push concerning exams and such.

and my pants are falling down, and such. I'm tired and it's gunbound time, i'll finish this stuff latare!

:: Floydthebarber 11/25/2003 06:00:00 PM (0) comments [+] ::
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some of this stuff is just too compelling. I have heard quite a few people say they belive something along the lines of as long as they lead a good life and do good deeds, then God will let them into heaven. If you believe in the Bible at ALL, then you would know this is not true:

God's Word, which states that salvation cannot be earned, but is a free and undeserved gift of God:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

So you can't just be a "good boy" and get into heaven. You have to have faith. This site is seriously kick-ass, i'm learning a lot. The more you read the Roman Catholic doctorine, the more you realize how absurd it is- they base everything they do off of tradition and not off the Bible...horrible. I'd like to learn more so I could carry an intelligent conversation with somebody. Also I should get some sleep.

:: Floydthebarber 11/15/2003 01:41:00 AM (0) comments [+] ::
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http://www.chick.com/reading/books/160/160cont.asp this is a good read, about catholicism. it answers some misconceptions i had and affirmed some of my beliefs on how absurd some of their beliefs are, especially regarding the pope. He's such a joke.

:: Floydthebarber 11/15/2003 01:31:00 AM (0) comments [+] ::
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Real quick, before the new episode of MXC comes on. Ryan sent me this hilarious fake link regarding our schools re-opening for tomorrow, and I figured I'd share it with some people. Hilarity ensues:

mr mOo237 (10:48:07 PM): www.wcpss.net/reopeningvetday.htm
mr mOo237 (10:48:14 PM): i love you
Anjiru18 signed off at 10:49:23 PM.
Anjiru18 signed on at 10:50:37 PM.
Anjiru18 (10:50:50 PM): hold on, what the hell? *twitches*
mr mOo237 (10:50:57 PM): :-mr mOo237 (10:51:03 PM): NOVEMBER FOOLS!
mr mOo237 (10:51:04 PM): haha
mr mOo237 (10:51:06 PM): go to sleep
mr mOo237 (10:51:08 PM): tee hee
mr mOo237 (10:51:09 PM): i love you
Anjiru18 (10:51:12 PM): *whaps you upside the head*
Anjiru18 (10:51:13 PM): grr!
mr mOo237 (10:51:15 PM): haha

n00bs pwned: 1

mr mOo237: www.wcpss.net/reopeningvetday.htm
Daer21: WHAT!!!

mr mOo237: :-Daer21: ARE YOU KIDDING ME???
mr mOo237: sorry dude
mr mOo237: i gotta get started on my HW now
Daer21: WHAT THE FLAMING FUCK ARE THESE BASTARDS DOING TO US?
mr mOo237: fucking us out of our free days
Daer21: WAIT A MINUTE?
Daer21: ARE YOUR KIDDING ME RIGHT?
mr mOo237: no
Daer21: its not on the website...
Daer21: whered you get it from?
mr mOo237: NOVEMBER FOOLS!
mr mOo237: shhhhh dont' tell the others
mr mOo237: they are stuuuupid
mr mOo237: hehe
mr mOo237: had ya there for a minute
mr mOo237: check out the site link at the top...
Daer21: YOU MOTER FUCKING SON OF A BITICH!
mr mOo237: hahahahahahahahahahaha
mr mOo237: you sir, were PWNED
Daer21: YOU BASTARD MY MOTHER JUST CALLED THE SCHOOL YOU ASS HOLE!

mr mOo237: haha
mr mOo237: haha sweet
mr mOo237: PWNED
Daer21: IM GOING TO FUCKING KILL YOU
AND SO IS JILLIAN!!!
mr mOo237: gahahahahah
mr mOo237: why jill?
Daer21: BECAUSE I CALLED AND TOLD HER YOU MORON!
mr mOo237: hahahaha
mr mOo237: poor matt
mr mOo237: best trick EVAR
mr mOo237: you know this HAS to go in my blog
mr mOo237: hey if it makes you feel better, katie fell for it for a few minutes too
Daer21: *EXPLITIVES*

n00bs pwned: 2 (4 if you count matt's mom and jillian whom he called)

teacupphilosophy: please tell me you are
mr mOo237: :-teacupphilosophy: you aren't?
mr mOo237: I gotta get started on my HW now
teacupphilosophy: you can't be serious...
mr mOo237: tell megan at school tomorrow that i'm really sorry we couldn't see each other tomorrow
teacupphilosophy: *bangs head on a desk*
teacupphilosophy: you're kidding...i know you are
mr mOo237: how so?
teacupphilosophy: the address...it's not right...
mr mOo237: NOVEMBER FOOLS!
teacupphilosophy: thought so
teacupphilosophy: *pokes james* not funny
teacupphilosophy: AT ALL
mr mOo237: hahahahaha
mr mOo237: you're just upset because you were PWNED
mr mOo237: you figured out the link was a fake though.....
mr mOo237: so it's all good
mr mOo237: hehe
teacupphilosophy: yeah...when i first pulled it up...i thought it was kinda messed up...
teacupphilosophy: but when you said the megan thing...hta threw me off
teacupphilosophy: *pokes* shame
mr mOo237: haha
mr mOo237: i got like three people
mr mOo237: you all are blog-fodder now!
mr mOo237: :-P
teacupphilosophy: shtu up

n00bs pwned: 5

vampiricpoetry: WHAT!
mr mOo237: :-vampiricpoetry: TELL ME THIS IS A PRANK
mr mOo237: i gotta get started on my HW now

n00bs pwned: 6

well there you have it. And I still love each and every one of you still. But ya gotta admit I gotcha good.

:: Floydthebarber 11/10/2003 11:00:00 PM (0) comments [+] ::
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I got bored in Paideia

Silver chain and glassy blue
Why must the face be so true
Why can't i favor my free will
And bring itself to quarter till
I'll crunch my mind and clench my fist
A guage for sentencing on my wrist
For how much longer will I stare?
These droning words I cannot bear

What if she turned into a bear?
With sharpie claws and rough brown hair
Her voice would cause her prety to run
Isolation from everyone

How cruel am I to say all these!
I owe my dearest apologies!
I shall go back to twirling steel
With every tick I twitch and feel
This boring itch of wasted time
Of paper wasted to make a rhyme
This ode to twenty minutes past
These last few pray that I shall last

Hey I'm gonna start writing up my top 10/top5 lists of 2003. Watch out.

:: Floydthebarber 11/03/2003 06:15:00 PM (0) comments [+] ::
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