There really isn't anything that you should be checking out this week. Linkin Park's new album is unnecessary, it sounds like songs cut from the first two, both of which are pretty okay. That's really all there is, and it sucks. Fortunately this summer has a lot coming, including:
June 5:DMX producer Swizz Beatz drops "One Man Band," which will probably be better in instrumental.
June 12: Queens of the Stone Age-Era Vulgaris. I mentioned single Sick, Sick, Sick in the last TMP and the more I listen to it the more I like it. It features Strokes front man Julian Casablancas on synth guitar and backing vocals. For those that don't know, Casablancas is the coolest bastard in the world, so check it out.
June 19: White Stripes-Icky Thump. Don't have anything more to say about this. See previous TMP.
June 26: Editors-An End Has a Start. The Editors are one of my favorite bands that no one else I know has heard about. Cannot wait for this.
Art Brut-It's a Bit Complicated. I love Art Brut. They have an entirely unique style that means they'll never be mainstream but they rock.
July 3: Velvet Revolver-Libertad. Slash is the lead guitarist, so get ready to have your ass blown off by this record. Velvet Revolver is quality.
July 10: Interpol-Our Love to Admire. A decent band with some passable stuff. Take it or leave it, they're nothing too special.
A movie called Delta Farce comes out this weekend. If you plan on seeing this movie stop reading because there is nothing I hate more than you. This movie is "acted" by a stable of morons including the redneck comedians Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy, not to mention DJ Qualls. Take a look at the poster. In this war, the wind doesn't blow, it hurls. You know what I'm going to say. Note the Born to Snooze on the helmet. That's funny because soldiers need to be aware all the time and rednecks are lazy. That's called irony, folks. There's a subtle "Git er dun" pin, apparently the three funniest words to say if you have cow-shit on your boots. Oh, and Slim Jims, because what's funnier than rhyming jerky? I just saw the trailer and I can't explain the helplessness I feel. Someone save us from this crap. I will absolutely guarantee you if you gave an IQ test to everyone in a America, you would see a high correlation between Larry the Cable Guy fans and Borderline retards. If you see this movie Jiffy Lube has a minimum wage job with your name on it. Let's break down the trailer (youtubed at bottom): 00:12-If you listen closely, you can almost hear the big voice guy thinking this is the dumbest movie he's ever introduced. 00:22-Step in to a Slim Jim is not a punchline. 00:33-NASCAR inevitably makes an appearance, because rednecks are so one-dimensional you know that was coming. 00:40-They climb into a Humvee to sleep, only to have it be dropped into "Iraq." 00:54-The first gay joke. "Don't ask, don't tell." Bleeping hilarious. Such chemistry. Anchorman who? 01:09-PLOT TWIST/SPOILER ALERT: They are actually in Mexico. Why a cargo plane thought it was necessary to pass over Mexico en route to Fallujah is apparently beside the point. This puts the fight club plot twist to shame. Wait, I saw this movie before, except with actual comedic talent. 01:20-This is Mexico, she wouldn't speak English, and if she did it wouldn't be like that. 01:25-Larry falls down, LMFAO. 01:31-"Look at our cars, ese." Yep, you'll hear that a lot central Mexico. 01:41-"Git er dun." America's favorite retard battle cry. Know what, shut the hell up with "Git er dun," that ship has sailed. 01:53-Final gay joke, it's different than the first because this time he's wearing a dress. "This always happens when I eat the worm," get it? Penises are sometimes called worms, ha ha. That'll do it. Keep in mind that trailers usually waste most of the funniest lines in the trailer. Anybody with a thought process will spend most of this POS movie looking around saying "What the fuck, I thought this was 28 Weeks Later." Hopefully the target audience is too busy getting drunk and going to rodeos and this movie bombs Friday night.
What's New? Nothing really big this week. 50 Cent, Interpol, and Queens of the Stone Age have new singles out. 50's "Straight to the Bank" is annoying with the laughs in the hook but still better than any MIMSBullshat, Interpol's "Heinrich Maneuver" is decent enough for fans but won't make them many new ones, and the same goes for QotSA's "Sick, Sick, Sick." Also, Interpol is getting a little too close to emo for me. I love the "Antics" album but come on guys, 25% of your songs borderline suck, you don't need to give me any more reasons to stop listening to you. Cut your damn hair.
As for albums, there are only two choices. Maximo Park's "Our Earthly Pleasures" or The View's "Hats Off to the Buskers." I told you nothing big was going on, didn't I? I've listened to both albums and this is a no-brainer. The View are quite a bit better. "Wasted Little DJs" is this year's best road trip song. "Face for the Radio" shows an obvious Beatles influence. But, unless you like garage or indie rock, you'll probably hate it. Fair warning.
Omaha, Nebraska, home to the College World Series (CWS) where thousands upon thousands of people come from all over the United States to watch. Even millions more watch from home on their TVs. But why is college baseball broadcasted on national TV only during the CWS? Why not televise more games throughout the year so people know what is going on and which teams are good when they sit down and watch the CWS itself.
It baffles me that ESPN will put on The World Poker Tour, or women's golf or, heck, even a dog show before they will televise a college baseball game. I can only watch Chris Moneymaker fold pocket sixes pre-flop so many times before I go insane. If I want to watch someone tee off 30 feet in front of what should be the only tee box, I will do it myself at my local golf course. I don't want to see Annika Sorenstam do it. What I want to see is North Carolina's Matt Cox pitch a no hitter against Florida State, or, as hard as it would be, Coastal Carolina beat the Nebraska Cornhuskers two games in a row.
Call me crazy and tell me that NCAA baseball can't compete with MLB baseball on TV. Probably true. But let's widen our options on what type of baseball Americans want to watch. Some people (including me) want a break here and there from the crack of bat and would rather hear the ball come off with a ping. Here are the NCAA baseball rankings as of today. Check them out and maybe it will aid in knowing which teams are hot and which ones are not. But, in the meantime, I have to go watch the Navy vs. John Hopkins lacrosse game on ESPNU.
The White Stripes released the first single of their next Album, also called Icky Thump, on iTunes earlier last week and it is possibly their second best song behind Seven Nation Army. It has a very EPIC 80's feel to it, you just have to hear it. The album will thankfully be more guitar heavy than "Get Behind Me Satan" was. Don't get me wrong, GBMS was an above average CD, but when half your band is made up of one of the best guitarists in modern rock you should leave the piano out of it. Seriously, who doesn't love the White Stripes?
Baby 81- Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
I just found out about BRMC, but I listened to "Weapon of Choice," and it's pretty damn good. Probably not worthy of a trip to Best Buy, but I'm not sure. It will be getting a lot of play on my iPod this week though, in between Favourite Worst Nightmare spins. BRMC is a pretty weird band, which in this case isn't a bad thing. They're Kasabian+Silversun Pickups. They are definitely worth a look, especially during a slower week like this. The new CD, Baby 81, comes out today. I don't think it refers to Terrell Owens but I could be wrong.
June 12: Queens of the Stone Age-Era Vulgaris. I mentioned single Sick, Sick, Sick in the last TMP and the more I listen to it the more I like it. It features Strokes front man Julian Casablancas on synth guitar and backing vocals. For those that don't know, Casablancas is the coolest bastard in the world, so check it out.
