Monday, July 31, 2006

Science News You Can Actually Use: The Beer Cozy Experiments

Theme Song




















Well, it's KTM's 50th post. Who'da thunk it? I'm pretty sure the over/under was 3 1/2 posts (I took the under). KTM would like to take this opportunity to thank Drivin N Cryin for giving the blog its name, and also for just being a kickass band to grow up listening to (until Fly Me Courageous).

MP3: Drivin N Cryin ~ Keys To Me

(From their 1986 debut Scarred But Smarter)

The Bottle Rockets - Zoysia













America needs more Brian Hennemans:

If your neighbor gets the zoysia grass / buddy you get zoysia too / and maybe if you hurt yourself / he'll mow your lawn for you

MP3: The Bottle Rockets ~ Zoysia

The Bottle Rockets

Buy Zoysia: eMusic || Amazon

Sunday, July 30, 2006

Sunday Funnies: Colbert's Eulogy For Ralph Reed's Political Career



Perhaps schadenfreude isn't the healthiest of human emotions, but in this case I think it's wholly justified.

Bonnie Prince Billy - 'Cursed Sleep' Video


















I don't care what your position on Mr. Oldham is, you must see this.


[Thanks to the tip from Mr. Aquarium Drunkard]

Wake Up, You've Got A Lot Of Things To Do















[Photo by Karin Partin]

Margot & The Nuclear So and So's - The Dust Of Retreat
Drifting in and out of consciousness on a trip to Vegas and back last weekend, this became my band of the moment. I had downloaded four albums from eMusic specifically for the journey, but somehow never made it past this one. If someone, no matter how eloquent, were to try to describe to me what they sound like, I'd probably take a pass. It's more about the mood, really, and this album puts me somewhere between The Dismemberment Plan's Emergency & I and The Weakerthans' Left and Leaving, though stylistically it's not all that similar to either. When it can't be justified, it's true love, right?

Margot & The Nuclear So and So's
Band Bio

MP3: Margot & The Nuclear So & So's ~ Quiet As A Mouse
MP3: Margot & The Nuclear So & So's ~ Dress Me Like A Clown

Buy: eMusic || Amazon

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Zoe's Radio Show










Um, where were the girls like this when I was 15?


Update: Here's a NYT piece on Zoe. [reg. req.]

Zoe got her start last year when her father, Ian, a former Beastie Boys Webmaster who has extensive music-business connections, posted a mix she had made to his personal Web site. A friend who has an Internet radio station saw it and suggested that Zoe have a show, an idea she took to immediately: "I got to talk about whatever the hell I wanted to talk about...

Friday, July 28, 2006

Slacker, 15 Years Later




















Easily one of my all-time favorite movies; I can't believe it's been 15 years. Salon has a nice retrospective, involving many of the key and not-so-key players. If you've ever seen the movie, it's worth a read (and even the rigamarole Salon puts you through to read it if you're not a subscriber). I particularly like Richard Linklater's quote at the end:

"...paranoia plus a generation equals pretty much the world we're living in today."

Spoon: Small Stakes Video


Yes, I realize the song is ancient (in indie rock years, at least) but it's still one of my favorites and I hadn't seen this video before today.

[via Tim O Thompson, who also points out the very brief Har Mar Superstar 'cameo']

Thursday, July 27, 2006

When Galaxies Collide


The Star Wars theme on the banjo.

(And, no, I'm not positive that isn't Sloane Doggett.)


[via Metafilter]

Introducing "El Picante"




















(AP Photo/Morry Gash)

In a move sure to add fuel to the fire of the already heated immigration debate, the Milwaukee Brewers are adding a fifth contestant to their famous sausage races.

Chorizo said through an interpreter his dream has come true.

"I am very humbled to be in the presence of so many world-class wieners, but hopefully I can bring a little something new to the table, and Brewers fans will welcome me into their hearts and grills," Chorizo said in a statement that was read in both English and Spanish.

The Fear That Has No Name?



I've checked The Phobia List, and fear of balloons is definitely not there.

Sunday Funnies, Four Days Late: Still On The Canada Tip

How to score free beer, courtesy of Bob & Doug McKenzie:

Sorry for the downtime. Vegas weekend = Sick KTM.


[via Advanced Theory Blog]


Friday, July 21, 2006

The Battle Of Atlanta

Turns out, this weekend is the 142nd anniversary of the Civil War battle for the South's crown jewel. Some people are celebrating.















[link via Metroblogging Atlanta]

Few people recognize that Atlanta is the only major American city ever to be destroyed by war. Even fewer, apparently, realize that if you move here from 'up north' only to complain about what the city is lacking compared to where you came from, you just need to go the fuck home.

Bonus MP3: The Fall ~ Peter And The Wolf

Going To See Live Music On A School Night So You Don't Have To




















Scorecard:

The Preakness: Solid B
I never get to see local bands. If this is any indcation of what's out there, I need to get out more often. Think Blake Babies suckling on Rainer Maria's bosom.

Cold War Kids
: A
Lest this become a CWK fanblog, I won't say anything else. The Great White Hope.

Sound Team:
I
I left early, so it would be unfair of me to pass a grade.



Thanks to Rich from Cable and Tweed for the tip about The Preakness.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

The Big Lebowski -- Short @$#&*!^ Version



[Link via Drunken Stepfather]

Today must be Lebowski day--this is the third time I've run across a reference in a couple of hours of ambling. Somehow, in the wake of our esteemed leader dropping the S-BOMB the other day, the video above seems appropriate.

Many have pointed out the irony in the fact that any network airing video of the president's comments unedited would be subject to hefty fines by the FCC. The way I see it, he's given us all license to speak without inhibition! I mean, shit, Congress voted to allow certain types of stem cell research and he was like 'Fuck all that, I'm the Goddamn Presidentiary and if I don't vitro this thing the Christian Right'll think I'm a big fuckin' pussy.'

So cuss away, friends. In fact, make it a point to cuss in the coming days. Anything less from you would be Unfuckingamerican.



Sunday, July 16, 2006

Sunday Funnies: Canada Abandons The Monarchy (Kids In The Hall)


Yeah, so I guess I'm kind of obsessed with our neighbors to the north. I've never been; perhaps a roadtrip is in order.

And, look, here's a KITH fansite.

If You Try To Steal The Beat, The Beat Will Steal You


Broken Social Scene: Great band, fabulous videos.


Talking points:

1. Making mixes was a lot more fun when you had to commit to tape.

2. Show anyone under, say, 21 an audio cassette and you might as well be showing him/her whatever is in Marcellus Wallace's briefcase.

3. I wouldn't kick Leslie Feist out of bed. Then again, if ever I were to find Leslie Feist in my bed it would most likely be because she had been hit by a car on the street outside of my apartment, in which case I would call an ambulance immediately.

Saturday, July 15, 2006

The Ambassador Of Mirth

Someone's made a short documentary on Baton Bob:
















[photo via The Brother Love]


If you live in Atlanta, you probably already know Baton Bob. If you live elsewhere, hopefully you have someone like him around.

Thanks for the mirth, Bob. We owe you.

(Watch the video at least to the middle, the audience participation is the best.)

Thursday, July 13, 2006

There's An Advantage To Having A Plan



Before there was Bottle Rocket the movie, there was Bottle Rocket the short film. Consider setting aside 13 1/2 minutes of your time to see how great ideas germinate. Everyone's got to start somewhere.

Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Snow Scenes Level Lonely Bastards



To us older folk (and by that I mean those of us on the wrong side of our twenties) The Wrens are truly an inspiration. Watch the video and you'll see what I mean. If you (and by that I mean all of you of any age who enjoy fine music) haven't happened upon a copy of their last (2003) album--The Meadowlands--by now, you're really depriving yourself of one of the great records of the last ten years.

Marvin, He Was A Friend Of Mine



The video may be a bit heavy-handed, but close your eyes and listen. Twenty-or-so years on we still can't be sure how to account for what we lost, or what it's meant for all of us.

Hang Me Up To Dry




Because you really can't have too much Cold War Kids in your life at this point, can you?

Tuesday, July 11, 2006

The Way That He Sings



A dozen-plus instruments onstage, and Jim James' voice is still the sweetest sound coming through these speakers.

Bonus MP3: My Morning Jacket -- The Way That He Sings (Live @ Bonnaroo 2004)

Flip Ya' For It


















The Baseball Card Blog is new to me, and is making me oh-so-nostalgic right about now.


[via Thighs Wide Shut]

Monday, July 10, 2006

Mammatus















Gorgeous shots of a sky over Spain.

I like clouds. Do you?

She's Got Tasmania In The Back Of Her Head
















A mix for LZ (she of Loud Latin Laughing, a must-visit if you read actual books) because she did something illegal for me. The title comes from a Go-Betweens tune. These songs are a little more Talladega than Tasmania--sorry, LZ.

01. Livin' In The Sunlight, Laughin' In The Moonlight -- Tiny Tim
02. Burn The Honeysuckle -- The Gourds
03. Janine -- Birdmonster
04. Please Come Back -- Catfish Haven
05. NY Pie -- Brakes
06. Gravity's Gone -- Drive-By Truckers
07. An Old Familiar Scene -- Elf Power
08. Are Friends Electric? -- Chris Whitley & The Bastard Club
09. Lion Tamer -- Damien Jurado
10. House Fire -- Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin
11. Wonderful Scar -- Now It's Overhead
12. The Fall -- Peter And The Wolf
13. Trailer Trash -- Iron Horse
14. Corazon -- Bishop Allen
15. Wilderness -- Shapes And Sizes
16. No One Likes A Bleeder -- Page France
17. There Is No Boon For Which We Do Not Render Service -- Drakkar Sauna
18. Steady As She Goes -- L'il Cap'n Travis
19. Bodies And Minds -- Great Lake Swimmers
20. Until I Slept -- The Strugglers
21. Going Back Song -- The Baptist Generals

Update: Links removed 7/29/06. Email me if you would like a copy.

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Sunday Funnies: Tim, Gareth, And The Superchicken




Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Happy B-Day, America















MP3: Marah ~ Firecracker
[Buy Marah]

Monday, July 03, 2006

Electronica at 30



I'm showing my age here, but I remember my older cousin Joe playing this music for me as a toddler and being completely mesmerized. Perhaps that's why I still have a soft spot for groups like Yaz, Pet Shop Boys, New Order, etc.

I was amused by this passage from Kraftwerk's wikipedia entry:

The band is notoriously reclusive, so much so that it is rumoured that their own record company does not have their phone numbers. Another notable example of their eccentric behaviour was reported to Johnny Marr of The Smiths by Karl Bartos, who explained that anyone trying to contact the band for collaboration would be told that their studio telephone did not have a ringer, as during recording the band did not like to hear any kind of noise pollution. Instead, they were instructed to phone the studio at a certain time on the dot, whereupon the phone would be answered by Ralf Hütter, despite himself never hearing the phone ring. Hütter: "The telephone is an antiquity — you never know who is calling, there is no image, it is an outmoded product which constantly disrupts work." (interviewed in Liberation, 1991)


Sunday, July 02, 2006

Sunday Funnies, With 15 Minutes Left: Star Wars Screen Tests (SNL)

Are You A Sports Racer?
















I think I'm a little late to this game but, damn, zefrank brings the noise (check out past shows on the right).

Saturday, July 01, 2006

I Like To Listen
















There are three kinds of music for three kinds of listener.

  1. First the music which reorganizes already established music elements into new patterns. This is music for the listener who enjoys the status quo, to be looked at from different angles.

  2. Second there is the music which enlivens old patterns with new musical elements. This is music for the connoisseurs, the listeners who enjoy looking at themselves from different angles.

  3. And last, but not least, there is the music in which new musical elements create their new patterns. This is music for listeners who are still conscious of the fact that, after all, they can hear what they never had heard before.

[via Tim Thompson]