The Ear Hole

Duck Butter

6/30 Tracks Of The Day:

Umphrey's McGee.

"Make Me" (John Scofield)

"G'z and Hustlas" (Snoop Dogg)

"Higgins"

Slow Walkers

This morning I inexplicably found myself stewing over a mental short list of personal pet peeves. And since I don't really have anything else on my mind today -- save for maybe Spain's disgusting loss to the filthy french yesterday -- I give you People and Things I Wouldn't Miss, vol. 1:

People who hold their nose when they jump in the pool.

Slow walkers.

Fast walkers who are trying to get around me.

The couple at the table next to mine, not uttering a word to one another and occasionally staring intently at my meal.

A group of tourists wearing matching t-shirts (especially if it's a church group).

Capers.

Belts with turtles on them.

"Martini's" menus and "Complimentary" free passes.

People who give their pets adjectives for names (i.e., "Fluffy" or "Squeaky").

Excessive use of quotation marks.

Times Square.

That's it for now. More to come in the very near future.

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June 28 Track Of The Day: "Filipino Box Spring Hog" by Tom Waits.

Purchase Mule Variations.

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Today's featured artist: The Sturgeon Kings from NYC. Here are a few from their latest, Out Of Thyme:

The Mule's Pajama Bottoms

The Grundle

Train Leaving Gray (Mason Jennings cover - Instrumental)

Funky Weather (Bob Schneider Cover)

soul juice

Looks like it's been a while since my last post. Been pretty tied up over here; I suppose on account of my recent resignation from corporate America. I would never have thought quitting to be a time-consuming ritual, but quite frankly I've been busier than a high-priced whore at an electronics convention.

Anyway, so long, advertising. It's been a real treat. In honor of the ad world, here are a few examples of what happens when clever people with balls actually get their way in the industry. I'd love to meet the folks behind this work for Tango, a UK-based soft drink.

Tango 1

Tango 2

Tango 3

Tango 4

Tango 5

Tango 6

Tango 7

And while we're at it, here's (viral) advertising at its most provocative:

Scruffs Hardware

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Funk 'n soul for the weekend. The Bamboos are a new Aussie soul/funk outfit on the Ubiquity label; The Sugarman Three's is a grittier brand of soul. And Wilson Pickett and Nina Simone are, well, Wilson Pickett and Nina Simone. Enjoy.

"Step It Up" by The Bamboos (feat. Alice Russell)

"Soul Donkey" by The Sugarman Three

"Stomp" by Wilson Pickett

"Funkier Than A Mosquito's Tweeter" by Nina Simone

long live nycd

On December 24, 2005, NYCD, a phenomenal little indie record shop on Manhattan's Upper West Side, kicked itself to the W 81st St. curb for good upon losing its lease (shortly after losing its store sign to theft; an omen?).

Despite a hard-fought struggle to keep the doors open, NYCD's fate gradually succumbed to a) digital music's growing assault on packaged music and b) people with poor taste and their growing assault on...everything having to do with good music. 'Tis a shame. The owners' collective ear hole had an impeccable palate, fancying some of the most savory delicacies across all musical cuisines. Their shop was a good one.

But alas, the Sal and Tony show lives on at NYCD Online.

First and foremost, sign up for the weekly newsletter/bulletin. It will change your life. (For those who don't believe me, I submit their annual Grammy Review as Exhibit A). Each week, you'll receive an extensive -- and often hilarious -- recap of the week's most significant releases, be they notably great, comically bad or anything in between.

The blog is equally witty and informative.

Of course, they also continue to buy and sell CDs online. Do good music a favor and help keep these guys on their feet; buy your next record from NYCD on Amazon.com.

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Dumb person video of the day: Urban or Rural

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June 13 Track(s) Of The Day:

Fiscal Fitness from Radio Free Brooklyn by Pete Miser (<-- click to buy).**

From Brooklyn by way Portland, Oregon, Miser is former front man for the now-defunct Five Fingers Of Funk, a live hip-hop band from his hometown. Here's a few from their debut record, Slap Me Five:

Do You Know How Many Five Is?

Pass The Vibe

Look At Where You At

Funky 97

Falcon Freestyle

** - NYCD didn't have this one in their online database. They have everything else, though.

shark sandwich

I was scrolling through the new releases on itunes yesterday when I came across something that made me shake my head. Donavon Frankenreiter, Jack Johnson's surfer bud-turned-career leech, had the nerve to release a sophomore album. Not surprisingly, it sounds every bit as bland and monotonous as his first limp-dick record.

You don't need much more than the 30-second itunes clips to tell that these twelve tracks were borne of the same old formula as the last batch: Jack Johnson with more tempo, less soul, dumber lyrics and a yogurt voice. Donavon, it may have been an OK idea to ride Jack's coattails with your debut release...just to get your name out there, I guess. But three chords only go so far, my friend, and now you're just shitting in our mouths and calling it a sundae.

Sweet hat, though.

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I have a soft spot for NYC subway crazies (see "musings" on the right sidebar). Somehow they fascinate me. Take this Crazy Man On Subway Quiz to gauge your own relationship with the seagulls of the underworld.

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June 7 track of the day: Who Is Your Midwest Representation? by Happy Apple.

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And finally, here's the full Spinal Tap interview from which the aforementioned Shark Sandwich review hails.

beat the gypsy

I came across some rare Borat material on youtube. I don't know where these came from, but I sure as hell haven't seen them on either of the first two HBO seasons (with the exception of "Baseball" from Season One; posted below simply because it's my favorite Borat segment). Anyone know the origins of the others?

Hunting
Republican Meeting
Football
Baseball

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In honor of man with two years experience as gypsy catcher, here is dirty gypsy music of Stephane Wrembel. Jagshemash!