http://www.latenightwithjimmyfallon.com/blogs/2010/08/jimmy-will-ferrells-fake-arms-scene/

Now that I’m done with my obligatory venting, I can start to focus on my monthly, should be more more frequent, blog post. Since my last post a lot has happened. There’s been this BP oil spill, a continued job search, Home Renovation Magazine and an unhealthy obsession with the band LCD Soundsystem.

Talking to friends online or on the phone the oil spill almost always comes up. When people hear oil + gulf of mexico, the connection is natural. Luckily residents along the Suncoast have this nifty thing called the Loop Current, protecting it’s white beaches and shores. If you look at projected movements of the oil slick you’ll see Southwest Florida is shielded by the current as the oil moves toward the Keys and the Atlantic. Yes, we might see a few tar balls and we have already had at least one oil covered turtle wash ashore. Living on the Gulf has given me a new sense of the oil spill’s impact. Growing up in Missouri, while oil spills are not ignored, the impact isn’t felt. It’s like the death of a relative you’ve met one or two times. It sucks, it’s still sad, but life goes on. Unfortunately for many Gulf residents and Gulf wildlife, life doesn’t just go on. It changes in a moment, plans you had are halted. There is a connection between the people and the Gulf here. Everyone goes to the beach, enjoys the waves and watches the reflection of the sun setting across the bay. The relationship between nature and humans is more real here. If only that relationship meant more to parties not living in the Gulf (Here’s looking at you Mr. Hayward) that maybe this type of disaster could be avoided.

In April I got a call from my bother asking me if I was interested in becoming the editorial director for Home Renovation Magazine. He is the graphic designer for the magazine and they were letting go of their editor. He called to gauge my interested and the thought of putting editor on my resume would be great, although my knowledge of homes, interior design and renovating were minimal. I accepted and am now the editor.

Working on a freelance basis as an editor, and writer, means stability does not exist. I got a taste of this early on as I was preparing for my first deadline with the magazine. I had about 10 days until everything was due for our Renovating on a Budget issue. The call came and our bi-monthly publication was turning into a quarterly publication. And just like that, everything I had worked on, assigned to writer and told the clients had just changed. The frustrating move is past and now I’m over it, but my job search that I halted when I first accepted is now up and running. I’m a loyal employee, but when there is not enough gum to plug up the leaking holes of this I need to prepare to move on. I have to keep telling myself that since I work remotely now, that a full-time job anywhere in the U.S. should be accepted since I can still work from home. Now I sit and plan out our Kitchen and Bath Annual hoping the budget allows for this issue to be printed. Fingers crossed. On a better note, the magazine has taken my recommendation from my first presentation and run with it. I suggested the our website become a listing and resource for anyone looking to renovate his or her home. The renovation resource directory/enhanced business listings launched yesterday and should be a great way to offer more financial stability for the publication.

Now on to my unhealthy obsessions, LCD Soundsystem. I don’t know where this obsession started but it’s serious and I don’t know if there is a cure. I’ve had their first two albums (Self-titled and Sound of Silver) for over a year now, but it wasn’t until Spring that I was hooked. Maybe it’s because lead singer and everything hip guru James Murphy writes some of the most relatable lyrics today. Or maybe is the electronic disco dance grooves that make you want to dance yourself clean. I think my love for New York also has something to do with it. Murphy, a Brooklyn native, is one of New York’s greatest proponents … not that it needs anymore. He and the band embody today’s generation. Struggling to balance the line of money/responsibility with living in the moment. When are you supposed to grow up? How do I  stay connected with all my friends? His us vs. them mentality helps him describe what it means to just live, which is one of the hardest things to explain.

My obsession came to high when I started seeing YouTube videos of their performances at the Coachella Music Festival in Indio, California. It grew when I watched videos from their four-night sold-out run at Terminal 5 in NYC.  Last weekend’s performance at Bonnaroo didn’t help with the obsession either. My plan for the last month or so has been to spend money I don’t have to go see LCD in Chicago at the Pitchfork Music Festival. That plan, however, has to be put on hold. The stability of income is unstable at the moment and I’m choosing to live on what I have and not what I hope to … for now. Here’s to hoping LCD makes a trip to the sunshine state before I OD on LCD YouTube videos.

Until next time. Peace Out.

-Dubya-

Since the passing of Ewing Kauffman and the transfer of the Royals franchise to Major League Baseball and then to current owner, David Glass, the Royals have been out of contention well before the trade deadline. Heck, they are usually out of contention before the All-Star break.

Hope is the greatest weakness and greatest strength for Royals fans. Hope makes us show up 40,000 strong on opening day, 30,000 on buck night. But after blowing late leads, missing cutoff men and bobbing routine defensive plays, 40,000 turns to 20,000, turns to 12,000 by September.

Baseball in Kansas City has becoming a depressing topic. So, let’s stop talking about what will go wrong and hope for what might go right.

Last year’s CY Young winner, Zack Greinke, will take the mound today for the Royals. He brings the franchise a small amount of credibility nation-wide, but a large reason to hope for Kansas City fans. He’s added a change-up to his repertoire and looks to increase his wins from last year. Billy Butler is on the verge of not just being well-known in KC but a budding star in the league. He’s a over .300 hitter with a 100-plus RBI season potential. At the back of the bullpen, the Mexicutioner, Joakim Soria, is one of the top five closers in baseball. He’s converted over 90 percent of save opportunities since becoming the closer.

Now I know three players don’t make a baseball team. They can’t field every ball, throw every pitch or swing at every at-bat, but it is a start. You need a lot else to be a competitive baseball team, but ask other fans, coaches or players and they will tell you the same thing. You cannot have a good team without a great hitter in the middle of the lineup, a solid closer and a shut down, top-of-the-rotation, pitcher.

This is a year when we need to not focus on the middle of the Royals bullpen, Jose Guillen or the terrible middle-infield errors. Focus on the division. There is a great opportunity for this team. The Twins lost all-everything closer Joe Nathan and have just made a huge investment in catcher and last year’s MVP, Joe Mauer. The Indians might be in worse shape than the Royals. The Tigers and White Sox have proven players who have won division titles and World Series rings, but don’t have the talent to pull away from the pack in the division. Their aging rosters and lack of proven pitching make these teams success unpredictable. The Royals probably won’t win the division, but they certainly can win the division.

The negative Nancy’s of the world will tell you, “It’s just the Royals.” “Why watch?” “Worst team in baseball.” And if you listen, they are right. They will be the team that after a few weeks shows a glimmer of hope only to crash and burn into a last or second-to-last place finish in the AL Central. Why go to the games? Enjoy the hotdogs thrown at your eyes by Sluggerr? Watch fireworks on Friday nights? Because that is what being a fan is all about.

So today Royals fans, forget about the eventual collapse. Forget about 2003 and trying to replicate it. Forget about those 100 loss teams with last place finishes. Enjoy today, enjoy Greinke and enjoy the season. I might be right there with you pulling my hair out in mid-May while the Royals are in the midst of a 10-game losing streak, but until that point comes, enjoy it. Go out and enjoy one of the best stadiums in baseball.
It’s baseball season. There are 162 games to decide who the best teams in baseball are. If you don’t show up and support your Boys in Blue, then why should they believe in themselves? Show up, be loud, enjoy a cold one and hope. Because for Royals fans that is all we can do and its all we can ask they players to do. Play with hope, catch some breaks and maybe this team can take advantage of a weak division.

It’s baseball season. Let’s go Royals!

Cheering from Siesta Key,

Dubya

After a three short months, budget cuts made my life a little more difficult. Those four stories a week turned into one to two stories a week. Car payments started, cable bills doubled, life got that much harder. At least I had the beach right? Well that would be great except this was the coldest winter in Sarasota in 32 years.

There are worse places, however, than Siesta Key to launch your job search. This job market (over 13% unemployment in Sarasota) is more about who you know then if you can do the job. But when you make a genius decision to leave a state and a city where you know hundreds of people to a town where you know one, well, connections are slim.

My nationwide job search continues as well, I’ve applied to jobs back in Missouri and plenty in Florida, but I’m not limiting myself to those areas. New York City (#1 on my wish list), Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Orlando, Illinois, Indiana, Texas, I’ve applied to jobs almost everywhere. Foolishly, I even applied for a job in BFE Kansas. Without even interviewing me, I was offered the job. More surprising, I was still offered the job after I had an embarrassing typo. I misspelled the editor’s name at the top of my cover letter. I made the difficult decision to decline and continue to just get by then be miserable in Southwest Kansas. As a Missouri alum and fan, I might have been exiled from the fan base or alumni association if I had accepted it.

It is difficult and too early to say if this has been a great experience. While I have no concrete plan to leave Sarasota, I don’t know how long I’ll be here. I am lucky enough to have an interview in Orlando later this week. This job would be huge step in the right direction for my career. I just want the opportunity to prove myself. I’m quick on my feet, street smart, work hard and thrive under pressure.

I know one day I’ll look back on my time here and say I learned this and that, but until that time I’ll continue to find my way through the snow birds, spring breakers and this job market.

Until next time,

Dubya

Please excuse the following stream of consciousness.

Easily the best performance of the show was the opening act from Lady Gaga and surprise guest Elton John. She has a great stage presence and is actually talented unlike many pop stars. Her song “Speechless” is the one where John came in for the duet. You can really hear the Queen/Freddy Mercury, one of Gaga’s biggest influences, sound in this song.

I really hate, or strongly dislike, Green Day. It is a sham their American Idiot album is now a musical on Broadway. I don’t think this gives Green Day more credibility, just Broadway less.

Beyonce’s performance was solid. At least she can sing and looks good doing so.

When is Pink going to go ahead and join the circus? I think it might give a boost sales for Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

I honestly think the Grammys legitimize pop while simultaneously bringing down indie music. What makes a best album? Song? Record? Is it iTunes download? Radio spins? Album sales?

Now since CBS and the Grammys only care about ratings it’s logical for them to focus on pop.

The Black Eyed Peas produced one of the most popular albums of the year, The End. They have four No. 1 hits just off that album. While they may be extremely talented in the studio, they leave much to be desired for the stage show. They are one of the few bands who I’d support lip-syncing. They cannot carry a tune.

Jamie Foxx, should stop trying. Go back to playing Ray Charles. And for Slash, stop being a guitar whore. You’ve become nothing more than a collaborator and a guitar hero avatar.

Kings of Leon win for best record of the year. It’s the only album of all the winners that I have on my iTunes.

The Taylor Swift/Stevie Nicks duet started awkwardly enough and continued to the point that most of America now wants Kanye TO grab the mic from her hands.

When will the music industry stop riding off the coattails of Michael Jackson to gain ratings? (Probably when his father does, Oh snap)  Also, I love Beyonce rocking the 3D glasses during the tribute to Michael. Those glasses may have been worth the performance, those celebrities look ridiculous.

Also, when did the Jackson kids learn how to speak? Prince was very well spoken, but it didn’t seem genuine, which I know is terrible to say. There have been very few tributes to Jackson that have seemed genuine since his death.

I know I rant about Green Day a lot. They are so overrated it is funny. But if one bad may take the overrated cake it may be Bon Jovi. Besides middle-aged women, who really gets excited about the Jersey-natives?

You know the Grammys are a joke when Lonely Boat get nominated.

“Run This Town” by Jay-Z ft. Rihanna and Kanye West wins best Hip-Hop/Rap collaboration. Kanye was in three of the songs nominated, yet he was not present at the event. Where is he? A) he was probably not invited and B) he’s been at some fashion show in Paris for the past week. C) he tweeted he was sitting on the couch watching TV.

Haiti tribute. I’ll refrain from making a snide comments about this one. Mary J. Blige is truly a great singer and this actually seemed like a meaningful tribute. They song they performed will be available on iTunes tonight.

Make sure that you take in all of Lil Wayne’s performance. It will be his last before he goes to the slammer. What a poor Lil guy.

Who ever this old white dude is, he’s killing the ratings. I was ready to turn off the TV. I guess award shows have to have a diplomat to talk about how great the show is and the history, but if there’s one speech that should get the cutoff music it should be this one.

Dave Matthew’s Band … snooze. I swear all of their songs sound the same. It’s like folk elevator music.

Beyonce wins again, surprise. At least she looks smoking hot winning those awards. My boy J is one lucky guy.

Everyone’s favorite pillow talking musician Maxwell is up next. His music is not really my fav, but I can at least appreciate his singing abilities.

For whatever reason I really like the tributes of all the musicians who have died in the last year. History in a 5-minute time span. Now a tribute to Les Paul. Truly a music legend.

Now for the performance we were all waiting for, Lil Wayne, Drake and Eminem performing “Forever” with Blink 182’s Travis Barker on drums. Dear FCC, stop bleeping things out for multiple seconds at a time. I understand for a split second, but 5-6 seconds is ridiculous.

Drake, Em and Weezy brought more energy to the show than all the other artists of the night combined. Em still has BY FAR the best verse of the song. He really is one of the best hip-hop artists when he’s pissed off. I don’t like the sober Em.

Finally, after 2 ½ hours, album of the year … drum roll …  Taylor Swift? Damn, when will she go away? She can thank Kanye for her latest record sales and music awards. Had he not grabbed the mic from her, she may not be standing there getting that shiny award.  Though I hate to kid Kanye credit for anything. She’s talented and all, but for her to win album of the year is embarrassing for the Grammys.

They Grammys were anything but special or worthy of remember, but there were some highlights. Lady Gaga, with special guest Elton John, had a great opening performance. I know a lot of people don’t like Gaga, but she really puts on a good show and is talented.

Kings of Leon and Tarantino were hilariously drunk. #drunkatthegrammys

The last performance of “Forever” by Em, Drake, Weezy and Barker was solid. They brought so much energy to the stage.  Tonight, this show, for me, was more about evaluating the performances, because the awards part of the show is a joke.

Until next year’s Shammy awards … or the Oscars … peace out.

Dub

What to look forward to this year?

Radiohead: After releasing In Rainbows in 2007 with a pay-what-you-want model, the band is slated to make a quick turnaround and put out an album before the year is out. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien said, “10 years ago we were all collectively in the land of Kid A, and although hugely proud of that record, it wasn’t a fun place to be. What’s reassuring now, is that we are most definitely a different band, which should therefore mean that the music is different too and that is the aim of the game.” He comments on the new record, “I’m an eternal optimist, but I truly believe we can shift massively on this [next] record. That’s the thing we all know, that we feel in our bellies as we’re rehearsing — we’re on a big move here. We’re definitely on a journey. And it’s exciting.”

Portishead: Pitchfork reported in September that the British electro rock  band, Portishead is in the studio hoping to release a new album within a year. According to band member Geoff Barrow, “We’re going to start writing and if all goes well it could be [out] in a year’s time.” Luckily fans of the band got a sneak peek of the new material when Portishead released a song for free in December, called “Chase the Tear.” The song was a benefit to Amnesty International.

Arcade Fire: After releasing Neon Bible in 2007, Arcade Fire is reported to be releasing a new album before the summer of 2010. Billboard reports the band may be a headliner at a few of the summer’s music festivals. They write, “Billboard sources say the album will be preceded by a single release earlier in 2010. The band is weighing multiple offers for live shows in the spring, and will likely take a top slot at one or more of the major North American summer festivals.”

Gogol Bordello: My new favorite band is not as well-known as others on this list, but the gypsy punks are scheduled to release their fifth album in 2010. There are not a lot of  sources to confirm his, however, when I saw them live in May of 2009 they said a new album would be out next year. One article says famous producer Ric Rubin will be producing Bordello’s follow-up to Super Taranta. The Philadelphia Inquirer interviewed the gypsy punk bassist, Thomas Gobena, who confirmed the band was recording with Rubin at the helm and a new album soon out. “I think [Rubin] figured out I was a funky bass player,” Gobena says. “He wanted me to rock it like Flea (of the Red Hot Chili Peppers) and understand what space means.” He later adds in the same article that Gogol Bordello is slated to play upwards of 200 shows this year.

LCD Soundsystem: The electro/dance/rock band is working on its third album after releasing the acclaimed Sound of Silver in 2007. The 2010 album is scheduled to be released by March of this year. In October, Pitchfork reported the band released its first single.

Strokes: In spring of 2009 the Strokes confirmed they were back together after four years. In October, Spin interviewed lead singer Julian Casablancas, who said the band is at a stalemate. He says part of the band thinks the songs are ready, while others thinks they need work. “I’m somewhere in the middle,” Casablancas said. “”My idea was always to take undergroundish, cool music and make it mainstream. That was my goal, and we haven’t achieved it,” he said. “We got to the top of the underground, but we never got as big as Green Day or Creed or any of the bands we were supposed to be replacing in 2001. So, in my mind, there’s still a step to take. I hope we can do it.”

Also releasing new albums this year: Beastie Boys, Hot Chip (albums comes out in Feb.), Spoon, O.A.R., Dr. Dre, Interpool, Amy Winehouse, Gorillaz, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Eminem.

Daft Punk is rumored to be touring this year in support of a new album, but the only places I’ve read that have been un-sourced blogs and message boards.

It looks like many of the bands that shaped the first part of the 21st century will be kicking off this decade with a bang.

Here’s a quick list of my favorite albums (2000-2009)

1. Radiohead – In Rainbows

2. Man Man – Six Demon Bag

3. Arcade Fire – Funeral

4. Gogol Bordello – Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike

5. Radiohead - Hail to the Thief

6. LCD Soundsystem – Sound of Silver

7. Daft Punk – Discovery

8. Broken Social Scene – You Forgot it in People

9. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes

10. Jay-Z – The Black Album

11. Gogol Bordello – Super Taranta

12. Beck – The Information

13. White Stripes – Elephant

14. Wilco – Sky Blue Sky

15. Queens of the Stone Age – Era Vulgaris

16. Coldplay – A Rush of Blood to the Head

17. Modest Mouse – We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank

18. Radiohead – Kid A

19. The Black Keys – Attach and Release

20. The Strokes – Is This it?

Let me know what you think. Until Next time,

Dub

After getting a little, or a lot, lost on the way to the show, we arrived in time to see the first band. Semi Precious Weapons, out of New York City, took the stage as I was getting our first round of rum and cokes. This flamboyant band was loud and proud of who they were. Each song while not great, was very catchy. Still today I have a couple of their hooks/choruses in my head. The thing that stood out the most was their between-song chatter with the chord. The lead singer pawned off the band’s t-shirts, one of which said (and the singer said this often), “I can’t pay my rent but I’m fucking gorgeous.” Before their final song, they told of a story of the first time Weapons played with Lady Gaga. In New York City, 2006, in front of 12 people. Quite a long way considering this concert as well as every other show on The Monster Ball Tour is/was sold out.

After the many awkward moments that Weapons brought on it was time for the performer who I was looking forward to see the most, Kid Cudi. On the way to the show I was listening to “Day N’ Night,” “Pursuit of Happiness,” and “Make Her Say,” in anticipation. He’s a rare artist who can both sing and rap. Unfortunately, Cudi was nowhere to be found. Apparently he had a little incident in Vancouver prior to the show. I had no knowledge of this when I watched one-hit wonder Jason Derulo take the stage. His song, “Whatcha Say,” gets played entirely too much on the radio already and I did not want to hear him sing/see him lip sync. Although he is a Miami native, he hardly had an inspired performance. The crowd had little reaction for Derulo, who even had a hard time getting a lucky lady on the stage to sing her a song. The biggest applause/cheer of his set was when he announced Gaga was up next.

Time for another round of rum and cokes. I needed another drink after that performance. With Gaga up next, the James Knight Music Hall was finally full. The crowd was becoming anxious before the lights went out and Gaga took the stage. She came out after an intro that was too long to “Dance in the Dark.” Although this was a song that has not been released to radio, the crowd sang in unison. This performance was troubling as Gaga was behind a mesh screen that looked like a grid. She danced and sang behind it for the duration of the song as her costume occasionally lit up. It was an interesting effect at first, but wore on as the song progressed.

Luckily, that was the only song where Gaga was more of a backseat to the special effects. Throughout the night the crowd sang every word. One of the first concerts where there were not a lot of awkward silences when the performer played a song that has not been released.However, there was an exception. “Show me your teeth,” almost seemed to weird out the crowd. Off her new LP, “Teeth,” had little to no bass and the crowd was definitely not into it. Gaga played the big hits, “Just Dance,” “Love Game,” “Poker Face” and “Paparazzi.” She even played a new version of “Poker Face” on the piano.

What stuck out to me more than the songs was the love Gaga had for her fans and their love for her. It actually felt genuine, though with $45 being the cheapest tickets it is easy to argue that’s why she loves them. But I don’t think that is the case. Between every song Gaga reminded the crowd how much she “loved her little monsters.” Her rags-to-riches story has been told repeatedly, but she seems truly grateful of where she is at this point of her career.

As a whole, my first pop concert was very entertaining and eye-opening. I have a preconceived notion that all pop stars are just stars with no talent. However, Gaga proved that a pop stars can sing, write their owns and play instruments. Derulo, well, he fit the stereotype. Gaga stole the show and rang in the new year hoping for more success for her “monsters” and for world peace. (How cliche, ha). But what I’ll always take from this show is the genuine love Gaga has for her devoted fans, especially her “gays who have been with me since the beginning.” Although it was worth the price of admission, I will leave Gaga in my memory as I do not foresee spending money to see her again.

COSTUMES/SPECIAL EFFECTS: Nothing new here. We’ve seen Gaga have Kermit the Frog outfits on TV and seen her perform at the VMAs and AMAs with ridiculous costumes. They were the same tonight. If you watched SNL when Gaga performed, you saw her sing and play the piano with rotating metal spheres around her. She did this at her NYE show as she came on for her encore. She also had her standard performance in a cube. Although it was nothing I hadn’t seen, the effects were still awesome. They definitely helped to create a party atmosphere and make it more than a concert, it made it a show.

1. The Dark Knight (94%) – $158 million
2. Spider-Man 3 (62%) – $151 million
3. New Moon (29%) – $140 million
4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest (53%) – $136 million
5. Shrek 3 (41%) – $121 million
6. Spider-Man (90%) – $114.8 million
7. Pirates of the Caribbean: At Worlds End (45%) – $114.7 million
8. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (19%) – $108.9 million
9. Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (79%) – $108.4 million
10. Shrek (89%) $108 million

Summary: It appears as if people go see similar, if not the exact same, movies. Outside of Shrek, EVERY single movie, on this list is not an original piece of work. They are either sequels or based off books/comics/tv shows. It’s really sad when you think about it.

There are 93 movies with the distinction of making more than $50 million on opening weekend. Only “Revenge of the Fallen” , “Fast and Furious” –  $70 million (28%) and  Van Helsing (22%) – $51 million, had worse reviews than “New Moon.”

More Numbers:

While box office success does not normally translate in Oscar or Golden Globe success, there are a few that bucked that trend. Of the top 20 grossing films of all time, only “Titanic” (81%) – $600 million, “Lord of the Rings: Return of the King” (94%) – $377 million and “Forrest Gump” (72%) – $329 million won best picture. That is total gross though, not one weekend. Of the top-20 box office opening weekends, not one movie has even been nominated for best picture and I highly doubt “New Moon” will be the first.

After that game Missouri was supposed to cruise through the rest of the non-conference schedule and head into the Big 12 opener against rival Nebraska. However, Bowling Green had other intentions to get the Tigers out of cruise control. Heading into the game, the Falcons had defeated the Tigers in their two previous meetings, both since MU head coach Gary Pinkel has been there.

(L.G. Patterson/AP photo)

Missouri began the game sluggishly and never looked comfortable until the end of the 3rd quarter. Bowling Green was up 13-0 at one point in the first half before two field goals by Grant Ressel of MU made it 13-6 at halftime. On the opening drive of the second half, the Falcons drove down the field and scored a touch down to make it 20-6 in what was looking like another Missouri loss. It looked like the Missouri of old, high expectations before falling flat. The Tigers needed to respond. This next quarter and a half would help me decide if this team is rebuilding or reloading.

Like any young team, these young Tigers struggled. Gabbert and the rest of the offense were flat and the defense bended but did not break. Mizzou came back from being down 20-6 to score 21 unanswered points to win 27-20.

For me, this was the game that showed that this program has progressed as a national power,  not last weeks beating of the Illini. This team was challenged, did not play well for three quarters and still won the game. Previous Missouri teams lost this same game. Even last year I don’t think the Tigers would win this game in the position these Tigers were in tonight. In years past, if the game plan was not working, Mizzou did not win. MU offensive coordinator David Yost relied heavily on the Derrick Washington and the running game to get Missouri this win. It’s something former O-Coordinator Dave Christensen would not do.

(L.G. Patterson/AP photo)

Am I disappointed that MU did not below out the Falcons? Kind of, but games like this serve as wake-up calls. This game showed that those youngsters have matured and that this team has enough senior leadership to win tough games.

Now I’m not saying they’ll repeat as Big 12 North Champs, but this game makes me think they’ll be in the discussion, not Illinois. They came into St. Louis last week and caught the Illini off-guard and Illinois did not respond, that game did not show me much. Bowling Green came into Columbia yesterday and caught Missouri off-guard, but Missouri did respond. And in doing so reminded me that Mizzou now reloads instead of rebuilds.

Today I’m going to dive into my iTunes library and dig out my 20 favorite albums. They are not necessarily the best or the most critically acclaimed, but my personal favorites. I apologize now for repeat artists on the list. I’ll try to keep the descriptions brief and just list a couple songs from each album that you might want check out.

20. A Rush of Blood to the Head – Coldplay

While my two favorite songs from Coldplay (Yellow and Trouble) are from their first album, this is from top to bottom their best. Not a bad song on the CD. Check out “Green Eyes,” “The Scientist,” and “In My Place.”

19. Is This it? – The Strokes

It’s hard not to listen to this album and say ‘I remember that song’ because there were so many hits from Is This it? Listen to “Take it or Leave it,” “Someday,” and “Last Night.”

18. Toxicity – System of a Down

Another political band on this list, but they still are not RATM. I have to be in a certain frame of mind to listen to System. But when I am I usually listen to “Shimmy,” “Chop Suey,” or “Aerials,” from Toxicity.

17. White Album – The Beatles

Considered their most experimental work, the White Album has great hits like “Helter Skelter,” “While My Guitar Gently Weeps,” and “Revolution 9” that show why the Beatles are considered one of the best band of all time.

16. Fleet Foxes – Fleet Foxes

This is my new favorite album. Even though I have only had this for a little over a month, the harmonies of the Fleet Foxes make for the most easy listening folk music today. Listen to “Sun it Rises,” “White Winter Hymnal,” and “Ragged Wood.”

15. The Odd Couple – Gnarls Barkley

This might be the best album of 2008 that nobody listened to. It was also nominated for a Grammy that year. “Charity Case,” “Run,” and “Surprise” are the best songs on the album.

14. Californication – Red Hot Chili Peppers

I guess you could call this their comeback album when John Frusciante rejoined the band. It’s easily their best album. “Californication,” Otherside,” and “Scar Tissue.”

13. Master of Puppets – Metallica

I had to have at least one truly metal album on the list. This band redefined how fast and hard rock was played and this album is a main reason for that. Listen to, “Master of Puppets,” “Battery” and “Welcome Home.”

12. Six Demon Bag – Man Man

By far the weirdest album on this list. Listen to, “Black Mission Goggles,” “Tunneling Through the Guy and “Engrish Bwudd.”

11. Midnight Vultures – Beck

All of the beck albums have their own distinguishable identity and this one is no different. It is the most upbeat of his albums and one you can’t help but smile after listening to. Check out, “Satan Gave Me a Taco, “Discobox,” and “Deadweight.”

10. Discovery – Daft Punk

Hard to pick just a few songs, should really listen to entire album. “Digital Love,” “Something About Us,” and “Around the World.” After listening you can see why artists such as Kanye West and Missy Elliot use Daft Punk in some of their work.

9. Evil Empire – Rage Against the Machine

I remember when I first heard “Bulls on Parade.” From the first beat to Tom’s solo, I was hooked to RATM and have been a fan ever since. Listen to “Bulls on Parade,” “Revolver” and “Down Rodeo.”

8. Everywhere and His Nasty Parlor Tricks – Modest Mouse

One of the lesser known albums from Modest Mouse, but it’s their most coherent. Each songs transitions well from the next seamlessly. Check out, “The Air,” “So Much Beauty in Dirt” and “Here it Comes.”

7. Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike – Gogol Bordello

My feel good album. Although the album is great, it does not do justice to their incredible live show. Listen to, “Sally,” “Illumination,” and “Think Locally, Fuck Globally.”

6. Electric Ladyland – Jimi Hendrix

Check out “Gypsy Eyes,” “Crosstown Traffic,” and “Rainy Day, Dream Away.” Just listening to these three songs should remind you why he’s regarded as the best guitarist ever.

5. Blond on the Tracks – Bob Dylan

It’s very difficult to pick my favorite work from Dylan, but with songs like “Simple Twist of Fate,” “You’re Going to Make Me Lonesome When You Go,” and Tangled Up in Blue” you cannot go wrong here.

4. In Rainbows – Radiohead

The newest work from Radiohead is arguably their best. This is my chill album when I want to relax. They stripped down a lot of the computer generated sounds from their previous albums and came out with their most soulful album yet. “Reckoner,” “Weird Fishes,” and “Jigsaws Falling into Place.”

3. Rage Against the Machine – Rage Against the Machine

Hard for me to pick my favorite Rage album, but every song is a classic. “Know Your Enemy,” “Wake Up,” and “Killing in the Name of.” Although the songs were recorded in 1995 their political messages remain relevant today, which is a tribute to the quality of Zach Dela Rocha’s writing.

2. Revolver – The Beatles

Definitely not the most popular album from the Beatles, but my favorite. Listen to, “Elanor Rigby,” “Good Day Sunshine,” and “Only Sleeping.”

1. Kid A – Radiohead

Not a bad song the album and by far their most experimental work. This arguably one of the most influential albums of the last 10-15 years. Listen to “Idioteque,” “Everything in its Right Place,” and “Kid A.”

Honorable Mention: Hail to the Thief – Radiohead, Sky Blue Sky – Wilco, Legend – Bob Marley, Battle of Los Angeles – Rage Against the Machine, At War with the Mystics – Flaming Lips, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank – Modest Mouse, Nevermind – Nirvana, Lullaby’s to Paralyze – Queens of the Stone Age, Portishead – Dummy, Led Zeppelin II – Led Zeppelin.