I’m hardly one of those self-righteous folks that would lament the widely held notion that Memorial Day is the “Unofficial” Kick-off of summer. (Side note: how long must you call something “unofficial” before it becomes “official”?) Not in the least. In a nation where we’re over-worked and underpaid as a general rule, anytime you can take a break for a couple of days and kick back, fire up the grill and pack a cooler is fine by me, no matter how solemn the occasion is on the books.
For ½ my life now, Memorial Day Weekend has been one of the highlights of the calendar every year: A perfect storm of availability, invitations and indulgences that’s led to some of my more memorable and enjoyable life experiences. This doesn’t overlook the fact that we celebrate Memorial Day for a reason, but if you’re capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time, I don’t see any reason why you can’t celebrate and remember over the span of 72 hours as well. This year in fact, I’m making a conscious effort to do so.
Historically, Memorial Day has been a day where we honor our War Dead: men, women – and yes, children, who have given their lives in the pursuit of American liberty. We remember those who gave it all so that we could freely grill those burgers, deep-fry those Twinkies, blast that Springsteen and pour that frosty Budweiser. Men and women who frankly, have more balls than I’d have in ten lifetimes.
But there’s a popular misconception that we’re all prone to believing, and that’s the notion that all of the wars fought to make America what she is today were fought on the battlefield, in defined military conflicts, against enemies foreign and domestic. While these sacrifices should never, under any circumstances, be diminished, they do not account for all of the blood shed in the name of forging that More Perfect Union.
The US of A has been fighting wars since the Shot Heard ‘Round the World and continues to do so today. On top of the ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, we continue to fight the same war that it seems some have been waging since the last signature on the Declaration of Independence had dried: The War on Intolerance. We did not evolve from a confederation of states ruled solely by white land (and people) owning protestant males to a Superpower with an African American President and a Speaker of the House who happens to be a Catholic grandmother, by accident. Skulls were broken. Blood was spilled. Necks were cracked. These sacrifices are no less important than any other.
For every Battle of Trenton, there was a March on Selma. For every Stonewall Jackson, a Stonewall Inn. Each Ulysses Grant yields an Elizabeth Cody Stanton. Every Normandy, a Haymarket Square. Okinawa. Los Gatos.
Regardless of your political beliefs, we must never forget the bravery of the 5,000 Americans that we have lost in service this decade. Likewise, teach your children about the 5,000 Americans lynched for simply existing.
Reflect on the all-too-short lives of James Chaney, Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman. The former, a local African-American civil rights worker in Philadelphia, Mississippi. The latter two, college kids from Jewish neighborhoods in New York, that travelled down to Lauderdale County to simply register local voters. All three were slaughtered at the hand of the Ku Klux Klan in their early twenties. They died to ensure that the most fundamental of American rights: The Right to Vote would be guaranteed to all, not the select chosen.
This year, think not only of those who lie beneath a white cross, but those who died in front of a burning one.
Think of the 146 people, primarily women, who perished in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. A sweatshop that was criminally negligent in the most basic of safety regulations, so much so that management locked all doors during work hours. Their deaths paved the way for a revamping of workplace standards that we enjoy today.
Likewise, never forget the countless collection of workers who died during organized rallies and strikes – often at the hands of private security firms backed by management – demanding fair wages, a 40-hour workweek and suitable working conditions. Think long and hard about this the next time some bigwig, or the politicians in their pocket, chides “lazy unions”.
Read up on the 1948 plane crash at Los Gatos, California – where 30 migrant workers perished while being deported back to Mexico, not coincidentally AFTER their services in the fields were needed. Over 60 years later, we still use undocumented workers for every ounce of sweat they can produce while demonizing them as a political scapegoat, to the point where we might as well change the inscription on the Statue of Liberty from “Give me your tired, your poor…” to “Show Me Your Papers”.
Pause to remember Matthew Shepard, a college student who was fatally beaten, tortured, and strung up on a fence like a scarecrow. Simply for being gay. The grisly slaying brought to light the gross, Nazi-like hatred that the gay community still faces in the 21st Century.
More recently, remember the 15 Emergency Medical Technicians, 23 members of the NYPD, 37 officers of the Port Authority, and 343 souls from the FDNY who gave their lives so that thousands more would survive the 9/11 attacks. Proving that despite the caricature, working class Americans stand ready on a moment’s notice to serve the greater good – and at the end of the day, it’s not the politicians, nor the management that’s responsible for our safety, security, and education - it’s your neighbor.
Obviously I’m leaving off thousands of people who gave their lives for rights that we take for granted. And again, this is in no way to diminish the ultimate sacrifice given to this nation by the brave warriors from Lexington & Concord to Fallujah – and all parts in between and across the globe – not only for American liberty but for that of the entire human race.
Much like the glorious melting pot that America is today, the rights and freedoms we enjoy today were provided by a diverse collection of people who would not take “No” for an answer, the miniscule minority willing to Walk the Walk. People of all faiths, genders, orientations, ethnicities, races and political ideologies have stepped to the front of the line when History came calling. Most of them braver than you or I could ever imagine being.
On Memorial Day, we remember each and every one of them
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Music Madness: San Francisco Region: Round 2
Ass Whoopin Central. The Four matchups have an aggregate winning score of 25-2. But today's blowouts are tomorrow's nail biters if we have this many of the big dogs squaring off. And major competition is lying in the weeds.
Like Torquemada said, all Rules and Criteria can be found here!
SHUTOUTS
(1) Grateful Dead v (9) Green Day. Who's the real "GD?" I love Green Day. Mike Francesa loves Green Day. The most competitive category here was the "All-American" album battle - Beauty v Idiot. And as good as Idiot is, it can't beat this lineup.
FINAL SCORE: GRATEFUL DEAD 9 - GREEN DAY 0
(3) Simon & Garfunkel v (6) Allman Brothers Band. Allmans are competitive in song ("Melissa") and album (Eat a Peach). But Tom and Jerry are better ("Sound of Silence", Bridge Over Troubled Water)
FINAL SCORE: S&G 9 - ALLMAN BROTHERS 0
(2) Bruce Springsteen v (7) Eminem. No disrespect at all to the real Slim Shady, but there ain't a single item here up for debate.
FINAL SCORE: SPRINGSTEEN 9 - EMINEM 0
BLOWOUTS
(4) Bob Marley v (2) Motley Crue. Sue me, I think Dr Feelgood is better than Uprising. But that's all Vince and Company claim.
FINAL SCORE: BOB MARLEY 7 - MOTLEY CRUE 2
That closes the book on Round 2. Now it gets super-interesting with the Sweet Sixten:
The Village Region
(1) Bob Dylan v (5) Red Hot Chili Peppers
(2) Guns N Roses v (3) Bon Jovi
Liverpool Region
(1) The Beatles v (12) Sublime
(2) Led Zepplin v (3) Pearl Jam
Charlottesville Region
(1) Dave Matthews Band v (5) Billy Joel
(2) The Doors v (3) Pink Floyd
San Francisco Region
(1) Grateful Dead v (4) Bob Marley
(2) Bruce Springsteen v (3) Simon & Garfunkel
Some random (and for the most part obvious) notes:
Like Torquemada said, all Rules and Criteria can be found here!
SHUTOUTS
(1) Grateful Dead v (9) Green Day. Who's the real "GD?" I love Green Day. Mike Francesa loves Green Day. The most competitive category here was the "All-American" album battle - Beauty v Idiot. And as good as Idiot is, it can't beat this lineup.
FINAL SCORE: GRATEFUL DEAD 9 - GREEN DAY 0
(3) Simon & Garfunkel v (6) Allman Brothers Band. Allmans are competitive in song ("Melissa") and album (Eat a Peach). But Tom and Jerry are better ("Sound of Silence", Bridge Over Troubled Water)
FINAL SCORE: S&G 9 - ALLMAN BROTHERS 0
(2) Bruce Springsteen v (7) Eminem. No disrespect at all to the real Slim Shady, but there ain't a single item here up for debate.
FINAL SCORE: SPRINGSTEEN 9 - EMINEM 0
BLOWOUTS
(4) Bob Marley v (2) Motley Crue. Sue me, I think Dr Feelgood is better than Uprising. But that's all Vince and Company claim.
FINAL SCORE: BOB MARLEY 7 - MOTLEY CRUE 2
That closes the book on Round 2. Now it gets super-interesting with the Sweet Sixten:
The Village Region
(1) Bob Dylan v (5) Red Hot Chili Peppers
(2) Guns N Roses v (3) Bon Jovi
Liverpool Region
(1) The Beatles v (12) Sublime
(2) Led Zepplin v (3) Pearl Jam
Charlottesville Region
(1) Dave Matthews Band v (5) Billy Joel
(2) The Doors v (3) Pink Floyd
San Francisco Region
(1) Grateful Dead v (4) Bob Marley
(2) Bruce Springsteen v (3) Simon & Garfunkel
Some random (and for the most part obvious) notes:
- San Francisco is the only region to keep to form in terms of seeding.
- DMB is the only 1 seed who has lost a category (twice)
- 6 entrants are yet to lose a category: Dylan, Beatles, Zepplin, Pink Floyd, The Dead, Springsteen
- The highest combined scores in a Sweet 16 matchup go to Zepplin/Pearl Jam, and Simon & Garfunkel/Springsteen (35 points)
- The lowest is DMB/Billy Joel (27)
- 1 Ten
- 2 Appetite for Destruction
- 3 Blood on the Tracks
- 4 American Beauty
- 5 Crash
- 6 Sgt Pepper
- 7 Dark Side of the Moon
- 8 Slippery When Wet
- 9 Houses of the Holy
- 10 The Doors
- 11 Bridge Over Troubled Water
- 12 Born in the USA
- 13 Blood Sugar Sex Magik
- 14 The Stranger
- 15 Uprising
- 16 40 Oz to Freedom
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Music Madness: Charlottesville Region: Round 2
One extremely competitive match between two heavy hitters, but the other three contests were so lopsided that President Obama would be jealous. The only thing of import there is that the 1 seed in the region has yet to record a shutout. Is that a harbinger of things to come?
As the framers would say, Rules and Criteria can be found here.
SHUTOUT
(3) Pink Floyd v (6) Phish. Phish pays the bill for their controversial Round One victory over Public Enemy. There's no category here that they're remotely competitive in. I'd explain about personal connection to Floyd, but the internets really isn't the best place for that.
FINAL SCORE: PINK FLOYD 9 - PHISH 0
BLOWOUTS
(1) Dave Matthews Band v (8) Elvis Presley. For the second straight round, DMB concedes the historical impact category. Maybe it's just the draw. Maybe it's a potentially fatal flaw. Lucky for them, it's only 1 point, while they rank at or near the top in "connection". They move on.
FINAL SCORE: DMB 8 - ELVIS 1
(2) The Doors v (7) Jay-Z. I give Jay Z the Impact. You kind of have to. Being older doesn't mean being better. I also give him the Song. Boy it's tough to go against "Empire" isn't it? But the Doors take the Album, The Doors, the collection, since everything they've cut is a timeless classic, and the personal connection, as I remember being told by a nun in 8th grade that "Jim Morrison is not a positive role model". I'd love to have that conversation with her today, as my retort would be at least he was never a Nazi.
FINAL SCORE: THE DOORS 7 - JAY-Z 2
NAIL BITER
(4) U2 v (5) Billy Joel. This was probably the closest "Entire Collection" decision to this point. Both contestants rank really high, like Top 15 high or better if you were to rank the whole field 1-64. After spending about a full commute thinking about it, I have to give the category to the Piano Man. There are no real holes in his collection, as U2 has a pretty gaping one, in my mind, from 1993 - 2000. Granted Billy Joel hasn't exactly been churning out the albums for the past 20 years, but at least he doesn't have any that suck (*cough* Zooropa and Pop). 3 for the Pride of Long Island.
The Irish strike back though, when we get to the album category. Joshua Tree - by a margin so thin you'd expect anorexia - over The Stranger. 2 points to U2. Seriously, Joshua Tree might be in the Top 10 all time. U2 also claims victory when it comes to the defining song. I love a lot of Billy Joel songs, and my favorite just might be "Leningrad". But it's impossible to say his defining song is anything other than "Piano Man". And as much as I love that as well, I prefer the anthem "Pride (In the Name of Love)".
Impact was another tough decision, but I go with U2 simply for their global appeal. Billy Joel may be a bigger name in the States (debatable, cause I am prone to a very justifiable NY bias). But U2's arguably the biggest active band in the world.
All of this brings us to a 4-3 lead for Bono and company, with only personal connection left. I have a strong connection to U2. One of the 10, maybe 5 best concerts I've ever seen (though Billy ranks nearly as high). They're Irish. They're political. But I bought Billy Joel's Greatest Hits: Volume I & II at the Sam Goody in the Paramus Park Mall in 1989 and I don't think I've gone more than 2 weeks in my life w/o listening to Billy since. "Scenes from an Italian Restaraunt" was one of the 5 most played songs after Midnight of my collegiate life. "We Didn't Start The Fire" is the same for gatherings with my in-laws. Billy is King.
FINAL SCORE: BILLY JOEL 5 - U2 4
The Sweet 16 in C-Ville:
(1) DMB v (4) Billy Joel. I smell some serious vulnerability for the top dog.
(2) The Doors v (3) Pink Floyd. I'm facing some Long, Seriously Deep thinking on this one.
As the framers would say, Rules and Criteria can be found here.
SHUTOUT
(3) Pink Floyd v (6) Phish. Phish pays the bill for their controversial Round One victory over Public Enemy. There's no category here that they're remotely competitive in. I'd explain about personal connection to Floyd, but the internets really isn't the best place for that.
FINAL SCORE: PINK FLOYD 9 - PHISH 0
BLOWOUTS
(1) Dave Matthews Band v (8) Elvis Presley. For the second straight round, DMB concedes the historical impact category. Maybe it's just the draw. Maybe it's a potentially fatal flaw. Lucky for them, it's only 1 point, while they rank at or near the top in "connection". They move on.
FINAL SCORE: DMB 8 - ELVIS 1
(2) The Doors v (7) Jay-Z. I give Jay Z the Impact. You kind of have to. Being older doesn't mean being better. I also give him the Song. Boy it's tough to go against "Empire" isn't it? But the Doors take the Album, The Doors, the collection, since everything they've cut is a timeless classic, and the personal connection, as I remember being told by a nun in 8th grade that "Jim Morrison is not a positive role model". I'd love to have that conversation with her today, as my retort would be at least he was never a Nazi.
FINAL SCORE: THE DOORS 7 - JAY-Z 2
NAIL BITER
(4) U2 v (5) Billy Joel. This was probably the closest "Entire Collection" decision to this point. Both contestants rank really high, like Top 15 high or better if you were to rank the whole field 1-64. After spending about a full commute thinking about it, I have to give the category to the Piano Man. There are no real holes in his collection, as U2 has a pretty gaping one, in my mind, from 1993 - 2000. Granted Billy Joel hasn't exactly been churning out the albums for the past 20 years, but at least he doesn't have any that suck (*cough* Zooropa and Pop). 3 for the Pride of Long Island.
The Irish strike back though, when we get to the album category. Joshua Tree - by a margin so thin you'd expect anorexia - over The Stranger. 2 points to U2. Seriously, Joshua Tree might be in the Top 10 all time. U2 also claims victory when it comes to the defining song. I love a lot of Billy Joel songs, and my favorite just might be "Leningrad". But it's impossible to say his defining song is anything other than "Piano Man". And as much as I love that as well, I prefer the anthem "Pride (In the Name of Love)".
Impact was another tough decision, but I go with U2 simply for their global appeal. Billy Joel may be a bigger name in the States (debatable, cause I am prone to a very justifiable NY bias). But U2's arguably the biggest active band in the world.
All of this brings us to a 4-3 lead for Bono and company, with only personal connection left. I have a strong connection to U2. One of the 10, maybe 5 best concerts I've ever seen (though Billy ranks nearly as high). They're Irish. They're political. But I bought Billy Joel's Greatest Hits: Volume I & II at the Sam Goody in the Paramus Park Mall in 1989 and I don't think I've gone more than 2 weeks in my life w/o listening to Billy since. "Scenes from an Italian Restaraunt" was one of the 5 most played songs after Midnight of my collegiate life. "We Didn't Start The Fire" is the same for gatherings with my in-laws. Billy is King.
FINAL SCORE: BILLY JOEL 5 - U2 4
The Sweet 16 in C-Ville:
(1) DMB v (4) Billy Joel. I smell some serious vulnerability for the top dog.
(2) The Doors v (3) Pink Floyd. I'm facing some Long, Seriously Deep thinking on this one.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Music Madness: Liverpool Region: Round 2
Two Shutouts, One Blowout and a surprisingly competitive match in front of the Liverpudlians. Love that word. Rest assured however, that the Sweet 16 will be awfully more competitive than Round 2.
Rules and Criteria can be found here
SHUTOUTS
(1) Beatles v (8) Wolfetonnes. Oh it pains me so. This cruel fate for the Rebels, to go out in a bloodbath at the hands of the British, on English soil. I'd have liked to avoid the shutout in principle, but the fact of the matter is, nothing was even close.
FINAL SCORE: BEATLES 9 - WOLFETONNES 0
(2) Led Zeppelin v (10) Willie Nelson I initially had Nelson taking the impact. Then I realized I must have inadvertently been smoking what he was . Not a chance.
FINAL SCORE: LED ZEPPELIN 9 - WILLIE NELSON 0
BLOWOUT
(3) Pearl Jam v (6) Rolling Stones. The Stones obviously take Impact. Pearl Jam obviously takes everything else. This 3 seed is sneaky good. Don't take them lightly. An epic matchup with Zeppelin awaits...
FINAL SCORE: PEARL JAM 8 - ROLLING STONES 1
NAILBITER
(5) Johnny Cash v (12) Sublime. Sublime already knocked out one legend in Jimi Hendrix. Is the Man in Black next? Even though I believe that Cash's American IV: The Man Comes Around was the best album of the past decade, I ever so slightly favor 40 Oz To Freedom. Sublime takes the album. As much as I love JRC, the connection I have to Sublime spans just as long, probably includes more people, and some of my best memories, be it the first time I heard "Waiting for My Ruca" (of which I shall plead the fifth on details) or the shared laughs over the orgasmic "Uhhhhhhh" in "Caress Me Down" at my brother-in-law's college graduation bash. As much as I cherished getting out of class at noon on Wednesdays in my last semester and going out for beer and wings and listening to "Boy Named Sue", Sublime takes the connection. 4 Points.
I don't think anyone can argue Cash's historic impact or entire collection. There's his 4 points and making the tie breaker the "defining song". As much as I love Cash's "Hurt", most people consider it a Nine Inch Nails tune and we'll leave it at that. Conversely, my favorite Sublime song is a Grateful Dead cover in "Scarlet Begonias". So it becomes "Walk the Line" head to head "Waiting for My Ruca". And I can't fathom this, but using the methodology I set out with from the start, we have a major upset. I mean, Christ, I have Johnny Cash on my personal Mount Rushmore of great musicians. Looking at the bracket, I thought he had a shot to beat the Beatles. But we officially have ourselves a Cinderella.
FINAL SCORE: SUBLIME 5 - JOHNNY CASH 4.
Looking ahead to the Sweet 16:
(1) Beatles v (12) Sublime. We can no longer underestimate them.
(2) Led Zeppelin v (3) Pearl Jam. Epic, Epic matchup.
Rules and Criteria can be found here
SHUTOUTS
(1) Beatles v (8) Wolfetonnes. Oh it pains me so. This cruel fate for the Rebels, to go out in a bloodbath at the hands of the British, on English soil. I'd have liked to avoid the shutout in principle, but the fact of the matter is, nothing was even close.
FINAL SCORE: BEATLES 9 - WOLFETONNES 0
(2) Led Zeppelin v (10) Willie Nelson I initially had Nelson taking the impact. Then I realized I must have inadvertently been smoking what he was . Not a chance.
FINAL SCORE: LED ZEPPELIN 9 - WILLIE NELSON 0
BLOWOUT
(3) Pearl Jam v (6) Rolling Stones. The Stones obviously take Impact. Pearl Jam obviously takes everything else. This 3 seed is sneaky good. Don't take them lightly. An epic matchup with Zeppelin awaits...
FINAL SCORE: PEARL JAM 8 - ROLLING STONES 1
NAILBITER
(5) Johnny Cash v (12) Sublime. Sublime already knocked out one legend in Jimi Hendrix. Is the Man in Black next? Even though I believe that Cash's American IV: The Man Comes Around was the best album of the past decade, I ever so slightly favor 40 Oz To Freedom. Sublime takes the album. As much as I love JRC, the connection I have to Sublime spans just as long, probably includes more people, and some of my best memories, be it the first time I heard "Waiting for My Ruca" (of which I shall plead the fifth on details) or the shared laughs over the orgasmic "Uhhhhhhh" in "Caress Me Down" at my brother-in-law's college graduation bash. As much as I cherished getting out of class at noon on Wednesdays in my last semester and going out for beer and wings and listening to "Boy Named Sue", Sublime takes the connection. 4 Points.
I don't think anyone can argue Cash's historic impact or entire collection. There's his 4 points and making the tie breaker the "defining song". As much as I love Cash's "Hurt", most people consider it a Nine Inch Nails tune and we'll leave it at that. Conversely, my favorite Sublime song is a Grateful Dead cover in "Scarlet Begonias". So it becomes "Walk the Line" head to head "Waiting for My Ruca". And I can't fathom this, but using the methodology I set out with from the start, we have a major upset. I mean, Christ, I have Johnny Cash on my personal Mount Rushmore of great musicians. Looking at the bracket, I thought he had a shot to beat the Beatles. But we officially have ourselves a Cinderella.
FINAL SCORE: SUBLIME 5 - JOHNNY CASH 4.
Looking ahead to the Sweet 16:
(1) Beatles v (12) Sublime. We can no longer underestimate them.
(2) Led Zeppelin v (3) Pearl Jam. Epic, Epic matchup.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Music Madness: The Village Region: 2nd Round
Surprisingly, the second round has a lot less drama than the first in this region. Born Again Bob wrote "Slow Train Coming" but there's nothing slow about Dylan's plowing through the field so far. He's looking like the undisputed favorite to reach the final four. The question is, will he shut-out all comers?
As usual, all Rules and Criteria can be found here
SHUTOUTS
(1) Bob Dylan v (9) Jack Johnson. Not a single category where the Hawaiian was anything close to competitive.
FINAL SCORE: Bob Dylan 9 - Jack Johnson 0
BLOWOUTS
(4) White Stripes v (5) Red Hot Chili Peppers. Wow, I did not see this one coming. I assumed this had the makings of a 5-4/6-3 win and would have put the Stripes as a slight favorite. But lining it all up, all they took down was "song" with "Ball and Biscuit" narrowly beating out "Under the Bridge" (which I already regret deeming their best). I had already determined that Stadium Arcadium had beaten out Elephant in the album category, and the rest pretty much fell into place for RHCP. A tough, tough loss for the Stripes. The Peppers now have the unenviable task of taking on the Dylan Machine.
FINAL SCORE: RHCP 8 - WHITE STRIPES 1
(3) Bon Jovi v (11) Metallica. It was a coin-toss of sorts for the historical impact between the two, and it came up in favor of Metallica. Both have the longevity. Bon Jovi's more popular but that's not the point. Both are still alive and kicking while their contemporaries are collecting residuals from VH1's reality television department. Metallica also wins the "song" competition, thanks to The Greatest Closer in baseball history. But everything else goes Jersey.
FINAL SCORE: BON JOVI 7 - METALLICA 2
NAIL BITERS
(2) Guns N Roses v (7) Stevie Wonder. All categories but one were blowouts. And it was the one that was the deciding factor, despite the seed disparity. Stevie Wonder takes Historic Impact and Entire Collection with relative ease. The Guns lock down "Song" with "Estranged" and personal connection with little trouble. So it all falls on the Defining Album. Songs in the Key of Life against Appetite For Destruction. Two legendary albums you'll find on just about any "All Time" countdown. But when I really think about the choice, I Think About You, Sweet Child O' Mine. And the answer? It's So Easy. And all of a sudden, a viable threat to Bob Dylan emerges.
FINAL SCORE: GUNS N ROSES 5 - STEVIE WONDER 4.
The Sweet Sixteen in this region:
(1) Bob Dylan v (5) Red Hot Chili Peppers
(2) Guns N Roses v (3) Bon Jovi
As usual, all Rules and Criteria can be found here
SHUTOUTS
(1) Bob Dylan v (9) Jack Johnson. Not a single category where the Hawaiian was anything close to competitive.
FINAL SCORE: Bob Dylan 9 - Jack Johnson 0
BLOWOUTS
(4) White Stripes v (5) Red Hot Chili Peppers. Wow, I did not see this one coming. I assumed this had the makings of a 5-4/6-3 win and would have put the Stripes as a slight favorite. But lining it all up, all they took down was "song" with "Ball and Biscuit" narrowly beating out "Under the Bridge" (which I already regret deeming their best). I had already determined that Stadium Arcadium had beaten out Elephant in the album category, and the rest pretty much fell into place for RHCP. A tough, tough loss for the Stripes. The Peppers now have the unenviable task of taking on the Dylan Machine.
FINAL SCORE: RHCP 8 - WHITE STRIPES 1
(3) Bon Jovi v (11) Metallica. It was a coin-toss of sorts for the historical impact between the two, and it came up in favor of Metallica. Both have the longevity. Bon Jovi's more popular but that's not the point. Both are still alive and kicking while their contemporaries are collecting residuals from VH1's reality television department. Metallica also wins the "song" competition, thanks to The Greatest Closer in baseball history. But everything else goes Jersey.
FINAL SCORE: BON JOVI 7 - METALLICA 2
NAIL BITERS
(2) Guns N Roses v (7) Stevie Wonder. All categories but one were blowouts. And it was the one that was the deciding factor, despite the seed disparity. Stevie Wonder takes Historic Impact and Entire Collection with relative ease. The Guns lock down "Song" with "Estranged" and personal connection with little trouble. So it all falls on the Defining Album. Songs in the Key of Life against Appetite For Destruction. Two legendary albums you'll find on just about any "All Time" countdown. But when I really think about the choice, I Think About You, Sweet Child O' Mine. And the answer? It's So Easy. And all of a sudden, a viable threat to Bob Dylan emerges.
FINAL SCORE: GUNS N ROSES 5 - STEVIE WONDER 4.
The Sweet Sixteen in this region:
(1) Bob Dylan v (5) Red Hot Chili Peppers
(2) Guns N Roses v (3) Bon Jovi
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Music Madness 2010: San Francisco 1st Round
On the surface, this isn't that competitive a region, as the random placements of the seeds out here in San Fran seemed to spoil a lot of drama. Shame on that seeding committee in my head.
All Rules and Criteria can be found here
For the sake of expedience, I'm going to blow through the shutouts, which is 50% of this region, 9-0 for each of these matchups:
SHUTOUTS
(1) The Grateful Dead over (16) Smashing Pumpkins. Pumpkins not competitive in a single category.
(4) Bob Marley over (13) The Killers. Killers can complain about a poor seed and a poor draw, because they can be competitive in Song and Album against many. But not Marley
(6) Allman Brothers Band over (11) O.A.R. O.A.R just isn't as strong on paper as they are when I'm listening to them. Nothing sticks out. And that ain't a recipe for success against the Allmans.
(2) Bruce Springsteen over (15) Beach Boys. Why the hell were the Beach Boys even invited to the dance?
BLOWOUTS
(3) Simon and Garfunkel vs (14) The Pogues. I sincerely give the Pogues the Defining Song, as "Fairytale of New York" is arguable the greatest holiday song out there. Probably not, but in the Top 5. But that's it.
FINAL SCORE: SIMON & GARFUNKEL 8 - THE POGUES 1
NAIL-BITERS
(8) Janis Joplin v (9) Green Day. Janis sweeps the one pointers. In a close one, she takes the Historical Impact, having remained relevant (in my mind) to this day. She also brings down the Song as "Me and Bobby McGhee" ekes out "Holiday". Because of Mr. McGhee, that personal connection also goes to my favorite Texan (not a lot of competition). Christ that was such a go-to song in college (really, I'm in my 30s, not 50s, I swear). But Green Day's American Idiot gets revenge by beating out Pearl in the album category. Really was the quintessential album of the Bush Error. So what that means is all of this is comes down to who's got the better overall collection. And that's why it pays sometimes to not drop dead at 27.
FINAL SCORE: GREEN DAY 5 - JANIS JOPLIN 4
(5) Nirvana v (12) Motley Crue. Cobain and Company reluctantly take the Impact, regardless of how short it was. And they have to have the album with Nevermind edging out Dr. Feelgood. Side note: I always assumed Girls, Girls, Girls was better till I actually thought about it. Crue gets the song nod, with "Girls, Girls, Girls". Yes, for the most part I enjoy strong lyrics, depth, relevancy and societal observations. But there's also something to be said about the primal joy of a coke fuelled bender. Oh, and tits. Much to my wife's dismay, the Crue has the personal connection, as I've been listening to them at unhealthy decibels for parts of three four decades now. Finally it comes down to the deciding factor - again - of "Entire Collection". And while it's true, Vince Neill died before Cobain ever cut a single song, I reiterate that is pays to not drop dead at 27. We have an upset.
FINAL SCORE: MOTLEY CRUE 6 - NIRVANA 3.
(7) Eminem v (10) Cat Stevens. This is a funny matchup. But I'm tired. The Terrorist gets the Entire Collection and the defining song because "Wild World" is fucking awesome. But Eminem takes the rest down for the narrow victory. Very narrow, as The Eminem Show barely beats Tea for the Tillerman, I have a pretty solid personal connection to both, and the historic impact can be debated to a degree. But there's a group of artists very similar to Al-Cat. Slim? Not so much.
FINAL SCORE: EMINEM 5 - CAT STEVENS 4
Looking Ahead:
(1) Grateful Dead v (9) Green Day
(4) Bob Marley v (12) Motley Crue
(3) Simon & Garfunkel v (6) Allman Brothers Band
(2) Bruce Springsteen v (7) Eminem
All Rules and Criteria can be found here
For the sake of expedience, I'm going to blow through the shutouts, which is 50% of this region, 9-0 for each of these matchups:
SHUTOUTS
(1) The Grateful Dead over (16) Smashing Pumpkins. Pumpkins not competitive in a single category.
(4) Bob Marley over (13) The Killers. Killers can complain about a poor seed and a poor draw, because they can be competitive in Song and Album against many. But not Marley
(6) Allman Brothers Band over (11) O.A.R. O.A.R just isn't as strong on paper as they are when I'm listening to them. Nothing sticks out. And that ain't a recipe for success against the Allmans.
(2) Bruce Springsteen over (15) Beach Boys. Why the hell were the Beach Boys even invited to the dance?
BLOWOUTS
(3) Simon and Garfunkel vs (14) The Pogues. I sincerely give the Pogues the Defining Song, as "Fairytale of New York" is arguable the greatest holiday song out there. Probably not, but in the Top 5. But that's it.
FINAL SCORE: SIMON & GARFUNKEL 8 - THE POGUES 1
NAIL-BITERS
(8) Janis Joplin v (9) Green Day. Janis sweeps the one pointers. In a close one, she takes the Historical Impact, having remained relevant (in my mind) to this day. She also brings down the Song as "Me and Bobby McGhee" ekes out "Holiday". Because of Mr. McGhee, that personal connection also goes to my favorite Texan (not a lot of competition). Christ that was such a go-to song in college (really, I'm in my 30s, not 50s, I swear). But Green Day's American Idiot gets revenge by beating out Pearl in the album category. Really was the quintessential album of the Bush Error. So what that means is all of this is comes down to who's got the better overall collection. And that's why it pays sometimes to not drop dead at 27.
FINAL SCORE: GREEN DAY 5 - JANIS JOPLIN 4
(5) Nirvana v (12) Motley Crue. Cobain and Company reluctantly take the Impact, regardless of how short it was. And they have to have the album with Nevermind edging out Dr. Feelgood. Side note: I always assumed Girls, Girls, Girls was better till I actually thought about it. Crue gets the song nod, with "Girls, Girls, Girls". Yes, for the most part I enjoy strong lyrics, depth, relevancy and societal observations. But there's also something to be said about the primal joy of a coke fuelled bender. Oh, and tits. Much to my wife's dismay, the Crue has the personal connection, as I've been listening to them at unhealthy decibels for parts of three four decades now. Finally it comes down to the deciding factor - again - of "Entire Collection". And while it's true, Vince Neill died before Cobain ever cut a single song, I reiterate that is pays to not drop dead at 27. We have an upset.
FINAL SCORE: MOTLEY CRUE 6 - NIRVANA 3.
(7) Eminem v (10) Cat Stevens. This is a funny matchup. But I'm tired. The Terrorist gets the Entire Collection and the defining song because "Wild World" is fucking awesome. But Eminem takes the rest down for the narrow victory. Very narrow, as The Eminem Show barely beats Tea for the Tillerman, I have a pretty solid personal connection to both, and the historic impact can be debated to a degree. But there's a group of artists very similar to Al-Cat. Slim? Not so much.
FINAL SCORE: EMINEM 5 - CAT STEVENS 4
Looking Ahead:
(1) Grateful Dead v (9) Green Day
(4) Bob Marley v (12) Motley Crue
(3) Simon & Garfunkel v (6) Allman Brothers Band
(2) Bruce Springsteen v (7) Eminem
Monday, May 10, 2010
Music Madness 2010: Charlottesville 1st Round
All Rules and Criteria can be found here
CHARLOTTESVILLE REGION: FIRST ROUND ACTION
(1) Dave Matthews Band v (16) Queen. Actually giving Queen the 1 point for "Historical Impact". Saving them from a shut out.
FINAL SCORE: DMB 8 - QUEEN 1
(8) Elvis Presley v (9) The Band. The King gets the Collection and Historic Impact. The Band gets album (Ophelia) and song ("Cripple Creek"). Personal connection is the deciding factor, and it goes to...Elvis. I was on a path to becoming one of those freaky candlelight-vigil-at-Graceland-people until I expanded my horizons musically (among other ways)
FINAL SCORE: ELVIS 5 - THE BAND 4
(4) U2 v (13) Poison. Brett Michaels' recent brush with his own mortality not withstanding, Poison wins the personal connection here. I've enjoyed them for what they are for over 20 years. But that's all they win. An Irish asswhoopin here.
FINAL SCORE: U2 7 - Poison 2
(5) Billy Joel v (12) Rage Against the Machine. A rare type of defeat, as Rage takes Album and Song and loses the rest.
FINAL SCORE: Billy Joel 6 - Rage Against the Machine 3
(3) Pink Floyd v (14) Arctic Monkeys. I loved the Monkeys' debut album. But it wasn't Dark Side. Shut Out.
FINAL SCORE: PINK FLOYD 9 - ARCTIC MONKEYS 0
(6) Phish v (11) Public Enemy. The easy parts: PE gets the Album, Fear of a Black Planet, and song "Welcome to the Terrordome". They also take the Historical Impact without any question. Phish, with their history, takes the collection. It comes down to Personal Connection. That's where it gets tricky. Try as I might to run from it, I can't deny the connection I've had with Phish over the last 15 years and change. Mainly because of my wife. But I have to be honest, even when it hurts. As much as I loved Terrordome during Fat-Out Fridays in college.
FINAL SCORE: PHISH 5 - PUBLIC ENEMY 4.
(7) Flogging Molly v (10) Jay Z. Molly takes album, Drunken Lullabies, and personal connection because they're so, well, Irish. Sean Carter takes down Impact, obviously, and the collection that goes with it. Defining Song is the tiebreaker, and in an upset, I just can't pick against "Empire State of Mind".
FINAL SCORE: JAY Z 5 - FLOGGING MOLLY 4.
(2) The Doors v (15) Dropkick Murphys. Not a good day for Irish-punk.
FINAL SCORE: DOORS 9 - DROPKICK MURPHYS 0
So when we finally get to round two, our matchups will be:
(1) Dave Matthews Band v (8) Elvis Presley
(4) U2 v (5) Billy Joel
(3) Pink Floyd v (6) Phish
(2) Doors v (10) Jay Z
This bracket looks heavily tilted towards the favorites, but you know what they say: "That's why I play these games in my head"
CHARLOTTESVILLE REGION: FIRST ROUND ACTION
(1) Dave Matthews Band v (16) Queen. Actually giving Queen the 1 point for "Historical Impact". Saving them from a shut out.
FINAL SCORE: DMB 8 - QUEEN 1
(8) Elvis Presley v (9) The Band. The King gets the Collection and Historic Impact. The Band gets album (Ophelia) and song ("Cripple Creek"). Personal connection is the deciding factor, and it goes to...Elvis. I was on a path to becoming one of those freaky candlelight-vigil-at-Graceland-people until I expanded my horizons musically (among other ways)
FINAL SCORE: ELVIS 5 - THE BAND 4
(4) U2 v (13) Poison. Brett Michaels' recent brush with his own mortality not withstanding, Poison wins the personal connection here. I've enjoyed them for what they are for over 20 years. But that's all they win. An Irish asswhoopin here.
FINAL SCORE: U2 7 - Poison 2
(5) Billy Joel v (12) Rage Against the Machine. A rare type of defeat, as Rage takes Album and Song and loses the rest.
FINAL SCORE: Billy Joel 6 - Rage Against the Machine 3
(3) Pink Floyd v (14) Arctic Monkeys. I loved the Monkeys' debut album. But it wasn't Dark Side. Shut Out.
FINAL SCORE: PINK FLOYD 9 - ARCTIC MONKEYS 0
(6) Phish v (11) Public Enemy. The easy parts: PE gets the Album, Fear of a Black Planet, and song "Welcome to the Terrordome". They also take the Historical Impact without any question. Phish, with their history, takes the collection. It comes down to Personal Connection. That's where it gets tricky. Try as I might to run from it, I can't deny the connection I've had with Phish over the last 15 years and change. Mainly because of my wife. But I have to be honest, even when it hurts. As much as I loved Terrordome during Fat-Out Fridays in college.
FINAL SCORE: PHISH 5 - PUBLIC ENEMY 4.
(7) Flogging Molly v (10) Jay Z. Molly takes album, Drunken Lullabies, and personal connection because they're so, well, Irish. Sean Carter takes down Impact, obviously, and the collection that goes with it. Defining Song is the tiebreaker, and in an upset, I just can't pick against "Empire State of Mind".
FINAL SCORE: JAY Z 5 - FLOGGING MOLLY 4.
(2) The Doors v (15) Dropkick Murphys. Not a good day for Irish-punk.
FINAL SCORE: DOORS 9 - DROPKICK MURPHYS 0
So when we finally get to round two, our matchups will be:
(1) Dave Matthews Band v (8) Elvis Presley
(4) U2 v (5) Billy Joel
(3) Pink Floyd v (6) Phish
(2) Doors v (10) Jay Z
This bracket looks heavily tilted towards the favorites, but you know what they say: "That's why I play these games in my head"
Thursday Night NBC Power Rankings 2.0
A little delayed in getting these done as I conked out during 30 the opening moments of 30 Rock and had to wait to catch up this weekend. Biggest mover this week is Darryl Philbin of The Office, who creeps up 4 spots into the Top 20. It’s partially at the expense though of old friend Stanley Hudson, who we all love but just isn’t cutting it this year. Liz Lemon was another big mover, up 3 slots, thanks to a memorable moon howling with Buzz Aldrin. The countdown starts up with a new addition to the Top 25:
BIGGEST RISER: Darryl Philbin +4
BIGGEST FALLER: Kevin Malone -3
SAY GOODBYE: Stanley Hudson
HELLO AGAIN: Senior Chang
25. Senior Chang (COM). Stellar Scarface Paintball conclusion. [Previously Unranked]
24. Shirley Bennett (COM ) Lackluster week. [22]
23. Britta Perry (COM). Relieved some necessary tension and made us wish it was HBO. [25]
22. Erin Hannon (OFF). Nothing to the table this week [21]
21. Oscar Martinez (OFF). Ditto [20]
20. Darryl Philbin (OFF). Executing revenge on Andy, finally the camera time I’ve been waiting for. [24]
19. April Ludgate (P&R). Small highlight when she lured a stalker to the telethon. [18]
18. Creed Bratton (OFF). Automatically moved up a notch by referring to Darryl as “Darnell”, as well as “I’ve done a lot worse for a lot less” [19]
17. Jim Halpert (OFF). Had it going on at the opening sequence, along with Pam and the MORSE Code. Then they both evaporated. [17]
16. Troy Barnes (COM). Nothing gained, nothing lost [16]
15. Kevin Malone (OFF). Was “Cookie Monster” his high water mark of the season? [12]
14. Kenneth Parcell (ROCK) Or should we say “Carl”. Time well spent as Jack’s mother’s bitch. [15]
13. Jeff Winger (COM). Relieved the tension and won priority registration. And a non-blue ray DVD player. Good week. [14]
12. Leslie Knope (P&R) Stuck to the routine. Hysterical early on, annoying as hell as 9:00 approached. [11]
11. Pierce Hawthorn (COM). The victim of such a Jeff/Brita-centric episode [10]
10. Liz Lemon (ROCK). Solid interaction with the moms and the aforementioned scene with Buzz Alderin, really a pisser [13]
9. Andy Dwyer (P&R). Steady as she goes. [9]
8. Andy Bernard (OFF). Played the paranoid sucker well [8]
7. Abed Nadir (COM). Out of the Top 5, but still top 10 [5]
6. Tracy Jordan (ROCK). Climbs up a spot with a hysterical search for a mom [7]
5. Dwight Schrute (OFF) “All cases are solved with logic. The only logical way to find out if Donna is a cheater is to seduce her, bring her to orgasm, then call Michael and tell him the sad news”. [6]
4. Tom Haverford (P&R) Drops a spot on the principle of not being able to handle 2 light beers with Detelf Schrempf. [3]
3. Jack Donaghy (ROCK) Four Words: Cream of Mushroom Soup. [4]
2. Michael Scott (OFF). It’s getting closer at the top. As stomach churning as it was, I lost my shit over Mayonnaise and Black Olives. “I’m The Mistress?” [2]
1. Ron Swanson (P&R). Everybody’s favorite sleep fighter fends off the Regional Manger for one more week. “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Don't teach a man to fish, and you feed yourself. He's a grown man. Fishing’s not that hard”. [1]
BIGGEST RISER: Darryl Philbin +4
BIGGEST FALLER: Kevin Malone -3
SAY GOODBYE: Stanley Hudson
HELLO AGAIN: Senior Chang
25. Senior Chang (COM). Stellar Scarface Paintball conclusion. [Previously Unranked]
24. Shirley Bennett (COM ) Lackluster week. [22]
23. Britta Perry (COM). Relieved some necessary tension and made us wish it was HBO. [25]
22. Erin Hannon (OFF). Nothing to the table this week [21]
21. Oscar Martinez (OFF). Ditto [20]
20. Darryl Philbin (OFF). Executing revenge on Andy, finally the camera time I’ve been waiting for. [24]
19. April Ludgate (P&R). Small highlight when she lured a stalker to the telethon. [18]
18. Creed Bratton (OFF). Automatically moved up a notch by referring to Darryl as “Darnell”, as well as “I’ve done a lot worse for a lot less” [19]
17. Jim Halpert (OFF). Had it going on at the opening sequence, along with Pam and the MORSE Code. Then they both evaporated. [17]
16. Troy Barnes (COM). Nothing gained, nothing lost [16]
15. Kevin Malone (OFF). Was “Cookie Monster” his high water mark of the season? [12]
14. Kenneth Parcell (ROCK) Or should we say “Carl”. Time well spent as Jack’s mother’s bitch. [15]
13. Jeff Winger (COM). Relieved the tension and won priority registration. And a non-blue ray DVD player. Good week. [14]
12. Leslie Knope (P&R) Stuck to the routine. Hysterical early on, annoying as hell as 9:00 approached. [11]
11. Pierce Hawthorn (COM). The victim of such a Jeff/Brita-centric episode [10]
10. Liz Lemon (ROCK). Solid interaction with the moms and the aforementioned scene with Buzz Alderin, really a pisser [13]
9. Andy Dwyer (P&R). Steady as she goes. [9]
8. Andy Bernard (OFF). Played the paranoid sucker well [8]
7. Abed Nadir (COM). Out of the Top 5, but still top 10 [5]
6. Tracy Jordan (ROCK). Climbs up a spot with a hysterical search for a mom [7]
5. Dwight Schrute (OFF) “All cases are solved with logic. The only logical way to find out if Donna is a cheater is to seduce her, bring her to orgasm, then call Michael and tell him the sad news”. [6]
4. Tom Haverford (P&R) Drops a spot on the principle of not being able to handle 2 light beers with Detelf Schrempf. [3]
3. Jack Donaghy (ROCK) Four Words: Cream of Mushroom Soup. [4]
2. Michael Scott (OFF). It’s getting closer at the top. As stomach churning as it was, I lost my shit over Mayonnaise and Black Olives. “I’m The Mistress?” [2]
1. Ron Swanson (P&R). Everybody’s favorite sleep fighter fends off the Regional Manger for one more week. “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Don't teach a man to fish, and you feed yourself. He's a grown man. Fishing’s not that hard”. [1]
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