Tuesday, July 26, 2011

TV on the Radio - A Method

Went to a great concert out at McMenamins Edgefield.  TV on the Radio was playing, and Menomena opened for them.  It was a beautiful day that faded into a perfectly calm night.  As the last vestiges of daylight dwindled in the distance, during the encore, TVOTR came back on to play this little gem.

"A Method" is an infectiously awkward tune driven by manual percussion (i.e. clapping) and flat monotone vocals.  It does grow to crescendo as little by little other instruments are added, but it never loses the focus it begins with so simply.

It is an elegant song, even if it is strange to the ear at first.  But after a few listens you will find yourself whistling the tune at the grocery story, or in the shower, or driving around town.  It is one of those songs that doesn't go away easy.  But you will be happy to know that the song you're humming to yourself in public is cooler than most earwigs that people are stuck with...  (check it out)
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Friday, July 22, 2011

Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet (1.1)

So, it looks like we ARE going to have football this year.  The lockout for all intents and purposes is over (keep your fingers crossed ).  If things go as planned camps and free agency will start next Wednesday (7/27).  So, everything will change once players start moving to different teams.  But, here is the latest 2011 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet:
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Thursday, July 21, 2011

Willie Lyles vs. The Big Lebowski

For those college football fans out there I am sure by now you have heard the name Willie Lyles.  He has been all over ESPN and sports talk radio explaining his side of an NCAA investigation of improprieties by The University of Oregon  in the recruitment of some players (RB Lache Seastrunk in particular).  Real quick, here are the main points. 
  1. Willie Lyles knows and "mentors" many high school football players in Texas (RB Lache Seastrunk was one of these players)
  2. Willie Lyles also runs a recruitment service, where he provides footage and stats of players to college football programs for a fee
  3. Lache Seastrunk signed to play football at the University of Oregon
  4. The University of Oregon paid Willie Lyles $25,000
  5. The University of Oregon did not ask for any footage or stats for a year after the payment to Willie Lyles
  6. It is unclear if Lyles was paid for his recruitment service or if, in his roll as a mentor, he "steered" players to the University of Oregon for money
  7. Steering players to a specific school for pay, at best designates someone as an employee of the university which is highly regulated and requires transparency, and at worst designates them as a booster, and recruitment by boosters is a big no-no in the eyes of the NCAA
  8. There are no allegations that any student athlete was paid to go to the University of Oregon
  9. Willie Lyles denies that he steered any students to any school
  10. Lache Seastrunk "Redshirted" last year, meaning he practiced and was on the team but never played in a game, so he retains his 4 years of college eligibility
  11. The University of Oregon is cooperating with the NCAA investigation and has made no further statements on the subject, and the silence is deafening
Ok, those are "the facts" up to now.  NCAA investigations being as they are, this issue is going to be out there for a while and we might not see a resolution for months or years.  So in the mean time, why not have some fun with it...?

YouTube legend and friend of The Polymouth keeerrrttt has put together some clips of various news outlets discussing the situation.  And since all things must and do relate back to The Big Lebowski, he created a hilarious comparison of the two.  It is a little long, but well worth it (keep in mind The Big Lebowski has some rather coarse language, and might not be appropriate for the office or around children).  Take a look...  Willie Lyles vs. The Big Lebowski
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Sunday, July 17, 2011

Album Review: Live From Nowhere Near You: Volume 2

Few things inspire pride in the human condition more than when people lend not only their time to worthy causes but their talents as well.  The charity album is not a new idea, but few have the twist of musicians being on the album with many of the very people they are working to help.  This is the concept of Kevin Moyer's "Live From Nowhere Near You: Volume 2".  It is described on the cover as "A Benefit Concept CD: Collaborating Street Musicians + Professionals with the Profits Going to the Homeless and Street Youth Programs of Charity OUTSIDE IN".  A worthy cause indeed, and with 3 CDs, 64 songs, 80+ contributors, and over 3 and half hours of music, many hours and talents were lent in the making of this project.

The album has a jaw dropping line up including: The Strokes, Modest Mouse, The Dandy Warhols, Ryan Adams, Bright Eyes, The Helio Sequence, Wilco, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, and members of many other popular bands like Pearl Jam, The Shins, Menomena, and The Decemberists.  Much of it is brand new music, but there are also special previously unreleased demos and acoustic versions of old favorites.

Of course it falls into the common pitfalls of any compilation albums, with artists of such variety and differing genres, of inconsistency and frantic concerns of where it is going next.  But considering the subject matter of the album these issues are not only appropriate but add a tangible feel to the sense of immersion.  "The Streets" are woven throughout and are a reoccurring character reminding the listener not to assume they know what is coming around the next corner.  Musical interludes like the take off of the Jimi Hendrix classic "Little Wings" called "Winging it" by Skeeter, and "A Piano in New York" by Thomas Lauderdale of Pink Martini move the story forward as the journey from block to block continues.

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Saturday, July 16, 2011

Child Piano Prodigy (Video 1946)

I first received this video in an e-mail reading "'LITTLE RICHARD' WHEN YOUNG".  Intrigued but skeptical I took a look.  It is mesmerizing, and if it doesn't put a smile on your face I hold out little hope for anything ever putting a smile on your face.  But I still doubted the claim that it was Little Richard, so I did some digging.

It turns out it is not Little Richard but footage of child prodigy Frank "Sugar Chile" Robinson.  Robinson won his first talent contest in Detroit at the age of 3!  He was unable to tour due to child labor laws but played guest spots with Lionel Hampton in Detroit as well as on the radio.  As his popularity grew there were more and more outlets for people to see him play.  Hollywood came calling, and the clip below is footage of the 1946 movie "No Leave, No Love" where Robinson performed "Caldonia", a song he later performed for President Harry S. Truman at the White House.


After a few year of touring (with special permission given to avoid any legal entanglements) he "retired" from music at the ripe old age of 13 to focus on school.  He went on to receive a Ph. D. in Psychology from University of Michigan.

It might not be Little Richard, but it was a great chance to do some research and learn more about a really amazing person.  Check out the video and let me know what you think...
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Thursday, July 14, 2011

Quinoa Salad

Quinoa is exotic.  Quinoa is not widely known, but it is gaining popularity.  Quinoa looks a little strange.  Quinoa is hard to read phonetically (pronounced Keen-Wah).  But, all that being said, Quinoa is delicious, it is supremely versatile, and this side dish is the perfect way to try it.

First off, what is Quinoa?  It is oft referred to as a high protein grain.  Which is a good description, though it is inaccurate.  While quinoa resembles a grain it is actually a seed (most closely related to beets and spinach, but from a different part of the plant than either of those).  Originally from the Andes it is a staple of South American, particularly Peruvian cuisine.  It is considered a "Super Food" because it can be applied like a grain (this recipe is great warm as a pilaf style side dish, or cold as a salad), but since it is a nut it is really high in protein and essential amino acids.  It reminds me most of a couscous size brown rice, which means you can do all sorts of things with it.

There are basically 3 steps:
  1. Cook the quinoa
  2. Select and prepare any "Add Ins" you desire
  3. Mix the add ins to the quinoa
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Tuesday, July 12, 2011

2011 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet (1.0)

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All his rowdy friends play Fantasy Football
This may be a little early considering the NFL hasn't even ended it's lockout, and until that happens free agency can't begin nor can teams trade players.  Meaning we have no idea when the NFL season will kickoff nor who will be playing for which teams.  But, we are half way through July and if you play Fantasy Football your mind is probably already wandering to the gridiron like those poor children who have to sit at home and practice piano, violin, or some such parentally deemed endeavor while their friends all play outside mere paces away with nothing but a window pane keeping them from the fun.  Basically, to answer Hank Williams Jr.: yes, we are ready for some football!  At least some small semblance of something sort of resembling a hint of a whisper of a novelty pass time generally related to football.

With that in mind, we now have Version 1.0 of the 2011 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet.  This will change.  Quite drastically I imagine.  But it is a good jumping off point for the 2011 Fantasy Football Season.  I hope it helps, and good luck... (and if you're in my Fantasy Football league read no further)


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Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Live from Nowhere Near You: Volume 2 (7/6 Update)

Buy This Album!!!
Well, away we go...  As of yesterday "Live From Nowhere Near You: Volume 2" is officially released.  So far it has created quite a buzz.  With such a long and distinguished line up it has garnered interest from all over (like pitchfork twice, both here and here, and even Portland mayor Sam Adams).  There is new info on different tracks coming out regularly at the fan page on facebook.

The album is now out in stores or online, but the "pre-release" link is still active and you can get a better deal here.  There are many tracks that are only available on the physical CD version .  Also keep in mind it is a 210 minute, 3 CD set (as well as the digital version) for $15.  And all of the proceeds go to charity.  If you don't have it yet, you should.  And if you do have it, let me know what you think...

Keep an eye out for The Polymouth Review over the next few days...
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