I haven't written too much before of my love of soccer, but I just had to get on the blog this morning and put up clips of David Beckham from last night's Galaxy game vs. New England in the Superliga tournament.
Beckham is by no means the best player in the world, but he is by far the best player in the US, and it showed immediately in Becks' first start. His vision of the field is just so good, and even though his ankle is still gimpy, he moves and thinks more quickly than everyone else, if that makes sense.
There were a few times when he was in the middle of the field, surrounded by players, and the ball would come to him, and every time, he would immediately get rid of the ball perfectly to his teammate. He never gave the defense a chance to tackle him or push him around, so he ended up without any further injury -- very important when you're being paid $50 million a year.
Oh, and then there's this:
And this:
Excellent.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Monday, August 13, 2007
Helpful: KEXP Song of the Day Podcast
I subscribe to a lot of podcaster tunes on my iPoddamajig, but one stood out today on the KEXP Song of the Day -- "People Get Ready" by The Frames. That's the band that's in that new movie Once.
One free .mp3 every day, and they're almost always good. Not a bad deal. Click the link above or you can find it on iTunes.
One free .mp3 every day, and they're almost always good. Not a bad deal. Click the link above or you can find it on iTunes.
Interesting: Lollapalooza 2007 Part 2
I agree with Jairy: Day 2 was nothing like Day 1, but thanks to some cooler temps and some delusional Swedes, it was still joyous.
I'm From Barcelona
As with the Spree, IFB goes for quantity more than quality: in the number of performers (close to 30), crazy outfits (bear suit, black suit/white tie, striped leggings), and smiley smile times (too numerous to count). Balloons, songs about chicken pox, and tunes with 27 people all singing melody. A perfect set for the beginning of the day. I don't imagine that their studio set is all that good, but they have figured out the equation: shaker shaped like banana = good times.
Tapes and Tapes
This band was the most serious-sounding (except Interpol, but I'll get to them) but serious in a loud and good way. I picked up their CD on eMusic last month and really like their hard edge.
Silverchair
I napped a little on the hill in Grant Park during this set, but I must say that of all the poppy hard rock bands out there, Silverchair have perfectly serviceable skills, a good front man, and some *gasp* melodies. Worth a listen. I hear they are the David Hasselhoff of Australia.
Cold War Kids
CWK got screwed on this one - they should have been at a larger stage, and the sound was fishbowl-y. The middle and bass registers were way too high, but from what I could tell, they played OK. However, do not let this discourage you from GETTING THE COLD WAR KIDS CD NOW. Thx.
The Hold Steady
ALl of the reviews about this set have been right on - they give a great show, the lead singer is very much into it, there's a guy with a handlebar moustache, etc, etc.
However, the lead singer does not sing -- he kind of talksings, and I just don't get it. So, I can't get into this band's recordings. Good show though. It was at this show that I saw the Myspace booth. At this booth, they handed out free bandanas, and you could get your picture taken with some skanky girls in Myspace tubetops and miniskirts. That about says it all.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
I listened to this set from across the field as I made my way to the front of Spoon's stage. You may sense a trend: whiny lead singer voices don't do it for me. So Clap...Yeah! is not on my faves list.
Spoon
Despite the fact that they left out the best three songs from the new album, Ga^5, Spoon's set was great. They played my favorite song, "Fitted Shirt," and a lot of other solid tracks. What a tight band of normal-looking guys. They are confident, understated, and almost surgical in delivering the rock. I hate to plug eMusic too much, but Spoon's whole catalog is on there. That's a hint.
Muse
Lucas will disown me, but I left co-headliner Muse after 10 minutes. They began with a transcription of JFK's famous speech about communism from 1962. It was up on the video screen, and all I think of was my favorite line from Beavis and Butthead: "If I wanted to read, I would have stayed at school, huh huh, huh huh, um, huh huh. This sucks."
The sound is too hard for my taste, and so I made the mile walk across Grant Park to...
Interpol
My least favorite band alive. Could I please go to the dentist instead? Or maybe get a kick in the groin? Interpol plays music from the future. A future where everything is boring. I know Jair is a fan, but that band had ZERO energy on stage, no connection to the crowd, and seriously, made me sleepy. Where is the guy in the bear suit shaking the banana?
I'm From Barcelona
As with the Spree, IFB goes for quantity more than quality: in the number of performers (close to 30), crazy outfits (bear suit, black suit/white tie, striped leggings), and smiley smile times (too numerous to count). Balloons, songs about chicken pox, and tunes with 27 people all singing melody. A perfect set for the beginning of the day. I don't imagine that their studio set is all that good, but they have figured out the equation: shaker shaped like banana = good times.
Tapes and Tapes
This band was the most serious-sounding (except Interpol, but I'll get to them) but serious in a loud and good way. I picked up their CD on eMusic last month and really like their hard edge.
Silverchair
I napped a little on the hill in Grant Park during this set, but I must say that of all the poppy hard rock bands out there, Silverchair have perfectly serviceable skills, a good front man, and some *gasp* melodies. Worth a listen. I hear they are the David Hasselhoff of Australia.
Cold War Kids
CWK got screwed on this one - they should have been at a larger stage, and the sound was fishbowl-y. The middle and bass registers were way too high, but from what I could tell, they played OK. However, do not let this discourage you from GETTING THE COLD WAR KIDS CD NOW. Thx.
The Hold Steady
ALl of the reviews about this set have been right on - they give a great show, the lead singer is very much into it, there's a guy with a handlebar moustache, etc, etc.
However, the lead singer does not sing -- he kind of talksings, and I just don't get it. So, I can't get into this band's recordings. Good show though. It was at this show that I saw the Myspace booth. At this booth, they handed out free bandanas, and you could get your picture taken with some skanky girls in Myspace tubetops and miniskirts. That about says it all.
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
I listened to this set from across the field as I made my way to the front of Spoon's stage. You may sense a trend: whiny lead singer voices don't do it for me. So Clap...Yeah! is not on my faves list.
Spoon
Despite the fact that they left out the best three songs from the new album, Ga^5, Spoon's set was great. They played my favorite song, "Fitted Shirt," and a lot of other solid tracks. What a tight band of normal-looking guys. They are confident, understated, and almost surgical in delivering the rock. I hate to plug eMusic too much, but Spoon's whole catalog is on there. That's a hint.
Muse
Lucas will disown me, but I left co-headliner Muse after 10 minutes. They began with a transcription of JFK's famous speech about communism from 1962. It was up on the video screen, and all I think of was my favorite line from Beavis and Butthead: "If I wanted to read, I would have stayed at school, huh huh, huh huh, um, huh huh. This sucks."
The sound is too hard for my taste, and so I made the mile walk across Grant Park to...
Interpol
My least favorite band alive. Could I please go to the dentist instead? Or maybe get a kick in the groin? Interpol plays music from the future. A future where everything is boring. I know Jair is a fan, but that band had ZERO energy on stage, no connection to the crowd, and seriously, made me sleepy. Where is the guy in the bear suit shaking the banana?
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Interesting: Best of Lollapalooza Part 1
I've been coming to Lolla for 3 years now, and Day 1 was my all-time favorite. I'll post pics and all that later this weekend. For now, here are my reviews of the best acts I saw. If you want Jair's perspective, and who doesn't, go here: Indigo Blvd.
Disclaimer: I never remember track titles. Sorry.
The Fratellis
Only caught a few songs from these guys, including their ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba song on the iPod commercials. They are Scottish, which means they are actually good. If I remember right, they have a podcast on iTunes that I subscribed to ages ago but never watched. I definitely will now. Good poppy rock sound.
Ghostland Observatory
G.O. is a dance music duo with two members: a tall freaky DJ guy wearing a light blue cape, and an androgynous dancer/guitarist who might just be Prince's white cousin. The first two songs, I couldn't help but dance, and say, "Damn that girl can sing!" Then I realized he's not a girl. A solid dance set from this Austin band.
The Polyphonic Spree
Shenanigans. 30 people on stage, happy happy fun time.
Blonde Redhead
A tight three piece band. The female lead vocalist and male guitarist both had solid, ethereal voices. Do I contradict myself? Then I contradict myself.
LCD Soundsystem
I had been listening to LCD for a few months before Lolla and really dug their sound. The stage show, though, was even better - lots of energy, and the lead singer has that "play that funky music, white boy" quality that I tend to like. And, female bassists are awesome.
Daft Punk
The 90-minute set had the most crowd dancing I have ever seen at Lollapalooza--or any other concert, for that matter. Lasers, robots, a giant pyramid, and some of the world's most popular dance tunes made for some great times. Friday's crowd was the smallest of the three days, but everyone who came out for Daft Punk had a great time.
Disclaimer: I never remember track titles. Sorry.
The Fratellis
Only caught a few songs from these guys, including their ba ba ba ba ba ba ba ba song on the iPod commercials. They are Scottish, which means they are actually good. If I remember right, they have a podcast on iTunes that I subscribed to ages ago but never watched. I definitely will now. Good poppy rock sound.
Ghostland Observatory
G.O. is a dance music duo with two members: a tall freaky DJ guy wearing a light blue cape, and an androgynous dancer/guitarist who might just be Prince's white cousin. The first two songs, I couldn't help but dance, and say, "Damn that girl can sing!" Then I realized he's not a girl. A solid dance set from this Austin band.
The Polyphonic Spree
Shenanigans. 30 people on stage, happy happy fun time.
Blonde Redhead
A tight three piece band. The female lead vocalist and male guitarist both had solid, ethereal voices. Do I contradict myself? Then I contradict myself.
LCD Soundsystem
I had been listening to LCD for a few months before Lolla and really dug their sound. The stage show, though, was even better - lots of energy, and the lead singer has that "play that funky music, white boy" quality that I tend to like. And, female bassists are awesome.
Daft Punk
The 90-minute set had the most crowd dancing I have ever seen at Lollapalooza--or any other concert, for that matter. Lasers, robots, a giant pyramid, and some of the world's most popular dance tunes made for some great times. Friday's crowd was the smallest of the three days, but everyone who came out for Daft Punk had a great time.
Helpful: Don't forget the Lyrics
The episode with my brother Lucas Kuzma finally aired this week. It started half an hour early at 7:00 Central on Thursday, so I was unprepared, but I caught the last three songs and got to see Mom and Dad, as well. Luke sounded great, everybody looked great, Lucas won $25,000 - it was a really good thing and I hope this helps Lucas' career. For those of you out there googling this:
1. Yes, Lucas is that charming in person.
2. Yes, we do now have a ranch in Kansas.
3. Yes, Dad has a tractor and does want a Billy goat.
Whether Lucas is a "plowboy" I'll leave up to him and his personal life. All I know is, I'll be calling him that for a long time. Priceless.
Don't Forget the Lyrics!
1. Yes, Lucas is that charming in person.
2. Yes, we do now have a ranch in Kansas.
3. Yes, Dad has a tractor and does want a Billy goat.
Whether Lucas is a "plowboy" I'll leave up to him and his personal life. All I know is, I'll be calling him that for a long time. Priceless.
Don't Forget the Lyrics!
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Interesting: Lolla afterparty!
Lollapalooza starts tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing Spoon, Muse, Lupe Fiasco, and many others. Here's a note from Cindy about a little get together we're doing after Saturday's good times--
Hi guys,
Hard to believe Lolla is already this weekend! Just in case we don't stumble across you in the crowd, after the last show on Saturday (Matt and I will be seeing Muse, but if Interpol is your thing, you're still invited) we'll be at Manhattan's, 415 S. Dearborn. Feel free to join us for one or two last rounds and to wait out the crowds on the Red Line.
Also, you can look for us at:
Electric Six
LCD Soundsystem
Cold War Kids
Spoon
Modest Mouse
and, um, Pearl Jam ...
Hi guys,
Hard to believe Lolla is already this weekend! Just in case we don't stumble across you in the crowd, after the last show on Saturday (Matt and I will be seeing Muse, but if Interpol is your thing, you're still invited) we'll be at Manhattan's, 415 S. Dearborn. Feel free to join us for one or two last rounds and to wait out the crowds on the Red Line.
Also, you can look for us at:
Electric Six
LCD Soundsystem
Cold War Kids
Spoon
Modest Mouse
and, um, Pearl Jam ...
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