okay part one of the supersonic build up begins with oxbow. narcotic story released last year on cd, and this year on vinyl (thanks to those lovely southern people) was one of my favourites. i described it thusly: "the best dressed album this year. classy, ugly, threatening and that's just the those involved. like tom waits with [...]

But first, I have to review this week's news! Hmm...I see...yes, well, that's very interesting ... Oh, I didn't know that was still happening ... You mean they haven't cured it yet? ... I have a difficult time believing his review ... WHy would anybody go see that movie? ... Who owns stock these days? ... Isn't science just the most fascinating ... He's dating her ? ... I didn't know that piss-poor country even had a president! ... Oh shit. I was holding it upside down! [...]

Sometimes I have what I guess are unusual ideas. Nicci was telling me a few days ago that when she's not working, she gets bored. In trying to be a good partner, I quickly rattled off a list of things one could do that would instantly cure their boredom. I told her she could choose a random friend and follow them around for a day (you know, like spying?) to see what they're up to. I told her to think of a place she wanted to go (like a bookstore or a music store) and then use the Internet to [...]
Song: Curse Artist: Oxbow Album: Fuckfest Comments: One of my favorite bands, Oxbow's discography (beginning with 1990's Fuckfest ), plays like an extended exploration of mental illness, specifically paranoia and manic behavior. A former girlfriend would actually leave the house when I listened to Oxbow. I've always found their music to be intriguing at worst, and absolutely brilliant at best. I chuckle to myself when I think of kids walking into a record store in 1990 and purchasing this album because of the obscene title. They had no idea what they were getting [...]

Yes, you read that right. I've decided to make a little mix tape for you today, valued reader, because I love each one of you so, so much. Thank you for coming here and reading my writing and listening to the music I recommend. I know some of it sucks (the writing and the music) but a lot of you have continued to support the site. So it is with a very full heart that I express my deepest (and most erotic) love for you. Please enjoy the tunes. For old time's sake, here are the "rules" for previous Sunday [...]

For my final "Friday Top Ten" of the year, I always like to write about the news music that has found its way into my possession over the course of the previous 365 days. In 2005, I think I devoted a paragraph to each of my favorite 25 records. Last year, I wrote three-word reviews for my favorite 50 records. This year, I'm upping the stakes, with one all-encapsulating sentence for the best 100 new records. Strap your safety belts on, because this is going to be a very, very long music-related entry. The Top 100 [...]

"Here, take these blankets. No Smallpox, I promise!" Happy Thanksgiving to all. I hope everyone is celebrating in the company of friends or loved ones. The slightly anorexic voice inside me is begging me to tell you, "Do not over-eat," but I guess if you're going to gorge yourself on tasty, savory foodstuffs, today would be the day to do it. Here's a brief list of things I am thankful for this year. I can't be bothered to devote a lot of time or thought to this today, because I doubt anyone is spending their holiday [...]

Geez, first My Bloody Valentine and now Polvo . Who is next to reunite? Tar!? Unwound?! Oh gosh, the possibilities are endless. And by that I mean there is only one possibility: I will be disappointed when the old hacks try to recapture the spirit of their youth and come off sounding terrible and trite. Hey, did you know that one-out-of-three popular songs refer to substance abuse? This is not surprising to me at all. In fact, all you have to do is take a gander at my record collection or listen to some of [...]

It looks like Eugene Robinson is gearing up for his assault on the Times Bestseller List. November sees the release of Fight: Or, Everything you Ever Wanted to Know about Ass-Kicking But Were Afraid You'd Get Your Ass Kicked for Asking , and I could not be more excited. Although the subject matter has been broached before by Eugene (VICE Vol. 9 No. 10, or, the second issue I ever owned), I am going to buy this anyway for a multiple of reasons, and I think you should too. Here's why: First, Eugene is a great writer. [...]

Bouncer Lit PHOTO CREDIT: http://www.smother.net/intervi ews/oxbow.php Bouncers, those stone-faced guardians of the velvet rope, are known for two things: keeping "order" in your favorite nightclubs, and rearranging the faces of those who bring dischord to their (supposedly) orderly worlds. They are not known, however, for their prose, their sentiments, their innermost feelings . That is about to change. This week, the Phoenix 's James Parker discovers that theres' a rising tide of memoirs [...]
I overate this weekend. Yesterday I had brunch at a little outdoor cafe on Ocean that made a sublime omelet for breakfast, and had fancy gourmet Mexican food for dinner (grilled achiote chicken served over a layered casserole of corn tortillas, tomatillo salsa, manchego, panela, and cotija cheeses, and coriander radish sprout salad, according to their menu) at the Border Grill, which is owned by two lady chefs who have a show on the Food Channel (apparently). Delicious! Today I had a Santa Fe omelet at noon and In-N-Out later in the day. The hotel near LAX had free food [...]
Another night of pool (we've now got a chalkboard with standings, and I'm in last place - the worst billiards player in the group) and podcast work left us with more than enough sounds to ensure Jack can complete Episode 5 (audio) in the coming hours. Once finished, we'll all get started on animating and compiling the complimentary video-cast. If my sneak peak at this episode was any indication of what is to come, this will be the darkest episode yet. Slow-paced, sparse sound-bytes, with very minimalist music. It might be one of my favorites. You will see. [...]

Since there isn't much in new music hitting right now, I will just stick with a past favorite for the time being. I was putting together a mix a couple weeks ago in which I wanted the first disc to be sort of menacing in a way. Although it didn't take me long to compile enough songs for that disc, one band that immediately jumped into my head was San Francisco's very own, Oxbow . Really, they were almost perfect. When it comes to all things deranged and possibly borderline insane, [...]