In The Dark With A Strobelight... Not Flashlight

It has been a very weird week, as previously noted. But. I also didn't know that I've pretty much been in the dark when it came to family issues. Found out that Mom was almost hospitalized with an upper respiratory infection (she also has emphysema which isn't a good combo) and she didn't go to work this week. I'm hoping that this thing passes because I do remember the days where she would take 5 minutes to get to the door dragging her oxygen tank behind her. She had been feeling so much better since her last neck surgery. Then my grandfather was hospitalized a few days ago after kidney failure. He's currently on dialysis (that on top of his diabetes, sleep apnea, hearing, heart issues and age) and feels his body is falling apart on him. After hearing about these things, I was jarred awake. I was able to go see grandpa last night at my cousin Sydney's birthday (also got to see Connor and Olivia - my nephew and niece respectively during the party.) Yes, it's scary thinking that you may lose someone but you also dwell on how wrapped up we get in our little worlds and that sometimes we have to remove the blinders for a bit. Should know more about grandpa on Tuesday... if I don't, I will probably try to run down to Boulder City to see them. I'll also try to stop in on mom as soon as possible.

Not Cooking With Gas

So, I'm driving home on I-95 and not far from the mall, my repair-proned Izusu starts sputtering. I still have enough fuel in it (just above the empty line and the gas warning light hasn't turned on.) I do what I can to get it off the road and think that maybe I'll get it as close to a gas station and take a look... didn't happen. So I park in front a strange house and look at the car. I'm able to start it but it sputters out. I recall having the list from the dealership mentioning the fuel pump may need to be replaced and it really didn't sound too good (almost like metal scraping) when I was pulling off the freeway. So, I give in and call the dealership and wait an hour and a half for a tow truck to arrive. I was lucky that they got their loaner car back so I wouldn't need to rent a car (even though I have coupons from earlier repair service claiming that they owed me a free day rental.) I brace for the worst the next day only to find out that the fuel sensor isn't working and is part of the pump which will cost $500 to replace. But, to do all that just to replace the dummy light that I became dependent on? Yes, it looks like I paid for towing and inspection of my vehicle because I ran out of gas for the first time in the car. Oh well... looks like I'm going to keep it as full as possible for the next year or so.

Putting The Eds In Educated

Yes, Nevada has been rated as one of the 'dumbest states' in America. It's also one of the lowest funded. Hmmm... go figure. But even though I'd like to see a state lottery to fund our education system (and not our residents going over the border to fund another states), I think there are a lot of other problems.

I was very lucky to go to a private school for the beginning of my education. It seemed fast paced enough to keep me interested but not enough to get lazy. In retrospect, I know that going from private to public school in 7th grade was a mistake. Maybe, heavy counseling or something may have helped. If you are used to reciting the works of Shakespeare and are suddenly performing the works of Shel Silverstein... there is a drop. Everything seems easier and you aren't working as hard as you once did. Once I got used to doing less, I watched as it got harder to keep up as my work ethic disappeared. I started to rationalize that homework was a sham and that you needed to either do as much as you could there before going home or try to do before you are asked to turn it in. It became a twisted little game. I do think about where my education could have gone and am content with where things went but... as I think about my niece and nephew, I hope that someone is watching our future generation a little more closely.

I've heard it said often that the goals of most parents are to make their children's lives better than their own so their children don't go through what they have. Yes, we probably have a lot less people walking 30 miles to school in snow without shoes but is our education system getting better or worse. If a family can't sit down at a dinner table for dinner, how much time are those parents going to find to call a teacher? At minimum, it'd be interesting to see more interaction with the faculty. I'd love to see a survey of how many parents can tell you their teacher's name.

Sweet Tomatoes

Yes, I am one of the pickiest eaters there are. I'll address that some other time but tomatoes seem to be on the top of my list of food issues. I don't like chunks of them in anything but blending it down into a sauce is the easiest way to fix that. I do believe it's a texture issue but you don't see me harping on high grit sandpaper. It could be the early impression of seeing my aunt put sugar on a sliced tomato and eat it. Who knows. On a similar line of thought, I also believe that everyone has their own one true tomato sauce. Sometime in their lives they are forced to make a decision over Ragu or Prago. It does happen (unless you are allergic to tomatoes for which you should discontinue reading) and it does sound silly but there are major differences. Prago does tend to be sweeter than Ragu. And I think that the only sweet thing about Italian food should be Italian ices... so I'm a Ragu man. Yes, there are more than two brands of sauce but none are more dissimilar. I figure that someone out there has probably even done a thesis on this.

Everything Falls Apart

There was this song by Dog's Eye View with the title above that I tend to think about often. Things aren't made for status quo nor are they meant to zip by at imperceptible speeds. But, somewhere in the middle is life as we know it. The scratch-proof glasses will scratch, the removable media won't move, refined sugar will have something else in it... etc. And then there are cars.

The Izusu Rodeo went into the dealership for the fourth and hopefully final time. At this point, I was entirely pissed as I stared into the service persons eyes and asked, "Is it normal for a car to come back to you 4 times in a 2 month period?" The headlights were finally fixxed during the third visit... yes, third. But after driving home and then deciding to pick up dinner... the car wasn't turning over immediately. It took 4 turns of the key the first time and finally got to the point on Tuesday where I was praying for it to turn over. I at first blamed the new ignition switch (they felt was a problem) needing to be broken in. Of course, it would wind up being the starter. So, that's $1,600 for the first visit, $0 for the dabbling with wires on the second visit, $1,000 for the third trip (which finally fixxed the original problem) and now another $550 on the fourth. This smelled like something out of one of those consumer reports where a perfectly new car would be dropped off and something would be found wrong with it and something else would be loosened or "adjusted" to need repair soon after. Anyhow, the reasoning for the alternator going out was... "It was just time for it to go." Way too coincidental. After all this frustration built up, I called my insurance company (who originally had the work done on the car after the accident) who actually seemed as weirded out by the whole thing as I was. The local adjuster said that the $1,000 that I paid to get it back to pre-accident form will be covered by them and that they'd even be willing to pay half on the alternator. Of course, the skies parted and clouds disappeared... I even think I saw rays of light hitting the ground and little daisies sprouting (ok, it's winter but bear with me.) So, with that weight off my shoulders and some hope with the car, I am now looking at an interesting list the dealership came up with of other items on the Rodeo that need "attention." Oh well, I guess everything will fall apart and all we can do is try to put them back together hoping to not be grabbing our ankles during the whole process.

What Lies Beneath

Scientists have long wondered about what kind of fish species thrive in the oceans depths that have yet to be discovered. Some of that was solved when the tsunami occurred. The shifting of the two tectonic plates not only raised and lowered land masses but it also killed a lot of sea life that is now just beginning to float ashore. A Russian blog site has been posting some pictures of what have been found. Do remember that it is in Russian and will take time to load due to heavy page views (and the fact that it is in Russia.) But after seeing some of these marvels, it makes you wonder about what else is out there. What other life forms are hidden here on earth while we search the cosmos? It makes me remember the more recent rediscovery of a coelacanth by some fishermen in 1998 in Indonesia. Hmmm...

Ok, it looks like it was a hoax. But not entirely. The photos were taken earlier than the tsunami but the sea life were really found and exist. Here are the other photos.

Where All The Unwanted DVDs Go

My normal Tuesday agenda is to go to Best Buy and check out the latest releases. "Street date" is a media business term used to spread equality through the retail stores by having one day that the movie, game, album or other item is to hit shelves on. Breaking street dates can actually be a hefty fine (I've actually seen the people that look at the new items and their placements in the stores on Tuesday.) But sometimes Best Buy doesn't get their items out by street date. Sometimes it's because it is in back for some odd reason or they just aren't getting it in. So when I don't see the item I want there, I start looking around.

So I went into Suncoast Video yesterday to see if they had what I was looking for. (Yes, I actually check online to find out street dates and get an idea of what is coming out that week... kinda cool to have Tuesdays off.) After deciding not to spend $30 on a DVD with 3 episodes of a series on it (yes, $10 a freakin' episode), a sign caught the corner of my eye saying Used DVDs. I find out later from the sales person that they are testing it out in that particular store but they buy used DVDs (you get more for store credit than cash) at sometimes a real bargain... for the store. Anywhere from $.50 to $10 depending on the title and popularity. But, if you have DVDs that you will never watch again and know that you will never get a decent price on eBay for them... it becomes a way of trading them in for credit and picking something else up. So I went home and looked through my enormous collection and pulled aside a good (or bad depending on how you look at it) 20 or so DVDs and brought them in today. Now, I just need to watch and see what else they get in so i can fix holes in my collection. Found a few DVDs for $10.99 that weren't too bad. Oddly enough, I didn't see Glitter or Gigli anywhere in the area so maybe beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.

My Favorite Book Series

I knew at some point that I would have to talk about this and there is no better time than the present. I got hooked on Brian Lumley's The Necroscope in about 1990-1991 when a roommate was reading the series. What wasn't there to like for me. Vampires, horror, sci-fi, the paranormal, revenge and all other goodies. For those that haven't read it: It's set in Britain during the Cold War 1980's and about the mysterious Harry Keogh. If you think about all those people out there that can bend spoons, find missing items, forecast the weather, tell your future and contact the dead... what about someone that regularly talks to them? What do they see, know, feel or say? But then, it brings in a very unique vampire mythos that can make you rethink some of the other stories we have heard. I'm not going to spoil the series for you but there are 5 books in the first series, 3 in the next, 2 that fill in the blanks between those and a separate 3 that I shouldn't tell you about because they may spoil the previous books.

I was lucky enough to go to a book signing with my friend Teri where we saw Mr. Lumley. He and his wife are very nice people and they even asked several of us if we wanted to go to the food court and join him for lunch. I felt pretty bad about all the books I had signed (including my prized possession of his first published book) and the attention he was getting that I had his wife sign next to her husband a paperback of the first book. I've yet to hear someone read the first book and not want to check out the others and if anything, I've created a few fans for the series. But I think 13 books is all we will get. If you want a story that doesn't end, you'll have to look into Zanth.

Let It Melt, Let It Melt, Let It Melt

Some people seem surprised that I grew up here in Las Vegas. They seem to think that everyone moved here in the last 10 years. They have... but some of us had to pave the way. I tried to move away but discovered that I hate the cold. My father was a smart man. As a tennis pro, he said, "Where is the city that gets the best weather?" You can't work your profession in snow. If anything, I came to the conclusion that I wasn't made for lower temperatures after attempting skiing and moving to Reno for 6 months where "black ice" is a normal thing on the road. I love the heat. I remember as a child that I'd use an electric blanket throughout the year. So, as you see the picture in a previous blog post, I was pretty shocked to see the snow. I've only seen it here in Las Vegas about 3 times. Snowmen melt really quick. Maybe, I'm just an indoor person -- housebroken and loving it.

A Very Tired Marten's Breast Babbling

So, I went out late last night to help out my aunt and uncle (it's hard to call them that knowing they are my age) by doing some repair and maintainence on their home computer. (Yes, on top of my obsession with 80's music, I also try to learn everything I can about personal computers and pro football.) Got there a little before 9pm and the computer needed severe CPR. Norton Anti-Virus 2005 missed about 22 contaminated trojan horse files that were having fun with the machine which was slow to reboot after every change. I put AVG Anti-Virus on, installed Mozilla Firefox, added Spyware Blaster 3.2 and did a major clean-up of spyware, viruses and other hidden goodies with my eyes closing on my at 2:30am. I dashed home and moved as far away from my alarm clock so that I could get maybe 2 hours of sleep before it went off (still had to work). Was amazed that I woke up on time, got to work and didn't pass out. Left work a little early, headed home, layed down for an hour and watched the Chargers lose in overtime. Typed this up and am heading to bed. I can actually say that I'm going to dream about sleeping.

Before I went off on that tangent, I planned to talk about the female anatomy a bit. It was funny to see that I had the topic in mind when I went off to visit a mystery blog and ranted on there for a bit. But, I'm outing myself as a breast fetishist. No, it doesn't mean that I dream areolas and cleavage or have them on my walls. It does mean that I'm not staring at your butt or legs as you walk by... it means "I'm waiting for you to finally turn around." Knowing this, my friend Dion sent me this nice little link that brings me back to gradeschool and a song all of us know and love: http://www.kontraband.com/show/show.asp?ID=721 Anyhow, I'm happy to out myself and get that off my chest.

1st Las Vegas Winter @ The Hennessy Residence

No, no, it wasn't pretty out at all. As you can see from the photo... it covered every inch of my house. Was interesting to find out that my DirecTV dish doesn't work with snow on it. Had to go out there on a ladder to brush it off to get a signal. I feared that something might not record on the Tivo if I didn't fix it ASAP.

I know the olive trees in the back have to go but I started thinking that maybe letting the birds eat the olives that dropped was a good thing for me, my yard and the circle of life itself. Until I saw that with all the fallen snow around my yard, there were dozens on under my patio cover crapping their digested olives all over my yard furniture. Not cool. So I tried scaring them away every 30 minutes. Then I decided to use a hose and remove any olives from the patio to keep them off of it. My luck improved later that night when the weather got better. A local or stray cat decided to visit my patio and I haven't seen a bird since. The olive trees are not long for this land.

Where Does It All Go?

You know how it works: a little bit of cold medicine and it's time to type in the blog. I'd like to take this moment to talk about auto dealerships. They pretty much have a monopoly. Once you buy a car from them, you will at some point have to see them again. Currently, my car is at a dealership after it was repaired after an accident. Let me reiterate that: my car is at a dealership after it was repaired after an accident. Essentially, some mysterious force affected my car after the accident (but not caused by it) for which it needs "special attention." So, my car was paid off beforehand and being considered an older vehicle it means only a dealership can get ahold of the parts that I need. Usually, getting them in requires a freight charge (can you believe it cost $150 to ship a cable?) but they are the only people who can get it. Now, after the repair following the accident, my headlights go off while I'm driving (safe huh?) and a neat burning smell follows a clicking sound in my right dash.

The first time it went to the dealership they discovered a corroded battery cable and a leaky valve seal that was dripping oil onto my alternator which in their words ruined it. $1600 plus another $150 in car rental. But after getting it back, the same problem occurs. Already, I know that they didn't test it or they like me pissing $1700 away (of course they do, they are a business.)

So, I drop the car off a second time and I call to find out the car is fixxed and it was a few loose wires in the dash. I guess I feel lucky because they didn't grab for my wallet as I left. I get the car back right before Christmas so I can now go shopping for presents and upon going to a McDonalds drive-thru... my power windows don't work. They actually cause the same headlight issue. I call and they mention that during the holidays that the staff isn't at full force and it'd be better to stop by next week (I have Mondays and Tuesdays free.)

So, I drop the car off again for a third time. The second day they are looking at it they discover a section of wires that are shorting out and causing a buringing smell (like the one I described to them a long time ago) and that two soldering points on the ignition switch are broken. This will come to at least $900. This might be fixed by Friday but I'm not holding my breath.

So, if I had taken $4,000 from the insurance to total the car, I would still have to make payments on something new but I wouldn't have the guesswork involved in taking it to a dealership. You would think that they can do better than guess. So, I'll be financing $2,600 on cards etc and can look at that as a form of car payment or 10 payments of $260. But then again, that is if I don't have to bring it back to get the original problem fixxed.

In retrospect, I don't hate dealerships. It just makes me want to own one so I can extort money out of people for not doing what they are paid for.

Yet, Another New Year

We are a society that begs for new beginnings. We celebrate birthdays as markers in ways to start changes in our lives but the New Year's celebration is one that we can mark on the calender and share together. There are even resolutions we can make as we enter the new year. Where else can you say you are going to start a diet, do more for your community, cease smoking or sin less? Yet, there is the stigma to resolutions that... no one ever keeps to them so success is isn't always expected. The ultimate scapegoat, we all need to have something to blame failure on so it's commonly known that if you plan to start something you need to announce it on New Year's Eve.

As for me, it's been a very good year. And my New Year's resolution is to do very little because that way I can always surpass it. Call me an overachiever. I better send this out as there are just seconds to go before the end of the year. I'd like to thank all the subscribers to the 80's Nuts Newsletter at http://www.80smusiccentral.com and the listeners to the 80's Nuts Update at http://www.80sairwaves.com. May your new year be as bright as the stars that I report about.

A Year And A Half At The House Of Oddities

I have to say that there are a lot of interesting things about making big changes in your life and I've noticed at least two weird things since I moved into this new house.

The first thing that I've noticed since moving in is that I constantly wake up with a dry throat but am constantly phlegmy. The dry throat, I attributed to having a ceiling fan but... I haven't had the fan on during days that I had a raw throat. My main guess though is that it is an allergic reaction to two humongous olive trees in my back yard. So, yes... the trees are going to have to go at some point because they are messy and messing up my respiration.

The second house oddity is that almost every 6 months when the weather changes, I get a kiss on the mouth from the cold sore/fever blister fairy. Reasons for getting them stem from diet, stress, sun exposure, lack of sleep or (as previously mentioned) weather change. Yet, I've gone 3 sets of 6 months without having that problem. No major changes in diet, sleep, weather or sun exposure has occurred and we all know that there is increased stress when getting a house. So, I'm at a loss. My luck is that the olive trees are causing this too.

Of course, you know that I'm knocking on wood before I post this but this is something that I've been mulling over in my head for awhile. That and if I should do a list of Top 10 women that I wouldn't kick out of my bed during their prime (meaning that they are dead or old.) Anyhow, I'm off to sleep and hope everyone is doing ok.

Post-Christmas Post

Had a great Christmas day. Started with wrapping the last of the gifts that I was too tired to wrap the day before. Then headed to breakfast and gift opening with my family at my mother's condo. My niece and nephew were absolutely bushed when they got there but you could tell that they weren't used to being awake all day by the time they left. I'm just so thankful for having the family that I do and that there is an unusual bond between us whenever we are in the same room. I dropped off my grandmother and a few gifts at my aunt Shawna's house after dinner (pork chops in mushroom gravy, ham, rice, scalloped potatoes, rolls and candied yams) and got to see a very tired cousin Sydney as she opened up the last of her gifts. I then went to my friends Tracy and Jason's to drop off something for their daughter Sonja. She's pretty amazing and reacts well when playing around and with other people. She's definitely a light in their lives and you can see it in both their faces. I headed home to unload the car (it was a pretty immense haul) and after putting most of the stuff away passed out for the night.

I didn't get to post yesterday (as you can see it was a bit busy) but I would like to make sure you all know that I was wishing you the best and that you hopefully didn't suffer any eggnog hangovers. (Never tried it spiked but did find out that I'm one of the very few in my family that will drink the stuff.) Hope all your post-holiday shopping proves fruitful and take care!

Christmas Wish List #1 - The 10 Days Of Christmas

Ok...as things were looking, if I waited until tomorrow to post this, Santa wouldn't know who #1 on the list was and I would have posted it late. If I am so lucky, I will find Thora Birch under my little Christmas tree hopefully wearing very little but then again it is cold out and wouldn't want her getting sick. Several years ago I saw this movie called American Beauty at a pawn shop and heard a lot of good things about it. Months later a sharp-minded very good friend of mine asked me if I ever saw the movie. I told him it was gathering dust on my shelf and I think I saw him pull back his arm readying to slap sense into me. Granted, everything I heard about the movie boasted about Mena Suvari who does little to nothing for me (would I kick her out of bed?...depends on what's under the tree tomorrow morning.) My friend made me aware that Miss Birch is "Party material" which is the shortest way to say that she is my physically ideal female. After finally seeing the movie, then watching some of her other films and even watching her appearing on talk shows... I agreed. The eyes are searching, the mouth pouts and somewhere in there is brooding alure that can only be compared to the previously mentioned Christina Ricci. I'm not even mentioning her outstanding physical stature.

Anyhow, I hope you enjoyed my 10 Days Of Christmas and are right now thinking (this guy is obsessed...err... I mean) what beautiful wonders there are in this small little world of ours and (gotta rent American Beauty... err...) how incredibly different one person's tastes can be. By no means was this list meant to degrade women, push religion (yes, I said "oh, God!" a few times there myself) nor increase sales of a particular movie. It was purely for entertainment and I wish all of you enjoyment during your yuletide celebrations. Back to less meaningful banter shortly...

Christmas Wish List #2 - The 10 Days Of Christmas

So close! If there was ever a girl next door that had that librarian look, it'd be Lisa Loeb. Her smile can light up a concert hall. I was lucky enough to see her once during the VH1 Fairway To Heaven golf tournament several years ago. That's when I also first saw Dweezil Zappa hanging around her as if she was the sun and he was the only plant lucky enough to get photosynthesis. I do agree that she is sunny, irrepressible and that those glasses just do something. I've heard it called a Loeb fetish by some people. But she has never pretended to be anything but who she is. She is a terrific musician and an absolute beauty (ok, the Hello Kitty thing is a little obsessive but we all have our quirks.) Who knows, one day I might actually go see her perform. Anything can happen.

Christmas Wish List #3 - The 10 Days Of Christmas

It's hard coming up with just 10 and it is amazing which ones pop up late and make you doubt your list. One of those would be Brooke Burke. Perfect curves, exotic appearance, abundant beauty that should have burned a spot in my memory. Upon further research (looking at tons of photos,) I have noticed a scarily striking resemblance to Susanna Hoffs from the Bangles when she's looking from the corner of her eye. I can understand her not being under my tree but this is supposed to be a "wish" list and not a reality check.

Christmas Wish List #4 - The 10 Days Of Christmas

We're making our way to the top and it hasn't been easy! It's easy to second guess a lot of these because it's all subjective. But no matter how much overthinking there has been, Alyssa Milano was always meant to be here. Yes, we've all seen her grow up on TV and several revealing movies but she actually has several other things going for her other than her beauty and sex appeal. Not known to me until recently is that Milano is a die-hard music lover and even recorded several albums that were released in Japan from 1989 until 1994. My only negative here is her 7 tatoos but from looking at tons of photos... I can't find a single one. May I be lucky to find out where they are on Christmas Day.

Christmas Wish List #5 - The 10 Days Of Christmas

You had to expect to see a B-movie siren in here! I did hold off on the porn stars. I would have normally had her rated higher because Shannon Whirry has an absolutely amazing body. I just wish I could find better pictures of her. A redhead with alabaster skin... definitely high on my list. Some of her best roles have often seen her top come off but she does have enough acting talent to go from pure and innocent to ruthless vixen without a pause. I definitely wouldn't be upset with this present under the tree.

Christmas Wish List #6 - The 10 Days Of Christmas

Couldn't rank her too high yet. The youngest of the bunch, Lindsay Lohan, has everything going for her. Natural long red hair, green eyes and a great body to boot. The only thing that may hurt her is that Tawny Kitaen-thing (so beautiful that she goes nutty... hence the reason Kitaen didn't make the list.) Let's just hope for the best here.

Christmas Wish List #7 - The 10 Days Of Christmas

I can honestly say that she is still moving up this list. Jennifer Love Hewitt is an absolute beauty. Although mostly known for her successful acting career, she has been releasing albums since 1992 (the Japanese rank her up there with their own J-Pop idols.) Hewitt also spends time doing charity work. There is a wholesomeness here that you don't see often with celebrities. Hard to imagine a woman this gorgeous putting as much time into charity work as she does. I can't even say something smutty here.

Christmas Wish List #8 - The 10 Days Of Christmas

Ahhh... she could have rated higher but it's not like there isn't time to move up. Christina Ricci has sadly been typecast in roles that have over time made her a goth postergirl but beneath the haunted look in her eyes is a strong actress that can do anything. I've gained a lot of my respect for her craft due to her work in non-mainstream films like Buffalo 66 where she shattered a lot of images people had of her. I have yet to see Prozac Nation but just taking the role shows she isn't afraid to take a risk. Stunning, captivating and beautiful.

Christmas Wish List #9 - The 10 Days Of Christmas

Charisma Carpenter is one of the most naturally beautiful women in North America. She is a chameleon when it comes to style (made it difficult to find a good photo) and is always willing to push new boundaries. The fact that she was on two of my favorite shows and comes from Las Vegas definitely gives her a big edge. The only thing holding her back is her skin art which is still pretty minimal. She needs to get a new series.

Christmas Wish List #10 - The 10 Days Of Christmas

So I figured that I'd do something entirely chauvinistic and exploit women... no. Actually, this is the start of my 10 days of listing what I'd love to see under my tree this upcoming holiday. When I dream, I dream in technocolor. Starting off the list is Katherine Heigl who typically wouldn't be my type (the blonde hair thing) but those piercing eyes are quite amazing as is the rest of her. Someone please get her in a few more movies!

Things I Say I Need To Do

1. Update/redesign the website for possible store area addition
2. Learn about RSS so I can webcast the radio show
3. Redesign this blog and maybe add something meaningful
4. Put up the other half of the Christmas lights
5. Start making a list and begin Christmas shopping
6. Clean up the house
7. Water my poor dying tomato and jalepeno plants
8. Start calling friends I've neglected before Christmas
9. Figure out why I'm holding onto all these episodes of Venture Brothers on my Tivo.
10. Take some Thera-flu and go to sleep

Since these aren't in any particular order I'm going to start with #10

Equilibrium Obsessive

Do you remember when you were younger how you'd come across a checkerboard tile floor and decide only to step on the black squares? Little games like that in life definitely created some break in boredom. Just like trying to walk in even steps but to not step on the breaks in the pavement. I've noticed that maybe I haven't entirely grown up. I notice that tend to do the same playing with those little licorice bites that I like. I'll try to chew the same amount of the same flavored licorice on each side of my mouth. Kinda weird. Only noticed it recently but then again, I remember a few years ago they had that licorice that was made up of 9 individual strings. I would either eat one whole one on each side of my mouth, cut one in half for each side or 4 strings per side with the last one cut in half. I think it's a disorder of some type. Someone needs to research it. I don't do that with raisins, peanuts or anything else I can think of. Although I do have a thing about eating the least liked jellybeans from a bowl (usually that's the greens or the black ones) to try to even out the consistency.

The New Frontier

Ok, well... I'm going to be testing a few things so I thought I'd warn you ahead of time. There is a new revolution for people with I-Pod's called pod casting. Essentially, people are downloading broadcasts for later use whether it is a sports, music or news program. The 80's Nuts Update is going to test this medium and to do so will be sending them out via this blog (it has something to do with the RSS available.) So I'm giving a slight warning ahead of time just to let you know. Cross your fingers!

Fixing What Works

I get a lot of people asking me to help them with their computers. I've even been asked where I learned everything. I started using computers in the mid-80's and was an early BBS user (think AOL before AOL.) But I got most of my information from a man and a channel or two.

Leo Laporte changed the way I see my computer. His shows (Call For Help and The Screensavers) gave courage to the person who is afraid to open their computer and take a look. Call For Help went through the rudimentary information (daily it mentioned that there are no stupid computer questions) while The Screensavers covered the advanced side with news and information about modifying your system. The shows were carried by ZDTV before the network became TechTV and recently was bought by Comcast to merge with their struggling G4 channel. Although a name change didn't hurt either show, by the time of the latest merger things changed immensely. They cut Laporte to only Call For Help. Then after pleas from fans of the show he came back in pre-taped info segments on Screensavers as Call For Help was axed. He is no longer there now. And the information for novices and advanced computers alike has been replaced with show topics including collectible toys, actor interviews, SeaScooters and movie trailers. What does this mean? Well... if you need to get your channel out to more people, you buy an existing one with a good market share and replace their programming with your own.

Fixing a squeaky hinge or dripping faucet is one thing but fixing something that works or replacing a good product with your own half-hearted generic is offensive. I can only hope that there is a day when someone says, "Hey, let's create a television show that will help people use their computers for more than email!" Not only will I tune in but I'll send people there to watch.

Eye Spy

I've noticed that I tend to kill boredom by creating word games. I noticed this recently when I was out driving to dinner with some people and somone in the car mentioned words starting with the letter T. After going through all we could think of, we graduated to another chosen letter and another until pretty much we were there.

This happened again today with a bunch of people at work. Some friends from work who have decided to name their band Vision (but will have to adjust the spelling so they don't have legal problems) were telling another friend that they couldn't include him in the band. The other person said... "sure... fine.... I'll name my band Lasik. And we'll just take what you do and do it correctly." This got a few laughs but in the back of my head I was thinking of cover songs for a Lasik album. Which started a run on songs like "I Can See Clearly Now," "Private Eyes," "Snowblind," "Blind Vision," "I Saw Red," "Eyes Of A Stranger," etc. I spent the next oh... 5 hours pulling titles out of my rear that most had heard of and some that got some doubtful looks. Of course, it wasn't until I was on my way home that I noticed that I didn't even think of "Eye Of The Tiger," "Eyes Without A Face," "I See Red" and Geri Halliwell's "Look At Me."

Fascinating, no. But I do think that if you are bored and don't have a book nearby that the strangest place you can visit is inside your own head. I just feel like I dusted off a lot of cobwebs.

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Tivo

Ok, so I figured that I ought to say something about my latest addiction. I have to say that I don't miss any of my shows and always wind up with a few goodies when I get home (kinda like Christmas somedays seeing something you didn't expect recorded and waiting for you based on your preferences.) I think I've had my Tivo for about 2 years now and I can only say that it's the best thing I ever did. I don't really even know when some of my favorite shows come on anymore. I can't wait for the new Tivo-To-Go option they are working on where you can move shows around and even share them amongst friends in your Tivo network. Even though, I don't think they'll understand why I tape Harvey Birdman Attorney At Law or the Venture Brothers.

Post-Thanksgiving Bliss

The holiday went pretty well. We had dinner at Mom's house (of course she was working her butt off as normal but I think she is masochistic like that.) My brother Michael made it out from L.A. and even gave me a few ideas that I might implement on the Web site in the near future. Grandma and Grandpa Bolton came in from Boulder City as did my sister Michelle, her husband Corey and the twins Connor and Olivia (absolutely amazing kids.) Of course, Dad wouldn't miss out on a buffet styled dinner. Even my aunt Shawna stopped by with her husband Dave and her daughter Sydney. Last but by far not least was my brother Matthew with his new bride Elizabeth. They waited until that night to tell us that... well, looks like I'm going to be an uncle again. I guess you have to call that one amazing honeymoon cruise. Anyhow, as I watched Connor and Olivia (play, giggle and toot on some flutes Mom gave them) I came to the conclusion that my family is extremely lucky and/or blessed to be without the many physical and mental problems that some have. Well, we do have some time to figure out the mental side but I just wish everyone can have a moment like that. Got my pumpkin pie fix sated so I'm extremely chipper.

Keane On New Music

Current favorite album. Can't seem to get it out of my CD player in my car. I like to think of it as Coldplay meets Ben Folds Five without guitars. I'm sure that it will only be a few hours until I debate putting the new U2 album in there though.

The Art Of Apology

It is rather funny how easy it is to openly congratulate someone but when you set yourself up to do that you also have to know how to let them down. The contest is going great. Right now, I'm still getting emailed the contest entries for the first set of box sets that ended ohhh... about 25 hours or more ago. As easy as saying "first one to the finish line wins," I'm finding it difficult to say "I'm sorry but you didn't win." Maybe that could be a personality issue of mine. I guess it could also be like giving out slices of pizza to friends and running out. You feel bad that they didn't get any while someone that was there just a bit sooner did. I guess everything is based on time as well as luck and that you have to accept it.

I'm probably just in a deep thinking mood because I got 4 hours sleep and have another short night before heading off to work. I think I'll go pass out listening to this nice new Seal 'best of' and hope to avoid dreams of bad Batman films.

Gifts To Come

I figured that the secret will be out soon so I might as well spill it here first. The surprise I mentioned that I have in store for subscribers to the 80's Nuts newsletter and listeners of the 80's Nuts Update this week will be a few contests. I have several copies of Duran Duran's latest box set, The Singles 1986-1995, which I will be issuing out. Great little boxes that contain 14 CDs (all in little covers just like the original singles but smaller) containing 82 tracks featuring the singles and original B-sides to the singles (live tracks, non-album tracks and remixes.) Haven't decided how I'm going to give out the ones via the newsletter just yet. I figure that I'll throw a secret word in a few of the 80's Nuts Update segments of which the first email I get containing the word wins. Might be the only way to make it fair. I'm sure that I'll find some way to give out the other boxes in the newsletter but just haven't thought of it quite yet (I have until what... Monday?.) All I know is that I wish I was able to do this with the first boxset also. I still remember a friend of mine making me a tape of all the B-sides from Duran Duran's early singles and throwing it on a tape with some Pseudo Echo and Psychedelic Furs tracks. Phil changed how I listen to music and let's be thankful for that!

Block The Vote

This being the day we vote to keep what's most precious to us and to change what we believe needs help, I find myself reflecting on minor political issues. I don't discuss politics much in my writing because I am a firm believer of keeping my opinions out of the news (yes, I'm one of the few unbiased ones.) The only thing I found upsetting this year that maybe I didn't notice in the last few years was the push to get anyone who can vote to vote. Why does that upset me? I am from Nevada which is one of the states rated lowest on funding for education. Reminded of this, I think about all the people that have been asked to register to vote (by the Rock The Vote or Vote Or Die campaigns) that don't have an opinion, haven't looked into issues or are getting their information from a single source. I think it's alright if you are choosing between chocolate or vanilla but not on the course of a country. So what I want to get across here is that Nevada needs to increase their education funding for many reasons... one of which is so when someone asks them to register to vote, they can say "I'm already registered and considering my vote, thank you." So have a great night and may the outcome be the best for all.

My Favorite Holiday

If you don't know by now, I'm kinda quirky. Some people love Christmas, some Valentine's Day or even their birthday's but my favorite day of the year is Halloween. Either it has something to do with that darker side of me or something but I really like scaring kids coming to the door in search of goodies. Last year went really well, here's a link to some pictures from 2003. This year, I think I'll be outside a bit with a little more hands-on approach. I'd actually rather play some Skinny Puppy music but I figure that they won't be there long enough for it to set in so best to go with the realistic howling, screaming, ripping, clashing and grunting sounds of a sound effects CD. I'm hoping to at least get someone to pee their pants this year. Last year I only heard a few "Mommy, I don't wanna go up there can we go next door?" Satisfying as that was, it was my first year so I hope to improve.

I hope each and every one of you have a safe and somewhat sane Halloween. Yes, probably the scariest thing about this holiday is that I'm still driving the rental Kia Rio. Take care.

Selling For The Sake Of Selling

One thing that people may notice about 80's Music Central is that I have a fear of selling things. You won't see too many ads up and when there is one it is because of much negotiation with the vendor. I have always held onto the motto: You don't sell ping pong balls on a golfing Web site even if they are the same size. Pretty much what that means is that if our Web site is only dealing with 80's music, I don't want anything advertized there that doesn't relate to it or an artist. Sometimes it just works out well. The negotiations I mentioned can be rather tricky. One record label recently offered several box sets from a major 80's act but wanted us to send email off to all our subscribers about the set. I like all of you am pissed at all the spam I get and would hate to hear that the newsletter is winding up in your junk folder because we sent out a separate email. See what I mean by tricky. But things will work out because I'm a pessimistic optimist. I just believe it will take longer. B)

Ending The Weekend With A Bang

Had a great time in Glendale, California. Had a minor cultural awakening at the wedding which was held at an Armenian church. What many people don't know is that children usually aren't allowed to attend. I believe this to be because it is a long ceremony and the reception can go well into the next morning. I didn't even make it past 10pm and they hadn't even cut the cake yet.

The drive back to Las Vegas wasn't too bad. Left a little bit after 8am and got in at 1pm. Of course, 2 hours after being in town I get in a car accident. It's always funny how after something bad happens you start thinking, if only I had second guessed myself somewhere to either not be at that spot at the time or to have taken that nap that seemed so attractive. Oh well, call it fate or destiny but it seems like I was meant to talk to my insurance agent and see an auto shop. No injuries other than pride (I hadn't had an accident in the last 6 years or so.) Better get some sleep so I can drop the car off in the morning and pick up a snazzy rental.

Off To Cali

Heading to Southern California for a wedding (yes, another one... week 2.) Hope to stop by and see my youngest brother's house tomorrow (haven't been down there since he moved there.) Should be fun. Now, I just need to figure out what CDs to take on the trip. Always the toughest decision because you are pretty much married to that music for the trip if you don't bring enough. I still remember listening to the Monkees Greatest Hits for the whole trip to San Diego and back to Vegas. I don't think I could handle that again. Be back soon!

One Step Beyond

Sometimes people ask me if I listen to anything other than 80's music. You do have to laugh a bit about that. I love all music with very little bias. Some of my favorite acts during the last 14 years or so have been Oasis, Coldplay, The Eels, Linkin Park and Foo Fighters. Odd bands like: Candyland, Candyflip, Tatu, Teenage Fanclub and Ned's Atomic Dustbin. I even have some J-Pop (or Japanese pop music)... I think there is a CD by Yoko Ishida that has been in my car for about 2 years now. I do tend to pick up some of the latest albums by my favorite 80's artists also but above all... I tend to like hunting down bands that I missed during the the 1980s because I know it broadens my horizons ever so slightly.

Post-Wedding Blues

Ok, so everything seemed to be going great. Didn't trip following my brothers down the aisle (ok, it was actually a putting green but it wasn't good for the visuals) as we proceeded towards the minister. Coughed but not during the important parts of the ceremony. But... the speech came sooner than expected and I flubbed badly. I figure there is a reason that I should use cue-cards. Sometimes things sound so good in your head until you say them. Oh well, it's over and Matthew and Elizabeth are very happily wed. Just finished recording the Update for tomorrow. It just took a lot longer than I expected after getting back from the reception. Gotta find the directions to the post-wedding brunch that I was sent for tomorrow.

Purposeful Procrastination

I've always been the type of person that waits until the last moment to do anything. Shopping for presents, finishing projects and even writing. Some just naturally happens that way but most of this I do on purpose. When it comes to shopping, I usually take a lot of that time thinking about the person and what they might like before shopping. Working on the Web site is pretty much comes in bursts when I have the time to put into it. And I actually save up all the news I acquire during the week (to be honest, I try not to look at the news too early either) until Monday when I type up the newsletter. The good thing about this is that I don't repeat articles by accidentally writing them more than once but sadly it does add to a few spelling errors. I also figure that if I focus on the task all at once, it will be more complete than a bunch of separate writings that may have missed something. Why, is this on my mind? Well, I'm writing my speech for my brother's wedding... which is tomorrow. hahaha

Theraflu is my friend

Ok, looks like I'm one one of my binges. Essentially... when I feel I'm coming down with the flu or really bad allergies, I have a dose of Theraflu and hit the sack. When I gather my wits and wake back up, I take another dose and go back to sleep. I do this until I have to go to work or just can't sleep anymore. It does seem to work. So far, so good. Anyhow, I type this before I go to back to la la land. I'd like to send my congrats to www.80sairwaves.com for hitting the Top 15% of 7,400 full-time web radio broadcasters in less than a year. It's a great radio station and the first one to take a chance on my 80's Nuts Update radio segment (12 noon and midnight C.S.T.) I don't expect that 15% to last long as they keep adding new songs to the playlist.

Rant of the day: I don't think that people take pride in owning CDs anymore. I don't think it's because of all the tape and sticker crap they put on the packaging. I know that some people are paying for songs and full albums from iTunes and some other less savory sources but what happened to having the real thing in your hands? I do admit that I used Napster when it was still around. But then again, I only downloaded songs that were out of print and likely to never be heard again like the Passion Puppets' "Like Dust." (My way of saying "see... if only you'd put out this CD you'd have some of my money in your pocket.") Maybe, I'm anal-retentive or just a braggart but I like having the product the artist intended to get out than a copy. Then again, I also like to read the lyrics along to the songs the first time I hear the album. I'm just weird like that, I guess.

Introductions are in order

Ok, I'm just about to go to sleep when I think... hey lets start a project at say 11pm. I've always wanted to take my writing in a few different directions and this will let me stray away from just talking about 80's music. This isn't to say that I am bored with the topic but that I do need to let the other 90% of what I think out of my brain. That is why this is here and this is why this post is as lame as it can get because I am setting my goals low so I can better myself enough to attain them. Ok, off to sleep.

Real Life - Imperfection

If you've never heard "Send Me An Angel," you may have been under a rock or heavily sedated in the 1980s. Many of those not in situation of the aforementioned lost souls may not know that the Real Life has recorded many albums since and are very much active. Their latest album, Imperfection, puts any rumors to rest.

The band has leaned their membership down to the duo of David Sterry and George Pappas at this point in their career. The lack of players hasn't affected the team's music unless it has created a bit more clarity of purpose. The disc leads with the pulse-pounding title-track. The song openings are rather curious here as they don't grab you in the first measures but build with chord progressions that seemingly make something where there didn't seem to be anything. This kind of craftsmanship appears throughout the album. Sterry's sensual, yearning vocals are as impressive as the writing. Songs like "Painless," "Another Brick In My Head " and "Kiss Like This" show sonic leaps, versatility and reluctance to hold on old habits. The only song that I could consider filler here is "Kamikaze" but you have to give points to a song that finds a way to use "apeshit" in a verse. The album closer, "Beautiful Thing," is probably my favorite new song of the year at this point in time. I believe this comes from a clever chorus that refrains vocally and smartly relies on a very haunting melody as well as strong production. One of the few times that the title describes the song aptly.

Imperfection is far from it's title but steps short of its opposite. Granted, the version reviewed was not the U.S. release which included the additional track and single "Oblivion." Real Life's new album is a treat for fans urging their return and varied enough to find interest in even a few under a rock or coming off medication.

4 out of 5

Dave Gahan - Paper Monsters

After the release of Depeche Mode's Exciter album in 2001, the members of the band took some time off to pursue other projects. Andrew Fletcher started the Toast Hawaii record company, Martin Gore was preparing his second collection of cover tunes and Dave Gahan with the help of multi-instrumentalist Knox Chandler (Psychedelic Furs, Golden Palominos and Siouxsie And The Banshees) recorded his debut solo album Paper Monsters.

The hardest thing for any long-time vocalist to do is step out of the shadow of a band they've been with for over 2 decades and create something original. For Gahan, it was expected to be easier. Depeche Mode leaned on the writing talents of Martin Gore (with the exception of Vince Clarke on Speak & Spell and a few tracks by Alan Wilder.) But for the most part, Dave Gahan has been an unknown commodity when it comes to songwriting. Paper Monsters opens with the first single "Dirty Sticky Floors" which doesn't do much to get out of the shadow except for the seedy title. More recently it seems like every Depeche Mode album has one grittier song (that is often chosen as the first single) and this seems like an amalgam of "Barrel Of A Gun" and "I Feel You" but can't fault him for playing to his strengths. "Stay" is a nice sparse production that along with "Hold On" and "Bitter Apple" are the balance of beautiful tracks the album needed. "I Need You" is a great but predictable dance track. There is an over-riding sense of darkness to the album with a lot of personal songs that seem to show Gahan dealing with his personal demons specifically on the Dead Of Night-like stomp-fest "Bottle Living" and the bluesy "Black And Blue Again."

Dave Gahan set the bar high for Paper Monsters. There were some moments where lyrically he didn't get his chin over that bar but for a debut album this shows Gahan has promise as a solo artist.

Fleetwood Mac - Say You Will

Fleetwood Mac have returned with their first full studio album in 16 years minus the vocal and piano talents of Christine McVie. To put this album in perspective, the last few albums by the band contained 12 tracks which was pretty healthy for a time when people were slapping a few singles on an album with filler material bumping most albums to 9 or 10 tracks. Say You Will has 18 (9 written by Stevie Nicks and 9 by Lindsey Buckingham.)

None of this is filler! A lot of the album is what you'd predict: delicate pop beauty by Nicks and sophisticated experimentation by Buckingham. Upon first listen, Lindsey has some moments that are nerve-wracking ("Red Rover," "Come," "Say Goodbye" and "Miranda.") After 3 listens of the disc, I came to understand that my musical boundaries were being tortured methodically and I found myself not skipping the tracks anymore but relishing in them. Buckingham does find some beauty of his own with "Steal Your Heart Away" and a re-working of "Bleed To Love Her" (from The Dance album.) Nicks on the other hand has beauty to spare and hits an apex with her tender "Goodbye Baby." "Running Through The Garden" actually has the energy to feel like a sprint through rose bushes. I could rave about the title track, the haunting "Illume (9-11)" or "Thrown Down" but...it's probably easier to point out the songs that aren't amazing. That's because they aren't there! Say You Will is an instant classic that Fleetwood Mac fans have been begging for.

Ministry - Animositisomina

As Al Jourgensen and Paul Barker's first album of the new millennium, a lot was said about Ministry returning to the sound and angst of their 1989 release The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste. Would their follow-up to 1999's Dark Side Of The Spoon live up to the hype?

Animositisomina breaks out of the gates screaming with raging drums, stabbing guitars and growl galore with "Animosity." The song is the centerpiece of this album as a lot of the strength of it carries over into ripping tracks like the aggressive "Piss," the slow grinding chant-a-long "Shove" and the drum driven "Impossible." "Unsung" musically makes me think that Ministry ran over KMFDM's tour van on the way to the studio and can't peel the guitar-work off their wheels. This isn't a bad thing but it's a new area for them. The phenomenally produced industrial square dance, "Broken," is bound to become a mosh pit favorite. The surprise on this album was the band's cover of Magazine's "Light Pours Out Of Me" which is as dark as it is seems out of place and maybe too true to the original.

Overall, Animositisomina is a strong move back to Ministry's more powerful work. Although a few songs just barely miss their mark ("Leper" and "Stolen,") it'd be well worth picking up if you are looking for something to push your musical boundaries or if you are just looking for something to kick.

Boston - Corporate America

Eight years after the release of their 4th album Walk On, Boston have returned with two new band members (Kimberley Dahme and Fran Cosmo's son Anthony) and a batch of 9 new songs. How will new band members and a prolonged absence affect the sound of Boston?

Corporate America opens strong right from the start with the catchy rocker "I Had A Good Time." This has everything you'd expect from Boston: tremendous guitar work, drums leading the way and great vocals. If this single doesn't get airplay near you, harass your local DJ. "You Gave Up On Love" is the definitive spurned lover's power ballad. Odd for a band to spend so long on a studio album but put a live version of a song from their last album on it but this version of "Livin' For You" is a treat. Also interesting is the Kimberley Dahme-penned and sung "With You" which I could see getting good airplay on a country radio station if someone snuck it in the programming. "Didn't Mean To Fall In Love" begins as a beautiful ballad with a lot of promise but the additional big top organ sound makes me cringe. The remaining songs on the album are fair to decent including the overly-dramatic title track and the Oasis-esque "Cryin'."

I can't recommend this album unless you are a fan and even then some of the tracks will remind you where the skip button is on your CD player. This isn't because the songs are bad... some are just musically more advanced than the lyrics which come across amateurish. I'm sure part of Corporate America is a Boston album yet for some reason amongst some good songs and classic harmonies are the stuff B-sides are made of.

Soft Cell - Cruelty Without Beauty

After releasing Last Night In Sodom in 1984, Soft Cell's Marc Almond and David Ball went in different directions. Almond had success with his solo career and brought his flare for the theatrical performances on tour with him. Ball went on to do a lot of writing, remix and production work along with a few 'one-off' projects. By 1990 he had joined up with Richard Norris as the ambient/techno/dance duo The Grid until 1996. After an 18 year break, a reunited Soft Cell return with Cruelty Without Beauty.

When I listen to a comeback album, I am judgemental. I think about what the artist last sounded like and what people remember them sounding like. On Cruelty Without Beauty, Soft Cell kick things into gear with "Darker Times." Darkness and seediness aren't new to the band that brought us "Sex Dwarf" but it seems to have entirely infected songs like the sordid "Caligula Syndrome," the humor-tinged ballad "Last Chance" and even the sleazy "Desperate." This isn't a bad thing. It seems to be balanced by the dance romp "Sensation Nation" (I mean, come on... they even mention happy shiny people) and the closing track "On An Up." As strong a song as "Monoculture" is... the deep and beautiful dance track "All Out Of Love" (no, it's not an Air Supply cover) would be my pick as first single. "The Night" brilliantly takes one eerie (almost Phantom Of The Opera-esque) keyboard line and converts it to an aggressive dance track. Although I'm still trying to understand the lyrical complexities, "Together Alone" is a song that I still find myself singing along to anyhow.

I recall reading about a new sugar substitute is being worked on that is 1000 times sweeter with no calories. For some reason, distance and time not only concentrated Almond and Ball's talents but when returning... but made them (if possible) even more Soft Cell. If you are a fan, you should have slept in front of the store to buy this disc when it came out. This isn't the album you waited 18 years for... it's better.

Bruce Springsteen - The Rising

The Boss has returned with his first new studio release since 1995's The Ghost Of Tom Joad. Possibly more important is that this is his first new album with The E Street Band since 1987. What does Bruce Springsteen, one of America's true song writing talents, have to offer the new millennium?

Springsteen couldn't open this 15-track album better than with the magical "Lonesome Day." Songs like "Waiting On A Sunny Day," "Let's Be Friends (Skin To Skin)" and "Mary's Place" are the uplifting fun songs that make you feel good to be breathing. It's great to have songs like those to break an emotional roller coaster spiking with a dagger-sharp emotional song like "You're Missing." "Further On (Up The Road)" is the dark gritty no-nonsense rocker that you knew Bruce had in him. "Counting On A Miracle" wraps you up a rocking love song disguised in fairy tale imagery. "Paradise" is exactly as it's titled yet soft, sultry, sexy and touched by sadness. You never get a sense of overproduction even with the abrupt change when you hit the stand-out track "Worlds Apart." The world music feel is something you don't expect and you have to wonder if Peter Gabriel slipped this song to Springsteen (kept checking the credits for Youssou N'Dour.)

This album was a great surprise. Upon listening, you can't predict anything to come. The song writing is crisp storytelling that grabs and holds you fixed. You can almost forget there the whole E Street Band in the mix until repeated listenings. The only thing rising here is Bruce Springsteen's career... again.

Def Leppard - X

Def Leppard have clawed their way back up from what many may call commercial missteps and (following up the success of 1999's Euphoria album) they now release their tenth studio album, aptly titled, X. Oddly enough, this is their first studio release with more than one producer.

With a mix of producers, you'd obviously hear some style differences. One example is "Gravity" which makes use of some slight electronic touches with a near rap-paced chorus. The beautifully crafted first single "Now" contains guitar-work that goes from beautiful harmonics to aggressive near-Metallica moments without losing a step. Joe Elliot shows he still has amazing pipes as the band rips through the catchy "Torn To Shreds." "Scar" is a bittersweet gem with scorching solos. The haunting acoustic ballad "Long Long Way To Go" is a hit just waiting to happen (it is rumored to be the second single). The energetic rocking "Cry" is good reminder of where the band has come from while "Four Letter Word" has a ballsy strut to it (even though I think I missed what the word was somehow.)

X is a triumph. This will go down as a classic Def Leppard album right next to Pyromania and Hysteria. The only negative thing that I could say about it is that X is heavy on emotional content but that's not entirely bad either. The trademark band vocal harmony isn't lost here and helps hold things together well. I will go out on a limb and say this is the best album I've heard this year.

Poison - Hollyweird

Poison return with their first full studio release in... well it's been nearly a decade since Native Tongue. Don't get me wrong. They have been releasing new studio material but the last two albums have been accompanied by live tracks and MTV Unplugged recordings. Which makes you wonder, what makes this album stand on it's own.

This album probably should have been titled Retro for many reasons. Lyrically, a lot of the songs are stuck in a time warp. Case in point: "Shooting Star" and "Wishful Thinkin'" (which follow each other in the track listing) deal with the same small town girl gets off the bus in Hollywood in search of fame that their 1988 hit "Fallen Angel" did. Even "Wasteland" refers to "...fallen angels and broken dreams." Then there are two songs about someday becoming rock stars with a drug references galore which makes me wonder if they forgot they are or were there already. "Stupid, Stoned And Dumb" is actually as retro as it can get with opening harmonies but also a cleverly wrapped band satire.

All the songs really gel in their arrangement. The band breathes new life into the classic Who track "Squeeze Box." But, it's C.C. DeVille's vocals that make this album. "Livin' In The Now" is creative writing and musically raw leaning more towards punk than metal. The most brilliant idea this album brings forth is two songs with the same beat, same chorus but different verses and different singers: "Home (Bret's story)" and "Home (C.C.'s story)."

There is very little weird to Hollyweird. If anything, it suffers in some spots from potholes filled with rock clichés. Overall, this album has a fresh approach musically and shows hints of something far greater to come.

Pet Shop Boys - Release

Returning with their 8th studio album, the Pet Shop Boys Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have added the familiar face and guitar of Johnny Marr to 7 of the 10 tracks on the album. That by itself should change the direction of the album but instead of going for a harder and more aggressive album, the Pet Shop Boys have decided to show a more refined and mature side of themselves that we haven't seen since Behavior.

The album opens with the first single "Home And Dry" which is by-and-far the best song they've recorded in ages. When I heard the background music to the track on their Web site during a visit, I overlooked it as their version of elevator music. Amazingly simplified and lush textures... beautiful. You hear the term Beatle-esque used a lot but "I Get Along" is a subdued Oasis/Beatle-esque arrangement that I can mentally hear Noel Gallagher singing it while on a baby grand. Seems like the effects of Cher's "Believe" vocal production was not lost on the Pet Shop Boys' "London." The song could have been just a beautiful acoustic ballad but the vocal effect and some creative mixing make it even better. Without Marr's guitar-work songs like "Birthday Boy," "Love Is A Catastrophe" and "You Choose," the songs either would not have happened or would have become dance tracks. The love anthem "Here" for some reason reminds me of an unmessy car accident between a PSB chorus and an Erasure verse where both cars wind up wearing each others paint and look good in it.

Aside from "The Night I Fell In Love," I was amazingly surprised and delighted with Release. Tennant is possibly at his best lyrically and comes across as a more confident vocalist. This is a triumphant moment musically for a band that just keeps getting better.

Daniel Ash - Daniel Ash

It's been 10 years since Daniel Ash has released a solo album. More intriguing is that since 1992's Foolish Thing Desire, Ash has embraced technology more than ever. You can sense that direction being slowly forced on the last three Love And Rockets albums (Hot Trip To Heaven, Sweet F.A. and Lift.) But with Love And Rockets now on a possible permanent hiatus, Ash returns with a new band and a new sound.

There is an unmistakable groove going on within this album as Ash plays his to strengths: strong percussion, haunting vocals and at least one classic remake. Songs like "Mastermind," "Hollywood Fix" and "Rattlesnake" all have a strong dance influence (almost house meets trance) to them with some of them depending more on the beat but it works admirably. "Ghost Writer," "Chelsea" and "Walk On The Moon" shine with terrific writing and the trademark chill he can lend to his vocals. They almost seem to be placed on the album as a foil to the other album tracks to bring you to the next phase. The percussive-oriented "The Money Song," "Come Alive," "Burning Man" and "Trouble" also lend texture and substance to this collection. But for some reason Daniel Ash has always had that golden touch when it comes to remaking classic hits. We aren't left wanting in that department with a cover of the 1968 Classics IV hit "Spooky."

This is a cohesive collection of songs that can be called a thrill-ride without the 10-story drops. "Spooky" is a brilliant inclusion and I can only hope for a video for the single (someone call Christina Ricci or Thora Birch quick!) I've always considered someone releasing a self-titled album later in their career as having a lack of creativity but here I can say that Daniel Ash redefines himself and it's a bold new starting point.

New Order - Get Ready

Get Ready is full of change. New Order has taken the next step in evolution with their latest effort. This is the band's first album where they've recorded as New Order but included guests appearances. Whether the collaborations here fueled the creative process or not, there is a burgeoning energy coming from these songs. I'd personally love to see the songs they threw away.

The choice of former-Smashing Pumpkin Billy Corgan sharing vocals with New Order's Bernard Sumner on "Turn My Way" originally had me upset. I think I was more in shock that there was another voice other than Sumner's but after repeated listenings I realized that no other voice would do for the part. "Rock The Shack" (with Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie sharing the mic) holds to it's title well and is a great rock party song. The rest of the album is packed full of gems. The first single "Crystal" is simply the best song they have written in years. "60 Miles An Hour" drives with a heart-heavy lead foot. The amazing thing about songs like "Close Range," "Someone Like You," "Primitive Notion" and "Slow Jam" is that they have a distinct overall voice yet don't fall back on familiar ground.

Get Ready is the best track-for-track album of New Order's career and was well worth waiting through their 8-year sabbatical. I just hope we don't have to wait as long for a follow-up.

The Cult - Beyond Good And Evil

After a 1994 self-titled release, The Cult went in separate directions. Ian Astbury worked solo and Billy Duffy did some work with Mike Peters of the Alarm. A reunion tour in 1999 awoke the urge to return to the studio. They then recorded the song "Painted On My Heart" for the Gone In 60 Seconds soundtrack which wound up getting more airplay than they expected. What else could the band do but write some 60 songs for an album.

Beyond Good And Evil is probably the most haunting yet aggressive and hard that I've heard The Cult starting with the assault of "War (The Process)." The amazing first single off the album, "Rise," is possibly the best song the band has written in over a decade. If "Rise" is the pinnacle then the ballad "Nico" is the stop-gap. Other highlights are the mesmerizing "Ashes And Ghosts," driving "American Gothic" and anthem-like "My Bridges Burn."

The Cult have truly reconvened. This is great driving music and has a pulse that doesn't quit. But that could be the only problem I see with the album -- track order. The first 5 songs are so strong that, when running back to back, the variety is missing. I'd only suggest adjusting the track order but that's such a minor complaint when all the material is tremendous. Beyond Good And Evil is so beyond what fans expected that it's a sin to miss .

Megadeth - The World Needs A Hero

Megadeth: quite possibly the only Metal act that hasn't chopped their locks, gone acoustic or sold their souls for a hit. Last year, Dave Mustaine and the boys closed the book on their Capitol Records tenure with Capitol Punishment: The Megadeth Years. The mystery of what was in their future wasn't too shrouded. During their tour for 1999's Risk album they found a renewed energy and it carried over to The World Needs A Hero.

I've never been a big fan of Megadeth's blistering guitar-work but they found a way to change my mind. The album starts with what will be a live staple if not a radio hit "Disconnect." The lyrics alone trapped me but the guitar solos had me hypnotized. "1000 Time Goodbye" is your classic painful relationship coming to an end via a phone call to which anyone can relate. I'll note the interesting use of sampling a very cold phone dumping but they don't acknowledge the female voice in the credits. They use a subtler sample in the title track which also goes uncredited. "Burning Bridges" stands out as my favorite on the disc due to it's drums and a great vocal performance by Mustaine. "Moto Psycho" is great driving music. Lyrically, I have to say this is one of the best albums Megadeth has issued.

So Megadeth's Sanctuary Records debut is by no other word explosive. This isn't a band that is going to be happy with only one greatest hits album out there. And if they keep writing great songs like these to record, they won't have to.

Depeche Mode - Exciter

A few Depeche Mode fans were left wondering what happened on their last album 1997's Ultra. But as many transitions go (Alan Wilder's departure), some things will change. And when you name your band after a French magazine meaning fast fashion, fashions are fickle and change constantly.

Probably the worst thing you can do before an album comes out is to listen to a bunch of samples online. Which left me entirely unimpressed. Even the first single "Dream On" sounded like "Personal Jesus." But after paying more attention, "Dream On" is a great fusion of acoustic guitar and keyboard programming that matches the dark undertow of the lyrics. "Freelove" is a personal favorite possibly due to the lines 'no hidden catch, no strings attached... just free love.' While "I Am You" is an observation in closeness, "When The Body Speaks" beautifully mesmerizes with a yearning and "The Dead Of Night" is a dark romp through the male libido. Throughout, Dave Gahan's vocals are the best they've ever been. The production is brilliant and writing impressive.

Yes, for an album with a lot of reflection on relationships, it's hard to call this album exciting let alone Exciter. But, it's just a title on a package of great songs. The band has gone back to throwing a few instrumental breaks in but as we all know they are transitions to greater things. And that's where I see Ultra... it was the transition to Exciter for a band that is all about change.

The Go-Go's - God Bless The Go-Go's

Probably the biggest surprise this year was the release of the first new studio album by The Go-Go's in 17 years. A band that musically had everything going for it but each went their own way only to reunite once every so many years to play live and disappear again. Would the magic be there? How will they sound?

This album is pure caffeinated energy. God Bless The Go-Go's opens up with the guitar assault of "La La Land" and the appropriate announcement 'Hello world! We're here again!' Co-written with Green Day's Billy Joe Armstrong (who also adds a little guitar on the track,) the first single "Unforgiven" is evidence to that. "Here You Are" and "Daisy Chain" are possibly the closest to ballads you will get. "Vision Of Nowness" shows off the ladies vocal harmonies. Vague enough to let you insert your own frustrating relationship, "Automatic Rainy Day" would make a great single on it's own. "Throw Me A Curve," "Kissing Asphalt" and "Talking Myself Down" are also strong tracks.

Possibly the best thing to see on this album is that everyone contributed to writing somewhere which shows how much of a band effort this was. At a time when female rock acts are few or are just vocal groups, The Go-Go's have returned to show us why they won't be forgotten. God Bless The Go-Go's!

Sade - Lovers Rock

After an 8 year absence from the music scene, Sade returns with Lovers Rock. Sade had always been a culmination of Sade Adu's sultry and expressive vocals with a skilled trio of jazz-inspired musicians behind her. This album takes that to a new level.

Starting off the Lovers Rock album with the beautiful first single "By Your Side" is a mixed blessing. It's like starting the Indy 500 with your fastest lap and winding down throughout the race. My personal favorite, "Somebody Already Broke My Heart," is just one of those songs that grab you by mood and lyrical content. "By Your Side," "King Of Sorrow" and the title track also stand out as really strong moments. The whole album has it's own groove and takes a bit for you to get into but once you are there you wonder why the disc is over.

Although it says rock in the title, don't expect to be banging your head. This is more like light reggae/jazz. The production is beautiful and takes you to another place. If this is the true return of Sade, it's well welcomed.

U2 - All That You Can't Leave Behind

If you were one of those people that gave up on U2 after the release of Pop and it's subsequent lackluster sales, it's time to beg for forgiveness. For what their last album had in overproduction, All That You Can't Leave Behind has in slimmed down substance. A lot of people said the new album would be a return to War or Rattle & Hum... but do rock pioneers go back to safe ground when tremors occur? No! And that's why U2 is still around.

This album could be a singles collection for any other band. If these were the good ones, I wonder what gems didn't make the cut. Every song is so different from each other in message, sentiment and energy but still stay cohesive throughout. You could start with "Walk On" (my favorite track on the album) which is an inspirational love song that screams in defiance to the fragility, pain and frustrations found in a relationship. "New York" catches you off guard (kind of like the city) going from gentle to a full-blown rocker without losing you. "When I Look At The World," "Peace On Earth" and the first single "Beautiful Day" are best explained as gorgeous moments that escape true definition. "Wild Honey" is a playful romp. The band also finds soul and blues for the songs "In A Little While" and "Grace." "Elevation" is purely energetic. "Kite" and "Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of" round out the disc by really expressing messages wrapped in a groove.

I firmly believe that this album is U2's finest moment. The production is lush and beautiful which matches the musicianship perfectly. So when asked what CDs I would want with me if I was stranded on a island, this wouldn't be left behind.