The (most recent) best thing ever

Okay, so have you noticed that any time I bother to post, its because something is either the best thing ever or the worst thing ever.

Well, this is the best thing ever: The All American Rejects covering 'Womanizer' by Britney Spears.

WOOOOOOOOO!

Take that stupid albums that won't come out until Tuesday!

Okay, let's start this business with a quick disclaimer: I am an emo kid, of the pop-punk variety (as opposed to the acoustic, crying variety). I have a collection of hoodies and canvas shoes to easily prove that point. I buy cds just because they're the newest release from Fueled by Ramen, and if I had only slightly less shame, I'd likely write Brendan Urie/Ryan Ross fanfiction (thankfully, I have enough self respect to just not go there). So, while you're welcome (nay, encouraged) to tell me how completely wrong this list is, I don't really care. I firmly believe that the only tool in this world bigger than Brandon Flowers is Chris Martin, I wouldn't listen to Underoath even if Jesus himself gave me the recommendation, and Rise Against makes me want to repress the rights of a small nation and then eat a large, innocent animal.

So, without further ado, my top ten albums of 2008:

10. Want by 3OH! 3.

Not even I understand why this album is so damn charming. No, really, its ridiculous, stupid, not all that musical, and occasionally downright offensive. Its also been in a rather steady rotation in my ipod since I got it. Okay, well, I get it a little. I mean, come on: "Tell your boyfriend, if he says he's got beef, that I'm a vegetarian and I'm not f***ing scared of him." Brilliant.

9. You're Awful, I Love You by Ludo.

Underneath its shallow surface of goofy songs about being eaten by lake monsters and being in love with your neighbor lies a really sweet, genuine album. I can't help but give a sad sigh everytime I hear "Topeka," and that's what really makes a good album. Heck, funny and charming with a loving interior... I'm totally ready to date this cd.

8. Razia's Shadow: A Musical by Forgive Durden

Is it really a musical, considering that there isn't any show to go along with the music? Probably not. Does that matter? Definitely not. With a fantastic (if slightly cliched plot) and even better performances by Brendan Urie, Greta Salpeter, and Shawn Harris (all of whom appear elsewhere on this list) and Max Bemis (who doesn't), this cd pretty much made my November. Besides, I really needed a safe way to indulge in my passion for musicals.

7. Underdog Alma Mater by Forever the Sickest Kids

This album makes me want to dance. And while that happens surprisingly often, considering my lack of coordination, FTSK doesn't make me embarrassed to want to dance. In fact, I revel in it. Also, they were amazing in concert. And yes, I danced there, too.

6. Goodbye Blues by The Hush Sound

I saw The Hush Sound three times in concert this year. That's five times total, which makes them second on the list of acts I've seen most (right under Tally Hall with seven times). And you know what, I would go see them tomorrow if they came to town. Their music is quirky and catchy and different from everything else, and Greta Salpeter (see, I told you she would be back) has some of the best vocals ever. EVER. Hayley Williams can bite me.

5. Pretty. Odd. by Panic at the Disco

I wrote quite the lengthy review of this album when it came out last February. I won't bore you with the details again. The point is that it was wild and spectacularly different from their last album, and yet oddly cohesive. It was, in fact, both pretty and odd.

4. A Band in Hope by The Matches

According to the sticker that came on the cd, The Matches are a band as weird as I am. That's probably why I like them so much. While differing quite significantly from their other cds (which is a little unfortunate, considering that Decomposer is my favorite cd ever) they definitely keep the same crazy vibe that just doesn't exist anywhere else. In fact, I don't really even have anything to compare it to. Its just good.

3. Raise the Dead by Phantom Planet

I have a copy of The Guest and I know all of the words to the O.C. theme, but I never really considered myself a Phanton Planet fan. This album completely changed that. Its musical and retro and basically everything that Panic at the Disco tried for but didn't manage on Pretty. Odd. This album made me remember why people try and write music reminiscent of the 1960s. Besides, its about cults. Cults, people! Too bad the band broke up. :(

2. Vampire Weekend by Vampire Weekend

I'm not ashamed to admit it. The only reason I bought this cd was because the band's guitarist has the same favorite comic book character as I do. It turns out their music is not like anything I've ever heard, in a good way. That's not true, its like a thousand things I've heard and never imagined putting together. It kind of boggles the mind, really. And I mean that in a really, really, reallyreallyreally good way.

1. The Glass Passenger by Jack's Mannequin

I love this album. I just plain love it. Its happy and sad and ridiculously beautiful. Not to mention that it is amazing live. I wasn't so sure they could pull off the whole sad piano rock thing without making the whole experience kind of a drag, but I was completely wrong. It was one of the best concerts I've ever seen. Anyway, just get the album if you don't already have it, listening ot me babble can't possibly make you appreciate how fantastically wonderful this album is.

That's all for now. Time for me to crash.

*emo tear*

So, Phantom Planet is going on 'indefinite hiatus.'

I am officially depressed.

I know it 'cause you wrote it down a hundred times...

So, some bad news. Chris Faller has left The Hush Sound. This is particularly sad because, while Chris wasn't the most talented member of the band (sorry kid, but Greta kind of rocks), he was most assuredly the most adorable member. Not to mention that its always sad when someone leaves a band you actually like. Well, not always, I'm kind of glad to be rid of that Brent kid from Panic at the Disco... and I'd choose Micheal Guy Chislett over Tom Conrad just about any day... okay, and I wasn't really all that sad when Justin San Souci left The Matches... but that's not the point. The point is that its a shame. I liked Chris Faller. And I'm seeing The Hush Sound in concert next week. I would have gone to see them either way, but now I'm sad.

But Cobra Starship is almost done with their new album, so that makes life a little better.

And I managed to buy two of the last six tickets available to see Jack's Mannequin around here in a few weeks... definitely a bright spot in my life.

If nothing else, I can listen to The Matches and Zebrahead's cover of "Violent Love" originally by Oingo Boingo. That's basically the best thing ever. At least for this week.

Today was a day just like any other...

Okay, so, in case you haven't been paying attention, the new Jack's Mannequin album: The Glass Passenger came out on Tuesday. If you haven't gotten a copy already, you need to stop reading and go buy it. Now. Seriously. Still there? I figured you would be, but it was worth a try.

Anyway, if you didn't get the impression right then, I really, really like the new album. Musically, its beautiful; lyrically, its unbelievable. Let me start by saying, hopeful and happy Jack's Mannequin, is pretty freakin' depressing. Its very sad (seriously, like cancer patient sad), but the inherent message is one of life and hope. That doesn't change the fact that lullabies about depressed people and pretty darn sad. All in all, the result is an amazing album that I truly don't have the words to explain. And that's saying something. I mean, if you're reading this, you've probably read my ridiculously long review of the new Panic at the Disco album, you know that I tend to get a little wordy to explain that things are good. In fact, ask me about Say Anything (the band, not the movie... or the movie, I guess, I have thoughts on that, too) sometime, if you're prepared to spend an hour listening to me talk about the quality of Max Bemis's metaphors. But Jack's Mannequin gives me warm, fuzzy, bubbly feeling in my chest, and I totally can't figure out how to properly qualify that. Its just fantastic.

And all at once I realized, my life had become a boring pop song, and everybody was singing along...

A few little headlines.

So, the Yankee in a Chip Shop video FINALLY managed to get released. Its pretty adorable. Shawn Harris might be kind of a homely dude, but he does have quite the fabulous sense of style. Anyway, watch it here!

Also, Happy (slightly belated) Birthday to Andrew McMahon! And a big YAY for the fact that after the tour with Paramore Jack's Mannequin is going on another fall tour. And they'll be around here. W00t.

And Fall Out Boy released their newest single on friends or enemies.

Finally, the new Gym Class Heroes album comes out next week, and I have absolutely no intention of buying it. Its a bit sad, I just haven't really liked anything I've heard off of it. Maybe I'll buy it later, but for now, not so much.

*emo tear*

About to kill the locals...

So, the Matches' "Yankee in a Chip Shop" video is officially the biggest disappointment of... well, of lately. Not because it was particularly bad or anything, just because it is particularly not there. That is to say, due to some interference from the London Metropolitan Police, there will be no video. For now. I'm sure they'll figure their stuff out, but for now, nothing. *emo tear*

On the other side of the coin (or some equally insipid metaphor) Fall Out Boy is releasing a new album on November 4th. And on an even more happy note, Cobra Starship has released a cover (more or less) of Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl" it is, of course, called "I Kissed a Boy" and is apparently based on a true story (So says Pete Wentz, so say I). Anyway, you should go to www.citizensforourbetterment.com and download the whole mixtape. All in all, its not great, but the Cobra Starship song, and the mysterious band known as The Paul Revere Jumpsuit Apparatus are totally worth it.

Anyway, got to go, World of Warcraft Issues (not mine, for the record).

Internet Celebrity Awaits...

So, the new TAITV came out yesterday, and I bet you were wondering who those two people in the background at 0:36, weren't you? Yeah, that was me and my brother, I find that WAY too exciting.

Here and away again.

Okay, so, as a blogger, I officially suck. I'm pretty sure that I offically unofficially sucked before, but now its officially official. I just got a new computer, though, so maybe I'll be better now. Maybe...

So, onwards to business.

I did go see the warped tour. It took 3.5 hours of driving either way, two nights of sleeping on my sister's not so comfortable couch, and one failed takeover of Ikea (okay, we weren't trying very hard...), but I made it. I managed to shove my way into the front row for Gym Class Heroes, The Academy Is..., and Jack's Mannequin. I was only slightly farther back for Cobra Starship. I stood well back and watched Reel Big Fish, and unintentionally caught most of Norma Jean's and Story of the Year's sets. It was awesome.

Since then I've bought... probably about 18 albums (rough estimate), its getting to be a problem. Therefore, I've decided to attempt something new and different. I'm going on hiatus from buying any cds. All of the ones I have on back order in various methods I'll keep, but I'm not getting any more. I swear. Except for the new TAI album. Because I want it.

Okay, I guess there's not much to say right now. But I'll be back later. Seriously. Not in a month later, soon later. Really.

OMG! VWT!

Okay, so I managed to not post anything in the entire month of June. I officially suck (I only unofficially sucked before).

So, the Warped Tour is on its way to Detroit (Yay!), well, eventually (boo!) but I'm ready to start counting down the days. Right here's where I'd be adding a countdown clock if I knew anything about html. I don't, so instead I'll just tell you that as of now, its 10 more days. Sweet.

Anyway, in honor of the upcoming Warped Tour, I have created a list of the best songs, from the best bands, that I want to see at VWT. Some of them will be at my date, some of them won't, but all of them I'd love to see.

So... Songs from the bands I want to see, from the ones I least care about, to the one's I'll shove through swarming crowds of emo kids to see (and * denotes bands I intend to see and ^ denotes bands who aren't playing in Detroit):

14. Be My Escape by Relient K
13. Wow, I Can Get Sexual Too by Say Anything
12. Take on Me (as covered) by Reel Big Fish
11. Misery Business by Paramore^
10. Stop! by Against Me! (wow, those guys are really into their exclamation points).
9. The Kelly Affair by Be Your Own Pet*
8. Love Me Dead by Ludo^
7. Check Yes Juliet by We the Kings*
6. Dear Maria, Count Me In by All Time Low^
5. The Queen and I by Gym Class Heroes*
4. Let's Get Fucked Up and Die by Motion City Soundtrack^
3. Slow Down by The Academy Is...*
2. Send my Love to the Dance Floor by Cobra Starship*
1. Dark Blue by Jack's Mannequin*

So, that's the list... for now. (And yes, I just chose whichever track had the most easily accessible music video).

Okay, its been a month since I posted. I officially suck. But all things considered its been pretty quiet around here since Panic at the Disco, and there hasn't been much to say. That's not true. There's been plenty to say, and I said it in a post that got deleted by my stupid computer. So maybe we'll talk later.

Its the greatest thing you'd ever imagine.

Okay, well maybe not quite that good, but pretty darn awesome.

So, I saw The Honda Civic Tour last night. It was amazing. Panic at the Disco has a really good live act, and Phantom Planet was really good, Motion City Soundtrack was pretty good, and I didn't really hear much of The Hush Sound because I was busy being manhandled by the crowd. All in all, really, really, good. And now I have an awesome new hoodie.

Anyway, that concert totally made my top 5 ever. Yes, I keep a list of the best concerts I've ever been to. Of course, it takes into account the entire concert, not just the live band. It would look a lot different if we were just looking at individual bands. Okay, so here's the list right now:

1. Bowling for Soup (Summer 2004)
2. Tally Hall (Fall 2005)
3. Sleeping with Giants Tour featuring Cobra Starship, The Academy Is..., Armour for Sleep, Sherwood, and The Rocket Summer (Fall 2007)
4. Honda Civic Tour featuring Panic at the Disco, The Hush Sound, Phantom Planet, Motion City Soundtrack, and The Hush Sound (Spring/Summer 2008 (now, that is))
5. Van's Warped Tour (Summer 2003)

Now, if I were just talking about individual bands, it would be a bit harder. The Format would be on the list. They were amazing (AMAZING, seriously), one of the best bands I've ever seen live. Perhaps THE best, but they had 4 self-indulgent, mediocre bands playing before them, and the crowd was full of a lot of underage girls, and a few older guys buying them drinks. If the people suck, it tends to make the concert suck.

The point, if there was one, was that the concert was really good, the bands were really good, and you should probably pick up Phantom Planet's new album, if you haven't already. Okay, well I just added that new part, but its still true.

Anyway, now,

The doves have died
The lovers have lied

See you around.

It could be dangerous...

Okay, so at this point I should just be calling this blog "Adventures in CD buying (and occasionally watching Survivor)" but, despite this apparent flaw in the entire blog concept, I fully intend to tell you about my recent exploits at my local music emporium.

So, needless to say that "Whisper War" by The Cab was a bit of a flop. I mean, it wasn't a bad album by any means, it was just a little more Maroon 5 and a little less Fall Out Boy than I'd been expecting. But its still better than some other recent Decaydance bands (Are you listening Tyga? No? You're relaxing in your bathtub full of money? Damn.) Back to the point, since that wasn't all that good, and there wasn't anything else coming out this week, I decided to spend a little money on a couple of more unknown (if only slightly in the case of The Cab) artists. Luckily MTVU was there to fill the void in my life. For some convoluted reason, it was more economical for me to get more channels of cable tv, then to go on getting just the ones I had before. So, now we have MTV Jams, MTV Hits, MTV 3, VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, CMT 2, BET, Fuse, and, the aforementioned, MTVU (The U stands for University, by the way). Anyway, after a few hours of watching MTVU, two videos stuck out for me: Love Me Dead by Ludo, and The Kelley Affair by Be Your Own Pet.

Okay, so I guess its 'review time' now:

You're Awful, I Love You by Ludo

Let me start this by saying that I fully intended, in fact, even tried to hate Ludo. I first heard of them when I was handed a Ludo sticker outside of a The Academy Is... concert. I make it a point to hate any band who feels obliged to hand out stickers at other bands' concerts, I'm not really sure why, I guess its just a thing I do, that's not the point. I saw the video, I was charmed by it, and it expresses a certain genre of unrequited love that I happen to be a very big fan of (for further examples, see Self-Esteem by the Offspring, or anything by Taking Back Sunday). Basically, it was good, the cd seems pretty good (I haven't listened to it much yet) and it was cheap. I guess that's three for three on Ludo.

Get Awkward by Be Your Own Pet

So, the first thing to notice about Be Your Own Pet, is that they're asking for a Paramore reference to be made. You just can't have a band of guys with a diminutive female lead singer with badly dyed hair without making a Paramore reference. Its a sad thing, but I'm afraid they'd take my blog away if I didn't properly compare them. Basically, BYOP is like Paramore, if Paramore were cool. I mean, really cool, punk rock, I've-tried-all-my-life-to-be-like-that sort of cool. If my secret ambitions of being genuinely punk were ever realized, I would like to be just like that band. The point: They're really cool, and I like them a lot. That is all.

You've got the mark of the beast, you're born of a jackal, you're beautiful!

Now go away.

Dude looks like a lady.

So, it turns out that the lead singer of Tokio Hotel is a guy.


Who knew?

I sure didn't until I saw their music video yesterday.

If I ask nicely, will you just leave the island?

So, Jason Siska got voted out of Survivor, and with that a part of me died. Just kidding, I was actually just torn between finding him endearing and not wanting him to go, and being annoyed by his social stupidity. I'm sure he's not that dumb in real life, but man! Also, he reminds me way too much of Shaggy from Scooby Doo. Really, think about it.

Also, I finally listened to the new Phantom Planet cd, and I must admit, I like it. Turns out its about cults. Really about cults. Like, it would be Jonestown the rock opera if that weren't politically incorrect. Heck, it might be anyway, who cares about political incorrectness in Rock and Roll? (The answer to that seemingly rhetorical question is, by the way, lots of people, in fact, most of Billboards top 200 and just about everybody on the radio. And yet we keep telling ourselves that its all about rebellion. I mean, come on, even guys in makeup are pretty standard these days, its a bit of a shame. Well, not really a shame, I'm a sucker for a guy in eyeliner... anyway...).

I recently saw an interview with the band We The Kings on some version of MTV or another (we recently upgraded our cable tv, and now we have at least a dozen music channels), and while I enjoy their music throughly, I find it a bit silly that they were on the Really Really Ridiculously Good Looking Tour. Although I guess their presence could be balanced by Gabe Saporta (of Cobra Starship)'s sexy-beastness (or man-whore-ness). Then again, The Cab was also on that tour, and while I find one of the Alex's (they have 3) cute in a pat-him-on-the-top-of-the-head-and-then-give-him-a-cookie sort of way, they are a funny looking bunch of kids. So, I've officially dubbed it the Really Really Ridiculous Looking Tour. That being said, that tour ended no less than a month ago, so why am I still talking about it? I mean really, I might as well be talking about the most recent season of The Bachelor. Oh... that's still on... nevermind.

And by the way, The Cab's album is finally coming out next Tuesday. Illegally download it, but don't buy it because I'm bitter that they have a huge fanbase and its only their first album.

But don't tell the RIAA that I said that.

Pop culture ennui.

So, I think I'm officially bored of the internet. There are only just so many celebrity blogs and interviews with bands where they just say the same thing they've been saying since their album was released two month ago. But that was just a gratuitous aside, as my mother would say, its about time for me to stop complaining and start adding to the noise. So, anyway, this week in pop culture...

I got the new Phantom Planet album, and the new one by The Kooks. I haven't listened to either of them, so I guess that comment isn't going much of anywhere. My tickets for the Honda Civic Tour came, it seems so sad that I spent $95 on two little tiny slips of paper. I am totally excited to see Panic at the Disco again, though. I'll admit it, my inner emo kid is sulking somewhat less than usual. She might even smirk if she thinks you're not looking.

As for TV, this weeks "Survivor" was officially awesome. I won't bore you with the details, but it was pretty darn exciting. Also, somebody needs to talk to those damned tv people about scheduling. "Greek," "Bones," and "Gossip Girl" are now all on at 8:00 on Mondays. That sucks. It is a choice that i simply don't want to make.

So, rather than actually making a point, I'm just going to leave you here.

This is a scene, not an arms race.

So, there haven't been many posts lately, mostly because there haven't been any good new cds in the last few weeks. I mean, there was Fall Out Boy's **** Live in Phoenix. For the record, **** is pronounced like your favorite four letter swear word. But it's only a live album, which is kind of like a clip show. It might be decent, but you've seen it all before. Their cover of the song "Beat It" is new and pretty awesome, though.

In other news, Jason Siska (brother of Adam T. Siska of The Academy Is...) is going to be voted out of Survivor as soon as he loses immunity. I think he's awesome and adorable, if a little (or a lot) dumb. Also, Pete Wentz and Ashley Simpson are getting married. Good for them, I guess.

But as you can see, its been a bit of a boring week. I'll find more to talk about later... probably. My computer has seen better days, so perhaps I won't.

Pretty. Good.

So, needless to say, Panic's new album didn't live up to the hype. Anyone who's surprised by that can raise their hands now, and probably be euthanized. People without a grasp on the obvious shouldn't be allowed to breed. Okay, that may be a little harsh, but back to Panic.

The first thing to notice when you plug the album into your computer, is that the exclamation point didn't go far. In fact, according to Itunes, it should still be there. But that's just me being nit-picky, lets get back to some substantive issues.

Okay, so this is not a bad album by any means. In fact, I can think of at least 4 albums I bought in the last year that were significantly worse, and I mean significantly (I'm looking at you No Address...). Its fun to listen to, quirky, and let's fact the facts, both pretty and odd. It is not, as the hype would have you believe, the second coming of Christ. In fact, it isn't even the second coming of John Lennon. But if you're a fan of Lennon, you might appreciate the old school 60s inspired vibe. Now's the time for the requisite Beatles reference, there's no avoiding it. But, come on, listen to the song "Behind the Sea" and tell me you don't get "Octopus's Garden" flashbacks. But back to the matters at hand.

So, the album itself is a quirky mix and match of musical styles and instruments. Its like trail mix for the ears. The first time you see it you think "dried bananas and M&M's... I'm not so sure about this..." but it turns out it kind of works. That's not to say you don't always eat the M&M's out first, but you appreciate the combination all the same. Basically, the reason Pretty. Odd. makes sense, is that it doesn't really make a lot of sense. You get whipped around in such a variety of musical directions so fast, you stop expecting it to work, at which point it actually starts working. You just sort of have to go with it. Its a bit like watching one of those kind of bad fantasy movies you watched when you were a kid. You just have to assume the reason that the big vaguely scary but actually really nice creature can talk to rocks is that... well, rocks listen, I guess. By that same token, you just have to assume that the reason a song doesn't make any sense in any normal logic means that it doesn't need normal logic. Okay, well, I'll admit that didn't make any sense either, but the point is, lyrically, the album is a mishmash of nonsensical ramblings and heavy-handed metaphors, so as long as you assume it shouldn't make any sense, it makes perfect sense.

My one real, tangible issue with it (other than the generally mediocre-ness of it all) is Ryan Ross. Now, Ryan is a fantastic guitarist, a brilliant lyricist, and an all-around fascinating guy (yes, by fascinating, I mean weird). He is not, however, in possession of an amazing voice. Don't get me wrong, he sounds fine, but in contrast to Brendon's attractive and rather distinctive trill, Ryan falls a bit flat. If it had just been Ryan from the beginning, I could deal with the way he sounds, but as it stands, I would rather listen to Brendon. Sorry Ryan, I know everybody wants to be able to sing lead, but just stick to what you're good at.

Now I'm putting out the lantern, find you're own way back home.

The Headlines of My Life.

Okay, I know its been a while since I posted, and a lot has happened. So, this is around my world in 30 seconds. Well, more like 30 minutes, at least from my side of things.

2008 A.D.

I saw 10,000 B.C. a couple weeks ago. It is probably one of the worst movies ever. Terrible dialogue, lame fight scenes, a bunch of guys jumping onto a mammoth to try and catch it, a saber toothed tiger who doesn't actually eat anybody, and dinosaurs. Yes, dinosaurs. Also, there is one woman below the age of 60 in the movie, and they still manage to have a scene of her running in a low cut dress without a bra on. Then she comes back from the dead.

Who Gives a Damn About an Oxford Comma?

The Matches new album definitely doesn't suck (I was afraid it was going to), and the new Hush Sound album is officially awesome. Also, after my last post about Vampire weekend, I actually got their album. They're pretty good, especially if you like songs about grammar. Also, according to some new British system of rating bands, they're the biggest out there.

Can I get a T?

I saw Tally Hall with my little brother on Saturday. They were awesome. Really, really awesome. Amazing even. It was nice to see them again. And for once the band that opened for them didn't suck either.

Outplay the Bass.

In case I forgot to mention this early (which I did), I have actually been watching this season of Survivor. Why? Because of a young man named Adam T. Siska. He's not on the show, he's actually the bassist for the band The Academy Is... but his brother is on it. His brother (Jason, for those familiar with the show) is kind of adorable, skilled, and a little dumb. I guess you can't win them all.

You Could 'Cause You Can So You Do.

Panic at the Disco's new album comes out tomorrow. Buy it. I'm going to.

Over and out.

Fangirl time.

So, I've falling a little (okay, maybe a lot) in love with The Matches. It could be because they like bad puns. Their new album is called A Band In Hope, or it could be because they make me want to smash stuff. Either way, fine by me.

Also, I'm in love with Vampire Weekend, even though I've never heard any of their music. They're just so cute in their interviews.

Oh, and who gets to see Tally Hall play again in a few weeks? Yes, that would be me. Yay!

I have a headache, so that is all.

I'd like to buy a vowel...

So, today I was looking for a project, and upon switching the song on itunes from "Dear Maria, Count Me In" to "Holly (Would You Turn Me On?)" because it is a better All Time Low song, when I found myself wondering whether I could get through the entire alphabet just in songs with girls names in the title. I can't for the record, but upon adding guys names to the mix I managed to get 21 songs and only bent the rules slightly. So, these are all songs that include actual names (except for the occasional nickname) and they are all songs that are on my computer (I know I could do better if I used songs that I didn't have), and I tried not to use multiple songs by the same band. Finally, when I had multiple songs that all had eligible name I arbitrarily chose my favorite. For some of them it is pretty obvious why (Allison, anyone?).

A: "Allison" by Permanent Me
B: "Billy Brown" by Mika
C: "Carey" by Joni Mitchell
D: "Hey there Delilah" by The Plain White T's (Oh, and did you hear that their lead singer finally got with Delilah. Gold digging bitch...)
E: "I Constantly Thank God for Esteban" by Panic(!) at the Disco
F: Sadly, I didn't find any F names... :(
G: Grace by U2
H: Helena by My Chemical Romance
I: Iris by The Goo Goo Dolls
J: Check Yes Juliet by We The Kings
K: What Katie Did by The Libertines
L: Life After Lisa by Bowling for Soup
M: Mandy Goes to Med School by the Dresden Dolls
N: Believe Me Natalie by The Killers
O: Ooh La by The Kooks
P: Paul McCartney by SR-71
Q: Like I could find a Q song.
R: Pleasure Ryland by Cobra Starship (yes, Ryland is a name. I promise. In fact, CS's guitarist is Ryland Blackinton. And yes, that is his real name.)
S: Sally's Song by Fiona Apple (A cover of the song from The Nightmare Before Christmas)
T: Sweet Tangerine by The Hush Sound (okay, well that's probably not a real name)
U: Nope, no U's either.
V: Plea from a Cat Named Virtue by The Weakerthans (If I can use men and women, then dammit, I can use cat names).
W: Mr. Wilmington by Lucky Boys Confusion (yeah, its a last name, I was stretching).
X: I don't have any songs about Xena: Warrior Princess, but if I did they would right there.
Y: The Ballad of John and Yoko by The Beatles (I didn't use any other Beatles songs so I would have this song for Y's)
Z: Nope, no such luck there, either.

That took way more time than it was worth. Now I'm sleepy.

I seriously want these.

Guitar Hero pajama pants.

Also, a life.

I <3 Jake Ryan.

If my life were a John Hughes movie, it would be Sixteen Candles. I'm not cool enough to be Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Just thought you'd like to know.

My Valentine's Mix:

1. "Crash the Party" by Ok Go (To hell with Valentine's, to hell with perfume, to hell with chocolates and picnics and Sinatra tunes)
2. "Heels Over Head" by Boys Like Girls (Now I'm heels over head... thinking how you left me for dead).
3. "Inches and Failing" by The Format (I love love, I love being in love, I don't care what it does to me)
4. "Hate (I Really Don't Like You)" by the Plain White T's (Need I say more.)
5. "Lying is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have With Her Clothes On" by Panic at the Disco (Apparently this song made Brendon Urie concerned about Ryan Ross. The rest of us are not sure it wasn't written for Urie)
6. "The Calendar Hung Itself" by Bright Eyes (It's Bright Eyes. What more do you need?)
7. "Girl Friend" By Molly (No, she's not his girlfriend, but he'll fight anyone else who gets near her)
8. "A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More Touch Me" by Fall Out Boy (She said, she said, she said why don't you just drop dead)
9. "You're So Last Summer" by Taking Back Sunday (You could slit my throat, and with my one last gasping breath I'd apologize for bleeding on your shirt)
10. "The Curse of Curves" by Cute is What We Aim For (Because I've got the gift of one-liners and you've got the curse of curves)
11. "It's Warmer in the Basement" by Cobra Starship (According to Gabe Saporta, this song is about liking a girl so much you want to lock her in your basement and never let her out).
12. "Shores of California" by Dresden Dolls (The girls are crying and the boys are masturbating)
13. "Walk Away" by Franz Ferdinand (Why don't you walk away?)
14. "Perfect Situation" by Weezer (I can't satisfy all the needs she has and so she starts to wander, can you blame her?)

And Antonia by Motion City Soundtrack just might be the sweetest song ever.

Also, it should be noted that the lead singer of the Plain White T's and Delilah have finally gotten together. Gold-digging bitch.

And you should watch the new Panic (!) at the Disco Video. You should also note that by getting rid of their exclamation point, they really just added a set of parentheses. Now, that is some stubborn punctuation.

On a similar note, you should make sure to pick up their new album Pretty. Odd. on March 25, The Hush Sound's Goodbye Blues on March 18, Whisper War, The Cab's Debut album on April 29, A Band in Hope by The Matches, also on March 18, and Jack's Mannequin's yet untitled new album whenever that comes out. Also, you should illegally download Butch Walker's new album anytime now. Because I want to like his music, but I can't manage well enough to pay money for it.

Anyway, my heater is now making a sound like a wounded water buffalo, so I guess I should go. I just wanted to let you know I'm not dead.

My eyes are the size of the moon

The new Panic at the Disco single (Nine in the Afternoon) is available to listen to on their myspace page. I'm excited. Really, really excited. No, seriously. I look pleasantly relaxed, but inside I'm doing some sort of jig. Let me tell you, its a little scary.

Also, Across the Universe came out on DVD today. You should buy it. I'm going to.

Also (again), I saw Cloverfield last weekend. I don't know anything about it that I didn't know from watching the ads. Okay, that's a lie, I now know what Cloverfield looks like and who dies at the end. Spoiler alert: everybody dies.

Edit: Okay, so Across the Universe apparently didn't come out yet... but I swear there was a copy out at Meijer.

Pop Quiz!

Fill in the blanks in these song lyrics:

1. ...the young and rich with designer _______ and designer friends... Bang! Bang! ______ em up, yeah!

From "The City is at War" by Cobra Starship

2. What you got under your _______ will make them _______ for the things that they did.

From "Teenagers" by My Chemical Romance

3. _______ delivery, electrolytes and more.

From "This is for Real" by Motion City Soundtrack

4. Now, where did these questions come from?

Answers:

1. ...the young and rich with designer drugs and designer friends... Bang! Bang! Shoot em up, yeah!

2. What you got under your shirt will make them pay for the things that they did.

3. Intravenous delivery, electrolytes and more.

4. All of these lyrics were the radio edit versions of the original songs.

Now for the extra credit: Why?

I mean, yes, these are references to drugs and violence and such, but why does it matter. I mean honestly, how many MCR fans are actually going to go shoot up their schools? None. 12 year old girls never shoot up their schools (knock on wood). Do the people who edit these for MTV or for the radio honestly believe that kids won't think to inject drugs into their veins if they don't hear Motion City Soundtrack use the word intravenous? It is simply ridiculous... and epidemic. All of a sudden everything is super edited. Words that I can't imagine offending anybody are being deleted left and right. I feel like I should do something about it. Boycott MTV? The radio? That wouldn't work, I already don't care about those things. Anyway, when somebody thinks of something I can do to stop them from butchering my lyrics, drop me a line.

And be as vulgar as possible.

Also, any of you who are still in A2 should go see The Weakerthans when they play in March. They're pretty cool. I want their album.

Shameless self promotion

So, my sister wrote this book, and submitted it to this contest, and now she's a semi-finalist. The first chapter is here on Amazon. You should check it out.

Okay, I've a few brief points to make, so try to keep with me.

1. This is why I love Panic (no !) at the Disco. Note the ridiculous faces Brendan Urie makes when he's being a huge nerd.

2. The winner of Beauty and the Geek Season 3 (I think she was the winner, I'm not sure it really matters) is now a contestant on Rock of Love. That's the reality show where girls compete for Bret Micheals. Why? That I cannot answer.

3. The WGA strike needs to end. There is only so much more reality tv that I can stand. I keep finding myself watching American Gladiators. That's sad. Very, very sad.

4. On the other hand, I've decided that I kind of like the Tyra Show. Of course, now I got a job, so there will be no more of that.

That's all for now.

R.I.P!

Panic! At the Disco has officially dropped their !. They are now Panic at the Disco! In order to fill my quota of exclamation points, I used to use on Panic, I must now end every sentence in one! I hope, you're happy, Panic! Now I look ridiculous!