The Shins 'Wincing the Night Away'

The Shins latest album released in 2007, “Wincing the Night Away”, takes their convoluted and energetic pop-rock style and adds a large dose of production to create what is by far their most pop influenced album to date. This album is a step away from their past work, possibly because their early success now allows them to afford added producing, or their unexpectedly large fan base influenced them to a more refined, pop-music sound.
Songs like ‘Sea Legs’ and ‘Australia’ offer a refreshing window to the intimate sound of their previous albums. Lyrics like “I’m a victim to the impact of these words” from ‘Sea Legs’ is a taste of the sometimes cryptic style of Mercer’s songwriting that fits smoothly with the bouncy, dreamy feel of their music.
This album is a definite success for the band. Adding the refined sound of a production room allows for the same light unexpected twists representative of their style without the typical clutter.

A Glimmer of Hope

A Glimmer of Hope is a foundation dedicated to making a direct sustainable difference in the lives of Etheopia's poorest by providing easy access to much needed clean water allowing them a far heathlier way of life.

A tribute to Paul Newman

Paul Newman died today at 83 of cancer. To me he will forever be remembered as 'Cool Hand Luke' and the unreliable player-coach from 'Slap Shot', Reggie Dunlap.

Newman used his success as an actor to fund his true love in life, racing cars. He will be dearly missed as an actor and a racing advocate, but most of all as a truly genuine person.

Hockey!

Hockey is back! The most exciting sport in the world is starting up again for the '08-'09 season. My team, the Dallas Stars, is coming off its best performance since the 1999 Stanley Cup Championship was backed up the next year with a trip to the finals. Last season they lost in the Conference Final to the Detroit Red Wings and eventual champions in 6 games.

This year there is defiantly reason to be excited. Despite returning standouts like Mike Madano, the team is scoured with exciting, hard-nosed(sometimes slanted) hockey players. Guys like Ott, Morrow, and Turco play with fire and energy offering a spark of energy each time they step on the ice. With the addition of Sean Avery, the leagues most widely respected agitator, this year will be as intense and faced paced as any other. In this playoffs last season, the NHL was forced to add a new rule mid season because of Avery. He would turn around in front of the goal and wave his hands in front of the goalies face. This is an example of the things an 'agitator' does for his team. He is loved by his team and hated by the rest. Now, the Stars have the two best. Steve Ott and Sean Avery. The two are sure to make this season as entertaining and unpredictable as any before as they streak around the ice sacrificing their bodies for the team. Next time someone thinks about taking a shot at Mike Madano, no doubt these two guys will first be considered.

Time to bounce the BCS

It’s interesting that close to every organized sport on earth involves some sort of playoff system to decide their champion. They actually have the top teams play each other to decide who gets a shot at the title, rather than using a computer and some equations to choose the final two. So why can’t college football catch up?

Their current Bowl Championship System is the most flawed post season system in all of sports. Thursdays game between the #1 ranked USC and Oregon St is a perfect example. USC came in as one of the most highly touted teams ever to play under coach Pete Carroll, who said this is the best team he had ever coached. Its said by NFL scouts that they have 40 professional football players on their roster today. But with one early season loss to a fired up in conference opponent, their title hopes are almost gone. They will move out of the top ten and essentially no longer control their own destiny. They now must rely on other top teams to lose just to get in the conversation for a title shot.

The BCS counts on their being two standout teams at the end of the regular season that obviously should play for the title. But that’s not the case. Ever. Each year there are somewhere around 4-6 teams that arguably should have a chance to play for the title. To deny these student athletes their hard earned opportunity to play for a championship because they come from a smaller market or a computer says their strength of schedule is not strong enough is outrageous. Teams like Hawaii of two years ago, Utah and Boise State must go undefeated to even be considered for a title shot. They come from smaller conferences with weaker schedules so automatically they have a terrible chance of winning a national championship just because of where they started. It doesn’t matter how good they are, which to me seems like it should be the only factor.

Why not use a playoff system? The top eight ranked teams at the end of the year play for the championship. The current BCS system can still be used for the rest of the teams in the way the college basketball uses the NIT. This would allow for underdogs to emerge and have a fair shot at the title. It would get rid of the unfair advantage given to teams in big markets with tough schedules. Bottom line, it would just be fair, and the BCS is not.

A Fallen Dynasty

The New England Patriots are the Dallas Cowboys of this decade. They have dominated the National Football League since the turn of the century by accumulating three Super Bowl victories in four years, an accomplishment they share only with America’s Team of the 90's. Under Coach Bill Belichick the Patriots set the NFL record for the longest winning streak with 18 games, only to break it by compiling a streak of 21 regular season wins.

This unprecedented winning streak came to an end yesterday when the Patriots fell to the Miami Dolphins, who recently threatened the NFL record for most losses in one season. When Tom Brady got hurt at the beginning of this season, it marked the end of the Pats run at the top of the NFL. Without him, their team does not work. His skills as both a player and a leader blanketed the team and covered their weaknesses. Without his stability leading this team their old age and slow defense look much older and slower. The Dolphins Ronny Brown ran right over the Pats defense on Sunday disregarding the past records set by both teams.
All it took was one play. One knee. The New England Patriots dynasty is over. Mediocrity has caught up, and considering the empty stands in the fourth quarter of their first regular season loss in 2 years, it did not take long for New England to notice.

Golf over the NFL...at least this weekend.

The drama of an NFL Sunday is hard to top. Except when an underdog team of American golfers is competing for its country against Europe in an improbable upset scenario going in to the final day. The passion and intensity displayed at this weekends Ryder Cup made for the most dramatic and entertaining golf I have ever watched.

The American team, led by the play of Anthony Kim, came in to this weekend without a lot of pressure as the Europeans held the trophy and were highly favored to defend it. A massive gallery surrounded every hole of the course on Sunday, offering prideful eruptions after each clutch shot the American team executed, creating an atmosphere comparable to Davis Cup tennis.

Turning what typically is a slow individual sport into a team competition makes for a far better television product. Toss in the intensity and pride of representing your country against the rest of the world and you have an event unmatched by any football game.

Spoon 'GaGaGaGaGa'

After close to a decade of consistency in the indie-rock scene, Spoon’s latest album GaGaGaGaGa captures their minimal guitar and piano identity while expanding their style and adding new elements to their already successful tone. This album, released in 2007, was recorded throughout the year of 06' in their hometown of Austin, Tx.

Song’s like “Don’t Make me a Target”, and “Don’t You Evah” capture the plugged in strumming guitar melodies and thoughtful lyrics typical of their previous work. The addition of a horn section fits perfectly into this album, adding to songs like “The Underdog”, a shift to an upbeat acoustic sound that immediately stands out as one of the albums top tracks.

Spoon’s past albums fell short lyrically by getting stuck in negative themes and dark undertones. GaGaGaGaGa however, escapes that with catchy pop songs like “The Underdog” and “You’ve Got Your Cherry Bomb” that successfully combines an energetic tone with positive lyrics. Britt Daniel’s reflective song writing is braided perfectly with the upbeat music and added production on this album to create their best work to date.

Andrew Bird Armchair Apocrypha

Andrew Bird’s latest album Armchair Apocrypha released in 2007 by Fat Possum Records cannot fit into one genre or category of music. Bird’s eclectic mix of styles and skills creates a sound that transcends typical genres of music, while simultaneously carving out a category just for himself. While his background and training is with the violin, Bird also skillfully utilizes the guitar, mandolin, glockenspiel, and whistling to create an intricate and sophisticated sound comparable to a one man orchestra.

Bird’s musical talent will keep your fingers snapping while it intertwines perfectly with his intellectually witty lyrics that cover everything from modern science to the fragility of life. Lyrics like "your what happens when two substances collide, and by all accounts you really should have died" for me takes his knowledge of modern science and mends it into an expression of fate, not a reference to drug addiction as many critics have claimed.

Bird’s textured sound and mysterious lyrics offer new meaning with each spin of the record. His skillfully intricate sound combined with unsurpassed word play and a voice that rivals the likes of Thom York, gives Bird’s music a depth that cannot be held by any category or style.

A review of Bon Iver 'For Emma, Forever Ago'

Justin Vernon released his debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago, under the name Bon Iver, a play off of the French phrase for "good winter". Vernon took a three month sabbatical in the north woods of Wisconsin to generate this album, possibly motivating him to choose the name him did.

Vernon's warm and weary voice compliments the albums indie folk tone perfectly, producing a style comparable to groups like Iron and Wine, or at times the Flaming Lips. His sentimentally reflective lyrics offer an intimately personal view into his life, amplified by his skillful singing that at times echos the likes of Jeff Buckley.

Vernon's mellow voice and melancholy style coupled with his thoughtful lyrics makes for much more than just another singer/songwriter production. While tracks like 'Skinny Love' and 'For Emma' define this album, each of the nine songs fit into the laid back style without sounding like it's stuck on repeat.

Breaking sports news from the source himself.

James Blake has pulled out of the Davis Cup against Spain due to fatigue, so Sam Querrey will replace him as the second singles player behind Andy Roddick. "I am excited to play Nadal and Ferrer in Spain on their clay courts," Querrey said. Sam is in Austin this week practicing at the Austin Tennis Academy(where I am a coach) before he leaves for Spain. He is currently the 39th ranked player in the world, putting him as the first alternate for a situation like this one.

The Americans are going into this Davis Cup match as definite underdogs. Spain throws two top 5 ranked players in for singles, and a very respected doubled duo to try and beat the tough American twins Bob and Mike Bryan. Standing a towering 6 feet 6inches tall with a powerful serve and intimidating ground strokes, clay would not appear to be the best surface for Sam and the other Americans. "Clay is actually one of my favorite surfaces," Querrey said, "I grew up playing on it some so I am comfortable on the dirt." It has more to do with where you grew up and what surfaces you played on as a kid when you are still young, Sam added. His recent experience playing Nadal at the US Open will prepare him for what is sure to be the most hostile environment he has ever played in. "Playing Nadal on Ashe Stadium was the best time I've ever had playing a match, even though I lost," Querrey said. "Hearing the crowd get behind me on a big point sent chills through my body every time."

Querrey, Roddick and the Bryan twins all found summer success and will be entering this Davis Cup showdown with plenty of confidence. They have nothing to lose with everybody picking Spain to win at home, so the time is right for an upset.

Best Burger in Town

After participating in likely the most spirited argument about hamburgers I will have in my life, I thought it best to share it. So which place in Austin truly is the best hamburger joint? The argument came down to P. Terry's and Dan's Hamburgers. For me, it's P. Terry's. The combination of their concern for quality, mouthwatering burgers, and unique fries that don't ooze with grease makes my choice very simple.
P. Terry's uses only 100% black Angus beef for the burgers. Nothing but canola oil is used to make the french fries, and the tomatoes are homegrown organically right here in Austin. Whether the extra concern for quality and health is just an Austin style gimmick or not, it works. Anytime I am craving a delicious burger and fries while holding the typical guilt involved with that selection, P. Terry's is the place. Many places around Austin serve impeccable burgers, but non do it with the care and convenience like P. Terry's, earning them the appropriate title of "Anti-Fast Food" from Austin Monthly.

Water For Elephants by Sara Gruen

Water For Elephants, the novel by Sara Gruen released in 2006 takes a captivating and unique angle on life during the depression. The title comes from the beginning of the story, when an old man in a nursing home claims that he once carried water for elephants in the circus sparked by one pulling into town. The story progresses as Jacob Jankowski, also in the nursing home, reflects on his life and time spent traveling with the circus during the time of the depression.
After tragically losing both parents, Jacob makes the impulsive decision to leave his life as a vet student at Cornell now being orphaned and broke, and join a circus that he stumbles across. The book tells the story of how this troubled college kid jumps a train and somehow gets entrenched in the inner workings of the Benzini Brothers Circus serving as the veterinarian. Life on a circus for Jacob becomes both the distraction from his tragic life that he needed, and a chaotic mess of love triangles, friendship and heartache.
This engaging novel describes a lifestyle so far from normal with problems that hit so close to home; with characters that tug on your sympathy and reside in your head long after the storyline comes full circle back to the bitter old man in the nursing home. With themes that parallel Catcher in the Rye, and a story that contends with the best in fiction, Water for Elephants is sure to be a classic.

Recognizably Jack

Mellow. Sensible. Comforting. Heartfelt. Immensely enjoyable. These are characteristics that fans have come to associate with the music of Jack Johnson.
In his fifth studio album, Sleep Through The Static, Johnson sticks to the same style that has won the interest of so many in recent years, while not living up to the hype it received as Johnson’s most lively and electric album to date. This sleepy new release lacks the step forward anticipated by many loyal listeners.
Johnson teamed up with keyboard player Zach Gill and drummer Adam Topol in an attempt to energize his music that generally is lacking in variety and contrast. While the added guitar is noticeable on "Go On", a track about his new life as a father, it goes almost unnoticed through the rest of the album.
The piano is the most positive addition. Gill sprinkles multiple soulful solos throughout the album adding some life to Johnson’s modest acoustic guitar. On the song "Monsoon" in particular, Gill’s unleashed piano playing makes for one of the albums top tracks. Sleep Through The Static tries to represent a step forward for Johnson’s music, but ultimately leaves you wanting more, at times sensing the trio holding back.
As a recent father of two, the 32 year old Johnson’s well-intentioned lyrics focus on his family and his environment. He moves away from his catchy pop lyrics of past albums, instead expressing real-world fears surrounding his new life as a father. "As the darkness gets deeper, we’re sinking, so we reach for love," he sings on the opening track "All at Once". Sentiments like these set a more serious tone for the album.
Sleep Through the Static is a good album. If you are a Jack Johnson fan you will be thoroughly satisfied with his latest work and it will definitely be worth the price. Although it does not live up to its build up as his electric album and it may not be the step forward many hoped for, Johnson’s soothing voice and understated guitar playing accompanied by Gill’s piano makes this album, recognizably Jack.
Grade: B

Novak shows he has thin skin.

Coming in to the quarterfinal meeting between Novak Djokavic and Andy Roddick this week, the drama was thick from every angle. Djokavic, after bursting onto the tennis scene and setting himself apart as one of the big three in tennis, finally proved himself by winning the Australian Open in January. Roddick, a former champion himself, had slipped as of late but recently had recaptured his game. The surge was not coincidentally just after convincing his Davis Cup coach Pat McEnroe to assist him in New York. To top it off the relationship between these two is nothing short of tense, with the two taking verbal jabs at each other in pre match interviews. Unfortunately, the simple trash talk and press pleasing interviews went from humerus to classless the minute the match ended. Novak Djokavic's post match comments in front of 20,000 plus in New York was the most embarrassing and classless interview I've ever heard in the post match setting. The crowd responded properly by booing him out of Ashe Stadium, a court named after a man not because of his incredible tennis skill, but for the class with which he used it.

Venus Vs Serena

Last nights match between Venus and Serena Williams marked the 17th time they had met in competition. Coming in, their head to head record was 8-8. Each sister has won a total of 21 hard court tournaments with both collecting upwards of 20 million in prize money. The parallels between Serena and Venus are endless, but what will be remembered long after the rest is that together they have transcended women's tennis stylistically, demographically, and competitively. Last nights match showcased serves reaching speeds in the upper 120's, an example of the shift to a power game dominating the WTA brought on by these sisters. Growing up in Compton, CA these girls transcended the idea that tennis was a 'country club sport'. Competitively last nights match was the highest level of tennis I have ever witnessed in women's tennis. The combination of power and athleticism on both ends of the court combined with the unusual pressure of playing a sister and best friend made for the most entertaining and highest level women's tennis match I have ever seen.

Reason to watch.

The days have long passed since we were spoiled by an all-American final in our nations tennis championship. The time of Agassi and Sampras dueling under the lights of Ashe Stadium has given way to a period of mediocrity for the American men, earning a combined 1 major title since 2003. The recent emergence of a talanted generation of young athletes however, has American tennis poised for a turnaround. Remember a name like Sam Querrey, a likeable 6'6"California kid who is shooting up the rankings and bringing comparisons to the great Todd Martin. This years Open features 3 Americans who battled for a spot in the second week, Querrey being one of them. Andy Roddick, the only American left with a Major title has served his way to the final 16, and is looking strong to make a push for his second championship in New York. Don't lose hope in American tennis just yet. While Agassi vs Sampras will likely never be matched, the next generation of American champions is just around the corner.