King of Slop

1. As tonight confirmed, no one has inspired more bad covers than Mike. But seriously: if you could choose any Mike song to cover, would the Jackson 5 cover of "Rockin' Robin" really be it? Really?

2. Also, when did "Jason Mraz-y" become something desirable? Alls I can smell is patchouli, dudes with neckbeads. RETURN.

3. As a matter of coincidence, this mix from the Rub is an excellent Mike primer: the MJ Mix. A particularly high set of props for going with lesser known songs.

4. If you're still not convinced, check the demo of "Don't Stop":


5. Of the gazimillion remixes of Mike, most are absolute failures. Mike does not need arbitrary house beats, breaks, rhymes, etc. Mike did not need that Akon travesty. The more successful ones try not to tinker too much. My favorites:

Jacko 5 - "We're Almost There (DJ Spinna remix)"


Mike - "I Can't Help It (Todd Terje rekut)"


6. Also: Mike, Neptunes - you talkin? Please?

7. I still stand by this (the song, not the video); my DJ friends did not (I'm looking at you, Marco).

Revisit

1. If Big Love has taught me anything, it is not to pick flowers on the hillside for one's ponytail (or, indeed, to doublecheck that one's ponytail is not jammed in the door).

2. If Watchmen (movie edition) has taught me anything, it is never to have sex to "Hallelujah." If Watchmen (book edition) has taught me anything, it is to never, ever use Bob Dylan as a running quote (also: owls, not as cool as originally thought).

3. There are too many food blogs that tell me nothing.

4. Calgary Cassettes, a plug: the archivalist effort is noble and commendable; the descriptions, chuckle-worthy; the nostalgia good for a day or two. But the comments left by visitors? Bejeezus, quit the 90s.

5. The drums on this track, bonkers: Bat for Lashes - "Glass"


6. OH, WAIT: THE 90's!
Boo Radleys - "Wish I Was Skinny"

Dry.

Badly Drawn Boy - "Promises (Beyond the Wizard's Sleeve mix)"


Kaidi Tatham - "Do What U Gotta Do"

Snakes, Planes: A Good Evening

Road 13's "Honest Jons" (2007; 95% merlot, 5% gamay, 100% love): the cute girl that should eventually hit the B-list, or even A-list if she gets that web traffic up. OR: a lesser, but upper-tier, Baldwin brother (William). Blackberry-ish. Good to drink when you what you really want is a good pie. Let that shizz breathe though.

ALSO: burn your hands on the fire that is the Platinum Pied Pipers' Abundance

"Luv Affair"


"Go, Go, Go"

Roast Nuggets

Lateef & Z Trip & DJ Shadow & Qtip - "Enuff"


Sandie Shaw & the Smiths - "Hand in Glove"


La Coq Rouge (2006; France) - Varietal mix of mostly Syrah, Cab Sauv, Merlot, a bit of Grenache. In other words, a real mutt. The label claims it goes well with vintage Rolling Stones, which should be a warning in itself of boomer mediocrity (per classic rock stations, not Stones output). Tastes like classic rock radio (albeit with a whiff of strawberry/cherry), cougars in mom jeans - thus, let this shizz breathe. Could go well with spicy food, to overwhelm its averageness.

Your Downturn Is Boring Me

This:
Laurent Garnier "Man With the Red Face"


then this:
Build an Ark "You've Gotta Have Freedom"


A huzzah! for all friends with blogs; please update them so I have something new to read at work.

And So It Goes

"For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace."

Well, the first day was pretty exciting. Godspeed on the next 99.

Nina Simone - "My Sweet Lord/Today is a Killer"

Chaser

Redtree cab sauvignon (05, Sonoma): tastes a bit like grape or raspberry jam, or, more accurately, like a fruity red wine. Not dry in the least, but not sickly sweet, either. Good for a burger, some cornflakes, whatev - a generalist.

Deepside - "III"
(Deepside is Ludovic Navarre, of St. Germain fame)


Underworld - "Born Slippy"
(This is the A Side mix of the original 12"; the lager lager version seems to be a B Side remix.)

A Strong Start

the dB's - "I'm In Love"


"Here's why Daniel Boulud's burger is better than yours: Ordering the original DB Burger...buys you ground sirloin stuffed with succulent braised short ribs, foie gras and preserved black truffle, made to order on a freshly baked Parmesan bun...In what must be a culinary first, the superthick stuffed patty sees the shredded short ribs actually cutting the fattiness of the foie and sirloin. What's more, the short rib stuffing involves numerous steps, the most impressive being pouring three bottles of dry red wine into a saucepan and then setting it aflame. Boulud has taken an essential yet basic piece of Americana and spirited it into a technique-driven masterpiece."

(from Amy Rosen's "Someone's in the Kitchen With Daniel," En Route, whose associated airline I can not endorse)

First.

Massive Attack "False Flags (UNKLE Surrender Sessions 2)


Lost In Trees "Mvt II Sketch"


Best Meals, 08:
1. Guy Savoy, Las Vegas
2. West, Vancouver
3. Ad Hoc, Napa

Albums Downloaded and Actually Listened To and Remembered (no particular order):
1. Erykah Badu, whatever that album was called
2. Portishead, whatever that album was called
3. Cut Copy, whatever that album was called
4. Jamie Lidell, whatever that album was called
5. Hercules & Love Affair, whatever that album was called

Songs that I Could Not Remove From My Mind, for better or for worse:
1. Kanye, the song with the taiko drums
2. MGMT, the electric eel song
3. the Very Best, the song with the steel drums
4. that goddamn Lykke Li song
5. all those iPod commercials

Artists who piqued my interest that I can attest to having listened to (ie. honorable mentions):

1. Air France
2. Tindersticks (the new album, that is)
3. Liam Finn
4. ATrak
5. Flying Lotus

Archivalist material that I am happy to have freeloaded on from downloads:
1. Emitt Rhodes albums that have not been re-released
2. Ahmad Jamal live from Oil Can Harrys
3. Dorothy Ashby, Soul Vibrations
4. older Tindersticks albums
5. the Willie Hutch soundtrack for the Mack

Honorable idea:
1. the US election
2. Kanye, for releasing one of few hip hop break-up albums (for the life of me, I cannot remember any other). Hopelessly flawed, though I believe that was an unintentional point: the autotune has a purpose.

Advice for 2009:
1. Buy low, sell high.