The (American) Office

Sometimes despite our best of intentions, things just don't work. The "new" NBC comedy The Office is one of those things. NBC tried really hard to make this look like the British version, while at the same time sterilizing it from all the confusing Brit-isms, subtle humor, and undecipherable accents. A real office was used in the filming of the British version, however a cozy soundstage is used in the American version. The bumpy mock-umentary camera shots were also toned down, as to not make our sensitive stomachs sick. So what's the problem with The (American) Office? Read More ...

Make Believin'

And for the Weezer faithful, the new album is called "Make Believe" and out May 10th. In my opinion this is a pretty dumb name, but I probably wouldn't have voted for Pinkerton or Maladroit as names either. The truth is I'm pretty sure I've already heard this album back when they released the demo MP3 files back in 2002. I must admit, they are some great tunes, I just hope they came out as good as the demos...

And I must say I am addicted to the shoegazing genre lately... much of which I've never even heard of until now. So much great music was going on in the late 80's and 90's, and I didn't have a clue! Anyways, better make up for lost time and check out Slowdive's Souvlaki Space Station. Do you hear Only In Dreams in there?

The Glory Days of Punk Rock

What happened to the good old days when the punks hung out at the park and drank cans of cheap beer? I was taking the MAX (local public transport) to downtown Portland yesterday. When I got on, a rag-tag group of high school punk rawkers were sprawled out in front of the entrance. However, instead of smoking, or making fun of the square (thats me), they just continued their cell phone conversations! I non-confrontationally stepped over them and found a comfy, germ infested seat nearby.

The more I watched and listened to this group, the more saddened by the state of the punk rock I became. Sure they've got the piercings, the rhinestone laden jackets, and the strange odors, but they've lost the punk rock cause. As they texted their friends, and talked about stopping at Nordstroms on the way to the concert (I wish I was kidding), I wondered what Joey Romone might be looking down and thinking right now...

My message: Zebra-striped pants and spikey hair just aren't enough to make you a real punk rocker these days.