New Muzak (Album Preview): Francis And The Lights

I haven't heard this yet, but it's on my list of albums to listen to. Have you listened to it yet? What do you think? All this buzz I have heard about them for 6 months...is it for real???

New Muzak Video: M.I.A. - Born Free

So M.I.A. dropped this music video/short film last week. First let's start with the song. It's a crazy punk rock ditty, with some M.I.A. flare....at first listen it probably won't make it onto your short list of songs to include into a daily rotation...but like crack...the more you listen, the better it gets. Add to that the very real political issues M.I.A. communicates through this song, like most in her repertoire.

I was going to say some words about the video...just watch. It's more shocking than any music video I have EVER seen.

NSFW

New Muzak: Drake - Find your Love

Since Drake teased about this on his blog last week out of nowhere, and then dropped it later that day...I keep listening to this one over and over. Liking the track, but don't think it's as strong as 'Over'.

What do you think?

New Muzak: Tokyo Police Club - Hands Reversed

Hey ya'll,

I know, I know...it's been a while. I'm moving soon and then hope to make this a daily routine. I know, I know...I've said that a million times before. I'm really gonna try though. Also going to start a new weekly blog portion where I blog about a new indie band I have come across. This portion of the blog will be dedicated to my late friend Gino.

Ok, so here is a new track currently unreleased, and may or may not be off the forthcoming Tokyo Police Club album being released in 2010.

It's called 'Hands Reversed'...it's a nice, simple ditty. Enjoy.

Bluetooth Headsets. Which one is too douche?

So, now that it is against the law to drive your car while texting (I'm ok with this) and/or talking on the phone (mixed feelings) I now require a hands-free solution of some form. I won't require the solution for use anywhere but my vehicle. If I have a call when I am not driving, I will use the phone like a normal human being.

The new law took effect on October 26th, 2009 in Ontario, Canada. Globe and Mail article on the topic here.

My fear is looking like a douche, while this bro is just trying to 'keeps it real'/be compliant with this Provincial law. You see, I am always driving to and from clients with my job and then again driving a ton outside of work...I just want to 'fit in' with the 'normal' people in society.

There are several options I can see:

1) Continue to use phone previous to October 26th, 2009 and face $500 CAD tickets by cops



2) Buy a boring/simple wired ear bud



3) Buy a flashing standard 'douche' Bluetooth headset (Upon internal reflection I feel this is the most douchy solution as the majority of people use this solution...and then wear the headset EVERYWHERE!!!!)



4) Just keeps it real in the car



5) Use the Microsoft Sync system in my Ford/Lincoln



Oh yeah, I don't have a Ford/Lincoln built in the last 3 years with this technology. Damn. Free plug for you FMC!

6) Get a Aliph Jawbone Prime Bluetooth...Just like Johnny Drama in Entourage



I really like the Aliph Jawbone. It apparently has advanced technology and rave reviews about how sweet the sound is and how light weight and comfy the product is. It's more expensive at about $100-$150 CAD, compared to other solutions (Standard Bluetooth about $40-$100 CAD, Earbud around $20 CAD). The product also looks pretty sweet.

Jawbone I am interested in at Tiger Direct

So what do ya'll think I should do? Did I miss any 'solutions' to becoming legally 'compliant'? What do you use that turns up the 'cool' and turns down the 'suck'?

Movie Review: Food, Inc.

This movie is currently making me want to yak ya'll. Check it...

http://www.foodincmovie.com/

Kanye West/Spike Jonze - We were once a fairytale

I don't understand what Kanye/Spike were hoping to do with this video. It seems to be some short film about Kanye West and his inner demons. I don't know that I fully 'get' it. Is there anything to get? Knowing Kanye has some great taste in art (all different types/forms) I guess I was expecting something better. Especially since Spike came on to direct it.

What do ya'll think?

I think Kanye should go back to 'borrowing' samples and 'creating' songs. Love the boys music...hate when stars think they are so creative they can do EVERYTHING!

The Avett Brothers

Tonight I am off to see The Avett Brothers play a small venue in Toronto called The Horseshoe Tavern. Basically two bros and a couple cats from North Carolina make up the band. They play some chill indie roots type music. Their new album 'I and Love and You' is pretty nice, it get's better as it goes on. I can only imagine it will get better with each time I play it right through. It sounds like the band has 'grown' on this album. And by grown I mean it sounds produced compared to their previous releases...in this case...it turns out to be a good thing!

So anywho, check 'em out when you are just chilling and reading...and then feel like some music. Rolling Stone Magazine called them a 'Band to watch in 2009'...not that they always know ish.

This is some Avett Bros for ya ears...

Avett Brothers - I and Love and You

*Album Review* Monsters of Folk - Monsters of Folk

Been waiting for this album to drop for a while now. And now I've listened to it...I think it's 'brilliant'. It stars some big playas in the indie game right now: Jim James from My Morning Jacket, Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis from Bright Eyes and M. Ward.

If you don't know Conor Oberst solo material or anything from 'Bright Eyes'...get out of your seat right now...or just download the torrent...get
I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning'...sit...listen...be blown away.

At the end of the day, as good as this albums is...just stick to your day jobs folks. I think the parts are greater than the sum here...

Adubs becomes a stock investor $$$

So a few weeks ago I started to seriously look at entering the 'stock trading world' as an investor with some money/duckets/benjamins I have saved.

Being Canadian and not sure I know EVERYTHING about what I was doing, I invested a small amount in a company I have tons of faith in...Ford Motor Company.

So basically I set up a 'Self Directed Stock Trading Account' with my bank CIBC. It cost me $28.95 to purchase up to 1,000 shares. I bought $1k worth and the bought me 136 shares in 'F', at $7.07 per share. It's gonna cost me another $28.95 to sell my stock. So basically at this time and about 1.5 weeks after my initial investment this is where I stand.

Own 136 shares which were purchased @ $7.07 USD = $961.52.
Today each share value is $8.47 and net change of $1.40 per share.
This means I made $190.40 - $57.90 ($28.95 x 2 purchase/sell) = $132.50 (give or take a few bucks for the currency coversion).

So I have made approx. $130 in 1.5 weeks...not bad...keep going Ford. I want to invest more...dunno if I go big in a smaller stock hoping it will explode...or put more in my long term plan...'F'.

The other company I have been watching is Zenn Motor Company from Toronto (ZNN-X). Their stock has gone from $4.25 to $6.00 in the last 1.5 weeks as I have been tracking...should have put some there too.

In any case, still lot's to learn...warning...VERY ADDICTIVE!

Rock The Bells - 2009

This is what my my day felt like on Sunday behind dark sunglasses, dodging endless clouds of smokez, in the sun...heavenz...

K'naan



KRS One



RZA



Reflection Eternal



Mos Def



Black Star



Damien Marley



Nas



Let`s just say, last night made me really happy...

Michael Jackson Ghost - Larry King CNN

Realz or Fakez ya'll?




RIP for realz though King of Pop...

Animal Collective - Summertime Clothes (Music Video)

Some Animal Collective I get, other Animal Collective I don't get so much. I feel like they are pretty chill bro's that just got high with their keyboards and drums and made really 'high-level' indie dance music.

'Summertime Clothes' is one of those AC songs I actually do like...I dunno...makes me want to dance, but also makes me want to chill at the same time. This video freaks me out. It features Brooklyn's FLEX dance crew.



Apparently they even danced with AC in real life on Letterman...



So glad I didn't eat a pound of schrooms before watching that video. I think I may of freaked out even more and ate my arm or something...

Regina Spektor - 'Laughing with' (Music Video)

Regina Spektor first got on my radar with her last album 'Begin to hope' in 2006. This year she is back with a new album 'Far'. 'Laughing with' is her first single of the album and here is the video.



This song is 'ok' in my eyes. Lyrics are great, but I feel the song could be more. I feel like this song reminds me of Ms. Osborne in the 90's.



In any case, she is a wicked cool artist and though I haven`t had a listen to `Far` as of yet I recommend you check out the album `Fidelity`...it`s friggin awesome!

Kanye West - Paranoid (Music Video)

Hey ya'll....it's me again. I've been busy and straight lazy lately, but now I am back. Time to catch up on posts this week. First I'll start with a light one.

This is the new video for the song 'Paranoid' off of Ye's '808's and Heartbreaks' album (some people hate the album, but I like it...fresh sound...not the best Ye, but ok nonetheless).

The best part of this video is all the hot Rihanna shots obviously. Ye also changed the beat up a bit on this mix...a little quicker and dancier IMO.

Is this some type of 'anti-Chris Brown' video? What do ya'll think?

Eating a standard fast food combo

I just realized something today, post the hoovering of a Whopper w. Cheese Combo (obviously a Diet Coke to wash it down with, need to save calories somewhere!). I eat my 'standard fast food combo' the same way every time.

Here is my process:
- Consumer half of the fries (preferable with a dipping sauce)
- Consumer burger and fries at the same time
- The whole time consuming the beverage of choice

How do ya'll eat shit?

Virgin Festival 2009 - Returns To Canada

Basically there were some discussion as to whether or not V-Fest would be returning to Toronto, let alone North America. They hadn't said 'boo' until now!

Well according to the site not only are they returning to Canada in '09, there will also be 5 different festivals across the country: Montreal, Nova Scotia, BC, Alberta, Ontario (Toronto I would imagine).

So the only lineup announced so far is Montreal...and man, is it ever bruuuuuuuuuuuuuutal!

Montreal V-Fest 2009 Lineup

K-OS - 4,3,2,1 (Accoustic video on Q TV)

Finally, a focused performance from K-OS. I knew you could do it!! I also love Emily Haines...but mostly in a creepy way...

Transformers: Revenge of the fallen

Here is the official theatrical trailer for Tranformers 2. Man do I ever <3 Megan Fox...hot damn....lordy lord.

Tyga - Cali Love (Video)

This dude has been on the come up for a bit. Signed to Lil Wayne`s `Young Money`music label, I think he has been getting better over the past couple years. This track is rad and some some nice scratching on it...keep your eyes out ya`ll. The video is shot nicely as well IMO. Very clean. COMPTON raise up!