Mission Zero tackles Lorde’s ‘Royals’

Mission Zero is back, this time with a cover of Lorde’s “Royals,” which takes a Joe Cocker piano riff and melds it on the recent hit to great effect.  The music video maintains the fun of their other recent videos.  This time, the song is available through Bandcamp, and you can either download it for free or make a donation for the purchase, allowing you to support the band if you choose. Continue reading

The first year in review

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Thanksgiving weekend a year ago, I was able to pull the trigger and get this blog finished and moving. Given my personal site had been neglected for years, it was an accomplishment, and the fact that I’ve actually used it, and updated it, for a year, is to me another one (I have a tendency to let things fall off before a year has passed). With that in mind, I’d like to take a moment to reflect on a year here and what it’s meant. Continue reading

Christmas Present: The Shins’ ‘Wonderful Christmastime’

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In our first entry of the second annual round of Christmas Present posts (click here for a recap of last year, or here for an explanation of what Christmas Present represents), I go to another well-considered take of the classic Paul McCartney tune “Wonderful Christmastime,” re-envisioned by The Shins for a record last year. Continue reading

Another reason to avoid Black Friday

I was just sent this, footage from a fight that broke out during the parade of people fighting over cheap TVs at a Wal-Mart.  I worked Black Friday a couple of times as a Circuit City employee, including watching my store manager at the time, rolling out some more cheap portable CD players (ooh!), get knocked on his rump by people who couldn’t wait. Continue reading

Alison Gold’s ‘ABCDEFG’ fastest follow-up yet

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Somehow I missed that Alison Gold’s already come back with a follow-up hit from Patrice Wilson’s viral hit factory.  And unlike when Nicole Westbrook tried to follow up and failed, Gold’s at least got a “huh?” factor with her latest outing. Continue reading

Music other people like: Lily Allen’s ‘Hard Out Here’

My friend Nick over at The Littlest Winslow is many times on top of things before it’s even on my radar, and the latest Lily Allen release, “Hard Out Here” is no exception. (Warning: Video’s NSFW.) Continue reading

With Thanksgiving one week away, how about a tune?

I wrote about Nicole Westbrook here when her second song, “Smile,” came out, but this one kicked things off a year ago.  If you’re not ready for Christmas music yet, how about “It’s Thanksgiving” to keep you going? Continue reading

My first visit to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

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Last month, I traveled to New Mexico to see family. All of mom’s immediate family has been anchored out there since she was a teen, so the trips tend to be pretty regular with three brothers, and now a niece and nephew (my cousins, although separated by 25 years) to visit. Continue reading