Headlines #1: Yanks' Wang silences BoSox in masterful outing; Giambi delivers winning shot

The ESPN.com recap's headline to last night's prime time show down. They even abbreviated "Yankees" to "Yanks." Come on; I want that job. --RWK

What community? #25: Mascots

I didn't think I'd giggle as much as I did when I watched this thing. I never think College Humor is going to be funny; but it often is, if only in a brutish, nihilistic kind of way. --RWK

Encounter #75: Seagal. PANDA! Be there.

No reason in particular*. But I should probably admit that I dig Above The Law, Seagal's debut film, which happens to be directed by Andrew Davis and costars both Sharon Stone and Pam Grier**. And, I like pandas, too. --RWK

* He did turn 57 yesterday...

** I feel it should be noted that since 2003 Seagal has starred in 11 direct to video features with a 12th in the pipeline, due out this year. Yea, a year that also saw the release of Pistol Whipped will, let's all hope together, see the premiere of Killing Point. Yup, Netflix has you covered.

(NOT) Genius Marketing #14: Lima Beans

There's some foolproof logic at work here, I'll tell you what. That and a funny accent. Oops, did I say/type that? BTW: Chocolate > lima beans. --RWK [via]

Genius Marketing #13: There Can Be Only One

Because I'm fearful for tonight's big game as much as I'm excited for tonight's big game. And because the NBA hired some smart people to help its branding in the past two years. However, competition this fierce also has a lot to do with its resurgence, too. --RWK

Encounter #74: Wally gets a handful

LeBron's new teammate, Wally Szczerbiak, gets quite a handful of the big fella's butt with this standard move made awkward. Watch that follow through! --RWK [via]

What Community? #24: "They do ordinary things! That's not why we go to the movies!"

I better just let robbiefreeling say it; he's seen the movie.

With so many mainstream print critics losing their jobs, the question remains: Why can't the cretinous, film culture–killing TV critics join them? Here's old pro, and by all accounts worthless asshole Jeffrey Lyons (once, the "rational one" when paired with conservative hack Michael Medved back in the 90s) "reviewing," retching, whining, obnoxiously talking over his by-association genius co-host, and pitying himself for having to watch Flight of the Red Balloon. Incisive stuff here.

I am really looking forward to this picture. I think I'll have something more to say when I see it. But for now I'll say, Geeze, Lyons, do your job. Ordinary things does not equal boring, much less bad. Sheesh. --RWK

Encounter #73: Turn back the clock albums for the afternoon.

Yup, ten years is turning back the clock for me. This afternoon I happened to listen to both of these albums, back to back, thanks to the simple beauty of iTunes. Funny how much my interest in electronic music has changed since my early high school years. First of all, I still swear by Daft Punk. Second, I rarely think to listen to Bjork. I think it's because Bjork is so damned serious all the time while Daft Punk went on to make one of the greatest party albums of all time that, even when it's serious, is always teetering on the edge of plain silliness. But those guys are too smart to get bogged down in big emotional statements. Not that I don't appreciate emotional music. Heck, I listen to that Fred Falke remix of The Whitest Boy Alive almost daily. And since last week I've been listening to Cut Copy's In Ghost Colours almost non stop.

Cut Copy have perfected blending Talking Heads and New Order and My Bloody Valentine and the Italodisco feel of Daft Punk and French Touch/Club into something so smart, poignant and fun that I can't help but smile. Truth be told: as soon as Homogenic ended I threw on In Ghost Colours and was happy again by the middle of the first song. As I said in the post below, my affinity is motivated by more than just the music. Both of Cut Copy's albums are very self-aware "concept" albums that constantly comment on themselves, song to song. Both albums are "about" eternity and love and lights and music and all kinds of cool stuff I find in my own philosophy (my life). Music is still very much about identification for me, to a certain extent, and how things impact me on a gut level. So to hear myself echoed in this music is kind of how it felt when I, like so many, got so turned on by OK Computer and Homogenic back in the late 90s. Except, you know, I'm a little older now and have different fears and goals and lovers and friends. In a basic sense, things are better now than they were in high school and that is reflected in the music I choose to listen to--now I prefer less melancholy, more joy. I prefer Daft Punk, even in its early noise-house era, to Bjork's (rather perfect) album of dirges for lost loves and limbs. I prefer my BPMs upwards of 110 and my songs to pop with passion, not march with ressentiment. Cuz even when Cut Copy are singing another love song it's usually about love songs -- even if it's a sad love song it's smart, and joyful. --RWK


Daft Punk - Indio Silver Club


Bjork - All Is Full Of Love


Cut Copy - That Was Just A Dream (not from the new one but I already posted the "Lights and Music" video earlier)

Songs #13: Nobody Lost, Nobody Found

I've been listening to In Ghost Colours almost nonstop since it found its way into my life last week. I think the second-to-last song is my favorite. I think the reason I dig their music so much is we share similar tastes, as can be seen in the press release stuff at Modular's website (click here). Plus, they're clearly into a lot of similar kinds of ideas about movement and eternity, which is dope. Anyways, here's that song I dig. It may play better if you've been listening to the whole album but it's still a pretty adorable song out of that context. Or so I think (and feel).

Cut Copy - Nobody Lost, Nobody Found (hey, it was already on zshare!)

[Pic: back to a little eccentricity. But for fans of this work you'll spot this Latino instantly.]

Genius Marketing #12: iPhone DIY

No, it's not an Apple ad. But it kind of works as one since this is the first time I've wanted an iPhone. I mean, I feel like a shill for posting this... but it's pretty tight. It takes some musical know-how to do something like this but it gives a lot of nerds (like me, like Kanye, like the Japanaese who made this) a pretty exciting DIY thrill. Now if only I had an iPhone to begin with... --RWK

Striking Resemblances #1: Rush/Sydnor

Throughout Kansas' welcomed destruction of North Carolina I couldn't help but think of the striking resemblance between Kansas' star swingman, Brandon Rush, and everybody's favorite Wire protegé, Sydnor (or, more apt, Corey Parker Robinson). A lot of it is the hair. In a related story: The match-up between Rush and Memphis' Chris Douglas-Roberts should be awesome Monday night. I'm sticking with Memphis, even though Kansas has more size inside -- and fire. Something about that Derrick Rose kid just says winner, you know? Plus, they hit their free throws. --RWK

What Community? #23: Baron dominated the college scene

Off the court, too, I'm sure. --RWK

10 minutes later update (as the first Final Four game begins): I think Kevin Love is good and all that but Memphis should win this first game since their backcourt is so talented, and so much bigger than UCLA's. As for the next game... I think I've got UNC, actually. (Even though I hate, yea, hate Tyler Hansborough.)

Encounter #72: "Fair Weather Fan" moment of the decade

This is from Bill Simmons' most recent all-NBA mailbag, which is a lot longer and insightful (and funnier) than I expected since I stopped reading Simmons with any kind of regularity about three years ago. But, now, peep this -- I couldn't agree more:

Q: As a Warriors fan who witnessed a truly unique fan experience last year, I feel the need to report that the fans officially jumped the shark (on Sunday night against the Mavs) when I witnessed The Wave at the Oakland Arena. Did you see it?
-- Mike, San Fran

SG: Yup, I watched it happen live and reacted the same way I did when Jaye Davidson revealed her member in "The Crying Game." For the real Warriors fans who stuck with the team through thick and thin and got priced out from home games after last spring's memorable run, we're feeling for you. Not only are we down to one potentially great NBA crowd and that's it (MSG if the Knicks ever get resucitated), but my "Roar of the Crowd" column from the 2007 playoffs officially feels like it was written 20 years ago. It's just appalling. I can't get over it. Is there any throwback experience that doesn't eventually get ruined in professional sports? Watching Warriors fans doing The Wave with one of their own players at the foul line would be like seeing Bruce Springsteen take over the "Our Country" commercials from John Mellancamp -- an indefensible, legacy-altering violation in every conceivable respect. This might have been the "Fair Weather Fan" moment of the decade.

Although I don't agree with his assessment that part of the reason the W-men are fading is because they don't have J-Rich's fire and that Monta isn't enuf of an "hombre"... The only thing logical in that response is that the team's biggest players (Baron, Jax, Monta) are tired because Nellie never rests them. Still, I'm holding out hope. Even though they'll most likely lose tomorrow and seal their fate as the most lovable flame-outs in recent memory (since those C-Webb/Divac Kings teams). And, who knows, maybe they'll be able to keep their core together. Just so long as they keep smiling before, during and after every game, including losses. (There's more to read about the Wave incident over here.) --RWK

T-Pain calls Akon

thank you W PAGER Young A

Genius Marketing #11: Roy Anderson

Deceptively simple -- but super duper smart and funny and cool -- Swedish ads by Ingmar Bergman protege Roy Anderson. [via Termite Art]

Encounter #72: You're Not My Father!

I'm mesmerized. You win, Paul Slocum: you make irritating into almost beautiful. --RWK [via The Onion, as requested]

Songs #11: Angeles Songs #12: Alphabet Town

I keep saying this around the blogosphere but Paranoid Park keeps growing on me, bit by bit. More to the point of this post is that Gus Van Sant knows how to use Elliott Smith songs. But I think the two he uses in this picture, like the whole soundtrack, are placed perfectly. This scene, in particular, is startlingly moving. Sometimes it's easy for me to forget how good a songwriter Elliott Smith was, how much his music has played a part in stages of my life. ("Alphabet Town" doesn't appear in PP; it's just a personal favorite.) --RWK

Elliott Smith - Angeles (zshare)
Elliott Smith - Alphabet Town (zshare)

[I guess I've reverted to doing the obvious after that string of "difficult" or "esoteric" links I (and I alone) saw between my song and screenshot choices.]

Top Ten For Today: The Answer, Allen Iverson

This may be prompted by that loss to the Nuggets, or just aimless surfing, as usual, but I came across this clip reel that's pretty awesome. Of course, I think crossing over Jordan is probably the coolest thing on there. But, you know, a little man like AI dunking in traffic like in the number one play is pretty friggin (pace Bartlett) incredible. I don't believe his NBA listing, which makes this shit that much more impressive. No, instead of 6'0"/180lbs, I think he's an inch shorter, maybe 10 lbs lighter. Also, he played football really well in high school, as you can see below. Honestly: I'm glad he chose basketball. --RWK

Songs #10: This Time Tomorrow

Cross posted over at VINYL, here's that Kinks song.

The Kinks - This Time Tomorrow (zshare)

[Pix are given to you back at the original post...]

I drink your Kool-Aid. I drink it up! Encounter #72: A More Perfect Union What Community? #23: Ladders of opportunity

I know I'm late to this party. Of course I found my way to this through the blogosphere. From Ed Gonzalez, in fact. Race still matters in our community's conversation. This is a thoughtful approach to taking up the dialogue. It's inheriting our great moral perfectionism in such a proud, ardent, stirring fashion I was moved more than I could expect. So, this Sunday: Be well. Happy Easter. Go find some eggs. There's plenty out there. You just have to be open to the world to find and appreciate them. They're there, they're the first rungs, they lead up: they lead forward. --RWK