Holiday Week.

Was able to see some friends I haven't seen in awhile.

Respect.

Promising season.

New Look in New York

Possible Yankees Opening Day lineup
No.
Player
Position

1.
Johnny Damon
LF

2.
Derek Jeter
SS

3.
Alex Rodriguez
3B

4.
Mark Teixeira
1B

5.
Jorge Posada
C

6.
Hideki Matsui
DH

7.
Xavier Nady
RF

8.
Robinson Cano
2B

9.
Brett Gardner
CF

Possible Yankees starting rotation
No.
Pitcher
Throws

1.
CC Sabathia
LHP

2.
A.J. Burnett
RHP

3.
Chien-Ming Wang
RHP

4.
Joba Chamberlain
RHP

5.
Phil Hughes
RHP

Pulling for strong seasons from Nady, Chamberlain, and looking for Cano to turn it around especially.

Overall I think we're looking awesome on paper. Only things I would tweak are moving Wang into the no. 2 spot ahead of Burnett. I know it was a prolific signing when we brought on he and CC, but I think Wang does and will have the edge so long as his foot is 100%

Also, are the Yankees really placing stock in Posada defensively? I think his arm and ability to throw out base runners will be a HUGE factor right out of the gate next season. I would put Matsui in the no. 5 hole. I think it gives opposing pitchers less of an inkling to pitch around Tex.

Can't wait for opening day.

2008 Top 10.

1.) Work

I'm really surprising myself with the way this list turned out. It's a good exercise in assessing your year and how you've grown since years past. This is probably the biggest surprise. I could devote an entire blog and them some to everything that's whack when it comes to my job and the place I work, best believe. But aside from what I do and how we operate, having a steady and serious job with significant responsibility is good for my soul and occasionally leaves me feeling rewarded and self fulfilled at the end of the day. I've sort've realized that it's not whether or not you have a the job you went to college for RIGHT AWAY out of the gate but whether or not it enriches your core. Plus the salary is a nice upgrade from last year. We'll see what 2009 has in store for my "career."

2.) It's Alive

For all intents and purposes, this should have the number one slot. It's what keeps me looking for light at the end of the road. Without this band I would have next to no creative outlet, and nothing to really strive for from the heart. We've spent the year writing music I'm really proud. We'll be saying goodbye to '08 with a tribute set to one of our all time favorite's Integrity, and at the beginning of this new year, we'll be laying the new tracks down on wax to share our best with the masses. The icing on the cake is working with Reaper Records, the realest and hottest label on the rise in hardcore today. It's a big push forward from there.

3.) s.Bo

If and when she reads this she'll ask why she isn't no. 1. Which is what's great about her haha. So here's a nod and a wink on the personal, livejournal tip to SEB, her cat with three legs, and all the fun we've had in '08.xo

4.) Trapped Under Ice - Stay Cold

What can I say about this 7" that hasn't already been said? Hard? Check. Heavy? Check. Catchy and attitude filled? Check. It's the complete package and the most promising hardcore release I've heard since American Nightmare's debut EP. This band cannot be stopped and I'm siked to be label mates with Baltimore City's golden goose egg.

5.) iPhone (and going all Apple in '08)
This summer I bit the bullet and made the monetary plunge into getting an iMac. I haven't looked back since. iMac, iPod, and lastly the iPhone make the trifecta complete. I was doing alright with the Sidekick (still love it, would be my no. 2 choice), but everything flows so well in the iWorld I had to round everything out. Believe the hype, the iPhone will be the phone in which all others are compared to for YEARS. Blackberry, Trio, Google G1, none come close.

6.) The Dark Knight

I've never went so nerd over a new movie as I did for the Dark Knight. I think I followed sneak peaks, news, rumors, set photos, and just about everything else from the first time I saw the teaser trailer to the midnight showing I hit up in the less than awesome local theatres to ensure a ticket. Best movie of '08.

7.) Ghostface Killah
If there was any dispute that Ghostface was not only the most consistent member of Wu, but one of the best emcee's in the rap game right now, the man himself put it to rest in '08. He managed to release another great album (The Big Doe Rehab), a hilarious and entertaining spoken word CD/coffee table book, and brought the house down at Skidmore College (of all places) in the best live hip hop performance I've seen yet.

8.) Step Brothers

This is my runner up to the Dark Knight. High re watch value on easily one of Will Ferrell's best performances to date. This one was worthy of purchase on the day of release.

9.) The Cheesecake Factory
See the previous post for added proof. This may be why I'm carrying a little extra around with me this year.

10.) Metallica - Death Magnetic

You can refer to my whole tirade on this album and the critical responses surrounding it a few posts back. All critiques, hate, and love aside, personally, I think it's great to get some material from one of the greatest metal band's of all that isn't immediately worth discarding. Save your nostalgic claims of it being a tribute to what the band once was, I'm tired of hearing it.

Peace, love, and Reincarnage

K.

Cheesecake Factory.

(Baja Chicken Hash for Sunday Brunch)

I've heard food snobs (re: kids who feel the need to have higher standards in regards to everything in life, thus hating everything) bash the Cheesecake Factory. The most notable claim that comes to mind was that everything was covered in sugar? What the hell were you eating. Straight up, Cheesecake Factory in all its American excessive delight is ON POINT. So much good stuff, I've never really been let down by dinner, breakfast, or dessert. Visit you're local C-Factory over the holidays!

Best Video

Pretty Tone bringing some LOL's.

It's Alive briefing.

Here's a quick update on what's going on with It's Alive.

1.) We're siked to say that we're officially a part of the Reaper Nation. Coming in early/mid 2009 is It's Alive first record "Reincarnage," on Reaper Records. We're all very excited to be working with Patrick Kitzel on this, and honored to share the label with a lot of great new hardcore bands such as Trapped Under Ice, Black S.S., and Forfeit. As well as technically be on the same label as Merauder (ha!).

2.) Our recording date for "Reincarnage" has been pushed back to the end of Feb. to allow for more preparation. We're hoping for it be a banger, I have no doubt it shall be.

3.) A short, but very sweet review of the demo is up on LIFERS, a great print and webzine out of Montreal. They're comparing us to Damnation A.D. and focusing on the metallic sounds in our songs. Funny to me considering we more or less shed that element and are about to get real real NYHC influenced with this upcoming record.

4.) On January 3rd we will be playing an entire Integrity cover set for the 6th annual Ghost's of Hardcore Past cover show at Valentine's in Albany. I can't wait to get Dwid.

5.) Lastly, we'll be in Syracuse playing with Forfeit and Foundation, Born to Expire, and a few others on January 9th. If you're from that area come on out! We're also hungry for shows in the New England area and down state (LI, NYC) with a few things in the works. Hopefully we'll see you soon!

What's been spinning.

Here's some stuff I've been listening to lately...

Integrity - Walpurgisnacht 7""


Killer 2 song 7'' from one of the all time greats, and one of my all time faves. Hopefully this is a good indication of where the next full length (The Blacket Curse) is headed. It reminds me A LOT of Seasons in the Size of Days, which in my opinion is a sorely underrated album in the Integrity catalogue. I would go as far as to say "Seasons..." is no. 2 if I had to rank my favorite Integrity records. Anyway, I get the same drilling, industrial-tinged metallic hardcore out of this 7'' as I do on the aforementioned full length. The riffs are very rigid and uniform when compared to classic Integrity like Systems Overload or Those Who Fear... The recording quality is top-notch, especially in the guitar tones, and the drums, which are nice and crisp. Plenty of eerie sampling and mellow interludes make for a good listen even though it's only two (albeit) lengthy songs. Definitely not something to skip over if your an Integrity fan.


Hammer Bros. -The Kids Are Dead
Simply put, this record is HARD. This is Merrimac Valley's pride and joy as far as I can understand. I've heard of these guys before but decided to check them out after stumbling upon the MVHC myspace page. This is no trick, basic, but very well written HARDcore. My favorite part of this record is how hard the vocals sound, which just add to the overall vibe of the record, as opposed to trying to keep up with the heaviness of the riffs. I'd love to catch these guys live.

Sadat X - Generation X

This is a nice break for me as far as the type of hip hop I've been listening to over the past 6 months or so. It has the indie vibe a little bit, mostly in Sadat's characteristic voice and delivery (think Pharaohe Monch), but not so much in the beats which is a huge plus for me. The first few tracks are solid repeats and the momentum carries throughout the rest of the album, which strains slightly in quality and substance but still manages to finish strong off the energy of the first 4 or 5 tracks. Definitely seek it out if you've enjoyed his previous releases, Brand Nubian albums, or Pharaohe Monch.

Honorable Mentions:

Bad Seed - Demo. Wasn't really feeling this at first but gave it another visit after seeing they've built some momentum and buzz. Pretty good Madball influenced start. Relistenable for the vocal pattern in the 2nd song verses alone, nice and tight.

Cruel Hand - Prying Eyes. Caught these guys on some double header type show in Albany a few months ago. Madball played upstairs, good time. This record is tight and well rounded but they're definately MUCH better live so if you have a chance to check them out, do so!

Coldplay - Viva la Vida. See post below.

Genoa.

("Dr. Otto" Cappicollo, Salami with Artichoke Hearts, Roasted Red Peppers, Provolone)

This sub is from the best specialty sub shop in the Albany area called Genoa. It's actually not a sub shop, rather an "import store," which basically translates to quality shit! They have an full and expansive menu of specialty subs that are composed of different combinations of delicious gourmet veggies, meats, and cheeses, all with a quirky name inspired mostly by notable local things.

They've even be known to get a little crazy and throw stuff like potato salad (Joey Bag of Donuts) or Coleslaw (Terrible Todd) right on the role. Their site seems to be down right now so I can't post the menu, definitely check them out if your in the area or from around the 518!

I used to hate Coldplay.

For the longest time I couldn't get passed this bands seemingly drab songs that all appeared to sound the same. They never really called upon any livelihood or energy, and were the soundtrack to the lives of deep individuals and a gateway into more obscure music of the same category that pathetic souls used as a "soundtrack to their lives." Gimmie a fuckin' break with that shit. Your life is not an iPod commercial or an awkward romantic comedy starring Micheal Cera, shut it down.



Anyway, enough of the rant. With the iron stomach that I have I was able to give Coldplay's latest album a test run and it's AWESOME. Way more early U2 influence, which is welcomed since U2 either stopped making records or stopped putting out good ones. I also hear influences ranging from Woody Guthrie to Sting, especially in the song "Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love."

Definitely check out "Viva la Vida" if you hated Coldplay before. If you absolutely hate this as much as the previous albums, you can write them off forever and give me a Joe Rockhead*

(* Term courtesy of Buncocky Cast)

"Notorious."

Anyone else put their hip-hop snobbery on the shelf to be really pumped for this? I haven't really come across much speculation on it one way or another so that's a good sign. Another thing this movie has going for it if your a skeptic is a relatively unknown cast (at least to me) save for Angela Basset as Voletta Wallce. You don't have to worry about Will Smith, even though I love the guy, playing Diddy or anything like that.

Based on the trailers it seems to span Biggie's entire life, making it more interesting to me. Mainstream biopic's on deceased musicians have turned out pretty well in my opinion thus far, as I've enjoyed Ray and Walk the Line immensly. The story should be pretty accurate if the filmakers have done their job, at least more accuarate than Walk the Line, considering they have a short and more recent history on their side.

I'm sure they'll be plenty of criticsm on this being "too soon," or "lame" for stupid reasons, from both reputable sources as well as hardcore kids looking to be seen as hip hop heads, but I'll be going opening night.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472198/