Anyone who knows me well knows that The Killers are my boys. I declare that they are in my top 4 modern bands (post 1990) among some pretty elite company: Oasis, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Weezer (I know the last album was a fumble, but that's a whole other blog post).
Anyway, Brandon and the boys just released "Day and Age" and, I must say, it is a mixed bag. On the one hand, I think that "The World We Live In" is a superb piece of pop music, just as good as anything off the first record (excluding the limited edition). But, what on earth were they thinking with "I Can't Stay"? On a 10-song record, there is no room for this odd experiment--it belongs as a b-side somewhere else. "Goodnight, Travel Well" is overly long and basically uninteresting--i kept waiting for the soaring payoff at the end but it never came. And, "Joy Ride" sounds like something that Paul McCartney did back in the 80's akin to "Silly Love Songs" which ain't the best stuff that Sir Paul has produced. I simply need more rock from my Killers.
This album is still better than pretty much anything that came out this year (excluding Cardinology and Dig Out Your Soul by Ryan Adams and Oasis respectively) but I need to feel the charm of Hot Fuss and the power of Sam's Town on the next record. 3 out of 5 stars.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Made for TV
Last night was the third and final presidential debate. This was a classic replay of Nixon-Kennedy, the first televised debates. Nixon was, arguably, the more knowledgable candidate, the more experienced politician. But Jack didn't sweat on TV. He smiled more. He looked at the camera more often. He came off as more collected, more "presidential." And the rest is history.
McCain was Nixon: more agitated, less personable, less photogenic than is opponent. Obama was Kennedy: more calm, less irritable, more measured in his voice patterns.
I think it strange that McCain often complains about Obama's unwillingness to do more debates and town hall meetings. John is an old man in an age of tv marketing that focuses on being polished and delivering lines with a smile. Even when McCain had the upper hand in terms explaining his arguments (like on the Supreme Court, and vouchers) it was the way in which he spoke and gestured that people will likely remember.
McCain came off as the old curmudgeon when he needed to appear as the passionate, elder statesman. He needed to chide Obama's policies without seeming condescending. He broke the first rule of debates which is to "do no harm." By (sometimes boringly) keeping his cool and sticking to his message, Barack did no harm and, thus, won the debate.
I am very surprised at how far behind McCain is right now.
McCain was Nixon: more agitated, less personable, less photogenic than is opponent. Obama was Kennedy: more calm, less irritable, more measured in his voice patterns.
I think it strange that McCain often complains about Obama's unwillingness to do more debates and town hall meetings. John is an old man in an age of tv marketing that focuses on being polished and delivering lines with a smile. Even when McCain had the upper hand in terms explaining his arguments (like on the Supreme Court, and vouchers) it was the way in which he spoke and gestured that people will likely remember.
McCain came off as the old curmudgeon when he needed to appear as the passionate, elder statesman. He needed to chide Obama's policies without seeming condescending. He broke the first rule of debates which is to "do no harm." By (sometimes boringly) keeping his cool and sticking to his message, Barack did no harm and, thus, won the debate.
I am very surprised at how far behind McCain is right now.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Que Sera, Sarah
I know i already commented about Mrs. Palin, but I just had a couple more things to say about her. . .
I think she'll be a great VP--as long as she can take a tiny teleprompter EVERYWHERE she goes during her time in office. Exhibit A: Sarah goes to get a bite to eat at a lil' place in Philly. A chap asks her if the U.S. should cross the border into Pakistan to fight terrorism. Sarah says: "If that's what we have to do stop the terrorists from coming any further in, absolutely, we should." The problem is, this is the exact opposite view that John McCain has, an issue that John spent considerable time mocking Obama on in the first debate. Time for a tiny, portable, teleprompter Sarah.
I think she'll be a great VP--as long as she can take a tiny teleprompter EVERYWHERE she goes during her time in office. Exhibit A: Sarah goes to get a bite to eat at a lil' place in Philly. A chap asks her if the U.S. should cross the border into Pakistan to fight terrorism. Sarah says: "If that's what we have to do stop the terrorists from coming any further in, absolutely, we should." The problem is, this is the exact opposite view that John McCain has, an issue that John spent considerable time mocking Obama on in the first debate. Time for a tiny, portable, teleprompter Sarah.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Utah Jazz, 2008-2009
Well, methinks it is time to write about something other than politics. So, today, I would like to say a few things about my boyz: the Utah Jazz.
It seems like just yesterday that I was sitting with Dani in a Chili's, ('cause we don't have cable) swearing, as I watched my Jazz throw their season down the toilet with an atrocious first-half performance vs. the Lakers. Since my childhood I have become accustomed to the sick feeling that comes to my stomach every May or June as the Jazz blow opportunities to achieve an NBA title. How oft has my soul wept over these blown opportunities.
Due to financial strains on the team that will come to a head next year, the Utah Jazz as we know it will certainly change--Larry simply won't have enough money to go around now that D-Will (deservedly) signed his big contract.
So this year is a very good opportunity for the Jazz. We have 2 gold medal olympians and a seasoned supporting cast. With the Spurs not getting any younger and dealing with injuries the Jazz could have an opening. I still think the Lakers will be formidable though.
Unrealistic prediction: Jazz win title.
Actual prediction: Jazz return to the finals.
It seems like just yesterday that I was sitting with Dani in a Chili's, ('cause we don't have cable) swearing, as I watched my Jazz throw their season down the toilet with an atrocious first-half performance vs. the Lakers. Since my childhood I have become accustomed to the sick feeling that comes to my stomach every May or June as the Jazz blow opportunities to achieve an NBA title. How oft has my soul wept over these blown opportunities.
Due to financial strains on the team that will come to a head next year, the Utah Jazz as we know it will certainly change--Larry simply won't have enough money to go around now that D-Will (deservedly) signed his big contract.
So this year is a very good opportunity for the Jazz. We have 2 gold medal olympians and a seasoned supporting cast. With the Spurs not getting any younger and dealing with injuries the Jazz could have an opening. I still think the Lakers will be formidable though.
Unrealistic prediction: Jazz win title.
Actual prediction: Jazz return to the finals.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Sarah, Palin Tall
Today's topic: the political sensation and Senator John McCain's VP pick Sarah Palin.. .
I have heard alot of people say that McCain is a true maverick for picking Sarah Palin as his running mate. Sadly, i fear this was more of a political move more than anything else. They say that a president's first big decision happens before he is even elected to the oval office--his VP pick. Well, John McCain failed on his first big decision because. . .
a) There are so many more people that are more qualified than Sarah. (Huntsman, Pawlenty, Romney, Giuliani, etc. etc. etc. ) I know this because i watched Sarah struggle with a question about what the "Bush Doctrine" is. I know this because i heard her say in June that she really didn't even know what the VP does. Those things alarm me.
b) Palin is currently being investigated by state ethics committee. Regardless of whether anything comes of this, it is a huge distraction from her already thin resume.
So, here's the deal. I know that we are voting for President and not VP, but did you know that 9 VP's have had to step up and assume the mantle of president? 9! With McCain's age and health history (he's had cancer 4 times) it is not unreasonable to think that Sarah could become president. If this happens, i hope to heaven that she at least takes American Foreign Policy from Earl Frye at BYU like I did so she can learn what the Bush, Carter, Clinton, Truman, etc. etc. doctrines are, as well as their implications. Somedays I wonder if, honest to goodness, I have more FP experience than Sarah. I have lived abroad for over 2 years in Africa and learned how to interact with people from a dozen cultures. As an intern for Senator Orrin G. Hatch I assisted his Constituent Service Representative in a number of activities in which I interacted with both U.S. embassies abroad and the INS. I expedited visas to help people stay in Utah for school and business instead of being sent back to their homelands. I communicated with embassies abroad in efforts to cut through international red tape and bring American citizens home.
Now, I'm not asinine enough to think that these things qualify as foreign policy, so why should very intelligent people (Huntsman, the Republican establishment, etc.) suggest that because Sarah Palin's Alaska borders Russia that she somehow has FP credentials? She simply does not. Why try to fake it? Why not at least say, "There have been some presidents who were succesful in the FP arena who didn't have foreign policy experience prior to entering the oval office" (think of Reagan for instance)? But please, please, please do not insult the intelligence of the American people and say that Palin has FP chops because Alaska borders Russia and Canada or because she is the head of the Alaskan State Military--'cause that's just messed up.
I have heard alot of people say that McCain is a true maverick for picking Sarah Palin as his running mate. Sadly, i fear this was more of a political move more than anything else. They say that a president's first big decision happens before he is even elected to the oval office--his VP pick. Well, John McCain failed on his first big decision because. . .
a) There are so many more people that are more qualified than Sarah. (Huntsman, Pawlenty, Romney, Giuliani, etc. etc. etc. ) I know this because i watched Sarah struggle with a question about what the "Bush Doctrine" is. I know this because i heard her say in June that she really didn't even know what the VP does. Those things alarm me.
b) Palin is currently being investigated by state ethics committee. Regardless of whether anything comes of this, it is a huge distraction from her already thin resume.
So, here's the deal. I know that we are voting for President and not VP, but did you know that 9 VP's have had to step up and assume the mantle of president? 9! With McCain's age and health history (he's had cancer 4 times) it is not unreasonable to think that Sarah could become president. If this happens, i hope to heaven that she at least takes American Foreign Policy from Earl Frye at BYU like I did so she can learn what the Bush, Carter, Clinton, Truman, etc. etc. doctrines are, as well as their implications. Somedays I wonder if, honest to goodness, I have more FP experience than Sarah. I have lived abroad for over 2 years in Africa and learned how to interact with people from a dozen cultures. As an intern for Senator Orrin G. Hatch I assisted his Constituent Service Representative in a number of activities in which I interacted with both U.S. embassies abroad and the INS. I expedited visas to help people stay in Utah for school and business instead of being sent back to their homelands. I communicated with embassies abroad in efforts to cut through international red tape and bring American citizens home.
Now, I'm not asinine enough to think that these things qualify as foreign policy, so why should very intelligent people (Huntsman, the Republican establishment, etc.) suggest that because Sarah Palin's Alaska borders Russia that she somehow has FP credentials? She simply does not. Why try to fake it? Why not at least say, "There have been some presidents who were succesful in the FP arena who didn't have foreign policy experience prior to entering the oval office" (think of Reagan for instance)? But please, please, please do not insult the intelligence of the American people and say that Palin has FP chops because Alaska borders Russia and Canada or because she is the head of the Alaskan State Military--'cause that's just messed up.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
I Blog, therefore I'm bored.
Welcome to my blog. Come on in, pull up a chair--stay a while why don't you? It'll be my treat. "Wait a second," you are asking yourself. "Conrad doesn't blog, he makes fun of people who blog." True, reader, that is a good point. But, sometimes I like making fun of myself. I mean, studies have shown that self-depracating humour is guaranteed to get a laugh 9 out of 10 times. And in terms of chortles, chuckles, giggles, and guffaws it scores a perfect 10 out of 10.
But seriously folks. My blog will be about sports, politics, music, Dani (my wife), etc. So, let's get blogging!
Today's topic: Election Prediction.. . So, much has been made about this presidential election thing--I mean, c'mon, this things been going on for 2 years almost. Well guess what? I know who's going to win. D'ya wanna know who it is? I'll give you a hint: it is not Barack Obama.
Here is why: When all is said and done, people vote for who they would rather have a beer with. McCain's own campaign manager (almost proudly) announced recently that "this election isn't about issues." So true Rick Davis, so true. Sadly, this election (as well as every other one) will be decided by little sound bytes, the candidates' demeanor in front of a camera, irrelevant details from the candidates' past--basically anything but the major issues of the day (the economy, foreign policy, health care, energy, etc.)
The fact is, most people view McCain as more of "one of them" than Obama. Maybe it is because he reminds people of their incorrigible grandfather. Maybe its because he wears an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball cap when he goes to buy coffee. Maybe its because he keeps referring to us as "(his) friends." Maybe John comes off as more sincere somehow, I'm really not sure. But I am sure that this election is a replay of 2004. Kerry outspent Bush but it didn't matter--he was perceived as an elitist.
I don't have time to flesh out this argument right now, but rest assured, McCain will win and it won't be as close as people think it will be.
But seriously folks. My blog will be about sports, politics, music, Dani (my wife), etc. So, let's get blogging!
Today's topic: Election Prediction.. . So, much has been made about this presidential election thing--I mean, c'mon, this things been going on for 2 years almost. Well guess what? I know who's going to win. D'ya wanna know who it is? I'll give you a hint: it is not Barack Obama.
Here is why: When all is said and done, people vote for who they would rather have a beer with. McCain's own campaign manager (almost proudly) announced recently that "this election isn't about issues." So true Rick Davis, so true. Sadly, this election (as well as every other one) will be decided by little sound bytes, the candidates' demeanor in front of a camera, irrelevant details from the candidates' past--basically anything but the major issues of the day (the economy, foreign policy, health care, energy, etc.)
The fact is, most people view McCain as more of "one of them" than Obama. Maybe it is because he reminds people of their incorrigible grandfather. Maybe its because he wears an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball cap when he goes to buy coffee. Maybe its because he keeps referring to us as "(his) friends." Maybe John comes off as more sincere somehow, I'm really not sure. But I am sure that this election is a replay of 2004. Kerry outspent Bush but it didn't matter--he was perceived as an elitist.
I don't have time to flesh out this argument right now, but rest assured, McCain will win and it won't be as close as people think it will be.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
