2004 list - for posterity

Hello
I’m still in a bit of shock in awe over the election results but that aside, 2004 (and 1/6 of 2005) was a good year. In addition to welcoming Pete, the latest -- and last, hear me? Last! -- installment of the Lipshultz family plan, I started a new job and subsequently promoted at Nextel’s Digital Media dept, moved back to the MD/DC/VA area, Lucent allowed Wendy to stay on now working 5 days from home, my commute shrunk by an hour, and Zack said he wants to be a Pittsburgh Steeler for next Halloween. Life is good.

Even potentially very, very, very bad news….wasn’t. A head on collision in which our new van was totaled left Wendy and the kids very upset, but ok. Long story short, Cicadas flying in cars of inexperienced 18-year-old drivers makes them go CRAZY! PS: everyone’s ok, so you can stop mentally IM-ing “OMG”. Really. I’m away from my computer right now.

Truisms learned the hard way in ‘04
Cats are vindictive
Big box office does not mean shit
Hair is not immortal. It just hit home. I’m really screwed
I have yet to find a movie that has moved me like Rushmore did years ago
Tivo rocks, but is a real pain in the ass to set up
Red states deserve my ire

Culture Pimping Jeopardy Time
Over the past year or so, I saw/heard/read some really cool stuff that I still remember, which is feat in and of itself these days. See if you can name what these things are (in the form of a question of course)….or make up snappy answers and email them to me. Operators are standing by. Answers are at the end of this tirade.

1) I am Trying to Break Your Heart
2) Adventures of Kavalier and Klay
3) Sorryeverybody.com
4) YourMama
5) Scrubs and Family Guy
6) Kruf
7) Hob Nobs
8) Farenheight 9/11
9) 28 Days Later
10) Gomez

Life kicks ass
At the end of the year I like to reflect not only on great music, but great times

Matt and Lori’s wedding. Wendy and my best friends in the world got married and I got to show off my patented wedding breakdance backspin.
Took Zack to his first Steeler game with his two grandfathers. Was the Ravens-Steelers game that I always look forward to. He even pretended to care.
Becca waking me up at 5am by climbing into bed with us and whisper talking. So cute I can’t beat her.
When do we ever get to watch on the sidelines and see bonds form? Watching all 3 kids together and get closer and closer make my entire soul feel light.
Dinner at Asia Nora’s with Wendy. Was nice to listen to adult conversation (not to say I was an adult, but at least I got to hear her).

Now onto la musica. Here’s the new and old that I wouldn’t allow myself to press skip on in 2004

10) Patti Griffin – Impossible Dream. It doesn’t seem to matter what she does, she always has one great song per record. “Tony” on the first one, “Chief” on the next. Now it’s “Useless Desires”.
To listen: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0001LJCZ2/qid=1105767181/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/103-6253917-4126240


9) Usher – Confessions. I give in. All I can say is I haven’t had an R&B record on my list in a while. Go figure.
To listen: http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:vgxvad1kq8wn


8) Laws Have Changed – The New Pornographers. Just a great song. Happy, happy.
Download for free: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00009EHF7/ref=j_disp_dwnld_1/103-6253917-4126240?v=glance&s=music&st=digital-music


7) I’m a Wheel (or any other 1 song from “A Ghost Is Born” by itself) – Wilco. I can’t seem to listen to A Ghost is Born all the way through, but every time I hear any of the songs by themselves, I really dig them.
To listen: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00020P7TM/qid=1105766916/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/103-6253917-4126240

6) The Wrens – Secaucus. I’ve always liked this lo-fi indie record but rediscovered it in shuffle.
To listen: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000005B3X/qid=1105766792/sr=1-4/ref=sr_1_4/103-6253917-4126240?v=glance&s=music

5a – Tie) DJ Dangermouse – The Grey Album – A literal mix of The Beatles White Album and Jay-Z’s the Black Album. Lives up to the hype in a big way.

Not available for purchase due to EMI’s not being so happy with it but more can be found out about it (and it can be found) at http://www.greytuesday.com/


5b - Tie) Ben Arnold – Calico. Almost as good as his debut Almost Speechless (a great modern Dylan impression that doesn’t feel like just plain imitation). Thanks Tim.
To listen: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0002IQGDU/qid=1105767498/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/103-6253917-4126240


4) blink 182 – blink 182. Mock all you want. I’ll wait. Still waiting. Okay we don’t have all day. Jeez.
To listen: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000DZDTG/qid=1105767606/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/103-6253917-4126240

3) CeeLo –CeeLo Green….Is TheSoul Machine. If you like Andre 3000 of OutKast, check it out.
To listen: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00013EV1A/qid=1105767783/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/103-6253917-4126240


2) Rhett Miller – The Instigator
Like a cross between the Gin Blossoms when we all thought Hey Jealousy wasn’t an annoying song and Elvis Costello. Really Really good stuff. Thomas hooked me up with this one. Great find.

To Listen: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006AGCO/qid=1105767975/sr=2-1/ref=pd_ka_b_2_1/103-6253917-4126240


1a Tie) Marcy Playground – MP3
You can any one of the Marcy Playground records and have a can’t stop listening experience (Also check out Shapeshifter, probably their best)….. Yes, it’s the “Sex and Candy” band

To listen: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0001L3LPY/qid=1105768213/sr=2-2/ref=pd_ka_b_2_2/103-6253917-4126240

1b Tie) Kanye West – The College Dropout
Pop Hip Hop that isn’t pop? Kicks ass

To listen:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001AP12G/qid=1108696705/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-6253917-4126240?v=glance&s=music&n=507846



Honorable Mention
First 20 seconds of “Tipsy” – Jkwon
Gomez – Split the difference
Thicker Than Water
A Perfect Circle – eMotive – inventive, brooding, Anti-War covers (Imagine, What’s Going On, Peace Love and Understanding, etc)
The Stokes – Room on Fire


What I Don’t Get
- Franz Ferdinand
- Subscription to Elle Magazine (that you know of)
- Spongebob
- Mad. I get even.

Trivia answers
1) What is a great documentary from a couple years ago on the making of Wilco’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot that will convert your non-believin ass?
2) What one book did I read this year? Seriously, the entire year. I’m a slow reader. Oh and it’s by Michael Chabon (Wonder Boys) and spans comic books, magic, WWII and coming to terms with what life has dealt.
3) What site, right after the election featured pictures sent in from the intelligent half of the country, each one saying what we were all thinking (example: “Dear World, We’re really, really sorry. Sincerely, 49% of America.”
4) I just like saying “Your Mama”
5) What have unseated the Simpsons as the two funniest shows on TV. Very F-in funny.
6) What word did I make up to see what you’d try to come up with?
7) What dark chocolate covered cookies that are only sold in really frou frou stores have I recently rediscovered and still have to say are amazing?
8) What movie was inferior to Bowling for Columbine and letdown for someone that really wanted yet another reason to kvetch?
9) What was the best horror movie I’ve seen in a long time. AND ZOMBIES!!!
10) What is not the name of a band on my top 10 list but IS the name of my 12-year-old cat that likes to use our new pool table almost as much as I do. I am not happy that he likes said table as his use of the table looks to make an indoor pool. We are about to go at it Mad Max at Thunderdome style. Two men/cats enter, one man/cat leaves.