Breast Saves Woman from Snake

In an attempt to encourage more sexiest behavior (insert evil laugh) I share with you this story.

According to my local radio station, theSun.co.uk, as well as other media outlets a model was filmed playing with a tame snake until she acts clumsily, lets go of the head and in a moment of carelessness and absolute hilarity the snake attacks her surgically enhanced boob.

What happens next is unbelievable but true with a lesson all women should learn. The woman would be fine. She survived the snake's onslaught with a trip to the emergency room and a tetanus shot. The snake did not survive the silicone poisoning.

Woman Vs. Nature? Woman. Or at least science.

Thank you science for body enhancement. Let this be a lesson to all women before playing with snakes. Don't be stupid and if you are stupid then get fake breasts first.

thank you and goodnight.

a link. enjoy

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3466265/Snake-dies-after-biting-girls-breast.html

Paper Towels. There Must Be Paper Towels

I hate when I walk into a bathroom, use the toilet, wash my hands (yes, I wash my hands) and there are no paper towels.

Hand dryers are WORTHLESS! I won't get into how sanitary (?) they are or how I am saving the planet by using them (?) or how they are never ever hot enough to dry anything. They are simply a waste. A waste I say.

Paper Towels. There must be paper towels! I don't want a hand dryer. I don't want that hand towel thing that hangs like wet laundry. What is that? you know it looks like a paper dispenser with a cloth towel that wraps in itself. I don't know. Explaining it just gets me all flustered. I hate it!

I need paper towels. Am I killing trees. Yes? I'll start to make an effort to try to plant more trees. I know that last sentence seems like progressive procrastination but come on, give me a break, I'm worried about hygiene.

Studies show that the dirtiest, most germ populated area of the the bathroom is the door handle. This is less scary when the bathroom exit involves a push door. I can open a push door with my foot but what if it is a pull door, a pull door with a handle or worse, a pull door with a handle that must be turned to open? In the worst scenario, I have to grab the hands twist it for long enough to open the door with a enough effort to get it open and catch the door with my foot. A paper towel eliminates some if not most of this fear. Okay, it eliminates a lot of this fear.

Bathroom door handles are dirty. I can say for a fact that they are dirty. You don't have to be a genius to discover this simple fact. An easy examination of any male bathroom would allow you to realize that 73% of men don't wash their hands. Yes, i know shocking. It is has been a fantasy of mine go to a hip place and spend a significant time in the bathroom only to record those that do and do not wash their hands and rat them out publicly. Unfortunately I have the bravery of Scooby Doo, the tact of Inspector Gadget and fighting skill of Dark Wing Duck which doesn't allow proper defense to ward off big and scary dudes. So that fantasy will remain a fantasy. By the way, a disclaimer - I have no way to prove that 73% figure. Of the remaining 27% that do wash their hands, 11% don't use soap or wash for more than 10 seconds. My goodness! With all these factors, why in the hell would you want to touch a bathroom door handle. Why in the hell would you want to shake hands with anyone? Ugh, I am scaring myself.

Dudes, stop being so rude and disgusting and wash your hands. I don't want to imagine what happens in the ladies room. No, imagination closed. The only good thing about the AH1N1 paranoia is that at least some people were and are willing to wash their hands more often or carry Purell. More and more places now have Purell stations for easy hand sanitizing and I am all for it. I am for forward progress. I am pro productivity. Hit me with your best shot! Sorry, I was feeling electric.

Paper Towels please. Save my sanity.

doesn't that feel good.

thank you and goodnight.

Radio Radio !!!

So I am driving west and unfortunately my CD player (yes, CD player) is on the fritz. I am driving thru Indianapolis combing through channels. I get stuck on a some classic rock classic and then another. So I bite. I even listen to the babble by the Disc Jockey's for a second or two.

I'm amused. I typically don't listen to the radio. Why? Because it sucks and after listening to this station my opinion won't change. But again my CD Player, (yes, CD player) was on the fritz. So they go back to the music and I am not annoyed or frustrated by the choices. It's typical Top 40 hits that you'd expect from a soft rock station. Then the babble comes back.

I don't know their names but I do know it was a man and woman (helpful right?) that began talking about the Grammy's. The guy casually joked about how surprising it was that Justin Beiber did not win the Best New Artist Award. This kind of joke is not offensive to me. The lady admits here amazement towards the Grammy's then the guy says that such things can be expected by the Grammy's because they like to shock people with who gets the awards even giving the Album of the Year honors to a band nobody has heard of. Really? Really?

Well I have heard of them and so have a lot of other people. If you don't believe me, Well it was #1 on NPR's Top Albums of 2010. It was #3 on Spin Magazine's list, #4 for Rolling Stone and # 11 on Pitchfork Media. So clearly some people know about this album and those people are singing it's praise. Maybe he was joking but I don't think so. Maybe he was just being a lazy and ignorant douche bag... Ding Ding Ding Ding, we have a winner !

Why say such harsh things? Well because either he thinks awards and award shows should only be for popular artists or maybe he thinks that just because he hasn't heard of the band that they aren't any good. In either case, he is an asshole. I mean it is not like he works for a radio station and cannot take a little time out of his day to find or listen to new music.... oh wait, he does work for a radio station and maybe he is just lazy or ignorant.

I was turned off by this and tried desperately to make my CD player work again. Thankfully, it did. This is just another example of blind ignorance that should not go unchecked. Check yourself Indianapolis 105.7. because you suck !

This is Why the Black Eyed Peas Suck

This just in - Reports from various strangers and friends all over the country convey disgust over the hugely annoying and untalented performance by the Black Eyed Peas during the Super Bowl halftime show are still coming in. It's Wednesday and still I hear the rumble and grumble of people complaining about how bad the show was.

So the halftime show was bad. Let me ask something... Did you really expect it to be that good. Sure, last year The Who were tremendously disappointing. Egh, The Who sucked it last year, so the NFL got tired of all the classic rock groups and decided to reach to the youth of America. Not a bad idea. After all the Black Eyed Peas did a fairly decent job of providing entertainment to all who attended the World Cup Ceremonial concert last summer. So why not get a pop group that is not offensive and plays anthem like pop/hip hop/dance songs that get people riled up? Sounds like a good plan.

So why hate on the Black Eyed Peas? Why kick them when they seem down? Why? Well in all fairness this hatred of mine started before the Super Bowl performance. It started last week while I was in my local Best Buy and I saw a display for the new Black Eyed Peas album. It was a cheap cardboard display that also featured the group's previous efforts, except for their debut album and their second album. Why hating on your first two records BEP? In fact if you go to any record store, you cannot find their first two albums at all. Most people don't even know of the first two albums. Most people don't know that Fergie, the leggy, fake dirty blonde in the group wasn't even a member of the group till their third release Elephunk in 2003.

Yes, Fergie was not an original member of the group. Her arrival coincides with the groups "selling out" phase. Yeah, fuck the quotations. They sold out.

Reason #1 to hate the Black Eyed Peas - THEY SOLD OUT !

Originally the group was comprised of it's three hip hop foot stompers, Will.I.Am., Taboo, and Apl.De.Ap. The group came out when popular hip hop music celebrated bling over substance, nonsensical lyrics over poetics, violence and sex over kicking it and good times. Maybe the same could be said about hip hop throughout it's history but that is not true. Only an idiot would say that and I'm not that idiot. The Black Eyed Peas not only stood against the stereotype that was late 90's hip hop but made fun of it. They called out Diddy (back then Puff Daddy) not only claiming that his music was bad but so was his dancing and fashion. BEP celebrated head bobbing rap that could make your feet twist and expand your mind. Songs like "Karma" from their 1998 debut Behind the Front are a clean cut example of this. Now, I'm not suggesting that the Black Eyed Peas were going to be the next Tribe Called Quest or De La Soul but it is sad that after two albums they stopped trying.

It's also no coincidence that notable underground or conscience hip hop stars like Mos Def, De La Soul, Chali 2na and others were on hand for the groups second effort, 2000's Bridging the Gap. In the group's latest incarnation, no illustrious hip hop stars to be found. It's sad.

Reason #2 to hate the Black Eyed Peas - Talent or the lack of.

If the Super Bowl performance is any indication of it, the Black Eyed Peas really don't have any talent. I'll admit, Will.I.Am the leading member of the group has worked with a variety of musical greats including Sergio Mendes, Carlos Santana, John Legend, U2, Nas and Usher. He has been cutting his chops in the music business since he was a teenager in the early 90's. and he does have a knack for a catchy hook. I am not doubting Will.I.Am's talent but his strength is as a producer not an MC or performer. Fergie seems like a product of the a good production studio. Her performance during the super bowl was either the result of bad audio mixing or lack of talent and vocal flexibility. Or maybe she had a cold. Did anyone notice or wonder why Fergie, a California native tried to come off as if she was from Brooklyn? What do the other two members of the group do? I have no idea. The other two shout the chorus, they occasionally say a line here or there and let's face it, the rhymes are simple and the flow is amateur... I am not that hip but I can do that.

Insults aside. I am not sure why people would want to see a concert in which the rappers/MC's are not very good at rapping, they can't sing, they can't dance and they don't or didn't play any instruments. Is it really that exciting to see 4 people standing around simply waving their arms without displaying any serious or credible vocal talent? I don't think so. Thank goodness for the glittery lights of the stage.

In the end, some groups are great live acts as their albums can never equally the intensity, energy and vitality that their concerts create. Some groups are great studio acts because they create powerhouse albums that are adored for generations but that sound, big or small is never captured live. Both are unfortunate and the great acts are the bands, musicians, or groups that succeed at both. It seems like the Black Eyed Peas fit in that category of making pop hits in the studio that don't come off any different on stage than hitting the play button on your I-Pod. Wait, I take that back, the I-Pod probably sounds better.

2010 - A Year In Music and Top 10 List Part 2

The Top 10!!!

Consolation Prize - Big Boi - Sir Lucious Left Foot... The Son of Chico Dusty

After so many years of working on this record it just had to be good, right? Well that sort of logic is not always applicable. It is funny that there seemed to be a preconceived notion that this album wouldn't be that good or wouldn't be as good as an album done by Andre 3000. When you think about it, such a notion is just silly. Listen to the Speakerboxxx, Big Boi's contribution to the hit double album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below and you will hear an album that may not have to top 40 singles that The Love Below had but was a fantastic hip hop ride to Andre 3000's more ambitious but sometimes unbalanced work. Sir Lucious Left Foot... The Son of Chico Dusty sounds a bit like an Outkast album but is also a response, reaction and improvement on the current state of hip hop. Hard to remember a hip hop record that was this fun and hip then easily converts to smart and philosophical and back again with ease. With a killer production team that includes Lil' Jon, Andre 3000 and others this album was well worth the wait.

10. Delorean - Subiza

Electronic music can often be overrun by club ambitions. They have 9 minute tracks, can be a bit repetitive, and promote a certain type of escapism where one can throw hands in the air and party like you just don't care. Subiza is enjoyable because it is accessible while still containing certain Balearic qualities. Ibiza is at the heart of this record with it's trance like rhythms and piano led hooks. Subiza is simply a wonderful. Subiza might be the perfect summer record that isn't a reggae record. It is also a pretty good driving record. With the breezy vocals, piano hooks that come right out of the early 90's, chimes, bells and whistles, a sample here and there, big but simple bass booms, Subiza is a fun, fun, fun record that is suitable for any rave, on or off the beach. Preferably on the beach.

9. Sleigh Bells - Treats

Is it pop music if there are really aggressive guitars and drums, a combination of booty shake and marching band, with angelic vocals? It seems a little calculated, possibly the miracle of great studio work but Treats is a fascinating record. This noise pop, dance punk duo from Brooklyn compose frantic noise grounded with sweet vocals in around 2 minutes. The juxtaposition of the vocals and music creates an effect like no other in music today. Derek Miller is responsible for the sound and Alexis Krauss is in charge of the vocals. It can be an off putting record or it can be a sing a long record that will later cause soreness in your neck from the crazy head knocking you've done. I tend to side with the latter. Plus any band willing to sample Parliment for the track "Rill Rill" is A-okay with me!

8. The Roots - How I Got Over

How are The Roots not considered the hardest working Band in America? They are are the house band for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and are routinely the best part of the program. They released their own album How I Got Over and then a couple of months later released an album with John Legend featuring cover songs of soul and funk classics from Nina Simone, Donny Hathaway and Marvin Gaye. The played the Rally to Restore Sanity/Fear. They also made appearances across the country for various concerts and festivals. Questlove is also a mad fiend on the twitter feed. Not to be forgotten is how good How I Got Over is... it's superb. Black Thought sadly continues to be one of the most underrated MCs ever. He displays a somber quality on tracks like "Dear God 2.0" and defiant on the title track and "The Fire." On the album Phonte and Blu contribute seamlessly to The Roots family, while Joanna Newsom's contribution to "Right On," helps create bounciest Roots track since the Things Fall Apart days. For their 11th album and who makes great albums for their 11th? Not many. Here, The Roots made their best album since Phrenology and most consistent album since Things Fall Apart. The hardest working band in America doesn't sound worn down but tighter than ever!

7. Surfer Blood - Astro Coast

This outfit from West Palm Beach, Florida sounds like a combination of the Beach Boys, 13th Floor Elevators and 90's rock. The track "Swim" that generated all the hype in the beginning of the year, sounds like a track that would have gotten the Buzz Worthy nod from an early 90's MTV station that still played music videos. Astro Coast is a great guitar record. It's a great guitar record because it relies on the guitar to create most if not all the hooks for the album. The surf ready "Take It Easy," the 50's guitar lick of "Catholic Pagans," and post punk finger picking of "Harmonix," work to varying degrees but all successful. What also helps are the additional elements of keyboards and additional percussion to certain songs adding a different twist to certain songs. For example, the Cure like synths at the end of "Floating Vibes," the flute and additional percussion in "Twin Peaks" create a fuller and more playful sound to Surfer Blood's songs concerning the confusion of romance, friendship and the future.

6. Beach House - Teen Dream

This dream pop outfit from Baltimore does an impeccable job of seeming like a very cold distant record while at the same time being a warm, comfortable and heart broken. The looming keyboards that at times sound as lonely as a dial tone are a perfect match for Victoria Legrand's vocals. Legrand's voice doesn't sound like Nico, Mazzy Star or Sade but it is just as magnetic. With those ladies, they could pull you in with the beauty of their voice. As if, instrumentation was/is almost unnecessary. That is not the case with this record. I am not suggesting that Alex Scally's music is worthless. The guitar pacing creates an atmosphere of forced enclosed contemplation on "Zebra," and "Silver Soul."Keyboards create a similar effect on, "Walk In the Park" and piano on "Lover of Mine." Do you ever replay thoughts in your mind, they never escape or you never express them clearly but eventually they build and build until your mind is ready to explore? That is Teen Dream.

5. Mavis Staples - You're Not Alone

Even though Mavis will be 72 this summer, she has not lost command of her voice. In 2007, she worked with Ry Cooder on We'll Never Turn Back, an album full of civil rights anthems that were given new meaning during the Bush-era politics. On her current album, Jeff Tweedy is at the helm to rework some of Pops Staples gospel classics, along with John Fogerty, Randy Newman classics, a few traditionals and possibly the most beautiful song of the year as the title track, written by Tweedy. "You're Not Alone" is such a beautiful song that is inspirational and comforting but confronting. Every year it seems like a legend makes a record that is well made and thoughtful. This year Mavis Staples made that record. It isn't going to flip the country, blues, folk, gospel or soul world upside down but applause should be given for making a dam good album. You're Not Alone is a testament to the human condition and spirit that pulls us through the very hard times we are facing.

4. Gorillaz - Plastic Beach

Why isn't Damon Albarn discussed as a musical genius? Out of all his contemporaries... the Gallagher brothers, Jarvis Cocker, Thom Yorke and several other blokes don't have the legacy Albarn has. The Gorillaz seemed like a cute little side project that grew into something more and should be talked as the most intriguing musical project of the past decade. Let's not forget the other side projects and all the years as the head of Blur. Now the Gorillaz are finally coming into their own. The Gorillaz first album was produced by Dan the Automater and it sounded like it. The second by DangerMouse and it sounded like it. For Plastic Beach Albarn took charge of the production and their sound is becoming more and more distinct. Here they combine the dub, indie hip hop experiments of the first record, the spaghetti western samples and trip hop of the second album, and explore Krautrock and electro-funk for the third. This time around the hip hop segments gel with greater fluidity than previously on the first two albums. It also worth noting that with all the guest stars on each Gorillaz album, Albarn composed the best Gorillaz song solely for himself. "On Melancholy Hill," is just a prime example of Albarn somber tone over zippy keyboards and catchy harmonies. These songs range from beautiful, "Cloud of Unknowing," to frantic, "Glitter Freeze" or somewhere in between with, "Empire Ants." No other record this year has as much range.

3. LCD Soundsystem - This Is Happening

Thank goodness James Murphy put to rest the notion that this would be their last album. Thank goodness! This Is Happening has all the trappings that the last LCD Soundsystem explored such as NYC club culture, Bowie/Eno influence and punk-funk. We do get some new twists on this record such as the conga drum monologue beginning of "Dance Yrself Clean." Depeche Mode wishes they could write a song like, "I Can Change" and the Devo touches on "Drunk Girls" is just euphoric. On this album Murphy seems perplexed by his fame, the lack of fame, the pressures to produce a hit record, and the stance his band has on the musical landscape. Murphy has a knack for song crafting and his vocal flexibility allows him to not only play with genre but mimic Bowie's vocal styling on "All I Want" or sound like an American Shaun Ryder. It seems that with little doubt Murphy can mimic whatever vocal styling he so chooses. From cagey whisper to brooding vocal, to high pitch yelp and spoken word. Murphy is like the master of ceremonies on each album and each album a clear image of what fascinates, disturbs and motivates him.

2. Janelle Monae - The ArchAndroid

Thematically, it's a dystopia. Musically it's Prince, Outkast, trip-hop, electro, with 60's pop and soul. Monae looks like some 80's soul temptress with a fixation on 30s/40s big band posterity. She is a vivacious performer that can move like James Brown. With a vastly underrated voice, Monae's record is inspired by science fiction cinema as much as it's inspired by Prince's Sign 'O' The Times. The ArchAndroid is part 2 of a 3 part series. A huge concept that includes an Ep released last year and a highly anticipated future release. The album almost feels like a soundtrack to elaborate science fiction musical ripe with action sequences, a party, and balladry. Her debut album clearly separates her from the pack, not simply because of her ambition but because it's really fucking good.

1. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Never mind that "Power," "Runaway," "Monster," "All the Lights," have the capability of being classics. Yes, classics. Not just for 2010 but in more general terms as from today to who knows when and then again and again. Kanye West might be an ass but if their were less assholes making music we'd be missing out on a lot of great music over the history of time. I don't think anyone can examine the demons within with the same insight, humor, craftsmanship, outrage and admiration as West. West was agitated by the moderate response to his experimental 808's and Heartbreak album. On that record he tried to sing but he can't really sing, the music composition was a bit flat and frankly, where was all the experimentation? Even though West is back to rapping and not singing, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is more of a dare than anything West has ever done before. Conflict runs throughout this album, the loss of innocence, societal pressures and many faces of Kanye at war with one another, making for great theater and a fantastic album.

2010 - A Year In Music and Top 10 List Part 1

2010 was a great year for music. Any way you slice and dice it, it was a great year for music. So many artists and so many albums were released this year that were just great and far too many that were above average.

I love music and every year I buy an excessive amount of music. I read reviews, take suggestion and I do my due dilligence to find new music, old music, undiscovered gems and every day classics. I love music. So naturally, I have an opinion on what trends I found most intriguing and what albums were the best.

One of my favorite trends of the year was the emergence or rebirth of 60's and 70's soul music. Maybe it's not really a new trend. Artists like Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings and the Budos Band have been laying down modern day funk inspired by James Brown for years. John Legend and Jill Scott have been making 60's and 70's soul inspired R&B safe for Barnes and Noble costumers for quite a long time as well. But this year was a very special year for soul music. It seems to be pushing itself forward as well as rediscovering itself all over again. John Legend recording an album with the Roots covering classic soul tracks from artists like Bill Withers, Marlena Shaw, and Baby Huey. Classic soul singers like Mavis Staples, Gil Scott-Heron and Bettye LaVette recorded new albums this year. New groups like Kings Go Forth found inspiration in the Motown and Philadelphia sounds of the 60's. While acts like Janelle Monae and How To Dress Well pushed soul music forward beyond the wildest imaginations. There are plenty of acts looking back towards Motown, Gamble and Huff, Stax, Parliment and Prince for their inspirations. Shoot, even Huey Lewis and the News recorded an album at Ardent Studios where many Stax greats like Otis Redding recorded their legacy. Let's not forget R. Kelly dipping his brush in the Motown sound as well with his latest album. Soul, funk, Rhythm and Blues are on the up and up, and I love it!

Another trend I am enjoying is that it seems more and more bands are recording cover songs. Such as the Flaming Lips took on the daunting task of recording their own version of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of The Moon. Not only did they record the album but put they also performed the album at several festivals across the country. Levi's was kind of enough to create something they called their Pioneer Sessions in which acts like the Shins, She & Him, Nas and Ryan Bingham recorded cover versions of some of their favorite songs. The Bird and Bee released a tribute album to Hall & Oates and even though Glee is the most detestable show on earth, it does a fabulous job of keeping great musical hits of the past in our collective conscience. Throw in a tribute album to Chris Knox and John Prine and the year gets a little better. You'll find covers on the latest She & Him and Local Natives records. I am sure there are a lot more to mention that hasn't been mentioned already. Why are covers becoming more and more popular? A friend of mine suggested that for the current generation, rock music has the same relevance that the great American Songbook had for the great jazz singers of the past.

This was also a fabulous year for electronic music. Dance music, club music, or whatever it is that you want to call it. Great albums from Caribou, Crystal Castles, Holy Fuck, Simian Mobile Disco, Delorean, Matthew Dear, Four Tet and Hot Chip. These are simply the albums I've heard and found in the clubs. Not a bad year to have rhythm and dancing shoes, not bad at all.

Unfortunately not even a great music year could withstand the blemish that is Justin Bieber. My goodness does that kid suck something awful.

Now for the awards!

Most overrated - Ariel Pink's Haunted Graffiti, Wavves and Cee-Lo Green album's will go down as the most overrated works. Sorry Cee-Lo. We've had some great times together but your overproduced and more cheeky than tongue album is fun but I don't get the fanfare over "Fuck You" and the rest of your album.

Favorite uncovered gem - Ernie Smith. Ernie Smith is a reggae artist I had never heard of before until a collection of his hits were released over the summer. A fabulous reggae talent, Smith didn't quite sing like Johnny Nash or Bob Marley even though Smith was a contemporary of those music legends. No, Ernie Smith had a very clean delivery that is a blend of Bill Wither and Kris Kristofferson. On the collection you'll even find a cover of Kristofferson's "Sunday Morning Coming Down." It's great to see Smith get some recognition and even Neil Diamond is getting into action as Diamond covered Smith's "Love Song" on his latest album of covers. I was very happy discovering this artist and I hope you discover the same joy I have with his music.

And every year, there is some music released that I have a hard time explaining why I enjoy so much. This year I award two albums as my Favorite Guilty Pleasure

Favorite Guilty Pleasure 1 - The Dream's Love King. With it's hip hop club, synthy pop, dance fusion sound and lyrics entirely about sex this album is fun, hip swiveling, sexy and playful. Maybe the best thing about The Dream is that his confidence is not off putting. He wants to rock your world and he will say it metaphorically or literally. For club music or baby making music, the sound is very rich and layered, the choruses are catchy and the swagger is on! "Yamaha" is just a great song, catchy with layers and layers of synth magic.

Favorite Guilty Pleasure 2 - Fitz and The Tantrums, Pickin' Up the Pieces is just a great soul record with big choruses that seem more like Vegas than Motown. Think a little bit of Maroon 5, Hall & Oates, George Michael and 80's soul hits. This five piece band minus a guitar player is just fun. Whether it is the romantic anthem "L.O.V." or the political inspiration of "Dear Mr. President" Fitz and The Tantrums find their groove with big funk inspired soul songs. Fitz doesn't have the range for ballads but heck a majority of these songs are meant to make you dance and dance you shall!

Producer of the Year - T-Bone Burnett

Sure, Madlib tried to release/produce 13 albums in one year but fell a little short. He released 10. Who else produced 10 albums this year with the same variety as Madlib? T-Bone Burnett. Much of what Madlib produced was his own work but Burnett worked with Elton John and Leon Russell, Elvis Costello, Robert Randolph, Jakob Dylan, Willie Nelson and several others. In some casess Burnett helped produced their best material in years. In that same time, Burnett even won an Oscar for producing and writing the hit track for the Crazy Heart Soundtrack. Burnett is a fabulous musician and has a great knack for song crafting. Already in the works is an album with Steve Earle and Gregg Allman in 2011.

In the end, this was a great year for music. I don't get to listen to everything. I am not a magazine. I am not employed at a record store or a radio station. I don't have a truck full of money I can throw at any record I want. Boy, I wish. I don't get to listen to every album but that doesn't stop me from making a Top 10 list.

Soon to come a Top 10 list.

Dear Gillette - Stop Giving Me So Many Options

One blade doesn't seem to exist anymore. Two blades can do the trick. Three blades blew me away. For some reason 4 blades just sucks, America thought so and I don't see the 4 blade option anymore at any store. Then came 5 blades and I was a happy clean shaven dude with less nicks and cuts on my face. Things were going so well.

Then a couple of years ago the 5 blade pro fusion blades went up in price and I was not frustrated, yet. Then a year after, the 5 blade price went up again and I was outraged. Now the sneaky, after your dollar Gillette is after more money by coming out with a new (new, like a year ago new) 5 blade shaver with thinner blades! They claim the blades are better because they allow for a smoother shave with less tug and pull. Do I agree? Somewhat, yes. Is it worth $2 extra dollars? Should I be paying over $16 for 4 razor blades? All I know is when it comes time to buy new blades at the store then I will buying less fruits and vegetables. The money has to come from somewhere. Steak, fruits or razors and you can only have 2. Damn it Gillette you are ruining my diet. Grrrr....

Dam you Gillette for the different blade option, the plethora of different shaving gels, creams, pre shave gels, skin moisturizers and what not, that absolutely do nothing for me except provide 5 seconds of cool relief after a shave. Grrrr.......

How come I feel like all of this is some attempt to make more money rather than benefit the customer? Do large companies like Gillette do that sort of thing? Crappy major corporations! What's next? They have already tried vibrating blades which did nothing for me. They also have blades with gells and precision blades, so what could be next? Are they considering shorter or longer blades, blades that move in a circular motion, or blades that stick to your face thus allowing you to shave yourself by simply moving your cheeks up and down. I don't know. When will the madness stop? When will the madness stop?

America please start growing beards, mustaches and other wicked facial hair again because Gillette is not only taking your money by offering so many different shaving options but in a way is killing the manliness of the American man. Equation - facial hair = (the perception) of manliness. It's not just beards that the shaving companies are after. Now men are trying to be convinced by Gillette and the media that being clean shaven isn't just for your face but for your entire body. No! The madness must stop!

Grow beards America. Grow your beards. Umm let's see, people with facial hair... Jesus, Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Abraham Lincoln, Chuck Norris, and Conan O'Brien. Teddy Roosevelt, Frederick Douglas, Jimi Hendrix, Orson Welles and Tom Selleck all have had facial hair so maybe you should to. Does facial hair equal greatness? That equation has yet to be scientifically proven but in the opinion of this blogger, it increase the probability of success.

Ladies... this madness does not apply to you. If you insist, the aftermath will be on your shoulders.