Why wasn't this little modicum turned into an entire song?

I've begun revisiting Radiohead's latest "In Rainbows," only after the wave of crazy music psychopathic speculation has passed, and only to find out how much I actually think It's a masterpiece. So go listen to the last 48 SECONDS of "Reckoner," and tell me why it wasn't transformed into 4 minutes of sonic bliss.

"All Points West" Festival Lineup sounds delish

Pitchfork reports the "All Points West" festival has announced its lineup, and it sounds like it could be a pretty tasty affair. This sucker's put into action by the same souls that bring us the great Coachella fest. APW runs Aug. 8-10 in Jersey City's Liberty State Park. The wonderful Website reports: "Apart from Radiohead and Sunday headliner Jack Johnson, we've got Animal Collective, Cat Power, the New Pornographers, Girl Talk, the Roots, Underworld, the Go! Team, Metric, CSS, Andrew Bird, Black Kids, Chromeo, Amadou & Mariam, Rogue Wave, Mates of State, Juana Molina, the Black Angels, Jason Isbell, Neil Halstead, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Youssou N'Dour, Kings of Leon, the Felice Brothers, Sia, Duffy, Little Brother, Nicole Atkins, Michael Franti & Spearhead, K'Naan, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Alberta Cross, the Virgins, Forro in the Dark and Your Vegas all making the trip."
Andrew Bird, Black Kids and Radiohead would make my day alone.

I am all up in yr facebook pokin all yr honeyz

Ok, so I could rant or rave for a while about what I've been listening to lately, or what terrible terrible things I've read on celebrity gossip pages. Or I couldn't. It's snowing outside, and I'd rather just talk about a short article I read today entitled "The Kink," all about Ray Davies, the lead man of the popular 60's British rock band the Kinks. Come on, they had hits like "Sunny Afternoon" and "Lola" -- instantly recognizable. It's all about this old guy, wearin "ray-bans, a multi-colored scarf, gray stovepipe jeans, and running shoes," Stop right there. Who is this guy? He better be makin a stop soon at the local bakery for a bismark. This is what I said, but he never gets around to it.
Anyway, it's pretty cool, and it's short -- very important. But it takes him back, using a nostalgic approach, to the city he pseudo-immigrated to decades ago -- The Big Apple.
He stops by old cafes and bars like Zabar's and Cafe Lux, where he used to be a regular. He talks about crying on a bus while being confronted by the then-heavyweight champion of the world. He talks about pleasant encounters with John Lennon.
It ends pleasantly: "I must remember never to say I remember. But it's easy to forget."
My point isn't much, but it isn't that the Kinks were really really great or anything, a lot of people would probably say they were. But I'm not. I'm saying this little New Yorker "Talk of the Town" piece really wrapped itself around my heartstrings -- it was quite beautiful. Not only did it take Ray Davies back, but it took me back to a time and place I've forgotten because I can't remember, so I won't say I do. You should read it. Early bird gets the whale.

Focus is here!

This blog will be a site dedicated to the true criticism of music blogs.

On English breakfast

What's up with this weather man, blurg! I was wearing shorts and a t-shirt last week. Perhaps it's still winter, but I tend to lose any concept of time this part of the year. What's going on in these political races? What's up with that? Hillary and Barack neck-and-neck, McCain jawing away, running wild with his lead, Romney realizing his denial, and sweet Mr. Huckabee still chatting up his college football politics. That's crazy talk. 

I watched Syriana last night -- one of the best movies I've ever seen. It's best qualities were in its confusion. I'll probably have to watch it again tonight to catch the things I missed. 

My foreign policy teacher looks a bit like a walrus, and he acts a bit like David Brent -- always using the expression "vis-a-vis" and what not, as an actress said to a bishop! 

I'm still looking for some focus here on this blog. Why would a reader come here? I need some focus. How about, what's it like giving up coffee for tea? That might work.

One more note, Roger Clemens has dug himself a big hole here, and I think some things are going to come out soon that chop his shovel in two. Public opinion left a long time ago. Clemens looks like he'll be needing the immediate care of a  very reputable reputation doctor. I know of a good one in Skokie.

The Chicagoan

Howdy. This blog is a product of my Online Journalism class. This is my final semester in school, and I look forward to being in contact with the entire world whenever I want. Enjoy.