Weezer's Hurley is awesome & indie, Hipsters rejoice!

Hey Weezer, I'm back. I was pissed off at you since your last album was such a huge disappointment. But now I realize now that Raditude was just the fulfillment of a contractual obligation and a huge fuck you to your former label Geffen.


Your new record Hurley is really good, when I first heard the single Memories I knew you were trying again. Other tracks that stood out for me:

-Unspoken is bad-ass classic high school poetry.


-Where's My Sex? is straight irony looking back to Pinkerton, back when Rivers was Tired of Sex. it has a crazy change up too.

-Smart Girls is on the fucking money.

Your choice of Jeorge Garica from Lost as your cover and no title on the cover is classy. Epitaph is a lucky label.

I will see you next time you rock Toronto. Please consider the recent rumored all-Pinkerton shows to coencide with your Deluxe Edition release in November of your 1996 classic.

Sunny J's Albums of the Decade 2000-2009

The year is wrapping up and so is the decade. A decade marred by terrorism, economic collapse and auto-tune. How can so much music suck? Billbord declared Nickleback the band of the decade, gross.

Douchebags win TV singing contests and are considered legitimate acts, so it's no surprise music sucks enough Nickleback could be considered the "best".

But not everything about this decade sucked, some really good albums came out. Notice most of these came out toward the beginning of the decade, maybe they have had longer to settle in my brain as great. I haven't heard anything lately that has had that instant classic album feeling, so here is my list, the best of the decade, in no way complete, in no way difinitive:   

Big Dumb Face, Duke Lion Fights the Terror!!

Wes Borland of Limp Bizkit's first solo record is sheer brilliance, epic in scope and concept, hilarious and yet to many people, unlistenable. Drugs help but are not necessary. I love this record, but it's not for everyone. I'm putting it at the top of my list because the next record is at the top of everyones list, and is starting to get smug.

Radiohead, Kid A

This album poster has been on my wall for almost ten years now, but I still remember the day Colin showed up at O'Gorman just as school ended with Kid A in hand, a day before it's release. I remember the impromptu listening party at Jay Byck's house, and finding the secret liner notes. Everyone was expecting something different from Radiohead and they delivered. Kid A changed the game.

Weezer

Colin and I listened to all 28 minutes of Weezer's highly anticipated follow up to Pinkerton on the edge of our seats. It was the soundtrack to our summer, it was playing at every house, and in every car. You could not escape it. I let a teacher borrow it and he ended up having to buy it for his son.

Queens Of The Stone Age Songs for the Deaf,

I knew this would be huge, it wasn't. It did put QOTSA on the radar of everyone who missed Rated R. Dave Grohl on drums, fucking incredible.

Peaches, The Teaches of Peaches


I saw Peaches live at the El-mo after seeing her in a one page spread in Spin. I read about her music and knew I wanted to listen to it. That first show blew me away and I bought the LP. I love to introduce people to her hyper-danceable raunch.

A Perfect Circle,Mer De Noms

Incredible production and songwriting as well as the vocal powerhouse that is Maynard James Kennan. The follow up Thirteenth Step could not hold a candle to Mer De Noms. I'm glad I never got that APC tattoo.

Auf Der Maur

Her debut, solid. She just rocks. If you don't know it your a shitty Canadian. Can't wait for new music next year!

Tenacious D

One of the best comedy albums ever, funny lyrics with well crafted songs and Dave Grohl on drums, So overplayed in the Sam the Record Man basement, it would elicit cringes from some staff.

If your wondering if I want you to read my blog (I want you to read my blog)

I'm a Weezer fan, and I have been since I was thirteen years old.

Every summer I went to Camp Oochigeas, a camp for kids with cancer. It was me, Jose, Kyle Shawn, Jeff, We would listen to a compilation CD called Absolute 90s, and we all agreed Say It Aint So by Weezer was one of the best songs ever. At the time Weezer was only known for the Buddy Holly video, and passed off by most as a one hit wonder.

The next summer when camp started they pulled our Cabin aside to tell us Jose had passed away. The first thing we did back at our cabin was listen to Say it Aint So, alone just me and Kyle and we cried.

I love Wezeer, but not what they have become.

Rivers is hurt =W=

I can't believe it! Weezer's Rivers Cuomo was injured in a bus accident. Even though I didn't care for Raditude I never wished him harm. I hope he is ok and takes the time to recover, so he can continue to rock in the future.

KARL's words and pictures from weezer.com are better.

Put some Weezer on your iPod.

Pom-gasm & a Postcard from Japan

Pomegranates are in season (and on sale at Metro 4 for 3$)! I picked some up after the gym today. That's right! I went to the gym today for the first time in 2 weeks (I was in Montreal for a little bit). Pomegranates were my Uncle Paul's favourite. He taught me that the difficulty of getting to the sweet fruit was worth the effort. Hard work has its reward. I spent some time emptying out the four poms, now I have a whole big bowlful and can grab a handful whenever I want.

Here is a vidoe explaining how to open the Pomegranate,

I did pretty much the same thing, except didn't take it appart under water. My sticky shoes and red stained floors are proof.

I got a postcard from Charlie and Rebecka from their trip to Japan, two of the coolest people in the world. I met them at Burning Man and my life is better because of it. Charlie is an awesome Australian and Rebecka is a doctor in San Francisco. I want to cash in my Aeroplan points and visit them in California tomorrow, but my jetsetting days are over (for now). This postcard made my day/week:
Jagger called and we talked about the corporate entity known as Weezer, and their latest product, a 4 cent piece of plastic disc called Raditude. He seemed just as disappointed as I was. We caught up a bit, having not spoken since his nuptials in Forest Ontario last month. Colin and I had a great time, although I haven't finished or posted a blog entry about it yet(1 month ago? I suck at this!). The newlyweds are going to se Auf Der Maur open for STP a the John Labbat Centre in London next week, I'm super jealous and want to hear all about it. Jagger's beautiful wife Ashlie is a regular reader of my blog and I thank her for her patronage. lurkers should take a cue from her and post comments once in a while!

Say it Aint So, Weezer's Raditude sucks

It hurts when someone you love lets you down. Weezer lets us all down with this so called album. True Weezer fans can be a fickle bunch. Maybe I'm asking for too much from Rivers, I want a real personal record from one of rock music's best, but instead get a mishmash of songs of varying quality and overproduction. From track to track it's hard to tell if your listening to the same record. I would rather listen to the red album (which now sucks less thanks to Raditude). A total letdown.

End of the Fest, Last of the Playa Boogers

So my video of Jack White at tiff is the most popular video I've ever put up on YouTube. A bunch on online news sites linked to it, and in 3 days it's at 49000 views. It's funny because someone else put up a better quality version (closer and in HD) but I was fast and I was first, so I win.

I'm glad Tiff is done with, I had a great time, but it's hectic and crazy just after I return from Burning Man. I think the highlight of this year was meeting Diablo Cody and getting my Juno screenplay autographed. I hope to go to Japan after next years Burn, so I think I'm gonna miss the festival. The new Festival Center and Bell Lightbox will be so cool when they open.

My sinuses have aborted the last of the Playa dust, looking forward to Decompression in October (and getting my plan on for next years burn).

Weezer released the "Raditude" tracklisting, it is as follows:

Standard album:
1. (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To
2. I'm Your Daddy
3. The Girl Got Hot
4. Can't Stop Partying
5. Put Me Back Together
6. Trippin' Down The Freeway
7. Love Is the Answer
8. Let It All Hang Out
9. In The Mall
10. I Don't Want To Let You Go
(11. The Story Of My Life - iTunes bonus)
(12. Kids/Poker Face - iTunes pre-order bonus)

Deluxe also includes:
11. Get Me Some
12. Run Over By A Truck
13. The Prettiest Girl In the Whole Wide World
14. The Underdogs
(15. The Story Of My Life - iTunes bonus)
(16. Kids/Poker Face - iTunes pre-order bonus)

Weezer shows Raditude

I am now eagerly anticipating Weezer's new record "Raditude". Out October 27th. Produced by Jacknife Lee and Butch Walker. I'm already down with the first single (If you're wondering if i want you to) I want you to, other tracks to be included on the bands 7th studio album include: "Trippin' Down The Freeway", "Can't Stop Partying", "The Girl Got Hot", "I'm Your Daddy", and "In The Mall", just to name a few! Can't Stop Partying is notable as it was one of the standout tracks from Alone 2 rivers home demos, it will be interesting to hear this melancholy party anthem with a full band behind it.

New Weezer, Title/Date! Smashing Pumpkins new 19 year old Drummer!

Cool things always happen in the summer. Sometimes I get to see it just cause I'm here in San Francisco, but it also means I miss anything cool going on in Toronto while I'm gone.

Weezer has a new single out at the end of the month. Click here to listen to "(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To". It' sounds cool. Weezer's tour with Blink-182 begins in Toronto in a few weeks, and Rivers will be playing soccer in a charity game the day before the show. I wasn't too upset about missing the show, but now with the soccer game and the fact they will debut new music I kinda wish I could be in Toronto. I was less than impressed with the last Weezer effort, the self-titled red album. Geffin's Weezer seemed to be suplying high fructose pop music to tween consumers. I wish they could make a record all us fans can be proud of. Hopefully the new record delivers. Weezer's seventh studio album will be known as Raditude. Out 10/27, Produced by Jacknife Lee and Butch Walker.

Billy Corgan confirmed what we already knew, The Smashing Pumpkins new drummer is 19 year old Mike Byrne. He will join Corgan on the next Pumpkins album/tour and also at some upcoming solo shows Billy is doing in southern California.

I am looking forward to hearing Billy's new SP. It waill not be the same without Jimmy, but I am willing to give it a chance (and the kid must be a pretty good drummer).

These solo shows are so intimate, imagine 75 people in a coffee shop! Being in California presently you would think I would be trying to get tickets, but the nearest show is 4 hours away!
Normaly I would over extend myself and make an attempt to go, however all my time and recources are focused on Burning Man, so no distractions. Sorry Billy, next time in Toronto.

Hip! Hip!

I met Cayen's daughter Cash, finally. She is so cute. Cayen and I go way back, and I've seen so many pictures of his kid it was great to meet the little princess. John's girlfriend Caroline made an excellent meal and I had dinner with them. Cayen is a family man now so he didn't come out for beers with Mike and I.

I walked over to the Sports Gal and met up with Mikey, Delling showed up shortly after. I did Jaggerbombs with the Brothers Quinn (toasting my Brother Marc). I saw a girl I haven't seen in 8 years, she looked as good now as she did then, fantastic.

Mike, Delling and I grabbed some poutine at Chez-Nous (flawless).

When we got home I smoked a bowl and listened to Weezer's Green, Island in the Sun, Hip! Hip!

fuck Weezer tickets

Weezer is going to be playing Toronto on September 30th and I really want to go, but I think I am deciding against it. My reasoning behind this is:
a) The Air Canada Centre sucks balls.
b) I can't even afford the shitty seats in the acoustically challenged piece of shit venue.

I would love to see Weezer in Japan, or even at a smaller venue in Toronto(or at least one that is GA)

Weezer Early Album 5 Demos

Weezer BBC Demos

Weezer DC Demos

Weezer Glenn Sound Studio Demos

Green Album Demos

Maladroit demos 1 of 1

Maladroit demos 2 of 2

Songs From the Black Hole

Vibrating Stripper Pole nearing completion

I went with Matt, Kubi and Jas to fix up some bikes for Burning Man. Our camp, Shadyvil had everyone who went last years bike in storage. By the time we got there most had already been fixed and they didn't have any extras. So Matt and I's mission for this weekend is to find cruiser bikes for the Playa. We have El wire to totally deck them out, classy.

We went to Jas's place and checked out the crazy laser. It was insane to have such a high power laser going off in your living room. I tought I was in that fucking seizure box from Yellow Submarine. I can imagine it is even more crazy out in the desert with our minds totally twisted.

Then Matt and Bill and I got the Vibrating Stripper Pole functioning. It still needs another polish and still has to be painted and everything, but the theory has been proven.

We can make a Stripper Pole vibrate.

Like Ben Franklin in a fucking lightning storm, Matt Stone last night discovered the formula for resonating stripper poles and changed the world forever.

We are going to do some more work tonight.

In the Bout Frickin Time Dept.
Weezer has announced the dates for their upcoming tour, finally. The important one for me is Sep 30 Toronto, ON - Air Canada Center. Now when do they go on sale?

Weezer in Toronto, Radiohead in SF

Weezer has been posting videos, none of which have been very informative. This new one shows a bunch of different places, you might recognize Toronto. Hopefully this is a hint about the upcoming tour.

Mike has tickets to Radiohead at OutSide Lands, Pimp VIP tickets. I'm gonna slum it with Kubi in the cheap seats ($85!!!).

Weezer Red Album in stores now!

Weezer's new self-titled red album is out today. It is a serious evolution for the band. I like it. My Ipod will be rocking this for the rest of the summer.

I bought a copy of The Great Gatsby, which I have never read before. Many of my friends are surprised I didn't read it in school. Most of them went to Timmins High where it is required reading, but at O'Gorman it was not. We had to read the Elephant Man, a novelization of the film, because Mr. Claussi was too tired to change his lesson plan from the 80's(what a fucking education). I was in the book room at O'Gorman once, it was full of tons of incredible books and none of them ever got read.

Back in March I went over to Colin's place and he and Matt played some Stormalongs. I recorded a few songs and totally forgot about it, till now. Please enjoy these rare acoustic Stormalong-lite songs:

Colin & Matt, Acoustic Stormalongs 03.09.08

Weezer Video Rocks Youtube!

Weezer has a video for their new single Pork and Beans, and in true Weezer fashion, it's hilarious!

weezer's red album is out on June 3rd.

New Weezer Single out now!

Weezer has a new Itunes single! Buy it now!

waiting for red records

Weezer's Red Album has leaked. Last night was agonizing, I was so tempted to download it, but I'm gonna wait. You have to be strong, wait till the cd is out and you can hold it in your hands. This will be the record to rock my summer and I can wait 3 weeks.

At the gym, I ran for what I think is a mile(it can't be a km but I'm not really sure) on the treadmill. I start to sweat and feel super intense. I did some weight training, and then went on the bike for a bit. Working out kicks ass and I feel so much better about life, seriously.

I went to see Baby Mama with Deidra tonight. It was a very funny movie, but not as good as Forgetting Sarah Marshall. It was just nice to go out with Dee and have a good time, she works so hard all the time. There was a trailler for The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants 2, I think I'm gonna have to pass on that one.

Shawna called after and I met up with her and John Cayen. Shawna is opening a clothing store in Timmins called Sugar. She is getting ready for her opening (May 22)and is getting John ready too. Cayen and I lived together in high school and I consider him to be my literal brother. It was great to have some beers and catch up.

I don't have any pot. Man, that really sucks after some beers. I really wish I could smoke a joint right now. I can go without weed, but not after a beer. I would so much rather be high than drunk.

I have to see a guy about a thing.

Wiiware

Wiiware games are now available from the Wii Shop Channel. These are downloadable games developed for Wii that cost between 5$ and 15$ depending on the game. I bought a game called Pop. Bubbles float across the screen and you pop them with the wiimote. Popping the bubbles gets you points and adds time to the clock, when you miss a bubble you are penalized. It's pretty fun but I think it will be a riot playing with friends(up to four).

I haven't been playing my Wii much since I beat Super Mario Galaxy. I wanted to get the new Smash Bros. and Mario Kart but I have been holding out in anticipation of WiiFit, which I have to get(May 19). These new Wiiware games are great because they are cheaper and new ones will come out every Monday, which should keep me playing my Wii.

Weezer's new self-titled red album will be out 21 days sooner than originally planned. The record will be out June 3rd. This is going to be the album of the summer.

"Pork and Beans" NEW Weezer in stores 06.24.08

weezer has a new self-titled record out June 24th. Hear the first single Pork and Beans in its entirety here.

It is further proof that Rivers is a God. Album-wise It is much more blue than green. The lyrics are very funny and self-referential, which hasent really been done since Pinkerton. I knew the other band members were contributing vocals on this record and as for this track it sounds great, the harmonies, that "Ahhhhhh"! I can't wait to see them play this live!

I transcribed the lyrics
Pork and Beans
They say I need some Rogain to put in my hair
working out at the gym to fit my underwear
Oakley makes the shades that transform a Tool
You'd hate for the kids to think you lost your cool

I'mma do the things that I wanna do
I ain't got a thing to prove to you
I eat my candy with the pork and beans
excuse my manners if I make a scene
I ain't gonna wear the clothes that you like
I'm fine and dandy with the me inside
one look in the mirror and I'm tickled pink
I don't give a hoot about what you think

everyone likes to dance to a happy song
with a catchy chorus and beat so they can sing along
Timberland knows the way to reach the top of the charts
Maybe if I work with him I can perfect the art

I'mma do the things that I wanna do
I ain't got a thing to prove to you
I eat my candy with the pork and beans
excuse my manners if I make a scene
I ain't gonna wear the clothes that you like
I'm fine and dandy with the me inside
one look in the mirror and I'm tickled pink
I don't give a hoot about what you think

I don't care
I don't care
I don't care
I don't care
I don't care
I don't care

I'mma do the things that I wanna do
I ain't got a thing to prove to you
I eat my candy with the pork and beans
excuse my manners if I make a scene
I ain't gonna wear the clothes that you like
I'm fine and dandy with the me inside
one look in the mirror and I'm tickled pink
I don't give a hoot about what you think


I picked up tickets to see the White Sox vs Blue Jays when Manimal comes in May. It's Bobblehead Day! I am really looking forward to his trip. It's gonna be short, but we are gonna get lots done.

In my capacity as Karl for the Stormalongs I also went to pick up a block tickets for the Stormalongs show at the Kathedral on May 8th, 10$. Ian and I went to check out the jam session in the "Hell Pit". I gave Colin the tickets and did some rhythmic sexualized dancing!

A taste of Pork and Beans

Amazon has a little bit of weezer's new single Pork and Beans here! The single comes out on the 22nd, let's see if it leaks sooner.

I have been eating better. I have to, today I worked my ass off at the gym and i was totally starving! I had butter chicken on rice and broccoli with white cheddar... Tasty!