It Sounds like package from White Sox Cards!

So today I got my prize from being the big Weiner in one of White Sox Cards recent giveaways.

First up - the prize received is 2 1982 Topps cards. One of Chet Lemon and the other of Greg Luzinski looking like he is playing in a bear league at the age of 61. Seriously - looking back at some of these old cards, its hard to imagine that some of these dudes were athletes.

Next up is a David Wright card from 2008 upper Deck X that goes wright to my Wright pile (sometimes I hate myself) and a 2007 Deolis Guerra bowman Heritage Prospects card. I was sad to see Deolis go in the Johan Santana deal just because I'd heard a great deal of hype about him and was hoping to see him come through Binghamton - but he sucked like Chloe Sevegny in the Brown Bunny (if you know what I mean) so I guess I didn't miss too much. But who knows, the dude is young and throws gas. Good luck to him.

The last 2 cards are a 2008 Topps Stadium Club Nolan Ryan and a 2008 Topps Chrome Refractor/Meth OD card. I love the Ryan as I am a big fan of the rebirth of Topps Stadium club - while the short checklist is one of the the things I like about this set - I would have liked to see it expand a bit - Maybe 100 current players, 50 rookies, and 50 Legends - I think that would have been nice - what do you think?

Finally, I always think I hate chrome cards. but then I get one. I always think refracters are kinda weak. Then I get one. Sometimes I think its a bad idea to do too many hallucinogens and look at baseball cards - then I realize its supposed to look this way. and I like it.

And now finally - there was one last special present in the case in form of a mix cd from our good friend. Now, I am not as dedicated as he is so you wont see a full track list here - Just will let you know there were some truly bitchin' tunes here. Great songs from the Beastie Boys, Butthole Surfers (Pasture of Muppets is the greatest album title ever), Breeders, Flaming Lips, Nirvana (sweet B Side from the Teen Spirit single I believe), Pearl Jame, L7, REM and Willy Shatner. My sister loves the Shatner cds so I was an old hand to this, but its still a fun listen non-the-less.

So thank you to Steve - everyone be sure to check out his blogs White Sox Cards and his tunes site The Soundtrack of my Life

THE WINNER~~~

And now the winner to the most prestigious music award ever givin out by a baseball card blogger - The ultimate Alternababe of the 90s who I had a crush on at one point in high school!

Alert Rolling Stone, get Buddyhead on the line - Throw away your Grammy's, they mean nothing!

and
the
winner
is....

Juliana Hatfield!!!!
Band: just her!
Song: Universal Heartbeat
Album: Only Everything

I may make for about 25% of this videos plays on the tube myself, I must watch it at least 3 times a week. You get to see Juliana as a grungy girl for the cred, and the beautiful video girl for the suits here. Great song, Great album - I almost wanted to put the What a life video up, but this edged it out barely. I have yet to see a girl match her beauty in an alt rock band. doubtful I never will. Please, enjoy the winner, Juliana hatfield.



And now I promise, back to baseball cards

Alternababe Crushes of High School part 7

OK! We are down to the final 2! Tomorrow my all - time favorite girl will be declared, but today I bring you to you the runner up.

Anna Waronker
Band: That Dog
Song: Never say Never
Album: Retreat From the Sun

That Dog is a band that was always terribly inconsistent when it came to songwriting. Anna is a girl who is always consistent when it comes to being a very pretty girl. There is one thing to say about this video - she can be very foxy without taking it to a dirty X-Tina type level. Plus the song is catchier than AIDS. When that dog disbanded the members went on to do their own thing and some joined up with Matt Sharp of Weezer fame to do the The Rentals. Another classic alt rock band that does not get their due.

Alternababe Crushes of High School part 6

Now, while compiling this list I thought of a few ladies whom maybe should have been included but decided not to. One of them was all time train wreck Courtney Love. While her band was good, she is the Yoko Ono of Nirvana and a total slore. No go.

Now however, an oversight I cannot believe I made is being corrected right here in the top 3.

Kim Shattuck
Band: - The Muffs
Song: Sad Tomorrow
Album: Blonder and Blonder

Okay, now in my days, I have never once had a single person agree with me that Kim is a total knockout. All I can say is, I like what I like - I don't anticipate many agreeing with me here, but if you are a fan of solid pop punk - at least you can appreciate her. I first heard the Muffs on the Angus soundtrack (a GREAT teen comedy, totally underrated and great soundtrack through and through). So after hearing the song, I did what any enterprising teenager would do.

Join Columbia House under a fake name and get 12 cds for 1 penny! (and then never pay).

I probably owe them...well lets just say I've got over 40 cds from that place for less than $5 bucks.

Anyway - I loved the album, and their follow up Happy Birthday To Me I view as a classic pop punk album, up there with the Queers and Screeching Weasel. Please enjoy Sad Tomorrow.

Alternababe Crushes of High School Part 5

So how has everyone been enjoying their quick trip back a decade to the days of M2 and 120 Minutes? Todays lassie is

Louise Post AND Nina Gordon
Band: Veruca Salt
Song:Seether
Album: American Thighs

Lousie in the video is the girl on the left in the T shirt and Nina is the lead vocalist. Now, I have always been partial to Louise (so was Dave Grohl - to my knowledge the classic song Everlong is about her) so she will be the focus here. There was always an unspoken struggle between the two women who shared songwriting duties but rarely worked together on a tune. Since their split, Louis continues to use the Veruca Salt moniker and Nina has been recording on her own. Unfortunately, neither has found much success with the other. Please enjoy - Seether .

sorry to have to send you to You Tube for the link, but their video inbed options have been disabled. Weak. Had I known that I would have demoted them on the list!

EDIT - The following video is not of Veruca Salt, but is the song "Powerball" from the band Helium. I don't know much about the band, but this is the honorable mention here since... well I dont need to justify anything to you. As a band they were okay, as a babe... not my type - looks like if the girl from king of queens got beat up. BUT - this is notable because when i was 16 and a Junior in High School I made out with a girl in here dorm and SUNY Binghamton listening to this album.. Hell Yeah

Alternababe Crushes from High School Part 4

Todays beauty is

Justine Frischmann
Band: Elastica
Song: Connection
Album: Elastica

From the opening chords of this song, I was sold. Yes, its reminiscent of that old tune by Wire, but whatever, nothing is new or original anymore anyhow. She brings the hot to the table in many ways. 1) British girl - nice teeth, sweet accent 2) I was/am a complete sucker for girls with this haircut. My wife actually just got one very similar to it, and I am a happy man. 3) This album was full of great pop songs. I actually had a hard time choosing the video to feature here, but since this was their biggest hit it got the call. take 2 minutes to enjoy yourself.

Also - Something for the ladies here as well - about a dozen naked dudes. I wonder how the drummer felt about this shoot?

Lady Alternarocker Crushes of High School Part 3

Next up on my prom wishlist...

#5 - Kay Hanley
Band - Letter To Cleo
Song - Awake
Album - Wholesale Meats and Fish

Letters to Cleo you may remember hit it big when a song off their first album called "Here and Now" was featured on the Melrose Place soundtrack. This, like almost everybody else is what got me into the band. But this song "awake" off their second album is the kind of song that has kept Letters to Cleo on my most listened list in I Tunes. After this album, LTC put out one more record before disbanding. Kay went on to do a solo career and do all the vocals for the Josie and Pussycats movie soundtrack (guilt pleasure extraordinaire) and drummer Stacy Jones went on to form American Hi-Fi.

What appeals to most about Kay is the voice and the fact that she looks just like that one girl you went to highschool with who always wore her hair a little funky, and wouldn't immediately laugh when you approached her. I loved that girl.



Part 4 Tomorrow

Lady Alternarocker Crushes of High School Part 2

Today's stunning purveyor of teen angst is...

#6 - Shirley Manson
Band - Garbage
Song - Only Happy When It Rains
Album - Garbage

Garbage is the baby of a group of super producers from the alternative scene (heavy hitter/drummer Butch Vig being the most notable) and a sexpot from Scotland named Shirley Manson. Garbage were really one hit wonders as far as albums go, as they were never able to duplicate the success of their debut. This makes sense because they really were not an AMAZING band. Just good. And Shirley... oh Shirley. Picture yourself as a 14 year old boy whos got a hard on for heavy music, and not much oppurtunity for using that hard on any where else. picture it... I'll wait.

OK. Now you see this video of a pretty good band and a very hot girl full of piss and vinnegar. Harlot red hair. This is the alternateen dream. Now read the interview with her in Spin Magazine. I dont remember anything about that interview except multiple references to the color and amount/lack of pubic hair. Remember now, you are an awkward 14 year old boy. and you are now in love.



Part 3 Tomorrow

Lady Alternarocker Crushes of High School - Part 1

This is the first of a one week series I've been kicking around in my head. I thank Steve @ White Sox Cards for being the one dude out there that I know will enjoy this. Hopefully a few more of you do as well.

So here is whats happening. I think as its well known at this point, along with baseball cards, my other major interest in music. Now, there are many things to love about music - when I was in high school, if it was distorted and had a good chorus, I was in. The only thing better than that is if in the band was a super cute girl with short hair. Hence, I bring you my top 7 lady alternarockers. Now this list is a combination of bitchin' song, good rockin', and good lookin'. Sometimes the song isn't as bitchin or rockin, but the girl is - magnificent. Other times, the song is the cats pajamas, and the girl... well she wrote a good song. Here we go

#7 - Kim Deal
Band - The Breeders
Song - Divine Hammer
Album - Last Splash

Kim Deal is probably best known for her time spent as the bass player for arguably the most influential alternative rock band ever, The Pixies. however, after a Pixies split she joined up with her sister Kelly (and lots of heroin) to form the Breeders. Their biggest hit was Cannonball, however I feel strongly that this was the best song they ever penned. Now, while I love this song, it is only number 7 because I only kinda like Kim. So now that I look like a superficial d-bag, here is the first video - leave me some love, tell me what you think. Part 2 tomorrow.

Another Sweet Tune

Below you will find a video from the Foo Fighters new DVD that comes out today Live from Wembley Stadium - This is from their most recent tour for their last album.

My wife and I saw this show here @ Binghamton University when they came through and I can say without any trepidation that Dave Grohl is unequivically the coolest dude ever.

1) He was in Nirvana - Epic
2) He played Satan in a movie
3) He has long hair and a beard
4) He wrote one of the best alternative rock albums ever, "The Colour and the Shape"
5) He boned that girl from Veruca Salt Louise Post - highschool crush supreme
6) He's a funny dude
7) He BRINGS it live as do the rest of the Foos.

Check it out

Cardinology

One big part of my life besides baseball cards is music. Something I would like to do here is post mention of new albums, songs, classics, really whatever is floating my boat at any specific time.

The first Song/Video I am going to post is by Ryan Adams and the Cardinals off their new album Cardinology (9/28/08). For those not in the know, Ryan has been recording albums for around 10 years new under his own name, with the Cardinals, and Whiskeytown. He's always had a bit of and indie flair, occasionally garage rock, but usually a laid back country vibe. Here they are with their new single "Fix It" from the new album on Letterman from 10/29/08 - Let me know if you like it and we can re-visit some more of his tunes.