Perhaps it's a case of post-Olympic fatigue, but whatever the reason, the gold-medal beach volleyballers Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh have had their 112-match winning streak snapped, in an Ohio tournament.

Song Of the Day - Spoon (You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb)

Spoon have played here in Columbus, OH about six times over the past two year that I have lived here. I haven't seen them, but probably everyone that I know have went to a Spoon concert. I wasn't ever a fan until I heard "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb" on the radio and I fell in love. I don't like much of the "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" album, but it is definitely worth having.

"You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb" sounds like something The Raveonettes should have recorded, but Spoon is much better than that band. Spoon has been around for awhile and they are just now starting to reading a level of mainstream success. They started back in 1996 and stuck with it, the fact that they didn't break up is a testament to their dedication. Their first single off of "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" was "The Underdog," also a great song.

Here is the video for "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb"

W.M. McEntire posted a message on the SABR members' e-mail discussion list, noting that the Cleveland Indians' current 10-game winning streak gives the team both 10-game losing and winning streaks this season (the losing streak occurred during late June and early July, whereas the more recent log of games is available here). According to McEntire, this is the 21st time since 1900 that a team has exhibited such a pattern.

Chad Ocho Cinco?!

There are reports coming out of Miami that Chad Johnson of the Cincinnati Bengals has legally changed his name to "Chad Ocho Cinco." It is his way to bypass the NFL's rule against putting nicknames on the back of the jersey. I'm not sure about the spelling yet, could he go metro and throwdown a hyphenate, Ocho-Cinco?

I don't blame Chad Johnson for doing this, there are like five other players on the Bengals with the last name of Johnson. He is suffering from "bland name disease." I think everyone knew someone named Chad Johnson growing up. He was probably a pretty lame kid too. I also suffer from this disease, with a name like Bobby Roberts it is bland, but unique enough to let the disease takeover. I am not a Robert Roberts, which most die from "bland name disease."

I am all for this, maybe Chad Johnson needs to pool his money with a few other guys who have fun nicknames and restart the XFL. I think Rod Smart needs a job, so we could have the resurrection of "He Hate Me."Best Jersey Nickname Ever

Song Of The Day - Ben Folds (You Don't Know Me)

Ben Folds has been one of my favorite artists over the last decade. After he went solo, his style of music never changed and he seems goofy as hell. I know many girls who would hook up with him over any kid from Fall Out Boy. Could it be that geek chic has trumped emo/punk chic? It's a possibility I suppose, I'm a little nerdy, but I know more jock stuff than most meatheads. I toe the line, Johnny Cash should have written a song about it.

Ben Folds is coming out with a new album on September 30th. "Way To Normal" is the name and for some reason is probably meant sarcastically. "You Don't Know Me" features Regina Spektor, their voices go very well together and Spektor is kind of a geeky man's dream. She has an awesome voice, her beauty isn't over-whelming, and she looks fairly obtainable. I'm looking forward to a new Ben Folds album and the month-long courtship with my ears.

Here is the video for "You Don't Know Me."

"Hard Knocks" Is The Best Thing On TV

I didn't get into the television series "Hard Knocks" until last season. I didn't have HBO, so I didn't get to see this amazing series. Last season the series followed the Kansas City Chiefs through training camp. It made the uninteresting Chiefs into something must-see. Even though I got to know more about Bobby Sippio and Larry Johnson than I should, it gives you an insider's view of what goes on in the preparation of an NFL team.

"Hard Knocks" is following the Dallas Cowboys this season and it is as interesting as it sounds. You get to see a different side of every major player on "America's Team." I've seen the first four episodes of the season and episode five will be shown this weekend. My only suggestion is that they show Marion Barber, he must be a pretty bland guy. They have been showing how well Felix Jones is playing, yet the starter, Barber, hasn't even been mentioned. Here are some of things I've noticed about the players that they are featuring.

Tank Johnson - He loves the "f" word and when they end team meetings, you see him almost running out of there. He seems like the guy I thought he was, so far I haven't seen him strapped or carrying any kind of weapon. It's only training camp, stay tuned.

Keon Lattimore - He's best known as being the younger brother of Ray Lewis. He hasn't had much playing time and he's probably a long shot of making the team. Ray Lewis is good television, so he should stick around until the end of the last show and he'll be cut.

Tony Romo - He actually seems like a good guy. Yeah, he reminds me of a typical jock from small-town American, but you would be lucky to pick up some secondhand ladies that probably attach themselves to his entourage.

Terrell Owens - My perception of T.O. has been totally contradicted by this show. I'm not sure if he is playing it up for the cameras or if he is actually a really good guy. He was even shown playing with Jerry Jones' grandchildren. I think he may have actually matured.

Martellus Bennett - I hope this guy eventually takes Jason Witten's job in a few seasons. He's a big, talented, and pretty funny. He may not be the brightest guy in the room, but he'll be a productive tight-end in the NFL.

Todd Lowber - Is it me or does this guy always have the "I don't have a freakin' clue what is happening right now" look on his face? He is a converted basketball player turned wide-receiver, but I don't see any legitimate shot of this guy making this team at all. If by some slim chance that he makes the roster, he will be replaced by a proven receiver who was a cap casualty cut at the end of training camp from another team. Terry Glenn could even come back, Jerry Jones said in the first episode that it is still a possibility.

Jason Witten - I haven't learned much about Witten other than he has a kid that can't hold a helmet on his head without falling over. He better have another amazing year or that Bennett kid could creep up and take his job.

Pacman Jones - T.O. and him had some battles early on in camp that was fun to watch. He also showed his skills of catching six punt returns in a row, while keeping all the previous balls in hands. He is a talented guy and I hope he keeps out of trouble.

Roy Williams - This guy just loves to hit people. Coach Phillips told him to just tag players during a scrimmage and by the end of it he was trying to lay out dudes. Williams changed his number back to his college '38' and looks like it could have changed his focus back towards football and less towards banging members of Destiny's Child.

Zach Thomas - He's an old guy, but if he can rejuvenate his career by playing for a contender, he's in the right situation. The dude was a beast early in his career with Miami, he's a good addition.

Patrick Crayton - Any guy who comes into a team meeting wearing just a towel gets an A+ in my book. He also tied Pacman's punt return total by catching six with all the balls still in his hand. He is definitely ready to step into the 2nd wide-receiver position left open by the cutting of Terry Glenn.

Bobby Carpenter - The television show has not been kind to Mr. Carpenter. They have shown him as a pretty boy and that he is soft. Guys from the team were even talking crap to him by calling him Barbie Carpenter and a punk bitch. Later on in the fourth episode the coaches and players were talking very positively about Carpenter, but seeing him getting the rookie treatment while he's in his third season is always fun to watch. Maybe he can talk the Cowboys into trading for A.J. Hawk or trading him to Green Bay, seems like he was only useful with Hawk on his side.

Out On A Limb - 2008 NFL Predictions

Seems like all football analysts want to do is say some random thing that they think may happen this season and if they come true, they are awesome, if they don't, they never mention them again. It sounds like a fun game, so I want to play. These are some predictions that seems out-of-the-box, but of course I will stay with tradition and brag if any of these become remotely true.

- I want to start off with the man in the picture, Brady Quinn. He will become the starter for Cleveland by week 8. Derek Anderson is a one-year wonder, much like Scott Mitchell was for Detroit in the mid-90s.

- Vince Young will end the season with more touchdowns than interceptions

- Larry Johnson will rush for 1600 yards and 17 touchdowns

- The Jets will win the AFC East

- Chad Johnson will lead the AFC in receiving yards

- Tom Brady will throw less than 30 TDs this season

- Kurt Warner will throw more than 30 TDs this season

- The Houston Texans will make the playoffs

- Matt Ryan will win Offensive Rookie Of The Year

- Adrian Peterson will only play in 10 games this season

- Shawne Merriman will get at least 8 sacks and play in at least 13 games.

- Drew Brees will lead the New Orleans Saints to win the NFC South

- J.T. O'Sullivan will throw for more than 28 TDs

- The St. Louis Rams will be better than 8-8

- The Kansas Chiefs will have the worse record in the NFL

- Marvin Harrison will retire after this season

- Daunte Culpepper will have signed with a team by week 6

- Nate Burleson will lead the Seahawks in receiving and TDs

- Rex Grossman will start at least 5 games this season

- Jerod Mayo will win Defensive Rookie Of The Year

- Marshawn Lynch will have a better fantasy season than Ladainian Tomlinson

Song Of The Day - The Ting Tings (Great DJ)

I can't turn on the local radio station here in Columbus, OH without hearing something from The Ting Tings. I either listen to sports talk radio or CD101 101.1 FM on my way to work or one of my many trips to Wendy's. CD101 usually plays great music, but I'm starting to think their play of The Ting Tings' "Great DJ" is kind of tooting their own horn. I guess if I was a famous writer and I hosted a party, I would either play Stereophonics "Mr. Writer" or The Beatles "Paperback Writer". I guess if CD 101 was a hip-hop station they would play Lil Wayne's "Go DJ." I can't blame them for this, but it is just one man's observation.

The Ting Tings are a duo made up of a guy who looks like he shouldn't be in the group and a hot blonde that looks like she would look good every season of the year. They are from the UK and first gained Stateside fame with their song being played on an iPod commercial. "Shut Up And Let Me Go" was the song and it shot up the charts like most songs featured in the iPod commercial series.

I recently obtained The Ting Tings album "We Started Nothing," and I really enjoy it. I usually don't enjoy music with female singers (I can't describe it, but Paramore, Save Ferris, No Doubt, The Sounds and Blondie are the only bands to challenge this). The Ting Tings should also have a hit with "Great DJ" to save them from the "one-hit wonder" moniker.

Here is the video for "Great DJ."

The Mustache Is Back!

Jason Giambi hasn't exactly been doing great in the 2nd half this season. I think I may have jinxed him in one of my "Fantasy God" posts. I have him on both of my fantasy baseball teams, but here lately, I have been benching him. He shaved off his mustache a few weeks ago, but I was watching the Yankees/Red Sox game yesterday and I noticed that the mustache was back and looking good. He did end up hitting a homer in last night's game, but it was a meaningless solo shot very late in the game.

Giambi had more of an impact in today's game against the Red Sox. He hit a pinch-hit 2-run homer in the 7th inning to tie up the game 2-2. Later in the game he hit a walk-off single that score the winning run. I know the Yankees may almost be mathematically out of the running for the post-season (okay, I know they aren't, but the Rays, Red Sox, White Sox, and Twins are playing very well), but the Yankees are making thing interesting.

The Yankees do play the Red Sox again later in the season and could squeak in if either one of the Sox teams or Rays fall off. Derek Jeter has never been sitting at home in October and I feel that he will be very motivated and get his team start playing like a normal Yankees team.

The mustache is back, now if I can only get McDonalds to bring back the McRib.

Song Of The Day - Scars On Broadway (They Say)

I've been a fan of System of Down since their self-titled album was released in the late 90's. I think that Serj Tankian is one of the smartest guys I've ever had the chance to talk to and his music should stand up years from now. Daron Malakian and John Dolmayan from SOAD, have a new side-project titled, "Scars On Broadway." Malakian did a lot of singing on SOAD's "Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize," so if you are a fan of those albums, you should love Scars on Broadway.

Scars on Broadway's self-titled debut album was released at the end of July. SOAD's bassist, Shavo Odadjian, was supposed to be in this side-project initially, but due to reasons unknown, he is not in Scars. Malakian has said in past interviews that Scars will be more song-based rock works, leaning towards classic rock. I can't confirm nor deny this, but from what I've heard from the album so far, it sounds eerily like a bastard son of the Mezmerize/Hypnotize albums. I like what they are doing and I hope Scars, Serj, and even Shavo have future albums while they are working on SOAD albums.

Here is the first video from Scars On Broadway, "They Say."

Fantasy God - Grady Sizemore

The Indians are not having the spectacular season many experts predicted that they would have. They are currently on an 8-game winning streak, but they are still double-digits behind the leader of the AL Central. Cleveland does have a long bright spot this season, Grady Sizmore. He has mostly been more flash than substance in the past few seasons, but this year with Travis Hafner out, he has been the run-producing beast he was expected to eventually become.

The ladies have always loved Grady Sizemore, but this season fantasy owners are even starting to propose marriage to the Cleveland center-fielder. Last night he joined the 30/30 club, but hitting two homers in a Indians victory. Over the past few seasons he has seen his power numbers and stolen bases increase, but his batting average has taken a trend downward. He is receiving less pitches to hit, if Cleveland can get a power guy hitting behind him, Sizemore should see more walks and less strikeouts.

Sizemore is on pace to have better than a 35/35 season, but not quite a 40/40, unless he goes on a tear in the last few weeks of the season. The Indians should be a better team next season with a healthy Hafner and bringing up Matt Laporta, the gem of the C.C. Sabathia trade. Ben Francisco has shown potential along with possible 2009 closer Jensen Lewis.

Sizemore has been the definition of healthy and has played every game the last few seasons. If he can keep consistent and play at this high of a level, he could be due a large contract in the near future. He does have that "star" quality the Yankees love to have, by the time he is a free agent, Derek Jeter could be on his last legs. The New York media would love to follow him around and lead with him on Page Six.Grady Sizemore will not flame out over the next few years. The wear and tear of him playing everyday shouldn't bother him. Progressive Field isn't on Astro-turf, so the "Andre Dawson effect" shouldn't take effect, so his knees wouldn't turn into rust by season 10. Sizemore has fun in Cleveland, at this very moment he could have any woman he wants in Ohio, that must be a great feeling.

This could be my last "Fantasy God" post in reference to baseball this season. The head-to-head leagues are going to be in playoff mode and it's about too late to make a huge move in roto leagues. Fantasy Football drafts are in swing, so expect an almost weekly addition once the football season gets underway.

Chad Johnson Has A Torn Labia?!

I enjoy sports talk radio a lot. I listen to it in the car on the way to work and on long road trips. I even listen to sports talk podcasts on my computer at home. In Columbus, Ohio, 1460AM The Fan, is the ESPN Radio station that I listen to. They only play the first two hours of "The Herd" and they substitute the last hour of that program with their own local show called "The Mid-Day Show." I hate this because I love Colin Cowherd, I believe he is current and very smart, something either of the hosts on "The Mid-Day Show" doesn't have. The show used to be called "Spielman On Sports," which starred former Ohio State and NFL football player, Chris Spielman. They changed the show's format some time ago and it hasn't been the same ever since.

Mike Ricordati and Scott Torgerson are the hosts of "The Mid-Day Show" and I have the extreme discomfort enough to have my lunch hour the same time they are on WBNS 1460AM The Fan. They have done everything from calling out 19-year old kids on Ohio State football team who get DUIs by calling them "pieces of crap" to possibly the best error I've ever heard on sports talk radio.

Chad Johnson of the Cincinnati Bengals was injured during a pre-season game. He was diagnosed with having a "torn labrum," which is in the shoulder. Mike Ricordati started talking about the injury and confuses "labrum" with "labia," which is the external part of the female genitalia. I want to believe that it was a slip of the tongue, but he is a White Sox fan, so he may not know what a labia is at all. I'm sure Chad Johnson would love to learn that a two-bit sports talk host on AM radio in Columbus thinks he has female genitalia.
Ochocinco would point a different finger at Ricordati

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Song Of The Day - Mike Doughty (Fort Hood)

I've always been a huge fan of Mike Doughty. I can say that without a pause and I was sad when Soul Coughing stopped making records. I picked up "Haughty Melodic" a few year ago and I enjoyed it so much that I nearly forgot about his work with Soul Coughing.

Mike Doughty's new cd, "Golden Delicious," is very good and doesn't let his fans down. Golden Delicious, which by the way, my 2nd favorite kind of apple, I'm just saying. A few tracks like a re-worked "27 Jennifers" and "I Just Want The Girl In the Blue Dress To Keep On Dancing" just keeps the album moving. The first track, "Fort Hood," is kind of a cover song, but once again he puts his own spin on a song and makes it his own original. Mike Doughty may not be for everyone, but I would argue that he is for most.

Here is the video for "Fort Hood." Enjoy!

Song Of The Day - Jesse McCartney (Leavin')

I can already imagine all the hate mail I am going to get for putting this song as the "Song Of The Day." I can't help it, I just keep hearing this song everywhere I go. I was at the pool next to the America's White Boy corporate office with a certain lady friend. We were minding our own business and enjoying the pool and then all of the sudden this song starting playing. The song actually followed me a few times that day and it was stuck in my head the rest of the night. I'm not proud of it, but after doing some research I can honestly say that Jesse McCartney is more manly than I thought, he has been linked to Aubrey O'Day (she is the skanky one in Danity Kane).

Jesse McCartney is no relation to Sir Paul McCartney, but if the kid keeps pumping out Top-40 hits, he could be pulling in the same quality ladies that Mr. Beatle could have during his prime. I want to put out a prediction that he'll be dating Miley Cyrus by 2012. PUT IT ON THE BOARD!

Okay, here it is, the video for "Leavin'"

I Promised You Mullets, I Give You The Best One

Dog The Bounty Hunter is amazing. I say that for many reasons, but mostly because he is can track a many by scent. I have been given the opportunity to give away Dog The Bounty Hunter - The Best of Season 4 DVD and I can't pass up the chance to give my readers something special.

Dog is a man of faith, but doesn't pass up a chance to curse at a guy who jumps his bail. He is part human/part Chuck Norris, you can't run away from the man. I know he may have said some unsavory things over the past year, but we can all look past that and just appreciate the mega-human he has become.

If you want a chance to win this DVD please comment either on this post or anywhere on the blog and I will choose 2 winners. Whomever leaves the most creative comment will win this DVD.

Don't be fooled into thinking that this will be the only giveaway this week. We will also be giving away another set of DVDs. So keep tuned to the site with more detials.

Barack Obama's White Boy

After a few failed presidential campaigns and the butt of many jokes, it looks like Sen. Joe Biden has actually taken a leap in power. The rumor is that he is the Vice-Presidential pick of Barack Obama's in this year's U.S. Presidential race. Biden is a safe choice and is a very lucky man.

Biden beat out Evan Bayh from my home state of Indiana. Bayh has been the "sexy" pick to be either a future presidential nominee or vice-presidential pick since he delivered the key-note speech at the 1996 Democratic Convention. His major downfall was actually his wife, many have compared him to Bill Clinton, as his wife may have had a past of "shady" business transactions. I would personally compare him to a Democratic George W. Bush, only because it seemed like his rise to political fame was due to nepotism. His father was a popular politician in Indiana and the road to a career in politics was already paved for him.

Sen. Joe Biden is the safe candidate. He doesn't have any scandals in his past nor does he have a wife that would pose a threat. I know that a sure road to the presidency would be naming Hillary Clinton as the VP, but I think that would pose a threat to Obama in the long run. Sen. Clinton seems to have her own interests ahead of anyone else's, so it would pose as a clear threat to power during his possible term as president.

I want to name Sen. Joe Biden as the temporary title of "America's White Boy." If rural America is afraid of voting for an African-American man for President, their fears have to be chilled a little by the naming of Joe Biden as VP. How can you be afraif of this man? He is very liberal with the hand gestures. He gets my vote!

A couple of major streakiness items from the Olympics:

The U.S. beach volleyball duo of Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor won the gold medal for the second straight Olympiad. Overall, the pair has won 108 straight matches.

Another U.S. women's juggernaut, the softball squad, had its reign of three straight Olympic golds snapped by Japan. The gold-medalist pitcher, Yukiko Ueno, had quite a last two days. After pitching eight scoreless innings (seven innings is the regulation length) against the U.S. on Wednesday before losing in the ninth, Ueno came back later the same day to pitch all 12 innings of a 4-3 win over Australia. Then today, in a rematch with the Americans, she limited them to one run, the Japanese winning 3-1.

Given that Ueno gave up several runs during this stretch, I'm not sure we can say she always had the "Hot Arm," but I don't think anyone would dispute awarding her the title of the "Durable Arm!"

Song Of The Day - M.I.A. (Paper Planes)

The trailer for the film "Pineapple Express" has been using M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes" in the advertisement for the film. A weird thing has happened because of this, M.I.A. has been creeping up the iTunes charts and the album charts. A few months ago she actually said that she is retiring from the music business, but due to the rise of popularity of this song and her album "Kala," this could change her mind. Even funnier, the song doesn't appear in the actual film or on its Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. Whatever she got paid for the use of the song in the trailer, should be refunded for all the extra publicity this has brought to her.

M.I.A. is of Sri Lankan origin, but British born and raised. She gained famed from file-sharing and is considered a very talented lyricist. Her albums "Arular" and "Kala" were both major successes over in Europe, but until the "Pineapple Express" situation, "Kala" was just a moderate success in the States. Her lyrics are highly political and is very out-spoken with her regards to her political views.

Here is the official video for M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes." (sorry no Seth Rogen in the video).

Michael Phelps Is A Dolphin

I am very excited to witness history tonight, but someone should check Michael Phelps for a blow-hole and/or gills. I know the kid looks like the bastard son of Eli Manning and Jim from "The Office," but he is a beast. What he did in these Olympics is just staggering. The last time an American Olympian garnered this kind of buzz was Michael Johnson back in '96 or maybe the Dan vs. Dave ad campaign that kind of hit the fan.

Phelps got his 8th gold medal at the Beijing Olympics tonight and he needed his fellow team members to help him. Not only did he have 8 gold medals, he broke 7 world records in the process. He will be the next Lance Armstrong, meaning that he will be America's Superhero. He will have to decide what cause he will be backing and what color bracelet he will choose to sell.

The final total for Michael Phelps in his Olympic career is 16 total medals, 14 of them being gold. He is still a young man, so the 2012 Olympics could be in his future. I feel like he should always wear American flag clothing from this point on. Look for him to start dating a famous actress within the next calendar year.

My 2008 Un-All-Star Team - Revisited

On May 7th this year I made my "2008 Un-All-Star Team." I wanted to re-visit this, as some of the players have turned their seasons around, and some have tanked even farther down than I could have imagined. Some have grown mustaches to bust out of their slumps, while others seemed content with a mediocre year and released from their teams. I love when people say that some players are "second-half guys," as you can see, not all players end up heating up as the temperature rises.

The batting averages in italics are as of May 7th, 2008.

Infield
Rickie Weeks - .195 - currently .229 - not an everyday starter
Robinson Cano - .157 - currently .264 - a true second-half guy
Kenji Johjima - .189 - currently .213 - lost his starting job
Ben Broussard - .159 - currently .159 - released and now currently in minors with Yankees
Johnny Estrada - .179 - currently .170 - released by Nationals
Casey Blake - .202 - currently .292 - traded to Dodgers, doing very well.
Ryan Howard - .168 - currently .235 - tied for major league lead in home-runs

Outfield
Andruw Jones - .158 - currently .161 - injury-plagued season
Alfonso Soriano - .177 - currently .293 - made actual all-star team
Nick Swisher - .196 - currently .213 - been very streaky
Jose Guillen - .165 - currently .252 - great second-half
Jim Edmonds - .172 - currently .240 - released by Padres, signed with Cubs, has been on fire when in the starting lineup
Michael Bourn - .194 - currently .226 - an off year, hasn't stole many bases in the second half

Designated Hitter (barely)
Gary Sheffield - .176 - currently .223 - injury plagued season
Jose Vidro - .192 - currently .234 - released by Mariners
Jim Thome - .209 - currently .250 - a very resurgent second-half, big power numbers as well
Jason Giambi .157 - currently .252 - great middle of the season, has fell off here of late

The baseball season is a long and grueling marathon, not everyone can sprint the entire season. A lot can change during the season, but if a player can stay healthy and consistent throughout their career, they will have long playing careers in the Majors. For those you stay injured or struggle, it is easy for a club to cut their loses and a career can come to an end.

Song of The Day - A Rocket To The Moon (I Think About You Everyday)

I found out about 'A Rocket To The Moon' as I was surfing around on Purevolume.com. I had a pretty lazy saturday and found some nice stuff that I'm sure that I will share with you over the next few days. If you are a fan of 'The Secret Handshake,' I think you will enjoy 'A Rocket To The Moon."

Fueled By Raman/Decaydance Records have done a great job at finding talented acts over the past few years. The Academy Is, Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco, and Gym Class Heroes are a few of the acts who have made it big on FBR. A Rocket To The Moon released a Summer EP and it is very enjoyable. Their sound is similar to The Secret Handshake, so they are not creatively different than some newer bands in the genre, but the song-writing is a notch about the rest.

Check out the audio of A Rocket To The Moon's "I Think About You Everday."

Song Of The Day - Feral Children (Spy/Glass House)

As you may already know, we are becoming big fans of the bands on Sarathan Records. If it wasn't for a chance email, I may have not known about this label. I dedicated a "Song Of The Day" to War Tapes over a month ago, they were the first band off of Sarathan we listened to. Feral Children is the new band on the label that we are enjoying.

I want to compare Feral Children as mixture of Against Me! and The Arcade Fire. Their songs are pushed by a huge amount of percussion and rhythm. The lead singer reminds me of Against Me!'s vocalist, he appears to be very passionate about his music. I think Feral Children is a nice addition to the label and should do very well. You can still download a free EP from Feral Children HERE!

Here is a video for "Spy/Glass House" by Feral Children.

The Chicago White Sox hit four homers in a row Thursday afternoon, in a 9-2 victory over Kansas City. Such a feat has been accomlished six times in MLB history. Interestingly, half of these occurrences have taken place between 2006-2008 and the other half between 1961-1964 (see the linked article for a chart listing all the teams and players involved).

Baseball fans are still buzzing about Boston's 19-17 win over Texas last night, a game in which it looked like the Sox's 10-run first inning might go for naught. Obviously, several batters had big nights. The hottest hitter, though, appears to be the Rangers' Marlon Byrd who, according to this article, "went 5 for 6 and is 21 for 34 in his past eight games."

I Feel Like Bob Barker...

Over the past couple months we have built up this website and you have responded with great viewership, honest opinions, and the ability to type in my website url in your web browser. We have been approached by a few people about holding a few contests in the very near future. DVDs, CDs, and depending on your gender, age, and location, free massages by yours truly. Keep tuned to the upcoming festivities. I'll need some ideas on how to pick the winners. I will need to make a fun game that all of our viewers will enjoy.

I'll give you two hints on what we could be giving away.

1# - Mullets

2# - Destruction

Everyone have a great day and remember to get your pet spayed or neutered to help control the pet population. Now I am off to do things to some Barker Beauties.

Song Of The Day - Relient K (Must Have Don Something Right)

Relient K has been around for awhile, very long in terms of their genre. Most pop-punk acts spark and fade rather quickly. Relient K built a strong fanbase before going mainstream with their music. They started out on some smaller Christian labels and started seeing their fanbase grow to a point where they were getting the attention of major labels. "Be My Escape" was their first mainstream hit and then last year they released the album "Five Score and Seven Years Ago" with much success.

The video for "Must Have Done Something Right" is a pretty awesome concept. It follows a traveling soccer ball around. Relient K has always had a sense of humor in their song-writing, so it was just the next logical step to use some of their creativity in their videos.

Relient K will be around a long time, they don't seem to be slowing down. Here is the video for "Must Have Done Something Right."

Trailing 10-11 early on against China, the U.S. women's Olympic basketball team closed out the first quarter on a 23-0 run (article, play-by-play sheet).

Deja vu, all over again. Similar to how he won the British Open last month, Padraig Harrington had the hot putter down the stretch to win the PGA Championship today.

Song Of The Day - Shwayze (Corona And Lime)

Shwayze seems to be the "it" group of the summer. The song "Buzzin" has stayed near the top of iTunes charts all season and with their new track, "Corona and Lime," they are not slowing down. The track is at #3 on iTunes currently and is also a nice and breezy summer track that will do very well for them.

Their album is set to be released on 8/19/2008, I'm assuming that they re-recorded the album to add more Cisco Adler, since any other group's band would have already been released if their first track did as well as Shwayze's. They are currently on Warped Tour and will be touring until the end of the year with Metro Station (a fellow "Song Of The Day" honoree).

Look for Shwayze's album out later this month, I'm sure it will be a top 5 album that week. Here is the video for "Corona And Lime."

"Manny's being Manny!" intoned legendary L.A. Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully in this MLB.com video, as the team's celebrated new acquisition Manny Ramirez belted a ball into the bleachers for a home run last weekend.

Ramirez's hot start in Dodger Blue has now continued on for several games. At the close of Wednesday night's play, according to this ESPN.com article, Manny "is batting .600 (12-for-20) with three homers and six RBIs in five games since joining the Dodgers."

Unfortunately for the Dodgers, they've had to face St. Louis the last few nights, and the Cardinals have some hot-hitting sluggers at the moment, as well. Quoting from the same ESPN.com article:

[Ryan] Ludwick tied a franchise record with a homer in his fifth straight game, only four pitches after [Albert] Pujols' grand slam, and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-6 on Wednesday...

Ludwick was 3-for-5 with three RBIs and Pujols finished 4-for-4 with a walk, while insisting being on the same field as Manny Ramirez served as motivation.

Tuesday night, Ludwick had homered in the 11th inning to give the Cards a 6-4 win over the Dodgers.

With Tiger Woods's absence from the golf scene due to injury, and other stories such as the upcoming Summer Olympics and the Brett Favre/Green Bay Packers saga garnering most of the sports media attention, relatively little has been made of the annual PGA Championship beginning tomorrow.

To the extent that commentators have addressed the PGA tournament, a good deal of the discussion has focused on how Phil Mickelson's career (in major touraments, at least) has turned on a dime, for the worse. What seemed to be a rise to greatness fell, just that quickly, into his being mired in mediocrity.

Having won the 2005 PGA and 2006 Master's, Mickelson appeared to be on the verge of making it three straight majors, as he neared the end of the '06 U.S. Open. However, as characterized by the Wikipedia, Mickelson ended up with:

...one of the most memorable final hole collapses in major championship golf. Leading by a stroke with one hole to play, he chose to hit driver on the final (72nd) hole of the tournament, and hit it well left of the fairway... He decided to aggressively go for the green with his second shot rather than play it safe and pitch out into the fairway. His ball then hit a tree... He was unable to get up and down from there, resulting in double bogey and costing him any chance of winning the championship outright or getting into a playoff... and also ending his bid to join Ben Hogan and Tiger Woods as the only players to win three consecutive professional majors...

Reflecting on his performance afterwards Mickelson admitted: "I still am in shock that I did that. I just can't believe I did that. I'm such an idiot".

In the nine majors he's played since then -- the '06 British Open and PGA, all four majors in '07, and this year's Master's, U.S. Open, and British Open -- he has finished in the top 15 only once (a tie for fifth in this year's Masters; see aforementioned Wikipedia link for his career finishes).

It's certainly tempting to say that Mickelson's collapse at the '06 U.S. Open threw his career into a tailspin, compared to how well he had been playing. Prolonged -- and unexpected -- slumps are not new for him, however. After recording three straight high finishes spanning 2001-2002 (second in the '01 PGA, third in the '02 Master's, and second in the '02 U.S. Open), he fell into the doldrums. Over his next six majors -- with the exception of a third in the '03 Masters -- his finishes were tie for 66th, tie for 34th, tie for 55th, tie for 59th, and tie for 23rd.

We'll see this weekend if "Lefty" can get back to contending for major titles again.

Manny Loves L.A.

Manny Ramirez made his Los Angeles Dodgers debut last night, and the normally quiet Dodger fans were loud for a change. Every fan from the front row to the All-U-Can-Eat Dodger Dog section, was chanting "Man-ny Man-ny" every time he was up to bat. Could Manny change the dynamic of being a regular, non-caring Dodger fan?

If I have learned something about Manny Ramirez during his career is that he has a way of making fans actually care about the team he is on. If you look back to his days in Cleveland, the team was a lowly basement dweller that was relying on Albert Belle for cheers. Manny changed the dynamic of the team and carried them into the playoffs year after year. His arrival in Boston was roughly the same, the Red Sox had a decent team, but could never win a championship, Manny helped them win two. The Dodgers could easily win the NL West, since no other team seems to want it. The Diamondbacks looked like another trip to the playoffs was a lock, but then June and July came and Justin Upton decided that he couldn't hit the baseball. The Dodgers has a really good shot at winning the West and even a better chance if Brad Penny starts pitching up to his talent and if they can pull off a waiver trade to pick up Greg Maddux.

The acquisition of Manny made a lot of things happen. Andruw Jones is now expendable and possibly Juan Pierre could see his way out of L.A. during the waiver period. Manny might have the defensive abilities of a bored little leaguer, but his offensive abilities cannot be over-shadowed by anyone in the game.

Song Of The Day - Newton Faulkner (Dream Catch Me)

I know, I know...why am I putting the spotlight on a white boy with the #1 white boy offense, white man dreadlocks. I held off on listening to Newton Faulkner for this reason, but I stumbled upon a song of his called "Dream Catch Me." I have really fond of this song for really unknown reasons. I have listened to the rest of his debut album, "Hand Built By Robots" and I haven't found anything else on the album close to the quality of "Dream Catch Me."

I will let Mr. Faulkner off the hook for his dreads only for the fact that he is British and sometimes they are a little quirky. If he was from Des Moines, Iowa, I would put him "On Notice" and send a formal letter to Stephen Colbert to announce it on his program.

This song charted all over Europe last year at this time, but was pretty much left alone over here in the States. Newton Faulkner has some talent and maybe his next album will have some popularity over here, if he does something about that rat nest on his head.

Here is the audio for "Dream Catch Me."

Song Of The Day - Metro Station (Control)

I heard Metro Station's "Control" in a random tv commercial about a month ago. I didn't know who the song was by, but the commercial caught my attention every time it was played. I guess it wasn't a great commercial, I can't remember what it was advertising, but I do remember the song.

Metro Station is a dance-punk band that reminds me of The Secret Handshake and The Faint. They are all young guys that should have a long career in the music business ahead of them. Their self-titled debut album is doing well and I am seeing their name all over last.fm user profiles.

I couldn't find an official version of "Control" that they would let me embed, so here is a user's video with lyrics.