Independent Rock The Vote

Image by daniel arnold! via FlickrWilco w/ Fleet Foxes served up a tasty cover of Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released" today. Awesome.

Greetings all,

Such tumultuous times. And in the spirit of giveaways that seem to be sweeping the nation, we've got something free for you. No it's not a pile of cash (sorry) but rather an audio postcard of sorts from a summer's night in Oregon with our friends the Fleet Foxes & a lovely Bob Dylan tune. All we ask is you go to http://wilcoworld.net/vote/ and click the "I pledge to vote in the 2008 Election" button. If you can spare it, we also encourage you to consider a donation to Feeding America http://www.feedingamerica.org/ . Happy listening (and please feel free to pass this email along to friends, family members, etc.).

The Wilco HQ Distribution Dept.
http://wilcoworld.net/

Stat of the day (9/19/08)

Image via Wikipedia"97% of teens ages 12-17 play computer, web, portable, or console games."

Source: Pew Internet Life, Teen Games and Civics Report

I Heart Neko

Image by JasonBechtel via FlickrThe previous concert I attended (Rage) could not have a more different atmosphere than the one I attended last night. Neko Case, the scarlet-haired crooner formerly of the New Pornographers, is touring in advance of her March 2009 album release. She's building support for the forthcoming album, titled (I think I head this right) Middle Cycle, and she's testing out new material. Her voice is amazing in person, and the band sounded great . . . especially their lap guitarist, who is responsible for the eerie slide guitar sounds you hear in her songs. The major difference between a Neko album and a Neko show? Way more goosebumps.

If you're a Neko neophyte, check out these tunes for a taste:

Neko Case - Deep Red Bells

Neko Case - Hold On, Hold On

A Retail Model To Rival WalMart

Image by Getty Images via Daylife German low cost/low price grocers Aldi are getting a lot of buzz within the business sections these days...

NYT: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/07/business/07feed.html?ref=business

Business Week: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/04_17/b3880010.htm?campaign_id=rss_topStories

WSJ (Consumerist.com): http://consumerist.com/tag/recession-watch/?i=5023316&t=broke-consumers-turn-to-deep-discount-stores-like-aldi

Related articles by Zemanta

• The rise and rise of the discount king
• Aldi sales soar as rivals feel the pinch

Best Homemade Coffee Ever.

Image via Wikipedia I was recently on a search for a coffee/espresso maker, and I came upon the Aerobee AeroPress on one of my favorite sites, Wize.com. The user reviews were 100% correct - the coffee/espresso made on this simple contraption is remarkable. The best part? It's only $26! If you don't already own an espresso machine, be sure to grab one of these.

Stat of the day (9/6/08)

Image via Wikipedia According to the Economist, 1/3 of all leveraged buy-outs EVER (in inflation equated enterprise value) occured between 2006 and 2007.

Update: Rage

Image via Wikipedia It was great to see Rage Against the Machine back together and pumping out their angry jams. The show started out in an jarring manner. The lights went down, followed by an air raid siren, and all 4 members of RATM were walked out in prison uniforms with bags over their heads, a la Abu Gahrib. After all 4 were lined up, they were escorted to their locations, where they promptly played Bombtrack while still in full prison garb. It was probably the most memorable concert opening I've ever seen.

They rocked out all of their best songs, including a new one about Katrina victims which I had never heard. The show did get a bit political - as expected, but I was surprised to hear Zach De La Rocha take a jab at Palin's pregnant daughter. Even if it was a joke, it was a bit too base.

MGMT's Kids Covered By The Kooks

Worth a listen...

“Kids (MGMT Cover)” by The Kooks at Music Ramen

The Lobster Tan is Back!

Image via Wikipedia Yup, I forgot how white I am again this weekend. Now my sunburn won't let me forget it. Good times.

Rage

Image by Getty Images via Daylife September is going to be my busiest concert month to date. It all starts tomorrow evening as Rage Against The Machine reunites at the Target Center. I'm looking forward to angry liberals rocking out (I mean angry) as the GOP parties a town away.