cryptique

...and that pretty much proves the point. There's evidently one obscure left-wing nutcase out there who says a lot of stupid shit, plus a few random quotes from less obscure nutcases (you obviously liked the Montel Williams quote so much that you included it twice). The rhetoric from the right is featured prominently on mainstream outlets (Fox News, etc.). One does not need to search very deeply to find it. There are morons with violent fantasies on both sides, but the right has let many more of them ascend onto platforms that give them nationwide exposure.

I've never heard of Mike Malloy.

I doubt this very much. Not violent vitriol.

That album was a crucial component of my high school years. I was already a fan when it was released, and it only deepened my love of that band. Patton Oswalt references it a lot in an early chapter of his new book.

Nope. It is true that automatically connecting this guy to the likes of Beck and Palin is a knee-jerk reaction. I am obviously guilty of this in this case (though I've been trying to back down from my initial comments). However, as a (possibly) separate issue, we definitely should be searching for ways to dial back the hateful rhetoric that spews from the mouths of people such as Beck and Palin -- on both sides. (Though really, there's far more of it on the "right" -- at least in the mass media. And the rhetoric from the right tends to be more violent -- the lefties are probably more pacifis

I deleted an earlier post just now that some may have seen, because I'm still very angry about this incident and I went off half-cocked about something. I mention this because, regardless of what the shooter's motivations turn out to be in this case, my point in that now-deleted post, and the point the Keith Olbermann makes, is no less true whether the shooter was motivated by Sarah Palin or Glenn Beck or anyone else, or whether he was simply a lunatic who decided entirely on his own to attack a congresswoman. That point is this: The incendiary rhetoric surrounding politics has gotten WAY

He's spreading blame equally, even accepting some himself. Yes, he mentioned those on the other side of the political fence more prominently, but the hateful rhetoric has been more prevalent on that side -- and this really is beyond dispute (where's the liberal counterpart to Glenn Beck? Ann Coulter? Rush Limbaugh? There are no such people -- or at least, none who have TV/radio shows). Did you watch the video?

An Arizona congresswoman is fighting for her life after being shot by a deranged douchebag; several are dead; many more are wounded It's time for the likes of Glenn Beck to tone down the rhetoric. We used to disagree respectfully in this country; now we'd rather shoot than listen. The more one side characterizes the other side as being "anti-American" and wanting to "destroy" or "weaken" America, the more polarized we become, and the more likely these kinds of incidents become. The words of the Pima County Sheriff, Clarence Dupnik, are instructive (quoted here from a CNN story): Dupnik

$80? I think I got mine for $65, or less. You can get it right now through sellers on Amazon for about $56.

...but the rest of it was earlier. Some of it much earlier.

I know, right? And for those who are curious, Isbell posted this on Facebook: "That guitar from last night is an old Harmony prep that was restored by Scott Baxendale. It's from the late 20's."

If Bonham were still alive, there would likely have been several more Led Zeppelin albums. The band might even still be together, and putting out new music. *sigh* If only...

MSNBC has excerpts from a new Rolling Stone interview with Robert Plant: Robert Plant: Led Zeppelin 'a bit of a pain in the pisser' Musician opens up about Zeppelin reunion and failed Krauss follow-up By Andy Greene Rolling Stone updated 1/6/2011 3:22:01 PM ET In the new issue of Rolling Stone — on stands and online in the digital archives now (subscription required) — Robert Plant explains to writer Stephen Rodrick why he was unwilling to keep performing with Led Zeppelin after their 2007 reunion concert. "It was an amazing evening," Plant says. "The preparations for it were fra

Hey Adam, I remember you from ages ago on the Posies list (Dear 23). Wish I could get to the show ... sounds like a good time!

Huffington Post's critic agrees with me on the year's best record

I propose a compromise: musicians can keep doing the Hallelujah stuff if Bon Jovi stops touring and recording altogether, apologizes for his entire career, and promises never to do it again.

This is an important consideration. I have less of a problem with extreme loudness if the sound system can keep up with it. Most can't -- or the guy running the board is more interested in gratuitous noise than a good house mix. 90% (or more) of the rock shows I've ever been to would have been greatly improved simply by turning the volume down.

Man, I wish I hadn't missed this. Isbell's been talking a lot about his new album on Facebook/Twitter. If it's anywhere near as good as his last one (and he seems to think it is), I'll be very happy. edit: Never mind, here it is. JTE, with Isbell on guitar. (Maybe Letterman will have Isbell back to do his own stuff soon?)

"Loudest band" is not something anyone should aspire to. The only reason to try to be the loudest is to cover up the fact that you suck. Fortunately for Dinosaur Jr., they don't suck.

I bought some for my brother for Christmas. Haven't heard from him yet about whether it was any good. (I don't drink coffee, so I wouldn't know.)

Not official yet. But hopefully will be soon.

1. The Posies - Blood/Candy 2. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - I Learned The Hard Way 3. Los Lobos - Tin Can Trust 4. The National - High Violet 5. Ted Leo & The Pharmacists - The Brutalist Bricks 6. Crowded House - Intriguer 7. Title Tracks - It Was Easy 8. Darren Hanlon - I Will Love You At All 9. Pernice Brothers - Goodbye, Killer 10. Bettye LaVette - Interpretations: The British Rock Songbook 10. Band of Horses - Infinite Arms edit: I just listened to that Bettye LaVette again and this time around it annoyed me. So it's been replaced. edit, pt. II: OK, so I finally listened to t

"highy"

Can't find a video for it, but "B Movie" by Elvis Costello & The Attractions has one of the finest bass lines ever recorded. Bruce Thomas is a god.