knockdown palace

As we were sitting around dinner about a week ago, back when I lived in paradise and my life wasn't dictated by an actual clock but by a conch shell and the terms "sunshine" and "nighttime," back in the good old days...

As we were sitting around dinner, about a week ago, when I said, "I'd rather be sweating than freezing any day," when I thanked the skies and trees and everything holy for sunburns, and really, truly, sincerely hoped that maybe, just maybe, we'd get stranded on that place named Frank's Island. Never in my entire life have I ever liked the name Frank. Until last week. Now I'm in freakin' love with Frank.

As we were sitting around dinner, a weekish ago, someone mentioned the danger of electrical currents. How did this conversation start, you may ask? Isn't it fairly obvious - that electrical currents are relatively dangerous? G brought up that a good way to make sure you followed through on a resolution would be to wear a taser-collar, like the ones they featured in the Dorito's Superbowl commercials. G mentioned that she'd taser me anytime I used the phrase "bendito" last year, for example. I volunteered that I'd handle a taser collar no problem, because I've actually been blessed enough to have run into an electric fence. Clearly I've recovered from that time, but I was recalling it for the audience. Notice my skills when put on the spot:

"Wait, you ran into an electric fence?" - A
"Yeah. I knocked down." - Me

Though I may fool all of you into thinking I'm brilliant, my speech is at best, decipherable, and at worst, garbage.

Lesson learned: "Knocked down" always, always takes an object (knocked boots, knocked down the sauce, knocked on the door). And I'm an English teacher.

Here are some kickers for your week as we approach the middleoftheweek:

1. Linkin Park, "Bleed It Out"


Linkin Park is one of those rare exceptions I make with sk8er bands in general. This is maybe the best song, next to The Killers entire Hot Fuss album, that I can think of to run to right now. It took me 3 years to get over my severe over-listening of The Killers and subsequent disappointment at their follow-up albums, but I'm proud to say I'm back in the game.

2. The Killers, "On Top"


So, speaking of The Killers, here are some things I know:
1. Brandon Flowers, you're welcome.
2. Any song that mentions "Rio" is wicked good.
3. "We bring the bump to the grind" is a good lyric, period.

3. Lloyd Banks f. Juelz Santana "Beamer, Benz, or Bentley"


I once applied to be Juelz Santana's PA. True story. He never wrote back to me. WTF? Truth? I actually kinda like this song. I had to listen to it about 5 times first, but I do. Be in a movin' mood though, homes. Otherwise your head might spin.

4. Mason Jennings, "I Love You and Buddha Too"


Fuck, but Mason Jennings is great. Good enough for gratuitous cursing (no apologies). I don't even mind those sideburns, or the hair. Jack Johnson jumped in there in this video, but you know what? This is not really my favorite MJ song, but it is the sweetest (for me). I dig "California," myself.

5. The Band, "Atlantic City"


Originally recorded by my dad, Bruce Springsteen. Ok not my dad. But a girl can dream, right? I have an unadulterated, unwavering American blue-jean love for Bruce Springsteen, which I can neither extinguish nor explain. It's not that I think Bruce Springsteen is the best or the greatest (I don't), but I connect him inextricably with summers at the shore, late summer nights, jean shorts, and the levee. And those memories alone make him great. And this song just got 10x better 'cause it's sung by The Band.

6. Amos Lee, "Supply and Demand"


I like the rock (like rock-a-bye-baby rock, not just rock-n-roll) of this song. It has a good lilting feeling to it.

7. Common f. Lily Allen, "Driving Me Wild"


I want to be Lily Allen in this video. Don't know how Common decided to hook it with Lily, or if it was vice versa, but the piano beat and the vibe here are the ish.

8. Deftones, "Drive"


Holler at a Cars song covered by a hard-rocking band. I pretty much hate The Deftones and thought this cover was so good I bought the whole album because it was one of those "album only" songs on the Itunes playlist whathaveyou. I would've just pirated it, but after the regrettable $200 field trip to Best Buy wherein I discovered that pirating music frequently leads to numerous viruses on your computer, I've given up the Jack Sparrow existence. Anyway, it's saying something that I allowed this trash onto my computer for one stellar cover.

9. Discovery, "I Want You Back"


If you don't take drugs, this song might not be as great. But I still think it is.

10. Dyme Def, "Let It Be"


Been having this song for awhile but it just never stops being awesome. Beatles + rap = love.

11. Everclear, "Local God"


I'm noticing that every.single.song with "Romeo and Juliet" somewhere in the lyrics, or in this case, fan vid, is terrific. When R&J first came out in, what, 1996 (?) my mom thought it was a bit too "sexy" or "forward" for me to see in theaters, so of course, I went to my friend's house, and we watched it there and ogled at Leo. Leo was straight out of his awkward homeless "Growing Pains" adolescence and looking fiiiiiine, I might add. And while everyone else was falling apart over the Desiree song, "Missing You," and making out with their gross twelve-year-old boyfriends, I was jamming to Everclear. Best song on the album. And it was a great album. I think I received it 4 times that year as a gift.

12. Jurassic 5, "Concrete Schoolyard"


One of the epic items from the "Relic Playlist." Love it when a video cuts to each of the people featured in the video and gives them solo shots. Like here. I'm waiting with baited breath for someone to make a mashup with this song.

13. Phantom Planet, "Raise the Dead"


I have a soft spot for guys who can jam as well acoustically as they can with stereo systems and sound equipment. But it's well worth it to check out the "real" version of this song.

14. Bob Dylan, "Not Dark Yet"


Appreciate.

15. T. Rex, "Mambo Sun"


<3, Marc Bolan. His voice is sexy. His sound is sexy. Mambo Sun, hell, even the name of this song is sexy. Lyrics don't make sense. But sexy.

ADIOS KIDS