mixtape

I have put together the finest mixtape of all time. This is not, however, your father's mixtape. This is a compilation of the finest songs of all time which basically deal with the issue of being awesome. When I'm feeling down, I like to listen to these tunes and remember how awesome I am. And yes, I know we're a bit heavy on Brand New. Face it, they're fantastic.

Here we go.

1. Senses Fail - Bonecrusher: Starting things off hard and fast. "I've got romantic ideas, but they're not meant for you." In your face, bub.
2. Brand New - Seventy Times 7: This is really just angry. I should probably not have it on this mix tape. Oops
3. alexisonfire - side walks when she walks: If you don't dig the tune, love the timing changes, and the fact that the band has "alex" in their name. Or is it alexis?
4. Jimmy Eat World - Night Drive: The imagery is insane. It's a song that actually takes you somewhere.
5. Brand New - Me vs. Maradona vs. Elvis: Kinda makes you feel like a douche just for listening. Sometimes, it's just one of those days.
6. Funeral for a Friend - All the Rage: From one of my favorite albums ever, this song brings us back from the slower previous two.
7. Bad Company - Feel Like Makin' Love: Stark contrast to the previous, and fairly self explanatory. Great, great song.
8. Taking Back Sunday - One-Eighty by Summer: "Go on, just say it. You need me like a bad habit."
9. Senses Fail - Choke on This: It's harsh. I guess the rest of the CD is too. Oops.
10. Cute is What We Aim For - Lyrical Lies: It's about being slick. Sort of.
11. Finch - Three Simple Words: No talent, no ability, but it sure gets you fired up.
12. Eagles - One of these Nights: Classic cool. Undeniable.
13. Brand New - Luca: The ending hits you in the face. Like something hitting you in the face. Hard.
14. Phil Collins - In the Air Tonight: Say what you will. Drive at night with this song blasting with all the windows down. Better yet, get a convertible. You will know what I'm talking about.
15. Brand New - ...my nine rides shotgun: It ends the mix. It's the ultimate badass song. It needs no introduction. It makes its own.

Let's note, when I say "badass," I'm referring to slick, cool, awesome. Not Metallica-mullet-Camaro-lots-of-noise-yeah.

Now get off of the internet and drive around with Phil Collins.

...my nine rides shotgun

and it's happened before
and it will happen again

Just for Men: Hair Product or Song Ruiner?

If there's one thing I hate, it's ads that take great songs and kill them. Everytime I see a "patriotic" commercial playing Fortunate Son, I sort of want to puke. Apparently people don't actually care what the song is about, but if you can take a few lines out of context and run Brett Favre around a cornfield you can sell some shitty jeans.

The latest example of advertising killing great music is this Just for Men commercial that plays Cream's Sunshine of Your Love. I'm sure you know the one I'm talking about. It features the douchey gray-haired guy with surfboard, who is later onstage making feeble pretend-guitar hand motions while his haggard fake-blonde, cougar-style girlfriend plays a tambourine. She's also not wearing nearly enough clothing.

I'm sure this commercial is effective, at least more so than the previous Just for Men campaigns which featured washed-up sports stars doing play-by-play as dirty old men hit on disproportionately hot young ladies. Of course, as soon as the guy dyes his beard the 22-year-old Victoria's Secret model immediately wants to get it on. It almost made me want to try out some Just for Men. That being said, don't murder a fantastic classic song with your crappy hair product for people who want to make it painfully obvious that they're getting old by dying their hair ever-so-slightly unnatural colors.

Sigh.

Go Gators

The University of Florida has more Olympic medals thus far than India. That's a country of more than a billion people.

Go Gators.

"New" Facebook: almost as awesome as New Coke

New Facebook sucks.

Now you're waiting for why I think it sucks.

You're out of luck.

Sometimes life throws you a curveball

Lucky I learned how to beat the shit out of a curveball when I was 13.

Acura

This is a fine example of a commercial being better than the product it's advertising. The TSX is a rebadged European Accord. Hardly a sports sedan, but certainly a competent ride. Anyway, I think they outdid themselves here. Mad props to RPA. Independent agencies rock my face off.