SUNDAY MORNING TUNEAGE
RADIOHEAD - PUNCHDRUNK LOVESICK SINGALONG. This is from the "My Iron Lung" EP album. "A beautiful girl can turn your world to doubt" is what I think it says. It could be "dust" but either way it's Thom nailing the imagery. I still think he was a couple years from perfecting his writing but there is some of it on display here. This 1994 song wouldn't really enter my life until I got it on the extended CD release of "The Bends". Decent song overall but not one that would make your Top Twenty for the group.
RITA COOLIDGE - ALL TIME HIGH. Was this OCTOPUSSY song perfect for 1983? Yes. The Bond films did it best when they went with a great voice and ignored current trends in music (not that I'm complaining about getting Duran Duran to do a theme song). This is a very underrated song from the Bond genre. It's kinda timeless and fun. I love her voice - "We'll take on the world and win . . ."
ALAN PARSONS PROJECT - EYE IN THE SKY. In 1982, I didn't know any of you that read this blog on a regular basis. There may even be some that read this that weren't even born then. But for a few of you - I feel like we're connected by an unspoken love for this song. I know Mattie and I are on this song. It's not the greatest Alan Parsons song and not off their best album. But it is part of anyone's consciousness who remembers 1982. If you had the album - the "Sirius" track that precedes it is awesome. It's that much better named after the George Orwell novel, "1984".
DEADLIGHTS OF 2013 . . . Mark Balelo from "Storage Wars" committed suicide. I don't even want to dignify that with a joke . . . I don't know where Tim Dog has been since 1991 but he's known for his "F*ck Compton" song best and his work with Ultramagnetic MCs and now he's dead . . . Shadow Morton had a cool name and he wrote some of the great girl group songs like "Remember (Walking In The Sand)" and "Walking In The Sand" . . . W. Watts Biggers was a writer but I know him best as creator of Underdog. That and tons of other characters like "Go Go Gophers" and "Tennessee Tuxedo" just to mention a few. . .
QUICK LIST (a random, uninformed list off the top of Shawn's head)
By request . . . BEST CASTLE CASES OF ALL-TIME
10. A CHILL GOES THROUGH HER VEINS (S.1, E.5) It was early on in the series but here was an episode that told me it was going to be worth the run. Castle uses his skills from writing to solve the case, the two are at each other through the episode and Alexis and Castle have their laser tag games that are so cute.
9. A ROSE FOR EVER AFTER (S.2, E.12) It's a fun wedding mystery that plays out like an Agatha Christie novel. But it's Alyssa Milano as Beckett's "one who got away" as the bride who steals the show. And we finally get Beckett to admit some jealousy after she witnesses a kiss.
8. THE DOUBLE DOWN (S.2, E.2) I loved the game that was set forth when Ryan and Esposito made a bet as to who could solve their murder first. It shows off the great supporting characters and the game of solving the murders was so fun.
7. THE BLUE BUTTERFLY (S.4, E.14) The series had started to devolve to gimmicks by Season 4. But this film noir episode really worked and I love the inspirations of the alternate characters that let our favorite characters do something new and fun.
6. UNDEAD AGAIN ( S.4, E.22) I had been told to look forward to getting to this episode. And few episodes usually lie up to that promise. This one delivered. Great mystery of a guy turning into a zombie. One of my favorite memories of the show. And little did I know my enjoyment of the show would be so close to ending.
5. TICK, TICK, TICK (S.2, E.17-18). A two-parter came along at a good time for the show. It's got a serial killer, Castle's books being optioned to be movies and Dana Delaney as FBI agent that adds some perfect spice to the mix.
4. LAST CALL (S.3, E.10) The mystery of 150 year old whiskey and Castle buying a new bar and Billy Joel's "Piano Man". It's as fun as the stories get in the whole series. And a good mystery to boot.
3. ALWAYS (S.4, E.23) It's part of the overall great story of finding the killer of Beckett's mother. It brings that storyline around to a darker place. But it is also is known as the episode at the end of Season Four that brings out lovers together. It was a long time coming and I'm undecided it that's the moment the show ended for me. But love won out and Castle was my favorite this last Summer when it was about love.
2. KNOCKDOWN (S.3, E.13) It's known as the first kiss episode. But there are huge developments in the Johanna Beckett murder that set forth lots of important stories the rest of Season 3 and Season 4.
1. KNOCKOUT (S.3, E.24) Everything came to a head here - it could almost have been a series finale type of episode. It solved mysteries from the previous three seasons and put a nice button on it with a cliffhanger to get us to Season Four. Shootings, betrayals, and a ton of clues to the murder of Beckett's mother.
Worst episodes? I could just start a list of most of Season 5 as it has become one similar episode after another. All gimmicks up to this point. But before that there were some clunkers showing up in Season 4 that pointed towards this happening - "Heartbreak Hotel" with all the Elvis impersonators didn't have that humor that I expect from the show. And I thought they wasted the start of the season with "Kick The Ballistics" starting up after the end last season's shooting of Beckett. All of a sudden, they cast Castle as a jilted boyfriend - it was a terrible plot point and glad they got past it quickly.
9. A ROSE FOR EVER AFTER (S.2, E.12) It's a fun wedding mystery that plays out like an Agatha Christie novel. But it's Alyssa Milano as Beckett's "one who got away" as the bride who steals the show. And we finally get Beckett to admit some jealousy after she witnesses a kiss.
8. THE DOUBLE DOWN (S.2, E.2) I loved the game that was set forth when Ryan and Esposito made a bet as to who could solve their murder first. It shows off the great supporting characters and the game of solving the murders was so fun.
7. THE BLUE BUTTERFLY (S.4, E.14) The series had started to devolve to gimmicks by Season 4. But this film noir episode really worked and I love the inspirations of the alternate characters that let our favorite characters do something new and fun.
6. UNDEAD AGAIN ( S.4, E.22) I had been told to look forward to getting to this episode. And few episodes usually lie up to that promise. This one delivered. Great mystery of a guy turning into a zombie. One of my favorite memories of the show. And little did I know my enjoyment of the show would be so close to ending.
5. TICK, TICK, TICK (S.2, E.17-18). A two-parter came along at a good time for the show. It's got a serial killer, Castle's books being optioned to be movies and Dana Delaney as FBI agent that adds some perfect spice to the mix.
4. LAST CALL (S.3, E.10) The mystery of 150 year old whiskey and Castle buying a new bar and Billy Joel's "Piano Man". It's as fun as the stories get in the whole series. And a good mystery to boot.
3. ALWAYS (S.4, E.23) It's part of the overall great story of finding the killer of Beckett's mother. It brings that storyline around to a darker place. But it is also is known as the episode at the end of Season Four that brings out lovers together. It was a long time coming and I'm undecided it that's the moment the show ended for me. But love won out and Castle was my favorite this last Summer when it was about love.
2. KNOCKDOWN (S.3, E.13) It's known as the first kiss episode. But there are huge developments in the Johanna Beckett murder that set forth lots of important stories the rest of Season 3 and Season 4.
1. KNOCKOUT (S.3, E.24) Everything came to a head here - it could almost have been a series finale type of episode. It solved mysteries from the previous three seasons and put a nice button on it with a cliffhanger to get us to Season Four. Shootings, betrayals, and a ton of clues to the murder of Beckett's mother.
Worst episodes? I could just start a list of most of Season 5 as it has become one similar episode after another. All gimmicks up to this point. But before that there were some clunkers showing up in Season 4 that pointed towards this happening - "Heartbreak Hotel" with all the Elvis impersonators didn't have that humor that I expect from the show. And I thought they wasted the start of the season with "Kick The Ballistics" starting up after the end last season's shooting of Beckett. All of a sudden, they cast Castle as a jilted boyfriend - it was a terrible plot point and glad they got past it quickly.
NETFLIX PLAY NOW OF THE WEEK . . . still haven't got around to watching UNITED 93 but I keep hearing good things about it. I guess after all these years, I can get around to it . . .
Shawn's fave movies according to FLICKCHART
#192 - GoldenEye
#431 - Die Hard 2
#839 - The Town
#192 - GoldenEye
#431 - Die Hard 2
#839 - The Town
RANDOM PROJECT UPDATE - The EC project. I'm still working my way through their War Comics - I'm on the 2nd volume of "Two Fisted Tales". The series only runs 24 issues and I'm about 8 issues into it. Lots of Korean War stories dominate but they are still haunting today. I wish I would have been exposed to these stories when I was much younger - there is a wealth of great story and art here. Harvey Kurtzman is amazing. Think I'll look into "Shock Suspense Stories" next.
SHAWN'S TOP ALBUMS OF ALL-TIME (a tribute to the art of the album)
#48 Dr. Dre - The Chronic (1992)
Dre had just left NWA over some money disputes and while everyone knew that Ice Cube was destined for stardom - I don't recall people talking about Dre's ability to be a star. And then this album hit and it changed the game again. It took the edge off the Gangsta Rap genre by bringing back the deep G-Funk sound. And then it launched the career of Snoop Dogg too. These mellow laid back beats described the title of the album perfectly. And it was instant love. It was so hard to turn away from these songs when they hit in 1992 and 1993. This wasn't an album to write home about but it's still all about the beats . . . the George Clinton "Atomic Dog" samples, James Brown's "Funky Drummer" and Leon Haywood's "I Wanna Do Something Freaky With You" on the "Nuthin' But A G-Thing". Still sounds so fresh today.
Dre had just left NWA over some money disputes and while everyone knew that Ice Cube was destined for stardom - I don't recall people talking about Dre's ability to be a star. And then this album hit and it changed the game again. It took the edge off the Gangsta Rap genre by bringing back the deep G-Funk sound. And then it launched the career of Snoop Dogg too. These mellow laid back beats described the title of the album perfectly. And it was instant love. It was so hard to turn away from these songs when they hit in 1992 and 1993. This wasn't an album to write home about but it's still all about the beats . . . the George Clinton "Atomic Dog" samples, James Brown's "Funky Drummer" and Leon Haywood's "I Wanna Do Something Freaky With You" on the "Nuthin' But A G-Thing". Still sounds so fresh today.
Previous Rankings
#49 - Beastie Boys - Licensed To Ill (1986)
#50 - Funkadelic - One Nation Under A Groove (1978)
#51 - Steely Dan - Aja (1977)
#51 - Steely Dan - Aja (1977)
#52 - Prince - Dirty Mind (1980)
#53 - The Stooges - The Stooges (1969)
#53 - The Stooges - The Stooges (1969)
THIS WEEK IN TELEVISION
MONDAY
BUNHEADS (ABCFAM) I've yet to watch an episode of this "Gilmore Girls" meets dancing show but my little Dee loves it and watches it the next day - something that doesn't even happen with "Glee" anymore. Maybe it's the cute young guys I see on the ads that have something to do with this?
ADVENTURE TIME (TOON) More of the gender switching universe with some Neil Patrick Harris as the male Princess Bubblegum and Donald Glover as the male version of Marceline.
TUESDAY
MINDY PROJECT (FOX) Mindy's first kiss was with a young Seth Rogen at Jewish Summer Camp - he's back in her life again tonight. I think this show has potential but I still give the chance at renewal and around 50%.
WINGS (TCM) The first Best Film Oscar of all-time went to this silent film in 1927. A great decade for film and this is one of the best - showing off lots of WWI era aviation dog fights.
WEDNESDAY
ARROW (CW) I'm finding that the stories that don't involve Oliver are becoming the most interesting. I like this feud slash love slash business relationship with the Mom and Malcolm. So many questions.
AMERICAN IDOL (FOX) How quickly I fell off the AI bandwagon. I was caught up through most of the auditions. But now I'm behind the Vegas week and not sure I'm going to even catch up through the Hollywood round that starts tonight. Ten perform and five are eliminated.
THURSDAY
ARCHER (FX) I'm still in love with this show. But am I starting to feel like they've explored most of the stories that they can? Archer is bitten by a snake on his you know what - taken from other shows? But I'm sure their take will be hilarious.
GLORY HOUNDS (ANIMAL) Two hours following Afghanistan based canine units and their bonds with their masters. I'm not sure that even I can make it through this without my share of Kleenex. I'm a sucker for service dogs. And war based dogs are the most touching.
FRIDAY
OUT THERE (IFC) This animated comedy uses the voices of Fred Armisen and Megan Mullaly is all I need to hear. This network rarely lets me down. Caught up with last couple seasons of "Portlandia" and becoming slightly obsessed.
HERE COMES MR. JORDAN (TCM) This 1941 film with Claude Rains and Robert Montgomery is one of the first "feel good" movies I remember seeing. Great stuff.
SATURDAY
STORAGE WARS (A&E) Some of us need a long vacation where we can sit in a hotel room with a SW marathon and a really big bottle of bourbon.
ON THE WATERFRONT (TCM) Warm up for the Oscars tomorrow with a Best Picture winner from 1954. Marlon gets all the attention here but I love some Eva Marie Saint too (Best Supporting Actress!).
SUNDAY
THE 85TH ACADEMY AWARDS (ABC) I had the best intentions of getting out to see all the Best Picture nominated films in January and February. Didn't work out so well. I'm maybe the least interested in this batch of awards than any in the past 4 years. In fact, the 2009 awards was probably the last time I was really into it. I'll try again next year.
AND NOW A WORD FROM OUR SPONSOR . . . The R.I.F. (Reading Is Fundamental) ads of the 70s and 80s were great but they can't hold a candle to this ad. It should be running on a loop in every library in the country . . .
This Nike ad tells a great story and does everything but make me want to buy shoes. One of the ads I missed adding to my Best Of 2012 list . . .
And here's the extended version of the Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd ad from the Super Bowl. Like an outtake on a DVD . . .
This Nike ad tells a great story and does everything but make me want to buy shoes. One of the ads I missed adding to my Best Of 2012 list . . .
And here's the extended version of the Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd ad from the Super Bowl. Like an outtake on a DVD . . .
"But I ain't trippin'
I'm just kickin' it." - Dr. Dre
I'm just kickin' it." - Dr. Dre
Swing down. Stop and ride. Stay hard.
sb
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