Ten Years Have Got Behind You

I was pretty late getting into classic rock and other music from the 70s. And while I definitely enjoy bands like Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd, I was never fully blown away by them like I might have been had I been born 20 years earlier. That being said, it's easy to see how I completely forgot how much I like this song.

I Already Know How This Thing Goes

At first I thought this was just a whack cover but at about 40 seconds in, the beat drops and the song picks up a bit. Typically, I like it when songs build up, but in this case The Fray could have done better by just starting off strong. I also think the song could have used that running, airy flute-line that provided the "head nod" in the original, but all in all this is a pretty solid cover. I still prefer Kanye's version but against all odds The Fray have put together a much, much better video than the original. The animation is amazing and it completely brings to life the imagination of someone doodling and day-dreaming in class.

Motivate Me

After seeing it a few days ago, this Nike promo video had me really excited for the start of Arsenal's season. Even though European soccer seems to have the shortest off-season of any professional sport, it has been a long summer of never ending transfer rumors and few actual transfers. The Gunners have sold a couple want-away players and only brought in former Ajax defender Thomas Vermaelan but the squad remains strong and hopefully hungry. There are still a few weeks left to add some strength or depth to the team but new signings or not, I'm really looking forward to watching Arsenal play again.

In Arsenal's EPL season opener on Saturday, the Gunners didn't disappoint. They cruised past Everton by a whopping 6-1. This is the same Everton that finished a close 5th to Arsenal last season, and who many consider are a strong contender to knock the Gunners out of the top 4 this campaign. Although it's only one game, this Week 1 victory sent a message to the league and left me feeling somewhat reassured. Despite what most writers and fans think, I'm optimistic about the Gunners this year and what doubts I had about the team were put to rest during the game, if not permanently. I realize the weaknesses I thought Arsenal had a few days ago are still there but it goes without saying that laying the groundwork for a strong start to the season is ideal. Now, I just hope this momentum can be carried into Tuesday's Champions League Qualifier (Celtic United) and into the next several EPL games (which include ManU and ManC).

Children, Wake Up

Trailer 2 for Where The Wild Things Are. Yup, still really exited about this movie. It would make for an awesome costume, but I have to wonder how many people are going to be Max for Halloween...

Time Of My Life

Shadow was a big reason why I used to want to get into dj-ing. I feel like a "real" day-in-the-life video of his would be the awesome. Insight into how he finds and selects records, how he makes his music, that entire process would be really interesting.

My Whole Team Got Dough

Jay-Z (feat. Kanye West & Rihanna)



Pitchfork didn't think much of this song but I like it. For one, Jay-Z actually sounds like he means it on this one, ditching that less-than-gruff, breathy style of rapping he tends to lean on too much. Rihanna doesn't do much here but once again she proves that she can serve a hook well. Kanye did the beat, which is more solid than stellar, but he makes up for it with a great guest verse. I keep saying this, but damn if Kanye isn't the best "featuring..." rapper over the past year or so. Anyway, this song has me looking forward to The Blueprint 3, even after finding out that the album won't include "Jockin' Jay-Z" and "Brooklyn (Go Hard)".

Warriors Don't Surrender

Every once and a while a rapper from San Francisco comes along and records an 80s spoof song that actually rivals, and in some cases dominates, real 80s songs. And then, sometimes someone else comes along and makes a video for that song that almost equals the glory and majesty of the song itself. This is just awesome. I want to post the lyrics.


Champion Of My Heart by Richie Cunning

1. 2. 1. 2. 3. AGGGH!

When the darkness closes in
and the animals run for shelter,
a bird still sings for you.
When you think you've lost it all,
'cause the other guy knows karate
and you don't know what to do.

How will you know? (How will you know?)
How will you know? (How will you know?)
That your punch is filled with fury and your kick is f*ck*ng lethal?
Will you be strong? (Will you be strong?)
Will you be strong? (Will you be strong?)
Will you wave your flag of glory? As the lightning strikes the steeple?

OOOH!
You're the champion of my heart! You're the champion of my heart!
Cast away the shadows and brace yourself for battle!
'Cause you're the champion of my heart! You're the champion of my heart!
There's only room for one on top. You had the world and you threw it all away.

1. 2. COME ON!

When the enemy swords are drawn
and the prophecy has come to pass
that you are the chosen one.
When your heart begins to flutter
like the delicate wings of the hummingbird
and there's no where left to run! Run! RUN!

How will you know? (How will you know?)
How will you know? (How will you know?)
That you were born a warrior! And warriors don't surrender!
Will you be strong? (Will you be strong?)
Will you be strong? (Will you be strong?)
When the moonlight falls upon your face! I want you to remember.

That you're the champion of my heart! You're the champion of my heart!
Cast away the shadows and brace yourself for battle
'Cause you're the champion of my heart! You're the champion of my heart!
There's only room for one on top. You had the world and you threw it all away.

Then the fire burns within.
Your battle cry echoes through the night
And you write your own final chapter.
And so you call upon the gods
and the deity appears before your eyes
and he passes you the scepter! Scepter! SCEPTER!

How will you know? (How will you know?)
How will you know? (How will you know?)
That you've always been a legend! You just have to believe!
Will you be strong? (Will you be strong?)
Will you be strong? (Will you be strong?)
Will you fulfill that which is destined? Will you fight your way to victory????

OOOOH!
You're the champion of my heart! You're the champion of my heart!
Cast away the shadows and brace yourself for battle
'Cause you're the champion of my heart! The M*TH*RF*CK*NG champion of my heart!
There's only room for one on top. You had the world and you threw it all away.


The lyrics are awesome, right? This song is fantastic, like real fantastic and ironic fantastic. I wonder if we can get this track on Internet jukeboxes, this would dominate the Kezar rock genre!!! As seen on VG.

And Everything Is Alright

Check out the commercial for the latest signature shoe for Paul Rodriguez. It's got a nice laid back vibe to it, and really brings out the feeling of a good day of skating (or a good day in general). There's also a nice holler to LA with the Kobe and Cube cameos, and I'm liking that Eric Koston is in there as well.

Back when I was more into longboarding and skating, Koston was my favorite street skater. I was always impressed at how technical he was while being completely fluid at the same time. His spot on Menikmati blew me away and his stuff in the more recent Fully Flared was excellent as well (see below). But not only was he killing it in videos, he was winning comps left and right which proved he didn't need take after take to land a trick.