we just won't be defeated

costello music

The Old 97's kick off their summer tour this evening, and they're marking the occasion the way bands have done since time immemorial: with an email blast.  One item in particular stood out.

While on the road, Old 97s will be selling, Mimeograph, a newly recorded, four song EP that includes covers of “Rocks Off” (The Rolling Stones), “For The Girl” (The Fratellis), “Driver 8” (REM) and “Five Years” (David Bowie). This special release, only available to purchase physically at the show or through the their website, will also be available digitally beginning July 6, 2010.

I guess three out of four ain't bad, but man that fourth is a doozy.  Consider my feelings on this issue decidedly mixed.

hail the conquering hero

Ghana

 

Our long national nightmare has finally ended.  The World Cup is over!

 

once upon a time in the west

A week ago, I upgraded my video game system to the 21st century.  I'm still not sure that was a good idea.  This is the game that finally broke me.

Red Dead Redemption

The attention to detail in this game is unlike any other I've ever seen - including Grand Theft Auto IV, which was developed by the same company.  I recently unlocked the part of the map where the buffalo roam.  I haven't yet shot one, because I immediately had the thought that if the game told me - once I did kill a buffalo - that there were only a finite number and that they might go extinct, it would immediately vault to the top of the list of my favorite games ever.  And from what I've seen so far, I hardly think that level of detail is out of the realm of possibility.  So I've been holding off my first digital kill, because I wanted to go on record first.  But I can't wait any longer.  The first thing I'm gonna do in the morning is kill me a buffalo.  Then we'll find out whether or not I was right.

represent my ass

The tale of the tape on Weezer is that sooner or later they disappoint all their fans.� I was late to the party, so I thought I might be immune.� I, for one, found latter-day tracks such as "The Girl Got Hot" to be just as confessional in their own way as such revered emo classics as "Undone (The Sweater Song)" or "Say it Ain't So."� Well, you can officially count me now in the 'disappointed by Weezer' camp.� What finally did me in are not insipid lyrics about a former ugly duckling made good or how awesome it would be to live in Beverly Hills, but insipid lyrics about the most insipid sport in all of sports.

Weezer - Represent

Soccer can get fucked eight ways from Sunday.� I don't need one of my favorite bands writing songs about how great it would be if my country did well in the sport's premier tournament.� My country shouldn't even be in the shameful tournament.� We're better than that, and it's a national embarrassment that we are collectively pretending otherwise.� I'm just hoping this whole thing is an elaborate joke.
�
[Editors' note: Of course the goddamn video would be set to auto-play.� Don't blame us, blame soccer.� Soccer is the scourge and we won't be free until it is eliminated from our lives entirely.]
�
[Editors' note amended:� We guess we figured out how to turn the auto-play off.� You're welcome.� Now to tackle this ridiculous formatting problem.� Jesus, soccer sucks at literally everything.]

bloodbuzz ohio

This is a watershed moment here at hotrod.vox.com.  For the first time in over four years, our humble blog is sponsored by a song that is both current and relevant.  But more specifically, current.  The latest by the National - High Violet - has only been out for a little over a month.  It's spent five weeks (and counting!) on the Billboard charts, peaking at number one.  Here's the band performing our titular song on Letterman on the same day as our latest anti-Netflix rant.

The National - Afraid of Everyone

I'm not sure why I bought this record.  Nobody has ever specifically recommended the National to me, and I didn't - at the time - own any of their other records.  (And though I've since bought Boxer, I'm kind of indifferent about it.)  I would say that Pitchfork told me to, but they've given high marks to plenty of records with which I haven't bothered.  At any rate, I'm glad I did.  I've listened to little else over the past few weeks.  The National are from Cincinnati in the same way that the Hold Steady are from Minneapolis - which is to say that they're actually from Brooklyn.  But if they were from Queen City for real, they'd be the third best Cincinnati band after Afghan Whigs and the Newspaper Taxis.

QotD: Summer Songs

What's the best summer song of all time?

I hope you can forgive me for all those nasty things I said, Question of the Day.  I think I love you.  This is the best question you've ever asked, and you all but asked it twice this week.  I'm genuinely sorry that this is that last day we'll spend together for a whole year.  At least we're going out on a high note.

Bryan Adams - Summer Of '69

QotD: Work Locale

Do you work in an office, at home, in the field or somewhere else? Would you change where you work if you could? What would you miss?

I gotta hand it to you, Question of the Day.  You're really bringing the banality this week.  (Except for when you're data farming, that is.)  I work in an office, and the only thing I would change if I could is moving that office closer to my house.  I used to think I wanted to move that office into my house, until I had the chance to do so.  I worked at home for about ten months a few years back.  It was fun for the first six months, and then it became utterly miserable.  I made a rash decision and took a terrible job that wasn't at all right for me just to get back into an office.  I hate people, but I miss being around them.  They're easier to loathe when you don't remove yourself entirely from their presence.

QotD: Eat Your Veggies

Today is "Eat Your Vegetables Day." What vegetable do you love to eat? Hate?

Thanks, Question of the Day, for asking a question that I've already answered.  You just made coasting through "I ♥ Question of the Day Week" that much easier.  I guess you missed it the first time, so I enjoy asparagus and broccoli and I won't touch brussel sprouts, lima beans, eggplant, or - above all - beets.  Beets are the worst.  And I still know that corn is not really a vegetable.  But that doesn't mean it's not delicious.

QotD: Those Were the Best Days of My Life...

What's the best summer you've ever had?

Now this is my kind of question, Question of the Day!  It might be the best question you've ever asked.  The answer is so obvious.  The best summer that I've ever had was the summer of '69.  When I look back now, that summer seemed to last forever.  And if I had the choice - yeah, I'd always want to be there.  Those really were the best days of my life.

QotD: Money in the Bank

How do you keep your finances on track? Are there any online tools you use to keep track of what you’re spending and where? When was the last time you were caught off guard (pleasantly or not-so-much) when you checked your bank account balance?
Sponsored by: My LifeScoop: Bringing You Tips for a Connected LifeStyle

Geez, Question of the Day, you're awfully nosy about my financial situation this week.  I know My LifeScoop: Bringing You Tips for a Connected LifeStyle put you up to it, but come on.  You don't have to do everything they say.  I mean, if My LifeScoop: Bringing You Tips for a Connected LifeStyle jumped off a bridge, would you do it too?  Anyway, I'm rarely caught off guard by my bank account.  I keep close track of my finances.  I have to.  Hookers and blow are expensive.