The Useless Critic 2.0

Last night, I saw The Mowgli's live in Tempe with the company of Canadian singer-songwriter Lights (whom I've never really liked that much until last night - she was pretty good!), and K.Flay, an up-and-coming alternative artist who deserves your attention. I've actually NOT listened to The Mowgli's prior to last night. A few times in passing, but nothing to leave a mark. My friend told me seeing them live was akin to witnessing "Sesame Street on crack." Well, okay. That's a glowing review. So I expected the musical equivalent of Fruity Pebbles, more or less.* Actually, The Mowgli's were quite good! A little saccharine at times, but all in all - a night of much-needed positivity. They had a good chemistry on stage and some sweet harmonies. I am a fool for harmonies. I enjoyed "San Francisco" the most. Hear it below; it's a pretty carefree, almost jangle-pop-style tune. As for Lights, for being sick ("bus plague"), she...

Did you notice the Useless Critic is all decked out for the holidays? Did it make you barf a little? I hope so. I hope it went down like eggnog. I have never made a single photo we used in this page. FACT. the weather lately has been most condusive to CHRISTMAS (holiday) DECORATING. well it was until like two hours ago when this wet snow shit started. wow, God. how hard is it to make real snow and not like, half-frozen pee snow? I have to walk in this crap. THANKS GOD, THANKS A LOT. whose homoerotic fantasy is this picture from? certainly not mine. that being said, we decorated our house in red lights, which means at some point I will wander outside, half-asleep, and think I'm in Carrie . Then the ghost of Karen Carpenter will come to me, singing something about heading to Pennsylvania for some homemade pumpkin pie and lots of weeping will ensue. man, on some of these Carpenters songs, do you ever get the urge to just like interject into the music and be l...

I am the leader of a gang of a thousand rats. In Pittsburgh, there are very few record stations that play good music like pop music and rap music. There used to be a station called WAMO but it got taken down because I guess Liberty Bail Bonds isn't a good enough sponsor to pay for the entire station. WAMO played jams like " Messin' with the Same Girl " by Usher and R-Kelly, " Wipe Me Down " by Lil Boosie, and " The Way I Live " by Baby Boy Da Prince. Since WAMO has shut down, my ability to find jams is sorely diminished. Somehow, magically, I have guffudled my way onto great albums like Colette Carr's Sex Sells: Stay Tooned , Robyn's Body Talk Pts. 1 and 2, and Kid Sister's Ultraviolet , all of which I have discussed at length on this website. With jam discovery becoming virtually impossible , I believe this blog is a great chance to reach out. Tonight, my car speakers caught a note on the night air. A faint broadcast from Washingt...