So, What is the Point Exactly?

[courtesy of Xmastime]

Owl City Scores Hit w/Postal Service Knock Off

If ripping off the US Postal Service is a federal offense, what kinda penalty would be imposed on whomever did the same to Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard's electro-pop side project The Postal Service?

Well, none at all it seems: Owl City has reached Billboard's Hot 100 and the Top 5 of the iTunes charts with this twee TPS carbon copy called "Fireflies". Ugh. [h/t Idolator.]

Happy Birthday

Cuban singer and Buena Vista Social Club alumnus Omara Portunondo (79); former Wings guitarist Denny Laine (65); one-time Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green (63); former keyboardist for The Cure, Roger O'Donnell (54); multi-instrumentalist Randy Jackson of The Jacksons (49); The Sugarcubes' co-vocalist Einar Örn Benediktsson (47); all on October 29th.

Jay-Z and the Empire

Despite being fans of the team we've always found the music requested by Yankees hitters during their at-bats to be a bit
on the lame side. Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, in particular.
So now, it turns out that A-Rod fave Jay-Z will be performing his "Empire State of Mind"--which has been playing at Yankee Stadium during this year's playoff run--to kick off Game 1 of the World Series this Wednesday.

Hip-hop in The Bronx seems quite apropos, but...we're just not crazy about Jay-Z, is all. And are MLB and the Yankees aware of the song including the line "I made the Yankee hat more famous than a Yankee can"?

Are We The Only Ones Who Think...

...it's rather ghoulish of David Spade to appear with the late Chris Farley in a recent Direct TV ad reprising a scene from their film Tommy Boy? This is a guy who did not appear at his buddy's funeral 'cause he couldn't bear to see Farley in that state, yet doesn't have a problem with doing this commercial. Unsettling, to say the least.

Morrissey Released from Hospital

AP:

LONDON – Former Smiths frontman Morrissey was released Sunday from a hospital where he was held overnight after collapsing on stage during a concert.

A spokeswoman for the Great Western Hospital in the English city of Swindon said the singer was "much improved."

"Morrissey became unwell, and he was admitted overnight as a precautionary measure," she said on condition of anonymity, in line with hospital policy. "He's been seen by the medical team, much improved and now discharged home."

A note on the 50-year-old singer's Web site thanked fans for their good wishes.

Morrissey was performing at the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of London, on Saturday night as part of his "Swords" tour when he was stricken. Two band members rushed to his side and dragged him offstage.

Song of the Day: "Como Una Sombra"

One of Mexico's most beloved and acclaimed rock bands of the last 15 years, La Barranca has managed to infuse their songs with a decidedly Mexican sensibility while carving out an identity within the rock realm--particularly inside the prog rock sphere--and release some extraordinary music in the process.

A big favorite of ours, "Como Una Sombra" is a simple tune featuring some blistering guitar work by frontman José Manuel Aguilera.
The song was the closing track on the original version of the band's second album Tempestad [BMG US Latin-1997]. Enjoy!

Got Dem Ol' Karmic Reunion Blues

You had to know this was coming. Or did you think you'd get
Jane's Addiction, the Pixies, the Police, Rage Against the Machine, Smashing Pumpkins, Van Halen, etc. etc. etc. without consequence? Were you in denial or just hoping the likes of Creed, Limp Bizkit,
and Vertical Horizon would just stay away? Sorry.

"Happiness"

"What I used to be / will pass away / and then you'll see
that all I want now / is happiness / for you and me"

- Elliott Smith d. Oct. 21st, 2003

Smashing Pumpkins Auction Gish-era Gear for Benefit

The bass guitar played by Billy Corgan at the Pumpkins' first ever show, along with drummer Jimmy Chamberlain's kit, will be auctioned off to help the band's former fan club president Laura Masura with mounting medical bills stemming from a traffic accident in early September. 100% of proceeds from the sale will go directly to Masura.

More info here.