Central Village

There's Paramore Where That Came From

You'd think that, going to see a band with one popular, breakthrough album, you're bound to hear both your favorite songs. So how on earth did Paramore, one of my favorite bands of the year, get through an entire 80 minute set without playing Hallelujah? That's one of my top jams of 2007! One of two songs I really went to hear. And I get jipped out. Bummer.

Regardless, super fun show. Not much in the way of spectacle, aside from some the head shaking and running around, but the crowd loved it and Hayley's voice held up remarkably well live. Considering it was the last night of the tour and she's like 17 years old and 90 pounds, didn't really expect her to sound all that great in person. But she did. There are some great pics (like the one above) at Ryan Dombal's flickr. Listen to my two favorite songs on the album (and two of the best songs of the year...THAT list is coming soon) below.

Paramore - Hallelujah (mp3)

Paramore - Misery Business (mp3)

MTV and MIA

I watch videos on MTV in the morning sometimes. Recently, they've been picking a lesser-known, or "indie" band to feature during the commercial breaks.Live clips, video bits, interviews, etc. This week is apparently MIA week, and they seem to have kicked up the in-between band exposure quite a bit. So far I've been watching for 15 minutes, and it's gone like this: Fergie video -> 20 second MIA spot-> Cribs ad Featuring MIA -> a couple other ads -> 20 second MIA spot -> Daughtry Video -> 20 second MIA spot, and on. It's a lot of MIA, is all! Basically they're running 2 MIA segments for every video played, plus incorporating her into all the Network ads. She's getting far more exposure this week than any of the major mainstream artists that are getting their video played. Weird, huh?

Oh, and Rilo Kiley and Lupe Fiasco are right up there next to the T-Pains and Linkin Parks in the video rotation these days. Just saying...the line between Hype Machine and MTV just isn't all that thick anymore.

The CV 2007 Holiday Gift Guide: 1080p for under $700

If I needed to buy a new TV, (and I don't, thanks) I'd have a hard time passing this deal up. Sure, it's refurbished, and but the warranty is still valid, so really no big deal. There are likely far better TVs out there for a few hundred more, but to get a 42" 1080p TV for $680 is a great bargain. No doubt. I would think, for most New York apartments, this would be the perfect size for a living room too, and while 1080p is still pretty useless, having it now will help quell the urge to upgrade again when it becomes more prominent down the line.

Get the TV here. Use the promo code CYBEROUTLET at checkout to get the discount.

The CV 2007 Holiday Gift Guide: Bargain 360 Bundle

This'll be fun...

Say what you will about Wal Mart, they've got an excellent deal today and today only (OMG Cyber Monday!) for an Xbox 360.

for $399, you get an 360 Premium System with HDMI out, an extra controller, a stupid looking Messenger Bag, and 3 Games (Forza 2 and Marvel are packed in, plus pick one from a list of recently released Game of the Year contenders like Halo 3, Bioshock, Orange Box, Mass Effect, etc.)

Considering the 360 Premium package is normally $350 and a second controller you'd buy anyway is another $50 or so, you're basically getting your pick of a great new $60 game for free. And that busted messenger bag...

Link here. Considering I've spoken with a bunch of friends who were at least considering getting an Xbox this season, I thought this'd be helpful. If you do get one, it'd just be foolish not to go with this.

Yikes

Hearing the Garden crowd boo Steph every time he touched the ball was depressing. Really really low. Maybe the lowest point I've felt at a Knicks fan. You do that to the guy on the other team who talked shit in the pregame, or the guy who started a fight the last time they played. Really drastic situations.  But your own point guard? Even after the shit he pulled last week? I dunno...

The team is in a tough spot right now, and there is no sign that they're in any mood to turn it around. The boo birds don't seem to realize that Mardy F'n Collins is the other option at PG, and he is terrible. Just a dreadful NBA player. Q is completely useless on the court. He can't keep up with his man and has lost all confidence in the shot. Curry can't board, Crawford can't stay hot, Balkman can't stay healthy, Lee trys hard, but looks alone and out of step out there. Robinson looks OK when he plays, which is far too little. The only player out there I'm happy with is Zack, who just is a pure pleasure to watch.

Isiah has to be a problem. He has no control over this team, and can't get them to play. He's trying to teach lessons to $20 Million players. He treats these guys like a High School JV squad, and that isn't going to help. So the easy answer is to can the boss...but who's going to get these guys motivated to play again? Not Herb Williams, that's for sure. He's useless. Will these guys respond to Mike Fratello or some other out of work coach with no connection to the team? Doubt it. It's easy to chant "Fire Isiah," but there's no quick fix to get these guys on track. I'm open to ideas. I don't wanna give up just yet, but a fire needs to be lit under this team. Somehow.

It's draining to watch these guys go through the motions out there to get blown out by a 2-7 team. Just an awful, miserable place to be.

Orange Box, Uncharted, COD 4, Heavenly Sword, and Stranglehold

I'm gonna have a lot of free time this Thanksgiving, and I'm totally looking forward to catching up and finishing a bunch of games I've started/purchased over the last few months.

First off, Orange Box, which I've actually already gotten a good chunk through already. I had never played all the way through Half Life 2, despite being a huge fan of the first one. It was phenomenal, as everyone has said. One of those games that you look back once it's all complete and just marvel at what you've accomplished. You don't really appreciate what you're doing until you're done. Such an epic. Episode One was pretty great too, honestly. Felt the same way as the main game...seemed to drag a bit at times while I was playing despite blowing through it, but got a great sense of satisfaction once it was over. I'm gonna give this world a little bit of a rest for now before diving into Episode 2, which is supposed to be the best of the whole series so far. I already beat (and LOVED) Portal and I'm not much of an online gamer, so that'll be it for that box.

I covered my thoughts on Stranglehold earlier. It's a lot of fun, but there's too much else to play right now. I don't think I'll get back to this on until I'm done with the somewhat similar Uncharted...

This game is a beast. The prettiest game I've ever played, hands down. I catch myself staring at the scenery and the animations way too often. It's just...wow. The whole presentation is right in my wheelhouse. I don't need a lot to make me happy, but a well presented story, good graphics and a solid, not too complicated combat system will do the trick. The pacing in this game is great too. I'm really stoked to get through it. Out of all these games, this will probably be the next one I finish.

Call of Duty 4 is super-impressive as well, but it's a but too intense for me right now. That's not to say I won't get through it, but it's a little much at times. Non-stop action, bullets whizzing by...even the loading/cut scenes with the satellite map leaves me jittery. It's a brilliant game, I'm sure, and I expect lots of great moments out of it, but I just need to prepare myself to really get into a game like this. I'm at more of an Uncharted pace right now.

One moment, so far, that this game provides early on, that makes you realize how awful and fucked up war is...before regrouping 2 seconds later and gunning down another bad guy...That first mission on the boat, you're mostly following the computer teammates, they lead you into a darkened bunk room. You check the quiet room, then, without warning, your wingman just unloads a handful of rounds into a sleeping soldier in his cot before moving on to clear the next room. It was a lot to digest...like, that is what...you do. And it's not only acceptable, it goes without comment or hesitation. Jeesh.

So what's left? Heavenly Sword. I don't think I'll touch this game till the rest are all completely done. I got it for like 50% off used cause I heard it was a great little experience and seemed worth it at the time.

So that's what I've got. See, I don't need some 30 hour epic to keep me busy. Keep your Mass Effects, thank you. I LIKE short games. I like being able to see the end of a game as I play. Unless it's really really good, I usually start to crap out at the 8 hour mark anyway. I get much more value out of a short game I can finish, rather than a long game I'll get sick of before I can see the story through. So there.

I expect it to go like this:
Uncharted - ~6 hours left
COD4: - ~7 hours left
Episode 2: ~7 Hours
Stranglehold - ~3 Hours left
Heavenly Sword - ~6 Hours

Once these are all done (not all this weekend, I hope) then I'll look into Assassins Creed, Ratchet and Clank and Kane and Lynch to get me through till GTA IV.

Project Runway! (and more Knicks)

First off, back to Marbury. So the Daily News reported a lot of shit the other day on Marbury. And we all ate it up cause it was scandalous and fun. But all of these reports, including the fine, the blackmail threats, the fistfight have a high chance of being a good amount bullshit. The NY Times had an article, on the other hand, about a Coney Island basketball mentor, who suddenly died the other day. There was a Memorial service the night Marbury went AWOL. I'm not saying Steph isn't a bit unhinged, or that he handled this well or that it's the only reason he left, but it should factor into what actually happened. Read it here. Update: Nevermind.

Last night's game was a really tough one. The 3rd Quarter was miserable. Just really depressing. This Clips team, despite their record, he AWFUL. The Knicks aren't that great, and they could and should have blown them out of the water. In contrast to the 3rd, the 4th quarter (which started at like 12:30 AM, so likely most of the local fans missed,) was really impressive. Curry was a beast on the boards, Randolph as well. They were playing GREAT D, stopping almost every possession, forcing turnovers, and seemingly scoring at will. In the end, they just couldn't get it done. A wide open 3 Marbury missed down the stretch, one big basket by the Clips, and a good look by Crawford that didn't fall was the final dif. Obviously, scoring like 3 points, missing 17 straight FGs in the 3rd was the real problem. Gotta blame Isiah for not breaking up that drought somehow, right? Couple more timeouts, fresh legs, something? That was depressing. Anyway...

Earlier watched the Runway Premiere. Thought that challenge was the perfect way to weed out the hacks. That chick who made that busted, half finished dress deserved to go. The crazy chick with the busted train thing has to stick around because she's batshit crazy and the show wouldn't give up on someone like that so easy. The early CV favorite is that Oliver Twist-looking guy Marion, who seemed all bashful and quiet, then busted out this HOT, sleek dark dress that was my fav (note: looked better in motion than it does above.) Nothing against Rami either, tho his dress looked much better on the mannequin than on that...unflattering model.

I knew this would be a good idea

When I wrote the check to split a pair of Knicks season tickets last summer, I knew either the team would hold it together and finally make a legit playoff run, or flame out in a most spectacular fashion. It was only a week ago when I was giddy with the thought that the first option may be true, but oh, how the winds have shifted. We are in the midst of something special right now, and I am beyond reaction at this point. Unbelievable, really.

I will be at the Garden on 11/20, when the team gets back from their 4 game West Coast road trip. I may figure out a way to liveblog what that whole scene, which should be completely insane. My section is wild enough as it is when the team is doing well. They'll be out for blood next Monday.

The Last Couple Nights: Dashboard Confessional, Kid Nation, Black Angels, The CMA's and The Knicks

Two nights ago I went out to see Dashboard at Highline. Enjoyable show. Old crowd (maybe 21+ to get in?) Played solo/acoustic, mostly songs off his earlier albums, which was nice since I cant name three songs he's put out since '...Come to Fear the Most.' He's a major cornball with his banter, but it was slightly endearing. Full of himself, but with a roll of the eyes and a smile rather than in a completely obnoxious way. And the songs I liked were good. Especially The Best Deceptions. I liked it.

Went to the Black Angels last night, who I feel like I've missed for one reason or another for 3 years now. Very impressive set. They're doing something that makes it worth coming out to see them live. Loud, impressive music with a live overhead projectionist and several reel to reel film projectors showing creepy silent movies. Really cool atmosphere they create.

Caught a chunk of the CMAs last night as well. Stuck around for Kellie Pickler's performance of that goofy autobiographical ballad that might be one of my top 20 songs of the year. Her breaking down into tears towards the end was actually kind of sweet. Sure, she looks kinda weird these days and she'll never have another hit, but isn't that what Country Music is really all about?

I was so excited about the Knicks win on Tuesday over the seemingly superior Nuggets! They showed something, toughed out a good win against a great team. Everything looked great for the Knicks...Till the Celtics blow out the same team they barely edged out by by 40 POINTS IN THE FIRST HALF. So not as impressive, anymore. Lets prove ourselves against a scary Orlando team tomorrow night before anymore early praise is showered on these guys. They're better when everyone thinks they suck.

Kid Nation. Watched this AM, wondering where they bussed in some of these kids for the talent show? That Asian girl who played the piano? Greg has a friend his age named Blane? That girl who said she was gonna leave then didn't, and her friend who won the Gold Star? This show is dumb. More Taylor and Jared, please.

(pics via B&L)

DoWiSeTrePla

Great, great HIMYMother last night. The best of the new season so far. First off, loved how, since the narrator is talking from the future, his whole tone is that real estate would no longer be such a surefire investment. It was a great, subtle tone...never explained, just stated as future fact. Perfect. Second, Barney was in PURE FORM last night...absolutely at his most awful. The level that he took to duping that poor girl was a new low. Just wow. Then the rest...the explanation of DoWiSeTrePla at the end, Mosby Detective agency, even the whole "what they should have said" bit. Just good TV. Wondering how many more episodes they've got in the can before the strike effects them. I read multi-camera comedies are on a shorter production cycle and will get hit sooner than dramas and shows like the Office, so we will see.