I still have no idea what I think of the Democratic candidates but I’m definitely more than happy to tell you what I think of the coverage of the NH primaries so far.

Newsflash to the press: a margin of nearly 8,000 votes doesn’t even begin to qualify as an “upset,” especially when you realize the top two finishing candidates couldn’t crack 40% on their own. Describing something as an “upset” is usually reserved for David vs. Goliath stories in the world of sports reporting, not 3% margins coming from a very powerful woman.

Can we please, please get this straight and stop freaking out like crazy people? Because the next thing you know it’s gonna snowball into something huge, and folks will call everything an upset — like when moron music critics forget the OED exists before calling everything “angular” or “shambolic” in reviews.

BTW, this is all simple math I’m using here (perhaps you may have heard of it?). When you combine their percentages, they cornered 75% of election. Now That’s What I Call An Upset!

» In other news, hopefully you’ve checked out Timothy Noah’s pointed takedown of Steinem’s NYT Op Ed in Slate yesterday.

Oh, you don’t even want to know. The lady in the cubicle next to mine has been snoring loudly since 11PM.

So I hear I’m embroiled in some sort of controversy? Hmmm? Whatever I did, I’m sorry!

Whoever’s dragging it out just to make me angry, should probably know this: I’ve been holed up in the library and writing papers 24/7 to actually notice or care. A friend had to drag me out of my SPSS-induced haze to let me know about it!

Anyway, haters and lovers, there is some good news. I’m guest DJing the next installment of England Belongs to Twee on Saturday 12/15 at the Khyber. Wear your sexiest Santa costume and if you don’t I’ll punchayou in the face.

Before I have to go back to work:

» My email woes have been resolved, but you’ll need to re-send your message if you wrote me over the past 4 days. (Dreamhost is still experiencing greylist difficulties with Google, so if you’ve got a moment, bug Google to do something about it.)

» Forgive me now for I have sinned (or something like that): I missed the Clean and Times New Viking last night. I don’t think a late-marathon of Clean records made up for it.

» I had to write a paper for class about a current news item (in this particular case, Oprah’s endorsement of Obama) from a specific theoretical standpoint. Thanks to Adorno and Sartre, I’ve come up with a something of my own: Oprah is the Underminer, “the friend that slowly destroys your life.”

» This thread and the one about poorly written student essays on BCO, are quickly improving my piss poor attitude.

Dreamhost (who hosts this site) has been “greylisted” by Gmail, which has blocked/delayed/etc those messages. So if you’ve sent something, I won’t see it for a few days (or maybe not at all). I’m sure I’m not the only one who uses these two services, either.

In the meantime, you should follow this link and Digg the article — the more awareness about this issue, the better.

read more | digg story

I support the Writer’s Strike.

Really, what else are you going to do? Attend some lame ass hipster DJ party? Go to a bar? Allow me to remind you who made who — or more specifically, who made Y-O-U: Pylon. This group of Athen folks put out some amazingly gutwrenching but thoroughly danceable rock post-punk back in the tail end of the 1970’s (and onward). A band so great, R.E.M. covered them. Every person that’s passed through the doors of a Making Time is totally indebted to this group, in some shape or form. DFA Records has kindly reissued Gyrate very recently. It’s definitely worth owning.

I caught Pylon at the Music Hall of Williamsburg yesterday, mainly because last night’s bill was pretty much unfuckingbeatable — Pylon, Oxford Collapse, and Hugo Burnham from Gang of 4 as the night’s DJ. (Not that Saturday’s gig in Philly is lame; this was just better.)

I’m quite hesitant to attend reunion shows for a variety of reasons, but the main one being that a lot of reunited bands can’t resurrect the ghost of former glory. Last night though, I have a strong feeling I was sucked back into 1978. The band was tiiiiiiight! Vanessa sounds amazing. That voice. Oh my god, that voice. It was so worth it that I didn’t even notice they had played such a long set. And to the crowd, bless you my dear children, for dancing along. It was one big happening of freaking the fuck out.

The only crappy part is that it’s going down at World Cafe Live, which is probably my second-to-last least favorite venue in this city. At least MHW/Old Northsix’s industrial space made a nice match for jagged nature of Pylon’s material. Anyway, guess we’ll have to suck it up and get Cosi with Pylon. MOTHERFUCKING PYLON. PYLON!!!Q!!!!! Can’t you see how psyched I am to see them again?

SAT 11/10, Pylon at World Cafe Live, with DJ Shawn Ryan (of Hurrah) »

P.S. Beth Ditto — Vanessa Briscoe-Hays called and she wants her style back. F’reals.

L.A. friends, I’m looking at you. These are only available in-store. Hook a lady up!

Granted, the city blew its wad with primary coverage, but the lack of information & news about tomorrow’s election is disturbing. Subtext be damned, tomorrow matters. There are some crucial elections for judicial positions and more. If we want to make this city move forward, paying attention counts.

The Committe of Seventy has plenty of information and links to check out — it’s a good start. Check out the CP’s post on this as well.

I don’t believe in telling you who to vote for but I think you should vote, whoever your candidates may be. In the immortal words of Dave P, “LET’S DO THIS PHILADELPHIA!!!!!”

Kudos to Pilam for pulling off a creative and financially ambitious event last night; a good time was had by all, including myself. As a radio person, I am quite comfortable DJing for no one. (Funny twist: the thing I struggled with in my early days of radio was the nebulousness of the medium.) The small crowd that was there seemed appreciative, so thanks for sticking it out. Here’s an incomplete, very loose recap of my playlist, completely out of order except for the first two songs:

AC/DC, “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution”
Girlschool, “Hit and Run”
The Rondelles, “Like A Prayer”
Outhud, “It’s For You”
Delta 5, “Mind Your Own Business”
Love Is All, “Kiss Kiss Kiss”
Tyvek, “Honda”
Yardbirds, “Puzzles”
B-52’s, “52 Girls”
Spoon, “Someone Something”
The Long Blondes, “Separated By Motorways” (12″ version)
Hi Beams, “Hyperactive”
Feelies, “High Road”
Pavement, “AT&T”
Royal Trux, “Delta 70 of Hearts”
Scrawl, “Green Beer”
ESG, “Moody”
Railroad Jerk, “Bang the Drum”
Pylon, “Feast On My Heart” (OMG they’re playing Philly THIS FRIDAY)
Let’s Active, “Every Word Means No”
Prinzhorn Dance School, “You Are The Space Invader”
Chandra, “Opposite”
Au Pairs, “We’re So Cool”
Lyn Collins, “Rock Me Again and Again and Again”
Gloria Jones, “Tainted Love”

Anyway, Murder Mystery were quite great in the sloppy indie rock way that a person like me could love. So if you like that kind of stuff too, check them out. The rest of the evening’s lineup was fantastic, too. Holy Ghost did a awesome job of mixing it up — as in, not playing all blog house (love this term!) — and their new single is worth picking up. Once Broadzilla nails their transitions, they will own this city. (LOL @ the non-beatmatching DJ of the night to be oh so critical.) Nice selection of deep disco cuts; I throughly enjoyed it! And Dave P brought the cocainesexjams, though was unfortunately cut short due to the arrival of Ye Olde Police.