Who Wears Short Shorts?

Thank God for Friday and thank God for short shorts. Hot damn.

Off to the library today to try and work on a 10 pager for next Wednesday. Fat chance that is going to happen. Trying to see Jarhead this weekend but of course its not playing in town, so we'd have to go 30 miles to see it, which we might. Jake G was on Conan last night and it was pretty funny, but then again, what's not funny on Conan? And don't you dare say the screaching racoon with a jetpack.

Sports

* Bad news for my fantasy quarterback, as Tennessean.com reports McNair's sack pain lingers. Yeah, that's the actual headline. Unless they change it before you read it.
* Joe Pa jumped on the I'm-a-moron-wagon, just in time to lose to Wisconsin this weekend, despite the fact that they have a white quarterback.
* In the latest Packers love saga: Brett won't leave Sherman. Sigh.
* There are no words to describe this picture. Really.
* Bill Simmons thinks that the Bucks could land as high as the No. 5 seed when all is said and done this season. Here's why:

First, I don't care if the Hornets needed to sell tickets in Oklahoma City -- if I were an NBA GM, I would have protested that trade. There are 35 to 40 guys in the league like Mason and only eight solid centers like Magloire. That's outrageous. Second, the Bucks were already a potential playoff team with my brother Bobby and T.J. Ford's improbable comeback, and that was before they settled the Redd-Simmons-Mason logjam and added a borderline All-Star center. Third, Magloire removes the pressure from Bogut (who looked decent in the preseason), who can now develop at his own pace. And fourth, on the heels of GM Larry Harris' legendary freeze on camera during the NBA lottery, I'm rooting for any scenario that could potentially lead to his being handed an NBA championship trophy by David Stern.

(That's right, from the man who gave you the 2005 Chicago Bears Playoff Bandwagon, I give you ... the 2006 Milwaukee Bucks Playoff Bandwagon! And I'll go this far: They could possibly climb to as high as No. 5. You're looking at this year's Chicago. Just wait.)

Politics/Art

* I wonder if my Postdmodern Film teacher realizes that Star Wars is the greatest postmodern art film ever, according to Slate.
* Michael Berube takes a look inside the Bush approval rating.
* Do genetics play into how you vote? Style Weekly examines.
* This says it all, as usual.
* Pitchfork examines questionable content and the T-shirt driven economy.

Hollywood

* Listen to Mitch Hurwitz, creator of one of the best shows on television, Arrested Development, on NPR.
* It must suck to be Colin Farrell.
* Those twins from Full House are all grown up. Oh wait, who did you think I was talking about?
* 50 random facts about Chuck Norris. Awesome example: "Chuck Norris had his own version of Punk'd. Only in his version, he would walk around and roundhouse kick people in the throats."
* Why David Hasselhoff should be your only idol.
* Leto signed on to play Mark David Chapman in Chapter 27.

Featured Artist: Bravo Silva

New York duo Bravo Silva makes pop rock music that is at once extremely listenable and sonically complex. The songs of Henry Silva and Joel Bravo take a crash course through 80s radio rock melody, singer/songwriter verse, and 70s prog rock theatrics. Lush and textured soundscapes call to mind the arrangements of Blonde Redhead and 10cc, and pop-oriented melodies draw from The Outfield and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Bravo Silva recently finished recording their self-titled debut, produced by Malachi DeLorenzo and soon to be released by Streak Music and Banter Records. For their live sets they are joined by M Wolf (drums), Daniel Gower (synths), and Ian Everall (bass).

Past New York shows include engagements at the Knitting Factory Main Space, Pianos (w/ Trick and the Heartstrings), The Delancey (w/Aqui), Rothko (the Vicious NYC Party w/ Clap Your Hands Say Yeah), Sin-E (w/ the End of the World), and the Brooklyn Lyceum.

Stream three songs from Bravo Silva at the website.

Bravo Silva - "I Can't Say Goodbye"

Featured Album: Various Artists: REM Tribute Album Surprise Your Pig

R.E.M. has a catalog of great, distinct songs that would be hard to tackle without seeming second rate compared to the originals. That is why this compilation of covers is so interesting, because the bands twist and shape these songs into their own unique renditions that often only have a passing resemblance to the source. The album covers their entire career up to that point, which leaves off at 1991's classic Out of Time.

Although some are basically feedback drenched versions of the originals, several tracks are vastly different. The most striking is Vic Chestnutt's take on "It's the End of the World as We Know It," an endless repetition of the first lyric of the song set to a hypnotic acoustic backdrop. Other interesting highlights include Just Say Now's hardcore remake of "Radio Free Europe" and Jawbox's depressing post-punk take of "Low." Many of the songs do not come near to the quality of the originals, but this is definitely a testament to the songwriting skills of Michael Stipe's crew. This would serve well as an introduction to R.E.M. for those who may be too cynical to listen to it on their own, but fans of the band may feel disappointed by how far these covers stray from the originals. ~ Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide

1. Radio Free Europe - Just Say No
2. 1,000,000 - Band of Susans
3. Stumble - Gumball
4. We Walk - Steel Pole Bath Tub
5. Talk About the Passion - Samson & the Philistines
6. Pretty Persuasion - Jawbreaker
7. (Don't Go Back to) Rockville - J-Church
8. Feeling Gravity's Pull - Phleg Camp
9. Can't Get There from Here - Mr. T Experience
10. Good Advices - Flor De Mal
11. Bandwagon - Punchline
12. I Believe - When People Were Shorter and Lived Near Water
13. It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) - Vic Chesnutt
14. Get Up - King Missle
15. Losing My Religion - Tesco Vee's Hate Police
16. Low - Jawbox
17. Shiny Happy People - Mitch Easter