Tweet Of The Day

Mikey Welsh is the former bassist for the band Weezer.  He played on their "Green" album.  He tweeted the following on September 26th.  A second tweet said, "correction - the weekend after next".

He was found, dead, Saturday in a Chicago hotel room by hotel personnel, after he didn't check out of his room.  He was in town to watch his former bandmates perform Sunday night at Chicago's RIOTfest.  According to CNN, cause of death is yet to be determined, pending autopsy.

Album Of The Week - Muppets: 'The Green Album'

When I was a kid, one of my favorite movies was 'The Muppet Movie'.  I have seen it dozens of times.  I think everyone my age has.

As 'The Great Muppet Caper' and 'The Muppets Take Manhattan' came out, I started to lose interest.  Once the "Muppet Babies" came into the picture, I called it quits.

I was 24 when 'Muppets From Space' was released.  Regardless, I have still seen it 30 times or more.  There is something unique about Muppet humor that makes you want to watch it over and over again.  That is why I was delightfully surprised when I saw this trailer while on IMDB a few weeks ago:



The movie even has Jason Segel and Amy Adams in it.  Has anything negative EVER been said about those two?

Well, on Tuesday, the soundtrack for the movie was released.  It's called Muppets: The Green Album.  Let me tell you, don't pirate it...buy it.   It will be the best $12.99 spent on a music purchase in a long time.

The album is a compilation of various covers of famous Muppet songs by modern artists.  The artist selection practically comprises of the "hipster elite",  only lacking Arcade Fire.  With Weezer featuring Hayley Williams, OK Go, My Morning Jacket, The Airborne Toxic Event and Sondre Lerche, the album isn't nearly as pretentious as it may seem.  In fact, it's actually quite pleasant.  It's very nice to be able to hear a song that brings you back to your childhood, without feeling like a child.  At 36, I prefer not to be sung to by a puppet, thank you.

Youtube sensations OK Go open the disc with the 'Muppet Show Theme Song'.  It's a decidedly different, and more modern take on the song, and I think it works.  The video is quite funny.  You have to watch it all the way to the end.  Many of the jokes are parodies of gags from previous OK Go videos.  So, if you haven't seen any of their other videos, odds are, you won't get some of the gags.



There are two songs that stand out above the rest on the album.  The first is the cover of 'The Rainbow Connection' by Weezer and Paramore's Hayley Williams.  Weezer's Rivers Cuomo was born to sing this song.  It is if Jim Henson wrote it with him in mind.  Cuomo embodies the hippie mentality and the wild-eyed innocence of Kermit the Frog, better than any musician that has ever attempted to sing the tune.  In all honesty, as soon as his voice came through the speaker, tears filled my eyes.

Williams on the other hand....not so much.  On her solo portion of the song, her voice is dull and blank.  It's almost like hitting the key on an old piano.  Fortunately, she only sings a couple of bars by herself.  The harmonies between Rivers and Hayley are very nice.  All in all, it makes for a very nice song.  One of the best covers of the tune I've heard yet.

Take a listen for yourself:



Singer and violinist Andrew Bird does a lovely version of 'Bein' Green'.  The violin adds a very nice touch to an already meaningful song.

If you would like to preview the album before you buy it, NPR has a webpage available that is currently streaming the entire album for a limited time.  Or, you can buy it at the link below.

Weezer Sells Out

Below is the video for Weezer's new single, Memories, off their album titled Hurley, due out this week.  It's my guess that the song is part of the Jackass 3D soundtrack because it features all of the guys from the show singing with the band.

Don't get me wrong.  I love Weezer, but this song and video are SHIT.  Easily the worst Weezer single in their seven album history.

Shitty Weezer Song:

Weezer - New Music - More Music Videos

Great Weezer Song:


See the difference?  I own Weezer's previous six albums, but if Memories is a taste of what to expect from the rest of the record, I won't be buying Hurley.

Twitch's 2009 Holiday Gift Giving Guide

With only 14 shopping days left before Christmas, I know that some of you are looking for the perfect gift to give that special someone in your life. I have compiled a list of some of the best Christmas gifts that I have found on the internet over the last few months.

FOR THE MUSIC LOVER:



How can you go wrong with this? It's a fucking Weezer Snuggie! And it comes with their new cd! How cool is that?! OK, moving on.....

FOR THE LOVER OF THE ARTS:



This one comes from Etsy. It's a watercolor portrait of the Phantom of the Opera. Measures 27"x34". For a mere $12,500, it can be yours. Description from the artist: "Decorate your walls with a painting that would reflect the pain, the sorrow, the beauty, the joy, that is displayed on stage. Having the right artwork that reflects all of these things is essential." Please let me know if you purchase this. I would love to see your bathroom after you hang it.

NOW, FOR THE WOMAN IN YOUR LIFE THAT HAS EVERYTHING:



The "Copulating Earthworm" necklace. Again from Etsy, this piece challenges the timeless ad, "Say It With Diamonds", and says, "Nay Nay. Say It With Fucking Worms". It sells for $160.00 and comes with a free Do-It-Yourself divorce kit.

AND IF ALL ELSE FAILS (LAST MINUTE/DO IT YOURSELF GIFT):



Perfect for all occasions. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa...New Years...the list goes on and on.