I wanna live in Los Angeles

Boy oh boy, this man is prolific. On the heels of releasing a double album this summer, Frank Black has a new album, Christmass, out for the holidays. It features an audio disc containing 20 tracks - a mix of live and studio cuts. The album also includes a DVD containing live performances of 12 songs. It was released on Monday this week, and the only way you can get it is by ordering through Cooking Vinyl. Mine's on the way from across the pond, and I can't wait to give it a spin. For those that are curious, here's the tracklisting:

CD Tracklisting
1. Do What You Want Gyaneshwar
2. Bullet
3. I Burn Today
4. Wave of Mutilation
5. Living on Soul
6. She’s My Way
7. Massif Central
8. Where is My Mind
9. Raiderman
10. Demon Girl
11. Dead Man’s Curve
12. Cactus
13. Six Sixty Six
14. Radio Lizards
15. Don’t Get Me Wrong
16. All Around The World
17. Nadine
18. Manitoba
19. The Water
20. Outakes/The Shrimp Song

DVD Tracklisting
1. Brackish Boy
2. I Burn Today
3. Cactus
4. Nadine
5. Holiday
6. Sing for Joy
7. Dead Man’s Curve
8. California Bound
9. Ed is Dead
10. My Life is in Storage
11. Two Reelers
12. Whiskey in Your Shoes

Get Up I Wanna Get Down

I did something this evening that I thought I'd never do. I attempted to climb an indoor rock wall. And it was kicking rad. It's quite the workout. I didn't get very far on my first few tries, but that'll give me the motivation to do better in the future, I guess. It's a kickass workout, and it does wonders for the adrenaline. I think I'm gonna pick up some rock climbing shoes for myself as a Christmas present. If you have the chance to try it, do it. In fact, if anyone is interested, I'll bring you along to LifeTime so you can check it out for yerself.

A lost craft

Another holiday season is upon us, which in our household means that a special birthday has arrived. My better half's birthday is today. Right now, she's out celebrating with some friends, and I hope she's having a kickass evening. I wish I could be out with her, but our little munchkin needs monitoring. Plus, it's my turn to get up with Evie in the morning, so it's probably better that I'm at home right now. Chronicling my life on the Internet. But I digress...

I can't remember when I started this tradition (it has to be a good 7 years ago, if not more), but I've always recorded a song or 2 for Shellster's birthday. I just wanted to give her something different than the usual spa gift certificate, or whatever. It's something she could hold on to forever. Well, I really got in under the wire this year. I just got up from the basement recording studio, and the CD has been burned. I always seem to suffer from writer's block around this time (or maybe I always suffer from writer's block). I was a bit depressed when I fired up the ol' 8-track, and the last song I worked on was her birthday song for last year. I need to get those creative juices flowing again. But I digress...

Hopefully she digs what I came up with this year. The 1st track is an original ditty that I've been tinkering around with for the past few days. Hopefully no one else will ever hear it, because I've always found my original tunes to fall short. However, I will share with you the B-side to the annual Shelly's Birthday single. It's a cover of "On My Way" from Ben Kweller's album of the same name. Give it a listen and let me know if I should quit my day job or not.

We're not gonna take it

Twisted Sister played this on Leno last night...can't find the Leno version yet, but this should tide you over. Happy Holidays from Twisted Sister!

I can't tell which one of these people is the happier camper

Foo Exclusive # 4

Here's the 4th exclusive track from the Foos' Skin and Bones DVD - "What If I Do?" I believe that this live rendition is far superior to the album version. Check it out and let me know what you think.

Foo Fighters - What If I Do? (live)

Foo Exclusive # 3

Here's the 3rd exclusive track from the new Foo Fighters' Skin and Bones DVD - "See You". Dave does band introductions in the middle of the song, which ends up being pretty funny. Enjoy.

Foo Fighters - See You (live)