Read this now. Make note. If I happen to write this column again next month (Submit, people!), it’ll all be different. My fascinations change. Just be aware of that.
1. Willie Nelson

Unless you knew any better, you’d swear this was an ancient field recording of an Appalachian Siren, coating the mountain wind with honey-thick cemetery fairy tales. A pale little girl in pigtails, molding her voice into the beautiful bell-chime it is by singing along to old Billie Holiday records, plucking a ukulele by campfire where the land and the stars are at their closest.
But it isn’t. It’s a demo of songs by Texan native Jolie Holland, initially intended for her old band, re-released by Anti- Records.

Not only is Doug Martsch an indie rock icon, he's also a king found within a schizophrenic's mind. Although one's space-time can get distorted at times, Built To Spill played the Metro in Chicago on September 17th, according to our standard linear time, which society created.

This is a story of a little girl who got her first professional chance at her current dream of becoming a rock 'n' roll photographer. The night was September 12, 2003, and after a car trip full of dance beats, rhymes, and tears, she got to the venue-- The Metro, Chicago-- to catch the last couple songs of the opening act, Eastern Youth, as she figured out what exactly this media pass allowed her to do.

This Dischord Records album may have been released earlier this year, but after first listening just this past week, it immediately made my list for Fall 2003 theme music.
Last winter, Gang of Four seemed to always make its way into my Walkman every time I was on the go. Now, whenever I jump on my bike, Black Eyes-- the turn of the century Gang of Four, with better, more screamy vocals-- is pushing my legs to pedal a little harder, because I can't fight the urge to dance.

Once in a lifetime you happen upon a true find that not only shocks and terrifies your eternal soul, but also makes you laugh so hard you can't keep yourself from vomiting all over the multi-colored linoleum floors of your favorite toy store.
Today, my friends, was that day, for my eyes spied the inconceivable as I entered that fateful shop. On the front door was the reserve slip to end all reserve slips-- some crazy son of a bitch (Blue Box Toys) is releasing a George W. Bush collector doll!
"So what?" you say. "I've seen plenty of those goofy talking bastards around."

You know what? There just isn't enough controversy in the toy universe. Sure, I find collecting various plastic knick-knacks exhilarating. But controversial? No. At least nothing that would inspire a deluded, half-brained twit to drag his Bible and brainwashed family to picket Toys "R" Us like they would, say, a gay high school. Well, here's yet another reason to be thankful that Todd McFarlane's company keeps on churning out fine pieces of art.

One of the books that can shake the roots of the comic world is back. And, motherfucker, you better start picking it up.

Who in the hell is Uncle Bob Drives A Combine (UBDAC)? Where did this CD come from? Why haven’t I heard of them before? And, more importantly, where can I hear some more?
These guys are fast and heavy. A speed metal meets punk kind of feel. They get in and out of a song quick. (Of the three songs on this mystery CD, the longest clocks in at only two minutes!)

HOLY SHIT! Living Colour is back! If you just said, "Who’s Living Colour?" or "You mean the TV show?", get the fuck out of my house! I mean it!
Back in the day-- yeah, I can’t believe I just typed that either-- Living Colour was one of my favorite bands. I remember many a time hanging out with my friends, listening to Vivid, thrashing around wildly to "Cult of Personality" or "Elvis is Dead" from Time’s Up.