wfny:
Source: wfnyCavs forward Omri Casspi tweeted his first ever run-in with driving in the snow this past weekend. Thankfully, his Mercedes SUV handled the snow-covered, ever-long driveway of Cleveland Clinic Courts with ease. The 23-year old is expected to be fully healthy and start at small forward for the Wine and Gold on December 26.
Some thoughts I’ve been having lately but haven’t had the time to blog:
1. I’m pretty salty about the NBA season still being delayed due to the lockout. Each side is equally as greedy in my opinion and the only people who are really being hurt are the fans. I was really looking forward to seeing Kyrie Irving in action for the Wine and Gold but who knows when that will actually happen at this point. Here’s hoping they just use the same draft order as last year. It would be a nice way to give the smaller markets a way to balance out with the big cities and maybe level the playing field.
2. Seeing the Tribe trade for Derek Lowe was kind of nice. At least it shows they are actually doing something up there at the corner of Ontario and Carnegie. With that trade, you now have Carmona and Lowe as the back end of the rotation and I’m perfectly okay with that. Lowe eats innings for a living and with little to no pressure on Carmona in the 5 slot, he might rebound and have a decent year.
3. The Browns are downright pathetic. This West Coast offense is either not being used correctly or just isn’t suited for the game as it is played today. I don’t care for this new coach much and wasn’t really that sold on his credentials when they hired him. Never thought I’d say it but we may have been better off keeping Mangini. At least he kept the team disciplined and in every game. Now he gets to sit in a cozy ESPN studio. Kind of ironic considering he was always kind of awkward in the press conferences that were televised.
4. I’m really enjoying the new season of How I Met Your Mother so far with a lot of past characters returning (i.e. Victoria, The Slutty Pumpkin). With this being the second to last season, I’m glad they are using the history of the show so well. Easily one of my favorite shows of all time.
5. Talking about HIMYM reminds me of something else related to Neil Patrick Harris, Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas. Still haven’t seen it but I have heard nothing but good things. Those movies are hysterical.
6. Tonight I get to go to a bar as part of an assignment for one of my classes. Easily the coolest assignment I’ve ever had in my four years at Kent.
7. I need ideas for Christmas presents ASAP. What do you ask for when you have everything?
Well that’s just some ramblings from me as I attempt to pass some time in between classes.
Later fools
It’s been about a month since Blink 182 released their first album in eight years and I think I have listened to it everyday since it came out. Here are my thoughts and a rating of each track.
1. Ghost on the Dance Floor- Solid opening track that kind of sets the mood for the whole record. I don’t think any of the other tracks would’ve been a good opener, so a good choice as far as I’m concerned. 7.5/10
2. Natives- This is a standout track to me. I think that Blink is truly at its best when Mark and Tom share the vocals and kind of weave in and out of each other. 9/10
3. Up All Night- While I like this song, I thought it was a strange choice for their first single back after a long hiatus. This song felt a little Angels & Airwaves-esque to me the first time I heard it. Musically, it sounds like Blink but lyrically it just doesn’t click for me. 6/10
4. After Midnight- Best song on the whole album. Just a throwback Blink song all the way and has all the makings of an instant classic. This is a song that could be placed on any of their other albums and fit right in. 9.5/10
5. Snakecharmer- This is one of those songs I could just go without. It’s by no means awful but something about it just doesn’t vibe with the rest of the songs and I feel as if it is stuck in a weird place in the track list. 5.5/10
6. Heart’s All Gone Interlude- Your average interlude. I thought it was a better interlude than on the self-titled album in 2003. Good placement for an interlude as it kicks off an extremely solid second half. 6.5/10
7. Heart’s All Gone- Love this one. Mark kills it on the lead vocals and everything about it is upbeat and catchy. The instrumental of this song reminds me of something you would hear on Dude Ranch. 8/10
8. Wishing Well- The next four tracks along with Natives are the only songs that were actually written and recorded with the whole band together. You can definitely tell the difference because of how strong they are. Sounds like Tom is having a good time on this one. Good tune. 7.5/10
9. Kaleidoscope- Probably the most well written song on here. Very catchy and was one that I had on repeat immediately on my first listen. 8/10
10. This is Home- This seems as if it could’ve been picked right off the last CD with kind of a smooth Cure-like feel to it at the beginning but definitely one of the catchiest hooks on the album. 7/10
11. Mh 4.18.2011- Speaking of catchy hooks, this takes me back to Enema with that great pop-punky sound that made them so popular at the beginning of the decade. A solid listen when you need something upbeat. 8/10
12. Love is Dangerous- An interesting track to end with on the regular version of the album as I thought they would’ve went with something a little more upbeat but overall its a decent track. 6/10
13. Fighting the Gravity- The first of two bonus tracks, this one I could go without. Just a strange tune to me is all I can say to sum it up. Mark on vocals though thats the only plus I got out of it. 5/10
14. Even if She Falls in Love- Back to the Blink we love and this is a good way to end the Deluxe version for sure. Another great, catchy hook on this one. 7.5/10
If I had to give this album a grade I’d say its a solid B, maybe B+. It was a dream come true just to have this CD come out because I never thought I’d see them get back together after a hiatus. And of course, they are my favorite band of all-time so I’m a little partial to them. More album reviews to come!
