How can we make sure the Rolling Stones never make another album again?

At lunch today, Chris G. and I were discussing the pity we feel for the Rolling Stones every time they come out with a new album; it really is sad to see these shrivled old men are pretending to be something they're not, something they once were....long, long ago. We both agreed that it would be fine if the Stones wanted to still tour and play their old songs, but trying to come up with new stuff, especially songs about the sex, drugs and rock life, just struck us as wrong. It's not just the Mick and Kieth and the gang either, there are lots of great bands that have well overstayed their welcome. For example, I love REM, but they probably should have gracefully floated away into shiny happy people-land after their "Up" album.

On the other hand, there are a few performers who can still make great music despite their decrepitude.....Bob Dylan is indisputable. I also think U2's most recent albums have been some of their best (though we can debate this). Chris G. suggested that one reason for this could be that Dylan and U2 both have at least some "substance" to their lyrics beyond the usual (ahem..."start me up") fare. But I'm not sure that's it either b/c other great lyricists's new stuff, like Paul Simon's or Van Morrison's, hasn't been well-recieved.

Obviously a lot of this depends on personal preference. A non-U2 fan may say that they should've stopped with Achtung Baby, while I strongly disagree. So what is it? What is the statute of limitations on middle/old-aged rockers. When should they stop? Can you guys think of any other people who should've stopped long ago, but haven't? Also, I'd be interested to hear who you think should still be making albums?

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"Tribute to Utah"? or what happens when a mullet meets Kokomo?

Check out this must-see homemade music video on YouTube. You have to admit, it's impressive that they went to every one of those cities. It must have taken a long time because the dude has a mullet in some of the shots, and doesn't in others, and also, the seasons change (look for the snow!) yet they are still lip syncing the words, so it was all premeditated.

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Bravo to Leapfrog for Curbing My Inner Adolescence

I really must give kudos to the men and women at Leapfrog for not letting their products become the devil's playtool.

Recently I was sitting with my son reading books when he accidentally bumped this leapfrog caterpillar we own. It is green, about a foot and a half long, and meant to teach children the alphabet. On each of the caterpillar's feet there is letter that, depending on which setting you have it on, will sound out its name when pressed. The toy was set to make letter sounds, and when my son bumped it, a series of letter sounds came out that almost sounded like a word.

Thinking I had discovered new depth to an otherwise annoying toy, I grabbed it and punched the letters "H" - "I" to test what I heard. Sure enough, when the sounds came out, I had created the word "Hi". After trying with varying success one or two more harmless words, my inner adolescent voice gave me an idea. "Why not try naughty words."

My first couple of attempts were thwarted, however, because the caterpillar is incapable of making certain vowel sounds. I thought this might just be coincidence, but now I'm not so sure. When I finally punched in a series of letter sounds that should have given a satisfying response, the caterpillar made the first sound, paused, and said, "HA HA HA, that tickles" before making the final sound (and delivering the result I was waiting for). I'd never heard the caterpillar say "HA HA HA, that tickles" after pressing the buttons so, I proceeded to press a bunch of random buttons. Nothing but letter sounds came out. Then I tried the previous combination of buttons again and sure enough, "HA HA HA, That tickles".

I can't believe it, the good folks at caterpillar took the time to think up a bunch of letter combinations that would create inappropriate words and block them. Very very smart.

So far my wife and I have identified 8 words that are blocked.

A side note to this story:
For a while now my wife and I have argued about whether the word "Piss" is inappropriate. Not the verb, the expletive. While the caterpillar allows "B" "U" "T", it doesn't allow "P" "I" "S". This I feel gives my wife ground in our debate.

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Exposing Myself in Hopes of Reciprocation

I always love looking through other people's CD collections, it's loke looking into their soul. I'd like to know more about the musical preferences (and therefore the inner workings) of the LYMA crew. I think it would be interesting to find out what you all listen to after a year or so of reading your posts, it might also be a good way to discover and share the bands you all like. I wanted to start with my favorite song, but as I retrospectively search my soul (AKA ipod) I can't really pick one, there are too many and it changes daily. But never fear, I thought of another good way to share, I think that if I narrow it down topically I might be able to pick one.

For example, the best song with a girls name in the title is Visions of Johanna by Bob Dylan.
The best song with the name of a girl named Jane in the title is Sweet Jane by Lou Reed (closely followed by Jane Says by Janes Addiction).
The best song ever about friendship is With a Little Help From My Friends (the Joe Cocker version that is on the opening of the wonder years, not the a little too peppy Ringo Starr version).
The best song ever about lesbians is Same Old Situation by Motley Crew. The best song ever about songs is Radio by Rancid (or is it Let it Play by Poison).
The best song ever about war is For Whom the Bell Tolls by Metallica (barely edging out their othe classic One, which reminds me, the best song ever called One is One by Metallica, not that blaphemous steaming piece by that other band).
The best song ever about alcohol is Beer by Reel Big Fish.
The best song ever about eyes is Pale Blue Eyes by the Velvet Underground, Van Morrison's brown eyed girl is close, but he does sing the best song ever about a transvestite, Madame George, and the most romantic song ever, Sweet Thing (or Crazy Love, I can't decide).
The best song ever about suicide is a three way tie between GnR's Estranged, Metallica's Fade to Black, and Suicide is Painless (the theme to MASH).
Like a Rolling Stone is the best song ever about someone getting what's coming to them.

I could go on for a while, but let's hear yours, feel free to disagree or make your own categories, or just enjoy my fantastic list.

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Is this what feminists are looking like these days?

Does anyone else find this amusing? As I was leaving school today, I noticed that the Law School's Feminist Club was having a bake sale to raise funds. Maybe next time they can earn some money by charging there fellow students a small fee for painting their fingernails or for cleaning their kitchens.

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Out of the Woodshed...

So here I am fretting over the recent "letting-alone" of our poor, neglected Let Your Mind Alone, when I realized this: I don't need to impress anyone with a bi-weekly serving of witty pop-ologies held together with the stellar logic and brilliant prose of true cosmopolitan. I've decided that blogs (this one at least) shouldn't be an exercise in self-vanity, nor are they particulary well-built for serious intellectual debate.

Honestly, I'm not really sure what purpose blogs (in general) and LYMA (in particular) should serve. I do think, however, that some of you here (i.e. Chris G.) have a better idea than I do. While I've mostly seen LYMA as a woodshed where I can swing my psuedo-intellectual axe, Chris G. and others seem to treat LYMA more as a "community" (for lack of a better word). I usually won't post unless I think I have a remotely originial idea or observation to lay down, which means that I don't post very often and that my posts are usually boring. Chris G. makes a post when he has ideas/observations (a la not getting kicked in the crotch), but also when he's found a cool new website, and when he wants to show off his new fish....actually, now that I look over the past few month's posts, Cinci-sheldon, Taylor and pretty much everyone but myself treats the blog that way, like a community. Hmmm.

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Pandora

Just another cool web site.

http://pandora.com/

It is a shoot off of the Music Genome Project, you put in a few artists you like and it automatically compiles a radio station of music that you might like based on those artists. Pretty cool stuff, and a good way to discover new tunes

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