....................

below is a brief list of some points to consider.you might not agree with all of them but i hope they shed some light on how this well oiled machine called the corporate world really operates and the effect it has on you:

-president obama has spent almost a trillion dollars just
shy of a month into his presidency, a trillion dollars we most certainly dont
have, SO



-hes basically following the same model that got us into this horrific economic
meat grinder: borrowing money that, in essence, doesn't even exist with the
intent of spending it on personal entitlement



-entitlement, why does everyone think they deserve something simply because of
who they are? come back to earth and join the rest of us



-all over the country, public school systems are cutting music, art, and phys.
ed programs due to the financial crunch.yet on the news yesterday, the
"feel-good" story of the night was about an after-hours exercise
program for school bus drivers, funded by their town's school board no
less...???!!!



-i was at sea world a few wknds ago and got to see all the variety of animals
there-polar bears, walruses, penguins, etc.sure, its entertaining and cool to
see them up close like that but face it-animals like that do not belong in that
synthetic environment.



-and people wonder why animals like the polar bear for example are spiraling
toward extinction.well, think about how many zoos/sea life/arctic life places
there are in the U.S. AND the rest of the world.we are pretty much the catalyst
speeding up the extinction process, by taking these creatures out of their
natural habitats and imprisoning them in bottom-feed tourist pits like sea
world.now they aren't able to reproduce naturally, they have to share cramped
living quarters with several different species, and everything about their
lives becomes regulated, monitored, a spectacle.



-speaking of extinction, george carlin (may god rest his brilliant soul) was
right when he said extinction is a natural process that we humans continually
strive to hinder.i love animals more than anybody, but hes pretty spot-on.instead
of spending fortunes on researching and trying to prevent an ultimately futile
cause, why dont we put that money toward improving the places in which these
beautiful animals live?



-during a recent interview on 60 minutes (which is on CBS in case any of you
were concerned about bias...), barack obama looked directly into the camera and
said "i honestly believe that what senator daschle did was simply an
honest mistake".that was verbatim.hmm, i wish we could all covertly secure
200k by frauding the tax system and be patted on the back by the most powerful
man in the free world.



-but think about it, if obama had come down with a steel-fist on guys like
daschle or blagojevich, what does he stand to lose? you think obama got where
he is relying solely on his eloquent speeches and well-marketed campaign? i
think not.those guys and a slew of other bigwig democrats played bigger roles
in obama's winning the presidency than you might believe.so in essence, if
obama did decide to punish these dudes for their crimes (yes, thats right,
things like tax evasion, money laundering, and by the numbers fraud are CRIMES)
think of how much dirt the minor authorities from his own party could expose
and use as blackmail against obama.



-even if some crazy huge scandal involving mr. obama were to come to a head,
its not like the media would blow it out of proportion or anything.hell, theyd
probably never mention a thing about it again after the first few days if a
scandal were to be revealed.we already know flat-out that nearly all the major
corporate media outlets, sans Fox (which, I might add has a bigger audience
than NBC and ABC COMBINED-and no I don’t endorse Fox, nor do I endorse any
media source, I’m simply stating fact) are gun-ho for the democratic party.need
proof?-NBC came out and endorsed barack obama last summer.what the fuck kinda
news source espouses a political candidate? It then no longer constitutes news,
but rather big idealizations of how they want things to be.

-“how they [the mass media] want things to be”.you might
better recognize that phrase as a little thing called advertising.there’s more
to advertising than meets the eye and because advertisements are so multi-faceted,
they are able to lure you to take the bait from several different angles. the
media’s job today is no longer about informing or educating the public, but
rather painting, er, SELLING you pretty pictures of a fairytale world where
everyone sits down together at the dinner table as a happy, smiling nuclear
family in a mid to upscale home in the suburbs of Pleasantville.BUT what they’re
really trying to sell you is, simply, a product when you think you’re investing
in a better, more “socially comfortable” life.

-the sale of the product is where the relationship between
the everyman consumer and the major corporation ends.do you really, REALLY think
these companies care about you? Fuck no, they want that dollar.enter fast food
icons like mcdonalds and wendys.theres an interesting,yet obvious correlation
between fast food chains, the obesity epidemic, and advertising.look at the
menus of nearly every fast food joint, and you’ll notice now more than ever the
emphasis as well as availability of “healthier menu choices”.i was in a mickey
d’s not too long ago and there was literally 1/3 of the entire menu board
dedicated to salads, fruit, grilled chicken, and more.but yet even though all
these restaurants are adding healthier options by the day, the obesity crisis
in our country continues to worsen.why? fast food advertising has always been
the same-finding new, trendy, appealing ways to market the same staple
products.sure, they’ll launch brief advertising blitzes for new products when
they first debut on the menu, but after that its back to the conference room
for the product development team and time for the marketing crew to unveil
their latest exciting commercial for the same old fucking thing.observe
commercials for fast food places one day and you’ll see that mcdonald’s “hot,
new, hip” sandwich is just the big mac.you’ll also see that the person(s)
eating that big mac aren’t these super jumbo 400 pounders, no sir.it’ll be something
like Michael phelps pounding a big mac after a rigorous swim (or maybe after a
few bong hits), or miley cyrus chowing down on one after a sold-out arena
show.a funny thing it is really, using fit, buzzing celebs to sell a big mac
driven healthy mind and body instead of one earmarked by fruits, veggies, and
lean proteins.you wanna know what a typical brainwashed consumer slave looks
like?-a 400 lb dude walking out of mcdonalds shoving French fries in his mouth with
one hand and lighting a cigarette with the other.

-I’m really disgusted with how apathetic people are toward
their eating.i mean its no secret, people today in this country just don’t give
a fuck about what goes into their bodies or what detriment it might have to
their health.the saddest part about the whole thing is knowing that many of
these people not only don’t care but are fucking lazy as well.thats a toxic
combination.then there’s the group of people who deep down want to lose weight,
get fit, and stay healthy, but they constantly conjure up excuses to justify
their poor eating habits.here are some common ones:

“I can’t understand what the food labels say.the front of
the box says high in vitamins and fiber so it HAS to be good for me”

“ill start my new diet tomorrow but today I’m gonna treat
myself one last time”

“I just don’t have the time to prepare and cook healthy
food, it’s just easier this way”

“I just don’t have the money to spend on healthy foods, the
dollar-per-item value menus at the fast food places are all I can afford”

“I didn’t eat any breakfast this morning, so now I can
afford to eat something bad”

I’ve actually heard all those as well as many others.scary,
the more we advance as a nation, the more we do to educate the masses on eating
right and staying in shape, the more we as a population seem to digress.

Theres so much more to this and I haven’t even scratched the
surface.you don’t have to fall victim to mainstream consumer culture that will
turn your mind into a feeding bed for the mass media leeches.don’t forget, the
major mass media outlets like ABC, NBC, CNN, FOX are PRIVATE ENTERPRISES.simply
put, they’re not in the business of informing the nation, they’re in the
business of making money.just THINK about things, take a good look around you,
arm yourself with knowledge and information, SEEK OUT your own truths, and be
an INFORMED CONSUMER.

Albums (in no particular order after number 1):

1. 10 Years-"Division": to be honest, i wasn't a big fan of 'the autumn effect' (made obvious during an interview with the band at rock on the range where i repeatedly called the album 'the autumn offering').but with one listen of 'division' i was floored.every single song has its own set of unique and eclectic nuances.add to that mix some incredible vocals from jesse hasek, sweeping hooks, and alot of creative and personal exploration, and 'division' is without question the best album released in 2008...IMO of course

2. Streetside Symphony-"The Curse": signed to rick beato's ten star records.beato produced the album which is nothing short of spectacular.it's elegant.it's eloquent.it's intrepid.it's freakin sick.this is one of the best debut albums ive heard in a looooooong time.

3. Sevendust-"Chapter VII: Hope and Sorrow": do i really need to say anything more here? i wasn't too keen on 'next' or 'alpha', but 'cVII' reminded me why i fell in love with the timeless sevendust in the first plavce.

4. Hinder-"Take It To the Limit": say what you want about this band. but 'tittl' is so, so badass.i've never had so much fun listening to an album in my life.there's some huge songs on here, as well as a shitton of awesome riffage and genius production work by brian howes.dont listen to the naysayers, get 'tittl'...

5. Absence of Concern-"Absence of Concern": id known about these guys from their debut 'confessions of an open mind' but it wasn't until i got ahold of their s/t album that i really fell in love with their music.all ten tracks put a whole new twist on modern rock and their ballad-type songs are well executed.

6. In This Moment-"The Dream": i didnt think ITM could top an album as good as 'beautiful tragedy' was but low and behold i was wrong.'the dream' is just a magically powerful and entrancing ride, thanks to both the incredible talent of the band and the foxy vocals of maria brink.god she gets me every time...

7. Shinedown-"The Sound of Madness": the album i most anxiously anticipated in 2008 and shinedown delivers in an extraordinary way."cry for help" might now be my favorite shinedown song, and i NEVER thought id ever have a new favorite shinedown song after "fly from the inside".theres some cool lyrical concepts on the album too as well as songs that will explode on both rock and top 40 radio.but why oh why did brent lip sync on jay leno a few months ago???...

8. Rev Theory-"Light It Up": although i tried hard to get into it, i never grew to like 'truth is currency'.after hearing "hell yeah" a couple months prior to the release of 'light it up' i knew i couldnt pass this record up.neither should you.these slabs of rock are not only muscular but smooth and groovy as well.ballads like "broken bones" and "ten years" (best rev track in their catalogue) are incredible listens.

9. Jet Black Stare-"In This Life": theres just something about rod black's voice that i really really like.maybe its just cuz his voice is only one of the many phenomenal parts of JBS' debut record.loaded with hooks, anthems, and summery pop rock, 'in this life' is a force.

10. BulletProof Messenger-"Arm Yourself": ill be a fan of this band until the day i die.such a ridiculous sound they get on their albums.'the crucial line' was too damn good to be true and then along comes 'arm yourself' to prove BPM is no fluke."lose it all", track 3.listen to it.enough said.

------------------------------------------------
Songs (in no particular order):

1. 10 Years-"Russian Roulette"
2. 3 Doors Down-"Train"
3. Saving Abel-"New Tattoo"
4. Theory of a Deadman-"Got it Made"
5. Hinder-"Loaded and Alone"
6. BulletProof Messenger-"Lose it All"
7. Shinedown-"Cry For Help"
8. Rev Theory-"Headlights"
9. Disturbed-"Deceiver"
10. Nickelback-"Next Go Round"
11. Jet Black Stare-"Every Moment"
12. Echo Jet-"Chemical"
13. The Veer Union-"Seasons"
14. Janus-"If I Were You"
15. Sleep Parade-"Passengers"
16. Streetside Symphony-"That Was Then"

-----------------------------------------

Best New Bands (no particular order):

1. Streetside Symphony
2. Jet Black Stare
3. Society Red
4. Tetanus
5. Saving Abel
6. Aclarion
7. Burning Borders
8. Sleep Parade
9. The Leo Project
10. One Day As A Lion

First off, thanks to all of you who respect what we do at TuneLabMusic.com to check us out on a regular basis, as well as stay in contact with us.

I receive, listen to, and review ALOT of material, from both signed and unsigned bands.  However, I want to start focusing my attention on reviewing material sent DIRECTLY FROM THE BANDS THEMSELVES, because it shows they care enough about their music/career to get an honest opinion of their work straight from the horse's mouth.

BEFORE you decide ..ting your album to me for review remember this: I don't blow smoke up anybody's ass, nor do I sugarcoat anything I say, so if you don't think you'll be able to stand if I throw a couple punches in your review, don't bother sending anything until your skin is thick enough to take the good with the bad.

If you're confident, proud, and humble of an album you think is top notch, then PLEASE pass it along.

Contact me at nick@tunelabmusic.com and we'll take it from there!

yesterday i went by MY record store, cat's music in mount pleasant, only to find the doors had been closed, the store-gutted, nothing left but a few empty cd racks and the front desk covered in all the promo stickers accrued over the years.it almost made me sick, i couldn't believe it.a sign on the door read something to the effect of not being able to justify a raise in the lease price, and how devastated they were to leave mount pleasant without a REAL record store (thankfully the cat's locations in james island and summerville, as well as monster music in west ashtray are still open and operating!!! take a fucking note people!!!).it was heartbreaking to look in and see nothing, no albums, no people, no employees-nothing.cat's has been like a second home to me for the past 11 years.

i could always count on a visit to cat's music to cheer me up.all i had to do was walk in the door and i was enveloped by the soothing scent incense, complete with the sounds of another great album being played over the loudspeaker.cat's ALWAYS had what i wanted, no matter how obscure the title (and believe me, i tested them) and even if it was not in stock, they would have it shipped there in no time.infact, their most recent manager jeff, to whom i will express my ultimate gratitude in just a sec, even drove across town once to locate a cd for me so i could have it before leaving on a trip later that day.now THAT's service.the employees of cat's, particularly 2 managers in mark and jeff, made my experience at cat's worthwhile.mark was always offering me new suggestions, and was impressed at my taste for being in the 8th grade at the time.he would always offer "good call" to each purchase i made, and even insisted i work there at the age of 14.mark was kind enough as to take music which i was street teaming at the time and play it on the old cutting edge on 96  wave, as well as pumping it on the store's stereo system.

then there was jeff.if theres any person that kept me coming back to cat's it was jeff.every time i walked in the door, jeff stopped what he was doing to greet me and greet me BY NAME.he would always ask me what i was looking for, and even took the initiative to put out certain new releases that he believed i might purchase.hell, jeff even allowed me to come in the friday before new release day on tuesday and have my pick at the new order.jeff also kept promo and advance albums out for me to listen to for cds that had been delayed by labels and not once asked for them back or to buy the actual release.each album i purchased, jeff included a slew of promo items (i have over 200 'monitor this' compilations haha) and during my christmas shopping, jeff returned the favor of my business with something as nice as t-shirts and other discounts.if there was a poster or display i wanted to add to my collecion, jeff would even take it off the wall and hand it to me, no questions asked.he never belittled my choices, never pressured me, and always gave me a pat on the back when he walked to the back (and he always came out of the back room when i came into the store, even if just to sayhello).jeff made cat's what it was.and not to discredit the other employees cat's had thoughout the years, as all of them had extensive knowledge of music, and it was refreshing to be able to talk to people on my level about bands, the music biz, and new releases.that's what a real music store is all about.

cat's did so many wonderful things that other music stores failed todo that made the experience of being there more memorable-the free poster bin, the cat's dozen, the bonus promos that came with certain cds, the awesome new release prices, the bounty of used cds and dvds, the extensive listening stations, and the collection of odds and ends items that always made you look and smile (uh, paraphenelia anyone?).

i remember when then harbor discs and tapes became cat's music, and i knew i would be coming back again and again, year after year, for whatever it was i needed.cat's was a big part of my life and always will be, and i am deeply saddened that one of my places of solace has shut its doors.what can the cause be attributed to? the disgustingly awful circuit shitty that was built a few doors down, the rapid decline in the purchase of tangible music, the steady rise in rent despite the fallout in the real estate world? i won't point fingers, because its not appropriate, but people never really appreciated what cat's provided to us, whether you were a music buff or not.

i'm gonna miss you cat's music, from the bottom of my heart.thank you for all the wonderful years of service, quality, and happiness-im forever indebted to you.

nICK

yes, it took me forever and a day to hop on this bandwagon, but i feel compelled to clue you in on, in my opinion, were the top 10 albums released in 2007.
10. Sick Puppies-"Dressed Up as Life"
-The first of 2 Aussie bred bands on this list, Sick Puppies were introduced to me through, as were a bulk of their fans, through the "Free Hugs" video that I received one day. I thought that song "All the Same" was pretty solid, and it just so happened their Virgin Records debut, "Dressed Up As Life" was due out the next week. Sick Puppies prove they belong not only in Australia's music world but in our own, as the album is a highly enjoyable assortment of dynamic, in-your-face gritty rock anthems as well as soulful, inspired ballads.
Recommended Listen: "Cancer", "Pitiful", "World", "Asshole Father"

9. Sevendust-"Alpha"
-I always get excited about a new Sevendust album, and I was in need of a Dust revival after the disappointing "Next" CD released in 2005, the first in their post-Clint era. I caught the band right after Xmas in 2006 and heard some of the new songs, namely the scorcher "Alpha" which completely took me by surprise. I got the album not long after, and I was happy to discover the band that I had grown to love albums ago. Huge melodies, chunky riffs, the in-your-face vocal assault of Morgan and Lajon, and some of their heaviest material to date.
Recommended Listen: "Clueless", "Alpha", "Beg to Differ", "Burn"

8. 12 Stones-"Anthem for the Underdog"
-Following up a great sophomore release in 2004's "Potter's Field" was seemingly a tough task, but for 12 Stones, they took the opportunity in stride. After watching the disintegration of their hometown of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the band became inspired by the unfolding events, giving them the fuel to pen their third album. Justin Rimer of Breaking Point fame also joined the fold and noticeably aided their sound. Lead singer Paul McCoy and Rimer, teaming up with producer Paul Skidd Mills, wrote the majority of the material for "AFTU", and it is some of the band's strongest to date. Chris Daughtry was even able to lend a hand on one of the tracks ("Broken Road").
Recommended Listen: "Hey Love", "World So Cold", "Adrenaline", "Anthem for the Underdog"

7. Fuel-"Angels and Devils"
-Fuel had been absent from the world for awhile, and had no new material since 2003's "Natural Selection". The band also watched frontman Brett Scallions walk away, along with the firing of drummer Kevin Miller not long thereafter. Carl Bell and Jeff Abercrombie began searching for the right pieces to fill out the Fuel puzzle, even offering the vocal position to former Idol Chris Daughtry. He declined, and Bell settled upon Toryn Green, from one of my favorite bands Something to Burn. Maybe this seems biased, but Toryn's presence in the band, combined with the darker, moodier, heavier focus of the new Fuel material is some of the band's, er, Bell's, best written stuff since "Sunburn".
Recommended Listen: "Gone", "Hangin' Around", "I Should Have Told You", "Wasted Time"

6. Alter Bridge-"Blackbird"
-When Alter Bridge's debut "One Day Remains" was released in 2004, their sound was reminiscent of 3 of the 4 members' prior band...a little act called Creed. Needless to say, it was rather forgettable but it still sold well (platinum). The band sensed a need to change their direction and split with Wind-Up in 2006. The four self-funded what we now know as "Blackbird" with producer Michael Baskette, and shopped the album to interested labels, eventually landing a deal with Universal Republic. "Blackbird" is a complete departure from the Creed plague and is the best stuff Tremonti, Marshall, Phillips, and Kennedy have ever written as artists. The songs are exploratory, much heavier, much more challenging, and the album is a fucking hit, front to back. Let's not forget the epic title track, featuring an exuberant solo from Myles Kennedy and clocking in at 7 minutes plus.
Recommended Listen: "Ties That Bind", "Brand New Start", "Come to Life", "Buried Alive"

5. Bloodsimple-"Red Harvest"
-As if Bloodsimple's debut "A Cruel World" wasn't good enough, the band had to follow up an incredible album with something even better. "Red Harvest" is the sum of the bands parts-all the visceral energy, the blistering screams from Tim williams, sludgy, downtuned bass from Kyle Sanders, and surging guitarwork from Mike Kennedy and Nick Rowe. Drums were performed by Will Hunt (Dark New Day, Skrape, now Evanescence), adding an easily heard sense of professionalism behind the kit. Bloodsimple don't play fucking games with this one-it throws you around, it makes you think, and it proves that rock isn't dead.
Recommended Listen: "Red Harvest", "Dark Helmet", "Ride With Me", "Whiskey Bound and Hellbent"

4. Strata-"Strata Presents the End of the World"
-To be honest, I loathed Strata's debut-typical and predictable nu-metal, nothing too great really. But when "Cocaine" first seeped out from the Strata recording sessions this time around, I was floored by what I heard-a complete 180 in sound and that was just the beginning. Before the album hit, I read interviews (and also interviewed myself) now former Strata frontman Eric Victorino saying "metalheads will be disappointed" and I was intrigued. Whether or not you consider yourself "metalhead" or whatever, this album is fucking phenomenal. The band captures the perfect balance of melody, poetic expression, and flow and paints it upon an atmospheric and nostalgic canvas. Some of the most well-written, emotional (not EMO, EMOTIONAL) music I've heard from a band in a very long time; it's too bad they're now a memory :(
Recommended Listen: "Hot/Cold", "The New National Anthem", "Stay Young", "Cocaine"

3. The Agony Scene-"Get Damned"
-Whenever I need an adrenaline blast, I look no further than The Agony Scene-one of the most blood curling, pissed off bands in the biz. But they never, ever sound uninspired, cliche, or forgettable. "The Darkest Red" was scathing enough, but after severing ties with Roadrunner, the band dropped "Get Damned" through Century Media and god DAMN! If that video game Call of Duty had a soundtrack, this would be it. INCREDIBLE ferocity, that of which is unmatched by many of their peers. Their singer/screamer sounds like hes being skinned alive, but its not grating at all. The riffs are back-breaking, the drums hit you like a ton of bricks, and the whole album is just a fucking headspinning, glass smashing good time.
Recommended Listen: "Dance With the Devils", "Rapture", "White Nights", "Barn Burner"

2. City Sleeps-"Not An Angel"
-I've had this album since 2006. Early 2006 at that. Ever since I saw them open up for Theory of a Deadman in Oct 05, I've been intrigued by this band. They were once on Maverick Records and the album was originally supposed to hit stores in summer 2005, then April 2006, then August 2006, until finally, the band kissed the label goodbye and took their John Feldmann produced affair with them. After dabbling on their own for a bit and replacing original bassist Mars Davlan with ex-Family Force 5 bass player Brady Allen, City Sleeps soldiered on and struck a deal with Trustkill Records in mid 2007 to release the album. After a litany of name changes (from "Walker's Ridge" to "Hotel" to "Sleep With me") the label released the long awaited debut from my favorite band out of Atlanta on October 9, 2007. Now I've had this CD for forever and a year, but I still listen to and enjoy this album as if it were the day I got it. The music has longevity-a rare feat. They failed to include arguably the best song on the older versions of the album in "Catch Me", so find it if you can.
Recommended Listen: "Not An Angel", "Ordinary High", "Prototype", "Andrea", "Sleep With Me"

1. Karninvool-"Themata"
-When I got an e-mail one day from Bieler Bros. announcing the signing of Aussie rockers Karnivool, I decided to scope it out, especially since I dug what I had heard with Sick Puppies...if only I had any idea what I was about to experience. I got "Themata" after only hearing the title track from the album which I thought was only so-so. Then I heard "Cote" and that was it, instantly in love. That fucking song is 6 minutes of pure bliss. But it doesn't stop there, because every song on this masterpiece tells its own story, has its own identity, in a different time signature...these boys are fucking true musicians, gifted in every aspect of the word. Even when most bands would fall flat doing a more mellow tune, Karnivool raises the bar and proves one of its lone ballads is one of their strongest tracks. The precision of the recording is top notch, as I have never heard a group of musicians sound so in tune with one another. The drums are gifted, and I was shocked to find Drew Goddard, the band's guitar genius mastermind tracked the drums on the record before Hoss stepped in behind the kit. Amazing. "Themata" changed 2007 for me musically, and if you haven't gotten a chance to experience this band, on CD and live (fascinating show) then I suggest you do so!!!
Recommended Listen: "Cote", "Sewn and Silent", "Shutterspeed", "Mauseum", "Scarabs"
---------------------------------------
Honorable Mentions:
Framing Hanley-"The Moment"
In This Moment-"Beautiful Tragedy"
The Exies-"A Modern Way of Living With the Truth"
Stereoside-"So Long"
Deepfield-"Archetypes and Repetition"
The End-"Elementary"
Shadows Fall-"Threads of Life"
Chimaira-"Resurrection"
Static-X-"Cannibal"
The Panic Division-"Songs from the Glasshouse"

What to look for in 2008:

Theory of a Deadman-"Scars and Souveniers" (sched. April 1)
Saving Abel-"Saving Abel" (sched. March 11)
Sevendust-"Hope and Sorrow" (sched. April 1)
Ill Nino-"Enigma" (sched. March 11...if it ever gets released)
Adelita's Way
Revelation Theory
Bleed the Sky
Blacklist Club
Protest the Hero-"Fortress" (sched. Jan. 29)
10 Years-"Division" (sched. April 8)
Thrice-"Alchemy Index, Vol. 2" (sched. April 15)

so with a not-too-surprising, yet still heartbreaking loss to brady and his pack of cheaters (ive been saying it all along, and not just cuz we lost...) the jags ended their 2007 season last nite.despite the blow, when you look back on it, jacksonville had one hell of a fucking season by anyone's standards and they did something very important-they established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the league and got the national attention theyve deserved for so long.

when we cut leftwich in the preseason to go with garrard, it sounded absurd.a gutsy call by del rio, considering garrard started when leftwich went down last year and was only so-so (despite only losing by 3 to NE...).but del rio looked like einstein after the move, because garrard got in there and shredded (he had the 3rd best passer rating in the NFL behind brady and peyton manning, and yet he did it so quietly...).3 interceptions the whole year!!! thats poise.his backup quinn gray was outstanding as a stopgap, especially when garrard got hurt, winning 2 games in his absence.

07 was also the rise of one of our youngest stars, maurice jones-drew, who was absolutely potent in the backfield.not to be outshined was longtime jaguar freddy taylor, who in his 10th season in the league played like a fucking young 20 year old, muscling out first down after first down with as many as 6 or 7 defenders clinging to him.mojo and freddy ended up ranking as one of the top 3 running back tandems in the league, and only adrian peterson and minnesota's other RB (whose name has slipped my mind) combined for more TD's.

2007 was a breakout year for our wide receivers, who have always been the blunt of criticism from media and league scouts.our oft-average group of wideouts brought it hard this year, as reggie williams became a standout and broke jimmy smith's team touchdown record for TD's in a season.northcutt and wilford were rock solid, and matt jones was a surprising spot receiver and came up with alot of big plays as a quarterback turned WR.

2007 was the first year for our first round pick reggie nelson out of florida, and he was a definite bright spot for our defense.he, combined with the brilliant rashean mathis were a dangerous combination (especially with those dreds!), and the duo always seemed to come up with a key tackle or pick whenever the game was on the line.injuries hampered our defense a bit, most notable marcus stroud and johnny henderson, but fill in guys like justin durant (our 07 2nd rounder) made sure to make up for their absences tenfold.

and i gotta give love to josh scobee.that man is fucking automatic out there with his foot.podlesh also seemed to punt the ball in just the right spots, and never gave the opposition too good of field position.

and of course, there's the man with the plan, our head coach jack del rio.what's scary is that jags brass was thinking of pulling the string on del rio's job, and 07 was seemingly his last stand to prove he had what it takes to remain at the helm.if he didn't make you a believer that he deserves to stay, then the jags owner (who was the founder of Nine West FYI) should fire the entire front office staff, because del rio made this team.how many times did we go for it on 4th down, with the game on the line, with the pressure cooking, with a field goal a sure thing-only to watch the jags pull off another first down when the cards were stacked against them? it always made you smile and he helped make this team battle ready and road tough (he was a defensive coach with Baltimore in their heyday, and we all remember how good their D was and actually still is...).

2007 saw us perform, and win some huge games.no, we didnt beat indy once again (grrrrr), but after getting embarassed on monday night football against indy early in the season, we came storming back as if that never happened, although losing to indy a second time, but this time by 3, after a ravenous 4th quarter comeback that had everyone in Indy sweating.and how about how we manhandled pittsburgh? the jags became the only team IN THE HISTORY OF THE NFL to beat the steelers twice in pittsburgh in one season.and its the steelers! we know how crazy their intangibles are, especially in heinz field.so this little ragtag team from the south goes into the snow and runs through pittsburgh like a freighttrain.amazing.how about the win against lowly oakland (which i was lucky enough to see... :))? the most points scored in a reg. season game in jags history, as we ran up 49 in a 49-11 victory, with every offensive weapon we had scoring a touchdown, another jags record.we won 6 of 7 down the stretch, turning a maybe contender, 5-3 team into an 11-5 darkhorse super bowl possibility, called "the team nobody wants to see in the playoffs" by media outlets that have been dogging them for years.amazing.

2007's jacksonville jaguars were one of the franchise's best.and the saddest part? 0 PRO BOWLERS, except freddy taylor, who only got in because of an injury to willie parker.that's a fucking disgrace.i know the pro bowl is a popularity contest, like student council in middle school, but still, it makes you wonder.i've seen many mediocre things from my jags, as well as many brilliant things, but our 2007 year always makes me smile, everytime i think back on everything my humble team accomplished this year, putting themselves into a position very few thought they could reach.

kudos to you all jacksonville jaguars.we have the best fans ever, and a team to believe in for years to come...

so im smoking a blunt with a friend of mine the other night when the movie we're watching reaches its end and he cuts the channel back to regular cable.up came a gameshow entitled "Duel".you could tell from the get go that this was another standard fare rehashed version of every other game show thats plaguing primetime tv for the past well whenever, but "Duel" outdid themselves and their peers.

from what i gleaned, it kinda goes like this.theres a main contestant and he has to pick from a pre-selected (and OBVIOUSLY marketable) group of possible components to face off against him on a question.he or she who wins plays on toward winning the big purse, while the other is nixed.so its this older gentleman up there, about 55-ish or so and who does he have to pick from?: a Spanish man, an African American woman, or a blonde, borderline Valley Girl "belly dancer".of course, and surely much to the delight of the crews behind the scenes, he chose "youth over brains" (theyre so witty arent they?) and plucked the belly dancer.

if this didnt reveal how rigged this show was, maybe the bullshit, paper thin rousing that took place for an abysmal 3 minutes or so between her, the host and the other contestant.i wanted to vomit all over the screen at how scripted and pedantic this was.so the question was asked, the man clocked in first, pressed the "put pressure on you button" to make her select quick, cameras zooming in on her "lungs" as she logged her answer.and who won? duh.the "belly dancer" who im sure is not a belly dancer, because the "moves" she flashed for the world looked more like something youd see at your nearest hole in the wall strip joint off i-95.it was pathetic.the whole premise of the show is pathetic.

but, as they inch closer to the 'grand prize" and lure more people in with strategically marketed "radical" contestants and a bigger cash prize than their peers, then people are sadly going to continue to let this noise be defecated right into their brains.

fuck "Duel".

...when the innocent are fired upon at churches in Colorado

...when defenseless gorillas are subjected to the same genocide that has plagued Africa for years

...when you are three cars behind a horrific accident, and you walk up and find one surely dead and the other clinging to life

...when people cry, kick, yell, and scream over who's first in line

...when Wii's and iPod's are of greater concern than family, friends, and the time of year

so tell me, is it really beginning to look alot like Christmas?

so i have finally gotten situated in another project, this time with singer/songwriter by the name of matt mackelcan.his stuff is very impressive-if you dig bands like Sister Hazel,Counting Crows, MB20, Our lady Peace, DMB, Days of the New, and Tonic, you will definitely want to check out his tunes. he's currently signed on with MBM Entertainment (www.mbmentertainment.net) who also handles booking for Sequoyah Prep School and already have received an invitation to open for Rick Springfield at Hard Rock in Orlando this Saturday, 12/8.nice.

www.myspace.com/mattmackelcan

details to follow.regular, consistent shows up and down the east coast should commence in late january/early february so stay tuned.

nICK

Nick Moscatello (8:00 MWF)
The New England Patriots are cheaters. The aforementioned fact was proven true weeks ago, and it was revealed to us from all angles-television, newspapers, magazines, and radio. The New England Patriots are also undefeated this season. The team also has the league's assumedly most effective and image savvy quarterback in Tom Brady. The Pats are loaded with intangible elements, such as the comeback of stroke victim Teddy Bruschi and the explosive performance of new addition at wide receiver in Randy Moss. Of everything I just mentioned, which seems more appealing and marketable to a wide audience, and what route do you presume most people would take in crafting their opinions about the New England Patriots? The cheating incident came and went, the team was fined and offered their apologies, and as quickly as it happened, it was forgotten. Instead, the New England Patriots are still the envy of sports media, canvassing newspaper headlines, magazine covers, and television programs across the country, as the penchant for consumers' embracing the team and it success far outweighed the concern for their dalliances in cheating; this is a storybook example of the Agenda-Setting Theory.
The Agenda-Setting Theory was originally conceived by a pair of journalists in the early 1970's; professors Maxwell McCombs and Donald Shaw mapped the blueprints for the theory in response to the unavoidable news coverage of the Watergate scandal. The Agenda-Setting Theory reveals how consumers of mass media are directly affected by said media outlets, regardless of whether or not they espoused or denounced a particular venue of news or information. Em Griffin viewed the Watergate scandal as trite and forgettable, but insists that because of its prominence in mass media forums for an extended period of time, people were persuaded to believe it was a big deal, and thus transformed a typical news anecdote into a hallmark event in historical, as well as media history (395). The theory does not end there, as it not only allows for media outlets to dispel unhindered information, but also enables each person to pick and select his or her own method for obtaining what is sought, sans opposition. Em Griffin offers his reasoning on the Agenda-Setting Theory's relevance, stating "…the theory rises or falls on its ability to show a match between the media agenda and the public's agenda later on" (Griffin 395). The New England Patriots example further bolsters Griffin's opinion; as the team's success and intangibles grow, the media coverage surrounding said attributes surges in response. McCombs and Shaw exposed a collective who were "on the fence" about relevant issues to a potpourri of media outlets, and discovered that the issues of importance to the undecided consumers heavily mirrored those presented by the media. Em Griffin notes the cyclical progression of the theory, as the subjects addressed by the media were adjusted to fit within a public consensus and consumer trends, which, ironically, are coined and tweaked on the basis of media emphasis (398).
From my perspective, the Agenda-Setting Theory is a startling revelation of the brainwashing prowess of the mass media on the general public; the media world is not solely to blame, as the theory also solidifies the laziness of a large portion of consumers. The concept that the Agenda-Setting Theory exemplifies to me is how most people would much rather be dictated what is "good" or "bad", rather than to seek out their own niches in mass media consumption. Most media outlets are more concerned with appealing to emotions and feelings over facts and statistics, a tactic which is far more effective in swaying a person's opinion than simply presenting numbers and testimonies. In retrospective, the basis of the Agenda-Setting Theory lies in effective, pathos-laden marketing.
Look at this general assumption about top 40 radio-"the songs on top 40 radio must be good no matter who the artist is or what the songs mean, because they are being played on a "hits" station". Because nobody is speaking out and questioning the substance and quality of the "music" on top 40 radio, then those songs will continue to receive airplay and climb the charts, as it would be assumed that no great opposition to the station's play list must mean the songs being played are brilliant and furthermore acceptable to everyone, everywhere. I have been involved in the media world for awhile in my work for record labels and music websites, and it makes me absolutely nauseated to see more and more crap get recognition over the years, as music becomes more of a commodity than a form of creativity that inspires and challenges you. And how are legions of people led to believe that "artists" like Britney Spears and Kanye West are actually good and "popular?" Simple-effective marketing, the premise upon which the Agenda-Setting Theory is built in the first place.
The Agenda-Setting Theory is a genius concoction by Maxwell McCombs and Donald Shaw, which is more relevant now than ever before. With mass media shamelessly relying on gaudy production and high-tech machines to defecate to an increasingly lethargic populous of consumers, the Agenda-Setting Theory has proven to hit the bulls-eye.