Page France--Antarctica

"when did your eyes' glaze dull, my antarctica? my beloved home
they treat you like a dog, my antarctica, my beloved home
they treat you like a dog, forgive me if I join along"

Moody Blues - Ride My See-Saw

1968.

Page France--Finders

You'll be a diamond in the sand
And all of the finders will clap their hands
Glory abounds us we found dry land
And all of us finders will clap our hands

Thao with The Get Down Stay Down--Cool Yourself

Brilliant animation added to this awesome song.

Portugal. The Man--People Say

From a recent performance on FuelTV.

Beatles LP Countdown - Dig A Pony

That orange raincoat of Ringo's kills me. Here is the Beatles' last public performance. Listen to it, and weep.

Mountain Goats--Jenny

From a show in Portland in 2007.

Gold Motel--Safe in L.A.

If you're in Philly tonight, go see this band.



Here's the rest of the tour:

Jul 29 2010 7:00P The Fire--Philadelphia, PA
Jul 30 2010 8:00P Diesel w/ Mark Rose--Pittsburgh, PA
Jul 31 2010 5:00P Don Hill's w/ Mark Rose--New York, NY
Jul 31 2010 7:00P Pianos--New York, NY
Aug 1 2010 7:00P U Street Music Hall--WASHINGTON, DC
Aug 3 2010 8:00P Frankie's w/ Mark Rose--Toledo, OH
Aug 4 2010 8:00P iLounge at Clutch Cargo's w/ Mark Rose--Pontiac, MI
Aug 5 2010 9:30P Earth House w/ Mark Rose--Indianapolis, IN
Sep 3 2010 8:00P The Mercy Lounge w/ Kyle Andrews--Nashville, Tenn
Sep 10 2010 7:00P Maintenance Shop--Ames, IA
Sep 11 2010 8:00P O'Leary's Irish Pub w/ Maps and Atlases--Dekalb, IL
Sep 23 2010 8:00P Midpoint Music Festival--Cincinnati, OH
Oct 8 2010 7:00P University of Wisconsin-River Falls--River Falls, WI

By the way, would it kill some you talented bands to make a stop in Gainesville, Florida? Seriously, people. I need a good show.

I'm Just Gonna Go Find a Cash Machine

The good people at Lebowskifest have a new shirt in stock.

Here are the remaining dates this year:

Lebowski Fest Chicago: Sept 17-18

Lebowski Fest Seattle: Oct 15-16

Lebowski Fest New York: Nov 4

Gator Feeding Frenzy In Georgia

They think that all those Gators are up there in Georgia to eat fish? Let me tell you, those fish are just appetizers! The Gators are there to devour GEORGIA BULLDOGS!

Watch the video.

Michael Runion--Suicide Pact

L.A. Indie stalwart Runion teams up with Greta Morgan from Gold Motel.

Arj Barker on Michael Phelps

Comedian Arj Barker does a funny set on the Michael Phelps weed scandal, that's a bit dated before transitioning into some other material.

Gold Motel--Perfect In My Mind

Got a feeling about this one, HD.

Grateful Dead - Morning Dew

This is one of the all time classics.

Monsters of Folk--The Sandman, the Brakeman, and Me

Excellent clip for the ethereal "The Sandman, the Brakeman, and Me" (h/t Captain Obvious).

Amanda Palmer--High & Dry

In this clip, Palmer talks about the joys of being dropped by her record label, then delivers a gorgeous rendition of some classic Radiohead.



To get Palmer's EP of Radiohead covers for the ridiculously low price of whatever you feel like paying above $0.84, go here.

Beatles LP Countdown - Two Of Us

I have decided to post the music from the Let It Be album before going into Abbey Road, because Let It Be was recorded first, though released last. It has the distinction of being the last Beatles album for people who don't know their Beatles history. These students can improve their grade by reading and writing a research paper on this article at Wikipedia, which simplifies the story for those who are laggards. Those who have been attentive in class know that Abbey Road is actually the Beatles' last album, and I will post on that one last in order to end the Beatles LP Countdown with a good taste in our mouths and ears.

Let It Be has some great music, but it is not a very good album. Far worse, the film Let It Be is a record of the process of the Beatles breaking up, so it is a sad film to watch. It really is the twilight of the gods.

Many have seen the song "Two Of Us" as an allusion to John and Paul instead of a story about a man and woman. The pair could certainly have had a successful career as a duo, but then we would never had had the Beatles. Anyway, we will survive Let It Be and move on to Abbey Road. For those without fluency in Beatleology and too lazy to read the Wikipedia article, let me clue you: George Martin did not produce the album Let It Be that was eventually released. No, that was the work of the famous (and now infamous, as he is serving a 19 to life for murder and will most certainly never get out alive) Phil Spector with his "Wall Of Sound."

So without further adieu, The Walrus Speaks gives you the Liddypool Four, and Phil Spector.

Atheists Harassing Mormons Door To Door

Door To Door Atheists Bother Mormons - Watch more Funny Videos

Mormons have never come to my door in the a.m. on Saturday. So I have nothing against Mormons. But if they did...

Beatles LP Countdown - Good Night

After the disturbing "Revolution Number Nine", Ringo sings a lullaby. We needed that. Still do. And that concludes the White Album.

1968.

PS: The Cool Boys are the Beatles. It's the album version.

Quicksilver Messenger Service - Fresh Air

These guys were incredibly good. Have another hit, on The Walrus Speaks.

Mountain Goats--See America Right

Notice how the man says only what he needs and no more.

John Cage - 4'33''

As Andy Warhol was charming the world with films of cigars, John Cage gave us four minutes, thirty three seconds of silence. You Beatles people must know: Paul McCartney was a student of Cage. Cage considered 4'33'' his masterpiece.

1952.

The Early Beatles

Good morning Beatles people. Local time is 9.21 am at 77 Beatle degrees. Broadcasting from America's Deep South, this is www.thewalrusspeaks.blogspot.com on your cyber radio dial.

Walrus Radio.

Conservative Shame - Depriving Pain Medication To Veterans Who Use Cannabis

I had not known that VA hospitals had a policy of denying pain medication to veterans who test positive for cannabis. Only the ultra-conservatives of America could want such a policy. Shame on them! At least, the Obama Administration has reversed this policy. Now, that's change we can live with.

Read the article.

Erin Tobey--Relativity Song

"If I took a different road
But in a similar direction
Could I make it there in half the time the time the time the time?
And if I focused hard enough on all the atoms in my body
Could I make it there using just my mind?
And if I blink my eyes and discover I was there already
Would I really even be surprised, surprised, surprised surprised surprised surprised?"

Something Happened to This Guy

I'm going through some old posts and this blew my mind.

Tancredo Calls for Obama's Impeachment

The Fox anchor's response is classic.

To World Peace

Bill Murray kills in this excellent sequence from one of the great comedies of all time, Groundhog's Day.

Beatles LP Countdown - Revolution Number Nine

At the end of "Cry Baby Cry" Paul sings the unnamed ditty, "Can you take me back where I came from?" After all, the Beatles had just been to India, where it is not uncommon to ask about spiritual origins. Then in the penultimate track we get Lennon's montage of sound, which, at the time, was a revolution of its own.

My Dad couldn't stand it, of course.

Rilo Kiley - Absence Of God

One of the all time great performances by frontwoman Jenny Lewis and the Rilo Kileys.

Jesus For President?

It's a campaign howl. Station Agent, have you seen this?

Hubble Telescope and Allied Radio

Mostly Hubble pics. The song is called "Face of the Earth."

Medicine Buddha Mantra

Try it. It will calm you down.

What Would Jesus Do?

Station Agent, you have to see this. It's a howl.

Hubble And The Moody Blues

The truth is out there.

Pomplamoose--Another Day

Jack Conte of the two-person youtube phenomenon Pomplamoose discusses their approach to the "video song" on the latest installment of the CD Baby podcast.

The Elected--Greetings in Braille

...I miss Tara and Melissa, Allen and John.
And you'll never have friends like you did when you were young.
But our bodies were pulled away and swept out to the sea
and I'd call and say hi if I thought you'd remember me.
cause some things are worth leaving old memories for.

Allied Radio--Ghostwriter

You couldn't make this up... to me, ghostwriter

Beatles LP Countdown - Cry Baby Cry

We are almost at the end of the White Album, which has roamed over the possibilities of music with abandon. There had never been anything like Sgt. Pepper's, and now, the White Album also broke much new ground in the field of music. Comments from critics who feel the album, without a theme, was too sprawling, are futile. The non sequitur element is a plus, not a minus. A non sequitur is the ultimate in conversational freedom, and the White Album, my friends, is a conversation the Beatles are having with themselves, George Martin, and us.

Who's Next?

On her show last night Rachel Maddow covered the firing of USDA employee Shirley Sherrod after she was ruthlessly smeared by the old right wing editing trick.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

In the next segment, she interviewed the president of the NAACP, Ben Jealous.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Ditty Bops - There's A Girl

They sing, "Get to the meat of things." But they are vegetarian!

Pearl Jam--Unthought Known

Back with another new video from their most recent album, here's Pearl Jam with "Unthought Known".

The Watson Twins - Devil In You

Pretenders - Middle Of The Road

This is just great rock and roll. 1983.

Simon And Garfunkel - Scarborough Fair

These guys were just off the scale.

Get this widget | Track details | eSnips Social DNA

The Train That Never Stops

The future of Chinese trains.

The Bird and The Bee--Love Letter to Japan

Sweet pop music, and yet, not pop.

Joan Osborne - What If God Smoked Cannabis?

I just have to hear this one, once in awhile. Don't you?

Beatles LP Countdown - Savoy Truffle

I believe Harrison is just reminding us that we must pay for all our pleasures.

Holly Brook - What I Wouldn't Give

I believe this young woman is immensely talented. Her 2006 album Like Blood Like Honey was compared by critics to Joni Mitchell. Check out her 2010 album O'Dark: Thirty.

Rilo Kiley--With Arms Outstretched

From Bonnaroo 2008.

Subterranean Homesick Blues

Look out, kid.

Jewel Does Undercover Karaoke

Oh that tricky Jewel! She revisits her early hits in this fun little prank. Good songs.

Undercover Karaoke with Jewel from Jewel

Sarah Harmer--Basement Apartment

Canadian singer/songwriter Sarah Harmer is back with her first album in five years.

Have You Smoked 'Spice?'

People are looking for a legal high and buying all sorts of garbage sold in smoke shops. Stay away from this stuff. Stick to the real thing or take nothing at all.

I blame the stupid, hysterical, anti-drug culture of America if even one individual suffers from legal high "incense.' It's time to allow Americans to grow their own in their backyard. This will decrease alcoholism and tobacco addiction.

You know what I'm saying is true.

Read the article.

Pink Floyd--The Final Cut

Looks like there's been a bit of a chill in relations between David Gilmour and Roger Waters, who recently teamed up to benefit Palestinian children. Stemming from that experience, Gilmour will soon join Waters on stage to perform "Comfortably Numb" at one of Waters's upcoming concerts. Even if nothing else comes of this, it's nice to see such long time associates put aside their differences.

John Lennon - Help Me To Help Myself

It's a very unfinished demo.

Damien Rice--Cannonball

From AOL's Spinner series.

Blind Willie Johnson

This guy kills me. I was recently turned on to him by a crazy,wild Hindu holy man who sleeps out rough near Flagstaff, Arizona.

Johnson has the mojo, don't he?

10,000 Maniacs--Stockton Gala Days

Cracker--Teen Angst

Cause, what the world needs now
Are some true words of wisdom
Like la la la la la
Cause, what the world needs now
Is another folk singer
Like I need a hole in my head.

Rilo Kiley--Better Son/Daughter

This is a fantastic fan video from the 2008 tour. Unfortunately the song cuts off during the guitar solo. Still, well worth checking out.

No Doubt--DJs

Nice job covering a great staple of the Sublime catalog, which was fairly vast for a band that didn't last very long.

A Tribute to George Steinbrenner

The iconic owner of the New York Yankees, George Steinbrenner has died today of a heart attack. While never a Yankees fan, Steinbrenner certainly made American sports more entertaining. Some director out there has a biopic for the ages just waiting to be forged from Steinbrenner's epic life.

So far, the signature depiction of Steinbrenner comes courtesy of Larry David's fantastic recurring portrayal of George Costanza's boss on Seinfeld:



UPDATE: Ethan Skolnick of the Sun-Sentinel has more on Steinbrenner's connection to Seinfeld, including why he was cut out of the finale of the 7th season.

UPDATE: Maureen Dowd tells the tale of how George Steinbrenner was won over by Seinfeld after initially rebuffing the show's requests to use Yankee imagery.

The Beatles' Frontman?

Lennon's Steinway

A recent article about Lady Gaga playing John Lennon's piano struck me as a sign of the times--the author thinks that John Lennon was the "frontman" for the Beatles.

!!!

The Beatles did not have a frontman. The Doors had a frontman, Paul Revere and the Raiders had a frontman, Buddy Holly and the Crickets had a frontman, Herman's Hermits had a frontman, etc. NOT THE BEATLES! You could even say that since Paul and George knew each other before Paul and John did, that they "started" the Beatles.

As time goes on, I hear the most ridiculous things said about the Beatles by young folks who obviously appreciate them, but know very little about them. That's one of the reasons I responded to the Station Agent's invitation to do this blog! I suppose as time goes on, it will only get worse. But I'm doing my bit to set the record straight.

Read the article.

Now, here is that famous piano.

Sublime--Bad Fish

The late great...

Jackie DeShannon - What The World Needs Now

She tells God what the world needs, just in case God wanted to know. Now that is a conversation with God!

1965.

Jane's Addiction--Stop!

Save the complaints
For a party conversation.
The world is loaded,
It's lit to pop and nobody is gonna stop...

Bright Eyes--First Day of My Life

One of the best songs of 21st century.

Communist Daughter--Oceans

If you're looking for something to do tonight in St. Paul, Minnesota, this excellent band has a gig. (ht Culture Bully)

City of Music: Communist Daughter from MPLS.TV on Vimeo.

She & Him--Fools Rush In

From the LevisPioneerSessions.


The band recently played a set from Philadelphia's WXPN. You can stream that set here.

William Shatner, Bicycle Thief

William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy bicker about the old days. It's great stuff.

The Weepies - How Will He Find Me?

Donald Glover--Black Nerd

Donald Glover is very happy that the time has come for black nerds.

Jokes.com
Donald Glover - Black Nerd
comedians.comedycentral.com
Futurama New Episodes It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Russell Simmon Stand-Up Comedy

Tegan and Sara--Back Into Your Head

Another from AOL.

Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole - Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Jenny Lewis Tribute

This is a song about Jenny Lewis, not by Jenny Lewis. The guy is infatuated with her. Not hard to believe.

Ringo Is 70 Years Old, July 7

And he's still getting by with a little help from his friends. Aren't we all?

Tegan and Sara--Nineteen

From AOL's Spinner series.

Eddie Izzard--Help, I'm Covered in Bees

In this clip from Eddie's legendary performance Glorious he considers what it must be like to be a beekeeper.

We Five - You Were On My Mind

This is an excellent performance by a one hit wonder. But what a hit. It just keeps building until the end.

Thao & Mirah--Bag of Hammers

Explosive performance at Criminal Records in Atlanta.

Economic Downturn, A Marxist Perspective

Sociologist David Harvey recently explained the current economic meltdown from a Marxist perspective at London's Royal Society for the Arts (h/t Cory Doctorow). This clip includes animation from Cognitive Media.

Jay Ungar - Ashokan Farewell

Now that it is the 5th of July, I'll come out and say something about America that I have thought for some time now--we have passed our prime. The US will continue to be the world's sole superpower for awhile, but the nation is on the decline. America has been a world power for only a century, and things are already spinning out of control.

But I think that no country in world history has had the vision, and provided vision, for the rest of the world, like the United States of America. This country is a symbol of the best that a country can be. As its preeminence passes away, it deserves the beauty of "Ashokan Farewell."

D-Tent Boys - Dig It

If you have not seen the excellent film Holes, you must.

Mormon Tabernacle Choir - Battle Hymn Of The Republic

Jimi Hendrix - Star Spangled Banner

I love this version.

Kate Smith - God Bless America

The Walrus Speaks says Happy Birthday to the United States of America.

Eminem - Gone Again

The modern discourse on karma really kills me. We have Eminem asking "what happens when karma turns right around and bites you?" Well, what indeed? Apparently Hindus and Buddhists have not owned the idea of karma for some time now. The way people think about the world is changing every day.

Thao & Mirah--Body

Two of the finest young singer/songwriters threw down at Criminal Records in Atlanta last month.

Bright Eyes--Lua

And I'm not sure what the trouble was that started all of this
The reasons all have run away, but the feeling never did
It's not something I would recommend, but it is one way to live
Cause what is simple in the moonlight by the morning never is

Tegan and Sara--Where Does the Good Go

Lovely interaction before they get down to the business of playing this fabulous song.

How Lost SHOULD Have Ended

OK, you LOST freaks. You know who you are.

Pearl Jam--Amongst the Waves

For a band with a catalog the size of Pearl Jam's, they do not make very many videos. This is the one they recently released for "Amongst the Waves." This one is for Awesome Diana, who showed it to me.

The Kind Of People God Likes

But does God care what you believe?

I just read an article about a Russian mathematician who declined a million dollar prize because he thought it was unfair to other contestants. In my view, God(dess) likes such a person whether they believe in Him/Her/Them, or not. Perhaps God likes such a person even more than the believer who would never consider doing such a thing. What do you think? Station Agent?

Read the article.

The Doors - Light My Fire

If you are a Boomer and you never torched one listening to "Light My Fire", then you never torched one. What can I say?