This morning was a latte morning.

5/31: Brian's Drive-to-work Sirius XM Top 6 Tunes

4 songs I've never heard before - crazy that I didn't go right past them.

6. The Mowgli's - San Francisco - Indie Pop! Everybody do it! ... Sorry, the song isn't bad, but I keep   hearing the same things in a lot of these new alternative songs.
5. Daft Punk feat. Panda Bear - Doin' it Right - Hadn't heard this one yet. It almost feels like IDM.. Autechre/Boards level. Little repetitive but otherwise cool stuff.
4. Oceanlab - If I Could Fly On the Surface - I see Oceanlab, I stop and listen.
3. Dio - We Rock - Horns up.
2. Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell, T.I. - Blurred Lines - First time I've heard this song. Pretty different from most stuff out now, need more Pharrell in my life.

Lastly, nostalgia is a hell of a drug..

Eminence United Podcast, Vocal Trance Edition Episode 126

Woo, vocal trance.

Faux-ood Blogger: 3 Pepperoni Pizza!

I wanted to see it glisten.

5/29: Brian's Drive-to-work Sirius XM Top 6 Tunes

I actually kept going on #6 even though I didn't want to. Self deprecation maybe?

6. Linkin Park - Iridescent - Barf.
5. Interpol - The Heinrich Maneuver - I always like the swagger of the lead singer, this is no exception.
4. Elton John - I'm Still Standing - My appreciation for this song grew after playing Rock Band Blitz.
3. Bush - Machinehead - Suddenly, 9th grade.
2. 2Pac - California Love - To me this is still one of the most iconic hip hop songs in the past 20 years.

And lastly, back to the 60s:
1. The Beatles - Michelle - This is the proper kind of meandering, works perfectly for this song.

What the Flick: Mad Men Season 6 Episode 9, "The Better Half"

Not that anyone cares but I called the Don/Betty angle 2 weeks ago! Also - the sirens during the Don/Megan scenes.. surprised they didn't catch that they went off precisely when Don didn't want to hear/care about what Megan was saying.. pointing out that he is just done with it.

This week- Mad Men Season 6, Episode 9, "The Better Half"-- the return of Don and Betty? This episode is all about choices from Peggy, Don, Sterling, Pete, and more-- what will win, the past or present?

Betty returns in what we're calling her smartest, best appearance ever. Does her relationship with Don trump his relationship with Megan? Peggy finds herself at a crossroads, with a decision to make.

How well does the show acknowledge the summer of 1968 and what's going on in the world? How do Don and Roger handle disappointment, and what does it tell us about them and what kinds of men they are?

And what is going on with Bob Benson? Is he going to surprise everyone in the end as the biggest winner, or is he a ticking time bomb?

Do we have predictions for how this show will end? 

5/28: Brian's Drive-to-work Sirius XM Top 6 Tunes

Channels 34 to 40 kept me locked in..

6. Beastie Boys - Intergalactic - RIP MCA.
5. Stone Temple Pilots - Big Empty - Decent but I always thought this song meandered around for too long.
4. Newsted - Soldierhead - Cool to see old rockers back out there with some solid stuff.
3. Radiohead - Idioteque - This song is incredibly forward thinking, crazy.
2. The Offspring - The Kids Aren't Alright - 90s, HNNNGGHHHH

And now for something totally new -

1. Jimmy Eat World - I Will Steal You Back - The song was too catchy for me, I couldn't resist (but I guess that's what Jimmy Eat World is good at, eh?).

5/24: Brian's Drive-to-work Sirius XM Top 5 Tunes

Only got 5 today due to some early starts on songs and getting some longer ones. Electric Area hat trick!

5. Transplants - Come Around - Guess I wasn't a huge fan of this but brought me back.
4. Geto Boys - Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangster - Classic, have to respect it.
3. Heatbeat - Game Over - I really like some parts of this, and think other parts are super boring.
2. Pretty Lights & Talib Kweli - Around the Block - This one is nice and chill with a good beat and Talib Kweli is auto-bonus.

And to go back 6 years..

1. Super 8 & Tab - Suru - Wish they still made mainstream trance like this - stuff that can take you away to another mental place.

Corsten's Countdown #308 - Official Podcast

I might actually like Ferry right now more than Armin. Plus his video is no BS, and shows you all the info you'd want to know in real time.

Schmoyoho (and friends) - DJ Play My Song

OK, this is pretty amazing.

5/23: Brian's Drive-to-work Sirius XM Top 6 Tunes

Wide range today - Chill, 70s on 7, Faction, Lithium, Ozzy's Boneyard, Kiss (11).

6. The Books feat. Jose Gonzalez - Cello Song - It was like listening to a chill out version of a 60s/Crosby-Stills-Nash style song.
5. Van McCoy - Hustle - How can you not think of this?
4. Scorpions - Rock You Like a Hurricane - Thanks to Guitar Hero 3, I always think of the robotic lead singer whenever I hear this song.
3. Social Distortion - Story of My Life - I've always thought this song was too long and the drum beat was repetitive. But.. wait.. What if it's all a metaphor for how life is too long and repetitive (but with an occasional "cymbal" crash.. and the song just kind of ends suddenly..

2. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Breaking the Girl - I love the mood of this tune.

And the weird fact of the day..

1. Daft Punk - Get Lucky - First time I've heard this song. Good stuff!

5/22: Brian's Drive-to-work Sirius XM Top 6 Tunes

90s on 9, Liquid Metal, Real Jazz, Electric Area.

6. Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch - Good Vibrations - If Betancourt walks up to bat with this tune and hits that many home runs, it must be having some effect.

5. Suicidal Tendencies - Smash It! - It's NEW! And also pretty solid.

4. Peter Bernstein Quartet - Mr. Kenyatta - I like discovering new jazz that I can actually get into.

3. EDX - Blessed - Got that trancy groove.

2. Gin Blossoms - Found Out About You - For whatever reason the guitars in this (and other 90s tunes, don't get me wrong) remind me of the "guitar" in the Secret of Mana soundtrack.

And finally, this brings me back -
1. Sepultura - Desperate Cry - 22 years old?

Angry Joe does an Xbox One Reveal Rant

lol

Doctor Who - Amazing "Live" Interview through Time and Space

This was really well done!

What the Flick: Mad Med S06E08 "The Crash"

This episode was crazy, so I was really looking forward to this discussion.

Is Mad Men Season 6 Episode 8, "The Crash" the weirdest, craziest episode yet? This time, we find out there IS more we can learn about Don, and it is bleak. What happened to him in his past that shaped who he is, and everyone around him?

Was everyone on drugs in this episode? Did the non-linear storytelling hurt the episode, or make it even richer? Does the insight into Don's life make you more sympathetic of a character, or at least more understandable?

What the Flick: Game of Thrones S03E08 "Second Sons"

As usual, good discussion to follow up the episode.

In Game of Thrones season 3, episode 8 "Second Sons" focuses on three storylines: Daenerys Targaryen courting the mercenaries known as the Second Sons, Tyrion's wedding to Sansa Stark, and Stannis Baratheon once again turning to dark magic to advance his political career. Find out more!

Will Sansa fall for Tyrion? Will Cersei go to far in prodding the Tyrell's to action? Will Joffrey want revenge for Tyrion's comments? And can Daenerys really trust a man like Daario? Let us know what you think in the comments!

What the Flick's Ben Mankiewicz (Host, Turner Classic Movies), Game of Thrones/ A Song of Ice and Fire super-fan John Iadarola (Host, TYT University), and Brett Erlich (Host of Pop Trigger, Contributor to The War Room) discuss all the ins and outs of GOT S3,E8: 'Second Sons.'

5/21: Brian's Drive-to-work Sirius XM Top 6 Tunes

Stuck in the 70s, 80s and 90s, except.. wait for it.
Stations involved - 70s on 7, 80s on 8, Faction, Liquid Metal

6. Ray Parker Jr. - Ghostbusters - Hmm, sounds nothing like this, right?
5. Steve Miller Band - Take the Money and Run - Go on, do it.
4. The Offspring - Gone Away - One of Offspring's better 90s singles.
3. Flotsam & Jetsam - Wading Through the Darkness - Somewhere between grunge and metal - me gusta.
2. Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing - I'm a sucker for this one.

And now for something completely different..

1. Symphony X - Iconoclast - This song kicked my ass - Dream Theaterish but harder. Let it kick yours:

5/20: Brian's Drive-to-work Sirius XM Top 5 Tunes

I only got 5, there was a lot of stuff I didn't want to listen to, ok?! Any way all but 1 of these are solid so this should be interesting.

5. Michael Woods - Airborne - Pretty boring, too slow, blah blah. Maybe I just can't get into this genre. I will say the break down is pretty cool, reminiscent of old school EDM.
4. Queen - Killer Queen - Classic, but thanks to Rock Band/Guitar Hero I've heard this way too many times.
3. Sir Mix-A-Lot - Baby Got Back - After all these years I still think this song holds up.
2. Dr. Dre - Nuthin' But a "G" Thang - This one's a classic too, and it's tough to beat the Dre-Snoop force.
1. Bruno Mars - Locked Out Of Heaven - I know, I know. It's overplayed. But it's still good! You start channeling the Police and I can't help myself.

Eminence United Podcast (Vocal Trance and Progressive) Episode 124

As always some relaxing beats from Eminence.

Viral Internet 'Hero' Wanted for Murder

Smash, smash, smaaaash?

"Smash, Smash, SmAAaash!!!"

Those words made "Kai the hatchet-wielding hitchhiker a viral sensation. That was his description of how he swung a blow for justice in Fresno to stop a large driver who allegedly ran over and attacked a PG&E employee.

Now those words could come back to haunt him. New Jersey prosecutors say Kai, 24, a.k.a. Caleb Lawrence McGillvary, is wanted for the blunt force trauma slaying of a lawyer."*

Kai, known as the hatchet-wielding hitchhiker who saved a woman's life and then became a viral internet star, is wanted for murder. Kai left an update as to what may have happened on his facebook page-- do those details make an alleged murder more justifiable, if the charges are true? Ana Kasparian and Dave Rubin (Rubin Report) discuss. 

5/17: Brian's Drive-to-work Sirius XM Top 6 Tunes

Kind of all over the place here.

6. Kyau and Albert - A Night Like This - This is not the old Kyau and Albert. I found this to be incredibly boring and generic and I really enjoyed their older stuff.
5. MONA - Goons (Baby, I Need It All) - It's got that typical "new alternative" sound with the crowd shouting during the chorus, swing-y uptempo beat, yadda yadda. It's catchy, sure, but I'm kind of getting tired of the trend.
4. Cold War Kids - Miracle Mile - Pretty good. (Sorry not much else to say here)
3. Krewella - Come & Get It - Any time we can get high tempo d+b (not quite, but work with me) beats in the mainstream, let it go, take it. The song itself holds up too.
2. KLF - 3 A.M. Eternal - I'm a sucker for the rave style beat and this has that with the super 90s raps. Bonus points+
1. Kenny Loggins - Danger Zone - Oh hell yeah. This came on during a torrential downpour, INTENSE. Also this.

Free MP3s: #10: Bar None Records Free Sampler Summer 2012

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What the Flick: Mad Men Season 6 Episode 7, "Man with a Plan"

This week's banter on the episode. As usual some great insights.

This week in Mad Men Season 6 Episode 7, "Man with a Plan" we see some big moves from Don, or as Alonso says, "asserting his Don-ness." What has happened in his corporate life-- and his marriage with Megan? Has Don lost an essential part of who he is? Can he ever get it back?

What is the pecking order now at SCDP? Where does Pete stand now? Where is Betty? How is the show handling the major events of history, and is this episode the seminal episode of Mad Men? Will people be able to stick with the show if future episodes continue in the direction of "Man with a Plan?"

5/15: Brian's Drive-to-work Sirius XM Top 6 Tunes

Sup 80s and 90s?

6. Massive Attack - Polaroid Girl - I thought this was relaxing but otherwise boring. Probably need to be stoned?
5. Christina Aguilera - Genie in a Bottle - the former-next-Mariah's big hit, still catchy, hot video.
4. Blur - Song 2 - Song rocks, but too short. Part of the meta joke of the song name, I guess.
3. Sublime - Santeria - Also a classic, great laid back tune.
2. Scarface feat. 2Pac - Smile - Pretty mellow, good flow, good message.
1. Duran Duran - Hungry Like the Wolf - How can you go wrong?! Plus epic table flip.

Free MP3s: #9: Saddle Creek Spring 2013 Sampler

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Free MP3s: #7: Ato Records Spring Sampler 2013

via Amazon.com: Top Free in MP3 Downloads > MP3 Albums http://www.amazon.com/Ato-Records-Spring-Sampler-2013/dp/B00CG68VH0/ref=pd_zg_rss_tf_dmusic_digital-music-album_7

Game Of Thrones' Season 3, "The Bear and the Maiden Fair"

Discussion for this week's episode of Game of Thrones. Agree that it felt like a filler, but every now and then you do need a build up episode.

Brian's Drive-to-work Sirius XM Top 6 Tunes

I'm going to try a new thing where I track what tunes I listen to on the way to work, and rank them later. The number of songs I rank could vary as I sometimes get half a song as I browse through the stations, but it's not really an exact science anyway. I'll try to this every day but no guarantees.

Without further ado..

6. Sweet Cream - I Don't Know What I'd Do - this got a little too repetitive at the end for me. Get off it!
5. Lost Boyz - Jeeps, Lex Coups, Bimaz & Benz - this would have been higher but the lyrical rhythm didn't really ever get off the ground.
4. Global Communication - 8 07 - good chill out but ultimately not the most interesting. I would maybe switch this with #5.
3. Banco de Gaia - Farewell Ferengistan - A haunting melody that is pretty hypnotic (should I listen to this while driving?!) but ultimately suffers from repetition.
2. Sublime - Smoke Two Joints - MARIJUANA CIGARETTES.
And lastly:
1. Sia - Under the Milky Way - a cover, yeah, but it doesn't help that I'm a sucker for the original and most other covers of this song.

Here's the video for your pleasure:

Free MP3s: #9: Allegro Classical Winter 2013 Sampler

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Free MP3s: #10: Allegro Classical Fall 2011 Sampler

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Jailed Enron CEO to Get Prison Term Reduced

Nope no corruption in politics to see here.

Jeffrey K. Skilling, imprisoned for the last six years because of his role in the fraud that caused the collapse of Enron, has reached a deal that could reduce his sentence by more than a decade...

Eminence United Podcast (Vocal Trance and Big Room House) - Episode 123

These guys put out consistently good sets. Check it out. Also hot model.

What the Flick - Mad Men S06E06 - For Immediate Release

Good discussion, and Alonso is really good at literary points.

One thing I don't think they talked about that I thought of after watching this episode - Don can't cheat on Megan anymore with Dr. Rosen's wife (Sylvia?). But he can't help himself with "cheating" - so instead of doing it with a woman, he does it with his company - merging without much approval besides Roger, killing Jaguar without approval, etc. Probably an established point by now, but I think worth mentioning.

This week in Mad Men Season 6 Episode 6, "For Immediate Release" we see a major change for SCDP and a return of Don in his element (and just how brilliant he can be) along with everyone's favorite thing - Pete Campbell in his underwear! 

We see again how much of a jerk Don can be. Joan has a great moment standing up for herself talking about her rise into partner and what it means now. Is this Christina Hendricks' Emmy winning role? How does racism of the era find its way into this episode? Who will be at the top of the pile in upcoming episodes?

What the Flick's Ben Mankiewicz (Host, Turner Classic Movies), Cenk Uygur (The Young Turks), Alonso Duralde (TheWrap.com and Linoleum Knife podcast) and Gina Grad (Host, The Pretty Good Podcast) discuss all this and much more on this What The Flick-TV episode!

Free XBLA Game - Doritos Crash Course 2

Free decent looking game.

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Game of Thrones Season 3 - The Climb - What the Flick discussion

As always good banter by these guys, and provides some better insights into the show.

In Game of Thrones season 3, episode 6 "The Climb" there are many reflections of the shows title. First, Littlefinger and Lord Varys have also had to "climb" through a chaotic web of nobles to reach the top. There's a power struggle between the two as they surreptitiously plant ideas into the heads of the powerful by blood-- who will come out ahead? Who will die?

Jon Snow and his wildling girlfriend Ygritte also have a climb- a literal one and a more figurative one. What does this say about the lies they accept as a society? What does Jon Snow's story arch say about loyalty? Where will he go next and where will he end up?

What the Flick's Ben Mankiewicz (Host, Turner Classic Movies), Cenk Uygur (Host, CEO of The Young Turks), and Game of Thrones/ A Song of Ice and Fire super-fan John Iadarola (Host, TYT University) discuss all the ins and outs of GOT S3,E5: 'The Climb.'

Free MP3s: #10: Nacional Records Amazon Sampler 2013

via Amazon.com: Top Free in MP3 Downloads > MP3 Albums http://www.amazon.com/Nacional-Records-Amazon-Sampler-2013/dp/B00CLW1SYC/ref=pd_zg_rss_tf_dmusic_digital-music-album_10