Today's Feature Song = 'A Common Tale' by Radio Star (2011)

And the song of the day is...A Common Tale by Australian indie-rock-trash-pop group Radio Star. Radio Star originate out of Melbourne, Australia's Upper East Side and consists of members Zack, Will, Patty and Jake. A Common Tale is a new single released in February of 2011, and is currently available as a free mp3 download on their Unearthed page HERE, and also be sure to check out their MySpace Page HERE for more info and music.

Feature Song of the Day = 'Don't Wake The Dead' by Guards (2010)

Today's feature song is Don't Wake The Dead, by Anaheim-based lo-fi-rock artist Guards. Guards is actually the solo-project of The Willowz lead-vocalist/guitarist Richie James Follin. This track comes off of the debut self-titled EP, and the single was also released on ITunes in November 2010 on the Kitsuné Mason Compilation 10: The Fireworks Issue. This a great track, with some wonderful vocals and a very simple message...enjoy the moment, live in the now!

Today's Feature Song = 'Stay, Please Stay' by Oh Mercy (2011)

Today's Feature Song is Stay, Please Stay by Australian/Melbourne-based indie-rock-pop band Oh Mercy. Oh Mercy are a 4-piece from Melbourne consisting of members Alexander Gow (vocals and guitar) Thom Savage (guitar, keyboard, backing vocals), Eliza Lam (bass, backing vocals),  and Angus Tarnawsky (drums). Stay, Please Stay comes off of their new album titled Great Barrier Grief which is set to be released on March 4th, 2011. Great Barrier Grief

A Brief Book Review for 'The Art of Learning' by Josh Waitzkin (2007)

Book = The Art of Learning (2007)

Author = Josh Waitzkin

Rating = 5/5 Stars ****

I recommend that everyone read this book! Its a auto-biographical work about the author's life, and his approach to learning new skills and achieving excellence in his 2 primary fields of Chess and Tai Chi Chuan. Author Josh Waitzkin is not your average bear, he was a child-prodigy at chess (many time world champion and in various tournaments), as well as a world champion in the martial art of Tai Chi Chuan, and all of this before the age of 30! Whilst being a high-achiever is not for everyone, it is still inspiring to read this book because the author details his own personal experiences and how he worked through his various challenges, which is probably the most helpful way that a person can share an experience with others. I find this very approach to be important as it is the true-experience and method of a real person, and not just the common beliefs that society holds about how true learning and achievement of the highest order is actually attained. Thanks to the author we get a window into that world, which is no doubt a wonderful contribution. If you are striving for excellence or trying to learn new things (most of us are I would hope) then this book holds something for you, so check it out. For more info on the book the author has a website you can visit HERE.

Today's Feature Song = 'Saying Goodbye' by The Greenhornes (2010)

Today's feature song is Saying Goodbye, by Cincinnati-based American garage-rock band The Greenhornes. The Greenhornes have been active on the music scene since 1996 and the band consists of members Craig Fox (vocals and guitar), Jack Lawrence (bass guitar), and Patrick Keeler (drummer). Saying Goodbye comes off of their latest/4th studio album titled Four Stars, which was released in October of 2010. I reckon that this band has somewhat a similar sound to them as many 60's-rock bands, I almost thought I was listening to the Beatles when I heard the first 15 seconds of this song. Anyways, check out their website HERE if you fancy their tunes.

Steve Judd's Global Astrological Forecast for March 2011 (All Signs) (http://stevejudd.com/)

#24 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown: 'She Sells Sanctuary' by The Cult (1985)

Back with the Countdown! And At #24 of VJ Samsonite's Top 100 80's Dance Hits Countdown the song is She Sells Sanctuary by 80's British rock band The Cult. The Cult formed out of Bradford, Yorkshire, England in 1983, and consisted of members Ian Astbury (vocalist) and Billy Duffy (guitar) amongst many others who came and went over the years, but those two are the primary members and incidentally also the song-writers. Ian Astbury was earlier a member of a band called Southern Death Cult in 1981 (named after a Native American site as well as centralization of power in Southern England. Then in 1983 he Billy Duffy joined up and the band was just called Death Cult, and then by 1984 they had changed the name to just The Cult in order to appeal to a broader audience. She Sells Sanctuary is truly a legendary and truly solid 80's rock song that most of you have at least heard, but may not know exactly who it is that performs the song (until now!). It was released in 1985, on their second studio album titled Love where it would then peak at #15 on the UK Singles chart. The album Love itself would reach #4 that year on the UK Albums chart. And there is #24, and we only have 23 left to go, and then what??

A Brief Movie Review for 'Cedar Rapids' (2011)

Movie = Cedar Rapids (2011)

Director = Miguel Arteta

Rating = 5/5 Stars *****

Great movie, funny and entertaining, and quite a cast as well! Tim Lippe (Ed Helms) is a small-town insurance agent sent to the annual Cedar Rapids Insurance convention by his boss, where he is supposed to do his best to win the coveted 2-Diamonds Insurance Award for his company after his predecessor dies in the bathtub. The conference for Lippe however turns into one wild ride as he and his new-found insurance buddies (Heche, Reilly, and Whitlock) let their hair down a little and attempt to break Lippe out of his small town shell, while at the same time shattering some of his illusions of the integrity of his own company and its practices. Definitely check this one out for a good laugh.

Today's Feature Song = 'Little By Little' by Radiohead (2011)

Today's feature song is Little By Little by British experimental rock Gods Radiohead.  Now Radiohead has been around just about forever, and we are all well aware of their work, but I had to post a song off their latest album titled King of Limbs, which was of course just released this month (February of 2011). Knowing Radiohead like we do, we also know that they never fail to disappoint, and this album, while a bit more mellow, is anything but disappointing. I had the luxury of actually seeing them live in Vancouver B.C. upon the release of their Hail To The Thief album, and to this day it is still the highest quality concert (in every way) that I have been to, and I believe it has something to do with the band's quality of presence and performance, and of course the beautiful natural setting their at Thunderbird Stadium. If you haven't yet bought their new album, do it, you won't be sorry, it is available at their website for purchase and download HERE. Everything in its right place...

A Brief Movie Review for 'Mr and Mrs Smith' (1941 version)

Movie: Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941)

Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Rating: 2/5 Stars **

A somewhat funny movie, and entertaining to say the least. I don't however really find the whole 'cutesy lover's quarrels' to be all that funny or cute, although I can tell that they are supposed to be, I guess I just don't get the humor there. For context, this film was shot during the great depression and WWII so perhaps people were just looking for pure escapist flicks which is understandable. I know they made a new version with Pitt and Jolie where they just add guns and lots of punching and kicking, but I doubt its much better. Not your typical Hitchcock flick, but check it out if you like the whole lover's quarrels bit.

Today's Feature Song = 'Solitude Is Bliss' by Tame Impala (2010)

Solitude Is Bliss, by Aussie psychedelic rock band Tame Impala. Tame Impala is made up of Kevin Parker (lead guitar and vocals), Dominic Simper (bass guitar) and Jay Watson (drums and backing vocals), and they come out of Perth, WA. Their name refers to the impala, a medium sized antelope. They've won a few awards, and are reminiscent of a few bands like the Doors, the Grateful Dead, the Association, etc. I like their style anyway, so be sure to check them out for yourself. Solitude Is Bliss is a single, which was released in April of 2010, and incidentally reached #33 on Triple J's Hottest 100 Songs of 2010. If you like their style then seek out their website HERE, and as always stay tuned para más. Solitude Is Bliss

Today's Feature Song = 'The Key' by Ou Est Le Swimming Pool (2010)

Today's Feature Song is The Key by British synth-pop group Ou Est Le Swimming Pool. Ou Est Le Swimming Pool (which means 'where is the swimming pool' in French) originate out of Camden, London UK and consisted of members Charles Haddon (ex-lead singer, is now deceased), Joe Hutchinson, and Caan Capan. This song was the 5th single by the group, and it was released in October of 2010 along with the release of their debut album titled The Golden Year. The release of that album was delayed from its original release date when the lead vocalist Charles Haddon tragically committed suicide on August 20th, 2010  following a performance in Belgium, and so I will dedicate this post in honor of his memory as well as to honor his friends and family. R.I.P. and thank you for the wonderful music.

Fashionable Frangrances: A Review for 'Dior Homme Cologne for Men' (Eau De Toilette)

Fragrance/Cologne = Dior Homme for Men (Eau De Toilette Spray)

Designer/Brand = Christian Dior

Rating = 5/5 Stars ***** 

Dior Homme cologne (for men) is delightfully pungent (in a good way) and it lasts all night long. This fragrance is not for those of you who want to have just a hint of scent, but rather for those wishing to turn heads (and noses) when you walk by, as well as getting asked what it is you are wearing? I highly recommend this cologne for those who want everyone to know you've entered the room. Be sure to store the container properly as this bottle tends to leak if on its side and it seems to evaporate relatively quickly(more so than my other colognes) as well, so use it. Also note that there is a sport version of this fragrance. Head over to the Christian Dior website HERE for more information and to order.