Monday, January 2, 2017

So That's What Happened To The Music Industry

How did the Telecommunications Act of 1996 ruin popular music?

That law enabled corporations (Clear Channel, Cumulus Media, etc.) to buy as many radio stations as they wanted. Think about it, I bet your favorite station changed formats some time between 1997-2001. So now there’s a monopoly on radio. That’s why there are no more radio DJs playing anything they just feel like listening to. It’s all formatted, and these days usually a computer running everything. There’s a good documentary about it .

But there were other effects from this, I think, in that now there is no real such thing as bands starting from nowhere, getting popular within a scene, then getting signed. These days the labels just put together the groups they want, and they collude with the radio stations, and if you plug something into the top 40 and play it over and over again, people will get used to it and buy it because most people aren’t really that discerning anyway . I also think this is why rap and pop stars have been pushed over bands and groups, because you only have to pay one person to be famous. So they don’t even bother sending out scouts to find cutting edge music anymore, they just pick somebody and make them popular. People who are actually into music are just going to find their niche stuff online anyway these days and buy direct, so the pop market is a total charade with no real ground level culture involved whatsoever.

p.s. This is just my own opinion, but I think the early 90s was the most raw era for popular music with things like grunge, gangsta rap, metal, alternative, afrocentric hip-hop, horrorcore and hardcore hip-hop, all that Subpop type indie rock and dream pop and shoegaze and whatnot, a lot of things from the late 80s to mid 90s was pretty serious stuff… Not that there wasn’t some bubblegum dance stuff too, but it was actually interesting to see a huge portion of mainstream music dealing with serious topics and moods rather than the usual upbeat jams or sappy love songs that have dominated every other decade before and after.

(CavemanCircus.com)

Did You Know - NHL's Longest Winning Streaks

Statistical look at Blue Jackets 15-game win streak

How Columbus run compares to longest in NHL history

Columbus Blue Jackets (2016-17) 
  • Began: Nov. 29, 2016, defeated Tampa Bay Lightning 5-1 
  • Goals for/against: Outscored opponents 61-26, including two shootout goals
  • Close calls: Won six games by one goal, including 3-2 shootout win at Arizona Coyotes on Dec. 3 when they scored tying goal with 2:16 remaining in third period, and a 3-2 shootout win against the Los Angeles Kings on Dec. 20.
  • Biggest wins: 7-1 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 22; 6-2 vs. New York Islanders on Dec. 10 
  • Next game: Jan. 3 vs. Edmonton Oilers
(NHL.com)

I Tried The Tuxedo Mocha & It's Good

Starbucks Celebrates New Year's With A TUXEDO Drink


No, Starbucks isn't coming out with a line of tuxedos... although let's revisit that awesome idea sometime in the near future. Rather, the coffee chain has introduced a line of specialty drinks they're calling the Tuxedo Collection.

The sartorially-themed collection features three drinks that follow the formal attire's black and white motif. Options from the collection include a tuxedo mocha, a tuxedo hot chocolate, and a tuxedo frappuccino.

(FoodBeast.com)

This Isn't A Bad Idea

Why Acura should build a hybrid Integra successor using NSX tech

If Honda and Acura could commit to the idea of a thoroughly enjoyable premium sports car that doesn't break the bank, Acura could transform into something more than a purveyor of expensive Hondas. Acura's messaging that it's a high-tech, sporty brand would finally mesh better with its product line up. The only question is whether Acura is bold enough to try it.

(AutoBlog.com)

A Small Insight Into Why He's So Successful

• [Adam] Gase on the influence of Nick Saban on his life: 

I always liked the way that he handled players, but also how organized he was, how everything was done so meticulously … there was a regimen every day. You just knew what to expect. You knew what was coming, and it was a grind, it wasn’t tough, it wasn’t easy, but there was a purpose behind everything. He had a great process, and I gravitated towards that. I’ve seen him have fun. When we had signing day, that night, you would always see a big old smile. He knew that chapter had ended and he would always take the staff out, which was always a fun night for all of us because we didn’t have a lot of time to hang out as a staff, and that was the one time the whole group would go and get to talk and BS a little bit.

(MMQB.SI.com)

This Was A Cool Moment

f. Visual of the day, and maybe of the season: Eagles tight end Zach Ertz making a diving touchdown catch against Dallas at Lincoln Financial Field, getting up and celebrating with his teammates. He gives the ball to Carson Wentz, who finds American League MVP and Eagles season-ticket holder Mike Trout in the end zone seats and hands Trout the ball.

(MMQB.SI.com)

The Leader So Far For The Feels Good Sports Story Of 2017

‘I think we were literally watching that guy’s dream come true right before our eyes’

The Hurricanes found themselves in a pinch when Lack fell ill before Saturday night’s game at Tampa Bay. Roughly two hours before the puck drop, they announced the signing of Alves to a professional tryout contract and issued him jersey No. 40. His mask – which he painted himself, based on drawings by a local illustrator – features caricatures of the team’s other equipment men.

“I think we were literally watching that guy’s dream come true right before our eyes,” starter Cam Ward said. “Seeing how emotional he got before that game made everybody emotional. And I said to him right before the game, `They don’t ask how or why, but you made it to the NHL.”‘

Ward bucked the tradition of having the starting goalie lead the team onto the ice for pregame warmups, letting Alves have the spotlight for himself. And with 7.6 seconds left and the outcome all but decided – the Lightning led 3-1 – coach Bill Peters sent Alves onto the ice to replace Ward. He didn’t have to face a shot but was handed the puck by teammate Jeff Skinner.

“Every time I see it, I kind of get choked up,” Alves said. “Seven-point-six seconds is going to be near and dear to me.”

A repeat doesn’t seem likely Tuesday night when New Jersey visits: Peters says if Lack is too sick to skate against the Devils, the team will recall someone from its AHL affiliate in Charlotte.

That seems fine with Alves, who joked with alternate captain Jordan Staal that the Hurricanes’ shooters weren’t about to take it easy on him during his first practice since his big debut.

“I told Jordan, ‘It was only 7.6 seconds, guys,”‘ Alves said. “I’m not an NHLer.”

(NBCSports.com)

They're Fun To Drive, Not So Fun To Maintain

8 Non-Japanese Cars For JDM Enthusiasts To Consider

Volkswagen Golf R32

You want a nice street all-wheel drive car with plenty of modification potential and will have a powerful presence when seen in the public roads. What naturally comes to mind? I’ll bet you thought of an Impreza WRX STi or Lancer Evolution. While these two rally legends are phenomenal machines to drive and experience, they’re highly sought after and often have a high sticker price. If you want something just as capable, but different, and can save you a couple thousands upon initial purchase, consider the Volkswagen Golf R32 Mk4 or Mk5.

These stunning German hatchbacks come equipped with all-wheel-drive, 6-speed manuals, and the mighty 3.2L VR6, arguably Volkswagen’s greatest motor to date, producing about 240 hp in the Mk4 and 250 hp in the Mk5. With these features, you can easily power them up to match or even surpass the Impreza and Lancer Evolutions in a car that’s a bit more mature and civilized, especially from lack of the giant spoilers the two rally legends are known for.

Audi S4 Quattro Turbo B5

If luxury, comfort, and power are on your check list, it’s very likely a Lexus, Infiniti, or Acura is on that list somewhere. You could get either of those, or you could try for an Audi S4 Quattro Turbo B5. The S4 B5 is a handsome beast that comes with Audi’s reputable Quattro all-wheel-drive, choice of a 5-speed ZF auto or 6-speed manual, and a twin-turbo 2.7L V6 pushing about 250 hp, with plenty of power possible to be squeezed out of the capable motor. You can ride in style, comfort, and speed, a combination that is often associated with the best of German cars that aren’t Porsche. They also don’t cost much, as I’ve seen plenty of good examples costing as low as $5,000 USD. Obviously, maintenance costs will be above average, but for what you get with that money, is something marvelous.

(CarThrottle.com)

Mayo Vs. Aioli

What Is The Difference Between Mayonnaise And Aioli?

And more importantly, when to use each

Mayonnaise, loosely defined, is an emulsion of neutral-flavored oil like canola, egg yolk, vinegar and/or lemon juice and sometimes a dash of powdered mustard to bring out the flavor and help the emulsion stay together. Aioli, on the other hand, hails from the southern French region of Provence, and begins not in a blender but with a mortar and pestle and several cloves of garlic. When the garlic is pounded to a paste, it's whisked into the traditional preparation of egg yolk, lemon juice, mustard and olive oil instead of canola (which adds olive oil's fruity aroma into the mix). 

Aioli is typically served as a dip for vegetable crudité, boiled eggs and shellfish, while mayonnaise is more widely employed in a variety of ways. But now that you know all about aioli, it might be hard to go back to Hellman's. 

(FoodRepublic.com)