Things I Like 2007

Yeah, I haven't done one of these things in a long time. I know, they're supposed to be weekly. Welp, what with school work and shows and um, a little too much overindulging, I have been seriously crunched for time this past year. That will change in January, when I promise to get back to the job of annoying y'all with my opinionated self on a more regular basis. In the meantime, go see/hear/read/check out the following. (You can thank me later.)

No Country For Old Men - dir. by Joel & Ethan Coen. The best film I have seen in years, and the Coens at their creative peak.

Everyman - Philip Roth. Yeah, it's not his latest, but novels don't get much better than this. And it's got a couple Jersey Shore references too. Give the man his Nobel already.

The Other Side of the Mirror: Live at Newport Folk Festival 1963-1965 - dir. by Murray Lerner. Further proof of Dylan's genius. As if we needed any.

The Live Stuff:
The Hold Steady at The Stone Pony, Asbury Park NJ - 1/19/07
Jesse Malin at The Mercury Lounge, New York NY - 4/21/07
Southside Johnny & the Asbury Jukes at The Stone Pony, Asbury Park NJ -7/3/07
The New York Dolls at The Stone Pony, Asbury Park NJ - 7/20/07
Two Cow Garage at The Saint, Asbury Park NJ - 7/23/07
Ryan Shaw at The Highline Ballroom, New York NY - 7/31/07
Marah at Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia PA - 9/7/07
Marah at Union Music Hall, Brooklyn NY - 9/13/07
Hudson Falcons at The Stone Pony - 11/30/07
Maybe Pete - anytime, anywhere
I'm sure there were more, but that's what I can think of for now. Damn, July sure was a great month for live music.

Petal Pusher - Laurie Lindeen. Yeah, it's not perfect, but it's well-written and engaging, and it makes you want to start a band despite it all. Can't ask for much more from a musician-type memoir.

She's About to Cross My Mind - The Red Button. Power pop at its finest.

Federico's Pizza, Belmar NJ - Try the white pizza with garlic and tomato. So what if they don't have a liquor license.

Back to Black - Amy Winehouse. Totally badass.

Fins, Bradley Beach NJ - Tortilla soup. 'Nuff said.

The Beach Cinema, Bradley Beach NJ - Movies and organ music for under 5 bucks.

Tearing Down the Wall of Sound: The Rise and Fall of Phil Spector - Mick Brown. Well-researched and incisive, not just about Phil, but about the Brill Building era as a whole. Not to be missed if you're a music fan.

Eastern Promises - dir. by David Cronenberg. Viggo Mortensen's performance is nothing short of astonishing.

Fontana's, Chinatown, NYC. Cool not-so-new hangout for what's left of the NY punk scene. Also the Lit Lounge on 2nd Ave. And Midway on Ave. B, Lakeside Lounge on Ave. B and Manitoba's, on um, Ave. B.

Little Steven's Underground Garage -- The website, the radio show, the live shows, the merch, and now a record label. Further proof (as if we needed any) that Little Steven is the living embodiment of rock'n'roll as it was meant to be, as well as just badass in general.

The Sopranos, the finale.

Coney Island, Brooklyn NY - long may it live. The Mermaid Parade, The Cyclone, The Wonder Wheel, and Ruby's Bar to take the edge off. It's Disneyland for adults.

Booeymonger's, Washington DC. How can you not love a place that still has a sandwich named after Patty Hearst?

Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park NJ - How could a venue this cool be in danger of extinction? (Answer: Asbury Partners.)

The Twisted Tree, Asbury Park NJ. The heart of the acoustic music scene in Asbury Park, and the only cool place left on Cookman Avenue. Go before they f**k that up, too.

The Jefferson Market Branch, New York Public Library - One of the few real landmarks left in Greenwich Village. It's got a clock tower that rings on the hour, and it's in at least one Woody Allen movie. Plus it just looks cool.

Electric Lady Studios, New York NY. Thanks JM, for giving me one of the coolest days of my life.

Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee - dir. by Yves Simoneau for HBO films. Required viewing for every American.

Rick Shapiro at the Sidewalk Cafe, New York NY - Comedy that jolts you awake.

The French Roast, 6th Ave., New York NY - Candlelight, great food and more coffee drinks with alcohol than I even knew existed. And you never know who will be at the next table. The epitome of Greenwich Village cool.

There are more CDs and films and stuff that kick ass, but I can't think of them now, so check back for updates.

Oh, and thanks to all my friends for being there when I needed you, and for putting up with me all year long (you know who you are). You guys rule.

That is all. Happy Holidays and shit.