It just so happens that I’m reading the book Blink by Malcolm Gladwell, which is all about the judgement you make about people and situations in the first moments of seeing them. My first reaction to the artwork of The Strokes new album, First Impressions of Earth was I burst into a fit of laughter. A second later, I looked at it again and realized that The Strokes have jacked the White Stripes‘ color scheme.

I’m not sure what the album is supposed to represent, but I think it’s ok. It is certainly better than X & Y.

Out of the handful of songs I’ve heard off of the new album, I like “You Only Live Once” and “The Other Side.” I think in my old age, I’ve started to like slower tempo songs. But then again, I’ve always had a fondness for slow Strokes songs such as “Under Control,” which is one of my favorites off of Room on Fire.

Image stolen from the wonderful Strokes LJ via Nasty Little Man.

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The Candy Cane Children have been going wild over these new photos from the “The Denial Twist” CD single which depict a black and white-clad Jack kneeling next to a raccoon he appears to have killed with his bicycle. There are two covers for the 7″, an alternate version of the “Jack Killed ‘Coon” picture and an adorable shot of Meg holding a portable record player with the raccoon listening to the music through headphones.

Am I the only one who is slightly curious if the raccoon may have come from (or ended up in) Jack’s taxidermy collection?

Anyway, the b-side is a cover of “Shelter of Your Arms.” Lookin’ good…

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A new Strokes song has leaked on l’Internet. It’s called “15 Minutes of Pain” and it sounds like a cross between the Velvet Underground (first half), The Walkmen (Hamilton-like screaming) and some power pop band like All-American Rejects or something like that (second half). Initially, it seems to be leaving listeners…confused. Thanks to B. for the heads up.

UPDATE: Apparently the original link on the post isn’t working anymore, so go here.

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You may remember reading about The Strokes casting call for their new video. Well my friend Musicslut Matt actually got a call back for the “gay couple” and lives to tell the tale about how he (almost) was an MTV star. A sample quote: “…at this point i am out of breath, shirtless and weirded out. I feel like I was just in a G rated porno. Ok, maybe pg-13.”

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…because that’s what the new BBC America blog “Anglophenia” is claiming. Blog writer Kevin Wicks (who is based in New York) has stated that he’s never been to the UK (get that man a plane ticket, stat!) yet he’s probably going to end up devoting hours and hours writing about people with bad teeth, people who eat bad food, and people who love to say “innit?” “sorry?” and “cheers.” You almost have to feel slightly bad for a man who probably is required to write about Robbie Williams at least one time a week. Therefore, give this man some click-lovin’.

On another British note, I am still very sad about not getting tickets to the Arctic Monkeys Mercury Lounge show. This is me making a sad monkey face: 8:( Help! Otherwise I’ll probably be the one outside peering through the front windows with my two hands and nose pressed up against the glass with an adorable blue hat…it’s either me or Fivel Mouskewitz from American Tail.

“I think I can see the Arctic Monkeys”

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MTV continues to infiltrate non-white music markets…and apparently you need “flava” to do it.

MTV World needs your Asian Flava!

We are Seeking people who think there are just not enough Asians
representin’ on TV.

Here’s an opportunity to be the fresh new on-air personality of MTV
Chi — MTV’s new channel that gives viewers the complete low-down on
the young Chinese American pop-culture scene.

If you appear to be 18-24 years old and you think you’ve got the
golden personality, send your headshot and VHS reel (5 min. max) to:

MTV WORLD
770 BROADWAY
10TH FLOOR
NEW YORK, NY 10003
ATTN: MTV CHI VJ SEARCH

ALL TAPES & HEADSHOT SUBMISSIONS WILL BE THE PROPERTY OF MTV NETWORKS
AND WILL NOT BE RETURNED

(previous on air experience and conversational Mandarin & Cantonese a
plus!)

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Check out Tricia‘s new column that starts out by talking about my two favorite things EVER, mac ‘n’ cheese. Mmmm mac ‘n’ cheese!!!! Apparently Mo Pitkin’s (you may know it as the blinding bright blue neon light on the east side of Avenue A and 3rd Street) has deep fried mac ‘n’ cheese. I can barely contain myself!

Other mac ‘n’ cheese I’ve had in the city: Cafeteria–really good. Very crispy outer shell, but a really tiny “appetizer” portion…for about 7 dollars. Mama’s–pretty good. Best thing about it is the huge HUGE sized portion. Bubby’s–pretty good. Sometimes I think it’s a little watery when I get down to the middle of the mac ‘n’ cheese and may taste a little bland for some mouths. Comfort Diner–ugh! Worst ever! I can’t believe they call it mac ‘n’ cheese. More like pasta shells and Velveeta. SO GROSS!

Fortunately I was not totally blindsided by my mac ‘n’ cheese fixation to stop reading there…managed to get all the way down to the end to read about the humorous mixup between Crispin Glover and Carlos D, and sightings of Moby (yawn) and Bono (scary).

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Sometimes having friends this pretty makes you want to put a bag over your head and cry. Check out the November 2005 issue of Paper magazine and see why. There’s a story on your favorite Saturday night underage fashion show, MisShapes!!! Y’all look great!

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Last night headed over to the Tribeca Grand to stop into the Franz Ferdinand after party where Melody Nelson and Dan Selzer were DJing and Sons and Daughters were playing.

The advertised time that S and D were going on was 12 midnight, but of course that was a lie–they went on promptly at 1:07 am. The four-member band took their places on the stage and proceeded to launch into their upbeat pop music. They looked like a bunch of electrified 1950s hillbilly rockers, with guitarist Scott Paterson‘s blond hair worked up into a Conan O’Brien-type pompadour and singer Adele Bethel‘s dark chocolate hair whisked up into a glossy beehive. Adele swayed front to back in a rhythmic motion–almost as if she was sitting in a car that kept stopping short–as she growled out the song lyrics, her form-fitting white strapless dress constricting her body ever so slightly. She wore bright red lipstick, so when her lips moved you couldn’t help but notice. Bassist Ailidh Lennon stood as if she were a marionette doll being held up by strings, her shoulders hanging, and her demeanor quiet and reserved. She moved very little and seemed to be content with the 3×3 space her feet remained planted. Drummer David Gow pounded away, keeping the energetic rhythm of the band steady.

Sadly, I had to leave after 2 songs as I was dead tired and was at risk of losing my hearing because I was standing directly in front of the speakers. But as I left the crowded, smoke-filled room, I could hear the crowd cheering. There’s nothing like watching a rock band at 1:30am while you’re drunk off free alcohol. Some call it “Monday.”

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