TV Troubles

JD and I decided to put our satellite service on hold for a little while to save some money. Nearly all of the shows we watch can easily be found online. During the week, I don't miss having satellite TV service.

But, when the weekend comes and I wanna watch college football, the NFL, or NASCAR, the current situation becomes a problem. We have one digital TV. I got a "rabbit-ear" indoor antenna for the TV. With that connected, I am able to pick up the ABC (31), CBS (19), and PBS (25) stations...sometimes. Despite my living in town, I have never been able to get the Fox (54) or NBC (48) stations' broadcast signal on this TV. As I mentioned a second ago, I can't always get these channels. I will have the antenna positioned where I get the three stations just fine. But, most of the time, if I wait long enough or the next time I turn the TV on, the situation will be completely different. I may have picture for none, one or two stations and will have to completely alter how the rabbit-ears are positioned before I can get the stations again.

Actually, as I was typing this, I had to adjust the antenna again. Although I wasn't getting a strong signal from PBS, the CBS and ABC stations seemed clearer than usual. I decided to see if I could get NBC and Fox. Nope, I couldn't get them, but it is now picking up UPN (15). *rolls eyes*

358 - Buzzcocks - Singles Going Steady

Yet again, I've come to another singles compilation. Unlike some of the other albums, though, I never had any moments where I felt I was listening to b-sides or after-thought additions. From start to end, the listener gets a healthy dose of 2-3 minute punk pop songs. There is also a kindred connection between the Buzzcocks and the Kinks. These are garage band songs about love, sex, and teen angst. Pete's vocals are frequently delivered in a manner very reminiscent of early 70's glam David Bowie.

It is easy to roll one's eyes when discussing "song writing" in relation to punk bands, but I feel that the covers of the Buzzcock's "Ever Fallen in Love?" is an easy example of how the Buzzcocks songs are crafted with driving guitars, hooks, melodies, and wit. This isn't raw angst smashing away at instruments and in-eloquently vocalized through primitive, unintelligible, or trite lyrics. These are punks with pop skills.

I highly recommend this album as a good introduction to anyone curious about 70's punk.

Songs I knew I liked: "Ever Fallen in Love?"

Songs I didn't know but now like: "Orgasm Addict," "What Do I Get?," "I Don't Mind," "Everybody's Happy Nowadays" (my favorite from the album), "Harmony in My Head," "Oh Shit!," "Just Lust," and "Why Can't I Touch It?"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: None

357 - Elton John - Honky Chateau

The other Elton John albums I've listened to on this list were decent collections of songs by a singer/songwriter that had R&B influences. They seemed a mostly serious affair. Honky Chateau is the first album that Elton sounds like he's having fun. Not that the songs are all light and happy. There is a greater amount and range of emotion on this album, I think. The uptempo songs rock out and the ballads have more soul and less solemnity than on the previous albums.

Songs I knew I liked: "Honky Cat," "Rocket Man," and "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters"

Songs I didn't know but now like: "Mellow," "I Think I'm Going to Kill Myself," and "Amy"

Songs I can go the rest of my life without hearing again: I haven't felt compelled to skip any of the songs.