It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of Arcade Fire, it was the age of Black Eyed Peas, it was the epoch of hypernationalism, it was the epoch of America: The Book, it was the season of Barack Obama's speech at the Democratic National Convention, it was the season of the Bush reelection,…

Consider the length of the shots of Melanie Laurent running through the field in the opening of Inglourious Basterds and Pam Grier driving at the end of Jackie Brown, or the rhythm of the dance scene in Pulp Fiction, or the dancelike elegance of the House of Blue Leaves battle in Kill Bill, or the masterful "Cat…

He is a very friendly guy. He autographed my show poster with the phrase "Thanks for living" and wrote an interesting quote on the back of a sticker he gave me- "Don't take it likely. Likely warming - Borgman Torst" Apparently Borgman Torst is the band's imaginary friend. God, I love No Age.

I look forward to this like I haven't looked forward to any album since The Suburbs.

NO AGE FUCK THE FUCK YEAH
I had previously loved Nouns and Losing Feeling, but the band's set prior to Pavement's show in Columbus was one of the best I have ever seen. I have incredibly high hopes for this album. This is another one of those amazing music blitzkrieg days 2010 keeps producing.

Why I could get a fresher box than that down at the antiquery! And not a louse one!

Some man-whores are man-women and some women-whores are womyn!

Some women aren't objects! They're whores.

I'm going to assume that misspelling was contrived for aesthetic purposes and not as wrong-headed as putting a live, singing KATY PERRY on The Simpsons.

Richard Nixon was the last moderate Republican president. His campaign tactics and personal beliefs were abhorrent, but his domestic policies were far less so. He raised Social Security payments and created the SSI program. He imposed new regulations on many sectors of American business. His administration created the…

I only wish he would do this sort of thing more often. He's a performer even in character; maybe he could testify before the FCC?

Stephen Colbert Wields Satire Like a Sling, and Strikes Congress's Forehead.
Congress, unfortunately, lumbers ever forward.

Actually, Shadow, a friend of mine has opened concerts for both the Judds (separately and as a unit) and Billy Ray Cyrus. He says Cyrus was friendly. My ex's mom grew up alongside Cyrus; she says he was a douche. My mom went to school with Ricky Skaggs; she says he was a douche. But I neither have met nor care to meet…

What's going in to replace Blockbuster and other video retailers is the $1/day rental box. Blockbuster has begun installing those at various locations- I've only seen them at Speedway gas stations so far, but I'm sure there are others- and Redbox is installed at grocery stores, Wal-Marts, and McDonalds' around the…

There's Still a Blockbuster in Ashland, KY!
(That's all you need to know about that.)

My Dad Made Tarkus!
People never stop laughing at him!

I've Had Gonorrhea for Years!
Where's my story, O'Neal?! WHERE?!

We already do, baby. We already do.

No, the band is from Stockton, CA. I just thought Evanston sounded obscure enough that it would seem surreal.

"Ey-a boss! I fetch-a da Pavamente!"
"Ey-a, where dey run-a off to?"
"Dey in-a da arcade playin' da Pac Man!"
"Who da dey think-a I am to play-a da Pac Man on-a my time? I'm-a gonna get-a you, Pavamente!"
A group of sullen Mexican youths emerges from the back room with a box full of tin cans. They each remove a pair of…