And I quote...

"He may be a wonderful watchdog and loving companion. He may be great with the kids, bring in the morning newspapaer, even fetch your slippers-but if he's prone to barking and disturbs neighbors, he may also be a public nusiance. Reports of barking dogs are among the most frequent complaints we receive from residents. It can be mighty frustrating to have the peace disturbed and worse yet to have sleep interrupted. So if your pet indulges in frequent yaps, howls, or barks, bring him indoors. When you do, you'll be demonstrating consideration for others by showing you're a good neighbor. Which, come to think of it, everyone probably knew all along."

So says The Woodlands Village News in The Woodlands Community Magazine. What kind of unholy place do I live in?

Awww, peas...

Least favorite songs by your favorite bands.

"Takin' It to the Streets"

Don't wince. Don't go on to the next blog. You know this man. The suave disposition. The encroaching chest hair ready to attack his already heavily populated face. It's Michael McDonald. To know him is to...well, this picture is far too homosexual to use the word "love".

The smoky-as-hungarian-paprika voice (welcome back, hyphens) that crooned such inimitable Doobie Brothers classics as "What a Fool Believes", "Minute by Minute", and "Jesus is Just Alright with Me" (I think), often sounded like a polar bear being smothered by lace-stitched pillows. And we only found it endearing.

He would go on to a solo career, gracing us with "I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)", and...who am I kidding, that's the only song of his I can recall. Except for that one with Kenny Loggins. A match made in middle of the road heaven. Wait..."This Is It". That's it. Don't feel bad if you don't remember.

He's recently released a slew of old Motown covers, proving once again that he's always wanted to sound as negro as possible. He also released a Christmas album through Target. You may remember the T.V. advert of Michael's soulfully gravelled baritone, "Deck the halls with boughs of holly....fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la". 'Tis the season for rampant pagan references from men who look like chinchilla coats.

I think we all hope that Michael McDonald's career will last forever. But it won't. I'll make sure of that.

Decades

The pop album has long been an interesting medium. The Beatles showed what could be done with it and it's rendered various results over the past almost 40 years. The albums from which everyones closers were taken on the previous post all have their own ebb and flow from one song to another. Those last songs capped off their respective albums in a moving or provocative manner. This is why I picked the songs I did, and may well have been why you did also.

The pop single, however, has become increasingly necessary in this fast-paced world. Just as the album, this idiom has been explored in both banal and engaging ways. The Smiths built an empire on singles, just to mention one example. In the age of the mp3 and the IPOD, bands are getting huge off singles. Bands who would have never been heard of otherwise. I can't say I enjoy most of them, but it's interesting to contemplate.

I still love albums, and many of you despite your busy schedules still make time to listen to them. Thanks for your lists. Feel free to put more on here if you think of any.