New Music: Miami Horror

One of the reason's that I have enjoyed the music of this nearly finished decade so much, is the flux of new wave influenced acts that have surfaced. For someone that discovered the blessing of music during the new wave revolution of the 80's, the current decade has felt somewhat like a fountain of youth.

This decade has seen Australia provide a significant share of 80's inspired artists, including acts such as Cut Copy, The Temper Trap and Van She. With the single, "Sometimes", Melbourne based Miami Horror continues the trend. Scheduled to release their debut album early next year, Miami Horror's initial single is already receiving heavy down under.



On the web:

• official site
• last.fm
• myspace

Here's a short list of more Aussie new wave tracks from the past few years:

• Bag Raiders: Shooting Stars
• Cut Copy: Lights & Music
• The Temper Trap: Fader
• Van She: Changes

Rarity: Good News from the U.N.

While there is still plenty of danger in the possibility of a global climate change treaty, which according to some, could have an overriding effect on the U.S. Constitution, the chances of such a worldwide agreement occurring during the upcoming international conference on climate change in Copenhagen, Denmark are diminishing.

Part of the reason for the diminishing chances of such a treaty being signed in Copenhagen is the liberal (i.e. believers that climate change actually exists) controlled U.S. Congress, which is mired in a debate over nationalized health care and apparently unable to multitask.

On Monday, Janos Pasztor, director of the U.N. secretary-general's Climate Change Support Team, indicated that progress - as he see's it - is taking place, but the hope for treaty signing during the Copenhagen conference is unlikely.

"The secretary-general believes that we must maintain the political momentum established by the 101 heads of state and government who attended the climate change summit and continue to aim for an ambitious, politically binding agreement in Copenhagen that would chart the way for future post-Copenhagen negotiations that lead to a legally binding global agreement."

Here's to hoping that the Democrats controlling the U.S. Government continue with their short-comings and fail to pass any climate change (or 'green') bill prior to the December conference.

New Music: El Perro Del Mar

I've been enjoying quite a number of artists from Sweden the past few years, with acts such as Shout Out Louds, The Knife and Fever Ray becoming personal favorites. So, whenever I hear of new music coming from Sweden, I take a quick listen. Such was the case today. While perusing a list of new music posted at woxy.com, I came across El Perro Del Mar.

El Perro Del Mar, who hails from Gothenburg, Sweden, is a solo project of Sarah Assbring. Her music is part pop, part folk.

El Perro Del Mar's new album 'Love Is Not Pop' was released in the U.S. on October 20. Below is an amazing live version of the album's first single, "Change Of Heart".



Beginning November 7, El Perro Del Mar will tour the U.S., supporting Peter, Bjorn & John, who recently spent time touring with Depeche Mode.

On the web:

• official site
• last.fm
• myspace

Louisville Baseball continues impressive run

After decades of struggling to maintain a consistent winner, the University of Louisville baseball program has reached new heights under the direction of head coach Dan McDonnell.

McDonnell, who is entering his fourth year as the Cardinals skipper, guided U of L to it's first-ever appearance in the College World Series in 2007. Last year he directed the team to it's second consecutive Super Regional after winning both the Big East Conference regular and tournament titles.

As good as he is directing on-the-field action, McDonnell also excels on the recruiting trails. On Monday, his latest class of recruits was ranked 25th nationally by Baseball America. It's the second consecutive top 25 recruiting haul for McDonnell. U of L's class of 2009 received the highest ranking among Big East programs.

From U of L,

The 2009 class was headlined by pitchers Matt Koch (RHP), Brian Feekin (LHP) and Andy Flett (RHP), position players Kyle Grieshaber (2B), Cade Stallings (3B) and Jarred Clarkson (OF) and two-way player Zak Wasserman (1B/LHP).

Baseball America says,

"After reeling in a pair of power arms from cold-weather locales last year in Keith Landers and Tony Zych, the Cardinals landed three more this year in Koch, Feekin and Flett. Koch, the top prep prospect in Iowa this spring, is an athletic former four-sport standout with a fastball that reaches 93 mph and a promising 82 mph slider. Feekin's quality three-pitch mix includes an 88-92 mph fastball, a good changeup and a solid curve. Flett was throwing strikes with a 91-93 fastball this fall and mixing in a sharp mid-70s curve and a change.

"That trio is complemented by an athletic group of position players, led by Grieshaber, a versatile infielder in the mold of Louisville sophomore Ryan Wright. The physical Stallings could step in and play third base immediately, and the projectable Clarkson is Louisville's center fielder of the future. The long-levered Wasserman has the most raw power in the class but needs to shorten his swing a bit."

Full release from U of L can be read here.

New Music: Echo & the Bunnymen

Ian McCulloch, one of my favorite voices of modern rock is back. Here's a new and very strong single from Echo & the Bunnymen.