This is state of emergency....bitches!

Oh, those silly Russians. The guys in the Kremlin are dishing out tons of free publicity for us here at KGB. Anyone see the news concerning the former KGB spy poisoned in London (http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/11/23/obit.spy.ap/index.html)? Of course, he accused Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation and a former KGB operative himself, as behind the dastardly deed. What I find compelling about the situation is its timing. Just when we relaunch KGB, the other KGB guys start getting back into the news. WTF?!? I am calling you out, Mr. Putin, for trying to wrestle the limelight away from us. It will not work. I suggest you continue consolidating your power and re-constituting the bloc in more subtle means and stop stealing our thunder, mmmkay.

P0wn'd: Vladimir Putin Chuck Norrising all who oppose him.

Assuming I do not end up getting eliminated by some highly toxic chemical or a gunshot wound to the head, our first podcast should be available within a couple of weeks. Until then, you'll have to put up with our incessant ramblings.

One of the things we support here at KGB, unlike Russia, is freedom of expression (unless you say something stupid, like you enjoy the Pink song introducing NBC Sunday Night Football -- seriously, I'll Putin your ass so fast....). Over at my Myspace page, I liked to periodically list my Top 5 favorite songs a la High Fidelity and The World Cafe and solicit my readers to contribute their favorites as well. It's a good way to hear about music I've overlooked.

So, without further delay, here is my current Top 5, in no particular order:

1. The Sundays -- Wild Horses :: This Rolling Stones' cover is a classic and I am sure you're familiar with it. I really enjoy this cover because of Harriet Wheeler's voice. This song was meant for great female vocals and I currently cannot stop listening to it.

2. The Drive-By Truckers -- Bulldozers and Dirt :: Old school Truckers song from the album Pizza Deliverance. More alt-country than what the Truckers do these days, this cut is heavy on pedal steel and actually features some sweet vocals. In fact, check out this video over at YouTube featuring Patterson Hood and Friends playing the song from the recently held Musickfest Benefit Concert.




3. Jay Z -- Show Me What You Got :: Ok, ok, I know it's Jay Z.

Wreckx-N-Effect might say: "All I want to do is a zoom zoom zoom and a boom boom."

I don't know shit about Jay Z and apparently this song is not even considered one of his better songs. Yet, I cannot stop listening to it. I am actually hypnotized by the sample Jay Z uses from Johnny Pate's song, "Shaft in Africa," that you hear throughout the song.

The only lyrics I've noticed are the eloquently phrased opening words: "This is state of emergency, bitches!" Not to mention, the video features Danica Patrick and samples of Wreckx-N-Effect's classic, "Rump Shaker." Please see obligatory Danica photo.


4. The Hold Steady -- You Can Make Him Like You :: I've been digging these guys for the last two months since their critically acclaimed album, Boys and Girls in America, was released. This song has grown on me and become one of my favorites from the album because it deals with the hard hitting issues for teenage girls of our day. Seriously, how the hell would you propose to deal with the dealers when you want to get high alone? As the song indicates, a very troubling inconvenience with no clear answer for a teenage girl. Like oh my god! That's why it's so important to make the guys like you. Seriously though, I like this song.

5. Ryan Adams -- Chin Up, Cheer Up :: This song was originally recorded on Adams' 2002 Demolition album. There are some great October 2006 recordings (soundboards!) over at the Live Music Archive with Adams and his band The Cardinals. The following link should allow you to listen to Chin Up, Cheer Up from the 10/16 show in Ludwigshafen, Germany.

http://ia331314.us.archive.org/3/items/ryanadams2006-10-17.sbd.flac16/ryanadams2006-10-17.sbd.d1t08_vbr.mp3


There ya have it. I know millions of you are reading this, so post some comments with some of the music my ears need to be embracing. Mr. Putin, I would very much love to hear some of your favorite Russian artists and songs. It better include at least one T.A.T.U. song (let's not kid ourselves, it's probably your entire top 5).

-- BK