Matt Carstens
Shouting Whispers
After seven months of hard work I am honored to present you with the latest and greatest from The Defenestrators, Shouting Whispers. It’s our seventh studio release and quite possibly the best one yet.
New Writing Gig
I’m sure this will cause at least a little outrage, but I hope you can be excited for me because I’ve been accepted to be a contributor to Proball NW. I’m on probation now so all my posts have to be approved by the site’s owner, but I’m on track to become a regular author, hopefully. I suggest you guys be reading that site if you aren’t already.
I’m going to make an honest effort to write more here on non-baseball topics so no one thinks I’m selling out.
Go Mariners!
Nancy’s Top Ten Albums of the 00’s
I’d have to say this is probably the most anticipated post of the year. So unlike Sean, I won’t distract you, I’ll just let you see the list the will cause most people to say, “Oh yeah, that’s cool.”
Honorable Mention:
American Idiot by Green Day (2004)
The Execution of All Things by Rilo Kiley (2002)
The Crane Wife by The Decemberists (2006)
Saltbreakers by Laura Veirs (2007)
10. Everthing Goes Numb (2003) by Street Light Manifesto
I had this dream back when I was trying to go to school in Portland, that I would get down there, meet a bunch of sweet musicians, and start an awesome ska band. This is what I wanted to sound like. I saw these guys live and it was the most insane thing I’ve ever seen. They play like 3 times as fast as the actual album and play so tight and together which is incredible for how many musicians are in the band. And when you have sweet musical theory song names like “Point / Counterpoint” that remind you of your evil Russian theory teacher, what’s not to like?
9. Here, Not there. (2008) by Heathers
This album is kind of embarrassing to really get into once you realize that you are listening to high girls whine about there lame high school problems. But all of that lameness is canceled out by the fact that these chicks can really sing. They are all over the place with these incredible harmonies and when you take their age into account, I just find it really impressing. I can only dream of being that talented.
8. X&Y (2005) by Coldplay
All I have to say about this album is that “Fix You” is like the greatest song ever. EVER.
7. Give Up (2003) by The Postal Service
This is just one of those albums that I could listen to no matter what my mood is. If I don’t know what to listen too, I just play this. I was never really that impressed by the concept, just by the great songs. This is really Ben Gibbard’s finest hour lyrically and melodically. If you like Deathcab and have never listened to this, well, go talk to David Bowie.
6. The Con (2007) by Tegan & Sara
Departing from there more poppy sound, the BC twins took much more somber tone and teamed up with one of my favorite producers, Deathcab guitarist Chris Walla*. There was a point when this album came out where this was basically the only thing I was listening too. Over and over and over. My Shnoo co-workers were not happy. But they should have been, because its awesome. My only complaint is that it is really short, and when that is your only complaint you are in pretty good shape.
5. Monsters of Folk (2009) by Monsters of Folk
This is also an album that I could not put down when I first got it. Usually long albums are a turnoff for me, but I’ve never heard one that was this good all the way through. Besides the first song, I’m basically hooked. I love the fact that instead of a super group where its basically four guys’ left over solo stuff jammed into an album, there is a real sense of comradery. Every song has tons of backup vocals and sharing lead vocals. I can’t really tell which song is written by who except for a few. It really is a unique musical experience.
4. Sun, Sun, Sun (2006) by The Elected
This is another time period album for me. Basically Joey “the Rat” Epstein’s solo project, I was skeptical at first because I had never particularly liked the songs he sings for Rilo Kiley. But once again I listened to the shit out of it because that’s what I do. To this day it takes me right back to Kamola 368, trying to fall asleep whilst my roommate and that beezy get it on.
3. Challengers (2008) by The New Pornorgraphers
After a somewhat disappointing album in “Twin Cinemas” I knew good ol’ Carl Newman wouldn’t let me down. Starting out with a great melody in “My Rights Versus Yours” and taking it to the Max Steel with “Adventures In Solitude” this album is truly a triumph and I am so glad I got to see them live. Thanks Colin.
2. More Adventurous (2004) by Rilo Kiley
Besides Bright Eyes, these guys are probably my other favorite band. Jenny Lewis has the most pure singing voice in the world. Everything she sings is just effortless and the song writing is nothing short of spectacular here. I really wish she would stop fucking around with trying to reinvent her solo career and her band, because this shit is where it’s at. Give me more of this.
1. Digital Ash in a Digital Urn (2005) by Bright Eyes
The sweet electronicish counterpart to I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning, this is what got me hooked on Bright Eyes. Even though I still love all their early whiny emo stuff, this is definitely where Connor Oberst hit his stride. These two albums really show how great of a song writer Oberst is and how diverse he can be. I don’t know how many times I can recommend this album. Get your shit together and listen to it. DO IT NOW!
No one put MOF on your list? Man, F**K you guys.
*Chris Walla’s solo album is so bad. Just thought I’d let you know. SOO BAD.
Put That Burner on High!
I haven’t really heard any interesting rumors this off season apart from the M’s possibly going after Rich Harden. And as swell as that was, this latest one really gets me excited:
John Paul Morosi of foxsports.com
“The Mariners have made progress toward a deal with free agent Chone Figgins and are clear frontrunners to sign the third baseman, multiple major league sources told FOXSports.com. The team and Figgins’ representatives engaged in serious talks Thursday. One person briefed on the discussions said he wouldn’t be surprised if the sides agreed to a deal of at least four years over the next several days. But he cautioned that there is “nothing done” yet.”
At first I was meh. Then I read some of USSM and LL’s thoughts and I was still meh. But after thinking about who else I wanted to succeed Beltre I finally came around.
One of my favorite things to hear in baseball is “And the runner goes!”. Figgins stole 42 bases. That’s quite a bit more than any Mariner has in recent memory. The idea of an Ichiro!-Figgins 1-2 is quite appeasing. That is some serious speed.
Defensively he’s been a great 3rd basemen for most of his career and provides enough flexibility position wise that he won’t be blocking any prospects. The more I read and talk about this the more I get excited.
BUT! It is a rumor. And as reported there is nothing done yet.
The winter meetings start on Monday and I think we’ll be in for a real treat. If you’re into that kind of thing.
World Series Predictions
Ah, here we are. A mere minutes before the fall classic is set to begin and I almost forgot to post the final post of the series. So I believe I was correct with my LCS predictions, which presents us with one of the better match ups in recent years.
Everyone knows NY has one of the best lineups ever, but what their real strength in this series, if they choose to use, is their 3-man rotation. CC, Burnett, and Petitte are sure to have a good advantage over whoever Philly throws out there. Not to say Philly doesn’t have pitching, but lefties CC and Petitte match up very strong against a heavily left handed Philly line up.
I really could see this series going either way. But I really thing that NY is going to destroy Pedro in game two, so based on those grounds I think NY will win in 5 games.
(But I want Philly)
Championship Series Predicitions
Baseball was in a sweepy mood the last couple weeks as all but one of the divisional series ended in with only one team winning. As for my predictions go I got the Phillies and Yankees moving on, while I totally missed with the Red Sox and Cardinals. That goes to show never trust predictions. Not from me, not from ESPN. They are nothing but shots in the dark. Half the world picked the M’s to win it all in 08 remember? On to more predictions…
National League Championship Series
Los Angeles Dodgers Vs. Philadelphia Phillies
The thing that is so wacky with playoff baseball is the samples. Seven games. So many variables happen over a season yet we decide the ultimate prize with seven games. It’s also what makes it so exciting. The big thing with this series is going to be pitching. If Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee are strong in both their outings I think it’ll be in the bag for the Phillies. I also like the Phillies offense to keep it rolling. They are really deep and can cause havoc on the base paths.
In order for the Dodgers to win they really have to jump on the Phillies starters early and get to that weak bullpen. It seems to be a reoccurring theme this postseason to have your established closer croak at the most crucial time of the series and I’d say the Dodgers have to bank on that. They also have to get some innings out of their starters, because once LA hands it to the pen, its pretty much over.
Phillies Def. Dodgers 4-3
American League Championship Series
New York Yankees Vs. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
As basically everyone thought but hoped wouldn’t happen, NY crushed the Twins. A-Rod squashed the dumb rumors that he can’t play in October (even though he has a career .900 OPS and .382 wOBA in the playoffs) and the tired Twins just didn’t have any left. It was to my great surprise that Boston couldn’t even muster up 1 win. Ya the umps sucked, but hey they always suck.
This is a really tough series to call for me. My gut goes with NY because that line up as I’ve said before is insane. But it seems like those annoying scrappy angels always find a way to win and have played the Yankees well this year going 5-5 and outscoring them by 10 runs.
Yankees Def. Angels 4-3