Creep from the cradle



A few folks on the new IRC channel asked me why I still haven't posted my ten favourite albums of 2004. I didn't mean to break the promise I made back in July. But while there were plenty of good albums last year, none of them really, you know, changed my life. Nothing realigned the planets. Nothing jumped out to me as "Best of the Year."



So, while I have picked out favourite albums of the year, I won't be ranking them. I tried, but it just seemed silly. They're all great in their own ways, and they all made my year more awesome and pleasant sounding.



Medeski, Martin and Wood - End of the World Party (Just in Case):

Over a decade into their careers, this keyboard driven trio has fused so many different styles of music into their original jazz trio core that I don't even know what to call it anymore. Rock, funk, hip hop, fusion, electronica, trance, jazz... all deftly executed with rock solid musical chops and 8 million different kinds of keyboards.

Highlights: Sasa, New Planet, Mami Gato.



William Shatner - Has Been:

How the heck does an album like this even work, let alone work so well? Is it Shatner's surprisingly reigned-in, subtle delivery? His sometimes clever, sometimes compelling lyrics? Maybe it's producer Ben Folds' ability to craft those lyrics into pop gems that get full milleage out of Shatner's unique sound. The bevy of contributing musicians are all in top form, as well. It all comes together into something great... uh... somehow.

Highlights: That's Me Trying, Ideal Woman, I Can't Get Behind That.



Cake - Pressure Chief:

On this album, Cake takes a second stab at mixing their lo-fi guitar rock style with layers of synths, and the results are miles ahead of the disasterous Comfort Eagle. These guys are masters at crafting simple, catchy pop-rock songs, and this disc contains some of the best they have ever recorded.

Highlights: Wheels, No Phone, Take it All Away.



More on Wednesday. See you then!



Sam Logan

The bang never came and I never got the call



The Sam and Fuzzy IRC channel has proven to be a hit... at least with a small but dedicated group of people who like to talk about a certain horse. I don't even need to say the trademark line about said horse... just pop onto the channel (join #samandfuzzy on irc.cad-net.org with your IRC app of choice or by using the java version). Trust me, people there will know what to say after hearing "a horse."



I've been meaning to link to Niego for ages. And so... I will! It's a great comic with a very distinctive (and awesome) black and white art style. And today's rather savage parody of PvP is particularly amusing. Even a big PvP fan like myself can't help but chuckle at this one, and that is always a good sign.



Sam Logan

The fashion police keep chasing



The folks over at CAD Net generously offered to set up a #samandfuzzy channel on their IRC server, and I have taken them up on it. Have Sam and Fuzzy readers been eagerly awaiting a chance to chat like mad on this kind of thing? I guess we will find out! You can access it using your IRC application of choice (log on to irc.cad-net.org), or by using this handy web interface. Personally, I recommend giving Miranda a shot... it's a slick little instant messenger that supports ICQ, AIM, MSN and IRC. It doesn't, however, support HOT XXX ACTION.



In other news, I have finished the new Commissions page. Check it out if you'd like to see a few of the drawings I have done for folks recently. Prepare yourself for a sensory assault that rock your world with colour and life and magic! Or something. Updating the Reader's Guide is my next project... wish me luck!



Sam Logan