Fries and Ketchup: The Blakroc Sessions

The Blakroc Sessions: Episode One

Langston directed Pitchfork's article on The Black Keys' new project "The Blakroc Sessions" to me back in October, when I was at the Austin City Limits Festival, without a computer and the time to do anything about it. I really don't have much to say about the project at this point other than the fact that I first discovered The Black Keys my junior year of college. I spent the night at this girl's apartment after having a few too many solo cups of Natty Lite, and the next morning awoke to the bass and snare of "When the Lights Go Out." When I opened my eyes and saw sunlight leaking through the blinds, my faith in rock 'n roll was restored.

I'd spent the first half of my college career collecting hip hop album after hip hop album, hanging on to every rhyme like hot wax dripping from a candle, letting my Led Zeppelin and Rolling Stones cds gather dust from inside the dark abyss that was my cd booklet. The Black Keys were the white rabbit I chased into the Wonderland of indie rock, and I haven't really looked back since, as rock 'n roll eclipsed my infatuation with hip hop. The strange irony now is that with "The Blakroc Sessions" The Black Keys appear ready to resuscitate my passion for beats and rhymes by bringing the two genres together, and I couldn't be more excited.

PS If you click on "The Blakroc Sessions" link, you can preorder the album to be shipped on Friday, the 27th.

We are the Dukes of JMU (2008 football season)

James Madison is currently 7-1 and number one in the college football subdivision, also known as the cul de sac. The Dukes won the national title in 2004, so success on the field is not exactly a new thing; but the way the Dukes have been winning makes one expect that the Mickey Matthews half time speeches have sounded like parables. Rumors abound that the team's Gatorade tastes like wine, and the Duke Dog has been spotted walking across Newman Lake; and if all this sounds sacrilegious, then, at least, buy into the fact that Harrisonburg is overwhelmed by white rabbits. They hop on the sidewalks, mate on Hillside, and scurry over and under I-81. These wins have been pulled out of a hat.

#5 JMU vs. #1 Appalachian St.:
The Comeback--JMU was down 21-0


#1 JMU vs. Richmond:
The Punt Return


ESPN's #4 Play of the Day


#1 JMU vs. Villanova:
The Hail Mary


I can't put these wins into words. I don't understand how one team can be so lucky in one year. I'm thankful for it, but I don't understand it. Hopefully, this music video by The Black Keys puts the strangeness of these events into perspective--"They're using real lasers!":


I'm looking forward to Homecoming this weekend versus Delaware, a rivalry that brings out the best in college mascots.
(All apologies...the mascot incident occurred versus Coastal Carolina, but that's part of JMU football; nothing after the tailgate really matters. Thanks, Langston, for the correction. I'm actually quite embarrassed and ashamed for the mistake)