Chromatics-Kill For Love/Yeah Yeah Yeahs-Down Boy (Live on Letterman)

The Outside Lands lineup was finally announced a couple weeks ago, and it's actually really good. Here are some of the acts I'm most excited about (I'm gonna try and rank them in my head, in case there are any time conflicts):

- Jessie Ware: Really dig her last album.
- Kurt Vile & the Violators: Really liked the Smoke Rings For My Halo album, need to listen to his new album.
- Phoenix: Saw them live once. They put on a solid concert, and they have a lot of good songs. They have a new album out that I haven't listened to yet.
- Yeah Yeah Yeahs: I only really like some of their songs, but I think Karen O is really fun to watch perform.
- Paul McCartney: He would be on the top if I hadn't already seen him live. He was great, and I'll see him again if there isn't some crazy conflict/the stage is COMPLETELY swamped.
- Daryll Hall & John Oates: This is not ironic. They legitimately rule.
- The National: Really solid rock band. Seen them before, will see them again. They also have a new album out.
- Chromatics: Haven't heard too many songs, but I really like a couple. Definitely want to check them out.
- Nine Inch Nails: I loved Pretty Hate Machine and a few assorted tracks in high school. I never listen to them anymore, but it'd still be a trip to see them.
- Wavves: I like what I've heard, which admittedly isn't that much. I'd definitely check him out.
- Jurassic 5: Good (but not great, in my opinion) rap group. Definitely want to check them out, though.
- Grizzly Bear: Solid band. Saw them live once, and they didn't blow me away. They have some really good songs, though, so I'm down to see them again.
- Red Hot Chili Peppers: Never was a huge fan, but they obviously have some good songs. I saw a snippet of their Coachella performance, and they actually seemed to be rocking out pretty hard. I feel like some of their languorous early 2000s songs might come off a bit better live.
- D' Angelo: He's probably solid live. I'm gonna try and check him out.
- The Tallest Man on Earth: I really liked The Wild Hunt for a bit, then I kinda got over it. He's ok, though. Time slots will dictate whether I see him.
- Band of Horses: Used to really like a few of their songs, but they were kinda boring live, and none of their new stuff has really captivated me. Time slots will also dictate whether I see them.


Totally on the fence about:

- Willie Nelson: I feel like I should like him more than I do? Meh. It'll probably be a sh**show at his stage, so I'll probably pass on this one. Hope he doesn't croak on stage.
- Camper Van Beethoven: Ok, these guys are actually a really classic indie band. I d/led an album a long time ago, and just didn't listen to it. I'm gonna listen to some of their stuff, and I have a feeling I'll be seeing them.
- A-Trak: I know he's really talented, but there's a pretty decent chance he'll be playing crap music. And it'll be hipsterpacolypse 2013 in his tent, anyway.
- Youth Lagoon: I kinda like the couple songs I've heard. We'll see.
- Yeasayer: People like them? I think? I've never heard them. I'll check them out before the festival.


So that's 16 acts I'm at the least fairly excited to see, probably 17 in the end. Not bad for a medium-sized festival in the city I live in. I'm pumped!


Here's a good Chromatics song.




And watch this Yeah Yeah Yeahs clip. It's not even an amazing song, but look!! She's actually performing! She has stage presence! And charisma! Doesn't happen often these days. Watch Dave at the end. He absolutely won't let go of her hand. Stalkward!

Clinic-Without You/The Equaliser

I found out this week that my favorite NFL team, the Miami Dolphins, are changing their logo. Not a big deal, right? WRONG. They have one of the most classic NFL logos ever. Now, after a long and storied history of success with this great logo, the Dolphins are trying to become "current" (read: sell more jerseys). Here is their new and old logo side by side:




The old logo (on the right) was great because the dolphin was anthropomorphized. It had a pissed off expression on its face, and it was even wearing a helmet! This new one is lifeless and boring, obviously part of the trend of trying to make logos look more "techy" and futuristic. Screw that. Another example of this is the Patriots' logos. Here they are side by side.



The old logo on the left is amazing. It's like an angry Paul Revere ready to spring into action and beat your ***. Pays homage to New England's history and looks really cool. The new one is just like the new Dolphins' logo: streamlined but antiseptic, completely devoid of character and personality. This is why I love the games where they wear the throwback jerseys.

Being a former advertising guy, I love well done logos. Here are a few of my other favorites.


Classic, clean, and fits (what I perceive to be) the brand personality. Love it.


Amazing. The colors are great, the picture is perfect, and the bubbly font evokes a fun brand that doesn't take itself too seriously. It positions itself as a contrast to a lot of the other snooty coffee/breakfast chains.


This one is simple, but it's well done. Clean, classic font, vivid colors, and it perfectly sets up all the topical variations that Google does throughout the year.

I might not be in advertising anymore, but cool design still makes me happy.

Clinic has a new album, and though I've kind of lost interest in them a bit, there's some promising tracks on it. And they worked with the awesome Daniel Lopatin (Ford & Lopatin, Oneohtrix Point Never) on it, which is endlessly intriguing. Here's a cool track on their new one, and an older track that I love.