Brandon's Playoff Week 3 Preview

Last week was as unpredictable as I expected, leaving me at 6-2 for the playoffs thus far. However, with the Colts and Patriots eliminated, I feel that this is the first time in awhile that there have been 4 teams left that I feel are all capable of winning the big game. I waited an extra day just to make sure that I wasn't jumping to conclusions with my picks, and after sleeping on it, I'm sticking with my picks that I made after the games on Sunday.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos (Sunday, 3:00)

Now I know that I didn't pick either of these teams to make it here, but that doesn't mean I doubted their abilities. Denver has been as consistent of a team that there's been this year. They came out of one of the top divisions in football and there's no reason they can't win it all. However, I feel that the Steelers are peaking at the right time. Despite Denver being 9-0 at home so far this year, the Steelers are bulit for the road. We're all aware of how well they run the ball and how aggressive they are on defense, both key ingredients to winning tough road games. Big Ben has proven he can win games with his arm, but this time I think it's going to be the running game. I feel that both Willie Parker and Jerome Bettis will have solid games, forcing Jake Plummer to beat him with his arm. Pittsburgh has been the darkhorse of the playoffs, and I see them on their way to Super Bowl XL.

Predicted Score: Steelers 23, Broncos 17

Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks (Sunday, 6:30)

In the summer of 2005, a friend of mine questioned who could stop the Philadelphia Eagles. Even though, at the time, the Eagles were my favorite to represent the NFC again, I quickly responded with the Panthers. Once T.O. became B.O. in Philly, the Panthers were my pick for the NFC. The Seahawks have been spectacular this season, there's no questioning that. Their defense has become a solid unit and Matt Hasselbeck really has made great progress. Shaun Alexander is the MVP of the league, but he can be stopped. Last week, if the Redskins had a more potent offense, they really could have stolen that game in Seattle. Well this week, they are playing a team that has a guy by the name of Steve Smith. Steve Smith is THE best receiver in football. Yes, I mean that even when Randy Moss and Terrell Owens are playing their best. Smith is the most exciting player in football and deserves a second shot at the Super Bowl.

Predicted Score: Panthers 30, Seahawks 20

That's it for this week. I'll be back in about 2 weeks for a Super Bowl XL preview.

Make Believe: Shock of Being (CD Review)

I don’t know much about Make Believe, but hints to what they’re about are immediately provided. The band's name makes me think of two things. One is that they create a fantasy world (sort of like Muppet Babies) for the listener. The other is that they have the ability to make you believe in them (or at least completely control your attention). As for the title of the album, I have a feeling it came from a J.G. Ballard quote.

I saw them open at Beat Kitchen in Chicago in November. I was completely awe struck. I felt as if I'd stumbled across something earth shattering purely by chance. Shock of Being is a 13-song collection of incredible Chicago music, not to mention the creative album artwork (the CD insert, when folded out, is their interpretation of a U.S. $1 bill). I can honestly say this is like nothing I’ve ever heard before. Granted I’m sure there are prominent influences (even I can admit that I haven’t heard everything). There is a clear nod to Metallica (note the print style of Amscaredica on packaging). There are also elements of punk and indie rock scattered throughout.

The album is a whirlwind of sound that never really lets up. There’s a sheer virtuosity in the guitar work and a sense of experimentation. However their sonic explorations remain tight and their style is actually extremely well-defined. The social commentary is lathered on strong in songs like “Amscaredica” and “Television Cemetary.” “The Storm on Her Birthday” begins on a familiar note (by familiar, I mean in the context of the album), but then delves into a hypnotic multi-instrumental array that’s sure to occupy every inch of your mind. "'Boom!' Sounds Like '-Hiss-' From Inside It" is another standout track and a smooth closer for the album.

Every new song gets the better of you. By all rights there should be a point where the album falters and fails to completely amaze. There are only one or two flaws I can even suggest. One is the sometimes rough-around-the-edges vocals of singer Tim Kinsella (check out “Fumio Nambata Had a Farm”). But really, I wouldn’t want the vocals to be any different. Furthermore, I’m learning about the vast presence of Kinsella in the Chicago music scene and coming to respect him even more. The second flaw is only that their songs are often anticlimactic. The listener is left with the impression that the songs could be much more powerful if everything came together to a peak of meaning and sound.

Make Believe’s music is not easy to absorb. However, it suggests that there is something far beyond what was prior known to be the realms of music. It is, in a sense, a breakthrough. It affirms the hope that every music junkie holds dearly inside of them, that it is possible to abandon all trends and patterns and create something wholly unique and special.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Try if you like: Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Aloha, 80’s Metallica

To get audio and video, or order the CD, go to www.flameshovel.com.

Brandon's Playoff Week 2 Preview

Wild Card weekend has come and gone, leaving us with just eight teams left on the road to Super Bowl XL. This is typically the most difficult round to predict, so I'm not expecting another 4-0 week. What you can expect are four highly competitive games that should end up being more intriguing than last weeks games.

Washington Redskins at Seattle Seahawks (Saturday, 4:30)

It seems like a good portion of people truly expect the Redskins to pull this victory off. Yes I am aware that the Seahawks had the easiest schedule in all of football, and yes I know the Redskins beat the Seahawks in week 4, but I just don't see the Skins taking this game. First off, there's home field advantage. Seattle was 8-0 at home this year, and since Seattle is not a town used to being a playoff host, the crowd should be even more fired up than usual. Second, there's a guy by the name of Shaun Alexander. With such a strong offensive line, not even the Redskins intense defense will be able to shut him down completely. Third, Matt Hasselbeck is playing very consistently. With Darrell Jackson back, he has a threat at receiver, and I see Hasselbeck having yet another good game. Look for Clinton Portis to have a better game this week, as will Mark Brunell, but they just don't have enough firepower to keep up with the high powered Seahawks.

Predicted Score: Seahawks 31, Redskins 16

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos (Saturday, 8:00)

In my opinion, this is a tough one to predict. On one side you have the consistent Broncos. Their defense has been consistent enough for their 5th ranked offense to pull through. On the other side you have the potent Patriots, led by none other than Mr. Undefeated, Tom Brady. I expect this game to be a back and forth matchup that could go down to the final minutes. The Patriots defense is really starting to pick up some steam, but the one-two punch of Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell is no easy task for any defense to stop. Tom Brady is known for his playoff abilities, but it will be up to Corey Dillon to have a solid game running the ball. If this game was in the opposite stadium, I'd have no problem picking the Pats, but anytime you go to Denver, you're going up against one of the greatest crowds in the game. Denver won in week 6, but that was a very different New England team, and I expect a different result. If you're going to watch one football game this weekend, make it this one.

Predicted Score: Patriots 26, Broncos 23

Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts (Sunday, 1:00)

Last week, I said that the Steelers were the dark horse in the playoffs. Any time your defense is strong and you have a consistent running attack, you are always capable of doing big things. However, I think it would be a shame if the Colts didn't go on and win the Super Bowl. In my 17 years of following professional football, I don't know if I have ever been as impressed as much as I have by the Colts. It is no secret that I am a big Peyton Manning fan, but everything about this team is impressive. They play smart football, while still having a killer instinct. Don't believe me, Joey Porter? Just wait until they light up the scoreboard this week.

Predicted Score: Colts 38, Steelers 20

Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears (Sunday, 4:30)

Ever since the whole TO implosion, the Panthers have been my pick to represent the NFC in Detroit. As confident as I was in them to do so, I certainly didn't expect them to blank the Giants in New York. Logic says that if you hold Eli Manning and Tiki Barber to 0 points, then you should have no problem doing the same to the Bears, right? Wrong. The Bears defense has been phenomenal and they always put their team in a position to win a ballgame. However, they will have to play out of this world to be able to move on. This game will be very similar to the 13-3 Bears victory in week 11, but with the scores in opposite directions. With Rex Grossman's inexperience, I think the Panthers should be able to contain Thomas Jones enough for a hard fought victory.

Predicted Score: Panthers 16, Bears 6

Well fans (all 0 of you), that's all for this week. Make sure to keep an eye out for more Tool Box articles this month, and of course I'll be here next week for my playoff predictions.

Brandon's NFL Playoff Week 1 Preview

It's that time of year again, folks. 12 teams with one common goal, to come to Detroit. Seems kind of silly that anyone would want to come here, but every now and then there are actually reasons to come to the mistake of a city that I just happen to live approximately 16 miles from. Here's a look at the four matchups:

Washington Redskins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Saturday, 4:30)

Earlier in Tampa, these two teams put on possibly the game of the year. Everyone expected it to be a defensive showdown, and it ended up being a 36-35 Buccaneers victory. Don't expect that again. Sure both teams will get their share of points, and it should once again to the wire, but expect much different game plans from both Joe Gibbs and Jon Gruden. Although both teams need to run successfully to win, the difference will be the play at quarterback. Chris Simms, who has done a very solid job, will be edged out by the resurging veteran quarterback Mark Brunell. These teams are very similar, but expect a sixth straight Redskin victory.

Predicted Score: Redskins 24, Buccaneers 20

Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots (Saturday, 8:00)

This is somewhat of an intriguing matchup. On one side, you have the defending world champions, plagued by injuries all season, who are now saying they have been disrespected. On the other side, you have a young Jacksonville team who probably would have been the eighth best team in the AFC if it faced the same schedule as Kansas City or San Diego. The Patriots have picked up a full head of steam going into the playoffs and were able to win their weak AFC East division. Jacksonville has a chip on their shoulder, and if they weren't playing on the road in this game I might even think that they would be able to come out victorious. No team is better than New England at home in the playoffs and this game won't prove me wrong. Tom Brady's undefeated streak in the playoffs should continue at least one more week.

Predicted Score: Patriots 30, Jaguars 13

Carolina Panthers at New York Giants (Sunday, 1:00)

If the Seahawks are the favorite in the NFC, the two teams with the best chance to knock them off are the two teams involved in this matchup. Both teams are very inconsistent. The Panthers are at their best when their running game poses a threat. The Giants seem to dominate when Eli Manning is on. This game could go either way, and it's hard for me not to pick the Giants at home, where they are at their most consistent. But the experience of Jake Delhomme, the 4th best rushing defense in the NFL, and a guy by the name of Steve Smith (who should have a field day against the leagues 27th ranked passing defense) will just be too much for Tom Coughlin's team to overcome. Tiki Barber had a marvelous season, but don't expect to be Super Bowl contenders until next year.

Predicted Score: Panthers 30, Giants 24

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday, 4:30)

Both teams were victorious on the road and expect that trend to continue. I have been critical of the Bengals all year. Yes, their offense is one of the best in the league. Yes, Marvin Lewis deserves some votes for coach of the year. However, their defense is far from being a playoff defense. The one positive thing you can say about them is that they are very opportunistic. But when you play against a solid, experienced team like the Steelers, don't expect them to just hand you the ball. Jerome Bettis is ready to make one last run before he retires, and I truly believe that the Steelers are a team that is capable of sneaking into the Super Bowl.

Predicted Score: Steelers 27, Bengals 17

Never did I think that I would pick three teams on the road in the first round of the playoffs, but with the competition this year in the NFL, I have a feeling that I'm not the only one. I'll see you next week for Week 2 predictions.

The Strokes: First Impressions of Earth (CD REVIEW)

I think it is now completely safe to say that The Strokes are officially un-cool. Sure there are some late-blooming hipsters with their Camel Cigarettes and ass-tight Levi 501's (Macaulay Culkin included) who may claim otherwise, but as a keen observer and critic of the soul-less hipster universe, I'm quite sure the Strokes have been relegated to the same hipster shitbowl that is home to the Vines and other bands of the early 00's rock revival. Whereas their first album, Is This It, sounded like nothing the fledgling rock hipster had ever heard, unless of course they had listened to the Velvet Underground, Television, or had stumbled upon the Nuggets Box Set, they've since failed to expand upon their sound, despite being a band that actually makes good music--albeit derivative music. Unlike their early touring buddies, The White Stripes, who have made artistic strides, and movements into other musical genres as they've progressed, the Strokes first three albums can simply be seen as extensions of themselves, with no new territory being explored. On their latest disc, First Impressions of Earth (a terrible title by the way), the listener may notice some subtle changes--Albert Hammond Jr's guitars seem to swirl and bounce a bit more, and singer, Julian Casablancas seems more relaxed and bold, but really it is nothing more than an extension of 2003's Room on Fire, which of course was just an extension of 2001's Is This It.
The first track, "You Only Live Once" sounds like the Cars sans keyboards, and on the first single, "Juicebox," singer Julian Casablancas apes Cake frontman John McCrea's sing-speak so well during the verses (which is something Casablancas should certainly be embarrassed of) that I actually thought it was Cake when I first heard the song. "Ask Me Anything," a buzzing synth ballad, is one of the stronger tracks on the album, but sounds like something straight off Lou Reed's Transformer. Two of the few standout tracks on the album, are "Razorblade" and "Heart in a Cage," which sounds somewhat like battle scene music from a Nintendo game, and that's a good thing, because the majority of the album is completely ineffectual. The problem with sounding derivative, and on top of that, not striving to find someone else obscure or forgotten to emulate, is that eventually it will catch up to you, and you will sound tired and boring, which is exactly what First Impressions of Earth is. The album plods and wanes, as Casablancas' vocals mumble and moan, and Drummer, Fabrizio Moretti's ticky-tack robo-stomp drumming eventually begins to lose its catch. Essentially, First Impressions of Earth can be seen as the former hipster kings last gasp--one that few outside of the sincerely devoted will likely care to hear.

2.5 stars