Crew exploding up & down the lineup late in this one... could the offensive worm be turning?

I swear, Braun enjoys hitting with 2 strikes, down in the count... like hitting a round ball with a round bat isn't tough enough, he wants some added challenge. Missed a 2-dinger game by a foot and settled for a triple after loafing to 1st.

The drawn in infield by the Rockies finally hurts them. Gomez is really tagging the ball consistently this year. I said earlier, he brings much more to the table than Nyger, I don't see how he won't be the "starter" soon, no matter who pitches.

Rickie finally getting one of those tagged balls to fall, barely missing a HR to center... it's AB's like that that I don't worry too much about the K's. His OBP is still high & that power from 2nd base is an asset.

The reports of a Braun demise have been greatly exaggerated... that was a booming 444-footer in the same spot as the one he hit to win the division last year.

@MikeVassallo13: #Brewers LHP Chris Narveson placed on the 15-day DL w/ left rotator cuff tear. - Testing depth early

Well, here you go... 7 Inning game with K-Rod & Ax. After that beautiful suicide from Aoki to take the lead, the blueprint is in place.

I really like the player that Lucroy has become. Pretty solid defensively, especially blocking balls in the dirt. He seems to have started to take a leadership role, too. A wonderful example of learning in the majors & working hard, much like Rickie.

With Gonzalez out, Carlos Gomez is the backup infielder tonight. I can't be the only one who secretly wishes he'd get in so he could track down a popup by the 1st base dugout from the SS position, can I? He can be frustrating sometimes, but the kid does what is asked of him, works hard, and plays with reckless abandon. And that ungodly speed is soooo fun to watch.

Announced today that the Brewers have sold their 2 millionth ticket in record fashion... Simply amazing in MLB's smallest TV market and a testament to the efforts of Mark A.

So I've been sitting on this since watching the "hockey game" between Philly & Pittsburgh yesterday. I have to say, as a Penguins fan, I'm thoroughly disgusted with the way they acted. It was almost as if they were resigned to losing, as long as they could act like thugs & dish out some punishment. I'm all for playing hard & physical, but what that turned into was a pathetic display by a team who not only lost all composure, but became what they've been railing against since last year's Winter Classic. Obviously, Philly is not blameless, but after Penguin management had been so vocal about head injuries, to see Neal & Asham go at the head & throat of the Flyers, it's pretty clear there was an agenda early on in that game. I'm embarrased by what transpired on Sunday to the point I may just not watch Game 4.

Plays like the one Heyward just made don't usually bode well for visiting teams... those are game changers.

It was said that Prince could carry a team when he was hot... Corey Hart is a player in that category. And to me, it looks like he's taken to a more leadership role this year.

Don't be surprised if Carlos Gomez plays his way into the starting CF job. He's consistently grown up, done what he's asked, & visibly is improving. Besides, I'm in love with that raw speed.

I see the owner of the Saints is buying the Hornets. I wouldn't be one bit surprised to see Mark A. own the Bucks in the near future, either.

Fun With Music: The Prince Edition

Fun With Music returns!!... which is probably only interesting to me, but what the hell, it's my blog. On tonight's episode we delve into the softer side of his Royal Highness' catalogue. Ask & most people will tell you I'm the rock guy, but truth be told, Prince is my favorite all-time artist for many reasons. Mostly, it's due to his emotive vocal styles & exquisite lyrics. So without commercials, here goes... the 10 greatest Prince ballads:

10. The Most Beautiful Girl In The World - For those that forget, this was the first single released by Prince after his name change to a symbol only dolphins can vocalize. Warner Brothers wouldn't release anything at the time, so Prince, or 0(->, released it himself on NPG Records. What resulted was the highest charting single since "Diamonds and Pearls", peaking at #3.
9. Adore (from Sign 'O' The Times) - One of the few "less dirty" love songs, Prince uses a plethora of vocal tracks in different octaves to create a cacophony of smooth jazz-like vocals. This track is a veritable "who's who" of Prince's many voices.
8. Sometimes It Snows In April (from Under The Cherry Moon) - Haunting track with a beautiful understated vocal, almost introspective. A phenomenal closing tune to an eclectic album.
7. I Love U In Me (The Hits/The B-Sides, disc 3) - A rare ballad sung in his lower register, laid back, with exquisite harmonies. "I promised myself not to cum until she does, then she took both hands and a liar I was"... dirty, yes... bad taste, possibly... in the context of the song, brilliant. "When we're making love it's like surgery... and she says "Ooh, ooh, I love U in me". See, it's a love song.
6. Free (from 1999) - Ahh, the fogotten track. Prince was just finding his ability to switch from lower register to falsetto within the same track. Almost seems "power-ballady" at times, with some phenomenal guitar work at the end.
5. Nothing Compares 2 U (from The Hits/The B-Sides) - Live track featuring the imcomparable Rosie Gaines. Beautiful duet that, to me, punctuates the lyrics more than the sparse popular version. Less somber, more soulfull & hopeful. Their voices were created for each other. I've been hearing this version for almost 20 years & it still moves me.
4. Do Me, Baby (from Controversy) - Prince's classic falsetto in all it's glory. Pretty straight forward sensual love song. When you consider the original 1981 release date, you can almost hear the direction that would become "Purple Rain".
3. Speaking of Purple Rain, here it is. Written in one evening in response to why songs by Bob Seger were going over so well in the Midwest, Prince created his magnum opus. Soaring orchestration, melody, insightful lyrics, and some of the most Hendrixy guitar work of his career, this song transcended genres. Recorded live at 1st Avenue for the album and, thankfully, that energy comes through.
2. The Beautiful Ones (from Purple Rain) - If you want to know what raw emotion can sound like in a recording, this is it (after you get through the french start & ad). You can almost hear the conflict between the music, lyrics, & Prince himself. The ending screaming is almost gutteral, a man lost within his own pain.
1. The top spot belongs to a song most don't know & most misinterpret: If I Was Your Girlfriend (from Sign 'O' The Times) - Written by Prince as a plea to Wendy Melvoin's sister, Susanna, it remains one of the only true looks into the man's psyche. I implore you to click here & check out the lyrics. They remain, to me, some of the most vulnerable lyrics written by a man for a woman in history. The depths of his voice really bring the subject matter to the forefront: a man haunted by not receiving the reciprocal love of a woman he can't get.

So there it is. Done mostly in vanity, but I hope I imparted some new listening upon you and maybe a little more appreciation for one of the most brilliant performers this little orb has seen.

Excellent all-around game by the Crew today, downing the Cards 6-0 behind Zack & Corey. Forget the over-hyped opener, this performance, I think, will be more indicative of what to expect going forward.
Greinke was filthy good, locating his fastball & slider early, then dominating with the curve as the game wore on. As bad as Yo's location was yesterday, Zack's location was a complete 180 today.
Hart started it off with an absolute bomb to LF, followed by a monster to center in the 6th.

Again, the only ones upset about showing proof that you're a legal voter, are those that enjoy the advantage ILLEGAL voting gets them...

Jeff Scott Soto "Damage Control" review

I've now lived with the highly anticipated follow up to JSS's 2008 "Beautiful Mess" release, aptly, yet unnecessarily, entitled "Damage Control" for about a week. I say "unnecessarily" because JSS took some flak for turning to a more mature, introspective angle on "Beautiful Mess", rather than stay with the tried & true heavy AOR he's known for.
I have always tried to stay open-minded with Jeff, mostly because his vocal range is so dynamic, if you ignore one aspect of it, you'll miss some amazing stuff. This slab of tunes is a wonderful mix of all that is great about JSS & why I hold him in such high regard. Let's get to it...

The album lead, "Give A Little More" kicks in with a nice modern riff. In fact, this entire song feels like it could have been on the criminally underrated "Lost In The Translation" from '05. Good, solid hard rocker to open.
Next up is "Damage Control". Andrew from MelodicRock.com felt this song was Jeff's way of saying "Thanks for coming with me on the last cd, here's the classic Jeff" and I can't disagree too much with that. The chorus "Put aside my vanity, this is damage control" may explain that, but really, this tune has some LOTT & BMess in it: more modern, crunching riff, melodic bridge.
First single & video "Look Inside Your Heart" brings the soaring vocals to the forefront. This song is in the vein of the phenomenal W.E.T. project a couple years ago. This is Jeff's wheelhouse & he offers up a wonderful slice of melodic rock here. If you do nothing else with this review, click on the link & enjoy.
"Die A Little" may well end up on many Song Of The Year lists. JSS knows how to write a hook & on this one he pulls in the big marlin. The bridge alone is enough, but then the chorus hits & you're singing into the end of your hairbrush before you realize it.
And lest we forget JSS can metal-up when needed, here comes "Take U Down". Very reminiscent of the Talisman project with the late Marcel Jacob. Grooving riff & Jeff gets to throw a little gravel on the voice. This tune is only available on the Deluxe Edition, though.
"If I Never Let Her Go" is a nod to the Prism/LOTT era. If you don't whistle this after hearing it, you may be dead inside.
"Tears That I Cry" has a driving rhythm in the verses that gives way to a chorus that could've come off the last W.E.T. disc.
The ballad finally makes an appearance with "Bonafide", which could've been on Beautiful Mess. Classic, classic, classic JSS vocals, full of warmth, feeling, & nuance.
Deluxe Edition #2, "Elena" is another W.E.T./Prism groove, with a soaring bridge & flowing chorus. Nice mid-tempo rocker in true JSS style.
"Krazy World" is krazy indeed. Not at all out of place on LOTT, another reminder that JSS can metal with the best metalers on the planet.
"How To Love Again" carries us back to the AOR side of the ledger, again with tinges of W.E.T. & Prism very prevalent. Awesome background vocals in the bridge & chorus, which is melodically soaring & memorable all at once.
This song features some amazing harmony vocals in all facets.
"Afterworld"... Yes, this please. Heavy, attitude, reminds me of the vocal style from LOTT. Again, Jeff seems to be saying "You like those melodic grooves, here's some of the rough"
"Neverending World" starts off with a child reciting the Lord's Prayer, segueing into a moody verse section & less obvious chorus.
Final Deluxe Edition track "Afraid To Die" could've come from the Evanescence catalogue. Moody groove, modern sound. In fact, if JSS had gotten Amy Lee, this song may have entered another level.

Overall, if I was going to present a career overview of Jeff Scott Soto, this disc would be Exhibit 1. A great mix of career influences & catalogue. On top of the great songwriting & vocals, JSS has assembled a backing group comprised of the great Dave Meniketti from Y&T & Joel Hoekstra of Night Ranger, among others.
A solo disc 4 years in the making and it doesn't disappoint. Everything you expect from one of the greatest voices in rock, you get ad infinitum.

Nice little victory speech from Romney in WI tonight. No hope & change jargon, just sensible talk about returning America to it's core values. He may not be "sexy" as a candidate, but his message is very clear.