I realize we don't live in a perfect world. There are many horrible things that occur all over the globe. People have real problems to deal with on a daily basis.
However, in my perfect world, the baseball season would end right about now.
Yes, I would end world hunger, stop wars, fix the economy and all that good stuff; but ending baseball in late August is something that can be and should be done for the good of the sport and for the good of America.
With this plan, which I have voiced in earlier blog posts, baseball would be in the midst of the playoffs as we speak. This would involve cutting about 30 to 40 games from the regular season. I know what the purists will say, "You can't do that. Baseball needs 162 games. The owners would never agree!"
Listen, put down the Metamucil for a second and hear me out. I am a baseball fan who believes that this needs to be done for baseball's sake.
What are you watching right now? Nothing? That's what I thought.
Preseason football and baseball games in August are meaningless because there are more than 30 games left where anything can happen. And guess what? Come October, no one in Chicago will watch baseball unless they're from St. Louis, Detroit, L.A., New York, Colorado, Philadelphia or Boston. Sure, there will be intense wild-card battles down the stretch, but why can't that stretch be at the end of July?
Ratings for the World Series have steadily declined for the past four years. Last year, the ratings were lower than ever. I believe this is because people are watching football and real TV shows. October is when a lot of shows come back into rotation on network TV. Why not take advantage of this down time and throw on the playoffs? No other sport has its playoffs during this time. It would be wise for baseball to take advantage of that.
More people would watch the games, and popularity of the sport would rise as a result. Kids would watch baseball again, and eat hot dogs and apple pie. That equals a better America.
So owners of major league teams please listen; shorten your season. Make baseball more interesting for the fans. Don't do it for me. Do it for the children. Do it for America.
It's been a full series since the perfect day on the South Side, and the White Sox have come back down to earth. After avoiding a sweep in Detroit, the Sox have fallen two games behind the division-leading Tigers. They now head into a brutal part of their schedule -- three games in Minnesota (a "House of Horrors," as the South Siders have already committed two errors while I write this). Then they're off to three home games against the Yankees, the hottest team in baseball. The White Sox will return to Minnesota for three games, face the Red Sox eight times, travel to New York for four, and play the Tigers six more times before ending the season in Detroit in October.
While the perfect game by Mark Buehrle was amazing, it's time to get down to business.
I don't want to see Buehrle, Dewayne Wise and Josh Fields on David Letterman's show. I don't want to see replays of the game on local sports channels. I want to see Kenny Williams make a move to improve the Sox's pitching staff. I want to see this team win a few series in a row.
Don't get me wrong -- I loved watching every second of the perfect game. I fell to the ground when Wise made his amazing catch and I jumped around my apartment during the final out, but now it's time to take a stranglehold of this division and create some memories as a team. I don't want to watch a replay of a July 23 game while sitting around my holiday dinner in December; I want to watch a game that was played in late October.
It's going to be difficult to win the AL Central with the Tigers and Twins in the picture. The White Sox may have to win 30-37 games just to pull this out (.597 win percentage if they can win 37 of the last 62). It's possible, but I think Major League Baseball should have a coin toss now just in case.
CHICAGO - MAY 16: Kevin Gregg #63 of the Chicago Cubs leaves the field after giving up two home runs, two singles and hitting a Houston Astro batter.
I've recently had a lot of things on my mind. What better way to get them out than to sit behind my desk in a leather chair and blog Andy Rooney style.
The White Sox are just plain bad at baseball right now. I've said Cedric Benson was bad at football and Eddy Curry was bad at basketball, and now the White Sox fit right in.
I like a lot of the players on this Sox team. Still, the only players that I wouldn't trade are Mark Buehrle, Carlos Quentin, Bobby Jenks and John Danks. The Mets need a first baseman; I can hear it now, thousands of Mets fans yelling "Pauly Walnuts! Oh!"
I have a newfound love for Mexican blend cheese. It's far superior to all other shredded cheese blends.
I'm surprised the Cubs have weathered the injury storm the way they have. They still have bullpen issues that need to be worked on and Angel Guzman seems like a good set-up man. I remember a Saturday afternoon show with Chuck Swirsky when ESPN.com writer Keith Law said, "[Kevin] Gregg is being asked to do something he is not capable of doing." The guy lost his job for the Marlins. The Marlins!
The first album for rapper Eminem in five years, "Relapse," was released this week. It's decent and has a few good tracks; I've never been a fan of his celebrity bashing but the man has a gift for it. "Old Time's Sake" featuring Dr. Dre is the highlight for me and when does Dre's album come out? Only the good doctor knows.
I don't understand the concept of plaid shorts. I've never been a fan and don't think I can buy into the trend. I just don't understand why someone can wear plaid shorts and not plaid pants.
I'm a huge "Lost" fan and I don't know why. The show has seemed to drag on and on to where it seems the writers are just throwing darts at the wall to come up with ideas, but I'm still hooked. The season finale was surprisingly good and we might finally get some answers. I didn't care too much for the ending because you have to assume the bomb theory didn't work or else there would be no point in the final season.
The Western Conference finals kicked off in the NBA and I believe the Nuggets will come out on top. A colleague of mine brought up a great point, "This next month is the most important month of Kobe Bryant's career. If he doesn't win a title he will be this generation's Scottie Pippen." I'm sure Chris Bleck will expand on his point in an upcoming blog.
Why does every restaurant now serve fish tacos? It seemed only a year ago you could find them only at Hispanic eateries and now they are everywhere.
The NBA draft lottery was this week and I couldn't help but reminisce about last year when the Bulls stole the first pick. However, I enjoy watching the Blackhawks in the playoffs much more than watching a draft lottery with my fingers crossed.
Am I getting too old to wear jerseys? When is a man too old to put on a jersey and go to a game? It's not as if I'm going to be asked to play. Can I wear one in a social setting or does it have to be for game purposes? Does a throwback jersey make it worse or only enhance the experience?
I'm not ready to stop watching the Blackhawks. I hope they can save some face and win at least one at home. I do not want to hear the keyboard cat at the United Center.
The White Sox have recalled Scott Podsednik from Triple-A Charlotte.
It's official, folks, the White Sox have called up Scott Podsednik. We all saw the move coming after they signed him to a one-year minor league deal, but now he's on his way.
I don't know what to make of the move but it got me thinking, where are the rest of the 2005 world champion White Sox? Have they moved on to greener pastures with other teams, or do they own car dealerships in Fargo, N.D.? Well, let's find out:
Tadahito Iguchi - The second base samurai best known for crushing a three-run home run in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Boston Red Sox is now in his native Japan playing for the Chiba Lotte Marines in their Pacific League. According to The Daily Yomiuri, as of April 29, Iguchi has been sidelined with a damaged left quadriceps and could miss up to three weeks.
Carl Everett - After his second tour of duty with the White Sox, Everett moved to Seattle and played in 92 games, batted .227 and hit 11 home runs. Since the 2006 season he has played in the minors with the Long Island Ducks and now plays for the Newark Bears, averaging .364 in 22 at-bats. Everett still believes that dinosaurs never existed.
Willie Harris - After scoring the only run in the final game of the World Series off Jermaine Dye's single, Harris quickly changed his white socks to red ones. After a year in Boston, Harris signed as a free agent with the Washington Nationals. He appeared in 140 games last year and was placed on the 15-day DL earlier this year. He returned on April 29 and should be available moving forward. Harris missed out on most of the 2005 festivities for an odd reason: "When I was in Chicago and we won the [2005 World] Series, I couldn't even celebrate because I was allergic to champagne," he told the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Geoff Blum - Mr. 14th Inning hit a solo shot in Game 3 of the World Series off Ezequiel Astacio, breaking a 5-5 tie. After his quick stint with the Sox, Blum spent two years in San Diego as a Padre and now patrols third base for the Houston Astros, batting .313 with no home runs. This might be due to the Astros never having to play in the 14th inning.
Pablo Ozuna - It was looking bleak for the Sox in the second game of the ALCS until AJ Pierzynski stepped up in the bottom of the ninth and made a clutch play running to first in the famous dropped third strike game. Pablo Ozuna stepped in as a pinch runner and instantly stole second, putting himself into scoring position and allowing Joe Crede to deliver the game-winning hit. Ozuna stayed with the Sox for a few years and is now a Lehigh Valley Ironpig batting .253 in 75 at bats.
Juan Uribe - After spending five years with the Sox, Uribe departed the team and signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants and is now part of their roster. He has appeared in 13 games thus far and has no plans to open a car dealership with Aaron Rowand.
Aaron Rowand - I can't spend too much time with this one since the tears may damage my computer. I remember when Rowand returned to receive his ring with the rest of the '05 team. It was the longest ovation I had ever seen at any sporting event. This man embodied White Sox baseball by putting his body on the line for every play. We all know he is a Giant now and he has appeared in 18 games with two home runs. Brian Anderson left Wednesday's game due to injury and has no home runs. I'm just sayin'.
Frank Thomas - The Big Hurt spent 16 years with the White Sox and was probably the most deserving of a ring despite not playing in the postseason. Jim Thome may be heading to the DL and the Sox need some power for the DH spot. Should Kenny Williams put in a call to Thomas? The two-time MVP is not on any MLB roster and the fans may embrace his return.
Orlando Hernandez - Two words: Hocus Pocus. After relieving Damaso Marte in the bottom of the sixth inning with bases loaded, El Duque caused two batters to pop out and struck out the third. Injuries have marred his career since then and honestly I can't find any info on him since his season with the Mets. His half-brother Livan continues to pitch for the Mets and is 1-1 with a 6.13 ERA.
Cliff Politte - The Dream Politte stuck with the Sox until the 2006 season, when he was released on July 20. He signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals for the 2008 season, where he bounced between the majors and minors. He now owns Politte's Pontiacs in St. Charles, Mo. (That's not true but I can hope.)
Dustin Hermanson - Besides having one of the best goatees in baseball Hermanson saved 34 games for the Sox in 2005. He was granted free agency in 2006 and was signed by the Reds in March of 2007 only to be promptly released in April. He now works part-time at Politte's Pontiacs (still hoping).
Freddy Garcia - After pitching a complete game in Game 4 of the ALCS the sweaty one went 17-9 in 2006. He was then traded to the Phillies for Gavin Floyd and Gio Gonzalez. He signed a minor league deal with the Mets in 2009 and was released on April 25. Some say he was a great pitcher; some say it was all cunning and guile.
Jon Garland - After being drafted by the Cubs Garland spent eight seasons with White Sox. He went 92-81 while with the team and pitched a complete game in the ALCS. He was traded to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Orlando Cabrera and then signed a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks in 2009. He is currently 2-1 with a 5.47 ERA.
Joe Crede - I may have saved the best for last on purpose because much like with Rowand, the black-and-white tears may be on their way. Joe Crede spent his entire career with the White Sox. Clutch Crede hit some of the most meaningful game-winning hits while patroling third base on the South Side. His almost flawless defense amazed every Sox fan and it's a shame he doesn't have a Gold Glove. He signed a one-year deal with the Twins this year and crushed a home run in his return to the Cell.
Derrick Rose reacts to a foul during the Bulls' 106-104 Game 5 overtime loss to the Celtics.
I'll be the first to admit I believed the Bulls would be smoked out of the playoffs. I even made a friendly wager saying they wouldn't even make it past the regular season. I since have been proven wrong, and the Bulls are proving they may have what it takes to beat the reigning champion Boston Celtics. However, this doesn't mean I'm rooting for them.
I'm not a die-hard NBA fan, but I do enjoy good basketball. I enjoy watching Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, and a few others. I'll even take in a few games on TNT on a late Thursday night. If I hear a game is going down to the wire, I'll turn it on. I'm not the guy who will sit at home and watch the Thunder take on the Kings, but I will watch the Bulls. I like big-money games in which the crowd is on its feet watching every basket, and this Celtics-Bulls series has provided the entertainment.
After three overtime games in the first five of this first-round playoff series, the Celtics lead the Bulls three games to two. These three overtime games have been made instant classics, and this playoff series may go down as one of the best of all time. Game 4 went to double overtime and saw 28 lead changes and amazing shots from both Ben Gordon and Ray Allen. The Bulls outplayed the Celtics in the second overtime, which led to a win at home. That was an amazing game. Game 5 of this best-of-seven series saw 13 lead changes and 15 ties. The game ultimately led to a Celtics win when Brad Miller failed to make his free throws after being fouled (flagrantly, most believe) by Rajon Rondo. Paul Pierce came up big after Allen committed six fouls and left the game. Yet again, another great game. This still doesn't mean I'm rooting for the Bulls.
Some may call me a hater, but trust me, it's not the first time. I just can't find a reason to root for the Bulls. I find myself cheering for every basket that may send another game to overtime. I want Pierce to step up and make clutch shots. I want Gordon and Allen to rain 3s all over the court like a torrential downpour. I love it when Big Baby is making jump shots and Derrick Rose blows past three defenders, but I just can't root for the Bulls. Rose might be the only likable player on this team.
The teams of the '90s had charisma and swagger. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen provided the flair, while later on Dennis Rodman provided the attitude. I respect Gordon's game, but he may be gone after this season. John Salmons has the personality of a wet rag, and I don't know whether Tyrus Thomas gets it yet. Joakim Noah has the personality and some swagger from his days at Florida, but everyone just writes him off as a goofball.
I'm fine with being a hater, and if the Bulls move on to the second round, I'll root the same way. I'll cheer for game-winning shots, clutch 3s and hard fouls, but I will not cheer for the Bulls.
I know we don't live in a perfect world. I know all of my wishes can't be answered by a blue genie that comes out of a magical lamp voiced by Robin Williams. I understand the rules of wishing, no asking to fall in love, no bringing back anyone from the dead, and I can't wish to have anybody killed, but I can dream, and in my dream these would be my three sports wishes.
1. I wish to have a shorter preseason in football. Football is by far my favorite sport and the fact that I have to sit through four preseason games is agonizing. I wish that we would cut the preseason in half and add two games to the regular season. I know the NFL is already thinking about doing this and it would be great. The owners and players would prosper financially and the fans would win by getting to see two more meaningful games. Fantasy football would be extended two weeks, and that means two more weeks of tinkering with lineups and trying to win confidence pools. I know some purists would argue that the records would be tainted and that players would be more susceptible to injury. Well, deal with it. They added two games at the end of the 1977 season and there is no reason it can't be done now.
2. I wish baseball season were shorter. Don't get me wrong, I love baseball. I love going to games and watching them on TV. However, I shouldn't be watching opening day of the Cubs and Sox while wearing my Christmas sweater, and I don't even celebrate Christmas! I say we shorten the season to 100 games. There is no reason that games should be canceled due to snow in April and October. If the World Series extends to 7 games this year they will be playing baseball in November. November! I know this will never happen due to revenue and all of you baseball purists who will cry over your cherished numbers being tainted by a shorter schedule, but like I said to the football traditionalists, deal with it. Baseball is a summer sport and should be played from May until the end of September and that's it.
3. I wish that more people in America enjoyed soccer. This wish might be like trying to bring back someone from the dead but I'm sure I can work something out with my genie. Soccer is by far one of the most popular sports worldwide and there is no reason that it can't be popular here. People say that the MLS is a poor quality of game and that's true but America is supposed to be the melting pot of all cultures and nationalities. There is no reason why you can't latch onto a team outside of the US and follow them. We live in the age of technology and there are many ways you can follow any team. We all played soccer when we were kids at some time, there is a reason they are called soccer moms. If more people liked soccer it would force the MLS to start spending money on foreign players like they tried to do with David Beckham. Soccer is a great sport and should be enjoyed by all.
I know that only one of my wishes may come true, but a guy can dream.
Hi. My name is Adam, and I like NASCAR. The love affair began about three years ago when my friends and I were trying to find something to bridge the gap between the end of football and the start of baseball. The NBA was down and the Bulls were a sure one and done team that might sneak into the playoffs. One friend took it upon himself to start a fantasy NASCAR league (yes they have those) that would create some form of competition between us, and a little wagering on the side. Little did we know that the virus of NASCAR had infected us all.
We all love to race. Everyone has taken their car onto the highway or long stretch of land to see how fast they could go. Many of us have stupidly raced our friends whether it is between stoplights on Main Street or an old country road. Could you imagine doing that for a living? Racing at speeds upwards of 190 mph, bumping into one another, pushing your teammates with your car for that extra boost, and one small mistake could cost you your car, your teammates car, and a boatload of money. You have to strategize your every move: fuel, new tires, adjustments to your car making it tighter or a little more loose, and in the case of the Daytona 500, racing for the rain. Imagine doing all this while trying to navigate a 3,400-pound machine at 190 mph.
But for me the greatest part about the sport is the allegiance the fans have to their drivers. Many fans choose actual drivers, some choose based on product, and some choose based on the brand of car. But you don't have to do any of this; you can just be a fan of the sport. It's not like football where you have to choose between garbage games every week, or baseball where following more than one team means watching upwards of 200 games a year. With NASCAR you can watch one race once a week and move on. All of the drivers race almost every Sunday for ten months a year, that's right, ten months. If you are feeling frisky you can watch the Nationwide series on Saturdays but even that is nothing compared to trying to follow every team in the NBA.
If you are new to the sport here are a few suggestions. Start by watching the Daytona 500 or any race at Talladega, the first race there is April 26th. Don't pick a driver at the beginning; just enjoy the sport and the driving. Finally, go see a race live. That's what did it for me. It's a must for any sports fan to see a race in their lifetime. Trust me it will change your view of the sport. And remember, if you ain't first, you're last.
Off the beaten path:
Here are some sure things for this year's Academy Awards:
- Heath Ledger will win best supporting actor
- Slumdog Millionaire will win best picture
- Mickey Rourke will say something crazy during his acceptance speech (yes he will win too)
- Host Hugh Jackman will do some crazy song and dance number that will make me change the channel
- The awards will go on way too long and someone will be upset that the wrap up music is being played underneath them
CD's to check out while you are racing your friends:
- The Beastie Boys - Reissue of Paul's Boutique- Great album worth listening to again with more samples than you can count.
- Joe Budden - The Padded Room - Good flow for an MC with phenomenal beats that make this album worth the wait.
- Kings of Leon - Only By Night- I jumped on this one a little late. A good rock album in a time where it's hard to find new good rock.
The Super Bowl is one of my favorite days of the year. I always wake up with a smile on my face knowing that a full day of eating, drinking and football is ahead of me. My festivities began at 2pm with the making of my killer guacamole (yet to be trademarked).
I'm not a big fan of the five-hour pre-game show, so this year I chose to fill my time before the game with the Martin Scorsese classic, Goodfellas. Nothing can prepare you for a Super Bowl better than the tale of an up and coming gangster in the heart of New York City.
The basic Super Bowl party needs a few key items to be a success. Chips and your choice of dip (usually guacamole or a seven-layer dip works), wings, meatballs, and some form of entrée (ours was pizza). However, a new ingredient was added to the mix this year. One of the partygoers was put in charge of the desert, he employed what I believe is now a staple of every party we have, the Hannah Montana Cupcake. Little individual cakes for each person, it's brilliant! I believe his local bakery only had the Hannah Montana option for a topping so I don't blame him, it only added a conversation piece to the party.
Much like the last few years, this game was extremely engaging right up to the final drive. Even the people attending the party who would've rather watched the Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet were on the edge of their seat for what might go down as one of the best plays in Super Bowl history. Most of the commercials this year were lackluster but a few rose to the top. My personal favorite was the CareerBuilder.com commercial for knowing when its time to quit your job.
Other highlights include the Cash for Gold with MC Hammer and Ed McMahon and the Doritos crystal ball commercial (rated highest overall by the annual USA Today ad- meter). Budweiser really dropped the ball this year with their Clydesdale commercials and Coca-Cola's commercials were not anything special either. If you look for fiscal responsibility in an advertiser, and who doesn't, Miller had you covered with a great one-second commercial for High Life.
Bruce Springsteen didn't really do it for me as a halftime act. I took that time to reload my plate with food and check who was winning in the Puppy Bowl. My long shot bet of the Yellow Labrador as a five-point underdog didn't pan out. I knew I should've taken the Beagle!
The Super Bowl, or "big game" if you're trying to market around it, is this weekend, which means the end of football. Usually for me this means it's time to get excited for baseball season. I know the temperature is still under freezing and there is still about a foot of snow on the ground, but this is the time when I put away the Bears attire and blow the dust off my White Sox hat. However this year I have mixed feelings.
I am always pumped when training camp for football starts. The same goes for spring training, except this year. It has nothing to do with the team I root for but has everything to do with the amount of time I spend invested in them. When the football season ends it's always a sad day because football season seems to come and go so fast. Baseball season is a never-ending grind beginning when pitchers and catchers report. The season doesn't culminate until the end of October, and if you're counting, November this year.
Baseball in November?! I may be getting ahead of myself but can you imagine the White Sox, or I guess the Cubs, playing games in November here in our fair city? The MLB needs to address this by either starting the season early or cutting it down by a few games. To me the teams play too many games as it is. By cutting the season by one month you would be able to start the playoffs at the end of September doing us cold weather cities a favor.
Since I have baseball on the mind, I chose to take in one of the "classic" baseball movies. Being one of the younger producers at ESPN 1000 I have taken a lot of grief from my elder co-workers for not having ever seen 'The Natural.' Robert Redford, Kim Basinger, and Glenn Close star in the story of a young player on the rise who blah blah blah, this movie was awful. I don't think it's just my age. I like older movies, don't get me wrong. The only highlight for me was Wilford Brimley as the manager, and the excuse to post this link: http://gatoisland.com/archive/wilfordbrimleycats
'The Sandlot' is a much better movie for my money. You've got the comic stylings of a Ham Porter, the speed and finesse of Benny Rodriguez, and it had the element that every good sports movie needs -- the greatest pickle of their lives. Lay off me old people. I don't like your movie.
Last night I had the pleasure of seeing Metallica at the Allstate Arena. Nothing says a family evening like Harvester of Sorrow and Die, Die My Darling. Completely ignoring Load, Reload and St. Anger, Metallica cruised through a two-hour set list of songs from Death Magnetic and others from each of their classic albums. Highlights included Sanitarium, Fight Fire with Fire and Whiplash. Metal shows are always interesting to attend. Everyone looks like they are ready to punch you in the face yet they could not be nicer. Full families were packed in the arena and each member sang along, from mother to son. And nothing says rock like a couple that slow dances to One and Nothing Else Matters. The band may be getting older, but distortion has no age.
On a final note: Enough with the Auto-Tune already! Once made popular by T-Pain, artists have ruined this effect by extreme overuse. Lil' Wayne perfected it by using it sparingly on some of his songs on The Carter 3; Kanye West ruined it for everyone by using it to cover up his horrible singing voice on his latest album 808s and Heartbreak. Now Lil' Wayne has just released his newest single Prom Queen, which will be on his new album due out in April, Rebirth. Rebirth will be a departure from what fans are used to; it will be all rock songs. That's right, all rock, rock and Auto-Tune. Please people, please stop using Auto-Tune.
It's that time of year folks. The end of 2008 is rapidly approaching and it's time to reflect on the year that was. I'm taking a snow day from sports to bring you my top 10 albums of the year.
1. Lil' Wayne - Tha Carter III: Undeniably the best album of the year and possibly the best hip-hop album since Dr. Dre's Chronic 2001. Tha Carter flows from single to single like every hip-hop album should but most fail to do. The "best rapper alive" has created a masterpiece of club anthems, fantastic jams, and what might be the best song of the year in "A Milli". Lil' Wayne has created a template that should be used by MC's for years to come.
2. Metallica - Death Magnetic: Apparently Metallica realized they had made a huge mistake by releasing St. Anger in 2003. Not only did that album turn off most die-hard fans, but also it reaffirmed that one of the most influential bands in metal had lost it for good. Then came Death Magnetic. Restoring the faith of the metal community, Metallica has delivered their best album since The Black Album. They returned to their roots of crunching guitar riffs, long involved solos that are like lyrics themselves, and lo and behold, a decent instrumental! Metallica is back, thank the metal Gods.
3. Q-Tip - The Renaissance: One of the best MC's in the game has released his best solo album so far. Renaissance is an uplifting album that preaches positive thinking and should garner more airplay. Not as star studded as a Lil' Wayne album, but that doesn't mean it lacks in quality. Q-Tip can hold the stage down by himself and does so very well. Besides, "what good is an ear if a Q-Tip isn't in it?"
4. TI - Paper Trail: TI is going to jail for a weapons charge. There is no denying it, he knows it, and it's only a matter of time. So what better way to go out than with the best album of your career? Paper Trail's hit songs "Live You Life" and "Whatever You Like" have been at the top of the charts since before the album's release earlier this year and get more airplay than that "Saved by Zero" commercial. TI will have plenty of time in the joint to try to come up with a way to top Paper Trail's success, and he will need it.
5. Nine Inch Nails - The Slip: Trent Reznor gave the one finger salute to the record industry by releasing The Slip for free on his site. Filled with the dark undertones that most NIN fans are used to, this album sounds a little more upbeat for Reznor. Fans of earlier NIN might not enjoy this album as much but that doesn't take away from its hard rock feel. The Slip is a great rock album cover to cover and should be placed up there as one of Reznor's best.
6. DJ Khaled - We Global: The king of the mix tape assembled the best MC's in the game for this phenomenal album. Kanye, Jeezy, Nas, Rick Ross, and T-Pain are just of handful of artists that appear on We Global. If you can get past Khaled yelling "We the best!" at the beginning of every track, this is a solid compilation of the greats in the industry. You know you have made it as a DJ when MC's come running to be on your mix tape.
7. Murs - Murs for President: The master of underground hip-hop made his case for reelection this year, and the public turned out to vote in droves. His highest selling album to date is one that highlights classic Murs- great samples and thoughtful lyrics that don't talk about his money or girls, but instead preach of knowledge and the occasional heartbreak. President is right up there with Q-Tip's The Renaissance as one of the most intelligent albums of the year.
8. Nas - Untitled: One of the most controversial albums of the year is one of the best. Nasir has proven why he is one of the most respected MC's in hip-hop with this thought-provoking album. Untitled places most of it's focus on the struggles of the African American community and these could not be discussed better than with the lyrical poetry of Nas. This is also one of Nas' best albums musically. Every song has some hidden element that you can pull out every time you listen. Not one of his best, but certainly one of the best of the year.
9. The People Under The Stairs - Fun DMC: One of the most underrated acts in hip-hop, PUTS are the kings of the backyard barbeque. They constantly brag about spending all their time in the studio creating the best beats. The talk is backed up with the release of their sixth album. DMC is one of those albums you put on and just think of being outside in the middle of summer. The California natives made a great album that is a manual for flow and musical depth. Do yourself a favor, check out The People Under the Stairs.
10. The Presidents of the United States of America - These are the Good Times People: The Presidents may not be the best band in the world, but they know how to make a good album. Traditionally a pop/rock band, The Presidents usually make albums that have all sounded the same, not this time. Good Times breaks the President's mold of pop minutiae that their fans are used to and travels into an experimental world for the band. They have incorporated new instruments and arrangements that makes this album stand out among the rest. They sound more mature and together as a band. Presidents purists may find problems with this album, but it is hands down one of their best.
Honorable Mentions:
- Beck- Modern Guilt: Beck leaves his synthesizer at home for most of this album and sticks to a more stripped down sound that fans will enjoy.
- Young Jeezy - The Recession: This album takes a couple spins to get into, but once you do, it might be Jeezy's best.
- Local H- 12 Angry Months: Chicago's local heroes released this concept album about a devastating break up. This is how you make a break up album (cough Kanye cough).
