food, drink, monkeys, and beats from the dairy air of mondovi, wisconsin, the streets of minneapolis, and the sands of bondi beach, australia

SPEAK...

AIM is pntyrdr1
Email Seppo: kris dot sipe at gmail dot com
EAT ME!!!

Beef Bourguignon
Bitchin' Baked Paella
Risotto Magic
Stuffed Salmon
Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Chili Prawn Penne
3 2 1 Spatchcock!
Tomato Basil Fettuccine
Chili Con Seppo
Blueberry Boat Roast
Marinated Buffalo Mozzerella
Grilled Swordfish with Mango Salsa
Miss. Highco's Creme Brulee



ON THE IPOD...

Sufjan Stevens - Come on Feel the Illinois

Tegan and Sara - So Jealous

The Hold Steady - Separation Sunday

Nickel Creek - Why Should the Fire Die


FOR THE BOOKCLUB...

John Irving - Until I Find You


PREVIOUSLY ON...

95 Kg Tuna
Gay Post of the Week
Bonsai
Croc and Roll
French, Yes, Gay, Not so Much
I Could Spit on a Stranger
Outfoxed!
Heat Wave!!!
Bitched at Swirth
Sydney Supernova



WHEN?




WHERE?

blogger
all music guide
college music journal
internet movie database
slayage
urband legends archive
tripple j
all zone 4 dvd
grimsey records
britneyfreak
Blogger Boobiethon
Starlight Foundation
Sydney Morning Herald
Apple
Torrentspy
MacRumors



Favs, Fads and Friends

Monday, January 31, 2005


Bubble Trouble

This morning I found the following note on my desk:

Hi your majesty,

Your drink is in the fridge. It's the purple one in the bag. Top shelf.

The drink in question was "Pearl Milk Tea" which was brought in for me by my office's freckle nosed Lucy Liu look-alike. I read an article in Savuere Magazine a few years back about the "Bubble Tea" stands popping up in New York, but last time I was there, I had a hard time leaving Papaya King, so I never had the chance to try it. It's a very strange sensation to eat/drink the stuff. It's like a runny Orange Julius with weird tapioca balls that have a really strange consistency. Every time I took a sip I started laughing because it was so weird to be sucking on balls. I think I should have avoided having my Bubble Tea with a ham and cheese croissant and a latte, I am starting to feel a bit light headed...


Hello! Clay Lionel Richie is everywhere!


Hey, what's this, Low, slow down... Are you off your meds? I mentioned Low being number one on the College Music Journal last week, and finally picked up the new album. After years of being lulled to sleep with their beautiful melodies and weird lyrics about dictionaries, and hearing them take slowcore to the extreme, what a treat to actually get some rock and roll out of 'em. On "The Great Destroyer," the group from Duluth actually sound like the band they were meant to be... and now they sing about monkeys!!!


Why is it sooooo cool to dis Ryan Adams? Am I alone in being blown away by everything he's released? E' tu Fiddle?


On the Sydney restaurant front, I was able to check out Buzo, in their new location, on Saturday night for dinner. It's always nice having friends in the hospitality industry, and getting looked after, but I recommend the new spot even if you don't get free dessert. The atmosphere is nice, if a little too cosy (considering they moved for more space), the wine list accommodating... and the truffle lasagne may be one of the most delicious things I have ever ate. Apparently the secret is out, and getting a table is a bit difficult, so book early.

Buzo
3 Jersey Road
Paddington, NSW Australia
02 9328 1600


Sydneysiders, U.S. ratings and critical hit Desperate Houswives airs tonight at 8.30 on Channel 7.
... Seppo 2:26 pm...

Friday, January 28, 2005

Wax On, Wax Off

AMG has really been giving me the shits as of late. Since it is a free service, that offers fantastic music reviews and information, I really don't have the right to complain. HOWEVER, since their revamp last year it has to be the slowest site on the net. It's like trying to drive a 1982 Suzuki Samurai down the autobahn. They also seem to have some compatibility issues with Firefox, which seems to crash every time I try to look up Electric Youth in anticipation of Debbie Gibson's upcoming playboy shoot. A guy designed a Firefox extension to cope with some of the issues, but apparently Allmusic changed their code.

Has anyone else been watching Tilt on ESPN? Why in gods name do I find Poker so fascinating? Why can't I be as cool as Michael Madson? Is Eddie Cibrian Ben Affleck's doppelganger? Why does searching for said doppleganger make me feel more gay than my French car?

This may well be one of the cutest things I've ever seen... Ladies, beware of Australian waxing professionals. This is why I stick to Nair when it comes to my manscaping. Bushes - Markus Nikolai - Norman Cook Remix (Via Goldenfiddle).

Duluth, Minnesota was always just an annoying 3 hour drive to be dragged around train museums for me, but Low have made the most of it. After only two weeks, "The Great Destroyer" is number one on the College Music Journal's Radio 200.

...and speaking of Minnesota, those of you still mourning the loss of REV105, check out commercial free eclectic and indie rock on 89.3 The Current. Legendary DJ and writer Mary Lucia is on board for the ride. Those of you living in another hemisphere (or elsewhere) can stream it by checking out the MPR website.

There's really something fucked up in the world when pretentious New York bloggers think they're Eminem... Is Vicodin the new black? When I had my wisdom teeth out it made me crash into a yield sign on my bicycle. Am I missing something here?
... Seppo 4:02 pm...

Thursday, January 27, 2005

Cock Fight!

It's always nice to see the people who's work got you interested in the whole blogging phenom get the respect that is due. Congratulations to Whatevs and Stereogum for being nominated for the 2005 Bloggies. Also nominated is this Seppo's favourite political blog, 1115.org, but alas... Pantryraider is no longer on their links. Guys, is it something I said? Where's the love? Let's just ASSUME it's due to that Bloghosts downtime... I don't want to be in the company of people who lose their links!!!

Plusieurs personnes ont remis en cause ma sexualite depuis que j'ai achete ma nouvelle, francaise voiture.

Screw oil revenue, the demise of Cockfighting is fucking with the U.S. economy. Add "little gloves" and some body armour, and you've got the next Texas Hold 'Em.

Hmmm, Ellen likes to lick tuna... Carpaccio that is...
... Seppo 3:02 pm...

Tuesday, January 25, 2005

Seppo's Top 10 Albums of 2004... Hold the Arcade Fire

10. Scissor Sisters - Scissor Sisters

I went out of my way to avoid this album, after reading several reviews, and thinking that might be too kitschy for my taste. However, when I saw the video for "Take Your Mama Out" I thought I better have a listen. At times the album is a bit too brothers Gibb for it's own good, but their are several moments to make up for it. The sisters cover of Pink Floyd's Comfortably Numb is worth the price of the album on it's own. Add to that the somehow not cheesy, "Tits on the Radio", radio friendly "Take Your Mama" and the addictive "Laura" and you've got one hot album.

9. Ben Kweller - On My Way

Whoever thought of putting together a tour of three dudes who can be compared purely on the fact their name is Ben should be shot. Ben Folds, a quirky piano player, Ben Lee, my neighbour, (shit voiced but nonetheless addictive one time Liz Phair collaborator, and later time Clair Danes dumpee) and finally Ben Kweller. While the tour was a bit of a disaster, it did introduce me to the third Ben, who like Lee, started his first band at 12 years old. The similarity ends there though, as Ben pens tunes that switch from angst to sweet surrender between chorus and verse. Just avoid Ben's horrible song on the O.C. Christmas Disc.

8. The Donnas - Gold Medal

A new Donnas album is something that will definitely get me to the record store. Brett is every indie boys dream, and it seems that Allison has somehow channelled Johnny Ramone on this one. The girls have moved away from their sometimes monotones, "feel my D-Cups emo-boy scum" formula, to create a great rock and roll record. The guitar riffs are so catchy, you keep hearing them over and over in your head, and Brett has really matured in her vocals. After meeting Luscious Jackson and nearly having a heart attack, I know that meeting these girls in person would cause an aneurism... So, Jake, I better not come to your High School reunion...


7. Drive By Truckers - Dirty South

Damn I miss good alt.country. After doing some backups and harmonica with my boys Accident Clearinghouse, I spent a great many year obsessed with Uncle Tupelo, BR549, The Old 97s and even bought Grevious Angel, but alas, the pages of No Depression just don't do it for me anymore. Then along came Scott Stereogum, touting this album. Next thing I know, I was drinking Blue Ribbon and Jitterbuggin' all over again. The best thing about finding out you love an established band is that you automatically get to discover a whole new back catalogue... not to mention find out that Charges is buddies with the band....

6. Killers - Hot Fuss

I don't know about America, but over here in Aussie Land, mainstream radio has been inundated with Killers tunes. I was in a bathroom in an all night pub on Saturday, and some guy was peeing and singing "Smile Like You Mean It." I don't know if it is true that Sara's touting of these pretty boys from Vegas is what got them going, but her praise is what made me search out a pre-release copy. ...and in the end, you have to admit that even if you hear "Mr Brightside" coming from the speakers in the supermarket, it's hard not to sing along.

5. Snow Patrol - Final Straw

I can't remember the last time I heard an album in which every song was catchy. When this album came out, Grambo had it posted everywhere on Whatevs, so I went out and bought the thing. Once it was on the ipod, I played it everywhere.... Gym, walking, at work and I didn't seem to get sick of it. Seeing them live was really a treat, and all those cigarette lighters during "Run" was quite an experience. The Google searches on "Light up, Light up" have been interesting as well.

4. Wilco - A Ghost is Born

With A Ghost is Born, Tweedy truly embraces his roots in Country and Americana and brings in the instrumental experimentation he has been working with for the last ten years, to create a sonic masterpiece. The album starts with "At Least That's What You Say" which begins as a standard enough sounding ballad, and could easily be something off of Summer Teeth. The song is broken up with harsh bluesy electric guitar strums, which pull the song into the realms of the album. Piano begins to push the song forward, and then guitar leads the song back into melody. Truly genius. The standout track of the album is Spiders, which takes atmospheric shifts and sampling into the world of Alman Brothers, with a truly unforgettable jam session. It's one of those tracks that you can't help but replaying. It clocks in at over ten minutes, but it seems like half that as you drift into the song. "Muzzle of Bees" is absolutely delightful and dreamy. ...and in a truly bold move, somehow Wilco has made several minutes of feedback listenable in "Less than You Think."

3. Sonic Youth - Sonic Nurse

From the fist time I listened to this album I was blown away by it's melodic discordant nature. While this is nothing new to Sonic Youth, who have been experimenting with these effects since 1976, this album adds a new edge. While Sonic Youth's earlier works were extremely challenging and innovative, they were often discordant and emotionally inaccessible (see Nic Fit off Dirty). I mean, as fantastic as Daydream Nation is, can you really sit down and get lost in it? Sonic Nurse seems to be Thurston and Kim's resolution of their experimentation. This is the product of more than twenty years of work, and truly an opus.

2. Kanye West - College Dropout

When is the last time you became addicted to an album? Nearly every morning, for the last couple of months, I get up, and play this baby. Kanye has been mixing up beats and what not for the likes of Jay-Z for several years, but his solo record shows that he can MC with the best of them. Apparently Kanye was in a severe car accident, and nearly died before putting this album together. It is optimistic, funny, religious and god damn catchy. ...and what little lady wouldn't be impressed with a line like, "I'm gonna play this Vandrose, you gonna take your pants off..."

1. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - Shake the Sheets

Another addicting one, Ted Leo is a great discovery. After listening to this album over and over again, you can go and check out the back catalogue, it's like going back to high school and discovering the Pixies for the first time. I've heard lots of descriptions of Ted Leo, but I'd say he's an amped up Joe Jackson with a better backing band and mad song writing skills. You will be singing along with "Me and Mia" after two listens, I promise. As much as many reviewers try to play it down, Ted Leo is a political song writer, and many songs seem to be a very concise fuck you to right wingers, all in the guise of a catchy pop tune. Music the way it should be...
... Seppo 3:08 pm...

Friday, January 21, 2005

Back with a Vengeance

After spending a lovely Christmas in Minnesota, and a break from blogging, I returned to Australia, only to find several emails informing me that Pantryraider was no longer accessible. After doing some checking, I found that my hosting service, Bloghosts.com had been shut down, as of 1 January:

Bloghosts is officially closed (January, 1 2005) after suffering system-fatal technical issues. A recovery was attempted in vain. An announcement was posted on this website and emails sent to all customers with valid information early November 2004. During that time refunds were issued and domain names were transferred to those with valid requests.

I, however, never received said announcement. After doing some Googling, it turns out that I wasn't alone. There were several bloggers out there pretty pissed off at Jace Herring, the owner of Bloghosts. I sent several emails in vain, over a two week period, and only received a response when I threatened legal action. At that time I was informed that I would have to pay to have a domain transfer done. After several emails with provider Totalchoicehosting.com, I finally got everything transferred, and Pantryraider is back online. I always give props out when people go out of their way to do a good job on any kind of service. Stillwater Fitness has been sent a postcard thanking them for being so accommodating on my trip to Minnesota, and the finance department at Peninsula Eurocars will be receiving a box of chocolates tonight when I pick up my new car. However, when someone has the audacity to alienate their customers, I get extremely upset. Jace Herring should be ashamed of the way he has treated a community that trusted him with something very close to their hearts.

So, now we are back, and the inevitable top 10 lists, impressions of America, recipe's and random photos are a bit delayed. Thanks to those who emailed or IM'd with concerns. Especially those who casually asked if I was dead…

Happy New Year Everyone

Seppo...
... Seppo 1:59 pm...