Guilty Pleasures Week- JGD

Fact: compromise is the cornerstone of every good relationship. Since my girlfriend is a somewhat normal human being, she doesn't particularly enjoy listening to death/grind/black metal every single day - most of the time, she doesn't enjoy listening to it at all. We have several musical staples that we both enjoy a lot (The Pixies, Built to Spill & Dinosaur Jr.), none of which happen to fall under the umbrella of "guilty pleasures" (especially by I.C. standards- you guys are a veritable bog of bad taste). Since we spend a lot of time together in the the car, I started making "compromise" mixes of all of our favorite stuff, which eventually wore out their welcome because there's only so many times you can listen to the same handful of songs every time you take a drive to the coast or whatever.

So I started just throwing a bunch of random songs onto the "compromise mix", blindly assuming that my girlfriend would also definitely like them, based solely on the fact that they didn't contain any double bass, discordant riffs, or bullfrog vocals. Just the most random shit ever. Songs I only sorta liked while growing up in the 80's went directly onto the mix. I'd see a VHS tape of The Goonies and be like "Oh man, I gotta download that 'Good Enough' song by Cyndi Lauper when I get home." I'd see a skate video with a Neil Diamond soundtrack and go home and buy it on Itunes. Someone would send me an adorable link to some pop singer on Sesame Street, and for some reason, I just HAD to have an MP3 it. It all went on the mix, under the guise of creating an enjoyable listening experience for my girlfriend on our way to work.

Turns out that my ever-growing collection of easily palatable 80's soft-pop-rock was more baffling than endearing to my girlfriend, who was at a complete loss as to why I'd think she would enjoy listening to 'You're the Best' several times a day for months on end. My answer is that if you don't get absolutely fucking AMPED when you hear Joe Esposito's 'You're the Best' (made famous during the tournament montage in The Karate Kid), you are basically completely dead inside and should just heave your miserable carcass off the nearest available skyscraper, posthaste. I guess she never actually saw The Karate Kid, though, so she gets a pass from having to kill herself over it.


Look at this fuckin' guy. You seriously think he ever wrote a BAD song?

So instead of picking just one guilty pleasure to focus on, I thought I'd give you a 'best of' youtube collection of all the shitty/awesome stuff that is currently occupying the "compromise mix." It's important that I point out that I actually love all of these songs without a single iota of irony, and have actually removed albums by At The Gates and Dismember in order to have enough room for them on my Ipod. That's right. Cruel Summer takes precedence over Terminal Spirit Disease.


Don Henley - The Boys of Summer
Feist - 1,2,3,4 (Sesame Street Version ONLY)
Bon Jovi - Livin' On a Prayer
Bananarama - Cruel Summer
Neil Diamond - Forever in Blue Jeans
Billy Squire - The Stroke
Cyndi Lauper - Good Enough (from the Goonies)
Night Ranger - Sister Christian
Duran Duran - Hungry Like the Wolf
The Doobie Brothers - Give Me the Beat Boys
Joe Esposito - You're the Best

Let me close this post with some of the finest and most inspirational lyrics ever penned:

Try to be best
‘Cause you’re only a man
And a man’s gotta learn to take it

Try to believe
Though the going gets rough
That you gotta hang tough to make it

History repeats itself
Try and you’ll succeed

Never doubt that you’re the one
And you can have your dreams!

You’re the best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the Best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the Best!
Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you dow-ow-ow-ow-own

2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept

2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept

Just unveiled at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show is the 2011 BMW M5 concept. When the first-generation BMW M5 arrived in the U.S. in 1987, it essentially created a new class of high-performance sports sedan. The super sports cars sedan concept continued to evolve reaching the point where the last-generation M5 came with a Formula 1-inspired V-10 engine, but its clunky single-clutch paddle-shift gearbox and weighty chassis disappointed. Since then, others have upped their game and stolen the limelight. Not one to give up easily, BMW is poised to reign supreme once again in the world of blazingly quick 4-doors. A reign, might we add, that will allow for five full-sized adults to sit comfortably.

2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept

The BMW M5 was the first car of its kind to offer racing-oriented high performance in a sedan that could be driven without restrictions in everyday road traffic. This unique concept cars developed into a remarkable success story spanning four model generations. The BMW M GmbH is now drawing the attention of racing car enthusiasts to a four-seater yet again. The 2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept, which is making its public debut at the Auto Shanghai 2011, presents itself as the latest reinterpretation of this unmistakable vehicle character.

2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept

For 25 years now, the fascinating combination of supreme driving comfort experienced in a premium upper midrange sedan and the handling characteristics of a high-performance sports car has been described by one single unmistakable model designation – BMW M5. In 1984, with the first generation of this model, the BMW M GmbH laid the foundation stone for a completely new vehicle category.

A new high-revving V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo Technology guarantees typical M power output. The eight-cylinder power unit delivers a spontaneous and even acceleration, which remains constant up to the highest load and is characteristic of the M feeling, in a previously unequalled dimension. At the same time, both performance and efficiency have been significantly increased in comparison to the previous engine. Numerous drivetrain innovations and other enhancements have lead to a reduction in fuel consumption and emission levels by more than 25 percent. The new engine and a seven-speed M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic and M-specific suspension and steering create the ideal prerequisites for an unrivalled driving experience.

2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept - the future of the high-performance sports car with four doors and five seats. The 2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept embodies the vision of a premium upper midrange sedan offering the highest degree of comfort for up to five occupants and allowing the driver to follow the ideal racing line both on the racetrack and in everyday road traffic. The 2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept combines outstanding performance resulting from racing-inspired drive and suspension technology with typical M aesthetics that authentically express the vehicle's dynamic potential.

2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept

The concept car visualises the unmistakable characteristics of a BMW M model, which mature from a harmonious overall concept in which engine, suspension and design complement each other perfectly. The BMW M GmbH's know-how gained from decades of experience and constantly further developed under racing conditions manifests itself in this combination. Innovative technology derived directly from motor racing provides each new BMW model with unmatched high-performing characteristics.

2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept

With powerfully modelled wheel arches and dynamically flowing lines, the 2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept also signalises uncompromising sportiness when viewed from the side. The long wheelbase, the set back passenger cabin and the black side window surrounds distinctively underscore the sedan's stretched silhouette. This appearance is even more strongly emphasised through M-specific lowering of the vehicle. The athletically flared wheel arches are complemented by M-specific light alloy wheels sporting a double-spoke design. Due to the vehicle's wide track, they are flush with the car body. The 20-inch forged rims are fitted with tyre size 265/35 ZR20 at the front and 265/35 ZR20 at the back.

2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept

The world premiere of the 2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept at the Auto Shanghai 2011 gives clear signals for the continuation of this tradition. Based on the design vocabulary developed for the BMW 5-Series Sedan, the near-series concept car reflects the characteristic styling features of a BMW M automobile, with which the car’s further enhanced dynamic potential is authentically visualised.

Guilty Pleasures Week - The Goodkind

Booze has always been just a little more important to me than music, and I have always been in a pretty low income bracket, so often, my least listened to albums got traded in for beer money. Since I no longer possess some of the more shameful items of my audio-past, things like Belly's first album or some crazy shit from the guy who used to stock the cigarette machine at my job in Albuquerque, I'll give you this.

I have never been more castigated or verbally abused for anything (even the Belly) as much as for my appreciation of Mariachi. My ex-girlfriend would yell in anger at me for putting it on. At my own birthday party, at which I cooked all the Mexican food that they were eating, "friends" asked me to turn it off. I have only this to say: Chinga sus malditas madres cabrones.
Here is what is still my favorite Mariachi album from actor/singer Fernando Fernandez who was active in the post-World War II period.

Fernando Fernandez 100 Anos de Musica disco 1

(sorry, these files are in .wma format, that said I have the other disc too if you really want it)

Escuchalo perro gringo!

Compralo pendejo!

100% GUILT-FREE

Okay. This 'Guilty Pleasures Week' thing is either the best or the worst idea I've had in awhile. Either way, I'm stoked on it, and would like to encourage everyone to share their deepest, darkest musical secrets here. That's right, I'm not even gonna restrict this thing to "established" IllCon Contributors. Are YOU ashamed? Need to confess a guilty pleasure? Father Cobras is here for you, ready to assure your forgiveness through a series of digital Our Fathers. Send me an email. Let's fuckin' SHAME OUT.
Anyway, before shit gets too ugly or embarassing, I just wanted to share a trilogy of songs I was listening to on repeat yesterday, none of which being in any way shameful or guilt-inducing. Credit where it's due: Sweet Baby Jay shared the first song with me on Facebook yesterday, at which point I countered with the second, only to be completely outdone by Charles T. Heckler's (remember him?) addition of the third.
In a way, it kind of seems to me that these three songs describe some sort of story arc when played in order, a tale of lust and betrayal, deception and jealousy. I can't stop listening to them:







Let these sick jams be your own personal soundtrack to the rejection of shame and impetus to embrace your guilty pleasures. May "them Dirty-Foot Bitches" guide your way.

Guilty Pleasures Week - Aylmer

Despite sitting in hospital and feeling like death, I couldn't resist wanting to be a part of this... so priceless.

Kate Bush is so close to my heart, I can't even feel like she's a real guilty pleasure. She just rules, plain and simple.

The first lyrics I ever memorised were to 1978's "Wuthering Heights", the hit from Kate's first album The Kick Inside. I think I was in 4th grade, and me and my buddy would sing along to it together endlessly.

After all this time, it's still one of my faves.

I love you Kate...

DOWNLOAD

GPW - Millionaires EP

I didn't like this kind of music when I was in high school. But I liked it when they were in high school.



Gross.














GUILT



Man, this is going to get so gross.

2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar

2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar

The Charger redline bring 2011 version of the popular vehicle lower to the ground with a suspension that lowers the car an inch. Chrysler Group LLC's Mopar Division will launch a limited-edition Dodge Charger outfitted with select high-performance parts and appearance items straight from the Mopar parts catalog, to built on the success of 2010 Dodge Challenger Mopar.

2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar

A sports car from Chrysler is back, this time present in the arena of the 2011 New York Auto Show is the 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar. With power and good performance, 2011 Mopar Dodge Charger ’11 to give you a different sensation when the highways since 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar has the look of the mysterious and ferocious.

"The 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar '11 Charger takes the 'head- turning' factor up a few notches," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group's service, parts and customer-care brand. "By adding some of the most distinctive accessories to an already strong performer, we've created a special-edition car for enthusiasts."

2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar

Like the Dodge Charger R/T, the 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar also uses a machine with a capacity large enough so that the 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar’11 uses powered  5.7-liter HEMI®  V8 capable of producing power at 370 hp with 395 lb-ft of torque, the specially equipped Charger includes the "Super Trac Pac" option that pushes the capabilities of the Dodge Charger Mopar in acceleration, handling and braking. Already powerful, the 5.7-liter has been tuned to extract the maximum amount of torque from the engine with the inclusion of a specially calibrated engine controller. The controller matches maximum engine power and transmission shifting to the differential for the 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar. While the 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar’11 transmission used is 5-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick feature, so with the Auto Stick feature, the driver can select a higher gear or lower and the transmission controller which can help prevent the possibility of over-rev condition in 2011 Dodge Mopar Charger.

2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar

While the 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar’11 has a fairly rapid acceleration of being able to travel 0-60 mph less than 5 seconds. 2011 Dodge Mopar Charger ’11 has a three stage stability control, standard tune and sporty suspension that can give you comfort when using the 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar’11 on the road. Enhancements to the chassis include adding larger front 30mm solid stabilizer bar and rear 20mm solid stabilizer bar, increases from 27mm and 16mm (respectively). Adding to the overall stability and handling of the 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar are cross-car braces located at both the front and rear shock towers. For increased luggage space, the rear tower-to-tower brace may be easily removed.

2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar

Specific-design, 20-inch x 8-inch Envy wheels are fitted with Goodyear F1 Supercar 245/45ZR20 tires at all four corners. Wheels are a five-spoke design with a 45mm offset, include specific Mopar center caps and are finished in a high-gloss black complementing the overall "Pitch Black" exterior finish of the 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar.

2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar

The interior boasts Katzkin leather seats, metallic trim and a strange shifter. There are also alloy pedals, 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar floor mats and an individually-numbered plaque. The suspension is also revised. It features bigger stabilizer bars (30 mm at the front and 20mm at the rear) and strut tower braces Mopar also installed a high performance braking system with enormous calipers and discs behind the 20” wheels. Excellent stopping power is provided through vented rotors measuring 345mm x 28mm up front that are fitted with dual-piston, sliding calipers. At the rear, vented rotors measuring 320mm x 22mm, coupled with single-piston calipers are used.

2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar is available in a choice of colors Pitch Black, interior Mopar Dodge Charger ’11 is also the same as the color of the exterior so that the 2011 Dodge Charger Mopar ’11 is really very mysterious and very suitable for those who like to be a hidden strength. A pair of blue lines also give the impression of a different race. The blue line in 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar is from front to back, not only exterior but the interior 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar’11 also has a blue line.

2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar’11 will be built in Brampton, Ontario and settled in central upfit in Windsor, Ontario. 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar’11 will be produced as many as 1000 units, 900 units will be provided to the United States, while 100 units for Canada. 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar’11 will be sold with prices starting at $ 39,750 and for ordering will be available starting on 18 April while the Dodge Mopar Charger ’11 shipments will begin in late summer.

2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar

Customers who purchase a 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar will receive a personalized owner kit in a customized Mopar '11 box. The kit will include a certificate with the vehicle identification number (VIN), exact date of manufacture and the number of the vehicle. The kit will also include a brochure that highlights the unique features of the vehicle, exclusive Mopar '11 merchandise.