Stuck-in-my-head Sunday: 3rd Planet

Modest Mouse is an indie rock band that blossomed in 1993 at the crowning point of alternative music. The band cycled through members and released several EPs before finally reaching mainstream success in 2004 with the platinum-selling album Good News for People Who Love Bad News. It's one of the group's earlier tracks, however, that caught my ear this week. 3rd Planet is the first track on Modest Mouse's 2000 album, The Moon & Antarctica.

Modest Mouse has always been able to tickle the taste buds of my ears with it's clever use of instrumental and vocal sound in it's music and the presence of dense subject matter strewn throughout it's lyrics. It wasn't until very recently, though, that I was presented with the audible deliciousness that is 3rd Planet, thanks to the musical tastes of  pal and fellow awesomeness-lover, @stephtastic.

                           Source:  www.rhapsody.com/modest-mouse

Song: 3rd Planet

Artist: Modest Mouse

Album: The Moon & Antarctica (2000)

Genre: Alternative rock
Video: click here

You'll like this song if you dig:

Pixies

Beck

Radiohead

MGMT

It's Cool to be Cool

It seems that, today, we will do anything we can to earn a token of acceptance. I imagine most of us share a common subconscious expression that's, "If someone else is doing it, I think I will too."
Face it: it's cool to be cool.

Coffee is something that seems to be progressively getting cooler in the eyes (and mugs) of my generation. Pun aside, society's coffee-boner is a real deal. Coffee has become more than just a morning-starter or a workplace pick-me-up; coffee has become a hobby. And, with entrepreneurship evolving into a trend as well, coffeehouses have sprouted out of endless nooks and crannies with hopes of capturing the hearts of passersby and becoming the next go-to place and, well, one got me. Agora.

Smack-dab in the middle of Houston's Westheimer Road is a collection of antique shops, eateries, and dives that share a singular similarity; their strive for uniqueness. Smack-dab in the middle of that collection lies a coffee shop that succeeds in standing out. And though it greets you with a sense modesty,  there is plenty of evidence supporting the idea that Agora knows exactly how brilliant it truly is.

As you push through the front door, you'll be greeted with the sound of a fully-stocked jukebox that looks as if it could've been whacked by The Fonz once or twice. The perfectly lit room offers seating at a plethora of antique tables and chairs scattered along the walls and across the spacious bottom floor. To the right, a lonesome sofa provides a comfortable area for larger groups to chill out. A bar stretches across the left side of the house for a more personalized seating experience. Upon climbing one of the steepest set of stairs I've ever seen, one will find an indoor balcony lined with tables for two and areas perfect for studying students, witty writers, and relaxing readers alike. And if watching TV at home isn't good enough, the staff at Agora welcomes you to sprawl out in front of one of theirs.

Agora boasts an onslaught of fresh-brewed coffee. Their house blend, robust but never overpowering, is available for self-service, along with a selection of flavored brews that is sure to suit any taste. $3.50 will get you unlimited refills on any of these liquid treasures.

Nesteled against the bar is a self-serve showcase which houses fresh pasteries. The selection here ranges from simplistic to decadent, so one could snack lightly, or indulge if desired.

To the right of the of the checkout counter is a cooler filled from top to bottom with an impressive collection of bottled brews that will easily please a beer-drinker of any caliber. Atop the bar, and ripe for the picking, a baracade of winebottles makes it's presence known as you take your seat.  I feel that Agora doesn't see alcohol as a focal point, but rather, as an element spiked with the capabilty to enhance the already-abundant sense of relaxation one will find there. So, if you're looking to comfortably and responsibily unwind, it's almost as if you're encouraged to do so, but, if you're looking to "party down" or "get your drink on," may your search continue.

When you're looking for the perfect cup of coffee, alone or with friends, and you've decided you're at peace with the fact that your ruthless desire for social in-ness is acceptable, why not make yourself seen and get your cozy on at Agora? The door stays swinging from 9:00a to 2:00a everyday.

Burgers

If you know me on any personal level whatsoever, you know that I could spend hours talking about my love for burgers. Today, I'm keeping it simple. Someone shared a link with me that leads to what could easily be the best food-blog ever:

Peepmeat!


Thank you, Emily.

Stuck-in-my-head Sunday: Ape Dos Mil

Glassjaw hails from Long Island, New York; a city that boasts a laundry list of artists and musicians who are known for throwing themselves into their work completely. This band is no exception. The post-hardcore, alternative rock sounds of Glassjaw may not be for everyone, but the group won me over this week with thier track Ape Dos Mil from 2002 album, Worship and Tribute.

Glassjaw was indirectly recommended to me by a friend who had assumed I already knew of the band. He'd said, "Glassjaw is coming to Houston in.. March I think. Wanna go?" He was surprised when I asked, "Who's that?" The conversation ended there, but the thought lingered on and I decided to run a quick YouTube search on Glassjaw. Ape Dos Mil was the first song I heard and I've since been hooked.

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tommyauphoto/4473440167/

Song: Ape Dos Mil

Artist: Glassjaw

Album: Worship and Tribute (2002)

Genre: Post-hardcore, alternative
Video: click here

You'll like this song if you dig: 

Brand New

Deftones 

Incubus 

Taking Back Sunday

Butter it, don't Burn it: My Beef with a Grilled Cheese Sandwich

It's no secret that things such as culture, geography, monetary income, and ingredient-availability effect the food people eat. Aside from these concrete factors, every type of food is subject to opinionated differences. The world of sandwiches is no exception, and introduces a spectrum of variety that other foods would have trouble surpassing. With all of the different grains that can be harvested for bread-making, the different milks that can be used for cheeses, the meats we base them on, the crops that can be used to dress, the endless array of herbs and spices and fats that can be combined to create condiments.. I don't know that another type of food could get me as riled up as sandwiches do.

I apologize. The purpose of this post is simple, really. A sandwich upset me. That's right, a sandwich. Not just any sandwich, either; a plain, old grilled cheese. You're probably thinking, "Dude, it's just a grilled cheese." And that's a statement to which I'd most certainly reply, "That's where you're wrong, friend!"

You see, when I think about a grilled cheese, I think back to my youth. I think back to the arousal of my senses of sight, sound, and smell when my grandmother would gently dip a knife into a tub of Country Crock, slather up a couple slices of Mrs. Baird's, slowly unwrap a Kraft American single, and construct the ideal sandwich just before laying that little bastard into the most trusty of her skillets and bringing each side to mouthwatering, golden-brown perfection. I've no doubt that you'd be able to paint a similar picture with a description of your childhood grilled cheese experiences.

Am I saying I feel that a grilled cheese must be limited to the aforementioned brilliance? Of course not. I've seen gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches made with select breads, the finest cheeses, and even dressed with certain add-ons such as condiments or produce. What I am saying, though, is that a grilled cheese sandwich should never be less than that memory of our childhood.

Unfortunately, I once experienced the tragedy of being served a "grilled cheese" that was nothing more than two (unbuttered!) pieces of toast between which a slice of cheese had sloppily been lain, and it pissed me off.

We all know the difference between the verbs, "grill" and a "toast," right? Just in case, let's see what our friends at Merriam-Webster have to say:


¹grill   verb \ˈgril\
 1 : to broil on a grill; also : to fry or toast on a griddle


¹toast verb \ˈtōst\
2 : to make (as bread) crisp, hot, and brown by heat

The apparatuses used to complete these (semi-)similar tasks are two completely different devices, and are designed for two completely different methods of heat distribution.

To you, the grilled cheese may be a simple sandwich, and I'll give you that, it is. That's no excuse to let this happen to you. A slice of cheese that's been lazily slapped between two pieces of toast is never an acceptable substitute for a grilled cheese sandwich.

Much More than a Musical Fruit

I am huge on spreads, dips, sauces, gravies, etc. Hummus has always been a favorite of mine. Hummus is simple, straight-forward; it's just plain good.

A disappointment I've run into on more than one occasion is meeting people who have never tried hummus. Heck, I've met people who've not even heard of the stuff!  We've got to get this taken care of.

Now, at your local supermarket, a couple bucks will get you  a few ounces of prepackaged, processed hummus. For those of you who prefer convenience or instant gratification, go for it. However, if your able to lend your kitchen ten or fifteen minutes, why not whip up a batch of your own?

Hummus of the Gods
Gather:
-1 19oz can chick peas - drained and rinsed
-1 tbsp tahini  (optional, but you'll be glad you added it)
-1 tbsp good olive oil
-2 small cloves of garlic (or one large clove)
-Juice from half of a lemon
-Water to adjust consistency as needed
Then:
Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. Scrape sides and add water as needed. Once loaded into the serving vessel of your choice, your hummus can be dressed with red pepper flakes, olives, pine nuts, or left as is.

Trust me, this recipe is so quick and easy that, after making it once, you'll not want to revert to purchasing store-bought hummus.

Do me a favor. Do hummus a favor. Spread the word!