[ back to Tom 7 Radar ]

r
e
v
i
e
w
Review: Broken Social Scene (10 Jan 2006 at 19:29)
Now I rather like a band called Broken Social Scene. This was one of those bands that almost escaped my attention because I had lumped them in with like The Promise Ring, probably based solely on their name, back in my WRCT days and subsequent self-destructive indie exclusionist period (from which an epiphany regarding Radiohead eventually shook me). The reason for this amused and otherwise irrelevant announcement (using the extremely underutilized "Review" section of Tom 7 Radar) is the similarity of my experience with that of the author of this review I found at Pitchfork (only my real experience has less hyperbole). It's eerie how well these folks have always got my number. So there is one more potential missed boat caught—thanks C!

In other fatwa-defying news, I must admit swooning mildly over the new Mac laptops. Surprisingly, this is not because they now have Intel chips (as I have been enjoying the speed and economy of the brutishly inelegant x86 architecture since 1987), but because of the genius invention known as the "MagSafe" power connector. Anyone who has experienced me using my laptop (or tried to borrow it temporarily) knows of my nearly psychotic protectiveness of the power connector and its interface with the machine, which is always one of the first parts of the computer to bite it (see case study). Well, this power connector is attached so gently, using magnets, that a yank just disconnects it without any wince-inducing shearing or torsion whatsoever. Brilliant! My promise to you, Apple Corporation: If you can create a smaller "Powerbook Nano" line with a curb weight of 3.5 pounds or less (sacrificing features as you like), MagSafe power connector, and two touchpad buttons, I will buy your ultrahip shit and not even install Linux on it.
c
o
m
m
e
n
t
Don (acs-24-154-50-225.zoominternet.net) – 01.10.06 23:54:07
That is awesome. This is the reason my 2001 iBook has a little bit of electrical tape hanging out of it. Wait, no, this is the reason I opened it up. The fact that I had no idea what the heck I was doing is why it now has tape hanging out. I mean, really, there was a hundred little screws in there, all different! Yeah, as if I'm gonna keep track of all that. Just tape it back together! Oh and the catch to hold in the drive bay broke so I have that taped shut with packing tape.

I love my poor little battle-damaged jury-rigged mac.
c
o
m
m
e
n
t
Tom 7 (h-72-244-71-92.phlapafg.dynamic.covad.net) – 01.11.06 09:55:49
Your tale reminds me of my favorite episode of "My New Filing Technique is Unstoppable":

http://www.mnftiu.cc/mnftiu.cc/filing.009.html
c
o
m
m
e
n
t
superman's cousin (chiggins.ce.cmu.edu) – 01.11.06 10:48:50
I'm glad you like BSS -- I've enjoyed their tunes. If you get a chance, you should listen to the entire Feist album. It's quite good.
c
o
m
m
e
n
t
Tom 7 (h-72-244-71-92.phlapafg.dynamic.covad.net) – 01.11.06 11:17:17
Have you heard Kings of Convenience? Because in my Wikipedia reading I discovered that Ms. Feist is also a guest on several KoC songs. That band is notable because both Taylor and I own one of their albums (!), and it might be the only album that everyone in my family can listen to and enjoy, including my mom.
c
o
m
m
e
n
t
Tom 7 (h-72-244-71-92.phlapafg.dynamic.covad.net) – 01.11.06 11:55:47
PS. OMG "adult contemporary" !!!
c
o
m
m
e
n
t
Anonymous (chiggins.ce.cmu.edu) – 01.11.06 13:04:47
I haven't heard of them ... I'll check it out. Ms. Feist has also worked with Peaches, surprisingly, as they were once roommates.

I think you should acquire Graceland, as it should be another album the whole family can enjoy.

Adult contemporary. *sigh* It breaks my heart to think my tastes run into that vein. Tell me it's not true!
c
o
m
m
e
n
t
. (chiggins.ce.cmu.edu) – 01.11.06 13:05:05
but it's not really anonymous, is it?
c
o
m
m
e
n
t
Tom 7 (gs82.sp.cs.cmu.edu) – 01.11.06 14:33:22
Not if your name is in your computer's hostname. ;)
I do miss having a vanity hostname, though. In college I was "dentu.res.cmu.edu" among other things.
c
o
m
m
e
n
t
Don (acs-24-154-50-225.zoominternet.net) – 01.11.06 15:57:56
It took me like five minutes to read that episode because after every sentence I had to stop and shed my laugh-tears for 30 seconds.

I'm not very efficient.
c
o
m
m
e
n
t
Tom 7 (gs82.sp.cs.cmu.edu) – 01.11.06 16:15:04
You'd be more efficient if you taped two or three of yourself together.
c
o
m
m
e
n
t
Kirima (214.155.77.83.cust.bluewin.ch) – 01.11.06 18:17:34
2 or 3

Big hug!

I wish you a very lovely 2006

MM
c
o
m
m
e
n
t
Max (cpe-66-108-59-22.nyc.res.rr.com) – 01.13.06 00:33:05
I could definitely use a lot more Feist in BSS. She's got the golden touch but she's only on a handful of tracks. [Although I can only stand the songs she herself wrote on her solo album i.e. "Gatekeeper" and "Mushaboom" (but boy are they great!)] Related listening: download BSS side-project Apostle of Hustle's great track "Animal Fat" w/ Feist.
c
o
m
m
e
n
t
Tom 7 (h-68-166-177-246.phlapafg.dynamic.covad.net) – 01.13.06 09:39:46
Downloading music! Max, that sounds like a potential copyright violation!
c
o
m
m
e
n
t
Max (pcp0010478666pcs.hamden01.ct.comcast.net) – 01.15.06 00:00:02
It wasn't my idea!
c
o
m
m
e
n
t
bf5man. (modemcable161.247-80-70.mc.videotron.ca) – 04.22.06 11:19:41
Mr Tom7, have yourd heard of The Unicorns? They are great, and head in the same direction of your album a day. It's a tom7 must ;)
p
o
s
t

a

c
o
m
m
e
n
t
Please enter the code, unless you are spammer!!
[ Tom 7 Radar  •  Tom 7 on Google+  •  on Twitter  •  on Facebook ]