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=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on April 05, 2005, 09:09:00 am
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And citing Franz Ferdinand, Led Zepplin, Foo Fighters as "points of reference" seems quite a stretch.
http://www.bigyawn.net/cdreview.php?id=331 (http://www.bigyawn.net/cdreview.php?id=331)
W e've all heard the heartfelt wailings of Chris Martin of Coldplay and we've all witnessed the energy and musical genius of Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones. So what can we learn from the latest wafer-thin musical import from England? I would argue that Brendan Benson offers us Yankees a renewed faith in and appreciation for the music of the Motherland with his latest effort, Alternative to Love. The most recent British invasion, beginning with Muse and followed by Keane is aptly and skillfully continued with this latest effort from Brendan Benson (who will actually be touring with Keane on their next US tour). As vastly different as these English bands are, together they seem to cover the roak and roll spectrum and give us a hope that there is more great music to come from the old country.
With Alternative to Love recently released in the U.S. (March 22), and with an upcoming appearance on Conan O'Brien (April 1), Brendan Benson is poised to take a place in the American spotlight. While the first single (and first album track) "Spit It Out" has not made waves on the U.S. airwaves, the folow up "Cold Hands Warm Heart" has all the hooks and pop appeal that gives it the potential to break through. And the rest of the album is a solid display of songwriting know-how, intricate harmonies, and impressive arrangements. A feel-good, head-bopping album, Alternative to Love is the kind of CD you can just pop in your car stereo and listen to as you take a long drive to nowhere in particular, forgetting all of the cares in the world for ... well, approximately 45 minutes. Though I must admit that my red, white, and blue nature was a little leary of a British album with a song entitled "Pledge of Allegiance." Unfortunately, even against my will, that track quickly became a favorite. So if you're up for a retro throwback to the good-old days of the British rock of the late '60s and '70s, give this CD a spin and you won't be disappointed.
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get a life.
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I wonder if BB can get Jack Black to produce his next album?
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Originally posted by Whats up with All of the long names:
get a life.
that is pretty bad, I mean I thought Stella****** were from the UK for a long time, but I would have checked before writing a review
I am still waiting for the review of Jack Black's latest musical masterpiece
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that is pretty funny.........
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I am listening to the jukebox on the Brendon Benson site, it might be the first new thing that I have listened to and liked in a year.
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Originally posted by Miss MaRpIe:
I wonder if BB can get Jack Black to produce his next album?
or Jack White.
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Originally posted by white man from town:
Originally posted by Miss MaRpIe:
I wonder if BB can get Jack Black to produce his next album?
or Jack White. [/b]
No Big Yawn has revealed that Jack Black is a superstar producer. I wonder if GGW can be bothered to find you the appropriate linkage?
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Is BigYawn the new Onion?
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I'm sure I speak for no one at BigYawn when I say we're glad you've brought this error to our attention. We strive to have the highest standards for accuracy in the business, and will correct the matter soon. A young man such as yourself with such attention to detail could do well in our organization. Would you be interested in becoming a concert review writer? Certainly someone who holds as fastidiously to the truth as yourself could pull off the tasks associated with such a position for us with astounding results.
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Not since Elvis spearheaded the first British invasion have our shores been so lucky as to enjoy a bright new talent such as Brendan Benson.
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Who cares where he's from? Brendan Benson was one of the lamest performers I ever saw...the bland songs he played sure didn't help either.
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Originally posted by Sailor Ripley:
Who cares where he's from? Brendan Benson was one of the lamest performers I ever saw...the bland songs he played sure didn't help either.
Aren't all British acts like that?
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Originally posted by Sailor Ripley:
Who cares where he's from? Brendan Benson was one of the lamest performers I ever saw...the bland songs he played sure didn't help either.
Well when you're reviewing a record and the whole first half of the review is predicated on the "fact" that the artist is English....well Big Yawn should care...
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One review I read of the new BB album called Brendan Benson and the New Pornographers the 2000's versions of Matthew Sweet and Teenage Fanclub, respectively. I liked that observation.
The first half of the new BB album is excellent, but it tails off. I like his first two albums better.
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Originally posted by chaz:
Not since Elvis spearheaded the first British invasion have our shores been so lucky as to enjoy a bright new talent such as Brendan Benson.
Ding ding DING!
<img src="http://www.mandys-web.de/images/Simpsons/Comicbookguy.jpg" alt=" - " />
best post ever
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I saw Brendan Benson open for Heatmiser back in 1996 and I thought it was a pretty cool show. It was especially cool to see Heatmiser open with "Plainclothes Man" and then play "Get Lucky".
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Its too bad bigyawn doesnt have a message board we cold talk about this on.
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Originally posted by white man from town:
Its too bad bigyawn doesnt have a message board we cold talk about this on.
it is a shame
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Originally posted by Miss MaRpIe:
Originally posted by Sailor Ripley:
Who cares where he's from? Brendan Benson was one of the lamest performers I ever saw...the bland songs he played sure didn't help either.
Aren't all British acts like that? [/b]
There are (or were) plenty of non-lame British bands. You just prefer the lame ones
:p
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Originally posted by have no idea who anyone is anymore:
[QB][/QB]
Nice name, btw.
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Yeah, you know, I'm not wont to go along with Rhett's fastidious corrections (like Philly vs Phillie -- it's a nickname, get over it!), but that entire review is predicated on the very britishness of Brendan Benson. Even citing the "U.S. release" date and how his single hasn't hit on the "U.S. airwaves." It not only assumes he's British, but assumes he's like some big star in Britain and, oh, lucky us, he's coming to our shores. [I mean, is he a big star in Britain?]
The anglo-centric focus of the review really does bode badly for it....
That said, I again agree with Rhett (are those icicles I hear dropping in hell?) -- first half of the album is GREAT. It's not all superfantastic from there, but f-ing good stuff to be found in the album's grooves.
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was this an april fools joke?
is it that hard to go to allmusic.com and look up some basic information on the guy?
its pretty obvious from a few listens that the guy loves big star and 70s power pop ...
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yeah this is very funny indeed... Just a visit to Brendan's site and quickly reading this bio would reveal he's American. Just causes he's on V2 like that other british band The White Stripes doesn't mean he's british. And yes he is at the moment more popular in the UK and is only doing the Keane tour to try again to break through to the US. Plus "Spit It Out" is being played on Indie 103.
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Originally posted by Bags:
Yeah, you know, I'm not wont to go along with Rhett's fastidious corrections (like Philly vs Phillie -- it's a nickname, get over it!), but that entire review is predicated on the very britishness of Brendan Benson. Even citing the "U.S. release" date and how his single hasn't hit on the "U.S. airwaves." It not only assumes he's British, but assumes he's like some big star in Britain and, oh, lucky us, he's coming to our shores. [I mean, is he a big star in Britain?]
I agree with that. It isn't as though he just dropped in "from Britian," but he based his entire review around the premise of the guy being British, which when false, makes him look stupid.
Also, BigYawn internal instructions tell people to use allmusic as a guide for all matters of fact (release dates, details of artists' life, etc) so I have no clue why this reviewer didn't do so.
Also, didn't BB have an album called "In Mississippi" or something like that? That should have given it away.
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Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:
Also, didn't BB have an album called "In Mississippi" or something like that? That should have given it away.
how would that give away him being from Michigan?
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Originally posted by white man from town:
Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:
Also, didn't BB have an album called "In Mississippi" or something like that? That should have given it away.
how would that give away him being from Michigan? [/b]
I think it would certainly give away not being European. At least, it would throw a massive red flag for me.
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maybe a little feedback (http://www.bigyawn.net/board/index.php?showforum=6) is in order....
Wonder how long this review stays up
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Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
Wonder how long this review stays up
It disappeared about an hour ago.
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from the homepage maybe, but it lives on here (http://www.bigyawn.net/cdreview.php?id=331)
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Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
from the homepage maybe, but it lives on here (http://www.bigyawn.net/cdreview.php?id=331)
If it's alive in your heart, it lives on forever.
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Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:
I think it would certainly give away not being European. At least, it would throw a massive red flag for me.
that makes no sense. people from Europe would never name thier album, In Mississippi, but people from Detroit would?
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Originally posted by white man from town:
that makes no sense. people from Europe would never name thier album, In Mississippi, but people from Detroit would?
You don't think someone from the United States has a much higher chance of being in Mississippi or at least of knowing where Mississippi is then someone from Europe?
Maybe that's just my odd way of thinking of things. I know I didn't know where BB was from, but I always assumed he was American because of the album title. Then again, that's probably just me.
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Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:
Maybe that's just my odd way of thinking of things. I know I didn't know where BB was from, but I always assumed he was American because of the album title. Then again, that's probably just me.
well even a complete idiot is right sometimes i guess.
and if you dont remember, it was a Brendan Benson show that Jack White beat up the Bondie boy Jason whatever. Bensons hometown record release party and that where i read he was from Detroit.
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Originally posted by white man from town:
well even a complete idiot is right sometimes i guess.
Yes, Rhett posting this is proof of that phenomenon.
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Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:
You don't think someone from the United States has a much higher chance of being in Mississippi or at least of knowing where Mississippi is then someone from Europe?
not really.
the Dutch band Pussycat had an album called "Mississippi"
and Brendan Benson's CD was called "One Mississippi" which, imo, is only sort of referencing the state itself. (though the one-mississippi expression is probably more common in the USA)
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All this is probably moot. Isn't it probably likely that the reviewer has never heard of One Mississippi, or Lapalco for that matter?
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i'm with rhett on this one... if one can dig up a touring with Keane factoid surely it wouldn't have been that hard to findout he was American.
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Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer:
Isn't it probably likely that the reviewer has never heard of One Mississippi, or Lapalco for that matter?
Very true.
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heh... Big Yawn threads inspire more posts than almost any other topic....
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THe album by BB is One Mississippi and it's a great record. I got quite a nice autographed note of thanks on my copy. I personally thought Brendan Benson had a lot of potential and don't know what his new stuff is like, but he's just a guy trying to make it by playing music and writing songs. I still listen to One Mississippi and it holds its own, nearly 10 years later.
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I think he grew up in Michigan and Louisiana.
As an adult, he lived in Berkeley for awhile, but I think he moved back to the Motor City.
Anyway, I've been a fan since I saw him open for the White Stripes at the Fillmore like four years ago. I've seen him a few times since then, and I think he's pretty good. His backing band, the Wellfed Boys was really solid, but I don't think he's touring with them anymore.
As for the new record, it's okay, but I was kind of disappointed. It's a little poppier than Lapalco, which is a classic.
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i think i saw him open for the breeders at the 930 club back in 1997. anyone remember that? i think it was the same nite as a superchunk show at the black cat and i was going to go to that but then jonathan fire*eater was added to the 930 bill and was the deciding factor.
he was pretty good from what i remember. but i don't remember much.
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Originally posted by Miss MaRpIe:
No Big Yawn has revealed that Jack Black is a superstar producer. I wonder if GGW can be bothered to find you the appropriate linkage?
No, but I did use it as an excuse to re-read one of the all-time greatest threads (http://www.930.com/cgi-bin/ubb-cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=008799).
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^ The interesting part is how often Rhett and Celeste appear to read BigYawn...you should be proud, redsock, wherever you are.
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I probably look at their site once a week. And find something to laugh about a fairly high percentage of the time. I think Celeste only reads it if I send a link to her about something.
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Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer:
I probably look at their site once a week. And find something to laugh about a fairly high percentage of the time. I think Celeste only reads it if I send a link to her about something.
<img src="http://www.chosenones.net/believe.jpg" alt=" - " /> ]
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Not that it matters, but i didn't edit that review. And I can assure you it wouldn't have gone up if i had. I barely even have access to the internet since my laptop got fried. It pains me to see reviews like this however. Jab away at your leisure, we deserve it.
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I think the real tragedy out of all of this is that this happens and steals all the attention away on the same day I change my user name to the hilariously delightful "Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR."
What sad times these are when bitter snipes at local music review sites divert our gaze from what's really important.
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Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:
I think the real tragedy out of all of this is that this happens and steals all the attention away on the same day I change my user name to the hilariously delightful "Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR."
What sad times these are when bitter snipes at local music review sites divert our gaze from what's really important.
Hey CONNOISSEUR, sewer this (http://www.breakfastfakes.co.uk/).
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Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:
I think the real tragedy out of all of this is that this happens and steals all the attention away on the same day I change my user name to the hilariously delightful "Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR."
you know what, I am sure i speak for more than just myself. but you have never said, or even hinted at saying, anything that comes close to being funny, witty, intelligent or mature or anything that will lead us to believe that you are not some dipshit HFStival.com kid who thinks he is some kind of super internet cool guy.
your name didnt even make me crack a smile. and the fact that you had to draw everyone's attention to it is even worse.
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I'd love to laugh with delight at the zingers being thrown back and forth, but I don't know who's who anymore. Any help?
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Originally posted by Lotan Baba:
I'd love to laugh with delight at the zingers being thrown back and forth, but I don't know who's who anymore. Any help?
Who the fuck are you?
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Awww.. :(
It's your old pal (and Bethesda work buddy) nkotb!
Originally posted by Miss MaRpIe:
Originally posted by Lotan Baba:
I'd love to laugh with delight at the zingers being thrown back and forth, but I don't know who's who anymore. Any help?
Who the fuck are you? [/b]
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Oh, ooops.
I couldn't find your email, then I realised you only ever emailed my wife. Then I got hurt.
Umm.... want to go for a long lunch on Friday?
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Originally posted by Lotan Baba:
I'd love to laugh with delight at the zingers being thrown back and forth, but I don't know who's who anymore. Any help?
Ditto, who the hell is CONNOISSEUR?
But then again, I didn't know who you were either, Lotan....
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Originally posted by Bags:
^ The interesting part is how often Rhett and Celeste appear to read BigYawn...you should be proud, redsock, wherever you are.
I can assure you I only ready it when Rhett points out some stupid shit on there to get me riled up.
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Originally posted by Bags:
Originally posted by Lotan Baba:
I'd love to laugh with delight at the zingers being thrown back and forth, but I don't know who's who anymore. Any help?
Ditto, who the hell is CONNOISSEUR?
[/b]
jaron. mr. hfstival.
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Originally posted by Celeste:
Originally posted by Bags:
^ The interesting part is how often Rhett and Celeste appear to read BigYawn...you should be proud, redsock, wherever you are.
I can assure you I only ready it when Rhett points out some stupid shit on there to get me riled up. [/b]
thanks for the assurance. :roll:
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Originally posted by white man from town:
but you have never said, or even hinted at saying, anything that comes close to being funny, witty, intelligent or mature...
Good thing I never claimed to be any of those.
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Originally posted by white man from town:
jaron. mr. hfstival.
How am I Mr. HFStival.com? I don't work for that site. That would be like me calling Rhett Mr. Robbie Fulks.com because he posts there too.
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Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:
Originally posted by white man from town:
jaron. mr. hfstival.
How am I Mr. HFStival.com? I don't work for that site. That would be like me calling Rhett Mr. Robbie Fulks.com because he posts there too. [/b]
But you see, Rhett is Mr. Robbie Fulks.com. Therefore you are Mr. HFSstival.com.
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Originally posted by Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR:
I think the real tragedy out of all of this is that this happens and steals all the attention away on the same day I change my user name to the hilariously delightful "Julian, faux celeb-porn CONNOISSEUR."
What sad times these are when bitter snipes at local music review sites divert our gaze from what's really important.
Hey Julian... How is the new record shaping up? Is the new Lo-Fi plugin for ProTools working out for ya. Has the bass player managed to learned more than four notes. Sure hope the record company hears the hit single, cause those entrorages cost money to maintain.
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Big Yawn continues to dig themselves in deeper...
"As many of you saw, or certainly had a chance to read about, BigYawn printed a review stating that Brendan Benson was from the UK, when in fact he currently resides in Detroit as a protégé of sorts for one Mr. Jack White. We regret the editorial blunder and apologize to Mr. Benson and his family."
If anything it's the other way around... If he was anyone protege it would have been Jason Falkner's and that was only for the first and part of the second record. Jack has always taken bands he liked on tour with him.
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Originally posted by kosmo vinyl:
"As many of you saw, or certainly had a chance to read about, BigYawn printed a review stating that Brendan Benson was from the UK, when in fact he currently resides in Detroit as a protégé of sorts for one Mr. Jack White. We regret the editorial blunder and apologize to Mr. Benson and his family."
If anything it's the other way around... If he was anyone protege it would have been Jason Falkner's and that was only for the first and part of the second record. Jack has always taken bands he liked on tour with him.
jack white's protege?! the dude's been putting out albums for a decade!
and the review didn't just inadvertently say he was british, the entire thing was based around the (hilarious) UK angle
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Faulkner's been the bigger overall influence, but White was the one who collaborated with Benson on the new record.
I don't know if I would call Benson his "protege'" though...
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Speaking of Faulkner, was that him I saw on guitar for McCartney at the Super Bowl?
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no... McCartney's guitar player is a dead ringer for Jason, you weren't the only one fooled by him
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I thought I'd remind people that Brendan Benson isn't from Britain.
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Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
I thought I'd remind people that Brendan Benson isn't from Britain.
Appreciate it.
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Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
No, but I did use it as an excuse to re-read one of the all-time greatest threads (http://www.930.com/cgi-bin/ubb-cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=008799).
These are two of the greatest all time threads...
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Man, I loved it when I could pretend BigYawn was relevant. I really should get back to that thing...