Reviewed by Jeff Walker

My Rock Music Standard – U2 – The Joshua Tree

The Kooks’ second album is fun, light and breezy and features one of the catchiest singles of the year, but is poorly sequenced, has a sound that becomes slightly redundant, and simply doesn’t seem destined to stick over time.

Release Date: April 15, 2008

Tracks/Length: 13 tracks / 42:50

Producers: Tony Hoffer (Beck, Fratellis)

Review:

Honest Opinion: The Kooks do one thing really, really well and that is create songs that are extremely catchy. “Naïve” and “She Moves in Her Own Way” (both from their debut album) managed to lodge themselves in my head for extended lengths of time, and Konk’s first single “Always Where I Need to Be” does the same.

When you listen to Konk, you can’t help but put a smile on your face. The melodies are sweet and sunny, and even the more thoughtful, acoustic songs at the end feel optimistic (“Tick of Time” gives you the feeling of good friends, drinking beer and having fun). Konk is perfect for a drive down the coast on a Sunday afternoon. The problem is that once you get stuck in traffic and are forced to give more attention to the album, its weaknesses become more apparent. The songs are all pretty simple, which causes them to blend together too much. You hear one song and think “damn, this is pretty good,” but three songs later it’s forgotten.

Another issue with Konk is that the order of the tracks seems amiss. The three slower, acoustic tracks are all at the end and while any one of the them would be perfect album closers, having them sequenced consecutively makes the tone of the whole album seem very uneven. Incorporating some of the acoustic songs earlier could have reduced the redundancy of the faster songs. Instead, the acoustic ones stick out like thumbs hit with sledgehammers.

On the whole, there’s nothing wrong with Konk. It is enjoyable and keeps your feet tapping, but the lack of lyrical depth (“Do You Wanna” is particularly juvenile) and the simplicity of many of the tracks make it a bit forgettable. In short, this doesn’t seem like an album you would consider for the year’s best, let alone still remember it in December.

1st Single Representation: The first single “Always Where I Need to Be” gives you a great idea of the sound of the rest of the album. It is upbeat and catchy, and in my opinion, the best song on the album.

If You Are Going to Download Three Songs (legally of course), This Is What I Would Download: “See the Sun”, “Always Where I Need to Be”, “Love It All”

Rule of 4 (if you like at least four songs the whole album is worth buying): Despite liking more than four songs (the previously mentioned three and “Tick of Time” are my favorites), the stated reservations would still make me hesitate plopping down the cash on the whole album.

Verdict: If you want to put the top down and have some good music to keep you company, Konk delivers. If you’re looking for something that resonates or will be an album you may listen to years or even months down the road, look elsewhere.

Reviewed by Steven Frith

My Ultra Lounge Standard – The Park (Sacramento)

Visited: Saturday, April 5, 2008
Location: 1200 K St., Sacramento, CA 95814 (map) (site)
Phone: 916-878-8344

Much like its newer sister club, Dream, Cabana is a fun, stylistic lounge/dance club that is satisfying if you get there early enough.

Deeper Insights:

While offering a younger crowd than Dream with a similarly cramped setting, Cabana still pulls off a fun night. I attended this lounge for my birthday and while there were some issues getting everybody in because of the long wait outside, once all of that was taken care of, our entire group had a good night. The overall atmosphere created by the staff and the décor of the lounge were inviting, and the drinks were strong yet didn’t require long waits.

I do have trouble categorizing Cabana as an ultra-lounge even though they call themselves that. I would say that it is more of a small dance club as there is an area where you can get drinks, an area where you dance, and a roped off, VIP, curtained cabana area - but that’s it. I think of an ultra-lounge as somewhere that has areas to “hang out” as an option, and Cabana only has this if you have VIP privileges. There are some benches along the dance floor with tables that may or may not have been VIP, but it was so pushed up against the dance floor, it wouldn’t be a place to “lounge” and talk – but more a place to rest for a second before the people dancing around you have a chance to fall or trip on you.

In the VIP area, there are supposedly video game systems available for people to play on the plasma TVs. As cool as that sounds, I don’t know how I feel about paying so much for drinks and the VIP area to play some Madden though – I can get a 6-pack, wear shorts and do that at home.

Overall, it is a good place to go to have a fun night out. It isn’t horrible in terms of a meat market mentality (both guys and girls) of people trying to hook up, but people are dressed well and the bouncers and doormen do a good job of not allowing the inside to become too packed.

Breakdown:

Attire: Normal club-wear. No tennis shoes! They won’t let you in. Cabana has a slightly more up-scale environment compared to most Sacramento nightspots.

Attitude: A place for early to mid-twenty-somethings to congregate, dress up, drink, and dance, but feel more sophisticated while they do it.

Bar/Bartenders: One bar immediately to the left when you enter. Another smaller bar with just beer and select hard-alcohol outside on the front patio. Three male bartenders manned the inside bar and were friendly and very efficient. Was able to get drinks very quickly.

Bathrooms: Located in the rear of the club, the bathrooms were not the easiest to get to. There was a stall and a urinal in the guys’ bathroom (may have been two stalls, having trouble remembering now). Was small and nothing special about it. There was, of course, a line for the ladies’ room, but only a 2-3 minute wait for the guys.

Bathroom Attendant: There was none on the night we were there. Space would make me wonder if having one would even work.

Bottle Service: You can go to the website ahead of time to reserve a Cabana in their VIP section where bottle service is available. Special packages exist for celebrations. With the limited VIP space, I doubt you could pay to get in VIP once you get there.

Cover: $10

Crowd: A younger crowd than Dream. Wasn’t too bad though. For the most part, it was made up of people aiming to look nice and spend some money. The guy-to-girl ratio was actually fairly close to 50/50.

Dance Floor: The entire open area in the back of the facility was the dance floor. There was a raised DJ booth that overlooked the area. Not huge, but big enough for the crowd they allowed in.

Décor: Trying to go for an intimate and secluded feel. The “cabanas,” reds and other dark colors and lighting give it a very warm, seductive feel.

Drinks: Your normal over-priced bar drink variety. Not too much over the top, but no $2 well drinks either.

Hours: Thursday-Saturday 9:00 PM – 2:00 AM

Line: Almost none if you get there before 10:30, but if you get there after 10:45, it can get long. Once one-in-one-out starts, you might as well find somewhere else if you aren’t among the first 15 people or so.

Music: Varies by night, check the website to see what kind of music is there that night. We had your normal top-40 dance music with your average number of “classics” thrown in.

Parking: Street Parking along J St. or L St. You can't park on K St. though (where Cabana is located), as it is blocked off as part of K Street Mall. Park close to 12th Street on either side though.

People Watching: Many good-looking people were there and a few were very scantily dressed.

Seating: Not much in terms of seating. I think you needed to be part of VIP to be able to sit anywhere.

Smoking: I think you could smoke on the front patio, but with no in-and-out privilege, that was your only option if you do.

Water (Free): Yes

A Chat by Steven Frith, Jeff Walker, and Danny Walker

Down to the final four and our contestants get to pick from the extensive list of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Top 50 Most Influential Rock and Roll Songs. Will we have an all men final 3 - or will Syesha send one of the boys packing?  No Paula drama this week, but still an eventful show, see what My Social Standards had to say about it all.

Jeff: ok, let's get rollin...
Jeff: so finally some songs we're all more familiar with
Steve: Familar songs was a nice change of pace.
Danny: for sure, expect when the life is sucked out of them by archiebot 3000
Steve: First of all, was it just my TV or was the background music really quiet
Steve: the vocals were fine but you could barely hear the rest
Jeff: didn't notice it specifically
Steve: oh ok
Jeff: maybe we just had the volume really loud
Steve: Really it's been more of the same though. Cook was solid, but not excellent like he had been a few weeks ago.
Danny: thought david cook was solid but forgetable
Jeff: yeah. hungry like the wolf was too karaoke. baba o'reilly is such a classic and an epic, but the minute and half isn't enough time
Steve: I didn't like Hungry like the wolf. Not a huge fan of the song anyway, but he didn't give me a reason to like it
Jeff: yeah, i don't think he felt confident - based on the interview - and it showed
Steve: I was expecting him to blow up this week too
Steve: So that disappointed me
Danny: felt like he put more interest and time into baba oriley and phoned in hungry like the wolf a bit
Jeff: for sure
Steve: Castro was gawd-awfulSteve: I felt that the only way Syesha had a chance was if Castro completely sucked and she was awesome and that MAY have happened
Danny: I thought besides the lyric f-up mr tambourine man was his best he's had
Steve: I still wouldn't be surprised to see him move on though
Jeff: yeah, jason has a lot of songs, and while i don't care for I Shot the Sheriff as a song, i agree with danny
Steve: But that's a pretty big f-up this late in the game...PLUS it's not a vocally challenging song
Jeff: but he never picks tough vocal songs
Steve: no he doesn't, but if you are going to go easy, you can't f - up.
Jeff: yeah, but his voice may have been the best. had bob dylan's tone, but his voice was pretty good
Steve: and he was HORRIBLE in his first song, I shot the sheriff...you can't do that to a song that Marley sang then covered by another great with Clapton
Jeff: yeah, and add nothing new while trying to look like Marley
Steve: I have a theory that I started to think last week
Jeff: what's that?
Steve: I think that Castro decided to get high before last week and thought to himself that it would be funny to push how bad he could be and move on...
Steve: last week, it was just not have a good week, this week he was like, okay, I'll just suck on one and forget the lyrics to another, laugh it off and see what happens...
Steve: he probably saw both Brooke and Archie get through with forgetting the lyrics, and thought it was his best chance
Jeff: don't know about your last point, unless he's getting paid to promote don't forget the lyrics
Steve: It's not a real theory, you're taking it too literal
Jeff: but i think the judges are so pissed at him, b/c he doesn't seem to care
Steve: he doesn't
Jeff: he always seems embarrassed
Steve: Syesha is up there crying and he is laughing when he should be getting kicked off the show
Jeff: i didn't care for the crying
Steve: Amy started crying right with her though and voted for her actually - her and Cook
Jeff: wow
Steve: I thought she was great in both songs
Jeff: i agree with randy that she messed up the Sam Cooke song
Danny: and the talking about the origin of the song and felt fake as all hell
Steve: I think she has the most star presence and talent of the group
Jeff: i get that syesha really felt the song, but yeah, it was too much
Steve: you are so cynical danny...u never believe what anyone says haha
Danny: I think she should remain in theater
Jeff: she seems well-suited for the stage
Steve: Yea, I'm not sure about her having a pop career, but I don't think so for anyone else either
Steve: Cook has been less then impressive for several weeks now
Danny: I think cook has the best chance with pop rock
Steve: Archie was actually good tonight I HATE to admit
Danny: I thought he sucked the life out of his songs
Danny: and anything else he touches
Steve: He could lip sync to your favorite song and you would think it was awful though
Jeff: i'm still annoyed that he and a lot of the other contestants all season seem to have no concept of music history
Jeff: archie picks elvis, then says that he didn't know the song
Steve: that I agree with completely
Jeff: like why even say that - you just look like an idiot and don't seem like you connect with the song as well
Steve: I did think about that too as they show them (apple product placement here) listening to the song
Jeff: yeah. and cook got crap for his covers, when apparently this was a norah jones version and it was never mentioned
Steve: the one he did today was? which song?
Jeff: Love Me Tender
Steve: How do you know all of this?
Jeff: that one i looked up
Danny: we were sitting here looking things up
Steve: ahhhh....were u doing that during Castro too to miss just how bad both of his performaces was and missed how good Syesha was
Danny: ummmmm castro's first was awful yes
Danny: but outside of the lyrics f-up the second was his best he's had, albeit not saying much
Jeff: didn't mind Syesha's first, but it was too much like two different songs - never flowed
Jeff: and Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come" is one of the best songs ever and she tried doing too much with it. emotion is fine, but the runs and rearrangements destroyed it
Jeff: and what the hell was with Archie throwing in the "beautiful girl" to "Stand By Me"
Jeff: Sean Kingston already destroyed the song, why do further damage
Danny: like syesha doing a "tina turner" song which was originally CCR
Steve: Take the performance as is...the whole entertainment genre is someone copying someone else
Steve: very very little is original
Steve: Anyways this is getting really long, who's out...
Steve: bottom 2 as well
Jeff: Has got to be Castro and Syesha, right? even though Cook wasn't on his A-game
Danny: castro and syesha bottom two
Steve: Yeah, has to be
Steve: who goes?
Danny: castro
Jeff: however, Daughtry went home when there were only 4 left and one of his songs wasn't so good, so who knows
Steve: I think Cook has too much of a following
Steve: this has turned into a total popularity contest
Jeff: that's what it pretty much always is
Steve: I am 50/50 on who I think goes
Jeff: i don't know if syesha has the fan base, but can castro really stay?!
Steve: Exactly
Steve: Castro deserves to go and has so for several weeks now, but he continues to find a way to keep staying. Syesha has been good for several weeks now but is always in the bottom group.
Jeff: i'm going castro is gone
Steve: I think I'll lean that way too having hope that America might actually get it right, but only 51/49 believe so
Danny: jeff brings up a good point, back early in the season josiah's stand by me had more emotion than archie
Jeff: may not have been sung as well, but was more heartfelt
Steve: I hadn't started watching yet
Jeff: yeah, he should've made it to the top 24 and was cut
Jeff: any idea what next week's theme is?
Steve: No theme, 3 songs each, contestant choice, judge choice, and producer choice
Jeff: ah, yeah
Steve: are they new songs or one's they've already done?
Jeff: i think they're new - maybe one isn't - contestant choice
Steve: oh ok
Jeff: final two week they definitely sing a repeat song
Steve: gotcha, that's lame - we already have heard that
Jeff: but hopefully castro will be at home stoned the hell out
Steve: as a kite

Reviewed by Jeff Walker

My Alternative Music Standard – Radiohead – OK Computer
My Electronic/Dance Standard – Goldfrapp – Supernature
My Singer-Songwriter Standard – Damien Rice - O

Seventh Tree is like waking up on a Sunday morning next to someone you really like – it’s warm and relaxing, maybe not as sexy as the previous night, at times even sleepy, but ultimately makes your heart soar and you want to savor every bit of it.

Release Date: February 26, 2008

Tracks/Length: 10 tracks / 41:36 (Web Site)

Producers: Alison Goldfrapp, Will Gregory, Flood (The Downward Spiral, Violator, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb)

Review:

Honest Opinion:
If you’re at all familiar with Goldfrapp’s previous albums, this one will come as quite a surprise. Gone are the throbbing dance beats, pulsing synths, and seductive vamping from singer Alison Goldfrapp. Instead, Seventh Tree has a sort of folk-acoustic-electronic sound that may even invoke comparisons to Enya and is the kind of music you would hear on Grey’s Anatomy (in fact, “Some People” was played in the first new episode following the strike).

At first listen, I didn’t think I’d be able to stay awake, as many of the early songs are rather slow and take some time to engage. Fortunately, Seventh Tree really grows on you, so even the slower songs become contemplative and subtly moving. The vulnerability and fragility that Alison Goldfrapp projects in her voice and lyrics make you want to give her a hug. Softly swirling strings, ambient synths and piano complement the vocals to create a consistent sound that slowly enraptures the listener.

I always think that a great album needs to have a strong finish, and Seventh Tree fits the bill. The last half is brilliant in working you into a dreamlike euphoria that also picks up the pace a bit from the first half, and features the best songs.

Seventh Tree is definitely not an ideal album for cruising down a coastal highway as only the bouncy “Caravan Girl” seems like a candidate for a DJ’s spin. However, this is a great album for making out, waking up, or just yearning for the one who touches your heart.

1st Single Representation: “A&E” is indicative of the acoustic and electronic mix that makes up most of the songs. It has a bit more melody and a stronger climax than a lot of the songs, but represents the mood and style of the album really well.

If You Are Going to Download Three Songs (legally of course), This Is What I Would Download: “A & E” – probably the best song on the album, “Caravan Girl” – upbeat and catchy as hell, “Monster Love” – perfect end to the album and cathartic in a way.

Rule of 4 (if you like at least four songs the whole album is worth buying): Listen to one song and if you like it, you’ll probably like most of the album, especially if you give it more than a few listens. The first song, “Clowns,” is the only one I tend to regularly skip over. It’s not a bad song, just soothing and quiet, and never achieves the flourishes that many of the other songs do. I definitely like more than half the album and think it is worth a purchase or download.

Verdict: If you like Goldfrapp, you may not care for this, since the shift from dance to slower acoustic-electronica is pretty dramatic. But, it has some hypnotic songs that transport you to another place. Give it time and attention, and it can be quite rewarding, even if it’s not adrenaline-pumping or easily accessible.

A chat by Jeff Walker and Steven Frith

Big news from last night's Idol was Paula's big mistake, but that wasn't the only mistake of the night. My Social Standards discusses if Idol is rigged, if it even matters, and who should go home for good tonight.

Jeff: so the biggest story of last night's Idol was Paula's big mistake - critiquing Jason's 2nd song when only one had been done
Steve: yea, what was that about, I thought the show was live - or was last night not. I actually remember thinking that Seacrest didn't say live at the beginning like normal

S: Paula's gotta be on drugs or something haha
J: i think that's a part of it
S: Also, before we get too far into it - did you notice that a couple of Hef's girlfriends were sitting front row?
J: yeah, two of them were there
S: How did you notice? I thought I would have been one of the only ones to notice haha
J: they panned past them a few times and came back to them after a commercial. they stand out just a bit
J: but even they couldn't get Archie out of his robotic state
S: you put Ricky Martin in the front row and Archie would have been out of his state
J: who knows, maybe
J: so speaking of "out of state" Paula's explanation has been a bit odd too. she says fox basically threw them for a loop and she had seen jason's second song in rehearsal and took notes due to the rushed nature of the show
S: That's probably the best they could come up with. It seemed like there was some kind of inside joke throughout the show though. There was something that we were just missing
J: some people are claiming that the show is now rigged and that she was reading producers' notes
S: I don't think so just because I don't think that Paula could have pulled if off for this long even
J: that is true
J: if producers notes are involved, I still think it isn't a huge deal. the producers always subtly try to draw interest to certain contestants who generate attention or would sell albums
J: and i think as long as the votes themselves aren't tinkered with, editing and production is always going to have some influence
J: it's not as bad as the Hills, but with that much money and the brand image involved you can't be naive to manipulation from producers
S: There have been surprises anyway you look at it though, but yea, if there is fraud with the voting, then there will be an issue. and a lot of ex contestants suing the producers and FOX
J: yeah. i'm sure the producers didn't want Michael Johns to leave so early. if they wanted him to stay, they would've had everyone safe for the week
S: exactly what I was thinking
S: Who got saved last year because of that?
J: not sure, but i don't think it mattered in the long run - i.e. wasn't a top contestant
S: Anyways, about the actual show - thoughts?
J: considering each sang two neil diamond songs whether it was the fast pace of the show or some decent singing, wasn't as bad as i was expecting
S: yea, it wasn't great, but I was expecting worse too since I am not a huge Neil fan (which ironically my mom just bought tickets to his show today)
J: he's definitely a favorite of our parents' generation - mine have seen him several times
S: My dad can't stand him haha
J: i thought david cook and syesha were the most consistent over their two performances. though the second half of david's second song is when he really came alive - despite the title of the first one - i'm alive or something
S: They have been the most consistnet over the past several weeks
J: for sure
J: Archie wasn't bad, but his voice isn't strong enough to sing "America"
J: and as Simon said, genius song choice. with the American flag behind him
S: No, I also didn't really like Sweet Caroline either
S: That's the only Neil song I liked, it was very karaoke
J: yeah, i just don't think it can really be done as a serious singing song
S: I actually would have liked to see Cook take it on
J: yeah, me too
J: Brooke's first song was like the worst karaoke you've ever seen
S: God, Brooke and Castro were bad AGAIN, they have to go - at least one this week.
J: Brooke's facial expressions are so bad
J: yeah. castro would've been bad even if paula didn't criticize the second one before he performed it
S: hahaha yea
S: I'm surprised that they didn't edit that for the west coast showing
J: yeah, though that maybe would have just made the situation worse like they had more to hide
J: so who are your bottom 2 (since I think that's what they're continuing to do from now on) and who is leaving?
S: What I think and what I think it is going to be are different. I think it will be Syesha and Brooke with Brooke going. What i hope it will be is Castro and Brooke with Castro going.
J: I agree with you on both actually. I think Castro's fans will be too ticked at the Paula debacle to let him go and I still wonder how large Syesha's fan base really is, though she seems like the best choice for #3 and maybe even #2 over Archie
S: Couldn't have said it better myself
S: next week's theme - Songs that Shaped/Inspired Rock n' Roll
J: not sure that modernizes things, but could be interesting
S: this whole season (with the exception of Mariah) has been past masters
S: They should have a Boyz II Men theme night - they work with Randy Jackson anyway...
J: yeah, may as well. it'd probably be entertaining. and gwen stefani was on last year, so it doesn't have to be Hall of Fame type musicians
S: Boyz II Men have twice the hits of Stefani!
J: for sure. well, i think that about wraps it up this week, but will be interesting to see how Paula's mistake is addressed tonight and if they even keep everyone safe
S: Do they do that every year?
J: really only if they feel there's been a mistake that may have affected the results. Should actually be a results show that doesn't need to be skipped through on DVR.
S: Until next week...
J: My Social Standards...out

A chat by Jeff Walker, Steven Frith, and Danny Walker

Idol takes a stroll down the Great White Way as the six remaining finalists take on the tunes of Andrew Lloyd Webber. It wasn't the most exciting theme, but it provided one especially memorable moment for Ms. White. Check out what Steve, Jeff and Danny had to say about her, the episode as a whole, and why Kristy Lee Cook was smarter than previously thought.

Jeff: so, first things first. biggest surprise of last week - kristy lee cook being engaged?!
Steve: Huh? I didn't know that?
Jeff: yeah. apparently had been engaged for a month
Jeff: so best to keep personal life a secret if it helps your vote count? or in the case of david cook, say you're single and possibly get more votes?
Steve: I'm not surprised she kept it a secret, I would too on a stage like that where you are depending on good ol' country boys votes from Texas - you want them to think they have a chance with you.
Steve: It's been proven with actresses that their popularity goes down once they marry.
Danny: exactly
Danny: especially when she's not a good singer
Jeff: she had been improving, but still
Jeff: way past her time
Steve: yea, she wasn't going anywhere anyway, so while I thought it was the wrong call last week, I think it'll be made up this week
Danny: yeah thanks to forgetting the lyrics
Steve: First of all this week - Why the "F" did they want this kind of theme, these people are presumedly going to be top-40 pop artists, this isn't Broadway Idol!
Jeff: they always have a broadway-style theme every year. and the fact that they were able to land a big name as "mentor" probably helped as well
Jeff: danny and I were actually surprised that a number of the songs didn't seem like stuff from musicals. for the most part, the arrangements fit the pop genre
Steve: Oh, lame idea in my book. I don't hate a lot of broadway songs, I just don't think that it makes sense for what they are doing as a show - do you see Kelly Clarkson, Underwood, or anybody going to Broadway?
Steve: Yea, a few of them were "popped" up
Danny: sadly no "that sounded caberet" comments from simon though
Jeff: yeah, like danny said, simon always compares performances negatively when they sound like broadway
Steve: Speaking of Simon, I actually agreed with every comment he had for everyone tonight
Jeff: yeah, he was pretty on point
Jeff: how about brooke's start-stop-restart?
Danny: it was about time that she finally gave an easy reason to boot her
Steve: I finally thought we were going to get rid of dreads, but then Brooke blew any thought of him out of the way
Steve: I thought it was the right thing to do, would have been worse for her to try to find the lyrics mid sentence. If she was IN the musical that would be different, but just singing one song, right move
Jeff: or will she get enough pity votes to stick around?
Steve: nope. I don't think so, too late in the game.
Danny: except maybe with vote the worse
Jeff: yeah, possibly brooke's only savior
Steve: I don't even think Brooke sounded good once she started
Jeff: yeah. pretty painful throughout. and she seems so fragile the whole time and then tries to talk over the judges
Danny: I think she's always sounded that way
Steve: I've never been a big fan myself
Steve: She's had one good song, with "let it be" the rest have been the worst of the week or close to it every week
Jeff: just keeps falling apart and this should be the end of her run
Danny: I think they've all been bad from her
Danny: I find her annoying and rather kind of fake
Steve: Annoying's a little strong, and I do think she is genuine - just isn't that good.
Jeff: i think she attempts to be genuine, but it comes across as trying too hard
Danny: definitely trying too hard
Steve: I think there was a clear top and bottom here
Steve: Syesha and Smithson definitely stole the show tonight
Steve: Cook and Archuleta sang well but were both forgettable
Steve: Dreads and Brooke sucked
Danny: well they were the only ones that did the songs broadway style, being syesha and smithson
Steve: They are the only ones where I didn't have to resist hitting fast forward on my DVR too
Steve: I think we all agree Castro and White are in the bottom 3, the tougher question - who joins them?
Jeff: carly was a big surprise this week, so she's safe
Steve: I agree
Jeff: i think syesha joins them since she's been hovering on the bottom for awhile. The Davids seem to have strong enough fan bases and Carly stepped up
Steve: Syesha was very good, but she went first and Cook and Archy aren't going to be in the bottom 3
Steve: So I would say she is in
Jeff: yeah, Syesha was in the death spot - going first
Steve: Ok, so we agree exactly, what about you Danny?
Danny: I'd put archy in the bottom 3 for sure
Steve: Wow, is this from you - or what you think will happen?
Danny: both
Jeff: so you think Archie, Brooke and Castro?
Steve: Because that's what I want but I don't think there is any way it happens.
Jeff: me neither
Danny: I think archy's in bottom three but brooke goes
Steve: Archy and Cook get 3 times the votes of the other people if you ask me
Steve: Everyone else is fighting for the top 3 right now
Steve: the one spot left at least
Jeff: although we need to send ricky minor back to his perch. He wasn't conducting and he kept hogging the performances with his dancing
Steve: I didn't even really notice except for Syesha.
Danny: oh yeah, top performance definitely goes to ricky minor
Jeff: he was pretty bad during carly as well
Steve: Missed that. So does boring, yet popular amongst 15 year old girls make the bottom 3? Or Is it under-appreciated Syesha? We'll see.
Jeff: but brooke needs to go home especially with the perfect swan song - You Must Love Me
Jeff: and hopefully we get a better theme next week
Steve: PLEASE!

Related Links:

My Idol Standards (Final 7)
My Idol Standards (Final 8)
My Idol Standards (Final 9)

Reviewed by Jeff Walker

My Bar Standard – Busby’s (Santa Monica)

Visited: Saturday night – April 19, 2008

Location: 2536 Lincoln Blvd., Venice, CA 90291 (map)(link)
Phone: 310-577-3741

With DJs, attractive crowds, and an upscale, if small location, The Garter continues the Westside renaissance towards a more sophisticated nightlife that still manages to avoid the hassles and costs of Hollywood.

Deeper Insights:

Unless you know where you are going, it is easy to drive past The Garter. There is no sign and the place is only distinguished by a small red carpet leading through a metallic corrugated fence into a non-descript building. Once inside, you may think you are on the set of David Lynch’s newest film. Red walls are adorned with pin-up pics and dim, antique-style lights, creating an almost seedy, speakeasy feel.

The Garter is essentially one large room with a bar, pool table, limited seating, and small dance floor. It feels cozy, but a bit over-crowded past 11 pm. This is only made worse by the main walkway forcing you to walk through crowds (shades of LAX – Vegas), dancers spilling into the bar area, and the slow bathroom line snaking out to the bar. Still, the compact environment is conducive to socializing with attractive Westsiders whether on the dance floor, by the bar, or on the patio.

Overall, The Garter is a good in-between place when compared to nearby nightspots. It is nicer and more lounge-like than Sports Harbor or Brennan’s, has the dancing that Beechwood lacks, and is cheaper than Air Conditioned, while still featuring the same funk and old school hip-hop music.

Breakdown:

Attire: Casual, but stylish – collared shirts, nicer T-shirts, chic hoodies, jeans. Ladies just have to look nice and you won’t feel out of place or underdressed.

Attitude: Aims for a laid-back Westside lounge, but the DJ, bottle service, and some full-on-themselves people bring a club vibe.

Bar/Bartenders: 1 bar with four bartenders at peak hours. Two guy bartenders and two girl bartenders who were attractive, friendly, and served quickly. A lot of people crowd around the bar, so if you can make your way through, expect 3-5 minutes to get your drink.

Bathrooms: Head straight back to the left and there are three bathrooms. One co-ed, one for men, and one for the ladies. Each only fits one at a time. The men’s bathroom is stylish – lots of black and red – and has a toilet (with a seat that refuses to stay up) and a lock that takes a certain touch to get it to work. When crowded, expect at least 5 minutes to use the bathroom, especially since girls will often try to use the guy’s bathroom.

Bathroom Attendant: None

Bottle Service: Yes – starts at $225/bottle (Jager, Jack, Bacardi). 20% gratuity added.

Cover: None

Crowd: Given the old school hip-hop and funk, The Garter is less ethnically diverse than one would expect. Lots of attractive Westsiders in their twenties and thirties, but some have an air of superiority that feels out of place. Older patrons probably wouldn’t feel out of place, with the music and vibe of the place. Fairly even guy-to-girl ratio.

Dance Floor: Small square dance floor that fits a couple of dozen people. Can feel cramped at times and the lack of specific boundaries on the dance floor leads dancers to flow into the bar area.

Décor: Feels like a classic speakeasy or house of burlesque. Dim, antique-style lights, red walls and pictures of classic pin-ups.

Drinks: $5 for domestic beer (Bud, Coors, Miller), $6 for imported beer, $8 for mixed drinks (Jack and Coke), $10 for Patron shots. Mixed drinks were of average strength.

Extras: One pool table.
Sunday nights – Wii Bowling
Monday night – Wii Rock Band
Tuesday nights – Ladies night – DJ, $2 champagne, $4 martinis
Wednesday nights – DJ, $3 beer and $5 shot specials

Hours: 6 pm – 2 am Daily

Line: None

Music: Old school funk and hip-hop that veered into more modern hip-hop hits as the night progressed. Digital jukebox available when DJs not spinning.

Parking: Street parking. Valet parking available Wednesday through Saturday.

Payment: Cash, MasterCard, Visa.

Patio: Narrow patio at front entrance with seating. Tends to get crowded.

People Watching: It’s a bit dark near the dance floor, but on the whole most patrons are attractive and friendly enough to go for a spin on the dance floor.

Seating: Stools available at bar, scattered seats and benches by the pool table and dance floor, plush chairs and couches off one side of the dance floor. Private area upstairs for parties and special events.

Smoking: On the patio.

Water (free): Yes.

Related Links (for more, see Categories on the right):

Busby's West (Santa Monica)
Busby's East (Hollywood)
The Parlor (Santa Monica)