The subject’s of Finn’s songs are similar to the Hold Steady material, except they’re more sad, tragic and without hope. The instrumentation is also a bit different than what we’re used to, trading in the bar-rock for flourishes of country, indie, and bluesy rock.

The inaugural track, “Apollo Bay” sets the listener up for the unique experience that Clear Heart offers; with it’s swampy-sound, Deliverance may have a new theme (damn I hate those banjos). “No Future” is recorded in much of the vein of the Hold Steady’s sound, but could have easily come from a Velvet Underground record. “Terrified Eyes” has two  middle-aged, scared to death, protagonist’s dealing with life the best way they can. “Rented Room” is a single man’s lament of a once fruitful relationship, and what else is there to do in a rented room, than to reminisce about it.

If there is anything that these hopeless songs deliver is that while in the moment they may bemoan threatening and disconsolate conditions, but together in a room with these songs and people to share it with, the future won’t be as bleak.

If we’re not blessed with a new Hold Steady album this year, Clear Heart will make a more than fine substitute, but still it’s more than that, it’s one of the best records of the year.

Rating:

4. Jason Jordan

Okay, so I did not make this one the match. I am not a fan of Abraham Washington. I have been tarnished since his days back in ECW. Where he is not an awful wrestler this is the man who hosted his own show while on ECW, every week mind you, and still has not grown with his mic skills. He faces off with the relatively new man on TV, Jason Jordan, who hails from Chicago, Illinois. My bias once again works in because as a girl who was uprooted from Chicago I love throwbacks to my home. That is not the only reason Jordan receives a nod, though. He is yet unpolished but has a certain determination that will prove later on he is someone to keep your eye on.

3. Raquel Diaz vs. Audrey Marie for the Divas Championship Title

I really struggled with putting Raquel Diaz at number three. She put on such an awesome display that not only earned her the Divas Championship Title but gave her an opportunity to show off her Gory Bomb that she should be higher on the list because of these two things. Alas, I wanted to stick with matches as much as I could and Audrey Marie just is not up to par on performances. Though I may not think Audrey Marie is as bad as say, my companions who watch FCW. In fact, I might put Audrey Marie at least in third on FCW. Raquel, though, is spectacular. She might yet not be perfectly polished but she still would have the majority of the WWE diva roster beat with her talent and mic skills. There is a reason she not only is the new Divas Champion of FCW, but also the Queen.

2. Grand Royale

The show starts off with Maxine and Normal Smiley announcing a Grand Royale, only the third in FCW history. For me, this was the first. A Grand Royale is where all of the men of the FCW roster (Eli Cottonwood sighting!) step back around the ring and have 30 seconds to get into the ring. At the end of the 30 seconds whoever is left standing in the ring gets to compete. Whoever was the winner of this particular match competed in the main event against Leo Kruger for the FCW Heavyweight Championship. The thirty second scramble was great and should be done more, but not too often! I will not give too many details because I really want people to watch this match, but I must reveal the winner:

1. Mike Dalton vs. Leo Kruger for the FCW Heavyweight Championship

When we first saw Mike Dalton, my boyfriend commented, “He’s the FCW jobber.” It quickly changed and he was winning matches. Then somehow had the best pants amongst them all. Then he was competing for the Title against Leo Kruger? Well, if that ain’t a bitch of a twist. And I loved it! Leo Kruger inevitably won but I could not look away from the screen during this. I always remind everyone when it comes to moves I know no names and do not pretend to understand every strike, but I know what looks good and what does not, and this match was flawless. So Flawless that Lay-Cool would have endorsed it. Dalton is not ready to be Champ yet, but his time may be coming. When it’s not against Kruger, I might even root for him.

Normally I would tell you the bad things about FCW at this point, but I pretty much explained those during the appraisal of the others. Instead I am going to whine about one, little, teeny, tiny thing that is bothering me. I WANT MY ASCENSION BACK!! GIVE ME ASCENSION!!

See, that wasn’t so bad.

What do I do if one of the guests on my new show accident rips ass? Breaks wind? Bakes a butt brownie? Crop dusts? Let’s loose a brown cloud? What do I do???

The UnFamous Chris Show returns to YouTube in February 2012. I’m going to put up teasers all throughout January so are you so very, very teased when the show finally debuts. Get ready for teasing.

Merv on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Merv/327626947278213

Merv’s Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/gaymerv

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/unfamouschris

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/unfamouschris

Tumblr: http://www.unfamouschris.com

Google+: http://glpus.to/unfamouschrisshow

Enjoy!!!

Whether I want it or not, Quentin Quire is going to become the focus of this book.  Hero or villain, as I’ve said before, we’re not quite sure what’s going on in his mind.  He is cocky and arrogant to be damn sure, but he could be so much more in either the sides of angels or demons.

Quentin is like any kid and just wants to skip classes.  Unlike any other kid Quire has the mutant gift to pretty much rewrite reality within another’s mind.  He fools Wolverine and Armor to believe they are in another world, and keeps their memories of who they are and the real world, away from their avatars minds.

Its a 5 part limited series, and I’ve read comics long enough to know better than to give a review on part one of a five part limited (as in contained) series.  One issue of an ongoing?  Hell yeah I’m going to run my mouth on that one.  In theory though this one will have some sort of endgame.

Quentin fucks with the minds of people he shouldn’t and at the end of the issue Wolverine is awake.  In some way.  His mind may be unconscious and in the dream/fantasy world.  But that doesn’t negate the possibility of his animal side awakening and controlling his quest for freedom in the real world.

Somehow I went from not reading any mutant books for nearly 10 years to now buying two a month.  Seeing these well and long established characters knocked off their game by kids is a great twist on the larger idea of the X-Men.  These used to be the teen super heroes.  Well what happens when those teens grow up and a new generation comes along.  Chances are, those kids will be testing limits at a further distance than any of the original, uncanny or all new all different crew could even dream of.

Wolverine and the X-Men (in this book and in the ongoing) is Marvel’s Kingdom Come.

Quentin Quire uses his mutant powers to communicate with Krakoa the living island.  Krakoa then… joins the X-Men?! This is the most brilliant idea I’ve ever seen!

Seriously, a living island (or the offspring of) must have some sort of consciousness, beliefs, triumphs and tragedies.  It is not above the concepts of good and evil.  It seems easier to believe an outsider, like a living island, could be manipulated easier than a human.  Humans (and mutants) are taught from birth by society that you are important, you are an individual, and you matter.  Its a great ego stroke that helps many of us deal with the day to day bullshit of the world.

Living islands don’t have this benefit.  I’m guessing of course, I’ve never spoken to one.  Abused, beaten down, made to feel worthless.  Its no wonder that such a creature could be manipulated.  To see Krakoa turn face (wrestling terms in everyday conversations are fun!) is yet another original universe expanding idea in a book that has been full of them.  Add this to Iceman becoming one of the most powerful mutants on the planet.

Plus, I am only now dipping my toes back into the waters of the X-Men, but Quentin Quire is one of the most well rounded characters I’ve ever read.  I don’t know if I’m supposed to love or hate him yet, but this confusion means I’ll buy any comic book he’s in just to find out more.

And I didn’t even mention the big tease at the end.  (Find out on your own.  Too cool to spoil.)

Get on the best X-Men comic out there today.

The album’s opener, “Halo” sets the listener up for what they’ve been hoping for from McGraw, a downer record. However, what ensues is more of that old happy-go-lucky McGraw. And while Traffic is tantamount to his previous releases, it doesn’t mean that it’s not a good record. “Halo” itself shows McGraw going in a new direction musically, with a sound to make Coldplay look twice.

A cover of Dee Irvin’s R&B classic “One Part, Two Part” shows up here with backing vocals from wife Faith Hill, and is one of the albums strongest tracks. Many will recognize “Felt Good on My Lips,” the single released over a year and a half ago, and McGraw’s last No. 1. The album closes with the metaphorical wonder “Die by My Own Hand,” a Halfway to Hazard cover, creating a bookshelf effect with the album’s opening track.

Is this McGraw’s best album? No, but It’s his best in quite some time, at least since Live Like You Were Dying. McGraw has affirmed that another album will be released this year under a new record label, but until then, enjoy the “lost” album of Tim McGraw.

Rating:

American Idol fans will remember Brooke White from season 7 of the show, and while past success will lead to recognition and automatic success, with Jack and White it’s different. It’s pursued from an alternative route with lovely results. Teamed up with Jack Matranga, guitarist of the band Self Against City, and put together with a chemistry set we have Jack and White (no not Jack White, and if you don’t know who he is…ummm yeah just stop now).

“Night After Night” opens the record, and feels much like an Everly Brothers’ song or at least recorded in that particular tradition. “XYZ” is the EP’s best; a comforting song about growing up and life in general. It sounds like it could have come from Neko Case’s library, but with the Jack and White twist it’s all their own (and no it didn’t by the way.). And just when you think you can’t get enough of that lush guitar, it never ceases to warm you heart.

One can only wonder what a full length will sound like from these two, and hopefully that’s not far off in the future.

Rating:

Rick and the gang discover that there might be other groups.  Maybe even a civilization.

I had an idea while reading this issue.  Rick and crew are the heroes of this book only because we are following their story.  We see their motivations, reasons, monologues, thoughts, and any other word you want to throw in here to explain knowing what someone is thinking and why.  But if we were reading another story, the story of a group that encounters Rick and crew, we would see them as villains.  Take Jesus, from this issue.

Jesus tried to offer a trade to this group of people.  He got attacked and fought back.  Cheers if we’re following his story.  Then it seems like these people are about to accept his offer, but instead they knock him out and tie him up.  He comes with this great offer, and they attack him over it?!  These are villainous acts.  Then we get the bad guys point of view in which they say that if the heroes (in this scenario) don’t do things their way they will raid and kill their communities.

Yes, you have to protect yourself and your own.  I’m feeling that by issue 100 this may no longer be a book about someone to look up to, but someone to hate.

   Any CHIKARA fan who brings 3 paying guests with them to the event will be admitted ABSOLUTELY FREE! Our live event experience is without peer, and there’s no better way to share it than with friends! So round up three of yours and bring them to The Palmer Center on Saturday night, January 28th. Every fan that brings 3 paying customers with them, we’ll admit free to the event! If you already purchased your ticket to the event, and you end up bringing 3 fans with you, we’ll refund you the purchase price of your ticket!

   CHIKARA is your cure for boring pro-wrestling! Show your friends what all the buzz is about, and we’ll let you in for free! This offer is only being extended for our January 28th card in Easton PA!

   We’re bringing an action-packed card featuring all your CHIKARA favorites, the evening’s bouts will be:

~FORMER PARTNERS COLLIDE!~

Gran Akuma vs. Icarus

~MAT MASTERS MEET!~

Mike Quackenbush vs. Green Ant

~THE OSIRIAN PORTAL IMPLODES!~

Ophidian vs. Hieracon

~FIRST TIME EVER!~

Hallowicked vs. Archibald Peck

~TAG TEAM ACTION!~

3.0 vs. Tim Donst & Jakob Hammermeier

~ONE ON ONE!~

Jigsaw vs. Kobald

~POINTS UP FOR GRABS!~

Fire Ant & Soldier Ant vs. Obariyon & Kodama

~PLUS:~

-The arrival of Mr. Touchdown in CHIKARA!

-Prepare yourself for Quiz Present Crisis Battle!

-Your chance to get photographed in the ring with Dasher Hatfield of The Throwbacks!

-An acoustic ditty performed by Gavin Loudspeaker!

Remember, you can also find my picks and the picks of many other people over at our friend Solace Winter’s site.  Check it out HERE.

John Cena vs. Kane

Kane will win by DQ.  I see Cena going ape shit in this match.  He will finally embrace the hate.  Maybe there will be a new t-shirt with that phrase on it.  So far there are no stipulations on the match.  I’m thinking Cena will try to wrestle a regular match but Kane will push him over the edge.  Cena will start bashing the Big Red Machine with chairs or the Spanish Announce Table of something.

Daniel Bryan (world) vs. Big Show vs. Mark Henry – Steel Cage match

Daniel keeps the title despite everything.  I’m going to guess AJ runs down and hands him a key or a crowbar or some sort of weapon.  Bryan’s heel turn will be confirmed and completed at the end of this match.

CM Punk (WWE) vs. Dolph Ziggler with Johnny Ace as the special referee.

I think its Ziggler’s time to be thrust into the spotlight.  Also, CM Punk chasing the title is more intriguing then Punk having the belt.  Side bet, Punk will have the belt back before WrestleMania and will enter the grandest stage of them all as the reigning WWE Champion.

30 Man Royal Rumble

It may seem overwhelming to pick one winner out of 30 people but the secret is, who would they actually have headline WrestleMania?  Either someone getting pushed or someone who is already a main eventer.  If I had to pick one person, I’m going to guess Sheamus.  I think he’s going to be built up more and more in WWE.  I wouldn’t be shocked though it something odd happens in the CM Punk vs Dolph Ziggler match and one of those men wins.  WWE is making a big deal out of the fact that this is the first year everyone can be involved.  I’m picturing some booking where a current champion wins the Rumble, loses the title in February and then gets a rematch with his Royal Rumble win for WrestleMania.

UPDATE!  I have to give picks for two more things.  Who will be the last 4 people in the Rumble, and who will eliminate the most people (plus the number of people).

Last four people:  Sheamus (my pick), Wade Barrett, Randy Orton, Chris Jericho.  And just for fun I’ll say the random “how the hell did HE get this far?” fifth pick is… David Otunga.

As for who will eliminate the most people that’s tough.  Three of your big guys are in other matches that evening.  Sure, they can be in the Rumble too but I don’t feel like they’ll give any of these guys a moment in the Rumble.  I’ll pick Brodus Clay with 6 eliminations.

What do you all think?