I originally thought that the iTunes Genius function would really suck.

It’s not Pandora, after all.

But I was dead wrong. Just have a look at this playlist that it came up with.

I’ve been talking about starting up a podcast for far too long…and the time has come to make good on that promise.

So, it’s with great fanfare that I announce our new podcast: Turnip Soup. Turnip Soup is a weekly podcast where my buddies and I will talk about the sorts of things that show up here on Turnipville (and occasionally something you might find at Martini Geek). In other words, we’re going to put our usual hilarious spin on odd news stories, sports, tech, and whatever else might pop up during the show.

We’ve set up a command center, of sorts, over at Turnip Network. There, you’ll find subscription links for all of your favorite podcatchers, including iTunes and Odeo.

We’ve also thrown some flash-based players in the mix so that you can listen to the latest show without having to download anything.

For your convenience, here are some quick links to get you into the fray.

technorati tags:podcast, turnipsoup, turnipnetwork

I had the unique pleasure of visiting our local KMart twice today: once for a small TV for my office, and again for a 6′ ladder. Both times that I visited the store, I heard either Paula Abdul or Debbie Gibson on the store radio system.

In today’s world, this is simply unacceptable.

Don’t get me wrong, I liked Paula Abdul when I was in fourth grade. We all did. We all wanted to the be the “Cold-Hearted Snake” that she sung/danced about. But those times are gone, and it bothers me when I see that sixty-something guy tapping his cart handle to “Forever Your Girl.”

Therefore, I offer KMart my entire music collection. If someone from Corporate will contact me, I’ll be happy to filter out the explicit albums, and provide you with several DVD’s full of music…so that we patrons don’t have to endure a flashback without booze and karaoke.

I can be reached via this website; please click Contact - in the top menu.

I look forward to hearing from you.

technorati tags:kmart, music, debbiegibson, paulaabdul

5 out of 5 Turnips

I know it’s not fashionable to like musicians from American Idol. I also know that my contemporaries would scold me for having playlists that contain Dropkick Murphys, Escape The Fate, Pinback and Daughtry…

..but I just don’t care. Chris Daughtry’s freshman effort after being prematurely booted from last season’s Idol is fantastic.

The internet’s been abuzz with accusations of Daughtry being a Nickelback/3 Doors Down clone, but that’s complete hogwash. As a self-admitted die-hard Nickelback fan, I can say that there are “moments” where Chris and Chad sound alike…but they’re few and far between. And while I like 3 Doors Down, they don’t compare: every song on the Daughtry album is hot.

Most impressive for me is what Chris Daughtry didn’t do with this album: sell out. Not being one to sling around the term “sell out” when a band becomes successful, I’m unable to restrain my usage of the term when referring to Bo Bice, Gwen Stefani and (sadly) Hoobastank. All three of them used to rock my socks (granted, Bo did it on Idol…but he was cool then), and all three of them are now owners of some seriously shitty radio-written albums. Daughtry didn’t do any of that jazz. He sings his ass off with four dudes who are clearly into rock.

I love it, and here are my highlights:

• “There and Back Again” rocks my ass. The hook Chris busts out in the chorus sits just behind my frontal lobe all day long.
• “Breakdown” beautifully displays why he should have been last year’s American Idol. His falsetto in the first chorus is top notch.
• Prediction: “Home” will be the parting song on American Idol in future seasons: I’m goin’ home, to the place where I belong; where your love has always been enough for me. I’m runnin’ from, I think you got me all wrong; I don’t regret the life you chose for me. These places and these faces are growin’ old…I’m goin’ home.
• Rolling Stone says his lyrics are too sappy, and they lambast the album on account of it. The lyrics are sappy, but you forget to notice that as you’re slamming the steering wheel and belting out on I15 south.

Without question, Daughtry has become the most-played album in my house. My wife, my daughter, my dogs, and our Christmas tree all love (or, loved - in the case of the tree) this album. Go get it.

Update: Check this video for some footage of Chris talking about the very sell out/success issue from above.

technorati tags:daughtry, americanidol, hoobastank, gwenstefani, music, bobice, rock

It occurred to me this evening that I spend a tremendous amount of time listening to podcasts, yet I’ve never published a list of my “favorite” podcasts here on Turnipville. Let’s change that.

What follows is a list of podcasts that are routinely updated by my iTunes - with links for your pleasure.

• This Week in Tech (TWiT)
• Security Now!
• Inside the Net
• Windows Weekly
• KFI Tech Guy
• Daily Breakfast
• Diggnation
• DL.TV
• The Word Nerds
• LSAT Logic in Everyday Life
• Engadget Podcast
• 43Folders
• Ask A Ninja
• Brain Food
• Cranky Geeks
• Hi My Name is Mark (Mark Hoppus)
• Chris Pirillo Show
• What’s New Now
• Crooked Cog Podcast
• ESPN Radio: 4 Downs

You might be interested to hear that we’re working on a script and format for a Turnipville podcast. More details will follow…

Technorati Tags: ipod, podcast