Martin St. Louis and Other Olympic Sized Rink Thoughts

(photo via hockeycanada.ca)

Puck justice, my friends. The Canadian Hockey Brain Trust have made the right decision by adding big little man Martin St. Louis to the Olympic Hockey roster. His story speaks for itself, so here's a quick snapshot in case you've been living in a cardboard box under the Gardiner:

Mayer Hawthorne Releases Mini-Doc For "Where Does The Door Go"

After a 7 month wait, Mayer Hawthorne has finally uploaded the behind the scenes YouTube video for his beyond underrated album "Where Does The Door Go". The mini-doc, called "Behind The Door", can be seen after the jump.

Uncut Nine Inch Nails and Queens Of The Stone Age Grammy Mashup Performance Available Online

In the wake of Trent Reznor's twitter rant after the Grammy's cut off the epic closing rock performance, the rehearsal video of the mashup has surfaced online. The original performance was shortened due to lack of time and was also littered with information about the show's sponsors.

Paqman's Top 10 Albums of 2013

Tens of thousands of albums have been released this past year, so P&B are taking on the arduous task of breaking down our very own Top 10 Albums of 2013 List. We'll break down the albums, EPs, and mixtapes, etc, that made for quintessential listening throughout the year. If you don't see something on here that you feel should've made the lists, feel free to leave a comment or send us an email about it!

10) Alice In Chains - The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here

Alice In Chains welcomes you to this year's countdown coming in at number 10. I've had my doubt about this iteration of the band with William DuVall taking over on vocals. I wasn't a fans of their first album together, "Black Gives Away To Blue", but "Devil" came off like the AIC album we've all been waiting for, post-Staley. Sludgy guitars, heavy beats and signature harmonies make this a must for any nostalgic grunge head.

P&B Approved Cuts: Hollow, Stone, The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here

ALL OF THE P&B APPROVED CUTS CAN BE ENJOYED HERE ON RDIO

Turnbull's Top 10 Albums of 2013

10) Jim James - Regions of Light and Sound of God

(image via stereogum.com)

The My Morning Jacket frontman go solo and gives us a funky set of songs with a spiritual bent, using some interesting drum loops and gaining inspiration from R&B and soul.

9) Oddisee - The Beauty In All

(image via hhv.de)

Some of Oddisee's albums feature lyrics, but I feel his true essence is captured through his instrumental LPs.  He first blew me away on his Rock Creek Park mixtape from 2012 – a love letter to an area in his hometown of Washington, DC.  This new record shows a huge leap in production skills, is a bit more progressive, and is reminiscent of Flying Lotus.  This guy keeps getting better and better.  He's one of the most underrated producers in hip hop.

In Which Alfredsson Is The Conclusion or Building an Identity, One Puck At a Time

(Photo via the Ottawa Sun)

It took me this long to finally figure it out. Figure out why my interest in hockey has been minimal at best this season. 

Rhythm & Boobies: Robin Thicke Strips It Down In New Video For "Blurred Lines" - NSFW

(Photo via xclusiveszone.net)

I obviously slept on this so apologies for being behind the thong on this one. This Pharrell Williams produced track comes off smoothly like anything the man touches. I'm sure he was told to keep his hands to himself during the shoot for the "Blurred Lines" video.

Farewell To A Great Run and Random Sporty Thoughts

(photo via cbc.ca)

I learned a bunch of new things recently, friends. Mostly from watching hockey (which is the best way to learn anything, really). In no order of importance :

New Toro Y Moi Album Brings Many Happy Returns

image via toroymoi.blogspot.com

Nerdy Crooner Plays Ladies Man on Latest Release 'Anything In Return'

If you've been on the P&B tip for a quite some time, you may recall my past post on the Chillwave genre, where I searched for some guidance/insight/understanding of exactly what this style of music really was.

Paqman's Top 10 Albums Of 2012

Tens of thousands of albums have been released this past year, so P&B are taking on the arduous task of breaking down our very own Top 10 Albums of 2012 List. We'll break down the albums, EPs, and mixtapes, etc, that made for quintessential listening throughout the year. If you don't see something on here that you feel should've made the lists, feel free to leave a comment or send us an email about it! 

10) Kid Koala - 12 bit Blues

I've got so much love for Kid Koala, and it goes beyond him being a proud Canadian. Eric San (aka Koala)  takes old blues to the next level with a fresh take on some old recordings. As an added bonus, San creatively found a way to turn the CD case into a working mini turntable. Brilliant.

P&B Approved Cuts: 1 bit Blues (10,000 miles), 3 bit Blues, 8 bit Blues (Chicago to LA to NY)

                   ALL OF THE P&B APPROVED CUTS CAN BE ENJOYED HERE ON RDIO.

Amazing Disappointment: So long, Peter Parker?

Cover for Spider-Man #700 (Photo via spidermancrawlspace.com)

I haven't read Amazing Spider-Man #700 yet, but the crawling was on the wall as the series was leading up to it's final issue. As most of you know (if you don't and care, you can stop reading this post right now), Doctor Octopus has switched bodies with Peter Parker and has been web-slinging around NYC in his place. Pete has been trying to find a way to get his body back as he's fading away in Doc Ock's deteriorating shell. From the rumblings online (and death threats to the Spidey creative team), he does not succeed in getting back to his perpetually youthful body. 

I am not impressed by this turn of events at all. I'll save my final judgement until I've leafed through the $8 book. I cannot understand how they could wipe out one of the most iconic characters/alter egos of all time and let a villain take the keys to Spider-Man's body. This is the lowest point of  Marvel's "Now" relaunch this year. On the flip side, you can never really die in the Marvel and DC Universes.

-Paqman

I Got Key'ed & Peeled (And I LOVED IT!)

image via nycgo.com

I was hanging out with RGD2, Willis Mack, and D-Ny over at The Weatherman's place last Friday.

When I'm with these dudes,  I know there's a chance I'll get exposed to some weird-ass, obscure TV series.....past examples include and The Increasing Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret and Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job.

This night was no exception, as this time they introduced me to "Key & Peele" on Comedy Central.

Goddammit People! Stop Calling Me The Muscle Hamster!

image via bucsnation.com

Would you all please stop calling Doug Martin "The Muscle Hamster??"

He hates his nickname.

Karriem's Beats Makin' Me Fiendish

The title of this post is taken from a rhyme from the track "Quills" by The Roots, which appeared on their 2002 album Phrenology.  It was the first time I'd ever heard the name of Detroit jazz drummer and producer Karriem Riggins.

I knew he was popular within hip hop production circles, but I never really knew much about him.

But I was recently tipped off on this latest record he has released entitled Alone Together, and I gotta say I'm feelin' it immensely!

This album lives right at the cross-section of hip hop and jazz music, and will bring delight to fans of instrumentals and beats.  The first comparison I drew was to J Dilla's Donuts album.

What I like about this record is the fact that with 34 tracks in total, you'll always discover a new track that you dig, so it always sounds fresh.  This is what you've come to expect from a Stones Throw release.

A super-dope record indeed.

-Turnbull

K-Dot Takes T-Dot: Good Kid, m.A.A.d Talent

(Photo via flickr.com)

I'm not a huge fan of weekday concerts. Can't really bust loose and get into it (if you know what I mean). This is especially true for a hip hop show. The wait...it always drives me crazy, waiting for all of the fluff to run its course before the main event (while staying disciplined). Mix in the young fans, a few too many unannounced opening acts, a few too many announced acts not showing up. It usually becomes an adventure and test of patience, which I don't have on a weekday. We arrived an hour later than the posted show start time for the previously stated reasons and didn't miss a thing.

In Which The NHL Hates Itself And Will Lose Its Momentum

If this guy can't handle the lockout, there's no hope for the rest of us (photo via toromagazine.com)

As the clock strikes 12 am on September 16th, 2012, please welcome the latest edition of the NHL lockout. You might want to hurl your verbal stones at the ever lovable Bettman and his team of owners. Or those unfortunate players that make money playing a game. It doesn't matter how you shake it, they want their money and their "fair share". And the fans? Unless we can actually get the PSEC off the ground, here's your very quick survival guide until the NHL and NHLPA get their shit together:

Get Rich Or Die Ansari

(All photos via  emceezansari.tumblr.com)

Please welcome Emceez Ansari to the webosphere, a brilliant tumblr account that features mashups of hip hop album covers and one of my favorite comedians Aziz Ansari. His face/look kills me when he's on stage and this takes it to the next level of awesome.

Take the jump to see more of these P&B approved gems.

JJ For Guv'nor: Jneiro Jarel + MF DOOM = JJ DOOM!

image via guardian.co.uk

SHOULD you call it a comeback?!!?  That answer's up to you.

Either way you slice it, I've returned to the blogosphere.  Its been a long time since I've been here....had a lot on the go over the summer.  Hit up the Osheaga Festival in Montreal (aka Mount REAL!!)  Man, do I ever love that place.  Nicest city in this great country IMHO.

And my cohort in crime Paqman tied the knot earlier this month.  Congrats again....was honoured to be a part of it!

Anyway.....the point of the post is this:

What You Want Me To Do? I'm Sorry! I'm Back...And The Game Has Changed.

(Photo via antiquesweb.org)

It's been a while since I've dropped science in the form of a post. Shit has changed P&B faithful! Let's kick this off the right way: to all of our readers, thanks for hanging in. If you're anything like me you crave fresh information and the blog has been stale for a minute. We have some exciting things coming down the pipe which we will drop on you when the time is right. Please continue to come back and keep that subscription on lock.

23 GIFs to Explain The NBA Finals

image via slamonline.com

I'm not happy with the result, but I'll take it.

Miami Heat are World Champs.  I'm glad to see certain dudes on their team will get a ring, such as Mike Miller, and Shane Battier.

Lebron definitely learned his lesson from last year.  I guess it was just his time.  I'll give props where it's due.

With that said, the folks at Buzzfeed are at it again with these hilarious GIFs that break down the series.

Click HERE to enjoy!

-Turnbull