clown on fire profile picture

clown on fire

Eric is underneath the skin

About Me


Hey all, after months of sound, fury, and empty promises, the Ometer has finally relaunched with a new look and code that isn't straight out of 1992. There are a lot of behind the scenes tweaks you probably won't notice, but here are a few of the things we've done:
- Faster loading times: The site ought to load about 50% faster. Will you notice a difference? You tell us.
- No more frames: In other words, if you want to bookmark a review (and who doesn't?), you can. Lucky you.
- Amazon affiliate links: If you want to support the Ometer but you don't want to send a check, order your CDs through the newfangled links at the top of our reviews. We'd appreciate it, and it will make you cool.
- Easier-to-read reviews: No more squinting while letting the Ometer make your musical choices for you.
- The Ometer picked up a new reviewer! I think that is worthy of an exclamation point. Check out Mr. Robillard's reviews.
All of the old features haven't been moved over yet, but we're in the process. Stick with us, and please, report any bugs you find.
So, thanks for your support, everyone, and let's make 2007 the best year the Ometer has had so far.
Cheers!
Kevin Drew - Backed Out on the...
Animal Collective - Fireworks
Zach Galifianakis and Will Oldham - Can't Tell Me Nothing (Kanye West)
To download a firesideometer banner, grab the entire code in the box below the banner of your choice. Then, copy and paste the code into your MySpace page, website or blog.

My Interests

Music, movies, Web design, snow shoeing, writing, swimming, camping, bitter coffee.

I'd like to meet:


- Jack and Diane: Did John Cougar really have to change his name?

- Billie Jean: What exactly did happen to Jacko?

- Brent Waggoner: To learn and become a full fledged altruist.

- Carlton Farmer: Because you know Dakota.

- Christopher Chilton: To show me the great waters of Lake Minnetonka.

- And if you guys ever come by this side of the borders, I will show you that hockey is a night affair, and not just an afternoon broadcast!

Movies:

Lost in Translation, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Little Miss Sunshine, Stranger Than Fiction...

Television:

The Avengers, Family Guy, The Simpsons, a few reality shows which we shall not name, Six Feet Under, Miami Ink, BSG.

Books:

Most of Kundera's work, Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman, The Deptford, Cornish and Salterton trilogies by Robertson Davies.

Heroes:

The everyday Joe who wakes up each morning.

And actually gets up...

Ming Ming Duckling.

Mr. Bill.

My Blog

Foreign Born - On the Wing Now

Ever wondered what would have happened to U2 if Under a Blood Red Sky was the band's farewell concert? If Bono and friends would have recorded one last album, The Unforgettable Fire, before vanishing ...
Posted by clown on fire on Mon, 27 Aug 2007 02:54:00 PST

The New Pornographers - Challengers

Canadian super group The Tragically Hip had nothing to do with Challengers, nor did Geddy Lee, Alanis Morissette and the myriad of other Canadian iconic figures who have not done anything decent in re...
Posted by clown on fire on Sat, 25 Aug 2007 06:57:00 PST

Fog - Ditherer

Fog's Ether Teeth is a favorite of mine. In fact, Andrew Broder's cathartic opus shares a very special place with congeneric works such as Flying Saucer Attack's Further and more recently Mum's Yester...
Posted by clown on fire on Wed, 22 Aug 2007 05:25:00 PST

Interpol - Our Love to Admire

There's something to say about the repeat factor. When I first heard Interpol's Our Love to Admire, I was very excited, so much so that I sent a fair amount of sms to friends, family, foes, and strang...
Posted by clown on fire on Mon, 20 Aug 2007 03:12:00 PST

Stars - In Our Bedroom After the War

The following is based on a very true story. Wednesday. 7:24 AM. Rather excited by the mere thought of being able to listen to In Our Bedroom After the War, Stars' fourth studio album, and feeling le...
Posted by clown on fire on Fri, 20 Jul 2007 06:00:00 PST

The National - Boxer

The National have expanded their sound: horns, strings, and a more prominent presence of piano. The guest list is longer: Sufjan Stevens who plays piano on both 'Racing Like a Pro' and 'Ada', Clogs' P...
Posted by clown on fire on Sat, 19 May 2007 05:43:00 PST

Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

It was 8:30 when I hit the sack last time I played Grandpa. Wilco's Sky Blue Sky was the night cap. I was excited, not too excited, just enough to quickly fall asleep: a new fucking album by Wilco! My...
Posted by clown on fire on Thu, 17 May 2007 06:15:00 PST

Parts & Labor - Mapmaker

As far as I can remember, I have enjoyed noise as music. Were there challenging times? No doubt. The first time I bought John Coltrane's Meditations, I returned it a day later. I told the clerk at the...
Posted by clown on fire on Wed, 09 May 2007 12:34:00 PST

Grinderman - Grinderman

We all need a little nasty shit in our lives. There are days Lonely, Noir's gentle folk pop will hit the spot. Then there are days where nothing will satisfy you but assuming a good dose of unapologet...
Posted by clown on fire on Mon, 07 May 2007 09:36:00 PST

The Twilight Sad - Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters

The immediate reaction I had when first listening to 'Cold Days from the Birdhouse', Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters excellent opener, was that The Twilight Sad were an alternate incarnation of...
Posted by clown on fire on Tue, 01 May 2007 05:07:00 PST