"Who's Madonna?" A tale of crappy parenting.

My heart has been broken and I fear that I shall never be healed fully. Please don't get me wrong. Madonna is not my very favorite artist. I don't really even care for her new stuff to be perfectly honest.

But she's friggin' MADONNA.

There is a certain respect that most girls my age have for her. She's a pop icon. I still remember the year Santa brought me a boom box and the "Like a Virgin" tape. BTW- I also got Wham! "Make it Big". Apparently I was a very nice girl that year.

I fear that I have somehow let my children down. My 10 year old (remember asparagus girl?)came to me yesterday and asked me who Madonna was. I stared at her like she walked up to me and started speaking Latin (which would have actually surprised me less- this is one smart cookie we're talking about here). I thought she was making a joke concerning my age.


She wasn't.

"Mom, I know her name, but I just don't know who is actually is." I still continued to stare in disbelief. Kindly, she placed her hand on my arm and gently said that she would probably like Madonna, she just wasn't sure. After a few moments I got my wits about me and told her that Madonna was a very influential music artist; and while I do not think she believes in a lot of the things we believe in, she is very talented. Please keep in mind that this trauma comes on the heels of a conversation in which my 13 year old saw a current picture of Morrissey and asked "Who's the old dude?" (I am not ashamed. I did indeed weep a bit) Now, in all fairness, she knew him after I said his name because she has a lot of his stuff on her iPod. When she got the iPod, the rule was that if she was going listen to Miley and Hillary, then I was also going to put some good music on there for her. And I must say, musically she is quite well rounded.


I will cut myself a little slack because another time my sweet daughter came to me and told me that the song "Why Do I Keep Counting?" by The Killers helped her through a situation at school. So I guess I don't totally suck as a mom, I felt a little taste of redemption.

Apparently, this lack of knowledge and horrible parenting is not singular to my household. Gingie shared with me an instance where her 8 yr old asked who Nirvana was. Gignie's response was " OH HELLLLLLLL NO!" and they had to sit and listen to the entire discography after dinner.

So, my good friends, I leave you with a small selection of songs that says to me...

"This is Madonna."

Please enjoy.














I could go on like this for a while longer, but you get the general idea.

This Is How I'm Feeling Today...

I don't have a lot to say, I know, shocker. But I wanted to post a couple of songs that make me happy when I'm down. The first comes from a movie that also makes me happy. I'm a hard hearted harbinger of haggis. I'm not ashamed. Don't believe me? I have the t-shirt to prove it. And we all know that if something is printed on a t-shirt it must be true.




And number 2. This one makes me think of Cleo actually and a Chrysler LeBaron that always smelled like wet dog when it rained. Remember that one time the window got stuck down in the middle of that huge down pour and you were totally drenched by the time we got home? That was awesome. That was my impersonation of Chris Farley. Don't be a hater. I have skills.



So there they are. Two of my happy songs. I have many more but these two never disappoint. So listen and be happy!!!

TrAsHy TUeSdaY

Today's selection was inspired by my daughter who loves to cook. She is 10 and cooks better than most adults I know. What can I say... This gene pool is totally slammin'.

Anyway, we were in the car and this song came on. I wasn't even really listening to it because well, it's Britney for one... also, I was driving. I am focusing on the stuff around me when all of the sudden, she starts talking to me and asking me why on EARTH this girl on the radio was singing about DINNER. Confused as I was, I made her further explain herself. "Mom, she is totally singing about dinner. She must really love to cook."

As if on queue, the chorus came on and I understood what she meant. "SEE! She is saying "Just like asparagus!" she is soooo weird, mom. You should change this song. It is really creeping me out."

So, without further adieu, here is Brit singing for her dinner....

Cleo's Pick o' the week- Anya Marina

Big Hair, Big Voices

You know what I really miss sometimes? Really cheesy songs. Not just kinda sappy, I mean CHEESY. I mean, 3 cans of Aquanet, smoke machine, over the top giant cheddar wheel songs.

Mrs Chops and I were watching Glee last night and the episode ended with a rendition of "Total Eclipse of the Heart". Man I love that song. It was enormous. And I am hard pressed to think of a modern band that makes giant songs like that anymore. Sure they talk about feelings and sex and what not, but is thier love gonna last till the end of time? Is it like living in a powder keg and they're givin off sparks? I dont think so.

So heres you assignment, gimme your favorite Monster Ballad. I dont care if its old or new, it just has to be huge

Ra Ra Update

Hey y'all, just a heads up, cause I know you been wondering. Ra Ra Riot is finishing up their second album with a release date in the near future. Check out an interview with them and a clip of one of their new songs at Stereogum.

Also, if your in H-town in the near future you can check them out at the Free Press Summer Fest on June 5th. Cleo said she would buy tickets for anyone who came down to see them. Also, she said you could stay in her game room. She has a tent.

Just sayin...

Also, if you get bored, go back and re-read our review of their last show in Houston.

This is How I'm Feeling- Cleo Style

I love this song. I'm not sure that much more really needs to be said.


And this is how I'm feelin'...




Every little piece of your life
Will add up to one
Every little piece of your life
Well they mean something to someone


You fuse my broken bones
Back together and then
Lift the weight of the world
From my shoulders again