More Sleeveface: Are you in a pissy mood like me? Here’s a little sleeveface to brighten your dark soul.

Need Another Reason to Dislike Denis Leary? I don’t. This pretend-fireman, pretend-hockey player and legit joke thief has been ripping off comedians (entire bits from Bill Hicks) for years.  His comedy career-defining bit “I’m an Asshole” was stolen directly from Louis C.K. If that’s not enough, Leary attacks autism for no good reason (a lame attempt at keeping the edgy, angry guy thing going, huh?). Did he once play a pretend-neurologist, is that how he became an expert on the topic? I guess he’s never met a child who has to live with the disorder.  At least he’s spot-on about the “I’m an Asshole” part.

Vote Wisely: Or else… you’ll see a lot more of this… and god forbid, this!

A Clean Break in Philly: “A vacant lot becomes a prefab neighborhood for two weeks with full-scale modern, sustainable, affordable homes designed by international architects.” Sounds interesting!

Blinded by Science? Trust no one! Even scientists, Jeff?  Yes friends, especially those Bunsen burning bastards! Read The Great Betrayal:

Judson’s cast of characters includes a dermatologist who claims he can graft skin from black mice to white — but turns out to have colored the grafts with a Sharpie. Another scientist creates bogus data before the very eyes of his stunned colleagues. And a Nobel Prize winner defends the publication of a co-author’s concocted data by saying it’s the scientific community’s job to verify it.  [via veryshortlist]

If you want to fear your doctors too, I recommend: Complications: A Surgeon’s Notes on an Imperfect Science by Atul Gawande.

Not Dead: Just Asleep.

We Need Backup! Wow, this handsome little fella seems like a good deal: Iomega releases 1TB network hard drive for $299. Speaking of Iomega, you designers remember good ol Zip drives? How’s about the dreaded SyQuest disk, the absolute worst and most unreliable thing you could ever attempt to save a file to.

Checking in with Stewie: Tired Old John McCain Just Recycling Speeches At This Point

New Lego Store in KoP: Grand Opening Photos: Life Size Lego Batman and more Legotatsic photos from Rob Bender.

Download Free MP3: “Revival Road’
It’s a nice little ditty featuring Chuck Ragan, Ben Nichols, Tim Barry, Frank Turner, Digger Barnes, Jon Gaunt, Todd Beene. Want more, check out their Revival Tour info and dates here.

The best-reviewed band of the past ten years, The Hold Steady, has a new album coming out next week, but you lucky folks can hear the whole thing right now on MySpace. It’s called Stay Positive and it sounds quite fabulous.

Back in 2004, I called the band an “acquired taste,” but their sound has grown richer and the production on this album and their last — the breakthrough Boys and Girls in America — was top-notch, so they’re much more accessible to the common man, especially to those classic rock relics who miss The Who and early Springsteen with the big bold pianos, horns and the colorful storytelling. Craig Finn has the storytelling part down cold, that brother can spin a beer-soaked yarn like no other.

Finn also has a great sense of humor and is completely devoid of the rock star arrogance we’ve grown to expect from many a heraded front man.

I’m on my second listen now and this is easily the best thing I’ve heard all year: insanely rocking tunes mixed with some long-burners that have that epic “Greetings From Asbury Park” vibe. Wow! A while back I heard reports that Ben Nichols from Lucero would be making a guest appearance and If I’m not mistaken I think that’s him blasting out some backing vocals on the my two favorite tracks “Magazines” and “Constructive Summer” (I feel some Husker Du “Celebrated Summer” vibe here, Finn is a huge fan). Nice Ben, now finish your own CD. FYI, Lucero rules.

Every fan will tell you The Hold Steady is best heard in a bar. I think those days are over, these guys will be bigger than ever after this thing drops. So in honor, pop in few bucks in your local bar’s jukebox and play the whole thing. Twice. Then drink a lot of beers, Craig would approve.

Here’s a great video, “Chips’ Ahoy,” from there last offering:

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=OCZB3nSoNbU[/youtube]

And a classic, “The Swish,” that still had some of the punk edge form Finn’s Lifter Puller days:

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=i-0fb-DhYh0[/youtube]