The Hunkiest Albums #15: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers - Long After Dark

Hands down, this is the definitive Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers  album. It may not contain the "big hit" like The Waiting or Free Fallin but it's so solid beginning to end. Maybe it has to do with the themes of most of the tracks.  As a young man when I first took Long After Dark for a spin, I felt like it was speaking to me. I was just looking for love, well something close to it anyway. I highly recommend Long After Dark if you only know the Heartbreakers Greatest Hits.

The Hunkiest Albums #16: Genesis - Invisible Touch

This was the first cassette I ever got and I still have it. Young me was drawn in by the great pop hooks and Phil Collins' clear voice and easy to remember lyrics. I honestly feel that they could have just re-released Invisible Touch as Greatest Hits. But, then again, some don't enjoy this part of of Genesis. Too Bad.

The Hunkiest Albums #17 Audioslave - Audioslave

For me, Soundgarden and Rage Against the Machine are hit or miss alot. This mix was perfect. Just straight forward rock. Lyrically, you could ask for better but it still works. I feel that if Audioslave could have put aside personal conflicts, they would be the biggest act in rock right now. I guess we're stuck with U2, Mumford and Daughtry. I recommend the entire album, in order, eyes closed.

The Hunkiest Albums #18: The Traveling Wilburys - Vol.1

What would a modern day version of the Traveling Wilburys look like? What's neat about this albums is that you can distinguish who wrote each song just by listening. And yet, they all flow together swimmingly. We won't see anything like this again. But, to answer the first question: Dave Grohl, Justin Hawkins, Brad Wilk, Jared Followill and Tom Petty of course.

The Hunkiest Albums #19: Kings of Leon - Come Around Sundown

Only By The Night brought all the soccer moms in and Come Around Sundown put them back in place. This one didn't do any favors for KOL with the pop music radio lovers. This album sees KOL going back towards their 2007 release, Because of the Times. So, with the way the previous album sold, they knew they could do whatever the hell they wanted on Sundown because it would sell. Sundown has some slow groovers and is pretty mellow. All in all, KOL really knows how to end an album. Two things that I feel always make or break an album are song sequence and the last track. The sequence is pretty good but I highly recommended checking out the last song of their last four albums. Goes well with a frosty beverage on a fall night or on a small road trip to someplace warmer than the polar vortex land. Highlights: The End, Pyro, The Face, The Immortals, Back Down South, No Money, Mi Amigo, Pickup Truck.

NL Only Dynasty League: Revolution Calling

Dear HandyJ/Croatian Invitational members,

Last summer, I decided that 2013 would be the last year for both Sports Jerks fantasy baseball leagues. The mixed league wasn't challenging as all the teams contained mini All-Star rosters. The NL league lacked participation and managers. And finally, I felt like it was time to move away from Sports Jerks because it felt dated and boring.

So with the end of the SJ leagues, I bring to you the offer of participating in a 12 team NL only Dynasty league. I'm not looking for this to be a pay league. Though, if that was something everyone included wanted, then so be it. However, I just don't see that as an option since getting everyone together for one baseball draft and one football draft can be hell already, not to mention the time it takes. I plan on doing a Live, online auction draft on a Friday night or anytime on a Saturday. I know some of you have kids, church, work, drinking, strip club nites... So I'm flexible as to when the draft takes place.

I will also be including NA roster spots for prospects. It is set at three for now but will probably be cut down. That's where you fellas come in. I want your input as to what you feel this league should be. I'm already set on the scoring being almost the same as Handyj. Only differences being quality starts replacing wins and on base + slugging replacing on base %. Roster positions will be mostly the same except I changed one SP slot to P. There will be one DL spot as well.

We will need to select an auction budget, free agent budget, and a keeper price format. Also needing discussed will be at what point a player becomes a free agent and how long a player can kept. And what I mean is, let's say I draft 22 year old Kris Bryant for $5 and he doesn't make the opening day roster and doesn't get called up until mid-June. How would we determine at what point Bryant becomes a free agent? Would it be after a certain amount of years? Would his price as a keeper go up based on performance? If so, how often? At what point would his contract run out and he would become a free agent? Would that be determined by a set amount of years? Would we go by certain ages or mlb service? Or perhaps a combo of both? On that same note, at what point would we determine when a declining player become cheaper year to year?

And of course you would have budget trading for draft and in-season. Now that brings up another question. Year to year, would we continue to do auction drafts or base them on previous year performance? Could we come up with a free agent system? Keep in mind, I feel that a Dynasty format should let you keep at least 75% of your previous years team. But we can discuss that. So then on the previous point, would we do draft pick trading? Players to be named later?

There are lots of questions and things to sort out. Anyway, All of you have been sent an email inviting you to participate and I hope you do if you have the time. We have over a month to figure it all out. If you choose to partake in this league, I'm asking that you actively participate and ask questions and be committed. I think this would a fun league to play in and I know a few of you do too. I sent out 14 emails and there are 11 spots left.

I hope to see you confirm your team and join me in the Heavy Hangs the Head fantasy baseball dynasty league.

Sincerely,

Hunks Clubhouse

The Hunkiest Albums #20: Taking Back Sunday - Taking Back Sunday

Sometimes you just need to scream your chorus while thrashing your guitars and pounding on your drum kit. The quiet down for the verse. Repeat. Front to back, this is a solid album from TBS and I feel that it's a step in the right direction for them. The music is more concise and the lyrics aren't trying to out due the rest of the song. I don't need anything deep, just tell me what you're feeling. Don't get cute with it. Highlights: El Paso, Faith, Sad Savior, Who Are You Anyway, This is All Now, Since Your Gone, Call Me in the Morning

The Hunkiest Albums #21: Tom Petty - Wildflowers

Wildflowers has some relaxers and some jams and overall is Petty's best "solo" effort. Though it probably could have been trimmed down to twelve tracks, Wildflowers remains an excellent road trip record and features some of Tom's best choruses. Highlights: Wildflowers, You Don't Know How It Feels, You Wreck Me, Honey Bee, Cabin Down Below, To Find A Friend, Crawling Back To You, Wake Up Time

 

Super Bowl Sunday

Almost as good as the World Series or the Stanley Cup Finals. Almost.

There shouldn't be a bye week for the "Big Game".
Players shouldn't have to talk to the media.
Super Bowl should be played on Saturday.
It should be played in any city and in any weather.
The NBA should just quit.