I know what you're thinking. The New England Patriots are monsters. Going for it on fourth down when they already have an insurmountable lead. Keeping Tom Brady in the game to push for a margin of victory over 50 points. Etc. etc. What willll they do next? The thing is, this is just what the NFL needs. No one wants to watch the squeaky-clean white bread Colts win again. Snooze Bowl XLII. Yeah Peyton Manning is funny in those Mastercard commercials (or whatever it is he's advertising), but he is boring. And Marvin Harrison, maybe he's one of the best, but come on, he's lame. Bob Sanders, their supposed feared defensive dood is the only potential scare factor, and even he is inconsistent. So give me the Patriots, give me the Mötley Crüe of football. It is just too bad Tom Brady is so cute.

Now, I really know what you're thinking. What does any of this have to do with Black Mountain? Well, I am a bit of a rebel, much like my partners the Patriots. Keep it on the ‘dl,’ but I got a sneak peak of this album, and it's pretty fucking good. So good I plan to buy it, the ‘it’ being In the Future (released on Jagjaguwar, based out of my home state Indiana!) on January 22, 2008 when it is officially released.

If my telepathic trend is continuing on point, I know, yet again, what you are thinking. What if I can't wait to hear the new stuff? Well, my dedicated readers, no need to worry. Black Mountain are much nicer than the Patriots and have scheduled a handful of shows out west. We can only assume their reluctance to venture east is because of The New England Patriots. Though, as I have already made it clear, the bad guys are a necessity. They are essentially pushing us for the American Dream. How you ask? Yeah, I really don't know; I just thought that'd sound good. What?

Fourth and one. Go for it!

Tonight, they play the Portishead-curated ATP, in February they play:

$ Howlin' Rain