Well, since I was fortunate enough to have three days off work in a row, and did not spend them with some sort of mysterious flu, I figured I could be not lazy enough to complete another bracket. Leave it to me to procrastinate like crazy though, I think it is just becoming my trademark in life. Anywho, given the results of this round I got to thinking...isn't it interesting how every peer group has its generational definition. What I mean by this is that there are always a few movies or songs or characters that define the way things were or are during a certain time frame. I like to think of it in terms of a time capsule manner, my era was that of the TRL boom with boy bands and Britney Spears, the American Pie movies, the post-Nirvana grunge age, and many other things. What I realized about this is that when I watch other movies or listen to other music that could be considered part of the "generational definition" I laugh or get my interest piqued wondering if that is how it really was. From my vantage point I always though Fast Times at Ridgemont High was kinda silly in some respects, the same goes for Breakfast Club and any other movie of that sort that was supposed to depict "real life" for adolescents. Yet I am starting to think that maybe those are snapshots of what stereotypical life was like, though a lot of things have stayed the same thru the years and each generation has a lot in common, its nice to see these snapshots to see how far we have come or fallen. Think about that sometime when you see or hear something from an era that is decidedly not yours, it'll make you think, with any luck. It's either that or I am completely insane, but that's another issue for another time....lets get to the music....

Round I

Boast – Collective Soul v. Bouncing Off the Walls – Sugarcult – Well we have two very vivid memories in these two for me. Boast was the classic Sean drivin to Woodstock in the summers of working alone. Though it may sound rather, well, lonely, and mildly sad, to be honest those summers of working alone were really fantastic. All I really did was paint and clean out apartments, mucho manual labor and I had to work alone, yet I adored it. Well one of the destinations was Woodstock, IL, and they had just built a Popeye’s Chicken, and you know what, “I love that chicken from Popeye’s” so I ate there as much as possible. Boast was on the cd that I listened to on many of those hour each way drives and sticks in my head when I think of Woodstock and Popeye’s. Bouncin off the Walls is the track from Van Wilder that I passed out watching so many times in college. Who can forget seeing boobies in the menu part of that movie, sheer brilliance. Boast takes it here though for having more depth because life ain’t just all about boobies, but its close.
Bodyrock – Moby v. Boxing – Ben Folds Five – Ben Folds continues his reign as the Rodney Dangerfield of my tournament by being very unfortunate and not getting much respect as his songs always seem to be defeated in the first round. Here is no exception, because despite all of you echoing the Moby is a sellout chant, star-shaped sunglasses are awesome and should be here to stay. So back the fuck off…
Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen v. Boy Crazy – New Found Glory – New Found Glory makes sure we watch out for the beautiful and younger ones (believe me I know what they are talking about), but Bohemian Rhapsody is too awesome all around. Sure we young generation really started listening to it as a result of Wayne’s World, but whats wrong with that? Wayne’s World was an incredible movie and turned a whole new generation on to this fantastic anthem. Party on Wayne, and Party on Garth!
Bombs Over Baghdad – Outkast v. Boys Are Back In Town – Everclear – Listen, here is the time for a political statement by the one and only me (Vote for me for President in 2020, Sean Carroll: Providing 20/20 foresight for America in the year 2020). More on the campaign later, but in all seriousness I was very much against the decision to go to war with Iraq the 2nd time around. However, now that we have entered, the utterly moronic stance that we need to leave at once is just tragic. While I completely agree that the loss of even one life is absolutely horrible, this is not another Vietnam. We used to lose in one day in Vietnam what we have lost during the entire 2nd Iraq involvement so chill out on that comparison. It is not a pleasant situation but we got ourselves into it and now we have to bear the consequences of our actions. Hopefully this will make us think about what we do before we do it, but I am grasping at this faint hope. Anywho, I don’t like the fact that there are bombs over Baghdad, so what I am really hoping for is that the loss of life is very minimal from here on out so we can celebrate the day when our boys are back in town. (damn that was cheesy, yet I liked it)
Boys of Summer – Don Henley v. Bombtrack – Rage Against the Machine – Bombtrack is a solid yet uninspiring offer from Rage, certainly not up to par with some of their finer work. Boys of Summer has a certain Miami Vice vibe to it, and I find that amusing. A song that puts a smile on my face for that reason, it wins here.
Braveheart Theme v. Born as Ghosts – Rage Against the Machine – I have this thing for celtic music and bagpipes (I’m Irish, so I also like Guinness and kicking the crap out of you for disagreeing with me). Braveheart has it, Born as Ghosts doesn’t, makes the choice pretty simple.
Born in the U.S.A. – Bruce Springsteen v. Break on Through – The Doors – Wow, that’s no fun, another powerhouse matchup here in the early rounds. The Doors were quite the artistic genius band and should be recognized for their contributions for rock. As for my life, the Born in the USA video was very instrumental in my childhood as I would stand and hold up my “torch” doing my best Statue of Liberty impression. See, even at a young age I loved America and this song played a large part in searing red, white, and blue into my brain.
Born of a Broken Man – Rage v. Break Up Day – The Starting Line – I am much more willing to freely admit to being born of a broken man than I would reminisce about a break up day. Titles play the key role here, forget the music, neither song is that good, haha.
Born on the Bayou – CCR v. Breakdown – Tantric – Two very distinct voices in our lead singers here. John Fogarty and his raspy, almost Gilbert Gottfried like sound which is undeniably brilliant and Hugo Ferreira who has that deep almost goth-like creepiness. In this song it bears resemblance to a more melodic Alice in Chains and if you know me, you know I do enjoy my Alice in Chains. In a close one, Breakdown wins.
Born to Be Wild – Steppenwolf v. Breakdown – Tom Petty – Born to Be Wild is a classic and just cuts to the core of you from the beginning onward. Tom Petty’s Breakdown is not one of my favorite offerings of his. It is a very solid song, but Mr. Petty has so much deeper brilliance to offer that I do not feel so bad knocking this song out early.
Born to Run – Bruce Springsteen v. Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Deep Blue Something – The title track of a classic album up against a one hit wonder. This one hit wonder packs a punch though, but unfortunately is no match for the Boss.
Bosko Groove – Stepanian v. Breakfast for Two – Country Joe McDonald – This is a very interesting matchup as I really could not remember how I came across these two songs originally. It is like in my baseball card collection I had as a kid when you would buy those random assortments of cards and then not really look at them and then a few years later wonder how in the hell you have baseball cards from the early 80s when you started collecting in 1988. I assume Country Joe was from my Vietnam War Class when I got introduced to his music thru a video I watched in that class. Bosko Groove I really cannot explain, it’s a good driving song and reminds me of that cheap knock off chocolate syrup Bosco. Funny stuff, it moves on.
Boss DJ – Sublime v. Breaking Down – Mest – Breaking Down is just catchier, that’s all….and sometimes catchy is ok…
Bossman – Lucky Boys Confusion v. Breakout – Foo Fighters – Haha, another classic Mustang feat here. There was a time right after I graduated college that I was returning to Champaign approximately three times a week to visit and tie up loose ends at #19, of which the era had crumbled massively at this point (hey, if the Roman Empire can collapse, #19 was bound to at some point, the key is to always remember and live out the dreams of it). Well by this time the only thing that worked in my car was the radio, and on the drive to Champaign the radio stations are not stellar, so I would listen to my crazy old school pre-iPod MP3 player. Bossman was on this and I would sing it oh so loudly, it kept my sanity, and kept me occupied when I wasn’t on the phone while driving, since that is unsafe right?
Bottom – TOOL v. Breathe – Anna Nalick – My affection for female singer/songwriters going up against my strong inner urge to rock out. TOOL is incredible and tends to do well, this is no exception.
Bounce – System of a Down v. Breathe – Collective Soul – I want you all to listen to the song Bounce, and just feel the raw energy in the song, and then try to tell me what it is about. I love songs like that, although I think it mentions the term “pogo stick” a few too many times, but I can deal with that since the burst of energy is so great.
Breathing Deep – 504 Plan v. Bullet In the Head – Rage Against the Machine – Tom Morello does some wicked cool things on the guitar in a lot of Rage songs and this one is no exception. This I enjoy far too much I think, but for now, it moves on….
Brena – A Perfect Circle v. Bullet the Blue Sky – U2 – Another battle of heavyweights here with A Perfect Circle facing off against U2. Joshua Tree should and will be remembered as an icon album for all history to remember and enjoy, Bullet the Blue Sky is an underrated song on this album. The White Sox used it as a theme for one of their years, not the year they won the World Series but hey, can’t do everything right all the time I guess. Bullet the Blue Sky takes it here cuz it just feels right.
Bullet With Butterfly Wings – Smashing Pumpkins v. Brian Wilson – Barenaked Ladies – You know, when I first heard about BNL I was a little eyebrow-raisy, like wait a minute, is it a band of barenaked ladies, cuz what an amazing concept. When I found out it was a bunch of fat guys who were not only fat but pervs, I guess I was ok with it, but really upset at the misnomer. Couple that with the fact that Bullet With Butterfly Wings is a masterpiece and you know the choice here.
Brick – Ben Folds Five v. Bulls on Parade – Rage Against the Machine – Dammit all, we aren’t making it any easier for Mr. Folds. Bulls on Parade was the first song that turned me on to Rage. But Brick is an incredibly emotional song that isn’t often played in concerts anymore because it really takes an emotional toll on Ben Folds. For a song that received quite the airplay and a song that I am sure he has played a million times on tour and such must take a lot out of him. He will move on in a small effort to repay him for the brilliance that he has and has shared with us all. You should listen to Brick and tell me if you can feel the cold, crisp air like when you get in your car in winter and the entire landscape is white or gray. Everytime I hear this song I feel that and everytime the weather is like that I think of that song. It’s uncanny.
Brick House – Commodores v. Buried Myself Alive – The Used – I am sorry I just cannot take Lionel Richie seriously. That cheesy mustache? The way he treats his daughter Nicole? Dancing on the Ceiling? Lay off the paint thinner my friend. Buried Myself Alive was a theme of the #19 on wheels in C-loss, so it has a special place in my heart, and liver I would think…
Bring Me To Life – Evanescence v. Burndt Jamb – Weezer – Alright, since I have become secure in my self, let me paint you a picture. I drank a bit much one night and my roomies and I decided to blast music at a deafening level throughout our building. One of the songs on the playlist was Bring Me To Life, which we started to sing along with. I felt the need to stand on a milkcrate while singing it. I cannot imagine anything more masculine than that, thank god I was holding a beer in each hand or else I would have to turn in my Man Card…
Broadway – Goo Goo Dolls v. Burnin Both Ends of the Night – Garth Brooks – I can see why Garth was such a concert draw, he really tries to put on a show, at least in the videos he has of his live performances, since I do not think I would pay approx. $7 million dollars to go to one of his shows. However, you cannot mess with lyrical brilliance, which the Goo Goo Dolls hit here again with “it always rains like hell on the loser’s day parade” Because of this I am now offering to hold loser’s day parades whenever they ask, because hey, everyone deserves a parade, rain or shine.
Broken Home – Papa Roach v. Burning Bridges – Collective Soul – Well I dunno why I have this criticism for Papa Roach and not Everclear, but here goes: Dude, shut up about the rough childhood, yeah your parents are divorced, cue the waa-fest. Get over it, you are not in the minority and many of us go thru the same things you do. Burning Bridges sounds like one of those good soundtracks on a movie that has a character who gets all introspective and makes some massive change to his/her life, I have always enjoyed songs like that, somewhat inspiring with good and bad feelings to be taken from it. Depth is a good thing.
Brown Eyed Girl – Everclear v. Burning Down the House – Talking Heads – ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!! I remember when the video for Brown Eyed Girl came out and Art of Everclear told us about a special surprise at the end of the video and how it was a twist on the original. The twist was this dude was stalking this brown eyed girl AND IT WAS HIS SISTER. I literally thought about throwing up after seeing this, then I at least gave credit for choosing a stunning brown eyed girl at least in Marla Sokoloff. That coupled with the fact that Burning Down the House is a lovely 80s song made the choice easy here.
Brown Eyed Girl – Less Than Jake v. Bury Me – Smashing Pumpkins – Less Than Jake is always a band to bump up the energy a few notches in a song, but with Brown Eyed Girl its like they try too hard to make it hardcore and fast and it just doesn’t work for me. Bury Me is a straightforward Smashing Pumpkin sounding song. Good hard rockin and it doesn’t sound contrived.
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison v. Bushleaguer – Pearl Jam – Despite referring to things as “Bush League” recently to demean or make fun of them, you can’t mess with the original Brown Eyed Girl which is obviously so important that so many bands feel the need to cover it. The original did it best though, so let’s just enjoy it and stop fucking with it please.
Bubbletoes – Jack Johnson v. Busted Stuff – DMB – See, if the would have gone with the name “She My Bitch” for this song maybe Dave would have a chance. Alas, Bubbletoes is the better song overall with the better title.
Butterfly – Weezer v. Buddy Holly – Weezer – Two phenomenal songs by a phenomenal band. The luck of the draw here huh. Well I have mentioned my preference for Pinkerton as the supreme Weezer album. That comes into play here. Buddy Holly has an amazing video that includes a Happy Days motif complete with the Fonz dancing. That comes into play here. Lyrical brilliance appears in both songs. Butterfly just feels more right to me here, more beautiful than just sheer sexy. That seems to be the way to go.
Buffalo Soldier – Bob Marley v. Buzzing – Howie Day – Hey, did you see the Behind the Music for Bob Marley, I remember when it came out a group of my friends talked about it for quite a while leading up to it. They smoked some serious stuff there though, I have never seen thicker smoke than the video clips from that show. If that’s what he had to do to create such amazing music then hey, you gotta do what you gotta do I guess, cuz the music is brilliant.
Build Me Up Buttercup – Temptations v. Cadillac – Mest – Look, if you want a sing-a-long you cannot argue with Build Me Up, but you want a more fun song to have as background music you cannot argue with Cadillac. Cadillac is more versatile, and moves on.
Bulimic – The Used v. Cailin – Unwritten Law – If you listened to this song when Unwritten Law had their commercial success of Elva, you would never imagine that Cailin had radio play 10 years earlier. Perseverance pays off boys, you get the nod here.

Round II

Bodyrock over Boast – Never underestimate the power of Star-shaped sunglasses
Bohemian Rhapsody over Boys Are Back in Town – Headbanging lives on…
Boys of Summer over Braveheart Theme – Vice City Vice City Vice City!!!
Born in the USA over Born of a Broken Man – I am standing holding my imaginary torch now
Born to Be Wild over Breakdown
Born to Run over Bosko Groove – I wonder if it was called Hershey’s Groove if that would have helped?
Bossman over Breaking Down – the Power of the Mustang is felt…
Bounce over Bottom
Bullet the Blue Sky over Bullet in the Head – Yeah, I would totally choose the blue sky as the destination for the bullet too
Bullet with Butterfly Wings over Brick – Ben Folds just runs into a wall again…damn…
Buried Myself Alive over Bring Me to Life – I wasn’t too attached to the milk crate..
Broadway over Burning Bridges – seriously call me if you want a parade, ill make it happen
Burning Down the House over Bury Me – Never Underestimate 80s brilliance
Bubbletoes over Brown Eyed Girl
Butterfly over Buffalo Soldier
Cailin over Cadillac

Sweet Sixteen

Bohemian Rhapsody over Bodyrock
Born in the USA over Boys of Summer
Born to Run over Born to Be Wild
Bossman over Bounce
Bullet With Butterfly Wings over Bullet The Blue Sky
Broadway over Buried Myself Alive
Bubbletoes over Burning Down the House
Butterfly over Cailin

Elite Eight

Born in the USA over Bohemian Rhapsody – Power bracket here, wow. I think I had to give extra points based on the longevity of my love affair with Born in the USA. Had I been aware of Queen and Bohemian Rhapsody earlier maybe things would have been different, but here we are, and here we go.
Bossman over Born to Run – Could we really have two Springsteen songs in the final four? No sorry, more emotional attachment and just a more fun song musically to listen to with Bossman
Bullet With Butterfly Wings over Broadway – No contest here, which is scary for an elite eight matchup
Butterfly over Bubbletoes – Butterfly is making quite a thunderous impact on this bracket for being such a mild sounding song.

Final Four

Born in the USA over Bossman – I will defer to the longevity factor and staying power of the impact Born in the USA still holds over me, and yes my arm is getting tired from raising the imaginary torch.
Bullet with Butterfly Wings over Butterfly – The interesting run Butterfly made thru the bracket comes to an end getting clobbered by the brilliance of Smashing Pumpkins.

Final Two

Bullet With Butterfly Wings over Born in the USA – I played the longevity card too many times, haha. Bullet With Butterfly Wings also came on the scene just about when music becomes the way of life for teenagers. To be able to grow up with great songs like Born in the USA is special, but to be able to claim rebellion and teenage angst songs like Bullet With Butterfly Wings as the songs of my generation, now that’s just magic, and you can’t argue with that.