El Dorado

The long-awaited (at least for me) Death Cab for Cutie album "Kintsugi" finally arrived today. Since three of the 11 songs were released as singles pror, the album was not a total mystery. With the angsty breakup music contained within the album (thanks Zooey) it is a must listen for any Death Cab fan. It does not quite live up to "Transatlanticism," but songs like "El Dorado" put it on par with any of the best work that Death Cab has done in the past.

Not too many photos this week, but I have eight, and a few more will be on the way next week. Spring sports are already under way, and it has been nice outside (60 today).

Little Falls sophomore Lauren Thielman heaves the shot put at the March 19 indoor trials in Foley.

Thielman watches as her throw travels.

Bailey Boser leaps over a hurdle at the CMC indoor meet at SCSU, March 20.

Pierz junior Jonny Kasper bumps the pole with his calf in the high jump.

Holdingford and Pierz hurdlers step for step early on in the race in St. Cloud.

Pioneers senior Robbie Skiba during his heat of the hurdles.

Royalton junior thrower Tyler Hellickson launches a shot last Tuesday.

Royalton and Pierz sprinters take off in the 55-meter dash in Foley on Tuesday.

Falconry

One of New York's finest spitters, Action Bronson, recently released his second studio album, "Mr. Wonderful." It is as advertised, simply wonderful. I like the simple, repetitive beats, the great guest stars and the smooth flow of Bronson. No song quite exemplifies this as "Falconry," featuring Meyhem Lauren and Big Body Bes.

I will have several track and field photos next week, but I only have one from some practice photos for this week.

Pierz senior Jessica Hawks demonstrates strong form during a practice, March 17.

How Much A Dollar Cost

Anytime a rapper can rework a song to sound like a Radiohead song, I can roll with that. Kendrick Lamar's track "How Much A Dollar Cost" sounds eerily similar to "Pyramid Song" off of Radiohead's "Amnesiac." The entire "How to Pimp a Butterfly" is filled with samples and guest stars, and is, to say the least, a little out there. I'd rather Lamar stick to the vein of his previous album than try and stretch limits like Kanye. Though a lot of people think he is on Yeezus' level, he isn't there yet. Good effort though.

I'm working on wrapping up winter sports with my All-Area teams. Wrestling will be in the paper this week, and basketball will be next week. I also have my first track meets (one is a time trial) tomorrow and Friday. I'll have pictures from that eventually. Pictures from the final basketball game (Upsala/Royalton girls) and some softball practice photos are below.

Kendra Pohlman, a Flyers senior, warms up in the gym March 10.

Jordan Bzdok gets in some swings during soft toss at a practice March 11 in Royalton.

Royalton junior point guard Beth Cimenski tries to drive by Upsala senior Danica Cheney.

Upsala forward Katlin Welinski (left) pulls down a rebound away from Royalton's Brandi Kloss.

Amy Hoover gets past Upsala's Sara Herzog (No. 12) and Cheney.

Welinski fights with Royalton's Madi Rudolph for a loose ball in the paint.

Welinski guards an inbound by Royalton senior Haley Olson.

Cheney grabs Olson, but a foul was not called.

Something's Gotta Give

The All Time Low single "Something's Gotta Give" has me really excited for the bands upcoming album "Future Hearts," which is set to release April 7. I will probably have another song then, but I'd be surprised if much is better than "Something's Gotta Give." It is pure All Time Low, and a really good song.

I had a nice weekend decompressing, as the winter sports season is finally done. Spring has sprung, however, and the sports will be starting before long. Spring sports are really frustrating too, because the weather dictates them, and spring in Minnesota can range from below zero temps, a foot of snow or 80 degrees and sunshine, with everything else in between a possibility as well. Hopefully this spring is a good one.

Anyways, I have many pictures from state wrestling and playoff basketball to share from Feb. 26-March 2.

Pierz junior Aaron Weber draws the contact of Staples Motley's John Lund in a quarterfinal game, Feb. 26.

Pioneers senior Nick Herold goes to the rack on a fast break.

Pierz junior Michael Meyer drills a corner three in the win over Staples Motley.

Weber fires an open three.

Weber tries an elbow jumper in the first half.

Reese Kapsner points out into the Xcel Energy Center shortly before the team competition, Feb. 26 for Pierz.

Lane Girtz clutches the shoe of Jake Larkin of West Central Area (WCA) in the consolation semifinals, Feb. 26.

Austin Gall wrestles Frazee's Tanner Tapper in the opening round of the state team tournament.

Teddy Dehler gains valuable back points against Frazee wrestler Alex Splonskowski.

Kolton Eischens tears down Frazee wrestler Isaac Schermerhorn in the opening round at 152 pounds.

Eischens is in good control of the arm here.

Eischens fights as Schermerhorn has him in a tough spot.

Eischens gets a good hold of Schermerhorn's leg.

Girtz clutches to Frazee's 145 wrestler Austin Skillings.

Reese Kapsner fights in the 106-pound match against Tanner Schermerhorn.

Kyle Lange wrestles against Lake Crystal's

Nate Neitzel in the opening round, Feb. 27.

Brad Kroll takes down Tanner Bachmann of Frazee in the opening round at 160 pounds.

Brandon Ortman clutches to the hand of AJ Schmidt at 120 pounds.

Ortman puts more pressure on Schmidt.

Swanville point guard Emily Beseman travels down court in a March 2 play-in game against Onamia.

Swanville senior Stephanie Koetter scores two of 28 points.

Smoke is illuminated by a controlled DNR fire less than a mile north of Swanville off of Highway 28.

A better look of the fire and the scorched earth.

Flames engulf a ditch just feet off Hwy 28.

Jeffrey Halverson, an Upsala senior, passes the ball past Swanville's Bennett Primus, Feb. 28 in Little Falls.

Swanville senior Austin Johnson squeaks past Upsala defender Keith Ripplinger.

Junior Jordan Sales makes a move in the post.

Tyler Evans fires a pass up court.

Trampled Under Foot

A remastered version of one of the best Led Zepplin albums, 1975's "Physical Graffiti," came out Feb. 24, and I have listened to it several times. The sound is crisp and modern, and it honestly feels like they are recording right around you. Not to mention, songs like "Trampled Under Foot" can still give the listener chills. It's that good.

Been so busy the past couple weeks, so I missed a blog entry. Here are two weeks worth of photos, more than 30 of them:

Little Falls' Braden Backowski skates with the puck in a season-ending playoff loss to Cathedral.

Flyers senior Aaron Orth chases down a Cathedral player..

Alec Stark (right) and Daniel Marod attempt to help goaltender Gunner Boser fend off a goal scoring chance by the Crusaders.

Boser stops the puck and it floats between his pads.

Cathedral's Leo Lommel shoots.

Pierz senior Kendra Fischer in a game against Maple Lake.

Shelbie Boser delivers a pass from mid-air.

Fischer makes a move to the basket.

Talyre Boser delivers a pass on her tiptoes.

Kayla Carter shoots in the post.

Royalton-Upsala's Damion Theisen wrestles at section individuals Feb. 20 in Pierz.

Andrew Tomala wrestles at 132 pounds.

Brandon Ortman puts on the pressure.

Ortman goes for the pin.

Holdingford's James Welle fights from the bottom.

Haleigh Sales leaps in defense against Upsala's Katlin Welinski.

Swanville senior Danica Hanson tries to block Upsala's Danica Cheney.

The ball ricochets out of bounds and off the wall, and Emily Beseman (No. 10), Sara Herzog and Sales (No. 12) look on.

Jeffrey Halverson tries to block Swanville's Jordan Sales (No. 24).

Jeremy Halverson defends Bulldogs junior Carter Loven.

Sam Mettler is fouled by Upsala's Dylan Wudinich (No. 1) and Kyle Soltis.

Mettler is blocked by Jeremy Halverson.

Jeremy Halverson watches a Tyler Evans shot.

Holdingford assistant coach Zach Zierden looks a bit frustrated.

Billy Winkelman is excited after a pin at 285 pounds.

Axel Lange gets a palm to the forehead.

Lane Rutten I think?

Add caption

Devon Nelson on top.

Jalen Jensen tries to bridge out of trouble.

Zach Scott grabs Tomala.