WE ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES FOR FUEL ECONOMY, TOO: We tackle a fictional redesign of the EPA’s sorta loackluster “new” fuel economy window stickers for AOL’s Translogic Blog. I mean, hell, at least let me take a crack at some new icons for this stuff? Here’s a first stab at some.

So does Script and Seal. As well as an offering by Grid, LLC. Good clean fun.

I’m in the market for a new rig, so I’ve been “lurking in car lots” some. Stickers play this game with you. They don’t deliver the info in a quick, clean way. Sure, all the features are there, patiently listed in monospaced dot matrix fonts, but…what if…they actually told you the shit you needed to know right away.

- This rig costs this much. No hassle. No riff raff. This much.
- This rig saves you this much on gas.
- This rig is good or bad for the world. Or, a step in the right direction.
- This rig fits a large man.
- This rig works.

MSRP this, Dealer Invoice that…convoluted and buried…and you walk away shaking yer head, still not entirely sure “what it’s gonna take to get you behind the wheel.” I think about this stuff all the time. Design can be a good communicator. That’s it’s job, automakers.

Open Letter: “Hey America, specifically the bigwigs of the EPA: Things don’t have to suck.”

And one more: “Dear Whoever Designed Up The Ford Taurus: Find a new line of work.”

Wait, check out the new Taurus. Wow. Not bad! There’s hope, we’d guess.

(Thank you to Translogic’s Adam Morath for believing in us. Much appreciated.)

- - - -

NOTHING TO DO WITH “BEER PONG”: Right now, some over-priviledged rat wakes up in Eugene, downs an energy drink and rallies his future taxpayer roommates out of their slumber to get the day going. Hours, afternoons, weeks go by…all spent trying to get a ping pong ball, off a bounce, into a cup of beer. Or, that bean bag toss shit they play. Good shit for a resumé. Whatever the case, that’s what’s going down right now as these words go to press, and, like they give a fuck that the Flaming Lips are playing in their rented town tonight? They don’t. They’re waiting for Umphrey’s Magee or Jack Johnson or whateverthefuck act coming next week. Our speculation.

I don’t know where I’m going with this, but I know this: We’re going to see those goddamned Flaming Lips tonight down in Eugene, Oregon, and all you meathead jocks better stay the hell outta our way.

- - - -

KICKSTART IT, READERS: The Indie Cred Test book. Plus, in a twist of fate, the incomparable Jesse Ledoux from Ledouxville Enterprises signed on to the project, so that means this, simply put: Awesome illustrations! This one is going to rip. Our hunch. 15 days left to Kickstart the shit out of it, and save rock music forever!

- - - -

NICK EVANS HAS A GOOD EYE FOR THIS SHIT: Here’s a couple gems closely related to the “Washing Powder” category.

- - - -

LEARN FROM THE OLD WAYS: Steven Gerety, thanks for sending in this “Baby Daisy Vacuum Cleaner” sticker. “Entirely British.” Entirely great. Old wood, ornate type, patina, and one of the meanest “No2” ligatures we’ve seen in a good while. Thanks!

- - - -

TURN IT UP, LOUD:

01. Flaming Lips - Hear It Is
02. Flaming Lips - Oh My Gawd!!!!
03. Flaming Lips - Telepathic Surgery
04. Flaming Lips - In A Priest Driven Ambulance
05. Flaming Lips - Hit To Death In The Future Head
06. Flaming Lips - Transmissions From The Satellite Heart
07. Flaming Lips - Clouds Taste Metallic
08. Flaming LIps - Zaireeka
09. Flaming Lips - The Soft Bulletin
10. Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
11. Flaming Lips - At War With The Mystics
12. Flaming Lips - Embryonic