In most of my conversations about music (that aren't focused on Kings of Leon!) I tend to be discussing bands that a good percentage of the mainstream have at least heard of, some of which have received great critical and commercial success. Although I have many "indie" favorites and pride myself on being rather diverse and objective when it comes to musical taste, I am not afraid to admit I like some of the more popular and radio friendly acts either; it balances out my palate I guess you could say.
In 1991 I recall hearing an artist that had just signed on to a major label record deal and was getting a decent amount of radio airplay, only to find himself less than 10 years later playing tiny, smoke filled blues clubs to a room full of fifty people. At the time, I thought what I was hearing was just a great new southern and folk flavored rock and roller, but it turns out I was listening to a legend in the making...a legend few people have ever heard. No, no I am not talking about Jeff Buckley, although he was certainly a massive talent and an artist that makes me want to cry every time I hear him play, especially knowing I never got to see him live. Jeff lost his life in a brief moment fueled with a bad decision, alcohol (reportedly) and the furious backwater channels of the Mississippi. Chris Whitley, however, died a much slower and deliberate death, but not without leaving as treasure chest of brilliant music behind.
When Chris Whitley hit the scene in 1991, he was riding a wave that included his "Kick the Stones" track being featured in Thelma and Louise. More specifically, the part where Brad Pitt has his way with Geena Davis, in one of his first big on screen parts. Whitley released his stellar debut, "Living With the Law" that same year and it was met with a great deal of critical acclaim and some steady radio play. The first single, "Big Sky Country" was in heavy rotation for awhile, and can still often be heard in everything from supermarket background music to pre-show tracks at various rock and roll shows. The album featured a beautiful blend of high energy, southern-flavored blues rockers to slow tempo, melancholy ballads. "I Forget You Everyday" and "Look What Love Has Done" are surely tunes that any good singer/songwriter, infected with the blues, would have loved to pen. "Poison Girl" and the aforementioned "Kick the Stones" are straightforward rockers that deliver on so many levels, especially vocally, as Chris really showed what great tone and range he had on this debut album. His magic, however, really was in his slower, bluegrassy, even folk-esque tunes like the title track "Living With the Law", which is to this day is in my top 10 songs of all time. Ever. Right along with the CD of the same name...
I was fortunate enough to see Chris Whitley 3 times. The first performance was in 1991 right after "Living With the Law" came out and was a performance that was packed and enthusiastic. I was awestruck with Chris's soulful guitar playing and unique voice, and immediately became a megafan. It was the later performances, after Whitley had released the fantastic CD's "Din of Ecstasy", "Terra Incognita" and the brilliantly simple "Dirt Floor" that really captured my soul, however. Chris had evolved from a talented and slightly off-beat mainstream rock performer to a haunting figure of a bluesman, with cigarette always in hand or mouth, and just belting out emotionally charged folky/bluegrass numbers that chilled to the bone. The show following the release of "Dirt Floor" in particular was really amazing as the CD was recorded with one mic in a barn up in VT, and although it sounded far less "produced" than earlier recordings, it was pure magic in terms of emotional and musical majesty. Hearing songs from the disk like "Wild Country", "Accordingly" and "Loco Girl" live were like being inside the album and experiencing the very heart of the song, just as it had been intended to be heard.
As years passed, Chris continued to release CD's on the the Independent label Messenger 9among others), and performed mainly a set of stripped down tracks from his collection of exceptional music, mostly with just him and his guitar...which was all that he needed. I sadly never made it back to a Chris Whitley show after the few I saw in the 90's, and was truly saddened when I learned he died of Lung Cancer in November of 2005. Chris was a longtime smoker, and also battled other addictions and demons, but it was the lungs, the very things that helped him bring forth such powerful and moving vocals, that finally gave out on him. In his far-too-short career, Chris was praised heavily by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Don Henley, John Mayer, Dave Matthews and Keith Richards. Dave Matthews, according to a quote on Wikipedia, even went so far to say "I feel more passion for his music than I do for my own. I have a fervent, religious devotion to the magic that Chris Whitley makes". He was an enormous talent, without question and his devotion and perfection of his craft is sorely missed.
If you want to check out a great blend and variety of his music, take a listen to the song suggestions below (and I tagged some of you I thought mike like him) If you're a fan of the blues and great singer/songwriters, then Chris Whitley is sure to be a favorite, as he will certainly always be of mine.
"Living With the Law", "Big Sky Country", "Poison Girl", "Kick the Stones", "I Forget You Every Day", "Look What Love Has Done", "Dust Radio", "Wild Country", "Accordingly", "Loco Girl", "Narcotic Prayer", "Automatic", "Weightless", "Immortal Blues", "Alien", "Cool Wooden Crosses", "O God My Heart Is Ready" & "Hellhound On My Trail" (Cover).
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Flight 1549 and "The Feeling"
The plane crash in the icy waters of the Hudson Thursday will continue to be a big story for quite some time, as it should be. The stellar captain, Chelsey Sullenberger III, will likely go down as a national hero for his quick and innovative thinking and saving the lives of all on board; if ever praise was deserved, this is the individual to lavish it on. Although the miraculous landing and eventual survival of all on board is the real story here, I think what this event has the power to do is far greater than simply make us all feel proud, if not a little warm and fuzzy. In fact, I think it has the power to help this entire country turn a much needed corner.
There's no question that the election of Barrack Obama has ignited a fire among a lot of Americans. There are inaugural parties scheduled all over the country, countless thousands of people will flock to the actual event and even in the downtrodden economy and icy grip that has it's hold on the US, many folks are just excited and even proud to see this guy take office next week. Myself, I am cautiously optimistic, as I am not a fan of any politician, which Obama has already shown himself to be at times. However, he does bring a certain "newness" to the office, and he has shown he's willing to work with members of both parties so I am going to give him my support and hope that he lives up to his promise, and also let's me keep most of what I earn for a living. The start of the Obama administration, however, will not be enough to pull the country out of the grips of recession and despair. Almost half the country voted for the "other guy", many people have lost their jobs or are in fear of losing it, a great deal of people no longer have their homes and some people just don't feel like being in a good mood in general, so how can we as a nation turn this thing around? I think the "Miracle on the Hudson" could be the real catalyst.
It doesn't matter who you voted for, or what your political ideologies are or if you believe in God or if you hold secular views of the world. It matters not if you lost your job last week or found out your rent check bounced or if your child kept you up all night crying. The day could be filled with frigid temperatures and too-long drive-thru lines and slow moving bank tellers, but if you were one of the survivors of that US Air flight, you are now someone who truly understands the concept of "Life is Short". There are so many times in each of our days where we really feel like things are going horribly and that our minute problem or dilemma is all-encompassing and worthy of anger, frustration and contempt. Then, when you come to witness the very definition of an honest catastrophe, things are immediately put into perspective. The problem is that too often that perspective is lost with the onset of the next personal trauma. As human beings we're programmed to get a little selfish from time to time, and pain that is our own, whether mental or physical, minor or intense, can be overwhelming and hard to subvert. However, this "miracle" on the river in NYC should not only be a constant reminder to keep those daily traumas at bay, but also a vehicle to help us move this entire country back into prosperity and enthusiasm.
The job losses and economic slowdown that's occurring in this country right now is daunting, and there's a long road ahead to get things back on track for certain. I don't pretend to be so naive to think that the witnessing of an inspirational landing of a plane by a brave pilot can turn things around overnight, but I do think it presents us all with a unique opportunity to change the way we live our lives in the face of adversity. It's never been a secret that "glass half full" people are more successful and live generally happier lives. It's also no secret that Wall St. often runs on the engine of perception more so than that of actual financial data. If we as citizens were to honestly take a look at the events of US Air flight 1549 and let ourselves be not only inspired and impressed, but also intoxicated by it's grandeur, I think there's a distinct possibility we could pull ourselves out from this nightmare rather than hope things improve on their own or in the hands of those who helped facilitate some of this in first place. The simple act of choosing to be positive is a great start. When we're positive we tend to want to be around others and share this emotion, and often this leads to gathering at a local pub or restaurant which is certainly beneficial to the economy as a whole. Positive people tend to work not only harder but better, and increased productivity has never been a bad thing for an economy. It's really that simple, a turnaround of any kind will never be advanced on the backs of a pessimistic society.
I haven't stopped thinking about this flight since I saw the first images of it on TV. I want to grab the pilot and bear hug him, and I'd love to do the same to the flight crew. It's a story that makes you want to cling to who and what you love most and cherish what's best about the human spirit. It's this amazing "feeling" that's hard to describe, though tangible to so many. If feelings like these, on a national level, mixed with enthusiasm for a new leader taking his place in history, can't fuel the engines of recovery and abundance then I don't think anything could ever hope to.
I truly hope the feeling endures...
There's no question that the election of Barrack Obama has ignited a fire among a lot of Americans. There are inaugural parties scheduled all over the country, countless thousands of people will flock to the actual event and even in the downtrodden economy and icy grip that has it's hold on the US, many folks are just excited and even proud to see this guy take office next week. Myself, I am cautiously optimistic, as I am not a fan of any politician, which Obama has already shown himself to be at times. However, he does bring a certain "newness" to the office, and he has shown he's willing to work with members of both parties so I am going to give him my support and hope that he lives up to his promise, and also let's me keep most of what I earn for a living. The start of the Obama administration, however, will not be enough to pull the country out of the grips of recession and despair. Almost half the country voted for the "other guy", many people have lost their jobs or are in fear of losing it, a great deal of people no longer have their homes and some people just don't feel like being in a good mood in general, so how can we as a nation turn this thing around? I think the "Miracle on the Hudson" could be the real catalyst.
It doesn't matter who you voted for, or what your political ideologies are or if you believe in God or if you hold secular views of the world. It matters not if you lost your job last week or found out your rent check bounced or if your child kept you up all night crying. The day could be filled with frigid temperatures and too-long drive-thru lines and slow moving bank tellers, but if you were one of the survivors of that US Air flight, you are now someone who truly understands the concept of "Life is Short". There are so many times in each of our days where we really feel like things are going horribly and that our minute problem or dilemma is all-encompassing and worthy of anger, frustration and contempt. Then, when you come to witness the very definition of an honest catastrophe, things are immediately put into perspective. The problem is that too often that perspective is lost with the onset of the next personal trauma. As human beings we're programmed to get a little selfish from time to time, and pain that is our own, whether mental or physical, minor or intense, can be overwhelming and hard to subvert. However, this "miracle" on the river in NYC should not only be a constant reminder to keep those daily traumas at bay, but also a vehicle to help us move this entire country back into prosperity and enthusiasm.
The job losses and economic slowdown that's occurring in this country right now is daunting, and there's a long road ahead to get things back on track for certain. I don't pretend to be so naive to think that the witnessing of an inspirational landing of a plane by a brave pilot can turn things around overnight, but I do think it presents us all with a unique opportunity to change the way we live our lives in the face of adversity. It's never been a secret that "glass half full" people are more successful and live generally happier lives. It's also no secret that Wall St. often runs on the engine of perception more so than that of actual financial data. If we as citizens were to honestly take a look at the events of US Air flight 1549 and let ourselves be not only inspired and impressed, but also intoxicated by it's grandeur, I think there's a distinct possibility we could pull ourselves out from this nightmare rather than hope things improve on their own or in the hands of those who helped facilitate some of this in first place. The simple act of choosing to be positive is a great start. When we're positive we tend to want to be around others and share this emotion, and often this leads to gathering at a local pub or restaurant which is certainly beneficial to the economy as a whole. Positive people tend to work not only harder but better, and increased productivity has never been a bad thing for an economy. It's really that simple, a turnaround of any kind will never be advanced on the backs of a pessimistic society.
I haven't stopped thinking about this flight since I saw the first images of it on TV. I want to grab the pilot and bear hug him, and I'd love to do the same to the flight crew. It's a story that makes you want to cling to who and what you love most and cherish what's best about the human spirit. It's this amazing "feeling" that's hard to describe, though tangible to so many. If feelings like these, on a national level, mixed with enthusiasm for a new leader taking his place in history, can't fuel the engines of recovery and abundance then I don't think anything could ever hope to.
I truly hope the feeling endures...
Monday, January 12, 2009
Gran Torino
Clint Eastwood has become my favorite director, a place long held by Michael Mann. Sure, there are others I worship like Terrence Malick, Woody Allen and Scorcese, but up until recently Michael Mann was the dude for me. With Clint's latest effort, "Gran Torino", however, the 78 year old Icon has moved into the top spot for certain.
First off, let me just say that Gran Torino is NOT a perfect movie. It's peppered with a little too much "explanation dialogue" which can be an annoying cinematic device, it uses a few too many cliched lines in terms of the main character's (Clint) interaction with others and it's not the most powerful script I have ever seen laid out on screen. However, the sum total of it's parts is simply stunning, in a very understated way.
The basic plot of the film revolves around Clint Eastwood's "Walt Kowalsky", a recently widowed, racist Korean war vet that is a stubborn old codger with no use for political correctness, tact or basic compassion. He's living in the midst of a heavily populated "Hmong" neighborhood in Michigan and has no reservations about letting those folks know how he feels about them. Although the film moves in a fairly formulaic fashion at times and Eastwood blends parts of past characters like Dirty Harry and Josey Wales, it never feels recycled or stale. The story moves through some believable and traumatic occurrences smoothly and engagingly. For me, the film didn't succeed so well, however, based solely on the story alone, it was something simpler than that.
What makes Gran Torino so intriguing and beautiful to watch is the building relationship between Hank's neighbor "Thao", as well as his sister, especially in scenes where Eastwood is more rigid and confrontational. There's a humor that permeates the film throughout which could only be accomplished by Eastwoods demeanor AND the reactions, or lack thereof, of these Asian actors. I have heard some bemoan the "weak acting" by the kid who played Thao, and while he may not be DeNiro, I think his subtlety and lack of acting chops made him more engaging and fun to watch; if they had put a heavy hitting, known actor in that part in might not have worked so beautifully. The other aspect of Gran Torino that's so rewarding, entwined within the great humor, is it's honesty.
People in America, and undoubtedly other parts of the world, are so befuddled, perplexed and frightened by things they feel are "racist" that no one knows what to feel, think, say or act like in situations where there are mixed races anymore. One would hope that the nature of words spoken and language used would always be sensitive to historical and social mores, but in many ways it's gotten out of control. When I was growing up I had a number of pals that were of varying races and colors who had little reservation about "busting balls" with one another without ever being offensive. We called each other various "racial slurs" and odd versions of those slurs, among other things, all the while with a smile on on our face because we knew it was harmless and not meant to offend or damage. Gran Torino is saturated with this same kind of banter, (though fairly one-sided) and while some would call it alarming, shocking or offensive at times, and often it is, by the end of the film you'll likely come away from it with the same conclusion many have: Embracing one's differences, even joking about them, is a far better reality than avoiding them altogether, as at least you're interacting. Nothing breeds fear and contempt of the unknown more than the idle mind left to faulty influence.
Of course it's no shocker that Hank tones it down at the end and refrains from as many "chink" references as he did earlier in the film, as no Hollywood film is going to end with a guy like him not changing his ways at least somewhat. Yet, what's magical about this film is that in most of Hank's racist rants among his buddies or the Hmong neighbors, there's a sense of inclusion in it that's what leads him to open his mind and heart to these people he feared and loathed so long.
The story also follows Hank's resistance to confessing and repenting for his sins of years past, and deals with that in a way I found very satisfying, though some did not. Without spoiling the ending let me just say that Gran Torino is classic Eastwood tough guy film in many ways, but with the textured beauty of Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby, two of his other great directing jobs from this wonderful run in is 70's. It's funny and touching and dramatic and frightening all while being simplistic and rewarding. If I was to pick it apart scene by scene I could knock it here and there for this and that, but the film comes together as a whole brilliantly and will make you want to see it again. The actors that played Thao and his sister "Sue" were shining examples of what good character actors can do when just left alone to be natural and un-coached; they felt very real. The film is a fantastic piece of work from one of the great living legends in Hollywood, and although it may not win the Oscar, it certainly deserves to be in it's company.
Go see Gran Torino...and take a friend.
First off, let me just say that Gran Torino is NOT a perfect movie. It's peppered with a little too much "explanation dialogue" which can be an annoying cinematic device, it uses a few too many cliched lines in terms of the main character's (Clint) interaction with others and it's not the most powerful script I have ever seen laid out on screen. However, the sum total of it's parts is simply stunning, in a very understated way.
The basic plot of the film revolves around Clint Eastwood's "Walt Kowalsky", a recently widowed, racist Korean war vet that is a stubborn old codger with no use for political correctness, tact or basic compassion. He's living in the midst of a heavily populated "Hmong" neighborhood in Michigan and has no reservations about letting those folks know how he feels about them. Although the film moves in a fairly formulaic fashion at times and Eastwood blends parts of past characters like Dirty Harry and Josey Wales, it never feels recycled or stale. The story moves through some believable and traumatic occurrences smoothly and engagingly. For me, the film didn't succeed so well, however, based solely on the story alone, it was something simpler than that.
What makes Gran Torino so intriguing and beautiful to watch is the building relationship between Hank's neighbor "Thao", as well as his sister, especially in scenes where Eastwood is more rigid and confrontational. There's a humor that permeates the film throughout which could only be accomplished by Eastwoods demeanor AND the reactions, or lack thereof, of these Asian actors. I have heard some bemoan the "weak acting" by the kid who played Thao, and while he may not be DeNiro, I think his subtlety and lack of acting chops made him more engaging and fun to watch; if they had put a heavy hitting, known actor in that part in might not have worked so beautifully. The other aspect of Gran Torino that's so rewarding, entwined within the great humor, is it's honesty.
People in America, and undoubtedly other parts of the world, are so befuddled, perplexed and frightened by things they feel are "racist" that no one knows what to feel, think, say or act like in situations where there are mixed races anymore. One would hope that the nature of words spoken and language used would always be sensitive to historical and social mores, but in many ways it's gotten out of control. When I was growing up I had a number of pals that were of varying races and colors who had little reservation about "busting balls" with one another without ever being offensive. We called each other various "racial slurs" and odd versions of those slurs, among other things, all the while with a smile on on our face because we knew it was harmless and not meant to offend or damage. Gran Torino is saturated with this same kind of banter, (though fairly one-sided) and while some would call it alarming, shocking or offensive at times, and often it is, by the end of the film you'll likely come away from it with the same conclusion many have: Embracing one's differences, even joking about them, is a far better reality than avoiding them altogether, as at least you're interacting. Nothing breeds fear and contempt of the unknown more than the idle mind left to faulty influence.
Of course it's no shocker that Hank tones it down at the end and refrains from as many "chink" references as he did earlier in the film, as no Hollywood film is going to end with a guy like him not changing his ways at least somewhat. Yet, what's magical about this film is that in most of Hank's racist rants among his buddies or the Hmong neighbors, there's a sense of inclusion in it that's what leads him to open his mind and heart to these people he feared and loathed so long.
The story also follows Hank's resistance to confessing and repenting for his sins of years past, and deals with that in a way I found very satisfying, though some did not. Without spoiling the ending let me just say that Gran Torino is classic Eastwood tough guy film in many ways, but with the textured beauty of Mystic River and Million Dollar Baby, two of his other great directing jobs from this wonderful run in is 70's. It's funny and touching and dramatic and frightening all while being simplistic and rewarding. If I was to pick it apart scene by scene I could knock it here and there for this and that, but the film comes together as a whole brilliantly and will make you want to see it again. The actors that played Thao and his sister "Sue" were shining examples of what good character actors can do when just left alone to be natural and un-coached; they felt very real. The film is a fantastic piece of work from one of the great living legends in Hollywood, and although it may not win the Oscar, it certainly deserves to be in it's company.
Go see Gran Torino...and take a friend.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
The Wackness
I rented and watched "The Wackness" yesterday and it was better than I expected it to be. I had heard it was about a drug dealing High School kid who befriends a loony shrink that buys weed from him, and that's a decent enough summary of the film I suppose but what the movie is really about at it's core is the magnitude and ambiguity of one's first love.
As a kid, I was certain I was "in love" with my first crush, Leslie Hill, in Ellington CT at the age of 9. I went so far as to compose a letter to her, at my father's insisting (you gotta just go for it man!), and suffered the inevitable humiliation of her ignoring me like a red-afroed leper in the halls shortly after that. The next one I recall being infatuated with was Vicki Green around the time of sixth grade, who's decision to dance with me at a school event led me to believe she was in fact madly in love with me, when in actuality she just "wanted to be friends". I was crushed of course, but rebounded quickly and soon went on to have my first real girlfriend, a sweet girl from my Grandmother's church named Erin. Those couple years Erin and I "dated"-neither one of us having money, a car, any real motivation other than to make out and fondle each other every chance we got-were some of the most intense, horrifying, pleasurable, scary, and magical days of my life. The constant uncertainty of when and if we'd be able to continue seeing each other, the battles with parents, the lies, the games, the petty jealousy and the lust...it was all so overwhelming yet so utterly gratifying. I remember when it was finally over, after having moved farther away and starting a new school, that I was certain I'd never feel the same way about another girl in my life, and I was right...for about 3 days.
The Wackness deals more with the later part of adolescence, but in terms of the main character portrayed it's apparent that it's definitely his first love, and it does a great job of expressing the complex and seesawing emotions that go along with discovering that person. There's a part of you that becomes so consumed and infatuated with them that you feel like you'll literally die if you can't see them even hours after you just left their side. This longing blends with a constant fear that they'll decide you're not really all that great and be dating some other schmo the next day-it's really amazing that anyone even survives their teens.
In the film, the male character "Shapiro" discovers his first love, and without ruining the movie for you, experiences much of what I have described above, but does so while being involved in a number of other personal dramas, as much of us likely were when we fell in love for the first time as an adolescent. It does an excellent job of showing the complexities of relationships as we get older, all the while remaining hopeful. The movie ends on a good note, or at least an inspiring one, and speaks a lot to the idea that being in love, even as a teenager, is so vital to what comes later in life. As many times as I had my heart broken way back then, and did the same to others a few times unfortunately, I wouldn't change it for anything. There's an intricate and requisite part of one's soul and character that can only be formed by having been in love in those early years, and it only solidifies once the pain of losing that love has been thoroughly felt.
The Wackness isn't a perfect movie but it's thoughtful and honest and not sugary sweet, and it will likely rekindle emotions from many years ago, which is usually a good thing. It's also not a "chick flick", but I defy anyone to watch it and not feel a connection to it's characters and message.
As a kid, I was certain I was "in love" with my first crush, Leslie Hill, in Ellington CT at the age of 9. I went so far as to compose a letter to her, at my father's insisting (you gotta just go for it man!), and suffered the inevitable humiliation of her ignoring me like a red-afroed leper in the halls shortly after that. The next one I recall being infatuated with was Vicki Green around the time of sixth grade, who's decision to dance with me at a school event led me to believe she was in fact madly in love with me, when in actuality she just "wanted to be friends". I was crushed of course, but rebounded quickly and soon went on to have my first real girlfriend, a sweet girl from my Grandmother's church named Erin. Those couple years Erin and I "dated"-neither one of us having money, a car, any real motivation other than to make out and fondle each other every chance we got-were some of the most intense, horrifying, pleasurable, scary, and magical days of my life. The constant uncertainty of when and if we'd be able to continue seeing each other, the battles with parents, the lies, the games, the petty jealousy and the lust...it was all so overwhelming yet so utterly gratifying. I remember when it was finally over, after having moved farther away and starting a new school, that I was certain I'd never feel the same way about another girl in my life, and I was right...for about 3 days.
The Wackness deals more with the later part of adolescence, but in terms of the main character portrayed it's apparent that it's definitely his first love, and it does a great job of expressing the complex and seesawing emotions that go along with discovering that person. There's a part of you that becomes so consumed and infatuated with them that you feel like you'll literally die if you can't see them even hours after you just left their side. This longing blends with a constant fear that they'll decide you're not really all that great and be dating some other schmo the next day-it's really amazing that anyone even survives their teens.
In the film, the male character "Shapiro" discovers his first love, and without ruining the movie for you, experiences much of what I have described above, but does so while being involved in a number of other personal dramas, as much of us likely were when we fell in love for the first time as an adolescent. It does an excellent job of showing the complexities of relationships as we get older, all the while remaining hopeful. The movie ends on a good note, or at least an inspiring one, and speaks a lot to the idea that being in love, even as a teenager, is so vital to what comes later in life. As many times as I had my heart broken way back then, and did the same to others a few times unfortunately, I wouldn't change it for anything. There's an intricate and requisite part of one's soul and character that can only be formed by having been in love in those early years, and it only solidifies once the pain of losing that love has been thoroughly felt.
The Wackness isn't a perfect movie but it's thoughtful and honest and not sugary sweet, and it will likely rekindle emotions from many years ago, which is usually a good thing. It's also not a "chick flick", but I defy anyone to watch it and not feel a connection to it's characters and message.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Facebook, Smalltalk and Eye Stalkers
I had a discussion with a friend at dinner the other night about Facebook, a common topic of late. He and his wife have been rather resistant to signing on-they both work some pretty busy schedules-and I of course tried to give them every reason why they should, etc., etc. However, my buddy and his wife explained to me that it wasn't so much their busy schedule that prevented them from joining Facebook, but instead the fact that they just preferred to not have to speak with a lot more people than they already do day to day. Hey, I can totally understand that and I understand what they're saying, but I think they fail to realize the true beauty of Facebook and some of its fringe benefits. Let me explain...
First of all, as much as I am an outgoing, social guy, I generally HATE small talk. I hate it worse than I hate having to deal with Hodge's boring, often repetitive wall postings, but sometimes it's just a part of life. You're standing in line at Motor Vehicles or the Deli or the bank and you see that guy looking at you, you just know he wants to say something to you that's about as f**king relevant as what color underwear J Lo is wearing today (well, OK that could be mildly relevant). You try to avoid his stare but you accidentally lock eyes with him and it's "Hey, so you think this line could get any longer?". Now you're screwed, unless you want to pull the all time dick move of just totally ignoring him. I never do, though I wish I had the sack for it, "Yeah, pretty busy in here today," I reply. This usually sets off a chain reaction of mindless, pathetic and useless conversation that serves no purpose other than to keep the person who started it from feeling "left out" of life I suppose, and I guess that's why I always oblige, as much as I hate it.
Well, in the Facebook world, the wonderful thing is that first of all most of our "friends" are people that know each other at least a little bit. Sure there are those chicks that you friended at 3:00 am after searching "hot chick in Brazil" and somehow magically she said yes, but for the most part these are people you might actually want to speak to from time to time. However, even those you don't know very well are people that if you saw them in a bar/mall you'd probably be OK having a conversation with. So, here in the land of Facebook what you can do is have a combination of real and genuine conversations, and some that are just those same kinda mindless quick little anecdotal ones, but with people who generally aren't also possible serial killers!
Seriously though, my point is that what a utility like Facbook helps facilitate is staying connected. All too often we forget that just because we're busy with work, kids, jobs, hobbies, medical issues, money, sex(or lack of...sorry Jason!) or whatever, that almost everyone else out there is dealing with the same stuff day to day; we all have the same 24 hours in a day as the next person. As much as a little comment on someone's Status of "Hey, me too!" or "That's so funny" is not real dialogue or anything that will likely result in a deep discussion about Dada-ism or the Crusades, it's a sign that someone is paying attention and willing to be connected to you. Is it smalltalk? Of course, but it's absent of the oddness and unfamiliarity that so often goes hand in hand with the in-person variety, even when it's with someone you don't know very well. Do I really think that Mike Kreps cares what I am doing at every minute or that I think a particular tune is cool, etc? Probably not, though he seems like a great guy and will occasionally chime in on something I have to say. Does Neil Andrews want to come down to Glastonbury and drink Patron shots next weekend and talk about the Insurance industry? Very unlikely, but he still makes comments, as do I, on various shenanigans, and I like that. Will Debbie Quinn start weeping uncontrollably if I tell her I got my "stuff" caught in my zipper again the other day? No, though she should as it really f**king hurt! OK, so most people are going to laugh at this anyway, but what I am saying is that Facebook has created this intriguing second family of sorts that let's you stay connected to and in touch with, even on a superficial level at times, a great deal of people you wouldn't likely be communicating with. I find that fascinating and pretty enjoyable at times.
So, as for the "fringe benefits" of Facebook. Well, as much as I have focused this post on the casual small talk variety of conversation that goes on here, I really feel like it's also helped foster some decent friendships that either never existed or had fizzled for whatever reason. I know that people's children and families will always be, and should, the number one priority in their lives but I can't help think that a place like Facebook has helped a number of people, including myself, feel like there are more people out there in the world that feel like they matter and have friends that care about how they're doing and how they feel, etc. As much as I constantly hear the argument that Facebook/Texting/Email is causing a great disconnect among society I have to say I feel like it's actually the opposite. If I had not signed on to this site I would still have a decent amount of friends and I'd still be a nutjob, but I wouldn't have the same feeling of satisfaction as I do from having this "second family" around me at all times...even if half of them think I should be locked up!
As for my friend and his wife, well, they likely still wont sign on and that's OK. Facebook is not for everyone and not everyone wants to be connected. As much as I hate inane smalltalk I can't deny that the variety that exists on here is entertaining and strangely addicting. If that results in all of us never leaving our houses in 20 years then I guess this Social Networking thing will have failed but I honestly don't see that. I see a future where people will get back to wanting to meet new people and actually caring about what they might have to say, no matter how irrelevant or boring it may be. Hopefully it extends to the real world as well, and I have a feeling it might, and vice versa. Hell, maybe the guy at Panera who "eye stalked" me the other day until I nodded and he proceeded to tell me about his love of Bagels will have 50,000 friends on here by 2021! In the meantime, I am enjoying my 174.
First of all, as much as I am an outgoing, social guy, I generally HATE small talk. I hate it worse than I hate having to deal with Hodge's boring, often repetitive wall postings, but sometimes it's just a part of life. You're standing in line at Motor Vehicles or the Deli or the bank and you see that guy looking at you, you just know he wants to say something to you that's about as f**king relevant as what color underwear J Lo is wearing today (well, OK that could be mildly relevant). You try to avoid his stare but you accidentally lock eyes with him and it's "Hey, so you think this line could get any longer?". Now you're screwed, unless you want to pull the all time dick move of just totally ignoring him. I never do, though I wish I had the sack for it, "Yeah, pretty busy in here today," I reply. This usually sets off a chain reaction of mindless, pathetic and useless conversation that serves no purpose other than to keep the person who started it from feeling "left out" of life I suppose, and I guess that's why I always oblige, as much as I hate it.
Well, in the Facebook world, the wonderful thing is that first of all most of our "friends" are people that know each other at least a little bit. Sure there are those chicks that you friended at 3:00 am after searching "hot chick in Brazil" and somehow magically she said yes, but for the most part these are people you might actually want to speak to from time to time. However, even those you don't know very well are people that if you saw them in a bar/mall you'd probably be OK having a conversation with. So, here in the land of Facebook what you can do is have a combination of real and genuine conversations, and some that are just those same kinda mindless quick little anecdotal ones, but with people who generally aren't also possible serial killers!
Seriously though, my point is that what a utility like Facbook helps facilitate is staying connected. All too often we forget that just because we're busy with work, kids, jobs, hobbies, medical issues, money, sex(or lack of...sorry Jason!) or whatever, that almost everyone else out there is dealing with the same stuff day to day; we all have the same 24 hours in a day as the next person. As much as a little comment on someone's Status of "Hey, me too!" or "That's so funny" is not real dialogue or anything that will likely result in a deep discussion about Dada-ism or the Crusades, it's a sign that someone is paying attention and willing to be connected to you. Is it smalltalk? Of course, but it's absent of the oddness and unfamiliarity that so often goes hand in hand with the in-person variety, even when it's with someone you don't know very well. Do I really think that Mike Kreps cares what I am doing at every minute or that I think a particular tune is cool, etc? Probably not, though he seems like a great guy and will occasionally chime in on something I have to say. Does Neil Andrews want to come down to Glastonbury and drink Patron shots next weekend and talk about the Insurance industry? Very unlikely, but he still makes comments, as do I, on various shenanigans, and I like that. Will Debbie Quinn start weeping uncontrollably if I tell her I got my "stuff" caught in my zipper again the other day? No, though she should as it really f**king hurt! OK, so most people are going to laugh at this anyway, but what I am saying is that Facebook has created this intriguing second family of sorts that let's you stay connected to and in touch with, even on a superficial level at times, a great deal of people you wouldn't likely be communicating with. I find that fascinating and pretty enjoyable at times.
So, as for the "fringe benefits" of Facebook. Well, as much as I have focused this post on the casual small talk variety of conversation that goes on here, I really feel like it's also helped foster some decent friendships that either never existed or had fizzled for whatever reason. I know that people's children and families will always be, and should, the number one priority in their lives but I can't help think that a place like Facebook has helped a number of people, including myself, feel like there are more people out there in the world that feel like they matter and have friends that care about how they're doing and how they feel, etc. As much as I constantly hear the argument that Facebook/Texting/Email is causing a great disconnect among society I have to say I feel like it's actually the opposite. If I had not signed on to this site I would still have a decent amount of friends and I'd still be a nutjob, but I wouldn't have the same feeling of satisfaction as I do from having this "second family" around me at all times...even if half of them think I should be locked up!
As for my friend and his wife, well, they likely still wont sign on and that's OK. Facebook is not for everyone and not everyone wants to be connected. As much as I hate inane smalltalk I can't deny that the variety that exists on here is entertaining and strangely addicting. If that results in all of us never leaving our houses in 20 years then I guess this Social Networking thing will have failed but I honestly don't see that. I see a future where people will get back to wanting to meet new people and actually caring about what they might have to say, no matter how irrelevant or boring it may be. Hopefully it extends to the real world as well, and I have a feeling it might, and vice versa. Hell, maybe the guy at Panera who "eye stalked" me the other day until I nodded and he proceeded to tell me about his love of Bagels will have 50,000 friends on here by 2021! In the meantime, I am enjoying my 174.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
A Fantastic Weekend...With One Exception
So as many of you Facebookers have seen/heard, this weekend was my (and many others) 20 year High School reunion. With the help of Facebook, many of those folks that are not as outgoing (or uhh, totally deranged depending on how you look at it) as myself likely felt much more comfortable and relaxed at the event, and hopefully made some new friends they might never have imagined they would have had. In any case, it was a fantastic time for apparently all involved.
My plan for the reunion Saturday night was to talk to not only the "Facebookers" and old friends I had, but to make an effort to really reach out to and talk with those I didn't know in high School and some that, for whatever reason, might not have really liked me all that much (I know, it seems IMPOSSIBLE!). As much as I like to think I was always a swell guy and friendly to everyone, I know there were times back then that I wasn't as inclusive or welcoming to others as I should have been, though I don't feel I was ever outwardly mean; I just know High School was a time when all of us could have used more moments of inclusion and kindness. Well, I failed pretty miserably at this mission.
I did speak with a few people that are not on Facebook, and I exchanged some pleasantries with former classmates that I never really knew, but that was not the plan. The plan was to truly talk with everyone there, including their spouses/dates and really make a solid effort to not only recruit them to Facebook, but to get to know them and say "You know, I wish I had tried to get to know you back in High School". Hey, I am not an idiot, and I understand that maybe some people just won't gel well with my personality, now or then, and I don't have a misguided desire to be friends with every person I ever come in contact with, but I honestly wanted to do a better job than I did this weekend.
The whole event went by so fast, with the drinking and the madness with the always entertaining Jason Hodge, the scurrying around for after party plans, etc; it's understandable that I couldn't be expected to have long, deep conversations with everyone, but I wish I tried harder.
At the end of the day I know that everyone has their own families and friends, as do I, and not having me say hello and try to re-introduce myself to them will certainly not result in them losing sleep or living an unfulfilled life - I am not that self-absorbed to think I matter to anyone that much - I just think it would have been the right thing to do. At these events, many people (especially the shy ones and the spouses who scour the room desperate to see anyone they might know from another part of their lives so they can do something other than sit their by themselves...glancing repeatedly at their watch) just eat their food, smile and nod as others pass their table and try to put on a happy face but never have the courage to "make the move" and go out amongst the crowd and strike up a conversation - hey I am married to a classic example of this! So, I suppose in some way I feel, being blessed/cursed with an outgoing and unbridled personality, that I should be someone that makes the effort and tries to bring everyone together. Well, I didn't do as well as I would have liked and although it won't cause any lifelong scars to those that attended, it kinda bums me out now that it's over.
Overall, it was a fantastic and fun filled night, complete with the requisite Abare/Hodge mayhem and many wonderful pictures, conversations and stories. I hope all that attended had a great time and are looking forward to the next one, and I can assure you that come that next Reunion, whether I am stricken with laryngitis or 10 beers deep trying to outpace Hodge, I will have had a genuine conversation with everyone there...whether they like it or not!
My plan for the reunion Saturday night was to talk to not only the "Facebookers" and old friends I had, but to make an effort to really reach out to and talk with those I didn't know in high School and some that, for whatever reason, might not have really liked me all that much (I know, it seems IMPOSSIBLE!). As much as I like to think I was always a swell guy and friendly to everyone, I know there were times back then that I wasn't as inclusive or welcoming to others as I should have been, though I don't feel I was ever outwardly mean; I just know High School was a time when all of us could have used more moments of inclusion and kindness. Well, I failed pretty miserably at this mission.
I did speak with a few people that are not on Facebook, and I exchanged some pleasantries with former classmates that I never really knew, but that was not the plan. The plan was to truly talk with everyone there, including their spouses/dates and really make a solid effort to not only recruit them to Facebook, but to get to know them and say "You know, I wish I had tried to get to know you back in High School". Hey, I am not an idiot, and I understand that maybe some people just won't gel well with my personality, now or then, and I don't have a misguided desire to be friends with every person I ever come in contact with, but I honestly wanted to do a better job than I did this weekend.
The whole event went by so fast, with the drinking and the madness with the always entertaining Jason Hodge, the scurrying around for after party plans, etc; it's understandable that I couldn't be expected to have long, deep conversations with everyone, but I wish I tried harder.
At the end of the day I know that everyone has their own families and friends, as do I, and not having me say hello and try to re-introduce myself to them will certainly not result in them losing sleep or living an unfulfilled life - I am not that self-absorbed to think I matter to anyone that much - I just think it would have been the right thing to do. At these events, many people (especially the shy ones and the spouses who scour the room desperate to see anyone they might know from another part of their lives so they can do something other than sit their by themselves...glancing repeatedly at their watch) just eat their food, smile and nod as others pass their table and try to put on a happy face but never have the courage to "make the move" and go out amongst the crowd and strike up a conversation - hey I am married to a classic example of this! So, I suppose in some way I feel, being blessed/cursed with an outgoing and unbridled personality, that I should be someone that makes the effort and tries to bring everyone together. Well, I didn't do as well as I would have liked and although it won't cause any lifelong scars to those that attended, it kinda bums me out now that it's over.
Overall, it was a fantastic and fun filled night, complete with the requisite Abare/Hodge mayhem and many wonderful pictures, conversations and stories. I hope all that attended had a great time and are looking forward to the next one, and I can assure you that come that next Reunion, whether I am stricken with laryngitis or 10 beers deep trying to outpace Hodge, I will have had a genuine conversation with everyone there...whether they like it or not!
Monday, November 24, 2008
The Top 10 Albums of This Decade...So Far...In My Opinion!
OK OK, I know there's still a year left before we reach the next decade so really I should wait until the end of '09 until I publish this list, but I have a general idea of what's coming out (new U2, Springsteen, new GnR hasn't been fully reviewed by me yet, etc) next year and I'll just make adjustments as necessary when we hit Dec of '09. In the meantime, there are a number of fantastic CD's that have been released since 2000, some by new bands and some by legends, but all worth taking a serious look at if you haven't already. I will also post some "honorable mentions" at the end, and I am sure there will be many that people feel I have forgotten on underrated, so please remember this is simply MY OPINION and nothing else. I don't proclaim to be an expert in all things music, but I know what's good, and in the last 9 years this is what I think is the best of what's good:
10. TOOL - 10,000 Days
Tool is a band that I have had a bit of a love/hate relationship with over the years. I was one of the first people I know who listened to them, giving 1993's "Undertow" repeated playings and really becoming hypnotized by their odd sense of gloomy alterna-metal. However, the triumph that was Aenima in 1996 became so overplayed at pool halls and on the radio, that I actually grew to dislike the band rather feverishly. In the years since I have grown to enjoy that CD, along with their other releases, and no longer have the same indifference to their sound. However, when "10,000 Days" was released I not only became a big fan again but I was truly awestruck.
"Vicarious" alone, with it's too-long-really-for-regular-and-frequent-airplay length and heavy groove, coupled with the the metal-ish, in your face vibe just makes the whole CD for me. I have been waiting for a tune like this from Tool for a long time and was thoroughly impressed when I first heard it. "The Pot" is another favorite and one that did receive a decent amount of radio airplay."10,000 Days" and "Jambi" are other disk highlights from a band that is lacking very little talent. Danny Carey is one of the most inventive and hard working drummers in rock and guitarist Adam Jones, while not always real flashy, is always intriguing. Combine that with the vocal stylings of Maynard and the always inspired bass work of Justin Chancellor and you have a recipe for great things...and 10,000 Days is pretty great.
9. JOHN LEGEND - Once Again
John Legend (Stephens) was already a "legend" when his debut disk, "Get Lifted" came out in 2004. Having done session work for the likes of Lauryn Hill, Janet Jackson and Alicia Keys, among others; he was no stranger to the music world. His soulful voice and accomplished piano playing were a surefire recipe for a solo career and with Get Lifted he burst onto the R & B/Pop scene like a thunderclap. However, it was his follow up disk, "Once Again" that I feel truly began to elaborate on his talent and eloquence more so than his debut, which was chock full of cameos and more hip hop flavors. Once Again opens with "Save Room", a mellow jazzy number that's memorable, not just for it's beat but for the fact that Legend's vocal stylings are so infectious. "Heaven", though a tad overburdened by the vocal overdub often repeating within the track, is another stellar R & B number that doesn't lose power with that minor annoyance. "PDA" and "Coming Home" are two additional standouts from this wonderful CD, but it's the disk's first to last closer "Another Again" that makes this disk superior to Legend's debut. It's rich with smooth vocals but it moves along with a great vibe and the singing soars to textured highs and lows more so than on some of the other tracks. I haven't had a chance to thoroughly go through J.L.'s most recent release but I look forward to it, and there might be a chance it shows up on this list next year!
8. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - Magic
With "The Rising", Bruce showed his fans he could explore the emotions and after effects of a horrible American tragedy without sounding overly dramatic or preachy (though he's been known to do so at live shows). The songs from that CD are fantastic, and most fail to falter even after repeated listenings years later. However, with "Magic", I think Springsteen hit a stride that he caught during The Rising, and honestly crafted in some ways a better record than his 2007 effort, though not enough to surpass its place on this list.
The funny thing about the CD is that it took awhile, and only after my wife suggested to me how good it was, to get me to finally start listening to it months after it came out. Considering how much I liked "The Rising" it was a odd that I waited so long but the wait was certainly worth it. From the opening of "Radio Nowhere", an edgy rocker that blends well with current musical trends, it's clear that this CD had the potential to be something special. "You'll Be Coming Down" follows, and although it's not charting any real new ground, it's catchy and appealing nonetheless. "Your Own Worst Enemy" is a personal favorite and another example of how Springsteen can craft hooky, pop flavored rock songs that weave their way under your skin with repeated playings. "Girls in Their Summer Clothes" and "I'll Work For Your Love" are fine examples of this as well, and highlights of the CD, though my personal favorite on the disk is "Long Walk Home", possibly because I enjoyed the live version so much. Regardless, the disk is fantastic and will not only have pleased longtime fans but likely brought in a number of newer ones as well (which was certainly evident from the amount of sub-25 year old fans at this past tours shows).
7. THE STROKES - Is This It
The fact that the Strokes exist make me proud to be a music fan. For a long time as the nineties came to a close I started to worry that the universe of rock/pop would devolve into an annoying blend of bad alternametal blended with rap/hip hop. Thankfully, bands like the Strokes restored my faith in not only music, but of the buying public and critics who paid attention to the trends.
"Is This It" is so good it should be required listening for all fans of rock and roll. The Rolling Stones don't choose you as an opener for their tour(s) unless you piss vinegar and bleed attitude. These guys have it all, and combine that with some memorable if not simplistic riffing and a unique vocal styling/recording and you have a recipe for the kick ass debut from the Strokes. "Last Nite", the first single is almost a slower punk-ish tune, with a bouncy riff that just begs you not to bob your head. "Someday", a song I forced my first band to cover, and they eventually came to worship, is another jamming garage rock tune that's so infectious yet simple you just find yourself tapping your foot long after it's over. When the guitars ring out and the bass just plods along on the open E string at the end of each chorus you can feel yourself wishing you had long hair to just shake around like a crazed muppet! "Hard to Explain" is another uptempo bopper that recalls late 50's/early 60's music of the UK, a place where bands like the Strokes and Kings of Leon had always been in high favor. "Trying Your Luck" is a disk favorite for me, ripe with early 70's groove and style. A little more mellow and dark, it's a nice compliment to the more uptempo rockers on the disk. There really isn't a bad song on this brilliant debut CD and The Strokes continue to crank out great tunes, but this, for me, is just their masterpiece.
6. U2 - All That You Can't Leave Behind/ How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (Tie)
I really hate lists that include ties, but I really had no choice with these selections. I know, I know, seems like a cop out but I really spent some time re-listening to both CD's and I truly couldn't pick a favorite. So, with # 6 here we have the legends U2 and their two stellar efforts since 2000, ATYCLB and HTDAAB. Before both came out I recall having a discussion with another U2 fan who was severely depressed with the direction U2 had gone since the mid mid 90's/"Pop" era. I couldn't blame him, as it didn't fully represent what I feel is the best of U2, who are always amazing with their simple yet eloquent tunes and arena-busting rockers. I assured this friend that U2 would be back on their game soon, and with "All..." they certainly were.
Though "Walk On" and "Beautiful Day" probably got the most attention and airplay (and seemed to be most reminiscent of pre-90's U2), for me it was the hypnotic and beautiful "Kite", written about Bono's father. The bridge in that song, from "I'm a maaaannnnn, I'm not a child..." just gives me the chills with it's dramatic vulnerability and declaration. U2 have always been about drama and emotion but this tune, more so than any since the 80's, really swells with it and delivers to the listener, without being over the top. "Walk On" is a great U2 radio song as well, and "In a Little While" has always been another favorite, with it's bluesy/gritty feel and hooky vocal lines (slow down my beating heart...). Without question, ATYCLB was a great return from probably the best band in the world. The only reason this CD, and the next, didn't crack the Top 5 is that I have set such high standards for these guys I feel that they have even greater things to come.
With "How to Dismantle..." U2 basically stayed in the same place they were with ATYCLB, crafting another masterpiece of dramatic yet stylish pop rock that is layered with beautiful textured sounds. The Edge (David Evans) is rarely in the Top 20 on "best guitarist" lists but it's really unfair, as what he does stylistically with his extremely supple wrist, allowing for gorgeous strumming, can't be overlooked. he also knows when not to overplay and when to use effects. The same can be said of the bassist Adam Clayton. Although he lacks any real flash or speed with his playing, he often plays with a jazz-musician mentality, using the bass as not just a beat but a whole other entity within the song. Then, one track later he's just filling in the holes and laying behind the guitar and vocals. Bono's singing has always been impressive, and there's no question Larry Mullen, Jr. is a great drummer, but it's what these guys do as a cohesive unit that creates magic. "City of Blinding Light" is a favorite from this disk, with it's haunting guitar riff and ambient melody. "Vertigo" is an in your face, don't-forget-you-can-still-rock single that reminds older fans like me that these guys can still write great high energy rock and roll. "Miracle Drug" and "Yahweh" are two melloer tracks that move along familiar U2 lines, and are better than simple fillers, which a band with this much history and success could certainly be tempted to write at this point in their career. However, on this disk I think it's the single, "Sometimes You Can't make It On Your Own" that really makes this CD an example of exceptional U2. I don't know of any other band that writes better ballad-esque rock and roll. From the simple strumming by The Edge to the falsetto vocals, this is just a great example of what U2 does best and a reason that they have multiple disks in my Top 10.
5. IRON MAIDEN - A Matter of Life and Death
It's easy to understand how many music fans ignore or claim to dislike Heavy Metal. A lot of the music is very loud, overly distorted and somewhat angry. Many metal bands write lyrics dealing with death, the occult and general misery and most of the players look like guys who would rather stab you in the eye than say hello. However, with certain metal bands, if you can get by the volume and the lyrics and the looks, you'll find at their core a solid bunch of musicians, and this certainly the case with Iron Maiden.
These guys are dripping with talent...from the expansive and acrobatic vocal range of Bruce Dickinson to the furious but always interesting drumming of Nicko McBrain, to the mesmerizing riffing/solos of the tri-guitar attack of Smith/Murray and Gers and finally the galloping mayhem of Steve Harris' magical Fender P Bass. Iron Maiden have all the tools, but as is the case with many talented bands, that doesn't necessarily always result in great recorded music. Well, with "A Matter of Life and Death", Iron Maiden not only shamed much of their comrades in the "senior metal" genre, but they embarrassed most of their younger competition as well.
AMOLAD is a shining achievement on many levels. It opens with the strong but radio-friendly "Different World, complete with haunting vocal hook from Dickinson and plenty of multi-guitar harmonies, as is their trademark. Tracks like "Brighter Than a Thousand Suns" and "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg" certify that no one tops Maiden in the "slow building hard rocker". These guys have always been a phenomenal live band, but what they've done with this exceptional CD is found a way to convey that intense live sound/energy to a studio recording. "The Longest Day", "Out of the Shadows" and "Lord of Light" are three others that standout on this superb disk, but for me it's the stellar "For the Greater Good of God" and the closer "The Legacy" that make this disk a definitive Top 10. "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" off the brilliant 80's disk Powerslave showed that Maiden could write long, epic songs that were slow to build but always interesting and solidly metal. Well, FTGGOG and The Legacy are no exception to that rule, and in many ways trump previous efforts to top Rime. Everyone in the metal game should go back and listen to this superior disk and remember that it's made by a bunch of guys working their way into their 50's, and take some notes. There should be no doubt that Maiden are one of, if not the best, metal band in the world today.
4. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - The Rising
Although I grew up a hard rock/metal fan, during the late 80's I went through a pretty intense Springsteen phase. I had heard the classics like "Born to Run" and "Rosalita" a thousand times before and always respected the songs for what they were: great classic rock and roll tunes. However, it was tracks off "The River" like "Drive All Night", with it's almost pathetic longing and devotion to his lover, and "Jungleland", with it's haunting and melancholoy sax solo that truly hooked me in; there's never been any doubt that Bruce Springsteen is a great rock and roll artist, but songs like that just showed a more raw and vulnerable side that I preferred to his uptempo numbers. So, when 9/11 hit and the days that followed were filled with unease and mourning, there was never any doubt that the veteran songwriter from Jersey would be back with a great album that dealt with the emotions surrounding the tragic event.
"The Rising" was the first time Bruce had recorded a full album with the E Street Band in 18 years, and what a glorious reunion it was. From the fantastic first track, "Lonesome Day", which to this day is in my top 5 of live songs he performs, to the slow-building, neighborhood party atmosphere of "Mary's Place", this CD just fails to disappoint in any way. The album weaves it's way between moderate and up tempo numbers like the previously mentioned tracks, and wonderfully blends in slow, melancholy numbers like "Into the Fire" and "My City of Ruin", and the painfully beautiful "You're Missing". Springsteen certainly captured the emotions surrounding the days and months following 9/11 in a way that was genuine and not overly depressing, all the while seasoned with elements of rejuvenation and brotherhood. It was the right album at the right time, and whether you always agree with his politics or not, it can't be disputed that The Rising was a triumph.
3. INTERPOL - Antics
I started to really pay attention to Interpol around the same time I was listening to The Killers a lot, even though I had purchased this CD long before their debut had come out. I just remember having both CD's in the back seat of my car and only getting around to putting The Killers into the CD changer, until one day I finally decided to grab "Antics" and pop it in again. It would be my first listing since I skimmed through it in late 2004. HOLY F**KING S**T was I impressed!!
Although the opening track, "Next Exit" has never been a favorite, and possibly a reason why I failed to give this CD a thorough listen when I first got it, when I listened to it this time somehow it hooked me. Paul Banks, the lead vocalist/guitarist, has such a strangely hypnotic voice that it's hard to ignore and not be drawn in to. Couple that with the early 80's, British New Wave-esque guitar sounds and you have a band that has a formula for some inspired creations. "Evil", with it's simplistic yet hooky bass line and intensifying volume during the chorus is fantastic. "Take You On A Cruise" is darkly intriguing and mesmerizes with some of it's vocals and finishes like a great glass of wine. "C'mere" is as good as any up tempo New Wave/Alternative rock song has ever been, and "Slow Hands" is a gritty thumper that received a lot of rotation on alternative radio. The true majesty of this disk, however, lies within the brilliant "Narc", a slow building, intoxicating track that to me might be the best Alternative song written this decade. It's possible I have listened to this tune a thousand times since I first heard it, and there may be that many more plays before this decade is up. The simplistic guitar riff, mixed with the vocal building into the chorus is just stunning. Although I don't love where the song heads in the bridge, it pays the listener back by getting back on track and finishing strong ("You should be in my space..."). There haven't been that many CD's I can honestly say didn't leave my CD changer in my car for over a solid year, but this was one of them, and deserved every play it got, and still gets today.
2. KINGS OF LEON - Because of the Times
Wow, was this a hard one to write. Any of you that know me, or notice my Facebook posts regularly, know how big a fan of Kings of Leon I am. I have seen them live twice in less than two months, have tickets to their MSG show in January and am contemplating a trip to the UK in June to see them play Wembley! Ok, so I am obsessed, sue me! It would be hard not to love a band made up of three brothers and a cousin (The Followills) from Tennesse who like to drink and get in fights, but luckily these guys actually write great music to boot!
Anyway, my enjoyment of this band actually started awhile back with their debut "Youth and Young Manhood", in 2003. They actually released the EP "Holy Roller Novacaine" the same year and 4 of those songs ended up on that disk. They had such a dirty, backwoods, and edgy southern rock feel that I fell for them quickly. I listened to the disk a number of times and quickly bought the next two that followed but failed to ever give them the listening time I should have, though I recall loving "The Bucket" and "Four Kicks" and "Pistol of Fire", all from Aha Shake Heartbreak. Then, just 6 weeks before the release of their newest CD, "Only By the Night", another exceptional effort, I went back and listened to their third CD, "Because of the Times" in full on my Itunes while I played online chess of all things. Almost like I had just drank an entire bottle of Red Bull spiked with ecstasy, something came over me that just took control of my musical senses and just said "HOLY S**T" and awoke me to the brilliance that is KOL. I had the CD in a mixed order and the first track was "Arizona", a slow moving tune that's sonically pretty and has such a simple yet addictive bassline that I had to immediately learn and play it after hearing the song. "Fans" followed, and without hesitation this tune worked it's way into my senses like few others have and may be what I feel is their best song overall. Though it's written about experiences in London, it's always been a live favorite here as well and it may still have the record for most plays in a row of any one song when I played it 10 times in a row last month. That particular track has that quality, on an even more intense level, that many Dead songs have in that you almost can't listen to it and not be forced into a good mood. "Knocked Up" was next and just knocked me over with it's slow thumping intro and build. You can hear the fear and anxiety in this song about the possibility of new life between a volatile couple. I think the song would have been great if it had stayed mellow the whole way through, but it kicks it up a notch just long enough to make the song more interesting. "Charmer", "True Love Way, "Ragoo" and "My Party" are other tracks that make this a phenomenal disk, but for me it's the one-two punch of "McFearless" and "Black Thumbnail" that add just enough mojo to push this disk far up the list. McFearless is filled with brilliant drumming and stinging alternative rock guitar sounds but it's the vocals from Caleb in what you'd likely call the chorus that make this track so memorable. There's a desperation and fragility in his singing on this track that is so intriguing that I wish I could get in touch with whatever emotions he was feeling when it was recorded so I could channel them into my own writing. "Black Thumbnail", a no-frills killer rocker that was their choice to close the show I saw in Boston, is one of those tunes that just overcomes you after repeated plays. It's not breaking any new ground, it has no individual musical sections that are particularly impressive, and it's not filled with hooks...but it just f**king rips! If KOL ended every show with this track they'd be doing themselves no disservice. The live stage is really where Kings of Leon take control and dominate, but "Because of the Times" is such a stellar recording it deserves high praise, and a very high spot on my list. So why was this "hard to write", as I mentioned earlier? Well, their other three CD's are all fantastic and picking a favorite is nearly impossible for a devoted fan. Even the new CD "Only By the Night", though more pop-flavored and richly produced, is a triumph and worthy of high praise. However, in order to avoid stuffing this list with ties, BOTT needs to be the choice, and should be required listening for all rock and roll fans and be worshipped by all!. I guess when you're chosen to open shows for U2, Pearl Jam and Bob Dylan and called a "favorite" by Radiohead, however, it's high praise enough.
1. AUDIOSLAVE - Audioslave
I agonized for quite some time about which CD should be # 1 on my list and it essentially was between 2 bands and 3 CD's. The second 2 CD's from KOL and the first and from Audioslave, and the former's debut just kept coming out ahead, and for good reason.
I was always a casual fan of Rage Against the Machine, and a much larger fan of Soundgarden and Chris Cornell. So when you take arguably the best hard rock/alternative vocalists and add them to one of the most intense and successful hard rock/rap fusion bands out there, you're sure to have a finished product that's worth checking out. Well, "Audioslave" was better than just a great debut from a hybrid Supergroup, it was and still is an exceptional piece of rock and roll and will likely be timeless.
From the opening of "Cochise", the killer arena-busting first single, you know you're listening to something cool. It's not Radiohead, it's not Coldplay, it's not Opeth or Coheed and Cambria, this opening track is just kick-you-in-teeth-slam-you-to-the-ground modern hard rock that could get a quadraplegic up and jumping! Although the vocals are very different from Zack, whether you prefer that style or not, you can't deny that Cornell added something special and amazing to this 3/4 Rage project. You can also hear a depth in guitarist Tom Morello's playing that was not always there with Rage. There's also a warmness to Tim Commerford's bass lines, especially on mellower tracks like "Like A Stone". There are few weaknesses in this lineup, and there are few if any low points on this disk. My favorite on the disk, and featured in the great Michael Mann film "Collateral", "Shadow On the Sun" is particularly noteworthy and really shows the masterful range these guys covered in their songwriting and the insane power and depth that Cornell's vocals have. Although "Gasoline" and "Set it Off" are straightforward rockers, they are not filler tracks at all and are impossible to skip when listening to the disk. "I am the Highway" received a solid amount of Radio airplay and took the more folky/pop rock that often surfaces in their music to a beautiful place. "Hypnotize" does just that with it's Soundgarden-esque vibe and groovy build. "Bring 'Em Back Alive" is out of the Rage playbook a little more than some of the disk's tracks, but it's welcomed and filled with enough Cornell-ness that it can never be mistaken for anything other than an Audioslave track. Tom Morello has always been a heavy effects user, but I feel like it only mildly goes overboard on this disk and this tune might be a example of that.
I think a big part of me choosing this band as # 1 on the list, and more specifically this disk, is that I got a chance to see Audioslave when they toured and to this day it's probably the most impressive hard rock show I have ever seen. These guys were ON FIRE and tighter than any band I have ever seen. Tracks like Cochise and Shadow On the Sun were so impressive and so full of passion that I simply can't recall a hard rock or metal band topping what they pulled off that night, and that includes Iron Maiden, who are kings of the live stage as well. Also, when these guys released this disk, having been so bummed by the demise of Soundgarden, I wasn't expecting an earth shattering CD, I was just expecting something cool to listen to. What I got was a CD that just blew me, and a lot of other rock fans, away. Now, with Soundgarden and Audioslave gone, and persistent but varying rumors about Rage recording new material together again, it's one of a few from them I have to be content with. Although all three are great, and I strongly considered adding their last, "Revelations" to the list as well, in the end I had to go with their debut. It was a great CD that knocked me on my ass and continues to be played in heavy rotation by hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of rock and roll fans. In my opinion, this decade has not seen or heard a better rock record.
Honorable Mentions:
Radiohead - "In Rainbows", Green Day - "American Idiot", David Gilmour - "On An Island", Weezer- "Weezer", Kings of Leon - "Youth and Young Manhood" & "Aha Shake Heartbreak", Metallica - "Death Magnetic, Fair to Midland - "Fables From A Mayfly", Black Crowes - "Warpaint", The Killers - "Hot Fuss"
10. TOOL - 10,000 Days
Tool is a band that I have had a bit of a love/hate relationship with over the years. I was one of the first people I know who listened to them, giving 1993's "Undertow" repeated playings and really becoming hypnotized by their odd sense of gloomy alterna-metal. However, the triumph that was Aenima in 1996 became so overplayed at pool halls and on the radio, that I actually grew to dislike the band rather feverishly. In the years since I have grown to enjoy that CD, along with their other releases, and no longer have the same indifference to their sound. However, when "10,000 Days" was released I not only became a big fan again but I was truly awestruck.
"Vicarious" alone, with it's too-long-really-for-regula
9. JOHN LEGEND - Once Again
John Legend (Stephens) was already a "legend" when his debut disk, "Get Lifted" came out in 2004. Having done session work for the likes of Lauryn Hill, Janet Jackson and Alicia Keys, among others; he was no stranger to the music world. His soulful voice and accomplished piano playing were a surefire recipe for a solo career and with Get Lifted he burst onto the R & B/Pop scene like a thunderclap. However, it was his follow up disk, "Once Again" that I feel truly began to elaborate on his talent and eloquence more so than his debut, which was chock full of cameos and more hip hop flavors. Once Again opens with "Save Room", a mellow jazzy number that's memorable, not just for it's beat but for the fact that Legend's vocal stylings are so infectious. "Heaven", though a tad overburdened by the vocal overdub often repeating within the track, is another stellar R & B number that doesn't lose power with that minor annoyance. "PDA" and "Coming Home" are two additional standouts from this wonderful CD, but it's the disk's first to last closer "Another Again" that makes this disk superior to Legend's debut. It's rich with smooth vocals but it moves along with a great vibe and the singing soars to textured highs and lows more so than on some of the other tracks. I haven't had a chance to thoroughly go through J.L.'s most recent release but I look forward to it, and there might be a chance it shows up on this list next year!
8. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - Magic
With "The Rising", Bruce showed his fans he could explore the emotions and after effects of a horrible American tragedy without sounding overly dramatic or preachy (though he's been known to do so at live shows). The songs from that CD are fantastic, and most fail to falter even after repeated listenings years later. However, with "Magic", I think Springsteen hit a stride that he caught during The Rising, and honestly crafted in some ways a better record than his 2007 effort, though not enough to surpass its place on this list.
The funny thing about the CD is that it took awhile, and only after my wife suggested to me how good it was, to get me to finally start listening to it months after it came out. Considering how much I liked "The Rising" it was a odd that I waited so long but the wait was certainly worth it. From the opening of "Radio Nowhere", an edgy rocker that blends well with current musical trends, it's clear that this CD had the potential to be something special. "You'll Be Coming Down" follows, and although it's not charting any real new ground, it's catchy and appealing nonetheless. "Your Own Worst Enemy" is a personal favorite and another example of how Springsteen can craft hooky, pop flavored rock songs that weave their way under your skin with repeated playings. "Girls in Their Summer Clothes" and "I'll Work For Your Love" are fine examples of this as well, and highlights of the CD, though my personal favorite on the disk is "Long Walk Home", possibly because I enjoyed the live version so much. Regardless, the disk is fantastic and will not only have pleased longtime fans but likely brought in a number of newer ones as well (which was certainly evident from the amount of sub-25 year old fans at this past tours shows).
7. THE STROKES - Is This It
The fact that the Strokes exist make me proud to be a music fan. For a long time as the nineties came to a close I started to worry that the universe of rock/pop would devolve into an annoying blend of bad alternametal blended with rap/hip hop. Thankfully, bands like the Strokes restored my faith in not only music, but of the buying public and critics who paid attention to the trends.
"Is This It" is so good it should be required listening for all fans of rock and roll. The Rolling Stones don't choose you as an opener for their tour(s) unless you piss vinegar and bleed attitude. These guys have it all, and combine that with some memorable if not simplistic riffing and a unique vocal styling/recording and you have a recipe for the kick ass debut from the Strokes. "Last Nite", the first single is almost a slower punk-ish tune, with a bouncy riff that just begs you not to bob your head. "Someday", a song I forced my first band to cover, and they eventually came to worship, is another jamming garage rock tune that's so infectious yet simple you just find yourself tapping your foot long after it's over. When the guitars ring out and the bass just plods along on the open E string at the end of each chorus you can feel yourself wishing you had long hair to just shake around like a crazed muppet! "Hard to Explain" is another uptempo bopper that recalls late 50's/early 60's music of the UK, a place where bands like the Strokes and Kings of Leon had always been in high favor. "Trying Your Luck" is a disk favorite for me, ripe with early 70's groove and style. A little more mellow and dark, it's a nice compliment to the more uptempo rockers on the disk. There really isn't a bad song on this brilliant debut CD and The Strokes continue to crank out great tunes, but this, for me, is just their masterpiece.
6. U2 - All That You Can't Leave Behind/ How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (Tie)
I really hate lists that include ties, but I really had no choice with these selections. I know, I know, seems like a cop out but I really spent some time re-listening to both CD's and I truly couldn't pick a favorite. So, with # 6 here we have the legends U2 and their two stellar efforts since 2000, ATYCLB and HTDAAB. Before both came out I recall having a discussion with another U2 fan who was severely depressed with the direction U2 had gone since the mid mid 90's/"Pop" era. I couldn't blame him, as it didn't fully represent what I feel is the best of U2, who are always amazing with their simple yet eloquent tunes and arena-busting rockers. I assured this friend that U2 would be back on their game soon, and with "All..." they certainly were.
Though "Walk On" and "Beautiful Day" probably got the most attention and airplay (and seemed to be most reminiscent of pre-90's U2), for me it was the hypnotic and beautiful "Kite", written about Bono's father. The bridge in that song, from "I'm a maaaannnnn, I'm not a child..." just gives me the chills with it's dramatic vulnerability and declaration. U2 have always been about drama and emotion but this tune, more so than any since the 80's, really swells with it and delivers to the listener, without being over the top. "Walk On" is a great U2 radio song as well, and "In a Little While" has always been another favorite, with it's bluesy/gritty feel and hooky vocal lines (slow down my beating heart...). Without question, ATYCLB was a great return from probably the best band in the world. The only reason this CD, and the next, didn't crack the Top 5 is that I have set such high standards for these guys I feel that they have even greater things to come.
With "How to Dismantle..." U2 basically stayed in the same place they were with ATYCLB, crafting another masterpiece of dramatic yet stylish pop rock that is layered with beautiful textured sounds. The Edge (David Evans) is rarely in the Top 20 on "best guitarist" lists but it's really unfair, as what he does stylistically with his extremely supple wrist, allowing for gorgeous strumming, can't be overlooked. he also knows when not to overplay and when to use effects. The same can be said of the bassist Adam Clayton. Although he lacks any real flash or speed with his playing, he often plays with a jazz-musician mentality, using the bass as not just a beat but a whole other entity within the song. Then, one track later he's just filling in the holes and laying behind the guitar and vocals. Bono's singing has always been impressive, and there's no question Larry Mullen, Jr. is a great drummer, but it's what these guys do as a cohesive unit that creates magic. "City of Blinding Light" is a favorite from this disk, with it's haunting guitar riff and ambient melody. "Vertigo" is an in your face, don't-forget-you-can-still
5. IRON MAIDEN - A Matter of Life and Death
It's easy to understand how many music fans ignore or claim to dislike Heavy Metal. A lot of the music is very loud, overly distorted and somewhat angry. Many metal bands write lyrics dealing with death, the occult and general misery and most of the players look like guys who would rather stab you in the eye than say hello. However, with certain metal bands, if you can get by the volume and the lyrics and the looks, you'll find at their core a solid bunch of musicians, and this certainly the case with Iron Maiden.
These guys are dripping with talent...from the expansive and acrobatic vocal range of Bruce Dickinson to the furious but always interesting drumming of Nicko McBrain, to the mesmerizing riffing/solos of the tri-guitar attack of Smith/Murray and Gers and finally the galloping mayhem of Steve Harris' magical Fender P Bass. Iron Maiden have all the tools, but as is the case with many talented bands, that doesn't necessarily always result in great recorded music. Well, with "A Matter of Life and Death", Iron Maiden not only shamed much of their comrades in the "senior metal" genre, but they embarrassed most of their younger competition as well.
AMOLAD is a shining achievement on many levels. It opens with the strong but radio-friendly "Different World, complete with haunting vocal hook from Dickinson and plenty of multi-guitar harmonies, as is their trademark. Tracks like "Brighter Than a Thousand Suns" and "The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg" certify that no one tops Maiden in the "slow building hard rocker". These guys have always been a phenomenal live band, but what they've done with this exceptional CD is found a way to convey that intense live sound/energy to a studio recording. "The Longest Day", "Out of the Shadows" and "Lord of Light" are three others that standout on this superb disk, but for me it's the stellar "For the Greater Good of God" and the closer "The Legacy" that make this disk a definitive Top 10. "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" off the brilliant 80's disk Powerslave showed that Maiden could write long, epic songs that were slow to build but always interesting and solidly metal. Well, FTGGOG and The Legacy are no exception to that rule, and in many ways trump previous efforts to top Rime. Everyone in the metal game should go back and listen to this superior disk and remember that it's made by a bunch of guys working their way into their 50's, and take some notes. There should be no doubt that Maiden are one of, if not the best, metal band in the world today.
4. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN - The Rising
Although I grew up a hard rock/metal fan, during the late 80's I went through a pretty intense Springsteen phase. I had heard the classics like "Born to Run" and "Rosalita" a thousand times before and always respected the songs for what they were: great classic rock and roll tunes. However, it was tracks off "The River" like "Drive All Night", with it's almost pathetic longing and devotion to his lover, and "Jungleland", with it's haunting and melancholoy sax solo that truly hooked me in; there's never been any doubt that Bruce Springsteen is a great rock and roll artist, but songs like that just showed a more raw and vulnerable side that I preferred to his uptempo numbers. So, when 9/11 hit and the days that followed were filled with unease and mourning, there was never any doubt that the veteran songwriter from Jersey would be back with a great album that dealt with the emotions surrounding the tragic event.
"The Rising" was the first time Bruce had recorded a full album with the E Street Band in 18 years, and what a glorious reunion it was. From the fantastic first track, "Lonesome Day", which to this day is in my top 5 of live songs he performs, to the slow-building, neighborhood party atmosphere of "Mary's Place", this CD just fails to disappoint in any way. The album weaves it's way between moderate and up tempo numbers like the previously mentioned tracks, and wonderfully blends in slow, melancholy numbers like "Into the Fire" and "My City of Ruin", and the painfully beautiful "You're Missing". Springsteen certainly captured the emotions surrounding the days and months following 9/11 in a way that was genuine and not overly depressing, all the while seasoned with elements of rejuvenation and brotherhood. It was the right album at the right time, and whether you always agree with his politics or not, it can't be disputed that The Rising was a triumph.
3. INTERPOL - Antics
I started to really pay attention to Interpol around the same time I was listening to The Killers a lot, even though I had purchased this CD long before their debut had come out. I just remember having both CD's in the back seat of my car and only getting around to putting The Killers into the CD changer, until one day I finally decided to grab "Antics" and pop it in again. It would be my first listing since I skimmed through it in late 2004. HOLY F**KING S**T was I impressed!!
Although the opening track, "Next Exit" has never been a favorite, and possibly a reason why I failed to give this CD a thorough listen when I first got it, when I listened to it this time somehow it hooked me. Paul Banks, the lead vocalist/guitarist, has such a strangely hypnotic voice that it's hard to ignore and not be drawn in to. Couple that with the early 80's, British New Wave-esque guitar sounds and you have a band that has a formula for some inspired creations. "Evil", with it's simplistic yet hooky bass line and intensifying volume during the chorus is fantastic. "Take You On A Cruise" is darkly intriguing and mesmerizes with some of it's vocals and finishes like a great glass of wine. "C'mere" is as good as any up tempo New Wave/Alternative rock song has ever been, and "Slow Hands" is a gritty thumper that received a lot of rotation on alternative radio. The true majesty of this disk, however, lies within the brilliant "Narc", a slow building, intoxicating track that to me might be the best Alternative song written this decade. It's possible I have listened to this tune a thousand times since I first heard it, and there may be that many more plays before this decade is up. The simplistic guitar riff, mixed with the vocal building into the chorus is just stunning. Although I don't love where the song heads in the bridge, it pays the listener back by getting back on track and finishing strong ("You should be in my space..."). There haven't been that many CD's I can honestly say didn't leave my CD changer in my car for over a solid year, but this was one of them, and deserved every play it got, and still gets today.
2. KINGS OF LEON - Because of the Times
Wow, was this a hard one to write. Any of you that know me, or notice my Facebook posts regularly, know how big a fan of Kings of Leon I am. I have seen them live twice in less than two months, have tickets to their MSG show in January and am contemplating a trip to the UK in June to see them play Wembley! Ok, so I am obsessed, sue me! It would be hard not to love a band made up of three brothers and a cousin (The Followills) from Tennesse who like to drink and get in fights, but luckily these guys actually write great music to boot!
Anyway, my enjoyment of this band actually started awhile back with their debut "Youth and Young Manhood", in 2003. They actually released the EP "Holy Roller Novacaine" the same year and 4 of those songs ended up on that disk. They had such a dirty, backwoods, and edgy southern rock feel that I fell for them quickly. I listened to the disk a number of times and quickly bought the next two that followed but failed to ever give them the listening time I should have, though I recall loving "The Bucket" and "Four Kicks" and "Pistol of Fire", all from Aha Shake Heartbreak. Then, just 6 weeks before the release of their newest CD, "Only By the Night", another exceptional effort, I went back and listened to their third CD, "Because of the Times" in full on my Itunes while I played online chess of all things. Almost like I had just drank an entire bottle of Red Bull spiked with ecstasy, something came over me that just took control of my musical senses and just said "HOLY S**T" and awoke me to the brilliance that is KOL. I had the CD in a mixed order and the first track was "Arizona", a slow moving tune that's sonically pretty and has such a simple yet addictive bassline that I had to immediately learn and play it after hearing the song. "Fans" followed, and without hesitation this tune worked it's way into my senses like few others have and may be what I feel is their best song overall. Though it's written about experiences in London, it's always been a live favorite here as well and it may still have the record for most plays in a row of any one song when I played it 10 times in a row last month. That particular track has that quality, on an even more intense level, that many Dead songs have in that you almost can't listen to it and not be forced into a good mood. "Knocked Up" was next and just knocked me over with it's slow thumping intro and build. You can hear the fear and anxiety in this song about the possibility of new life between a volatile couple. I think the song would have been great if it had stayed mellow the whole way through, but it kicks it up a notch just long enough to make the song more interesting. "Charmer", "True Love Way, "Ragoo" and "My Party" are other tracks that make this a phenomenal disk, but for me it's the one-two punch of "McFearless" and "Black Thumbnail" that add just enough mojo to push this disk far up the list. McFearless is filled with brilliant drumming and stinging alternative rock guitar sounds but it's the vocals from Caleb in what you'd likely call the chorus that make this track so memorable. There's a desperation and fragility in his singing on this track that is so intriguing that I wish I could get in touch with whatever emotions he was feeling when it was recorded so I could channel them into my own writing. "Black Thumbnail", a no-frills killer rocker that was their choice to close the show I saw in Boston, is one of those tunes that just overcomes you after repeated plays. It's not breaking any new ground, it has no individual musical sections that are particularly impressive, and it's not filled with hooks...but it just f**king rips! If KOL ended every show with this track they'd be doing themselves no disservice. The live stage is really where Kings of Leon take control and dominate, but "Because of the Times" is such a stellar recording it deserves high praise, and a very high spot on my list. So why was this "hard to write", as I mentioned earlier? Well, their other three CD's are all fantastic and picking a favorite is nearly impossible for a devoted fan. Even the new CD "Only By the Night", though more pop-flavored and richly produced, is a triumph and worthy of high praise. However, in order to avoid stuffing this list with ties, BOTT needs to be the choice, and should be required listening for all rock and roll fans and be worshipped by all!. I guess when you're chosen to open shows for U2, Pearl Jam and Bob Dylan and called a "favorite" by Radiohead, however, it's high praise enough.
1. AUDIOSLAVE - Audioslave
I agonized for quite some time about which CD should be # 1 on my list and it essentially was between 2 bands and 3 CD's. The second 2 CD's from KOL and the first and from Audioslave, and the former's debut just kept coming out ahead, and for good reason.
I was always a casual fan of Rage Against the Machine, and a much larger fan of Soundgarden and Chris Cornell. So when you take arguably the best hard rock/alternative vocalists and add them to one of the most intense and successful hard rock/rap fusion bands out there, you're sure to have a finished product that's worth checking out. Well, "Audioslave" was better than just a great debut from a hybrid Supergroup, it was and still is an exceptional piece of rock and roll and will likely be timeless.
From the opening of "Cochise", the killer arena-busting first single, you know you're listening to something cool. It's not Radiohead, it's not Coldplay, it's not Opeth or Coheed and Cambria, this opening track is just kick-you-in-teeth-slam-you
I think a big part of me choosing this band as # 1 on the list, and more specifically this disk, is that I got a chance to see Audioslave when they toured and to this day it's probably the most impressive hard rock show I have ever seen. These guys were ON FIRE and tighter than any band I have ever seen. Tracks like Cochise and Shadow On the Sun were so impressive and so full of passion that I simply can't recall a hard rock or metal band topping what they pulled off that night, and that includes Iron Maiden, who are kings of the live stage as well. Also, when these guys released this disk, having been so bummed by the demise of Soundgarden, I wasn't expecting an earth shattering CD, I was just expecting something cool to listen to. What I got was a CD that just blew me, and a lot of other rock fans, away. Now, with Soundgarden and Audioslave gone, and persistent but varying rumors about Rage recording new material together again, it's one of a few from them I have to be content with. Although all three are great, and I strongly considered adding their last, "Revelations" to the list as well, in the end I had to go with their debut. It was a great CD that knocked me on my ass and continues to be played in heavy rotation by hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of rock and roll fans. In my opinion, this decade has not seen or heard a better rock record.
Honorable Mentions:
Radiohead - "In Rainbows", Green Day - "American Idiot", David Gilmour - "On An Island", Weezer- "Weezer", Kings of Leon - "Youth and Young Manhood" & "Aha Shake Heartbreak", Metallica - "Death Magnetic, Fair to Midland - "Fables From A Mayfly", Black Crowes - "Warpaint", The Killers - "Hot Fuss"
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