I like to pride myself on having a diverse taste in music. Recently, I've discovered that is not nearly as diverse as I would like to think. The most telling truth of that is the fact that I never really listened to Radiohead, a band that many claim is foundational in a variety of ways. At least I hadn't really listened to them until this summer. That's right - this summer, over the course of a few weeks, I committed myself to only listening to the seven main Radiohead CDs (Pablo Honey, The Bends, OK Computer, Kid A, Amnesiac, Hail to the Thief and In Rainbows) in my car. This is my ranking of these albums.
6. The Bends - I felt sort of bad putting this one at the bottom, especially since some say it's their greatest work. I'll admit right away that it's hard for me to see the genius in each album, since I'm listening to them all many years after their release. That all being said, I just don't feel that The Bends is as solid as the rest of their albums from top to bottom. It obviously has its headlining songs that stand up as some of the band's greatest work - it's just the lesser known songs on this album are lesser known for a reason. It's my opinion of course, but then again, I'm the one writing this. Probably the most genius part of this album is seen when you hold it up against Pablo Honey. Listening to The Bends after their previous album made me wonder if it was still the same album. The Bends is a great album, but when you're competing with other Radiohead stuff, the competition is fierce. Speaking of other albums...
5. Amnesiac - Amnesiac and Kid A both came out of the same set of recordings, being released one year after the other (with Kid A coming out first). They are fairly similar. However, Amnesiac stresses the abstract side of Radiohead more than Kid A. Out of the two albums, I would have to say that Amnesiac has the best song - Pyramid Song - but unfortunately, it's counter-balanced by some songs that I just did not enjoy listening to. In the past, I've forced myself to give unusual songs a chance and they turned out being songs that I loved. Not so with the ones on this album - I just don't like them.
4. Kid A - A friend of mine said that this album typifies who Radiohead truly is. I think there is more to the band than what they show on this album, but what this album has, it has really, really well. From the outset of the album, it just locks you in to the contemplative mindset. If there was a single album that I wanted to play on the drive home after a significant evening, it would be this one. From top to bottom, it doesn't break out of that beautiful level once. That being said, it means it would not be the one album I want to take on a deserted island. I'd need more diversity.
3. Hail to the Thief - This is the first Radiohead album I ever listened to. Not on my marathon, just in my life. When it came out, everyone on MSN Messenger changed their display names to strange cryptic sentences that I later learned were lyrics and song titles from this album. To be honest, I was somewhat put off by its weirdness at first - anyone who has this album as their first Radiohead experience probably would be. However, after listening to it a bit, I can honestly say it has the strongest front-end of any Radiohead album. The first seven songs rock my face off every time. I considered putting this album at number 1 just because of those first seven songs. However, try as I might, I just can't get stoked enough for the second seven songs. It's more a matter of opinion, but I can't like the second half of this album for the same reason I didn't like Amnesiac as much as Kid A. I just don't feel it.
2. In Rainbows - This is another one that is heralded as their best. To be honest, I did not listen to this album on my marathon. It was the first album I actually "owned" and probably to date has had the best listen of them all. I had it originally at number 3, but further time with this album made me realize the beautiful layering and value of some of the songs that didn't stand out right away. I would say it does what Kid A did, only better. But still, there's just something missing from making it number 1.
1. OK Computer - I really didn't want to do this. As far as I can tell, this is the album that most people point to as their greatest. I really didn't want to follow the crowd on this one. However, I cannot help but agree. There's two main reasons for OK Computer being number 1 on my list. The first, is that I remember the sort of music that was popular when this album came out. Unlike other Radiohead albums, it wasn't so profoundly different. However, it's just...a better caliber than anything that was out at that time. Whereas other albums stick out because of their uniqueness, this one shines because I feel it is very comparable to mainstream music (much like Pablo Honey and The Bends were, only OK Computer is significantly better than each of these) and wins all comparison. The second reason for this being number one is that I think this album, more than any other, discloses every aspect of Radiohead's versatility without belaboring any part. All the others albums were too much of one thing, whereas this one was just enough of everything.
Let me finish with a quick little observation on Radiohead in general. I read in a blog once that Radiohead made music art. That's the stupidest thing I've heard in my life. Even to say that Radiohead invented the abstract exploration of art is horrendously uninformed. Music has always been and art, and abstraction of music has been around just as long. That being said, Radiohead is just a really good band. I understand that exploring new things is important to artists and I think all artists should do that. But to be honest, I think Radiohead shines most when they don't try to reinvent the wheel. When they're just playing music that's better than everyone else, like I think they did on OK Computer, that's when the band is at their best.
I know that every Radiohead fan is going to want to punch me in the face for saying that, as are all those jerk record store workers. But that's scene-sters for you. They don't expect anyone's opinion, other than the crowd's.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Top 6 Things I Say When Im Mad at a Video Game
6. Get your heads in the game
5. Quit touching yourselves
4. STEP UP!!!
3.This is bush league out here
2. Mr. Referee .......
1. Are you effing kidding me?
5. Quit touching yourselves
4. STEP UP!!!
3.This is bush league out here
2. Mr. Referee .......
1. Are you effing kidding me?
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Top 6 Things That Destroy A Series
6. Too much, all the time - Otherwise known as the "OC" disorder. Fans of the ill-fated show were sucked in past the bad acting into the always-explosive story lines. The problem was that the show tried to do too much all the time. It left no room for character development and destroyed the only thing the show had going for itself - a sense of realness. What drew people in was the fact that the conversations the characters had felt like real conversations teenagers had. The only problem was that this was all nullified as soon as the plot lines moved from familiar to bizarre. A series needs to realize how much time it has to tell a story and not rush it (or conversely, drag it out too long).
5. Carrying it out for too long - Otherwise known as the "Spider-Man" disorder. Last summer, I ordered a DVD containing 500+ issues of the original Spider-Man comic in digital format. I have greatly enjoyed the earlier stories. They show just why Spider-Man is still popular over 40 years after his creation. The later stories...not so much. You can certainly tell when the often-changing writers were just trying to meet the demands for another issue. And from the research I've done about what happens later I'm considering getting rid of the DVD altogether. That's because direction the seem to be taking the comic does not only ruin its future, but makes one look at its past differently. Stuff like this happens every time a plot-driven piece tries to run on forever. Especially in the case of comic books where writers change all the time.
4. Changing Writers - Otherwise known as the "SonicFlood" disorder. There are a few situations in which a writer can be replaced and the quality of a work carried on. I honestly cannot think of a single situation at the moment. The problem is that people fail to see how intimately connected a writer and his/her work are. In many situations, a series of any sort has value mostly because of what it says about that writer. People think that you can understand someone's writing by looking at their history, but this is only partly true. A person's history is best understood through the lens of their work. That all being said, if your favorite TV show is starting to suck, it's probably because the original writer left.
3. Over-Manipulation of Death - Otherwise known as the "Pirates of the Caribbean" disorder. There is a place for resurrection in stories, but not when it comes as an after-thought. This usually happens when fans complain that one of their favorite characters dies. The writer(s) think(s) that they quickly need to undo the decision they made in order to keep their work popular. As a result, we get the insulting "clone/dream/misunderstanding" junk that ruins a good series. If fans leave a series because their favorite character was axed, it means that there really wasn't enough to the series in the first place and bringing that character back as an afterthought will just further damage a weak work.
2. Identity Crisis - Otherwise known as the "Matrix" disorder. When people join into a series of any type, it means they like it for what it is. Some brilliant (or rather, stupid) writers think this is a good opportunity to try and break away from the mold they have already set and turn an action movie into a philosophical narrative, a comedy into a public service announcement or an epic into a romantic comedy. A good writer will be aware of his/her niche, and if they want to take things in a different direction, do so within the confines of a niche. Fans are sloths - you can move them, but you have to let them go at their own pace.
1. A Lack of Vision - This one sums it all up. Before any series can be written, heck, before ANYTHING can be written, it needs to know where it is going. You can throw the most bizarre, weird and convoluted things into a series if it all serves to work towards where the series is going. Knowing where a series is going will allow a writer to stay grounded, much like a bungee cord allows a person to jump off a bridge without fear. Do your crazy things, as long as it functions to bring you back to where you should be. It's very easy to determine what series are written because the writer wants money or something to do and because the writer wants to do something. It's the difference between writing poverty and writing excellence.
5. Carrying it out for too long - Otherwise known as the "Spider-Man" disorder. Last summer, I ordered a DVD containing 500+ issues of the original Spider-Man comic in digital format. I have greatly enjoyed the earlier stories. They show just why Spider-Man is still popular over 40 years after his creation. The later stories...not so much. You can certainly tell when the often-changing writers were just trying to meet the demands for another issue. And from the research I've done about what happens later I'm considering getting rid of the DVD altogether. That's because direction the seem to be taking the comic does not only ruin its future, but makes one look at its past differently. Stuff like this happens every time a plot-driven piece tries to run on forever. Especially in the case of comic books where writers change all the time.
4. Changing Writers - Otherwise known as the "SonicFlood" disorder. There are a few situations in which a writer can be replaced and the quality of a work carried on. I honestly cannot think of a single situation at the moment. The problem is that people fail to see how intimately connected a writer and his/her work are. In many situations, a series of any sort has value mostly because of what it says about that writer. People think that you can understand someone's writing by looking at their history, but this is only partly true. A person's history is best understood through the lens of their work. That all being said, if your favorite TV show is starting to suck, it's probably because the original writer left.
3. Over-Manipulation of Death - Otherwise known as the "Pirates of the Caribbean" disorder. There is a place for resurrection in stories, but not when it comes as an after-thought. This usually happens when fans complain that one of their favorite characters dies. The writer(s) think(s) that they quickly need to undo the decision they made in order to keep their work popular. As a result, we get the insulting "clone/dream/misunderstanding" junk that ruins a good series. If fans leave a series because their favorite character was axed, it means that there really wasn't enough to the series in the first place and bringing that character back as an afterthought will just further damage a weak work.
2. Identity Crisis - Otherwise known as the "Matrix" disorder. When people join into a series of any type, it means they like it for what it is. Some brilliant (or rather, stupid) writers think this is a good opportunity to try and break away from the mold they have already set and turn an action movie into a philosophical narrative, a comedy into a public service announcement or an epic into a romantic comedy. A good writer will be aware of his/her niche, and if they want to take things in a different direction, do so within the confines of a niche. Fans are sloths - you can move them, but you have to let them go at their own pace.
1. A Lack of Vision - This one sums it all up. Before any series can be written, heck, before ANYTHING can be written, it needs to know where it is going. You can throw the most bizarre, weird and convoluted things into a series if it all serves to work towards where the series is going. Knowing where a series is going will allow a writer to stay grounded, much like a bungee cord allows a person to jump off a bridge without fear. Do your crazy things, as long as it functions to bring you back to where you should be. It's very easy to determine what series are written because the writer wants money or something to do and because the writer wants to do something. It's the difference between writing poverty and writing excellence.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Top 6 Things To Do While Waiting For A Ride
6. Call your other friends. If one is running behind, it serves as a great opportunity to catch up with other people you WON'T be seeing that night. If you're lucky, you can get them to pick you up instead. The worst thing you can do is call the person you're waiting for, even if it is just to tell them to hurry up. Their answering of the phone will just slow them down.
5. Homework. This one is an obvious gamble. Ideally, your friend will come quickly so that you won't have to do it for too long, but you will still have done enough to say that your day was somewhat productive. Of course, in the case of really long waits, you'll end up getting a lot of work done. That's the risk you have to take though.
4. Walk in the direction your ride is coming. This will minimize those valuable seconds that would have been consumed if your ride at to come all the way to where you are. Expediency is never fully actualized, but this is one "step" you can take in that direction.
3. Teach yourself how to fly. I still stand by the belief that the only reason humanity has not learned how to fly without the use of an aircraft is a result of not enough time. Time that is wasted sitting on your rear for a ride is that very time needed to discover the method by which a human being can fly simply by the force of their will. I have personally made great lengths at this, but have not been completely successful yet.
2. Train your dog to carry you like a horse carries a man. Dogs have a secret - and that secret is that they are fully capable of hoisting a human on their backs and running for long distances. It's just their pride that keeps them from submitting in this way. The whole pride issue began when humans started taking dogs into their houses and feeding them at no cost. But that is a rant for another day. If you don't have a dog, there are other options. Kittens for example. Sure, they're not strong enough to hoist a human, or even a fat child, but they are quite adept at networking. And if a kitten really levels with you, it will tell you that their posse of kittens is a phone call away from teaming together to carry you wherever you need to go. The day I see a man being carried down the street by a small mob of kittens is the day I will finally have faith in humanity.
1. Blog. Some people like to blog when they are feeling most emotional, or on a Friday night when they should be out with their friends. The truth is, blogging is overrated and should be relegated to those small throwaway times as we wait for a ride.
5. Homework. This one is an obvious gamble. Ideally, your friend will come quickly so that you won't have to do it for too long, but you will still have done enough to say that your day was somewhat productive. Of course, in the case of really long waits, you'll end up getting a lot of work done. That's the risk you have to take though.
4. Walk in the direction your ride is coming. This will minimize those valuable seconds that would have been consumed if your ride at to come all the way to where you are. Expediency is never fully actualized, but this is one "step" you can take in that direction.
3. Teach yourself how to fly. I still stand by the belief that the only reason humanity has not learned how to fly without the use of an aircraft is a result of not enough time. Time that is wasted sitting on your rear for a ride is that very time needed to discover the method by which a human being can fly simply by the force of their will. I have personally made great lengths at this, but have not been completely successful yet.
2. Train your dog to carry you like a horse carries a man. Dogs have a secret - and that secret is that they are fully capable of hoisting a human on their backs and running for long distances. It's just their pride that keeps them from submitting in this way. The whole pride issue began when humans started taking dogs into their houses and feeding them at no cost. But that is a rant for another day. If you don't have a dog, there are other options. Kittens for example. Sure, they're not strong enough to hoist a human, or even a fat child, but they are quite adept at networking. And if a kitten really levels with you, it will tell you that their posse of kittens is a phone call away from teaming together to carry you wherever you need to go. The day I see a man being carried down the street by a small mob of kittens is the day I will finally have faith in humanity.
1. Blog. Some people like to blog when they are feeling most emotional, or on a Friday night when they should be out with their friends. The truth is, blogging is overrated and should be relegated to those small throwaway times as we wait for a ride.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Top 6 Accessories That Make You Cooler
6. Piercing (Varied) - This is the go to. Nothing says that you are respectable more than your willingness to put holes in your body. This practice is all about sticking it to the man. Piercings used to be a way to mark slaves, but that's the beauty of it. You willingly put a hole in your body to say that you will assume the role of self-slavery sooner than the role of man-slavery. The man hates it when you do it, because he wants you to be his slave. He's a jerk.
5. Sweatbands - These used to be considered a sign of loserdom. However, once people realized how practical they actually were, they dominated the realms of the reputable. I put one of these on once, and instantly, I could do no wrong. They're especially cool if you wear one while not playing spots. A cop pulled me over, but once he saw that I was wearing a headband, he ticketed himself. Then I ticketed him too.
4. Wristbands - Often worn by rock stars, these handy items make it look that your wrists are so powerful that they need to be suppressed. Do not confuse these with wristwatches, which are NOT cool. Cool people do not wear wristwatches because they are not limited by time, but make time.
3. Handbags - Not to be confused with purses. These "handy" items allow you to store all of your possessions in a place other than your pockets, which would just look ridiculous since it would bulge out.
2. Blackberry - Nothing says you're with it more than having your life organized. Also, these babies function as portable mothers - they make sure you're doing everything you're supposed to.
1. = Against the Sabre = A significant other - As much as single people want to war against this, the truth is that having another person in your life is a status symbol. In fact, it is THE status symbol. Some say that these are good for other things as well, like love and companionship, but the truth is, the status is the best past.
5. Sweatbands - These used to be considered a sign of loserdom. However, once people realized how practical they actually were, they dominated the realms of the reputable. I put one of these on once, and instantly, I could do no wrong. They're especially cool if you wear one while not playing spots. A cop pulled me over, but once he saw that I was wearing a headband, he ticketed himself. Then I ticketed him too.
4. Wristbands - Often worn by rock stars, these handy items make it look that your wrists are so powerful that they need to be suppressed. Do not confuse these with wristwatches, which are NOT cool. Cool people do not wear wristwatches because they are not limited by time, but make time.
3. Handbags - Not to be confused with purses. These "handy" items allow you to store all of your possessions in a place other than your pockets, which would just look ridiculous since it would bulge out.
2. Blackberry - Nothing says you're with it more than having your life organized. Also, these babies function as portable mothers - they make sure you're doing everything you're supposed to.
1. = Against the Sabre = A significant other - As much as single people want to war against this, the truth is that having another person in your life is a status symbol. In fact, it is THE status symbol. Some say that these are good for other things as well, like love and companionship, but the truth is, the status is the best past.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Top 6 Reasons You Want To Join My Revolution
6. Your life is boring. You get riled up watching movies about fighting for freedom and wish that you had a chance to do the same. This is your chance.
5. You've been hurt before. Although you may not see it, the cause of your hurt was StopFive Records. You need to get revenge.
4. This is a reputable media source. If you subscribe to it, you pretty much have it made. I have a masters in journalism and all sorts of crazy connections. If you can say that you wrote on this blog and worked with me, it would give you great street cred.
3. You had a dream that you could not interpret. The interpretation is thus - that you are to join my revolution. I had a dream the other night that I hid my pet horse in between the pages of a book, and when I opened it, he was only a drawing. I could never get my pet horse back. That fuels me in the cause.
2. You're single. Quality singles are waiting for you here at StopSix Records. I'm not one, but I'm sure there will be some. Being a writer on the blog will get them interested in you. If you don't choose to write, you will be single forever. And hate it.
1. I'm asking politely.
So - leave a comment if you want to join this revolution.
5. You've been hurt before. Although you may not see it, the cause of your hurt was StopFive Records. You need to get revenge.
4. This is a reputable media source. If you subscribe to it, you pretty much have it made. I have a masters in journalism and all sorts of crazy connections. If you can say that you wrote on this blog and worked with me, it would give you great street cred.
3. You had a dream that you could not interpret. The interpretation is thus - that you are to join my revolution. I had a dream the other night that I hid my pet horse in between the pages of a book, and when I opened it, he was only a drawing. I could never get my pet horse back. That fuels me in the cause.
2. You're single. Quality singles are waiting for you here at StopSix Records. I'm not one, but I'm sure there will be some. Being a writer on the blog will get them interested in you. If you don't choose to write, you will be single forever. And hate it.
1. I'm asking politely.
So - leave a comment if you want to join this revolution.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Top 6 Who's Who
6. StopFive Records - These are the enemy. In a historical motif, they are most obviously the Czars of monastic Russia with their exclusivistic ideals. In a galactic historical motif, they are the cantina owner who refused to serve droids. To discover more of their elitism, visit StopFive Records.
5. StopFour Records - This is our ally. In a historical motif, it is the brotherhood of the French Revolution. Ever loyal, ever true and possessing a heart full of song. In a galactic historical motif, it is a friendly Ewok. To aid this noble effort, be sure to visit StopFour Records.
4. Finneas - This is myself, the last remaining champion of idealism. In a historical motif, I am like William Wallace. In a galactic historical motif, I am Han Solo. With jedi powers. To learn more about me, take the time to sit down and listen to my problems.
3. ValuSave - This is the barbaric institution that I am convinced is in partnership with StopFive Records. In a historical motif, they are sweat shops. In a galactic historical motif, they are the Death Star. The second one. To learn more about the revolting reality that is the ValuSave, check out Finding Finneas.
2. You - This is the change agent. In a historical context, you are the proles of Orwell's 1984. In a galactic historical context, you are Obi-Wan Kenobi - our only hope.
1. Destiny - Where all of these figureheads collide. In a historical context, it is still destiny. In the galactic historical context, it is the force. To be a part of it, join and continue to support StopSix and StopFour Records as we seek to right all that is wrong in the world.
5. StopFour Records - This is our ally. In a historical motif, it is the brotherhood of the French Revolution. Ever loyal, ever true and possessing a heart full of song. In a galactic historical motif, it is a friendly Ewok. To aid this noble effort, be sure to visit StopFour Records.
4. Finneas - This is myself, the last remaining champion of idealism. In a historical motif, I am like William Wallace. In a galactic historical motif, I am Han Solo. With jedi powers. To learn more about me, take the time to sit down and listen to my problems.
3. ValuSave - This is the barbaric institution that I am convinced is in partnership with StopFive Records. In a historical motif, they are sweat shops. In a galactic historical motif, they are the Death Star. The second one. To learn more about the revolting reality that is the ValuSave, check out Finding Finneas.
2. You - This is the change agent. In a historical context, you are the proles of Orwell's 1984. In a galactic historical context, you are Obi-Wan Kenobi - our only hope.
1. Destiny - Where all of these figureheads collide. In a historical context, it is still destiny. In the galactic historical context, it is the force. To be a part of it, join and continue to support StopSix and StopFour Records as we seek to right all that is wrong in the world.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)