Albums: I like 'em!

There used to be a time when buying an album meant having a collection of songs from a band that defined where they were in the careers or a certain point in the evolution of music. The concept of the "album" has largely been lost on most mainstream artists these days. The emergence of the .mp3 format and the internet have destroyed what it means to make a complete album. Most "artists" now compile songs on a CD hoping that 2 or 3 of those songs are good enough to chart as singles and sell a bunch on iTunes or some other website that sells songs individually. Now, don't get me wrong.....that doesn't make the music itself bad. Nor is there anything inherently wrong with wanting to sell songs. But, it has shoved aside, what I feel to be a very important part of listening to music. Putting an album on and enjoying the entire thing because it was meant to be listened to as a whole.

I won't throw the baby out with the bathwater. There are some bands that seem to still work hard on putting together a real collection of songs that flow and lead into one another, fit a common theme, or define a sound an artist/band is working on. Bands/artists (that are currently working) like this include, but certainly are not limited to Steve Earle, Wilco, My Morning Jacket, Lucinda Williams, Metallica, Beck, Alejandro Escoveda, Counting Crows, Joe Henry, John Mellencamp, and REM.. Myself, I really do like song collections from various artists, but the album is where my heart lies. I was looking over some Top Albums Of All-Time lists and Rolling Stone included "Greatest Hits" compilations, which in my  opinion are not albums. They are collections of songs from different times in an artists career. You only have to make it to #21 before Rolling Stone had a "best of" collection (Chuck Berry, The Great Twenty Eight) nestled in ahead of such landmark albums as "Rumors"- Fleetwood Mac, "Hotel California"- The Eagles, and "Songs In The Key Of Life"- Stevie Wonder. What a travesty. By that standard, the #1 collection that was released by Apple some time ago that featured only the songs by the Beatles that reached the top, would be the greatest album EVER. But it's NOT an album. Rolling Stone has aided in watering down what an album is.

I like many different kinds of music. So much so, that I really don't consider genres unless I pretty well have to in conversation. For my money, a good Son Volt album (Trace) is no less country than a Waylon Jennings record (Honky Tonk Heroes). Nor is it any more rock n roll. We get hung up on genre and many times that keeps us away from hearing music we would probably enjoy. When I hear someone say "I don't like country music" and then they say they like Johnny Cash, it leads me to believe that the person probably is not going to have the pleasure of enjoying artists like Merle Haggard, Steve Earle, Slaid Cleaves, or Willie Nelson, simply because they are considered to be country or alt.country. I used to tell people I didn't like "metal", but that really wasn't entirely true, because I (at different times and moods) can enjoy Quiet Riot, Metallica, Led Zeppelin, Def Leppard, and others. So, if I defined all those bands as metal and decided I wouldn't listen to metal, then I would miss out on some stuff I like.


Which brings me to the very point of this blog entry; My Favorite Albums! No rhyme or reason. No real order. Just a list of albums that, regardless of what genre someone may want to put them in, really do it for me as a whole and not just as small pieces. I really hope if any of these sound appealing that maybe one of the three people that read this blog will try out an album or two off my list. Put 'em on the iPod, lay back on the couch, put on  headphones and lose yourself in the sounds and songwriting. It's very relaxing to zone out for about 45 minutes or so a couple of times a week.

The Replacements "Pleased To Meet Me"-- This is a tweener album for The Replacements. They were starting to move away from punk/underground with the previous two albums (Let It Be & Tim) and moving towards pop accessibility. The music is fairly raw for its' time, but preceded the "grunge/alternative" movement by a few years. Bands such as Green Day, Gin Blossoms, Nirvana, and Goo Goo Dolls cite The Replacements as having an influence on their sound. Thanks to Brian M, this may be my favorite album, by my favorite band.  He let me borrow this cassette just before I left for college. I gave it back to him.....10 years later.

 The Beastie Boys "Paul's Boutique"--Simply one of the best hip hop albums ever by any decent standard. Within two years of its completion, it was deemed as a record that could not be made again. The Dust Brothers and The Beasties sampled no less than 105 songs on this album and layered them one on top of the other for a very distinct throw back sound to the 70's with a very late 80's rap style (utilized by greats like Run DMC and LL Cool J). If you think the Beastie Boys were all about fighting for ones right to party, you'd be wrong. Great depth of sound make this a great record, and there is an upgrade lyrically from the alcohol fueled "Licensed To Ill".  While most people were "dissing" this album at the time of release, it's now regarded as a masterpiece.

Jimmy Buffett "A-1-A"-- While I have plenty of negative things to say about Buffett's music post 1980, the decade of the 70's were stellar for him. Before he found mainstream success, Buffett didn't cater to Parrot Heads or any of that nonsense. He wrote great songs about life and how satisfying, surreal, and fun it can be. He gets points for his music because as far as I know, he's the only famous person ever to have his ass beat by the real life Buford Pusser (see Walking Tall). This is a very enjoyable listen. Especially good for deck sitting.

The Beatles "Rubber Soul"-- I probably don't need to say much of anything about this. From this album on, nobody would be able to say that the Beatles were a bubble gum band, ever again. "In My Life" may be the best song I've ever heard. The topics of the songs had evolved from holding hands and writing letters to attacking politics, and lamenting change. George Harrison really came alive on this album and showed himself to be more than capable of making the McCartney and Lennon duo to push themselves a little harder.

The Jayhawks "The Sound Of Lies"-- Top quality album. As one song ends, it seems to breed into another song that is superior than the last. It has a great flow and for anyone who likes The Byrds, Beatles, or Fleetwood Mac, you would probably dig this great record. "Bottomless Cup" and "16 Down" are great songs that deserved more people to hear them. This band has yet to make what I'd say is a disappointing album. If I had to say that one album out of this five was a flowing, wholly satisfying and immersive record, I'd have to say this one is.




Here are a few honorable mentions that I will discuss on another blog, as this entry is getting quite lengthy. So, if you actually liked this, look for me to do a follow up pretty soon!

Led Zeppelin "Houses Of The Holy"
The Eagles "The Long Run"
Michael Jackson "Thriller"
Wilco "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot"
Pink Floyd "Dark Side Of The Moon"

The "Hell" Thing

I have quite a few Christian friends and almost friends. One of the more interesting topics to discuss with them (or you) is hell and how it relates to the overall characteristics of God and/or Jesus. Now, I fully realize that since NONE of us know what happens after we die, that some people are reluctant to even discuss it. But, in my need to understand as much as I can about people, the world, and myself, I enjoy such conversations.

Most everyone I know that is religious is a Christian, so that's the point of view I will be taking up. Not to knock Muslims, Buddhists, Mormons, Reptilians, followers of Zeus or anyone else.....it's just that Christianity is my background. 

I kind of get that if you don't express faith in God/Jesus that you must be separated from him. God made the rules, so in it's simplest form, I don't disagree with that. But, when you bring hell into the equation, I get really messed up. You see, I was told from a VERY early age that I was always being watched. All of my thoughts were being heard. Even if I thought something and didn't act on it, I was held responsible. Add to the fear that there was no way for me to ever be alone to just think, that I believed I would inevitably go to hell because the bar was so high. Then, put a heavy pile of guilt on, with a side order of being scared to death that we were gonna get nuked by the Russians at any minute. I'm firmly convince that that bullshit, along with the abuse my father heaped out on my family, is why it has taken me so long to finally be comfortable just being who I am. 

If I reject Jesus, and if Bible God is real, I'm going to hell. I sinned the ultimate sin and so I have to pay. Like prison or standing in the corner. But, forever? And burning? God really couldn't come up with anything better? Like just smiting me out of existence? What's in it for God that he needs a place to put souls, so they will burn forever and ever and ever and ever and ever and ever..........that's not a long time.....it's FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Eternity. Again, what's in it for God/Jesus? Is that really a punishment that fits the crime? Who is he trying to persuade to be good? Those in heaven? Well, they are in heaven, so it seems like they really wouldn't need any convincing to be good. They made it. Hooray for them! Torturing someone for eternity can lead me to believe only one conclusion; that God gets some sort of pleasure in the torture of the very souls he created. God KNOWS we are unworthy. God KNOWS we are sinners. Yet, a hundred years of hell isn't enough to let you know you screwed up. Only eternity will teach you a lesson. And it's a lesson you can't come back from. Because it's forever. No rehab. Forever. I will not even mention that we are given so little proof that Bible God is THE true god, though I guess I just did mention it.  2/3 of the planet doesn't subscribe to Bible God. So, here we are with a bunch of other gods and if you are not born in a Christian nation, you will likely serve another type of god. It's tough to win. It's like a cosmic lottery. If Bible God is the way to eternal life, he sure didn't give us much to go on and really hasn't been fair with a good portion of the inhabitants of the place he created.  We are judged to get an eternity of either heaven or hell based on a small amount of time, that amounts to less than the head of a pin when looked at through eternity. 

The attributes of God read just like the attributes of man. God is jealous and full of vengeance. God is kind. God loves. God forgives. God rewards. God punishes. Apparently God is remorseful. And, from what I've learned about the human race and religious leaders, it seems that God has an awful lot in common with the emotions and actions of man. If there is a god (and I'm not sayin' there ain't) I would hope that it is way more powerful and way beyond any simple emotion or pettiness that any of us could come up with.

I obviously don't believe in hell. But I can't understand why hell isn't a stumbling block for more many  Christians. It sounds like something a person would say to a kid to get them to act right. Sort of like saying "Keep making that face and it will stay that way". There are quite a few Christians that don't believe in hell. That is confusing also. If it's interpretation, then that's just one more problem to think through.

  I don't tell my kids that God/Jesus is listening to their thoughts and watching their every move. I don't tell them that if they don't believe they will go to hell forever when they die. I don't tell them that people they know who didn't believe in God are in hell. For my money, that's child abuse. I've seen what it's done to me and some others in my family and I refuse to have my kids going down the same path, getting the same mind bang that I got. My kids are being raised Christian and I don't have a huge problem with that. But, their upbringing is going to paint religion as more personnel and local and not on the level of some sort of grand scheme of which we are all a part of. Hell scares kids, and maybe eternal torment is not something that should motivate them to love a god. I imagine that was the point when it was thought up.  Think of yourself looking at your child and saying, "Disown me and I'll toss you in the microwave......forever."

I've said my peace on it. I want to know if hell and the concept of it trouble anyone? Especially Christians. How do you feel about telling your young kids about it? Is it a good idea to try to get someone to be good out of fear or should we try to appeal to someone to do right, because it's right? 

My intent here is not to criticize believers or mock anyone. Just trying to understand life.

And, don't some people really seem way too into the theory of hell as punishment? Almost like they are glad they get to look down on sinners and remind them that they are going to hell? Check this site out....there are plenty like it and plenty worse.....

http://www.apuritansmind.com/christianwalk/HateChrist.htm

Attention Vince Vaughn Fans!!! See "Made"

How many people watch a film and say to themselves "I don't even remember that one being out in theaters, but it's great!"?  I've done that from time to time and one of the films I've loved since first watching it is the Jon Favreau directed "Made". Yes, that Jon Favreau.....of "Elf" fame.....oh and he did a couple of little comic book flicks that you may have heard of; "Iron Man" and "Iron Man 2". Ring a bell?

It's nearly impossible to make me uncomfortable watching a comedy, but this one pulls it off. Jon Favreau and his buddy, Vince Vaughn are simply amazing in this movie. Their skills really started to come front and center on "Made". Both had previously been in "Rudy" and "Swingers" together. Favreau pretty much plays it straight and though the story really centers on him and how he handles a world that he is having trouble getting a hold of. The movie is stolen by Vaughn. This is, without any doubt, the best performance he has ever given. Right from the onset, you see he is potentially a character you could like, but every time he has a chance to say or do the right thing, he falters and relies on his want to be a shady character.....or a "made" man. 

The cast is really solid. Besides Favreau and Vaughn, Peter Falk, Sean Combs, and Faizon Love turn in stellar performances. Oh, and lest I forget, Famke Janssen, Sam Rockwell, and Vincent Pastore all are on top of their game as well. Rockwell has two unforgettably uncomfortable scenes with Vaughn, involving a tip, a fish bowl, the comfort level of a hotel room, and where to find women.

Bobby (Favreau) is a part time boxer, construction worker, and muscle for his stripper girlfriend (Janssen). Bobby badly wants to be able to take care of her and her daughter on the up and up. But, after roughing up a guy at a bachelor party, he becomes indebted to local mob boss, Max. Max needs Bobby for a job. Bobby recommends that his friend Ricky (Vaughn) do the job and Max allows Ricky to be involved, so long as Bobby is. You see Max hates Ricky because Ricky "lost" Max's cleaning van and isn't known for his smarts or trustworthiness.  Max really does like Bobby and that's the only reason that he keeps Ricky around doing odd jobs. One scene that is almost fall down funny is Ricky being playfully whipped by an architect at a job site.

The guys have to hop a plane to New York, leaving their L.A. lifestyle behind to make a "drop". The scene between Ricky and the stewardess on the plane is one of the most funny and nerve wrecking 5 minutes in film history.....I don't think I'm over selling it. In New York, the guys meet Driver Jimmy (Pastore), Screech (Dustin Diamond as himself) "Did you just let Screech into the fucking club?!!!", and Ruiz (Combs). Combs is excellent as a mover and shaker and engineer of deals and his side kick Horace (Faizon Love) is a nice punching bag for Ruiz. 

Needless to say, Ricky's antics get Bobby and him into all sorts of miserable situations. Those situations are funny, even though there is potential for anger and violence. Vaughn's character simply exacerbates every situation with his nonsense and want to be a "player". Seriously, if you have not seen this movie and you like Vince Vaughn, then rent it. Or buy it. It's a very solid, well made comedy, that makes you laugh and squirm at the same time. How? I don't know.......Vaughn is just that damn good. 

"The movies are great medicine, thank you Thomas Edison, for giving us the best years of our lives"

The Statler Brothers

My Life; Where I'm At After The Storm

I've spent a lot of time in my life not liking this, that, or the other, and dismissing experiences I could have or should have had. Most of the time, it was from being afraid of going outside of my comfort zone. Sometimes I even disregarded things because so many other people liked those things. I'm hoping that maybe I've turned the corner in that regard. 

I like people much more than I let on. I always try to see the best in a person, especially those who I have a lot of contact with. Of course, there are those nameless faces out in the world that drive me nuts (bad drivers, thoughtless morons, etc), but what are you gonna do? 

Now, I'm not about to start jumping out of airplanes or climbing any mountains, but there are aspects in which I've changed a great deal. I've had my sputters over the past 18 months. I've alienated some people and pissed off others and probably even disappointed some folks. But, that was all on the way to where I'm going. Change, when it's radical and fairly swift, can throw a person off kilter. Trying to understand what I was feeling put me in a position to say some things that were not necessarily how I meant them. The most significant change has been my leaving Christianity behind. I joke about it a lot, because it helps me deal with mourning it. Believing something for so long and then seeing it crumble under the microscope of critical thought and heart felt feelings has been tough at times. It is very much like mourning. 

In my discussions with folks, I have come to find out just how many interpretations there are of Christianity and Islam (among a few other religions). Some believe in hell. Some don't. Some believe in keeping OT values. Some don't. And on and on. It sucks the life out of trying to sort through to the truth. You can put 10 Christians together from 10 different denominations and you'll get 10 different ideas on life and Biblical topics. I'm at a place where I love to discuss religion and belief. Not so much the existence of god or gods. None of us REALLY know the answer to that, do we? But we can sort through religious dogma and come to some sort of agreements as to what is positive and what is negative......or maybe not. So far, as a species, we are not doing very well at it. 

Somehow, I'm much happier in my own skin now. And this will sound weird, but, I no longer fear death. It's inevitable and for the most part, I will not be in control of when and how it happens. We all..............ALL.....must face death. We can either run from it and pretend it's not coming, or we can embrace the idea that this play is going to continue to go on, once our character gets killed off. I've concluded that my life should be about experience, sharing, open mindedness, love, and joy. My love of family comes first and everything else will just have to sort itself out as it comes along. Priorities? Not much. It's hard to have a wish list when there are so many changes happening in our world.

It may or may not be very obvious, but I do partake of the pot. With that, I've pretty much quit drinking. No more liquor buzzes and all that stuff for me. It made me feel bad. It made me feel like someone else was running the show. It led me to deny my true character. Let's be frank. I have no reason to lie to anyone. I used to drink quite a bit. I'm not an alcoholic, but at times I could see how someone could easily fall down into that rabbit hole. The drinking kept me from appreciating my life properly. Religion played a part in that too, because of all the guilt I carried every single time I did something that Jesus would "tsk, tsk" me over. Now, I'm much more apt to take things as they come and try to make the best out of situations, where before I would blow up, hand out blame, and go into a depressive shell. I do battle the depression now and again, but it happens less and less now, and I attribute it to; my wife,not drinking, backing out of religion, feeling better about who I am, letting go of the past, realizing I will not live forever, and using marijuana. I have started weening off of anti-depressants and seeing a counselor. I firmly believe that, for the first time in my life, I am headed in the right direction as a human being.

What does the marijuana do for me, you may ask? Well, for one, it's opened me to up thinking about things differently. I have let my mind out of the box I had it trapped in. I no longer believe our world is black and white. There are simply too many nuances to think that there is always just right and just wrong, without a middle ground. I really like the way it makes me feel when I'm around people. I have more patience. I enjoy the little things more. The simple stuff that I used to push away or take for granted. Now, I'm not talking about getting stoned and/or partying all the time. I'm talking about hitting a little and going about your business. I really can't explain it. To understand how using a little several times a week can change a person, you have to do it. It is what it is, and I really feel that there is nothing for me to be ashamed of or feel guilty about. Anyone who thinks that it has to be a negative for my life should ask my wife or mom. They like me better, and I think some of that comes from my ability to think about my life. Sure, they'd rather that all of this change in me had come without the use of marijuana or losing my religion, but different strokes move different folks.

Here it is......for the longest stretch in my adult life, I can now honestly say the following;

I am happy.

I am happy to be alive.

I am enjoying the life I have carved out for myself and my family. 

I am not locked into any specific, rigid ideology, whether it be societal, political, or religious.

Consciousness has become very important to me. I want to be more aware of the things that go on around me and I want to see things from other points of view. It's the only way to understand the things that we can't figure out from our own point of view. Perspective means a lot. I may write another blog soon on consciousness. 

So, I know that I have kind of left the goofy stuff behind in my writing. It has not gone anywhere, I just have come to realize some things and the change in my life has led me to want to tell the tale. I don't want anyone to think I have abandoned them. My friends are still my friends.....nothing can take away time spent together and experiences we've had. Those were real and valuable. Yes, I'm different. But it was a change that I made for me and nobody else. If I didn't change, I really feel that eventually I would cave in on myself and lose my family and probably my life.

Cheers!!!!    :-)   

Depression Is....

If you are depressive or have depression (diagnosed or not), you know that it always has a way of finding you. No matter that you are feeling on top of the world for days or weeks on end, it's gonna find you. Chase it off with medicine. Self medicate. Go to counseling. Exercise. Eat better. It doesn't matter, it's gonna getcha!

Depression is like the weird uncle at family gatherings. You know that the gatherings are coming (Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc) and your crazy assed uncle is going to be there, like it or not. Saying things that are totally inappropriate, like "Hey, your daughter is really growing up. Has she got her period yet?" or drinking too much and falling down the stairs, then blaming it on Milli Vanilli not having a follow up album. You don't want depression to come back, but it wouldn't stay away if you paid it.

So, I've come up with a list of what depression is like and what it means to me. Sure, it affects everyone differently, but I thought it might be a good idea to sling a few cats up a tree to see if they can catch a branch or land on their feet (they always seem to).

Depression Is.....

Wanting to sleep more than a 19 year old high school drop out, living in mom's basement.

Believing people are conspiring against you, as if they were planning the JFK assassination.

Thinking nobody loves you, despite them putting up with your tantrums about sour cream having an expiration date.

Believing aliens are stalking you and have abducted your pets. (OK, never mind that one, it's a whole 'nother kind of crazy)

Wanting to be left alone and then when nobody comes around getting pissed because you think they don't care.

Small matters suddenly become large and overwhelming.....but only to you.

Getting "WTF?" looks from your friends and family when you tell them you'd prefer death over how you feel.

Sending a scathing, angry email and then wishing there was a "Take It Back" button just two seconds later.

Closing your Facebook account because someone talks bad about the Red Sox.

Being less motivated than LeBron James in an elimination play-off game.

Smoking a joint and not laughing at America's Funniest Home Videos.

Watching "What About Bob?" as if Freud wrote it.

Being certain that everyone on the road is out there just to piss you off.

Allowing whims to control most of your day and actions.

Not feeling good for no good reason.

Having less interest in sex than Rosie O'Donnell at a Chippendale's weenie flop.

Finding no joy in the things that should light up your day; like getting an extra chicken wing in your 3 piece meal.

"I'm down....really down....how can you laugh when you know I'm down."

The Beatles