Two songs today, because 52 a year isn't enough. The first is "She Doesn't Exist Anymore" by Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians. Basically a song about a guy who screwed up a relationship. Robyn puts it much more eloquently than me. Michael Stype of R.E.M. provides some background "La, la, la, la"s. I did a cover of this song in 1999 playing all the instruments and doing all the vocals (Michael Stype couldn't pop by to do the "La, la, la, la"s for me). Alas, it is only available on cassette. Your loss (ha!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inAulpKNoSo
The second tune is a live performance of "Pattern Against User" by At the Drive-In. They were a high-energy semi-progressive outfit that broke out in the early 2000s. Unfortunately, they also broke up around that time, with the more proggy guys going on to form The Mars Volta, and the more, I don't know, emo guys going on to form Sparta. But, they've gotten back together and are touring on Lollapalooza this summer. They have a lot of time changes and musical dynamics that give us prog rock guys goosebumps. But the song's only four minutes long. Don't worry, it's not 2112 or Close to the Edge.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4Q2wS6sGQI
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Song/video of the week
Ok, this had to happen sooner or later. With me, there's going to be a Rush song posted at some point. And since they released a new single this week, I figured now is that time. Steven Colbert asked Rush "Have you ever written a song so long that, by the end of it, you were influenced by yourselves?" It seems that is coming true in a way. The new single "Headlong Flight" is very reminiscent of Rush's second and third albums except for the fact that Geddy Lee is not screeching. It is very heavy, there are a lot of drum fills and a lot of musical dynamics going on. (Colbert also asked the band, noting that they have the most consecutive platinum albums behind only the Beatles and U2 but had not been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, if they were going to call their next album "That's Bullshit." Alas, the new album is called "Clockwork Angels" and will drop in June) Video says it's the "official lyric video," but I don't think it is. Still, it's a good fan-made video. Just listen to it once, that's all I ask.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcFGrWjOX0E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcFGrWjOX0E
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Make a note, no one likes being compared to Hitler
I'm not sure when it became such a casual thing to compare people, events and situations to Hitler and Nazi Germany, but, please make a note if you are considering such an analogy, people still don't like it.
What situation in the world today, no matter how dire, compares to the invasion of all of Europe along with a campaign of genocide all fueled by the most evil mastermind in mankind's history outside of a comic book?
Apparently, the answer to that question is "lots of stuff."
The most public of examples, of course, came a few months ago when Hank Williams Jr., contacted for an interview on politics for some reason by a network that shall remain nameless, compared President Obama to Hitler, and called him "the enemy."
Don't get hung up on the semantics. He did it. It's what he said.
Obama, and in fact lots of other people, didn't appreciate the comparison. As well they shouldn't.
Just today, the international Jewish human rights group the Simon Wiesenthal Center, came down on John Raese, a Republican who is running for U.S. Senate in West Virginia, for drawing comparisons between his hometown's indoor smoking ban and the Holocaust.
Raese, an out-of-touch, born-into-wealth businessman, said at a public event that him having to put up a no-smoking sign on one of his buildings was the same as Jews in Germany having to wear yellow stars that marked them for death on their clothing.
No, it's not the same. It's not anywhere near the same. If a ballpark is located somewhere in St. Louis, then Raese's comments (you can read the story here http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/briefs/x1817470496/Raese-draws-criticism-for-Holocaust-remarks ) are somewhere on one of Saturn's moons. That's how "in the same ballpark" the event he was referring to is to his situation.
Again, let me be clear, a campaign to wipe out an entire race of people that resulted in the deaths of millions is not the same as you having to put up a "no-smoking" sign. And if you think it's the same, you should be placed in an elementary school history class where you are required to wear a conical hat.
Did Raese apologize for his remarks? No, he said he stood by them and he was simply "reciting history."
Well, man, guess what? Your campaign is history. I know Raese doesn't know what the Simon Wiesenthal Center is, but he's about to find out. He is in for a lot of unwanted attention. Those kinds of comparisons are not cool with them.
It's not cool with anybody. Ever.
I can remember when I was a reporter, I used to cover this small government agency that would meet once a month.
And every month, a local elderly fellow would get up and rant and rave about the agency's shortcomings, and the corruption of power that was taking place. Mind you, there wasn't enough power to corrupt at this agency even if you wanted to. The devil himself could look at the thing and say "Nah, not worth it."
But the members of this board silently endured this man's berating rants on a monthly basis for a period of years (it's probably still happening to this very day) and reacted professionally and calmly.
Except for one time.
That was the time when the perpetually unhappy old guy referred to the board as Nazi Germany, and its head man as Hitler.
I watched the expression of the accused when those words came out. It was like a light switch was clicked. His normally affable, benevolent countenance changed to one of immediate anger.
Some not so polite words were issued, and he threatened to have the man removed.
After the meeting was over, I asked the head man "So, how did you like being compared to the fuhrer?"
The man grimaced and replied "I don't have to put up with that bull shit."
I had to agree.
Even in my own house growing up, the comparisons had been made.
Whenever my mother would charge my little brother with a chore, especially if she did it in a nagging kind of way, he would snap to attention, shout "Ya vol, mein fuhrer!" and proceed to goosestep around the house with his right arm extended.
Mom, who comes from a line of German and southern European stock who came to America to escape the conditions of war and instability in the early 1900s, was not amused.
See? Even my mom hates being compared to Hitler.
So knock it off, already, would you?
Make fun of Hitler all you want. Mel Brooks and John Cleese are both pretty awesome at it.
Just don't tell your friend "That's so Hitler" when they suggest you become more organized, or get a little too pushy with a waitress. They won't like it.
And, as with Williams Jr. and Raese, don't pull it out just because you're too dumb to come up with anything else. Fall back on "I am rubber and you are glue" before pulling out the big "H" card.
What situation in the world today, no matter how dire, compares to the invasion of all of Europe along with a campaign of genocide all fueled by the most evil mastermind in mankind's history outside of a comic book?
Apparently, the answer to that question is "lots of stuff."
The most public of examples, of course, came a few months ago when Hank Williams Jr., contacted for an interview on politics for some reason by a network that shall remain nameless, compared President Obama to Hitler, and called him "the enemy."
Don't get hung up on the semantics. He did it. It's what he said.
Obama, and in fact lots of other people, didn't appreciate the comparison. As well they shouldn't.
Just today, the international Jewish human rights group the Simon Wiesenthal Center, came down on John Raese, a Republican who is running for U.S. Senate in West Virginia, for drawing comparisons between his hometown's indoor smoking ban and the Holocaust.
Raese, an out-of-touch, born-into-wealth businessman, said at a public event that him having to put up a no-smoking sign on one of his buildings was the same as Jews in Germany having to wear yellow stars that marked them for death on their clothing.
No, it's not the same. It's not anywhere near the same. If a ballpark is located somewhere in St. Louis, then Raese's comments (you can read the story here http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/briefs/x1817470496/Raese-draws-criticism-for-Holocaust-remarks ) are somewhere on one of Saturn's moons. That's how "in the same ballpark" the event he was referring to is to his situation.
Again, let me be clear, a campaign to wipe out an entire race of people that resulted in the deaths of millions is not the same as you having to put up a "no-smoking" sign. And if you think it's the same, you should be placed in an elementary school history class where you are required to wear a conical hat.
Did Raese apologize for his remarks? No, he said he stood by them and he was simply "reciting history."
Well, man, guess what? Your campaign is history. I know Raese doesn't know what the Simon Wiesenthal Center is, but he's about to find out. He is in for a lot of unwanted attention. Those kinds of comparisons are not cool with them.
It's not cool with anybody. Ever.
I can remember when I was a reporter, I used to cover this small government agency that would meet once a month.
And every month, a local elderly fellow would get up and rant and rave about the agency's shortcomings, and the corruption of power that was taking place. Mind you, there wasn't enough power to corrupt at this agency even if you wanted to. The devil himself could look at the thing and say "Nah, not worth it."
But the members of this board silently endured this man's berating rants on a monthly basis for a period of years (it's probably still happening to this very day) and reacted professionally and calmly.
Except for one time.
That was the time when the perpetually unhappy old guy referred to the board as Nazi Germany, and its head man as Hitler.
I watched the expression of the accused when those words came out. It was like a light switch was clicked. His normally affable, benevolent countenance changed to one of immediate anger.
Some not so polite words were issued, and he threatened to have the man removed.
After the meeting was over, I asked the head man "So, how did you like being compared to the fuhrer?"
The man grimaced and replied "I don't have to put up with that bull shit."
I had to agree.
Even in my own house growing up, the comparisons had been made.
Whenever my mother would charge my little brother with a chore, especially if she did it in a nagging kind of way, he would snap to attention, shout "Ya vol, mein fuhrer!" and proceed to goosestep around the house with his right arm extended.
Mom, who comes from a line of German and southern European stock who came to America to escape the conditions of war and instability in the early 1900s, was not amused.
See? Even my mom hates being compared to Hitler.
So knock it off, already, would you?
Make fun of Hitler all you want. Mel Brooks and John Cleese are both pretty awesome at it.
Just don't tell your friend "That's so Hitler" when they suggest you become more organized, or get a little too pushy with a waitress. They won't like it.
And, as with Williams Jr. and Raese, don't pull it out just because you're too dumb to come up with anything else. Fall back on "I am rubber and you are glue" before pulling out the big "H" card.
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Song/Video of the Week
One of my favorite "newer" bands, Doves, from Manchester, England are very crafty with melody, which is something I find lacking in a lot of new music. They come from the same crop that produced artists like Gomez, Badly Drawn Boy, Elbow and, of course, Coldplay. This is nothing like Coldplay. It is the video for "Catch the Sun."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqlIFLb6jU0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqlIFLb6jU0
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Perpetual change and "The Good Old Days"
"You know, I hear people talk about 'The good old days,' and I don't get it. These are the good old days. I would rather be living right now than back then."
These are the words of my father from a recent conversation we had. And I couldn't agree more.
Being in the newspaper business, myself and others get a lot of calls, letters and submitted columns that center on the idea of "The Good Old Days."
I'm not sure what time period that is, specifically. It seems from what I read to be some vague, sepia-toned era when people were happy and respectful, the concept of immorality did not exist (but is very present today) and, of course, everything cost less.
The phrase I read a lot is "It was a simpler time." The person then inevitably goes on to explain arduous farm labor, strict, often corporal discipline from parental figures and an antiquated car.
So, is simpler better?
True, we do live in a time when some would argue we are battling the fruits of a more cushioned lifestyle. There's childhood obesity, a dependence on technology, the preference of instant gratification, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
Guess what, each age has its own challenges.
Let's recap the years of American history that would fall under the veil of the "Good Old Days," shall we? The Great Depression, World War II, Joe McCarthy, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, violent civil rights conflict and Moby Grape. "Build-in Berlin Bay of Pigs Invasion ..." etc.
Man, that was so great back in the good old days when they would turn the fire hoses on people of a different race because they thought they had the right to equality. Our morals were so strong back then. And the politicians weren't sleeping around and nobody was gay or took a drink of alcohol or abused their spouse.
You folks are reaching.
Of course, complicated has its complications. We just ended one war, are still in another, the deficit is soaring, people from the good old days still can't stand the idea of a black president, no one's writing any good music, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
Look, the world is constantly changing. You solve one problem and a host of new ones emerge.
I'll be the first one to admit I'm not that great at dealing with changes. I make slow transitions in different phases of life. My iPhone is basically a bulky iPod, because I don't use a ton of apps.
But to gloss over my own history and the world context of those times as some sort of rose-tinted period when there were no problems is ridiculous. You have to grow and change.
Let me put it this way, when I think of people who couldn't come to grips with a changed world, three names pop into my head: John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald and James Earl Ray.
Let me also point out that the idea of a time when things were better is not a new one.
Perhaps the people who lived in the good old days have forgotten, but the propaganda films of their time on how people should act and live their lives reflected a tone of decaying American values (just look up any Mystery Science Theater 3000 Short on YouTube and you'll pick up on it).
So, as David Byrne would say, "Same as it ever was."
The thing that will drive me crazy immediately is when someone reflects on the good old days and references a scene from "The Andy Griffith Show" as if it is their own memory.
I just want to scream and shake the person.
"That's not even real, you crazy bastard! It was a TV show!"
I could write an entire thesis on what I call "The Andy Griffith Syndrome," but let's not do that here and now.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that change is constant, nothing is ever simple and the good old days are a myth.
We are living longer now. Less people are dying from giving birth, polio or the plague. In return, we have to deal with the Black-Eyed Peas.
Nothing is perfect.
These are the words of my father from a recent conversation we had. And I couldn't agree more.
Being in the newspaper business, myself and others get a lot of calls, letters and submitted columns that center on the idea of "The Good Old Days."
I'm not sure what time period that is, specifically. It seems from what I read to be some vague, sepia-toned era when people were happy and respectful, the concept of immorality did not exist (but is very present today) and, of course, everything cost less.
The phrase I read a lot is "It was a simpler time." The person then inevitably goes on to explain arduous farm labor, strict, often corporal discipline from parental figures and an antiquated car.
So, is simpler better?
True, we do live in a time when some would argue we are battling the fruits of a more cushioned lifestyle. There's childhood obesity, a dependence on technology, the preference of instant gratification, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
Guess what, each age has its own challenges.
Let's recap the years of American history that would fall under the veil of the "Good Old Days," shall we? The Great Depression, World War II, Joe McCarthy, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, violent civil rights conflict and Moby Grape. "Build-in Berlin Bay of Pigs Invasion ..." etc.
Man, that was so great back in the good old days when they would turn the fire hoses on people of a different race because they thought they had the right to equality. Our morals were so strong back then. And the politicians weren't sleeping around and nobody was gay or took a drink of alcohol or abused their spouse.
You folks are reaching.
Of course, complicated has its complications. We just ended one war, are still in another, the deficit is soaring, people from the good old days still can't stand the idea of a black president, no one's writing any good music, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
Look, the world is constantly changing. You solve one problem and a host of new ones emerge.
I'll be the first one to admit I'm not that great at dealing with changes. I make slow transitions in different phases of life. My iPhone is basically a bulky iPod, because I don't use a ton of apps.
But to gloss over my own history and the world context of those times as some sort of rose-tinted period when there were no problems is ridiculous. You have to grow and change.
Let me put it this way, when I think of people who couldn't come to grips with a changed world, three names pop into my head: John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald and James Earl Ray.
Let me also point out that the idea of a time when things were better is not a new one.
Perhaps the people who lived in the good old days have forgotten, but the propaganda films of their time on how people should act and live their lives reflected a tone of decaying American values (just look up any Mystery Science Theater 3000 Short on YouTube and you'll pick up on it).
So, as David Byrne would say, "Same as it ever was."
The thing that will drive me crazy immediately is when someone reflects on the good old days and references a scene from "The Andy Griffith Show" as if it is their own memory.
I just want to scream and shake the person.
"That's not even real, you crazy bastard! It was a TV show!"
I could write an entire thesis on what I call "The Andy Griffith Syndrome," but let's not do that here and now.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that change is constant, nothing is ever simple and the good old days are a myth.
We are living longer now. Less people are dying from giving birth, polio or the plague. In return, we have to deal with the Black-Eyed Peas.
Nothing is perfect.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Song/Video of the week
Back to XTC, with "Easter Theater" because, well, it's Easter. Part Passion Play, part pagan ritual, part guitar solo? I don't know, another masterful song that denies categorization from the penultimate album, Apple Venus Vol. I. (1999). Video is fan made, because I don't think XTC made any videos after "The Ballad of Peter Pumpkin Head" (which you should check out) in 1992. Anyway, please enjoy, and Happy Easter everyone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkW3Taq5Mks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkW3Taq5Mks
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Oh, man, a rerun.
If TV shows can do it, then so can I. I apologize, but there are way too many hands on my time this week. I'll make it up to you all, I swear. In the meantime, enjoy this. Remember "Lost?" That was cool, right? I was a better writer back then, anyway.
http://dailyindependent.com/columns/x1192749624/Ben-Fields-Lost-without-Lost-11-16-2006
http://dailyindependent.com/columns/x1192749624/Ben-Fields-Lost-without-Lost-11-16-2006
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