ELECTRIC DREAM MACHINE

5 "Oldies" That Could Use Some Rock-vamping

2009-03-21T22:24:00.000-07:00

Something that gets me hard (musically speaking) is when an awesome classic song is covered by a capable contemporary artist and brought back to life like the phoenix. Now I don't think there's anything wrong with the originals of course, but hearing a new energized and youthful version of a song that was already fantastic can be magical. Examples of artists who do this well are Prince and Muse.

Anyone who knows me remotely well knows that oldies music is my kryptonite. I love lots of music I hear from the 50s and 60s. Not the respectable music snob stuff like Jazz, but the more forgettable forms of music from those time periods. The stuff that is less respected among musical circles and is glossed over. I'm talking about stuff like "Doo-Wop." I am a "Doo-Wop" FIEND. The sorrow, the haunting vocal melodies and harmonies, the fact that most of them use the same chord progression (okay, that annoys me).

But here are some songs from those wonderful decades that I think could use some Rock-vamping (Rock-vamping as I define it is giving a song a new feel and making it become re-energized by spreucing up the arrangement and giving it a little youthful spark and shimmer. It doesn't mean shit, really.)

5. Lou Christie - Lightnin' Strikes!
This song is charming, quirky, and has the badboy streak that made Lou

Christie famous in his time. I would love to hear the song given a bit more

of that rebellious attitude, and hear the vocals take a little bit of a rougher

approach, sung in mid-range more (the falsetto is awesome but a little bit

silly and cheesy). This song shouldn't take itself too seriously but maybe

it could present itself with a little bit more badassitude.

4. Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby

Now my boy Rivers Cuomo did a fantastic cover of this song on his "Alone II" album,

a compilation of unreleased recordings featuring the boyish Weezer frontman. He

did the song right, but aside from a rockin' guitar solo, he didn't really revision it

as much as he paid homage to it. Now there's nothing wrong with that but I'd like to

hear a bit more emotion and less "pep" on the whole track... I mean, he can't be

sure that this girl will stay with him just because she says "Don't worry, baby..."

a more rock-tastic version could express the subject's insecurity a bit more.

3. Nat King Cole - Unforgettable

Perfect little romantic ballad. But why couldn't it be more? That bridge is begging

to be sung more evocatively and emotionally with a great rock vocalist. Not "rawk" like

Dave Grohl of course, but by a great, moody band like Muse or maybe Radiohead.

Someone like that. And yes, I was influenced by this song's inclusion in the Watchmen

soundtrack. Suck it.

2. Little Anthony & The Imperials - Goin' Out of My Head

One of my all-time favorite love songs, but I feel like this song is missing a Princely

guitar solo. I mean, it builds and builds and the tension is practically unbearable

and there is no release. It's musical and emotional blue-balls for me every time.

Throw in a guitar solo and some more distraught wailing and- BAM, you've just

been rocked out of your head.

1. Lou Christie - Two Faces Have I
I know I already put Lou Christie on here but this one is a dead ringer and

deserves to be #1. I see the sorrow inherent in that vocal line and wish a

version of it could be made that doesn't belong in crappy diners.And

listen to that bridge, man. There is real beauty there, sabotaged by the song's

cheesy, hokey nature. Just imagine that vocal line without the cheeky falsetto...

this song could make a real emotional impact if it put itself out there. Maybe

someone can save it from itself one day.

Not like it matters because I love these songs anyways... no matter how cheesy

or "gay" they might be. But wouldn't it be something to hear them revitalized by

younger performers? Thanks for reading.

3/22/09

The Art of Making a Mix CD

2009-03-20T20:09:00.000-07:00

Yes, you read that title right. Creating a balanced, flowing mix cd is an art-form; One that requires patience, a dash of perfectionism, and a love of music. Here are some tips on how to make an awesome mix CD, be it for your friend or a bird you really fancy.

Choose a fitting opening song

You should always try to start a cd off on the right foot. If you open with a less-than-stellar song, you're going to be giving anyone who listens to your mix a one-way ticket to skipsville. Maybe choose a song that opens up an album really well or a song that really keeps your attention and builds anticipation and adrenaline.

THE RIGHT WAY: Track 1 - Billy Joel - Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
THE WRONG WAY: Track 1 - Metallica - Shoot Me Again

Switch things up

Make sure your mix has a lot of dynamics and range. Don't just choose hard-rocking fun songs. Throw a few ballads on there. Choose songs with different tempos, energy levels, and styles. It really makes your mix more interesting for the listener and you'll feel cool for having all this different on one disk. You'll think to yourself: "Wow, it's like Lil Wayne and Foo Fighters had a jam session and I was invited!"

THE RIGHT WAY: After a couple fast songs, slowing things down with a more thought-provoking piece.
THE WRONG WAY: No deviation. This mix needs to stay funk-rock driven and that's final!

Don't add songs just because you can

Simple really. You don't have to make a mix 80 minutes just because that is the limit of a CD-R. Bottom line: Maybe it's best to stick with A+ plus songs on only and end up with a nice 60 minute mix. But maybe if the chick you're making this mix for really digs your musical style, you can get away with a bloated mix. Use caution.

THE RIGHT WAY: Wow, there is no filler on here at all. A nice compact collection of my favorite songs!
THE WRONG WAY: Hmm, I still have 8 minutes left on this piece. I'll throw on some Limp Bizkit songs.

If you like the person you're making this mix for, don't spell it out

Now I may not know much about women (what the Hell is a labia, anyways?)... but I do know a lot about sucessfully serenading a woman via a mix cd. Don't be too forward and add that

Boyz II Men

song "Want To Sex Ya (Right Now)" no matter how much it expresses your true feelings. Honestly, being too straightforward in that manner with someone you are getting to know will come off as creepy and makes you look very sketchy.

THE RIGHT WAY: Beach Boys songs are cute and unthreatening but show you really like this chica.
THE WRONG WAY: Prince - Do Me, Baby

Throw some The Shins on there!

If Garden State taught us anything, it's that New Slang will win you the affections of any girl (if you're into that sort of thing).

THE RIGHT WAY: Any "Shins" song.
THE WRONG WAY: A song that is not by The Shins

But seriously... don't expect the world

What I mean by that is... don't expect people to rant and rave to you about how amazing your cd is. There is a good chance that people won't even give your compilations a real shot and spin it a couple of times. So why do we do it? Why do we create these playlists of perfection for an undeserving, fickle public?

Because when people do appreciate your mixes, it's really worth it. There is nothing like listening to a mix you made with someone and seeing how much they enjoy it. It's a very cool thing to do for someone and if you enjoy your mix more than the recipient you can always save the playlist for yourself. ;) Don't just do this for someone else... you should enjoy your mix cds too.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

3/20/09

Manly, Non-Weird Love Letter To Rivers Cuomo

2009-03-19T19:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Rivers Cuomo,

You are more to me than just the lead singer and guitarist of the highly acclaimed 90's rock outfit Weezer. You are the composer of the soundtrack of my life; my first viewing of Buddy Holly on MTV is one of the most cherished memories from my childhood. You are an inspiration that shines out of every note of music I play and every pore in my body. You are the light of my life. But not in a gay way.

I know we've had our little tiffs. Do the words "The Red Album" ring any bells for you, Ace? How about the way you totally about-faced me and released the impersonal, robotic The Green Album after the soul-crushingly personal masterwork that is Pinkerton? But the more I think about it, the more I realize the good things that came from those conflict-ridden times in our relationship. The Red Album has "Dreamin'" and "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived" (I'm referring to the song, not you Riv!) And even the cold, unfeeling Green Album has "O Girlfriend," possibly your dopiest and heart-pullingest love song post-pinkerton. And "Hash Pipe." Can't forget that, man. Possibly the most testosterone-driven, balls to the wall rocker in the Weezer catalog.

For every ying there is a wang-, I mean yang... in your songbook. For every "Beverly Hills" there is an "Across The Sea." For every "This Is The Way" there is a "This is Such a Pity." I guess what I'm trying to say is I really admire your... let's call it "imperfect symmetry." I admire it in a strictly heterosexual sense.

Your lead guitar work is what draws me to you most though RC (anyone ever call you that before? thought so). In the guitar solos you play in songs like "Susanne" or "Pink Triangle," I feel pure unadulterated sorrow and power tugging at my very essence. It is what makes me realize that the connection we have is special. Not weird special but platonic special.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say to you is even if you keep making songs like "Everybody Get Dangerous" or "Cold Dark World", I will always think of you as I did when you first entered my life. You'll always look like Buddy Holly to me no matter how big and bushy your mustache gets.

Take control,

Michael

3/20/09

Analyze Thy Self and You Shall Know Thy Self

2009-03-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

Analyze Thy Self

and You Shall Know Thy Self

An essay about self-discovery, re-awakening and 90's pop-rock.

By Michael Rowland

My brain is working overtime, I need something to ease my mind
'Cause as my thoughts go manic, I reel and start to panic
And there's no place to hide behind
- My Brain, Rivers Cuomo

Let me start by saying this: Sometimes the process of breaking away from my inner critic is the hardest part about writing. I've had to re-write that first sentence about 8 times and, truth be told, I am still not close to being satisfied with it. Allow me to change that: breaking through my inner critic is the hardest part about doing anything in my life. If I was hired to pen my own dirge (funeral hymn), it would take me well into my afterlife before it was completed.

One of the most destructive recurring statements that I've told myself for a long time is that whenever I am attempting to express myself artistically I am "pretending." That I am not doing anything worthwhile or meaningful when I create. I mean, there is some degree of truth to the fact that I am only "pretending" to be a film-maker or a musician but when I am telling myself that I am "pretending to be a writer" that is both counter-productive and hurtful.

What's ironic is that while my psyche' encourages me to tell myself I am "pretending," it discourages any sort of dreaming. As soon as I catch myself feeling hopeful for my future and drifting off into a positive landscape, that is shot down by a damning shout from my consciousness: "Oh, be realistic here! That'll never happen!" It's okay to have the occasional naysayer in your life, that can oftentimes be inspirational and a great source of strength (in a more negative way than most)... but to be your own worst enemy only leads to conflicting emotions and self-doubt. And this has lead to a huge revelation over the course of the last few days. While a music critic's complaints do not directly alter the album they are listening to, my inner critic has drastically thrown my whole world out of balance.

"Damn my psyche'"
- John Michael Dorian, Scrubs - My Last Words

I find myself wishing I could become a more active player in my own life. A few days ago, a friend of mine invited me to go to his frat and meet some new people. Honestly, I had wanted to hang out with someone that entire day and I had felt isolation's prickly cactus-fingers tightly wound around my heel. However, the thought of meeting new people and being slightly out of my element frightened me and my reaction was "No! I will just be awkward and embarrass myself!" I decided that instead of hanging out with one of my best friends I would stay home and drown my loneliness out with Weezer's Pinkerton.

I pondered why I did this over the course of the next couple of days. Do I just have low self-esteem? No, I feel pretty good about myself. Am I depressed? I was, but I haven't been for a long time. Do I need to grow up? And I paused upon that statement for a while. Who is ready to honestly answer that question?

At first I found myself habitually leaning towards yes, feeling that my desire to be alone and pout (well, not pout) was because of the fact that I was a bit of a manchild; but it dawned on me that I have taken strides towards being a more mature individual and becoming a "man" (whatever that means) for a year... and if I really think about it, I am still well on my way to achieving that goal. I realized that the problem wasn't that I needed to grow up. I realized this during the course of an AIM conversation, of all things.

"You're such an old man sometimes," Aaron Isaacs tells me. I tell him to fuck off. But a simple comment I took in passing really showed me what had been driving me crazy for nearly a week: I haven't been acting like a spoiled little boy... I've been acting like an old hermit. The fact that I could listen to the lonely and isolated Pinkerton and 'The Good Life's' chorus in particular (I don't wanna be an old man anymore / it's been a year or two since I was out on the floor) and not feel irony stabbing me in the gut truly is a credit to my ignorance. I've finally seen the dawn: I realize that I need to live young now while I can and stop holing myself up in my basement. I value the people in my life and I need to spend time with them while I still can. I am so grateful to even exist and what do I do with my existence but listen to others' work?

"In the days of my youth
I was told what it means to be a man
Now I've reached that age
I've tried to do all those things the best I can"
- Led Zeppelin, Good Times, Bad Times

How did it come to this? I'm not going to be that kid who blames his parents for all of his personality flaws because I think I'm old enough to shape who I am for myself. And I'm not gonna be the optimist who glamorizes and glosses over them by saying "This is who I am." Because while this is the way I am right now... it really doesn't have to be. I am sick of shooting myself in the foot before my thoughts are even fully fleshed out.

Today, as I was attempting to "perfect" a song I had recently written (perform it without any mistakes and make its structure flawless), I blocked out all the voices in my head and just cut loose, attempting something I don't usually do: Soloing with my right hand while my left hand played the rhythm part of the song. In short: I was jamming. Was it perfect? No. Was it liberating? Yes. Before I would have heard "Don't fool yourself. Focus on doing what you're good at. Stop pretending to be able to play the piano." All I hear now are descending chords and slightly out-of-tune keys from my vintage grand piano.

I don't know why I put off trying to get rid of that negative voice. Maybe it's because I liked pretending that it wasn't a problem.

3/19/09

[Film:] Why I Love Creating Movies

2009-01-30T12:17:00.000-08:00

1/30/09
As some of you may know, I create "films" with my friends Charlie, Jase and Ian (with Chris sometimes making a guest appearance to attract ratings during sweeps). Any of you who have seen those films might call them "less than good." I'd like to say that we strongly disagree with you, but with almost all of them, we are mostly in agreement.

Every other film of ours is a flop artistically (with all of them being flops business-wise of course since we make $0.00 off of them). We can't really act all that well (with the exception to that rule being Charlie) and for the most part our plots are mostly pieced together by ourselves while we are in the process of post-production on the film.

So why do I still love making films when I see for myself that most of them suck?

I'll tell you why: because justice never rests.

That's not really true. That's not the reason and that statement isn't true (I recently lost my iPod and no one has returned it to me. Tell me how that can't be explained by justice taking a catnap). No, here are the real reasons why I enjoy creating films, whether as NGCG, WDG, etc.

Editing. I love figuring out how to form scenes together and finding ways to improve the source material. One of the best experiences with editing I've had is the music video we made for "The Doorway". Fantastic editing by myself and the crew if I do say so myself.
Filming. Kind of an obvious one, huh? When the NGCG demolition crew gets together to create a new masterwork, we have a blast and combine all of our greatest strengths to try and create a unified piece. The best experience we have had filming is probably GHASP. What a fun night that was.
Creating a soundtrack. Picking the music for our films is a total blast. In NGCG's later years, I really stopped appreciating this as much. I just threw on random songs on such pieces as "Duality" and "Ghost Blasters!" with "AxE" having a surprisingly great soundtrack. Our best soundtrack IMO is our most recent work "The LARP Meet-up"
Re-watching our films and being proud. There's nothing like gathering us all together to watch an old movie of ours. Some movies have aged better than others, with GHASP and Acupressure only getting better with every viewing.

I can't wait for our next film. My goals for it are to have much funnier writing and better characters. It's a shame Ian couldn't join us for LARP but I can't wait for our next movie which will no doubt feature him.

Here's a sampling of our work:

[WTF:] Prince's Lotusflow3r Site Opening Tomorrow

2009-01-29T06:31:00.001-08:00

1/28/09

If one checks out Prince's latest website and clicks on the ticket stub, they'll see the date "Janurary 31st, 2009". The fanbase erupted with speculation that this would be the date of a concert in LA and that the site would open sooner than that. However, we are two days away from this much-discussed date and the LA gig has not come to fruition. One can only assume that the website will open tomorrow.

Prince has said that the site would include full albums for download. Those 3 albums are Elixer (by his protege Bria Valente), MPLSound (a minimalist, electro-funk workout recorded in 2008), and the big one: LotusFlow3r.

Lotus Flow3r is an album that we've been waiting for from Prince for quite some time. Its major theme is the guitar and It was compiled over the last 3 years, starting in 2006 after his tour with Tamar in which he fell back in love with the instrument. Judging from the four songs he leaked onto the radio, the album will be full of great solos... ones that don't sound restrained and weak like some of the solos on his last 3 records.

I'm hoping you don't have to pay 77$ to access the site, but if you do have to then I'll definitely do it. 3 great albums by Prince, videos, and access to great concert tickets are worth that much, if not more.

I really, really hope the site opens in two days... or maybe tomorrow at midnight. Would be quite the year-maker. I will review all 3 albums as soon as I can.

[Guest Entry - Dan Brown:] LITTLE PEOPLE; BIG JERKS... JUST KIDDING!

2009-01-26T23:33:00.000-08:00

1/27/09

I think it's time we step back and appreciate everyone's favorite kind of person... a little person! Now everyone knows the obvious reasons for loving little people: They have small steps yet they seem to walk 100mph, they can sometimes beat much younger boys in soccer, they are as good as normal sized people in mathematics and the performing arts. But what they lack in size... they also lack in musical and non-performing arts. They sometimes tip over from a gust of wind. But that's not the only reason why we should love them... we should love them because they are people just like you or me or Jay Leno and they have feelings and emotions and brains and hearts just like us... except smaller, and therefore less important... but not unimportant. And thats when we need to step back and realize how much they help us. For if it weren't for little people... would anyone ever pick flowers for big people to enjoy? Probably... but do we really want to find out?...No!

So that's all i have to say for right now, clearly i have no knowledge on the subject of little people; which brings the question to my mind: Why was I asked to post on a blog primarily designed to help little people get through the day? Who knows.. some things are a mystery. Like why do big people find it oh-so enjoyable to follow right behind little people, especially when they get really close to a wall or tree? It's just one of those unanswered questions on everyone's mind. I would also like to point out that everyone knows Jesus Christ was 1/4 little person, so before you make fun... think to yourself: Would i make fun of part of Jesus? Of course not! So show some respect people!

And p.s. if you are 5 feet tall.. you are not a little person! You are a small big person and you are the worst kind of person!

Dan Brown is an accomplished writer, whose novels "The Da Vinci Code" and "Angels and Demons" both really suck but somehow became movies. Wait, no that's a different Dan Brown. This Dan Brown goes to Kansas University and enjoys wondering about the intricacies of life. If he's not eating ice cream then he's not breathing and if he's not breathing then odds are he's dead. He's a great guy and he'll be the first person to vouch for that.

[Music:] Releases I Am Most Looking Forward To in 2009

2009-01-26T20:01:00.001-08:00

1/26/09

RELEASES I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2009

The Dear Hunter - Act III
It'll be great to finally hear the conclusion of this trilogy. The first two albums were great because they combined catchy melodies and a unique vocalist with a truly un-categorzable style and sound. Hoping to get plenty of references and connections to the prior two albums.

Devin Townsend - Ki
The eccentric skullet donning Devin Townsend is releasing a new album again after the oddness of Ziltoid. Apparently, this is a mostly self-written and played album, which could spell success or doom for Devin (hey, it worked for Prince...)

Prince - Lotus Flower
So, Prince is finally releasing that rocking guitar album that I've been begging him for for years. Judging by the tracks he premiered on Indie 104.1, it'll sound a little old-school while still feeling new.

Franz Ferdinand - Tonight: Franz Ferdinand
I'm a fairweather Franz fan, but every song off of here sounds like the perfect mix of the classic groove of the Ferdinand of yore with something more... seemed to be some pretty strong songwriting too. Will be interesting to listen to this one.

The Mars Volta - Untitled
After Bedlam In Goliath's insanity and feelings of bloatedness, I'm hoping that their next album is a little more scaled back. Granted, it wouldn't be The Mars Volta without feelings of pandemonium and pure insanity, but maybe they could get the running time closer to 50 minutes than 80 minutes. Just a thought. I still really enjoyed Bedlam.

The Decemberists - The Hazards of Love
Dude, it's the fucking Decemberists... do I need to explain myself here? Their last album was a conceptual, flowing labyrinth of beautiful semi-prog-rock pastiches. While never dipping into the excess that plagues classic prog-rock, The Decemberists definitely capture the experimentalism and beauty of vintage Yes and Genesis.

Dredg - Untitled

Dredg is the best humongous pop-rock group that you're not listening to. With their energetic choruses, empowering vocals, and an admirable artistic drive, there's no telling where their next record goes. Hopefully better than El Cielo.

Emery - In Shallow Seas We Sail
Why do I feel embarassed to admit that I listen to Emery?

Ghostface Killah & MF DOOM - Swift and Changeable
Ghostface is a legend. Ditto that for MF DOOM. I'm looking forward to this album as these two being together will always dominate. Eagerly looking forward to my eventual flowverdose from spinning this.

Massive Attack - Weather Underground

Glad to hear that these dark thought-ridden rappers are finally back at work on another album. If Mezzanine is anything to go by, this will be one of the best produced records of the year. Hoping it keeps their winning sense of angst, irony, and despair.

Muse - Untitled
Pretty much, we already know the next album will be great. Would love to see a throwback to Origin, but would love even more for a totally new sound. As long as Matt shreds guitar, has plenty of great piano work, and sings like an angel then this album will be fine. Oh, and if Chris has great bass parts.

Albums I'm Not Sure About...

Weezer - Untitled
Yes, my current favorite band will be releasing a new album in 2009. This should be awesome news, but after The Red Album, Rivers seeming less and less interested in writing his own songs again and even less interested in singing... I'm not sure I can get excited about this?

Prince - MPLSound
One of the three albums Prince should be releasing at the end of January, MPLSound was reported to have captured When Doves Cry's classic minimalist sound. The two tracks we've heard seem more like New Power Soul-era material, with Chocolate Box being one of the worst Prince songs I have ever heard. I'm keeping my expectations low and am just thankful for Lotus Flower.

Alice in Chains - Untitled
Making an album without Layne Stanley, THE voice of Alice in Chains is incredibly disrespectful of his legacy and feels like a cash-grab more than anything. With that said, I'm sure there will be some great riffs on this album and good vocals and lyrics by Jerry Cantrell... just wonder why he couldn't put them on his solo album.

Dream Theater - Untitled
After seeing them live and being blown away by how much worse they'd become, being incredibly disappointed with their last album, watching DT embarass themselves with horrible singles and music videos, and seeing Mike talk about the terrible new direction DT is heading in... I can't muster up any hope for their 2009 release... no matter what old songs Mike compares it to. Only shows his desperation. Did I mention Mike is a douche?

[Film:] Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story

2009-01-25T05:46:00.000-08:00

1/25/09

Oh great, another John C. Reilly comedy. It's just gonna be full of try-hard immature humor that is more crass than funny. The characters will be enigmas only in the sense that you wonder how they can possibly be that stupid. It will deliver nothing except a fun way to kill an hour and a half.

Not so with Walk Hard. It expertly parodies the music biopic (Ray, Walk The Line) and even popular music of each decade (never have I heard such a dead-on Dylan satire, both lyrically and vocally). The humor is not very intelligent or fulfilling, but there's no denying that the movie has laughs, although I think we could all do with less penis shots. The dialogue is quick and the callbacks to the tragedies in Dewey's life are always funny.

The casting is perfect. John C Reilly plays Dewey as humanly as allowed for a comedy film. Jenna Fischer gives the performance of her career as Darleen. Kristen Wiig excels as a "supportive wife" who has more children than she knows what to do with. The cameos, however, are even better. The funniest part of the film isn't even the writing, but the collection of hilarious(ly stupid) celebrity cameos as famous musicians, parodying another facet of the musician biopic. Jack White steals the show as the surprisingly violent Elvis and a slew of currently popular comedians immitate The Beatles... poorly, I might add (they are constantly letting on the fact that they are, in fact, The Beatles which only makes their subpar performances funnier).

The thing that makes this movie excel is its soundtrack. "Black Sheep" was written by none other than Van Dyke Parks (the composer for the classic album Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys) and it shows. The songs all have integrity, both structurally and lyrically. Some silly lines grace a few of them but they don't take away from the soundtrack and only serve to strengthen their role in the film.

Dewey Cox is a likeable enough character whose struggles parody that of several other troubled musicians. Even though we grow to enjoy Dewey, there is still not much in this movie that makes us root for him or hopeful that he can turn it around. That kind of character development is a lot to expect out of a comedy, but I guess I aim high. Still, there is some genuine emotional impact when he performs "Beautiful Ride" to close the movie (especially the closing shot of him as a young man coinciding with the final notes of the song).

Closing note: The best moment (musically) in the film is definitely "A Life Without You (Is No Life At All)." As a huge Roy Orbison fan, this song is the closest thing I will ever hear to a new RO song (rest in peace). His trademark sound is replicated perfectly on this track as its emotion bleeds through the crystal clear and subdued vintage production. This song is just fantastic and whoever wrote it should be proud. It satirizes but also respects and pays loving tribute to Roy. John C Reilly also performs the song beautifully with his impersonation being jawdroppingly convincing and his stage presence having a totally oldschool frontman vibe. I get shivers everytime I watch that part of the film (especially in the two hour cut which is much better than the theater version).

Theatrical: 7.5/10
Extended: 8.5/10

Soundtrack 9/10

[TV:] Scrubs Eps. 3-4 Review! Guest Review!

2009-01-22T20:36:00.000-08:00

1/22/09

Scrubs hit a bit of a sophmore slump this week. And by slump, I mean had one episode that wasn't omgawesome. "My Saving Grace" was full of laughs (inteferon sounds like a robot that always gets in people's way), but somehow had an ending that felt empty and unfulfilling. Just like that. Courteney Cox was gone. She had not been that great at all anyways so her leaving is a good thing. Now we can let the show progress with no more distractions from a character with the depth of a puddle... and not a puddle so large that a manatee lives there. The "everyone hide in the closet" bit was a little too outlandish for me but this kept the realism of seasons 1-3 for the most part.

So the episode wasn't perfect, but it was still better than season 6 and 7.

My Happy Place was amazing. Classic Scrubs. The Todd finally came on the show this season and was more funny than he's ever been. The Dr Cox and Turk plot was full of great parts and led to a satisfying conclusion with Dr Cox letting Turk believe that he trusted (but still watching him secretly). Janitor and Ted's plot was also quality stuff too.

The main course of the episode was JD and Elliot trying to help Kelso find a new place to hang out besides Coffee Bucks. That morphed subtly into him thinking they were still dating, finally talking about things and dating again. JD and Elliot are finally together and it was handled in a mature, non-cheesy, non-Ross & Rachel way. Can't wait to see more of them together. Loved the ending montage with them holding hands. So different from their wild, sexual flings before. Glad to see these characters have evolved and finally become mature. I'm willing to bet that JD and Elliot are 100X less annoying to watch than Jim and Pam are as a couple.

The thing I loved about both episodes (and about the first 2 episodes as well) is how perfectly they are leading to the show's ending. Every episode seems to have a purpose in advancing these characters' storylines, which is not something I can say for season 7 at all (the triviality and pointlessness of some episodes being one of the things that drove me nuts). The potential in each character's storyline seems to be being fully utilized this year. I can't wait till we get passed all the "cast sitouts" and we hit the last few episodes which have the whole cast in them and are incredibly important, according to Bill Lawrence (the show's creator).

My Saving Grace: 7.5
My Happy Place: 9/10

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Celebrity Rehab: Sober House

Review by Aaron Isaacs

I’m sitting on the couch, half asleep, staring at the television. After a few minutes of searching, stay on VH1, because this channel shows programs that require the low level of brain activity I am willing to exert in this near hypnotic state. The show that pops up is Celebrity Sober House, or maybe it’s just called Sober House. It is the sequel to the show Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew, which I vaguely remember watching over the summer.

The premise of Rehab was to follow celebrities as they quit doing drugs. I remember none of the American Idol rejects, or has-beens, who were supposed to put the Celebrity in the title of the show.

Sober House is the next step in sobriety for these F-listers. Instead of living in a supervised rehab facility, our participants are put in a house in California and told to stay sober. Dr. Drew, who hosted the first two seasons of Rehab, tells us that he will not be present in Sober House. The Doctor has been the co-host of the radio call-in-show Love Line for twenty-five years, which is probably how he got the gig hosting Celebrity Rehab. Drew tells us, “I will not be their babysitter in this show,” in a voice too monotonous for radio. His absence makesSober House feel like The Real World. He talks for a couple more minutes about how his absence from the show, which starts to sound more and more like Real World’s “this is the story of seven strangers…” speech.

Celebrity Rehab was a terrible show, but it had a point and a goal. It shows us what rehab is like, even viewers as dull as the targeted audience could come away from each episode with something they’ve learned about addiction. Also, if someone is addicted to drugs, they could be inspired to go to rehab when they see their favorite 70’s sitcom star could do it. Despite it being a shameless reality show, full of manipulative editing to make things seem more dramatic, I can respect what they are trying to do. This is the first time, to my knowledge, that rehab has gone mainstream. It was informative, and even inspiring.

Sober House is a reality show as much as Rehab was, but it lacks Rehab’s substance. In the episode I saw, the former Guns ‘n’ Rosesdrummer shows up high on heroin on the first day. Most of the episode is spent following him as he attempts to talk to people, wanders around, and makes faces at the camera. By the last fifteen minutes, he is severely tweaking out, and even has to vomit because of how much heroin he’s taken. His belongings are searched, and a tinfoil tube with is found. The drummer had been smoking heroin with this tinfoil. I, assumedly like most people, did not know that one could smoke heroin through tinfoil. While the former show taught us about quitting drugs, this show teaches us about different ways to take heroin. The people who run the house do not know how to handle this situation, so they call Dr. Drew. Drew decides to go to the house, even though he said he was not going to do that. Dr. Drew and the house supervisors emulate a football huddle, without touching each other, while they decide how to handle this situation. Heroin drummer goes unpunished, except he has to spend the night at one of the supervisor’s house. The only thing we can gather from him is a new way to take heroin. None of the other characters even get screen time!

The only other noteworthy Celebrity in this show was an adult film star named Mary Carey. The reason I call her noteworthy is not her line of work, it is because I remember her from the first season. The only thing I remember was Dr. Drew telling her that she will have to quit doing pornography if she wants to stay sober. The only problem is, her exposure on VH1 probably gave her video sales a boost. So she becomes torn between staying sober and making easy money. Also, she would not be on CELEBRITY Rehab, if it weren’t for this career choice. If anything, Celebrity Rehab had a negative impact on her struggle with sobriety. She, however, makes the show more marketable. For viewers who do not know who she is, she serves as a pretty face to look at. For those who are familiar with her, she attracts people to watch because pornography is taboo. Nobody knows much about who makes it. Nobody knows how she acts. To them, it’s like watching an alien, or a dog with rabies.

This show is clearly crafted to get people to watch, not to help the participants. The way these two characters are shown does not help their sobriety. They are being treated like celebrities, when really they should be treated like addicts. When it comes to other television shows I don’t like I can just change the channel. This show compels me to watch because it deals with real people who need help. I will wind up suffering through the entire season because I want the characters to beat the odds and get sober.

[WTF]: Weezer's Top Five

2009-01-21T19:56:00.000-08:00

1/21/09

The WTF blog entry signifies that I will post about whatever the fudge I want to on Wednesday. It adds spontaniety and a spark to my blog, in case this format becomes a bit too monotonous. This week, for the WTF entry, I decided to take the WTF acronym and create a more positive meaning for it.

WEEZER'S TOP FIVE

5. Across The Sea (Pinkerton, 1996)
An ode to fanmail from Japanese school-girls. The song is sung with enough honesty and emotion to make you feel slightly uncomfortable. The lyrics are personal enough to the point where I actually feel like I shouldn't be listening ("I wonder how you touch yourself at night" Rivers confesses). A page from Rivers' diary with a big rock band soundscape, the focal point of which is a rusty, but show-stealing selection of guitar melodies, solos and effects.

4. No One Else (Blue, 1994)
Rivers has been known to research what it is that makes the perfect pop-rock song. His findings sure have given him plenty of hits, even in 2008. One absolutely faultless pop-rocking tune slipped under the radar and was never given a single release. That tune is "No One Else", the catchy track about Rivers' old girl who he does not have the courage to face. "And if you see her, tell her it's over now". The guitar cries with emotion during the solo section, saying everything that Rivers is too reserved too. One of those songs with the perfect structure and arrangement for what they're trying to accomplish.

3. Perfect Situation (Make Believe, 2003) FIRST VERSION
The Rivers Cuomo from Pinkerton is not dead, he's just sleeping. That is what this song from the controversial Make Believe album seeks to prove from the opening guitar solo. The production is devoid of any "live" feel and feels very desolate and empty.This only serves to strengthen the song even further. Rivers opts not to add any vocals over the chorus, instead adding a cry of desperation and sorrow. Probably the most lyrically relatable song Weezer's ever made for me.

2. Pink Triangle (Pinkerton, 1996)
The story of a boy who falls in love with a girl who is, in fact, a lesbian. Been there, bro. Well, no I haven't. But this song's lyrical, vocal, and all other execution is just perfect enough to make me feel like I have. I love everything about this song, but the guitar is the star throughout the whole thing, not just during the solo or chorus like some Weezer songs. It moans along with Rivers as he cries "When I think I've found a good old fashioned girl, then she put me in my place" The highlight of the song, and the album, is the triple tracked guitar solo, which continues to blow my mind every time I listen to it.

1. Only In Dreams (Blue, 1994)

I've always had a list of songs that I put so high on a pedestal that no other songs can ever hope to reach them. Ever since I first listened to Only In Dreams in full, it's had a place in that list. With its entrancing, yearning bass-line, tasteful guitar, instrumental sections, delicate and demented emotion, and unreal qualities... this song is truly unlike anything I have ever heard before or since. This song has my idea of the perfect outro. That final blaze of glory that is the ending guitar solo of the song makes me cream my jeans every time.

[Guest Post: Anonymous]

2009-01-20T11:55:00.000-08:00

1/20/09

(This entry is by a friend of mine who wanted their identity to remain a secret.)

I have this urge. I’ve had it my entire life. This is urge is to do as little as possible. I am a minimalist, unmotivated, a waste. It’s sad, I can’t push myself to do things because I would so much rather be in bed doing nothing. I don’t struggle in school, but I struggle with myself. In fact, I know I could be a straight A student, if I could only focus myself. I would rather distract myself with the Internet, sleep, and meeting people. I can give the argument that what I’m learning will have no relevance later, but it does have relevance now. I need it to get into grad school and do something with my life. I have this weird feeling that no matter what I do, no matter how far I go, I will always think I did too much.

Some people become fuck-ups because of drugs or alcohol. This didn’t happen to me. Sure, I indulged several times in alcohol and Marijuana, but society has scared me so much about becoming an addict, that I cannot find any form of intoxication enjoyable. Besides, I don’t have the energy to become a drug addict or alcoholic. I could love weed, but I hate the weed culture and people who sell it so much that nothing is worth dealing with them. And in terms of alcohol, I always feel like a hillbilly when I get drunk. That combined with my fear or alcoholism and liver failure makes drinking not worth it. All other drugs scare me/are too expensive.

So was it that instilled this desire to do nothing in me? Was it my parents? I strive to be nothing like my parents, and if you look at me on the surface, you’d think I had succeeded. I don’t have the temper of my father. I am far too cynical to be compared to my mother. I don’t dress like them. I eat different food as they eat. Beneath the surface you will see that this urge for nothingness comes from them. My mother sits, reading detective novels, waiting for death. My father sits, watching professional wrestling, eating cashews, waiting to die. In fact, their lifestyle of immobility, and surrender are about as close to death a living person can be. If they made coffins with book lights or built in televisions, my parents might be content with being buried now.

Then you come to me. I sit around fingers clanking on the keyboard of my laptop, bullshitting. It is a struggle for me to get out of bed and go to class, or eat breakfast. I am just like them. I am aware of it. I hate it. But I feel incapable of changing it. It is so much easier to lie in bed all day, than to not lay in bed all day. I find myself happier with dealing with myself than having to deal with other people. So what am I going to do? My girlfriend’s mother recently told me that we were put here to change the world, to improve it in someway. I got so excited. “I’m going to change the world,” I thought. I fantasized about being elected senator or president. I could do it. A week later, I am ready to do nothing. I am no longer here to change the world. I am here to grow old and die, and not bother people along the way. I got here because I spent the past week realizing that I lack the talents and will power to change the world. I’m plenty smart, but I am terrible with working with other people, goodbye politics. I can usually memorize things pretty well, but nothing science, especially Biology, related. Goodbye being a doctor. I considered becoming a lawyer, but then I had a few thoughts. What if I defend someone who is guilty and they get off? What if I prosecute someone who is innocent and they go to jail? What if someone loses their children or house because of me? It’s just too much pressure. I could become a teacher! But then I’d have to spend the rest of my life in school, which is something I refuse to do. So what is left? Nothing.

[Music Monday:] What I've Been Spinning Lately

2009-01-19T11:09:00.000-08:00

1/19/09

Album:

Jellyfish - Spilt Milk
This album is absolutely timeless. As each track weaves its way into the next, I sometimes forget that this album was released in 1993 by a band on the brink of destruction. This album feels more like a classic rock band (The Beatles, Queen) at the top of their game creating the masterpiece for which they'll be remembered.

This album has vocal harmonies that would make Freddie Mercury proud. Envious, in fact. In fact, the vocal work, on this album oftentimes sounds like a fusion Freddie Mercury and Brian Wilson's (The Beach Boys) . Really, the whole album is very reminiscient of Queen, with its ability to change dynamics at the drop of the hat; piano stabs transition into a hard-rocking stomp on the second track "Joining a Fan Club" which was preceded by a lullaby simply titled Hush.

It's really this album's ability to retain a sense of child-like wonder while still sounding totally honest that fascinates me the most. Sebrina, Paste and Plato is one part the tale of a classroom having lunch, two parts love song, 1 part random heavy riff, one part majestic orchestral fanfare outro. All in two minutes flat.

With its dopey but classic keyboards, expertly composed orchestral parts, laboured vocal harmonies and catchy melodies, and fantastic vocals, this album is already a winner. But with all the innocence and beauty, does it find time to kick ass? With all the throwbacks to 60s and 70s rock, does it find a way to sound "non-dated?"

I'll answer both those questions with a song title: All Is Forgiven. This song would mesh in so well with our current rock radio scene. If Dave Grohl was singing on this track it would be a hit faster than you could say "Monkey Wrench". The song has a passion and an energy that can't be contained from the get-go as it throws musical punch after punch whether it's the angered, intense vocals or the rough and violent guitar.

This album is an eccentric mess... but not at all unaccessible. Check it out, because with its organic, one-take sound and the way it wears its feelings on its sleeve, it manages to evoke something that most music today can't: genuine human emotion.
A

[Photography:] Portrait of a Dawg

2009-01-18T11:14:00.000-08:00

Heey, it's the first Sunday of my new blog format which means I will have some photography for your eyes to engorge and feast upon. Before we begin, can I just say how happy I am with the layout? You better be too because I spent HOURS on it. Anyways, back to the photos. :3 I decided that my first "collection" as it were should be about BulRok, my number one source of inspiration in life.

Click photos to enlarge.

CHANGE IS GOOD! A New Format for Electric Dream Machine on Sunday!

2009-01-15T17:50:00.001-08:00

From now on, Electric Dream Machine will be a well-oiled weekly machine that covers a gamut of topics. Each day will have a specific theme that I will follow.

There will be:
Music Monday (Music reviews, or lists)
WTF Wednesday (a miscellaneous entry which could be anything),
TV Thursday (Will mostly be used to review the new episodes of TV that I watch throughout the week but also will be used to talk about TV shows I love that I wish were still on the air and what have you)
Film Friday (Can be posting my own films or even just reviews of films)
Saturday = BREAK

Photo Sunday (Any cool photos I take that feel fit to post on this blog)

There's one I forgot to mention.

GUEST TUESDAY! On Tuesday, I will let my friends do the jabbering and post a blog for me. It's both lazy and makes the blog more diverse!

So look forward to all of this on Sunday, along with a new layout and a more user-friendly interface. Peace!

[MRMusic:] My First New Song in Two Years

2009-01-15T12:18:00.000-08:00

Michael Rowland - The Clutch of the Crutch (Unfinished)

I made this on the program GarageBand, which is only for macs. That means I can only make it during downtime at my job. You'll have to excuse the tempo problems. These will all be fixed on the final album Consider this an unfinished preview when it comes to the drum parts.

Now that I've gotten that out of the way, I have to say that this is definitely my best song ever and I hope you dig it. The intro is intense, dark, and piano-driven and I really love how it came out. The bass is fat and heavy ala "Hysteria" by Muse. The middle piano section could use some orchestration and I think I will add some on Wednesday and maybe work on making that transition into the main song much more effective, although that will shorten the song a bit.

This is my first song with a verse, prechorus, and a chorus. The drums go out of time in the first chorus because I pussed out and used a loop. That will most assuredly be fixed.

The album will be called The Battle of Acceptance and will most assuredly be more serious and have the integrity that the last 3 songs on The Long Path.

Look for more entries to come, including one about the new Scrubs, lists, and more.

[TV:] Scrubs Season 8 Premiere Review

2009-01-07T08:17:00.000-08:00

So, for the last few years Scrubs has been going through the motions. It always seemed to be JD, the perpetual man-baby prancing about the hospital and guffawing with his butt-buddy Turk. When this series began its seventh (supposedly final) season with a string of weak episodes, it began to appear like the show would never get back to its old quality-level.

Then something strange happened... they actually started developing characters. Kelso was being forced out, JD was growing up, and him and Elliot were getting closer and closer. Things were happening. It was looking like Scrubs could end with dignity.

Then NBC canceled it, leaving the show in limbo with no sense of resolution whatsoever. But maybe the show was too long in the tooth to end right. Maybe this was a blessing and a curse. Scrubs wouldn't tarnish its legacy with a sub-par season and finale.

Then Bill Lawrence, the man behind Scrubs, announced that the show was getting an 18 episode season on ABC. While most remained optimistic and excited, some felt that this was prolonging and weakening a series whose relevance was already lost long ago.

For the show to return again, it needed to improve. It needed to become real again and have much better writing. It needed to do the unthinkable and become creatively rejuvenated. Its characters needed to become fleshed out, real people again. After years of atrophe, it's a tall order for a show to suddenly become real again. The question is: did Scrubs fill that order last night?

As a huge, huge fan of season 1-3 and a season 7 apologist I can say: yes, it did. From the classic interactions between JD and The Janitor to Elliot and Carla not annoying the Hell out of everyone when they were on screen to JD dealing with a crop of new interns, everything in this episode was funny, some of it was revealing, some of it was important growth for the characters. It was hard to see JD so tired, stressed, and overworked... but it was as if the JD we once knew from seasons 1-3 (who is also my favorite character on any TV show ever) had finally come back. No... it was the JD we once knew. He has returned after being hidden by his own cocky and silly bravado for years now.

The dramatic elements are all in play, but is the comedy? Again, yes. My Jerks was funnier than any episode from season 6 and 7 and more down to earth than most of season 5. The Janitor was an unstoppable comedic force in this episode as was JD. The Carla and Elliot plot did not deliver a lot of laughs but it was well-done and it succeeded in helping us like Elliot just a little more. Even in the second episode, which is about JD and Turk staying with a patient as he contemplates death and faces his fear of it, there are still plenty of funny moments (honestly, that episode had some of the funniest moments of the night). That episode also had some of the best character growth, as it showed how JD and Turk's innocence, when it comes to death, had been lost forever. They were just two men trying to help another one face his fear of dying.

The cinematography was better, even. Darker and grittier like the first few years.

And the interns? While I would never watch a show full of them, they were a great device to show how far the interns we started watching in the beginning have now progressed and become full grown doctors.

I can't wait for more character development, great jokes, and great emotional moments. I used to be excited for Scrubs every week because I was hoping for an occasional classic episode, but never really expecting one. But this year is different. If this season keeps up the quality level shown last night, it could indeed end up being the show's best season.

Bravo Bill Lawrence. The past 3 years are forgiven.

My Jerks 8.5/10 (Best premiere since season 3)
My Last Words 10/10 (Just a classic, undeniably great episode)

[TV:] Why do people like "House"?

2009-01-03T05:40:00.000-08:00

So, when I've found myself bored at home (that is, most of the time), I've sometimes come across a show about a total dick who happens to be a great doctor. Well, he's not just a total dick. He's an egotist, a narcissist, and apparently a masochist because he still deals with these people that he supposedly hates.

Of course I speak of Dr. Gregory House, star of my pick for the second most overrated medical drama on TV next to Grey's Anatomy (and when you're up against ER, that's saying something). I can't get into this show at all. The episodes have the same basic formula, which goes a little like this:

Someone's in trouble.
The team tries to figure out what their problem is while House abuses them.
Diagnosis is wrong because of conflicting symptoms.
Repeat the last two over and over again for an hour.
Cheesy moment between a doctor and the patient which is interrupted by something terrible.
House saves the day and gets his jollies off of insulting his cohorts and fellow misfit doctors.

Don't worry, I'm not an idiot who thinks they "copied" Dr. Cox. People who think that are stupid. I just don't like any of the characters or the storylines, or the dialogue. I mean, beyond all that it's really a well-done show, but I just can't seem to get it.

Needless to say, my family loves it and watches it all the time.

Lists! My Top 10 Favorite Albums From 2008

2009-01-01T06:10:00.001-08:00

Hot 'N Cold: My Favorite and Least Favorite Albums from 2008

The Best of 2008:
Panic at the Disco - Pretty Odd
TV on the Radio - Dear Science
Coldplay - Viva La Vida
Fleet Foxes- Fleet Foxes
Conor Oberst - Self-Titled
Metallica - Death Magnetic
Margot & The Nuclear So And So's - Animal
Kings of Leon - Only By The Night
The Mars Volta - Bedlam in Goliath
Mystery Jets - Twenty One

Honorable Mentions:
Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold
The Cure - 4:13 Dream
Deerhunter - Microcastle
The Delta Rasa - Self-Titled
Keane - Perfect Symmetry
Ludo - You're Awful, I Love You
M83 - Saturdays = Youth

Disappointments:
Weezer - The Red Album
Kanye West - 808's & Heartbreaks
Of Montreal - Skeletal Lamping

It's a new year, and I am feeling much better so I will continue posting on here again. I'm sure everyone (Charlie) missed me.

Jizz in my Pants

2008-12-07T21:32:00.001-08:00

No new entry yet, but check this out in the meantime. Funniest SNL Digital Short since "I Ran".

[News:] Joe Satriani Sues Coldplay... WTF

2008-12-05T13:07:00.000-08:00

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7766683.stm

So apparently, Joe Satriani is suing Coldplay for the similarities found between the songs "If I Could Fly" and Coldplay's smash-hit single "Viva La Vida".

This lawsuit is pathetic. Like it actually angers me... and I can deal with fantastic musicians making stupid lawsuits (after all, I am a Prince fan) but this is just a low blow to Satriani's credibility as a person. It seems like he saw the youtube comparison and felt like he wanted to cash in on this coincidence.

The chord progression for both songs is incredibly common. Most musicians are aware of this would not make a big fuss out of it. The only two parties dumb enough to accuse Chris Martin of ripping them off are an unknown basement band and a musician whose ego is even greater than his abilities as a guitarist.

If you listen to the comparison, not only will you find that both songs are transposed to be in different keys in the video and that the similarity only lasts after... like 3 notes. It's nothing more than a passing similarity and I really doubt that Coldplay did this intentionally or had even listened to a random and obscure Satch track.

We'll see how this case ends up... I'm hoping it'll be deservedly thrown out of court.

[Personal Shit:] Hoping this will pass...

2008-12-02T18:16:00.000-08:00

Lately I've just felt so insignificant and small. I'm hoping that these feelings will go away, like when I saw a scary film as a child and it stayed on my mind for days but one day I wasn't even afraid of it anymore.

I will find myself going "back to normal" for a few hours every day before sinking back into total negativity. Yesterday it was so bad that I wondered if I should go to therapy. However, now I'm not sure what I should do. Hope things get better soon.

[Rant:] Napoleon Dynamite is so underappreciated

2008-11-30T14:14:00.000-08:00

A few minutes ago, I watched Napoleon Dynamite. For the first time in years, actually. The last time I watched this movie was when I was 15 or so. This movie has become infinitely better since then. There are so many intricate details I picked up on now that I missed when I watched this movie before.

Throughout the film, what at first feels alien to us (Napoleon's personality) becomes clearer and much more relatable by the end. The character of Uncle Rico is my pick for most pathetic, tragic man to ever set foot in a film. His unflinching desire to go back in time is a testament to how an unfulfilled life can be full to the brim with regret.

There is so much you can examine about each character in this film. They all hold up to extreme scrutiny. I could write a paper on each character. (Why is Kip the way he is, par exampla) When this film starts, you might catch yourself thinking these characters are quirky just for the sake of being quirky and characters like Kip are just there for a funny, silly line and nothing else.

But as the film progresses these characters grow. By the end of the film, Kip (once an overgrown manchild of 32) finally moves out of his grandmother's home and goes to live with his "soulmate" "Lawfonduh". After being tormented through the whole film by Uncle Rico, Napoleon finally stands up to him and tells him to leave. These topics are dealt with with just the right touch of realism and comedy.

The plot devices are demonstrated without oversaturating the film itself. Rex Kwan Do's buddy system, Napoleon and Deb's semi-romance, and each character's unconfidence and the way they were so seperate from the "normal" or "popular" kids.

This movie is very drab and depressing until about 3/4 of the way through when things get very uplifting. It's a very calm, subdued movie, but it takes my emotions on a trip to a desolate, unknown small town. By the end of the movie, I feel like maybe it's possible for everyone to break through the crap that's flung at them and lead a truly happy existence.

This movie's hype was deserved, but ultimately led to its downfall. Blockbuster hype killed a humble, well-made, funny film. By everyone and their mom quoting this film, they drained the life out of it. I feel like it is actually a quite great film and one that will be more appreciated in the coming years or so.

And when that year comes, I will finally be able to make my sequel for the film.

"Bow to your sensei. BOW TO YOUR SENSEI!"
- Rex

[Random:] Rick-Rolling is Dead

2008-11-28T13:16:00.001-08:00

So, apparently at the Thanksgiving Day parade, they decided it would be really funny to "Rick Roll" everyone and have "Never Gonna Give You Up" start playing as the ageless Rick Astley walked out of the float and lip-synched to that song is only famous for being so fucking bad.
The joke is officially dead and buried now folks. Nothing to see here. Never again will a link on youtube seem too good to be true and then lead us to that familiar electronic drum intro.

It's just like the Chinpokomon South Park episode where the parents start playing with the chinpokomon toys and then the kids don't like them anymore because of how lame their parents made it look. Although Rick-Rolling was always lame. What happened here was not epic or funny at all.

God, I hate when old out of touch people learn about internet memes. "Have you seen that Chocolate Rain video? It made me LOL"

[Music:] Kanye West - "808's & Heartbreak"

2008-11-26T16:00:00.001-08:00

After everything you've no doubt heard about this record, the first piece of advice I can give you is to approach it with an open mind. No, Kanye is not rapping all over this shit. He only really raps twice by my count. This is also not even close to party music. It's not a very fun album. Kanye etches morbid on several tracks on this album, and even the positive tracks are slower, sappier, and more emotionally revealing than any of his other work.

Kanye used the vocoder on every track on here. It sounds good at first, but after so many minutes of listening to it, it quickly becomes a hinderance and makes this much less enjoyable than it could have been.

But is it bad? No. Once again, as long as you keep an open mind, you'll be sure to find something to enjoy... just don't expect rapping. This cd has subdued beats and moody strings and keys. Not something to get down to at the clubs.

Approach this CD ready for anything and you will be ready to enjoy strange, but finely crafted songs like "Say You Will", the downbeat, depressing opener or the lastest single "Heartless". "Love Lockdown" is ultra-hypnotic and its vocal line stays inside you long after you listen to it. "Paranoid" features the kicking rhythm section and peppy synths that made "American Boy" a hit and it's the only song where Vokanye does not grate on my eardrums.

But the greatest song on here is track 2, "Welcome To Heartbreak" which features Kid Cudi singing, as opposed to Vokanye (what I will now call Kanye on this album since all he does is sing through the vocoder) The chorus is an infectious cry for help ("and my head keeps spinning/I can't stop having these visions/I gotta get wid' it") that meshes perfectly with the verses, which have Kanye spewing out regret after regret over a driving beat. It's during this kind of experimentation that the album thrives.

But all the experimentation in the world can't save the filler that plagues this disk. "Robocop" is shmaltzy, silly, and embarassing. "Amazing" is anything but what the title implies. "See You in my Knightmares" has potential, but is ruined by a terrible guest rap by Lil Wayne.

This whole album was pretty much a hastily put together experiment. Sure there are moments of brilliance, but they are cancelled out by the fillerish tracks and some of the annoying vocals. I would reccomend downloading "Say You Will", "Paranoid", "Welcome To Heartbreak", "Love Lockdown" and "Bad News" which closes the album as effectively as "Say You Will" opens it.

C+

[Personal:] Shanksgiving Thoughts

2008-11-25T16:26:00.000-08:00

It's another Tuesday without school and tomorrow is my last day of the week before Thanksgiving break. I don't get why they bother calling it a "break" instead of a 4 day weekend.

I look at Thanksgiving like this: Thanksgiving is like pregaming before a big party (the big party in this example being Christmas, of course). It's not nearly as exciting as the party you're all amped about it, but it's something fun to do in the meantime.

Since I'm still trying to lose plenty of weight in time for my holiday party, I will not pig out on Thanksgiving when everyone else is. Doesn't that kinda go against the spirit of the holiday? This happened to me in 2005, too. It makes you feel pretty good when you can restrain yourself in the midst of an "eat all you want" holiday such as this.

I like Thanksgiving. Especially since it gives me a break from my community college (which feels less like a community every day). I will be seeing two of my best friends this weekend and I just can't wait. I also can't wait to see my family and get a chance to catch up with them. You know it's been a while since you've seen your crazy family when you actually start to miss them. I kid, I kid.

Wish me luck, this Thanksgiving weekend. I'll have a cool album review tomorrow. Hint: It's from one of the biggest names in rap... well, maybe not. Catch ya then.

[Music:] My 30 Favorite Albums of All-Time

2008-11-22T10:07:00.000-08:00

MY 30 FAVORITE ALBUMS OF ALL-TIME

The way I made this list was that I wanted to choose albums that I not only felt had no bad songs, but also albums which have provided a huge deal of influence on me since I listened to them. For example: "Diorama" was a recent discovery, but it has totally changed my vocal approach and how I listen to string arrangements.

My other major goal was trying not to repeat myself too much. I made sure to try as hard as I could to avoid putting the same artist twice and if I did, well they would be incredibly far away from each other.

These are some albums that I just can't stop listening to and (with a few exceptions) have not stopped listening to for years.

1. Prince - Lovesexy
2. Muse - Origin of Symmetry
3. Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
4. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds
5. Stevie Wonder - Songs in the Key of Life
6. Tenacious D - Tenacious D
7. The Mars Volta - De-Loused in the Comatorium
8. Silverchair - Diorama
9. David Bowie - The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust...
10. Radiohead - OK Computer
11. Mew - ...And The Glass Handed Kites
12. Yes - Close To The Edge
13. Dream Theater - Images & Words
14. Metallica - Master of Puppets
15. The Olivia Tremor Control - Black Foliage
16. Pain of Salvation - The Perfect Element
17. Of Montreal - The Gay Parade
18. The Cure - Disintegration
19. Mercyful Fate - Melissa
20. Keane - Hopes & Fears
21. Oasis - Definitely Maybe
22. Weezer - Pinkerton
23. The Beatles - Abbey Road
24. Muse - Absolution
25. Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell
26.Smashing Pumpkins - Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
27. Led Zeppelin - II
28. Billy Joel - The Stranger
29. Queen - A Night at the Opera
30. Prince - Parade

If you need an explanation for any pick, feel free to ask me.

[TV:] Initial Thoughts on The Office and Always Sunny 11/20/08

2008-11-21T13:25:00.000-08:00

What a great night for TV.

"Frame Toby"

After watching last week's episode again, I changed my tune about it and would give it an A. It was definitely the best the show has been since season 03. Michael's ending emotional rant to Wallace brought me to tears and could be my favorite scene in The Office history. It was great, and it made me very curious as to whether or not they could keep the quality up for this week's episode.

This episode was another great one. So many laugh out loud moments. The only attempt at humor that flatlined was Dwight's stupid rant at the end.

The return of Toby! He seemed a lot more like classic Toby than the creep he was when he left last season. Michael trying to frame Toby for drug posession was over the line, but they brought back his humanity by having him trying to "save" him and admitting that the "drugs" were his.

It was much funnier this week, although the Jim and Pam plot made me sick. I really hated how fake Pam's reaction was. So sick of these two characters interacting together, although Jim is really funny in the office. AS IF Pam would actually like that shithole house.

B+ (not as good as last week, but makes me excited for the upcoming episodes and ESPECIALLY the Christmas episode)

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia - The Nightman Cometh

The controversial, but highly anticipated musical episode of Sunny aired last night... as the season finale. The stakes were high. Very high. Did they hit this one out of the park or did it bomb?

They hit this one out of several parks. Probably a football field. This was possibly one of the best episodes of the season and a highlight of the series. Everyone nailed their roles, the songs were fanatstic, Mac as the "cat-eyed" Nightman was the best and the Dayman reprisal at the end of the episode was amazing and gave me fond memories of this blog's namesake (Dennis and Charlie's band.

It has all of the elements of a great Sunny episode. Unintentional sex jokes, homo-eroticism, mentioning Charlie's illiteracy and love of the waitress, and Mac doing karate moves.

A definite A. Gives me hope for season 5. You know why this episode was good? The 3 creators wrote it.

[Food:] MY favorite restaurant is...

2008-11-20T08:44:00.000-08:00

I love this place with a passion more than I have loved any living thing and I am only half joking. But let's get serious: this is really my favorite restaurant ever right now.

Why? The Macaroni & Cheese there is some of the best food I have ever ordered. It's filling, delicious, and actually makes me feel better after I've had it. It's like my perfect drug (next to Dr Pepper). Admittedly I do need to try some of their other items but that'll come the day I get tired of their Macaroni & Cheese... so maybe never.

They also have such a nice looking establishment that the atmosphere makes me feel right at home, except it's better than my home. It's like if my home got awesome rays from the awesome star and became way more awesome. Or if it was rennovated, possibly.

One other perk (which will make me sound like a creeper) is there are almost always plenty of hottie mcdotties getting food there. While I have not used the old "Hey, what are you getting?" icebreaker on them, that's only because whoever is with me is cramping my style.

Last but not least, their fountain soda is amazing. No, I'm serious. The Dr Peppers are especially good at Noodles & Company. It could be placebo or something but they real do taste better to me.

If someone got me a Noodles & Company Mac & Cheese for Christmas that would probably be one of my favorite gifts I recieve this year.

[TV:] Remembering the Writer's Strike of '07 - '08

2008-11-18T07:02:00.000-08:00

Anyone remember the week they tuned in for a new episode of their favorite show and all they had to offer was a repeat? Or reading on the official WGA blog to see so many projected dates for when new TV shows would be back on the air? I sure do.

I speak of the famous 2007 strike of writers. The days where writers decided that they deserved more money for their work that was streamed on the internet and posted on iTunes. They decided that they had been oppressed long enough and decided to do a little oppressing of their own.

Well, the writer's strike oppressed me because it destroyed 3 seasons of my favorite shows. Too dramatic? Naw. Not only did the quality in writing seem to disappear, but plotlines were terribly rushed because the writers knew that they only had a matter of time before production would cease.

Was any show victorious in managing to create a great season during this time? I can't think of one, aside from Tim & Eric Awesome Show... but that doesn't count. Scrubs suffered quite a bit in this season: rushed plot points, cheap gags, and pointless episodes. Yes, pointless. In what was intended to be its final season, the show was going to have an episode where JD tries to memorize everyone in the hospital's name or where JD and Turk wrestle for the remote (My Manhood may have been the show's most cartoonish episode yet, but God was it hilarious).

Sure, Scrubs may have turned out 6 pretty great episodes, but the 5 that aren't in that list are probably the worst the show has ever been. Yes, even worse than season 6. Thankfully, Bill Lawrence has silenced all my fears for season 8 by going over what the show did wrong in these past two years and what it will be doing to be more like season 1 - 3.

Even with its problems, I still liked, sometimes loved watching season 7 of Scrubs. It was a very enjoyable show. The Office became so terrible I got very frustrated. Jim and Pam became incredibly boring and concieted, Michael became someone who I actually could logically assume was mentally retarded, and THE HOUR LONG EPISODES. HOLY CRAP. Not only were they hour longs, they were boring as fuck! They chose plotlines that were actually made worse by the episode being an hour. Horrible, horrible. Even "Goodbye Toby" and "Did I Stutter" weren't enough to save this season for me.

It's Always Sunny in- what? You don't think Sunny was affected by the strike because they went into production after the strike? You'd be wrong there, my friend. The 3 creators write the season THEN film it. It's very different than any other TV show out there. Anyways, it's a lot of work so they need a lot of time. The writer's strike ate months of their writing period up, so this season had a lot more of their hired writers' help and much less episodes written by them. It showed. Though the show was still funny, a lot of it was very forced and the characters became even greater charicatures than before. While this show has never been about the rich character development shit, at a certain point if we can't see these characters as real people, it becomes way less funny. Just my two wooden teeth on the matter.

Thankfully, The Office is back on form this season (the last episode they aired was the best since season 3), only good things have been said about Scrubs season 8 (which should premiere in January, God willing) and the Always Sunny guys have plenty of time to craft another season of masterpieces. Let's never let this happen again, okay writers?

[Greed:] My Christmas Wishlist

2008-11-16T16:28:00.000-08:00

EIGHT ITEMS I WOULD BE TICKLED PINK TO RECIEVE AS GIFTS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

1. Money
I don't care what any druggie/environmental freak (same title, different name) says, this is the greatest green stuff on earth. I hate to be "that guy" and tell his relatives that all he wants is money this year, but it's pretty true this year. I just don't want as much anymore now that I can download any music I want to onli- I mean, what? Also, with enough of this, I would be able to get the below items.

2. Muse - Hullabaloo
My favorite band playing a concert before they became the biggest most awesome band in the world? Sign me up. Featuring only cuts from Origin of Symmetry and Showbiz, this is a no frills fantastic rock show. This DVD also includes loads of bonus features like a documentary on the tour this show was taken from.

3. Tenacious D The Complete Masterworks Volume 2
The newest entry in the Masterworks series by the comedy-rocksauce duo. Includes a documentary that covers the making of the soundtrack and movie The Pick of Destiny (most underappreciated movie ever. saw it twice in theaters), as well as an in-depth look at the supporting tour. Oh yeah, and an entire concert with the most expensive and elaborate "D" stage show ever. This will help make waiting for the next album more bearable.

4. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia Season 1 - 2
My pick for funniest TV show ever. I've watched the episodes to an alarming degree on my computer and I think it's time to make the jump to officially owning two seasons of what I think is the funniest show on TV at the moment.

5. Scrubs Season Two
This is my current favorite season of the best TV show fucking ever made FUCK. Sorry, I get so excited about Scrubs, it gets hard for me to form rational, coherent sentences. This is the season that perfectly sums up how great the show is. The emotion, the comedy, the character development, the comedy, the musical numbers, oh yeah and the comedy. I would love to place this next to my season 3 & 5 dvds with pride.

6. Tim & Eric Awesome Show Great Job! Season One
This show is amazing, subversive, and hysterical. Although I enjoy season two more, I would love if my mem-mem or pep-pep got me this so I could watch it with my rascal.

7. BKE Cologne
This stuff seriously smells so good. Don't judge me. I got this stuff two years ago and when I wore it the chicks came flocking to me with only one thing on their mind: friendship. But really it smelled amazing and was a very good icebreaker. Would love to get some again this year.

8. Prince - 21 Nights
This book is so fucking nice looking but at the same time I do not desire it enough to actually spend like 30$ on it. Apparently, all it is is Prince prancing about like a fairy and looking pretty for the camera. While I have no problems with this, it doesn't seem like something I would spend my own hard-earned money on. It does come with a live cd, but the tracklisting is very "meh" considering the shows that Prince put on in the Indigo.

[Music:] Three Albums You Need to Hear & My Top 10 Favorite Songwriters

2008-11-15T15:27:00.001-08:00

Three Albums You Need to Hear:

Silverchair - Diorama
A CD with so much emotional depth, you can't help but drown in it. Honest yet over the top, this cd feels like an open letter from Daniel Johns to the listener. He snarls on "One Way Mule", croons on "Across The Night" and stews in depression in the epic drama of "Tuna In The Brine". The orchestral and symphonic embellishments serve only to enhance. Definitely accesible enough for anyone to listen to without compromising artistic vision. I've been listening to this for about two months now. Thanks Rick!

Muse - Origin of Symmetry
Pure unadulterated (space) dementia. This album begins with the paranoia of New Born and ends with the cynical, apocalypticism of Megalomania, a song with a backbeat and horribly morbid organ that feels more like a funeral dirge for the planet Earth than the closing to a rock album. Honestly, the sheer brilliance of every track on here is astounding. The frantic piano, the distorted basslines, the pulsating drums, and of course the hypnotically disturbed guitar riffs. The whole album feels cold and robotic enough to disorient while it screams at you of its humanity. It's enough to overwhelm at times, but if you're willing to take the trip, you will not be disappointed. One of my favorite albums of all time.

Mew - And The Glass Handed Kites
Probably the most confusing but ultimately beautiful album on this list. The album begins in a confused mishmash of guitar and drum hits before the beat finally drops and from there on out, the album flows like a stream of conciousness piece created on the spot. With all the whimsy, fear, and chaos of our own dreams, the whole thing comes to a head with the trance-inducingly haunting "Special", with the most epic and destructively harmonious chorus I've ever heard. Johan sings mostly with a very high head voice and is positively angelic in his delivery. The band creates one recognizable, powerful sound perfectly. Not for everyone and it may take a few listens to "get" this record... but when you get it you'll thank the lucky stars you listened to it. Haven't stopped listening to this since June.
- - -

My Top 10 Favorite Songwriters

1. Prince
2. Matt Bellamy (Muse)
3. David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
4. James Hetfield/Lars Ulrich (Metallica)
5. Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys)
6. Billy Joel
7. Daniel Gildenlow (Pain of Salvation)
8. Imogen Heap
9. David Bowie
10. Daniel Johns (Silverchair)

Honorable Mentions:
George Harrison (The Beatles)
John Petrucci (Dream Theater)

[Random:] Across The Niiight

2008-11-15T05:08:00.000-08:00

Okay, I fucking hate the new iTunes. Jesus. It doesn't even let you browse by song name anymore and as if that wasn't enough, it presents artists and albums in a confusing looking collection of their album covers. Just ridiculous.

I am home alone for the weekend and even though I have tons of homework to do I love this. Can't wait to stay up late and have some pizza rolls... and then do some damn homework.

Will have a cool music-based entry coming up tonight.

[TV:]Initial Thoughts on The Office & Always Sunny 11/13/08 (SPOILERS)

2008-11-13T18:49:00.000-08:00

The Office: Business Trip

Tonight, in what could have been the show's most depressing episode yet, Michael is sent on a business trip to Winnipeg. This is done courtesy of David Wallace in an attempt to make amends with Michael after sending Holly to another branch.

Tonight's episode had 3 plotlines and it handled each one with an amazing amount of tact considering it only had 20 minutes to work with. Seeing Ryan and Kelly back together at the end of the episode is truly hilarious. Also, Oscar and Andy's interactions have led more credibility to my theory that Andy is going to come out this season and that is how Andy and Angela's wedding will be canceled.

But the best scene of the night was a moment that was not based in humor at all. Michael finally emotionally breaks down and stands up to Wallace, saying that the trip sucked and him getting rid of Holly was a really horrible thing to do to him. It was the best scene of the season for me.

Even Jim and Pam were good! They had a nice scene together near the end of the episode that almost made me feel like I used to with them.

I will have to watch this episode again but for now I will give it a solid B. Everything came together at the end and was resolved very nicely.

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia - The Gang Gets Extreme: Home Makeover Edition

The gang decides that in order to get what they want, they must help others. Unfortunately they go about this the totally wrong way. They attempt to be like the Home Makeover show, but instead end up tormenting a Mexican family that does not speak any English.

It was a hilarious episode. From Dennis and Charlie comparing shorts to Charlie becoming very emotional because someone dared slander Sears- er, the Home Makeover show to the montage of them kidnapping the family.

While it remains to be seen how the musical episode fares? It's nice to see one more classic episode of Sunny before the season draws to a close next week. I'd say this gets a B, too.

[Rant:] Poetry Class

2008-11-12T04:53:00.001-08:00

I did not draw the above image, although I wish I did.

So poetry classes suck. Who is with me?

I happen to be very interested in poetry and its construction and I would consider myself a "moderate" fan of the stuff. But I swear, the poetry class I am enrolled in can be frustratingly boring sometimes. I really don't care about most of the stuff we learn about and the fact that we learn that no poem is objectively bad while our poetry is being graded- well, it just doesn't add up.

That's not even mentioning all the boring history of poetry stuff we've learned about. It's not all Emily Dickinson and Robert Frost, people. For the most part, poetry is done by people whose stories are about as interesting to listen to as a radio on mute. No disrespect to these poets; I just don't feel like their backstory is half as interesting as their work.

Well, not all poetry is interesting. I'm sure people write poetry with good intentions, hoping to make it personal enough to them while also making it vague enough so that anyone could connect to it. The problem I've found with poetry class is that some of it is TOO VAGUE. I doubt most poetry offers even feel anything when they look back on some of their old poems, ridden with metaphors as if it was a verbal plague.

And that's not the worst part. The worst part is I am actually struggling on the quizzes and tests. I mean, I pass them, but not by a respectable margin. I have to learn tons of terms and also write more than two pages on an essay question that I can barely write a comprehendible paragraph based on.

The poetry class I am taking now HAS definitely improved my writing, that is for sure. It's made me appreciate and enjoy the craft of elegant writing to a much higher degree. But with all the conflicting messages in that class, I never feel good about any of my own poetry unless it is so mind-blowingly personal that I never want it to see the light of day. Also, it has had someone who's gotten a poetry book published come in and speak and that was really fun. Very cool, down to earth guy who wrote some interesting stuff.

And my professor is also very cool and humble. This is no slight on him and I can respect his passion for this form of art. I just wish I didn't find it so laborous and boring. I appreciate the class for helping me with my prose, I really do. I do enjoy reading and writing poems much more now. But the tests and lectures in that class- well, I just can't dig it, daddy-o.

[Deep Shit:] Do I feel any older than I did when I was 16?

2008-11-11T11:31:00.000-08:00

The above picture is of me when I was 16. Not only does it serve as a hilarious reminder of my emo pics on myspace, but it makes me remember how my life was when I was that young and idealistic.

Which is the perfect transition into what I'm writing about today. Aaron Isaacs asked me if I felt the same way that I did when I was 16-17 now that I am 19.

My knee-jerk reaction was "no." But then I started wondering: why not? I mean, so much of my life is still the same as it was back then. I still have the same dog, I have the same style of hair, I still live at home, and I still look like I'm in high school (some people say I look 12 years old actually. Makes me feel pretty and young). I mean, what's to say that this new outlook on life wasn't imposed on me by society? We are taught that when you are 18 you become an adult and when you become an adult you are supposed to be a mature. Isn't that just a self-fulfilling prophecy?

Well, maybe for some people. I never TRY to feel older. I still laugh at immature shit and joke around way too much with friends. But over the past year I became so more emotionally stable and intelligent. Before I was insecure, needy, volatile, and just a dick to some of my friends.

This all caught up to me at the end of my last year of high school. After realizing what a gigantic low my senior year had been. I treated people like garbage because I felt like shit because I was fat because I kept eating because I was depressed etc. After my graduation I resolved to treat people better, stop being so emotionally unstable and insecure, and man the fuck up. And I did.

Right now I am the happiest I have ever been. I love myself, my friends, and my life. I do not resent people and treat them badly, I am not short with people, and am obviously more humble since I just wrote a blog entry all about myself.

[Rant:] "Selling Out" is not the worst thing a band can do...

2008-11-10T15:03:00.000-08:00

This is.

Let me explain: Weezer's "Red Album" is everything that I hope my favorite bands don't become. I really couldn't care less about a band selling out; sometimes an artist attempting to reach wider audiences can create incredibly impressive, if more accessible, work. Even if it is a misfire, they oftentimes show a great amount of energy in these streamlined, compact, commercial efforts. Selling out gets a much worse rep than it deserves.

But you know what common musical practice goes overlooked? It's something that drives me crazy and fills me with dread whenever I come across it.

"Phoning it in".

"Phoning it in" is the practice of releasing an album full of uninspired music with songs that are treading over familiar ground. It's what AC/DC's made a career out of. It's at this point that music has become a force of habit to the artist and they have lost any passion for the artform they used to live for. I'd much rather see Muse endorse a Chevrolet in order to pay for studio time then hear a directionless, been-there done that record from them.

Let's examine Weezer's "Red Album" further. (By the way, this is Weezer's third self-titled album. Need any more proof they're running out of ideas?)

The album opens with a strumming, familiar guitar riff that harkens back to classic Weezer. You know, the days when it was fun to listen to them. With its kickin' groove and sing-along chorus, it feels as if the band wants this song to be in the same family as some of their other more upbeat classics. And at this they succeed: Troublemaker is The Good Life's pedophiliac Uncle. At no point in Rivers' confused diatribes("...and movies are as bad as eating chocolate ice cream" he warns) does he even come close to making a lyrical statement of any kind.

And that's one of the two salvageable songs on the record. The next song, Pork & Beans is the single and it is the ultimate anti-anthem for all of society's misfits. While it attempts to identify with the unique, instead it panders, speaking down to them. As Rivers croaks the "uplifting" chorus which speaks of being different and not changing who you are to appease anybody, a sad irony dawns over the song which perfectly explains the problem with current Weezer: In the old days Weezer evoked this message perfectly without even writing about it. Now Rivers screams this at anyone willing to listen and leaves no room for any subtlety or power in their music and lyrics.

"The Red Album" somehow manages to be pompous, overproduced, and pretentious while mantaining a feeling that the people behind the controls, as well as the songwriters themselves, have no idea what they're doing. When they're not ripping themselves off, they're ripping off The Red Hot Chili Peppers and making sappy, emotionless ballads.

That's just the tip of the iceberg for that album. As it stands right now, it's my pick for the perfect example of a band putting out subpar, passionless music that is tarnishing their old work and what they used to stand for.

[Intro post:] "Hello and welcome to 'Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!'"

2008-11-10T02:40:00.000-08:00

And by that I mean, of course, welcome to my new blog which I resolve to keep running for more than a coupla months. And it's not even New Year's Eve yet!

So I went to bed at 10:30 it's almost 5 am. I am continuing my confusing, retarded, but ultimately rewarding sleep pattern.

I don't know why, but I love going to bed and waking up with a couple hours to relax, get ready for school, talk to my mom before she goes to work, and maybe watch some awesome TV episodes.

Wait, of course I know why. That's fucking awesome.

Today at school I am going to seek atonement from Gordy for skipping his class two times in a row. He's a really nice guy so I hope he cuts me some slack but honestly, I understand if he doesn't. Thankfully, I didn't miss much at all and I don't think we had any homework.

Man, sometimes Normandale can be pretty lonely. I have friends there, but no really close friends yet and oftentimes I find myself eating lunch alone. Luckily, I am definitely not alone in that department as most people in that dwarfing cafeteria are eating all by their lonesome.

Yesterday I had dinner with Becca at Perkins(!). I actually didn't expect it to be as fun as it was (mostly because I was super-tired because of my aformentioned sleep schedule) but it was a total blast. I am reminded of why I enjoy hanging out with her so. My mouth hurt from laughing (or maybe from eating so fucking much). God, I have awesome friends.

I need to calm down about my holiday party but I am so excited. x3

I hope I get my check soon.

Before I sign off on this post and get ready for the day (translation: watch an episode of always sunny), I just want to mention how brilliant Tim and Eric of "Tim And Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!" are. Specifically their facial expressions. I don't think any other people make me laugh as much as they do without saying a word.

np: Mew - Special