Monday, February 23, 2009
To Print or Not to Print: Controversial Pictures
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Wednesday, February 18, 2009
No Dud On The Horizon: U2's latest album ranks with the best
I will be forthright - I am a huge U2 fan. My earliest musical memory was listening to "Where the Streets Have No Name" from The Joshua Tree on an old vinyl LP with my dad when I was not even 3 years old. Twenty-two years later, U2 is - sorry, Coldplay - still the biggest band in the world. Album releases (unfortunately every 4 years or so anymore) are events by themselves, followed by the anticipation of tour dates.
I've seen them live twice - once in 2001, again in 2005 - and there isn't a U2 album I don't own. So, understandably, waiting as long as U2 fans have for their latest, No Line On The Horizon, in this digital age, I found myself all too often checking bit torrent sites hoping that finally this damn thing would leak.
Last night, around 11:30 p.m., it happened - Universal Australia, U2's label for down-under distribution, put it on their site 10 days before its intended release. Whoops. Of course, leave it to the huge online community of U2 fans to comb the net and stumble upon an Australian music site.
An album's greatness isn't determined upon first listen. It takes repeated listens, and for the real classics, years before we can legitimately give an album such a weighty label. U2 has had two so far - The Joshua Tree and, my personal favorite, 1991's Achtung Baby.
No Line On The Horizon is the third.
That won't be the first time you hear such a bold statement - in fact, I stole it from a few rock critics who've already wrote early reviews for it. But this album is an encapsulation of the entire U2 sonic arsenal. It is both beautiful and rugged, acoustic and electronic, soaring yet subdued, immediate yet layered . . . I could go on listing adjectives, but in a word, this is one dense album that will take its rightful place as the third masterpiece for the band.
The most obvious classic on the album is "Magnificent", the second track where the name sums it up perfectly. It is quintessential U2, with chiming guitar licks from the Edge, a soaring Bono vocal, and the same pulsing rhythm section found on old classics like "New Year's Day" and "With or Without You". "Only love can leave such a mark, and only love can heal such a scar," Bono sings.
"Moment of Surrender" is the longest studio track ever by U2, clocking in at over 7 minutes. It is a bold song in its subtlety - the band sounds so comfortable in a smoky, jazz-lounge groove, that is truly unlike anything they've recorded before.
"Unknown Caller" features some achingly beautiful guitar work by The Edge. I find that most rock critic types, no matter their thoughts of Bono, admire what Edge has done for the instrument of guitar.
Ah hell, I'm basically listing every song. They're all great, all very unique from the one before it. Yet, at the end of the album, it feels that all 11 tracks have a cohesive quality about them. The one-two knockout blow to finish the album, the rollicking rocker "Breathe" and the meditative, gravelly-vocalized "Cedars of Lebanon", are the best proof of how disparate styles and genres were melted together to make pure bliss.
Here's what I recommend. DOWNLOAD NOW . . . . and buy later :-) In all seriousness, go to a site like thepiratebay.org, search for No Line On The Horizon, download and enjoy. March 3, go to Best Buy and get a hard copy. It will be awhile before U2 lights up the stadiums in America, but word is the band will have a couple nights at Soldier Field, their first outdoor gigs in Chicago since 1997's PopMart Tour.
I've seen them live twice - once in 2001, again in 2005 - and there isn't a U2 album I don't own. So, understandably, waiting as long as U2 fans have for their latest, No Line On The Horizon, in this digital age, I found myself all too often checking bit torrent sites hoping that finally this damn thing would leak.
Last night, around 11:30 p.m., it happened - Universal Australia, U2's label for down-under distribution, put it on their site 10 days before its intended release. Whoops. Of course, leave it to the huge online community of U2 fans to comb the net and stumble upon an Australian music site.
An album's greatness isn't determined upon first listen. It takes repeated listens, and for the real classics, years before we can legitimately give an album such a weighty label. U2 has had two so far - The Joshua Tree and, my personal favorite, 1991's Achtung Baby.
No Line On The Horizon is the third.
That won't be the first time you hear such a bold statement - in fact, I stole it from a few rock critics who've already wrote early reviews for it. But this album is an encapsulation of the entire U2 sonic arsenal. It is both beautiful and rugged, acoustic and electronic, soaring yet subdued, immediate yet layered . . . I could go on listing adjectives, but in a word, this is one dense album that will take its rightful place as the third masterpiece for the band.
The most obvious classic on the album is "Magnificent", the second track where the name sums it up perfectly. It is quintessential U2, with chiming guitar licks from the Edge, a soaring Bono vocal, and the same pulsing rhythm section found on old classics like "New Year's Day" and "With or Without You". "Only love can leave such a mark, and only love can heal such a scar," Bono sings.
"Moment of Surrender" is the longest studio track ever by U2, clocking in at over 7 minutes. It is a bold song in its subtlety - the band sounds so comfortable in a smoky, jazz-lounge groove, that is truly unlike anything they've recorded before.
"Unknown Caller" features some achingly beautiful guitar work by The Edge. I find that most rock critic types, no matter their thoughts of Bono, admire what Edge has done for the instrument of guitar.
"I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" is perhaps the best pop song U2 has ever recorded, seamlessly integrating some shamelessly joyful lyrics with a rollicking groove that is at once instantly recognizable, yet afforded a unique touch from Larry Mullen's stimulant-infused drums and Adam Clayton's all-the-way-up-in-the-mix, but-damn-if-it-doesn't-sound-good bass guitar.
"Get On Your Boots", the single, sounds even better in the context of the album, followed by "Stand Up Comedy", the smirking hard rock track of the album that infuses a Zeppelin riff with some serious Sly Stone funk credentials in the verses..Ah hell, I'm basically listing every song. They're all great, all very unique from the one before it. Yet, at the end of the album, it feels that all 11 tracks have a cohesive quality about them. The one-two knockout blow to finish the album, the rollicking rocker "Breathe" and the meditative, gravelly-vocalized "Cedars of Lebanon", are the best proof of how disparate styles and genres were melted together to make pure bliss.
Here's what I recommend. DOWNLOAD NOW . . . . and buy later :-) In all seriousness, go to a site like thepiratebay.org, search for No Line On The Horizon, download and enjoy. March 3, go to Best Buy and get a hard copy. It will be awhile before U2 lights up the stadiums in America, but word is the band will have a couple nights at Soldier Field, their first outdoor gigs in Chicago since 1997's PopMart Tour.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Decline of the Republican Party: Unfortunately, they brought it upon themselves
People wondered upon the inauguration of Barack Obama just how long his honeymoon would last. Somewhat surprising to me, in a good way, was just how short the honeymoon was, and how our tame-by-most-standards mainstream media stopped the incessant romanticism fairly quickly and got back to business as usual.
While I readily admit a station like MSNBC's liberal posturing, I find the outcry of conservatives to be pathetically defensive. My God, the whole Republican party has adopted Rush Limbaugh as their man, the talking head who will lead the way - at least ideologically - as the party moves forward after such a decisive blow from voters last November.
In a Daily Illini opinion column called McRight by some chick in the College of Business, a meant-to-be humorous column about how crappy February is resorted to pathetic name calling. After establishing her view that the word "February" is synonymous with "ugly" and "terrible", she said that Michelle Obama looked, well, "February", at the inauguration.
This coming from a writer who, suffice to say voted for Bush in 2004, seems to be a bit ironic. Let's hypothetically say I decided to stoop to low-brow humor and note how Laura Bush was as vanilla looking of a First Lady we've had since Lady Bird Johnson - let's just say I hypothetically made that comparison - and you see how lame of a one-liner her put-off of our First Lady is.
I'm not someone who enjoys political correctness, but as a man looking at Michelle Obama as a woman, ugly is not what comes to mind. I guarantee a good number of readers saw that one-liner and felt racism creeping into the column. McRight - you aren't doing your fellow conservatives any McFavors with that kind of crap. Perceived racism, ignorance, or just a lame attempt at a joke? Check, check, and check.
It just shows how out of touch the Republican party is. Take, for instance, how disastrous McCain's campaign was. He is a politician to be respected, and has years of service both in the military and congress that proves the kind of man he is. He wasn't being himself the whole campaign - he instead followed the bad advice of the most incompetent campaign staff since McGovern (sorry, Hillary) and spent more time talking about Obama than himself.
For the sake of governance, I really wish the Republican party would get their act together. The basic ideals of conservatism are still important to have in political discourse, but instead of worrying about furthering their message, they waste away their energy complaining about the "Liberal media", Reverend Wright, and how bad of a deal Bush got when 85% of Americans didn't approve of his job.
Though, I think I've heard that Gallup dude was a socialist . . . so, I bet those numbers are rigged. That pesky Liberal bias.
While I readily admit a station like MSNBC's liberal posturing, I find the outcry of conservatives to be pathetically defensive. My God, the whole Republican party has adopted Rush Limbaugh as their man, the talking head who will lead the way - at least ideologically - as the party moves forward after such a decisive blow from voters last November.
In a Daily Illini opinion column called McRight by some chick in the College of Business, a meant-to-be humorous column about how crappy February is resorted to pathetic name calling. After establishing her view that the word "February" is synonymous with "ugly" and "terrible", she said that Michelle Obama looked, well, "February", at the inauguration.
This coming from a writer who, suffice to say voted for Bush in 2004, seems to be a bit ironic. Let's hypothetically say I decided to stoop to low-brow humor and note how Laura Bush was as vanilla looking of a First Lady we've had since Lady Bird Johnson - let's just say I hypothetically made that comparison - and you see how lame of a one-liner her put-off of our First Lady is.
I'm not someone who enjoys political correctness, but as a man looking at Michelle Obama as a woman, ugly is not what comes to mind. I guarantee a good number of readers saw that one-liner and felt racism creeping into the column. McRight - you aren't doing your fellow conservatives any McFavors with that kind of crap. Perceived racism, ignorance, or just a lame attempt at a joke? Check, check, and check.
It just shows how out of touch the Republican party is. Take, for instance, how disastrous McCain's campaign was. He is a politician to be respected, and has years of service both in the military and congress that proves the kind of man he is. He wasn't being himself the whole campaign - he instead followed the bad advice of the most incompetent campaign staff since McGovern (sorry, Hillary) and spent more time talking about Obama than himself.
For the sake of governance, I really wish the Republican party would get their act together. The basic ideals of conservatism are still important to have in political discourse, but instead of worrying about furthering their message, they waste away their energy complaining about the "Liberal media", Reverend Wright, and how bad of a deal Bush got when 85% of Americans didn't approve of his job.
Though, I think I've heard that Gallup dude was a socialist . . . so, I bet those numbers are rigged. That pesky Liberal bias.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Rants & Raves: Blago, Oscar's Blunder, Godzilla on Steroids, and AC/DC
RANTS!!!
1) The Dark Knight Snubbed
How, in the name of all that's sacred, is The Dark Knight not even up for a Best Picture nomination?
Keep in mind, I say this without having seen any of the other five nominees (that doesn't help my credibility). But in all honesty, if that four-hour overblown Lord of the Rings: Return of the King won multiple Oscars in 2005, how is The Dark Knight not even nominated?
Seriously - just nominate the damn thing! It's only fair. In the Academy's defense, the crap economy we have currently which reaped $500-million plus from The Dark Knight was not a factor in their decisions. Let alone, no one saw the other five films. They better find one hell of a host.
2) Rod Blagojevich, Media Whore
Well, it is official. Rod Blagojevich is an insane individual.
If I could offer one positive description of this man, other than the dead raccoon on his scalp, it would be his persistance. He is a very persistent ( *cough *cough, arrogant!) man who, despite getting his law degree and knowing full well the scope of his crimes is, nonetheless, well-versed in backpedalling and clearing his name.
If there is any justice in the world, Mr. Blagojevich (and his equally pathetic wife) will receive some time in prison. Holding up children's hospitals and a US Senate seat for personal financial gain is, simply, despicable. One has to feel for his two daughters - it is too bad they will likely spend a chunk of their childhood years with their father behind bars.
and some raves . . .
1) Cloverfield
It was just over a year ago that I caught this film in the theater after having been caught up in all the anticipation from a brilliant marketing campaign. And, to my mild surprise, Cloverfield exceeded my expectations!
Quick plot synopsis - a gigantic, indestructable monster is destroying Manhattan, in the meantime breeding crazy spider-like mutant parasites and killing thousands of people.
Silly? Eh, maybe. But for anyone that remembers from their earlier schooling years, how about Independence Day? While the movie wasn't awful, it took itself too seriously. With Cloverfield, we see through the lens of one digital camera a realistically filmed, frightening look at post-9/11 America. In its brief 81 minutes, the film never lets up in intensity and constantly reminds its viewers of our subconscious paranoia. It is suspense, with a sprinkle of sci-fi action at its best.
2) AC/DC . . . in concert
As I said in my first post, I would talk about movies and music as much as politics and all of that. .
Let's be honest, though - at least in my Rants and Raves posts, music and movies will likely be in the forefront.
AC/DC is a band I grew up on, and as I got older I got their older, Bon Scott-era material to listen to along with the Back in Black and later on period with Brian Johnson. Quite simply, nothing says rock and roll like AC/DC.
I saw them back in November 08, a day before Election Day, in Indianapolis, and two weeks ago in St. Louis. Each time, I was reminded why rock music can be transcendent and historical, because NOTHING matches AC/DC. Does everything sound the same? Arguably. But when it sounds that good . . . bring it on ;-)
1) The Dark Knight Snubbed
How, in the name of all that's sacred, is The Dark Knight not even up for a Best Picture nomination?
Keep in mind, I say this without having seen any of the other five nominees (that doesn't help my credibility). But in all honesty, if that four-hour overblown Lord of the Rings: Return of the King won multiple Oscars in 2005, how is The Dark Knight not even nominated?
Seriously - just nominate the damn thing! It's only fair. In the Academy's defense, the crap economy we have currently which reaped $500-million plus from The Dark Knight was not a factor in their decisions. Let alone, no one saw the other five films. They better find one hell of a host.
2) Rod Blagojevich, Media Whore
Well, it is official. Rod Blagojevich is an insane individual.
If I could offer one positive description of this man, other than the dead raccoon on his scalp, it would be his persistance. He is a very persistent ( *cough *cough, arrogant!) man who, despite getting his law degree and knowing full well the scope of his crimes is, nonetheless, well-versed in backpedalling and clearing his name.
If there is any justice in the world, Mr. Blagojevich (and his equally pathetic wife) will receive some time in prison. Holding up children's hospitals and a US Senate seat for personal financial gain is, simply, despicable. One has to feel for his two daughters - it is too bad they will likely spend a chunk of their childhood years with their father behind bars.
and some raves . . .
1) Cloverfield
It was just over a year ago that I caught this film in the theater after having been caught up in all the anticipation from a brilliant marketing campaign. And, to my mild surprise, Cloverfield exceeded my expectations!
Quick plot synopsis - a gigantic, indestructable monster is destroying Manhattan, in the meantime breeding crazy spider-like mutant parasites and killing thousands of people.
Silly? Eh, maybe. But for anyone that remembers from their earlier schooling years, how about Independence Day? While the movie wasn't awful, it took itself too seriously. With Cloverfield, we see through the lens of one digital camera a realistically filmed, frightening look at post-9/11 America. In its brief 81 minutes, the film never lets up in intensity and constantly reminds its viewers of our subconscious paranoia. It is suspense, with a sprinkle of sci-fi action at its best.
2) AC/DC . . . in concert
As I said in my first post, I would talk about movies and music as much as politics and all of that. .
Let's be honest, though - at least in my Rants and Raves posts, music and movies will likely be in the forefront.
AC/DC is a band I grew up on, and as I got older I got their older, Bon Scott-era material to listen to along with the Back in Black and later on period with Brian Johnson. Quite simply, nothing says rock and roll like AC/DC.
I saw them back in November 08, a day before Election Day, in Indianapolis, and two weeks ago in St. Louis. Each time, I was reminded why rock music can be transcendent and historical, because NOTHING matches AC/DC. Does everything sound the same? Arguably. But when it sounds that good . . . bring it on ;-)
Welcome to The Life and Times of Mike
Welcome to the Life and Times of Mike!
A little background on the title and the accompanying picture for my profile - one of my favorite shows on television is The Life and Times of Tim, an animated program on HBO that is full of great characters and absolutely hilarious dry humor. I spent about ten minutes thinking, "What would be a good title for my first-ever blog?" and, well - this one stuck, and I guess it will do just fine, at least for the purpose it serves.
So, with the title my blog possesses, that indicates I will post about certain day-to-day activities, personal reactions to certain events and happenings, and a unique, individual perspective on things. I've never done this before, and while friends of mine would readily admit I'm not one to be shy, this sort of discourse is something I've never attempted before.
I can say, with some confidence, that once I get my feet wet with the whole "posting personal thoughts for all to see" thing, my posts will be insightful and full of clear, unique, and hopefully entertaining observations. With the idea of this blog as a sort of micro-publication, I hope I produce quality material that anyone that comes across it enjoys to read.
So, in closing, I highly encourage feedback to any of my posts. I may write as if I'm set in my ways with opinions or observations, but that simply is not true. What I love is conversing with others about a wide variety of topics, from politics and history to movies and music. I'll have some political stuff, but pretty quickly I'll counter it with my favorite music artists (FYI - new U2 on March 2nd!)
I can't wait to read through others posts, and I can't wait for feedback from all of you!
A little background on the title and the accompanying picture for my profile - one of my favorite shows on television is The Life and Times of Tim, an animated program on HBO that is full of great characters and absolutely hilarious dry humor. I spent about ten minutes thinking, "What would be a good title for my first-ever blog?" and, well - this one stuck, and I guess it will do just fine, at least for the purpose it serves.
So, with the title my blog possesses, that indicates I will post about certain day-to-day activities, personal reactions to certain events and happenings, and a unique, individual perspective on things. I've never done this before, and while friends of mine would readily admit I'm not one to be shy, this sort of discourse is something I've never attempted before.
I can say, with some confidence, that once I get my feet wet with the whole "posting personal thoughts for all to see" thing, my posts will be insightful and full of clear, unique, and hopefully entertaining observations. With the idea of this blog as a sort of micro-publication, I hope I produce quality material that anyone that comes across it enjoys to read.
So, in closing, I highly encourage feedback to any of my posts. I may write as if I'm set in my ways with opinions or observations, but that simply is not true. What I love is conversing with others about a wide variety of topics, from politics and history to movies and music. I'll have some political stuff, but pretty quickly I'll counter it with my favorite music artists (FYI - new U2 on March 2nd!)
I can't wait to read through others posts, and I can't wait for feedback from all of you!
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