A PATH TO CHOOSE

Year End 2008

2008-12-18T13:12:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I have been away for awhile. A lot has happened for me personally, the biggest difference is that I no longer live in San Diego. Yup, I made the cross-country drive back to Boston. It was a great experience living there but it just wasn't me, so here I am. I will post a more detailed explanation later but for now its time for some year end music reviews.

Overall, 2008 was a good year for music since most of my favorite artists came out with full length LP's. A couple artists did unexpected music they are not known for, Kanye & Common - ahem, vocoders & dance vibes. In the beginning of the year I noticed that lyrics were very dark as if the End of Days was truly coming, Beck, Roots & Black Keys please stand up. These underlying apocalyptic messages had me feeling like Cali would either collapse into the sea or burn into itself. But anyhow we have turned the corner as a nation, elected a new president, and are now ready to build for the future. Here are my top 10 albums of 2008 as they relate to my journey in life, in no particular order:

Only By The Night - Kings of Leon: Alright I said I wouldn't rank them but this is my favorite album of the year. It came at a perfect time of the year when the seasons were dying with winter lurking in the shadows. Listen to 'Cold Desert' when its too cold to socialize outside and tell me its not a favorite. Other gems such as 'Use Somebody', 'Sex On Fire' & 'Crawl' put this album into my all-time favorite list. Add two great live shows to the mix and you will see why I chose 'Only By Night'.

The Odd Couple - Gnarls Barkley: Danger Mouse did it again. OK, Cee-Lo had a big part to do with it but who can't love DM's production? 'Run' was a great lead single but was unable to have the same effect 'Smile' had on popular society, I guess sometimes they are just not ready. My all time favorite track is still 'Who's Gonna Save My Soul'. I love the soulful pain Cee-Lo puts into a song every person can relate to, after all we are all sinners.Rising Down - The Roots: This album for me was like hanging out with a family member I knew from back home on the East coast. Its weird when you witness the evolution of a band you have followed since before you were a teenager. The album is dark but captures the foreboding mood that the Bush administration brought us. This world is a large wave as evidenced by the tracks 'Rising Down' & 'Rising Up', just a period of dramatic ups & downs. I also love 'Criminal', which documents the violence our culture breeds and 'Singing Man', which chronicles the demand for the rise & fall of entertainers. The Renaissance - Q-Tip: What a refreshing escape from the early negativity of 2008. I was glad to hear the ATCQ voice of Q that we thought had left the planet. Especially when I heard that Kanye was starting to experiment, it was good the original Kanye (Q) go back to his roots. Also loved 'Move' which exhibits the genius that JDilla left us to sort out.Consolers of the Lonely - The Raconteurs: Jack White has definitely not spread himself too thin. Its great to hear the range achieved with a full four piece band. Jacks writings of being at the top of the music world reveal to us it is not that grand, he is human like the rest of us. This was a great album to play while driving through Memphis and Nashville, where the banjo and slide guitars originate.Theater of the Mind - Ludacris: A very well constructed album by the original Mouth of the South. I love the idea of the album which incorporates the many different personalities we all possess. Not only does he incorporate his persona but also blends the many key guests throughout the LP. Love the guest production of 'M.V.P.' by DJ Premier and even the popular prescience of T-Pain on 'One More Drink'. I am gonna say this is my favorite Ludacris album so far.Modern Guilt - Beck: This album here summed up all of my feelings of fear while living in one of the richest communities of Southern California. I am more guilty than anyone of over-thinking a good thing, but for me it was TOO good. I was unable to fit in where it was blahzay to own any car less than a 300 series Benz. I was however able to glimpse the environment that gives rise to Beck's concerns over global extinction. 'Gamma Ray', 'Profanity Prayers' & 'Chemtrails' are favorites of mine.

When Life Gives You Lemons... - Atmosphere: Time for the underdogs to get their due. After d'loading so many of the Season mixtapes it was time to pay for a full-length LP. I know this won't be in a lot of peoples Top 10 list but for me it provided a soundtrack I was looking for. Some favorite tracks off this release were 'Shoulda Known' & 'Yesterday'. I am looking forward to Slug & Ant's next full length release after this provided the solid foundation for them.

Attack & Release - The Black Keys: So I invested in this band after hearing Danger Mouse did their production. I liked what he did last year with 'The Good, The Bad..." and was working on for Beck's 'Modern Guilt'. Upon first listen I was impressed with the mixture of back-country rock with DM's production board techniques. I read up on these guys to find a lot of their old fans were not impressed with this release. They feel this was their 'sellout' album. I disagree and feel this is a good step for them. Listen to 'Strange Times' and tell me you do not feel a shiver up your spine.

Heart On - Eagles Of Death Metal: Who doesn't want to be in L.A.? This is the last album on the list and is a well deserved party album from Jesse Hughes and the boys. If you ever have a chance to see these guys live, it is your duty to go and experience one of the best concerts, ever. On this album and in concert they give you everything you pay for, and more. This album captures a joyful end to the year, which started out very darkly. So grab a drink, some friends and this album to celebrate the end of 2008.

So thats it for 2008's offerings. I did have to leave off other favorites such as The Knux, TV On The Radio and Santogold but I feel this list is a good summary of my favorites. I will be offering my favorite singles of 2008 very soon, so check back in ASAP, Cheers!

Year End Best

2007-12-10T15:55:00.000-08:00

Alright so the end of 2007 is here. Its been a crazy year for me. I trusted what I thought was a friend and switched jobs, but was mislead. I made the big move to the West Coast from Boston. I also saw the Red Sox achieve the second World Series in four years! It has been a good year and I am happy with all that has happened. That being said, it is now time to review this year's musical offerings.

If there was one word I could apply to 2007's music releases it would be dynamic. I say dynamic because it seems that mainstream tastes are in a transition period. This is directly related to the music the most popular artists create. We've seen artists such as Kanye West move more towards an electronic production with Daft Punk samples. There is also a surging popularity in electronic music offerings. On many end of the year lists I have read, singles by artists such as LCD Soundsystem, M.I.A., Justice, and Radiohead are in the top 5.

Ok, so with this posting I will list the top 10 singles of 2007. Realize that this list is directly related to my personal music preferences. I like to think I have a broad taste in music ranging from hip-hop to folk. I have listened to a lot of new music since driving cross-country with my Sirius radio. I know there will be differences in opinion and I welcome any comments related to the list. Drum-roll ...

10) Icky Thump - The White Stripes:

Love the ability to make a song with different tempos sound so good. I remember first hearing this and not being impressed but was eventually drawn in by the hypnotic organ.

9) Hard Sun - Eddie Vedder

Great song to listen to while driving cross-country. Made me anticipate the struggles of settling in and affirming who I am in a new land.

8) Herculean - The Good, The Bad & The Queen

The best instrument to center a song around might just be the piano. Mix in a creepy whistle with on pace drums and you have a great song. Awesome side-project from Damon Albarn.

7) Pretender - Foo Fighters

I know there are some that say we heard this song before but this is rock at its finest. Dave Groehl leaves nothing on the table and shouts all his energy into this track. "I'm not like the others".

6) Charmer - Kings of Leon

Caleb Followill continues to push the envelope for KOL. With a driving lead guitar and funky bass he screams his way to the top of 2007's list. I only regret not seeing this live because of the band's Boston cancellation.

5) North American Scum - LCD Soundsystem

Aren't we all scum on the exterior? This track represents my venture into electronic territory for 2007. Good to hear the kids shout the chorus as if they are all looking up to the older 'scum'.

4) Superstar - Lupe Fiasco

When I first heard this I thought it was Chris Martin singing the chorus. I figured he had done tracks with Kanye & Jay-Z, so why not Lupe? Good story about the fame he now knows due to Kick, Push success.

3) Blue Magic - Jay-Z

Classic return to Reasonable Doubt delivery paired with the talent of Skateboard P. When I think I have grown tired of Jay's bragging verses he throws this at us. Keep on bragging if this is what it produces. "Money over broads, Fuck Bush" ... classic.

2) Timebomb - Beck

"Fuck a headphone!". Just a classic upbeat tempo, hand claps and a female chorus. Very basic track but it all works together nicely. For me, this was the Summer Song of 2007.

1) Tick Tick Boom - The Hives

This is the motivator I needed in my life. It starts with a screaming chorus urging me to get off the couch and do something. Lines such as "I've got my eye on the score" shout to me to re-adjust my focus in life. Perfect song to end my soundtrack of 2007.

There you have it, look for my top 10 albums of 2007, coming soon!

A Cold Dish

2007-12-03T06:49:00.000-08:00

You will not see it coming.

It will be a surprise that you should be expecting. You assaulted the wrong family. The crime you committed generated a red bull of bad karma, and it has a target for your skull.

Didn't you listen to your mother when she told you "what goes around, comes around"?

The setting will be one you frequent on a daily basis. Your defenses will be completely down assuming it is a typical day in the neighborhood. The homework will be done so that there will be no unexpected steps. It will be made sure that you feel the pain for weeks after.

Remember that you are only the first one on the list. There are others and they will all get a helping. The chef is currently in the kitchen cooking up a marvelous dish.

(Frustations In Writing)

An Ode To Tides

2007-12-01T04:54:00.000-08:00

Walking lightly through the sand

Straining the itch of confinement

All while stretching a hand

Into the reaches of sky

This will be eventual success

Knowing the sea is cooperating

Today the board is waxed

Freshly dipping the feet into

Water never seemed so right

Sun so bright and squinting

Path always has been clear

Return to the baptismal water

And catch what you seek

Waves that bring only happiness

Washing problems of the week

The Ties That Bond

2007-11-30T03:07:00.000-08:00

The worst call one can receive is a call of distress. The distress is the trouble that has found a member of your close-knit family. It is a reminder that you are no longer close to their presence. You are no longer a car ride away to help those in need. You are forced to listen on the other line and realize that you can do nothing. It is this feeling of utter helplessness which hurts. It is as though you are being paralyzed by the tingling sensation of lightning, held in a grip that will not let go.

Would the situation have been different if you had lived close by? Would it had been different if you were by your brothers side? There are many questions to go over in your head while your sister tells of the horrors. It is strange to be on the other side of a similar situation. You know that it was this younger brother who played my current role, unsure if I was going to be OK. You also wonder who it was that would beat down a member of your family. Is it someone you know? Are there past events which lead to this? Do they realize they assaulted a member of a large primarily male family with memories of past events? One can only listen and try hard to quench the rage that boils inside.

It is one thing to receive the first call from a sister explaining the situation and it is another to listen to the grief of a mother. This grief relays the pain of having been through this before. There is a loss of control due to the emotional rollercoaster her children are taking her on. I remember listening to the doctors while they told me I was lucky that I was not brain-dead. In my head I rationalized that it was destiny and someone was looking out for me. But to hear this as a parent must be as sobering as the first day's splash of water to the face. This fact does not clean the reality that it may never happen again. If anything it only dulls the pain for what may come. The dirt will not go away.

Celtic Green

2007-11-29T18:26:00.000-08:00

Man, what a crazy time to leave Boston. I am watching the Celts absolutely murder the New York Knicks. Now I know the Knicks are going through some tough times, but this is embarrassing. Ray Allen is dropping every jump shot he throws up and he is even the scoring threat for three on one fast breaks. Just when you think he will dish the ball to 'Big Baby' to dunk it home, he easily floats to a layup. Are the Knicks even trying to defend the Green?

What sucks the most is not being able to catch every game on TV. Ever since I left Boston, I have only seen two games on the big screen. It is a blessing I get to watch games tonight and tomorrow on TNT & ESPN. The amazing thing about this new Celtics team is the ability to play all aspects of the game of basketball. KG, Allen and Pierce are not only scoring threats. KG is stepping up from the block and sending shots into the stands. I could only imagine trying to take a shot against his skyscraper stance. He moves with the energy of a little kid but is coming down with the ball like the on-court general. Pierce and Allen are both playing with eyes in the back of their head. We have steals and deflections happening on a consistent basis. It also helps when they are dropping threes to cap fast break drives. 80-37 as i write this and KG is sitting on the bench, unbelievable.

On my trip back home this Xmas I have to make it out for one game. I want to join the Boston crowd I hear screaming even when their team is up by a ridiculous amount. I want 'Big Baby' Glen Davis to hear me shouting his support. We've got a tight triple nucleus leading the team and also some exciting youngsters making a name for themselves. So much to watch this season and I have a feeling this train is on its way to the Finals.

Jobs and Such

2007-11-29T05:12:00.000-08:00

I have been putting forth a good effort to find employment. Every night I browse the available jobs on monster and craigslist. Yesterday I even applied in-person at Wal-Mart. While killing time at midnight it seemed there were some cool people stocking the shelves. I saw very little ordinary white men. It was mostly black and hispanic people laughing while they got the job done. Now those are my type of people. I always want to associate with common people and share the middle class complaints they express every day. But it is not the gripes I love, it is the comedy they share to keep their sanity. It doesn't take much to get me to crack a smile and I want to always stay that way if this boredom doesn't kill it.

I applied to Wal-Mart but it has always represented the corporate enemy to me. They represent everything that can go wrong with a U.S. corporation. Their greed is rampant. But they can do that because who will stop them? I have to take a step back before I start rambling. I did just apply to work for this enemy. But now mysteriously it is an enemy I need. During the application process they asked me a series of questions about my honesty and dependability. I chuckled at the questions over stealing items. I do not like to steal because it does not feel right morally but would I steal from this corporate giant? Would I rationalize that it will not hurt them because they are so big? No, ultimately I believe I would not steal any items. I want to live as a moral person. I want people to look at me and say, "I don't know what it is about him, but I want to be like him. He seems to be doing things right."

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes?

2007-11-29T03:36:00.000-08:00

I started this blog as a way to keep busy, because Lord knows I need it. I have never felt more bored in my life. I know I have had stretches like this in the past (recovering from the head injury), but this is almost unbearable. In the past, while living with the 'rents, there was always people passing through the house. But now it is only me and two other people. Don't get me wrong I do see other people on the weekends but it makes the work week super-long. Is this good for me? I do not know. Maybe its a way for me to express all the thoughts in my head. Could this be the beginning of the writer's life of Kerouac & Hemingway that I have associated with for years now?

That is still to be determined because I am constantly questioning why this is occuring. I know I am due for something, or at least I tell myself. Is this the conceited, self-centered view exposing itself? I tell myself I am due for something because I have stayed away from the drugs and booze that tempt me while I wallow in nothingness. I love the social high that can be experienced while drinking with friends. It is this social high that I cannot achieve on my own. But if I really want to achieve this I can just make a stop at the local dive bar. There are other social drunks there that will accept me with open arms. It is these drunks who can share with me the Kerouac associations! This writing hobby is still new to me so I have much to learn. I do not want to follow Bukoski down the hazy path of expression.

Surf Is My Savior

2007-11-28T02:42:00.001-08:00

Let's have a toast for you, Surf!

Hip hip, hooray! Cheers! Slauncha!

Thank you for taking all of life's problems off of my mind. When I feel in the dumps and like I've had enough of life's trials, you are always there to lift my spirits. I don't know if its the hypnosis I go under when I bob along your top or maybe the baptismal coolness I feel when taking the first plunge? I love that its a relationship I need to work towards bettering. There is no jumping in and immediately getting up on the board. It is a habit I need to work towards before feeling any sense of control out there. I have to respect that I am not the one in control. Its is a symbiotic level in which we operate because no matter how many waves I catch, I realize I am at your mercy. I remember the frigid spills of 10 footers at Short Sands, York Beach. I remember the utter feeling of helplessness as I figured which way was up while pinned under your force. I will always remember that as the time I moved 'too fast', much like the quick moves I made towards the new girl's skirt in middle school - Smack!

Recently, I have not been in your presence as much as I would like. I realize I made a mistake by leaving behind my good board in Massachusetts. I appreciate the new friend I have made who lets me use her spare board, but I want more! I could be out bettering my understanding of your aquatic personality, but instead I spend far too much time behind the TV. I have looked into having my good old board shipped here via UPS but I am afraid it is not at the top of my lovely family member's to-do-list. So here I sit waiting for that next time we shall meet. I am hoping it is tomorrow so I can relieve myself of the extreme jobless boredom I have been suffering.

Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

How Long Will I Last?

2007-11-26T21:24:00.000-08:00

So I've lived here in San Diego for 10 weeks now. Not bad considering all the feelings of homesickness I once had (10/2 entry). While here I have seen some great things about the city of San Diego. First, where can you surf all year round without chilling to the bone? Second, where can you find delicious and humongous burritos for only $3.50? Third, what city can you move to and find just as many Red Sox fans as in your hometown? Lastly, where can you find the combination of good people and beautiful women?

Now don't get me wrong, there are bad things about S.D., this is not a heaven on earth. First negative I would say are the drivers, overall. There is way more aggressive driving on the highways here compared to back home in Mass. How can they call us Massholes? The worst part is you have commonsense-less drivers cutting you off and riding your butt. They are dangerous because they do not prepare for any of the cut-throat moves they make. There are no cautious looks over the shoulder from these drivers. And finally the worst part is their failure to acknowledge they made a bad move. You will never get a California driver to look you in the face after they realize they are driving like a jerk. I guess if they don't look at you then you do not exist and they never made a bad move.

Old Journal Entry - 10/2/2007

2007-11-26T07:10:00.000-08:00

Such a weird time in my life right now. I am at the crossroads and it is time to make a decision. The first of those many decisions is "should I stay or should I go?" as Joe Strummer put it. You stay put and continue to play your cards, playing on borrowed time. Or, you fold and try to collect what remains. But you realize if you go, you are returning to what you already know. You know that life and it was not challenging. The reason you are here in San Diego is because you want to establish a life with challenge. You are not here just to escape Boston winters. You are living the challenge now but it is the yearning for what you know that holds you back. It is natural to miss all the good things you left ... family, friends, runs with Molly, etc., etc. Just realize all of these things here are new. You have never gone on a late night run in mid-October without long sleeves on. That is awesome to add on to all of your great experiences of life.

Currently listening to ...

2007-11-26T03:19:00.000-08:00

Here goes the first post of my new blog. I am trying not to force anything onto this blog just yet. To start I will begin with the comforting acoustic vibrations I have known since a young age. So here it goes ... I am listening right now to what I feel is one of the best albums of 2007. It is called 'The Undisputed Truth' by Brother Ali. This album is the PURE definition of hip-hop today. The background beats and on-pace rhymes are too good. Did I mention that this album is a complete surprise? I had always seen the album cover while browsing the Internet hip-hop news postings but was never impressed with the image of a Muslim albino rapper. Even when I looked on Amazon and iTunes I never thought to investigate the positive reviews, but here I am. The album dropped in April of 2K7 so I am not that far behind the conscious hip-hop quest. I have to admit, I did jack this off the net using the good 'ol torrent system but I want to provide nothing but support for the piece of work.

Sitting down to finally listen to the album I started by checking iTunes to see what was the most popular track. I was happy to see the first track 'Whatcha' Got' had the most hits and was the first single off the album. The song first hits you with a classic Technic scratch intro and the line "I came in the door 1984". Immediately you can tell Ali is the real deal. He strongly projects his voice over a classic drum loop accompanied by a guitar riff and strengthening background scratches. This excitement from the first track lasts throughout the album. We hear Ali's everyday struggle through such gems as Truth Is, Take Me Home, and Uncle Sam Goddamn. Pay particular attention to Uncle Sam ... for a sobering take on the current state of our country's capitalistic actions.

As I am listening to the album on my earphones, I am tempted to let this album teach outsiders that this is evidence of the strengths of hip-hop. A close friend of mine refuses to give hip-hop any credibility as an art form. He believes it is nothing more than stolen work recited by mindless buffoons. I try to point to enlightening classics such as Tribe Called Quest and Notorious B.I.G. but he doesn't have the patience. I think its funny that he wants me to convert to his rabid love of death metal but won't budge on listening to enlightening hip-hop poetry. I tell him to not pay attention to the ringphone artists that permeate the popular culture today but to rather listen to the soulful struggle on wax. Well, this album is as good a struggle I have heard in a while so I am hoping this is the one that converts him. If I will listen to intro albums of death metal then he needs to hear classic hiphop such as provided by 'Undisputed Truth'.