Last Splash

The gene pool could use a little Chlorine.

Sigh...I, too, am cheating on Mo'time. I have a MySpace page. I like it. I blog on it. I get to put my picture on it, and I have a 20 song playlist that plays whenever you visit my page. My background is not plain. It is a pretty picture of the Pacific coast.

But it's just not the same.

Even though lately I haven't had too much to say, and my blog has no real theme (classic Jack of All Trades, master of none) I still feel as though I can say anything I want here. I don't worry about other people's political affiliations compared to mine. In fact, I've had some really interesting conversations with people about politics, and it's probably even shaped my own beliefs a little.

In that vein, I will point out that one of my beliefs is that the Grammy Awards are now officially a crock o'shit. I mean, seriously, I know the Dixie Chicks album was critically acclaimed and all that, but even Natalie Maines pretty much knew that they won the awards based on the political statements their album made, not on the musicality of the songs. She said it in her freaking acceptance speech, for God's sake.

I personally love the Dixie Chicks. I like country music, and I was kind of amused by the whole boycott and the vehement backlash that the country audience layed on the Dixie Chicks. My own husband and I even disagree on the freedom of speech of musicians. Being pretty close to a Libertarian myself,  I personally feel that they have the right to say anything they want at their concerts, in the press, or wherever they happen to be. I do think that the arts industry is 96% liberal and they will push their agendas, but most Americans that vote with a conscience are really not going to swayed by what three musicians say. And if their fans don't like what they have to say, well then the answer is simple: stop listening to their music. I think the Chicks were smart for coming out to recreate themselves the way they did.

But, I don't think they had the record, song, or album of the year. I haven't heard the song on the radio all year, don't know a single person who bought the album, and really don't even feel that the actual record of "I'm Not Ready to Make Nice" was musically all that good.

I'm ready for GOOD music to win awards. What do you think?

posted by: Cannonball14 at 16:31 | link | comments (1) |
music theory, political bullshit

Someone shoot me...I've gone completely crazy. So, we all know I love music, and while I generally prefer singer-songwriter and motown and classic rock and the old standards, I also have an intense interest in music in general. Any music. Well, almost any music. There is little rap that I like (love me some Out'Kast, though) and when J pulls out his old Conway Twitty-Merle Haggard-Bocephus crap I shut myself into the bathtub with a magazine and a glass of wine and try to block it out. But I digress...the real issue here is that I can hear the good in (some) pop music, although Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson are both total fabrications of talent. And lately, more and more decent pop music has come onto the scene. But that gives me no excuse for the sudden longing to buy Justin Timberlake's, Beyonce's, and Christina Aguilara's new CD's. I think if they came out at different times, I could handle it, because I could mix them in with something else, like a Sam Cooke classic or OutKast's new soundtrack from Idlewild, but if I marched into my local BestBuy and went to the checkout with those 3 particular CD's, I would feel really embarrassed. Like, I would flush more than if I were buying condoms and whipped cream at the grocery store.

The music, however, is actually really good. I know you ask how, but it is genuinely something different for each artist, and different for pop. A step in the right direction, which for Timberlake means more hip-hop and some really cool futuristic sounds, and for Aguilara it means more throwback to the sounds of the 30's and 40's layed over a really very 80's style hook. Beyonce is just Beyonce...(my fiance is in love with her, I think) but the song she performed at the VMA's really had a more raw edge than the America's Sweetheart R&B she's done in the past. And she can dance far better than Britney "I've had 14 years of dance lessons" Spears. All in all, a good crop of pop, if you like that sort of thing. Will I be buying them all? Hell, no! Did I download "sexy back" as my ringtone this morning? You betcha.

posted by: Cannonball14 at 15:33 | link | comments (4) |
music theory

I have a new CD! I went to Target to buy Gnarls Barkley and couln't find the damn thing, so I bought Anna Nalick instead. I know what you're thinking: "how many times have I said I would never buy another album after only hearing one track" but I broke the rule. At first, I was thinking, "yeah, that's pretty much the only good song, but it's a great song" (Breathe: 2 AM) and "jeez, I didn't realize she really was a true pop artist". But after listening to it several times through (well, listening to the slow songs several times through, the rest of them I skipped faster than you can say Turn the Beat Around) I actually found several tracks that were worthy of owning. So, for those of you that enjoy some slow, slightly romantic but caustic music about what every song is about (love and/or losing love) I recommend most of the even tracks. "Wreck of the Day" (title track) is a great song, and my favorite is "In My Head" (kind of Cranberrie-esque), but pretty much 4,6,8, and 10 are worth a listen. So ha! My theory was busted.

posted by: Cannonball14 at 00:08 | link | comments (2) |
music theory

So, it has been stated here before that I harboured a simmering hatred for Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas for quite some time, mostly because I felt she had broken up the Original Peas (mistakenly) and because she seemed like such a twat. Then, I had to laugh at the fact that her name is actually Stacy Ferguson, and how can I really have bad feelings for someone with such a dorky name? I mean, she's just a hometown girl trying to make it in the world, you know? I heard her new "song" last night, and I have to say I'm impressed. It's almost exactly like what I expected out of her "solo" act, but maybe a little less street and a little more pop (after all, she is white...she can't rap fast). It's almost like if you were to listen to a great Missy Elliot song that was totally ruined by the fact that she had taken a Valium, and because of said drug rapped in slow motion, so the rhymes were off the chain, but there just wasn't enough of them, and you got the feeling that her flow was being cut short by Gwen Stefani coming in to whine the chorus. So, it's good, if that's the sort of thing you like.

posted by: Cannonball14 at 12:55 | link | comments (2) |
meow, music theory

Reasons (from the same song) I love David Gray:

"We tried to make it work...you, in a cocktail skirt and me in a suit, but it just wasn't me. You're used to wearing less, and now your life's a mess. So insecure you seem."

"You were a run around, a lost and found...and I found myself half here."

"Hey little girl, you will always make-up, so take off that unbecoming frown."

Okay, well, the effect isn't the same if you aren't listening to the song, but the guy is a genius as far as I'm concerned. His lyrics are put together in such a unique and effective way that he can even make a break-up song sound beautiful.

posted by: Cannonball14 at 13:32 | link | comments |
music theory

So, I haven't let anyone know what I thought of Kanye's CD, but that's because I have to listen to a CD numerous times before I'm ready with a verdict, and since I've been listening to David Gray's entire album like, every other day, I've only had time for Foo Fighter's once (although it's a double disc, cut me some slack) and I finally listened to Late Registration a third time. Here's the verdict:

It's kind of hit or miss, actually. Gold Digger is honestly the best song on there, although the whole Ray Charles/Jamie Foxx thing actually gets a little irksome after say, the fifteenth time you've heard it. Kanye's lyrics, however, are the shit. I was disappointed to see a collaboration with Adam Levine, because some of my old Raleigh band scene friends highly recommended the Maroon 5 album and I quickly found out that they had lost all of their musical talent and resorted to an over-synthesized thirty-year-old-boy-band sound, but I was impressed by that track on the Kanye album. Most of the other songs were fairly boring and un-original, with the exception maybe of "Drive Slow" and "Gone". Unless you're just a big Kanye fan (which, if you're reading my blog, is probably not likely) then I'd just download Golddigger to your Ipod (if you're cool enough to have one instead of kicking it old style like me) and be done with it, whitey.

At the same time, though, my friend bought Black Eyed Peas' Monkey Business and I have to say, I am totally turned on to that band. See, I've had this long-standing grudge with the Pea's because of the whole "let's totally change our band and hire this skinny white bitch to dance in front of us and it'll be dope" thing, but I'm reformed. I'll admit it. It's one of the best albums I've heard this year. It's got a lot of good fusion sounds, but still remains true to what the Peas' were doing three years ago (just not what they were doing six years ago when I bought the BEP album that apparently no one else has ever heard of). And yes, I'm even cool with Fergie now, because I found out what a dork-ass name she has (Stacy Ferguson) and that she did, in fact, help write some of the songs. So, I highly recommend that album to anyone and feel guilty that I let my friend burn me a copy instead of buying it myself. Please don't arrest me.

posted by: Cannonball14 at 17:58 | link | comments |
music theory

For those interested...

...in every detail of my existence...so, we made a mad crazy dash through Times Square trying to find last minute show tix last night (that didn't work out, so we're seeing Slut the Musical today at 3) so my friend suggested we pop into Virgin Megastore so I could buy the Kanye West CD. Oh, my, 2 for $15 and I am crazy. I spent over 60 bucks on the most random assortment of albums anyone's ever seen...Late Registration, Mama Said (Lenny Kravitz), At Last by Etta James (not just a great song...the whole album is excellent), Queen's greatest hits (I and II, not the one with the III extra disc), and Johnny Cash's I Walk the Line (for $5...). Okay...nothing more for me until 2006. I need chocolate. I'm going crazy...I love NYC...I can't believe it's been two years!

posted by: Cannonball14 at 13:56 | link | comments |
music theory

What's with all the Queen remakes lately? They're okay, but honestly, no one can touch Queen or Freddie Mercury, so if you like the music, for God's sake go out and buy a damn Queen CD, don't buy some CD with Constantine from American Idol singing 'Bohemian Rhapsody'.

Normally, I hate remakes, especially when they decide to change a few words or phrases to make it more pop-relevant, but I have to admit I LOVE the Black Flag reference in The Atari's version of 'Boys of Summer', and it's really not a bad remake. And what could be better than Cake's version of Gloria Gaynor's 'I Will Survive'? "I should've changed my fucking locks"...yeah, that's what she should've said the first time.

So, I've listened to David Gray 3 times now, and I love it. The only flaw I found on the album are Track 4: 'Nos Da Cariad' is really not my style. Oh, and it creeps me out that he thanked Michael McDonald in the liner notes ("Here's a girl that doesn't like Michael McDonald." Sidenote: if you ever get the chance to see Frank Calliendo's stand-up show, do it!)

So far the Foo Fighters CD is good, but 'Best of You' is still the best track on the "heavy" disk. I'll take a listen to disc number 2 and see what I think.

posted by: Cannonball14 at 12:16 | link | comments |
music theory

I have my David Gray back. Went out and bought the new one (Life in Slow Motion) and am listening to track two (The One I Love) which I've already heard but is just fantastic.

Picked up the Foo Fighters at the same time. I think 'Best of You' is the best song anyone is playing on the radio right now.

I'll let you know how it is (both of them). P.S. In case Jack Johnson is a member of mo'time or reads this blog: Will you marry me?

posted by: Cannonball14 at 19:44 | link | comments |
music theory

Why won't my computer read my David Gray CD? I really want to hear it right now, but my media player won't read it. Counting Crows, burned on the same type of disc, works just fine; Jason Mraz is great. But not David Gray. What the hell is that about? Ahhh, that David Gray. I was so upset when I found out he was married. A man's voice (not to mention his lyrical abilities) is one of the greatest pleasures in the world. Adam Duritz on 'August and Everything After', man oh man, there's so much raw emotion there, all you have to do is lie on the floor with your eyes closed and the fan running full blast and just...listen. David Gray's voice, though, is all dark mystery, quietly contained depression and sensuality all at once. It's perfect. A perfect Friday night: just me and Guiness and 'White Ladder'.

posted by: Cannonball14 at 01:50 | link | comments (1) |
music theory