It is my view that Nirvana's albums grew nicely; Bleach was rough sounding to the point of almost sounding amateurish, Nevermindwas super-slick and clean sounding in the L.A. style, but In Utero was recorded just right – rough and clean at the same time.
The album starts with the clicking of drum sticks three times, and then an explosion of sound – a hard and distorted power chord, as if the band had been waiting on you to press play so they could begin. From the first song, "Serve the Servants," to the closer "All Apologies," it becomes clear that this will be an album of force and honesty. Though Cobain denied that there was an deeper meaning in his lyrics other than they sounded good, it is clear that he was using this album to work through his issues, which sadly got the better of him. But in doing this, he was inviting the listener to be a part of his world, which in the end makes you feel that you're in on the secret, not just passively listening or being entertained. In fact, Cobain said of the album, "I'm just putting out a record I would like to listen to at home." And the kicker to all of it is that the songs are grunge catchy, built with solid hooks, and choruses that get stuck in your head. Cobain hated the label, but he was a good song writer.
At the time it was recorded, Geffen, Nirvana's record label, didn't want to release the album. Both the label and Nirvana's management company called the music, "unlistenable," and "sub-par." When the story broke that the new album might not get released, the band, management and label circled the wagons and claimed that nothing could be further from the truth. But the band did go and remix several of the songs, which makes me believe that Cobain was going out of his way to make an album that sounded nothing like Nevermind, but still accessable.
What I remember about listening to In Utero for the first time was the feeling of revolution, and that everything can change. Nevermind was a watershed album that changed music – goodbye hair bands, and boy groups – but In Utero was something completely different. Putting that cd on, and hearing it over and over in my room made me think that the loser, freak kids were gun'na come out on top. That being uncool, and ugly, and unwanted by everyone else was something to be proud of. That you could be hated by the cool people, left on the outside and be accepted by the rest of the rejects, because there are more of us rejects out there than we ever thought. To me, In Utero is still a call to arms; to be painfully honest, loud, ugly, and yourself and that's all that matters. ....
Grizzy’s Top Five Albums: Starting with Number 5
Category: Music
One night when I was sitting around and drinking with friends, we started talking about music, as is normal. As we discussed music we are all into, I noticed that we were all talking about songs we liked, and no one was mentioning albums. This may be the curse of the iPod and iTunes, in the sense that these two devices are built around the idea of delivering songs, and not albums.
That having been said, I remember a time when I used to buy cd's and rate my albums, something which I have stopped doing, and shame on me for getting older. So, I am more than happy to re-usher in the policy of rating my top five favorite albums, and point out why your music sucks!
Remember people; This is an exhibition, no wagering, please.
I will begin with Number 5:
Paul's Boutique, The Beastie Boys (1989)
I think the first mark of a great album is that it makes you want to listen to it again... even when you just fished listening to it. I have had this album for twelve years now, and I still seem to be finding new elements to the songs and samples. This album is silly, and it would be easy to dismiss it as such (in fact most of the public did when it was initially released. Even now, singing this albums praises is viewed as jumping onto the bandwagon late.) Still, without the Dust Brothers, who produced, layered and sample laden modern hip hop would not exist. (I do understand that De La Soul did it first, but the Beastie Boys did it better.) The other testament to this album is that you can put it on at a party, and rarely will you ever hear anyone complain, and I have tried it several times. Also, Paul's Boutique almost behaves like a concept album; they bookended the album, the first song talks about their return, there is an intermission with "5-Piece Chicken Dinner," they sample The Beatles on "The Sounds of Science," and taking a page from The Beatles on Abby Road, the last song is a medley. This just proves the axiom; If you're gun'na steal, steal from the best.
Some of you out there may have no idea what "Corinthian Leather" is, but I know a handful of you know exactly what "Corinthian Leather" is all about.
You see, back in the late 70's and early 80's, American cars used to be huge boats of steel that got 2 miles per gallon, and didn't get you anyplace fast. Though there was a gas shortage in the late 70's, we American's still demanded to have larger and larger cars that were inefficient and rather dull looking.
Enter Stage Left: the Chrysler Cordoba! This land barge was perfect for the American public. The name, "Cordoba" conjures up images of a dusty, rugged, Spanish outlaw; exotic yet still familiar – as if from the Southwest regions of our great country. But how?! How to sell this great car to the public?
Enter Stage Right: Ricardo Montalban, famed Mexican movie star! With his rugged good looks, wide butterfly collars, and ability to roll his "r's" with such sexy masculinity... there was no way that this television campaign could fail.
Which is pretty much what happened... to a degree. You see, when the commercials started airing, no one really seemed to remember what car, or company was being pitched, but everybody remembered that these cars came with "soft Corinthian leather," thanks to Ricardo's amazing Mexican accent. (Montalban pronounced it, "Co'rrr-inth'ian lay-ther.")
After awhile, Corinthian Leather pretty much became synonymous with pseudo-luxury once it was revealed that there is no such thing as "Corinthian Leather." (It was a marketing phrase created by a PR company hired by Chrysler.) In fact, the "Corinthian Leather" was made in a factory in Newark, NJ...
So, I haven't been blogging as much as I would like to. I admit it. The trouble is that the job is busy, and the other outside projects I find myself involved in. My time is yet again getting crunched.
But I have a solution for all 10 of you that are kicking themselves to find out what I am thinking on a daily basis.
I have started writing again on my other blog site:
The reason I have done this is simple. Blogspot has a function that allows me to email in my blogs. (Sadly, MySpace doesn't do this.) Think of the Blogspot blog as my idea sketch pad, and think of the MySpace Blog as the more crafted work.
To end all the speculation, yes, I did see the new Indiana Jones on opening day. Be warned right now; This Is Your Spoiler Warning! I will talk about "Crystal Skull" and give away the whole plot! So, if you haven't seen the movie, all none of you, then don't read on! But keep in mind; This Will Be The Greatest Blog Even Written! You just might want to read it anyway.
I saw the new Indiana Jones on Thursday night at the Zeigfeld Theatre in Manhattan, which is an old style movie palace that seats almost a thousand people. It was like a rock concert. The line stretched around the block, and there were plenty of guys wearing their brown fedoras. (Sadly, all of those guys were rather portly, which makes me wonder; why is it that only the fat guys dress up as movie characters on opening nights? Is that one of the rules in the "Comic Book Guy's Code of Conduct?") It was a great crowd to see that movie with. We all applauded when Indy showed up, and applauded very loudly after action scenes. I do wish I had more movie experiences like that.
I do have to admit that when "Crystal Skull" was over, I was happy with the movie, but I did feel a little hollow inside. It came down to two small issues: First, the movie was about returning an object, which is not that dramatic. Sure the Soviets were after the Skull, but Soviets don't provide the same sense of evil that Nazis do, or cultist who torture children. There wasn't that great of a dramatic tension over the Skull falling into the wrong hands, which ended up making the movie about returning a Skull. Second, Marion and Indy felt thrown together. I was wanting a little more development in their relationship, a little more fight. I felt like the movie was asking the audience to believe that Indy and Marion were meant to be together with no explanation.
Having said all of that, this was still a better action movie than most that have come out. Why? Because it was fun! It's fun watching these characters, the action was fun and not all CGI crap, and it was fun seeing a movie that was worth getting excited about. I think all the fan boys and critics who trashed this movie missed the point of it; Have fun by getting lost in a movie.
Nothing will beat "Raiders" when it comes to action movies; It is the greatest action movie of all time, hands down. I can stand solidly on this opinion by the simple fact that it changed the way action movies were structured. Before 1981, action movies basically were dramas that had a car chase or a gunfight in them. After 1981, action movies were pretty much all action, with some dialogue thrown in. Non-stop action has become the norm, but most directors forget that characters and pacing is the key to a good action movie. It is not all about blow'din' up stuff! (You taking notes Michael Bay?)
There was no way "Crystal Skull" could live up to that standard, but Spielberg did give it a try. The Warehouse scene was tons of fun, and I liked the fact that it ended on a nuclear test range. The motorcycle chase through Marshall College was great because it is good to see stunts done by stuntmen. And I like the Jungle chase, monkeys n' all. All of these scenes made me want to see what happened next.
And that's why I am all about "Crystal Skull." For a few minutes on that Thursday night, I didn't feel like a 31-year-old dude watching a movie, I felt like that eight-year-old kid watching "Raiders" on ABC's Movie of the Week.
I Wish This Would Have Happened When I was Going To Church!
Category: Religion and Philosophy
Now if there is one thing I love… It's making fun of the British. (Which I am allowed to do coz my sister-in-law is British.)
If I were able to have a second love, I would have to say it would be drinking… especially cheep wine outta a box!
If I was the luckiest boy in the world and could have a third love… that would be making fun of religious nuts.
So when a story comes along and ties all three together! Well, let me tell you, its like Christmas Morning, New Year's and St. Patty's Day, all rolled into a tasty treat!
Life has calmed down some for me. (Which is a change that I am getting used to.) I had been going pretty much non-stop from the end of March to the end of April. I did two back to back puppet shows, which sucked up about all of my energy and time. (I was only seeing my girlfriend for about an hour a day, and we live together! Thirty minutes in the morning, and thirty minutes at night when I would drag in at 11:30.) It was trying at best, but I am so thankful for the experience.
So, to reward myself for the draining month, I decided to get a haircut, being that I hadn't had one in eight months. I opted to not get my normal Supercut, which let's be honest here, hadn't steered me too wrong over the past twenty years. I made an appointment with a dude, not a Cuban lady who happens to be working when I walked through the door, but an actual guy whose job it is to cut hair, and you have to make an appointment to see.
This new experience did make me a little nervous. I had no idea what to say to this guy so he would give me a good haircut. I was used to just saying, "Cut it short. An eight gage on the sides and back, leave two inches on top, and blend it together." I asked my girlfriend if this was the correct thing to say to my new stylist. Once she had stopped laughing, she gave me a couple of buzz words to use such as; "manageable, style, and shape." Armed with these new words, I headed out for my appointment.
I arrived at the salon, and my coat was taken, and I was asked to take a seat in the lounge. I politely waited for my stylist to finish up with the appointment before me, and I could feel myself tense up. "What if I used my buzz words incorrectly? What if he knows I have no idea what I'm talking about? What if I'm about to flush a bunch of money down the toilet and end up looking like I got a Supercut?" The stylist came over to me in the lounge and asked me what type of cut I needed. I used my terms, and he seemed to understand. He took me to his cutting station and performed a bit of wizardry on a scalp that had been deemed hopeless by me. It was a shaggy brush back look, and I was informed that I could wash, gel and go, and it would fall in place. (I had never been given orders about my hair before.)
I headed out onto the streets of Manhattan, armed with proper hair. The girlfriend liked the cut, and friends were complementary of it. I had arrived as an adult. And during that first week of post-hair cut, all was well. Wash, gel, go became a mantra that I could live with. My life was a Scissor Sister video… just less gay, and not as much dancing.
Then things began to change, and my hair began to revolt against me. Coolness was gone, and curly unruly hair returned! There was no amount of gel that could save me… it was over. I no longer looked WestVillage cool. What I looked like was "Skipper" from "Sex and the City."
Anybody remember him? (Hell, I can't believe I know who he is.) Well, he's this guy…
