life ends at 27
“Best Of” lists. I used to make and remake them all the time when I was younger. Here’s my current list:
I do not consider classical works albums, otherwise Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis will be up there, somewhere.
What a farce. Oasis’ Definitely Maybe was voted best album ever by readers of the Book of British Hit Singles and the music magazine NME, via a poll conducted over a year.
Oasis does have some great songs, but is Definitely Maybe, which is arguably not even the best Oasis album, better than Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band (no. 2)? Dark Side of the Moon (no. 8)? A Night at the Opera (no. 19)?
Just goes to show popularity contests are worthless.
Sting will be releasing an album of 16th century lute music. This is even more unexpected than Springsteen’s Seeger Sessions, which is a very good experience by the way.
I, for one, am optimistic about this album, as I am a huge fan of Sting the balladeer, Soul Cages style.
I was taking a taxi to work one day, the driver had the Scorpions on the stereo, so I was like “right on!” and we started talking about the good stuff such as Deep Purple and Mr. Big. He revealed that his 15 year old son complains that its too loud when he cranks up AC/DC at home. What the hell?
If I have any kids, I have a feeling they’ll be listening to pop music to annoy me.
The George Bush administration has been a complete joke and disaster, but times like these can galvanise the political musicians like no other.
Neil Young’s Living With War rocks my socks. He has not been this intense since 1994’s Sleeps With Angels, and not this raw and loud since Ragged Glory. There’s of course the hilarious and controversial Impeach The President, “Well, it’s a song that pretty well follows the title just with a bunch of reasons, and it’s a long song…” indeed. The opener After The Garden and The Restless Consumer are the standout tracks for me on first impressions. The entire album is streamed for free.
The other big release is Pearl Jam’s self-titled eighth studio album. I found Binaural and Riot Act not up to their usual high standards, but I can safely say with this one Pearl Jam is back. The Who-ish introduction to Life Wasted kicks things off on a totally rocking note, and the excitement and energy reminiscent of a live performance is palpable throughout the album.
Add new albums from Tool and RHCP to the mix, and this is one of the best years for me musically.
A friend claims I have an obsession with dead musicians, and I cannot say she is incorrect as I am very much looking forward to Johnny Cash’s soon to be released American V: A Hundred Highways. I am not a fan of country music, but I have been a big fan of Mr. Cash since his dominating performance on U2’s The Wanderer. The Man In Black was a total badass, and Bono is in agreement1.
That I count Jimi Hendrix and Jeff Buckley among my favourite musicians only supports her opinion.
Speaking of which, is it a sign of aging that I am as excited about Johnny Cash’s and Neil Young’s new albums as Pearl Jam’s and Tool’s?
[1] Bono said: “Locusts and honey … not since John The Baptist has there been a voice
like that crying in the wilderness. … Every man knows he is a sissy
compared to Johnny Cash.” Amen.
Interesting article on the BBC about the Devil’s Interval, otherwise known as the tritone. It’s cool that Black Sabbath was mentioned, but come on, you have an article about the tritone and no mention of Hendrix’s Purple Haze?
Wagner’s music rocks, by the way, even if he was said to be an unpleasant individual.
Picked up this darling just a couple of days ago, courtesy the government of Singapore.
Its an Ibanez SZ320. The photo fails to do it justice.
Posing it in front of my other treasure, the CD collection. Fell in love with the tone and feel when I tried it, was a no brainer. The intonation was just about perfect off the shelf, and I did not need to adjust the action. It has a set neck, string-though-body design, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard… and the bridge is a thing of beauty. Sustains forever. Aaaaaaa… you could go and have a bite and… aaaaaaaaa… you’d still be hearing that one.
Oh my ex-guitar, you have served me well, but your hardware is corroding, the frets are worn out, and your knobs and pickup toggle and other bits are falling off. And Marty Friedman endorses my new love. I’m sorry but it wasn’t even a contest…
Now all I need is an amp that goes up to eleven.
This is unbelievable.
My fellow geeks, boycott D-Link products. Actively recommend against them. Spread the word.
Original open letter.