Lent: The Musical [Albums 11-15]

11: Temple of the Dog (Self-titled) ★★

Straight away, it's easy to hear the Soundgarden force behind the band. (In case you aren't aware of the 1992 happenings in Seattle, Temple of the Dog (TotD) is made up largely of Soundgarden members.) That's not meant to be a slight against TotD. But I do have to wonder why someone would even record an album as a different band (while using some members from their original band) and wind up having much of the same distinct sounds of the original band, Soundgarden. No, this isn't an exact copy but the similarities are impossible to ignore. Aside from the aforementioned (and obvious) influences, some SRV and Tool sounds find their way on this record. And maybe, just maybe there's a little Candlebox tossed in there, too. While not as rockin' as Cornell's main focus (at the time), this album is much more bluesy and melodic. It's certainly a foreshadowing of things to come in Chris' musical career.

12: Lamb of God "Wrath" ★★★1/2

What an amazing opener this album has. It's easy to assume that this record wouldn't appeal to a majority of listeners, but the first track would catch many folks pleasantly by surprise. But, the wait for the calm to end and the storm to begin isn't a long one. In less than two minutes, Lamb of God is playing at full force. The speed, complexity, and agression are fitting to my ear palate, but the vocals are just too throaty / shouty / non-musical for my personal taste. That's only me though. Overall, there is a very heavy, sinister feel throughout this album. The leads take on a Dragonforce sound from time to time, which isn't at all a bad thing. Toward the end of Wrath, a dungeon-esque Tool vibe creeps out.

13: The Black Keys "Attack & Release" ★★★1/2

There's a nice bluesy feel from the get. The best I can describe it is it sounds like the music of yesterday, made today. About 85% of that sound is great, but I get a sense of manufactured patina. The track "So He Won't Break" has to be on a soundtrack somewhere. And if it's not, it will be - it just has to be. Surprisingly, the longer the album plays, the more genuine the antique feel of the album sounds. I don't know exactly what made me turn the corner, but I got the sense that these fellas just really dig music of the days gone by.

14: White Zombie "Astro-Creep: 2000" ★★

For someone who seems to pride himself on raw, gritty, warts-and-all product and appearance, Rob Zombie has one helluva polished album in this. While I don't find that necessarily a point against him or the band, I do find it mildly incongruous. After listening to the first three songs, the droning metal-slide and guitar dj'ing become tiresome. As a pick-me-up, the orgasmic opener for "More Human Than Human" does the trick ... just like it did for me in high school, too. I do have one major complaint about this record, and all bands who do the same or similar thing on their own records: STOP putting long periods of silence between songs (and even worse) and between the beginning and end of the same song. It isn't clever and you're not fooling anyone into thinking that it is.


15: Slayer "Undisputed Attitude" ★★1/2


When I happened to glance at the song lengths, I began to already from a negative opinion of this album before even listening to a single cord. The longest song is 4:53 which happens to be nearly a minute and a half longer than the second longest song. "What kind of uninspired crap is Slayer trying to trick fans into buying?", was my first reaction. So, I did what all knowledge seeking, fact hungry people do, I did my research.


After reading what Wikipedia had to say about Undisputed Attitude, I changed my tone. This is an album of mostly punk covers, with one original Slayer song, "Gemini" (which has some strong momentary similarities to the Metallica song "...And Justice For All") and two songs from another band a member of Slayer was in. It's nice to see a very major band pay homage to the unknowns out there. 


So, if punk isn't fast enough, agressive enough, or rage-inducing enough for you, this album is exactly what you're looking for. But this record isn't for my tastes specifically. For starters, I'm not too much of a fan of the typical shouting that is Slayer's vocals. That, combined with not caring too much for punk music really excludes me from being a fan. However, the concept, execution, and production are all Aces 10.

Lent: The Musical [Albums 6-10]

6: Dropkick Murphys "The Gang's All Here" ★★★


Aside from the uptempo, get-yourself-ready-for-a-good-time music, the vocals set the mood for this album. Well, I say vocals. There isn't singing, per se. Rather, the vocal cords only transmit the sound that was first conjured from the bronchi and stomach contractions which results in a guttural explosion. As expected, listening to this record will lead to tachycardia and spastic limb movement. Both of which are widely accepted as perfectly normal reactions. One could either listen to this album as an eye-opener or a catalyst to start off the weekend. Other noteworthy aspects of The Gang's All Here are the 'Murphys' take on a horse-riding, cattle-driving Western song as well as "Amazing Grace" being played on bagpipes and a little more rockin' than how the song is traditionally heard or performed. Had it not been for ending the record with answering machine messages, I would have rated this album a little higher.


7: Queen "Hot Space" ★★1/2


Kicking off the Hot Space is a song that almost sounds like a parody or educational song similar to something on "Sesame Street". For my taste, the whole feel of the album as a little too post-dico / pre-pop sounding for me. Two songs really stand apart and everyone should have them in their collection. The first song being "Under Pressure". It's just a classic. It's been covered and sampled, stolen and tweaked. Also, David Bowie sings on it. (The importance of that being everyone should have known Freddy was a dandy man. There really shouldn't have been any surprise about that.) Lastly, every single person - especially every male above the age of consent - should have "Body Language" in their music library. Why? Just listen to it and feel the groove and then you'll know.


8: Saul Williams "The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!" ★1/2


I'll just use my notes, verbatim:


Kicks off with a vox mash-up of Reznor & Busta Rhymes. Not having listend to Saul, I didn't know what to expect. This wouldn't have been my 1st guess. Turns out, Trent's not only on the album, he produced it. Simply put, it's a NIN record with guest mail vox. Finally, deep into the album, something different emerges: A san-Reznor track! This change doesn't last though.


9: Anvil "Metal on Metal" ★★★★


The title track is a fairly hefty tune. Buttressing up against that, is the following track, "Mothra". A silly title, but the speed, timing, and complexity is more than serious enough to make up for the song's title. While there are obvious nods to the previous two decades of rock 'n' roll clearly ringing throughout the record, pulling from influences such as Zep, BOC, Cream, Sabbath, and the like, Anvil has morphed their musical heritage into something of their own. Even more impressive is Anvil's influence that bleeds into early thrash bands like Slayer, Anthrax, and Metallica and even in more modern bands such as Coheed and Cambria. My ears immediately perked up when "Scenery" started playing. Why? Well, it is dangerously close to being a near copy of another metal song from a much more well known band. But, I'll let you decide that for yourself.


10: Eminem "Recovery" ★★


With lyrics such as "Blows, b-b-blows, o-o-ows" being bad enough on its own, not to mention the boy band-ish sound and delivery, Recovery isn't very promising from the start. The next two tracks are supporting Kanye West and are very self-serving. But, by song four, Mr. Mathers, the way we're used to him being, is back. Em' gets angry, poetic, and clever with his lyrics as opposed to the three impotent songs previous. In the songs that follow, there is a unique volume tweak, some Kanye, Bone Thugs N Harmony, and LL Cool J influences. There's even a Haddaway throw-back. Durring "No Love", some sleepy sounding, dopey faux-thug dominates the vocals. He, who ever he may be, shows off his lyrical prowess by tossing in the obligatory "ugh" a few time over the course of the song. But, by the end of the record, Eminem finally gives us what we all want: songs with some balls behind it rather than the neutered crap that came in the earlier tracks.

Lent: The Musical [Albums 1-5]

Rather than giving up something negative for Lent, I decided to add something positive to my life for the next 40 days. So, I'm listening to one new (to me) album every day for the next 40 days. Here are the first five albums I listened to:


1: AFI "Decemberunderground" ★★★★


All around, this is a solid rock album. It's heavy enough to help you drive a little faster but not quite having the weight that would allow you to non-verbally end a dispute you have with the world via a random stranger's face and your fist. This record is flawlessly produced without being over-polished. Yes, the vocals are often in a higher register, which some may find off-putting. But all I have to say is Bruce Dickinson. Sometimes rock 'n' roll and higher vocals just works.


2: Temper Trap "Conditions" ★★


First impression: Fairly common method for today's hipster / indie rock. Constant strumming (most likely on a Telecaster) with a moderate - fast tempo coupled with a peppy snare drum ringing in frequently. No effort goes in to hiding the early and late U2 influences. Mix all that in with some brass, layered backing vocals, some "la la la" lyrics and the occasional falsetto, and you almost have a complete picture of this record.


3: Radiohead "King of Limbs" ★


Sigur Rós did this album already. Radiohead tried to copy the Icelandic band's style with their own melodic, hyper-droning soundscapes. A Bob Dylan-esque method of mumbled, unintelligibly sung lyrics is commonplace on "King of Limbs". As background music, it's a great album. But it's bland in the content and effort department.


4: Jimi Hendrix "Are You Experienced" ★★★★★ 


From the start, Jimi gets things rocking. Following the now classic opener, the listener goes on a blues trip then off to a rockin' tune or two. We get to hear the softer side of Jimi when he actually sings in a very atypical (for him), softer, melodic style. There could have been a spinoff band called "Hendrix and the Heartstrings" by the way he can sing on the slower songs. Typical of the time, there's plenty of trip-out guitar sounds, droning bass lines, chaotic drums, and echo chamber vox. Things come back to sanity and slow down toward the end with "The Wind Cries Mary". I didn't even have to finish listening to the entire album to five-star rate it. (But I did make sure to listen to the whole thing.)


5: Gary Jules "Trading Snakeoil for Wolftickets" ★★1/2


Nothing about this album is groundbreaking, while at the same time, it isn't something that's been done a thousand times over. There's a little blues, some old-time western saloon tunes, some folk, and Eagles influences. An interesting hodgepodge of sorts. The record is easy to consume but it's also easily forgotten. Most people actually know one track, "Mad World", from this album. While it's easily the best song on the record, it's completely out of place.

I asked. I received.

Saturday, February 5 marked my 29th year on this big, blue marble. I went to work* like usual. I didn't bother making myself anything special for breakfast. I'm sure I deserved something nice, say-pancakes with a tasty apple compote on top, but I didn't think ahead to have that ready for me to make. While at work, I got the usual and customary phone calls and texts** which were all very nice. Soon enough, noon rolled around and it was time to close up shop and make my way home.

Upon my arrival, I decided to check the mail and let Bruster have a chance to relieve himself. (That's him on the right.) While I was checking the mail, I got a call from my neighbors, Summer and Taylor. The call was to instruct me to come up to their place to have brownies and ice cream. That alone was reason enough to be excited, but what made the invitation exceptionally appealing was that the package my lady sent me had yet to arrive. She was slightly bummed that I didn't have my gift she so badly wanted me to get on my birthday which bummed me out a little, too.

So, on up to Summer and Taylor's place I went. I knocked on the door and got the usual "come in!" response. Bruster bolted in as is his normal way of greeting folks. The first thing I saw as I opened the door was my wonderful lady holding a colorfully decorated sheet of paper which read "Package". I was dumbfounded. She conspired with my neighbors and planned a surprise visit to Arkansas from Florida. This was beyond amazing. So, I got brownies and ice cream AND my package did arrive. Perfect. As if this wasn't enough, Summer and Taylor even got me a hand mixer for making soap. The Amazon Wish List worked!

I'm leaving out plenty of details and extras, but I got out the high points. It's easy to say that from 12:30 Saturday until Tuesday afternoon was so amazing. The entire extended weekend was spent having one of the best times, and the best birthday, of my life. Hands down. I honestly couldn't have asked for anything better.

*Yep. I'm just driving traffic to my site.


**Birthday texts are crap. Try and think of something less personal and meaningful. I did and came up with telling someone else to text someone "happy birthday" for me from their phone.

Testing: "Ask and ye shall receive".

"Ask and ye shall receive" is somewhat of an old expression. I think it was in some old book or something.

I've never done anything like this before and I figured I would try it out. I'll keep this test simple.

My birthday is February 5. I was born in 1982. I will turn 29 this go round. Here's what I'm asking.

1) Send me patients. Refer your friends, family, waitress, bartender, co-workers, ANYONE. You nor they will be sorry.

2) Here's my Amazon Wish List. I made it simple. FYI: The hot plate and mixer are for making soap. (In a non-"Fight Club" sense.)

3) This would be nice, too.

or

4) Any combination of the three.

I won't be upset should nothing happen. I'm doing a scientific test here. Also, if you didn't know what I wanted, I definitely wouldn't get anything. On the other hand, should something come in the mail, I will be sure to show my gratitude.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Right? So, let the experiment begin.

"Productivity: The Art of Getting Things Done"

Well, here it is. I've finally finished writing this book and I'm making it public for the world to consume. Any feedback you have would be appreciated. I'd like to know what you think after reading it as well as any follow up information you'd like to share. I hope you enjoy and get some use out of this. Should you be too shy to comment directly, I made sure to allow appreciation to be giving via using the "Donate" button (slightly upward and to the right) as well as providing you with this link. Don't feel as though these two avenues can be used only in conjunction with your appreciation of this book. That isn't the case. You may use either or both for any reason including my upcoming February 5th birthday.

There is an option to read this in fullscreen for those wanting a more book-like, professional experience. Also, you can download and print the book. Again, let me know what you think. Enjoy.



Productivity: The Art of Getting Things Done

First Book. First Look.

I think I've strung this out long enough but it wasn't just to make you lose sleep. I promise. This just has taken a little longer to wrap up due to other projects taking the forefront and the never ending torture that is finishing a written project. Just when I think I have every idea written just so, each point is clear and concise, I walk away from it for a few days only to find that when I come back and reread the new edits, it's either crap or I think of 20 new points I want to make. So, to make up for dragging my feet and not finally posting a full copy of this book, I decided I would promise two things: I'll post the cover and announce a release date. As you can see, I've posted the cover. And to make good on both promises,  I'll have everything posted here within 7 days.