Well...we...w...It seems a day of indulgence makes for a night of remorse. I am tired to the point where I might fall asleep as I tyyyppppeeeeettttthhhiiiiiisssss.
Either way...music on the mind. The Kills, one of my all-time favorite bands, was amazing Friday night. They had the energy, the spunk, and the charisma that attracted me to their music about 6 years ago. They are just one of the bands I have followed throughout their career, and it was awesome to finally see them onstage at a venue, rather than at a festival where all they do is complain about the heat. This time, the complaining was kept to a minimum. If you haven't listened to The Kills, their first album, Keep On Your Mean Side, is an excellent start. It is their greatest album.
On that note, I take my leave. However, I wrote a poem earlier today and thought I would share it. So, here goes...Peace!
It’s always within a moment.
You smile like it’s ‘72,
Branded pink and moldy, with
Consonants for hues.
The raspy remnants of a voice
Laid deep in the snow summons
The rapture toward the bow.
Collision to collision,
We speak the same fiery language,
Delegated from the toneless anthem
That caught sight of the gulf winds.
My mama sat on the rafters,
While the sailors moved in.
Harmony took a sidestep as we
Traveled toward the brain.
Rich, rich boy from the statues of
The skyscraping crimes that never
Begged to differ.
The road came cracking from under,
Like a snake unseen and caught.
We find it underneath the rocks,
Massive rocks, massive rocks.
You catch my sight, from under my eye,
From below my stare, from around my gaze,
And I knew you.
I knew who you were.
I knew where it went
When you blew away the scents
Of miracles and mischief
That constructed mannerisms
In the wake of their demise.
It made it sweet,
Those airy breaths,
Those synthetic symptoms,
Invented at the base of this building.
The building we found,
Making strange sounds,
Until the first tree grew from the ground.
No one else around.
Just the silence and the separation.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Time, Time
Wow, everyday seems to be moving at a pace that is too quick to be understandable. The days drift by without a moment's hesitation, and all I can do is look back and wonder where it's all going. I have to pop another CD in my stereo and hope that the rhythms and beats take me away to a place where time stands still and I have the room to breathe and examine where everything is heading and re-assess where I want everything to go.
Lately, I have been listening to Cat Power's The Greatest. It's such an excellent CD. Her voice and the simple soulful blues mix in a combination that makes you wonder how something so good was ever recorded. Just listen to Lived In Bars, and you will understand. However, don't be discouraged by the music video. It's not the most excellent of videos some may argue, me being one of them.
I was informed earlier today that my uncle, who has been fighting the good fight for as long as I can remember, has to have his leg amputated because his knee replacement failed. I was extremely sad, but when I called him to tell him he was in my prayers and that I hoped everything was well, he said, "I knew I was taking a gamble from the start. The knee didn't take. What can you do?" That's all he had to say for me to understand that some people are dealt horrible cards, but it matters what you do with those cards that depicts what kind of person you are and how you make your mark in the world. He has certainly made his mark, and he, in some ways, is my hero.
When times get hard, look to loved ones and God to help you make it through. Listen to some good jams, and let it get you on through to the next day. And if something is too hard to deal with, smoke a joint. It works for me. Peace, love, and everything in between.
Lately, I have been listening to Cat Power's The Greatest. It's such an excellent CD. Her voice and the simple soulful blues mix in a combination that makes you wonder how something so good was ever recorded. Just listen to Lived In Bars, and you will understand. However, don't be discouraged by the music video. It's not the most excellent of videos some may argue, me being one of them.
I was informed earlier today that my uncle, who has been fighting the good fight for as long as I can remember, has to have his leg amputated because his knee replacement failed. I was extremely sad, but when I called him to tell him he was in my prayers and that I hoped everything was well, he said, "I knew I was taking a gamble from the start. The knee didn't take. What can you do?" That's all he had to say for me to understand that some people are dealt horrible cards, but it matters what you do with those cards that depicts what kind of person you are and how you make your mark in the world. He has certainly made his mark, and he, in some ways, is my hero.
When times get hard, look to loved ones and God to help you make it through. Listen to some good jams, and let it get you on through to the next day. And if something is too hard to deal with, smoke a joint. It works for me. Peace, love, and everything in between.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Here We Go...
Well, this is hot off the press! I just got home from seeing The Brian Jonestown Massacre at Emo's tonight. Damn, it was a great show! They played for two hours straight. For once, I was not jipped with a 45 minute set, which happens too often to be real. But, it was great. They played my favorite song, BSA. Everyone should check this band out. The album you should start with, should you choose to give them a listen (which you should!) is Take It From The Man!
Also, I finally returned the KVRX cd's I was supposed to review, and I think I'm going to take a break from reviewing for now, seeing as how I can barely keep a handle on school, let alone review cd's that sometimes I have no time to listen to. It also did not help that both of the cd's kind of sucked. One was of this band called Anavan, the album called Cover Story, and the other was a band called D. Rider, the album being Mother of Curses. Keep away from both cd's. It's not worth it, trust me. Some might like Anavan for their electro-pulse vibrations; however, D. Rider is fo sho not worth it. It's too spacial and abstract to even be relatable. Just throw it away!
Everything has been somewhat okay. I am kind of broke; however, with a little prayer, I know things will turn around. It just takes some faith and promise to keep things on the up and up.
Well, that's all I got for now. It's 3:00 AM, and I need to get me some sleep if I'm going to do well on my test tomorrow. Good night and good wishes! Peace!
Also, I finally returned the KVRX cd's I was supposed to review, and I think I'm going to take a break from reviewing for now, seeing as how I can barely keep a handle on school, let alone review cd's that sometimes I have no time to listen to. It also did not help that both of the cd's kind of sucked. One was of this band called Anavan, the album called Cover Story, and the other was a band called D. Rider, the album being Mother of Curses. Keep away from both cd's. It's not worth it, trust me. Some might like Anavan for their electro-pulse vibrations; however, D. Rider is fo sho not worth it. It's too spacial and abstract to even be relatable. Just throw it away!
Everything has been somewhat okay. I am kind of broke; however, with a little prayer, I know things will turn around. It just takes some faith and promise to keep things on the up and up.
Well, that's all I got for now. It's 3:00 AM, and I need to get me some sleep if I'm going to do well on my test tomorrow. Good night and good wishes! Peace!
Monday, April 6, 2009
Dizamn!
Okay, I understand that some professors have the ability to make you think, make you question, make you want to investigate. However, then you get those certain professors that just make you wonder what is wrong with people.
My journalism professor sent me to a junkie-filled haven full of prostitutes, homeless people, and drug addicts. I get it. I get that places like that exist. I don't mind having to go to places like that for a good story. However, when he told my partner-in-crime that the reason he sent us there was because he thought I would "fit in," that pissed me the hell off.
I'm sorry, but when did being Mexican and having tattoos automatically place you in a less-than-desirable group. It's bullshit. It's stereotypical, egomeniacal crap. I'm sorry I don't have light skin, and no tattoos, but that's just how I was born. That's what makes me who I am.
Upon confronting him about it, he declared, "you're too sensitive. Stop looking so much into it." Thanks, Prof. Bob Mann. That made me feel a lot better, and now I understand how the world works. Another lesson in the life of a journalism student at the University of Texas.
My journalism professor sent me to a junkie-filled haven full of prostitutes, homeless people, and drug addicts. I get it. I get that places like that exist. I don't mind having to go to places like that for a good story. However, when he told my partner-in-crime that the reason he sent us there was because he thought I would "fit in," that pissed me the hell off.
I'm sorry, but when did being Mexican and having tattoos automatically place you in a less-than-desirable group. It's bullshit. It's stereotypical, egomeniacal crap. I'm sorry I don't have light skin, and no tattoos, but that's just how I was born. That's what makes me who I am.
Upon confronting him about it, he declared, "you're too sensitive. Stop looking so much into it." Thanks, Prof. Bob Mann. That made me feel a lot better, and now I understand how the world works. Another lesson in the life of a journalism student at the University of Texas.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Spring Has Come...
Man, the city of Austin, TX has been beautiful lately. Not too hot. Not too cold. The perfect in-between. The sunny weather. The windy increments. Love it.
I feel like the Spring is bringing about a surge of creativity both locally and nationally. Music artists are coming out with new albums left and right, and they couldn't have picked a better time. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs new album, It's Blitz! is brilliant. It's definitely not up to par with Show Your Bones or Fever to Tell, but it's still a great album. I love "Zero," "Skeletons," "Hysteric," and "Little Shadow." It's definitely a good buy.
Also the Strange Boys released their new album in March, titled And Girls Club. Very bluesy, gritty, straight-up rock n' roll at its finest. The funny thing is I saw this band a few years ago at Sonny's Vintage on Guadalupe St. during SXSW. They had it then, and they have it now. Great CD!
Although, it's not coming out til June, Jack White (one of my all-time favorite musicians) has a new album coming out. With the Raconteurs? No. With The White Stripes? No. With The Dead Weather? YES! White is now on drums, the vocals are being handled by the beautiful and dangerous Allison Mosshart of The Kills (one of my all-time favorite bands). Damn, that collaboration is gonna be the bomb-ass-diggity. I've only heard the two songs they've put out, "Hang You From The Heavens" and "Are 'Friends' Electric?" Good tunes, good direction, can't wait to listen to the entire album, which has already been completed. Someone leak it now!
I have also been getting into The Knack again. "My Sharona" just makes you want to dance, especially when you were in a bad mood five minutes prior. I love their energy.
I am also excited because The Brian Jonestown Massacre is only 12 days away, and The Kills is 22 days away! I can't wait! I'm about to crap my pants (not literally). Man, everyday I wake up, the sun is beaming on me, not a cloud in sight, and everyone just seems more cheerful. The past week has been excellent to the point where I wake up everyday and thank God that He gave me another day. That's all you can do when you're exposed to such excellence.
Well, that's all I got for now. Peace!
I feel like the Spring is bringing about a surge of creativity both locally and nationally. Music artists are coming out with new albums left and right, and they couldn't have picked a better time. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs new album, It's Blitz! is brilliant. It's definitely not up to par with Show Your Bones or Fever to Tell, but it's still a great album. I love "Zero," "Skeletons," "Hysteric," and "Little Shadow." It's definitely a good buy.
Also the Strange Boys released their new album in March, titled And Girls Club. Very bluesy, gritty, straight-up rock n' roll at its finest. The funny thing is I saw this band a few years ago at Sonny's Vintage on Guadalupe St. during SXSW. They had it then, and they have it now. Great CD!
Although, it's not coming out til June, Jack White (one of my all-time favorite musicians) has a new album coming out. With the Raconteurs? No. With The White Stripes? No. With The Dead Weather? YES! White is now on drums, the vocals are being handled by the beautiful and dangerous Allison Mosshart of The Kills (one of my all-time favorite bands). Damn, that collaboration is gonna be the bomb-ass-diggity. I've only heard the two songs they've put out, "Hang You From The Heavens" and "Are 'Friends' Electric?" Good tunes, good direction, can't wait to listen to the entire album, which has already been completed. Someone leak it now!
I have also been getting into The Knack again. "My Sharona" just makes you want to dance, especially when you were in a bad mood five minutes prior. I love their energy.
I am also excited because The Brian Jonestown Massacre is only 12 days away, and The Kills is 22 days away! I can't wait! I'm about to crap my pants (not literally). Man, everyday I wake up, the sun is beaming on me, not a cloud in sight, and everyone just seems more cheerful. The past week has been excellent to the point where I wake up everyday and thank God that He gave me another day. That's all you can do when you're exposed to such excellence.
Well, that's all I got for now. Peace!
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