Why Is Country Music The Only Genre Still Selling Units?

The whole music industry is going through a huge change right now. I’m sure every one knows the story. No one is buying cd’s anymore, everyone is downloading songs, usually illegally.

While this is the case for almost all genre’s of music, one genre and market seems to be exempt. Country Music.

Country music is the most popular radio format throughout the United States, except right here in the tri-state area. Everywhere across the nation Country Music rules the airwaves. Which, is surprising, because most people say “i like all types of music… except country”.

Yet somehow the Nashville cd industry continues to churn out huge music stars. Country Music stars have, for the past 10 years or so been merging genre’s with pop and rock.

So why is country music so damn popular? My theory is it mixes humor, drama, and feel good emotions without a blink of the eye. There is no sense of being hip in country music. A good country song tells a story, which people can relate to. Hank Williams invented it and they’ve been trying to perfect it ever sense.

Johnny Cash is revered by rockers as a real bad-ass.

Willie Nelson, well, who doesn’t love Willie? (He smoked a joint on the roof of the White House).

Brad Paisley can really shred guitar with the best of them. That Sugarland song “Stay”, that is powerful. Taylor Swift actually writes her own songs and can perform.

I could go on and on and on with individual artists.

I purpose, that since country was born out of the blues (some argue they were born simultaneously) country music is America’s music. It has no pretension. It can be funny, it can make you weep, it can make you think, it can make you rock out, it can do it all. And today country music is being mixed with rock guitars, and I have to say I really like hearing an electric guitar and a banjo playing together.

Country music is turning out some really good music these days. Great artists with great songs and real talent and it does not come off as manufactured or fake. It has the same appeal grunge did, country stars look like joe everyman up there on stage. And it does not seem as corny as it used to. (however, on an editorial note… fuck Rascal Flatts, they suck. they sound like a pop group, and they come off as so fucking fake. i hope their career ends soon)

Honestly, rhinestones? And those big cowboy hats? I doubt many country artists are actual cowboys, there aren’t many real cowboys anyway. But I guess it looks cool. And hey, if Willie Nelson likes country, then you can’t argue with Willie.

In Defense Of Limp Bizkit

I was at a party and “nookie” came on the stereo. I was caught off guard when people started singing along. As any self absorbed music snob would be, I began verbally shitting all over Limp Bizkit. Fred Durst the pinnacle of aggro white aggression, lack of lyrical subtlety, and general asshole status.

Another music snob at the party, ironically donned in t-jeans and a “vintage” Velvet Underground t-shirt, commented “Limp Bizkit is great…until you turn 15″.

It got me thinking was/is Limp Bizkit the anti-Christ of music? I have to say, no.

This blog entry is defense of Limp Bizkit, I shall play devil’s advocate. While my indie, metal, and punk friends may disown me, I am the one being open minded.

I listened to all three Bizkit disc’s. “Three Dollar Bill, Yall$”, “Significant Other”, and “Chocolate Starfish and the Hotdog Flavored Water” (yes I know they released a greatest hits and the Unquestionable Truth Pt 1, but fuck off with that).

Their sound, while nothing totally new, it is pretty good. Their rhythm section is incredibly tight. Bassist Sam Rivers is amazingly talented, his rhythm and licks would put many others to shame. Drummer John Otto knows how to find the pocket and work magic inside it.  Together they make a great pair weaving and playing off each other. The bass line, sometimes carrying its own melody.

Wes Borland, the guitar player; while not a flashy guitar player, is still talented. Listen to “Sour” his finger tapping is impressive. He employs a variety of styles crossing over many genres. He can play thrash metal, funk, jazz, or more ambient guitar. He played foil to Fred Durst. He was the arty geek to Fred’s jock.

Borland, Rivers, and Otto are all very accomplished musicians (in particular Otto and Rivers). On their three album’s the music was not overly simplified and they explored many different styles and genres, sometimes within one song. They created any enticing musical background, while some songs were better than others, that could be argued of any band. On the first three album’s the music varied enough and had different flavors to keep you interested.

DJ Lethal added ambiance. He would sometimes scratch out guitar solo’s, which was interesting. Or he would add sounds (usually combined with Borland’s) to make eerie atmospherics. Or he would add extra rhythm to the overall song.

Now we come to Fred Durst. I am sure you’ve heard everything negative about Fred, and most of it is probably true. His lyrics, not very deep. Vocals, not the greatest. But, I must say on Three Dollar he lets out some amazing screams. He has a real hardcore screaming voice. He took his vocal cues from hardcore punk’s spitfire lyrics and mixed it with rap. Thank you Mike Patton!

Three Dollar’s lyrics are still raw. He has a sense of melody, but his anger seems honest. It’s just raw emotion, much like Jonathan Davis on Korn’s first two albums. It’s style mixing rap and hardcore punk, hence “rapcore” meh, fucking music journalists and their genre titles.

Significant Other, the album that launched them into superstardom is slightly more rap driven, but that does not define it. The lyrics deal with Durst going through a real life break-up. The music draws on all the members tastes creating an intense collage. This album is good. It’s not great, but it’s damn good. The only song I truly dislike “N 2 Gether Now” featuring Method Man. Every other song is pretty good.

The music has some 1980’s thrash, hardcore, alternative (aka grunge), some electronic/ambient, and rap. Durst’s vocals are greatly improved and his lyrics are focused. Still no poet, he gets his point across. The album is good, it has every member of the band working at their best and still working as a unit.

Their next album, Starfish, is once again full of catchy fucking songs. They all rock, in a very honest sense. There is no real pretension, no indie cred, they know their audience and work with it. Though, the track “Rollin” leaves me with a sour taste. Overall, the album has some strong outings and showings by all members of the band.

See, here is the thing about Limp Bizkit, people think, for better or for worse of Fred Durst and his backwards red hat. It’s now cool to hate Limp Bizkit. But, honestly, Limp Bizkit made some catchy rock songs plain and simple. The bass was also interesting, the drums always had great fills and were in the pocket, the guitar had either a great riff or some cool sound, etc…

I stand in defense of Limp Bizkit! They get shit on while Linkin Park is praised. To me, they are doing the same exact music, but Chester is considered cool. Fred Durst just took a lot of heat, some of it deserved.

(did you know L.P. used to be Hybrid Theory and when L.B. broke they changed their name.. funny how close L.P. is to L.B. in the music bin)

Here are some songs to download (legally)…. Boiler, Take A Look Around, Break Stuff, Re-Arranged, 9 Teen 90 Nine, Nookie, No Sex, Counterfeit, Sour, Pollution, Faith, Stink Finger.

Why do Adults still watch Pro Wrestling? (a defense)

The other day I was watching a WWE program and a friend of mine walked in and asked how I could still be watching that. She claimed it was a show intended for children. And instead of defending my supposed guilty pleasure my face turned red and I acted like a child who gets caught doing something naughty.

Like most people who enjoy pro wrestling I started watching when I was a kid. It was just so much fun to see these larger than life heroes and villains battle it out. It was like my comic books had come to life. Though it was somewhat predictable; you knew the good guy would always win in the end.

That was then. This is now.

The average audience sampling of a wrestling crowd is made up of young boys and their parents, pre-teen girls who think John Cena is good looking, the creepy old men who think those pre-teen girls are good looking, and of course Chris Hansen filming “To Catch a Predator”. (oh yes, i worked in a pedophile and Hansen joke!) So, why is this motley assortment (male 18-30 demographic) gathered in the arena and viewing at home? What does pro wrestling offer that attracts them so? I mean all the companies pull no punches, they admit a fixed match and its staged spots (to a degree). Quick tangent- while most of the action inside the ring is designed so the wrestlers receive the least amount of damage, they DO get hurt and they ARE athletic (well most of the good ones are). Falling off of 30ft cage or getting hit with some “foreign object” can never be an enjoyable experience for anyone.

A good wrestler, the most entertaining ones, are 60% athlete 40% actor. Now, good wrestlers don’t always get the “push” they deserve. But that has to do with the backstage politics, of which, I have no idea what goes on. But every now and then you find a wrestler who is just fun to watch, fun to listen, and for the time they are on t.v. makes you forget how miserable your day was. Not that you can’t enjoy it if you had a fantastic day either.

Pro Wrestling is a form of escapism. Its the suspension of disbelief that one watches a movie with. You know that Christian Bale isn’t really Batman, but for those 2 hours, you pretend he is. It’s the same principle to wrestling. Also, wrestlers have a bit of “rock star” attitude in them. A rock star basically goes up on stage and acts like a dick. He works the crowd and acts like being at that concert is the only place in the world you want to be. When he gets off stage he may be a totally different person, but the illusion is what matters.

Is that wrestler really some big bad monster who loves breaking people in half? On camera, yes. In real life,I highly doubt it. Is Jimmy Wang Yang really an Asian Cowboy? No. (are there even any Asian cowboys?)

Pro Wrestling is just fun damnit! The economy is diving into a recession, upon graduation many college grads will find a job market beyond bleak (yay me!), and people are losing their mortgages. So, if for 2 hours they can be entertained for free on t.v. and forget their woes and just enjoy themselves, so be it.

Super De-Duper Tuesday

Ok, so primaries are well under way and so far the clear leader is… well to be honest I don’t know. I don’t think anyone knows.

The latest primary in South Carolina had Obama on top. I guess Clinton couldn’t conjure up some faux tears. And Edwards showed up as usual, he gets an A for effort but an F for mostly everything else.

In the Grand Old Party, creepy McCain was victorious with Huckabee far behind and Romney even further. Oh and Rudy was getting a soda and forgot he was trying to win a spot on the ballot.

It is clearly going to be a close race. The key players are Obama v Clinton and McCain v Huckabee v Romney. On a side note, fuck off Edwards, you’re just stealing votes from Obama. Go away and hope Clinton wins so you can try and be her vice president. Edwards is always the bridesmaid never the bride.

So it more or less coming to the supposed “Super Tuesday”.

Super Tuesday, to me, conjures up images of the Justice League. Stick with me people, Obama would be Superman offering change and a fresh face. Clinton would be wonder woman, slightly lesbian-esque. And Edwards would be Aquaman, useless in every way.

As for the GOP Justice League comparison, McCain, to me, is kind of like a super villain. He is the old guard. Let’s go with a Star Wars comparison, yes I know, my nerd flag is showing, but hey, a good metaphor is a good metaphor.  McCain is the emperor.

The Republicans have had 8 years and fucked up royally. Politics tend to be on a pendulum and every 4 or 8 years swing Democrat or Republican, Liberal or Conservative. And right now people are tired of Republicans. Americans are fickle.

How NOT to conduct an Interview

Sigur Ros interview on NPR 

I recently came across this interview with rock band Sigur Ros and NPR. They posted this interview as “when good interviews go bad…” this is a misnomer. This textbook on HOW TO FAIL at an interview. They asked yes/no questions and multiple questions at the same time. They bad looked bored, because they were sitting through a shitty interview.

The DJ did one of the worst rock interviews I’ve ever seen.

The Dark Knight

WhySoSerious?   The Dark Knight has one the single most amazing viral marketing campaigns I’ve ever seen.

The Joker is an amazing character. And I am so glad to see they are not making him into the cookie cutter b.s. character he’s been in past Batman (live action) movies. I still don’t know how Ledger will compare to Hammill’s evil laugh in the recent animated movies. The laugh is pure evil, but from the screen captures I’ve been seeing Ledger has the evil, manic look and appearance down pat.

Batman Begins was amazing and The Dark Knight, with all this viral marketing and internet hype had better stand and deliver. And the Joker better be the “brilliantly insane” sadistic killer I have grown to be ever so fond of in the graphic novels

Politics vs Policies (The Primaries)

Primaries are nearing ever closer. The obvious front runner of the whole shindig is Hillary Clinton. Obama, in all likely hood, won’t win. He is just too young and does not have the savvy and more importantly the connections and friends in high places that Clinton has.

Clinton is a politically savvy candidate who knows what to say, when to say it, and how to say it. Policy and Politics are the same thing these days. The Republicans fear her. Giuliana has more or less created a platform of “I am not Hillary”. Republicans are painting a portrait of Hillary as a Washington insider, a bitch, and well, a woman. If Karl Rove were still prominent he’d probably make her out to be much worse.

If we lived in an ideal world, or at least mine, I would like to see Obama. Is he green? Yes, but I feel like that might be a welcomed change. He has that optimism that I think our country could use. He is a new name and a new face a new era. He has that Bill Clinton or JFK charisma. He instills hope that we can dig ourselves out of this hole and maybe try and unite this country.

What he lacks is the ability to get his ideas out there to the mass public. What are his stances on any of the issues, a lot of people just aren’t sure. If he were to win the primary he would need to do alot of traveling and spread his beliefs and ideas. And of course, not flip flop.

Hillary Clinton is a master politician. She knows the game. She has seen what leads to success and more importantly failure. She helped advise Bill all the way to the White House. Like I said above, Policy and Politics make strange bedfellows but they’ve been sleeping together for years. She knows how to campaign and win the votes and if she were to go all the way she would know how to act in the White House to stay strong in the polls.

In this day and age it is not about who has the best ideas. It is about who can play the game.

I thought I would help Obama out with spreading his message…

Best Drinking Songs!!!

I’ve decided to compile some of my favorite drinking songs. Now, these songs do not have to be explicitly about drinking. Just put you in the mood for a strong pint with a few good friends.

1.) ANYTHING BY THE POGUES.  Shane McGowan pisses whiskey. With classics like “If I Should Fall From Grace with God”, “Dirty Old Town”, or “Streams of Whiskey” all drenching of an Irish pub singing along in drunken glory!

2.) Dropkick Murphy’s “Kiss Me, I’m Shitfaced”. Just read the title.

3.) Brad Paisley “Alcohol”. Once again, it’s in the title mate.

4.) Q Lazzarus “Goodbye Horses” (aka that song from Silence of the Lambs) someone is bound to be drunk and do the dance to the delight/disgust of everyone in the room.

5.) The Ramones “Judy Is A Punk” A short burst of energy perfect for shots.

6.) The Replacements “Beer for Breakfast” Great title. Hallelujah I’m a bum!

7.) Morrissey “The More You Ignore Me The Closer I Get” it has a line about having your “head on the bar”.

 

8.) O.D.B “Shimmy Shimmy Ya”  Thank you opening credits of Knocked Up

9.) Against Me! “Pints of Guinness Make You Stronger” It’s the truth don’t you know, they really do.

10.) Alkaline Trio “Cooking Wine” c’mon “sorry i’m late i was out spoiling my liver”

 If you’ve got any better let me know! And If You’ve Got ‘Em, Drink ‘Em (unless you’re under 21, in which case, alcohol is not cool)

I’ve Got The Time If You’ve Got The Story (Halloween Review)

I recently saw the new “Halloween” movie directed by Rob Zombie.

When I read the reviews for this film they were less than stellar, except for a token few. I feel that movie critics always bash horror films. With very few exceptions, such as, Saw, Psycho, or Silence of the Lambs. Zombie as a director is not for everyone. If anyone has seen “House of 1000 Corpses” or “The Devil’s Rejects” can attest to this.

I feel critics don’t understand a good slasher film is suppose to be “bad” to an extent. It’s suppose to be campy, sex riddled, and full of blood.  I mean it can have a great script and be well shot and great production and have a deeper meaning. Just look at “Night Of The Living Dead”.

But classic slasher flicks like “Evil Dead” are all about having fun. It’s meant to just be straight up fun, a couple laughs, some blood and guts, and a couple pairs of tits and that is all you need. Now they are usually the dressing to a great cake that is the overall film. But I feel most critics miss the point.

Time…unless you’re Clinton (Youtube+CNN Debate)

Anderson Cooper is a terrible moderator. In my mind, a moderator of a political debate gives each candidate equal amounts of time to answer and makes sure each candidate gets their fair share.

Cooper did nothing of the sort. Practically letting Clinton and Obama have run of the show. Ignoring other candidates. And on a huge issue such as Health Care he only let 3 of the candidates speak (guess who 2 of them were).

The next time CNN has the Youtube debate, with the Republicans on Sept. 17th Cooper should not moderate. It’s obvious he doesn’t understand the concept of a fair debate where everyone is given equal speaking time. A good moderator is like a good journalist, fair and with no allegiances. Sadly, Cooper is not a journalist, he is a media personality, and he is not a moderator, he is a political dog.

I would have loved to hear more from Mike Gravel. He was the only one who showed any signs of passion, when they let him answer a question for more than 10 seconds. He showed vigor and honesty. He wasn’t about playing the political game. In the end, we probably won’t be President, but he would an asset on anyone’s cabinet.

I also would have loved to hear more from Joe Biden. He too was honest. He did not try to sugar coat or put a good spin on Iraq. He also showed a sense of intelligent humor. I think this debate is going to be a huge boost to his campaign.