For a Fallen Hero

Thursday was the 31st anniversary of John Lennon's death. As I made my way to classes, I couldn't help but think about what Lennon might have been doing in the present if his life had not been cut short. 

He probably would have multiple charities.  

He probably would have more inspiring music. 

He probably would have more children. 

He probably would have touched more people's lives...                                                                        

And with that last sentiment, I immediately thought about Lennon's influence on me. He may have been a captivating figure to some people. He was certainly a visionary when it came to peace and free speech. His solo work proved that he was a musical genius. 

But, to me, he was a Beatle.

I would be a completely different person if it wasn't for John Lennon and The Beatles. When I was younger, maybe 5 or 6 years old, I met The Beatles for the first time. Even though it was the mid-nineties and CD's were becoming the preferred method of consuming music, I heard my first Beatle melodies through a cassette tape. It was their very first album recorded for Capitol Records: Meet The Beatles! 

I also had The Eagles' Hell Freezes Over and a mixtape by The Moody Blues. While I listened to all three frequently (my dad says some relatives were amazed because I had most of The Moody Blues one memorized), it was Meet The Beatles! that set the foundation for my musical preferences. Instead of meeting The Beatles later in life, I condemned contemporary pop and hip-hop and became a classic rock junkie. 

Had it not been for Ringo Starr, I would have never picked up drumsticks. 

Had it not been for Lennon/McCartney, I would have never appreciated the power of words.

I still listen to The Beatles today, but not as much as when I was a kid. Everyone's musical tastes grow throughout their lifetime, and I am no exception. I think the connection I made with The Beatles as a child had something to do with the value of simplicity. They were innovators in the 1960s, but after three decades of musical evolution, they're music, while still respected and revered, seemed plain. Or perhaps uncomplicated. Most importantly, like me, Meet The Beatles! was the first stage of something. And while my journey is far from over (or so I hope), each Beatle went on to do great things with their lives. 

Especially John Lennon. 

I offer John these couple sentences today because his band welcomed me into the arms of rock n' roll. And, like the music of The Beatles, there's beauty in this post's simplicity.  


Rest in peace, John.

The (not-so) Horrible Crowes

        In a world full of contemporary listeners who value auto-tuned jibberish and ninety-nine cent singles, The Horrible Crowes may be seen as outcasts. 

    I mean, an entire album of great tunes? Who do they think they are?

   Brian Fallon of The Gaslight Anthem and mate Ian Perkins bring excitement to today's musical landscape with their debut LP Elsie. It is a lean, twelve-track beauty filled with sad, soul ballads ("Cherry Blossoms", "I Believe Jesus Brought Us Together") and upbeat, rock with heart-on-sleeve lyrics ("Go Tell Everybody", "Crush", "Behold the Hurricane"). 

   To fans of TGA, Elsie is like a younger brother. Annoying at first, but eventually a worthy rival for affection from outside sources. Regardless, the genetic similarities are evident. Fallon's lyrics are up to par, but they become a focal point with songs that lack TGA's punk edge. "My first love was an arsonist/Black eyes, deep set and avarice/Red lips built like a tomb," he sings over a faint guitar tingle in the early seconds of "Blood Loss". Instead of a symphony of chords and wild change of pace, Fallon's voice is accompanied by an organ before the song hits its stride. 

   Personally, this is one of the best "side project" efforts I've ever heard. I was weary when I heard Fallon announce his intention to make an album without members of TGA (although they contributed to some tracks) because solo work has a tendency to, for lack of a better term, suck. Instead of proclaiming this work a "solo album", Fallon called up his old pal Ian Perkins and created a new band to experiment with a new sound. 

   Don't be hesitant to listen to The Horrible Crowes. Please. I'm begging you. Too many of us have been hiding in our musical comfort zones for too long. We download popular and ignore promising. We support artists through single tracks and disregard full albums. 

   It's time to wake up and smell the vinyl.   

Sweet Tracks: "I Witnessed a Crime", "Go Tell Everybody", "Crush", "I Believe Jesus Brought Us Together" (But just get the whole damn album).     
    

Eternally Enthused: A Quick Look at Larry David

     His face reeks of disgust and disdain. His glasses and hair (or lack thereof) are almost as iconic as his hatred for social conventions. He is Larry David, co-creator of Seinfeld and star of Curb Your Enthusiasm.  

     LD’s popularity has been growing at a furious pace ever since he decided to play himself on the HBO show Curb Your Enthusiasm, but I only realized it recently with his cover story in Rolling Stone. He has managed to grace the same cover that so many other pop culture icons have in past years. Larry David is experiencing an epic rebirth; rivaled only by Steven Tyler and J.Lo on American Idol. The only difference is the world needs Larry David now more than ever.

     In a time when there is so much wrong with society, Larry David has made it cool to be brutally honest. He has elevated frankness into a style; a craft. In a recent episode of Curb, co-star Jeff Garlin sums it up when he refers to Larry as a “social assassin”. Many of his pet-peeves and annoyances with humankind were made public in the 90s through Seinfeld. Thankfully, he still had more grievances with civilization around 1999, so he found another platform. Curb Your Enthusiasm has served as an outlet for more current and risqué gripes. From texting with a Blackberry while someone is talking to Catholics constantly forcing their religion onto others, it is evident that LD has plenty of material to use (and he found a great home with HBO because his delivery of the word “fuck” is hilarious).

     I have tremendous respect for LD. He is my favorite television writer/actor combination of today, and a superb role model for young talents who strive to fill the same position. Seinfeld and Curb are heavy with observational comedy and quirky coincidences. They may not be the most intellectually written shows, but they rely on more than cheap kicks and corny punch-lines. I firmly believe that anyone in the United States can sit down and watch a Seinfeld or Curb episode and experience the “I’ve been there” effect. Although the plot and episode as a whole may be a bit far-fetched; the experiences of each character reflect people in our lives.  

     We get it, Larry. We hear you. You’re pissed. You’re annoyed. You are the fucking man. And you have my attention for years to come.     

Onward

     It has been about one month since I officially entered adulthood and turned 21. So far it’s been pretty spectacular. Unfortunately, the combination of this milestone and my cousin Richard’s wedding had me thinking about how furiously the years fall.      

     I’ve never been one for change, but it occurs anyway. I adapt as best I can and keep moving forward, but recently I began to think about how fast time was moving. 21? Really? For the longest time I thought of 21 as being this mythical event in other people’s lives. I rarely considered I would make it there simply because it always seemed so far away. It was waiting for me, but I was content with staying young.      

     This isn’t the point of the entry where I give you the whole “greater responsibilities” wrap. You’ve heard that one before. Personally, getting older has made me question my relevance. It seems like all these 20-somethings are just herded together; waiting for a job or a break that may never come. I was afraid that I might age and never have the chance to do something truly great. I know I’m still young, but 21 is daunting and, for me, it was a shock to my system. My future is unknown. It’s out of my control. My path is twisting and turning and I might not be able to keep up.      

     Then my cousin Rich got married. This was another event that took me by surprise. I mean, I knew about the wedding for awhile, but this is my cousin Rich. It feels like we were just kids playing in Bubba’s backyard and now he’s got a wife. As I watched the ceremony unfold, I couldn’t help but think about how old all of my relatives and I were becoming.      

     When I got to the reception, I was pretty hammered (one of the perks of being in the wedding party). I wasn’t too blitzed to see something very important though. There was Rich and his new wife Katie surrounded by friends and family wishing them the best. Through the years, these were the people who held some type of significance in their lives. They were drinking. They were dancing. They were celebrating the sacred union between a man and a woman. The revelation I was longing for occurred at this wedding reception somewhere outside of Pittsburgh.     

     I figured it out. Even though I’m aging at an unsavory pace; so is everyone else. All the people in my life who love and support me are acquiring wrinkles and tired bones as well. I don’t know what’s going to happen down the road. None of us do, but it’s comforting to be in confused company. You hit 21. You finish school. You get a job. You find someone who makes you feel relevant and marry them. You immerse yourself in family and friends because they’re on the same ride.     

     Enjoy that ride. Enjoy the moments. Today will end and you’ll be another day older, but that’s okay. That’s life.

The Beats are Out There: Vol. 1

     I feel as if I never have anything new to say. My mind doesn’t shuffle through too many groundbreaking topics throughout a day. It normally goes food, school, women, TV, and music (not in that order, but damn close). So, “stick to what you know”… that’s the saying, isn’t it? Well, if that’s the case, then here’s a look at some albums that I love, recently purchased, or think you should look into.  

Heaven is Whenever – The Hold Steady  
    
     I have really been digging The Hold Steady lately. It’s the band’s fifth album, but I think it’s a great introduction for hesitant listeners. They are certainly an acquired taste mainly because of lead singer Craig Finn. His half-spoken/half-sung style is a fitting tribute to the likes of Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. Finn also proves to be a strong lyricist on Whenever with lines like, “She said the theme of this party is the industrial age/And you came in dressed like a train wreck.” 
     It’s easy to not like this album at first listen, but don’t give up on it. With a second listen you’ll actually hear Finn’s voice and words over a group of musicians that deliver straightforward rock. The Hold Steady is a refreshing act, and they have my full attention. 
     
Sweet Tracks: “The Weekenders”, “Soft in the Center”, “We Can Get Together”, “Hurricane J”.
   
Live Era: ’87-’93 – Guns N’ Roses     

     After I wore out Appetite for Destruction and dissected Use Your Illusion I and II, I thought my love affair with GNR was over (The Spaghetti Incident did nothing for me). Then I came across this two disc gem. It was like discovering GNR all over again. I was hooked for the second time in my life. All the songs sound more powerful, gritty, and raw. My favorite reworking is the brief reggae burst in “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”. I also liked hearing Axl talk to the crowd: “Hit it!”      
     This was an easy pick for me because it isn’t the easy way out. I could have wrote about how “fucking awesome” Appetite was, but most of us know that old song and dance. Once classics become seasoned, there’s nothing like a live take to rejuvenate them.      
Sweet Tracks: “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door”, “Patience”, “Used to Love Her”, “Rocket Queen”.  

Backspacer – Pearl Jam     

     It’s always cool to like Pearl Jam. After they championed the grunge-rock scene, the band was able to remain relevant after many of its contemporaries fell. Backspacer is a testament to Pearl Jam’s brilliance and impressive longevity. Eddie Vedder is at his vocal and lyrical best with songs like “The Fixer” and “Speed of Sound”. As a whole, this CD is strong and extremely easy to consume in one sitting.      
     I will say this isn’t Pearl Jam’s edgiest work, but that’s really the beauty of it. The edge that Pearl Jam started out with has only been manipulated and transformed into an evolutionary passion to never conform. Keep an eye out for Vedder’s solo album of ukulele songs (it’s going to be so gnarly).
     
Sweet Tracks: “Got Some”, “The Fixer”, “Just Breathe”, “Amongst the Waves”.  

Bang Bang – Dispatch     

     I’m going to see these guys live on June 18th and I cannot wait. I first experienced this band through a live album which I absolutely love, but I wanted to hear some of their studio work. Bang Bang is a perfect Dispatch starter kit. It’s got the mainstream hit (“The General”), a slammin’ title track (“Bang Bang”), and a serene bonus cut (“The Way It Goes”). This disc keeps me loose when O.A.R doesn’t do the trick and Bob Marley is too cliché.      
     After learning more about the band, I’ve gained tremendous respect for how they go about business. They have become successful on their own terms and continue to reunite because the music world needs bands that create inspiring music without the help of major record labels.     

Sweet Tracks: “Bang Bang”, “Here We Go”, “Two Coins”, and “The Way It Goes”.     

     Maybe one of these will find its way to your Ipod this summer. If not, be sure to check back by the end of summer for a fresh list. I’m not making any promises though. 

Dillon Goes Dark: A Tribute to "Friday Night Lights"

            “I’m going to miss you, Coach Taylor.”

            That is probably one of the many statements I would make to Coach Eric Taylor…if he was real. Unfortunately, he is a fictional character from the TV series Friday Night Lights. It was a series that I enjoyed for five years, and sadly, it ended a few weeks ago. 

            Friday Night Lights was easily one of my favorite shows of the past five years. The messages of the show appeal to me because I played high school football. What made FNL so enticing, though, was its universal attraction to anyone who experienced high school. There are so many factors that contribute to a teenager’s journey from kid to young adult through those four years. FNL captured these aspects skillfully on camera with a talented cast (Kyle Chandler plays a very convincing football coach) and perfect setting. Having the show set in Texas, where football is a second religion, opened many doors for the writers. They were able to interweave some very important themes into FNL, and here are a few that I picked up on throughout its five year run: 

Importance of Youth

            This show was crammed with actors playing teenagers (Sophomore Tim Riggins was a bit unbelievable, but necessary nonetheless). These teens are faced with problems that are easy to relate to, and some that are not. Sure, most of the struggles these characters go through are football related. It is, after all, a program centered around the sport. These problems, though, are presented in the midst of the chaos that is high school. Do you remember some of the stuff you went through at your old alma mater? Realistically, those events and tribulations are what shaped you into the person you are today. Whether it was Matt Saracen’s transformation from an uncertain, weak, backup QB to an independent artist or Jason Street’s bumpy and windy life-course; the beauty of not missing out on the youth experience reigns supreme in FNL.    

Family and Sacrifice

            On the flip-side of the importance of youth is the value of family and the sacrifice that comes with it. There are many different family dynamics throughout the show. The control group would be Coach Taylor’s family: a career-driven husband, a hard-working wife, a teenage daughter, and a young toddler. The Taylor family works through their problems as a unit and often resolves them for the better of the whole. Then there is the loose unit of Tim Riggins and older brother Billy. This is an “anything goes” arrangement where no one is really in charge. The Riggins do go through some hard times and Tim even shacks up with the Taylors for a brief stint. Throughout all the turmoil, the brothers stay together and strengthen their relationship. And lastly, Matt Saracen only has his mentally unstable and completely dependent grandmother. Saracen’s father is away at war and his mother comes into the series later. In all situations, sacrifice is pivotal for the benefit of the family. The three Taylor women are usually the ones making concessions for their provider’s career, but Coach Taylor supports his family and guides them through many tough circumstances. Tim Riggins proves to be extremely honorable and makes a huge sacrifice when he takes the blame for an illegal chop-shop Billy was running. The kicker is that Tim did it so Billy could raise his newborn son. Saracen sacrifices a normal high school experience so he can take care of the only family member who didn’t leave him. The family bond is very important in a person’s life, no matter what shape or form it takes. It is necessary to forfeit some normalcy to make room for the people you love. 

Home and Achievement

            This is perhaps the most important theme in FNL. Although some aspects of the show are unbelievable; that is not the point. It is a TV series that praises the human spirit and what’s attainable. FNL stresses the importance of figuring out what you want to reach for beyond the confines of your hometown. All of the young characters feel the pressure of being trapped in Dillon. It’s a very relatable anxiety to have as a teenager. At that point in time, there is only the present; aging and the future can wait. Characters leave the town (and show) eventually, but in one way or another, they always return to their hometown. Jason Street comes back to discuss business with Coach Taylor, and even Tyra Collette, the once and future flame of Tim Riggins, returns in the final season to offer some insight on her hometown,

            “It's kind of like this drug: when you get outside of it, you see it for what it really is. But when you're in it…seems like there's no other possible reality.” 

            That is exactly the point. There are possible realities beyond high school. There’s more to life than the game of football and winning state championships. Connections and relationships with people are what support us when we’re young, but the belief in self is what reassures us as we get older. You can’t escape your hometown. Physically, you can move away, but who you are will always reflect your place of origin. 

            Texas forever…or at least until the lights go out.