1/15/10

I loved This Day & Age back in the day -- come to think of it, I should find that CD -- so I was super happy to find on absolutepunk today that there's a new album coming out from their drummer and lead singer...after listening to their songs on their MySpace, I think I will really dig it.

1/10/10

Cold air. Windows down. Fulfilling, eye-opening past few weeks. This song loudly. I need a guitar, that's not connected to an Xbox 360. You can do so much to a song by adding a few chords, Interpol succeeds by their simplicity and the contrast that comes out of it. Speedy full drum part and one-note guitar...cold air, windows down, fulfilling eye opening past few weeks. Yeah, today, my heart swings. But I don't want to take your heart, and I don't want a piece of history, no I don't want to read your thoughts anymore.



I love how this song manages to be uplifting and negative at the same time. Maybe negative isn't always bad. Maybe you need heart-swinging, you need shifting and placement and rearrangement of people, to bring out the most of your own identity.

"Cause I've got a chance for a sweet sane life. I said, I've got a dance and you'll do just fine"

1/10/10

I don't know what I've just said
Was it nasty? Why am I like that?
I could show you a good time
Then you'll know that we are blood-like

I've really caught my leg in a trap this time
Your majesty, can't you see?
I'm a sentimental, partly-mental, I'm a bad friend

Oh I've got a little problem with my own head
But it feels right, it feels like I'm a belly full of dirt
I'm the milk that turned to curds and it feels right

Now stare at the ocean while your friends all drown
We all need to learn to swim anyway

Oh, my darling, hold your head up
Don't you listen? You're my baby girl
Oh, my darling, hold your head up
Don't you listen? You're my baby girl
Oh, my darling, hold your head up
Don't you listen? You're my baby girl
Oh, my darling, hold your head up now

~Blood Like,
Lovedrug, The Sucker Punch Show

I don't think I'd ever be able to write song lyrics as good as Lovedrug's.

12/18/09

Hello the sun
And all this glory
The radio's on
It's playing your favorite song
I wish you hadn't died last night
I cannot bring you back
So can I come alone

I cannot bring you back
From these ladders
That you're climbing on

~Ladders
Lovedrug, Demos

12/17/09

So John Frusciante announced that he'd quit the Red Hot Chili Peppers. What?! His justifications are heartfelt and clear, and I really respect him for going with his gut even if it may be an unpopular decision among fans who see the band's dynamic in a certain light.

His letter to fans:

“When I quit the band, over a year ago, we were on an indefinite hiatus. There was no drama or anger involved, and the other guys were very understanding. They are supportive of my doing whatever makes me happy and that goes both ways.

To put it simply, my musical interests have led me in a different direction. Upon rejoining, and throughout my time in the band, I was very excited about exploring the musical possibilities inherent in a rock band, and doing so with those people in particular. A couple of years ago, I began to feel that same excitement again, but this time it was about making a different kind of music, alone, and being my own engineer.

I really love the band and what we did. I understand and value that my work with them means a lot to many people, but I have to follow my interests. For me, art has never been something done out of a sense of duty. It is something I do because it is really fun, exciting, and interesting. Over the last 12 years, I have changed, as a person and artist, to such a degree that to do further work along the lines I did with the band would be to go against my own nature. There was no choice involved in this decision. I simply have to be what I am, and have to do what I must do.

Sending love and gratitude to you all.”

It's a good sign that there was no drama involved in his decision -- it proves that there are in fact musicians who do not hold grudges against people who they find success with. Simply, it shows respect. This is an essential tool for crafting quality music and continuing to pursue it. If you respect the people you are creating with, it will show itself in the collaboration. Proof lies in the success of RHCP and their kickass songbook. Fruscinante will no doubt go on to make incredible solo albums and develop further as a musician.

I need to listen to "Murders" over and over again, stat.