Fall out Boy in Africa?

Ok so I hate the whole scene that Fall out Boy has jumped on, pop punk needs to die. But unfortunately they have made a good music video, something that seldomm happens abismal pop bands. “I’m like a lawyer, how I’m always trying to get you off” addresses the war in northern Uganda, and the thousands of children abducted to fight in this war. This only piqued my interest because of a book that was presented on the Daily Show a couple of months ago called, “A long way gone; Memoirs of a boy soldier” by Ismeal Beah, where he discussed the trials of becoming a man way too early and all of the terrible things that he was forced to do. Anyway back at hand, the Fall out Boy, video tells a story of two young lovers that live a modest life the boy who works hard to save money to go to school and tutor his girl. Until one night the boy is abducted by “freedom fighters” and forced to join their army, which has the living conditions of a pow camp, forced to fight one another for the amusement of others and to show their worth as warriors. One night, he along with another boy, make their escape. Our protagonist makes his escape successful only because of the other boys failure. The boy then returns back to his village a changed person but meets back with his love.

Strange fare for a Fall out Boy video. But if everyone that watches a Fall out Boy, there are a lot of them too, video gets the message and visits the website invisiblechildren.com, maybe something will happen.

Oh, BTW the song still sucks in my opinion.

Be Kind Rewind

This is a movie that I am truly excited about, enough so to shout praise to the high heavens months before it’s release.

Now isn’t that a refreshing premise. Michel Gondry is a mad scientist of a filmmaker. All of his movies have struck a chord in one way or another. Mos Def is one of my favorite new actors. He, of course, is a invaluable MC, but this man and what he did for the character of Douglas Adam’s Ford Prefect from the Hitchhiker’s guide, and the classic scene from Talledega Nights, where on the same screen is Will Ferrell and Sacha Baron Cohen share the scene with him and he steals it with a “Git R Done!” Jack Black isn’t really one of my favorite actors but I have learned to put my disdain for him on hold for a few roles and it seems that I will have to do that again. But it seems promising since I like Mos Def more than I hate Jack Black.

I guess January 28th will not come soon enough.

Rock and or Roll Music

If classic rock gets to be called classic what do we call all of the great bands that came out after 1985? They don’t deserve the College rock stigma that it gets attached with most of the time. That is too broad of a term, because I could not put My Bloody Valentine, Sonic Youth and The Pixies in with the same lot as say Tripping Daisy, Jesus and the Mary Chain or Happy Mondays. Not to take anything away from those bands, who are good in their own right, but they don’t seem to be on the same level of influence. If you want a good laugh then check out the Wiki site for College Rock, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_rock.

But to me classic rock is an archaic term! I will call this ultimate rock. Now for a list of ultimate rock. Thses are albums that you may have not heard but desperately need to.

My Bloody Valentine- Loveless

Classic Shoegazing, or that is what some journalist dubbed it. Although I doubt they were looking at their shoes and more at the ample FX pedals that they used. The guitars are epic on this album and lyrics are an afterthought. A wonderful album that makes all other guitars pale in comparison. Highlights: Only Shallow, Sometimes

The Replacements- Tim

The quintessintal rock album. Crunchy guitars and loud drums lead the way for this adventure into 80′s thought and culture. Lyrics don’t take a backburner on this one, with Paul Westerberg’s lyricism shining through. Highlight: Bastards ofYoung, Kiss me on the Bus, I’ll Buy.

The Pretenders- Self Titled

This is an oldie, straight from 1980. A reaction to the punk movement of the late 70′s, but on a much more pop level. From the first lick of quitar on Precious, you get a feel for the band. Patty Smith’s raunchy lyrics, the great and changing beat inspired from the rise of not only punk but also reagge. And the guitar, oh the guitar. great tone, gnarly strum progression, and crazy effects helped this write the beginning of the story for the 80′s fascination with the guitar. This lead the way for how different music would sound in the following decade. Highlight: Precious, Tattooed Love Boys, Kid, Brass in Pocket.

Dinosaur Jr. – Without a Sound

In the opening line of this album, J Mascis connects and isolates himself with the world’s pain, and accompanying it is one of the catchiest dual guitar lines ever. A truly unique voice is presented throughout, like Tom Petty on too much heroin. You have to let this album wash over you, heavy becomes light, dark becomes bright. Highlights: Feel the Pain, Grab it, On the Brink.

The Pixies- Surfer Rosa

I wouldn’t know of the pixies if it weren’t for Fight Club. And that is a shame, because if it weren’t for this band I wouldn’t of had any bands to be into when I was in sixth grade. No Nirvana is basically what I am saying. The balanced abrasive/soothing music that came after this Boston nerd band were more than Nirvana but none more important. With one word being key. Feedback, the use of feedback on the track Vamos was groundbreaking. While the juxtaposition of soothing and abrasive from tracks like Gigantic started a trend that still hasn’t stopped. Frank Black’s lyricism is nothing short of innovative, I am stll wondering today what a bone machine is? Good enough for Tom Waits to name an album that four years later. Highlights:Vamos, Gigantic, Where is my Mind.

Sonic Youth- Daydream Nation

What can I say about this that hasn’t been said by everyone else? It is brilliant and you should listen!