Past Albums-Revisited-Live-Secret Samadhi

This may be one of the best albums of the 1990's. To set the scene, the first time I heard this album was sitting in my friend Drue's house, playing on some chat service, and making fun of a few nerdy kids in my class. This was my album for a good six months and definitely the soundtrack of the last half of my senior year of high school. There was something foreboding in the music and the lyrics. Something trying to subconsciously warn me about the future, the looming ascent into adulthood...It strikes me as a powerful, metaphorically enhanced album. Some people embraced Dark Side Of The Moon, I embraced Secret Samadhi.

Track-list

1. Rattlesnake
2. Lakini's Juice
3. Graze
4. Century
5. Ghost
6. Unsheathed
7. Insomnia And The Hole In The Universe
8. Turn My Head
9. Heropsychodreamer
10. Freaks
11. Merica
12. Gas Hed Goes West.

The End Is The Beginning of the End.

I have decided, with a heavy heart, to remove my feed that was connected to Mark Cubans blog. Over the course of two years I have followed this blog daily, enjoying every techi-word or basketball rant. Unfortunately, Mr Cuban has decided to withdraw his bid for the Chicago Cubs. It was my only hope that he would be able to light a fire under a team that I dream about winning the world series. Combined with his recent SEC issues, I am cutting bait and letting him sink. Please enjoy my other feeds, especially Politico 44. I hope the new year brings all of us a better tomorrow.

Ry

Solar Panels

This is an amazing story I read this morning, courtesy of the BBC.

Solar Panels In Spain

This is where we are going as a green world. Space on our planet is quickly disappearing. What we need, especially in our community are bright idea's, like the one above.

amazing

New Blog Archive

I have added an RSS feed to my blog from Politico 44.

For those who do not know, Politico.com made a name for itself over the course of the election by breaking several news stories. Now, after the triumphant win on November 4th, Politico is taking on the entire 44th presidancy. Each minute will be thrown on this site, and subsequently on my blog.

Check back often because Politico 44 updates often.

Victory!!!!

There are no words...

Past Albums-Revisited-Metallica's Load

I decided I am going to review some great albums from my youth and talk about them. Since my friend Mar is the only person who actually reads my blog (and given that her fiance talks a big game but never comments), I guess she will be the only one who enjoys these little blogs. Oh Well.

Artist: Metallica.

Album: Load.

Year: 1996.

This album was it for me, the introduction into the world of Metallica. Of course I had heard Enter Sandman and Sad But True from their previous album, but when I saw the video for "Until It Sleeps", I began what would be a magnificent quest to be an absolute Metallica fan.

Track List and description:

Ain't My Bitch-The song brings back the memories of riding in my El Camino down the mean streets of Gilman, Illinois-wondering who my bitch was.

2 X 4-no comment

The House Jack Built-a great song and the first non-single song of Metallica's I enjoyed.

Until It Sleeps- Lars Ulrich with Mascara and a bluesy opening. This was complete opposite of Enter Sandman and was what hooked me.

King Nothing-The video had Metallica in the woods. It always reminds me of winter.

Hero Of The Day-John Mayer called the solo in this song his favorite. Basic and powerful.

Bleeding Me-Listen to the guitar solo and then try and tell me that Kirk Hammett isn't amazing

Cure-no comment

Poor Twisted Me-no comment

Wasting My Hate-no comment however the live version is amazing.

Mama Said-James singing to his dead mother. When you see him do this song solo and alone on stage with an acoustic guitar, you can feel how much pain inside.

Thorn Within-no comment

Ronnie-no comment

The Outlaw Torn-no comment.

After hearing this album, I immediatley went and saw them in concert in Moline, Illinois. I will never miss a Metallica concert when it comes around. They are just too good.

Discovery

Today I have discovered a song that may or may not mark the end of my status as a fan of great music.

Now, you may be asking.. what song is it, Ryan?

This song was recorded in 1992.

This song won the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocals in 1993.

The song I am referring to is k.d. Lang's "Constant Craving".

That's right friends, I am in love with a love song sung by a lesbian.

This song might be the most amazing song ever put down on record. I am a grown man of 28, and after hearing this song I am surprised how moved I was. This was not the first time I heard this song. I can remember that my mother had this album and played this song like 900 times on a car trip between G-town and Champaign-Urbana. Of course, the repetitive nature of hearing a song over and over can ruin it for a person, especially for a twelve year old who had just discovered Nirvana. Nevertheless, as an adult and hearing this song, I am completely floored at how honest the lyrics are, and how thoughtful the production value lends itself to k.d. Lang's voice.

I may have destroyed any shred of integrity I have as it relates to blogging about music, but who cares. This song is a gem.