Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Andrewblaug.com's Mixtape of Heartbreak
I can recall about two years ago, my then soon-to-be girlfriend had noticed a pattern of people we knew breaking up around the start of Spring. Alas, two years later - we fall into the same fate. But before you click the 'X,' this isn't about that necessarily nor is it some crying blog about misfortunes and shortcomings. It's about getting over that funk...
Besides losing a loved one and/or someone contracting a terrible illness or disease, breaking up is one of the crappiest feelings known to man. Friends will help as much as they can, but one very helpful cure is a result of heartbreak - music.
From the blues to rock to the music all the kids dig these days, there's more than enough songs about losing someone that hasn't died that will drive you to hang yourself in a closet. But this isn't (for the most part) that type of music that will be posted. There will be no sad bastard music (that means no James Blunt's "Goodbye My Lover"), overly crazy emo (I understand the therapeutic value of Dashboard Confessional, but he won't be on here) and no music I've heard of (which basically means I'm probably overlooking a ton of music).
But as I go through this period of pain, coupled with an assortment of other problems, it's good to know music understands. Getting dumped sucks a fat one.
Note: The songs take a minute to load, so give it time.
OK, this is an odd choice to start out with, seeing as about 6 people remember this early '90s song and maybe 3 actually recall Shai. But I'm a sucker for acapella songs and this is as good as any. You'll have to overlook the fact that the songwriting is completely unfocused as the singer meets a girl then suddenly falls out of love with her(?)
It's never really followed up on, but I'm pretty sure that the verses were just filler for the monster chorus that's repeated an ample amount of times. Basically, it seems a guy breaking up a girl and to offer some consolation, he says the next will be just like her. So, the guy dumping is basically saying he's looking for the lovings somewhere else. Wow, I didn't notice how shallow this song really was.
Quote for Truth: "The very next time she will be my friend/someone who I can believe in"
As we progress, the music will become a bit more bitter. But I wanted to throw a sweet one in there for good measure. I said no Dashboard, but this comes pretty close.
The song basically follows lead singer Max Bemis, who is called out by name, as he is witnessing the dissolution of his relationship with a girl he met at a Saves the Day show. The song makes the list because it's so earnest, sweet and hits close to home for anyone that's gone through that mess. No bitterness, just a little longing and pain. Possibly one of Say Anything's best.
Quote for Truth: "Follows drifting on the vapor/I can't escape her/She was my love/Now she's pushing me away."
Now I have nothing against Ne-Yo and the original song. As far as R & B songs go, it was one of the better ones to get released in the past 10 years. But this version seems to capture the emotion of it a little better.
Slight Fall Out Boy all you want and Patrick Stump's mumbling, but his voice has an odd soul sound to it that I enjoy. I honestly didn't give the song much of a listen until I heard this version, so this is the one that I pick. Anyone that's had to listen to the radio, whether it be voluntary or not, knows the feelings of the memories attached to the songs it plays. And how they suck.
Quote for Truth:"I'm so fed up with my thoughts of you/And your memory/And how every song reminds me/Of what used to be."
Before I heard this song, I thought Motion City was another bland pop-punk band. Then, of course, I heard this song and was hooked. And listened to it about 300 more times.
The band sets aside its usual hopped-on-sugar power chords and synths and makes a really, really excellent ballad-of-sorts. Much like blink-182's "Adam's Song" was a suicide note put to song, this is a break-up letter with a melody. It has all the usual post break-up things (Do your chores, stay clean, be healthy) then, of course, the downer ("You hold me down").
Quote for Truth: "You're the metaphors I can't create/To comprehend this curse that I call love."
First off, I love "Once" and this gem shouldn't be overlooked for the more popular "Falling Slowly" and "When Your Mind's Made Up." This is Glen Hansard of The Frames fame breaking down after being told the bad news that it's over.
What makes this better than most is that it's raw as they come. It's him screaming with a guitar while trying to keep some sort of melody. Kind of like Dashboard, without the bad high school poetry.
Quote for Truth: " And you won't disappoint me/I can do that myself/But I'm glad that you've come/Now if you don't mind/Leave."
Whereas Glen Hansard's voice is raw, Pharrell Williams' matter-of-fact lyrics are the same, almost to the point of being juvenile.
This is one of those situations where things were good and then, one day, it's all over. Hence, the chorus ("What the f--- just happened?").
It's not a terribly deep song but it captures the feeling well with its Beatles-meets-James Brown vibe. And it's only elevated by its inconsistencies in emotion. One minute Pharrell is telling the ex how it would all work out and the next, he's calling her a bitch. Such is life.
Quote for Truth:"All these years of discipline/Just to end up here at the end/Can you tell me what I’ve learned?"
Yet another cover that I enjoy more than original. Despite guitarist Daron Malkian's dislike of this version, it serves its purpose. Random fact - in the original video for the song, lead singer of Berlin Terri Nunn only lip-synced the words ""I remember hating you for loving me" and "Sorry."
System's ability to move from the slow bass line to the crazy sped-up is pretty sloppy. But the song itself is well-written, contrasting the good memories with the impending split. And, of course, Serj has to ad-lib a "F--- you for loving me" in it to get the point across.
Quote for Truth:"Minutes passed with shallow words/Years have passed and still the hurt/I can see you now/Smiling as I pulled away/'Sorry.'"
It's almost hard to believe there's a break-up song more bitter than this. There's just absolutely no remorse, no good times, no regrets besides the tattered relationship. It may be about friendship, but it could go either way. This is "scream this in your car" music.
Quote for Truth: "It's been a long time since I've been close to you/It's been a long time since I've been sad./It's been a while since I've really spent time with you/Wish I could take back the times that I had."
Never has a break-up song been so dance-able. But when you look past the break-beats and drum rolls, this song is bitter as a Passover meal.
I imagine the quote from "High Fidelity" where the main character imagines his ex-girlfriend having sex with her new boyfriend and how it's the best she's ever had when singer Lisa Kekaula "Good luck/in your new bad." And the "Enjoy your nightmares." That's bitterness mixed with vinegar.
It's amazing that such an upbeat techno duo came up with this.
Quote for Truth: "You'll end up old and lonely/If you don't get a bullet in your head" (Good lord).
No band writes more angry, bitter, self-deprecating music than Brand New. At least not with some sort of class and art to it.
"Jude Law" is more of a high-school, "I hope my ex dies" song where lead singer Jesse Lacey renounces the relationship, everything that was said but still knows the ex will survive a plane crash and drowning just to spite him. It's a bit sophomoric and immature. But it gets its point across in spades.
In contrast, "You Won't Know" finds Lacey a bit older, more bitter and a little more cryptic. The relationship is over and he believes soon he will die.
But this involves a child that he'll never see again because of the split ("And you can't blame your mother/She's trying not to say I was your worst mistake") followed by his plea to stay (So believe in me/believe them/You think I'll let you down/Well, I won't") and finally his doom.
But it doesn't stop there. After he's dead, no one will realize since he's gone as well as when he reaches Heaven, they've run out of forgiveness and he can't get in.
If there's any light in this song, it's lost on me. But no song has captured that feeling of absolute, no-doubt-about-it hopelessness better than this. This is "cry yourself to sleep for several weeks music" and is the reason why it's number one. An odd choice, yes. But fitting.
There are countless others I've left off because you've heard them ad nauseum, they slipped my mind, I haven't heard them (The Cure comes to mind) or they'll be written in future posts.
And these are the songs I recommend to get you through those nasty Spring break-ups.
Also remember these few nuggets I've learned from past experiences
(The Dumped Rights, Policies and Procedures, if you will):
1. Cheating or addictions notwithstanding, If you've been dumped, you have a right to be bitter. It may not be justifiable or even practical - but it's a useful coping mechanism. Don't feel ashamed of it.
2. Pretending to be friends after it's all said and done is cute, but is usually just good intentions. Yes, you don't want to lose that special person you've spent countless hours with and shared personal stuff with. But, realistically, if you didn't begin as friends, you probably won't end up that way either.
3. Nothing hurts more than seeing that someone with another person. Keep a screaming pillow nearby and accept that reality is no good.
4. Hurting yourself is incredibly stupid and solves little-to-nothing. Do something to release the aggression that won't cause intentional bodily harm like running, punching a couch or starting a scream-o band. In the end, you might even get paid for it.
5. Don't be bitter for too long, then you're just being an a-hole. A good month or two is a good amount of time.
6. No matter how much you tell yourself that you're done and the feelings have ended - they haven't. Quit lying. Just because you've cursed someone's name enough or have repeated "I'm over (person)" doesn't really make a difference inside. It takes time, tears and distance (sounds like a Spill Canvas song). But seriously, no one can say how long stuff like that fades but it's most certainly a considerable amount of time.
7. Don't take it out on another person interested in you. Seriously, don't be an ass.
8. Remember, as R.E.M. says, "Living Well is the Best Revenge."
Thursday, May 10, 2007
The Summer, Summer, Summertime 2007 Preview
As the Daily Show once said "Summer is full of dangers - sharks, sunburns and lemonade of an ungodly tart." In that case, it's best to stay inside, because like Sarah Freeburg says - 'Life is too precious to be enjoyed.'
That said, here's things to keep you busy during the only 3 hot months in Ohio or more hot months if you're reading this somewhere outside of Northeast Ohio.
Movies
1. Ocean's 13He says this one will be better and I have no reason to not believe him. Plus, the whole crew is back and Al Pacino is the villain. Really, I think this will be the funnest movie of the Summer.
2. Knocked Up
Call me biased because I like almost everything director Jud Apatow has a hand in ("Fun With Dick and Jane" excluded) and call me even more biased because I already saw this. But it will without a doubt be one of the funniest movies of the Summer. The refreshing thing is, although the movie maintains the same excessive amount of crude jokes and profanity (really it's almost too much, much like "40-Year-Old Virgin"). But unlike it's predecessors such as Vince Vaughn and Will Ferrell films where the schtick has grown old - this is really grounded in its characters and, for the most part, reality. I anticipated it since first hearing about it, even with the complaints of it borderlining 2 hours long. It delivers and hopefully will make Seth Rogen a star.
3. "The Bourne Ultimatum"
I agree, the "Bourne" series was one I never expected to go beyond the first one. But the second one really surprised me and I'm sure this one will be no different.
Plus director Paul Greengrass is quickly becoming one of my favorite directors (For proof, watch "Bourne Supremacy" or "United 93"). Maybe because I love his shaky cameras and his knack for "you are there" realism.
4. "The Simpsons Movie"
5. "Transformers"
But I can't help but want to see what I'm sure will be the next "Independence Day." You've got a decent cast - minus the Decepticons and Autobots - there's Shia LeBeouf, a very hot Megan Fox (fitting last name) and Jon Voight (then again, he starred in "Pearl Harbor"). Plus alot of stuff is going to blow up - LOTS of stuff. Maybe even Michael Bay will explode.
Plus Steven Spielberg is stamping his producer credit on there, something usually only good blockbusters get (see "Men In Black", but please don't see "Jurassic Park 3" or "Men In Black II").
7. Super Bad - Think of it as a continuation of the rest of the cast of "Knocked Up." Two kids are going to graduate and want to makeout with chicks. Sound like "American Pie"? A little. But still looks very funny.
8. Shrek 3 - The "Shrek" series has always been an enjoyable one. I figure this will be no different. Yet with this being green-lit the second "Shrek 2" went to number one and another one on the way, you've got to think whether or not Dreamworks is just striking while the iron is hot or actually have alot of good material.
9. Ratatouille - A Pixar movie, the director of "The Iron Giant" and "The Incredibles" is directing, and Patton Oswalt is voicing. Count me in. I liked "Cars" despite it not being quite as good as Pixar's other films, I have hope in this.
10. Eagle Vs. Shark - I would like to see this become the "Little Miss Sunshine" of the Summer. I know very little about this besides being an indie unconventional comedy. But it stars Jermaine Clement of the very funny folk-comedy duo Flight of the Conchords. And he's a very funny guy.
Pirates of the Carribbean 3 - Much like "Spider-Man 3", "Pirates 2" divided alot of its fanbase - myself included. In my opinion, it threw out names, places, legends and other nonsense out like candy at a Memorial Day parade. It was too long and didn't seem to have any direction. Wait, isn't this the same fanboy complaints for "Spider-Man 3"? Maybe I can see where they're coming from. Regardless, if Chow Yung-Fat, Keith Richards and Geoffrey Rush can save this from becoming another "Matrix" trilogy, I will be satisfied. '
Fantastic Four II - The first one was a waste. Jessica Alba could not be any more wooden, Mr. Fantastic couldn't be more boring and their combined chemistry was as believeable as a Britney Spears rumor. Add that with little action and a bad script - you have a bad superhero film. Will the Silver Surfer save this? It's possible. But still, the same guy is directing and the same cast is returning. Chris Evans and The Thing's backstory tried to carry the mess of a first film. That's not enough to merit a sequel.
Evan Almighty - I love Steve Carell and can only hope he can pull a rabbit out of the hat with this one. Otherwise, this looks to be more on the failure side of the Summer.
1408 - Looks interesting, but John Cusack has already been in an eery hotel in 2004 in "Identity." And that got lost in its own twisted logic, I expect the same for this.
Georgia Rule / I Know Who Killed Me - This is biased because I generally don't like Lindsay Lohan as of late. But at least fanboys of her can finally get a sex scene with her. That's something, right?
Rush Hour 3 - I love Jackie Chan and can only hope for the best with his movie with Jet Li. But this is going to be terrible. It's been like 6 years since the last one and Brett Ratner has managed to destroy the "X-Men" franchise in between. The last one made a ton of money, I can only hope this will flop.
1. Kenna "Make Sure They See My Face"
2. Maroon 5 "It Won't Be Soon Before Long"
7. "Finding Forever" Common - For such a talented rapper, "Be" really wasn't the album everyone said it was. I love Kanye's production, but he threw himself so much over it, it ruined it for me. This has more promise - first it has Lily Allen and D'Angelo (!!??). It's still produced by West and if he subdues his ego we may have a classic.
8. "Zeitgist" Smashing Pumpkins - You know all those people that said how great Zwan was when they came out- I was one of them. I still like Zwan, which gives me a credibility rating of about 1. Still, this shouldn't be named Smashing Pumpkins because it doesn't have D'Arcy or James Iha. Lord only knows what it will sound like after Corgan watched his bad solo circle the Billboard drain. But if it's anything more than that then we might be able to see them stay around for at least another year.
9. Kelly Clarkson "My December" - Why you call an album "My December" when it's released in the middle of Summer is beyond me. Still, "Breakaway" was the guiltiest of guilty pleasures. Now she's going all crazy Alanis on us and I say that's a good thing. At least someone's angry.
10. There is no 10. Really. This is going to be a long Summer for music. When Puddle of Mudd, HIM, Velvet Revolver, Three Six Mafia and T-Pain are the big Summer releases, we're in trouble.
But if Summer has taught us anything, it's that the heat will get to people and they do crazy things like jump on couches, burn things and eat too much carnival food. I hope this will all provide for a nice Summer 2007 wrap-up.
Until then.....celebrate with this.....
The "24" Blog - Episode 21
Last week, there was "24" episode review. Because the episode wasn't even worth noting. It was just bad, bad, bad. Really, here's all you missed....
Moving on to this week's episode....
Ah Cheng. You and your funny way of saying "Mr. Bowwa." Your chip got all damaged and now you've got to attack CTU for this kid....?
"I'm awkward."
But to cut to the quick, the episode pretty much all built up to its last 20 minutes where CTU turned into "Counterterrorism Unit Laser Tag."
Asian Mcreallyanamerican
CTU Leader
Morris Subplot - pwned.
Jack Bauer enters. CTU is up 13 - 3.
Jack Bauer has blazed the glass.
Blazed! Another for the Chinese.
Jack Bauer blazes more Chinese.
Reload.
Bauer acquires the Super Nintendo Super Gun.
Laser Tag takes a short break while Nadia forcibly calls Rick Schroeder so they can contemplate where the crap any of this is going.
5 Minutes remaining...
"Attention kids, quit fooling around."
"No, I'm an important character! Really!"
Or take them game too seriously....
Or take someone hostage....
Cheng: Congraturation on Spider-Man 3, but seriousry, needed more Venom.
Babe Farmer: F$%@ing fanboys.
Much like the first 20 hours of "24", this was a episode that was only carried by its action. One of the producers said in a recent interview that the season has been thrown together.
At this point I have no hope this will end in any way that will cause me to anticipate next year. But like the good fan I am, I'll watch because I still hold hope. If episodes like this where the O'Brian soap opera and Jack's random bouts with being a wuss are still occurring - I'll stick to "Lost" and "The Office." Episode 20 - F, Episode 21 - C+
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Sometimes an opinion is just an opinion..... especially with "Spider-Man 3"
So my review runs on the Daily Kent Stater site.... Three's a charm for Spider-Man series - Entertainment
The next day, after midnight showings have finished, I get the barrage of comments and read on pretty much every message board known to man's comments about how the movie was disappointing, sucked, "Where's the Venom" and other such complaints.
One person came up to me, told me how wrong I was and how the movie sucked. I acknowledge her complaints - the jazz bar scene was over-the-top and unnecessary, Peter turning dark was more cheesy than dark and the villains didn't have that big of a role. To that I say, yes, those are legitamate complaints.
And when comparing "1" and "2" to this one, they say it's an abomination. But to that I believe is wrong. All three movies were bound by human problems mixed with Raimi's love for cheese. You can complain all you want about Peter thrusting himself to women and turning emo and the jazz club scene but it's not like "1" and "2" were without cheesy Power Rangers-like fight scenes, bad dialogue, sappy moments and "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head." You can pretend they're flawless works of art. But, watch them again, they're not. They're all fine, "2" is an excellent sequel. But they aren't the best films ever made.
The villains complaint is valid. The other 2 films devoted alot more time to developing their villains while this one just lays the base. But, really, these two aren't exactly the most interesting villains. Yes, Venom has the potential to be the archenemy of Spidey. But it's clear 2/3rds of the way through, Eddie Brock is no Joker to Peter Parker's Bruce Wayne. You can blame Raimi, but in the context, he's just not that interesting.
That said, "3" did all it needed to do - great fight scenes, decent acting and a decent script. Convoluted - yes. A bit more unorganized - Yes. But "X3" this is not. Raimi still kept the feeling of the first two and didn't turn into nothing but a masturbatory work like Ratner with "X3" or kind-of by-the-numbers like "Superman Returns."
I agree with Roeper (even though he gave the film a thumbs down) on one thing. In "Batman Begins" the director was able to delve in a deep dark part of the hero's life. Raimi should've done that with Parker in "3." If there's one big failure in the movie, it's that.
Otherwise, it's a good bookend to the trilogy. Great - not really. But good enough. B
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