Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Sometimes You Blog About It

Sometimes being in a band isn't always what you think it will be. Sometimes you go along thinking that you're all working towards a common goal, and that everyone is committed to said goal the same way you are yourself.

Sometimes you're wrong.

Sometimes you find out that your band mates see things completely differently than you do. Sometimes you discover that the goals are different and that the methods to reach them are at odds with your own. Sometimes you discover you're all doing the same things for different reasons.

Sometimes you realize that the communication in the band is lacking. And sometimes you realize that you're just as guilty of the communication problems as the others. Which is probably what led to all the other problems in the first place.

Sometimes you have to fight it out. Sometimes things get a little heated and friends raise voices when they shouldn't and people take things personally. Sometimes you have to offer an apology if things got a little out of hand.

Sometimes a compromise has to be reached. Sometimes, of course, the compromise feels more like a sacrifice and a sell-out. But then sometimes that's what you have to do for the band.

*************************************************************************************

Sometimes you get tired of the idea you had to keep typing the word sometimes.

Anyway, that's where we are with the band as I see it. We had to hash out a lot of things last night, but we got through it without being too shitty to one another. I'm not happy that our CD won't be coming out and is put on indefinite hold, but we have a new plan of attack.

We are still a band, and a good one. Measures are going to be taken to raise our profile here in the next year, and we are hopeful that things will turn out for the best.

So at the end of the day a new course has been mapped out, and we're focused on making 2010 a good one for Blue Tattoo. More news to come.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Sittin' On My Butt On Sunday

Hey, that sounds like a song...

Anyway, this Sunday is the final day of Playoffs for this Football season. Remember that bold prediction I made about the Jets? Well, they're in a position to make it come true this weekend. And since I'm seldom right about such things, it'd be nice to see that.

Look, I'm not normally a super sports guy, I'm a rocker/media geek. In fact, Football is the only sport I follow with any regularity. Not the only one I enjoy mind you, but the only one I'll clear my schedule for. Which is what I'm doing Sunday.

As a football fan, there are three days that are all important. Opening day, Super Bowl day, and Playoffs, especially the final round. With my work schedule being what it is I haven't seen much of the Playoffs this year. I've missed most of the Saturday games and had to do lots of stuff for the house on Sundays.I therefore reserve the right to sit on my butt this Sunday and in two weeks for the Super Bowl (which the greatest live band of all time, THE WHO will be playing).

So if you need me, that's where I'll be. I may answer the phone, but only between games and during halftimes. Now please, people, no emergencies on Sunday. Let me have this one okay? Thanks.

And just so you know, here's my BOLD PREDICTION for the rest of the season. The Jets will pull off an amazing upset over the Colts. And then they'll lose horribly to Drew Brees and the Steelers because that's how life goes for underdogs.

Okay, Tessa just yelled "Booger nose" at me. Gotta go.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

66th Post

Hello and welcome to my 66th post. How do you like it so far? Strong opening I think, but the rest has just been filler.

So what do I have to talk about? Well, let's see...

Still getting things ready for the twins. We were given a whole bag of sheets, clothes and what not from one of Valerie's co-workers. We also now have two cribs in their room. They don't match at all, one is wood and one is wood-ish, but they're here. Everything is going well so far, so all prayers and good thoughts sent our way are still appreciated.

Speaking of prayers and good wishes, what a horror scene in Haiti. Just terrible. Many people are sending money, which is great. But I'd like to send water. From what I hear there is almost no access to water in most areas, people are drinking from puddles, sewers, whatever they can find and have no idea if the water is clean or not. Bad enough, right? Now, add into that all the dead and decomposing bodies lying literally everywhere. At this point the danger is minimal from the bodies, but if it rains, which it's bound to sooner or later, the water situation is exponentially worse. Once I figure out how to send water I'll let y'all know. Otherwise it's Red Cross time.

Okay, now let's really get random.

Just so you know...I'm on team CoCo.

Does Mark McGuire actually think that anyone believed he wasn't on steroids? Even at the time people should have known it-the guy's arms looked like tree trunks. So now he's made a "confession" that we all knew about, and then immediately back tracked and claimed that the steroids didn't help him beat the home run record. Okay, so why'd you take them? Because, maybe...you're lying? Again? And you know what's most upsetting? I hate baseball and it still ticks me off.

Saw "Inglorious Basterds" yesterday. Great movie. Now, having said that, many people won't like that the movie plays with history. As Brad Pitt said, the movie is set in World War II, it's not about World War II. Normally I'd agree with the criticism, but I enjoyed this movie enough that I'll let it go. And yes the violence is pretty graphic, but there's not nearly as much of it as one would expect. As with all of Tatantino's work (which in fairness I'm not always a fan of) there is a dark sense of humor at work here, and a lot of playing with conventions. I mean, really, a David Bowie song? In 1945? Actually that kinda makes sense in a weird way.

Anyway, here's what makes the movie so good. First, it's just incredibly well done. The drama is intense, the humor biting and the action scenes gripping. The sets and costumes are top notch. Plus, each and every actor is great for their roles...all the way across the board. I especially liked that the Germans spoke German, and the French spoke French, only switching to English when absolutely necessary. And if Cristoph Waltz doesn't win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor (or actor for that matter) something is even more seriously wrong with Hollywood than we thought. Yes, he's that good and you should see it for his performance alone.

Oh yeah, and "The African Queen" finally comes to DVD in March. About time.

BOLD SPORTS PREDICTION: The Jets go to the Super Bowl. Remember, I said "bold" not "smart". Also remember I told you so.

That's it.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Update On Stuff

Here's a bunch of stuff that's going on.

1. It's cold and it snowed. I hate both of those things. I also hate shoveling snow which I did tonight. In the dark. With my face and lower ears exposed. Risking frostbite so my trash can be picked up is a stupid necessary evil. Winter makes me grouchy.

Speaking of grouchy, I am currently watching a rerun of 1 Vs. 100. Actually Valerie is watching it, but that's not the point. The point is Oscar the grouch was just on and he got eliminated by a question that involved numbers and the alphabet. Which is ironic, and makes me happy.

2. Valerie is beginning to feel the babies kick. So her tummy is upset. Our dog Jake's tummy is upset too, but he just farts a lot. In a weird way, that evens out.

3. The Blue Tattoo CD is almost done. We should be receiving the first "tester" mix next week. Then it's just a little fine tuning and hey presto, CD time. Apart from the music end, the artwork is being compiled too. It looks like it's going to be awesome...more on that later. Watch this space.

4. In the last week I have purchased two CDs. The new Pearl Jam CD "Backspacer" is one of them...and it's very good. shoulda been on the top ten. Curse you, time restrictions!

Also picked up the Tom Petty live anthology. Got the stripped down version at Wal-Mart (evil store I know, but I needed some stuff before the snowfall and it's right by the house) for cheap. It's 4 CDs of music for twenty bucks. Not too shabby. Only about halfway through right now, and it's pretty good, but I'm a casual Petty fan at best. So some of the extended versions of songs don't really do much for me, especially the slow ones, and I'm not getting some of the cover choices. But still, there's some good stuff. Looking forward to discs 3 and 4.

There's probably more to talk about, but I'm tired and need my before bed snack. Tonight: Triscuits. Cuz we're out of cookies.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Top 10 CDs 2009

It's been officially 2010 for almost 24 hours now, so it's about time I turn in my official best of list for the year. There was a lot of juggling position this time out, and a few things that were on and off multiple times but I think it's pretty accurate now. So here's the list along with a few words about each selection. Enjoy! I did.

1. U2-No Line On The Horizon
-Hands down the best CD of the year. Not too many bona-fide hits, but as a complete work it's about as good as it gets. Experimental, soaring music with lyrics to match and a few just for fun numbers thrown in as well makes this one well rounded CD. And "Moment Of Surrender" gives me chills every time.

2. Cheap Trick-The Latest
-Another fairly experimental CD from a slightly unexpected source. The disc is supposed to call into mind "Abbey Road" by The Beatles, with a lot of full songs mixed with short connecting songs to make one complete work. While it's nowhere near the fab four's masterpiece it works, though in a different way. It almost feels as though the guys have been doing this so long that the shorter songs are just economizing-here's the good part and that's all you get. Recommended for CT fans and anyone who likes a good dose of pop rock now and again. Which sets us up nicely for...

3. Tinted Windows-Tinted Windows
-The first "supergroup" on the list, Tinted Windows is formed from the likes of the aforementioned Cheap Trick, Fountains Of Wayne, Smashing Pumpkins and Hanson. Most critics dismissed it as pop rock by numbers with no real artistic merit to it. Which is exactly what it is...and good thing too. This is a tribute to band like The Knack, Slade, T. Rex, the list goes on. I listened to it all summer long. Catchy and fun.

4. Patterson Hood-Murdering Oscar (And Other Love Songs)
-Solo record by Drive-By Truckers head honcho has a similar feel to that band's work. These songs are a little different in that Hood allows himself to explore areas both musically and lyrically that show sides of himself that DBT really doesn't allow. A little sweeter in some places, yet a lot darker in others, observational yet personal and served up with a definite Southern sense of humor throughout. Quality stuff for the Alt-Country/Rock crowd.

5. Anti-Flag-The People Or The Gun
-Best punk record I've heard in years. Combines the angry political tirades of early English and California punk (Clash/Dead Kennedys) with Dropkick Murphys style sing ability and a touch of early Minor Threat for good measure. The result is something familiar and modern at the same time. Now, politically these guys are almost too Liberal-even for me. But that's okay, good punk should have something to say and be as uncompromising as possible when saying it. Great record.

6. Cracker-Sunrise In The Land Of Milk And Honey
-Cracker has always been just under the radar for most people, with only a few minor hits along the way. This CD won't change that but it should. The band plays a mix of indie/alternative rock mixed with country, blues, soul, and whatever else they can sneak in there. The rock is definitely in the spotlight here (some of it is borderline punk!), but there's enough variety here that everyone can enjoy. Also Patterson Hood guests on it which makes it that much cooler.

7. Reverend Horton Heat-Laughin' and Cryin' With The Reverend Horton Heat
-Always good to hear something new from the Rev. This is probably as close as he'll ever get to a bona-fide country record, and it's a fine one. Personally, a few more of his standard "Psychobilly" style songs would have been welcome (and raised it up the list a little), but most of what's on the disc is gold.

8. Monsters Of Folk-Monsters Of Folk
-Another supergroup, this time a bunch of guys from indie rock bands, most notably Bright Eyes and My Morning Jacket. This is a CD that's great for relaxation time or those early morning drives when you needs to ease into the day. There are some interesting ideas here, both musically and lyrically, and more than one listen is required to take it in. Okay, so it's not exactly folk music-in fact only a few songs are anywhere near folk, but it's still good. Improperly named, but good.

9. Them Crooked Vultures-Them Crooked Vultures
-Egad! Yet another Supergroup! A trio formed by Josh Homme of queens Of The Stone Age, Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters, and John Paul Jones from Led Friggin' Zeppelin, there was very little chance that this wouldn't be on the list. I must admit that at first I was a touch disappointed in that I expected something much different than what I got. I wanted it to have a little more pop flair from the Foos side of things, and maybe Jones would put in a few blues based numbers. Instead I got what sounded like basically a stripped down QOTSA album. But then I hit repeat and opened my ears. It's still heavy on the QOTSA, but the expected input of the other two is there if you really listen. It's weird, but it rocks.

10. Wayne Hancock-Viper Of Melody
-Wayne "The Train" Hancock sounds more like Hank Williams than Hank III could ever hope to. His voice is uncannily similar, the music sounds like vintage Hank, with a little Ernest Tubb thrown in, even the arrangements are done in the same style(no drums). But make no mistake, this is no rip-off artist at work. Nor is it mindless nostalgia. Hancock is about preserving the tradition and keeping the travelling hillbilly minstrel music alive. Not only is it alive, but it's doing quite well, thank you, and there to be enjoyed by those lucky enough to seek it out. This is the kind of music that you have to be in the right frame of mind for but when you are it will definitely get to you.

RUNNER UP:

Chickenfoot-Chickenfoot
-If not for the last minute entry by them Vulture fellas, this would have been on the list. A mega-supergroup featuring Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani and Chad Smith, the Cd is highly enjoyable and full of good stuff. My chief complaint is that there seem to be too many mid-tempo numbers on one disc. A few more fast songs would have made all the difference. Also, I think Sammy kinda half-assed the lyrics. I mean, it's not like the guy's a poet or anything, but he's proven that he can do better. It seems as though once news broke about the group that they felt a little pressed for time and maybe another few weeks in the studio would have done them some good. Anyway, I like more of it than I don't and it's certainly worth the 10 bucks that Best Buy charged for it. Not a top ten-but a definite eleven.

OTHER STUFF I LIKED:
Riverboat Gamblers-Under The Owl, Silversun Pickups-Swoon, Wilco-Wilco (the album).

STUFF I MISSED:
Neko Case-Middle Cyclone, Mastodon-Crack The Skye, Pearl Jam-Backspacer
Meant to get them. Didn't. Not sure why.

LIVE CD OF THE YEAR:
Drive-By Truckers-Live From Austin, TX

DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE YEAR:
Bruce Springsteen-Workin' On A Dream
-Not that it's bad, there are about 5 songs I think are excellent. It's just that the rest don't come anywhere near the quality level one would expect. Especially since his last disc, "Magic" was so good. this just doesn't measure up.

Okay, that's the roundup for this year. Feel free to leave a comment and tell me how crazy I am.