September 21, 2004

Who Says You Can't Go Home Again?

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September 12, 2004

Knock On Wood
Written July 5, 2004

One of few songs that I ended up writing over the summer. As some of the lyrics suggest, I wasn't writing much of anything in the weeks leading up to it, and I started feeling like I was losing the touch altogether. Another love song of sorts, the music for which plays in my head as light and kind of poppy. But with a little rock edge thrown in for street cred. Is that so wrong?

Anyway... I'm hoping that, as trite as this one is, there's still plenty of prose and metaphor lurking in my brain. It was just a case of writer's block, and I've felt it slowly lifting over the past week or so (as evidenced by a couple of new ones posted below).

I know I'm out of ideas when I'm writing about you
You're the crutch that keeps me standing
When I can't grab hold of the rails
I know it's time to pack it in when we're left with the question
"How do we keep it interesting?"
That's how I'll know that I failed

But if we're still in love by the time I grow up
I'm sure that we'll have beat this thing for good
And if we get along well enough for you to show up
Every day is better, knock on wood

Just promise me
Don't wither on me
I won't splinter on you...

I feel it's only fair to say that we're not in the clear yet
No matter how safe, there's danger somewhere
Storm clouds never stay away forever
I feel it's time to strap in and see where this takes us
Be it the bedroom or the belfry
Guess it all depends on the weather

But if we're still in love by the time it clears up
I'm sure that we'll have beat this thing for good
And if we get around indecision when it rears up
Every day we're closer, knock on wood

Just promise me
Don't wither on me
I won't splinter on you...

If we're still in love by the time we've grown up
I'm sure that we'll have beat this thing for good
And if we can survive with our hearts all sewn up
Every day we're better, knock on wood
Every day we're closer, knock on wood
Every day we're less for now, more for good...

Triggerfinger
Written September 6, 2004

Hopefully, this is the last song I'll ever have to write about Bush. A nice, fast, heavy rock song is what I'm thinking here.

You wanna start a revolution, but you know you've got nothing to say
Don't bother looking for solution 'cause the problem's changing every day
Anything for attention, but our interest is lessened
With every empty word you speak

(Chorus)
And though your game is weak, you can't forfeit now
It's too late to say you're sorry, and daddy's not showing you how
No calling off the attack, you should've figured
Thinking is a weapon and our finger's on the trigger

You wanna label me outsider and say I've got no right to speak out
Well I'm a lover and a fighter, and I'd love to smack the taste out your mouth
You're a worldwide infection, but your impact has lessened
Your ship of fools has sprung a leak

Repeat chorus

We can sleep soundly, knowing that we stopped you
Before you did too much damage to repair
Why is it so dumbfounding to hear millions screaming "fuck you"
Did you really think that no one would care?

So just keep on backtracking 'cause you're not very far from the edge
And as you fall we'll be applauding 'cause we sure do love a happy end
You can bring your Smith & Wesson but you know you'll be confessing
You've been shooting blanks since you learned to speak

Cumulus
Written September 8, 2004

A "closing of the chapter", if you will; a final farewell to an old life of stress and an eager glance toward a better tomorrow. All masked as a song about suicide. Too many metaphors to count.

I'm stumbling every step of the way today
I've got these clouds in my head that just won't seem to blow away
It's been so long since I had some sun in this life
Would it be so bad to let it shine this time?

The clock on the wall won't tick any slower for me
And the future's closing in on me and picking up speed
It won't be too long before I make it to another end
Could it be all right? Guess I'll find out then

But it's hard to wait for your maker
Without wanting to know where he's been
And if dying's all it takes to call him home
What's a drop in this bucket of sin?

(Chorus)
A lifetime is over, and so long ago
I never thought I could sink that low

I called the reverend for my last rites, and he said
"Boy, don't you know there ain't no gain being dead?"
Well, I reasoned with him, and it resounded in my head
And now I think dying might at least erase my debt

And it's hard to wait for the answers
When no one wants to know what you've asked
And the denial that I've carried to the edge
I've learned to accept it at last

Repeat chorus

The colors fade, red to black
This soul is mine and I want it back

A lifetime is over, and now I know
How wrong I was to not let this go...

So This Is What It's Like To Be An Old Man...

I know, I know... two updates in the same week! What's come over this guy?

Anyway, not much to report... but, I realized that lately it seems like this blog has become more of a music information site and less of a diary-type site. Never one to ignore my feminine side, here's the 411 (remind me NEVER to use that phrase again) on what's been happening with ME.

- Settling in to the new job nicely. Not many problems at all, the biggest being the insane amount of standing I have to do in the run of a day. By my calculations, I spent about 32 hours on my feet this week. And, let me tell you, after sitting on my ass for the vast majority of my last job, the relearning curve has been mighty steep. My feet hurt so fucking badly yesterday that I contemplated sitting on the floor, damn professionalism. But, really, would it be so bad to invest in a stool? Just a little fucking stool? Anyway, I just started trying those little gel heel things in my shoes... haven't noticed dramatic results yet. But, then again, how could I expect to go from excruciating to comfortable just like that? It's like getting anally raped by eleven men with really big dicks, and trying to make a fart with sound. Not that I know what that's like or anything...

- As for the future at work, my co-worker has her school schedule all worked out, and it looks like normal amount of hours for a week should be between 32 and 36. Not quite the 40 I was hoping for, but not a kick in the balls with a hooker's spiked heel. Not that I know what that's like or anything...

- Last night, Carrie and I attended an informal housewarming for Weeks, who has settled into a home with wife, children and dogs. After drinking a monumental three beers, we came home a little before 1am. Wow, did I party down!

- And for the mega-blowout Saturday night, I stayed home and watched the last disc of Futurama Season 3 on DVD. Then, I surfed the net for a while. Then, I typed this.

Now you know why I post a lot about music.

September 10, 2004

A Quick Note For Those Who Like Their Music Heavy And Complicated

Mastodon, a group out of the southern U.S., has just released the best damn metal album I've heard in a long, LONG time. It's called "Leviathan", and is a definate candidate for Album of the Year in my books.

A bastard hybrid of stoner rock, thrash metal and prog rock (yes, all of those, much of the time at once) sets the musical tone behind this loose concept album based on Moby Dick. Yes, THAT Moby Dick. Trust me, you have to hear it to believe it.

Remember earlier in the summer when I was talking about that one band that comes around every year from out of nowhere and blows my fucking mind? In 2004, Mastodon is that band.

What the hell are you still reading this for? Shouldn't you be seeking a tune or two out to preview before sprinting to the record store? I'll give you the heads up; the songs you want to initiate yourself with are "Blood and Thunder" and "Iron Tusk". Go to loudside.com, and do a search. They're good quality, full versions to listen to before you MUST HAVE THIS ALBUM.

Hey, maybe it's just me, but I have a distinct feeling someone reading this (coughrandy) would really enjoy this, or at least appreciate the technical brilliance of this band.

Do it... do it.

September 7, 2004

Obligatory Update

What to say, what to say?

- The big news is something a little birdie told me over the weekend. I've been sworn to secrecy, but what I CAN say is this. When (event I've heard about) officially goes down, myself and at least one person I know by the name of Dok will have a huge fucking cause for celebration.

- With two employees officially off and up out, hours at work are about to become uber-plentiful. I'm scheduled for about 35 this week, and one of my remaining co-workers starts community college next week, with at least six courses to take. Which means, more work for me. And, unlike past jobs, this time I'm so totally up for more work.

In entertainment news...

- Apologies if I mentioned this in my last post, but I'm too lazy to look it up. Apparently, Sony Music is planning a Pearl Jam greatest hits CD. This boils my blood, mainly due to the fact that PJ left Sony late last year. So now, their estranged grabass record label is taking full advantage of partial ownership to make this beloved band seem like sell outs. I'm sure Pearl Jam would not let his happen otherwise. In fact, I'll bet Sony's been chomping at the bit for this cash cow for the last ten years. Enjoy your profits, fuckballs. But, despite owning nearly everything with Pearl Jam's name on it, this is one particular item I can do without in my collection.

- Pulling a 180 and moving on to a rehash that actually MEANS something, Miramax is putting out a 10th Anniversary edition of "Clerks" on DVD September 21st. A hugeass three disc monster of a set (at an MSRP of around $35), this is shaping up to be the must-own DVD of the year. And, for me, a more than fitting way to complete a Kevin Smith collection.

Willie's Current Addictions:

Album: Instruction - God Doesn't Care
Song: Jimmy Eat World - Pain
Drink: Snapple Lime Green Iced Tea
TV: Futurama, Season 3 on DVD
Video game: ESPN NHL 2K5
Website: ebaumsworld.com

Until next time, may your dreams be filled with sleep.