2008 WRAP UP!

Well, this year is done. I can remember exactly where i was one year ago today. I was sitting at a friends house, feeling typically sad about another year gone by. I was unhealthy, and I was excited about my resolutions. Pretty typical. Speaking of typical, I know I am often times a "glass is not only half empty, but the rest will be swallowed soon" type of guy. That said...this year sucked for the most part. Yeah, I had some good times, and i have things to be thankful for...but who doesn't eh? This year was not a good one. For starters, those "resolutions"...those dreams that should come true, in my timing....well...they didn't. None of them did. Now, that is not a surprise to me, considering that most years they never come true. But what makes this year so tough is that, I spent much of my time this year working on my resolutions, some of them anyway, and the results were less than flattering. Now that I spoke my mind on THAT...there are some new resolutions. But i don't think of them as resolutions, but rather a realization that changes need to be made, and they are life or death changes for me, and my wife. I am sitting here, on new years eve thinking about some big changes that need to be made. This year was a big pisser, and i don't want this next one to be that way. I have too much to offer myself and others, and I am letting my health, and my career failure hold me back. Im concerned about whats happening, and i want to change it. Will 2009 by my year? I won't even attempt an answer, but I am praying for direction, and strength. Alright, so now i will geek out and give you a top 10 of things i care about, in a geek way.

FAVORITE ALBUMS OF 2008 -

Torche - Meanderthal

Melvins - Nude With Boots

The Cure - 4:13 Dream

Pattern Is Movement - All Together

The Residents - The Bunny Boy

Metallica - Death Magnetic

Starflyer 59 - Dial M

The Seventy Sevens - Holy Ghost Building

Meshuggah - Obzen


FAVORITE MOVIES OF 2008 (that i saw) -

The Dark Knight

Indiana Jones & The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull

Be Kind, Rewind

Tropic Thunder

Wall - E

Rambo

Cloverfield

Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer

Hellboy II - The Golden Army

Poultrygeist - Night Of The Chicken Dead

Teeth

Step Brothers

(Haven't seen but worthy mentions: The Curious Case Of Ben Button, Doubt, Gran Torino, many more)

MY FAVORITE MOMENTS OF 2008:

Seeing Shudder To Think reunited, for the most part, and meeting Craig Wedren, who is one of the nicest guys on the earth.

Seeing the legendary prog-art rock band "The Residents" and of course, i didn't meet them, but i believe i spotted them getting out of their van. Oh, this band has been playing since the early 70s, but has kept their identities hidden. Love it!!!!

Finally watching Lost. Starting with disc 1 of season 1 and we are still going. I am a Lost purist, so im loving how, in order, things are being exposed. Great show!!!

Being mentored by a really influential artist, who helped me spiritually. This is huge to me. I would drop a name but then i would be a cheesy fan. It was a big part of my year. I wonder if he realizes this?

Meeting new Christian men and women, who are big thinkers. It is always amazing to find likeminded folk.

Seeing The Cure, again. Robert was close enough for me to throw an apple at him. Awesome!!!!

Reuniting with the best drummer I ever worked with, Rick Wise. Playing music again, ala TOTM days, working on Unteachers together, with a good friend Brian Shwein. And while I am on the subject...

Getting blessed with an awesome studio to play in, which is connected to meeting new Christian men to call my family.

Many great conversations, and fellowship with friends and family. Those small moments that are not big plans, make for bigtime joy.

Thanksgiving 2008, spent with friends, at our apartment. We watched Xmas movies, and ate some bird. It was relaxed and untraditional, which was the year for this. Untraditional!!!

Christmas 2008, one of the best in years. More time spent with friends, but we did have a lot of time with family too. We did small visits with many people, with some naps thrown in to keep things fresh. This was the first year where i was not awkwardly given gifts that were obligation (ala sports jersey, when i have never liked sports) also, my we made a lot of gifts this year, and they were the big pay off in blessings for others, because they were the most valuable.

Working on the Norris farm, and fixing up the place. Painting the house. They have blessed me financially, during a time when i was struggling with work. Working there is such a peaceful place, and the atmosphere and scenery is unreal.

Sara and I, going camping at the beach. It was a cheap trip but its simplicity made it so fun.

Seth and Jessie, getting engaged.

Steph and Kenny getting engaged.

David and Cristin had a baby boy, his name is Jacob. CUTE!!!!!

Melody had a baby girl. So cute, her name is Lola Mae. Congrats.

Marcy had a baby boy. So cute also, his name is Killian. Congrats.
and last, but not least....

Rick found love!!!!!!!!! Finally!!!!!!

There is much more to share, but im out of time.

Happy new year, and here is to big change in 2009!!!!

God bless you all

- Stephen

A great article by by Pastor John Piper on this election fiasco

mom?

dad?

family?

friends?

are you reading this?

LET CHRISTIANS VOTE, AS THOUGH THEY WERE NOT VOTING

October 22, 2008, by John Piper

Voting is like marrying and crying and laughing and buying. We should do it, but only as if we were not doing it. That’s because “the present form of this world is passing away” and, in God’s eyes, “the time has grown very short.” Here’s the way Paul puts it:

The appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. 

(1 Corinthians 7:29-31)

Let’s take these one at a time and compare them to voting.

1. “Let those who have wives live as though they had none.”

This doesn’t mean move out of the house, don’t have sex, and don’t call her Honey. Earlier in this chapter Paul says, “The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights” (1 Corinthians 7:3). He also says to love her the way Christ loved the church, leading and providing and protecting (Ephesians 5:25-30). It means this: Marriage is momentary. It’s over at death, and there is no marriage in the resurrection. Wives and husbands are second priorities, not first. Christ is first. Marriage is for making much of him.

It means: If she is exquisitely desirable, beware of desiring her more than Christ. And if she is deeply disappointing, beware of being hurt too much. This is temporary—only a brief lifetime. Then comes the never-disappointing life which is life indeed.

So it is with voting. We should do it. But only as if we were not doing it. Its outcomes do not give us the greatest joy when they go our way, and they do not demoralize us when they don’t. Political life is for making much of Christ whether the world falls apart or holds together.

2. “Let those who mourn [do so] as though they were not mourning.”

Christians mourn with real, deep, painful mourning, especially over losses—loss of those we love, loss of health, loss of a dream. These losses hurt. We cry when we are hurt. But we cry as though not crying. We mourn knowing we have not lost something so valuable we cannot rejoice in our mourning. Our losses do not incapacitate us. They do not blind us to the possibility of a fruitful future serving Christ. The Lord gives and takes away. But he remains blessed. And we remain hopeful in our mourning.

So it is with voting. There are losses. We mourn. But not as those who have no hope. We vote and we lose, or we vote and we win. In either case, we win or lose as if we were not winning or losing. Our expectations and frustrations are modest. The best this world can offer is short and small. The worst it can offer has been predicted in the book of Revelation. And no vote will hold it back. In the short run, Christians lose (Revelation 13:7). In the long run, we win (Revelation 21:4).

3. “Let those who rejoice [do so] as though they were not rejoicing.”

Christians rejoice in health (James 5:13) and in sickness (James 1:2). There are a thousand good and perfect things that come down from God that call forth the feeling of happiness. Beautiful weather. Good friends who want to spend time with us. Delicious food and someone to share it with. A successful plan. A person helped by our efforts.

But none of these good and beautiful things can satisfy our soul. Even the best cannot replace what we were made for, namely, the full experience of the risen Christ (John 17:24). Even fellowship with him here is not the final and best gift. There is more of him to have after we die (Philippians 1:21-23)—and even more after the resurrection. The best experiences here are foretastes. The best sights of glory are through a mirror dimly. The joy that rises from these previews does not and should not rise to the level of the hope of glory. These pleasures will one day be as though they were not. So we rejoice remembering this joy is a foretaste, and will be replaced by a vastly better joy.

So it is with voting. There are joys. The very act of voting is a joyful statement that we are not under a tyrant. And there may be happy victories. But the best government we get is a foreshadowing. Peace and justice are approximated now. They will be perfect when Christ comes. So our joy is modest. Our triumphs are short-lived—and shot through with imperfection. So we vote as though not voting.

4. “Let those who buy [do so] as though they had no goods.”

Let Christians keep on buying while this age lasts. Christianity is not withdrawal from business. We are involved, but as though not involved. Business simply does not have the weight in our hearts that it has for many. All our getting and all our having in this world is getting and having things that are not ultimately important. Our car, our house, our books, our computers, our heirlooms—we possess them with a loose grip. If they are taken away, we say that in a sense we did not have them. We are not here to possess. We are here to lay up treasures in heaven.

This world matters. But it is not ultimate. It is the stage for living in such a way to show that this world is not our God, but that Christ is our God. It is the stage for using the world to show that Christ is more precious than the world.

So it is with voting. We do not withdraw. We are involved—but as if not involved. Politics does not have ultimate weight for us. It is one more stage for acting out the truth that Christ, and not politics, is supreme.

5. “Let those who deal with the world [do so] as though they had no dealings with it.”

Christians should deal with the world. This world is here to be used. Dealt with. There is no avoiding it. Not to deal with it is to deal with it that way. Not to weed your garden is to cultivate a weedy garden. Not to wear a coat in Minnesota is to freeze—to deal with the cold that way. Not to stop when the light is red is to spend your money on fines or hospital bills and deal with the world that way. We must deal with the world.

But as we deal with it, we don’t give it our fullest attention. We don’t ascribe to the world the greatest status. There are unseen things that are vastly more precious than the world. We use the world without offering it our whole soul. We may work with all our might when dealing with the world, but the full passions of our heart will be attached to something higher—Godward purposes. We use the world, but not as an end in itself. It is a means. We deal with the world in order to make much of Christ.

So it is with voting. We deal with the system. We deal with the news. We deal with the candidates. We deal with the issues. But we deal with it all as if not dealing with it. It does not have our fullest attention. It is not the great thing in our lives. Christ is. And Christ will be ruling over his people with perfect supremacy no matter who is elected and no matter what government stands or falls. So we vote as though not voting.

By all means vote. But remember: “The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:17).

Voting with you, as though not voting,

-Pastor John

Not sure what i am going to do, i still feel that my vote is important, and so important that I should NOT vote UNLESS i completely support the candidate. I do not support Obama fully, or McCain. So, im praying about my decision. I guess there is not a whole lot to be worried about though, when you think about what Pastor John is saying here. 

THE CURE - 4:13 DREAM - review "ROBERT, YOUR OUT OF YOUR ELEMENT"!!!!!

THE CURE - 4:13 DREAM

Welp, one of my favorite bands of all time is finally releasing a new record. I have a copy of it. I should be really excited about that. But im not. It pains me to say this, because this was the band that did no wrong, until 2004's self titled "The Cure" which had a lot of great songs, but had a few songs that i just felt didn't match up with the almight Cure song structure. I should be really excited because one of the shining moments of the Cure was when Porl Thompson was the guitarist (He played during the golden era 1985-1992ish) and he has returned to the band, and the band has returned to guitar heavy Cure. Still, Im not glowing with delight here. Well, ok, here is the absolute truth about this new Cure record...

There are 13 songs. The band is a 4 piece, and as i mentioned on a previous post reviewing their recent live show in Philly, the keyboard element is missing. 4 of the songs from the new record were released as singles, one per month, for four months. Each single has a b-side. 2 of the 4 singles are awesome. Most of the b-sides are awesome. Some of the b-sides are way better than the singles. If Mr. Smith would have taken some of the goofier tracks off of this record and put some of those b-sides in its place, this record would be awesome. But he didn't do that, he stubbornly gave us those goofy songs, and dammit, i have to complain about one of my favorite bands.

Its no surprise that Robert Smith has lost touch in some ways, and I guess (sigh) that is what happens when your a legendary artist who gets old but still wears make up. I mean, he has collaborated with some of this planet's worst top 40 artists. Im still waiting for him to write a single for Hanna Montana. But when it comes to The Cure, he always redeems himself. On 4:13 Dream, im not sure if this is vital and completely different song writing, and because i don't care about current music, im left out of the loop of cool, or if im right and Bob just picked some bad songs that are only cool to middle age british goth guys. Ok, back to the details.

Some of the songs sound like Disintegration/Wish era Cure, with huge gloomy guitar noise, compliments to Porl Thompson. In fact, Porl is one of the strong points on this record.His guitar playing is worlds better than anyone else in the past. His work on this record explodes with layers and layers of dark noisy rock. Just like Simon Gallup's bass work ruled supreme on Disintegration, Thompson's work here is vital in the success of 4:13 Dream. This record plays out like The Cure abandoned almost everything that made them specifically The Cure, and took some pointers from today's Indie rock scene. While other times, its clear that the band is just trying to take the best elements and just simplifying it all into really quick loud hard rock songs. One thing is for sure - The band is not interested in sadness this time around. This is the least gloomy, least melodramatic Cure record of all time, and it just might be the heaviest record for them too. Its really loud and upbeat and...current. The production on this record is really in right now, and i guess is good for The Cure trying to fit in, but definitely is new for the band. It lacks the layered production of Disintegration, or even more currently, Bloodflowers. Don't get me wrong though, this is a good album, not a great album, which im used to the band doing. This album starts out with a ton of momentum, and had i not heard any of the 4 singles first, it might have had a bigger impact on me. One thing im worried about with this record is some of what sells the album is Robert's vocals. There is a ton of production and effects on his voice. A lot of layering, a lot of sounds and well sung moments. I have a live version of this record too, and he doesn't have that element to lean on, so if im "just getting there" with this record, it would help if the band played it just as it is, live, but they do not because, like i said, the vocals are a big part of what i like about the new direction. Back in the day, The songs had so much going on, that we weren't so fixed on Robert's vocals being perfect, and they weren't but those songs, ooh baby, those songs were untouchable!!!!

Here is a track by track basic overview - 

 Underneath The Stars.

This opener sounds like a dryly recorded "plainsong" with the slow pace and epic guitar work. Too much vocal effects on this song. I think this song structure reminds me of "The last day of summer" from Bloodflowers. 

The Only One.

 is totally the typical Cure pop single of the album. This one reminds me of something from Wish. 

Reasons Why.

 this is a song that just sounds totally un-Cure. Its weird but its also really enjoyable. I lean toward this one for the Cure doing something different but in a good way.

Freakshow.

This song i hated live, but works way better on cd. I went from hating this song thinking it was one of the better ones on the record. It really is a fun song that reminds me of some of the "who cares lets have fun" of Wild Mood Swings. (And yes that record was amazing)

Sirensong.

One of the Porl shining tracks. Its got quirky atmospheric guitars, and lots of what sounds like pianos (Good boys, its ok, use em, you'll still be cool to the young folk) This song is a nice smooth break from the last 2 rockier songs.

The Real Snow White.

guitar heavy, bang your head Cure rock and roll, with a jangle of a chorus. This is another really clear example of the Cure breaking from any reminiscent trademark, but works well. This is also one of those songs where the vocals,and how they sound on this record, make the song stronger. Does it come off this good live?

Hungry Ghost.

Real up beat, popular sounding dance music type rock and roll here. This is the song you put on from this record when you want to shake what your momma gave you. Again, like the last song, its feel good music, but its not The Cure. Lots of vocal craziness. I love the guitar on this. I think this is the best part of the song, and Jason Cooper keeps the drum beat in that pocket, and keeps your head bopping. Did i mention, great guitars??

Switch.

 This is reminiscent of "Wrong Number" which i dont care for. This song has the electro-drumming that is only still popular in London i think?!? Lots of Wah pedal, fast drumming. Im bored though.

Perfect Boy. 

Another one of those singles that i would take a b-side over. That said, it is also one of the more Cure moments on the record, which might come as a relief to you if you like this song and your still getting used to the breaking from tradition. Its easy on the ears, but i find this song boring too.

This. Here And Now. With You.

This song is another that i enjoy. Its bubble gum pop Cure. It doesn't sound like it was from any of the other albums though, and definitely sounds current, like something maybe the Killers or Coldplay might do in some of their bubble gum moments. The chorus is what makes the song good.

Sleep When Im Dead.

 They should have called this song "Sleep When I Listen" this song sucks bad. The only redeeming moment is the first 10 seconds, once it kicks in, its cheese. This belongs on that new Cure remix EP, with the other terrible ideas. B-sides, any of them, will fit here instead. 

The Scream.

This song was almost there, but it goes nowhere to me. A confused mess of epic guitars, big bass, and drums and over the top wailing from the chief. It reminds me of epic songs like "Im Watching Me Fall" or "The Promise" (another song i didn't like too much), and it also reminds me, kind of, "Like Cockatoos" in the way that the song was quirky but went nowhere. Cool title though. Oh well.

It's Over. 

Luckily, we are given a power house closer, which reminds me of "End" from Wish, where they just built a wall of sound and brought a heaviness to the song. This song starts out with one of those old school shining moments from Simon Gallup on bass. The song is almost riffing and drumming like a metal song. Then Porl takes the guitar into outer space. There is so much noise going on here, but luckily the band finally found a hook in it. Its really heavy. Probably the heaviest they ever sounded, but it is awesome. The song gets better and better, and doesn't wear out its welcome, and ends beautifully. No tricks, they just hit that last heavy chord and let it fade out. The end.

So, what we have here is The Cure starting over. Bringing a half way decent album to the forefront of their overwhelming and gloomy discography. I think this is the beginning of the end for The Cure being the kings of gothy gloomy pop, but luckily we still get stong performances out of the members. One thing to point out, and its a strength to the band. This record doesn't make the band sound tired.THIS IS NOT A TIRED RECORD, the opposite in fact. Its fresh for them. I just chose to take some of it and leave some of it.

 It is the Cure record they would have made if they were just getting started!!!!

Tracklist:

(Highlight tracks - *)

*Underneath the Stars
*The Only One
*The Reasons Why
*Freakshow
*Sirensong
The Real Snow White
The Hungry Ghost
Switch
The Perfect Boy
*This. Here and Now. With You
Sleep When I’m Dead
The Scream
*It’s Over

And the cover art kicks ass!!!

SHUDDER TO THINK - LIVE AT THE TLA - 10/3/08 - WE FINALLY SAW THEM!!!!

I have been a fan of Shudder To Think for many, many years. I first heard them in 1996. My punk rock perspective went right out the window. My first experience with this band was their legendary Dischord records album "Get Your Goat" and i have been an obsessed fan ever since, rapidly grapping everything that was available from them. A few posts ago, I did a huge band biography, and I encourage you guys to go back to that and read it if you haven't already, because it gives you a real understanding of the magic that is Shudder To Think. Considering that, I wil spare band history details. 

During the band's height, I only had one chance to see them that was aware to me at the time, and the date landed on the same day my band was playing a show. This was 1997, when the band was touring with Pavement. Back then it was important to skip good shows to play your own. Who would have thought that they were on their way out eh? Man, have I regretted that decision on so many levels because in 1998, Shudder To Think broke up, and I missed them. Fast forward a decade. I was in and out of bands. Managed to put together a pretty successful one, one that was filled with influence from this amazing band, a band i would never see again. That is, until the fateful day I heard that most of the guys from the last album's line up were reuniting for a short tour with a few select dates, and one of those very few dates was actually around here!!!! I stopped breathing!!! 

So, my wife Sara and I, along with our good friend Rick (who shares with me, the sad history of gigging and missing STT) went to Philly for the day to see the sights of South Street, and maybe get a glimpse of the band early on. A few hours before the show, we walked past the TLA (Theater Of Living Arts) where the band was going to play, and actually heard them doing a sound check, hearing the 2nd half of the song "Love Catastrophe"! We were going nuts. It was so exciting to hear it through the door. Later on, we managed to spot Nathan Larson, who actually walked right past us, about 1 hour before show time. We were nervous (I know, its silly) so we didn't approach him. We decided to just stand in the front of the TLA and just wait for the doors to open. Suddenly Craig Wedren walked right past us and went right into the venue. Rick and I were pointing to each other in blame saying "You should have said something" again, very silly. Finally Craig came back outside and Rick walked up to him to start a conversation. We quickly followed. Craig was easily the friendliest rock star I EVER met. Completely humble, cordial, down to earth, and incredibly easy to talk to. He spoke to us with enthusiasm and really seemed to care about what we were saying to him. He asked us questions about music, and what were do, where we are from, etc, etc. It was really a great experience. So many times I have admired artists and have gained so much inspiration in what they do or have done. And then you meet your "heroes" and they end up making you feel like crap. In this case, it was completely the opposite. He talked roller derby with my wife, and seemed interested when we answered his question of "Do you guys make music?" My only regret was not getting my Ten Spot LP autographed. I had it in my bag, but was too into the conversation to pull out the autograph stuff. 

We did, however, manage to get some pictures together.

So, anyway, onto the show. There is this amazing band from Philly called Pattern Is Movement. They opened for STT. This band is crazy. They looked like 2 chubby lumberjacks who played this free form style drum/organ insanity. I really can't describe this band to you at all but HIGHLY recommend it. The vocals were awesome too. The guy sang like he was in church. It was just an odd mix and I was so excited watching these 2 guys. 

Once Shudder To Think took the stage, our nostalgia meter went into the red. The band sounded amazing. The original bassist Stuart Hill was missing in action, which i will admit put a damper on this for me. That said, the addition of Mark Watrous on 2nd guitar, and Jesse Krakow on bass sounded amazing. Im not sure who these 2 dudes are, but they filled out the sound perfectly. Nathan Larson wailed as usual, and Craig sang his ass off, as well as playing a 3rd guitar on stage. Kevin March, who played in the band on the band's final album was the drummer of the evening, and in my opinion was the only "not so great" part of the band's line up. Guys, give us Adam Wade, he kicked so much ass on Pony Express Record. Anyway, there was plenty of the punk energy from the early days, but at the same time this IS 2008 and the band knew this was a "greatest hits" concert. And in saying that, they played EVERYTHING i needed to hear. There are certain songs from the bands discography that I felt was imperative to play, and they didn't miss one from my list of absolutes. Sara wanted to hear Red House,which I knew they were going to play. Oddly enough they opened with it.The show lasted about an hour and a half give or take, and we all sang along to every song. The band was clearly having a lot of fun, and the crowd seemed to be waiting as long as I was to sing along too. The experience was honestly, surreal. What else can I say? I got what i wanted.

Nathan Larson in full rock action

All in all, we got to experience a moment we thought was long gone, and we felt like we were 10 years younger. We finally got to hear those guys live, even if it was only most of them. Sure, it didn't feel like a rebirth, but it certainly was a tight loud set of some of the most important music we ever had in the punk rock/alternative scene. And who knows, maybe this new incarnation of Shudder To Think will prove to the world they can still ride that sexy horse!!

SETLIST:

Red House

Shake Your Halo Down

Hit Liquor

Love Catastrophe

Lies About The Sky

Jade Dust Eyes

The Man Who Rolls

Gang Of $

She Wears He Harem 

Rag

Pebbles

9 Fingers On You

No Rm.9,Kentucky

Call Of The Playground

Chocolate

X-French Tee Shirt

About Three Dreams

The Ballad Of Maxwell Demon

Day Ditty

METALLICA - DEATH MAGNETIC - The "Disposable heroes" show us how to kill em' all...again!!!

After the embarrassment that was "St. Anger" and the big screen look at the band tripping over themselves, strangely titled "Some King Of Monster", i watched the one time metal heros fall apart. I really could not understand how a band of this magnitude could or would release an album that had so many flaws. Even records like Load and Reload, although changing drastically in sound, had great production, and great performances by all. Losing Jason Newsted no doubt had its effect, sure, and then of course we have James Hetfield's long bout with rehab, that seemed in the movie anyway, to take his balls away. Understandably, he needed to get the help and we are all glad he is clean and sober (Well I am) and honestly, no band, not even Metallica is worth doing, if 

1. You have to be a junkie.

2. You get clean, and then you lose your ability to kick ass, musically.

So, St. Anger comes out, I guess it does somewhat well, but nobody wants to say the obvious...Metallica sounds tired, uninspired, and desperate to fit in with bands like Korn and the rest of the Nu-metal piss ants of current hard rock radio.

Now, after a few long years, the band announced a new album. The rumor is that Rick Rubin is producing it, and that the band pulled a ton of riffs out for this. Rumor also had stated that the band was going back to classic Metallica sound. Yeah right, im not falling for it again!!!

Then, I heard the new album in its entirety. Yeah thats right Metallica, I "downloaded it"

And I could not believe what i heard!!!!

METALLICA - DEATH MAGNETIC

Here, in 2008, nearly 30 years after their emergence, Metallica delivers one of the BEST records of their entire career!!! Not only are the rumors true, but the album gave way to so much more than I had originally suspected. Gone are the annoying whinings of "St. Anger", gone is the annoying snare drum. Gone is the nu-metal "need to be current" on this record Metallica goes back to what they do best...fast paced, heavy as hell, old school speed metal/rock. Songs clock in at the 7 or 8 minute range. There is tons of progressive moments, ala the first 4 albums. There is even a third "Unforgiven"!! Rick Rubin clearly put some sort of ass whooping on this project for sure, I am so glad that this band will bounce back, and yes they will most certainly with this record. Like U2, no other band has had this long of a career, went #1, fell back down to earth, got old, and still managed to climb back up. This record is going to do great things for Metallica, no doubt!!! The production and the performances on this record bring to mind the band "Mastodon". Sonically, the guitar and bass have a classic sludgy tone to them, but the playing is fast and thrashy. It is funny how when a band of this caliber just sticks to what they do best, and with the right production, they can sound, not only modern, but urgent, even with the indie rock stuff that rules airwaves. Farewell Bob Rock!!!!There are plenty of Kill em' all style moments. Once and a while it sounds a bit like Black album. Musically, this album fits snug in between ...And Justice For All, and Black album. Maybe even the record to follow Black. I don't know, and i don't care, it just kicks so much ass.

One thing i HAVE to mention, is the turn around performance of James Hetfield. Vocally, his voice has not sounded this good since Black album. His melodies on this record are soaring. He has got that gruff of his youth back too, and the great thing is it sounds naturally, almost like he tried not to sing good in the past 10 years of albums. Weird, but I am proud to say, James is the highlight of this record, where I felt he was the flaw of the last record!!!!!

Hands down BEST Metallica record since 1991, and I am so not exaggerating here.

Metallica (2008) 

Lars, who still hasn't learned how not to look like a douche!!

Track list:

1. That Was Just Your Life

2. The End Of The Line

3. Broken, Beat & Scarred

4. The Day That Never Comes

5. All Nightmare Long

6. Cyanide

7. The Unforgiven III

8. The Judas Kiss

9. Suicide & Redemption

10. My Apocalypse

Introducing, Christian Guitar Hero!!!

GUITAR HERO, FOR CHRISTIAN ROCK?

Everyone, and their mother is expecting me to crap all over this game. I mean almost everything about this is cheesy at first glance, from the name "Guitar Praise", as if Christians couldn't afford to sound less stuck in their own Christian marketing, and what about the fact that, to me, 75% of the songs on the game suck? Yes, i get it. We can laugh at how Christians always have to have "the counter act" to pop culture. That said though, I am finding it hard to get angry over this. Truth is, in a perfect world anybody who grows up listening to Christian music, would like some of their faves, mixed in with the mainstream radio picks of "Guitar Hero" and we know, that company sure as hell is not going to acknowledge bands like, The Crucified, Petra, and Whitecross. But "Guitar Praise" did just that, and, wow...who would have thought that there would be a day I would be playing a modern video game, in the vein of "GH" to some of the old songs, that even Christians do not even acknowledge. Im talking the 70s and 80s here!!! That alone, made me excited about this. I honestly was shocked!!!

The pros, and cons go like this...

PROS: 

-There are, although a small number, selections from classic 70s and 80s Christian rock. The addition of "The Pit" by the hardcore pioneers "The Crucified" was a welcome addition. Wow!! Big THANKS for that choice!!!!

-Somebody thought about the Christian kids at home, who don't identify with "GH" songs, and gave them something to do, and for those Christians who were born in 1990, the songs on this game, for the most part, will suffice.

CONS:

-The game has FAR TOO LITTLE classics. My only hope is that they create in the soon future, a specific "classic Christian rock" version, so us 30+ guys  and gals can enjoy ourselves too.It just seems like they tried to keep it to modern Christian rock, and putting in the 4 or 5 classics kind of makes them stick out more, which would not happen if it was an equal pull from the setlist.

- In typical Christian market fashion, everything is strictly sold separately. This means, you can't play this game on a Wii, or PS3, even though so many people have them,  this game only works on certain computers. Surprisingly they made it work for apple users, wow!

So, it is a good start, I just hope they realize that, "GH" has mostly old songs on it, and that would make this more interesting. Perhaps its just the beginning but it would not hurt to use this product to boast some of the old classics that we had. We can't forget Larry Norman, Stryper, Daniel Amos, The 77s, Steve Taylor, etc, etc. Bands like Barren Cross, Tourniquet, Scaterd Few, and Deliverance, who saw a lot of mainstream success in their day should not be forgotten. Starting with the upcoming documentary on Christian rock entitled "Bleed Into One", I hope that more praise for the classics are sung!!

The snobs of the main stream will no doubt laugh at this little invention, and to some degree, im laughing too, but only on the outside!!!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

Snapper Soup, Pt. 1

So, I know a certain member of my family really enjoys making soup out of snapping turtles. I know, it sounds disgusting, but he swares that it taste great. 

So, Sara's grandmom lives off of a small lake. Or is it a big pond? Either way, this body of water seems to have very little fish in it. I blame the snapping turtles! So i decided that it was time to get some of them out of the water.

Soups on!!!

So i hammered some tent stakes into the ground, 4 stakes, 1 per side. I then tied to those stakes, small nylon rope, which i extended out to the middle of the lake. allowing slack to sink down, and drift around. At the end of these ropes, i tied metal leaders, followed by very large fish hooks. I then tied an empty gallon container to each rope, to use as bobbers/markers.

On the fish hooks, i used chicken gizzards/hearts and tossed them in the water. I left the "traps" in the water for 24 hours. When i came back, i checked each trap. The first trap was destroyed. The metal leader was broken in 2. I could not believe this, and it led me to believe there is something bigger than a 30 lb. turtle in the water. The second trap's leader clip that holds the hook was literally bent open, and the hook was gone, assuming in the turtle's stomach to stay. What a bummer, eh? So I float on over to the third trap. I already rule this out. The gallon was lying about 3 feet from the lake bank. As i got closer i noticed a bubble of air that came up to the surface. It got me thinking. As i pulled up the line, i had a very large turtle at the end of it. YES, success! Of course, the fourth and final trap was empty as well, but in tact, with the bait missing in action. Now the hunt is on for the big one. The one that destroyed very strong cables. 

Does anyone have a good tip?

DITC!

Take heed to my reproof

Don't reject me because Im young.

We're here for Yahweh's glory

and to magnify his son.

Hang on get ready

We're heading for Armageddon.

Prophetic Unfolding

We need to work together.

Division in the church

Is really getting bad

Don't crucify the media

Some "born again" had

to make the news we've had.

The spirit's moving

too afraid to act upon it

stop the confusion

sacrifice your prideful lust

Get to work

- words by Allan Aguirre (performed by Scaterd Few)

The crazy thing is, the very person who penned these legendary lyrics, briefly mentored me, and got me into church after over a decade being away! Amazing how God works!!