Strawberry Fields Forever

Pre-SteverOnline Blog 2005 March - April - May - June - July - August September - October - November SFieldsF

Beach Party in the Snow

[Apr. 3rd, 2005|7:59 pm]

Current Mood| exhausted Current Music| Nirvana - Endless, Nameless yesterday i had a roadtrip to virginia tech, my first time visiting there. friends of my friends (eddie and walter) were having a party. so nate, clint and brittany drove down there earlier in the day with other people, and i went an hour later with liesel. the trip down was 2 hours, and we made it enjoyable by joking around and listening to some funny stuff - liesel picked my disney cd as the first to listen to. when we got there everyone was dressed for the beach, which was the theme, even though there was snow outside - insanity! the first teams up on the beer pong table where team charlie murphy (clint and nate) against team toine (lisel and i.) it was pretty obvious who was going to win, although it wasn't a total blowout, liesel and i had 2 cups remaining when team charlie murphy handed us our walking papers. clint and nate held on to the table for at least 5 more games, which was quite the run. liesel got real sick after smoking so went to go sleep in walter's bed and was AWOL for most of the party. it became really crowded and a short synopsis of the following events is this: a girl threw up in the corner, i ran into an guy i went to high school with, nate got into a screaming match and almost faught with that same guy, there were water/beer gun fights, the lights went out at least 5 times, me and brittany beat nate and liane twice (!!), i kicked some girl accidently (wasn't hard) and everyone thought it was funny - i was really embarassed, i made fun of the girl who vomited as she and her boyfriend left (another drunk stever regret), stayed up most of the night/day talking to kevin frey about old cartoons and their theme songs, slept the whole way back as liesel drove. end transmission

Review of a Great Album - The Beatles' "White Album" (part 1)

[Apr. 4th, 2005|5:56 am]

Current Mood| content Current Music| The Beatles - Happiness is a Warm Gun The Beatles are undisputedly the greatest band in the history of bands. The come an EXTREAMLY close second to Nirvana in my book, in terms of my favorite band of all time. Here's my take on the classic, mega-selling The Beatles, or as it is commonly referred as, "The White Album." The Beatles: John Lennon: Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, other Paul McCartney: Vocals, Bass, other George Harrison: Vocals, Lead Guitar, other Ringo Starr: Vocals, Drums, other 1. Back in the U.S.S.R. - the first sounds we hear on this legendary album, is the sound of an airplane landing (thanks to the EMI vaults,) leading directly into the Paul McCartney rocker. Incedentally, this song as well as the next song, are the only ones not to feature Ringo on drums. He had left the Beatles during this session, so Paul played the drum part (later John and George added some drumming. The three remaining Beatles also played 3 bass and 3 guitar lines.) A great, fun start to an almost scarily varied album. Written in India. Lyrics are a funny twist on the "born in USA" songs made popular by Chuck Berry. 9/10 2. Dear Prudence - the airplane from the song preceeding fades away, as the gentle acoustic guitar appears. Everything keeps building on this song - built around the signature Lennon-descending chord sequence. It's a neat juxtaposition as things are building up with each verse, while the chord sequence is always downward in motion. John wrote this song in India as a call to Mia Farrow's sister Prudence (who was staying at the same camp with the Beatles) to stop taking it so seriously and "come out and play." The same guitar sequence fades away at the end. Again, Paul plays drums on this song. 9/10 3. Glass Onion - John was getting a little weirded out with all thse scholars and students and super-Beatle-fans looking too closely at his lyrics, searching for "the word." Here is a song written in India, whose lyrics are meant to turn the magnifying glass on the listener. It mentions several older Beatle songs, and has almost a vicious aura to it. 7/10 3. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da - When John started going off he became mean, as heard on the last song. When Paul did the same, he became silly, showcased here. An upbeat and amazingly-catchy song telling the love story between Desmond and Molly. John and George were becoming increasingly dissapointed with these types of songs coming from Paul, but without them the Beatles would have become too serious, not to mention less accessable. 8/10 4. Wild Honey Pie - Paul is the lone-Beatle on this track. He has 3 other solo spots on the album, discussed later. This was basically a bit of a lark. Rumor has it, it was included because Pattie Harrison really enjoyed it. 6/10 5. The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill - After 2 non-serious songs, and another completely song-joke, we come back to a winner. Written in India, this song strings together old comics John remembered along with an American who was living in the same camp the Beatles were when they were with the Maharishi. Features Yoko on lead vocals (the only female lead vocal in the Beatle catalogue.) The chord sequence in this song is the verse followed by a chorus, which is one phrase broken into two different keys. 9/10 6. While My Guitar Gently Weeps - George's first of 4 songs (each one appears on a seperate side) is his best. It features the most famous non-Beatle contribution to a Beatle song with Eric Clapton's lead guitar soloing. Nice harmonizing between Paul and George. It was written in India, and seems to be a signature Harrison-moral-lyric. 8/10 7. Happiness is a Warm Gun - Paul and George's favorite from "the White Album" is this Lennon song, which, according to John, was a combination of different Rock and Roll themes. It's basically 3 Lennon songs collected together. It has such a dirty feel to it, with perverted mutterings about "velvet hand," "mirred hobnail boots," "hands working overtime." When it reaches the doo-wop section, the Beatles seem to have finally hit a groove... until Ringo starts playing 4/4 time, while the other 3 play 3/4. It feels almost drunken. It's a great little thing for the Beatles to throw in, and shows the depth of Ringo's great drumming. 10/10 Comments: brandon: didn't know bugs could play instruments....can we keep the musical talk to boy bands please? That is what I knoe best. Sincerely Brandon Jones (http://blog.btjones.com) dad: In Back in the USSR it is my impression that the Beatles are mimicking the Beach Boys not Chuck (I like to be photographed with nude children) Berry. I think it is more a take-off of Surfing USA and California Girls than Johnny B Good. But I could be wrong.

Review of a Great Album - The Beatles' "White Album" (part 2)

[Apr. 5th, 2005|6:14 am]

Current Mood| hungry Current Music| The Beatles - I'm so Tired 9. Martha My Dear - Another Paul solo outing see's Side 2's beginning. Basically a song in tribute to his sheep dog, its a deceptive song. The time signature doesnt stay put for very long, and it revolves between an old, rooty-tooty and new, more rock feel. It ends slowly, single notes going down a chord. 9/10 10. I'm So Tired - As if a mirror was set between these two songs, I'm So Tired starts with single notes going up. This is a song written in India, and a nicely coincidental opposite to Lennon's earlier "I'm Only Sleeping." John had been staying up all hours and the song has the requisite insomniac feel. 9/10 11. Blackbird - Paul's third solo outting on the White Album is one of his best songs of all. Blackbird is an acoustic song sung to a black woman, in metaphor with a blackbird. If you understand the metaphor it's a political song on par with Lennon's later songs, but even without it, it holds up well. Written in India. While visiting the Maharishi, both John and Paul learned new acoustic guitar techniques. Paul's neo-classical chording was put to use here, while John's Donovan-inspired arpegiating was put to use on Julia. 10/10 12. Piggies - George's song for side 2. It's a clever commentary on the rich "bigger pigs" done in a baroque style. 8/10 13. Rocky Raccoon - the white album is the ultimate example of McCartney easily slipping into different styles of music, and doing it well. Unlike John, he takes more chances musically, although Lennon is more inventive within his songs. Here's an American countryish song written in India. It's story is a little innocuous, but is charming. He was really sminking of gin. 7/10 14. Don't Pass Me By - Ringo's first-ever written song (which was actually in the works since at least 1966.) It goes well as a companion to the countrish Rocky Raccoon, although I could really do without the fiddle playing. When released as a single in Scandinavia, it shot to #1...go Ringo! This song is a bit of a bore, but it got Ringo started, and he would go on next to write the awesome Octopus' Garden found on the Abbey Road album. 5/10 15. Why Don't We Do it in the Road - this would be another McCartney-only song, were it not for a Ringo overdub on drums. What seems at first to be a throwaway song, is actually quite enjoyable. Closer look reveals it's McCartney doing a song in the style of ... gasp!... John Lennon. 9/10 16. I Will - Another song that would have been a solo McCartney song on the White Album (John and Ringo play percussion.) Such a simple, but nice song, this one really gets to you quickly, and only grows with each listening. That's Paul singing a baritone "dum dum" bassline. A warm love song written in India. 10/10 17. Julia - This side of the White Album starts great, sags a little (in relative Beatle terms) and ends with one of the most beautiful Lennon songs ever - his only solo song in the whole Beatle catalogue. It was written in India, and is a call to his mother - her name was Julia - but at the same time is a call to Yoko - her name meaning "ocean child" in Japanese. He had just met and fallen in love with the avant-garde artist before leaving for India, and almost brought her instead of his then-wife, Cynthia. 10/10

Review of a Great Album - The Beatles' "White Album" (part 3)

[Apr. 6th, 2005|10:59 am]

Current Mood| tired Current Music| The Beatles - Mother Nature's Son 18. Birthday – Paul concocted this song one day in the studio, during the White Album sessions. Everyone, including Yoko and Maureen Starkey (Ringo’s wife) went back to Paul’s to watch an old rock ‘n’ roll movie, because reinvigorated, and came back and put down an energizing performance (Yoko and Maureen sing on this one.) A silly song lyrically about a party, but the Beatles get away with it, making a great song. 8/10 19. Yer Blues – Another John song written in India. Upon reading the lyrics away from the tune, they’re from a Lennon sounding almost suicidal (“even hate my rock ‘n’ roll” !!!!) The title was changed from “Your” to “Yer” to disguise the fact, against Paul’s opinion. The Beatles recorded this live (except an overdubbed lead vocal from John) in a small space about the size of a large closet – you can even hear John when he’s off mic, being picked up by the drum microphones. There is an obvious edit 4/5ths of the way through which cut off a lot of the jamming, and it throws the song off beat. Hot song. 9/10 20. Mother Nature’s Son – both Paul and John wrote a song based on a speech the Mahareshi gave in India. John’s wasn’t used, and with a lyrical change, became “Jealous Guy” on his second solo album. Paul’s last of 4 solo spots on the White Album – although adorned with brass instruments. 9/10 21. Everybody’s Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey – That cowbell kills me everytime (and fittingly it’s by George.) If they left that off it’d be less annoying of a song, although it still is one of the weaker ones. It reminds me of “Good Morning Good Morning” from Sgt. Pepper – it’s a bit of a throwaway. Written in India about how John and Yoko were the only people he knew who didn’t bullshit… yeah, right, John… 5/10 22. Sexy Sadie – Again, those Beatle-guys know what they’re doing. Following right on the heels of possibly the lousiest song on the album comes one of its strongest. At the root of this song is betrayal. It was originally called “Mahareshi” and was about a HE instead of a SHE. John felt betrayed when he found out the Mahareshi was just using the Beatles as a publicity stunt, and possibly even using some of his authority to come onto the female guests. Another Lennon gender-twist (like “She Said She Said”) and a logical but innovative chord structure. 10/10 23. Helter Skelter – Paul wanted to record the most “raucous rock ‘n’ roll song ever” after reading an interview with Pete Townshend. The result of this idea is this song… about a slide commonly found in English parks. Although in reality it’s more of a metaphor for how low people get. Every take of this song ran on for a long time, so the best was edited to an economical 4 and a half minutes. Ringo’s got blisters on his fingers!!! 7/10 24. Long Long Long – George’s song for side 3. This song feels so light in heft, it’s almost a non-song. The softest song on the album directly following the heaviest is a real abrupt change. In fact it’d be the most abrupt if it weren’t for the last 2 songs on side 4. 6/10 Comments: dad: Helter Skelter sucked as a song as did that Me and my Monkey crap. But at least Helter Skelter inspired a mass murderer. I’m sure you are aware of the connection between Charles Manson and the White Album. If not go learn about it here: (www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_003.html)

Review of a Great Album - The Beatles' "White Album" (part 4)

[Apr. 7th, 2005|11:00 am]

Current Mood| sleepy Current Music| The Beatles - Goodnight 25. Revolution 1 – John’s revolutionary song (pun!) was the first played during what became the White Album sessions, and was his thrust for the Beatle’s next single. It eventually did become the single, although only after being speeded up, and even then only as the B-side (to some song called “Hey Jude.”) The original version ended up on the album, so Lennon added the 1. Written in India. The Lyrics are Lennon’s take on revolutionaries. 7/10 26. Honey Pie – Paul slips shamelessly into his hat-and-cane routine. One of many songs in this vein (his best, in my opinion, would be “You Gave Me the Answer” from his solo years or “When I’m 64” from just the year previous.) George Martin’s clarinet accompaniment ornaments this song perfectly, although I have to be honest and say this song REALLY had to grow on me. But I appreciate it now. Written in India. 7/10 27. Savoy Truffle – George’s required song on the 4th side. I don’t understand why this song, and not “Not Guilty” was added on this album. This song is so 70’s, even though it was 1968 (but to be honest, a lot of George’s 70s solo output would sound like this.) Pretty boring for my taste. Lyrics were based on a bunch of candies that Eric Clapton was obsessed with… good song idea? George’s lines kill me: “We all know Ob-la-di, Ob-la-da / But can you show me where you are?” 6/10 28. Cry Baby Cry – Although the music is unquestionably Lennon, the lyrics are so infused with McCartney characterization. It makes a nice counter-point to Paul’s earlier “Why Don’t We Do It in the Road” being so “John.” Even though I like this song, this whole side is disappointing, compared to the other ones, and many if not all these songs would probably have been chopped if the Beatles decided to do a regular album instead of a double. Written in India. 8/10 28.5 “Can You Take Me Back” – A little jam Paul ran through during the sessions for I Will. Followed up by a quiet spoken conversation from the Engineer who forgot to get George Martin a glass of Wine. (No Rating) 29. Revolution 9 – It’s not really a song. Just a bunch of tape loops and randomness. It is hard to listen to, but there are some rewarding sounds found within. John said this was the sound of a revolution, then went on to say it was actually an anti-revolution. Hmm… sounds like he’s trying to make sense to himself, but it’s not working on me. This should have not made the album and been replaced with “What’s the New Mary Jane?” Paul and George vetoed that song, but allowed this? I just don’t get it. Beware – Yoko is found ALL OVER THIS! 3/10 30. Goodnight – This song following Revolution 9 gives a really twisted feeling to the listener. “A little over-lush” is what John said of this song in 1980. It was the idea to make it like the Hollywood movies, real mushy. While it works and makes a nice sound, I think if the orchestration was pruned down a little this would have been a gorgeous song. Ringo sounds perfect for it. It was written for John's young son Julian. 8/10 For fun try these playlists: Part 1 - McCartney 1. Back in the U.S.S.R. 2. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da 3. Wild Honey Pie 4. While My Guitar Gently Weeps 5. Martha My Dear 6. Blackbird 7. Piggies 8. Rocky Raccoon 9. Don't Pass Me By 10. Why Don't We Do It In The Road 11. I Will 12. Birthday 13. Mother Nature's Son 14. Helter Skelter 15. Honey Pie Part 2 - Lennon 1. Dear Prudence 2. Glass Onion 3. Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill 4. Happiness is a Warm Gun 5. I'm So Tired 6. Julia 7. Yer Blues 8. Everbody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey 9. Sexy Sadie 10. Long Long Long 11. Revolution 1 12. Savoy Truffle 13. Cry Baby Cry 14. Revolution 9 15. Good Night Here's another one, the best of the best, if it were ever to be 1 album 1. Back in the U.S.S.R. 2. Dear Prudence 3. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da 4. Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill 5. While My Guitar Gently Weeps 6. Happiness is a Warm Gun 7. Martha My Dear 8. I'm So Tired 9. Blackbird 10. I Will 11. Julia 12. Birthday 13. Yer Blues 14. Mother Nature's Son 15. Sexy Sadie 16. Good Night Comments: dad: The White Albums Revolutions 1 vs. the speeded up single always intrigued me because of the slight change in one line of lyrics. On the slower White Album version the line "Don't you know you can count me out" is followed by the word "In." As if John has changed his mind about encouraging a revolution. Maybe Charles Manson was right? As for Revolution 9 you have got to love a song that has the following insightful lyrics by Yoko: 7:04 "Maybe, it's not that, it's .... maybe, even then, expose yourself ..." 7:26 "It's almost like being naked" 7:54 "if ... you become naked"

It's Over	[Apr. 8th, 2005|9:26 am]
Current Mood| relieved Current Music| Theme from Rocky I have now beaten all 6 Nintendo Mega Man games. Go me

It's Over

[Apr. 9th, 2005|10:28 pm]

Current Mood| sleepy Current Music| Britney Spears - What U See (is What U Get) so i got a job at Sam Goody. It took them almost exactly a month to do a background check on me. sounds kinda suspicious to me... the manager said that they don't do the background check anymore, but they still did it on me (and earlier she said it took about a week.) hmm... oh well, at least i'll have some kinda income to live off of. the secretagents debut this sunday at 2 am. weird time, i know - we're playing Relay For Life (sponsered walking for cancer.) so it's a good cause. if you're not going to be there, wish us luck! we'll be recording this on video to send out to cruise ships, so we'll definitely need the luck. We've got a great setlist so it should pan out alright - with only 30 minutes allotted to us, it's the best 30 minutes we got. i just watched a marx brothers movie - horse feathers. i can't believe how funny and well-preserved this is. they hold up really well 90+ years on. what's even cooler is they all played instruments. the main three (Groucho, Chico and Harpo) played violin/guitar, piano, and harp, respectively. A Man comes home to find the Marx Brothers with his wife... Man: What's going on here? Chico: Singing lessons Man (to Wife): Since when did you start singing lessons? Chico: Since you walked in ------------------- Chico and Harpo try to kidnap some football players... Chico: You gotta brother? Football Player: No. Chico: You gotta sister? Football Player: Yeah. Chico: Well-a, you sister, she's a very sick man, you better come with us. Football Player: Yeah? What happened to her? Chico: She hadda accident in her automobile. Football Player: Ah, she has no automobile. Chico: Well-a, maybe she's-a fall off-a horse. I don't-a look very close. Come on, we take you in our car. Football Player: You will, eh? Well, I have no sister. Chico: That's all right. We no gotta car. Come on. Comments: stan: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0023027/ 2005-1932 = 90+ years???? -Stanus stever: the marx brother's started out in the early 1900s (1905-1910ish) on stage. they brought their act to the movies starting in 1921.

Come Together

[Apr. 13th, 2005|12:33 pm]

Current Mood| indifferent Current Music| Theme from MacGyver The secretagents had their debut at Relay For Life early sunday morning. Relay For Life is the cancer-fundraiser where teams walk around a track for 12 hours (6pm -6am) while being entertained by music, aerobics, games and fun. The secretagents played the 2am spot, the last of all music/bands to play, and from what i saw we went over the best (although i did miss about 75% of the bands.) It was a real cold night, but the weather was clear. We got there around midnight and promptly went on at 2 am. The setlist included what i like about you, you really got me, aeroplane, my sharona, no diggity, come together, can't buy me love, rockin' robbin, johnny b. goode, sweet emotion, i want you to want me, and twist and shout. the performance was recorded with 2 video cameras and a computer taking audio. It was a little shakey, but definitely alot of fun. Even the Duke Dog crowd surfed! The secretagents next appearance is at TDU (Taylor Down Under) on Thursday the 21st of April. It's a 2 hour show starting at 11pm, and Free, so stop by. Also, in Stever-news, I had my training day at Sam Goody's. Lots to learn, we'll see how this goes.

The SecretAgents to the Rescue!

[Apr. 14th, 2005|9:03 pm]

Current Mood| cool Current Music| Theme from Bewitched Here are some photos from Relay For Life, the secretagent's debut performance. Hopefully some audio/video is coming soon! all these photos i randomlly found/stole from Adam's girl Amanda - hopefully she doesn't mind! Comments: anonymous: Great Pics. Looks like you guys had a great time! Wish I could have been there!!! stan: Who's toine? -Stanus

Backstreet's Back ... Alright!

[Apr. 19th, 2005|2:12 pm]

Current Mood| ecstatic Current Music| BSB - Climbing the Walls Monday night was so awesome. Brittany and I went to the Backstreet Boys' concert at the Norva in Norfolk, Virginia. Arguments for why it's my favorite concert i've been to: -BSB is my 3rd fave band (and 1st fave band that's still around) -7+ hours in the car (would normally suck, but it made it an adventure) -No opening act -I was the closest I've ever been to a (non-local) band - about 15-20 feet away -Lots of hot girls in the audience (although most had X's on their hands ) -55% of the songs were by one of my favorite songwriters (who was mentioned!) -An hour and a half of singles/new stuff only -McDonalds' Chicken Nuggets were eaten during the trip! Brittany and I got into the area just 6 minutes before they opened the doors. There was a line around the block, but we didnt have to wait long because they let everyone in soon after. They didnt even frisk us, apparently they allow taping and cameras at the Norva. The following is a rundown of the concert. Each song will be rated 1-4: 1.Awesome - 2.Good - 3.Alright - 4.Eh Pre-Show - Music remixes were played (one was a section of Trampled Underfoot by Led Zep) 01 The Call - The first sounds you hear as the concert begins and the lights dim is the bridge from this song. The bridge is the part where the music drops out and just the Backstreet Boys sing, which is my favorite part of the song. So, basically, the first thing i hear at the concert is my favorite section of one of my favorite songs! The band vamps for about half a minute and then the guys run out and everything stops (picture 1 is taken.) They couldn't have picked a better set opener. 02 Beautiful Woman - Without much of any pause, BSB jump into the next song, a new and hot one from the forthcoming album "Never Gone." 02.5 Howie Talks - Each Backstreet Boy gets a chance to get in front of the crowd and say a few words. Howie was first, and he talked about how they were going to do some new stuff as well as old stuff going back to their first album. (Picture 2 was taken) 03 More Than That - My least favorite BSB single. Good job, but not a huge fan of the song. 04 Climbing The Walls - Nick's mic stand is set up so he can play acoustic guitar on this one. If this doesn't become my favorite from the new album, i'll be surprised. Awesome song, awesome version. 05 Shape Of My Heart - Everyone in the audience was singing on this one! Rocked up version. 05.5 AJ Crowd Surfs / Brian Talks - AJ decided to try some crowd surfing, which failed miserably (he only got a few feet away from the stage, and didn't move.) Brian then stepped up and talked about the crowd if they liked the song before Shape of My Heart (aka, Climbing the Walls) to which everyone cheered. (Picture 3 taken) He said it was written by a guy named Max Martin, and then asked the audience if they knew who that was. In the split second before the crowd cheered (they cheered at anything, even if they didnt know who this guy was) I yelled out "yeah!" So hopefully if i ever get a bootleg of this show i'll be able to hear myself - ha! Brian said they flew back to Sweden to work with Max on the next song... 06 I Still - New song, good stuff. 07 The One - I felt they only did this song purely because it's on their hits album - they didn't perform it during their last tour. It was a good rendition though. 08 I Want It That Way - Another one where everyone in the audience sang. I noticed some guys who were only there with their girlfriends singing along to this. Rocked up a bit. 09 Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely - This song worked really well. It was rocked up just a little bit, but wasn't power-ballad sounding. Amazing version. 09.5 Nick Talks - Nick came out, amid all the girls screaming, and talked about how the next song was something BSB has never tried before - an all out rock song. (Picture 4 was taken) He said the song writer was in the audience (Teddy Riley) 10 Shout - I've heard bootlegs of this before, and i was not impressed at all, but the energy on this song that they did was amazing. The whole crowd was jumping up and down it was like a rock show. Biggest surprise of the night was me liking it. 11 Larger Than Life - A few mic problems (Brian and Nick weren't heard until the first chorus) barely left any negative effects on this version. It was very techno-ed up, but it worked. Cool strobe lights during the middle. 12 Weird World - A new song, co-written by the guy from Five For Fighting. Not a huge fan of this song, but it was well performed. 12.5 Kevin Talks - Kevin came out and thanked the fans for being with BSB for 12 years. (Picture 5 taken) He also told us it was the last date on the 6 week tour. 13 All I Have To Give - A good rendition of this song. 14 As Long As You Love Me - Oh man, they did this horribly. Don't get me wrong, the singing and performance was on, but they totally changed the backing to the Spinner's song "i'll be around" - which didn't mix at all. 15 I'll Never Break Your Heart - Here they should have had a big song, but they slowed it down even futher. While a great song, the pace suffered. 16 Poster Girl - Another new song. It's a good, if not great one. The best part was the introduction when AJ said it was a song "about a girl who likes to drink, smoke and party" then turned around to Nick and said "Nick, you know any girls like that?" - an obvious dig at his failed relationship with Paris Hilton. Brian decided to sing the song up on the top of the huge amplifier, while people up in the VIP section threw papers at him to autograph. 17 Quit Playing Games (With My Heart) - The pace picked up with this old standard. They elongated it a bit to introduce each member of the backing band. 18 Drowning - The guys left the stage for 2 minutes and came back out with this song. Good decision - everyone was singing along to it. 18.5 AJ Talks - AJ introduced his family in the audience, thanked the crowd for their support with his sobriety, and the new single. (Picture 6 taken) 19 Incomplete - I've heard this song on a few other shows, and it was a little sloppy. This one went really well, though. 20 Everybody - The last song started out kinda techno, but then turned into a more rocked up version of the original. Great set ender. Comments: dad: I know you have been looking forward to seeing the Backdoor-Boyz and I'm happy you had a great adventure. But I was hoping you'd grow out of this (smile).

Review of a Great Album - Led Zeppelin's Houses of the Holy (part 1)

[Apr. 21st, 2005|7:31 pm]

Current Mood| cheerful Current Music| Led Zeppelin - the Song Remains the Same A new album review! Another classic - Led Zeppelin's 1973 awesome album "Houses of the Holy." Jimmy Page - Acoustic and Electric Guitars Robert Plant - Vocals John Paul Joens - Bass Guitar, Keyboards John Bonham - Drums 1 The Song Remains The Same - Zeppelin almost always chose to lead off albums with their epics. This album follows the trend. It was originally going to be an instrumental until Plant got ahold of it (wisely so.) The vocals were recorded to a slowed down backing track so that when played normally, sound higher than they actually were (you can hear the treatment quite clearly on "dance the hoochie coo.") The lyrics seem to be about the Led Zeppelin tour experience, going from city to city, meeting new people, experiencing new experiences, all the while doing a great show (even if the songs remain the same...) 8/10 2 The Rain Song - This song was put together because George Harrison told Jimmy Page that Zep was great, but they didn't have any ballads (????) Although he may have been wrong, at least he put Jimmy Page in motion to writing this great song. The best part about this song is John Paul Jones' fake strings (he uses a mellotron, i believe) which really add emotion to everything. Plant sings about the "seasons" in a relationship, while Bonzo plays with ...wait for it... brushes! Great dynamics and pace. 9/10 3 Over The Hills And Far Away - It's a great transition from the slow, but grand ballad into this rocker. It starts quiet but builds up. Very melodic, hard-rock Zep - probably why it was the single released to radio at the time. The end is not guitar by the way, it's JPJ on keys. 9/10 4 The Crunge - Two "joke" songs were included on this album - one on each side. This is the first, and weaker of the two. It was a song built around a dance... but the time signature is 9/8, making it all but impossible to dance to. One of the plans for the cover of the album were to include dance steps for this song - good thing it was nixed. Plant is singing randomness, but the whole song is a tip of the hat to James Brown. 6/10 Comments: dad: I'm enjoying your reviews so please keep them up but be aware you are now venturing into sacred territory. I know you know of my affection for Led Zeppelin. They came of age as rock superstars the same time I came of age period (1969-1975). Houses of the Holly is of particular importance time wise for me because it was released in March of 1973. I was released from High School in June of 1973 so this album represents part of the soundtrack of my senior year. And we all appreciate the uniqueness of that time in each of our lives. Please be genital (smile). I love all the songs on this album even the ones you refer to as jokes, which they were, but when I hear them I am transported to another time and enjoy them for that. However the majority of the songs on this album represent Zeppelin at there zenith and have stood the test of time. I will leave you with only one very important question; "Where's that confounded bridge?"

Review of a Great Album - Led Zeppelin's Houses of the Holy (part 2)

[Apr. 21st, 2005|7:31 pm]

Current Mood| cheerful Current Music| Led Zeppelin - the Song Remains the Same 5 Dancing Days - A grooving Led Zep rocker starts off side 2. This one has held up quite well over the years. You can feel the eastern music influence creeping in on this one - it'll get better on the following album with Kashmir. 8/10 6 D'yer Mak'er - This song sticks out for weird reasons. First off, it's a joke song - never performed live, just created in the studio. It was originally going to be reggae, but because Bonzo didn't like the light drums typically found on those songs, he put down such a solid beat. This influenced it greatly, and changed it into more of an updated, doo-wop thing. It has ever since gained tons of airplay and has gone down as one of the most popular Zeppelin songs. Great song (especially Bonzo's playing.) 10/10 7 No Quarter - This song was originally the hardest for me to take from this album. It's gotten easier but is still a little too moody for me. 6/10 8 The Ocean - "We've done four already but now we're steady and then they went: One, two, three, four..." An aknowledgement to old time rock and roll mixed with progressive time signatures make this song one of Zeppelin's best. The Ocean mentioned in the song's title refers to the audience at a Zeppelin show from Plant's perspective - an ocean of people. Great last song on a great album. 10/10 Comments: stan: No mention of the phone ringing in The Ocean?!?! RUBBER TOINE -Stanus dad: You will never understand or appreciate No Quarter until you have experienced it with mass quantities of foreign substances in your blood stream. Or so I'm told!

Hello Goodbye

[Apr. 27th, 2005|12:57 am]

Current Mood| hungry Current Music| The Beatles - I'm Down (live from Shea Stadium) Hello - Books-A-Million Goodbye - Sam Goody's I'm now the magazine-guy-in-training at the BAM! in harrisonburg. Cool? i think so, we'll see how it goes. I've been training under the current magazine-guy, who happens to be friends with Ben the guitarist in the secretagents. Liesel works in the building, even though she works for Joe Muggery, Skull Duggery. I get a great discount so i'm already sizing up the books i want (oh, i can get the mags for free when i take them down (!!!!!)) Hello Goodbye - I'm now currently re-watching the Beatles Anthology series. I first saw it when it came on in late 1996 on TV. I've seen this probably 4 or 5 times, and it still blows me away how awesome it is. As I'm typing this i'm watching the Beatles at Shea Stadium - from Anthology part 5. Over the weekend I went home for a surprise visit for my mom's 50th birthday. It was nice just to be home. I went over and watched some basketball over at my dads, good to see him too. Also seeing Mila was cool, been a few months. We went to Fuddrucker's, of all places, for mom's dinner. I had one of those huge hotdogs they have, where they cut it in half. I used to get them all the time when we went to Fuddrucker's ages ago, and i thought it'd be a nice nostalgic dinner. Well, the hotdog didnt hold up - the bun was real greasy, and the hotdog wasn't as good as i remembered. oh well, next time i'll remember to stick with the chicken fingers...

Shape of My Heart

[Apr. 29th, 2005|4:44 am]

Current Mood| rejuvenated Current Music| Doris Troy - Just One Look There is one thing that is closer to me than guitarists, bassists, drummers and singers - even bands and music - and that's songwriters. I consider myself foremost a songwriter, even though i'm sure there are people out there who don't like what they hear from me. but that's fine - hey, there are people out there who don't even like the beatles!! everyone has their own opinions, here's mine... My top 4 songwriters, i can name in a heartbeat. i probably think of these 4 guys at least once a day - they are a huge influence on me. not necessarily lifestyle-wise (3 of the 4 were hardcore drug users) but in my book (blog) you can't beat them. here's the windup and the pitch! 4. Max Martin - no one since april 8, 1994 has come close to this Swede. The greatest living songwriter out there in my opinion (well, i have to be honest - Macca has lost alot recently...) Remember how every song in the mid-to-late nineties sounded the same? it's cuz either 1) he wrote it or 2) someone was trying to copy him. Max's songs stand out, and will outlast his copiers. He has some formula's he works within, but messes with so much within his set perameters - get me drunk and i'm sure i'll explain all about him to you.Strengths: HOOKS, Melody, time-signature/phrasing. Stever recommended Max Martin songs: -Shape of My Heart -The Call -I Want it That Way 3. Kurt Cobain - i feel so close to Kurt (we're on a first-name basis) and his music. no other songwriter has influenced me more in so many ways (guitar playing, songwriting, musical outlook, etc.) He was obviously a very flawed person, which only adds to the amazement i have for what he created. Like Max Martin, he had a set of formulations in music that he used, but he always made each sound new and important. Strengths: Economic, power, angular-melodies/chords progressions. Stever recommended Kurt Cobain songs: -Sappy -Lithium -tourette's (or Smells Like Teen Spirit) 1 & 2. (tie) Paul McCartney - if i could be one person in music and/or listen to only one songwriter - here he is. Sir Paul is undoubtedly my favorite bassist, and his melodies will beat anyone - i would honestly put him up against the likes of Bach and Mozart. His only weaknesses - besides getting a little older and having his best stuff behind him - were his "that'll-do" attitude sometimes, and his lack of making many of his songs personal. Oh, whoops, by the way, his songwriting partner covered those bases. Strengths: MELODY, variety, universality, longevity, sentimentality (w/o being overdramatic or stupid), importance, being awesome. Stever recommended Paul McCartney songs: -Yesterday -Hey Jude Stever recommended Lennon/McCartney song: -I Want to Hold Your Hand 1 & 2. (tie) John Lennon - hailed as the greatest natural songwriter of the past century - don't know if i'd agree with it, but i definitely won't argue too much with it. The consummate 'this-song-matters' songwriter (although he did have his share of clunkers)... His only weaknesses are his tendancy to stay on one path(another song about yoko?), and his dips of insecurity in his songwriting abilites. Oh, whoops, by the way, his songwriting partner covered those bases. Strengths: lyrics, universality, importance, being amazing. Stever recommended John Lennon songs: -Imagine -Strawberry Fields Forever Stever recommended Lennon/McCartney song: -A Day in the Life if you threw these guys in a blender, you'd have 80% of me right there. Comments: brandon: "Remember how every song in the mid-to-late nineties sounded the same?" - you say this like it's a good thing? I don't think every hit song by a songwriter should sound the same...I think great songwriters create a wide range of sounds and songs. -bj anonymous: It's unfortunate that I didn't know who Max Martin is. I kept picturing him as some large(gros[that's french])man, but um, he's actually pretty attractive. PS: I think Brandon makes a good point. That's not to say that Max Martin isn't a good song writer, but that all his songs sound really similar isn't the greatest selling point. stever: man, i knew i'd be forced to defend Max Martin! um, ok...when the Beatles first came onto the scene, and even during their entire career there were tons of bands who made careers sounding like the Beatles. Same with Nirvana, there were tons of "grunge" bands trying to disect and incorporate the Nirvana-sound into their songs (even still today, i hear "modern rock" bands ending their melodic phrases on 3rds - EXACTLY like Kurt did alot of the time.) When Max Martin came onto the stage, there was such a huge pop scene that exploded - everyone was trying to copy his songwriting techniques. I'm not saying all his stuff sounds the same, but like with all songwriters there are certain things he does alot, chord progressions, time signatures, feelings, that he injects into his songs. That's why i like these 4 guys, because of their own individual feel they always put into their music. get it? oh well

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