An Ode to Wolfie

I know what you're thinking. "Why hasn't Nick posted anything lately? What am I going to do with my time besides read the blog over and over and over again."

....Okay, so maybe no one even reads this. But either way, I thought I should explain the current drought of material. On March 27, I adopted a dog from the Chicago Animal Control. They had named him Wolfie (picture left) and I probably won't change it. He's a chow/lab mix 1 year old male, about 45 lbs. And he rules. I saved him from certain death and/or dumb owners. So this week has been kind of like having a little kid live with me. Granted, he's a lot better than I would have expected. He's well behaved (except for the standard young dog things like jumping up to see what's on the kitchen counters) and he bonded to me almost immediately.

He enjoys the finer things in life...like rawhides, long walks on the waterfront, and sniffing butts. He is a perfect example of why you should never get a dog from a pet shop or breeder. Go to a damn shelter and adopt a dog. If you choose wisely, it will be very rewarding (and $100's less than the other option). Do it.

In other news, I'm moving to my own apartment on Saturday, April 1st. So once I get settled there I'll probably start writing again. Then again, maybe I should figure out where my life is heading first, and then get back to writing. We'll see.

My Bloody Valentine - Loveless (Sire; 1991)

The next album in this series is maybe the last to be included in my collective of favorite albums. My Bloody Valentine released Loveless in 1991 (which means I was only about 9 years old and completely unaware that such music existed). The group defines shoe-gazing dream pop on this, their masterpiece and, ultimately, their swan song. Listening to Loveless for the first time is like accidentally figuring out how to control your dreams, allowing you to fly over the earth in a cloudy, “Care Bear” adventure. From up above in this mystical, heavenly landscape you can look down at the seemingly peaceful Earth and watch all the microscopic inhabitants go about their daily routines. Then, before you know it, your eyes open and you’re in your bed. But you’re not alone, not startled by an alarm clock. You’re awoken by your lover, who is gently brushing your hair and looking into your eyes. And that’s just in the album’s first 30 seconds.

There is a sense of mystery and wonder constantly present in My Bloody Valentine’s music. The vocals are often indiscernible and usually blend into the many layers of each song (and to my knowledge, there’s no credible source of the actual lyrics). However, the songs still manage to convey emotions and create pictures in your mind. The record requires many listens to hear everything incorporated into each work of art. Sometimes you’ll hear three or four overlapping, swaying guitars. Sometimes the synths stick out and other times it’s the eerie backing vocals. But with each listen you gain a greater sense of the tireless effort that went into making this album.

Each song carries its own weight as an individual exploration within the confines of this unique world the group has created. Each track is a bold experiment in sound, but the music is never imposing. What ultimately happens is up to the listener. The album opens with “Only Shallow,” and you’re immediately sucked into a world of lush, provocative sounds before you can really figure out what you’re listening to. “Come in Alone” just feels downright sexy. “Sometimes” is a standout track (and was perfectly placed in the film Lost in Translation). “Soon” is probably the strongest song on the record, with swooning guitars and clomping drums. In the end, words can’t describe Loveless, no matter hard one tries (which is probably a reason why most lyrics are inaudible). It is losing virginity, laying on the beach, running barefoot in the grass, rolling in the snow, spooning on a cold winter night, and a million other things all rolled into 11 tracks.

There really aren’t high or low points in the record. Every song is an experience to be had on its own, but fits perfectly into the overall mood. The group demonstrates a mastery of flow. You get drawn into a certain state of mind, but you don’t become numb. You start to understand. You understand the band, you understand music, you understand nature, you understand life. You also understand that the band might have been on some really wild drugs while making this album. Unfortunately, most people will never even be exposed to the treasure that is Loveless (except, for some odd reason, certain mid 90’s mainstream acts like the Smashing Pumpkins and Garbage). But even those who are exposed probably won’t take the time to see what it’s all about. However, those who do hear it and let it affect them will be forever changed. In just under an hour, you’ll be taken to a childhood summer day when you’re chasing kids in the park, then to a naked lover’s embrace in a big comfy bed…all while walking the fuzzy line between reality and dreams. Although the album has a somber name, Loveless is a testament to what is beautiful in life. Or even what could be beautiful and perfect, even if you don’t have it now. It’s a simultaneous display of hope and despair. And really, what is truer than that?

Meet Me In Montauk

This is something I wrote back in September about Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. I thought I should start branching out to topics beyond music. So here it is:

"I've decided that Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is one of my favorite movies. I love how it works backwards from when a couple is driving each other crazy, to when they were simply in love. It's a very unique look at a very common situation. I also love how they meet again, after their minds have been erased, and instantly fall for each other. I think this says that true love can't be erased. It lasts forever. Another twist on this idea is that we can’t help who we love, even if we try to deny it. The third thing I love is that they get a second chance. They find out that they were together, and that things got bad. But they realize another quality of true love, which is full acceptance. They know that they can make it better than the first time. I think everyone deserves a second chance once in a while...

The movie also touches on some important points. Joel often talks about how he wishes he had done things differently. The sad truth is that no one can change their past, nor can they re-live it. Memories are valuable, but they are not our life. Mistakes we make will become regrets only if we don't learn from them and improve our future efforts. Another important point is when Clementine says "I'm not a concept. I'm just a f*cked up girl trying to find my own peace of mind." Guys often think a woman can "save" them. No one thing can create happiness. No person, job, house, car, etc. Anyone who bases their happiness on a person will eventually be let down. Each person has to have their own life sorted out before a real, lasting relationship can develop.

There's also the important concept of valuing each moment, especially those spent with people who add meaning to our lives. As Joel's memories are being erased, he has one last chance to enjoy the good times he had with Clem. This gives a whole new meaning to "live each day like it's your last." Each memory that gets deleted is one closer to his last experience with Clem. It's really sad actually.

Another interesting concept is brought up at the end of the movie. After having their minds erased, they are given a tape with all the bad things they had said about each other before the procedure. What if you could know everything about a person within 2 days of meeting them? It would save so much time getting past the “getting to know you” phases.

The combination of Charlie Kaufman writing and Michel Gondy directing is near perfect. Michel has done a lot of music videos (which is evident). He depicts a man running through his own memories in an amazing fashion."

That's it. I just thought I should diversify the blog. Hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing (and watching the movie 50,000 times in a row).

Incubus - Make Yourself (Sony; 1999)

Now I’ll begin a series of reviews on my favorite albums of all time. The first album is one of the first I ever considered to be a forever favorite. Incubus’ “Make Yourself” was released in 1999, which was a time of uncertainty and despair not only for music, but also for society as a whole. This music goes hand in hand with the Fight Club mentality (which was an influential movie released in the same year). That philosophy is rather simple: do something with your life. Don’t adhere to the restrictions and guidelines of society. Don’t sleep your life away. Don’t waste any more time. Find out how to make your life fulfilling. Incubus display activism without exploring the realm of politics. After all, there was no George W. to attack yet. This was a time coming up to the new millennium. The big Y2K scare. The world could explode, the time-space continuum could be disrupted, or…maybe our precious PC’s would just fry out.

As far as the music world, 1999 marked a culmination of everything that was depraved and uninspired. The 90’s were a decade littered with Nirvana copiers, or at least, that’s what popular rock radio consisted of. And growing up in the Detroit suburbs, rock radio was my only source of music. That said, “Make Yourself” was a call to arms. A rebel yell saying, “Break this spell. Rock isn’t dead. We can and will do be better.” Think for yourself. Stop waiting for the world to explode and get on with your life.

Sonically, “Make Yourself” finds Incubus coming into its own as a group of sophisticated music makers. “S.C.I.E.N.C.E.” found them carving their niche in the world of nu metal, but “Make Yourself” was a truly defining moment. Mike Einziger employs effects pedals without sacrificing creativity. Most songs would (and sometimes do) work well in acoustic versions, which is proof of that. Brandon Boyd learns how to put his voice box to use in ways never heard before. The threesome of drums, bass, and DJ hold up the back end of the music. Everywhere there is balance and careful collaboration between instruments (especially the rare tie between guitars and drums, probably due to the longtime friendship of Mike and Jose Pasillas II).

The album opens with “Privilege,” which became a staple opener for their shows over the next few years. Despite the gratuitous use of power chords, they manage to set the tone for the entire album. They follow suit on the next few tracks, but really outdo themselves on “The Warmth,” which starts a trend of underwater sounds characteristic to much of the band’s later work. There are a couple love songs, the prominent one being “Stellar” (the girls just loved the idea of Brandon being inside them). Of course “Drive” was the little hit song that could. Its vast popularity doesn’t change the fact that it’s a well written, acoustic-hop track, enjoyed by 16 year olds and their mothers too. “Battlestar Scralatchtica” hints at the group’s future as well-prepared performers and improvisers, while sounding scarily like Super Mario Bros music at times. Another standout track is “Clean,” which urges someone to stop holding back and let out their feelings (and also might be a Jack Kerouac reference). But the shining star of the album is “Pardon Me.” By my opinion it’s one of the greatest rock songs ever written. I still remember the intense rush I felt upon hearing it the first time. Memorize the lyrics and sing along, and it’s even more rewarding (but embarrassing if anyone hears you).

Some may say that the music is slightly dated. After all, something so relevant to the time it’s released has to stay in that time to some extent. But “Make Yourself” lives on because it was the best album Incubus could have released at that time. They had something to say and they and they knew exactly how to say it. It was a window into their past, but also a glimpse into their future. In the following years, the band has had down moments (cough….”Morning View”…cough). But they have matured into amazing performers (thanks in part to the addition of bassist Ben Kenney) and definitely have a bright future despite their obligation to the world of popular rock. They are now leading in the area of alternative metal and I have faith that they won't disappoint in their future efforts. So call me crazy if you’d like, but I’m sticking to my instinct. “Make Yourself” is and will always be one of my favorite albums, and it serves as a perfect opener to my series of reviews. Stay tuned for more...