Oh the times, they are a-changin

I have decided to revamp my blog just a little.

I hear those gasps and cries of outrage but be of good cheer, oh faithful readers of mine (and I do love you so.)

The inanity, hilarity, and zany-ness will continue. Come on. Did you really think that would change? I can’t even write an entry about changing the blog without it getting out of hand. See?

I have decided to try my hand at amateur music promotion, in addition to my “usual” posts. I have done many music-themed entries, so there is no need to reiterate to you of my deep love for music. But instead of just raving about established bands and musicians that certainly don’t need any promotion from me, I will dedicate myself to sharing my love of various local and indie bands.

And by local, I mean Las Vegas, because that’s where I’m based. I’m a poor college student – I can’t afford to be traipsing everywhere. Yet. Someday, when I take over the world, though, that will change. (Do you see what I mean about the inanity not going anywhere??) Luckily, Las Vegas has a thriving music community.

Don’t worry; I am not suffering delusions of grandeur. But I love going to see local bands play AND if I’m going to procrastinate doing my homework, why not write about something I love? It works on so many levels.

I even already have a candidate in mind for the first official band promotion entry – entry coming very, very soon.

If your brother’s roommate’s cousin’s friend is in a band or if you have a band you really dig and want to share with the rest of us, let me know. I’d love to have a listen and see how they sound.

I'm going to add this: If you live somewhere other than Las Vegas and know of a band that you love, and their music is somewhere that I can listen to online (i.e. Myspace, Facebook) or otherwise available (indie music stores, band websites whatever), I'll give them a write-up too. What the heck, right?

We’ll see how long this lasts. I may get bored. I may not have enough time. But I think it’ll be fun, so hopefully I can roll with it.

This week's current favorites and why

Yes, yes: we all know that I love music so don’t be so shocked that this is yet another music-centric post.

I am under no delusions that I am educating any of you about music. You may even think that I have horrible taste in music. You’re welcome to think that. Truly, you are. (Judge not, lest ye be judged.)

But be forewarned that if you ever ride in my car, step foot in my house or office, or borrow one of my iPods (HAH!) these songs are prominently on there, as well as all of the other songs I’ve made reference to in this here blog o’mine.

Here is another list of songs that I’m currently enjoying. I find the time between release dates interesting: there is 17 years between the first released song on my list and the one on the album released just last week (March 31, 2009 – for posterity.)

I’ve also included album titles and release dates, in case you ever want to go on Jeopardy or something. (Nerd.)

1. “Yellow Ledbetter” – Pearl Jam (“Jeremy” Single B-side, 1992; included on Lost Dogs, 2003)

This song just speaks to me. It makes me think of things I didn’t know I could think of. “Yellow Ledbetter” is fast becoming one of the songs that I would have to have with me if I were stranded on a desert island.

2. “Unintended” – Muse (Showbiz, 1999)

The guitar intro, the haunting melody(e) (hehe), and His Hotness’ heartfelt words make a beautiful song about taking a second chance at love. The first time I heard this, I got a little teary. I’m not even joking.

I heart this song.

3. “Stolen” – Dashboard Confessional (Dusk and Summer, 2006)

Yes, I know. Dashboard Confessional is emo. (Get the holy water!) It’s still a good song.
Bite me.

4. “Today” – Smashing Pumpkins (Siamese Dream, 1993)

Ahhh, Smashing Pumpkins. One of the significant bands of the 1990s. This takes me back to flannel shirts, black t-shirts, and ripped jeans. Who am I kidding? These are still mainstays of my wardrobe. (Grunge will come back, dang it!)

Even though this song is about Billy Corgan’s depression, self-mutilation, and suicide attempts, this is still an enjoyable song. It’s funny that this is being used in a fairly upbeat commercial proving once again: “they” just don’t get us, man.

5. “Like a Stone” – Audioslave (Audioslave, 2002)

This is a song about waiting. Which I seem to do a lot of. But I still like it. Chris Cornell has a nice voice and Tom Morello rocks, period.

6. “My Never” – Blue October (Approaching Normal, 2009)

One of the seven original plots of the world that plays out like this:

Person A wants Person B.
Person B doesn’t want Person A.
Person A mopes and pines for Person B.
Person B doesn’t care.

We’ve all been there. But this song is touching. I heart this song as well.

7. “Kristy, Are You Doing Okay?” – The Offspring (Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace, 2008)

Who knew that those responsible for “Pretty Fly for a White Guy” and some of their other more…interesting…songs could do this?

I could have used this song during high school.

8. “So Close, So Far” – Hoobastank (For(n)ever, 2009)

At first, I thought the song sounded kind of stalker-ish, but Doug Robb (the singer) says the song is about the people across the world fighting to keep the peace. Whatever it’s about, I can dig it.

9. “Eternally Missed” – Muse (“Hysteria” Single B-side, 2003)

In my opinion, this B-side really should have made it onto Absolution, Muse’s 2003 album; however, I don’t work for a record label. That probably says something right there.

Whatever. I love it. So :P on you.

10. “Safe” – Travis (The Invisible Band, 2001)

Anything I say about Travis would be paltry and inadequate because this band is just PHENOMENAL.

11. “Angels on the Moon” – Thriving Ivory (Thriving Ivory, 2008)

I love the lyrics in this song. This one gets the A+ for lyrics.

** I figured out who the lead singer reminds me of: a cross between a young Axel Rose and Gavin DeGraw. COOL!

12. “Killing in the Name” – Rage Against the Machine (Rage Against the Machine, 1992)

I don’t know if my list has a theme or what, but whatever the theme is, this song surely deviates from it. But it’s RATM! Come ON! They rock!

I wasn't going to mention the uh, language because again, come on, it's Rage Against the Machine! But for you people who have been living under a ROCK and never heard of RATM, well, they say naughty words. A lot.

13. “Fake It” – Seether (Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces, 2007)

LOVE THIS. Beware of language though. You may not want to play this around kids or uber-religious types. (I’m just sayin’.)

Fun fact: This band is from South Africa.

14. “Little Pieces” – Gomez (A New Tide, 2009)

This album is literally brand new, released March 31, 2009. I don’t know if this is going to be released as a single or not, but this song is fantastic.

15. “Black Metallic” – Catherine Wheel (Ferment, 1992)

I seem to have saved the best for last. Rock on!

As Ned Flanders would say, this song ro-diddly-ocks. A common misconception is that this is about a woman: not so, fair reader, for this song is about a car.

Fun fact: front man Rob Dickinson is cousin to Bruce Dickinson. Yes, THAT Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden. (Another rockin’ band!)

Honorable Mention: “The Killing Angel” – Demophon (unreleased)

I’m including this song on my list as an honorable mention because I love it. The only reason it didn’t make the 15: I don’t have it on my iPod because it is still unreleased and therefore limited to the myspace website. (check it out at: www.myspace.com/demophonmusic)

All right then!

After reviewing my list, I’ve noticed that a good portion of the bands are from England & Scotland. I don’t know what they put in the water over there, but so many AWESOME bands are British. Maybe I should move to England…