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A New Location

2010-09-13T17:13:00.001-07:00

Hello to anyone still following this blog!

I've moved to www.goredablog.wordpress.com

Follow me there!

Concert Etiquette

2009-10-21T16:05:00.000-07:00

I recently went to a concert and was standing in the inner circle. It was a very cool experience, but it also reminded me how some people don't understand concert general admission etiquette.

There are few rules, and even fewer things you are entitled to in a general admission concert. For clarification, general admission means you have no assigned seat. Because of this, it may seem redundant but people miss it, you have no assigned seat. You are entitled to where you're standing. That's it. There are no "savesies" or "holding spots" or "reservations." It's every man for himself out there.

Another lesson that concerts have taught me is this: the only time that matters is now. If you had been standing in a spot, a really good spot, for four hours but then had to pee and you leave, you lose your spot. Sorry. Also, never use the "I've been here longer than you" tactic. No one cares. An example of this that I heard at my most recent concert went like this:

Man 2 stands next to Man 1. Man 1 gives Man 2 a look that implies Man 2 has done something equal to strangling a kitten.

Man 1: Hey! Keep movin' buddy, this spot is saved.

Man 2: I don't think so. I'm not moving.

Man 1: This is saved!

Man 2: Too bad.

Man 1: Listen buddy, we've been here since 5.

Man 2: Well they aren't here now.

Man 1 tries to bore a hole in Man 2's skull with his eyes.

It may seem wrong, but Man 2 had every right to do what he did. Also, Man 1 made some critical mistakes. First, he used the "this spot is saved" tactic which no one cares about. Second, he used the "I've been here longer" tactic, which again no one cares about. It's all about where you are now, not where you were four hours ago. If you were eating a delicious meal while I stood outside, crammed into the venue, stood steadfastly in my spot, left to get a drink, and when I came back BAM there you were...well all I can say is touchè sir. Third, he called the guy "buddy." "Buddy" just pisses people off, don't do it unless you grew up across the street from each other, went to college together, and were each others' best man.

The final rule, or perhaps caveat, is that once the show starts you have no personal space. You will be sweated on, bumped into, stepped on, and possibly sexually harassed (depending on how you qualify sexual harassment). Accept it, it's going to happen.

That's it folks, the three basic rules of general admission: every man for himself, live in the moment, and you have no personal space.

Oh, and don't call people buddy.

Reda

Currently listening to: "Should You Return" by Copeland

Music Mondays - Closure In Moscow

2009-10-12T18:42:00.000-07:00

Closure in Moscow is an alternative indie experimental quintet from Melbourne, Australia. Made up of Chris DeCinque (vocals), Mansur Zennelli (guitar, vocals), Michael Barrett (guitar), Brad Kimber (bass), and Beau McKee (drums), CIM was one of Alternative Press Magazine's Top 100 bands to know in 2009. They released their first EP "The Penance and the Patience" in 2007, gained notoriety in Australia, Europe, and North America. Two years later we get "First Temple" as a gift to our ears.

This album truly stands in the elite class of displaying incredible technical musicianship. Every song has at least one technically difficult and intricate part incorporated and executed masterfully. Not only do CIM offer intricate parts, they also have truly engaging music throughout the album. There is never a dull moment. Everything flows together perfectly. Here are some standout tracks.

"Kissing Cousins" - Talk about opening in a way that gets attention. McKee opens with a blazing tempo on hi-hats while tapping on his snare rim on the off-beats, then enter guitars playing rising scales until DeCinque croons "We have never lived / We have never even tried," as an amazing guitar riff gets played in the background, all on top of a solid bass line. CIM certainly tries to bring their audience through this track. It has just about everything: synthesizer, distant sounding vocals, bongo drums, keys, and a few very well-placed hand claps. Overall an incredible, fast-paced track that ties amazing instrumental capabilities with poetic lyrics and perfect vocal execution together to create a brilliant 4 minutes.

"Sweet#Hart" - This song opens with another fast-paced percussion section (a shaker and what sound like metal drums) accompany an almost delicate, Far Eastern-sounding guitar riff that explodes into a hard-hitting dual guitar bridge with full percussion and bass and a quick guitar solo. By far one of the coolest intros to a song I've ever heard. The speed of every aspect of this track blow me away (I don't think the drummer ever plays anything less than 1/8 notes, and that's for only a few parts, and the guitars and bass keep up), but even during the softer sections (the lead into the chorus and the bridge) keep the tempo upbeat. And with lyrics that talk about leaving a relationship because it's too much sex and not enough heart, this song certainly keeps the listener's attention.

"I'm A Ghost of Twilight" - A slower (almost folk sounding at times) song with, again, a great dual guitar part as the introduction. This song is a bit darker and lyrically driven. There are still incredible guitar riffs and solos, rolling bass lines, and complex drum fills; but DeCinque drives the song with swooning, rising and falling, moving vocals. The song takes its main theme from the chorus, "I'm the ghost of twilight, honey, neither night nor day / With one foot treading sweet rapture and one foot in the grave." The song touches on the conflict inherent in making choices, especially difficult ones.

"Deluge" - The song begins "This body is riddled with ailments / The devil's got me in his grip / Genuflect and skin me of this payment / 'We share the same affliction, everybody's gotta brand' / That's what I say" while backed by steady, deep drumming. While most of the previous songs have had a faster pace, this song employs a slower, steadier, and more epic sound. And CIM perfects this just as well as their insanely fast technical style. A great song, although the message mostly says that there is no point in loving any more. Musically though, there are some great breakdowns and crescendoes throughout.

"Afterbirth" - The insanely fast technical sound returns on the track right after "Deluge" and it comes back with a vengeance. Starting off with a guitar part that has some sort of trill effect with four of the same note, then it crashes into a full-blown intro. If I had to make up one word to describe this song it would be: styley. Back and forth vocals, crazy effects on a guitar, cryptic lyrics, complex drum fills, fast-paced breakdowns, a complete shift with a drum/guitar solo that flows immediately into a piano driven bridge, back into the opening guitar riff, and then one final chorus into a chaotic ending. It's brilliant, and it's a great show of what Closure in Moscow has to offer.

Overall this is a great album, and one I listen to often. Check out the band's pages on MySpace and Purevolume, or their own Web site: http://closureinmoscow.com/

Enjoy

Reda

Currently listening to: "Dulcinea" by Closure in Moscow

Not Cool

2009-10-09T23:32:00.000-07:00

Contrary to popular belief, seeing a fight happen is not cool.

The other day I saw someone, who did not deserve to get punched in the face, get punched in the face. It sucked. However, most males would say that seeing someone get hit in the face would rock. That's why UFC has prospered so much ... probably. That and testosterone has powers that can control any male mind, turning him into a bloodthirsty animal that feeds off of UFC fighting. Anyway, most males would say they want to see a fight. I fell in that category. Then I saw one. Now I'm out that category.

Hearing a fist make contact with a face is an incomparable sound. A sickening, soft thud of fist breaking skin and smacking bone makes me cringe to remember. Watching blood fly in an arc from someone's face to make red arches across the ground has no glorified sexy appeal. It's gross, and a little scary. And bloodstained shirts? Throw them away.

So, in conclusion, seeing someone get sucker-punched blows.

Reda

Currently listening to: "Let Go" by Edison Glass

Music Mondays - Balance Problems

2009-10-05T20:13:00.000-07:00

Balance Problems is, for all intents and purposes, Brack Cantrell. He gets help from some friends (Robert Paine, Lewis Wall, and Cory Harvard) but Brack makes the music. And what music it is.

A self-described Indie/Folk/Acoustic artist, I would only add Minimalist to that list. You won't find complex guitar riffs and drum fills in BP's music, but you will find ambient and relaxing instrumentals--ranging from guitar to banjo to keys--backing Cantrell's soft, soothing singing. The lyrics themselves also take on the minimalist approach. He sings in plain, straightforward verses with few ambiguous lines. Balance Problems makes simple, beautiful music and is a joy to listen to when you just need to take some time out from a busy day. Basically, if you're looking for something to bob your head to and dance around, look elsewhere. If you need to slow down for 40 minutes, then this album is what you need.

Balance problems has released three albums to date, but I'm taking a look at their 2008 LP "Morning Sun."

"Morning Sun"- The title track and second on the album, this exemplifies Cantrell's style. The song begins with a simple guitar part accompanied by sleigh bells. It sounds cheesy, but it works. Cantrell's vocals get the spotlight for the first half of the song, with the instruments simply painting a backdrop for his story of a girl running away from her problems, but eventually losing what she holds dear. The song crescendoes two minutes in, but Cantrell's voice keeps its slow relaxing tone through the crescendo. There's a nice fade into a piano driven bridge, with group vocals singing the main theme of the song, "You're all dressed up without a place to go / But that's okay because I know / That you'll find a way to be anywhere but home." Not a particularly uplifting song, but a great display of the range of styles Cantrell can use.

"Iowa"- An acoustic song about someone from Iowa he met on tour. Minimalism at its finest, this song never gets fast, and never employs a drumhead. Somehow Cantrell's vocals and lyrics keep your attention throughout the entire song. He sings of a friendship that lasts far longer than a tour, even though they only knew each other for those three months. He sings the story of their meeting from beginning to end (meeting, getting to know each other, and departure) through the verses, and the lasting effects of that relationship in the chorus: "There's a bed waiting for you / There's a light that I left on." A melancholy but moving song.

"Blankets in the Grass"- One of the songs in which Cantrell plays the banjo, and it has a lovely folk sound. Again, melancholy serves as the style of this song, but it's a beautiful mixture of banjo, guitar, and what sounds like a xylophone to back up Cantrell and a female guest vocalist (I couldn't find her name, but she has an amazing voice). A song about redemption and reconciliation, "Blankets in the Grass" again tugs at the heartstrings with the chorus "Outside in the grass, you cry yourself to sleep / Blankets in the grass, you look the same as me." Cantrell uses his tender lyrics, soft vocals, and intricately sad instrumentals to capture a feeling perfectly.

"Winter Sun"- What I can only assume has something to do with the song "Morning Sun," "Winter Sun" is a faster-tempo song about finding a true love. The basic theme of "Morning Sun" revolved around abandoning your roots and being fake. "Winter Sun" revolves around finding that special connection and not severing it; in essence, finding an honest love. An interesting verse goes, "I wake you up in the cold / To look at you, then I know / With morning sun's first peaceful glow / An answered prayer, as I had hoped." In this song, the morning sun shows a new consistency instead of a negative change. Again, the instruments in the background command attention. It's a faster song, ditching the almost lackadaisical style of the previous songs as if to tell you to pay attention to this new message. A rolling drum beat and cascading piano part backs the chorus and adds perfect emphasis. A great song with a great message.

"The Bo Tree"- A happy ending to the album, led by Cantrell on banjo. This song embodies the spirit of adventure, nostalgia, and the intrinsic worth inside us all. "Perfect plan we are / Does it make the start? / Forget what you know / Rest assured you don't" encourages everyone listening that they are a perfect plan, but they need to go out and find themselves. A great upbeat end to a fantastic album.

Check out Balance Problems on their MySpace or on Purevolume.

Reda

Currently listening to: "Winter Sun" by Balance Problems

The Trust Factor

2009-10-01T22:51:00.000-07:00

I don't know if I can or can not trust my floormates. I'll explain.

To date, I've had my clothes stolen for a satirical photo shoot in which the girls on my floor posed as the guys, my unlocked room has often been used as a temporary storage place for my friend's miscellaneous items (as previously documented), and most recently my blog got hijacked. That's right folks. The terrorists have entered the blogosphere.

I had laundry to do, and also homework. Therefore I took my computer into a public floor lounge, worked on a few things, then headed to the laundry room (literally eight feet away) to transfer my clothes from the washer to the dryer. I left my computer on, with my Web browser open, and my blog's home page up. Apparently that was all the time the hijacker needed.

The previous post on this blog, entitled "To Trust Or Not To Trust," was not created by, or with the permission of, myself. It represents the illegitimate child of tyranny, and instead of deleting this post I will keep it as a statement: a statement against the terrorists, a statement against anarchy, a statement against the enemies of America who are trying to spread socialism and communism and attempting to DESTROY FREEDOM!

I suppose it could be worse, but as it stands, no it couldn't. So I say to you, blog terrorist hijackers, not cool. Not cool at all.

Currently listening to: "I Will Not Bow" by Breaking Benjamin (thanks to Gerald researching for his blog, www.gosuns33.blogspot.com)

To Trust or Not To Trust

2009-09-30T21:08:00.000-07:00

I shouldn't leave my blog open for anyone to post things on.... Maybe next time I will logout and not trust my floor mates!

A Letter To Captcha

2009-09-30T17:27:00.000-07:00

Dear captcha word chooser,

WTF?

How do you come up with combinations of words that either make no sense together, or make so much sense together that it freaks me out a little bit? It amazes me. "Annual ribs?" Are you referring to a barbeque that takes place every year? I don't get it. Then we have things like "lobster invasion," which makes sense in a weird, 1950's bad sci-fi movie kind of way. Then of course there's the classic combo of "lineal of." First off, I don't think "lineal" is a word. Seriously. Then we have "of". You made my captcha a prepositional phrase consisting of 50% not-a-word, 50% word-that-only-sets-up-other-words, and 100% stupid.

But really captcha maker, how do you do it? Do you have a database of every word known to man an randomly choose two words to use? Or do you make up words? Or do you have a database of all the Google searches, then use those words? That might explain the captcha "14 packers" (the search would be fruitless: there is no number 14 on the Packers' roster this year) but would not explain the extreme lack of "pamela," "paris," and "boobs." However you go about your crazy business, I seriously doubt you could explain why "Bernard Nieuport" came up.

So, captcha maker, I know you stop computers from posting things they aren't supposed to, so you make the words get all smudged and blurry and stupid-looking so the computers can't read it. That's cool and all, but usually I can't read it either. That's annoying. I want to post my link, or buy my stuff, or whatever I want to do that evil computers want to also do. So don't make "lt" look like "H," or "lo" look like "b," or "Oprah" look like "Booyah." Be clear, please.

And finally, if my eyes can make out the words you show, and my mind can somehow wrap itself around the weird combination of words I see, please, captcha maker, make them real words. Last I checked, "lectives" is not a word. And I just checked. Dictionary.com says I win this time. Oh, neither are "ignoratio" or "nexis." Unless of course they're Latin, which I'm unfortunately not fluent in.

So, mighty captcha maker, I have one request. Be clear, don't confuse me, and use real words. Is that so hard? I really don't think so.

Oh, one more thing. Never make me type "$25-million bile" again. Ever.

Sincerely,

Reda

Currently listening to: "Transatlanticism" by Death Cab For Cutie

Thank You

2009-09-29T19:34:00.001-07:00

My blog turned 500 (views) today! So thank you all for checking it out, whoever you are.

Also, to those who comment, first and foremost thank you even more. Reading what you have to say in regards to what I have to say is as much or more enjoyable than posting things. Again I thank you. You are truly beautiful people.

And to those who don't, consider it. I'm not saying you MUST comment on EVERY post I make, but if something gives you a thought, reaction, emotion ... share it! This is the Internet my friends, a place for sharing ideas and knowledge. Challenge something, add your own spin to something, add additional info on something. Maybe it will spark additional comments, and a whole new debate will begin. I might even join in on it.

Truth of the matter is, I love reading the comments you folks in cyberspace leave for me. It shows that you read my blog, and not only that, it has impacted you enough that you want to let me know. That's a great feeling, and you are the reason I get to feel it.

So, if you feel like saying something, anything, say it.

Thank you for reading.

Currently listening to: "1901" by Phoenix

Music Mondays - All The Day Holiday

2009-09-27T23:24:00.000-07:00

All The Day Holiday is a brilliantly named indie-rock/alternative/ambient quartet from Cincinnati, OH. Made up of Daniel Simmons, David Roller, Mark Ventura, and Nathan Frisch, these guys have created a unique and exciting new sound. Don't believe me? Believe Rolling Stone, who named ADTH one of six breakout bands of the year. For good reason. Their album, "The Things We've Grown to Love" released this past August, and it's brilliant.

I'm not exactly sure how to describe ATDH's sound, but if I had to try I'd say that nothing is sharp. Now, I'm not saying that their playing is sloppy--it's far from that--what I'm saying is that everything flows almost organically. The guitars echo softly, the bass-line flows beneath them, and the vocals seem just a bit distant yet remain entirely captivating. Add to that the brilliant, steady, but constantly changing drum beats and you get a sound that can't be matched.

Coupled with the instrumentals and overall sound is the the depth of the lyrics. There's an obvious emphasis on nature and relationships between people. Touching on everything from longing for love to avoiding an uninspired life, each song will make you think. If you really listen.

Here are five standout songs.

"Autumn"- The opening track. It begins with distant vocals backed by a steady bass line and acoustic guitar for the first verse, then bursts into an instrumental introduction followed by a bridge. "And we fly/we soar through the story of our lives" drifts through the speakers and sets the tone for the song and album. With eyes closed you could truly feel as if you were soaring. Towards the end of the song Simmons swoons "I promise you we'll make it out alive/I promise you we'll see a brand new light." It's as if he's setting up the entire experience of the album. Just prepare yourself to be taken away for fifty minutes to discover the story of a life, and you'll make it out with a new perspective on some aspect of your own.

"2000 Winters"- The third track and one of my top two favorites. It has a similar introduction with a delicate guitar intro and distant, almost haunting vocals. This is a truly great love song. Call me a sap, but I find the honest and real emotion in the song captivating. "I'll take you wherever you want to go/I'll see you through the night/you are here so come in/I want you to be so close my dear/'cause I love you so/do you really know?" Brilliance. This is a lyrically driven song, but the instruments pair perfectly, matching the mood of the song throughout.

"The Things We've Grown To Love" - The title track is a definite foot-tapper and head-bobber. The rhyme scheme is quick and the music is upbeat for the first 1:30 of the song, slowly winding down into a bridge at the 2:00 mark. Then a slow but steady drumroll crescendo into the last chorus is a beautiful build-up with the inspiring lyrics "We're holding on to the things we've grown to love/we won't, and don't want to, let go." There's also a subtle trumpet part in the background as yet another layer of perfectly meshed instrumental aspects. Again, a wonderfully crafted piece of music.

"Flowers and Fireworks"- If you hadn't found a song that "soars" up until this point in the album, you certainly will have after this song. It truly does soar. A song of the joys of youth and a carefree life, and how comforting it is to find something to allow us to return to that feeling, "Flowers and Fireworks" may be the standout track on the album as far as pure musical, emotional force. It's a truly uplifting song, highlighted by the final words, "Why did I ever need to control?"

"Invisible"- The final track on the album. If "Autumn" was designed to take you away and capture you in ATDH's music, "Invisible" was designed to bring you back. A stripped down, all-acoustic song, it is a technically simple song. No sweeping movements, bridges, or build-ups and breakdowns. This song is a bare-bones acoustic love song. And while it may not "fit" with the style of the rest of the album, it does fit and serve a purpose. It wraps up the album, and brings the listener back uplifted, as though the album was written with them in mind: "It was all invisible to me/you were the only one, the only one that I could see."

If you want an album that you'll listen to again and again, pick this up. Or check out the band on

MySpace

Purevolume

Enjoy

Important Things To Know Part II

2009-09-27T11:41:00.000-07:00

A second important thing to know is whether or not you have your keys when you leave your room. I think the reasoning behind this is obvious.

If it isn't as obvious as I imagine it is, let me explain. There are few sounds that make you feel more helpless than the sound of a door locking behind you as you realize your keys are the side of the door that you're not. Maybe a judge's gavel after a guilty verdict sentencing you to jail time would be, but that's about all I can think of at the moment.

However, there is something a little more pathetic. Hypothetically, if I were to leave my room, leave my dorm building, go eat some lunch, return to my dorm building, and reach for the lanyard that holds my room key and ID/keycard only to find chapstick and lint in my pocket: that would suck. Because, hypothetically, I would have to call some floor mates to have them bring me an extra keycard to get up to my floor, then wait an hour for my room mate to come back from class to let me in. It was awful.

Hypothetically.

Moral of the story: lock your doors, but also remember your freaking keys.

The Fish

2009-09-26T22:00:00.001-07:00

I now have fish at the very bottom of the page. They're fun to play with (they follow your mouse) and they're swimming in the desert. So check it out if you're bored or if you appreciate irony. Or both.

Important Things To Know

2009-09-25T15:05:00.000-07:00

An important thing to know is whether or not the door to your house/apartment/dorm is locked.

I believe that statement stands pretty close to unchallengeable. People have pulled illegal U-turns on the way to their vacation spots to check, to just be absolutely sure, that the door is locked at home. People have mini panic attacks worrying about the door and its locked or unlocked status.

"Bill, did you send out that e-mail?"

"Ah! What? No! I don't know! I don't know if it's locked! I put Fido outside and grabbed my coffee and then it's just a blank from there until starting my car! I ... don't ... know!!!" (bangs head on desk).

But I think the anxiety we feel is justified. The door is the portal into your home, your possessions, your life. We want it shut tight, dead-bolted, and if possible surrounded by a moat.

So when I saw, from down the hall, someone who was clearly not me, and clearly not my room mate, exit my room I freaked out a little bit. How did they get in there? What did they take? What did they leave? A body? Am I next? Am I going to get murdered? Oh God I'm going to get murdered. But seriously, what did they take?

As it turns out, it was my floor mate. He then informed me that my door is often unlocked, and if he's too lazy to go all the way to his room he leaves things in my room until he can get them later. He does this often. He also said he'd taken a Sprite. This time he just wanted water. I informed him that was not cool, dude.

So ladies and gents: lock your doors! You're welcome in advance.

Polling

2009-09-23T00:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I conducted a poll for KAET Channel 8. Yes, I was the jackass who calls just as dinner gets served to ask about your political views. It went a little something like this.

"Hello ma'am, my name is ... what's that? ... oh, no ma'am I'm not selling anything ... no this is just a public opinion poll ... what's that? ... ma'am let's not get vulgar, I don't appreciate being called that ... what? Your husband is coming on the ... hello sir ... no sir, I don't enjoy ruining your evening ... sir ... let's keep my mother out of this please ... thank you ... yes sir, I do have a soul ... go what myself? ... *click*"

More or less.

Mostly less, but there were some ridiculous moments I think are worth sharing.

Me: "Do you approve or disapprove of the job (deleted under threat of torture) is doing as (deleted under threat of torture)?"

Them: "I absolutely ABHOR the job [they are] doing."

Me: "...So you would say you disapprove?"

-----

Me: "What race or ethnicity best describes you: white or Anglo, Hispanic or Latino, African American, Native American, or other?"

Them (oozing patriotism): "I'm an AMERICAN."

Me: "..."

Them (timidly): "I'm white."

-----

Me: "We're doing a public opinion poll for KAET and I need to speak to ..."

Them: "For who?"

Me: "For KAET. Channel 8."

Them: "I've never heard of it. What is it?"

Me: "Um, it's a television station."

Them: "Well I've never heard of it. I've heard of channel 6."

Me: "That's not us ma'am. We're channel 8."

Them: "I don't know what that is."

Me: "Do you have time to answer a few questions?"

Them: "Well I've still just never heard of you so no, I don't think so."

Me: "That's fine. Have a nice night."

-----

Them: "Bueno."

Me: "Uh...thank you for your time."

-----

Me: "Do you support or oppose same sex marriage?"

Them: "What marriage?"

Me: "Same sex marriage."

Them: "Like the gays?"

-----

Me: "Do you support or oppose same sex marriage?"

Them: "Well I'm a Christian if that answers that question."

-----

Me (calling at approximately 8:45 p.m.: "Hello, I'm calling for KAET Channel 8, and we're conducting a public opinion poll for ..."

Them: "Guess what buddy?"

Me: "Um...what?"

Them: "I go to bed at 8:00!"

As you can see, I had a lot of fun calling Them up. And those, my friends, are but some of the brief happy glimmers I took from that long and unhappy quest to discover the state's opinion. Enjoy them, share them, and, most importantly, try not to be like Them.

Music Mondays - Meese

2009-09-21T19:32:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer: I'm not "reviewing" albums, just giving my opinions on bands, albums, and songs that I like. Off we go...

To kick off my Music Monday series, I've chosen the band Meese and their debut LP "Broadcast."

Meese is a quartet from Denver, Colorado and consists of brothers Patrick Meese (vocals, guitar, keys) and Nathan Meese (guitar), along with Benjamin Haley (drum) and Mike Ayars (guitar).

Meese fun fact: fellow Denver band The Fray opened for one of Patrick Meese's first bands. Now Meese just finished touring with The Fray.

I first saw Meese when they opened for one of my favorite bands, Copeland. I had never heard of them, but they opened up a catchy but unique tune (that I would late discover was called "Forward Motion"). They had a great setlist, and after the show I bought their CD. Much to my pleasant surprise, I saw them again a week later with Jack's Mannequin and The Fray. So if you like Copeland, Jack's Mannequin, or The Fray, you'll probably like Meese.

Now, to the music.

First and foremost, "Broadcast" is a great album. Second, "Meese" now refers to Patrick Meese.

"Forward Motion" opens up the album with a light guitar riff and a steady kick drum to back Meese's soft, high vocals. As the song continues, the instrumentals build up by adding the second guitar and a bass line, with Meese's vocals increasingly becoming louder and more intense. The song crescendoes until a sudden breakdown in which both guitars play a riff alone, then are joined by a bass line and drums. It's a quick change but brilliant, and I was hooked from that point on.

The third track, "Tell Me It's Over," was the song that put the band on the map, and for good reason. The lyrics move fluidly throughout the song, with instruments that almost force you to move your head or tap your foot. It's a heartfelt song about the confusion inherent in love, more specifically break-ups. But it's not a typical "I feel terrible woe is me" break-up song, as shown by Meese singing "Okay in the first degree, there's nothing wrong with me" in the bridge. It's a plea for clarity, and an all-around great track.

The next track I'd like to feature is "Taking the World On." This is a slower, piano-driven ballad that has great emotional pull. Meese swoons about the challenges of maintaining any relationship through trials and challenges. "Standing our ground 'til the walls come down/It's too hard taking the world on/Too hard taking the world on" seems to be the main theme of the song. Again, this track has great movement and never gets repetitive.

I only mention "Next in Line" because it is their first single. It sounds over-produced, appealing to a much larger audience which makes sense as a single. It does have traits of the rest of the album, but doesn't show their best effort. And they say "Na na na na na," which seems forced, probably because Meese writes such great lyrics and using onomatopoeia is degrading to his ability. The song has the typical great movement, but I think there could have been a better single.

My favorite track on the album by far is "The Quiet Side." It epitomizes the amazing ability of this band to start a song softly, almost begging you to turn the volume up, then slowly building up in complexity and volume, getting very soft and then erupting into a crescendo. It's genius and a joy to listen to. Pair that instrumental ability with Meese's lyrics (in this song: the battle between the external, polite side we all show and the internal thoughts and feelings we all hold) and you have a stellar song. Standout line has to be "fire on the third floor/heading out the back door/is the quiet side of me/making up for all the times he/had to play the nice guy/telling little white lies/now the quiet side of me/is taking his revenge on everything"

The closing track is almost as important as the opening track, because it is the last thing the band leaves you with. "Margot" is the last song, on this album, and the message it leaves you with is threefold: 1) these guys can write incredible music (this song features a catchy little piano riff, solid and steady drums, great guitar, and strings to bring the song home), 2) Patrick Meese has an incredible knack for writing simple-worded lyrics that delve into deep and relatable subjects, and 3) play the album again.

Meese has made a brilliantly accessible yet deep album in "Broadcast." There are no weak tracks on the album, and quite a few incredibly strong ones. Check out the band's Web site, www.meesemusic.com or MySpace, www.myspace.com/meese for some songs I didn't mention, and buy the album to hear the songs I did. It's worth it.

Seriously, these guys are good.

Home, Home on the Road

2009-09-18T15:25:00.000-07:00

QT makes me happy.

Every QT is like my own personal pantry; but one in which thousands of others stop by and take my food, my mother is replaced by a friendly staff member (i.e. Janet, or Darrell), and I have to give aforementioned "mother" money before I leave with my food. But other than that it's exactly like my pantry, and possibly even better.

Here's the thing: QT never changes. Pull into any QT and you'll see 24 gas pumps, lined in a 2 x 12 rectangle of stations. Parking spaces line the front of this modern Valhalla, and there is always a "Safe Place" off to the right of the building (just look for the sign with the ominous black figure clutching a defenseless little yellow person). Walk, stroll, sprint, or skip with glee to the double glass doors in the center of the store, and open them.

Bask in the glory for a moment.

Your friendly staff mother should greet you with a "Hello" or a "How's it going?"

"I'm great, now that I'm here," you reply. Then it's off to wherever you need to go. Fountain drinks/slushies/milkshakes: back left corner. Frozen treats: straight ahead on the back wall. Candy and gum: take an immediate right. QT tequitos: 45 degree angle to the left. If you find something you like, it will be exactly where you found it; 60 percent of the time, every time. (In QT's case, however, it's actually 100 percent of the time, every time).

And that set up is the same in every single QT around the country. Every. Single. One. Add the fact that the prices are frickin' sweet (44 oz. fountain drink for 99 cents I do believe, and the prices for most other things are perfect for the college budget) and you get a beautiful place. A place of food, drink, and familiarity.

And a place that makes me one very happy camper.

Post Script: "Music to listen to" will be replaced by "Music Mondays."

A Lost Art

2009-09-17T04:03:00.000-07:00

We have lost the art of letter writing.

In this age of e-mail, texting, Facebook, Twitter, and instant messaging, the hand-written letter has gone by the wayside. It's a shame really. Think about it, so much of our history comes from what we learn in letters: letters to and from our Founding Fathers during the Revolution, Lewis and Clark's expedition was relayed back to Thomas Jefferson through letters, letters from soldiers at war gave people on the home-front a first-hand account of what war is (the greatest WWI poem, "Dulce et Decorum Est" by Wilfred Owen, was sent as a letter to his mother. Poetry is another lost art, but I digress.) And of course, there is the love letter, a.k.a. the greatest thing you could ever receive in the mail.

The sad truth is that today's age has traded poetry, romance, and mystique of old for science, fact, and convenience. One casualty of this war on romance is the love letter. Some may argue that mailing a letter is slower, more cumbersome, and less accessible than, say, and e-mail. I challenge that by saying those things are what make letter-writing so much better.

Three reasons for letters:

Timing is Everything (Time)

When someone writes a letter, they need to take a significant amount of time to do so. They have to sit down, grab a pen and paper, and hand-write their thoughts. It takes a while. Just consider the verbiage. Many people "shoot off" an e-mail, a lot like shooting off a firework: set it might be totally awesome, but only for a second then it's off to the trash bin. A letter, however, is very different. You compose a letter, like you would compose a symphony. Every word, phrase, and sentence should work together to make for a beautiful piece of prose. And when it's done right, it can be revisited again and again, staying just as beautiful or even getting better with time.

Location, Location, Location (Place)

Where do you receive e-mails? Sitting on your butt in a chair, staring at a screen. Just like you're doing right now. The same place you play WoW, watch YouTube, and Google Megan Fox. Romantic? Not so much. But, where do you get a letter? Your mailbox. You sift through the mail (bill, bill, ad, bill, wait! What's this!) and once you see your name written in someone else's hand you get a little bit excited. You run inside (maybe to your room) and rip open the envelope. There's even the buildup of suspense that occurs from mailbox to reading spot. Getting a letter is an experience, not a task like opening an e-mail.

No Emoticons (Personality)

Words are words. The word "love," whether it's hand-written or typed, means love (whatever your personal thoughts on love are, insert them here). But that's where the similarities end. In an e-mail, there are black words on a white screen. Maybe some blue hyperlinks. That's it. There are infinite possibilities for a letter. Different papers, colors of pen, and whatever other sweet things you can fit in an envelope. But the one most important aspect of letters, the ultimate trump card if you will, is the author's hand. I could type out I love you. I love you. There you go. Feel anything? I didn't think so. Now imagine that a) you did care if I loved you and b) you saw "I love you" written in my own handwriting, in a letter to you. The difference would be monumental, and if you disagree you're just trying to spite common sense, logic, and me. Stop it. Times New Roman has nothing on my chicken scratch penmanship.

Point is, to see a loved one's handwriting, an extension of themselves, taking the time to sit down, compose, and mail a letter to you has infinitely more value than checking your e-mail.

Let's become artists again.

An Introduction

2009-09-15T22:59:00.000-07:00

Hello there, the name's Reda. Welcome to the blog.

I'll first clarify the pronunciation of my last name and, consequently, this blog. I think it'll add a lot of depth. It's pronounced "Ree-duh," but is commonly confused with "Red-uh" and, more understandably, the Hispanic female name Rita. I only say this for your benefit, because at this point in the post you should understand the pun involved in the title of this blog. I'll give you a second...

Okay, so, what will this blog be about? Everything I suppose, or at least everything that's worth writing about. That means anything that I deem worthy of course, but it also means anything that you deem worthy. So go ahead and comment (or better yet pose an interesting question), "write to Reda" and I'll respond to it. Think of it as a Dear Abby, but where Abby writes her own articles as well as responding to questions.

So there are really no restrictions on what will get posted on here, but there is one thing that I'm going to always post: music to listen to. Installment 1.

Music to listen to: Moving Mountains - "Pneuma".

This New York band has an ambient, flowing sound that is unlike anything I've ever heard. They have the moving, dramatic, and sound of purely instrumental bands, but with inspiring and poetic lyrics that complement the instruments without becoming overbearing. There are some incredible buildups and crescendoes throughout, and the entire album is a set up for the epic final track "Ode We Will Bury Ourselves." Overall a brilliant sound, and perfect to study or fall asleep to.