But Blog coming back up!
I've decided to do some upgrades. The site is not going to look even remotely similar. This will no longer be a blogger account once the domain gets re pointed. All the same great content will exist, just in a different space and container. Be patient with me, the site may not be in a workable state for a few days.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Guerilla Radio - Rage Against the Machine
This song has always been important to me as it was popular just at the point I was starting to become interested in music. I hated rap music with a passion but this song fused rap and rock and made it angry. This isn't Aerosmith's version of rap rock. The band is trying to hold people accountable for what they do thus they write pissed off songs. RATM showed me it's a great thing to like other genres of music and every single genre has it's worthwhile and talented artists worth listening to.
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE - GUERILLA RADIO
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RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE - GUERILLA RADIO
Uploaded by hushhush112. - See the latest featured music videos.
Post-Grunge, Grunge Reaction
If you look back on grunge music, it was a movement and not a sound. The critics will throw all the grunge bands into a blender and label them similar but none of the big bands share anything in terms of sound or aesthetic. Nirvana embraced punk. Pearl Jam embraced anthems. Soundgarden embraced Zeppelin. Alice in Chains embraced metal. The most important things about these bands is what came after. While each of the bands was commercially successful, none of them really hit the ball out of the park in terms of sales. Nirvana's 'Nevermind' was the most commercially successful album of the movement, having shipped 10 million units. Pearl Jam's 'Ten' has sold very close to the same number of units. Alice in Chains' 'Dirt' has shifted 4 million units and Soundgarden's 'Superunknown' has sold 4 million.
Now the story isn't about grunge, but you have to know where you came from to plot where your going. When Kurt Cobain killed himself, grunge imploded. Alice in Chains' lead vocalist was heavily tangled in addiction and at this point was really no longer functioning as a normal human being. Pearl Jam has always been consistent but has really never had a significant hit since. Soundgarden's followup to Superunknown went in a college rock direction and touring tensions lead the band to disband.
After the death of grunge, many bands feeling inspired picked up the sword. Taking the distorted riffs and confessional lyrics and putting a mainstream twist on them. The bands in the post-grunge scene sold more albums then the big Seattle bands did thanks to being radio friendly and a little easier to digest. Bands like Bush, Creed, Collective Soul and 3 Doors Down have all been massive successes thanks to their predecessors.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Penn and Teller - Bullshit! (Fitness and Genetics)
Bullshit is a great show on Showtime that is basically a mini documentary on a particular subject. There is obvious bias but that's the point. P&T investigate a topic and prove why it's bullshit. Most of the episodes are pretty direct and contain great writing and intelligent logic. The topics are typically obvious bullshit that most people with common sense will know. Things like alien abductions, PETA and Fung Shui.
However that brings me back to the episode I watched last night I wanted to write about. The episode being on fitness and genetics and how it's well, bullshit. As someone who eats right, works out and stays active I found the entire episode a bit discouraging and damning. I wanted to dispel some of what they said and even add a bit to the pile of fitness bullshit.
The first argument was dealing with somatotypes and fitness models. P&T stated that the way the industry works is a fitness model with a certain genetic disposition is marketed in such a fashion that he/she convinces us that regardless of our own genetics. While this is some of what the industry does, it's a weak argument.
We need to define the 3 bodytypes of humans, called somatotypes. A somatotype breaks humans down into 3 categories based on composition and genetic factors. The first being ectomorphic. An ectomorph is by definition tall and lean, containing more slow twitch muscle fiber then fast twitch. This is your stereotypical tall thin person that can eat whatever they want and not gain weight thanks to metabolism. The second type is endomorphic. An endomorph will have larger bone structure and easily put on weight. This is your stereotypical overweight person. The third type is mesomorphic. A mesomorph has broad shoulders and a small waist and has a very easy time putting on muscle mass. A mesomorph also has lots of fast twitch muscle fiber. Your typical jock type is most likely a mesomorph. Captain of the football team that is always in great shape.
Now that we have our definitions out of the way I can contradict their argument. Genetic composition is always going to play a major factor. There will always be people that can look at weights and add lean mass. At the same time Bullshit stated that your doomed to your genetic bodytype. If you are tall and thin, your always going to remain such. The only bullshit is that statement. Despite your genetic disposition you can change. Aging mesomorphs may eventually look like an endomorph. Even bodytypes can change. The number one thing is understanding your own genetics. As a tall and lean person, you will have to work 10 times harder then a mesomorph. However proper training and good nutrition will still bring you results and you can achieve your goals.
Now for the part of the show I want to support. The fitness industry in general is well, bullshit. I really hate the mass marketing and personal trainer attitudes that perpetuate an industry that should be based around a positive message. First lets attack the trainers. The amount of useless exercises I see trainers utilize is staggering. The reason they do it is simple: complexity. In the trainer's mind all they think about is how to make things complex. If they seem odd and difficult, you can't drop them and workout on your own. The real approach should be one where you are teaching your client and informing them on how they can approach their life and what to look for in diet and nutrition.
The other side is supplements. Magic powders. Boost testosterone, melt fat. We have seen them all. When utilized supplements may assist one who is doing things properly, but the people buying them are the ones that shouldn't be supplementing anything. Nothing supplements do for you can't be achieved naturally by the body. It's in routine. Keyword of the day: routine.
However that brings me back to the episode I watched last night I wanted to write about. The episode being on fitness and genetics and how it's well, bullshit. As someone who eats right, works out and stays active I found the entire episode a bit discouraging and damning. I wanted to dispel some of what they said and even add a bit to the pile of fitness bullshit.
The first argument was dealing with somatotypes and fitness models. P&T stated that the way the industry works is a fitness model with a certain genetic disposition is marketed in such a fashion that he/she convinces us that regardless of our own genetics. While this is some of what the industry does, it's a weak argument.
We need to define the 3 bodytypes of humans, called somatotypes. A somatotype breaks humans down into 3 categories based on composition and genetic factors. The first being ectomorphic. An ectomorph is by definition tall and lean, containing more slow twitch muscle fiber then fast twitch. This is your stereotypical tall thin person that can eat whatever they want and not gain weight thanks to metabolism. The second type is endomorphic. An endomorph will have larger bone structure and easily put on weight. This is your stereotypical overweight person. The third type is mesomorphic. A mesomorph has broad shoulders and a small waist and has a very easy time putting on muscle mass. A mesomorph also has lots of fast twitch muscle fiber. Your typical jock type is most likely a mesomorph. Captain of the football team that is always in great shape.
Now that we have our definitions out of the way I can contradict their argument. Genetic composition is always going to play a major factor. There will always be people that can look at weights and add lean mass. At the same time Bullshit stated that your doomed to your genetic bodytype. If you are tall and thin, your always going to remain such. The only bullshit is that statement. Despite your genetic disposition you can change. Aging mesomorphs may eventually look like an endomorph. Even bodytypes can change. The number one thing is understanding your own genetics. As a tall and lean person, you will have to work 10 times harder then a mesomorph. However proper training and good nutrition will still bring you results and you can achieve your goals.
Now for the part of the show I want to support. The fitness industry in general is well, bullshit. I really hate the mass marketing and personal trainer attitudes that perpetuate an industry that should be based around a positive message. First lets attack the trainers. The amount of useless exercises I see trainers utilize is staggering. The reason they do it is simple: complexity. In the trainer's mind all they think about is how to make things complex. If they seem odd and difficult, you can't drop them and workout on your own. The real approach should be one where you are teaching your client and informing them on how they can approach their life and what to look for in diet and nutrition.
The other side is supplements. Magic powders. Boost testosterone, melt fat. We have seen them all. When utilized supplements may assist one who is doing things properly, but the people buying them are the ones that shouldn't be supplementing anything. Nothing supplements do for you can't be achieved naturally by the body. It's in routine. Keyword of the day: routine.
Smashing Pumpkins - Bullet with Butterfly Wings
I had an odd thought in my head when I picked this song. I wanted to pick the most over the top and extravagant song I could muster. My mind was blank. Well, besides November Rain. However a very extravagant album popped into my head and this would be the most respectable song on the album.
Smashing Pumpkins is another one of those bands with major lead singer syndrome. As much as we enjoy the original lineup, Billy Corrigan would like us to believe he's the only one in the band that matters. Mellon Collie features more input from each band member and thus with so much material, a 28 track album was put out. The record is excessive. Songs with 70 layers of guitar do exist.
Bullet with Butterfly Wings sounds and plays like some of the grunge reaction bands, but this is before the major grunge players disbanded. Thus the song has a wicked hook and you know right from the beginning of the chant what song it is.
Smashing Pumpkins is another one of those bands with major lead singer syndrome. As much as we enjoy the original lineup, Billy Corrigan would like us to believe he's the only one in the band that matters. Mellon Collie features more input from each band member and thus with so much material, a 28 track album was put out. The record is excessive. Songs with 70 layers of guitar do exist.
Bullet with Butterfly Wings sounds and plays like some of the grunge reaction bands, but this is before the major grunge players disbanded. Thus the song has a wicked hook and you know right from the beginning of the chant what song it is.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Saint Is A Sinner Too - Slash
You may remember my very first daily selection being Rocco Deluca, well lucky for you he's the vocalist on this track. Slash wanted an airy falsetto voice for the track and initially Thom Yorke came to mind but Slash had no real intentions of approaching Thom. Thus when he caught wind of Rocco he jumped at it.
This song is a big departure for slash featuring fairly stripped down acoustic finger picking that builds into a clashing crescendo. There is no guitar solo which in itself is huge for Slash as he's most certainly not used to taking the back seat.
This song is a big departure for slash featuring fairly stripped down acoustic finger picking that builds into a clashing crescendo. There is no guitar solo which in itself is huge for Slash as he's most certainly not used to taking the back seat.
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