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Billy's done his last chore...and he's not going to take it anymore.

maybe this weight was a gift...

My weekly music article I write for the Herald Journal, the local newspaper, is due very soon, if not now. I'm slightly irritated in that most of the flair and personality gets edited out of my articles anyway not to mention not being inspired for writing a music article for people who likely have no idea about what I'm speaking. And I have nowhere to go with it. I think I'm just particularly uninspired at the moment, and I feel rather bad about it for Nada Surf.

Nada Surf, being the band whom I'm writing about this week. I've recently fallen in love with the band's 2005 album The Weight Is A Gift and I've been a fan of High/Low since I, along with the rest of the masses, came to know them thanks to their hit single "Popular".

Out of the blue I decided I really wanted to get to know their material better and finally synced their newest album onto my iPod. I love it. They've completely shed the 90's alt-rock and have evolved a sound more in the vein of Death Cab For Cutie with a little bit more of a rock bounce to them at times.

I think one of my favorite qualities about them are the lyrics. They're simple (sometimes extremely so) , yet poignant and poetic. Matthew Caws definitely has a poet's vocabulary, but often he simply carefully chooses his words instead of using ten dollar adjectives.

Nada Surf's songs unfold as a collection of personal tales told through an introspective lens by a bemused narrator. More importantly, their songs can be more applicable to anyone than most bands today. A number of artists still sing from the particular perspective of a young mind. Matthew Caws writings can be equally appreciated by those in high school, in post-grad confusion, or in the midst of a midlife crisis.

My favorite track is relatively short, and I think it's my favorite right now because I feel where the song's coming from. It's called "Blankest Year." It's a recollection of having a strange, terrible or exhausting year (all three apply to 2007 so far), but then ends with "Oh, fuck it. I'm gonna have a party." I love the sentiment, and especially because "fuck it" has this amazing background vocal harmony going on. It's positively delightful. And I'm certainly feeling the "Oh, fuck it."

I've been down a bit. Last week through me for a bit of a loop. It began promising, extremely promising, but it ended up being akin to those Road Runner cartoons where the tunnel entrance is painted on a giant bolder, leading to your running face first into the rock at top speed.

Ugh.

Back to Nada Surf. Another thing I like about them is the fact that the music doesn't sound so uniform. A lot of bands tighten their sound to where all the instruments work on the same melody. Very little deviation occurs, which isn't terrible but can lead to future listens playing a bit stale.

Nada Surf's instrumentation feels more organic. Every instrument plays its own integral part to the overall melody, but the song never feels it's formed by a rigid marching band structure that dictates every note the band plays. This method allows creates a real atmosphere, allowing the listener to fully appreciate the band's effort.

The more I think about and listen to Nada Surf, the more I'm considering going to their show at the Orange Peel in Asheville instead of the They Might Be Giants show. It's still weighing in my head, so we'll see.

And I think I just inadvertently, wrote most of my Nada Surf article. Bitchin.

Good Morning, Internets

I know I've seen this before a few times, but can't remember if I ever posted it. But fuck if it isn't the most amazing Biblical interpretation ever.

Good Morning, Internets

Comic Review: Simon Dark #1

Writer: Steve Niles
Artist: Scott Hamtpon
Rating 9.5

Steve Niles and Scott Hampton achieved with Simon Dark what no one in DC has done in years, create a brand new title set in the mainstream universe that intrigues fans yet is simultaneously engaging to the uninitiated.

With a background like Niles' (30 Days of Night, Criminal Macabre), it's pretty evident that horror elements will come to play, but the writing seamlessly blends the setting of a horror film and urban legend atmosphere of a mysterious vigilante. Niles writes as if he's writing a horror film starring a hero just as dark and disturbing as the things he fights. Superhero would not be the choice word here. The word is often associated with these ethical icons, but the title character doesn't think twice about dispensing deadly force against an adversary.

Simon Dark is an intriguing character. His design seems to be one part Freddy Krueger, one part Leatherface, and one part Darkman. He moves with the silent grace of a dancer and attacks viciously yet cleanly. More interesting is the tragic innocence of the character. Niles has crafted an interesting character akin to Frankenstein's monster. But unlike Shelley's creation, Simon has no idea who he is or where he came from.

Although it's the first issue, Niles gives the reader a complete serving. It could almost be read as a stand alone short story, but it plants the seeds for what will obviously be the first story arc.

Hampton's art is perfect. It's dark, but defined enough to catch every insinuated shadow. He's creates dark and foreboding environment that swallow the entire page, enhancing the story's scale. I could pick no better artists for this book, and the design for Simon is absolutely wonderful.

But the most surprising of all? This takes place in Gotham City, and you'd never know it. Yes. The same city that Batman takes residence. But there's no reference to the Caped Crusader or anyone else bouncing around mainstream DC continuity. This throws back to a time when not damn every title coincided with each other. When you could read one book that built up it's own mythology and be a happy little reader and not completely lost.

Niles and Hampton have brought that world back. I have no doubt that the Bat will eventually show up, as it IS Gotham, but that Niles is creating a mainstream DC character from scratch without using the company's muddled continuity as a crutch is particularly noteworthy.

For the first time, a first issue is worth picking up. You get a fantastic story, the promise of a great series, and best yet, it doesn't feel like someone just haphazardly cut up a story and split it into a 5-part arc. This is perhaps one of the few REAL first issues I've read in a very long time. Niles has created an interesting story with a fascinating character brought to life by Hampton's refreshing artwork.

I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens next.

Good Morning, Internets

Good Morning, Internets

Good Morning, Internets

Hello, October

October's pretty sweet. Four of my favorite bands are releasing new albums this month:

Say Anything - In Defense of the Genre
Saves the Day - Under The Boards
Jimmy Eat World - Chase This Light
Coheed and Cambria - Good Apollo, I'm Turning Star IV: No World For Tomorrow

Additionally, this is the month of Halloween and the cooling off of weather. I think I'm going to be Doktor Sleepless for Halloween, assuming I, you know, have Halloween plans. Still haven't figured when I'm going to get inked again. Now I'm decided between the grinder design or Butters from South Park...and the new season of that has kicked off nicely.

While I'm a bit busier than I'd like to be at times, I feel...oddly optimistic about things.

We shall see.

And speaking of Say Anything, you can stream a new Say Anything track, "People Like You Are Why People Like Me Exist," here

And don't mind my self-conscious rambling. It's just me spewing out thoughts. I'm quite alright. No worries.

Dude. You're a Cohen Now. Welcome to a Life of Insecurity and Paralyzing Self-Doubt.

Getting to know someone can be rather odd, mainly because we as people are bit funny...and scared. For example, you can be confident, fun and engaging, sure, but when it comes to those internal decisions about what you actually do, it's a different story.

What makes getting to know someone difficult is trying to figure out the timing. Obviously, you're interested in the person on some sort of level, so you're going to put an effort to contact them or get together. But how exactly do you gauge that? That's the question. You don't want to call/text/message them too much or you'll be overwhelming, but you also don't want to seem disinterested or distant.

The reason for all this guesswork? No one wants to admit they're potentially interested. That means, even at the smallest level, there's a degree of investment emotionally. And it's an odd thing to address. Saying that' you're interested in someone is different than simply asking them out. It's more like "I like you, but I still want to get to know you. I'm interested in developing something out this, but I want to go slowly." I don't know. People seem to be far more unwilling to say that than to agree to go out on a date, which often leads to some sort of rushing.

To me, being friends with a person you're interested is just as important as any other aspect. Not that being romantic isn't important, but people seem forget that this, too, is part of the whole. This is not exactly coming out right. I'm a bit tired/hungry. Just felt like typing that out for some reason or another.

I'm well aware that I'm far too self-conscious for my own good, but I'm working on it.

Good Morning, Internets

Like A Velociraptor...

First and foremost, one of my all-time favorite bands, eve 6, is reuniting! They disbanded in 2004, with Max (vocals/lyrics) doing some solo work under the moniker Brotherhood of Lost Dogs and then some work with eve 6 drummer, Tony Fagenson, under the name The Sugi Tap. Ross at Eve 6 Media HQ, who's often in close touch with the band announced the band's reunification here.

Guitarist Jon Siebels will not be joining due to being in his new band Monsters in Waiting, but has given his blessing. I always felt like The Sugi Tap was basically eve 6, and I'm guessing it's their way of ending the acoustic experiment without turning out a completely different direction for The Sugi Tap. Max stated he didn't want TST to sound like eve 6, so it's likely going to be more in-tuned to the electric stuff. Either way, I'm elated! As a result, I'm feeling charitable, so here's "Anytime," a b-side from their album Horrorscope, which was used on the Out Cold Soundtrack. Just click it regularly, no right-click needed.

Eve 6 - Anytime

In addition, I think I might actually have a slight chance with the girl I have a crush on. My friend tells me that she at least thinks I'm somewhat attractive. So that's good, right? I've only talked with her one on one a few times, so definitely want to get to know her better, but something about her makes me smile a lot. Plus, anyone who's a South Park fan is works risking embarrassing yourself for (and since I tend to do that most often, what the hell). I definitely don't want to rush into it. I'd rather take things slow, it'd just be nice to know the other person's interested and thinking the same thing. At least the goal's the same then. I'm terrible at this sort of thing. Just trying not to psyche myself out. We'll see.

Also, Serenity sequel happening?

Good Morning, Internets

South Park 11x08: Le Petit Tourette

Oh South Park. How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Last night was the premiere of South Park. I hesitate to call it a season premiere because, really, it's not at all. It's the season's halfway mark. The PR boys at Comedy Central likely call it the "season premiere" because it's the starting point for everyone else. Nevertheless, South Park kicked off the second half of its 11th season last night. And, oh! How delightful it was

Basically, Cartman discovers he can curse at and/or around anyone at will when he comes across a boy with Tourette's Syndrome at the toy store. He, of course, turns it into a huge deal to garner sympathy from the town, and an exclusive interview for Dateline NBC in order to start a hate-filled rant about Jews on national television. Of course, Kyle makes it his mission to stop him.

This is one of those episodes that could go in any season. Not say that it's a throwaway, but it's not attempting to make a commentary on current events. It picks something without a certain place in time to be the focal point of the episode. I always find people who view the show as controversial a bit silly. The show is extremely intelligent and if people would actually pay attention to what's going on, they probably wouldn't be so quick to judge. Apparently the Tourettes Association jumped the gun and made some statement about how they weren't surprised that they were being made fun of...BEFORE THE EPISODE AIRED. Yes, it was used as a joke, but it wasn't simply making fun of Tourette's (thought it did play with it). Argh.

Two really great moments. One was the the confrontation between Kyle and Cartman in Cartman's room, which parodied early Bond movies. I've come to the conclusion that this show is largely about the epic struggle between Kyle and Cartman. It's just..fantastic. The second was Craig's recurring reasons why he would be "soo happy." The euphoric bliss he has thinking about cursing in front of adults floored me every time, especially when he approaches the kid who actually has TS and says "Dude, can I..Can I just hang out with you? Do your laundry or something." His delivery was perfect.

A great start to the second half of an already ridiculously strong season.

Good Morning, Internets (and Bryant)

P.S. I find delirious excitement in the fact that I know my friend Bryant has this blog bookmarked on his iPhone, so he can check it wherever he may roam.