The Chops
What's up? Eric here; I tend/keep the bar on Saturday nights. Everyone once in a while, I will drop in with some random thoughts about what's going on at Aberdeen, the neighborhood, music, pop culture, etc. Before we get into any of that, make sure you come out to our Christmas party this Saturday. You will get drunk; you will dance; you might go home with a beautiful stranger. 'Tis the season.
Album to Buy:
BLAKROC - For anyone who likes music, this album is a treat. The Black Keys, one of the best live acts in music today, collaborated with a mix of well-known and emerging Hip-Hop and R&B artists to create a fusion rock/rap record. Just like most people, I think that most of those rap/rock artists suck (Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit, etc). However, a lot of people forget that a combination of those two styles can work out. Run-DMC and the Beastie Boys created some of the most groundbreaking albums ever by melding different musical styles together. This album falls under the groundbreaking category; it has a blues vibe instead of metal, and it doesn't sound forced at all.
Anyway, BLAKROC is the shit. The webisodes (found here), are just as good as the album. I particularly enjoyed Webisode 4; while RZA doesn't have much talent on the guitar, it seems he was the only one to come into the studio with the Black Keys and immediately make an imprint on the song besides adding lyrics. His lick ended up making the song "Dollaz & Sense" sweet.
Most of the songs have a dirty winter vibe to them; just picture listening to some of the songs while driving through shitty wintery-mix weather at night. Hell, you can just go ahead and do that right now. It's cold as hell outside, almost dark, and there is some slush around.
Book to Read:
The Eletric Kool-Aid Acid Test by Tom Wolfe - A great book that sheds light on the formation of the hippie movement. I knew basically nothing about Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters before reading this book (Kesey wrote One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest). However, Wolfe does a tremendous job of shedding light on how the Prankster's antics brought the Greatful Dead to stardom, indirectly influenced the transformation of the Beatles from boyband to acid-rock innovators, and served as a crucible of creativity for the Haight/Asbury district.
Listen, I dislike hippies as much as the next guy; they smell bad, claim to love the environment (yet drive shitty, gas-guzzling cars), and act superior to normal people despite the fact that they contribute almost nil to society. But, those are modern day hippies that rebel against nothing but good hygene and common courtesy. The actual hippies have influenced music, film, literature, and style like no subsequent generation. It can be tough to follow at times, but this book provides a cool snapshot of the past.
Item to Ponder:
The Tiger Woods saga is completely unavoidable. Unfortunately, one man's transgressions can provide a lightning rod for the relationships of many across the globe. A big "fuck you" to Tiger Woods from men across the globe; because you can't stop banging truck stop waitresses and C-level reality TV starlettes, women don't trust any of us. Good luck saving this one from the trap, pal. Your bridge is burned with everyone.
The Tiger Woods saga is completely unavoidable. Unfortunately, one man's transgressions can provide a lightning rod for the relationships of many across the globe. A big "fuck you" to Tiger Woods from men across the globe; because you can't stop banging truck stop waitresses and C-level reality TV starlettes, women don't trust any of us. Good luck saving this one from the trap, pal. Your bridge is burned with everyone.
It is interesting that women have jumped all over this one to say, "men can't be trusted". I mean, obviously that has been said time and time again. But when A-Rod got caught red-handed, it didn't hit this close to home. The only comparable sex scandal would be Bill Clinton's many transgressions; but even then, I wouldn't say the public tide turned completely against him. I know that I just kinda shrugged. I guess that's because Hillary Clinton seems like a praying mantis.
Is it because Tiger's wife, Elin, seems so hapless and innocent? Is it because he spent so much time hiding his personal life, and now that this came out, everyone feels that they have figured out the mystery? Not sure. But, it certainly provides the perfect example that in today's day and age, you can't get away with ANYTHING even if you wanted to. Facebook, Twitter, blogging, etc. Robin Williams said it best: "It's not 'Big Brother' you have to worry about, it's 'Little Snitch'". Your neighbor has never been so inclined to air out your dirty laundry.
Alright, so you're coming to the Christmas Party. You'll be able to check out some new photography we have up in the bar (courtesy of Casey), and meet some of our new staff. You'll be able to rip some shots, possibly blast some cigs outside. And, you'll get to tell me how I'm wrong about all of this shit. A pretty nice little Saturday. SEEYUH.
