(50) Sundays of Music: #9

#9: Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown

This is the most recent album to have come out to appear on this countdown and it appears here for one simple reason: I really really like it.

Maybe it's the memories. Maybe it's that I bought this cd at the Virgin store in Hollywood during our Alabama to California to road trip and listened to the entire thing while waiting in traffic. Or listened to it while traveling back through Arizona.

It does take me back to listening to the story contained in the songs, the follow-up to American Idiot. Though not as in a second chapter, but in Green Day doing yet another concept album.

I don't feel it's necessary to write a super long blog post about this album because I feel anyone who is going to comment is going to say the same thing: "I lost track of Green Day when they did American Idiot and now they just aren't even the same band anymore."

And you know what? I feel really sorry for anyone who is stuck on a band's past and is not willing to give something they put tons of effort into making a decent shot. (If you have listened to it and didn't like it, that doesn't pertain to you. It's the ones who dismiss it before even listening to it that I was referencing). Sure, it contains more elements of "pop" then any of their previous releases, but I honestly don't think I want guys their age still acting and writing like the "punks" they were when Dookie is released. They are really talented musicians and the way the songs on this release flow together and mix in a vast array of sounds is purely amazing.

When music history is written years and years from now, I firmly believe Green Day will be placed up there with Queen, Guns & Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers and other legends as one of the greatest bands of all time. And this cd will be one that, if no one had heard before, they are sorely missing out.

For a more well-worded review of this cd (a 5 star review no less), please check out this post from Mike at This Song Starts a Craze.

Movie Thursday: #3

The Saw Franchise

October 2004. The fall semester of my senior year of high school.

When you live in a small town like Daleville, Alabama, there is not much to do for entertainment if you don't particularly feel like going an illegal route. Our main choice for amusement was going to the movies. Everyone was talking about going to see the latest big horror film, "The Grudge." My friend (and future roommate) suggested we go a different route and take a chance on a movie that was barely advertised, but got a really high rating on IGN.com, a website we often check to make decisions such as these. That movie was Saw.

I remember everything about the first time I saw that movie. From squirming in my seat at the traps to intensely trying to figure out what was going on to literally cheering with everyone else in the theater during a climatic "fight scene" at the end and then sitting, stunned, at the ending as the credits rolled and you could still hear screams.

I wasn't "scared" but the movie had psychologically gotten into me. During the 20-minute drive home, barely a word was said. We were comprehending what we had just seen.

The next year was our freshman year of college and Saw II turned into an event. It fell on homecoming weekend for our high school (back then you HAD to come back for homecoming) so it turned into big thing where a bunch of friends come to our house in Auburn afterward. It was a fun weekend with a great sequel.

Then Saw III happened. At the time, I thought they were ending a trilogy so when it ended I felt anger. I had so many questions and wondered what they had just done. It killed my buzz so much that I stopped associating memories with the movie.

Saw IV got back on track. But as good as it was, it also entered more questions and the plot started taking spider-web like turns.

I honestly, right now, can't tell you the difference between Saw V and VI. The events run together and I couldn't tell you what happened in which movie. But they never went downhill, not in my opinion.

The Saw franchise has taken a lot of heat (SPOILER ALERT): The main villain dies in the third movie; they keep on making movies when they should have really stopped after the second; the traps have been referred to as "torture porn." My gripe is the 3D inclusion of the next installment (not called Saw VII, but Saw 3D). It can be kinda cool - or it can be really corny.

For the record, I am not a fan of the gore. I am a fan of the story. And I look to forward to (hopefully, finally) closing the book that is Saw this weekend.

(50) Sundays of Music: #10

#10: Blink-182 - Take off Your Pants and Jacket

First off, this has got to be one of the greatest titles for an album the long history of album titles. One of the things I loved about the Mark, Tom and Travis show (not to be confused with the live cd) is their way to just have fun with life.

As much of an impact Enema of the State had during my middle school years, this release came just as I was entering high school. I remember hearing "The Rock Show" while I was in Texas during the summer of 2001. To this day, some people still refer to it as The Warped Tour Song (trivia: I didn't attend my first Warped until four years later).

That summer was actually a tough one for me. In a summary, I was basically given the decision to keep on living my life with my friends in Alabama or move back to California and be with my family. Long story short, I chose my friends. My dad picked me up from Cali in his 18-wheeler and we drove all the way back to the southeast. Along with Eminem, blink-182 was a band I listened to as I sat in the back and waited for the long drive to return to small-town home.

While living in said small-town, this was a cd that got played a lot in my room, a place I spent a lot of time in. I wasn't a loner, but my room was definitely a getaway from a lot of stress (before I could drive). Songs like "Give Me One Good Reason" and "Everytime I Look For You" were songs I had on rotation.

And just like "Adam's Song" from Enema, "Stay Together for the Kids" was another track that hit me in a time when I just wanted to rock out. I remember my best friend at the time and I made a music video to it. It's kind of lame, but was really fun and I still think of him to this day when I hear it.

The good thing about this cd? It's one I can still put on and enjoy from start to finish.

Movie Thursday: #2

The Social Network

When it comes to movies, I have to admit, I tend to go with the critics. Of course, our tastes will sometimes differ as in the case of the Saw franchise (more on that next week) but for the most part I am right there with them. Last year, I hated Transformers 2 (after loving the first one) and voted Avatar as my movie of the year. Same with this year as Inception is probably going to end up getting that title for 2010. But after months of buzz I saw the Social Network and have to admit - it was really good.

I will try to keep away from spoilers (and any details about the movie will be vague), but there weren't any "twists" as this is a movie based on actual events. I say "based" because we all know that there are going to be some stretches. For example, after seeing the film you could think to yourself "it was really all about a girl?" And this is where I think the producers added a bit of their own touch to the movie. And ultimately it seems silly - a movie about Facebook. But it works.

Why exactly does it work? Three reasons.

1) The sound and imagery. I've never been a fan of Trent Reznor but the score to this movie was on point. It helped me to feel certain moments. And though I've never been to Harvard, I imagine those that have did a lot of finger pointing and many "I've been there" phrases were said.

2) The director. I've reached a point in my movie-watching status that not only will I be interested in a film because of who is in it, but because of who is directing. There are only a few that get this treatment (Christopher Nolan, Tony Scott, Clint Eastwood) but after being amazed by Fight Club, David Fincher is on that list. I think why this movie was able to win people over is the way he was able to weave three timelines (current legal battles plus Zuckerberg's best friend's perspective plus the Winklevoss twins). I never got lost and stayed interested.

3) The actors. After Adventureland, I'm not really a fan of Jesse Eisenberg. I was ok with him in Zombieland but I HATED him in Adventureland. I feel like if you take all the reasons people hate Micheal Cera - that is why I don't like Eisenberg. But he nailed it here. Especially because while Zuckerberg isn't a villian, he is kind of a dick (some of the material is straight from his livejournal

account). I admit though, I came in scouting Andrew Garfield, who plays Zuckerberg's friend Eduardo Saverin. I had seen him in "The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus" and knew he was going to play the next Spider-Man and based on this movie, I feel the web-slinging franchise is in good hands. And lastly, if Justin Timberlake didn't have respect as an actor before, I think he deserves it now. For some reason, I didn't know that he was playing Napster creator Sean Parker (I had no idea Parker was involved in facebook) but he played him perfectly. And ironically, I might add, as N'SYNC was popular around the time Napster was killing careers.

The best thing about this movie is I left the theater thinking about it. Facebook will be something that defines a generation. Just like Napster started iTunes and MySpace music. I remember thinking how we were going to have flying cars in the 2000s and people disappointed that we don't. But when you look at iPhones, twitter, YouTube... it is kind of amazing what technology can do.

Amazing, just like this movie.

Do you like cheap music?

Then go here:

http://www.amazon.com/Bad-Books/dp/B004671Z6G/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1287462717&sr=301-1

The Mp3 version of this release, a side project featuring members of Manchester Orchestra and Kevin Devine, is currently on sale for $2.99.

My friends, that's ridiculous.

I'm currently giving it a first listen, but I am liking it so far.

And here is what one reviewer had to say:

"If you're a fan of either Manchester Orchestra/Andy Hull or Kevin Devine, I can almost guarantee that you'll love this album. If you're a fan of rock, you'll love it. If you're a fan of indie stuff, you'll love it. If you like good songwriting, you'll love it. Hell, if you're a fan of music in general, I think you should like this album. Do yourself a favor and check it out - you might be missing out on two great songwriters and musicians otherwise."

(50) Sundays of Music: #11

#11: The All-American Rejects - The All-American Rejects/Move Along

Yes, there are actually two cds for today's (tonight's?) post. I absolutely could not decide which I liked more so I decided to just put them both. It's my countdown, I'm allowed to do these things.

I don't really remember where I was the first time I heard "Swing, Swing" but I know I liked it. The song was catchy at first, but then really started to stick with me. One time I went to some conference for some high school group I was in and the "entertainment" did a cover of the song, which was actually pretty good.

Sometime later I received a burned copy of the cd from somebody. My sister and I would sometimes drive to school together and I remember her actually liking "One More Sad Song" and I have to "actually" because she rarely likes the same music that I do. But I ended up really getting into the cd as a whole and we used for some of our drives.

The closing track, "The Last Song," is one that still sticks out to me even today. My friends and I kind of used to highlight our high school years coming to an end because we were all parting ways and it was just kind of fitting.

When word came my senior year of high school that AAR had a new cd coming out, I became excited. I liked the lead-off single, "Dirty Little Secret," and marked the release date on my calender. The day happened to come when I was in Los Angeles visiting family and I specifically remember making my mom take me to Target so I could get it.

While "Move Along" was more radio friendly (both the title track and the album as a whole), I still played the entire thing on repeat. In fact, when listening to the entire thing, it takes me back to that summer. To the beginnings of a four-year relationship with my now ex-girlfriend, to my transition from high school to college and to my brothers and I making my mom turn up "Dance Inside" and singing along.

Movie Thursday: #1

The Introduction

So it's obvious that I have a passion for music. But what I've sort of touched on here is my passion for movies. Seriously, if they wanted me to, I would do advertisements for Netflix because for someone like me, it is a Godsend.

But I wanted to set a "movie day" for two reasons. One, because I like talking about movies (I even used to have a blog dedicated to it). Two, it is a way to make myself blog a little more, even it is one more day.

I've enjoyed being in the rhythm of posting on Sundays. And after a suggestion, it seems Thursday will be the day for movies.

I also don't know the exact format yet, but I will tinker with that. And on a sidenote, hopefully I will be done with the (way too much thought put into) blog makeover by the time my #10 post comes around in the Music Sunday countdown.

So expect reviews or the latest news or what I am excited about. But when it comes to A Rush of Blog to the Head, Thursday's are for movies :)

I'm Kind of a Big Deal

Not really. I just like to quote Anchorman any chance I get. And love the fact that he was an anchor and I am a journalist. It's kinda sorta similar.

But while on the scene at a wreck today, I was writing down the statement while the TV crews, our competition, were videotaping.

I go on their website to see if I missed anything before I posted what we had as kind of a "double check" thing.

And I see this:

Why they had to get me when I was in the background squinting and such is beyond me...

(50) Sundays of Music: #12

#12: Fall Out Boy - Take This To Your Grave

I think Fall Out Boy gets a bad rap. Their name is synonymous with "skinny jean wearing emo kids" and then with "14-year-old girls who think Pete Wentz is hot." I honestly don't think that's fair to the actual band because this cd is a straight up classic.

Like discovering all good bands, I first heard a song from FOB on a mixtape a friend made for me. It contained "Chicago Is So Two Years Ago" and was a song that immediately struck with me. Jme ended up getting a burned copy of the entire cd and I borrowed it from her and the rest is history.

Not only was the music fun to listen to, but the lyrics cut to the core. The opening track contains the chorus: "Let’s play this game called “when you catch fire” / I wouldn’t piss to put you out / Stop burning bridges and drive off of them /So I can forget about you."

The album also contains the gem "Grand Theft Autumn/Where Is Your Boy" and is what I consider a "scene classic."

Honestly, I can still put this cd on and not only be transported back to my senior year of high school but can still enjoy a good record. And sometimes I do, because this is one of the rare releases I also have on vinyl.

Here are a few tracks but don't go anywhere, I'm not done just yet.

I really don't understand the "I miss the old Fall Out Boy" comments. If you played all their songs on one giant mixtape, I guarantee you will see that their style stays pretty similar. Yes, they got a little more radio friendly as time went on and as much as I love Jay Z maybe he didn't help all that much on Infinity on High. But the last album they released before their "hiatus," Folie a Deux, was actually pretty solid in my opinion.

But the other album I have to highlight is "From Under The Cork Tree." Though it contains the over-played and (poster song for Fall Out Boy hate) "Sugar We're Going Down" it also contains some gems as well. But their second single from that album is still one of my favorites to this day. If I hear the beginning to "Dance, Dance" I still smile a little bit before air-rocking out.

If music was a lady, I'd ask it on a date

Another reason why I am pretty much in love with music?

Because with no reasoning at all, other than I this was the week they both came out, my week started with this:

and ended with this:

I love the eclecticness

Also, in an unrelated note, if you have tumblr or would just like to follow, I'm doing a "31 Days, 31 Pictures" thing

http://themroshow.tumblr.com/

(50) Sundays of Music: #13

#13: Blink-182 - Enema of the State

I've learned a lot of things in the time I started really listening to music. One of those things is that if you throw out the word "punk" you won't be able to get 10 people to agree on which bands fall in to that category. Well in my honest opinion, Blink-182 is THE punk band of my generation and this cd in particular is the reason why.

In the TRL-era that contained boy bands and Britney Spears, Blink-182 made waves with a video for "All The Small Things" poking fun at the popular bands of the time. Ironically, the song that got them on the radio was the one that first started to get me to listen beyond the radio.

I realize "What's My Age Again?" came out first and I remember that video clearly, with the naked cartwheeling. I also realize this was by no means their first album, but like I've stated, I was strictly a radio guy at this point.

So while I came for the two lead singles, I stayed for this raw sound I had not experienced before. It had catchy, sing along elements - but also contained cuss words. And for my age at the time (I wanna say 12, 13?) that was big. Also keep in mind, this album came out JUST before the Napster craze (or right along side it - either way it came out before MySpace).

This was the first record of it's kind that got me into music other than "pop" and that is why it's so high on the countdown. The thing is, it's one of those timeless releases that high school kids today can still put on and relate to. One of my favorite memories is visiting California and walking around with this cd in my discman (throwback) and absorbing every word.

What still resonates to me is throughout a cd containing topics such as the state looking down on sodomy and girls with no underwear on, there was a game changer called "Adam's Song." That track, from my perspective is about a teen's struggle with suicide, is still one of my favorites to this day. And it is a testament to their talent that they can go from such an impactful song right into "All the Small Things."

So if you have Rock Band, play the drums on these tracks because Travis Barker is a living legend. If not, enjoy them below.