Music

I've had a few days to consider certain aspects of what makes the days pass for me (the revelation of the fact SPEED 2 is a crappy movie notwithstanding) and as I sit here punching in YouTube searches and listening to obscurities in my CD (yes, no Ipod here) collection, I realize that music makes the days just that much more sweet. Or, as the case has been for me of late, just that much less of a train wreck.

Listening to music that you find entertaining or enjoyable or even just passable as listenable can make even the most dark day somewhat lighter. Hell, even poking sly fun at another's musical tastes can be fun, mostly because we all know we have that one band or musician that we enjoy that is probably on someone else's list of artists to be mocked.

I've been bouncing around the spectrum tonight alone, though I have a few particular speaker killing bands I like to play to lift my spirits, blow off some steam or even just plain scream at the sky... although I don't think either Van Morrison or Robert Mitchum's Calypso songs are of that ilk.

In my rather unfocused searches, I've logged in to watch and listen to everything from good old Bon Scott AC/DC, Uriah Heep, The Beach Boys, The Sweet, Budgie, Wishbone Ash, Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem and some band called Flogging Molly that seems to speak to me like no other. Watching some of the old, scratchy and definitely bootlegged vids of some of these bands amuses me to no end, considering a good measure of some of these guys are dead or retired. Some of the sounds these guys came up with are so awesome and ear shattering it gets your blood boiling, wanting to see more, hear more. A live band can bring so much energy and dare I say happiness to those giving their attention that it in itself can be something special to behold. Just give a listen to some Humble Pie and discover the mastery of Steve Marriott. Check out the dual lead guitars of Wishbone Ash, a band ahead of their time. See how a skinny, Scots bastard can play bagpipes in a Rock band and slay those around him! It's enough to make you weep with joy, if you're a softie. Now, I can't say the glam look and sound of The Sweet is for everyone, hell, they all look like they're in drag, really. They do have a singular sound, though. So what if Dr. Teeth isn't flesh and blood? Three quarters of the singers on stage now can be considered the same. Well, not Avril. She's got "FUCK" tattooed on her belly.

Still, there is some great stuff to really get you cranking, be it blues, rock, metal, folk, punk or country... or even hip hop, gods of mercy help you...

I suggest digging out some great stuff whenever you feel blue, angry, aggrivated and frustrated. Stuff that gets you motivated. Stuff that makes things moving forward when it all seems dead in the water. I like to blast bagpipes, such as those found in the Red Hot Chilli Pipers (bless you, BagRock!) or grungy blues like the houserocking style of Hound Dog Taylor. Things that make the windows rattle and cry out in pain when I play them repeatedly. I think my last set of speakers gave up when I let loose with a day long play of early ZZ Top. The current pair would never survive what I'd do to them with that Clash collection I have!

So this meandering jumble of nothing needs to end. Anyone have any suggestions to destroy my eardrums with? And please, no Mannheim Steamroller jokes.