I marvel daily at technology, and struggle to keep up with its opportunities and ramifications, and that's my business.
There are moments when I forget how powerful and energizing technology is, and times when I just want to jump off the grid into a forest of silence free of USB ports and wifi connectons.
Then I watch things like this TED speech from film critic Roger Ebert, who lost his jaw to cancer and survived several related brushes with death. Ebert, a Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic and longtime PBS star, can no longer speak. But he's wired optimism to technology and the result is an inspiring message that should remind us all that when our backs are against the wall, opportunity lurks.
But I can control the urges to rave beyond that. Others, particularly those across the Pond who have taken to “The Wire” with unmatched passion, have taken their "Wire" fascination, OK obsession, to great lengths.
And talk smack they do, presenting a case for “The Wire” as classic literature, even packaging the story as period novel. Here's one passage:
"Lastly, one might stand back from a pointillist work; whereas physically there is no other way to consume The Wire than piece by piece. To experience the story in its entirety, without breaks between sections, would be exhausting; one would perhaps miss the essence of what makes it great: the slow build of detail, the gradual and yet inevitable churning of this massive beast of a world.
The genius of The Wire lies in its sheer size and scope, its slow layering of complexity which could not have been achieved in any other way but the serial format. Dickens is often praised for his portrayal not merely of a set of characters and their lives, but of the setting as a character: the city itself an antagonist. Yet in The Wire, Bodymore is a far more intricate and compelling character than London in Dickens’ hands; The Wire portrays society to such a degree of realism and intricacy that A Tale of Two Cities—or any other story—can hardly compare."
Halloa!
It's all a bit much for me, but take it for what it’s worth: Over the top admiration that represents just one more layer of the creativity that makes the “The Wire” so thought provoking years after its run on HBO came to an end.
A friend with uppercrust musical tastes (he would say "pure") challenged me to find five great "hair band" songs, with an asterisk that they needed to have gotten some airplay.
I thought, no problem.
Then I started digging, and realized, hey, this is kinda hard. But I drew deep into my past and dug up what I think are a good half-dozen songs that stand the test of time.
Give me grief or give me thanks, but here are my five picks of "hair band" songs that I think are really good songs, regardless of the genre.
One common theme throughout that I think makes them stand out: solid bottom end, with drummers who swing and bass players who groove.
Cinderella, "Gypsy Road": This could have been a Stones rocker from the '70s. Tom Keifer's vocals are an acquired taste but he knows how to maximize it through effective use of dynamic range. The video itself is comical. Why Mexico, other than to burn through a record company travel budget?
Lynch Mob, "Wicked Sensation": Dokken guitarist George Lynch went solo and this was about the only good thing he did, at least what I can remember. Fantastic riff and groove that swings like a good jazz song. If Lynch Mob didn't make the cut, I'd have gone with a Dokken song.
Saraya, "Love Has Taken Its Toll": Hackneyed in so many ways: Acoustic guitar layered over meaty riffs, good looking female singer, bridge leading into tight guitar solo.
Tesla, "We're No Good Together": Power ballad that slowly buildings into a hard-driving rocker, driven by drummer Troy Luccketta and singer Jeff Keith. Tesla was one of the most underrated bands of this era, and Luccketta is a monster among drummers, always pushing without smothering the songs.
Van Halen, "Unchained": One of the great hard rock riffs and solos ever. Eddie Van Halen at his best. Sadly, I couldn't find a performance video showing the band at its energetic best, including Diamond Dave's vocal break.
Bonus choice, New England, "Don't Ever Wanna Lose Ya": Perhaps one of the lamest music videos ever (and that's a low bar). I remember hearing side one of New England's debut in a Wherehouse Records store in Fresno and distinctly remembering this classic riff. Their subsequent albums were more polished and complex, but this is good, stoopid rock.
OK, Tim and any other skeptics, give me your best shot, you music purists! Dare to tell me these aren't worthy of any stereo.
Friday, April 15, 2011 at 1:01 AM ;)
