My definition of a hero is someone who goes against the norm and sets an example for humanity. Someone who isn't influenced by negativity and pushes ideas forward despite the odds.
Saul Williams is one of my heroes.
His words have always wowed me and his music has always defied genres and categorization. He allows the listener and reader to interpret his poetry in their own way. He has released 2 full length records and over 4 books filed with his poetry and thoughts. He as toured with the likes of The Roots, The Mars Volta, and Nine Inch Nails. I just can't say enough good things about this man. At least until now; Saul Williams has released a new record today (November 1st) and it may be his best yet. The record is The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust! and it is a the creation of both Saul and Nine Inch Nails frontman, Trent Reznor. The duo has not only created a wonderfully diverse record that includes hip-hop, rock, and dance, but they have followed the footsteps of Radiohead's marketing technique. The record is available for $5 or for free at http://niggytardust.com/. What Saul and Trent are doing is slightly better than what Radiohead did, they are allowing the listener to choose what audio quality they can download; whether it be 192Kbps MP3, 320Kbps MP3, or FLAC lossless audio. So all you FLAC-heads can rejoice. In fact, music lovers can rejoice! This is an important day in music, so download the album (or these tracks) and be apart of something very special.
Download: Saul Williams - Break from the album, The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!
Download: Saul Williams - Banged and Blown Through from the album, The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!
Download: Saul Williams - Tr(n)igger from he album, The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!
Random Thought #3 - I was walking a dog today and I called for it like so, "Dinky! (clap clap)"...it then dawned on me how bizarre it would sound if there was no dog around.
Starting tomorrow, I will listen to nothing but metal for a week straight. No rap, indie rock, Jonah, or Bjork. No Miles Davis with coffee, it will now be Mastodon with my coffee. No Iron & Wine to put me to sleep, now it's Isis that'll be putting me to sleep. Crazy? Maybe, but now is the time to recommend metal bands to me while I'm on this Metal-binge.
I never really met a real metalhead until I met my friend Death Metal Jim. Death Metal Jim would've made a lot more friends back in '87 than the year 1999. This guy had long red hair, skinny ripped up jeans and usually a large Death Metal band t-shirt (Morbid Angel, Deicide, Cannibal Corpse, etc). Jim would randomly rant about how Metallica sold out, how Slipknot is pussy music, and how he was going to start a tattoo/death metal gift shop when he got out of college. I never fully appreciated his individuality until I watched the documentary, Metal: A Headbangers Journey. In this movie, I found myself reminiscing the days of listening to Seasons of the Abyss, old Type O Negative, and Sepultura. I remembered how much I loved cranking Skinless and Lamb of God in my car when I was in the mood for driving like a psycho. What's great about this movie is that it's not only for metal fans; it's for those who aren't familiar with the culture and origin of metal. It doesn't leave anything out; from Death Metal to Thrash Metal, from the sexuality of metal to the misunderstanding of metal fans. The movie makes a point that metal draws influences from classical music and blues. Some won't walk away metal fans, but many will respect and understand those who love the music.
I, myself am a casual metal fan. I have been to Ozzfest and have been to my fair share of metal shows. I even caught Pantera a few years before Dimebag Darrell passed away. Over the years I have been picky with my metal, due to the fact that metal itself is reaching a point where creativity is lacking. However, all is not lost. Some bands have displayed their originality and are not lumping themselves into the metalcore genre, which has commercialized a genre of music made to give the finger to commercialization. I have posted some songs from metal/hardcore bands that have given me hope that metal is not dead; it's an undying genre of music that will stand the test of time. Also I have posted the trailer for the movie. Death Metal Jim would be proud…
glassJaw - El Mark from the single, Cosmopolitan Bloodloss out now!
Russian Circles - Carpe form the album Enter out now!
Black Dahila Murder - What A Horrible Night To Have A Curse from the album Nocturnal out now!
Behold...The Arctopus - Alcoholocaust from the album Nano-Nucleonic Cyborg Summoning out now!
The Dillinger Escape Plan - Unretorified from the album Miss Machine out now!
High on Fire - Devilution from the album Blessed Black Wings out now!
Skinless - Execution of Reason from the album Trample the Weak, Hurdle the Dead out now!
Genghis Tron - Chapels from the album Dead Mountain Mouth out now!
Yakuza - Cancer of Industry from the album Samsara out now!
that's right my dogs. well okay they're not MY dogs but i keep a good eye at the while i volunteer at the MSPCA Animal Shelter. we have this big oaf of a dog named Kodiak; a Newfoundland with enough slobber to drown a small child. Fuck, this dog could eat a child. but he wouldn't, he's a sweetheart. i got to play with him one last time before he left for a nice home with 2 more Newfoundlands (i know, where do the live? in a barn?). apparently they put another dog down due to inability to get used to people who don't beat the living shit out of him. it's quite tragic. speaking of which, FUCK Michael Vick and his satanic crew of canine killers. these are the people i believe need to have the death penalty. if you have the nerve to kill something that has no other purpose in life but to love thy owner no matter what, you deserve to die. i can see why people kill other people. humans are evil, conniving, and naturally obsessed with violence. So save a dog, kill a person.
Random thought #1 - I want to see a person with down syndrome wearing a t-shirt that says, "I'd Fuck Me"
Free Music! You know that's why you're here, don't deny it. Fuckers. Well I just bought two of-the-hook albums from Minus the Bear and M.I.A. You should buy them too if you know what's good for you. Minus the Bear is one of those bands that you hear and instantly you're sure you've never heard anything like it. Their mix of hip-hop beats, rock, and electronica give the band an atmospheric sound that sets them apart for most bands in their genre (whatever that is). The new album is much more serious than their previous discs. But that does not in anyway deter them from their unique style. M.I.A. is a female nutcase electro-clash hip-hop singer from London, England. Her last disc was blaring out my windows for months and this one is no different. Actually it is, it's way better. Every track is dance worthy and beyond anything I expected from her. Just 100% awesome.
M.I.A. - XR2 from the new album Kala out now!
Minus the Bear - Ice Monster from the new album Planet of Ice out now!
if i don't feel the need to write i'm going to write anyhow....huh?
i've been trying to teach my brother how to draw but i just can't figure out how i learned how to do it in the first place. it all just kind of came to me i guess. i drew some really twisted shit back when i was his age. like people dying in plane crashes while their testicles were on fire with a giant godzilla-like creature peeing on them with acid pee. i know, it's sad. but i turned out alright, i'm not peeing on anyone (that i can remember). i just see so much potential he has in his drawings that i want him to develop his own style and work toward that. he knows what he wants, the only thing i can do is guide him....with giant peeing godzilla creatures.
speaking of style, this guy jonah matranga has been a huge influence in everything i've ever done since the year 2002. his lyrics and honesty have molded me into the person i've always wanted to be...okay maybe not, but he is my favorite singer-songwriter right next to bob dylan and sean hayes. this track is from his latest concoction of songs called 'And.' you've probably seen him around, nonetheless, he's really good. enjoy...
Jonah Matranga - 'So Long' from the album 'And' out September 21st 2007
(right click song name > Save Target As)