Good Company

That's the best way to describe this week. After a difficult start this month took of and flew.

In many ways it's what I wanted and for that I am grateful.

Being with them adds a sense of completion, especially the two of them.

Of course it's not the old picture we all expected before they left, but what we have now is still spectacular.

though there are people that I miss

(why did they leave)

Jim helped me the other week and now I have one final task before this can finally be put to rest as it should be.

A few more days till this year ends. and how it will end

Fall be Kind

Yesterday I got some news

Why is it bothering so much? It really shouldn't it's in the past it's no longer important. I'm not going to bring it up to them and I wont mention it to anyone

so why do I care so much

The Best Part

Ok so noise rock month was replaced with New York Renaissance Month which means that hip hop from the east coast, most notably New York, will be played in heavy rotation. Its really listening to a shitload of hip hop. Which is keeping me happy. I expanded my collection by about 30 or so albums

:D

Finals suck but yeah what you gonna do right

this week is already exhausting me and it's only monday :|

Year in Review post coming up

now back to listening to Still D.R.E.

till next time Space Cowboy

What would I want? Sky

Not just a great album early in the year that has garnered critical acclaim, but a spectacular EP released months after? Ladies and Gentlemen, the band of the year

Interstellar Overdrive

God so overworked these past few days, thanks to minimal sleep. But I guess I can't complain. It's only going to get harder over the next to weeks so no point in turning into a whiny bitch just yet.

Nothing else to report but that's not too surprising right?

One after 909

This has been the longest weekend in forever. With the littlest sleep :D

because of work I have developed a hate towards the month of December because of how nasty and scavenger-like people become as if they don't get their fucking way right THEN and THERE it'll be the end of the world and everything will be ruined

NO fuck you and your stupid machine asshole

Oh and when I say the littlest weekend I don't mean it was awful, far from it. Various surprises abound the whole time made it one of the better ones in quite some time.

December is coming and this one promises to be the biggest and most crowded with the following:

Frankie returning
Justin returning
Adventures with Jimmy Yang
Noise/avant garde/japanoise month
Alex's christmas show
Alex and mom's birthday
Monkey's birthday
Aquabats Concert
Melt Banana Concert
Caroline's New Years Eve Party

How will I be able to keep up O:

till next time, Space Cowboy

Still

When ever I hear someone say that Japanese music has more deep lyrics and superior wordplay all I can do is think of this song and how it voids their entire argument

This is why events unnerve me,
They find it all, a different story,
Notice whom for wheels are turning,
Turn again and turn towards this time,
All she ask's the strength to hold me,
Then again the same old story,
Word will travel, oh so quickly,
Travel first and lean towards this time.

Oh, I'll break them down, no mercy shown,
Heaven knows, it's got to be this time,
Watching her, these things she said,
The times she cried,
Too frail to wake this time.

Oh, I'll break them down, no mercy shown,
Heaven knows, it's got to be this time,
Avenues all lined with trees,
Picture me and then you start watching,
Watching forever, forever,
Watching love grow, forever,
Letting me know, forever.

Twist and Shout

I've come to realize that I always say lots of things are coming and on the way but then I never really go into detail about what's happening or if it happens at all.

Well it does

I'm just incredibly lazy and uninspired to really write about it. Partly I think because I don't think my silly little posts and ramblings will ever do it justice. So I guess if you're there you know what happened and that's awesome! If not, welp no big loss right?

It's been slow(?) lately with things happening but it doesn't feel like any real progress is happening. I guess that's just cause school and work have been real intense lately for everyone. Luckily it's only one more month but that month is gonna be a real bitch. With December coming up there's gonna be too much to do, but at least this year is guaranteed to kick off with the style that it deserves to go out on.

There has been some troubles with certain people lately but it's nothing for me to really worry about. Not yet at the very least. December is gonna be fun, even with some absent friends

To good company

Back in the U.S.S.R.

Got back on sunday night at around nine thirty. Flight was a hour longer coming back but it was still a short flight so no worries. For some reason it took a little longer to adjust back than I thought it would which is pretty strange but no big deal.

It was fantastic getting some rest and taking it easy for a nice chunk of time. Now that I'm back it's time to get the ball rolling again. Which wont be a problem.

There is much to do and I can't wait

Excursions

San Antonio is a lovely city. It's as if Old Town Pasadena and LA had a love child. With less people. Simply put it is a breath of familiar yet fresh air.

Seeing Justin again for the first time in two months is better than I thought it would be. I suppose it's expected to miss your best friend after him being gone for so long. I get to see him one more time tomorrow before heading out and waiting for December 19 for me to see him again.

I have a lot of things to do once I return home so in a way I can't wait to return to handle my business. But still I don't really want to leave. And yet I miss my house :[

doing some slight drinking tonight, but nothing too crazy or severe

just a nice glass of brandy and music tonight to calm my nerves

Pictures of this magnificent weekend will be up soon, look forward to it

Till next time, Space Cowboy

To Quote C.S Lewis, "here are beauties which pierce like swords or burn like cold iron"

This House is a Circus

This weekend was one of those little weekends were everything is amazing and leaves you with a big smile

Bought a ton of games and books

and then there was Ben's party

I don't feel like details right now, so yeah.

Good times

A Night at the Opera

fuck you Paranormal Activity and your horrifying movie.

seriously I have NEVER been so scared watching a movie in my life. It's beyond terrifying and totally worth watching once

though I will never see that movie again

Started playing with the guitar and I accidentally broke one of the strings. So that's upsetting. I'll keep trying to learn how to play though this is a sad setback

Ben's classy party is this saturday

how exciting

Emasculate Me

I have finally become a Smiths fan D:

Blame it on Johnny Marr's AMAZING guitars

I am now going to print out some tabs and pick up a guitar to learn how to play his songs.

That's something I never thought would happen

Fearful Symmetry

Every now and then you see a movie so vivid and arresting that it leaves an undeniable impression. A movie that gives you a glimpse into a dark and dangerous abyss where there seems to be no light in sight. And there is no other place in the world you'd rather be

Development

This song is probably the most underrated in their vast catalog. It would be a precursor in the style of songwriting Lennon would take post-1967 and onward. It also showed Harrison going to develop his more identifiable guitar style. Keep in this mind this is PRE-White Album

Sheep dog standing in the rain.
Bull frog doing it again.
Some kind of happiness is measured out in miles.
What makes you think you're something special when you smile.
Child-like, no one understands.
Jack-knife in your sweaty hands.
Some kind of innocence is measured out in years.
You don't know what it's like to listen to your fears.
You can talk to me,
You can talk to me,
You can talk to me,
If you're lonely you can talk to me (yeah!)
Big man, yeah, walking in the park
Wigwam frightened of the dark
Some kind of solitude measured out in you.
You think you know it but you haven't got a clue.
You can talk to me,
You can talk to me,
You can talk to me,
If you're lonely you can talk to me (yeah!)
Hey bulldog (woof!), Hey bulldog, Hey bulldog
Hey bulldog
Hey man
What's that, boy?Ê (woof!)
What do you say? (I said...woof!)
D'y'know any more?
Wowu-wa! Ah!Ê (maniacal laughter)
You did it, you got it right!Ê That's it!
That's it man!
Whoo!Ê That's it! You got it!
Don't look at me, man, I only had ten children!
Quiet boy, quiet!ÊÊ OK, quiet!
Hey bulldog...

Meat is Murder

A cover of this song should not have been possible. Hell a cover of anything the original band did should be impossible. Yet here it is, done with such perfection and reverence

The Headmaster's Ritual

What a weekend

Too much drinking, not enough success

Lesson to learn next time

sunday was a nice break and very relaxing

Sexy Jimmy's funktastic party and Ben's Classy Late Night affair coming up

Let the good times roll

Delusions of Grandeur

You wish your favorite band could write like they do

Breakfast of Champions

Rubber Soul

Lift your head and look out the window
Stay that way for the rest of the day and watch the time go

(This Bird Has Flown)

Slow week, but it gives me time to breathe and relax. finished reading 1984 and Cat's Cradle. Two very very excellent books. Picked up Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami and barely just started that.

I've been playing lots of Beatles Rock Band, which is amazing. The joy of playing a familiar song with company is a feeling that can't be explained but it's a great experience. Speaking of The Beatles, I plan to pick up Rubber Soul and Abbey Road with luck tomorrow.

Lots to do tomorrow, but today not so much

busy busy busy

Broken Heartbeats Sound Like Break Beats

Things happen for a reason I guess

There's no use in worrying about it I suppose

Vol.2

I decided to make another reading list to keep me organized. Suggestions are always welcomed. Not in alphabetical order or reading order(except for 1984 and the Reivers, and the other two titles below them)

1984 by George Orwell
The Reivers by William Faulkner
Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
Absalom, Absalom by William Faulkner
Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
Mystic River by Dennis Lehane
Child of God by Cormac McCarthy
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
For Whom the Bells Toll by Ernest Hemingway
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tam
Homer's Oddyssey
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Wise Blood by Flannery O'Connor
Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton
Through the Arc of the Rainforest by Karen Tei Yamashita
2666 by Roberto Bolano
Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
Ulysses by James Joyce

You! Me! Dancing!

The weekend is finally over and it was a sublime joy. Well friday was. Saturday night was rad too. The rest of it was filled with work so yea...oh well I love the insane amount of hours cause it keeps me busy and makes me money. So at this moment I'm going to be insanely grateful.

Monday was the day it hit me that he left. I'm pretty sad about it admittedly especially when I realized it'll be longer than what we originally expected. I know I wasn't the only one that was sad that day.

I got Taxi Driver as a gift on friday, a movie I simple adore. Sadly I have yet to make the time to watch it yet, which is the most frustrating frustration. With luck tomorrow I will watch it.

I've been reading a lot too. My desire to read has grown to such extremes lately and it's pretty exciting. Tuesdays With Morrie has proved to not only be an engaging read but something that leaves an impression. Next up is 1984.

I think I will end things here, I'm not really sure if there is anything else I need to add

till next time, Space Cowboy

Still D.R.E.

Work is continously fucking me in the ass. Over and over

It's not so much the customers it's the management that's frustrating

Oh well I sure love money

The Golden Age (Reprise)

This summer was everything I didn't expect out of it

and I couldn't be more grateful for it

This has been the most important summer I have had, as of now. The things that I have gained, lost, and discovered will always leave a profound impact for the rest of my life.

To all those who were heavily involved I humbly and greatfully thank you from the bottom of my heart.

But with three months left to the new year it's not the time to slow down. There's still lots to do

:D

In Our Bedrooms After the War

Today was officially my first day of school and effectively ended my summer

Ended my summer with listening to "Summer Wasting" by Belle and Sebastian, it was quite appropriate.

It was a very great summer that exceeded my expectations

details on that up eventually

One would assume i'd be pretty bummed out that summer is not over, but in the immortal words of Ice Cube (circa 1989-1991, with the notable exception of "a bitch is a bitch", "fuck da police", "straight outta compton", and "Amerikkka's most wanted"), This ain't over mother fuckers.

There is still a lot that's gotta be done and i'm very excited.

The next few months will be great

look forward to it

Till next time, Space Cowboy

Positive Contact

Pretty bittersweet week. Like I said the weekend overall was pretty good and fun really.

Well kinda sorta

Sunday was a mix of horrible and amazing

Tempted to smoke over the weekend, but I kept my cool and didn't have a single smoke

So yeah weird week?

nothing much to really say honestly

Feel Good Lost

Ok so i'm about midway through Lost's second season and have realized how important and amazing this season was to the overall show.

I mean just the things that they have packed into the first half of the season already is amazing, from the Hatch, Desmond, The Other 48 Days, The Others, Charlie's mental breakdown, the buttons, the Nigerian Heroin Plane, Sawyer's big con on the whole camp, and Sayid's torture of Ben.

I can't wait to finish this season :D

In other news, still reading As I Lay Dying, I hope to finish that soon.

This weekend should be really fun but I dont feel like going into it

till next time space cowboy

Set Yourself on Fire

Scary to think how the next three weeks are gonna be busy as hell

scary but exciting

just a thought

till next time Space Cowboy

Mother of Invention

Album art can be some of the most creative and expressive pieces of art. Here are just some of my favorites

Midnight Marauders

So I downloaded 16 new albums last night

Got about four hours of sleep.

Now I'm about to watch some Fullmetal Alchemist:Brotherhood

Sounds like the start of a good week

Is This It?

"I say the right things but act the wrong way
I like it right here but I cannot stay
I watch the TV; forget what I'm told
Well, I am too young, and they are too old
Oh, man, can't you see I'm nervous, so please
Pretend to be nice, so I can be mean
I miss the last bus, we take the next train
I try but you see, it's hard to explain"

This is probably my favorite musical verse ever

Finale

I have been waiting nearly three years for this. FUCK YES

Live Together, Die Alone

After starting Lost season 2 I have recently have a new appreciation to how radical the first two or so episodes were. Since the very start of season 2 was when I began I had no idea. Keeping in mind I saw season 1 midway of season 2 and it being a few years ago I wasn't really able to properly digest it. But the visuals and pacings of the very start are so great that it's almost hard to believe that each episode is only 45 minutes. It definitely gives me a new respect to how great season 2 really is.

This has been a pretty interesting week, slow but eventful. If that makes any sense at all. Which I don't really think it does, but who knows right?

My reading has gotten slowly but surely more lazy. I gotta slowly fix that. I plan to read tonight, as long as I don't decide to extensively listen to my music :)

I bought a new Faulkner book(As I Lay Dying) :DDDDDDDDD

and also tonight, I'll finally post up a review in my other blog!

Hopefully

Wish me luck on that actually...

Beat on the Brat

Saw Funny People again last night and it was still pretty enjoyable. Then had late night food at Denny's with lots of coffee and that was lots of fun. Had probably the most enjoyable conversation I've had in awhile. It was great times.

Before that I had an interesting talk about things like coming on too strong and other random things of that type with some friends.

I also got into a disagreement with my friend over a choice they made. I was on the position that they blew it way out of proportion and basically being juvenile while they thought they were completely right and anything else is wrong. It was silly but it happens.

My ipod died today I think which is the saddest event ever DDD:

I've been rewatching Lost and finally finished first season. I forgot how much I loved the show pre-season 4 which is saying something considering I've been watching from basically the beginning. First season was just a fun thrill to watch and even though it becomes amazing in season 4 and forward it still needed those early seasons to fully flesh out everything that recently happened. Great great show overall

till next time, Space Cowboy

Lift

So I've been having like the busiest most fun filled time this summer. 09 started off super weak but man is it amazing

party and beach are always the bestest things

I hate having to relive and write about things so it ain't happening here. too bad right?

I'm finding the usual problems with my writing coming up again: if I'm in a happy mood i cant make anything happen. Like I have the most ideas but I feel like I can't put any justice to them with my shitty lack of a vocabulary. Oh well something will come out eventually. Abstract ideas for now it seems

You know there was something I really wanted to rant about but now I can't remember. Like it was really annoying me but now i cant seem to think of what it was. I wonder if it really was anything important.

OH now I remember.

Like people attached to the hip can be annoying. Well more like selfless people that let their close friends or whatever always call the shots. It just seems really selfish to me. I mean shouldn't there be some compromise or something. I witnessed this some time ago and it really upset me cause it was unfair. At the same time that person should really sack up and not be a bitch

Also I realized that before I let go of something to get closure on my terms and make it face to face. As a sign of respect and humility to show that you have the balls and maturity to end it like it should

isn't growing up fun?

New Order

To take a song that's not yours and make it feel like it is but still keeps the spirit of the original is almost impossible

sublime

Innocents Civilian

Another post since I have time

Ok so lately I got lots more music and I could not be happier.

I finally got my hands on some music from The Pixies and oh man is it awesome. It's so loud and rough but man it's like the blueprint of so many bands that we listen to now. I can't get enough and am gonna get my hands on ever more asap.

Started getting into Pink Floyd again and it's godly. It's musical wanking at its best but man it's so passionate. I can see why so many people like them

Radiohead B Sides are some of the best things I've ever heard. I'm surprised this stuff is so hard to find because it's some of their best easily

And the most amazing of all is Frank Zappa. OH DEAR GOD he is like so amazingly awesome. Some of the guitar on his songs is positively orgasmic. Like damn I NEED to track down everything. ALL 60 ALBUMS!!!

so yeah more music is awesome

till next time, Space Cowboy

First Day of my Life

Something very interesting happened yesterday. I saw a certain person completely out of the blue and it played out exactly how I expected it to. Not a bad thing nor a good one. It just is. This week was another excellent week, but with one crucial difference: a big chapter in my life finally is over

A good thing to be sure

So yeah yesterday was amazing

money. bowling. food. breaking and entering. pool

:D

Can't wait to see what tomorrow and onward brings

Sophia

Simply returning the favor


BUSY BUSY BUSY BUSY right now so I'm even surprised I got to write something

Bowling in an hour and who knows what else

alright I'm out

till next time Space Cowboy

Anti Pop

As I write this I am next to Ivy celebrating her birthday

here is a special message from her: SOMETHING. SOMETHING ELSE. AT LEAST A FEW WORDS.

obviously creativity is not her strong suit despite being an artist D:

SHUT UP CHICKEN BEAR D: I CAN DO WHATEVER I WANT D:



As far as updates go, good week I think. kicked it with Reggie and Alex and lot, with lots of smoking

BONNIE IS BORRRIIIIIIIING D:

No money but I finally started writing again so I am excited

and as I write this the two girls are mixing ice cream with sauce and it's fucking gross :P

ok so that is all for now, I will let Ivy close this one

I'M SO SPECIAL D:

this small cameo makes me think of the future, when we all look back on these random little writings we did when we were young. i wonder what we'll think. probably stupidity haha, but then that just shows how much we've changed and grown. unless we think it's cool, then we probably haven't grown much. ah, now i'm just rambling with a half blank mind. what a wondefully strange birthday D: thanks everyone.

Reloaded

AX is over and all was good.

Lots happened and it all worked out in the end. I saw the people I set out to see with a few nice surprises. The various dinners that we had were enjoyable, especially friday nights one :)

of course as luck would have it there was BULLSHIT DRAMA, but hey that's alright cause I'm over that stupid shit now. Pretty much this whole week I've been relaxing and doing NOTHING. Well I have been watching Mad Men, great show by the way, and maybe some reading when I can.

I have that What Next? feeling right now, but it's not too bad, I just need to find something to do that's all.

Got lots of BIG plans in the near future, it's gonna be great

Till next time, Space Cowboy

Public Enemies

I just really really wanna see this movie, hence the title.

Anywho...

Ok pretty solid weekend, at least it went to a pace that I wanted. Nothing frentic or over the top which I needed. Actually the whole week was kinda like that? The week of 6/22-6/28 is that weird week where EVERYONE seems to drop the face of the earth and disappears. It happens once a year and it's pretty much the most crucial for summer. Pretty much sets up the tone for the subsequent months. So yeah Anime Expo is three days away as of this writing and I can't wait. Everyone I know,for the most part, has been extremely busy getting ready and I'm looking forward to everything that's gonna go down. After AX my summer pretty much begins and hopefully it goes pretty smooth.

Fuck I REALLY want a donut

till next time Space Cowboy

The Score

I haven't felt like updating lately which is weird cause I've actually been ever so busy. Past week was a lot of fun and finals are finaly out of the way. But summer school rears it's ugly head, for now. Weekend kinda started on wednesday I guess and was pretty much enjoyable and full of great moments. Anime Expo coming up real soon and I'm stokey stoked for it. Got a mission that's gonna go down, which is my primary focus at AX.

That's all for now, I'm just really lazy right now.

Till next time, Space Cowboy

Rerun

I got a gnome in the backyard
I put him right on the X mark
he’s supposed to show me where the money is
hey wont you show me where the money is
I got it all on the back of my hand
I want your answer so I won't forget
then show me right where your heart is
oh right now tell me where your heart is

Oh Mandy, Oh Mandy
Oh Mandy, Oh Mandy
So Dreamy, Oh Mandy
So Killing, Oh Mandy

Sure I had trouble from the onset
I tried to chase things I couldn't get
Show me a rerun on the W
Show me a rerun on the WB
So What's it like to be in it
and move away to the Midwest
I gotta message for your auntie
I gotta message for your auntie

Oh Mandy, Oh Mandy
Oh Mandy, Oh Mandy
So Dreamy, Oh Mandy
So Killing, Oh Mandy
Oh Mandy, Oh Mandy
Can read me, and has me
Oh Mandy, Oh Mandy’s
Completely out of reach

And now I know I’m at the end of my wits
don't gotta tell me where this is going
cus I know nothing ever falls apart
yeah I know nothing ever falls apart
remind me once more where this is going
before I fling it out into the ocean
it’s kind of level but its wavy
Its looking more blue than it is green
it’s looking quiet as I jump in
so I can finally hear you scream
You got a gnome in the backyard
you put him right on the X mark
you’re eating brains out the back of my head
oh yeah, that's where the money is

Oh Mandy, Oh Mandy
Oh Mandy, Oh Mandy
So Dreamy, Oh Mandy
So Killing, Oh Mandy
Oh Mandy, Oh Mandy
Can read me, and has me
Oh Mandy, Oh Mandy's
Completely out of reach



:swoon:

The Song Remains the Same

ok for all you who read this(all three of you) I also started another blog. It'll be purely reviews. SO this blog will STILL be random and whatever, but the other will have a point. I'll be keeping up with both of them so you can enjoy both

http://f1nalmessenger.wordpress.com/

here is the link

enjoy

Till next time, Space Cowboy

Know That

This was found at http://www.theonion.com/content/opinion/but_if_we_started_dating_it

THESE ARE NOT MY OWN WORDS

But If We Started Dating It Would Ruin Our Friendship Where I Ask You To Do Things And You Do Them

I really like you. I do. You're so nice, and sweet, and you listen to all my problems and respond with the appropriate compliments. But, well, I don't really see a relationship in our future. It would be terrible if we let sex destroy this great friendship we have where I get everything I want and you get nothing you want. Don't you think?
I knew you would understand. You always do.
We're so perfect as friends, you know? I can tell you anything, and you know you can always come to me anytime you need to hear me bitch about work or how ugly I feel. You wouldn't want to ruin a friendship like that just so you could be my boyfriend, and have me look at you with desire and longing in my eyes, if only once—would you? Of course not. Well, if we started dating, it would only complicate this wonderful setup I've got going here.
It's just…you're like my best friend, and I would hate for something you desperately want to change that. I mean, sure, we could go on some dates, maybe mess around a little and finally validate the six years you've spent languishing in this platonic nightmare, but then what? How could we ever go back to the way we were, where I take advantage of your clear attraction to me so I can have someone at my beck and call? That part of our friendship means so much to me.
No. We are just destined to be really, really good friends who only hang out when I don't have a boyfriend, but still need male attention to boost my fragile and all-consuming ego.
Anything can happen once you bring romance in. Think about how awful my last relationship was at the end, remember? The guy I'd call you crying about at 3 a.m. because he wouldn't answer my texts? The guy I met at the birthday party you threw me? I had insanely passionate sex with him for four months and now we don't even talk anymore. God, I would die if something like that happened to us.
Plus, ick, can you even imagine getting naked in front of each other? I've known you so long, you're more like a brother that I've drunkenly made out with twice and never mentioned again. It'd be way too weird. And if we did, then whenever you'd come shopping with me, or go to one of my performances or charity events, or take me for ice cream when I've had a bad day at work, you'd be looking at me like, "I've seen her breasts." God, I can't think of anything more awkward that that.
Oh, before I forget, my mom says hi.
Anyway, you would totally hate me as your girlfriend. I'd be all needy and dramatic and slowly growing to love you. If I was your girlfriend, I would never be able to tell you all about the other asshole guys I date and pretend I don't see how much it crushes you. Let's never lose that. That's what makes us us.
Don't worry. You're so funny and smart and amazing, any girl but me would be lucky to date you. You'll find someone, I know it. And when you do, I'll be right by your side to suddenly become all flirty and affectionate with you in front of her, until she grows jealous and won't believe it when you say we're just friends. But when she dumps you, that's just what we'll be.
Best friends. Friends forever.



haha wow, what a vicious circle

(No Title)

<3

Disorder

The intial thought of being considered an after thought is pretty damn insulting and infuriating. I remember how it made me feel. I was all pissed. AND and emo bitch(yes Alice I didn't forget).

But then again why wouldn't you. People ignore you when you know you or others are expecting a response. They do things that they know you will have a problem with but they do it anyway. It's not to say they don't care about you. It's who they are. To some extent it doesn't make them a terrible person. Most of the times they only care for themselves and anyone else is just part of their agenda or simply in the way. I don't see it as a character flaw. Irresponsible sure. Very actually if you stop to think. BUT it's who they are and I know not to take it personal anymore.

Let's face it, if you're not part of the agenda you're nothing to keep track off or really care about. And hey it's honestly not something to worry about. Think about it. If whether or not you care has absolutely no effect on their actions why should it affect you?

So in many ways I've made peace with everything going on. I can't care. Simply because even if I did it's out of my control so why should I let it affect me? It simply is.

yes yes I know, lots of bad grammar. Shut up

till next time, Space Cowboy

This Year

Pretty solid week. Saw Up(<3) and The Hangover which was pretty funny. Got in a fight with someone cause they were being pretty fucking retarded but that's not so important. Some surreally shit happened this week. Kinda confusing and not sure what to think of it. I'll just wait to see what happens since it doesn't matter if I'm involved or not.

Updated my iPod like crazy which is pretty :D

a few important things will be going down this month. I can feel it. I'll overcome it when it comes

Shoot the Moon

First things first, my favorite part of doing these is making up the titles. Why? don't know just do.

ok so like last week was a crucial week. Like save my soul crucial I guess. Maybe that's an exaggeration but i think it sounds good. So I got my answer and shit figured out. Basically means I wont be no bitch no mo. Weekend was another strong one as it seems to be a trend. Don't get me wrong it's a good trend so yeah. New One Piece volume was fucking great as usual plus I almost own all 54(!) volumes!! Yes I know I'm a bit obsessed but fuck it, it's a fucking great series. got some amazing hip hop cd's as well and am so impressed by how good they are.

this is pretty sloppy and unpolished but that's my mindset right now, but in a good way :)

till next time, space cowboy

The Greatest

This is my personal list of my favorite albums ever released. In order to keep some sense of a good balance only one album per band. Otherwise you'll see The Beatles dominating pretty much all this list.



15. Sea Change- Beck

Now Beck is a really interesting musician as whatever he does is always awesomely out there and creative. This album is not as creative per se as his other works, but it's something more. It's more personal and honest and thoroughly bare. The music is absolutely beatiful sounding as if it was the sea itself. Here is someone who has nothing to lose and lays it all on the line. Soft and tragic, it still stands to me as the greatest accomplishment Beck has made to date.

Highlights: Sea Change, Lost Cause, End of the Day, It's All In Your Mind



14. Death Certificate- Ice Cube

Recorded in the terrific year of 1991, it stands as the greatest album of that year. Ice Cube lets out a fury and passion unseen by anyone at the time, and still debateable whether it has been matched. A marvelous piece of social commentary that really puts into words how LA was at that era, full or tumult and reeling from racial tension. The production is strong and tight, but the real power of the album is Ice's force of delivery. Full of passion and never missing a beat he easily makes up for any of the weaknesses the album may have had and delivers the definitive gangsta album

Highlights: Wrong Nigga to Fuck With, My Summer Vacation, A Bird in the Hand, No Vaseline



13. You Forgot It In People-Broken Social Scene

One of the most interesting musical acts, composed of various Canadian bands and musicians. With only two core members the sound of this group is pretty much always changing. With this album they hit a high point, as if everyone was easily on board with a common goal in mind. It's really hard to distinguish a specific sound or genre this album creates. That's probably why I like it so much and enjoy the multiple aspects of creativity that this album deploys.

Highlights: KC Accidental, Stars and Sons, Almost Crimes, Time=Cause



12. Fever To Tell-Yeah Yeah Yeahs

A personal favorite that has grown better with age to me. It's really hard to put into words for me why I like this album so much. It have fond personal memories over the years and to me it's a definitive sound of night life for some reason. I guess I just like the flow of songs or something. Iono, I just really like this one.

Highlights: Date With the Night, Tick, Maps, Y Control



11. Blood On The Tracks- Bob Dylan

This album marked the return of glory for Dylan after a string of lousy albums in the 70's and it's also arguably his most personal. He sounds confused, angry, bitter, and terribly sad all at once. I like it as much as I respect it simply because you believe every word he sings in this album, the most crucial part to me for any musician. Again it's not as creative or maybe even as lyrical as his other works from the 60's but there is something more here. This is probably for the first and last time that he opens up to us and let's us view him at his most vulnurable moments.

Highlights: Idiot Wind, Lily Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts, Tangled Up In Blue, You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go



10. Who's Next- The Who

In 1969 The Who released Tommy and seemed there was no way they could go higher. At first that seemed like an impossibility seeing as how ambitious Tommy was. But they did it. Full of nothing but tight strong and well produced The Who released their strongest effort. This is the quintessential sound that the band for many years had been trying to achieve and they finally made it sound so easy. Fast paced with great instrumentals from the immortal Keith Moon and John Entwistle fill this album as it displays an album at their creative peak taking over.

Highlights: Baba O'Reilly, The Song is Over, Behind Blue Eyes, Wont Get Fooled Again



9. Illmatic-Nas

This album is legendary. It is everything you want in the genre and it's the strongest debut by any rapper. Everything about this album shows perfection. The production is handled with the best of intentions, the lyrics and flow is nearly transcendent. The mood the whole album creates is unparalleled, it makes you FEEL like you're in the inner city. Never confuse this album as a gangster album. It's not. It's simply a view of NY at that time, in a dark and noir style. Ruthless and uncompromising, this is why people fall in love with the genre.

Highlights: New York State of Mind, The World is Yours, One Love, Represent



8. Absolution-Muse

Origin of Symmetry was a damn great album and easily would have made them one of the better musical acts out there, but then they released Absolution and it was pretty obvious that they are. From the start this album is loud and fast with no moment wasted of spared. It's so tightly produced that there's not room to breathe, in the best possible way. The sound they produce is so compelling and focused it's almost unbelievable. The drums hit with energy and fury, the guitar howls and that bass! Oh man the bass intro in Hysteria is simply perfect. Even though their most recent album was what got them big, this is the real crown jewel that is required listening.

Highlights: Apocalypse Please, Butterflies & Hurricanes, The Small Print, Thoughts of a Dying Atheist



7. Enter the Wu-Tang(36 Chambers)- The Wu-Tang Clan

This album is THE reason I got into hip hop. It was so dymanic, so strong, so full of energy that I'm indebted to it. The concept is my favorite in music, period. Nine rappers, and all of them(save U-God) are talented with their own unique style. Normally this would be a disaster but they work together so well as a unit that it only adds to the overall experience. Rather than having over the top beats they go for hardcore style and skill and it shows. The production is great but sparse in the sense that you aren't listening to the beats so much as the flow and delivery that each rapper deploys. Although at this point the Wu have pretty much fallen off(except Ghostface Killah) this album(and their work from 93-95) shows them as the true pioneering force that they were. And king of the mountain, even if it was for only a bit.

Highlights: Shame on a Nigga, C.R.E.A.M., Method Man, Proteck Ya Neck



6. Born To Run- Bruce Springsteen

The greatest thing to come out of New Jersey. Talented and focused he's one of my personal favorite musicians and nothing is better than this masterpiece. Despite the numerous and fantastic albums to come out after this one, this is the crown jewel. A Tour de Force of pure musical talent and valor. Only 9 songs long but it's the perfect length that never falters. The production is simply perfection, with the right amount of force given to each song. Yes this is where his reputation as a perfectionist came from, but who cares when the product is this good. A total triumph that captures the spirit and delivery that Springsteen looked for in his early careers and later honed in his later years. While he has other albums that really flesh out his sound more, this is as raw as he could possibly ever achieved, which is phenomenal.

Highlights: Thunder Road, Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out, Born to Run, Jungleland



5. The Bends- Radiohead

My vote as The Band To Beat right now and it all started with this phenomenal album. This is not as experimental as their later works but that doesn't matter. This is just a pure straight up rock album. Yet it still feels fresh and new without a feeling of retread. Nevertheless this is Radiohead at their purest and still trying to find a sound(which arguably has yet to happen or maybe they just don't wanna settle) and trying to shed that persona of being a one hit wonder band. Well with this album they successfully took over the next half of the decade, filling the void Nirvana would have almost assuredly have continued to own. It's really hard to decide which is the best Radiohead album considering they're always so different and always changing, but for my money this is them at their best. Just a bit shy before they successfully took over the world

Highlights: The Bends, Fake Plastic Trees, Sulk, Street Spirit(Fade Out)



4. Daydream Nation- Sonic Youth

Sonic Youth is underrated as hell as far as I'm concerned. The amount of bands that they've influenced that everyone listens to now is underappreciated and downright ignored at times. But that's ok, since I do acknowledge that this is a very bizarre band that is polarizing to most. This is probably their easiest album to get into, but it's also their greatest triumph. It's the perfect blend of the "mainstream" sound yet there is no compromise to their marvelous use of distortion and original sound. Ruthless and fast paced the whole albums fires off with such focus and intensity. Both Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon deliver their best vocal work to date, both snarling and fierce they never falter or sound tired. The driving rythm, the rip of the guitars, the thrashing vocal, this is one of those albums where the sum of the parts all came together and out came something memorable.

Highlights: Teen Age Riot, Candle, Rain King, The Trilogy



3. Loveless-My Bloody Valentine

A soaring mix of depression and sexual ecstacy, this is the ultimate album that solely depends on your mindset. This album will sound like pain if you are in pain and will sound like love if you are. This album really is one of the first albums to have a full effect on me experiencing both aspects that this album brings. Someone once said that this albums sounds something "like a black sea" and I don't entirely disagree with that claim. It really is that impressionable. A joke I once read about this album to listen up to this album was to :
A) Shoot up
B) Have sex
or C) Curl up in a fetal position

scary thing was that was probably the most accurate way to describe this album. Beautiful, frightening, and strangely full of hope. This album changes the way you listen to things

Highlights: Only Shallow, When You Sleep, Sometimes, What You Want



2. Funeral- Arcade Fire

My choice for the best band right now and it's all thanks to this album. Named Funeral based on the fact that members were losing family members during recording you feel a sense of loss throughout this album. While only a handful of songs at best actually deal with it the whole album carries this essence of it. But what it does with the loss it turns into strength and triumph. There is a sound of desperation and pain throughout but at the very same time there's something more to it. The music here is simply beautiful and stirring with amazing delivery. Every song here is perfect and has no wasted pace, giving only ten songs. Of course with something this good you always want more, but what's given is more than enough. The ending of this album is arguably my favorite in any album, it's simply so powerful and gives the most cathartic feeling I have ever listened to in music.

Highlights: Neighborhood #2(Laika), Crown of Love, Rebellion(LIES), In the Backseat



1. Revolver- The Beatles

My favorite album by my favorite musical group. The Beatles had the THE best run of albums, from 1964-1969 they were unstopable and could do no wrong. Released in 1966 this is the high point of them as a creative force. There is no flaw in this album, absolutely none. The best part is that it gets simply better and more divine with age, thanks to the superb production. Every song here fits any emotion and shows an amazing range of variety and skill. Unmatched in the level of ingenuity and imagination it takes ahold of you and refuses to let go. This is the album that would immortalize them as beyond a simple pop act and showcase them as the true masters of music that they would later earn recognition for. without this album I don't think I would love music like I do. This quote says it best for how I feel about this album "Revolver, finally, signaled that in popular music, anything -- any theme, any musical idea -- could now be realized. And, in the case of the Beatles, would be."

Highlights: Taxman, Yellow Submarine, And Your Bird Can Sing, Tomorrow Never Knows

Run My Mouth

I feel like I should have a lot to say, all considering how much happened this weekend, but strangely I don't. If you were there you know what went down, if not well then that's your loss.

How bizarre

Silent Alarm

Yeah the post below about me being back. Well after some reflection, yeah not the case. Things are gonna be hard for a while now. There's no point in denying that. BUT I'm gonna remain steadfast and get above this. Something little like this wont be getting to me. FUCK THAT

One

I'M BACK BITCHES!

Interlude

Good weekend to a pretty shitty week.

I don't know it was a pretty awful week overall and I don't wanna talk about it. I've decided to stop what I'm doing and really think about my next move and take things in a practical manner. It's the only thing I can really do at this point. This coming weekend looks pretty good, but as I've learned there is no point to get all excited right away cause anything can happen and people can get flakey or emergencies can happen. Well ok people get flakey. Well except for Thursday, that for sure is happening.

Sunday was Frankie's birthday, I miss that kid

Loveless

I hope that our few remaining friends
Give up on trying to save us
I hope we come out with a fail-safe plot
To piss off the dumb few that forgave us

I hope the fences we mended
Fall down beneath their own weight
And I hope we hang on past the last exit
I hope it's already too late

And I hope the junkyard a few blocks from here
Someday burns down
And I hope the rising black smoke carries me far away
And I never come back to this town again in my life

I hope I lie
And tell everyone you were a good wife
And I hope you die
I hope we both die

I hope I cut myself shaving tomorrow
I hope it bleeds all day long
Our friends say it's darkest before the sun rises
We're pretty sure they're all wrong

I hope it stays dark forever
I hope the worst isn't over
And I hope you blink before I do
And I hope I never get sober

And I hope when you think of me years down the line
You can't find one good thing to say
And I'd hope that if I found the strength to walk out
You'd stay the hell out of my way

I am drowning
There is no sign of land
You are coming down with me
Hand in unlovable hand

And I hope you die
I hope we both die

Moving Pictures

For the past few weeks my mental state of mind could be summed up this way:



which obviously is not so great, you know?

BUT THEN, at midnight exactly on Monday morning, this song played



and everything was gonna be alright :D

suddenly I was riding high, somewhere between

and

BUT THEN shit happened

and now I'm right here



fuck man...

Better, Faster, Harder, Stronger

!Spoilers Abound!

I generally am very picky with heroes cause so many of them tend to suck. But every now and then you run into some amazing ones. Obviously not in numerical order cause that would take too long to figure out for me.

Luffy
One Piece

The shonen prototype done correctly. He currently easily stands above the slew of shitty bishonen or stereotypical characters currently infesting manga right now. He's not mopey or depressed or bitchy. He's funny, a bit naive, and completely focused on his goal. When it comes to either action or comedy he plays it just right. His simple attitude actually hides a lot of his personality in how he truly understands the way of the world. His personality alone made the placid Amazons arc bearable which is saying a lot.

High Point: Vol.22, at the climax of the Alabasta arc it seems like Crocodile has won. He's lost most of his back up but at great cost to the Strawhats. Just as civil war is tearing apart the very nation, the King is captive, and Vivi is the only one left and unable to aid, out from the sky comes the revived Luffy. Reinvigorated from his previous loss to Crocodile he swoops down on the kingdom ready to make due on his promise to restore alabasta to it's former glory

Low Point: Buggy arc, not very exciting. But that's ok since it's only in the beginning of the series

Atticus Finch
To Kill a Mockingbird

No man in any story has been able to capture humility and grace like Atticus Finch. The only visible noble and honest bastion in a town that wants to condemn an innocent man simply for being black. Written as eloquently as possible by Harper lee and performed with such sublime and inspiration by the great Gregory Peck, he's one of the few characters that always sticks with you. He is the type of person many people strive to be in their life: humble, honest, Atticus

High Point: Any scene where he talks to Jem, as well as the now legendary Court Scene
Low Point: none

Elijah Snow
Planetary

The Century Baby known as The Ghost of the Twentieth Century. One of the few special beigns born on January 1, 1900 at midnight and granted abilities. But that's not what makes Snow such a great character. Obviously from his name his ability is ice based. Again not why he's so great. What makes him truly stand out is his personality. His calm collected manner backed by his mysterious past makes him captivating. Not to mention his adventures overall are what makes him that much more entertaining. Never resorts to being flashy he still overwhelms with power and proves he's a real threat by using his resources and intelligence over anything. Copelling throughout and never misses a beat, he's probably my favorite comic book hero.

High Point: His flashback stories from 13-18 showcase the threat he is, but also displays his kindness

Low Point: The shipping schedule of Planetary. It's been over two years since the last issue came out with the #27(the finale) planned to released sometime in the near future

Guts
Berserk

When you first meet him you think he's just a monster motivated to kill all the demons in the world for the sake of some twisted revenge by any means necessary. That is until you reach vol.4, where we see a man motivated, by yes, revenge but it's revenge with a purpose. Arguably having the shittiest life ever we see him as a young boy with no parents fighting to survive until finally finding a group of companions to stay with and falling in love. Witnessing the ultimate betrayal and witnessing true horror and despair he finds a purpose to find revenge. Complex and pained he must also ward off a deep monster inside his soul

High Point: The Golden Age arc(Vol.4-14) is the greatest arc in any manga.

Low Point: The release of new chapters is slow and erratic

Dark Schneider
Bastard!!
Foul, crude, and simply unforgetable. The greatest womanizer in manga is also one of the funniest and badass character. You're never really sure if he's a good guy or a villain but regardless his allegiance he's never a bore always entertaining and bringing everything a true main character does in a story, constant entertainments

High point: His fight againts Anthrax or his current fight against the Fallen Uriel

Low Point: First two volumes are kinda weak. Plus Bastard!! is a love it or hate it series

Solid Snake
Metal Gear/Metal Gear Solid
The living stealth legend who has seen his fair share of battle and bloodshed. As the charismatic hero of the revered MGS series he's been drawing in fans for over twenty years now. A pure badass through and through and a pure soldier. Despite the constant betrayal and lies he faces from his superiors he continues on to complete his mission. It's really hard to put into words what makes him so intriguing because that's what he is. He's a soldier who feels he has no purpose other than to do his mission but it's not always that simple. MGS 4 is the last game he's in and it's perfect closure for a hero who has given everything for his country

High Point: All of the first Metal Gear Solid or if you want a singular moment his final fight in Metal Gear Solid 4

Low Point: Metal Gear II: Snake's Revenge, which is not considered part of the official story

Joseph Joestar
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Part II: Battle Tendency

The BEST main character of the Jojo legacy, which is saying a lot. Intelligent, resourceful and fucking hilarious, he was always the hero that you want to see suceed. Despite Part II being fairly short he stood out from the very beginning. He acts like a goof but what he reveals is that he's a battle genius and one of the greatest tactical thinkers. Always has a plan no matter the situation(usually) and makes it to his advantage. He's in part III but loses a lot of his luster that made him so great, though it's not his part of thestory in the first place.

High Point: His fight with WHAM in Part II is one of the greatest and most innovative fights you will probably read in a manga

Low Point: He's a useless old man in Part IV :'{


Kenshrio
Hokuto no Ken aka Fist of the North Star

Pure vengeance and badass, he's also one of the kindest and noblest heroes in any series. Yes he's motivated by revenge and kills people by blowing them the fuck up but he never kills or fights without reason to protect and always gives a warning to his would be enemies. Outside of fighting he is a gentle man who cares for the people he runs into the desolate distopia that is HnK and does his best to help them in their lives. But mess with him and he will fuck you up.

High Point: The now epic and legendary fight with Raoh

Low Point: The last half of HnK isn't as strong as the first


Daniel Faraday
LOST

Premiering in the fourth season his introduction, as well as the new characters, could have gone horribly wrong. Instead he quickly became a favorite of the show, played with such energy by Jeremy Davies, Faraday oozes character with his reserved attitude and seemingly larger idea of the scope of everything that's going on. Always mysterious yet played with such pain he is one of the most human characters on Lost and displays that even with only two seasons of screen time he can still outshine most of the established characters with his searing story.

High Point: Really hard to tell at this point, but probably his explanation of events happening in the beginning of the fifth season

Low Point: still hard to tell, but probably *MASSIVE MASSIVE MASSIVE SPOILER* his abrupt death when he still had more to offer to the show, though the producers have stated his role as a RECURRING character is over leads to the possibilities of guest appearances in the final season.


John Locke
LOST

Yes another LOST character(two more coming down I promise you), This one has stood out from the very beginning. Guided by faith he's probably one of the most polarizing characters on the show. His backstory reveals tragedy after tragedy until he reaches the island. By placing his whole faith in the island he's alienated most of the characters on the show, but throughout the series he's proven as someone who has a higher purpose on the island. A man with much conflict throughout the series, in season V all his doubt is gone replaced with nothing but forceful confidence and a seemingly higher state of understanding than anyone else has displayed on the series. As a key player in this season and definitely the next there's looming questions on what he plans to do with his new found purpose

High Point: *MASSIVE MASSIVE MASSIVE MASSIVE SPOILER* Coming back to life after being killed and seemingly now is in a constant state of understanding of what's gotta be done. Plus he's made Ben Linus his bitch, which is the most impressive thing ever

Low Point: Season 3 started off a bit slow and his character suffered because of it, but he makes up for it in the last half of the season


James "Sawyer" Ford
LOST

Yes I love LOST, deal with it. Sawyer is another character I've liked since the beginning. The ultimate con man who would do anything to get what he wants at any cost. However things started changing in season four as out of necessity he had to grow as a leader to help his companions survive. In season five he has shed away all the bad skin and grows to a dedicated and tactical leader for his friends who uses his intelligence and resources to give them a stable life in the Dharma Initiative and setles down, that is until things go wrong. Cunning and never without a smartass insult he's always been a fan favorite and has never fallen off as a character as far as I'm concerned

High Point: The episode "The Long Con" Displays his ability to pit everyone against each other in order for him to come out on top and take control. "LaFleur" shows his growth as a person and a leader

Low Point: Again season Three was weak at the beginning


Desmond Hume
LOST

Last LOST character I promise. Desmond is a personal favorite for the sole reason that he's just likeable. He's the tragic character who has done nothing to deserve what's happening to him but always does his best to survive. Revealed in season two he's gone for most of the season but he owns the finale with his great backstory. Becoming a regular in season three he is the first to show of the blatant sci fi show Lost really was with his future telling abilities that would later morph into time traveling abilities(trust me it's not that great, it's uncontrollable and it slowly kills him). But rather become a guinea pig to the sci fi aspects of the series he was more character driven than most of the cast and was generally well balanced throughout the show, simply a man who's in a series of dire situations and struggles to overcome. Now in the fifth season he's finally found his hard earned peace and deservedly so. But until the end of the series one can never be to sure, as even the unfortunate Desmond can still become a victim to the Island's whims.


High Point: The Constant is one of the greatest episodes of the whole series and shows the well deserved and awaited of communication between Desmond and Penny ever since their painful separation

Low Point: He's gone for over 2/3 of season 2
More to come I promise

Hero/Shine on you Crazy Diamond

This space is dedicated to Francisco Acevedo

He may be an asshole but he's one of the greatest person I have ever had the pleasure to not only have met but to have the honor to call one of my closest friends. It wont be the same without him these next few months but I know he'll be ok. And when he comes back, it's gonna be nothing but celebrations

Come back home safely you loveable bastard

Represent

I've decided to post some Rap songs as a companion piece to my previous post. This will be full of variety. Hopefully you enjoy at least one song

Don't Stop That Beat!

If you know me casually and we bring up music you eventually figure out that I’m a fan of rap. If you see me drunk you can see my horrible mic skills. If you actually get to know me very well you can figure out that I’m an avid fan of the genre. I just fucking love it. It’s so creative and filled with so much variety that I just can’t help but be enamored by it. Rap gets a lot of undeserved hate and insults. I can see why honestly. A lot of the subject material shown is just awful and worthless, but that does not mean it should be dismissed. This looooong post will be really just a fangasm. I’m not here to convert anyone or tell you that you MUST listen to rap. It’s not a genre for everyone at all. I’m just here to fully articulate and explain my reasons to why I enjoy this music genre. There’s really no structure to this one, it’ll really just be off the top of my head.

Like every music genre, rap had a Golden Age. And what an age it was, this is the creative height of the genre with both the East and West coast putting out defining work. This age begins in 1988 with both the east coast and west coast bringing out two of the most celebrated albums of all time, NWA’s “Straight Outta Compton” and Public Enemy’s “It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back” both of these albums would greatly shape the entire sound and direction rap was headed into for the next few decades. With NWA the West Coast would adopt gangsta rap and the main style. Public Enemy was outspoken and political with a message. At this point the East Coast would have the most diverse sound with Jazz based rap, Alt. Rap, and later on the darker more Noir based stuff coming out. Needless to say the West was still young and inexperienced. Keep in mind the East coast had over ten years to hone out a sound. Of course other great albums came out this year, but these two are the stand outs.

The next year was the year the East Coast ruled. Alt rap was at it's peak. This is the non gangsta and without any hos or bling or getting money. This is fun and positive. With great defining releases by De La Soul and The Jungle Brothers it was a great time for rap in the non gangsta department. The next year was interesting to say the least, Digital Underground shows that the West Coast is more than just the center of loud angry music. But this is also the year Ice Cube released his first album, the amazing Amerikkka's Most Wanted, so yeah I guess it added more variety. East Coast is still a beast with Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, and LL Cool J's comeback showed off that the East can still evolve the form.

Now we come to 1991 which is the high point of the Golden Age, which is saying a lot. 2pac enters the scene, not a great album but hell we all know his best work is in the coming years. Gangstarr starts it's amazing run of albums. Digital Underground is still throwing it down. Cypress Hill is unleashed. Ice-T, Tribe Called Quest, and De La Sould continue to pull out some of their best work. But the real king this year is Ice Cube. Death Certificate is one of greatest pieces of social commentary in the past twenty years. It creates such a vivid piece of how LA was at that time and adresses serious concerns within the black community. Does it give out answers? Maybe, but the powerful delivery makes it worth respecting.

1992 was another defining year. Pharcyde and Common begin their careers, which is always a great thing. Pete Rock releases the song TROY(They Reminisce Over You) which is one of the greatest songs ever put out. BUT the reason this year stands out is because for the first time the West coast truly took over the game. Dr Dre bust out the now legendary The Chronic. This is the definitive West coast album, bar none. Dre perfected the G Funk sound and truly buried any competition. The album doesn't have the most positive message(I mean c'mon Bitches Ain't Shit is in here) but the production is so perfect and it just flows so well that I really don't give a fuck about that cause it's the perfect sound for LA.

West Coast was riding high in 93, ruling the whole genre. So what was the East to do? Well it divided its sound, with De La and Tribe working on their Alt and Jazz masterpieces and other acts putting out more Jazz and the Riggidy Ruffians working on more content. And then comes Noir. The New York Rennaisance has begun. The Wu Tang Clan unleashed and put out such a hard sound back with amazing mic skills. The fact that there are nine members and they work so well makes it amazing, with each possesing their own style to make the whole album work with amazing finese. Wu Tang's first album is my favorite hip hop album ever and is the main reason I love this genre so much.

So in 1994 the East Coast started a undergoing a major change. It embraced the dark noir sound that was perfected last year and just ran with it. This allowed the East to fully dominate this year. West Coast was really put out of the spotlight this year with only a few albums here and there but nothing too special. 1994 saw the entrance of Notorious B.I.G who would become Tupac's biggest rival, as we all know how that worked out. The South also started to emerge led by the amazing Outkast, but they wont be a major force for a couple more years to come. The real big deal that came out this year was Nas' Illmatic. I don't say this a lot, but this is one of the few albums I could call perfect. EVERYTHING here is phenomenal. The lyrics and delivery are so fierce and raw, the intro is my favorite intro in any album ever, the production goes so well with the lyrics and feel it's almost unreal. It feels like you're in the city and experiencing everything Nas is talking about. It's a very personal joy of mine when I go to LA and just walk around with this album playing. Even though it's clearly a NYC album it just works so well. This is a definite high point in music period. Hard to believe that he made this at the age of 20. Think about that, at that age he has created something so well respected and loved and legendary. Boggles the mind

1995 was the year of the East Coast/West Coast feud. This is where it goes all out. Tupac emerges as the major force he will be remembered as and the Wu Tang would prove to be an unstopable force reaching their high point with GZA's Liquid Swords. Basically both sides were releasing the sounds they've honed and perfected over the years to try to knock each side down. This is also really the begining of the end with a tragic conclusion coming next year. But for now the creativity was high and everyone wanted a peace of the action.

1996 was the end of the Golden Age. G-Funk pretty much went down and only Dr. Dre really survived. Tupac was killed by the end symbolizing the fall of the West. The East would suffer a major loss in early 97 with the death of Biggie as well. A lot of groups that flourished started to fall as well. But Tupac did release an amazing double album just before his death. Outkast emerges as a major player. Jay-Z releases his first album and prepares to dominate the coming years. And the last amazing album of the Age, The Score by the Fugees, is released. This album is so lovingly crafted and beatiful that it stands as the last bastion of a fruitful and creative age.

So the Golden Age ended like any good thing does, so what happened next? Well 97 was a stagnant year with some terrible shit. The Wu Tang fell off their greatness, which is tragic to say the least. Jay-Z comes up and becomes King of New York, which is really not saying much due to the throne being empty but hey he took an oppurtunity. 98 was another pretty bad year, but we still got some great works. Black Star, the group of the talented Mos Def and Talib Kweli, first came out this year so it's definitely worht celebrating. Goodie Mob and Outkast bring out new albums as well. Still even with those and a few other releases there is still a lot of filth in between that. The next year was a mixed bag for me. It really saw the true collapse of The Wu Tang Clan, with only Ghostface still standing over the next few years. But Dre comes out with another album which is always a celebration. MF Doom starts up shop and that'll leave some interesting and creative music in the years to come. And most importantly Mos Def releases his phenomenal first album. This is an expressive and uncomprimising release. And earns every bit our respect.

2000 was start of great beginings. Jurassic 5, Ghostface Killah, and Blackalicious all bring out terrific albums that celebrate both the renewal of the East and West. Common, Outkast and Deltron 3030 all bring out defining masterpieces that are must haves for ANY fan of the genre.

Over the next decade we see the rise of some talented individuals for sure. K-OS being one of the biggest standouts. A talented Canadian who has what it takes to reinvent the genre with some great genre hopping. Kanye West is actually a terrific producer and makes up for his meager mceeing and Late Registration is a classic to say the least. Nujabes, a producer from Japan, has garnered respect over the years and not without reason. The man produces such a great blend of Jazz and Japanese sensibilities. Lupe Fiasco is another newcomer that's got some great talent, even though there's a high chance he's gonna retire real soon. Honestly it's still way too early to really be able to reflect on more recent acts. There's been a shift to auto-tone which I'm not too big on, and the indie scene is still quite large and expanding.

That's basically all I got. I might break down certain albums over time but for now I've said all I really want to



so just chill, till the next episode...