oops to my year end song list

In my year end list of songs, I totally missed something and I am embarrassed about it. I left what should have been a Top 5 song off my list due to prejudice. Inní mér syngur vitleysingur is one of the best (and prettiest) songs of the year. However, due to the fact that I think of Sigur Ros as an "album" band and not a "single" or "song" band I missed it. I had thought of including Gobbledigook, but felt it was lacking as a single. The album, Med sud I eyrum vid spilum endalaust was in my top 15, so I thought that was good enough. I was wrong. I should have paid more attention. They had done it on Takk... with the song Hoppípolla. It was a great single (and one of the best videos ever).

In case you forgot, here is the video to Hoppípolla.


Here is the video to Inní mér syngur vitleysingur

Obama is dead to Me- I should have voted for the guy from Arizona

Obama has just stepped over my line and I do not know I can ever support or forgive him.

link

Cheap Music Recs from your National Music Coordinator

Amazon's Friday Deals have stunk the past couple of weeks, but we have a couple of doozies this week to make up for it.

First we have Radiohead's The Best of. While it was released after they left the company and they had nothing to do with the selections, it is a good collection for any readers of this blog that do not own any Radiohead (and I must increase my filters, because I have tried to make sure those that do not listen to Radiohead have no access to this blog). While I cannot imagine a fan of real music not owning Radiohead, I will still recommend this. So, buy this album and then go back and buy every single other album by Radiohead because all of these songs are so much better in context, but where can you find 17 perfect songs for only $5? Click here.

By the way, if you are wondering which Radiohead albums you need to own, in order, I can help.

1. The Bends
2. OK Computer
3. In Rainbows
4. Kid A
5. Hail to the Thief
6. Eraser by Thom Yorke
7. Amnesiac
8. Pablo Honey
9. I Might Be Wrong
10. My Iron Lung (EP) from England
11. Itch (EP)
12. Airbag/ How Am I Driving? (EP)
13. No Surprises/ Running from Demons (EP)
14. 2plus2isfive (EP)
15. Thom Yorke Live at the Bridge School
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Next up, for only $5.00 you can get Depeche Mode's 1990 borderline masterpiece Violator, which many consider their high water mark. It does have Personal Jesus, Enjoy the Silence and Policy of Truth. This brings me back to my college days hard. While it may be their best and certainly has a better top 3 than any other DM album, I think Music for the Masses is their most cohesive. This version of Violator is remastered digitally and reminds you why every other band out there wants to sound like DM and the Cure.
___________________________________________________________

Also, Velvet Underground's most accessible and 3rd best album, Loaded is only $6.97.

what I submitted to Ellen to get Super Bowl tickets

I am sure I will not win them, even though I believe my essay is superior to that of others submitting theirs to Ellen for Super Bowl tickets. It was supposed to show how you were the biggest fan, it had to be oringinal and it had to be funny. Hopefully I accomplished this, even if I will be watching the game from someplace not called Raymond James.

Here is the essay:

You will doubtlessly receive many more essays from Steelers fans, but have no compassion upon those requests. After 7 Super Bowls, they have had their chance. For a lifelong Cardinals fan living 3 miles from the stadium, this could be the only chance I get. If it took 60 years to return to a championship game, next time I would be 100 yrs old. While I may have good genes, these are not odds I want to take.

I am cheap: no hotel, no plane fare; just tickets. In a recession you need to allocate your resources in a responsible manner and I am here to help. Don't spend precious money willy nilly like Merrill Lynch redecorating the CEO's office. In the immortal words of Jerry Maguire to the most famous Cardinal of all time, Rod Tidwell; "Help me, help you."

Ellen, I mean that.

Do not pick the fan from Phoenix who has "loved" the Cardinals for a short time. Do not pick the St. Louis resident who let them go. Pick the guy who has no reason to root for this team yet deeply loves them anyway. Pick the guy who has more character than a Cowboys fan. Anyone can like that team, but it takes someone codependent to love the loveless, for over 30 years… from a distance. Pick the guy who could have picked a good franchise but instead chose to give his heart to the girl who broke his heart needlessly over … and over.

Sure, he has been infatuated with prettier girls along the way. He fell for the supermodel from San Fran in the '80s, considered the new girl in town when the Rams came calling, was intrigued by the wild, unpredictable girl from Green Bay and even briefly dated the total package while living in New England. But his true love, the dysfunctional one forgotten in the desert, was always on his mind.

And when she came calling in Tampa, he had no way to see her. Help me see my first love. It is up to you.

quick thought on politics, partisanship and stimulus grows bigger than the debt in a matter of moments

I am not going to bloviate* on this subject, but I want to make something clear politically speaking. While I have been in the tank for Obama during the past 4 years I have stated on more than one occasion that, unlike some of my friends, I do not genuflect at a shrine in my home office, lighting candles as I leave offerings. I am not a Democrat. I am not a Republican that has seen the light. I am a radically moderate Independent (and have probably always been one). In say this, I want to make sure you understand something...

This stimulus package blows. I would not vote for it. It has elements in it that will help the economy, but much of it is spending that is not useful in the midst of a crisis or could be helpful but not at this moment, in this package. I think the Republicans should vote against it. I think the Democrats, apart from our President, should be ashamed for not talking to Republicans about it. I hope they raise a stink- just not a disagreeable stink.

While I am radically non-partisan, I do not want Republicans to roll over for the Democrats.  I do not want unity at the expense of debate and discussion. Of course, I don't want Republicans to do as they are doing right now and whine like big bad bully Democrats stole their lollipops. While I do not like politics in the name of partisanship and power, I care deeply about philosophical differences and political realities. I want Republicans and Democrats to fight over (debate) ideas, philosophy, pragmatic approaches that will work, etc. 

In this new era of unity, let us not neglect that.

* well I wasn't when this post began. Oh well.

tribute to a Giant

I am sure all the quick draws got there first and have already put this on their blogs, but I want to share, as way of tribute to the late great John Updike (who dies yesterday), this poem. Every Easter I read it. When preaching on Easter, it is central to my sermons. 

I discovered it many years ago and found it useful in Boston where the central belief in the physical resurrection of Jesus is not integral to Christian belief. It is among my favorite poems ever...

Seven Stanzas at Easter

Make no mistake: if He rose at all

it was as His body;

if the cells’ dissolution did not reverse, the molecules

reknit, the amino acids rekindle,

the Church will fall.

It was not as the flowers,

each soft Spring recurrent;

it was not as His Spirit in the mouths and fuddled

eyes of the eleven apostles;

it was as His flesh: ours.

The same hinged thumbs and toes,

the same valved heart

that–pierced–died, withered, paused, and then

regathered out of enduring Might

new strength to enclose.

Let us not mock God with metaphor,

analogy, sidestepping, transcendence;

making of the event a parable, a sign painted in the

faded credulity of earlier ages:

let us walk through the door.

The stone is rolled back, not papier-mâché,

not a stone in a story,

but the vast rock of materiality that in the slow

grinding of time will eclipse for each of us

the wide light of day.

And if we will have an angel at the tomb,

make it a real angel,

weighty with Max Planck’s quanta, vivid with hair,

opaque in the dawn light, robed in real linen

spun on a definite loom.

Let us not seek to make it less monstrous,

for our own convenience, our own sense of beauty,

lest, awakened in one unthinkable hour, we are

embarrassed by the miracle,

and crushed by remonstrance.

[Written for a religious arts festival sponsored by the Clifton Lutheran Church, of Marblehead, Mass.]

I love that this was written for a church in the area we used to minister. 

I discovered Updike accidentally. As a high school student I stumbled upon Bech is Back (one of my parents may have picked it up at a yard sale or used bookstore) and thoroughly enjoyed it. I read other novels across the years. While I was drawn to his contemporaries Vonnegut and John Irving (especially- discovering him accidentally also), I will be eternally grateful to this wonderfully inauspicious Christian writer that did not wear his faith on his sleeve.

on being a Tampa fan of the Arizona Cardinals

I am sure some of you that read my blog cannot wait until the Super Bowl is over. You do not want to read yet another sports related posting. I cannot help it if I have been incredibly lucky as a sports fan with my Cardinals winning the World Series a few years back, my Spurs winning every other year and the great history of the Seminoles. Heck, even my adopted teams (due to proximity) like the Rays and Patriots have had recent success. However, nothing prepared me for the Arizona Cardinals to reach the Super Bowl in Tampa.

Security is tight around the city and the adult businesses are bringing in talent from around the nation. The blimp flew over my house yesterday and the roads are getting clogged. We drove by the stadium on Sunday and it looked like a Taj Ma-(foot)Ball. One day the city looks normal and the next day we look like Beijing during the Olympics. And then there are the Steelers fans.

There are a number of reasons for so many Steelers fans in my city. First of all, many are snowbirds and spend their winters here instead of braving the lake effects snow and ice. Secondly, they are the most successful franchise in NFL history with fans all over the nation, especially in a place like Florida with all the transplants. Arizona is a nice place for retirees, snowbirds and transplants, so they probably have as many Steelers as Cardinals. However, this is getting ridiculous.

I was looking for some newer Cardinals paraphernalia to mark the occasion and to wear on Sunday and could find nothing beyond a $100 Kurt Warner "jersey" and the Super Bowl crap with both teams (or the NFC Champion shirt- I am waiting for World Champion shirt) emblazoning the front. I mean nothing is here. I can get shot glasses, mugs, sunglasses, thongs, onesies and holsters in the yellow and black of the Steelers, but nary a thing of interest with the Cardinals on it. Sure, they have sucked forever and have no fan base, but they will be here in a few days (and people love to jump on bandwagons) so don't make it look so much like Pennsylvania around here.

I was looking for a place to watch the game, since Super Bowl tickets are looking more and more unlikely (where can a Tampa resident that loves the Cardinals get some love?) and found no bars hosting Cardinals fans. Sure, some "fans" will be there on Sunday rooting against Pittsburgh, but nothing for real fans. Of course, in the paper they listed 20 bars for Steelers fans.

So, what do I do? I can watch it at home or with people that don't care about the game. Or I can get my butt handed to me at a Steelers bar. Gentry thinks I should stand outside the stadium and beg (but, if that does not work I miss the game). I really need someone from the Tribune or St. Pete Times to do a story on me and get me into the game. Hey newspapers and TV stations. find me. I am right here! Give me tickets!

I would be a great correspondent as the Tampa Cardinals fan at the game.

Go Cards! Steelers Suck (unless they are playing the Cowboys)!

* I am mentioning the media outlets here, just in case they google themselves (News Channel 8. WFLA, Tampa Tribune, TBT, Creative Loafing, WTVT, Bay News 9, WTSP, WFTS, ESPN, WMOR, WTOG, WTTA, WWBA, WLVU.

2 quick things you may be interested in

• Thanks to Zoe Incarnate's twitter, I caught a free E-Book on the end times. If interested, you send the info to 3 friends and you download a book for free. Not sure how great it is, but I like stuff I have read from the group the author is part of. Click here for information on the book, the group and Mike's posting.

• Did you catch this a few days ago? My friend Ron sent it to me. It is an article about the dangers of twitter and tweeting information that those reading may take offense at when reading. It is worthy of a read and thought. Link

Super Bowl Reading

I remember the day my Cardinals drafted Larry Fitzgerald out of Pitt. I had followed him all season and knew he was special, as was his story, which included a sportswriter dad, mom that died young of breast cancer and high school years as a ball boy for the Minnesota Vikings. That early affiliation with the Vikings assured me that my Cardinals would get him. Our coach at the time, Dennis Green, was the former Vikings coach and knew the family well.

Since that day, paired with Boldin (an FSU guy), I have watched Larry Fitzgerald finally arrive as the best receiver in the league (he was already there, but no one noticed until these playoffs). As you watch him this week, notice the difference between him and every other big name receiver in the NFL (he is not called "The Anti-TO" for nothing).

Also, here is a nice story Larry and his dad. 

yes, I am linking to a Rick Reilly story

GO CARDS!

some great links

here are a few good links to peruse:

• American Idol is poison. AMEN

• Obama and and his supporters have Family Values (link to Crunch Con). Link

• Matt Taibbi is at it again. Link

• There is nothing that blows me away in this week's list of Music Deals at Amazon's MP3 store. Sorry, but you can look around here.

Oscar thoughts

just a quick couple of hits on the Oscars, because it is what I do and you would be disappointed if I said nothing...

• Hellboy was nominated for Makeup. Of course it was. To forget that would be wrong. but, how did they miss out on this very good flick by a great director for Visual Effects, Sound Mixing or Sound Editing. Heck, I think it could have been seriously considered for Art Direction and Costumes. Heck, I would not have been surprised if it was considered for Editing or Cinematography (a stretch). Visually it was the most stunning and impressive film of the year. But, I love the director.
• Only 3 songs nominated? Was it the year that bad?
• I think Horton Hears a Who should have been in contention ahead of Bolt. But, there were 4 solid choices this year. Nominated all of them. Neither of those flicks are in the league of Kung Fu Panda and Wall-E, but they were better than most movies made for adult audiences (you can tell I have small kids, huh).
• I guess the backlash against Clint Eastwood has begun.
• Which half of the Brad Pitt/ Angelina Jolie partnership is more likely to carry home and Oscar? Neither.
• I had heard great things about Revolutionary Road and so-so things about The Reader. I guess Oscar feels differently.
• I hope Christopher Nolan was the #6 guy on the director list. Ron Howard, again? Well, Coldplay gets Grammys, so Ronnie Boy gets Oscars. No justice.
• 3 visionary Auteurs were nominated for direction. that is always a good thing in the midst of Hollywood's lack of artistry (see Ron Howard)- Fincher, Van Sant and Boyle are among the edgiest, most original mainstream directors working today.

That is all for now.

rattling on and on about why I don't talk much about theology

a few friends have been asking me why I don't blog much about theology, spirituality, the Bible and Jesus any more. I have thought about this and given plenty of answers, one of which is implied here. 

While part of it lies in my love of sports, music, food, film, politics, humor, sarcasm, and me, there is another reason. I don't care about, have a strong opinion on, or think some things matter as much as many who put some much stock in certain issues do. I feel (or don't feel) this way about homosexuality, gay marriage and unions, who is in an out of heaven and hell, atonement theory, denominations, who is right and wrong about theological matters (not entirely true- there are 3 or 4 subjects I feel strongly matter- and they are not what you probably think), Calvinism (I have strong opinions but they would piss off both sides) and who is in and out of orthodoxy and Emergent (just to name a few). Also, although I was an early supporter of Obama (04 Baby), I don't genuflect at his image like many I read. However, to be part of the theological conversations out there you must have strong opinions on these subjects and I have been around this stuff for a long time and am pretty laid back on some matters others take WAY too seriously. 

I think there are many good theologically astute blogs out there, much better than mine with much sharper minds on these subjects, and my strengths lie elsewhere. If I blog about theological matters, I feel I could be parroting what others are saying or getting myself into such controversy my wife will ask me to make this blog anonymous once more. You see, lately I have been thinking a lot more about theological issues, but some of those thoughts are not mainstream (in Emergent or Evangelicalism). This is after a few years in which I have not put as much work into theological/ spiritual matters as I had in the past. Why?

For one thing, I have had jobs which do not allow such thought. So, my reading has tended to come from other disciplines which can either relate to what I have been working on, or are for simple pleasure (of course, my idea of pleasurable reading would make some people think I am weirder than I really am). 

Also, we are not presently active in a church (not due to lack of trying), so I do not have much to react to, beyond my thoughts and those of friends, blogs or books. When I have led a church or been active in a church, I have blogged about those things I (we) were dealing with or discussing. I guess this could be an outlet for those theological reflections not expressed in ministry, but I find myself drawn to lighter subjects because they take less energy.

I do engage in theological conversation that I have thought of sharing here. I am in serious discussions with friends and family and among some friends in blogdom and on a discussion board. However, I tend to get sick of the exclusionary tone and lack of honest discussion I see out there. I tend to get tired of each person sharing their theological or Biblical opinion, thinking (left and right), they are right. 

There is too much self assurance and self righteousness (especially among those in official ministry*). There is too little reflection and humility. Sadly, I have seen that lately among former friends and colleagues (much of it in the comments sections and on social networking sites). So, I stick with things in which strong opinions do not matter and have no real world implications (food, culture, sports, etc.). In other words, I tend to stay away from theological reflections online because I take them seriously and do not take myself (and you) seriously at all.

Also, I am a little concerned with publishing some of these thoughts in a public setting (even such a small niche). I am in the midst of some redefinition of terms and theological growth that I have not defined well enough to share in a setting that may offend my readers or demand clarification I am not ready to give (and defend thoughts I do not hold dearly). In fact, some of my ideas have very little to do with defined theology and much more to do with neuroscience and psychology (which are not my strengths). I am emerging left on some issues, right on others and into very new territory on others, all of which would make people question my salvation (as a good Emergent Christian or EE-vangelical).

As I think about ministry, church and pastoral work (still like the idea and would like to jump back in someday- on my terms), I may try to share some of these thoughts in this public forum. I may get back to social justice issues (which have always concerned me). I will try to get back to subjects that actually matter, but don't hold your breath. I am not there yet (and the Cardinals still need my undivided attention).**

*people have gotten quite bold bragging about their ministry, their accomplishments, their service and their actions (especially in forums like twitter and facebook- "look at me, I am better than you").

** did I mention that I need tickets to the Super Bowl? Help a brother out. 

Stay Classy Beijing

China censors part of President Obama's speech.

evolution of an Arizona Cardinals fan

St Louis Cardinals begat 

Daytona Beach Islanders farm club begat

Stan Musial pitching in 1940 begat

Raymond Bennett as fan of team/ player begat

Rick Bennett in 1968.

Raymond Bennett took Rick Bennett, comic book fan, to Baseball Hall of Fame in mid 1970s.

Stan Musial Fan, Raymond introduces Comic Book Fan, Rick Bennett to HOF and Stan "The Man" Musial.

Rick thinks Stan "The Man" is cool because he shares nickname with Stan "The Man" Lee of Marvel Comics.

Raymond buys Rick souvenirs and Rick becomes fan of Stan Musial and St. Louis Cardinals.

Rick sees no difference between baseball Cardinals and Football Cardinals. They share city, name and colors.

Rick even likes St. Louis Blues in a sport he knows nothing about and wishes NBA team was in St. Louis.

Rick now likes NFL Cardinals and Dolphins (only Florida team).

Miami Dolphins defeat St. Louis Cardinals 55-14 on Thanksgiving. 

Rick never forgives Dolphins. Tampa Bay Bucs get team. Rick does not care. Rick likes Jim Hart.

NFL Cardinals leave St. Louis. St. Louis does not care. Rick mourns. 

St. Louis secures Rams. Rick feels nothing. His (football) heart followed Cardinals to Arizona.

Cardinals continue to suck. Rick thinks maybe next year. It is never next year.

Luckily Rick has Baseball Cardinals, the 2nd most successful MLB franchise, ever.

Rick follows 49ers, then Packers, then Jags, then Bucs, then Patriots- all of whom he still likes, but his heart still belongs to Cardinals.

Cardinals even make playoffs in 1998 and defeat Dallas Cowboys, whom he hates.

Cardinals quietly secure good draft picks while destroying good coaches.

The right Coach and players come together.

The Cardinals make the playoffs. The Cardinals win. The Cardinals win. The Cardinals win.

The Cardinals are in Tampa for Super Bowl. 

Lifelong Cardinals fan living in Tampa needs tickets. 

text of Rick Warren's original Invocation

Oh God

Be with us today

America needs your wisdom and strength

May it be granted to our new president

All Glory to you. Amen

Bushisms.. Inaguaration Day Edition

Good Bye sweet prince.

"For every fatal shooting, there were roughly three non-fatal shootings. And folks, this is unacceptable in America. It's just unacceptable. And we're going to do something about it. " Philadelphia, May 14, 2001.

one of the major disappointments of his administration is reneging on this pledge to offer shooting classes to criminals to increase accuracy.

Bushims (2fer Tuesday), Inauguration Day Edition

"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."- Washington, DC, Aug. 5, 2004.

See, it was not incompetence but a well executed plan by innovative and resourceful people.

refelctions of a lifelong St. Louis/ Arizona Cardinals fan

To be an Arizona Cardinals fan is to be a happy person today. 

To be an Arizona Cardinals fan since 1975 (or so) is to be an even happier person today. I almost cried last night (but stopped. my kids already thought I was a little nuts stomping around, freaking out, barely able to breath, etc.).

To be an Arizona fan that has lived with Cowboys fans, lived in Cowboys territory, suffered through lost seasons where we were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs by the 3rd Quarter of the Season's 1st game, seen great draft picks bust here and excel elsewhere (Hearst, Rice among the names), watched a team leave St. Louis because they were such a failure the town did not want them and have to have secondary teams to watch and cheer so I could get though the season (thanks to surrogates like the 49ers, Bucs, Patriots and Packers over the years). 

I have listened to or watched drafts yearly since the mid-80s, each year thinking we got our hands on someone that would put us over the hump or watched the hiring of a new coach, wondering if the Bidwells had finally found the right man and would give him the talent and patience needed. I have suffered through embarrassing losses and watched upstarts end up winners, always wondering when our time would come. 

I have thought Neil Lomax, Timm Rosenbach, Jake Plummer and Mat Leinart were the potential savior of our franchise, thinking one of them could reach the level of Jim Hart, my childhood QB. I would have never guessed it would have been a 37 year old castoff. I have seen great receivers lost in the desert heat and am seeing the emergence of possibly the best receiver to ever play the game.

As a child I remember the embarrassment of the 1977 Thanksgiving game in which the Dolphins (my other favorite team at the time) beat up on the Cardinals 55-17 (I have never forgiven the Dolphins).

I have physically watched them lose in Washington, Dallas (3 times) and Tampa. I have driven 20 hours straight to watch them beat a supposedly superior Redskins team in Tempe on a missed field goal and on television I have seen them win 1 playoff game before this season. 

And I have seen a team no one respected or thought should be in the playoffs beat 3 favoritesto take their deserved place in a Super Bowl!

This week I will give you a couple of more such reflections because I deserve this as someone that has stayed with a pathetic franchise while the rest of the world jumped on the bandwagon of a winner (yeah, Dallas fans I am speaking to you- even if you picked them at 5 or 6, you were backing a winner).*

I know this hill is high to beat the Steelers, but we have persevered so far this year. We can attain it. I, for once, am happy about my own team. I can cheer for the team I have always wanted to see in the game (in Tampa).

BTW, find me tickets. I deserve them and live less than 5 miles from the stadium.

*Bucs fans pre Dungy are exempt from this judgment.

Bushisms, Ron Paul edition

"I'veabandonded free-market principles to save the free-market system." Washington, DC, Dec. 16, 2008

because, like all man made systems it is farce built upon circular logic and ideology, as opposed to reality and truth.

Bono gets it right, for once

Anyone that I have ever discussed the U2 song Pride (In the Name of Love) with has heard me rant about Bono's mistaken reference to MLK's death. In the song he sings "early morning April 4, a shot rings out in the Memphis sky." For 20+ years this has bugged me because any American with a knowledge of history knows that MLK was assassinated in the early evening of April 4.

People have thought I was wrong because it is Bono... and he must be right. People have tried to justify the "artistic license" of getting the facts wrong, usually saying that it may sound better. To these I remind them of why MLK was on his balcony in the evening and other historic indicator of the day's events or I ask them to sing the lyric with "evening", instead of "morning." It sounds the same.

So, during the commercial breaks of the NFC Championship game yesterday I keep switching over to HBO to see who is singing for Obama. I catch U2 and note Bono singing the lyrics right. Of course, this is in front of Obama, who knows when MLK died, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial where MLK gave his most famous speech and one day before Americans celebrate MLK day. He had to get it right, huh?

I have heard that, over the year's he periodically gets the lyrics right. However, I have seen U2 live 3 times in the years since and watched DVDs and television concerts yet never heard him get the lyrics right.

But, last night with the world listening and me paying close attention, Bono stepped up. Good job, Sir.

watch him get it right.

Bushisms, Postmodern edition

"Let's make sure that there is certainty during uncertain times in our economy."- Washington, DC, June 2, 2008.

I am also certain that there is uncertainty, kinda.

Bushisms, "There is some who say" edition

"There is some who say that perhaps freedom is not universal. Maybe it's only Western people that can self-govern. Maybe it's only, you know, white-guy Methodists who are capable of self-government. I reject that notion." London, June, 16, 2008.

Knowing many Methodists myself, I, too, reject, the notion they are capable of self government.

Bushisms, historical edition

"You never know what your history is going to be like until long after you're gone." Washington, DC, May 5, 2006.

Because you are watching those televisions they have in heaven, like in the cartoons.

Deals of the Day

Here are some of my music picks of the day, from Amazon's mp3 store.

DealS of the Day for $1.99

1) REM's Automatic for People for $1.99. What? A perfect album that anyone with any sense or understanding of music already owns? If you don't own this, just buy it so no one that understands music will make fun of you. Because, if you do not own this album you should be made fun of, unless you are one of the American Idol, Jonas Brothers, Disney people... and then you should be made fun of for a number of other reasons and this REM album will sound really weird to you (unless you are under 10- but if that is the case, you don't read this blog anyway). But, you should buy it anyway just to get a little street cred and to understand why all musicians should embrace their musical heritage and bow down to the traditions that came before us.

The craziest thing? This is not even their best album. 

2) Nick Drake's Five Leaves Left for $1.99. While it is not his best album (Bryter Layter is), it is a good step for those that already have his greatest hits package (and if you don't I must say, "really, get off you butt and buy it") as they delve deeper into his catalog and a deal for anyone that wants to know where Iron and Wine, Bon Iver and every other mellow atmospheric guy with a guitar gets their shtick. Like Jeff Buckley and Elliot Smith, 2 of his followers, he left us too early.

For only $5.00

Slumbog Millionaire Soundtrack- intro to the Bollywood sound + the irrepressible M.I.A. (2 weeks in row recommending something of hers). Kala, her album from last year is still $6.99.

For $6.99 you can get REM's Green (their 4th or 5th best album) and Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run (his 1st or 2nd best album). And if you have absolutely no taste in music there is a Journey album there also.

For $7.99

Remind Me in 3 Days... by The Knux (best rap album from last year, New Orleans combo of OutKast, Cypress Hill and The Chemical Brothers)

plus Muse's overblown, but great last album, Guns and Roses greatest Hits, Zeppelin IV and Nirvana are also $7.99

Bushisms, Triple Shot Thursday- smarter than Nixon edition

"I'll be long gone before some smart person ever figures out what happened in this Oval Office." Washington, DC, May 12, 2008

We hid the tapes in a super secret spot that only that guy from National Treasure 2 can figure out. Heh, I like that guy. I liked it when he jumped out of a plane dressed like Elvis. He was in that weird movie where he played his brother and got killed by an alligator, wasn't he? I didn't like that one. I don't think he has ever been in my office though. If so, I had better check on those tapes. Whoops, this is not being recorded, is it?

Bushisms, Global Warming edition

"I'm a strong proponent of the restoration of the wetlands, for a lot of reasons. There's a practical reason, though, when it comes to hurricanes: The stronger the wetlands, the more likely the damage of the hurricane."- New Orleans, March 1, 2007 (discussing wetlands work after Katrina)

this explains his environmental policies.

Bushisms, Triple Shot Thursday- Healthcare edition

"One of my concerns is that the health care not be as good as it can possibly be."- Tipp City, OH, April 19, 2007

explaining the Republican platform and his success in accomplishing this task.

follow me on twitter (shameless I know)

if you use twitter, add me to your feed. I give some pretty good updates including plenty of snark (and some stuff on music you won't get here). 

Thanks in advance.

http://twitter.com/djword

free songs... perfect time waster

Amazon is giving away some free mps songs. You may want to head over and download some of the best. Here is a list of songs I recommend downloading either because the song is great, the artist is great or it is worth having to get you started on someone worth listening to.

Link

grab

Firewater (best of the bunch from a Top 10 album last year)

Apples in Stereo (I don't think it is that great, but still pretty good)

David Byrne and Brian Eno (one of last year's best albums)

Gaslight Anthem (best song from a Top 5 album of 2008/ second best of the bunch)

Ani Difranco

OMD's If You Leave (ahhh, anything from the Pretty in Pink soundtrack puts me in a good mood- warning, it is live)

Bob Mould

Liam Finn

You need to download these whole albums: Badman sampler with lots of good artists. So does Yep Roc sampler.

Also check out Christmas songs by Aimee mann and lots more good stuff to hear, including the Streets. Have fun.

Bushisms, the Ironing is delicious edition

"Free societies are hopeful societies. And free societies will be allies against those hateful few who have no conscience, who kill at the whim of a hat."- Washington, DC, Sept. 17, 2004.

Is he incinerating that they are barking up the wrong track?

disturbing article on Medical technology

Eugenic Euphemisms: Protecting Our Children From Diseases and Ugly truths

I can give no commentary other than to say I was disturbed by this story in Slate about the possibilities for parents that want to prevent diseases in their children before they are conceived. I agree with the author.

Any thoughts after reading it?

Will Saletan says:

I'm happy for this woman and this baby. We all want to protect our descendants from disease. But let's not protect them from conscience or the truth.

Bushisms, 2fer Tuesday edition

You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror."- CBS News Interview, Sept. 6, 2006.

at least we know why he failed.

Bushisms, 2fer Tuesday

"See, free nations are peaceful nations. Free nations don't attack each other. Free nations don't develop weapons of mass destruction." Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Oct. 3, 2003.

see, we don't attack free nations, only unfree nations. And we don't develop WMDs. We developed WMDs a long time ago, back before this was true. See the subtle brilliance at work?

Welcome to Sufjan Steven's Welcome Wagon

The above picture tells you all you need to know about the album. Also, if you came straight here, please read my caveat (here). That is Sufjan Stevens lording silently over the background while The Welcome Wagon play "their" songs... 

If Welcome to the Welcome Wagon were to be murdered, the police would not arrest the Welcome Wagon, they would arrest Sufjan Stevens whose fingerprints and DNA are all over this album, leaving the husband and wife team that are The Welcome Wagon relegated to supporting cast members in this Sufjan Stevens proxy project which will tide his followers over until he decides to release his latest state themed Epic (probably New York).

While this is a nice little album, with solid vocals and lyrics, in the tradition of the softer side of Waterdeep without all the needless artistry and depth, it would be nice if Sufjan had allowed the band to have its own identity, unless the band does not. Now, don’t get me wrong, if I were a pastor in Brooklyn singing handcrafted folk gospel songs with my spouse in my apartment and Sufjan offered to produce the effort, I would jump at it. I would let him take his artistic vision and force it on mine, all because I wanted others to hear my songs and I had a primary calling as pastor of a church. I get it.

Plus, I love Sufjan. I really do. However, he is the Neptunes of Christian Indie Rock. When you hear something he produces, you think of him, not the band. This is one of the marks of artist produced albums that I do not like. Too often a musician forces his musical vision and desires on the artist he is producing, often to the detriment of the artist coming to him for help. This was common with a man Sufjan reminds me of. Back in the 80s, Christians had another immensely talented and supremely original musician that happened to grace the Christian ghetto because of his faith. Charlie Peacock, who would have been as popular and praised by Pitchfork and Stereogum had the Internet existed, made truly wonderful albums and decided to start producing. Everything he produced for a long while sounded like a Charlie Peacock album with other singers as opposed to an album by the artist with Peacock flourishes.

This is what separates the great producers from the merely good ones. Many are talented musicians and have a gift on the boards behind the glass. But many make Sufjan’s mistake and make the artist sound like they want them to sound, instead of letting the artist sound like they want or need to sound. Maybe this is why many of the greatest producers are not solo artists (see Rick Rubin, the greatest of this era).

Anyhoo, back to the album. It is a decent folk pop album I will listen to for a while. I like the Mamas and Papas approach to Half a Person and appreciate the guts to reinterpret the Velvet Underground’s Jesus, one of the greatest songs ever written. The lyrics are simple, but not simplistic- the marks of good gospel and folk. Sufjan’s production, while overwhelming does allow the songwriting to shine and there are some great (although derivative) songs, such as Sold! To The Nice Rich Man (which sounds like a Sufjan song title) and American Legion, along with the Jesus cover.

So, if you are a Sufjan Stevens fan and need something to hold until til his next album, buy Welcome Wagon. If you like this type of music and don’t know Sufjan from Adam, buy this album. If Sufjan gets on your nerves, run away fast. And, if you wish this was a Welcome Wagon album and not a Sufjan proxy, then listen and make up your own mind.

listen here 

before the controversy comes the Caveat from the Emergent National Music Coordinator

Before I step into the proverbial storm of cow dung, let me do something Adam Cleveland did not do before his controversial posting on homosexuality and the Bible. Let me first warn my readers. What you are about to read can be seen as blasphemy in some circles. In fact, I will probably branded as a Heretic by many in the Christians Who Like Indie Rock world, those that genuflect at the alter of Sufjan Stevens. So to Steve McCoy, Bob Hyatt (who has never been here, so I need not worry), Dustin Bagby and any other member of the Musical Intelligentsia*, I give back my pseudo credentials as a CWLIR (if you want them).

 But one thing you need to understand… if I am of the same opinion as the masses I usually don’t write about it. If I see everyone loves a certain album or film and I, too, love it I say nothing, unless it is too good to sit on or I think I have some special insight. I feel the same on politics, theology, etc. That is why, although I have been engaged in and spoken out on Social Justice issues for over 20 years, I say little. I leave it to those that are quick at the draw like Steve Knight, Zach Lind and the incomparable Bob Carltone, along with the newbies that have recently found out the Jesus cared about Social Justice and want to evangelize, like they did when they found out their friends were going to hell if they did not tell them about Jesus. I am a bit more leisurely, which is not good in the blog world. Plus, I figure most people that read this little blog also read Bob Carlton. So, if Bob says it… I don’t. Plus, those guys (along with most emerging bloggers are very earnest). And, I will never be accused of that.

Next up, the Welcome Wagon review. 

*Since I am an East Coast Elitist, this is a compliment. I think Steve does great service to Christian readers, enlightening them to very good music they  would normally ignore so they could listen to the latest by Casting Stones or MercyMercyMe (the ecology), even if he reminds me of Mikey from the Life commercials (he likes everything too much). Dustin is a good friend and has an encyclopedic knowledge of specific genres (even if his taste is too “white” at times and he does not know music existed before Nirvana). When Bob mentions something on his blog, I am sure the album receives a Colbert-like bump. 

Bushisms, what did he just say edition?

"The march to war affected the people's confidence. It's hard to make investment. See, if you're a small business owner or a large business owner and you're thinking about investing, you've got to be optimistic when you invest. 

Except when you're marching to war, it's not a very optimistic thought, is it? In other words, its the opposite of optimistic when you're thinking you're going to war." Springfield, MO, Feb. 8, 2004.

I am speechless reading the breath-taking logic of this statement.

SmackDown- Driscoll vs. Cosby

I am sure everyone has seen the New York Times article profiling Mark Driscoll* entitled Who Would Jesus Smack Down? and many of you have been witness to the profile from Washington Post's front page profile of Gordon Cosby, the recently retired pastor of Church of the Saviour in DC. 

While one is the pastor of a mega church in Seattle, young, hip and cool, powerful and a user of the latest in technology to spread his influence, embraced by thousands of young ministers desiring to become the next Driscoll, the other is the exact opposite, theologically, culturally and in demeanor. Yet, even with little press during his lifetime, Cosby has been as influential as Driscoll. Although Cosby's influence has been slowly growing with many of his disciples lacking knowledge of his name, Driscoll can only hope he is as influential in 50 years as he is now.

What is interesting is to juxtapose these articles and profiles, these 2 men. If we are charitable, we can find it wonderful that the tent of Christianity is large enough to fit both of these men. If not particularly charitable, we can wonder how both of these messages and styles can emanate from the same sources, Jesus and the Bible.

Even if you have read both articles, take an opportunity to look back over them while thinking of the other profile.

*a man to whom I am always grateful. We may not see eye-to-eye on much theologically but he was an advocate for me in my early church planting days and he paid a couple of hundred dollars to a scalper to treat both of us to Red Sox opening day tickets in 2001 so we could take it in Manny Ramirez' first game as a Sox player.

__________________

it was easy to find any picture of Driscoll I wanted. It took a good bit of searching for images of Cosby. This tells you a lot about the worlds in which they live. Also, do a google search of each and see how much comes up.

____________________

one of these guys is a real man, tough guy while the other actually served in the military and put his life at risk during a War.

Bushisms, Love Edition

"Too many good docs are getting out of the business. Too many OB/GYNs aren't able to practice their love with women all across the country."-Poplar Bluff, MO Sept. 6, 2004

and too many proctologists aren't able to practice their love, either.

Bushisms, Joe Biden edition

'I'm honored to shake the hand of the brave Iraqi citizen who had his hand cut off by Saddam Hussein"- Washington, DC, May 25, 2004.

What, he has another one, doesn't he? That is what I meant. I want to shake the other hand, not the missing hand that is not there because it was cut off. 

you all know Biden could give us a few of these gems, don't you (guy in wheelchair, please stand up)

EV Music Coordinator Deal of the Day

Elvis Costello's debut album My Aim is True is only $1.99 at Amazon's mp3  page. This release includes Alison, Watching the Detectives, Less than Zero and Red Shoes.

On his 1977 debut, the 23 year old self proclaimed Angry Young Man and Peter Parker's favorite musician proves himself to be more than just a "punk rock singer songwriter" with a stunning selection of songs filled with the devastating tenderness and sadness of Alison to the harbingers of 80s New Wave of Watching the Detectives and Less than Zero. 

Bushisms, Pacifist edition

"I was proud the other day when both Republicans and Democrats stood with me in the Rose Garden to announce their support for a clear statement of purpose: you disarm, or we will." Manchester, NH, Oct. 5, 2002 (speaking about Iraq- pre invasion)

I would think all the Anabaptists, Amish and pacifists in general would applaud such a speech.

Bushisms, Triple Shot Thursday edition

"I'm the master of low expectations." Aboard Air Force One, June 4, 2003.

Truer words have never been spoken.

Bushims, Triple shot Thursday

"First, let me make it very clear, poor people aren't necessarily killers. Just because you happen to be not rich doesn't mean you're willing to kill." Washington, DC. May 19, 2003

But, if you are willing and since you are poor and have few job prospects, we would like to pay you very little to kill in Iraq.

Triple Shot Thursday Edition of Bushisms

"We need an energy bill that encourages consumption"- Trenton, NJ, Sept. 23, 2002

Mission Accomplished. See, he got some things done.

Emergent's new National Music Coordinator offers a new feature to his blog

since I am the Emergent Music Guy,* and I question the tastes of many within the EV community, I will try to add something to my blog... a weekly (or so) feature on good cheap music. I will look at Amazon, iTunes, etc. to see if there are any sales on great music for you to explore (New and Old).

I will try to lead you to good albums (mp3s) under $8.

Today's Choices from Amazon's MP3 store

The National Boxer for $6.99 (almost perfect album from 2007, a great year for music- universally considered one of the best albums of the year. Dark, Mellow, Deep, Beautiful- plus the first song was played when Obama walked on stage at Grant Park)

Black Flag Damaged for $2.99 (classic hardcore punk album- for the price you cannot go wrong)

MIA Kala for $6.99 (one of the best albums of the decade according to some. I think it is excellent dance/ Hip Hop/ World/ Pop)

*I am declaring myself National Music Coordinator, unless anyone has a problem with that. So, if you want to get music out to others, send me a copy for review (as long as you don't mind brutal honesty if I think it sucks).

cutting off our noses to save our children's faces

in yet another example of burning the village to save the village a new regulation is about to go into effect that will put makers of handmade toys out of business, along with independent makers of children's clothes and many thrift stores.

Kristi alerted me a couple of days ago upon seeing it on the blog of a crafts person friend of hers that will be going out of business because she cannot afford an Independent person to test the quality of her child related clothing.

So China puts out crap that can hurt our children and small American businesses pay the price and could go out of business. So the greatest polluter in the world has no environmental regulation and puts that stuff in our toys and clothing that should be in thrift stores goes into landfills.

Crunchy Con reports on it here.

here is the link to do something about this high level governmental idiocy.

Again, this is why I hate knee jerk reactions to anything, whether it is banking, the car industry, toys from China, right wing hate speech or sick cows. Do your research. Think through unintended consequences and listen to those around you.

Coffin Counter

thanks to my friend Mike for this coffin counter depicting the number of deaths on each side of the Gaza/ Israel conflict.

Link to Coffin Counter

Bushisms, The Who edition

"There's an old saying in Tennessee- I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee- that says, fool me once, shame on- shame on you. Fool me- you can't get fooled again." Nashville, TN, Sept. 17, 2002

Pete Townsend would agree and he is British. I wish we had that saying in Florida. I think I heard my Texas friends use it periodically.

a list of Bushisms

Political Humor's Top 10 Bushisms

You will miss it, you know you will.

My Redneck Past (and your musical education)

As I have been making my way through Tom Moon's 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die, I am finding lost albums and artists I have loved and forgotten about, one being the late great Marty Robbins. Robbins, an iconic country music legend died in 1982 before he could experience a resurgence along the lines of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn or Waylon Jennings. 

Growing up with a father that loved everything about classic country music, I was well versed in the wonders of Marty Robbins, my dad's favorite. His 1973 album Good'n Country which has been out of print forever is one of the lost gems of music. My dad burned it up on our 8 track and it was one of the reasons I rebelled against country music and found other genres. 

It was not until I was older that I rediscovered my lost past, the country music of my childhood. Hating everything modern Nashville stood for, I had learned to dislike county music. But the stuff I remembered from my dad was unlike anything I heard (and hear) when I turned on the radio. It had more in common with punk, alternative rock, folk and Americana, extolling the glories of bad attitudes, lost love and innocence and twang, miles away from the cheap sentimentality that are hallmarks of modern country.

As I delved into my redneck past, I realized that very little music is better than country music from the 50s-70s. I also realized that this music I had rebelled against had seared itself into my consciousness and my blood. I eventually took a job at a country music station and made my dad happy once more.

While in grad school I even found this lost gem of Marty Robbins in a local used record store for $20. I made the guy play it loud in the store much to the chagrin of my roommates. 

As I grew older I found myself drawn to the alt country crowd and music, understanding that they were direct descendants of the musicians of my childhood while the Kenny Chesneys and whomever else Nashville is pimping stood in the shadows of American Bandstand, direct descendants of top 40, not the art of country music.

So, as I admit my redneck past, let me give you a glimpse into my most favored of all Marty Robbins songs, one that very few people have heard and even fewer remember (but I remember every little line even though I have heard it only a few times in the past 25 years and not once in the past 15, until today). You may not like it, because you don't get it. But, here is Marty Robbins singing Twentieth Century Drifter.

	- - Marty Robbins - Twentieth Century Drifter
	Found at bee mp3 search engine

The album many consider his best is Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs which has some of the best outlaw country you have never heard. I was listening to it today on my iPod (see, my music taste is so much cooler than yours- I listen to dead country singers).

I also recommend these songs you can hear on YouTube The Hanging Tree, Big Iron,  A White Sport (and a Pink Carnation) and his biggest song, El Paso:

Bushisms- A Tribute (special 2fer Tuesday)

growing up I listend to a Rock Station that offered 2fer Tuesdays (2 songs by the same artist). I am offering the same on Tuesdays through the Inaguration (in fact, I may offer the rare Triple Shot Thursday, if you want).

#2 "You teach a child to read, and he or her will be able to pass a literacy test."- Townsend, TN, Feb. 21, 2001

you are so write, George Zoolander.

the cost of consumption

Batteries, recycling and death in Africa.

remembering the forgotten

As we move towards Martin Luther King Day, January 19 (the day before the inauguration), I am reminded of the lost stories of the struggle for Civil Rights in America. Sadly, before MLK and Emmit Till there were a number of martyrs, victims of unspeakable violence that go unremembered. Before Rosa Parks there were brave African Americans standing for rights those of my race have taken for granted for a millennium whose stories go untold.

Yesterday was the 85th Anniversary of the Rosewood Massacre in North Florida. It is, sadly, one of the dark stains on the racial history of my home state, as well as the nation. Somehow, it has not gotten much press throughout the years, even the film version made little cultural impact.

Over the course of a week or so many blacks were killed or injured by a mob of whites from the region surrounding Cedar Key. In fact, the historically black village of Rosewood was destroyed, never to become more than a marker on the side of the road. It is a story that needs to be remembered, especially by those of us from Florida.

Yet another story I was reminded of yesterday upon hearing it was the anniversary of the Rosewood Massacre was the death of Willie James Howard, which also happened in early January. I first heard of this tragic story a couple of years ago while reading about it in the Tampa paper. Very seldom do I see stories about my home town 3 hours from Tampa in the bend of Florida as the Panhandle begins in the big city paper.

The story I read about a young black man whose only crime was sending a Christmas card to the daughter of an influential white man in Live Oak in 1944. He was kidnapped, along with his dad, tied up and taken to the Suwanee River, which I grew up on. He was killed in front of his father, who was driven back to work to finish his shift. 

As I read the story, I became aware of names that I knew. Those 3 white men involved in death of this young man were prominent in my community. In fact, I was friends with grandchildren or nephews of 2 of the names. According to mom, one of the families is related to us (but everyone is related in my home town). They were on the list of deacons from my home church and their names still carry weight around Live Oak.

I called my mom, who was born there in 1930 and she confirmed the story. She had long heard the rumors and stories, seen the men at church and knew their past. She told me that people used to talk about it quietly, but the gossip had ended decades before. In fact, she had forgotten about the story of the murder of a young man her age until I reminded her of it.

For days I, as a big city guy with Liberal tendencies was aghast at how close such violence was to me and my heritage. I was sure that people I had grown up in the homes of, celebrated holidays with, been taught Sunday School by and respected were involved in such atrocities. However, I realized that I would never know. I would not go home and ask people about their connections, knowing they would not be honest and those my age had never been told the truth. I was (and still am) haunted by this.

As we think about our first black President and the heritage of MLK and the Civil Rights struggle, we should investigate our own towns, whether South Boston, Queens, North Georgia or Virginia. Sadly, I am sure there are people in every place that need to be remembered and celebrated, their stories told and retold at this time of year.

follow the links from the blog title, along with those in the story to find out more about these 2 events.