Song of the Year, 2010- Why We Build The Wall

I am not sure I will start blogging again. However, a few (very few) people want to know my music selections for 2010. Since I am not employed by a newspaper with a deadline, I know I can take my time (plus I wanted to wait to hear everything I could in 2010).

Over the next few days I will offer my Top Albums (yes, I still listen to fully developed albums, not just mp3s of a single song), my playlist of the best songs/ my favorites of the year (I will put a mix tape on drop box for anyone interested) and today's entry:

Song of the Year

By declaring song of the year, I am not saying this is the best song in 2010. In fact, it was not. However, this song fully captures the spirit of 2010. It is a haunting track off Anais Mitchell's powerful Folk Opera based upon the myth of Orpheus, Hadestown (an easy top 10 album). This albums has guests like Ani DiFranco and Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), but the highlight of the album is this song which captures that 2010 spirit, espeically in light of Tea Parties, Immigration reform, mosque battles, recession and people in need and the response many of us have to those we consider "other", "different," or "outsider."

There is no real video, but here it is on youtube coupled with another song. Listen to Why We Build the Wall by Anais Mitchell and Greg Brown:

Here are the lyrics:

HADES
Why do we build the wall?
My children, my children
Why do we build the wall?

CERBERUS
Why do we build the wall?
We build the wall to keep us free
That’s why we build the wall
We build the wall to keep us free

HADES
How does the wall keep us free?
My children, my children
How does the wall keep us free?

CERBERUS
How does the wall keep us free?
The wall keeps out the enemy
And we build the wall to keep us free
That’s why we build the wall
We build the wall to keep us free

HADES
Who do we call the enemy?
My children, my children
Who do we call the enemy?

CERBERUS
Who do we call the enemy?
The enemy is poverty
And the wall keeps out the enemy
And we build the wall to keep us free
That’s why we build the wall
We build the wall to keep us free

HADES
Because we have and they have not!
My children, my children
Because they want what we have got!

CERBERUS
Because we have and they have not!
Because they want what we have got!
The enemy is poverty
And the wall keeps out the enemy
And we build the wall to keep us free
That’s why we build the wall
We build the wall to keep us free

HADES
What do we have that they should want?
My children, my children
What do we have that they should want?

CERBERUS
What do we have that they should want?
We have a wall to work upon!
We have work and they have none
And our work is never done
My children, my children
And the war is never won
The enemy is poverty
And the wall keeps out the enemy
And we build the wall to keep us free
That’s why we build the wall
We build the wall to keep us free
We build the wall to keep us free

feel free to share your thoughts

10+ Reasons to love The National

With their latest album coming out on Tuesday, here are 10 reasons you should listen to The National, the best American band out there presently.* Thoroughly modern, but deeply influenced by The Psychedelic Furs, Joy Division and Nick Cave, lead singer Matt Beringer's vocals are eerily deep/spooky and slightly reminiscent of the Crash Test Dummies or Leonard Cohen and his poetry is beautifully melancholy.

If you want to hear their album a day early and also read an in depth profile of what makes these guys tick (and make them so) good, read this New York Times article. It is spot on, especially concerning their extraordinary musicianship (I think their drummer is as good as any classic drummer).

This is just a taste, because any song on their masterworks Alligator or Boxer is as good as any other (in fact, Alligator is dang near perfect).

10. Abel from Alligator (as loud as they really get).

9. Mistaken For Strangers from Boxer. This is the song that most people that don't know The National really like. One of their many songs detailing the shallowness of hipster life and the desire for more connection.

8. Murder Me Rachel from Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers.

7. So Far Around the Bend from The Dark Was the Night compilation album with the line "praying for Pavement to get back together." You can watch them talk about it and play it live here. This is about as upbeat as they ever get.

6. Apartment Song from Boxer and Karen from Alligator.

5. About Today from the Cherry Tree EP.

4. Slipping Husband, the song every husband/father needs to hear at least once, from Sad Songs for Dirty Lovers. This is my favorite song. As an enneagram 4, I know he is speaking to someone like me.

3. All the Wine from from the Cherry Tree EP and the album Alligator, also featured on Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist. This may be their best song, at least their most accessible with the great dismissal of California any East Coast snob would appreciate... because God is on my side.

2. Fake Empire from Boxer, a truly subversive tune used by Barack Obama for a campaign commercial and as walk-in music on the night of his election. The drumming is sublime and the lyrics are a pitch perfect dismissal of the emptiness of consumeristic lifestyles because "we're half awake in a fake empire." Watch it live on Letterman.

1. Bloodbuzz Ohio, the newest single from their latest album, High Violet which drops Tuesday. It is not their best single song, but gets you ready for how good this album will be. "I was carried to Ohio in a swarm of bees."

a special bonus. The National covering Pretty in Pink.

*I am cheating a bit by defining them as the best American band (USA). That way, I can get around trying to judge them against The New Pornographers and Arcade Fire (Canadian) or Radiohead and Frightened Rabbit (UK). The only real competition is The Hold Steady (The National is 1 while The Hold Steady is 1A).

Cold War Kids "Audience"

if you don't like the latest from Cold War Kids, I offer my condolences to your dead dark musical heart. Enjoy!

Cold War Kids, "Audience Of One" from Vern Moen on Vimeo.

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

Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden

I did not think about the date when Kristi and I watched Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden last night. We had wanted to see it when it came to Tampa in the spring. However, for some strange reason it was in town for only 1 or 2 weeks (which was bizarre to me- Morgan Spurlock has a much bigger name than most documentarians). This is a highly pertinent and very entertaining film, more of a travelogue than a traditional documentary.

Like Michael Moore,Spurlock's personality is a major ingredient of the flick. Either you like him or not. if you don't- you won't like the film. A film making version of A.J. Jacobs , Spurlock inserts himself into the story and walks us through it. However, unlike Moore, Spurlock is an easy going presence and not much of a lightning rod. In fact, I cannot imagine anyone disliking him (unless they have a hardcore agenda). He is a regular guy, just a little crazier or braver. He has opinions, but has no agenda, besides finding out whether his opinion is correct by journeying through life.

Luckily, he invites us to come along for the ride. As I stated, what makes his storytelling work is that walks us through issues instead of preaching. He asks questions and allows the story arch to answer the question, comfortable with ambiguity. In this film, along with his TV show 30 Days, Spurlock shows he is a master at the skill of empathy. He wants to walk in the shoes of others and experience the world from their point-of-view, trying to understand what the "other" sees and how they feel. It is an experience that too many Americans, and a growing number of American Christians refuse to have. It is a skill we look down upon, whether it is asking why non-Americans hate us or gays feel oppressed. We seek platitudes instead of answers, which Spurlock refuses to allow.

Spurlock begins in NYC, frightened of the world he is bringing his newborn into in a few short months. He decides to try to find the most wanted man on earth in an attempt to make the world safer, but really to understand what we are scared of. He heads to Egypt, Israel, Afghanistan and Pakistan, spending time with our "friends" and "enemies," letting them tell their stories, whether it is American soldiers in Afghanistan (the forgotten war- the one we have allowed ourselves to lose),* the Palestinian oppressed by walls, Afghans wanting the US to fulfill its promises, Egyptians angry at their nation's leaders or Pakistanis wanting us to die.

This would be a terribly wrenching film experience if not for Spurlock's utter Everyman Joy and sense of humor, bringing laughter from enemies and reacting like a little boy when he fires a RPG launcher. He is us and that is why this film works, from the goofy songs to the video game (redneck Spurlock vs Osama), this film is fun, educational, nonpartisan and insightful. Plus, it is very short, with very good outtakes (including some more politically minded scenes not in the final cut). Highly recommended for anyone and everyone.

*yes I have pacifistic tendencies, but I offer no illusions when it comes to Afghanistan. The US is not a Christian nation, so it has a right to be there, as long as it rebuilds the country and fulfills its purpose in a proper manner. I support active peacemaking, but understand Just War theory for a nation desiring to protect its self interest and way of life. I am a realist, as well as an embracer of the Christian principle of active nonviolence (I don't expect a nation to fulfill my convictions, but I expect it to live up to its own better devices).

Jon Stewart... now more than ever

If you ever wondered why we need Jon Stewart, especially in the Mean Season we call Election Year, watch this video which compares statements from Rove on Palin's experience vs. Tim Kaine's, Bill O'Reilly on Palin's pregnant daughter vs. the Spear's pregnant daughter and Dick Morris' comments on sexism regarding Palin vs. sexism regarding Clinton. 

Without Stewart I might go completely nuts:

as an aside, I must say I am growing weary of Religious men telling people they are sexist for asking the questions they are about Palin as mom. Richard Land* (on the right) and Jim Wallis (on the left) are 2 Religious pundits and leaders I greatly respect, but to hear men accuse women of sexism is beyond the pale.

Understand, I think that men (such as myself) should not be asking these gender based questions about Palin as VP and mom, her role as a mother, whether women can "have it all" and other such questions. However, I think women (especially moms) should be allowed to ask these questions. In fact, we need women to ask these questions (and teach/ lead us). Luckily, my wife is asking those questions (and risking being called "sexist" by guys).

*as a Southern Baptist, I never thought I would see the day one of its leaders called other people sexist.

what? more great covers?

thanks to the Huffington Post for a couple of more great cover songs.

Greg Laswell's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun



a great cover of Hey Ya (it won't let you embed it), so click here.

Don't forget Alanis has a sense of humor.

stuff I have liked this week

being able to listen for a few minutes to Wendell Berry talk about the Bible, the Earth and Mountain Top Removal



thanks to jason and Hudson

Feist counting to 4 on Sesame Street


the trailer to Oliver Stone's W (just looks funny- probably not insightful).


the trailer (seen during both screenings of The Dark Knight) for Watchmen. I must say I am sceptical. I know the director has a wonderful visual sense, but can he carry the narrative of the single greatest comic book series (and one the great novels) of the 20th Century?


thanks for the comments on The Dark Knight review. Upon second viewing, I am still skeptical of the Gordon "death" scene (more questions than answers), but it is cooler and fits narratively (I just question the actual scene). I am also more assured that the last 15 minutes of the film should have been left on the editing floor (save it for next time)- even though I appreciate what the director is trying to accomplish. Lastly, if you cannot figure out the 5 deaths Dent was responsible for in the film according to the conversation between Batman and Gordon at film's end- feel no confusion. There are no 5 deaths in the film. There are 3-4 and only 1 cop.

By the way, I am in the midst of a blog posting poking fun at Coldplay. You were warned Coldplayanistas.

visual vs musical art

my friends Jon, Critter and I were talking about art and artists last week at New World. A visual artist that loves music, Jon has found the musical arts a chore, creatively speaking. On the other hand, Critter is a talented singer-songwriter that (I assume) has not dabbled in the visual arts. I, of course, am a creatively stifled failure at both musical and visual arts (in other words, a critic)- as well as athletics.

The discussion was about people being able to do both visual and musical art at a high level. Jon's argument was that they are very different forms of art and creativity, coming from different places in the brain. His contention is that it is difficult(or impossible) for a person to be highly artistic in both areas. I, of course, disagreed, thinking that creativity and artistry are something artists have and many of them (the good ones) can attain a high level of creativity and artistry in both disciplines. I see it like multi-sport athleticism (you are either an athlete or not and you are either an artist or not- the disciplines are interchangeable for many).

Of course, the beauty of the debate is this... if I mention such an artist, he can prove (through debate) that the visual (or musical) art is of lower quality than the discipline in which the artist is universally acknowledged to be at a high level. It is much like that debate over multi-sport athletes but without statistical analysis to prove ones point.

However, as anecdotal proof of my rightness on the subject, I enter into evidence this video of Joseph Arthur's song She Paints Me Gold which is basically a collection of stills of a painting in the creative process at his art studio in Brooklyn. Touche.

Great Commercial

quite simply one of the coolest commercials I have ever seen. It was banned due to "violence." Of course, this is the kind of violence of 8 year old boys.*

If this had been on during the Super Bowl, people would have been talking about it for days (and copying it). Have fun.



thanks Huffington Post for the link and a list of other commercials.

* if your pacifism or anti-consumerism keeps you from laughing, you are no longer a pacifist. you are fundamentalist.

note to preachers and politicians

just in case we thought only preachers at Obama's church make fun of candidates...

This priest delivers the invocation at a New York Republican event, attended by Cheney and other luminaries. In it he mocks Obama. My problem with this guy is not political. I have been weary of all the pseudo umbrage both parties and their minions have taken over the rhetoric of a bunch of pastors on both sides, causing people to recant, denounce, renounce and resign over instances that should be protected speech*, no matter how idiotic. Of course, they should use a modicum of sense. It is like the priests want to show each other up, like Olbermann and O'Reilly- with less makeup and hair gel.

However, my issue with this guy is theological. To use a prayer as the time to mock a political candidate is beyond the pale. It is theologically reprehensible and most of my Christian friends on the right wing should be terribly offended, not by the rhetoric... but by the lack of seriousness this guy has for the central form of communication between him and God.

Sheesh, will the preachers just shut their mouths. All of them. Stay away from candidates and microphones, unless you can handle the responsibility. Ann Coulter and ( insert name of whomever the right despises for over-the-top rhetoric) should not be your role models. Neither should Chris Rock. No one wants to listen to what you say about Jesus after such asinine behavior.

And to the politicians... stay away from preachers that want to publicly say nice things about you. Apparently they will cause more trouble for you than they are worth. Their congregation is already going to vote for you, so kindly remind them to keep their distance. If you don't believe me; believe this guy:



*I think preachers should be allowed to make outlandish remarks. Every once in while one of them is true and quite prophetic. However, I understand that the IRS does not want any of them endorsing candidates. Of course, if we follow these guidelines the IRS will be very busy this upcoming year investigating all of these incidents.

Real Hardcore Rap from Africa, part 1 (K'Naan)

I have mentioned him before on the blog, but one of the most exciting artists I have come across during the past few years is the Somalian (by way of Toronto) hip-hop artist K'naan. His album came out in Canada and England almost 2 years ago and it has been in my heavy rotation the entire time (I stumbled upon it looking for innovative rap at the end of 2006, finding it on emusic).

Listening to this young man with a nasal voice (ala Eminem) and rapid fire, almost spoken word (ala Quasimodo) with the frontal assault of Public Enemy coupled with traditional African instrumentation and rhythm, it was among the freshest things I had heard in years.

I questioned his boast, "I come from the most dangerous place on earth" until I found out his hometown was Mogadishu. I laughed at his line, "If I rapped about home and got descriptive, I'd make 50 Cent look like Limp Bizkit" but a lump was in my throat knowing his childhood. The lump has been joined by tears as I have heard lyrics describing burning car tires, rape, rpgs, voices in his head, warlords, poverty, prison, Satan and destruction of his home by the ravages of war. This is not the content of your typical American gangsta trying to prove his street cred. This is the pain of a real life in the War Zone surviving any way you can until you can be rescued.

Good for all of us, the album The Dusty Foot Philosopher is now available in the US, via Amazon or iTunes. Highlights include "In the Beginning (used in a few movies)," "If Rap Gets Jealous," "Soobax," and "What's Hardcore?" with lyrics like these;

it's HARD, harder than Harlem and Compton intertwined,
harder than harboring Bin Laden and rewind,
"to that earlier part when I was kinda like"
we begin our day by the way of the gun,
rocket propelled grenades blow you away if you front,
we got no police ambulances or fire fighters,
we start riots by burning car tires,
they looting, and everybody starting shooting...

So what's hardcore? Really, are you hardcore?Hmm.

Not for the faint at heart that do not want their truth painfully real. You can sample some music and video here or on his myspace page. Read a little about him on his wiki page.

here is the video for Soobax


this is a homemade video by somebody for What's Hardcore (not much to it- but you can hear its powerful lyrics)



here are links to youtube to hear Dusty Foot Philosopher, the beautiful In the Beginning with its message of hope in the face of war and powerlessness, Rap Gets Jealous (explicit content) I could go on. After listening to this album a few hundred times, it has not gotten old. If you care about good music, Africa, victims of war or reality, follow the advice of George Michael and listen without prejudice to this album.

Married Life according to Ira Glass

pretty cute video on married life from This American Life. However, it could also explain why Hillary misspoke/ misremembered/ lied about Bosnia.




thanks to mycotn for the hit.

radiohead last night

Radiohead is over and I return to my regularly scheduled life. Here are a few thoughts.

• Radiohead is still at the top of their game and looks incredibly happy onstage. They seem to be having a great time, with none of the former pathos coming through (except through the music).
• As you know I am a committed Environmentalist. However, last night I reached my limit. If you are a rock band concerned about your carbon footprint, do not turn off the video screens unless you lower the ticket price. People paid good money to see you and those far away get little for their money if you turn off the screens!
• LED Tubes use less energy and make for a cool light show (even if it obscures the video screens Radiohead brought)
  
• The mix was great but the volume was too low. I am almost 40 years old. I still have my hearing and want my music loud in concert. I do not want to understand what my friends are saying when we speak.
  
• Tampa Radiohead fans like the album Kid A. This was evident from crowd reaction. They like the new album, but LOVE Kid A, which surprised me (I LOVE that album, though). The love was there for most songs, but the few OK Computer and The Bends songs did not elicit such reactions as Everything in Its Right Place. The National Anthem and Idioteque.
• Transcendence occurred at the appropriate times- the bridge from the Bends and the crescendo from Reckoner.
• Beer $9, Water $4, T-shirts $40, Mixed Drinks $13, coffee $3, fancy coffee $6. The gum in my pocket $0. I had gum.
• Opener The Liars put on an excellent set, but the mix was poor.
• Here is the setlist and a review.

someone got a high quality video from last night (there is some good stuff on youtube):

Iron Man vs. Batman

Is the summer big enough for 2 billionaire Playboy Vigilante heroes with cool gadgets?

tonight's plans

Tonight I am heading to the fairgrounds for Radiohead. Of course I am excited even if it is the 3rd time I have witnessed their glory. I have not seen them live since August, 2001 on the Kid A tour at Suffolk Downs in Boston.

I am expecting a transcendent experience, somewhat spiritual and sonically perfect-falling short of only U2 in what they produce live (in my estimation as one that has not witnessed Bruce Springsteen live- but I have been to hundreds of shows).

To get you ready for what I will experience tonight (and what you may experience later this summer- this is tour stop #2), I leave you with these...



and

funny stuff- clinton's law of politics

this ranks an 8 on the unintentional comedy scale, a 10 on the irony scale and is off the chart on the cynicism scale.



hat tip to Andrew Sullivan

random

• Focus on the family sent out a newsletter to remind its constituents why they need to not be swayed by Obama's rhetorical skills, hope and serious discussions of his own faith. Here is March's newsletter.

• It may be shocking to learn, but apparently some of those "facts" in their newsletter are a bit lacking in truth or context, but that has never stopped any of these groups before. The excellent site, Politifact has done some digging and found these mistruths- here is the 1st, the 2nd , the 3rd (this is about context, which FOTF leaves out) and the 4th. As a "Christian" organization, FOTF should share its disagreement with Obama while still telling the truth and representing the words of any politician in the proper context.
  

• Aaron Graham, who helped us start our church in Boston (and was a student in my youth ministry), is the National Organizer for Sojourner's Justice Revivals. Watch his youtube video explaining the revivals here.

• Jordon Cooper mentioned it first. But, here is a great article on what we can do to help the earth by Michael Pollan quoting Wendell Berry.

• I have an interview with a great organization on Tuesday. Be mindful of that.
  

a new game for you to play with your friends

Jon Stewart offers us a fun new game.

you Elitist, you.

As you know I have been trying to stay away from the politics. But, it is an addiction I cannot quit. When I get my feathers ruffled I try to sit back and mellow out. However, sometimes things fester. Elitism has festered for a couple of weeks.

As you all know, the world has been abuzz the past few weeks regarding which US Senator educated at an Ivy League college (or comparable school) with an income in the upper .5% of nation is less Elitist. Apparently the former 1st Lady from an exclusive Chicago suburb and the son and grandson of Navy Admirals are less elitist than the son of an immigrant raised by a single mom (and then educated at exclusive schools). Give me a break. When was the last time we had a president that was not an Elitist?

Dubya? son of a president, former oil man, Yale and Harvard grad. But, he is a bit dense- so we think he is "one of us."
Clinton? raised by single mom. lived in trailer. But, studied at Georgetown, Yale and Oxford.
Bush? son of a Senator. Yale grad.
Reagan? Hollywood. California.
Carter? Our least elitist president in a couple of generations. How did that work out for most people?

Face it. Our presidents and our senators are elitists. How can they be anything but? But, we want them to pander to us and act like us. We want them drinking beer, bowling, hunting and fishing, flipping pancakes and fixing lawnmowers. I could care less about any of this. I want them to solve the world's problems and make the US a better place to live. A guy like me cannot do that.

Here is one of the best quotes regarding the relative importance of "Elitism" among the presidential candidates (thanks to Andrew Sullivan):

"If Barack Obama or anyone else really cares to know what I think, I will simplify it all down to this. The landmark political fact of our time is the replacement of our middle-class republic by a plutocracy. If some candidate has a scheme to reverse this trend, they've got my vote, whether they prefer Courvoisier or beer bongs spiked with cough syrup. I don't care whether they enjoy my books, or would rather have every scrap of paper bearing my writing loaded into a C-47 and dumped into Lake Michigan. If it will help restore the land of relative equality I was born in, I'll fly the plane myself," - Thomas A. Frank, Wall Street Journal.

However, the best thing said on the subject was by Jon Stewart last week. It is 9 minutes long, but well worth it. The money quote is around 7 minutes in, where Jon points out that Elite is a good thing! We need a president that is an elitist, not one that is a Frat brother that we can do shots with. We need a president that can go toe to toe with Russian leaders, not bowl 225 after a day of duck hunting. As Jon says, we need presidents that are "embarrassingly better than" the rest of us.