just being christian

I might soon be awarding the title of “favorite band” to a new group. For the past few years, U2 has held it down. More than a lot of folks, I even appreciated their last album in spite of the fact that it doesn’t have a lot of radio hits. It seemed like they were trying some different things on the musical end, accompanied by lyrics that had some nice depth.

But for the past couple of years, a new crew has been creepin’. The Roots Crew from Philly, to be specific. They’ve always been on my broad radar. Well, ever since high school when they first started droppin’ albums to the mainstream. But it took some age and experience for me to really appreciate what they bring to the table as the hardest working group in hip-hop.

Lyrically, the group is prophetic. In terms of forthtelling (explaining a current reality), they do it better than anyone. Ultimately, this comes back to haunt them when it comes to mainstream success. I’ve heard a lot of white people express fatigue when they listen to The Roots. I get that. There is a lot in their lyrics that requires a certain amount of contextualization to get the full effect. It does take a lot of mental energy to listen to their lyrics and understand what they are saying. And then it takes more energy to deal with the issues of race and inequality that they bring up. So if you listen to music simply to be entertained, fine. But if you want music that will make you think, there you go.

On the music side of things, there are only two things you need to know: six of the groups seven members play an instrument, and one of those members plays the sousaphone (Damon “Tuba Gooding Jr.” Bryson). Listening to what they were able to do on Jay-Z’s Unplugged album and their own live album have convinced me I NEED to see them live in the near future. Their musical versatility has been on display this year on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and I’ve noticed that when they are invited to play with musical guests they bring a professionalism and uniqueness to the performance. Yeah, they do well when they play with hip-hop acts, but they also tear it up with artists of other genres as well. My favorite of all time is ?uestlove’s drumming with Sara Watkins.

For the record, I’ve yet to officially rearrange my rankings.  The Roots still need to drop their latest album.  According to their website, it was set to release 10/20/09.  Trust me.  It’s not out yet.  But when it comes out it could tip the scales. In the interest of fairness, I also want to catch both The Roots and U2 live this summer to help with this epic decision.

I’m also willing to accept written, verbal and in person pitches from members of either group.  Just in case they are interested.
Renew and Restore

I haven’t always been the best forgiver.  If I decide I’m going to hold a grudge, I hold it for a long time.  It’s not my most enduring character trait.  There are only two things that keep the habit from completely derailing me.  It helps that I don’t rage when I get mad.  I just shut down.  I know, I know.  Really mature of me.  But before you think I just sit around and pout all day, know that the other aspect of my grudge-holding that keeps things in check is the fact that I rarely get mad enough to go defcon-5.  I manage to stay light and even keel, for the most part.

This particular ray of self awareness was brought to my attenion this weekend as I was mowing the lawn.  It’s where I do most of my good thinking, really.  That and the shower.  But everybody thinks well in the shower.  The steam clenses your brain pores.

Anyway, I’m mowing and listening to music.  Working my way through Wyclef’s Carnival Vol II.  I was struck by how good the album was.  Not just a little good, but really good.  Which then led me to be struck by the fact that I hadn’t given it much run.  Ever.

And then I came to a startling realization: I was still bitter toward Wyclef over my perception that he was responsible for breaking up the Fugees.

Funny thing is that I don’t exactly KNOW he broke up the Fugees. It’s just a guess.  Pras doesn’t seem smart enough to orchestrate something like that, and Lauryn Hill seems too nice.  John Forte?  I don’t think so.  So it must have been ‘Clef.  Maybe.

The bummer in the situation is that I’m the one who missed out. I missed out on good music, because I didn’t want to listen to Wyclef based on conjecture, hearsay and assumption.  If my assumptions are true, the other Fugees didn’t need me holding grudges for them.  They didn’t ask me to, and nobody has sent me a thank you note.  And even if they did, it’s not exactly playing the role of the peacemaker.  So I apologize.  Because sometimes I jump to conclusions and sometimes I hold grudges way too long.  And in the end, I’m the one who misses out.

Renew and Restore

If you have been following my tweets this week, there has probably been one post each day that has elicited one of two responses from you. You might have read the tweets and been perplexed by the fact that they seemed somewhat nonsensical. Or, you might have correctly figured out that I’ve been listening to the Killers new album a lot lately.

The whole album is good, but I’m particularly fascinated with A Dustland Fairytale.  My obsession started when I heard the line, “I saw the devil wrappin’ up his fists/He’s getting ready for the showdown”.  It is such a vivid image, and something I could would expect from Pauline literature.  My ear was also alerted because the Killers aren’t known for being one of those bands that throws spiritual stuff into the middle of a song.  Then it really stood out later in the song when they proclaimed, “We persevere, God gives us hope/But we still fear what we don’t know/The mind is poisoned”.

So I started listening to the song again.  And again.  And againandagainandagainandagainandagain.

I got addicted to the way the music builds for 3 minutes and 29 seconds before just running you off a cliff.  Every time I get to the end of the song, there is a part of my brain that refuses to believe the song could end like that.  Thus, I go back to the beginning.  And each time I find another line that strikes me with a level of detail I rarely hear in songs.  It’s funny, because for the longest time I couldn’t even tell you what the song is about.  But I could quote most of the lines, because they all stand out to me.  (I’ve since read it’s about the lead singer’s mother dying from cancer)

Here is the song, complete with lyrics.  I suggest listening to it with proper speakers.

Renew and Restore