courtesy of my blog: http://cjferrara.blogspot.com/
Sorry, but the golden rings from yesterday tapped me out. I'm going to have to go back to giving you birds. You'll probably get sick of poultry dinners, though, so I'm going to think about the OTHER reason people keep birds. For their eggs.
So, my true loves, I give to you Six Geese a-Laying! And boy, they're laying all over the place! So, goose-egg omelettes for days! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Friday, December 31, 2010
12 Days 2010: 5th Day
courtesy of my blog: http://cjferrara.blogspot.com/
Ok, my true loves. Still no response. Perhaps the birds aren't doing it for ya. What usually works when gifting is concerned. Flowers? Chocolate? AH! Jewelry!
So, My true loves, I give you today FIVE GOLDEN RINGS! One for each of your fingers so you can go around looking like a Pimp, or Elton John, or Liberace, or a wannabe rapper.
Of course, in the interest of full disclosure, (After all, all true love is built on a foundation of trust) I am using the regulations of advertising. You'll notice that I did not say Gold Rings, but rather, goldEN rings. This is because legally, I can't call them Gold, since... well... they're not. They ARE merely goldish plated. But they LOOK gold, and feel gold, and you can tell all your friends that they ARE gold, but really, they're not 24 karats, they're more like 4.
Still, I got you Five of them! That should compensate for the lack of value, replacing quality with quantity. Now, you may ask why didn't I just get you one real gold ring? Hey, I'm going along with the song, here.
Ok, my true loves. Still no response. Perhaps the birds aren't doing it for ya. What usually works when gifting is concerned. Flowers? Chocolate? AH! Jewelry!
So, My true loves, I give you today FIVE GOLDEN RINGS! One for each of your fingers so you can go around looking like a Pimp, or Elton John, or Liberace, or a wannabe rapper.
Of course, in the interest of full disclosure, (After all, all true love is built on a foundation of trust) I am using the regulations of advertising. You'll notice that I did not say Gold Rings, but rather, goldEN rings. This is because legally, I can't call them Gold, since... well... they're not. They ARE merely goldish plated. But they LOOK gold, and feel gold, and you can tell all your friends that they ARE gold, but really, they're not 24 karats, they're more like 4.
Still, I got you Five of them! That should compensate for the lack of value, replacing quality with quantity. Now, you may ask why didn't I just get you one real gold ring? Hey, I'm going along with the song, here.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
12 days 2010: 4th day
courtesy of my blog: http://cjferrara.blogspot.com/
Seeing as how I have gotten no response to the multitude of avian gifts, I can only assume, my true loves, that you are somehow dissatisfied. I can't imagine why, I mean who wouldn't want 3 French Hens, 2 Turtle Doves and a Partridge in a Pear Tree? At most, you have a zoo containing a multitude of birds; At least, you have had three wonderful poultry dinners.
Perhaps it's because you prefer birds that sing. Or at least who have an interesting call. So I went all over town auditioning. And I've narrowed the field down to the four best. The Blue-breasted Whipporwhil which goes, "Ca-CAW! Ca-CAW!;" The Yellow-crested Canary Buzzard which goes, "Walla-WOOP, walla-WOOP!;" and The Green-tailed Pigeons which goes, "Bah-WOP, Bah-WOP!;" and the Barry Carl Finch which goes, "BOW- Oooo-WOP, Ooh-way-ooh-way-Oooh-WOP!"
I was going to choose between them, but it turns out, put them all together and they perform a killer a cappella arrangement of "Kiss The Girl." So, I give them all to you... Four Calling Birds. Direct from their getting voted off of the Sing-Off... (all the best groups got voted off first, you know) ... to your back yard, where they will serenade you to sleep every night. And if they get annoying, four more nights of poultry dinners. Roasted Barry Carl Finch with Barbecue sauce is DE-licious.
Seeing as how I have gotten no response to the multitude of avian gifts, I can only assume, my true loves, that you are somehow dissatisfied. I can't imagine why, I mean who wouldn't want 3 French Hens, 2 Turtle Doves and a Partridge in a Pear Tree? At most, you have a zoo containing a multitude of birds; At least, you have had three wonderful poultry dinners.
Perhaps it's because you prefer birds that sing. Or at least who have an interesting call. So I went all over town auditioning. And I've narrowed the field down to the four best. The Blue-breasted Whipporwhil which goes, "Ca-CAW! Ca-CAW!;" The Yellow-crested Canary Buzzard which goes, "Walla-WOOP, walla-WOOP!;" and The Green-tailed Pigeons which goes, "Bah-WOP, Bah-WOP!;" and the Barry Carl Finch which goes, "BOW- Oooo-WOP, Ooh-way-ooh-way-Oooh-WOP!"
I was going to choose between them, but it turns out, put them all together and they perform a killer a cappella arrangement of "Kiss The Girl." So, I give them all to you... Four Calling Birds. Direct from their getting voted off of the Sing-Off... (all the best groups got voted off first, you know) ... to your back yard, where they will serenade you to sleep every night. And if they get annoying, four more nights of poultry dinners. Roasted Barry Carl Finch with Barbecue sauce is DE-licious.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
12 Days 2010: 3rd day
courtesy of my blog: http://cjferrara.blogspot.com/
I was hoping, my true loves, that I'd be able to find some imported hens from France. But to no avail. So, I booked the Concorde, flew over to France, bought me some hens, then brought them back. Flying back at Mach 2 really freaked the hens out. They were all like, "Wow, we're the fastest hens on earth! No Chicken can fly as fast as we can!" Truth be told, no chicken can fly at all, but that's neither here nor there.
So, I got 'em. And I give them to you today, on the third day of Christmas: Three French Hens. I'm letting you know that they're French, so that you appreciate the trouble I went through to get them for you. Otherwise, I just got you some chickens.
Now, even though they're MUCH easier to cook than Partridges or Turtle Doves, I encourage you to NOT cook these hens. Instead, build yourself a coop, and enjoy days and months of eggs. You may need a rooster, but I'm not going back to France, so you're on your own.
Or, if you would rather cook the hens, I recommend spatchcocking them. I just like the sound of it. It's a funny word. Spatchcock! Or wait a few days, until you get the rooster and enjoy some Coq Au Vin.
I was hoping, my true loves, that I'd be able to find some imported hens from France. But to no avail. So, I booked the Concorde, flew over to France, bought me some hens, then brought them back. Flying back at Mach 2 really freaked the hens out. They were all like, "Wow, we're the fastest hens on earth! No Chicken can fly as fast as we can!" Truth be told, no chicken can fly at all, but that's neither here nor there.
So, I got 'em. And I give them to you today, on the third day of Christmas: Three French Hens. I'm letting you know that they're French, so that you appreciate the trouble I went through to get them for you. Otherwise, I just got you some chickens.
Now, even though they're MUCH easier to cook than Partridges or Turtle Doves, I encourage you to NOT cook these hens. Instead, build yourself a coop, and enjoy days and months of eggs. You may need a rooster, but I'm not going back to France, so you're on your own.
Or, if you would rather cook the hens, I recommend spatchcocking them. I just like the sound of it. It's a funny word. Spatchcock! Or wait a few days, until you get the rooster and enjoy some Coq Au Vin.
Monday, December 27, 2010
12 Days 2010: 2nd Day
courtesy of my blog: http://cjferrara.blogspot.com/
Sorry this is so late, my true loves. I was out looking for Turtle Doves. At first I thought they were a crossbreed of Turtles and Doves. So, I was looking in Reptile stores. I thought, "Cool! A Turtle that can fly! Either that or a dove with a protective covering that can retract its head when it's scared." Boy, was I wrong.
Finally, I hit a bird store, and the dude there set me right. So, here we go. On this, the second day of Christmas, I give to you Two Turtle Doves!
Now, I got you two females. Two males would have been too agressive and would have killed each other. A Male and a female, well, you know... let's just say we'd have a lot more than 2, wouldn't we? So, two female turtle doves, and unless one spontaneously changes gender like in Jurassic Park, you should be fine.
And if you're not in the mood for a pet, I understand that they are delicious with an Orange Glaze.
Sorry this is so late, my true loves. I was out looking for Turtle Doves. At first I thought they were a crossbreed of Turtles and Doves. So, I was looking in Reptile stores. I thought, "Cool! A Turtle that can fly! Either that or a dove with a protective covering that can retract its head when it's scared." Boy, was I wrong.
Finally, I hit a bird store, and the dude there set me right. So, here we go. On this, the second day of Christmas, I give to you Two Turtle Doves!
Now, I got you two females. Two males would have been too agressive and would have killed each other. A Male and a female, well, you know... let's just say we'd have a lot more than 2, wouldn't we? So, two female turtle doves, and unless one spontaneously changes gender like in Jurassic Park, you should be fine.
And if you're not in the mood for a pet, I understand that they are delicious with an Orange Glaze.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
12 Days of Christmas 2010 - Day 1
courtesy of my blog: http://cjferrara.blogspot.com/
Greetings, my true loves, it's that time of year again. Contrary to popular belief, Christmas isn't over. Yesterday was the BEGINNING of the real Christmas season, the actual 12 days of Christmas. It's my personal tradition to send out, via the interwebs, a gentle, humorous and creative reminder in the form of this series of blogs.
This tradition started as a mass e-mail to all my friends, but in the era of social networking, it has evolved into this. This year, I'm going "classic," bringing back the original concept of the e-mails that started it all.
So, this being the First Day of Christmas, and as tradition dictates, I hereby send you all a wonderfully exotic Patridge in a Pear Tree. I went down to the local nursery and acquired the tiniest saplings of pear tree, guaranteed to produce fruit when planted in good nutrient rich soil. I then went to J and B's Exotic Pets and purchased a delightful pet partridge. I placed said partridge in said pear tree and boxed it up and shipped it to you, my true loves.
I'd recommend planting the tree immediately, before the partridge has a chance to eat the pears. As for what to do with the partridge, a cage would be in order, but I believe partridges prefer to be free range, so clip its wings and let it roam around a pen in the yard. Or, better yet, kill it, pluck it, and fry it up with a pear-based dipping sauce.
Greetings, my true loves, it's that time of year again. Contrary to popular belief, Christmas isn't over. Yesterday was the BEGINNING of the real Christmas season, the actual 12 days of Christmas. It's my personal tradition to send out, via the interwebs, a gentle, humorous and creative reminder in the form of this series of blogs.
This tradition started as a mass e-mail to all my friends, but in the era of social networking, it has evolved into this. This year, I'm going "classic," bringing back the original concept of the e-mails that started it all.
So, this being the First Day of Christmas, and as tradition dictates, I hereby send you all a wonderfully exotic Patridge in a Pear Tree. I went down to the local nursery and acquired the tiniest saplings of pear tree, guaranteed to produce fruit when planted in good nutrient rich soil. I then went to J and B's Exotic Pets and purchased a delightful pet partridge. I placed said partridge in said pear tree and boxed it up and shipped it to you, my true loves.
I'd recommend planting the tree immediately, before the partridge has a chance to eat the pears. As for what to do with the partridge, a cage would be in order, but I believe partridges prefer to be free range, so clip its wings and let it roam around a pen in the yard. Or, better yet, kill it, pluck it, and fry it up with a pear-based dipping sauce.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
My Favorite Things - NOT a CHRISTMAS SONG!
courtesy of my blog: http://cjferrara.blogspot.com
I love Christmas Music. It's probably my favorite part of the season. I play Christmas music while decorating the tree, while wrapping presents, and it is a MUST while shopping. I'm also very particular about my music. It must be good, it must have the right message behind the holiday stories, and most of all - and I don't think it's too much to ask - it must actually BE a Christmas song.
It's a serious pet peeve of mine. I'm not even talking about songs like Sleigh Ride and Jingle Bells, which are technically about winter, not Christmas. I mean songs like "Same Old Lang Syne" by Dan Fogelberg. Not a Christmas Song. It's about getting drunk in your car with your ex-girlfriend. "Silver and Gold;" not a Christmas Song. It's about getting rich. It mentions a Christmas Tree, but that's about it. But the worst offender by far... is "My Favorite Things."
It's not about Christmas, not from a Christmas Special or Movie, in fact, it has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas. The only possible connection could be that this is a list of My Favorite Things, so therefore, here's what I want for Christmas. First of all, Greedy! Second of all, even if that were true, the list itself is ridiculous as a Christmas List, bordering on sick and twisted. Let's go down it, shall we?
Raindrops on Roses - Roses are fine, but the list specifically asks for the raindrops. Even if we got them wet, they will certainly evaporate by the time the day happens. We could put the roses in the box, but then the condensation would be on the box, and not on the roses.
Whiskers on Kittens - again, do we want the whiskers, or the kittens. Since they must be ON the kittens, I'd assume both. Pets are usually a tricky gift to wrap. And why go through the trouble of getting the whole kitten just for the whiskers? Silly, really.
Bright Copper Kettles and Warm Woolen Mittens - OK, this we can do. Nice gifts. I like them.
Brown Paper Packages tied up with strings. - You're allowed to tell me what you want me to get. You are NOT allowed to tell me how to wrap them. You know what usually comes in brown paper packages? And are we good enough friends to warrant that type of gift?
Now we get weird.
Cream Colored Ponies - OK, this is extravagant. Where are you going to keep a pony in your apartment, really? Oh, sorry, not A pony, but PONIES? I'd be lucky to find just one. And I can't guarantee that they'll all be cream colored.
Crisp Apple Strudel - Food is always a nice gift. But between now and Christmas, the Strudel may not be crisp anymore. I know, I'll get a frozen Strudel and you can bake it on Christmas day.
Doorbells and Sleigh Bells - Lots of bells, there. It's going to be noisy. And you don't really need more than one doorbell. Unless you are getting one for the BACK door also.
Schnitzel with Noodles - Taking food stuff to the limit. If I make you Schnitzel with Noodles, and then put it in a box, then bring it to your house and put it under your tree, it's going to be a mess. Haven't you ever delivered a pizza? Things shift in transit, you know.
Silver White Winters that Melt into Springs - Ask any weather man. I can NOT predict the weather, let alone guarantee that this winter will be Silver White, and that it will melt into spring. And again, the plural! I'd need to guarantee that every year from now on? Forget it.
Girls in White Dresses with Blue Satin Sashes - Really? This sounds like you're ordering a girl. And you want her dressed a certain way. Are you having a party? I'll need to call some people, and set this all up. I'm not really sure this is legal. Are you sure?
Snowflakes That Stay on My Nose and Eyelashes - Fine, I'll throw a snowball at your face.
Wild Geese that Fly With the Moon on Their Wings - All right: A) You want the Geese to fly, so we can't clip their wings. So how am I supposed to catch these things to get them too you? B) You specify that you want WILD geese. I'm going to get pecked, flapped and shat upon in the process. Those Wild Geese can be nasty. C) the moon on their wings is up to you. You'll have to hold on to them, and keep them and feed them until a nice moonlit night to let them fly with the moon on their wings. and D) why am I going to get you something that's just going to fly away anyway? You want this, YOU risk your life in a wild goose pond and get it yourself, you demanding biyotch!
I love Christmas Music. It's probably my favorite part of the season. I play Christmas music while decorating the tree, while wrapping presents, and it is a MUST while shopping. I'm also very particular about my music. It must be good, it must have the right message behind the holiday stories, and most of all - and I don't think it's too much to ask - it must actually BE a Christmas song.
It's a serious pet peeve of mine. I'm not even talking about songs like Sleigh Ride and Jingle Bells, which are technically about winter, not Christmas. I mean songs like "Same Old Lang Syne" by Dan Fogelberg. Not a Christmas Song. It's about getting drunk in your car with your ex-girlfriend. "Silver and Gold;" not a Christmas Song. It's about getting rich. It mentions a Christmas Tree, but that's about it. But the worst offender by far... is "My Favorite Things."
It's not about Christmas, not from a Christmas Special or Movie, in fact, it has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas. The only possible connection could be that this is a list of My Favorite Things, so therefore, here's what I want for Christmas. First of all, Greedy! Second of all, even if that were true, the list itself is ridiculous as a Christmas List, bordering on sick and twisted. Let's go down it, shall we?
Raindrops on Roses - Roses are fine, but the list specifically asks for the raindrops. Even if we got them wet, they will certainly evaporate by the time the day happens. We could put the roses in the box, but then the condensation would be on the box, and not on the roses.
Whiskers on Kittens - again, do we want the whiskers, or the kittens. Since they must be ON the kittens, I'd assume both. Pets are usually a tricky gift to wrap. And why go through the trouble of getting the whole kitten just for the whiskers? Silly, really.
Bright Copper Kettles and Warm Woolen Mittens - OK, this we can do. Nice gifts. I like them.
Brown Paper Packages tied up with strings. - You're allowed to tell me what you want me to get. You are NOT allowed to tell me how to wrap them. You know what usually comes in brown paper packages? And are we good enough friends to warrant that type of gift?
Now we get weird.
Cream Colored Ponies - OK, this is extravagant. Where are you going to keep a pony in your apartment, really? Oh, sorry, not A pony, but PONIES? I'd be lucky to find just one. And I can't guarantee that they'll all be cream colored.
Crisp Apple Strudel - Food is always a nice gift. But between now and Christmas, the Strudel may not be crisp anymore. I know, I'll get a frozen Strudel and you can bake it on Christmas day.
Doorbells and Sleigh Bells - Lots of bells, there. It's going to be noisy. And you don't really need more than one doorbell. Unless you are getting one for the BACK door also.
Schnitzel with Noodles - Taking food stuff to the limit. If I make you Schnitzel with Noodles, and then put it in a box, then bring it to your house and put it under your tree, it's going to be a mess. Haven't you ever delivered a pizza? Things shift in transit, you know.
Silver White Winters that Melt into Springs - Ask any weather man. I can NOT predict the weather, let alone guarantee that this winter will be Silver White, and that it will melt into spring. And again, the plural! I'd need to guarantee that every year from now on? Forget it.
Girls in White Dresses with Blue Satin Sashes - Really? This sounds like you're ordering a girl. And you want her dressed a certain way. Are you having a party? I'll need to call some people, and set this all up. I'm not really sure this is legal. Are you sure?
Snowflakes That Stay on My Nose and Eyelashes - Fine, I'll throw a snowball at your face.
Wild Geese that Fly With the Moon on Their Wings - All right: A) You want the Geese to fly, so we can't clip their wings. So how am I supposed to catch these things to get them too you? B) You specify that you want WILD geese. I'm going to get pecked, flapped and shat upon in the process. Those Wild Geese can be nasty. C) the moon on their wings is up to you. You'll have to hold on to them, and keep them and feed them until a nice moonlit night to let them fly with the moon on their wings. and D) why am I going to get you something that's just going to fly away anyway? You want this, YOU risk your life in a wild goose pond and get it yourself, you demanding biyotch!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Favorite Music of 2010 - Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin
courtesy of my blog: http://cjferrara.blogspot.com/
Yale Whiffenpoofs, the Persuasions, The King's Singers, Rockapella... They're all great, and important to the history of a cappella music. Ranked right up there with all of them are the Beach Boys; and they don't often get credit for being one of the great a cappella groups of the 20th century. Probably because they're so well known for their surf music, it's easy to forget the huge leap forward they helped to make in the progression of vocal harmony. And it had EVERYTHING to do with one man... Brian Wilson. The man was, and still is, a musical genius; blending traditional barbershop harmony with doo-wop in a combination that in the 1960s was unlike any sound on earth.
So, when I saw that his new album was called, "Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin" and that it was being put out by Disney Records, I knew one thing: whether or not this is a complete cheesefest will depend on Wilson. Has he still got it? The first track, an a cappella rendition of a theme from Rhapsody in Blue, in that signature Beach Boys harmony, quelled my concerns immediately. The album then went on to become everything you'd expect from such a combination. Great songs by Gershwin given the Brian Wilson treatment. And this is "Pet Sounds" Wilson, not "Surfin' USA" Wilson.
The decision to either give each song a traditional jazz interpretation, such as with "Summertime;" or a kinda of Beach Boys retro rock feel, such as with "I Got Rhythm;" clearly was determined by the needs of the song, and not from Wilson's ego. A feature is a little mini-medley of songs from Porgy and Bess, and as awkward as it is to hear Brian Wilson sing "I Loves You Porgy," the arrangement is amazing, and flows into a Harmonica driven "I Got Plenty of Nuttin'," and the outstanding rendition of "Ain't Necessarily So." He even gets to recreate two seldom heard Gershwin songs, "The Like in I Love You," and "Nothing But Love."
"BWRG" should be a standard in everybody's library, right alongside Pet Sounds and Sgt. Pepper.
Yale Whiffenpoofs, the Persuasions, The King's Singers, Rockapella... They're all great, and important to the history of a cappella music. Ranked right up there with all of them are the Beach Boys; and they don't often get credit for being one of the great a cappella groups of the 20th century. Probably because they're so well known for their surf music, it's easy to forget the huge leap forward they helped to make in the progression of vocal harmony. And it had EVERYTHING to do with one man... Brian Wilson. The man was, and still is, a musical genius; blending traditional barbershop harmony with doo-wop in a combination that in the 1960s was unlike any sound on earth.
So, when I saw that his new album was called, "Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin" and that it was being put out by Disney Records, I knew one thing: whether or not this is a complete cheesefest will depend on Wilson. Has he still got it? The first track, an a cappella rendition of a theme from Rhapsody in Blue, in that signature Beach Boys harmony, quelled my concerns immediately. The album then went on to become everything you'd expect from such a combination. Great songs by Gershwin given the Brian Wilson treatment. And this is "Pet Sounds" Wilson, not "Surfin' USA" Wilson.
The decision to either give each song a traditional jazz interpretation, such as with "Summertime;" or a kinda of Beach Boys retro rock feel, such as with "I Got Rhythm;" clearly was determined by the needs of the song, and not from Wilson's ego. A feature is a little mini-medley of songs from Porgy and Bess, and as awkward as it is to hear Brian Wilson sing "I Loves You Porgy," the arrangement is amazing, and flows into a Harmonica driven "I Got Plenty of Nuttin'," and the outstanding rendition of "Ain't Necessarily So." He even gets to recreate two seldom heard Gershwin songs, "The Like in I Love You," and "Nothing But Love."
"BWRG" should be a standard in everybody's library, right alongside Pet Sounds and Sgt. Pepper.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Favorite Music of 2010: Stryper - Murder By Pride
courtesy of my blog: http://cjferrara.blogspot.com/
(Again, technically 2009, but I discovered it this year, and it made an impact.)
1 Corinthians 13:11 reads, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me." This passage describes Stryper's career perfectly.
When they started out, they were "that Christian Metal band." It was almost a gimmick that got them attention. On their earliest albums, "Soldiers Under Command," "Yellow and Black Attack," and "To Hell With the Devil," their songs were very basic simple praise songs. "God is good. He is Lord. Worship Him." Just like when teaching a child about religion, you don't get too philosophical or deep. You just keep it basic. When they started getting hits with "To Hell..." and "In God We Trust," Stryper pretty much stayed with the same basic formula, straying from their message for an occasional love song like "Honestly," or "All of Me."
Then came "Against The Law." A fitting title, because it's basically their only secular album. The title, the new look for the band - blue and black stripes instead of yellow and black, - and songs about women two-timing them, and picking them up after a gig (they insist "I'm Not That Kind of Guy") made some fans think that they had abandoned their beliefs. The truth is that they were just stretching their songwriting chops. Not being limited to Christian themes freed them to write other kinds of rock songs; BETTER ones. "Against the Law" is probably their best album. Sadly, it didn't sell very well, and they soon broke up. Lead singer Michael Sweet recorded some solo albums and the other band members formed other groups.
They reunited a couple of years ago, or at least Sweet and guitarist Oz Fox did. They recorded two more albums including 2009's "Murder By Pride." I stumbled upon it when I had a hankering for some melodic pop metal, and the band I thought of that was just what I was looking for was Stryper. Problem was, I put "Stryper" into Pandora, and got a channel of Metal Christian bands; not all of whom were good, and not all of whom were in the same genre. So, I went to Napster, and downloaded all the albums I listened to in my youth, as well as "Murder By Pride," curious as to how their new stuff would sound. Sometimes Metal bands from the 80s do not age well. Stryper DID.
The "stretching" that they did on "Against The Law" is now being applied to their Christian music. But although they're back to their roots, their sound and subjects have matured. No longer trite "Praise God" music, but rather music about genuine redemption, the need for forgiveness, and the comfort God gives. No more "He is God- Obey him or Die!!!!" Now, they're singing about the nature of heaven, honest pledges of faith, and more sophisticated philosophical messages. Michael Sweet's voice is still awesome, the choral harmonies are still effective, (especially on their cover of Boston's "Peace of Mind") and the melodies are more interesting, (old Stryper stuck to Half notes, and basic anthems), the guitar work is better, and the lyrics more complex (albeit slightly). Check out the title track, "I Believe," and "Everything." Best three tracks on the album.
A new Stryper album is due this year, and I can't wait. Christian or not, It's a great freakin' album.
(Again, technically 2009, but I discovered it this year, and it made an impact.)
1 Corinthians 13:11 reads, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me." This passage describes Stryper's career perfectly.
When they started out, they were "that Christian Metal band." It was almost a gimmick that got them attention. On their earliest albums, "Soldiers Under Command," "Yellow and Black Attack," and "To Hell With the Devil," their songs were very basic simple praise songs. "God is good. He is Lord. Worship Him." Just like when teaching a child about religion, you don't get too philosophical or deep. You just keep it basic. When they started getting hits with "To Hell..." and "In God We Trust," Stryper pretty much stayed with the same basic formula, straying from their message for an occasional love song like "Honestly," or "All of Me."
Then came "Against The Law." A fitting title, because it's basically their only secular album. The title, the new look for the band - blue and black stripes instead of yellow and black, - and songs about women two-timing them, and picking them up after a gig (they insist "I'm Not That Kind of Guy") made some fans think that they had abandoned their beliefs. The truth is that they were just stretching their songwriting chops. Not being limited to Christian themes freed them to write other kinds of rock songs; BETTER ones. "Against the Law" is probably their best album. Sadly, it didn't sell very well, and they soon broke up. Lead singer Michael Sweet recorded some solo albums and the other band members formed other groups.
They reunited a couple of years ago, or at least Sweet and guitarist Oz Fox did. They recorded two more albums including 2009's "Murder By Pride." I stumbled upon it when I had a hankering for some melodic pop metal, and the band I thought of that was just what I was looking for was Stryper. Problem was, I put "Stryper" into Pandora, and got a channel of Metal Christian bands; not all of whom were good, and not all of whom were in the same genre. So, I went to Napster, and downloaded all the albums I listened to in my youth, as well as "Murder By Pride," curious as to how their new stuff would sound. Sometimes Metal bands from the 80s do not age well. Stryper DID.
The "stretching" that they did on "Against The Law" is now being applied to their Christian music. But although they're back to their roots, their sound and subjects have matured. No longer trite "Praise God" music, but rather music about genuine redemption, the need for forgiveness, and the comfort God gives. No more "He is God- Obey him or Die!!!!" Now, they're singing about the nature of heaven, honest pledges of faith, and more sophisticated philosophical messages. Michael Sweet's voice is still awesome, the choral harmonies are still effective, (especially on their cover of Boston's "Peace of Mind") and the melodies are more interesting, (old Stryper stuck to Half notes, and basic anthems), the guitar work is better, and the lyrics more complex (albeit slightly). Check out the title track, "I Believe," and "Everything." Best three tracks on the album.
A new Stryper album is due this year, and I can't wait. Christian or not, It's a great freakin' album.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
My Favorite Music of 2010: Them Crooked Vultures
courtesy of my blog: http://cjferrara.blogspot.com
It's December. Time for Holidays, and the year in review. One of the goals of this blog was to chronicle the events of the year. So, it's fitting that this final month will be dedicated to looking back.
I blog entirely too much about politics, and should blog more about music. So, I figured I'm going to train myself by reviewing my favorite Albums of the previous year.
Now, I'm a Napster user, and as much as I like to think of myself as a connoisseur of music, I actually haven't heard that much, but what I DID download this year, I'm going to comment on, hoping that readers who didn't give this stuff a chance would give it a listen.
If you know of music that I should check out, PLEASE comment to me!
The first goes, technically, back to last year, but the end of last year. It's the self titled album by super group Them Crooked Vultures. I'd have completely ignored this group had it not been for a fortunate SNL performance, which caused me to go, "Hey, that's the guy from Queens of the Stone Age! (Joshua Homme) And look, Dave Grohl, ON DRUMS! And who's that old guy on bass?" Turns out it's John Paul Jones. Yeah, THAT John Paul Jones... from Led Zeppelin.
What I love about the album is that it's original without being... how shall I say this... BAD.
So many bands strive to so something different. Unique. A break from the same old pop music. And in doing so, come up with an entirely new sound, that sounds horrible. In their quest for uniqueness, they forget that there's a reason nobody tried to do that before.
Now, two groups that are exceptional at exploring new sounds are Queens of the Stone Age, and way back when, Led Zeppelin. Even Nirvana, when Dave Grohl played drums were unique and exploratory in their songwriting. So put them together, and you are guaranteed to have never heard anything like this before. But in a good way.
What the music industry needs are more musicians taking THIS approach to exploring, and less of the crap that IS out there.
"Them Crooked Vultures" is great for Rock and Roll Palate Cleansing. To stimulate senses after having them been dulled by hearing a lot of classic rock. Instead of hearing the Stones for the 20th time today, pop in this album to wake up your creative sensibilities.
It's December. Time for Holidays, and the year in review. One of the goals of this blog was to chronicle the events of the year. So, it's fitting that this final month will be dedicated to looking back.
I blog entirely too much about politics, and should blog more about music. So, I figured I'm going to train myself by reviewing my favorite Albums of the previous year.
Now, I'm a Napster user, and as much as I like to think of myself as a connoisseur of music, I actually haven't heard that much, but what I DID download this year, I'm going to comment on, hoping that readers who didn't give this stuff a chance would give it a listen.
If you know of music that I should check out, PLEASE comment to me!
The first goes, technically, back to last year, but the end of last year. It's the self titled album by super group Them Crooked Vultures. I'd have completely ignored this group had it not been for a fortunate SNL performance, which caused me to go, "Hey, that's the guy from Queens of the Stone Age! (Joshua Homme) And look, Dave Grohl, ON DRUMS! And who's that old guy on bass?" Turns out it's John Paul Jones. Yeah, THAT John Paul Jones... from Led Zeppelin.
What I love about the album is that it's original without being... how shall I say this... BAD.
So many bands strive to so something different. Unique. A break from the same old pop music. And in doing so, come up with an entirely new sound, that sounds horrible. In their quest for uniqueness, they forget that there's a reason nobody tried to do that before.
Now, two groups that are exceptional at exploring new sounds are Queens of the Stone Age, and way back when, Led Zeppelin. Even Nirvana, when Dave Grohl played drums were unique and exploratory in their songwriting. So put them together, and you are guaranteed to have never heard anything like this before. But in a good way.
What the music industry needs are more musicians taking THIS approach to exploring, and less of the crap that IS out there.
"Them Crooked Vultures" is great for Rock and Roll Palate Cleansing. To stimulate senses after having them been dulled by hearing a lot of classic rock. Instead of hearing the Stones for the 20th time today, pop in this album to wake up your creative sensibilities.
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