Recently, Wes Craven’s horror classic “The Last House on the Left” (1972) received a makeover by Rogue Pictures. I have not seen the remake yet but what I’m hearing sounds very promising. First of all, while critical reaction may not be on par with drama classics, they are very excellent while we operate in the realm of horror films.
Horror films have never been the critic’s favorite. A true good horror film that comes along and is an instant cult favorite is hard to come by. Yet when they do, it is known that what we are watching is a horror classic. They may not be filled with Sean Penns or Russell Crowes. However, they seize the fear, terror, and hair-raising aspects of life and thrust them onto the screen showing us what we despise in life the most. Still, our imagination is captivated as we continue to shell out money to feel sick to the stomach for a couple hours.
Wes Craven, the grandson of horror, released “The Last House on the Left” (1972). Its gritty, exploitive nature drew criticism from every angle. Fans, on the other had, will always place the film at the top of their favorite lists. Besides a loyal fan base, the film has influenced countless horror films immediately following its release through modern horror.
Back track a few years to 1968….George A. Romero released “Night of the Living Dead” the quintessential zombie flick. The film would spawn many follow ups such as “Dawn of the Dead” and most recently “Diary of the Dead”. The film most likely was the next greatest horror film after Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho”.
1974’s “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” gave us the frightening character of Leatherface. The film experimented with using daylight with its terror plot line to great effect. Perhaps, it is most famous for the end sequence where Leatherface twirls his chainsaw in anguish as the sun sets in the background.
Cult classic, “The Evil Dead”, released in 1981 on a small budget of $375,000 as resonated throughout horror history. It spawned two sequels, “The Evil Dead II” and “Army of Darkness”. The film was banned in several country’s due to its outrageous gore (believe me, it is indeed). In the United Kingdom, the film was placed on the “video nasty” list; in effect prevent any and all marketing of the movie.
“The Exorcist”, the greatest demonic possession film, was released in 1973 to divided critical reception. It was placed on the infamous “video nasty” list. Yet, it is funny to note that British film critic, Mark Kermode, claimed it was the greatest film of all time…maybe the greatest horror film, Mark.
John Carpenter has released two essential horror classics, the one that nearly anyone reading this knows, “Halloween” (1978) and “The Thing” (1982). “Halloween” is the most successful slasher flick since “Psycho”. “The Thing” is a terrifying flick about a shape-shifting alien which goes on a killing spree in the Antarctic…freaky.
“Poltergeist”, released the same year as “The Thing”, revolves around the haunting of a Californian suburban home. The film was made by Tobe Hooper who was responsible for The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
“Rosemary’s Baby” starring Mia Farrow was released in 1968. A petrifying tale of witchcraft/cults, the Ira Levin novel turned film as been received across the board as a great film and a truly good horror film.
Wes Craven once again creates a horror classic. The 1984 film, with Johnny Depp and Amanda Wyss, follows the burned Freddy Krueger who kills sleeping teens in their dreams with his sharp razor fingers. The subject of much debated social contexts, the film is an example of an intelligibly made gore-fest.
“The Omen” (1976) follows the story of two wealthy American couples that receive the baby anti-Christ, Damien, by unfortunate circumstance. Known for the disturbing, “Hanging Scene”, the film has become synonymous with terror (especially once the details of the supposed set-haunting emerged).
1980’s “The Shining” based on Stephen King’s horror novel has become a rather quotable horror novelty. “Here’s Johnny” Jack Nicholson screams as he attempts to break down a door in order to satisfy his blood lust (by killing his family). Directed by Stanley Kubrick (2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange) the movie gets a brief cameo in the 1997 film “Twister”. You know a horror film has made it big time when it is shown in another movie.
Modern horror seems to concentrate on the splattering of blood rather than the psychological terror. Thus, films such as “Hostel”, “Saw” and “The Hills Have Eyes” have gained popularity. Eli Roth (Cabin Fever, Hostel 1 & 2) has recently become a name on the cult circuit. With the release of 2006’s “Hostel”, Eli polarized critics yet somehow managed to capture the admiration of horror fans.
At first glance, “Hostel” may seem like a pornography injected with some blood (that sounded terrible). Yet, it is a film with character development unlike many horror films. You get to know the characters (even if they are a bit horny) and you form an odd attachment with them. Even a divided critic circle typically means you have a decent horror film. Either way, “Hostel” and its follow up have become a source of criticism, controversy and a satiable film for hungry horror fans.
“Saw” (2004) detailed the tale of Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) a psychotic terminally ill inventor. Although the acting by Cary Elwes and the films co-creator was far from good, the plot was refreshing. Indeed, it can be argued the “Saw” was responsible for the rebirth of horror in mainstream cinema.
Rob Zombie has quickly gained notoriety as a master of horror. “House of 1000 Corpses” was an odd acid trip yet its follow up “The Devil’s Rejects” is a wonderful homage to classic exploitive horror films from the 1970s. Bill Mosely plays Otis, and it is perhaps his performance as a sadistic serial killer the holds the film together so well.
There you have it, a quick overview of some of the great horror films throughout the ages (by no means all of them!)
RECAP: Night of the Living Dead, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Halloween, Psycho, Poltergeist, Rosemary’s Baby, The Nightmare on Elm Street, The Thing, The Omen, Hostel, Saw, The Evil Dead, The Shining , The Devil’s Rejects, Cannibal Holocaust, The Last House on the Left, The Hills Have Eyes (remake) and The Exorcist.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
I Love Big Brother TOO!!!
Night of the Living Dead (1968) - 4/4 - George A. Romero's classic zombie flick. Tastes like chicken.
Finally finished 1984. I've been reading it for over two weeks. I just've been so stressed about the MTH 135 final. When I'm anxious it seems I can't do anything extracurricular.
notice there've been a lack of poems. so here's one.
Gabriel & Mephistopheles
Near the fringe of a dying wood
Gabriel sat perched upon a stump of yew
Weeping with a broken heart long overdue
His affection turning to hurt as any scorn would
With flickering thoughts of how he could depart for good
It seemed the daughter of the monarch was cold
To which destitute Gabriel was rather blind
Her seldom appearance made the fair maiden seem readily kind
Earnestly wondering why his penniless self had been so bold
The boy ventured further into the tormented forest of old
Gabriel had heard the tales the frightened had spun
As he continued down the shadowy path
Though of what proof of these troubles did the storytellers hath?
These insane beggars the village did shun
He deplored to reason he would turn not as one
Still, a growing dread gripped his being
Warily, he did glance about
His smile twisted into the shape of doubt
For nothing terrible was he surely seeing
Therefore, there were no notions of fleeing
Returning to his marred concerns of his lost ardor
Gabriel reluctantly fancied further dreams of her
Withdrawing his gait to rest against an aging fir
Determined to squander these wishes for ever more
This still gnawed him bitter to the core
A stalking otherworldly drowse did creep
Manifesting abdicable premonitions of the hereafter
Which died away with a most haunting laughter
Gabriel raised his eyes to procure a peep
To which his heart gave a bounding leap
Upon the dirt a man did lay
With a piercing stare that was grim
The lights of his brown eyes seemed rather dim
‘Twas then that Gabriel noticed the signs of decay
For this man had been dead for at least a day
By leaps and bounds a foot was pressed
The body remained thankfully still
However, Gabriel turned rather ill
In view of the being upon his chest
Inside his head, now, fear did nest
“I am Mephistopheles from the land of the dead.”
The creature cried towards the mortal before him
An urge to run was Gabriel’s first whim
“I know the thoughts within your head”
The boy found his feet were made of lead
“I can conjure joy if that is your desire”
The demon expressed with a red book in claw
“I can assure with vengeance, you will have no flaw”
Gabriel wondered if here was a liar
With hopes that may return to his dear Wiltshire
“How do I know you speak the truth?”
Demanded Gabriel reasonably for he thought he knew
What this trickster from Hell would infallibly do
“I vow I only know the sooth”
Spoke the devil uncouth
Gabriel gleaned he was erroneous to mistrust
As he gained a vision of his love in her tower
Trembling by some unusual sentiment of power
This may have been his growing lust
“I’ll sign the book.” For he knew he must
The demon procured a magical quill
Which no bottle of ink was needed to use
His mark was left by the worth he would lose
While it drained to the page he felt a sinister thrill
At the rumination of the blood he would spill
“Your humble servant, young Gabriel…your fancy shall I allow?”
A wish of everlasting love between the maiden you see
‘Twas not the command that he did decree
“Death upon her kingdom, I will have you endow.”
The request was sanctioned with the touch of a brow
“The demise will pass by the sound of the wren.”
Mephistopheles grimly smirked
These tidings held Gabriel slightly irked
For his patience was wearing thin
However, he broke into an unpleasant grin
“Good day, boy. I’ll see you in Hell.”
The fiend vanished with a rap on his book
Thus, Gabriel walked to a nearby brook
He followed it out of the woods to a peasant’s well
Then cut his way to where the noble did dwell
Gabriel arrived at the top of a hill
Where below he discerned the outlines of the palace
Where the harlot softly sipped from the chalice
He continued on his menacing path past a silent abandoned mill
Where he heard a song that quickly grew shrill
Upon a branch there sat a black wren in verse
Astonishingly, not in a soft melodic peep
Yet, with words to make a mortal weep
The lyrics it expelled were quite perverse
In telling the events of a curse
“Six days your world will burn
Two serpents will reign from Hell
Of evil or good man, the dragons cannot tell
This fate the entire kingdom will learn
Six days your world will burn”
The wren took flight into the air
Gabriel knew by heart what was in store
That the ophidians had escaped through Hell’s door
To fill the people with unblemished despair
A cruel punishment that was justly fair
The sky above progressed to black
‘Til Gabriel was sure the sun had at last died
In response he knew the wren had not lied
As fire erupted throughout the attack
It seemed there would be no turning back
Gabriel slept at the end of the day
In the bottom of Hell where his blood ran cold
For it had been his soul he had sold
When he awoke to the inferno in the fray
It was a world living in dismay
The imperishable twilight still did remain
Gabriel drew closer to the walls of the fire
Where the kingdom churned as one last pyre
Inside there were screams from those who had not been slain
In the scourge Gabriel did ordain
So he stood at the close of the second night
Afraid to slip into a tormented slumber
Upon the scorched walls he observed a number
Three identical digits that oversaw human plight
He directly closed his eyes at the ominous sight
The torture ensued within his head
A vivid vision which placed him inside
The walls in which the living hide
The serpents would kill with one look of dread
The moribund falling on a stone cold bed
By some grace he saw light on day three
The sun had returned shining with its bright beam
Casting a glow on the demolished scene
From this apocalypse the kingdom was not yet free
Gabriel knew by what he did not see
Within the walls the survivors filled the streets like a flume
The crisis had vanished this was clear
No more perilous cries did the people hear
Through concern Gabriel walked into the city of gloom
In a swift motion the charred kingdom feel before doom
The domain had collapsed into the pit of Hell
Where a fire was stoked within the fallen land’s bust
For three more nights it burned to dust
Mephistopheles found Gabriel to tell
“Good to see you finally in Hell.”
© Brett Holden
Finally finished 1984. I've been reading it for over two weeks. I just've been so stressed about the MTH 135 final. When I'm anxious it seems I can't do anything extracurricular.
notice there've been a lack of poems. so here's one.
Gabriel & Mephistopheles
Near the fringe of a dying wood
Gabriel sat perched upon a stump of yew
Weeping with a broken heart long overdue
His affection turning to hurt as any scorn would
With flickering thoughts of how he could depart for good
It seemed the daughter of the monarch was cold
To which destitute Gabriel was rather blind
Her seldom appearance made the fair maiden seem readily kind
Earnestly wondering why his penniless self had been so bold
The boy ventured further into the tormented forest of old
Gabriel had heard the tales the frightened had spun
As he continued down the shadowy path
Though of what proof of these troubles did the storytellers hath?
These insane beggars the village did shun
He deplored to reason he would turn not as one
Still, a growing dread gripped his being
Warily, he did glance about
His smile twisted into the shape of doubt
For nothing terrible was he surely seeing
Therefore, there were no notions of fleeing
Returning to his marred concerns of his lost ardor
Gabriel reluctantly fancied further dreams of her
Withdrawing his gait to rest against an aging fir
Determined to squander these wishes for ever more
This still gnawed him bitter to the core
A stalking otherworldly drowse did creep
Manifesting abdicable premonitions of the hereafter
Which died away with a most haunting laughter
Gabriel raised his eyes to procure a peep
To which his heart gave a bounding leap
Upon the dirt a man did lay
With a piercing stare that was grim
The lights of his brown eyes seemed rather dim
‘Twas then that Gabriel noticed the signs of decay
For this man had been dead for at least a day
By leaps and bounds a foot was pressed
The body remained thankfully still
However, Gabriel turned rather ill
In view of the being upon his chest
Inside his head, now, fear did nest
“I am Mephistopheles from the land of the dead.”
The creature cried towards the mortal before him
An urge to run was Gabriel’s first whim
“I know the thoughts within your head”
The boy found his feet were made of lead
“I can conjure joy if that is your desire”
The demon expressed with a red book in claw
“I can assure with vengeance, you will have no flaw”
Gabriel wondered if here was a liar
With hopes that may return to his dear Wiltshire
“How do I know you speak the truth?”
Demanded Gabriel reasonably for he thought he knew
What this trickster from Hell would infallibly do
“I vow I only know the sooth”
Spoke the devil uncouth
Gabriel gleaned he was erroneous to mistrust
As he gained a vision of his love in her tower
Trembling by some unusual sentiment of power
This may have been his growing lust
“I’ll sign the book.” For he knew he must
The demon procured a magical quill
Which no bottle of ink was needed to use
His mark was left by the worth he would lose
While it drained to the page he felt a sinister thrill
At the rumination of the blood he would spill
“Your humble servant, young Gabriel…your fancy shall I allow?”
A wish of everlasting love between the maiden you see
‘Twas not the command that he did decree
“Death upon her kingdom, I will have you endow.”
The request was sanctioned with the touch of a brow
“The demise will pass by the sound of the wren.”
Mephistopheles grimly smirked
These tidings held Gabriel slightly irked
For his patience was wearing thin
However, he broke into an unpleasant grin
“Good day, boy. I’ll see you in Hell.”
The fiend vanished with a rap on his book
Thus, Gabriel walked to a nearby brook
He followed it out of the woods to a peasant’s well
Then cut his way to where the noble did dwell
Gabriel arrived at the top of a hill
Where below he discerned the outlines of the palace
Where the harlot softly sipped from the chalice
He continued on his menacing path past a silent abandoned mill
Where he heard a song that quickly grew shrill
Upon a branch there sat a black wren in verse
Astonishingly, not in a soft melodic peep
Yet, with words to make a mortal weep
The lyrics it expelled were quite perverse
In telling the events of a curse
“Six days your world will burn
Two serpents will reign from Hell
Of evil or good man, the dragons cannot tell
This fate the entire kingdom will learn
Six days your world will burn”
The wren took flight into the air
Gabriel knew by heart what was in store
That the ophidians had escaped through Hell’s door
To fill the people with unblemished despair
A cruel punishment that was justly fair
The sky above progressed to black
‘Til Gabriel was sure the sun had at last died
In response he knew the wren had not lied
As fire erupted throughout the attack
It seemed there would be no turning back
Gabriel slept at the end of the day
In the bottom of Hell where his blood ran cold
For it had been his soul he had sold
When he awoke to the inferno in the fray
It was a world living in dismay
The imperishable twilight still did remain
Gabriel drew closer to the walls of the fire
Where the kingdom churned as one last pyre
Inside there were screams from those who had not been slain
In the scourge Gabriel did ordain
So he stood at the close of the second night
Afraid to slip into a tormented slumber
Upon the scorched walls he observed a number
Three identical digits that oversaw human plight
He directly closed his eyes at the ominous sight
The torture ensued within his head
A vivid vision which placed him inside
The walls in which the living hide
The serpents would kill with one look of dread
The moribund falling on a stone cold bed
By some grace he saw light on day three
The sun had returned shining with its bright beam
Casting a glow on the demolished scene
From this apocalypse the kingdom was not yet free
Gabriel knew by what he did not see
Within the walls the survivors filled the streets like a flume
The crisis had vanished this was clear
No more perilous cries did the people hear
Through concern Gabriel walked into the city of gloom
In a swift motion the charred kingdom feel before doom
The domain had collapsed into the pit of Hell
Where a fire was stoked within the fallen land’s bust
For three more nights it burned to dust
Mephistopheles found Gabriel to tell
“Good to see you finally in Hell.”
© Brett Holden
Friday, April 17, 2009
Portrait of a Girl Raped at a Suburban Party (look it up)
http://www.facebook.com/people/Brett-Holden/1776780125
yeah, that's right...a facebook.
Film School (this is 4 right?)
Doubt - 3.5/4 - Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a Catholic School leader with a troubled past that is accused by a nun (Meryl Streep) of having innappropriate contact with a Negro student. Philip (my favorite actor of all time) plays his Oscar nomination amazingly. I'll admit, even Meryl Streep was a force to be reckoned with. And Amy Adams...it was tantazlizing to think she had taken sacred vows. Did I mention practically the whole cast was nominated for a bleedin' Oscar?! This is one play put on film that works wonderfully (it is funny that the movie's ending really shows that the screenplay was based on the original play....it's the last few lines which are choked out by one of the cast members.) Go watch it!
yeah, that's right...a facebook.
Film School (this is 4 right?)
Doubt - 3.5/4 - Philip Seymour Hoffman plays a Catholic School leader with a troubled past that is accused by a nun (Meryl Streep) of having innappropriate contact with a Negro student. Philip (my favorite actor of all time) plays his Oscar nomination amazingly. I'll admit, even Meryl Streep was a force to be reckoned with. And Amy Adams...it was tantazlizing to think she had taken sacred vows. Did I mention practically the whole cast was nominated for a bleedin' Oscar?! This is one play put on film that works wonderfully (it is funny that the movie's ending really shows that the screenplay was based on the original play....it's the last few lines which are choked out by one of the cast members.) Go watch it!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
'It is better to reign in Hell, than Serve in Heaven' - John Milton, Paradise Lost
Listening To Right Now - Anberlin - Never Take Friendship Personal
Film School #3
Splinter - 2.5/4 - A horror film where the gore and acting far outweigh the direction. Despite the fact it feels that the movie was edited by someone from the Sci-Fi channel there is a good deal of great terror acting going on. Two young lovers decide to go on a camping trip until they're kidnapped by an outlaw and his girlfriend. The four get trapped in a gas station with a seriously freaky creature (which never gets fully explained but that's okay here) that is bent on turning them into walking corpses (not really zombie style however). Minus .5 because of the directing.
Hamlet 2 - 2/4 - The potential for a great comedy film that falls flat on its face. Steve Coogan portrays a theatre teacher that is faced with the prospect of losing the Drama Department. So he writes his own play 'Hamlet 2' in which all the characters from the original Hamlet are saved with help from a time machine and Jesus. Steve Coogan obviously has the ability to be a great comedic actor and the lines he was given which are actually funny her delivers perfectly. Unfortunatly, I can count the times I've laughed on one hand (that's bad since I laugh at really stupid things). The movie tried to go with the shock element of racial slurs and injecting some religous blasphemy (not my term) into the script. If the film makers had concentrated on that aspect than they may have been able to produce a funny albeit controversial film.
Next film school: Doubt
Film School #3
Splinter - 2.5/4 - A horror film where the gore and acting far outweigh the direction. Despite the fact it feels that the movie was edited by someone from the Sci-Fi channel there is a good deal of great terror acting going on. Two young lovers decide to go on a camping trip until they're kidnapped by an outlaw and his girlfriend. The four get trapped in a gas station with a seriously freaky creature (which never gets fully explained but that's okay here) that is bent on turning them into walking corpses (not really zombie style however). Minus .5 because of the directing.
Hamlet 2 - 2/4 - The potential for a great comedy film that falls flat on its face. Steve Coogan portrays a theatre teacher that is faced with the prospect of losing the Drama Department. So he writes his own play 'Hamlet 2' in which all the characters from the original Hamlet are saved with help from a time machine and Jesus. Steve Coogan obviously has the ability to be a great comedic actor and the lines he was given which are actually funny her delivers perfectly. Unfortunatly, I can count the times I've laughed on one hand (that's bad since I laugh at really stupid things). The movie tried to go with the shock element of racial slurs and injecting some religous blasphemy (not my term) into the script. If the film makers had concentrated on that aspect than they may have been able to produce a funny albeit controversial film.
Next film school: Doubt
Monday, April 13, 2009
Music Player #1; Film School #2
Music Player: (what I'm listening to right now/not really RIGHT NOW/but you get the idea)
Iron Maiden - Powerslave
Film School #2
I. Happy-Go-Lucky - 3/4 - British film starring Sally Hawkins portraying a seriously happy-go-lucky (that was obvious) 30-year old Kindergarten teacher. Along the way she manages to unhinge a driving instructor, bring some comfort to a ho-bo, and learn to Flamenco. A very funny, unique film.
II. Margot At The Wedding - 2.5/4 - A quirky film by the maker of the amazing 'The Squid & The Whale'. Like that one, it is highly unusual but in a good way. Nicole Kidman is a writer that comes to visit her estranged sister as she prepares to marry....Jack Black. Yes, he is funny as hell. The sexual themes throughout are very interesting and something to pay attention too (topics such as masturbation and pedophilia are brought up) but the overall effect of the film, especially with the possibly abrupt ending...leaves you wanting a little more explained. The strange thing about this movie is that some will really like it and others will find it....well I don't know how they'll find it but it won't be in a positive light. Truly, this is a film you have to see and decide for yourself.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Film School #1
this post will be the first in a series entitled 'Film School'. Instead of longer film reviews it will just be the title, rating, and a brief comment. So this is merely recommendations or 'stay aways!'.
I. Let The Right One In - 4/4 - A superb, brilliant, dazzling vampire film. Easily the greatest modern blood-sucking movie ever. It is not a mindless, gory thriller but a tantilizing, oddly romantic, love story between a 12 year old boy and a more-or-less 12 year old vampire girl. I haven't even seen Twilight yet I already now it is blown out of the water.
II. Rachel Getting Married -3.5/4 - Overall, this movie moved me to tears so often by the performance of Anne Hathaway that is almost embarrasing to mention it...even if it wasn't for the fact that her role as a struggling addict amidst the event of her sister's marriage was enchanting. Break out the tissues and prepare to say 'I can't believe she was in Princess Diaries'.
III. Forgetting Sarah Marshall - 3/4 What! A funny Judd Apatow movie...that's never happened. Peter Segal plays an oddball TV show composer that can't get over his beautiful actress girlfriend who runs away with a terrible British singer. Once again, Apatow and Co have pulled off a dirty movie that has enough heart that completly bashing it for its crudity would seem...well...heartless. (oh yeah, Mila Kunis plays as a hotel receptionist...she isn't even annoying)
IV. Frozen River - 3.5/4 - To be honest, I have no clue about the names of any of the cast. So the synopsis...an aged abandoned mother turns to smuggling illegal aliens into Canada to support her family. An important independent film in 2008, the strong performances by all involved makes this a film worth seeing.
V. Zack & Miri Make A Porno - 3/4 - A funny Kevin Smith movie! yay! A heartwarming (yeah, that's right) tale of two High School friends living together years later that turn to porn to make ends meet. Seth Rogen & Elizabeth Banks star together...and they're are so cute, and cuddly...uh i didn't say that. This movie is hilarious. Don't shy away from the title. Of course this movie is completly dirty and many throw their hands up and ask 'Since when do we need pervasive language and sex to make a good movie?'. I ask 'Since when do we need torture, violence, and patriotic sensationalism to make a good movie?' or something like that
films to avoid: Beverly Hill Chihuaha (however you spell it!)
I. Let The Right One In - 4/4 - A superb, brilliant, dazzling vampire film. Easily the greatest modern blood-sucking movie ever. It is not a mindless, gory thriller but a tantilizing, oddly romantic, love story between a 12 year old boy and a more-or-less 12 year old vampire girl. I haven't even seen Twilight yet I already now it is blown out of the water.
II. Rachel Getting Married -3.5/4 - Overall, this movie moved me to tears so often by the performance of Anne Hathaway that is almost embarrasing to mention it...even if it wasn't for the fact that her role as a struggling addict amidst the event of her sister's marriage was enchanting. Break out the tissues and prepare to say 'I can't believe she was in Princess Diaries'.
III. Forgetting Sarah Marshall - 3/4 What! A funny Judd Apatow movie...that's never happened. Peter Segal plays an oddball TV show composer that can't get over his beautiful actress girlfriend who runs away with a terrible British singer. Once again, Apatow and Co have pulled off a dirty movie that has enough heart that completly bashing it for its crudity would seem...well...heartless. (oh yeah, Mila Kunis plays as a hotel receptionist...she isn't even annoying)
IV. Frozen River - 3.5/4 - To be honest, I have no clue about the names of any of the cast. So the synopsis...an aged abandoned mother turns to smuggling illegal aliens into Canada to support her family. An important independent film in 2008, the strong performances by all involved makes this a film worth seeing.
V. Zack & Miri Make A Porno - 3/4 - A funny Kevin Smith movie! yay! A heartwarming (yeah, that's right) tale of two High School friends living together years later that turn to porn to make ends meet. Seth Rogen & Elizabeth Banks star together...and they're are so cute, and cuddly...uh i didn't say that. This movie is hilarious. Don't shy away from the title. Of course this movie is completly dirty and many throw their hands up and ask 'Since when do we need pervasive language and sex to make a good movie?'. I ask 'Since when do we need torture, violence, and patriotic sensationalism to make a good movie?' or something like that
films to avoid: Beverly Hill Chihuaha (however you spell it!)
Thursday, April 9, 2009
10 Hottest Actresses (I'm Serious)
10. Rachel McAdams
9. Zooey Deschanel
8. Jennifer Connolley
7. Emily Browning
6. Amy Adams
5. Mary Elizabeth Winstead
4. Danielle Harris
3. Elisha Cuthbert
2. Liv Tyler
1. Kate Beckinsale
AND THERE you have it, my list of the top ten hottest modern actresses. I know...I know...sorry about making every girl reading this insecure and every guy hopelessly horny, but alas...here are some of the films this ladies star in which you may want to check out.
Films
Rachel McAdams - Wedding Crashers, The Notebook, Red Eye
Zooey Deschanel - The Assasination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Elf
Jennifer Connolly - Labyrinth, Requiem for a Dream, Blood Diamond
Emily Browning - A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Uninvited, Darkness Falls
Amy Adams - Sunshine Cleaning, Doubt, Talladega Nights (uh...don't really recommend this one if you have managed not to see it yet but Doubt has Philip Seymour Hoffman in it!)
Mary Elizabeth Winstead - Final Destination 3, Death Proof, Live Free or Die Hard
Danielle Harris - Halloween 4 & 5, Free Willy, Halloween (2007)
Elisha Cuthbert - The Girl Next Door, Captivity, He Was a Quiet Man
Liv Tyler - Stealing Beauty, Lord of the Rings, The Strangers
Kate Beckinsale - Vacancy, Underworld, The Aviator
Mary Elizabeth Winstead gets the award for being the coolest actress for being in a Quentin Tarantino movie, but Kate and Liv come in pretty close for playing woman that can easily kill you.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Review #2
Paramore – Riot! (4/5)
Paramore emerged on the rock scene in 2005 with the album All We Know is Falling. The album came on the heels of losing a band member and thus the record is filled with allusions to heartache and sorrow. At the time, most of the band members were in their late teens and lead singer Hayley Williams had just turned 17.
The band built a loyal fan base through touring and Warped Tour. The first album had sold in excess of 300,000 copies by the time they released “Riot!” in 2007. The record is riddled with pop rock tunes of love, defiance, and simple rebelliousness. However, Paramore is an act that is far distant from Avril and her group of wannabes. The shear amount of catchy hooks, captivating guitar flourishes, and angelic tones is a prize difficult to discern on any record with songs about skater boys and stupid girlfriends.
Riot! begins with the title “For A Pessimist, I’m Pretty Optimistic” which harkens back to “Emergency” in attitude with a little vengeance. “That’s What You Get” is the first love song on the record and purely does not disappoint. The tunes cry of “That’s what you get, when you let your heart win” is a testament the band’s ability to write fairly straightforward material in a manner which somehow grabs you by the ears and screams “Listen to me as you float away peacefully….”. Fan favorite “Hallelujah” keeps Paramore’s aptitude to produce great hooks before moving on to the anthemic “Misery Business”. The song outshines nearly the whole record in an effective rock n’ roll style. The next few songs are great especially the song “Miracle!” which almost personifies Riot! itself if there wasn’t for another song coming up.
“Crushcrushcrush” is a brilliant, sexy melody which bursts on to the scene so infectiously it is nearly impossible to listen to it and move onto track nine without listening one more time. “We Are Broken” breaks the mood with a softer, gentler note that somehow does not misstep.
The carnival air of “Fences” nearly halts one in their tracks with the realization that this sounds like an outtake from My Chemical Romance’s “The Black Parade” with slightly higher pitched vocals. If any track on the record was built for dancing it is the rollicking memo named “Fences”.
“Born For This” ends the record with the embodiment of the record’s namesake. “Born For This” pleads sing with me which is what one inevitably finds themselves doing (everybody sing, like it’s the last song you will ever sing). Beyond that, it is just witty with a reference to an older Paramore track. But you can find out which one for yourself when you check out the album.
Recommended Tracks: “For A Pessimist, I’m Pretty Optimistic”, “Misery Business”, “Crushcrushcrush”, “Fences”, “Born for This”
Friday, April 3, 2009
on the brink
little over a month from now and i'll be graduating HS.
i've also got a final at MSU for Math 135!!!
i'm so nervous about it. if you didn't catch on
i'm taking college courses while i'm still in HS.
i've already passed ENG 110 and I'm pretty sure
i've got ENG 210 in the bag.
its just that scary math final.
boo
i've also got a final at MSU for Math 135!!!
i'm so nervous about it. if you didn't catch on
i'm taking college courses while i'm still in HS.
i've already passed ENG 110 and I'm pretty sure
i've got ENG 210 in the bag.
its just that scary math final.
boo
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Poll Numero Uno
Which is Your Favorite?
Coheed & Cambria
20 (83%)
Nine Inch Nails
0 (0%)
Modest Mouse
1 (4%)
Silversun Pickups
1 (4%)
Say Anything
2 (8%)
Mars Volta
0 (0%)
and so we have a winner
thanks to the whole 24 people who voted...
Coheed & Cambria
20 (83%)
Nine Inch Nails
0 (0%)
Modest Mouse
1 (4%)
Silversun Pickups
1 (4%)
Say Anything
2 (8%)
Mars Volta
0 (0%)
and so we have a winner
thanks to the whole 24 people who voted...
Thursday, March 19, 2009
No! Not Aziz!!!
Paint
Peering over the artist’s shoulder
A most vibrant scene I saw him paint
I could swear I was amongst the twelve people
Namely the coroneted one in the center of the table
This work made mine seem piercingly quaint
The Well
A somber mood I was that day
When I found the other place
From the path I found myself astray
Where a water-filled well I found with grace
A shove sent me to drowning in dismay
Acheron
Drifting timid along the stream of woe
A cold journey into the midst of Hell
To the rancor shores where the dead souls swell
Charon showed me the cursed torment below
Dreadful aversion, thus, began to grow
The terrors I witnessed I shall not tell
How wondrous I rose from where I had fell
Returning with my long lost soul in tow
Across the black river I commandeered
The ferry from its infernal captain
To return to the blue world once more
Escaping from all that I had once feared
Where our fellows burn in their hollow sin
In the words that line our forgotten lore
all^^-(C) Brett Holden
afternoon...it is time to update you on the poll.
Which one is your favorite?
Coheed & Cambria: 18 votes - 85%
Nine Inch Nails: 0
Modest Mouse: 1 vote - 4%
Silversun Pickups - 0
Say Anything - 2 votes - 9%
Mars Volta: 0
well...well...out of 21 votes so far Coheed & Cambria is in the lead with an outstanding 18 votes. Owing to the fact that most of those votes came from registered users on Cobalt & Calcium...well whatever.
hope you've enjoyed the my three poems. I wrote those about seven months ago now.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Franz Ferdinand: Tonight (A Review)
3.5 Out Of 5
Franz Ferdinand's latest album doesn't exactly break new ground. Somehow they managed to throw their debut album and the long-winded sophomore title into 42 minutes of debauchery.
The opening track "Ulysses" is a fiery tune exploiting a character's use of drugs and getting high. It's simple and catchy which happens to be a central theme on this record. "Turn it On" rolls through quickly and nearly eggs you on into turning to track 3.
"No You Girls" breathes fun and dirty excitement ("kiss me where your eye won't meet me") onto the album and seems to pause and shout "Hey! We can still do amazing songs!"
"Send Him Away" holds an interesting Beatles-esque tone which doesnt' really fulfill the ear. "Twilight Omens" his perhaps one of the better cuts and definitly as the most interesting melody. Skimming through "Bite Hard" and "What She Came For" we find a rolling tune entitled "Live Alone" that nearly embodies a nonchalant edge of coolness. Past the brutish "Can't Stop Feeling" we find a seven minute acid trip entitled "Lucid Dreams". Vastly different than the version we heard before the album dropped "Lucid Dreams" holds its own with the better songs but almost makes you wish this dance would end since by the time it does....you've already had a heart attack. Tripping over "Dream Again" we find the last and good "Katherine Kiss Me".
All in all the record isn't anything new like promised. Yet its the moments where "Take Me Out" shines through that atleast makes it a worthy Franz Ferdinand record.
Franz Ferdinand's latest album doesn't exactly break new ground. Somehow they managed to throw their debut album and the long-winded sophomore title into 42 minutes of debauchery.
The opening track "Ulysses" is a fiery tune exploiting a character's use of drugs and getting high. It's simple and catchy which happens to be a central theme on this record. "Turn it On" rolls through quickly and nearly eggs you on into turning to track 3.
"No You Girls" breathes fun and dirty excitement ("kiss me where your eye won't meet me") onto the album and seems to pause and shout "Hey! We can still do amazing songs!"
"Send Him Away" holds an interesting Beatles-esque tone which doesnt' really fulfill the ear. "Twilight Omens" his perhaps one of the better cuts and definitly as the most interesting melody. Skimming through "Bite Hard" and "What She Came For" we find a rolling tune entitled "Live Alone" that nearly embodies a nonchalant edge of coolness. Past the brutish "Can't Stop Feeling" we find a seven minute acid trip entitled "Lucid Dreams". Vastly different than the version we heard before the album dropped "Lucid Dreams" holds its own with the better songs but almost makes you wish this dance would end since by the time it does....you've already had a heart attack. Tripping over "Dream Again" we find the last and good "Katherine Kiss Me".
All in all the record isn't anything new like promised. Yet its the moments where "Take Me Out" shines through that atleast makes it a worthy Franz Ferdinand record.
Friday, March 13, 2009
There Is No You/There Is Only Me
Refrain from Disturbing
A clock’s affinity to fall behind
Creases the straight lines in time
Shattering everything in the pause I lost
Letting me go in the art of defying cost
I’m a little tree kissing the gale
Floating along becoming frail
After the silence the perfect shown
Gracious in the defeat alone
Whole truths beside half lies
By episode two the light dies
Next in line
In the offing we’ve murdered the crime
- (C) Brett Holden
My new poem. I really don't want to get into what inspired it because to be honest it's just to personal. I mean some of my other stuff is just fun and ridiculous like the poetry influenced by mythology or King Arthur. i.e;
Bimbleton
I once knew a giant named Bimbleton
It was safe to assume he weighed a ton
Naughty little children he liked to eat
Or some he just squashed with his feet
Doesn’t that sound like fun?
-© Brett Holden
I know....it's just plain silly. But who cares? Writing doesn't have to be serious all the time. Getting ready to go to college as just got me up in a gazillion knots. Yes I made up the name Bimbleton.
This Is No Beginning
This Is The Final Cut
A clock’s affinity to fall behind
Creases the straight lines in time
Shattering everything in the pause I lost
Letting me go in the art of defying cost
I’m a little tree kissing the gale
Floating along becoming frail
After the silence the perfect shown
Gracious in the defeat alone
Whole truths beside half lies
By episode two the light dies
Next in line
In the offing we’ve murdered the crime
- (C) Brett Holden
My new poem. I really don't want to get into what inspired it because to be honest it's just to personal. I mean some of my other stuff is just fun and ridiculous like the poetry influenced by mythology or King Arthur. i.e;
Bimbleton
I once knew a giant named Bimbleton
It was safe to assume he weighed a ton
Naughty little children he liked to eat
Or some he just squashed with his feet
Doesn’t that sound like fun?
-© Brett Holden
I know....it's just plain silly. But who cares? Writing doesn't have to be serious all the time. Getting ready to go to college as just got me up in a gazillion knots. Yes I made up the name Bimbleton.
This Is No Beginning
This Is The Final Cut
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Reading Update #1
Reading List
15. Ulysses - James Joyce (3.5/5)
14. Mother Night - Kurt Vonnegut (3.5/5)
13. Go Tell it On the Mountain - James Baldwin (5/5)
12. As I Lay Dying - William Faulkner (3/5)
11. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter - Carson McCullers (5/5)
10. Slapstick - Kurt Vonnegut (3.5/5)
9. Galapagos - Kurt Vonnegut (3.5/5)
8. The Giver - Lois Lowry (4/5)
7. The Chocolate War - Robert Cormier (4/5)
6. Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger (4/5)
5. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller (4.5/5)
4. A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess (5/5)
3. Cat's Cradle - Kurt Vonnegut (4.5/5)
2. Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut (5/5)
1. Bluebeard - Kurt Vonnegut (4.5/5)
Fifteen books since the New Year. Yay!!!!
I've rated the books out of five stars. Due to reading books that are usually very well recieved by audiences and critics the scores are rather decent.
Bluebeard is a fictional autobiography of an abstract expressionist painter named Rabo Karabekian. The tale is a thoughtful look on the interactions of a younger male and an older females as well as the harroring events of the Armenian genocide. Movie planned for later this year.
Slaughterhouse Five - WWII soldier becomes unstuck in time and....well time travels...visits aliens...great sci-fi. Movie made decades ago!!
Cat's Cradle - Vonnegut's thesis. Great idea. That's all your getting out of me.
A Clockwork Orange - Amazing...Kubrick did us a favor and the book an honor.
Catch-22 - No real small parts since the chapters are divided representing almost every character introduced. Very funny. Movie not so funny.
Catcher in the Rye - the famous book about a young adolescent kicked out of boarding school and roaming the streets. Exciting in parts and hardly intellectually stimulating....good but not great.
The Chocolate War - boys will be boys.
The Giver - what a mind bender!!! if only the sequels were as great.
Galapagos - interesting take on Darwin and evolution. Not the most satisfying Vonnegut.
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter - great classic novel about childhood and growing up as well as a great account on the social workings of America.
As I Lay Dying - Odd but intriguing writing style. The plot is rather overly simple but maybe that adds to the appeal. Basically, mother dies-transport body-have trouble transporting body-on with more but you'll understand if you read it. Still reccomend it but don't expect an Earth shaking read.
Go Tell It on the Mountain - Personally, I have not read Roots. But I can tell if you have than this book is a must.
Mothernight - Not sci-fi like usual Vonnegut. An entertaining yarn about an American living in Germany during WWII and spying for U.S. Than becomes war criminal. Injustice!!! Some of the mushy lovey parts were weird.
Ulysses - Previously banned from America!!! Ulysses makes a Beyonce video look like pornography to be honest. I suppose America really was a conservative nation at one point in time. The constant stream of incoherent thought and no quotations makes Ulysses a rather difficult read. An interesting observation on the lives of ordinary men and women in Dublin Ireland. Prepare to read on it for a couple weeks.
Well its about time to work up to another fifteen.
p.s. she broke my heart. that's all i'm going to say.
15. Ulysses - James Joyce (3.5/5)
14. Mother Night - Kurt Vonnegut (3.5/5)
13. Go Tell it On the Mountain - James Baldwin (5/5)
12. As I Lay Dying - William Faulkner (3/5)
11. The Heart is a Lonely Hunter - Carson McCullers (5/5)
10. Slapstick - Kurt Vonnegut (3.5/5)
9. Galapagos - Kurt Vonnegut (3.5/5)
8. The Giver - Lois Lowry (4/5)
7. The Chocolate War - Robert Cormier (4/5)
6. Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger (4/5)
5. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller (4.5/5)
4. A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess (5/5)
3. Cat's Cradle - Kurt Vonnegut (4.5/5)
2. Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut (5/5)
1. Bluebeard - Kurt Vonnegut (4.5/5)
Fifteen books since the New Year. Yay!!!!
I've rated the books out of five stars. Due to reading books that are usually very well recieved by audiences and critics the scores are rather decent.
Bluebeard is a fictional autobiography of an abstract expressionist painter named Rabo Karabekian. The tale is a thoughtful look on the interactions of a younger male and an older females as well as the harroring events of the Armenian genocide. Movie planned for later this year.
Slaughterhouse Five - WWII soldier becomes unstuck in time and....well time travels...visits aliens...great sci-fi. Movie made decades ago!!
Cat's Cradle - Vonnegut's thesis. Great idea. That's all your getting out of me.
A Clockwork Orange - Amazing...Kubrick did us a favor and the book an honor.
Catch-22 - No real small parts since the chapters are divided representing almost every character introduced. Very funny. Movie not so funny.
Catcher in the Rye - the famous book about a young adolescent kicked out of boarding school and roaming the streets. Exciting in parts and hardly intellectually stimulating....good but not great.
The Chocolate War - boys will be boys.
The Giver - what a mind bender!!! if only the sequels were as great.
Galapagos - interesting take on Darwin and evolution. Not the most satisfying Vonnegut.
The Heart is a Lonely Hunter - great classic novel about childhood and growing up as well as a great account on the social workings of America.
As I Lay Dying - Odd but intriguing writing style. The plot is rather overly simple but maybe that adds to the appeal. Basically, mother dies-transport body-have trouble transporting body-on with more but you'll understand if you read it. Still reccomend it but don't expect an Earth shaking read.
Go Tell It on the Mountain - Personally, I have not read Roots. But I can tell if you have than this book is a must.
Mothernight - Not sci-fi like usual Vonnegut. An entertaining yarn about an American living in Germany during WWII and spying for U.S. Than becomes war criminal. Injustice!!! Some of the mushy lovey parts were weird.
Ulysses - Previously banned from America!!! Ulysses makes a Beyonce video look like pornography to be honest. I suppose America really was a conservative nation at one point in time. The constant stream of incoherent thought and no quotations makes Ulysses a rather difficult read. An interesting observation on the lives of ordinary men and women in Dublin Ireland. Prepare to read on it for a couple weeks.
Well its about time to work up to another fifteen.
p.s. she broke my heart. that's all i'm going to say.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
You Can't Fight in Here!!! This is the War Room!!!
The Sunshine in the Night
Shining bright star fastened on our chest
With blackened words carved across our vest
Behind the fence they burned their prey
So that the smoke stacks had no rest
We cheered the villains as our bows danced along the strings
As we wished we could have remained in hiding from this tyrannical crest
The golden interlaced triangles are still burned into my breast
After witnessing the act of which the scoundrels could do best
Our melodies, I fear, were not enough to see us through the day
Where we could walk over the graves where we now rest
Shining bright star fastened on our chest
With blackened words carved across our vest
Behind the fence they burned their prey
So that the smoke stacks had no rest
We cheered the villains as our bows danced along the strings
As we wished we could have remained in hiding from this tyrannical crest
The golden interlaced triangles are still burned into my breast
After witnessing the act of which the scoundrels could do best
Our melodies, I fear, were not enough to see us through the day
Where we could walk over the graves where we now rest
© Brett Holden
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Best Rock Songs 1990-2008/Top 15 Films
5. Closer (1994) – Nine Inch Nails
4. Shine – Collective Soul
3. Save Tonight – Eagle Eye Cherry
2. The Man Who Sold the World (1994) - Nirvana
1. Living Together (2007) – Circa Survive
The above/below list was compiled on February 25, 2009. Easily, one may spot that it definitely DOES NOT list the greatest songs of 1990-2008. However, it has a whole lot of songs that have made it on published top 100 etc. lists such as VH1 and Rolling Stone. It also holds my own personal twists which one may glean on number twenty-three for example. Bear in mind they are not listed in order of least great to greatest or vice/versa. They are merely numbered (I did try and save a few of the better ones for the top of the list though to add a little suspense).
4. Shine – Collective Soul
3. Save Tonight – Eagle Eye Cherry
2. The Man Who Sold the World (1994) - Nirvana
1. Living Together (2007) – Circa Survive
The above/below list was compiled on February 25, 2009. Easily, one may spot that it definitely DOES NOT list the greatest songs of 1990-2008. However, it has a whole lot of songs that have made it on published top 100 etc. lists such as VH1 and Rolling Stone. It also holds my own personal twists which one may glean on number twenty-three for example. Bear in mind they are not listed in order of least great to greatest or vice/versa. They are merely numbered (I did try and save a few of the better ones for the top of the list though to add a little suspense).
I think it is appropriate to add my list of CURRENT favorite films of all time!
15. Boogie Nights - Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson (Mark Wahlberg, Julianne Moore, Burt Reynold, Philip Seymour Hoffman) (1997)
14. Capote - Dir. Bennet Miller (2005) (Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener)
13. Superbad - (2007) Dir. Greg Mottola (Jonah Hill, Michael Cerra, Seth Rogen)
12. Silence of the Lambs - Dir. Jonathan Demme (1991) (Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins)
11. Donnie Darko - Dir. Richard Kelly (2001) (Jake Gyllenhaal, Maggie G., Patrick Swayze)
10. The Shining - Dir. Stanley Kubrick (1980) (Jack Nicholson)
9. The Matrix - Dir. Wachowski Brothers (1999) (Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishbourne)
8. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - (2003) Dir. Peter Jackson (Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortenson)
7. Reservoir Dogs (1992) - Dir. Quentin Tarantino (Michael Madsen, Steve Buscemi)
6. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) - Dir. Frank Darabont (Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman)
5. Fight Club (1999) - Dir. David Fincher (Edward Norton, Brad Pitt)
4. Children of Men (2006) - Dir. Alfonso Cauron (Clive Owen, Julliane Moore, Michael Caine)
3. A Clockwork Orange (1972) - Dir. Stanley Kubrick (Malcolm McDowell)
2. There Will Be Blood (2006) - Dir. Paul Thomas Anderson (Daniel Day-Lewis)
1. Pulp Fiction (1994) - Dir. Quentin Tarantino (Samuel L. Jackson, John Travolta, Uma Thurman)
1970s - 1
1980s - 1
1990s - 7
2000s - 6
Well....I too notice the lack of movies before the 1990s but bear in mind I was born in 1990!!! I know there a plenty of wonderful, fascinating films preceding my birth (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Dr. Strangelove, Planet of the Apes, Casablanca etc...) but I grew up with the films (of course, some I didn't see until I was older such as Boogie Nights for good reason)
goodnight
Thursday, February 26, 2009
100 Best Rock Songs 1990-2008 (53-6)
53. Trains (2002) – Porcupine Tree
52. City Hall (2001) – Tenacious D
51. Sad and Lonely (2004) – Secret Machines
50. Wake Me Up When September Ends (2004) – Green Day
49. I’m Not Okay (I Promise) (2005) – My Chemical Romance
48. Sky Blue Sky (2007) - Wilco
47. Styrofoam Plates – Death Cab For Cutie
46. The Dope Show – Marilyn Manson
45. The Widow (2005) – The Mars Volta
44. Redemption (2007) – Shadows Fall
43. What’s A Girl to Do (2006) – Bat for Lashes
42. We Are Rockstars (2008) – Does it Offend You, Yeah?
41. Sugar, We’re Going Down (2005) – Fall Out Boy
40. Ashes (2007) – Five Finger Death Punch
39. Pyramid Song (2001) - Radiohead
38. Now You’ve Got Something to Die For (2005) – Lamb of God
37. Electric Feel (2007) - MGMT
36. Stacy’s Mom (2003) – Fountains of Wayne
35. Whatever (1998) - Godsmack
34. St. James Infirmary Blues (1999) – The White Stripes
33. Spacegrass (1995) - Clutch
32. Rape Me (1994) - Nirvana
31. Gone Away – The Offspring
30. Youth of the Nation - P.O.D.
29. No One Knows (2002) – Queens of the Stone Age
28. Lua (2005) – Bright Eyes
27. You Me and the Bourgeoisie (2008) – The Submarines
26. Chop Suey! (2001) – System of a Down
25. Headstrong - Trapt
24. It’s Been Awhile - Staind
23. Wake Pig (2005) - 3
22. 3rd Planet (2001) – Modest Mouse
21. Hurt (1994) – Nine Inch Nails
20. Highly Suspicious (2008) – My Morning Jacket
19. Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! (2008) – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
18. Rose of Sharyn (2004) – Killswitch Engage
17. Voices (2006) - Saosin
16. Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991) - Nirvana
15. Plush – Stone Temple Pilots
14. 3 AM – Matchbox Twenty
13. Black Bubblegum (2007) – The Dillinger Escape Plan
12. The Modern Leper (2008) – Frightened Rabbit
11. All These Things I’ve Done (2005) – The Killers
10. Blindfolds Aside (2006) – Protest the Hero
9. Cumbersome – Seven Mary Three
8. One Week – Barenaked Ladies
7. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) – Green Day
6. Welcome Home (2005) – Coheed & Cambria
52. City Hall (2001) – Tenacious D
51. Sad and Lonely (2004) – Secret Machines
50. Wake Me Up When September Ends (2004) – Green Day
49. I’m Not Okay (I Promise) (2005) – My Chemical Romance
48. Sky Blue Sky (2007) - Wilco
47. Styrofoam Plates – Death Cab For Cutie
46. The Dope Show – Marilyn Manson
45. The Widow (2005) – The Mars Volta
44. Redemption (2007) – Shadows Fall
43. What’s A Girl to Do (2006) – Bat for Lashes
42. We Are Rockstars (2008) – Does it Offend You, Yeah?
41. Sugar, We’re Going Down (2005) – Fall Out Boy
40. Ashes (2007) – Five Finger Death Punch
39. Pyramid Song (2001) - Radiohead
38. Now You’ve Got Something to Die For (2005) – Lamb of God
37. Electric Feel (2007) - MGMT
36. Stacy’s Mom (2003) – Fountains of Wayne
35. Whatever (1998) - Godsmack
34. St. James Infirmary Blues (1999) – The White Stripes
33. Spacegrass (1995) - Clutch
32. Rape Me (1994) - Nirvana
31. Gone Away – The Offspring
30. Youth of the Nation - P.O.D.
29. No One Knows (2002) – Queens of the Stone Age
28. Lua (2005) – Bright Eyes
27. You Me and the Bourgeoisie (2008) – The Submarines
26. Chop Suey! (2001) – System of a Down
25. Headstrong - Trapt
24. It’s Been Awhile - Staind
23. Wake Pig (2005) - 3
22. 3rd Planet (2001) – Modest Mouse
21. Hurt (1994) – Nine Inch Nails
20. Highly Suspicious (2008) – My Morning Jacket
19. Dig, Lazarus, Dig!!! (2008) – Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds
18. Rose of Sharyn (2004) – Killswitch Engage
17. Voices (2006) - Saosin
16. Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991) - Nirvana
15. Plush – Stone Temple Pilots
14. 3 AM – Matchbox Twenty
13. Black Bubblegum (2007) – The Dillinger Escape Plan
12. The Modern Leper (2008) – Frightened Rabbit
11. All These Things I’ve Done (2005) – The Killers
10. Blindfolds Aside (2006) – Protest the Hero
9. Cumbersome – Seven Mary Three
8. One Week – Barenaked Ladies
7. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) – Green Day
6. Welcome Home (2005) – Coheed & Cambria
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Best Rock Songs 1990-2008 (100-54)
100 Best Rock Songs 1990-2008
100. Lamb on the Lam (In the City) (2006) – Band of Horses
99. Float On (2004) – Modest Mouse
98. In Bloom (1991) – Nirvana
97. Take Me Out (2004) – Franz Ferdinand
96. Creep (1993) – Radiohead
95. Wicked Garden – Stone Temple Pilots
94. Man in the Box – Alice in Chains
93. Down With the Sickness (2000) – Disturbed
92. Killing in the Name (1992) – Rage Against the Machine
91. Wish (1992) – Nine Inch Nails
90. Loser (1994) – Beck
89. Lazy Eye (2006) – Silversun Pickups
88. What It’s Like (1998) – Everlast
86. Wait & Bleed (1999) – Slipknot
85. Losing My Religion – R.E.M.
84. Under the Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers
83. Black Hole Sun – Sound Garden
82. The Enemy Guns (2004) – DeVotchKa
81. Strange (2001) – Built to Spill
80. Teardrop (1998) – Massive Attack
79. Mr. Jones – Counting Crows
78. Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
77. Undone – The Sweater Song (1994) - Weezer
76. Freak on a Leash - Korn
75. Sex and Candy – Marcy Playground
74. Two Silver Trees - Calexico
73. E-Pro (2005) – Beck
72. World So Cold (2002) - Mudvayne
71. Forty Six & Two (1996) - Tool
70. Sober (1993) - Tool
69. Violet Hill (2007) - Coldplay
68. Sex on Fire (2008) – Kings of Leon
67. Jeremy – Pearl Jam
66. Buddy Holly (1994) - Weezer
65. What I Got (1996) - Sublime
64. I Alone - Live
63. 1997 (1996) – The Smashing Pumpkins
62. Smooth Criminal (Michael Jackson Cover) – Alien Ant Farm
61. Black Wave/Bad Vibrations – Arcade Fire
60. F*cking Boyfriend - The Bird and The Bee
59. What’s My Age Again? – blink 182
58. Fire Water Burn – Bloodhound Gang
57. Knights of Cydonia - Muse
56. Pretty Fly (For A White Guy) – The Offspring
55. Young Folks (2006) – Peter Bjorn & John
54. Alive with the Glory of Love (2004) – Say Anyting
I am compiling a list of my most favorite songs since I was born. Of course, I'll probably forget some and kick myself for having to leave a few off. But there you go! I think this will make a pretty amazing mp3 list for anyone reading this who might want to LEGALLY (jk) download some tunes.
100. Lamb on the Lam (In the City) (2006) – Band of Horses
99. Float On (2004) – Modest Mouse
98. In Bloom (1991) – Nirvana
97. Take Me Out (2004) – Franz Ferdinand
96. Creep (1993) – Radiohead
95. Wicked Garden – Stone Temple Pilots
94. Man in the Box – Alice in Chains
93. Down With the Sickness (2000) – Disturbed
92. Killing in the Name (1992) – Rage Against the Machine
91. Wish (1992) – Nine Inch Nails
90. Loser (1994) – Beck
89. Lazy Eye (2006) – Silversun Pickups
88. What It’s Like (1998) – Everlast
86. Wait & Bleed (1999) – Slipknot
85. Losing My Religion – R.E.M.
84. Under the Bridge – Red Hot Chili Peppers
83. Black Hole Sun – Sound Garden
82. The Enemy Guns (2004) – DeVotchKa
81. Strange (2001) – Built to Spill
80. Teardrop (1998) – Massive Attack
79. Mr. Jones – Counting Crows
78. Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
77. Undone – The Sweater Song (1994) - Weezer
76. Freak on a Leash - Korn
75. Sex and Candy – Marcy Playground
74. Two Silver Trees - Calexico
73. E-Pro (2005) – Beck
72. World So Cold (2002) - Mudvayne
71. Forty Six & Two (1996) - Tool
70. Sober (1993) - Tool
69. Violet Hill (2007) - Coldplay
68. Sex on Fire (2008) – Kings of Leon
67. Jeremy – Pearl Jam
66. Buddy Holly (1994) - Weezer
65. What I Got (1996) - Sublime
64. I Alone - Live
63. 1997 (1996) – The Smashing Pumpkins
62. Smooth Criminal (Michael Jackson Cover) – Alien Ant Farm
61. Black Wave/Bad Vibrations – Arcade Fire
60. F*cking Boyfriend - The Bird and The Bee
59. What’s My Age Again? – blink 182
58. Fire Water Burn – Bloodhound Gang
57. Knights of Cydonia - Muse
56. Pretty Fly (For A White Guy) – The Offspring
55. Young Folks (2006) – Peter Bjorn & John
54. Alive with the Glory of Love (2004) – Say Anyting
I am compiling a list of my most favorite songs since I was born. Of course, I'll probably forget some and kick myself for having to leave a few off. But there you go! I think this will make a pretty amazing mp3 list for anyone reading this who might want to LEGALLY (jk) download some tunes.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
I Couldn't Wait For The Summer At The Warped Tour...
Clover
Resting on a soft bed of clover
Nestled in fanciful notions by the cliffs of Dover
With propensity to leave the shores of reality
I dreamed that all my troubles were over
Behemoth
Upon the shores of a forgotten lake
The ground my maiden and I did feel shake
From the depths rose the arcane behemoth
Thus, we ran for our own sake
The Dryads
With the oak, a nymph did rest
To lie in repose, and catch it’s breath
‘Twas the dryad Napea
Cloaked from a stalking death
Gawain
The courteous turned to vindicate
The loss of Gareth of late
By the slaying of Lancelot
Though he suffered his brother’s fate
Midgard
Once the world was encircled by a great serpent
In Midgard where the mortals came and went
Between the abode of Heaven and Hell
That is where we used to dwell
-© Brett Holden
Slumdog Millionaire? Really?
Resting on a soft bed of clover
Nestled in fanciful notions by the cliffs of Dover
With propensity to leave the shores of reality
I dreamed that all my troubles were over
Behemoth
Upon the shores of a forgotten lake
The ground my maiden and I did feel shake
From the depths rose the arcane behemoth
Thus, we ran for our own sake
The Dryads
With the oak, a nymph did rest
To lie in repose, and catch it’s breath
‘Twas the dryad Napea
Cloaked from a stalking death
Gawain
The courteous turned to vindicate
The loss of Gareth of late
By the slaying of Lancelot
Though he suffered his brother’s fate
Midgard
Once the world was encircled by a great serpent
In Midgard where the mortals came and went
Between the abode of Heaven and Hell
That is where we used to dwell
-© Brett Holden
Slumdog Millionaire? Really?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Can we build bunk beds?
Acheron
Drifting timid along the stream of woe
A cold journey into the midst of Hell
To the rancor shores where the dead souls swell
Charon showed me the cursed torment below
Dreadful aversion, thus, began to grow
The terrors I witnessed I shall not tell
How wondrous I rose from where I had fell
Returning with my long lost soul in tow
Across the black river I commandeered
The ferry from its infernal captain
To return to the blue world once more
Escaping from all that I had once feared
Where our fellows burn in their hollow sin
In the words that line our forgotten lore
-© Brett Holden
That's what Mythology class will do to you. I'm preparing to write a paper in ENG 210 about post-traumatic stress disorder. I'm afraid I my be in love with tragedy. I suppose that's only human.
Drifting timid along the stream of woe
A cold journey into the midst of Hell
To the rancor shores where the dead souls swell
Charon showed me the cursed torment below
Dreadful aversion, thus, began to grow
The terrors I witnessed I shall not tell
How wondrous I rose from where I had fell
Returning with my long lost soul in tow
Across the black river I commandeered
The ferry from its infernal captain
To return to the blue world once more
Escaping from all that I had once feared
Where our fellows burn in their hollow sin
In the words that line our forgotten lore
-© Brett Holden
That's what Mythology class will do to you. I'm preparing to write a paper in ENG 210 about post-traumatic stress disorder. I'm afraid I my be in love with tragedy. I suppose that's only human.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Come on, Pappy...aren't ya gonna do a little paul-a-tickin'?
Bleak Breath
An artist in us paints the sky black
To fuel the fire that burns our charade
Inundate our fears with the relentless attack
As we cut a path in a ravaging parade
Laying amongst the sands of delusion
After the sacrifice divine
Without mercy, feed the dubious confusion
We may yet drown in the swindled brine
Trace the forgotten thoughts of apathy
As the world draws the last bleak breath
Still trapped underneath the debris
In a moment worthy of Macbeth
-© Brett Holden
I'm researching so that I can pick a major at MSU. I'm so lost.
An artist in us paints the sky black
To fuel the fire that burns our charade
Inundate our fears with the relentless attack
As we cut a path in a ravaging parade
Laying amongst the sands of delusion
After the sacrifice divine
Without mercy, feed the dubious confusion
We may yet drown in the swindled brine
Trace the forgotten thoughts of apathy
As the world draws the last bleak breath
Still trapped underneath the debris
In a moment worthy of Macbeth
-© Brett Holden
I'm researching so that I can pick a major at MSU. I'm so lost.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Nix
Beneath the shimmering cascade
A haunting song came where the children played
Following the guidance that it bade
Away from the shallows where they once prayed
So came the strange semblance of a reclusive sprite
Her hair was of a silvery white
With a song that drew the serene invite
For the children to play in the depths all night
Amphix continued to call her refrain
Receiving the unsaved innocents into the drain
‘Til their existence began to slowly wane
Yet, soon returned the widow Elaine
At this arrival came a malignant mist
Which the enchanted widow was unable to resist
Thus, a dreadful grasp gripped her wrist
A hold that would never desist
On her violin Amphix continued to strum
To the moment in which the mortals reached the bottom
Still no one as missed them this past autumn
The unfortunate lost to the fatal hum
© Brett Holden
Beneath the shimmering cascade
A haunting song came where the children played
Following the guidance that it bade
Away from the shallows where they once prayed
So came the strange semblance of a reclusive sprite
Her hair was of a silvery white
With a song that drew the serene invite
For the children to play in the depths all night
Amphix continued to call her refrain
Receiving the unsaved innocents into the drain
‘Til their existence began to slowly wane
Yet, soon returned the widow Elaine
At this arrival came a malignant mist
Which the enchanted widow was unable to resist
Thus, a dreadful grasp gripped her wrist
A hold that would never desist
On her violin Amphix continued to strum
To the moment in which the mortals reached the bottom
Still no one as missed them this past autumn
The unfortunate lost to the fatal hum
© Brett Holden
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Transient
Transient
Falling through the cold night until I lay
Inside you heart where I remain
Looking for the warm light of day
When you pick my hand up too
Words pressed against my lips in refrain
If spoken lest your gaze die in vain
To lie in the grass where I pray
For your tongue to give the words you play
In the moments of touch
Heaven’s light moves to crush
My fears and doubts of love
As my soul embrace you
My breath stops in the shadow of
Your beauty to lift me high above
The darkest of truths
One day will come
Years before summer sets the sun
When your hand slips away
Letting go of our passion to run
Devotion only lasts so long
Realized when my ears heard the song
Tears fell while my mouth sung
Until shame bade me well
Thus I swiftly fell
Back through the heart in swell
Sitting alone in the dark
After all these years apart
My heart still aches to see
The curve of your face
In brutal honesty
Wishing brought forth nothing
Your intentions had in store for me
Never once could my mind tell
Lying down to sleep for good now
Soon I’ll pass through iron or golden gates
Unsure of fate
Yet if one detail was ever
I would walk past any God and more
From Heaven or Hell’s shore
To hold the same moments spent
Repeat every second we held true
Myself, that’s all I can promise you
© Brett Holden
Ebullient: Full of cheerful excitement or enthusiasm
I was hesitant to post the poem above. I edited some of it while I entered it from the original copy (I like this version better, by the way). I feel like the poems I have presented you are way full of emotion. I have others that are ridiculous and some that sound like they were cut out from The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
I put the definition for the word "ebullient" above because my ENG 210 teacher found it funny that he knew what it meant and I didn't (because I like to use a wide array of vocab words in my dessertations).
Valentine's Day is speeding towards us. Hope to take my significant other to a Clutch/Mudvayne/In This Moment/Nonpoint concert. Others hope they're going to get dumped before they have to do the dirty work themselves. Cowards.
- For now, Brett Holden
Falling through the cold night until I lay
Inside you heart where I remain
Looking for the warm light of day
When you pick my hand up too
Words pressed against my lips in refrain
If spoken lest your gaze die in vain
To lie in the grass where I pray
For your tongue to give the words you play
In the moments of touch
Heaven’s light moves to crush
My fears and doubts of love
As my soul embrace you
My breath stops in the shadow of
Your beauty to lift me high above
The darkest of truths
One day will come
Years before summer sets the sun
When your hand slips away
Letting go of our passion to run
Devotion only lasts so long
Realized when my ears heard the song
Tears fell while my mouth sung
Until shame bade me well
Thus I swiftly fell
Back through the heart in swell
Sitting alone in the dark
After all these years apart
My heart still aches to see
The curve of your face
In brutal honesty
Wishing brought forth nothing
Your intentions had in store for me
Never once could my mind tell
Lying down to sleep for good now
Soon I’ll pass through iron or golden gates
Unsure of fate
Yet if one detail was ever
I would walk past any God and more
From Heaven or Hell’s shore
To hold the same moments spent
Repeat every second we held true
Myself, that’s all I can promise you
© Brett Holden
Ebullient: Full of cheerful excitement or enthusiasm
I was hesitant to post the poem above. I edited some of it while I entered it from the original copy (I like this version better, by the way). I feel like the poems I have presented you are way full of emotion. I have others that are ridiculous and some that sound like they were cut out from The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
I put the definition for the word "ebullient" above because my ENG 210 teacher found it funny that he knew what it meant and I didn't (because I like to use a wide array of vocab words in my dessertations).
Valentine's Day is speeding towards us. Hope to take my significant other to a Clutch/Mudvayne/In This Moment/Nonpoint concert. Others hope they're going to get dumped before they have to do the dirty work themselves. Cowards.
- For now, Brett Holden
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Those who believe in telekinetics, raise my hand
afternoon. i just wanted to throw out a reading list (comprised of the works I have read since the new year)
1. Bluebeard - Kurt Vonnegut
2. Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut
3. Cat's Cradle - Kurt Vonnegut
4. A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess
anyone see the Vonnegut preference? right now I'm reading Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. To be honest, I haven't been absorbed by it like the Vonnegut novels or Mr. Burgess' novella for that matter. It's occasionally humorous and mildly confusing. I'm quite far in though (a fourth of the way done) so I'm afraid there's no turning back. Next on my list: Catcher in the Rye ;)
Sorry about the lack of poetry. Sorry about the lack of philosophy. I grew up on Earth.
1. Bluebeard - Kurt Vonnegut
2. Slaughterhouse Five - Kurt Vonnegut
3. Cat's Cradle - Kurt Vonnegut
4. A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess
anyone see the Vonnegut preference? right now I'm reading Catch-22 by Joseph Heller. To be honest, I haven't been absorbed by it like the Vonnegut novels or Mr. Burgess' novella for that matter. It's occasionally humorous and mildly confusing. I'm quite far in though (a fourth of the way done) so I'm afraid there's no turning back. Next on my list: Catcher in the Rye ;)
Sorry about the lack of poetry. Sorry about the lack of philosophy. I grew up on Earth.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A History of Progressive Rock
The musical genre that is known as progressive rock is defined by several key components. The roots of prog-rock can be traced back to the late 1960s in Britain all the way to modern times. The style often contains complex structures, synthesizers, and highly experimental instrumentation. It is often more harmonious and literate than other rock genres with a tendency to lean towards longer compositions and a main motif or tale. Though it is less relevant in modern rock, the genre is still alive today.
Britain is awarded the honor of being the birth place of this musical form. Perhaps the earliest face of progressive rock was the album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Clubs Band, by British group, The Beatles. The multi-platinum album was released in 1967 to wide spread critical acclaim. The album introduced a recurring component of progressive rock known as the concept album. A concept album revolves around a central story or theme. That same year another English band, Procol Harum, released their eponymous debut album. The record showcased a plethora of the attributes associated with progressive rock, such as noticeable blues influences. Two years later, the album In the Court of the Crimson King, by British quintet King Crimson was released. This album presented the lengthy compositions that often comprise a progressive rock tune (for example “Moonchild” clocked in at over twelve minutes). Other notable early progressive rock bands include: Pink Floyd, Genesis, Soft Machine, Yes, The Moody Blues, Gentle Giant, and Jethro Tull.
The psychedelic 1970s brought progressive rock widespread commercial success. Among the most popular were Pink Floyd and Queen. In 1973, Pink Floyd crafted the timeless masterpiece The Dark Side of the Moon. This studio album was a prime example of the quirkiness that traces the composition of prog songs. Their predecessors, King Crimson, were also known for such eccentricies in their work (look to their song “21st Century Schizoid Man” which happens to be a personal favorite). English quartet Queen released their first record the same year as admirable The Dark Side of the Moon. This debut release contained glimpses of progressive rock that partnered with elements of other genres. Genesis released the hour and a half concept album The Lamb Lies down on Broadway shortly afterwards. Towards the end of the 1970s, another band named Rush began to reach its height of popularity. In 1978, Hemispheres was issued and it brought the fantasy and science fiction lined lyrics that populate the wilds of progressive rock albums. However, interest in prog rock began to wane as the decade closed out.
One of the few remaining prog bands in the 1980s was the sensation Pink Floyd. The band continued to be an immense commercial hit with records like The Final Cut and A Momentary Lapse of Reason. Yet, they found a brief rival in 1982 with English rock quartet Asia with their single “Heat of the Moment”, a premier instance of progressive rock. The later half of this decade gave rise to a new branch of prog rock known as neo-progressive rock. Examples of this branch include: Marillion, IQ, Pendragon, Iluvatar, Dream Theater, Fish and Ozric Tentacles. IQ released The Wake in 1985. This album presented the prog rock element of arranging lengthy compositions with songs ranging between seven to nine minutes. Fellow neo-prog artist Dream Theater also released several albums throughout the eighties and nineties. As prog rock developed throughout the ages, it stayed consistent in its absurd inclination to produce complex and experimental sounds.
The complexity and experimentation of this genre gained new ground with the introduction of synthesizers and other electronic arrangements. These electronic textures can be seen in pieces performed by The Who. In addition to synthetic sound, intricate time signatures and classical guitar play added a majestic symphonic layer to progressive rock. These intricacies were championed by the band The Nice on albums like Five Bridges and Elegy. The experimental side can be gleaned through the fusion of jazz on Queen’s A Night at the Opera (“Bohemian Rhapsody” anybody?) in 1975 and the conceptual side can be derived from listening to 1976’s 2112 by Rush. However, the once popular genre has far from died out.
Today, progressive rock is on the bottom of mainstream rock’s to-do list. Yet, we cannot call prog a dead art. Major labels continue to sign prog acts like Coheed & Cambria, Three, Muse, Mew and Oceansize. The concept albums that riddle the annals of progressive rock can still be found today in the aforementioned Coheed & Cambria (look to their long winded titled album, Good Apollo I’m Burning Star IV, Volume I: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness), and more recently The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance. The complex time signatures and song structures breathe life in the dark and enigmatic songs of Tool (“Sober, “Vicarious”, and “Jambi”). Unusual experimental methods live in the abstruse albums of The Mars Volta (Frances the Mute, Amputechture, Bedlam in Goliath). Additionally, older progressive rock acts like the enduring Rush continue to release new work with 2007’s Snake & Arrows. It is safe to say that this often infamous genre, stretching back over four decades, is on the rise once again (according to Campling, “…the sound is back”). Therefore, we can conclude that progressive rock still brings complexity and exceptional theatrics into today’s modern rock.
© Brett Holden (2008)
Above is an essay I wrote for my English 110 class. I wrote it after going through a prog rock phase obviously. I still love prog but I find myself listening to mostly indie rock recently. And yes I know MCR is NOT prog!
There has been a rift on the homefront. I suppose that's a product of two opposing forces. One refuses to submit and the other extends control. It's maddening. Due to self-indulgence & selfishness on a certain conscience, I've become (insert comfortably numb. just playing) really angry. I suppose I should let it go. Maybe we should all let things go. Go with the flow.
- Fraternally yours, Brett Holden (in a worldly manner, of course)
The musical genre that is known as progressive rock is defined by several key components. The roots of prog-rock can be traced back to the late 1960s in Britain all the way to modern times. The style often contains complex structures, synthesizers, and highly experimental instrumentation. It is often more harmonious and literate than other rock genres with a tendency to lean towards longer compositions and a main motif or tale. Though it is less relevant in modern rock, the genre is still alive today.
Britain is awarded the honor of being the birth place of this musical form. Perhaps the earliest face of progressive rock was the album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart Clubs Band, by British group, The Beatles. The multi-platinum album was released in 1967 to wide spread critical acclaim. The album introduced a recurring component of progressive rock known as the concept album. A concept album revolves around a central story or theme. That same year another English band, Procol Harum, released their eponymous debut album. The record showcased a plethora of the attributes associated with progressive rock, such as noticeable blues influences. Two years later, the album In the Court of the Crimson King, by British quintet King Crimson was released. This album presented the lengthy compositions that often comprise a progressive rock tune (for example “Moonchild” clocked in at over twelve minutes). Other notable early progressive rock bands include: Pink Floyd, Genesis, Soft Machine, Yes, The Moody Blues, Gentle Giant, and Jethro Tull.
The psychedelic 1970s brought progressive rock widespread commercial success. Among the most popular were Pink Floyd and Queen. In 1973, Pink Floyd crafted the timeless masterpiece The Dark Side of the Moon. This studio album was a prime example of the quirkiness that traces the composition of prog songs. Their predecessors, King Crimson, were also known for such eccentricies in their work (look to their song “21st Century Schizoid Man” which happens to be a personal favorite). English quartet Queen released their first record the same year as admirable The Dark Side of the Moon. This debut release contained glimpses of progressive rock that partnered with elements of other genres. Genesis released the hour and a half concept album The Lamb Lies down on Broadway shortly afterwards. Towards the end of the 1970s, another band named Rush began to reach its height of popularity. In 1978, Hemispheres was issued and it brought the fantasy and science fiction lined lyrics that populate the wilds of progressive rock albums. However, interest in prog rock began to wane as the decade closed out.
One of the few remaining prog bands in the 1980s was the sensation Pink Floyd. The band continued to be an immense commercial hit with records like The Final Cut and A Momentary Lapse of Reason. Yet, they found a brief rival in 1982 with English rock quartet Asia with their single “Heat of the Moment”, a premier instance of progressive rock. The later half of this decade gave rise to a new branch of prog rock known as neo-progressive rock. Examples of this branch include: Marillion, IQ, Pendragon, Iluvatar, Dream Theater, Fish and Ozric Tentacles. IQ released The Wake in 1985. This album presented the prog rock element of arranging lengthy compositions with songs ranging between seven to nine minutes. Fellow neo-prog artist Dream Theater also released several albums throughout the eighties and nineties. As prog rock developed throughout the ages, it stayed consistent in its absurd inclination to produce complex and experimental sounds.
The complexity and experimentation of this genre gained new ground with the introduction of synthesizers and other electronic arrangements. These electronic textures can be seen in pieces performed by The Who. In addition to synthetic sound, intricate time signatures and classical guitar play added a majestic symphonic layer to progressive rock. These intricacies were championed by the band The Nice on albums like Five Bridges and Elegy. The experimental side can be gleaned through the fusion of jazz on Queen’s A Night at the Opera (“Bohemian Rhapsody” anybody?) in 1975 and the conceptual side can be derived from listening to 1976’s 2112 by Rush. However, the once popular genre has far from died out.
Today, progressive rock is on the bottom of mainstream rock’s to-do list. Yet, we cannot call prog a dead art. Major labels continue to sign prog acts like Coheed & Cambria, Three, Muse, Mew and Oceansize. The concept albums that riddle the annals of progressive rock can still be found today in the aforementioned Coheed & Cambria (look to their long winded titled album, Good Apollo I’m Burning Star IV, Volume I: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness), and more recently The Black Parade by My Chemical Romance. The complex time signatures and song structures breathe life in the dark and enigmatic songs of Tool (“Sober, “Vicarious”, and “Jambi”). Unusual experimental methods live in the abstruse albums of The Mars Volta (Frances the Mute, Amputechture, Bedlam in Goliath). Additionally, older progressive rock acts like the enduring Rush continue to release new work with 2007’s Snake & Arrows. It is safe to say that this often infamous genre, stretching back over four decades, is on the rise once again (according to Campling, “…the sound is back”). Therefore, we can conclude that progressive rock still brings complexity and exceptional theatrics into today’s modern rock.
© Brett Holden (2008)
Above is an essay I wrote for my English 110 class. I wrote it after going through a prog rock phase obviously. I still love prog but I find myself listening to mostly indie rock recently. And yes I know MCR is NOT prog!
There has been a rift on the homefront. I suppose that's a product of two opposing forces. One refuses to submit and the other extends control. It's maddening. Due to self-indulgence & selfishness on a certain conscience, I've become (insert comfortably numb. just playing) really angry. I suppose I should let it go. Maybe we should all let things go. Go with the flow.
- Fraternally yours, Brett Holden (in a worldly manner, of course)
Saturday, January 17, 2009
So It Goes
Ashes
Ashes cast into the blue rolling wave
Memories pour through the pen on paper
Take my classified ad for a caper
Mother, forgotten, she never forgave
Never mind whether others wished to save
The young devotee within the vapor
A brief glimpse of the one that would rape her
Stranger left the girl in the field grave
In those swift moments a newborn mother
She stood up real high to fall down quite ill
Passerby saved your soul from a room dark
Nowadays in Brooklyn with young brother
Your ashes swim in the Atlantic still
We mostly remain your last living spark
- © Brett Holden
I suppose that's what I get for listening to a lot of Death Cab For Cutie.
Its odd to observe individuals that have grown up together their whole lives. When so many powerful forces begin to pull them apart there are equal and opposite reactions. One responds by pulling the other towards them and the other pushes them away out of fear. So it goes.
Ashes cast into the blue rolling wave
Memories pour through the pen on paper
Take my classified ad for a caper
Mother, forgotten, she never forgave
Never mind whether others wished to save
The young devotee within the vapor
A brief glimpse of the one that would rape her
Stranger left the girl in the field grave
In those swift moments a newborn mother
She stood up real high to fall down quite ill
Passerby saved your soul from a room dark
Nowadays in Brooklyn with young brother
Your ashes swim in the Atlantic still
We mostly remain your last living spark
- © Brett Holden
I suppose that's what I get for listening to a lot of Death Cab For Cutie.
Its odd to observe individuals that have grown up together their whole lives. When so many powerful forces begin to pull them apart there are equal and opposite reactions. One responds by pulling the other towards them and the other pushes them away out of fear. So it goes.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Iron
Iron
Morning woke wide with open eyes
Notice you’ve gone away
The moment the iron tore the blue skies
Along with red stripes atop your casket
Where flowers lay inquiry as to why
One would decide to leave a child alone in the grass
As sure as the soft zephyr will continue to sigh
I sit beside an albescent stone somewhere above wry
Tear stains are saved for much better reasons
Than to wipe them from cheeks at the turn of the seasons
When a single protector fails in all worn disgrace
Don’t let the weeping mar this face
Twilight broke dim with half closed truths
Humming the tune for the sun to press a lister
Across the creation marooned in a noose
By the brutal orders of a mourning blister
With the world at small resting inside holy walls
Holding onto the words and hope
Let me stay beside this silvery epitaph
Caught in this iron rope
- © Brett M. Holden
I wrote the poem above about a variety of things. One of the most obvious to the ones who know me is the reference to my father's death. I think to an extent, it shows the contempt I've even harbored towards him. The last stanza in the poem reflects my struggle in faith. I do not claim to be a overly religious. Not even modestly religious. I believe. That's all.
I recommend listening to the album Cease to Begin by Band of Horses. I've been spinning the record. I've really taken to the vocals. "Ode to LRC" & "Lamb on the Lam (In the City)" are my two favourite tunes off the record.
A film I observed recently caught my interest. It is very much a cult classic. A Clockwork Orange. The lengths to which the government portrayed in the film go to in order to ensure their social goals is oddly disturbing. It is even more shaking once you recognize the parallels to modern government.
A writer named Kurt Vonnegut was brought to my attention recently. I read his novel Bluebeard. It was a fascinating fictional autobiography of an Abstract Expressionist painter. After reading the last words (which inspired my previous post) I thought...no matter what trials you walk through during your life, there are far more greater things to expect. I don't pretend to be a great shake on philosophy. Still. It makes a lone droog feel better.
- Peace. Brett Holden
Morning woke wide with open eyes
Notice you’ve gone away
The moment the iron tore the blue skies
Along with red stripes atop your casket
Where flowers lay inquiry as to why
One would decide to leave a child alone in the grass
As sure as the soft zephyr will continue to sigh
I sit beside an albescent stone somewhere above wry
Tear stains are saved for much better reasons
Than to wipe them from cheeks at the turn of the seasons
When a single protector fails in all worn disgrace
Don’t let the weeping mar this face
Twilight broke dim with half closed truths
Humming the tune for the sun to press a lister
Across the creation marooned in a noose
By the brutal orders of a mourning blister
With the world at small resting inside holy walls
Holding onto the words and hope
Let me stay beside this silvery epitaph
Caught in this iron rope
- © Brett M. Holden
I wrote the poem above about a variety of things. One of the most obvious to the ones who know me is the reference to my father's death. I think to an extent, it shows the contempt I've even harbored towards him. The last stanza in the poem reflects my struggle in faith. I do not claim to be a overly religious. Not even modestly religious. I believe. That's all.
I recommend listening to the album Cease to Begin by Band of Horses. I've been spinning the record. I've really taken to the vocals. "Ode to LRC" & "Lamb on the Lam (In the City)" are my two favourite tunes off the record.
A film I observed recently caught my interest. It is very much a cult classic. A Clockwork Orange. The lengths to which the government portrayed in the film go to in order to ensure their social goals is oddly disturbing. It is even more shaking once you recognize the parallels to modern government.
A writer named Kurt Vonnegut was brought to my attention recently. I read his novel Bluebeard. It was a fascinating fictional autobiography of an Abstract Expressionist painter. After reading the last words (which inspired my previous post) I thought...no matter what trials you walk through during your life, there are far more greater things to expect. I don't pretend to be a great shake on philosophy. Still. It makes a lone droog feel better.
- Peace. Brett Holden
afternoon. my name is brett holden. this is my blog. this blog is my place to post everything. i will be graduating high school soon and have been admitted to Missouri State University.
i've grown up in Missouri almost all my life. but that is for another time. i will be sharing a variety of things. poems. stories. essays. thoughts. this is basically a journal. i hope i'm able to post something interesting from time to time.
oh happy rabo karabekian.
- Brett Holden
i've grown up in Missouri almost all my life. but that is for another time. i will be sharing a variety of things. poems. stories. essays. thoughts. this is basically a journal. i hope i'm able to post something interesting from time to time.
oh happy rabo karabekian.
- Brett Holden
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