A Depressing, Albeit Beautiful, Concept

A few years ago, I happened upon The Antlers’ album, Burst Apart. I’d never heard of them, but I gave the album a go and was haunted by the lovely and melancholy tunes. It haunted me in the best way that music can. And for whatever reason, it took another few years before I finally said to myself, “Why in the world have I not tracked down more of their stuff?” So I did, and their 2009 release of Hospice melted my face upon the first listen.

It was everything I liked about Burst Apart: mellow yet heartfelt, beautiful but haunting, and lyrics that forced you to pay attention to them.

What made this album work even more for me, though, is that it’s best taken as a concept album. As the title suggests, Hospice, the lyrics and stylings surround those on their way out, the loved ones and the ones doing the loving, and those that we love that have already been lost. From their tribute to Sylvia Plath to the simple guitar and vocals of the final track, “Epilogue,” to the sobering tones of “Kettering,” the whole album feels like an exit soundtrack, one telling the story that all of us must undergo: the death of those we love and our own place beside them.

At times, it almost evokes lullabies, like “Bear,” but the lyrics keep us grounded in the emotions of what’s going on in the story of each song, the way we simply give in or rage against that dying light. Always, though, it’s beautiful, especially on the slow build tracks like “Atrophy” and “Wake.”

It might not be for everyone, as it is extremely somber and the lead singer’s, Peter Silberman’s, voice could be an acquired taste. But for those that feel the heart within his higher pitched tones and don’t mind a little rumination about death, you won’t do much better than Hospice.

This is Happening... Even if You Didn't Know It

There are so many bands and artists that I’ve been incredibly late to the party for. Beyond fashionably and well into the realm where everyone is already passed out, kicked out, or having gone home to enjoy themselves long ago, and the host of the party takes one look at me and is like, “Why weren’t you here ages ago?”

But one of the best parts of this day and age is that the party never truly ends. Even after a band has broken up or gone on to different things or--on the sad occasions--has passed on, there is a fandom out there still making like Wayne and Garth and partying on. This is definitely the case with LCD Soundsystem.

For reasons unbeknownst to me (though it was probably my own musical prejudices, caught up in such albums by Portishead, Mellowdrone, and the soundtracks of Clint Mansell), I never really heard them until a few months ago. Their song, “All My Friends,” popped up on an Amazon Prime playlist, and I was instantly enthralled by the extended build, the lack of a true chorus, and the way the song simply went on and on, and I never wanted it to end. Who IS this? I thought. And soon enough, I’d tracked down their album, Sound of Silver, devoured it, and moved on to the rest of their slim discography, ending--accidentally, albeit appropriately--with This is Happening.

This album has infiltrated my soundbar and won’t seem to leave. I’m always trying to explore and take in as much music as possible, but in between the new-new and new-old discoveries, This is Happening is happening at my place.

From the get go, the album is nothing short of perfection. “Dance Yrself Clean” drops a simple beat and transforms into a song that builds and fluctuates between loud and quiet; it ultimately sets the tone for the album--like the best first tracks should. Afterwards comes one of the most upbeat, rockish--and shortest--tracks, “Drunk Girls,” that not only demands movement from you, but it also is so tongue-and-cheek-wonderful lyrically that you’ll be cheering right along.

The rest spins out LCD’s signature mix of dance and funk and rock goodness. “One Touch” is stuck in my head more often than a song should be and is most excellent to let that bouncing bass hit your eardrums via some killer earbuds. “I Can Change” is another notable, capturing the truths of any relationship, while the track that follows, “You Wanted a Hit” is so self-reflexive of their career that you can’t help but laugh while shaking your booty. And yes, such shakes of booties happens. (I can’t dance, but so help me, I’m bobbing and weaving while grooving out to this album--and it does make doing the dishes both more fun and more complicated.) All of this tops off with such a bubbly and catchy song, “Home,” that you can’t help but wonder if the band members simply looked upon this album and said, “Welp… there’s no way we can top this. I guess we better disband.”

Hopefully, you made it on time to this LCD party, enjoyed the show, and returned home, caring for these wonderful tunes since their initial release. However, if you were an unlucky person like me and didn’t even see the party from the street or even hear about its epicness the day after, do yourself a favor and check them out. They might not be a band that instantly clicks for you, but if you give them a few spins--especially this album--you won’t mind picking your way over the Phils, the ones already partied out, to enjoy what’s left of this shebang.

Seclusion Within THE WALL

This month’s vinyl has to be chalked up to my brother's bad influence, considering he was letting me listen to such things when I was probably around five or six. Granted, given his extensive love for hair metal bands, Pink Floyd wasn't the worst thing in the world, but I'm pretty sure I was a bit too young to understand that messages littered through The Wall.

Even still, I remember one of the family road trips, when we had this old Toyota van. We took that thing everywhere, from Texas and back to California and back on multiple occasions. My parents would pack everything underneath the seats, then lay down the middle seat so they could spread a rollaway mattress across the back, creating a giant bed. So instead of seats and seatbelts, we slept across America to all manner of misadventures.

One year in particular, when I was quite young, they'd made me my own little Christopher cave in the very back of the van, in the "trunk" area, where I hung out and listened to my brother's cassette of this album one too many times. In particular, I remember rewinding and listening to “Goodbye, Blue Sky” over and over and over again. I don't know if it was the simplicity of the guitar or what exactly it was that struck my little heartstrings, but I loved this song. Who knows, maybe it was simply the voice of the little girl at the beginning? I couldn't tell you then--or now--why I kept listening to this song. Regardless, I listened and listened until my mother found out, freaked out, then wouldn't let my brother have his tape back until he promised not to let me listen to it any more.

As I’ve grown older and have owned my own CD and MP3 versions of the album, I’ve fallen more in love with the story and themes throughout--”The Trial” becoming one of my favorites on the album, especially given it’s follow-up of “Outside the Wall.” Of course, I love many of the classics as well, “Comfortably Numb” and “Another Brick in the Wall Pt. II”, but others like “Mother” and “Hey You” have worked their way through system, and “Goodbye Cruel World” still breaks my heart in its own way.

I’ve been wanting this on vinyl for some time--even if it is one of those albums that everyone into vinyl wants. But it is always so expensive, including the repressings. And while I didn’t find an original pressing or any such thing, I was able to track down an older version in gorgeous shape, and I couldn’t be happier. Such a wonderful album with gorgeous artwork and a timeless message. It doesn’t get much better.

And while I don’t know where my parenting strategies will come from, I feel like there will be worse things in the world than discovering my hypothetical six-year-old holed up in a tiny sanctuary, rocking out to The Wall.

It's Different... But There's Something Kinda Fantastic About That

The first Wes Anderson film I ever saw was The Royal Tenenbaums, and I was instantly smitten. I loved the humor. I loved the characters. I loved the acting. And even more, I loved the visual style.

From that first love, which included three visits to the surrounding theatres to re-watch Gene Hackman steal the show, I went through the rest of Anderson's short filmography. Since then, I've seen each new film and have anticipated the release of the next. With each one, I've continued to be astounded by Anderson's specific style, tone, and aesthetics--which I think many others are in love with as well. But I haven't heard many people talk about the soundtracks.

Because I'm such a visual person, the cinematography and set / costume designs always took the forefront, but it was somewhere during an umpteenth viewing of RT that I realized how perfect--even if a bit off--his musical selections were. It clicked for me when Royal and Margo are sitting in the ice cream parlor, the Charlie Brown Christmas song playing in the background. It seemed so bizarre but so incredibly right. The rest of the music opened up, then, and I realized that Anderson had as impeccable of music selections as any Tarantino film. Apparently, I'm not the only one to discover this, as American Laundromat Records put out a compilation called I Saved Latin!: A Tribute to Wes Anderson.

I stumbled across this compilation when researching the band Telekinesis (one of my personal favs), who did a cover for "This Time Tomorrow." The album seemed like such a wonderful idea, and I can't believe it took me so long to find out about such things--since there are volumes of these things dedicated to Tarantino. But much as I love the original versions of the songs, as Anderson uses in the films, I like that this compilation is all covers by up and coming bands.

For the most part, the tracks are solid. If you like the originals, you'll like the covers. There are some that definitely take a departure--like Tomten's "30 Century Man" and Freelance Whales' "Let Her Dance," which are both highlights of the collection. But all in all, it stays true to its roots while creating something uniquely itself.

To me, the highlights are the aforementioned Telekinesis cover, PHOX's "The Way I Feel Inside," The Ghost In You's "Oh Yoko," and Solvents' "Nothing in This World Can Stop Me Worrin' 'Bout That Girl."

Honestly, it's an all around great collection for a Wes Anderson fan, and with the limited vinyl pressing, the sooner you snatch one up--if vinyl is your thing--the better.

A Musical Train

For as much as we love music, we're both a bit behind when it comes to the new technologies. Friends and family both seem to scarf up Spotify and let Pandora take their musical tastes to new places and destinations. However, we've still relied on the old ways of personal recommendations and stumbling upon some new sound that catches us. (It seems to be more kismet that way, and what's music and our connection to it but an aligning of guitar and heartstrings?)

Recently, though, Amazon's addition of Prime music to their membership has suckered us into new albums and new playlists. Using the "Other Customer's Also Listened To..." as a guide has led us to some excellent tunes. But the pre-made playlists have also opened up our ear holes. Admittedly, yes, many of the playlists contain the same tracks / types of songs--especially from familiar / popular artists--but they also slip in a few lesser knowns, many of which become our favorites from the list. Lord Huron and his recent release of Lonesome Dreams is one such newfound favorite.

After hearing "Ends of the Earth," we were hooked, both humming the melody and chorus before we even fully new the words. It's a fantastic track to be sure (and the video is pretty cool, too, yes?), and an excellent opener to the album. Between it and the album artwork, a "journey" of sorts is established and carries through the whole of the album. Many of the songs--similar to "Ends of the Earth"--have a strumming pattern or percussion style that echoes the chug-chug-chugging of a train. And, of course, many of the lyrics reflect this idea of a cross-country trek. The whole thing becomes an anthem for a train trip, riding the rails with Lord Huron, learning of his love, dreams, and aspiration as the journey presses on.

If you like what you hear here, you'll enjoy the rest of the album, too. And if you don't want to take our word for it, feel free to move beyond us and our technological hesitance and give this a go via Spotify. It's a great ride to take and one that will be carrying these two listeners towards Lord Huron's next release.

If You Like This, Then Try...: A Dragon's Crown for Tiffany Aching

I’ve admitted it in the past and warn each of my students at the beginning of each new semester’s classes: I’m a nerd. As such, I tend to play some gooberish games--or at least some that aren’t in the limelight like Call of Duty or Halo or GTA. But they tend to be some of my favorites. One such game is Vanillaware’s Dragon’s Crown, released for both Playstation 3 and the PS Vita.

Basically, it’s an old-school hack ‘n’ slash like Golden Axe mixed with today’s RPGs customization, which allows you to level up, gain new abilities, and all that other nerdy goodness. The most striking feature about it, though, is the graphic style, as this company is known for hand painting every animation--from the backgrounds to the individual characters. It’s like playing a piece of artwork. Seriously, if you can get passed the ridiculous female character design, it’s one of the most gorgeous games you’ll ever see in action.

It’s your typical tale of epic treachery and wizards and witches and knights and kings and a deep-seeded evil that can destroy everything. You know, the same old, same old when it comes to fantasy. But if you’re looking to move beyond that typical story and delve a bit deeper into a wonderful world and one of the best freaking female protagonists ever, you need to check out Terry Pratchett’s Tiffany Aching series.

If any of you follow my Goodreads, you’ll be well aware of my love affair with Terry Pratchett and this series. As both are, indeed, among my favorites, so I can’t help but give them a further plug.

Starting with The Wee Free Men, we follow Tiffany through four books, as she grows from a girl just learning how to use her witchy-ways to a young woman that makes real decisions with no easy answers. Pratchett shies away from the major downfalls in the YA world’s female protagonists as Tiffany not only has a head on her shoulders, but she uses that head to solve problems, save lives, and keep the area she lives in, in balance. She doesn’t need a guy to make her happy or pull her from a tight spot. The most help she gets are from other empowered women that all preach the same message: Find your own way.

So, why am I discussing these two apparently disparate pieces of pop culture? Because they overlap in one key area: Both are chock full o’ humor and lean towards the lighter side of fantasy. Yes, there are witches and magic and such things in both, but both--especially the Tiffany Aching series--are accessible for anyone through their use of humor. Dragon’s Crown might not be laugh out loud funny like parts of Aching’s series are, but there is enough cheek and dry wit to keep you amused.

In the end, if you don’t mind a bit of fantasy, you can’t go wrong with either the game or the books. However, I will warn you that for every positive reinforcement that Pratchett creates for Tiffany and YA females in general, Dragon’s Crown upholds a very sexist presentation. I guess that’s what happens when the target audiences for both have extremely different demographics.

But, please, do yourself a favor and pick up the first book in Tiffany’s quadrilogy. You’ll be hard pressed not to fall in love.

The Story of Us: The Year Ahead

Holly: New Year's resolutions aren't for everyone, but I personally love them. Every January feels like a clean slate, a time to turn dreams into goals and make them happen. I usually end up meeting all of my resolutions every year because I make a game plan and stick to it.

Here are mine for 2014:

- Run 3 miles 3 days a week

- Make one new in-the-flesh girlfriend 

- Read 24 books

- Listen to 4 literary classics via audiobook

- Brush up on world geography

- Learn basic world history

- Gain a better understanding of popular religions 

- Keep a daily doodle journal

- Learn 7 new songs on the mandolin

- Watch 5 films I've been wanting to see but haven't 

- Become more active in the writing community

- Submit at least 3 works for publication

- Learn to drive stick

- Learn to cook 5 new dishes 

I think the key to resolutions is finding things you WANT to do or learn. Because who the hell wants to feel forced over a list they're not even obligated to make? For me it's all about having fun and growing. 

Chris: Honestly, I never make these things. Yes, there are many ideas that I have for the new year and things that I'd like to accomplish, but I've never really made a list of what I'd like to do in a year. I think it stems from worrying too much that I will fail them all miserably and won't be able to complete a single one.

However, as the years have passed, some of my unofficial goals have been met throughout the year, so I guess--perhaps--I'm safe to create an official list this year. And as you'll see, I have many similar ones as Holly, since we're supporting each other in these ventures.

- Walk/Run three miles, three days a week
- Read, at least, four non-fiction books this year
- Learn basic history--world and American
- Write/Create at least four new songs via my Groovebox
- Have four short works published online or in print
- Eat healthier and learn to make meals that are better for a person
- Finish revisions on a long overdue WIP
- Complete six watercolor paintings

We'll see how this goes, but I feel like, with Holly in my corner to help, I'll stay on track and can find a solid plan to creating some interesting stuff this year. Here's to a year of creativity!

Top Three Books We Read in 2013

Chris: For the past two years, I’ve done a breakdown of the top 10 films, albums, and books I’ve read during the year. However, because Holly and I have blended our blogs and writings, I’m changing things up quite a bit.

For one, I’m not doing the films or albums this year. Not only was I unable to see many of the films that I’d wanted to--or even the ones I was curious about--but I also don’t feel like this was that noteworthy of a year for film. When I think back over what was released and what I watched this past year, nothing stands out that truly blew me away. (It will probably be a pretty rough year for Oscars methinks.) Yes, I had fun with many of the films, from Pacific Rim to The Croods to my most recent viewing of American Hustle, but I just don’t feel like I saw enough to make a good call on the list.

For two, with how lackluster the films were this year, the music scene more than made up for it, as we saw some huge releases and some truly fantastic albums this year. Honestly, there are too many good ones to really narrow it down. However, I would highly recommend “Like Clockwork…” from Queens of the Stone Age, “Hesitation Marks” from Nine Inch Nails, “Modern Vampires of the City” by Vampire Weekend, and “False Idols” from Tricky.

For three, when it comes to the books, these are now books that Holly and I both read this year, so you’ll be getting her thoughts as well. Also, for once, all of the books came out this year.

For four, it’s only the top three this year--in no particular order--instead of the organized top-ten. Take them as you will.

The 39 Deaths of Adam Strand by Gregory Galloway

Holly: This book is so much more than its bleak exterior. It gets to the heart of small town life and what it's like to grow up around such a homogeneous pool of people that you don't even have the luxury of picking friends that might actually understand you. Adam lives in the kind of place where you either get stuck forever or your dreams float you somewhere bigger. But he's found a third option: to kill himself. Life, as we all know, is much too complicated for what should be such a straightforward decision. Galloway very beautifully illustrates the tenuous threads that hold people together and tie them to one another.

Chris: I’ve already reviewed this, twice, on Goodreads. So I will leave it at this: This book destroyed me in the best possible way. It ripped me apart, but when I reassembled the pieces, I was much better off for it. This is a phenomenal book that shouldn’t be missed.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Holly: Neil Gaiman can do no wrong in my eyes, and with good reason. From the Sandman series to Coraline, he's never once let me down, and TOatEoTL is no exception. This is a dark tale spun from magic and suspense, as seen through the eyes of a young boy. Though quite mystical at times (as most of Gaiman's works are), I also saw my own past laid out. Gaiman forces you to recall how maddening it can be for no one to believe you, simply because of your age. And how quickly a young mind can go from thinking in black and white to a murky gray when adults, the very people you've always believed you could cling to betray you in horrifying ways. There's something very real in Gaiman's magic, and I think you'll be just as spellbound by it as I was.

Chris: Really, I could probably just say, “It’s Neil Gaiman. What more do you want?” And in many ways, that really sums it up. But if you haven’t read any of his work before, this is a good place to start. It’s a beautiful novel that’s filled with his signatures: the wondrously grotesque, poetic phrases and imagery, and an imagination that is both haunting and heart-warming all at the same time. It’s a wonderful coming-of-age story that is all sorts of fantastic and fantastical, and for me, that’s all I can ask for in a novel.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Holly: Love is hard. Being a teen is hard. Mix the two, and you've got a science fair-worthy volcanic eruption on your hands. Rainbow Rowell infuses this age-old trope of two very different lives colliding with enough tenderness and humor to make it feel very fresh and (best of all) genuine.  I fell for these quirky and well executed characters faster than they could fall for each other.

Chris: This was one of those novels that felt as if it was plucked straight from my head. Not that I ever would’ve been able to have written it, but the characters are both people that I would’ve loved to have hung out with in high school. These are my kind of people, the outsiders, the ones on the sidelines, and it was hard not to see the life they deserved and want them to be happy together. It was one of those novels that I didn’t want to put down. It made me laugh, and it broke my heart. Most important, it made me FEEL, and too many books these days simply are fun or entertaining. At their best, I may dwell on their themes and ideas presented, but they rarely make me truly feel anything for them, as I did with this novel. It’s fantastic. If you’re into YA or contemporary stories in general, you should make time for this one. Soon.

The Story of Us: Writing in High School

Holly:

I was a poet, and I didn't even know it...teehee

Okay, all terrible humor aside, my writing began before I really understood the concept of being a writer. It was just something I did. Something I enjoyed. It wasn't until adulthood I realized that it was also something that I was--something I am today.

From an early age, words were feelings and images. And I loved producing a world in my mind with words. This is one of my poems from middle school (that I totally pulled out of my Lisa Frank folder this afternoon. Yeah, you heard me. Lisa Frank.):

Whenever I produced something I found merit in, I'd go running to my parents to read it to them. Writing was a source of pride for me. There was beauty in creation, and it gave me a sense of absolute fulfillment.

In high school my focus shifted away from poetry and into novels. Well, a novel. Okay, three chapters of a novel. I remember not having an agenda the way I do today. There were no agents in my mind. No editors or publishing houses. It was just me and the story that played out in my head like a movie every time I closed my eyes. Here's a snippet from that first chapter:

It was the true voice of a small-town teen, trapped in days that blended together. It was me, and I loved putting pieces of myself down on paper in a permanent sort of way. 

Looking back at my earlier works, it's clear that I could take a hint or two from my former self. To open myself up to all possibilities without the restrictions I tend to put on my work these days. And to always remember the love of the process, not just the hope of a successful end result. 

Chris: In high school and before, I never had any intentions of becoming a writer. I enjoyed writing. I liked telling stories, but it wasn’t until my frustration with my film program drove me into the loving arms of English--and creative writing.

As a teen, I tended to go a bit overboard with the creative assignments though. They were the only ones that I would write well over the minimum. And for the most part, my teachers encouraged me, even the ones I didn’t get along with.

They did their best to inspire: I still remember my sophomore teacher, Mrs. B___, who put a Pyrex casserole dish full of water on an overhead projector, then proceeded to drop food coloring into it. She swirled the colors and was even more transfixed than any of her students. (She’d recently had knee surgery, and my fellow classmates and I figured she was still on some sweet pain meds.) But it did what it needed to. I wrote.

For that class, in particular, I even made some extra cash by writing poems and other assorted works for my fellow classmates. The writing never amounted to anything, and I’m sure that if I saw them now, I’d cringe--if not shrivel entirely. But I had fun; the cash was just a bonus.

One of my favorite assignments was a portfolio of creative works based on a notable figure--alive or dead. Being at a Christian school, I always liked to push the boundaries. I chose Vlad Tepes, a.k.a. the real Dracula. And much as I didn’t particularly care for my teacher, she didn’t mind that I wrote a monologue about Vlad’s guilt over sending a beloved to be tortured because of her infidelity. She didn’t mind reading a one-act play of Vlad sentencing a prisoner to impalement. She didn’t even mind the short story of Vlad walking through the field of bodies. Well, maybe she minded, but she still gave me an “A,” and one that didn’t even involve any extra notes of “We need to talk about this.” At the time, that was all the encouragement I needed to keep writing on occasion.

I didn’t know I wanted to be a writer, but hindsight is 20/20, and looking back over my life, every step of the way shaped me into who I am today, a writer.

If You Like This, Then Try... Snow White and the Huntsman and Holly Black

Most of remember last summer’s blockbuster, Snow White and the Huntsman (SWatH), if for no other reason than it caused the breakup of K-Stew and Robert Pattinson. But for the rest of us that didn’t give two shits about the relationship status of the aforementioned A-listers, we might remember the film for different reasons.

For me, it was a film with potential that, sadly, went underdeveloped. In particular, the plot and world suffered from the film’s pace. When I wanted the film to linger, it moved too quickly, and when I wanted it to speed up, it dragged. However, what compensated for all of its faults--including Stewart’s lackluster acting (if one can even call it that)--are the visuals. Hate on that movie all you like, but you have to admit that it is one of the most stunning films, aesthetically, to come out in recent years. (While I might question director Rupert Sander’s choice in lovers, his vision embraces the grotesque and makes it gorgeous.)

If you happened to be like me, not outright hating the film but wishing it could’ve been more, there’s a solution for you: Holly Black. Best known for her middle-grade chapter books, The Spiderwick Chronicles, she began her career in YA and still cranks out some great material for an older audience. (Just check out her most recent Curse Workers series and tell me I’m wrong.)

In particular, though, Ms. Black retains very similar aesthetics to Sander’s dark vision for SWatH. She takes the frightening and horrific and--often--turns it into something both disturbing and beautiful.

Her first novel, TITHE, is a perfect example of what Black is capable of. She takes the faerie stories of old and gives them a much darker, sinister take. (And she was doing this long before the resurgence of fairy-tale retellings by way of Grimm and Once Upon a Time and other such nonsense.) This story follows an outcast of a teen as she comes across a wounded knight. After this chance encounter, she’s soon sucked into the world of the fey, a place much darker than the chipper and technicolor presentation of Disney’s Tinkerbelle and crew. Black’s faeries are frightening creatures, full of sinister plots and working towards humanity’s destruction.

These themes and tropes follow through a number of Black’s other writings as well, from her other self-dubbed modern faerie tales VALIANT and IRONSIDE, to her graphic novel series THE GOOD NEIGHBORS. (The latter is gorgeously illustrated by the super talented Ted Naifeh.)

So if you loved the darker and--dare I say--grim stylings of SWatH, you’ll no doubt love the equally creepy and beautiful worlds Black offers. Better still, you’ll come away satisfied.

Awkward Book Review: ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell

It's that time again! We've tried a new format, again, and hope you like the new style. Let us know what you think!

The Story of Us: New Horizons

Chris: Currently nomading it up in Massachusetts, a plains dweller like me--living most of my life in Colorado--finds listening to the locals is like living in a whole new world (and not one of magic carpet rides in Agrabah). Being here greased those stubborn cogs of my brainmeats, and I realized how much I live in my own little bubble and how little it has grown over the years.

The first time my horizon expanded, my family had gone to the Texas’ panhandle, Borger, to visit my aunt, uncle, and cousins. Who knows how many times I’d gone before I started to notice my surroundings, but one summer, climbing out of the car and into the dry heat and dust and smelling the wonderful stench that is unique to oil processing plants--something like mold and cowcrap and grease--it hit me: the differences.

My Texan family all spoke with accents, saying “Y’all,” calling every kind of soda a “Coke,” and forcing me to ask questions like, “What the hell is a coney?” (It’s a chili dog.) Instead of mountains in the west, I saw dust, rocks, barren bushes, and dilapidated barns. There was no Blockbuster, but a Hastings, which I loved more than my own video stores, as they had books and music, too. Dairy Queens were almost non-existent, but if you wanted a Dairy King, you need only find a town of half a dozen houses. There’d be no gas station, but a Dairy King was ready and waiting to serve. (As far as I recall, we never actually went to one, either.)

As kids, we grow up thinking that what we see on a daily basis is all the world is, the things we know. We hear about other places and times and cultures and sights, but they aren’t real. They’re words on a page, a picture online, a scene in a movie. It’s not until you’re there, in someplace new, out of your element and--often--a bit scared that you realize there is more out there. More than you ever thought, imagined, or fully understood.

So visit those hometown places that you “keep meaning to go see.” Experience the next town over, the next county over, the next state, country, however far you can go to expand your horizon. Go out. Live.

Holly: Growing up, there wasn't much I found about Tennessee that I liked. Especially East Tennessee. Nashville had country music, Memphis had Elvis, and in my opinion us easterners had squat.

I was always different from the kids around me, which didn't help matters at all. I had an imagination that ran a bit too wild for most people's liking, and I was always wondering about things that kindly southern folk weren't supposed to question. There had to be a place I fit in, and Tennessee certainly wasn't it.

So, when my sister moved to Atlanta, Georgia, I saw my ticket out of small town life. Money doesn't go as far in the big city, so I moved into a crummy apartment and got myself a job at a major corporation. Life was different, that's for sure. Instead of taking long walks in the woods, I was sitting in an hour of traffic one way getting to work. And instead of watching deer outside my window, I was calling my sister at 2am to come kill the giant cockroach that scampered across my living room floor. I soon learned that I wanted to be where the action was, but not that kind of action.

Soon, I was back in Tennessee. During this homecoming, I took the time to realize what I wanted out of life. I did want to be where the action was...the movies, art, and music I loved so much. But I didn't want to be smothered by the city I lived in, feeling like I was lost in it.

Then I learned that a place can't deliver what you want until you seek it out for yourself. It's not going to just throw itself at you. So, that's what I spent the rest of my time doing: seeking out the life I wanted in the place I already lived. And I learned that downtown Knoxville is pretty amazing. There's a great folk/bluegrass music scene, rampant alley art, and tons of festivals and cool places to eat/hang.

And when I moved to back to Georgia...Savannah this time...I didn't come as a girl desperate to leave something behind. I came as a girl who had so much to take with her. All thanks to East Tennessee.

If You Like This, Then Try... Deltron 3030 and READY PLAYER ONE

Chris: Stay with me for a moment; I’m about to rant.

[Rant start]

I’ve always loved albums, their wholeness, even if I don’t like every track. I love their organization, when you see the purpose behind a slow song sandwiched by two blazing tracks, when a fantastic first track opens the door to this music hall, when a closing track completes your audio journey and--hopefully--forces you to hit play once again. Much as I’ve grown to embrace the digital world, to me, the biggest loss is that of the complete album. Now, you can simply purchase the track(s) you like and never even listen to the rest. I’ll admit, for most artists, that’s not a big deal. But with less folks purchasing full albums, the less likely an artist will put out a concept album--something already sparse. And I don’t know about you, but I love concept albums, and I’ll be sad to see a rarity become endangered in this digital age.

[Rant end]

Deltron's first album, "3030," released in 2000, is the mutated, hip-hop offspring of Del the Funky Homosapien, Dan the Automater, and Kid Koala, and is one of my favorite concept albums around.

The whole of the album paints a picture of the future, in the year 3030, as it follows the life of a upcoming emcee who wants to participate in an intergalactic rap battle. It tells his story from start to finish, taking an occasional detour for a skit or song that fleshes out this futuristic world. From homeless rantings to public service announcements to ads promoting colleges, these tracks build a bleak world, which shares enough similarities to today, that you can not only relate with, but it also becomes a viable future.

In between the world building, we follow Deltron 0, a former “mech-warrior that didn’t respect orders,” who dreams of winning the "instupicuous," Fantabulous Rap Battle Extravaganza. It’s a battle of “man vs. machine, machine vs. computer, computer vs. woman, woman vs. child.” The songs' story carries us through to the battle itself and the aftermath. It’s a technological rap through the future, with Del referencing Transformers, Strange Brew, MicroMachines, and countless other bits of pop culture. And the beats range from the traditional to the bizarre to the digital noise and quirks of the electronic world.

It’s been 13 years since its release, but it’s still as solid as ever. Even better, this past week, those of us waiting for the next album, “Phase II,” were given the first single, “City Rising from the Ashes.” So now is the perfect time to catch up with the Deltron world before the new album drops. And if you like it, you’ll also like READY PLAYER ONE by Ernest Cline.

Set in a much nearer future, 2044, the novel paints an even grimmer picture of what's to come. The general populous lives in the digital world of OASIS, an MMORPG (think World of Warcraft but not only for fun but how you also go to school, shop, work, etc.). Wade, the protagonist, spends his hours on the OASIS trying to solve the game creator’s puzzle. Years ago, the creator started a contest whose winner would inherit his mass wealth and control over the OASIS. Now, Wade must dodge evil-global corporations trying to win the contest while sifting through massive amounts of 80’s pop culture--from “Family Ties” to Oingo Boingo and Billy Idol to heaps of classic arcade games--to solve the creator's enigma. (The author even created his own soundtrack for the novel that you can find with a quick Google.)

While both READY PLAYER ONE and Deltron are very different in topic and execution, they share many similarities. Both have unlikely heroes trying to accomplish impossible tasks. Both are chock full o’ pop culture references to build their futuristic worlds. Both create their own vernacular for the future. And best of all, both are a shitton of fun and never take themselves too seriously.

If you’re a fan of Deltron, give READY PLAYER ONE a shot. And if you’ve been reading this and wondering what in the hell I’m even talking about, do yourself a favor and take a quick listen, and then go grab this novel from your local bookstore--especially if you’re into sci-fi, videogames, humor, and pop culture.

Awkward Book Review: Book vs. Movie - THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER

Time for another dose of awkwardness! And today we discuss the wonderful PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER by Stephen Chbosky. Enjoy!

THE BOOK:


THE FILM:


(We're still playing with the format for these, so don't be surprised if/when the video style changes. And if you have any suggestions/recommendations for what program we can use to record a chat between the two of us, we'd be most appreciative.)

The Story of Us: Cross-dressing Teens

Chris: 

One of my favorite memories from high school is dress shopping. Yes, me, a guy, dress shopping.

Every year, our school held a Senior Class Play that acted as a fundraiser for the class trip. Some would act/manage/light/etc. the play and others served as waiters and waitresses for the pre-show dinner. My senior year, our play was a comedy about a garden club organizing and producing a play. The characters needed to raise funds for their various projects, so they decided to host a night of theatre and pageantry. Problem is, they didn’t know the first thing about play production or beauty pageants. So, of course, the whole thing is a debacle--albeit an amusing one.

The photo is from the beauty pageant portion. Yes, there were plenty of females in my class and even in the play, but we all thought it would be funnier if I wore a dress, claiming the original, scheduled wearer was nowhere to be found. It was a riot, gaining some of the biggest laughs--along with catcalls and whistles--of our two performances.

To find this pink polyester beaut, we’d hit up a local thrift store. When we walked through the door, the cast, the director and his wife, and I saw this dress hanging behind the counter. We knew it was the one, as long as it fit. The clerk handed it over without question, but when she saw that I was the one going into the changing room, she howled with laughter. Even more, when I came out wearing it, another customer jabbered away, gushing about how much she loved the dress, how good it looked on me, and that if we weren’t going to buy it, she would.

Of course, it was all in the name of humor. But had I not been comfortable enough to cross-dress in front of the whole school and faculty and parents, I would’ve missed out on that woman’s reaction. What helped me along were the words of my good friend, Cale P., who’d said, “There’s no shame in humor.” And while this is very true--you have to be able to laugh at yourself before you can make the world laugh with you--it extends beyond humor. You shouldn’t be ashamed of being you. We each deserve to be comfortable in our skins, and the first step is simply accepting yourself for yourself--regardless of others’ reactions. And who knows, in the process of being yourself, you just might create some favorite memories along the way...

Holly: Your own, personal bully. Most people have one in high school, and I was no exception. 

This girl was relentless, and she took every chance she got (especially when others were around) to make fun of just about everything I did. So when this jock-of-a-chick joined drama, I knew it could only be for one reason: to ruin my life. And when the drama teacher allowed my bully to help her choose rolls for plays because she'd gotten a sports injury and couldn't perform, I knew things were only going to get worse. 

First, she cast me as the goose in a retelling of "Jack and the Beanstalk." And of course, as this goose, I had to lay a real egg on stage by dropping it behind me, letting it break, and yelling "Oh, my little Herbie!" Luckily, I've always been fairly secure with myself (barring a few exceptions), and I decided as a goose to make my rolls, however embarrassing, the best they could be. And people loved it. We traveled to area elementary schools for "Jack and the Beanstalk," and I made all of the little kids scream with glee when I laid that egg. They even asked for my autograph. Take that, bully! 

Well, the next play was "Hansel and Gretel," and it was clear that my bully wasn't done throwing the punches. I'd had short hair ever since my mom gave me a bowl cut in the third grade. I wanted longer hair, but I could never seem to hold out during the "awkward length" stage, so it stayed short for a long time. My bully knew this was a weak spot for me, because we'd both been on a soccer team together from age eight, all the way into high school. She knew the other teams would call me a boy to try to psyche me out, and I guess she wanted to get me good. So, even though there were guys in drama, I got cast as Hansel...yeah, you heard it right. Not Gretel. Hansel. But I did the same with Hansel as I did with the goose. I held my head up high and gave it my all. This play was performed in front of the school, and the entire student body gave me a standing ovation when it was my time to bow at the end. It goes to show that being comfortable with yourself, even in the face of a bully, is worth it every time.

Spreading the Talent

Hello, there!

Holly: You know what's better than having a talent? Using if for the good of mankind! Okay, maybe not mankind...but maybe one man? Or just to be kind? I'm lucky enough to say that writing is my talent. It's something that I love, and I'm able to put my heart into and never get tired of it. But lately I've felt like I could be doing more with my writing skills than just...well...writing. That's why I applied for, and was lucky enough to get, a volunteer position for an organization called Deep.  Starting this September I will get to help a select group of middle schoolers realize their potential through creative writing. I'll get to work with a co-fellow and hang out with some awesome (and talented) kids! It's proof that putting your talent out into the world by using it to help others is a great way to feel good about yourself...and maybe even learn something new!



Chris: One of my professors once told me, “If you really want to write, you have to give up everything else. I loved pottery, but when I decided to write, I gave it up."

It made sense, as I understand the sacrifices we must make for what we love. But to sacrifice one love for another? Bella might’ve made that choice, but I couldn’t do it. (That’s right, I just made a Twilight reference. Deal with it.) I still divide my time between the things I love. And I’m happiest when I’m working for those around me. I’ve created flyers for my wife’s college Nursing Club, provided guest webcomics for strangers,  painted gifts and Just Becauses for my friends, built book covers for my fellow writers, and was even privileged enough to provide the graphic novel pages for A. E. Stueve’s hybrid novella, The ABCs of Dinkology.

My professor’s words still echo every time I sit down to draw or paint or Wacom. And plenty of words have missed the pages because of my choices. But I don’t regret my decision to keep this in my life. Not for a second.