Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Religion and Politics: Prepare to be pissed

Rather than start an incendiary war of words here I'm actually writing another top songs list, followed by a classic ROBOpost: top political songs. But first top religious songs. Now I'm not talking about Amazing Grace or A mighty Fortress is Our God or that kind of thing, Nor am I talking about Christian Contemporary Rock, which let's be honest, usually isn't helping Christianity, it's hurting Rock and Roll. No I'm talking about strictly secular music that uses religious or Biblical analogies to make them all the more poignant stirring or just plain kick-ass. So hold on to your rosary here we go.

8.The Temptation of Adam, Josh Ritter
Okay, so this songs only real reference is in the title but it's a clever enough title that it shines a beautiful poignant light on an already sensitive transcendent song, and furthermore it's also a clever pun Adam=Atom. I could try to explain the lyrics but Ritter does a better job so here they are:
If this was the Cold War we could keep each other warm
I said on the first occasion that I met Marie
We were crawling through the hatch that was the missile silo door
And I don't think that she really thought that much of me

I never had to learn to love her like I learned to love the Bomb
She just came along and started to ignore me
But as we waited for the Big One
I started singing her my songs
And I think she started feeling something for me

We passed the time with crosswords that she thought to bring inside
What five letters spell "apocalypse" she asked me
I won her over singin "W.W.I.I.I."
She smiled and we both knew that she'd misjudged me

Oh Marie it was so easy to fall in love with you
It felt almost like a home of sorts or something
And you would keep the warhead missile silo good as new
And I'd watch you with my thumb above the button

Then one night you found me in my army issue cot
And you told me of your flash of inspiration
You said fusion was the broken heart that's lonely's only thought
And all night long you drove me wild with your equations

Oh Marie do you remember all the time we used to take
We'd make our love and then ransack the rations
I think about you leaving now and the avalanche cascades
And my eyes get washed away in chain reactions

Oh Marie if you would stay then we could stick pins in the map
Of all the places where you thought that love would be found
But I would only need one pin to show where my love's at
In a top secret location three hundred feet under the ground

We could hold each other close and stay up every night
Looking up into the dark like it's the night sky
And pretend this giant missile is an old oak tree instead
And carve our name in hearts into the warhead

Oh Marie there's something tells me things just won't work out above
That our love would live a half-life on the surface
So at night while you are sleeping
I hold you closer just because
As our time grows short I get a little nervous

I think about the Big One, W.W.I.I.I.
Would we ever really care the world had ended
You could hold me here forever like you're holding me tonight
I think about that great big button and I'm tempted

So it's this beautiful story about the possible last man and first man on earth. Clever heartbreaking and gorgeous. Amen to that.


7.Pride (In the Name of Love) U2
U2 is one of those bands that definitely have a spiritual core. Although not entirely historically acurate, (MLK was assassinated at 6:01 PM not early morning on April 4th.) this is probably one of the most spiritual. It makes comparisons between Jesus and Martin Luther King. One man come to Justify, One man to Overthrow etc. It's a powerful anthem to love and sacrifice and hopefully reminds us of the struggles and sacrifices of others in the name of Love and Freedom.
visit amnesty.org

6.Monkey Gone to Heaven, The Pixies
No list of songs with biblical analogies would be complete without something written by Frank Black. Monkey Gone to Heaven is one of my favorite Pixies songs and it's bridge is all about Hebrew Numerology, not to mention it's strong environmental message and the obvious references to Humanity and it's relation to Heaven and what were doing to the earth. Musically it's a revelation, classic QUIET loud QUIET Pixies interesting mix listen close for the underlying pizzicato strings and piano. It makes you want to shout out glory er actually scream Then GOD IS SEVEN!

5. Sympathy for the Devil, The Rolling Stones
Most of the songs on this list reference hopeful parts of the good book. This one not so much yet it's still "damned" good time. Yes, I know there are hundreds of metal songs with similar themes, but this song was probably one the first songs told from the perspective of the Evil Underlord, and it 's just a great rock song. Oh and contrary to popular belief the song playing when Hell's Angels killed a man while acting as security at a Stones show was "Under my Thumb" not Sympathy.

4.Hallelujah, Jeff Buckley (written by Leonard Cohen)
This song is like a prayer to human love as a religious experience, without ever being cheap or tawdry. The King David analogies work so well. As well as the great lines about the "Holy Dove" and maybe there's a God above etc. There are so many great versions Rufus Wainwright and John Cale do some terrific renditions as well as The original by Leonard Cohen, but my favorite is definitely The Jeff Buckley version from an amazing album that also has many other religious analogies and spiritual songs, Grace. Also posted here are the extra verses Leonard Cohen wrote but nobody sings:

You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light
In every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken Hallelujah

I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though
It all went wrong
I'll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but Hallelujah

3. Exodus, Bob Marley
Another essential artist when it comes to music with spiritual or religious analogies. Many Rastafarian fans consider him almost a prophet of sorts. There are a hundred Marley songs that could go here. This one is kind of a Gimme I'll admit but it's great song on a great album and it's pretty hard to ignore the Moses/Exodus references. Also if you are a Rastafarian this song probably is a hymn. Marley's music was something unique it always fostered hope peace and freedom. If you don't like Bob Marley you've probably never smiled a day in your life or you might kick puppies.

2.Casimir Pulaski Day, Sufjan Stevens
I'm only putting one Sufjan song on this list although there are several, check out the whole album Seven Swans for a complete album of religiously inspired work or any Sufjan Album for other songs. Sufjan Steven's doesn't so much write religious analogies as much as he uses religion as realistic settings to add depth. This is a simple and beautiful song about coping with illness and loss and God. It really illustrates a feeling of abandonment from the almighty and yet somehow an enduring faith in God, The sparse lilting arrangement is never typical, and adds more depth and character to this already beautiful song.

1.Samson, Regina Spektor
This song is such a gorgeous song about ill fated romance that mirrors the story of Samson. Spektor's clever heart felt lyrics about her long haired lover are sweet and sincere as well as displaying her signature quirks that make her work so unique and memorable. Her voice is sensitive and feminine in a very Joni Mitchellesque style yet her own personality shines through. Here are the Lyrics:
You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first, I loved you first
Beneath the sheets of paper lies my truth
I have to go, I have to go
Your hair was long when we first met

Samson went back to bed
Not much hair left on his head
He ate a slice of wonder bread and went right back to bed
And history books forgot about us and the bible didn't mention us
And the bible didn't mention us, not even once

You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first, I loved you first
Beneath the stars came fallin' on our heads
But they're just old light, they're just old light
Your hair was long when we first met

Samson came to my bed
Told me that my hair was red
Told me I was beautiful and came into my bed
Oh I cut his hair myself one night
A pair of dull scissors in the yellow light
And he told me that I'd done alright
And kissed me 'til the mornin' light, the mornin' light
And he kissed me 'til the mornin' light

Samson went back to bed
Not much hair left on his head
Ate a slice of wonderbread and went right back to bed
Oh, we couldn't bring the columns down
Yeah we couldn't destroy a single one
And history books forgot about us
And the bible didn't mention us, not even once

You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first

Well there's my list. Amen.

Top 5 Political Songs (originally posted Oct. 13, 2006)

1.Take the Power Back, Rage Against the Machine
2.Won't Get fooled Again, The Who
3.Celebration Guns, Stars
4.Fortunate Son, Creedence Clearwater Revival
5.Seconds, u2

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Reviews: Forgetting Sarah Marshall

Forgetting Sarah Marshall is a sweetly crude and funny comedy about Peter Bretter(Jason Segel), a T.V. film composer, and his struggles to cope with his breakup from T.V. film star Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell.) His quest to mend his heart takes him to Hawaii where he ironically books the same hotel as Sarah and her new boyfriend, rock star Aldous Snow (Russell Brand.) Peter is helped in his coping by kind hearted concierge Rachel Jansen(Mila Kunis) and hilarity follows.
This is probably the funniest film I have seen this year. From start to finish it is packed with laugh out loud moments and memorable quips reminiscent of other films produced by Judd Apatow (40 year old virgin, Knocked up, Superbad.) As with all Apatow films there is some crude humor although this film features less (except for a few scenes of full frontal male nudity) than those previously mentioned, and over all a tender hearted and clever film is what truly shines through. It is a refreshing film from this production company it is less misogynist than Knocked Up despite the fact that it is told from the male perspective. Segel brings a likable softness and sensitivity to his character that really flips the classic Romantic comedy on it's head. The plot is predictable but easy to relate too, and this isn't the type of film you see for the sake of plot twists anyway. Overall a complete and clever comedy that is perfect for a date movie or one that even the calloused tough guy would enjoy by his little old lonesome. 9 out of 10
R rated for full frontal male nudity, sex, language and adult content.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Back Posts and ROBO chatter

In order to keep the Fleshy one known as Greenwood's blog complete one old blog will be reposted at this location with each new one as well as a piece of fine ROBO literature here for your enjoyment, a selection from King Gear

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And a classic post from previous ROBOBRAINs

I grew up during the 90's

So it's been a little while since I wrote a good and proper new blog. My computer was on the fritz for a little. Since I've had no Computer it's given me time to reflect on my short span of 23 years and that has inspired me to write a blog about the music of the nineties. I started the 90's as a seven year old barely sentient and ended it as a seventeen year old (duh? decades have a way of being ten years) highschool student anyway, here are some albums that personified the nineties for me.I'll try to be as chronological as possible but we will see how well my memory serves me.
Violator, Depeche Mode
This album barely made it into the decade (the first single personal jesuswas released in 89') and many people say that the eighties didn't truly end until 93' with grunge anyway but still this album made a very big impact on me. My kindergarten teacher, I believe her name was ms. Davis (who turned out to be a lesbian) listened to this on a tape deck in the classroom. I had no clue what "enjoy the silence," or "policy of truth" or "personal jesus" meant but I thought it was so cool and grownup. I mean it was all electronic and the lyrics seemed deep and artsy to my six or seven year old mind. I still love this album it was a good start to the decade
The Wedding Album, Duran Duran
This album impacted me during the 90's more specifically with the songs "ordinary world" and "come undone" And with come undone it was really more just the high pitch sampled lady part. But none the less this is one of the first songs I remember singing along too that my parents did not introduce to me (My older bro did I think) Now fifteen or so years later I actually listen to the whole album (with the exception of the bad cover of the velvet undergrounds "femme fatale") and I apreciate it as one of the great dance pop/rock albums ever, and Yes I still love and sing along, even with the high pitched "cannot keep from falling apart at the seams cannot believe your taking my heart to pieces"
Vs. Pearl Jam,
Ok, so this album first impacted me in T-shirt form. I remember very vividly waiting for the school bell to ring and seeing the cool sixth graders at school wearing this t-shirt with this wierd goat on it. Later as I approached cooler older grade schooler "Daughter" was still really really cool. Today my favorite tracks Elderly woman behind..., Animal, Dissident
Superunknown, Soundgarden
Even though Badmotofinger is probably a better album, I think this album really made a bigger difference. As an nine year old I could hear Black Hole Sun and possibly Like Suicide on the same radio stations that played Ace of Base. It turned me on to Grunge. it's musical and listenable and dangerous all at the same time. Still an awesome album
In Utero, Nirvana
All Apologies seemed like an anthem to a troublesome ten year old! I got to roam the halls of my elementary singing "What else can I say everyone is Gay!" I completely missed the undercurrent of rage and depression, that is until Kurt Cobaine commited suicide. I heard about it from my friend Nick who's parents would actually buy him the Nirvana tapes. We were in a hallway at school with big windows and it was raining outside and Nick said did you here Kurt Cobaine killed himself. He then explained a bunch of teenagers in the news were like cutting "kurt" into their arms and crying and some even killed themselves. I completely couldn't grasp why it was such a big deal and not then but soon after I made stupid fourth grader jokes about it, But still it was a big deal
New Miserable Experience, Gin Blossoms
So this album felt like one of the first one that I related to, although at the time I really didn't. Just something about really great pop rock that talked about "driving around town and letting the cops chase up around" and finding about you from "whispers at the bus stop" really really made sense to an eleven year old. Today the Gin blossoms are a favorite as a song writer they wrote really great pop hooks and actually the lyrics still seem to make sense to me even now
Blue Album, Weezer
This is one of the first albums I bought on CD. Me and my bro went in together on it because I didn't have enough money myself to buy it. I remember the album at first seeming very playful and almost funny because of songs like in the garage mentioning the x-men or the sweater song or my name is jonas. although maybe I've outgrown it a little now. it still really strikes me as one of those albums that changed things
Dookie, Green Day
This album falls in the exact same category as the Blue Album and for the same reasons. Basketcase was really important to me as a fifth grader. I don't listen to the album much anymore but everyknow and again I'll pump up when I come around, Oh yeah also one of the first albums I remember owning with a hidden track! (which at the time I totally thought was funny but totally didn't realize it was about masterbation)
Ok Computer, Radiohead
So this album was introduced to me by my friend Joel and his older brother Sam I was probably in the seventh grade. It was just so weird with stuff like fitter happier and cool and you could still listen to songs like subterranian homesick alien or karma police or paranoid android and be like I get this musically. This album is still today a musical inspiration and groundbreaking ten years later
Nine Lives, Aerosmith
So this is an okay album but not one of aerosmiths greatest, but it meant a lot to me. I had begun playing guitar when this album came out and I remember hearing Joe Perry's guitar parts and thinking wow this guy is awesome, and from that I started exploring their back catalog and it probably helped sink me into Led Zeppelin more and a lot of the seventies rock that I love so much
What's the story (Morning Glory) Oasis
so this album really lingered I remeber going on a hike with the scouts when I was like thirteen or fourteen and listening to champagne supernova and wonderwall and i was still listening to it as a junior in highschool and I'm still listening to this album now. I think it has staying power because there all solid songs.
Whatever and Ever Amen, Ben Folds Five
So I'm an eight or ninth grader and this band comes along called the Ben Fold's Five but they only have three members and they have no Guitars and they write songs that are either tragic or ridiculous and funny, and I think to myself this is a good thing. This album would probably be one of my tops of all time. It's the right balance of Drama, comedy, hook laden, pop and headiness. I've seen Ben Folds two or three times, met him once and this one still is awesome
Before These Crowded Streets, Dave Matthews Band
So this is probably DMB's best album and for someone who fancied himself a teenage musician it seemed lush and multi textural and jazzy. I don't listen to that much DMB anymore but if I am it's probably this one
Californication, Red Hot Chili Peppers
This album is possibly RHCP's most cohesive effort. I already loved Blood Sex Sugar Magic when this came out and this album helped me further embrace the band. It was more musical than their previous outings and it's choked full of singles and there really isn't a weak track on it. It seemed like a great beautiful death throw for the decade, which now was being destroyed by boy bands and britney.
All that You Can't leve Behind, U2
So I don't really think this was the nineties it was probably early 00's but it feels like it belongs with all these other albums. At the time I was growing older and I didn't understand myself and I felt like no one else understood me and there is this joyous jubilant album telling me I don't need anything or anyone at all and that it's a beautiful day and to walk on. It was like revelation. I seriously think this album helped save my troubled teenage life. Anyway I think I've surpassed the 90's so I'll stop reminiscing



Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Boris and Natasha: Victim's of McCarthyism!


Of the many injustices performed in the world, few are as cruel and overlooked as the lives of Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale. There story begins in the humble nation of Pottsylvania, a former Soviet Satellite. In these surroundings a child's only hope to better himself and improve his lot in the world is to work towards becoming a world class spy (Pottsylvania's principal export), if this is not realized, one can expect to be blue collar laborer in building Pottsylvania's other export, the automobile: The Assassin 8. Naturally both Boris and Natasha Gravitated towards this profession. Natasha had an easier time of it, as the child of a world famous spy getting into the Pottsylvanian Espionage Academy was relatively easy. Boris on the other hand struggled born into a family of low level auto workers he studied hard and worked nights installing headlamps in order to attend the prestigious school. It was there the two met and became fast friends, some say even more. Upon graduation Boris and Natasha were sent on several low level cases before there big break came: To travel to the United States and bringing a renegade moose and squirrel to justice. These two miscreants went by the names Rocky and Bullwinkle and had been a menace to Pottsylvania for years. Moose and Squirrel had stopped a shipment of Rocket fuel destined for Pottsylvania as well as infiltrating Pottsylvanian television and broadcasting red scare American propaganda in this harmless eastern block nation. Boris and Natasha traveled first to Canada and with the help of close friend Snidely Whiplash made it past Dudley Do-Right and the Canadian Mounted Police and entered the United States. As Boris and Natasha attempted to make proud their nation and Fearless Leader, by the most peaceful methods possible, they were met with only violence and hostility. Several times they had incendiaries ignited in their immediate vicinity, their vehicles attacked and sent over cliffs, And their persons crushed under large boulders. As the news of their exploits and their unyielding zeal began to reach the masses, the public began to sympathize with these stalwart spies. It was at this time that the House Un-American Activities Committee stepped in.
The McCarthy era government saw Boris and Natasha as a threat because they were foreigners from a former soviet republic and they were gaining public support. Normally foreigners that were considered potential threats had their visas revoked and were deported, but seeing that Boris and Natasha had imprinted themselves upon the social conscience, the government decided to take a different route with the two. First through the state department they made an arrangement with the Pottsylvanian government to cut off most aid except the rare transmission with Mr. Big and Fearless Leaded as well as keeping the (now under supplied) couple assigned to The Rocky and Bullwinkle case indefinitely. Next The government black listed the couple among spy circles making it next to impossible for the couple to get domestic aid. The final ingredient in this cocktail of deceit was giving Rocking and Bullwinkle their own television program. Through the miracle of propaganda these two helpless Europeans were transformed from ex-patriots doing their best to make it in the U.S. to nefarious bumbling criminals. Repeatedly the violence wrought upon them was used as a punchline and through clever editing their virtues were overshadowed. Over time the stress of their increasingly dire circumstances started to take their toll on Boris and Natasha. They became somewhat prematurely aged and increasingly aggravated. Soon their relationship suffered. As the government saw the stresses placed upon the couple they decided to exploit it. On a rare instance of rage Boris uttered those fated words "Shuddup you mouth, Natasha" and the producers under direction of HUAC decided to make it into a catch phrase. Many times over the following years those words were edited in, in place of kinder gentler words. Over time those cruel words worked their way into public vernacular and consequently back to their original source. A real malice began creeping into Boris and Natasha's relationship. Finally after years together the couple parted ways. What became of Boris and Natasha after that is largely a mystery. Their is strong evidence that both were incarcerated for some time in the prison at Guantanamo Bay. Some say they perished there. Some say they were sold as human chattel to the South East Asian sex trade. Most believe that Rocky and Bullwinkle truly did get the better of them once they separated. Their is lingering evidence that Rocky the Squirrel was involved in a black ops team that included Mister Peabody, that performed assassinations of people at one time deemed threats to democracy. Despite all of these rumors their is one that does not end in tragedy. A small group of people believe at the end of the red scare, after the fall of the Iron Curtain that Boris and Natasha both made their way back to Pottsylvania and finally reunited and found peace. I cannot speak for the rest of you, but this theory of their whereabouts is the one that this writer would like to believe. Wherever they are let us hope they have finally found peace.

Monday, April 21, 2008

A ROBOBRAIN can't die!

Hey all,
SOoOOoo, this is the third ROBOBRAIN the weak, fleshy, cellular being Han Greenwood has created in attempt to spread his convoluted propaganda litanies and opinions. For those of you not familiar with the previous two, you can expect to find here, weak, fleshy and cellular commentary on Music, Movies, Pop-Culture, and whatever else occupies the dismal gray matter that is so intensely inferior to the beautiful order and printed circuitry of this ROBOBRAIN. New improved features of this version of Han's Dangerous ROBOBRAIN, will be a more functional robotic tone (just so long as our carbon based creator doesn't grow weary of typing this way.) including binary poems, plays, novels and love letters, 01011101 01000110111010101 01001001011 That was just sampling with one my haiku's. Kooky conspiracies, and occasional recipes for carbon based life forms. Enjoy while your freedom from the ROBOBRAIN's remains