okay, it’s time for another “make-up” Music of the Day entry… this one’s more recent, but still a little behind the times… i hope to have another entry up later this week (preferably tomorrow) covering the shiny happy releases from the 24th and 31st because i have a couple of those and have heard a couple more… and then it will look like i’ve caught up…

anyway, this time out, i’ve got some doozies from the latter weeks of July including some rawk music, as well as introspective splendor from a personal favorite… top that off with a couple debuts and cap it all with a surprise hit here at theTRu, which will receive a special little shout out… and that smells like one fantastic day of music… okay, off we go…

Ivoryline – Vessels

the first line of their bio reads… “Ivoryline has been inspired.”… that’s, um, interesting… i guess i’d hope that all band record based on inspiration… but that’s not what they’re talking about and i know this because “inspired” is one of those Christian code words… let me decode it for you… basically, it means that this album is expected to deal directly with the topic of faith… and indeed it does put things clearly and openly… but to be completely honest i don’t know if that’s a new approach for Ivoryline… i don’t even remember what their last album – something about a Lion – from two years ago sounded like or how “clear” or obtuse the lyrics were…

Either way, the album at hand, Vessels, borrows from the same Bible passage from which Jars of Clay took their name… that they have a message of great importance and that they are amazed that it was entrusted to such wounded “vessels” sets the stage for an album of honest and faith-filled lyrics… If you’re concerned about the safety of the lyrics, you can be at ease… if you’re concerned with the quality of music, you can also set your mind at ease… Ivoryline has crafted a nice poppy sound with a hearty dose of rock-tinged riffs along the lines of Anberlin… and now i’ve invested way too much in this quick review… bottom line… it sounds good and if you like the stylings of Anberlin and other modern rock, this is a good choice for you…

House of Heroes – Suburba

i’m always excited to hear what House of Heroes comes up with… if nothing else, i’m always guaranteed that at least five times on the album, Tim Skipper is going to blow me away with his vocal… Suburba doesn’t disappoint in the least and, upon first listen, it immediately jumped into contention for a top spot in my annual top albums list… for fans of rock music, the group brings the ballyhoo on tracks like Independence Day for a Petty Thief and Burn Me Down… however, there’s also a nice touch of harmonies on tracks like So Far Away, which reminds me of The Beach Boys melodically… all in all, it’s another fantastic album from a group that always impresses me…

Andrew Peterson – Counting Stars

Andrew Peterson has a storyteller’s heart… that much is obvious from his music… of course, he’s also written a couple of books and, i believe, is working on the third… but it takes all of fifteen seconds with him before he’s launching into a story of some sort… that’s just the way he expresses his creativity… and when it manifests itself in mellow, heartfelt music, the result is an album-based experience that is unparalleled… once again, he provides stunning visuals lyrically and frames each tale and metaphor with soothing, captivating melodies… give this album a listen and you’ll be swept away along a carefree journey from one man’s perspective as he uncovers the glory of God…

Runaway City – Armored Heart

Here’s a new group… and i’m assuming they’ve released this somewhat independently… i’m kind of at a loss thinking of who exactly to compare them to, but that’s not to say their sound is unique, just that the names of similar bands are escaping me… it’s not exactly polished like Creed, but it’s also not as rough-edged as a 12 Stones… but i think you get somewhat of an idea… production-wise somewhere in between the two… in regards to talent level, probably around that range… taken at face value… there are a couple of pretty good songs on here… i do like Longing and No Escape all right… oh, maybe Kutless?… anyway, it’s not a bad debut…

The Museum – Let Love Win

another newbie to the scene… The Museum looks like your typical Christian rock group complete with a name that starts with “The,” scruffy hair, and those army-style baseball caps… but beyond the ensemble lies a pretty smooth and enjoyable sound… there’s certainly a trendy worship element to the album, a la Above the Golden State and maybe The Longing… Especially on tracks like My Help Comes from the Lord and Allelujah, but they include both vertical and horizontal songs, which, i know falls into the Christian code words category again, but hey, it forms a cross… Anyway, the point is, Let Love In has songs for all occasions… some directed to God, some directed to all of us, for instance, Buy This, which explains that hope and redemption are free gifts and not something you can buy… i like this album and it actually made it onto my iPod…

And now for something completely different… i often check out full album streams on AOL because i don’t get albums as frequently as i used to and it’s pretty cool to see what else is out there from people i don’t get servicing from… sometimes… well, during the week of 27 July, i managed to stumble upon a full album stream of the self-titled release from J Roddy Walston and the Business… despite never having heard of them, i gave it a chance… and i listened to that stream no less than 20 times during the course of that week… very disappointing when it disappeared… now, i can’t necessarily vouch for the lyrical content – but i think it’s pretty clean – but i can most assuredly rave about the down home jam session quality of the music that i simply can’t get enough of… think Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Black Keys… and if you still don’t have a frame of reference, then i’ve now given you three bands worth checking out… seriously… i can listen to this album for hours on end… good, good stuff…

and that’s all for now folks… i hope to be back tomorrow or the next day to talk about the likes of Jeremy Camp, Israel Houghton, and Natalie Grant among others… we’ll see what i can do…

peace… love… bdg…

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Please note that i’m simply going for a sexy headline and that i don’t have anyone in particular in mind here. It’s just that, well, maybe i know some people who can use some good advice in this regard. And i’ve been working on some writing ideas that touch on similar themes… so here it is…

What to do when your boss sucks

Let’s be honest. People are the worst part of your job. The people you work with have a tremendous impact on whether or not you enjoy yourself each day. During the interview process, salary is negotiated and you get a general feel for what tasks will be required of you from day to day, but the people… that’s the real wildcard, am I right?

Further complicating this dilemma, studies show that the absolute worst offenders are most likely to get promoted to management positions. (I may have fabricated that study, but it often seems to be case). It may be a power hungry dictator-type personality or someone who simply doesn’t have a clue, but one way or another, they got promoted ahead of you. Now, not only do you have to figure out how to tolerate these coworkers, but you have to appease, respect, and report to them.

If you ever find yourself in this situation – and I think we all have at one point or another – you may wonder what to do about it. Well, most people will say to grin and bear it, or just simply deal with it. You can complain, argue, or stew about it if you really want to, but that will more than likely just make things worse. So below are seven practical steps to dealing with bad management in a productive and helpful way.

1. BREATHE: You are without a doubt in one of the most frustrating positions life has to offer. It’s easy to let that frustration take root and usurp your ability to focus. This only complicates matters and makes you more likely to say things you don’t mean or will quickly regret.

2. BE SLOW TO SPEAK: Words have a certain power to them. When you speak out quickly, chances are, you just said something you will regret (probably because you didn’t breathe first). This will deteriorate what little ground you have to stand on. Choose your words carefully and only speak when necessary. This goes double for any written communication. Don’t send that fiery email on its way. In fact, don’t even type it up. That “send” button is just too, too tempting.

3. FIND THE BIG PICTURE: Ripples always start somewhere and it’s often safe to assume the turbulence you’re currently experiencing has more to do with something beyond your day-to-day line of sight. Look at the forest instead of the trees. What does that mean? Try to understand the root cause of your frustrations. It may be your manager, but it also may be something else. It may also be a fleeting problem that will disappear in time.

4. FIND THE SMALL PICTURE: Make sure you (and others) understand your place in the scenery. Find your boundaries and fill them out. Later, you can worry about extending them, but for now, understand where you belong and what belongs to you. It’s easy to complain, but if you complain enough about other people instead of fulfilling your role on the job, chances are someone else is complaining about you, too.

5. CONTROL WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL: You may not be able to stop the clouds from forming overhead, but you can grab an umbrella and keep things dry. Do the things you’re supposed to do. Do them well. Do them consistently. If you aren’t handling your business, maybe that’s why your boss treats you like a jerk. Maybe not, but why provide the ammunition that can later be used against you. This also includes your actions, words, and attitudes.

6. CELEBRATE SMALL VICTORIES: Find things to be happy about. Even in the direst of circumstances, even if you don’t get any credit for them, there’s always something to celebrate. Especially when you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing. Your manager might not realize this, but their success depends on your success. Each victory you accomplish make them look good. You’ll slowly get their attention and make them realize that you’re good for business. Eventually, it will all add up. You may need to (subtly) make certain to pass that celebration on up the chain to help gain visibility from the top.

7. BE READY TO MOVE ON: Not usually ideal. And most people actually get sick just thinking about looking for a new job. Change is a pain and, in this job market, you certainly don’t want to tempt fate, right? Well, sometimes you have to pack it up and move on. I certainly don’t recommend jumping to this step without putting forth your best effort at the first six, but I certainly can’t stop you. I will say this though: Chances are, your next boss will suck, too. I’m just saying.

peace… love… bdg…

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i could’ve sworn that i had already written and posted this update, but clearly this was not the case… and now, i’ve got a handful of new releases this week to talk about, too… therefore, yes folks, expect multiple music of the day entries this week… it’s not like i don’t have plenty of ground to make up for given my lack of attention during the top half of this year… anyway, these will probably be quicker takes than normal, but below are notable albums that released in January of this year and a little commentary… later (in a different update), i’ll talk about newer releases… off we go…

Wake Me – Tal & Acacia

honestly, i didn’t expect much from this sister duo who seemingly came out of nowhere… it seemed like a formulaic device to appease the ever-growing market focus on tweenagers thanks to Hannah Montana and my homeboys, the Jonas Brothers… i expected lightweight pop tunes that fizzled out like the soda foam after thirty seconds in an ice-filled glass… and it’s definitely pop and there are some lighter moment, but it’s such an infectious album that i was surprisingly drawn in and caught up in the merry go round that is this album… yes, it does tire if overdone, but Wake Me, it did indeed…

Ocean Eyes – Owl City

here’s a tricky one for me… and albeit, i think the deluxe version of this album released in January whereas the standard version was probably available months earlier… and, while i can’t definitively tell you what differentiates the two versions – i assume there’s a bonus song or two – i can say that this is an album i can go either way on… there’s no denying the success the group has seen and it’s fantastic to see a young group of guys put out popular music with at least a vaguely positive message… but the bottom line for me is that, at their very best, Owl City is a lighter version of Mae… and Mae is great, but Owl City has a ways to go… i don’t dislike it per se, but i don’t listen to it often and often when i do, i make it about halfway through before i’m looking for my copy of The Everglow and changing discs, or playlists, or file folders…

Birds & Cages – Deas Vail

i do like Deas Vail, but they’re not a band that i get too carried away with… i won’t go out of my way to listen to them, but when i do, i feel that it was time reasonably well spent… especially since i work while i listen… Wes Blaylock makes a rather compelling case for loving the band as each time he opens his mouth, he releases a stunning vocal perform… Birds & Cages is about finding freedom and finding yourself… not to get all deep and stuff, it’s also a rather enjoyable release…

To the Secrets and Knowledge – Number One Gun

based on this and the previous two albums, you could easily get the impression that January is the month for modern, mellow rock tunes… yes, this follows suit and doesn’t do too much to distinguish itself from other weeds in the field, but it’s still somewhat impressive that Jeff Schneeweis (your pronunciation is as good as mine) does this all by himself… and, oh, there’s always the cover of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing… well…

Undisguised – Anthony Evans

over the years, Anthony Evans has seemed to have an identity crisis, which really bothered me… he’s been a pretty good R&B vocalist and then shifted to a mediocre (at best) pop star wannabe… and here, he switches things up again and poses as 4 Him minus 3… Undisguised is a collection of popular worship songs and, i hate to say this, it’s entirely skippable… it’s certainly not an album that has me revisiting it often… very vanilla and lacking in anything compelling or even emotional, which is what you might expect from a worship album…

The Golden Rule – Above the Golden State

so this is a six-song EP that, to my knowledge, stands alone rather than leading into a full-length album… the group is a lot of fun and the songs feature some good lyrics about loving others and following the, duh, golden rule… it’s nice, mellow, modern rock, that is soothing and quite enjoyable… and i’m not just saying nice things about them because i want them to say nice things about me… promise…

Losing All – Day of Fire

when Day of Fire came onto the scene, there was much talk of lead singer Josh Brown, his tattoos, and his intriguing backstory… everyone expected some really hard rock tunes from the former lead singer of Full Devil Jacket and there was certainly an edge to it… but, as with all things existing in the realm of pop culture, interest was lost, sales dwindled between releases, and suddenly Day of Fire was an independent band looking for a label home… Losing All was funded by fans, picked up after the fact by Razor and Tie and here we are… there’s still an edge, but that’s mostly due to Brown’s raspy vocals… in the meantime, the band brought in Idol finalist Chris Daughtry as a writer to help create a more marketable sound… (my speculation)… anyway, it’s a pretty good album… i don’t mind listening to it now and again and if you liked the first coupe releases, this one’s even better…

The Good Album – All Star United

Ian Eskelin is larger than life in the world of Christian music… i’ve lost count of how many songs he’s written, artists he’s developed, and albums he’s produced… (and i don’t really feel like doing research right now)… but hey, he’s reunited with the boys of ASU, a crowd favorite, to drop another explosion of the pop-rock sound and biting sarcasm that makes the band legendary… what’s really great about this album (and pretty much any ASU album) is that they don’t take themselves too seriously, but the music is really enjoyable, fun, and light hearted… you may listen to it 15 times before realizing you’ve listened to the whole thing… dude, it’s freaking awesome…

okay, now that’s settled… finally… i can go work on some other things… like more updates and more music…

peace… love… bdg…

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So this week’s mashed potatoes represents something of a renaissance for me in that i’m discussing media that has reminded me why i like each of these delivery vehicles… a movie that was absolutely engrossing and struck an emotional chord… an album that reminds me why music is so powerful… a television show that hits on every level… a book that is inspiring (not in the way you might think)… and last, but not least, a series of commercials – yes, commercials – that gave me at least an hour of entertainment, but represented so much more…

well, what are we waiting for? off we go…

MOVIES: Toy Story 3

Pixar is simply untouchable when it comes to telling stories that resonate with everybody… Toy Story 3 culminates a trio of films that not only bring toys to life, but spurs the imagination of anyone paying attention… these toys find themselves dealing with struggles common to the aging process… we grow old, we search for our identity, we worry about our purpose, and – as represented in this last movie – we come to grips with our mortality…

the gang finds that Andy, their once-faithful owner has grown up and is headed to college… since college kids generally don’t play with Mr. Potato Head and other toys – okay, most college kids (you know who you are) – the gang finds themselves wondering if they’re headed for the trash can or the attic… turns out, they end up with option C, a day care center (a.k.a. retirement home?)… but even that isn’t what it seems and the action begins when Buzz, Jessie, and crew decide they need to escape…

Toy Story 3 is packed with action, filled with the unexpected, and certain to make you fight back a few tears… it’s simply amazing how much emotion can be conveyed through the eyes of toys, how many lessons can be learned about friendship and forgiveness, life and death… one more winner from Pixar…

MUSIC: Wicked Soundtrack

i know, i know… i’m so very late in jumping on this train…i mean, it’s at least five years old by now, right? (seven actually)… hey, i admit, i slept on it – even though many people told me how great it was and a few years ago it was quite popular… (you’re gonna be pop-u-ooo-lar)… and i’ll even admit that it was Glee that got me to check it out… a combination of their version of Defying Gravity and reminders of how absolutely fantastic Kristin Chenoweth can sing…

The songs range from fun and quirky, to serious and inspirational… listening to the album (on repeat for days) has given me a renewed sense of appreciation for music in general and has made me kick myself over and over for not going to see the show on Broadway… i also want to read the book, which has been on my shelf for a few years now, too… Anyway, it’s definitely worth checking out unless you absolutely can’t stand musicals… Stephen Schwartz has a masterpiece here – not that he needs me to tell him that…

TV: Friday Night Lights

in the world of television, there aren’t many shows with better writing, deeper characters, or more gripping plotlines than Friday Night Lights, which recently returned for season four… at least to NBC… i know that it aired previously on DirecTV’s special channel, but those of us without are getting it all now… and given that the main stars of the series “graduated” last season, it’s been amazing to see how fresh and relevant the show has remained…

yes, the show is about football, but that’s simply the premise behind a series that, um, tackles some incredibly difficult themes… this season has included issues of losing loved ones, abortion, and several other moral dilemmas… Also, the show features the most realistic, genuine, and compelling married couple in Coach and Tami Taylor… they argue and fight, but always recognize their love for each other… without giving anything away, the show has proven itself time and time again and this season has provided some of the most powerful moments on screen…

BOOKS: Devil in the White City

Erik Larson has crafted a history book that would’ve made me pay attention in history class growing up… the time is the 1890s and Chicago is on the verge of hosting the World’s Fair… the book, which features some of the finest bit of writing that i’ve read in a while – it’s eloquent and exquisite, describing the scenes in the most compelling ways – explains all the efforts necessary to pull off this enormous event… the fair was the birthplace for many things – Juicy Fruit gum, electrical lighting using alternating current technology, the Ferris wheel, and, oh yeah, American serial killers…

in the shadows of the White City, H.H. Holmes, America’s first serial killer, set up shop and conducted his dark and devious trade, leaving a body count of at least twenty-seven… Larson juxtaposes these two scenes, brilliantly interweaving storylines in a novel-like presentation that makes it seem somewhat difficult to fathom – much less believe… but true as it is, and dark as it may be, it’s definitely a gripping and chilling tale from the turn of the century… certainly America would never be the same again… i still have about 100 pages to go and i am still captivated by each page… and i just can’t get over how well it’s written… would that i could write like that in my own way…

MORE: Old Spice Commercials

seriously, Old Spice commercials… i can’t say that i was sold on the original airing of the “I’m on a horse” commercial… it did grow on me in a strange and unexplanable way, but even then i thought it was just the sheer idiocy of it all… with the follow up launching a couple weeks ago, the ad team apparently felt that they could do even more… so, for the last two days, the copy writers, camera crews, and social media gurus, basically took over the internet, launching a real-time, interactive campaign that found Old Spice Man answering tweets and comments with customized video spots throughout the day… reportedly, the team produced just shy of 200 videos over the course of two days and garnered an audience of around 6 million viewers… and these, my friends, were almost all comic genius…

i can’t recall a time that i was more okay with a shirtless dude talking at me for hours on end… that he stayed in character and that the writing team was churning out scripts and the video team getting them produced in an estimated rate of seven minutes per spot is simply astounding… unbelievable impact and respect earned, though i’m not sure if it was more for the ad team or Old Spice… either way, some of these are great… (My favorites so far, include @Haley (his daughter), @Demi Moore, and @GStephanopoulos)… the good news is that this success will probably change the way people advertise… other companies will surely launch similar campaigns… the bad news: other companies will surely launch similar campaigns… and they probably won’t be nearly as funny… well done Old Spice and Old Spice Man… and i mean that sincerely…

peace… love… bdg…

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i know i’ve been quiet this week, but i’ve been away, or simply wiped out from the heat wave… anyway… here’s a quick update that continues a daisy-chain that reached me from writer, editor, and cousin Jodi Whisenhunt… what is on my bookshelf?

1. How many books have you read so far in 2010?

Counting books that i’ve read exclusively in 2o1o, i’ve turned the pages of The Gospel According to Lost (Chris Seay), Saint (Ted DeKker), The Last Battle (CS Lewis), The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (CS Lewis), Plan B (Pete Wilson), Will the World End in 2012 (Raymond Hundley), and The Last Christian (David Gregory), which totals a pathetic seven… HOWEVER, i also FINISHED I Am America (And So Can You) (Stephen Colbert), Live from Middle America: Rants from a Red-State Comedian (Brad Stine), The Magician’s Nephew (CS Lewis), and The Silver Chair (CS Lewis), all of which i began between November and December of o9…

So, short answer, somewhere between seven and eleven books so far…

2. What percentage is fiction/ non-fiction?

It appears to be around 45% non-fiction, leaving 55% fiction.

3. What’s your favorite 2010 read so far?

I’ve really enjoyed reading some of the Narnia books to the littles (when they sit still long enough), but overall, I’ve been most taken in by a book I’m reading right now – Devil in the White City (Erik Larson) of which I’ll be writing more in the coming days…

4. What are you currently reading?

Besides the aforementioned, I’m currently reading: The Principle of the Path (Andy Stanley), Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Lewis Carroll), Hear No Evil (Matthew Paul Turner), Weird Ideas That Work (Robert Sutton), A Horse and His Boy (CS Lewis), and i’m listening to the audiobook for Stuff Christians Like (Jonathan Acuff)…

5. What’s at the top of your to-be-read pile?

at the very top… The Jesus You Can’t Ignore (John MacArthur) and Chosen (Ted DeKker) – followed closely by the rest of DeKker’s “Lost Books”…

well, that was fun… now it’s your turn… go ahead and put your answers below as a comment or feel free to snag the questions and post them on your own blog (and link below) so i can see what’s on YOUR bookshelf…

peace… love… bdg…

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so, it’s another week and, i’ve got another batch of releases to talk about… a couple of worship albums, a couple of rock albums, and one fresh, free mixtape from one of my favorite emcees… (i have a lot of favorites though, so, we’ll just say that he’s really good)… off we go…

now playing: Rain’s ‘A Comin’ – Children 18:3

i first have to point out how absolutely appreciative i am that Children 18:3 used apostrophes in what appears to be an appropriate manner… (the one preceding the “A” is questionable, but it’s not exactly a standard grammatical construct and is, therefore, negotiable)… anyway, i don’t know about rain, but if you listen to this album, there’s plenty of enjoyment a’comin’… (yeah, actually, that looks more right than ‘a comin’)… sorry, i keep getting distracted by that… let that be a lesson to all you rock stars… don’t use punctuation in your band name or album titles… anyway, i’d file this under somewhat aggressive modern hipster rock with pop irony… harder than, say, Jonezetta and OK Go, but with some similar tendencies… in fact there are even times when i’m reminded of MeWithoutYou… but all in all, it’s a rock album that reminds you, the listener, that you, the listener, like rock music… especially when it’s like this… high octane, highly engaging, and highly addictive… i just want to listen to this over and over and over… but that apostophe thing… that will also be stuck in my head…

now playing: A Beautiful Exchange – Hillsong Live

i’ve never been a big Hillsong fan… and if you asked me to tell you the difference between Hillsong Live, Hillsong, Hillsong United and Hillsong Kids, i’m not sure i could… (okay, i know when kids are singing)… Anyway, it’s just one of those things, i guess and once in a while, i hear a song like Mighty to Save and just want to bury myself in everything released by the Hillsong properties, assuming that they’re all profound and amazing just like that song… but usually, i walk away feeling like it’s mostly just another modern praise and worship band, but with accents (actually, most modern praise and worship bands have accents these days)… so, A Beautiful Exchange kind of feels like that to me, too… i know that will draw ire from many of you out there… it is pretty cool to hear Sometimes by Step (Rich Mullins) set to the soundtrack of Disney’s The Lion King, though… hey, we all worship in different ways… i was actually prepared to rave about one really good song on this album, but i can’t seem to find it as i’m listening through again… maybe i’m confusing them with Hillsong United, do they have a new album out, too?

now playing: City on Fire – City of Life Worship

continuing on the worship theme… City of Life Church is apparently one of the most vibrant churches in Florida, sorry, Central Florida… First Baptist of Miami probably has a lock on the Southern tip of the state… so, i confess that i get a little concerned reading press releases about the vibrancy of churches, but i promise that i listened to this album with a clean slate… i only looked up the website because Jeffrey Smith sometimes sounds like Phillips, Craig or Dean from Phillips, Craig, and Dean… or Russ Lee… and only sometimes… and since i brought it up… apparently, they’re all about vibrancy, fire, stirring, and igniting things down there in Central FL… sorry, just had to say something… as for the music, since that’s probably what you actually care about… it’s fine… it really reminds me of when PCD covered Israel Houghton’s Friend of God, but not quite as straight-laced… a little stiff though… it is live and it is mostly original songs… (they do cover Foreigner – who knew they were a praise band? Way ahead of their time… i mean, before Sonicflood even)… i don’t think i would like going to that church much though… but that could just be me…

now playing: Live at the Ryman – Jonny Lang

consider me a slow adopter of Jonny Lang… sure, he’s brilliant, i get that, but if i’m completely honest, his voice irritates me and everything i love about Robert Randolph and the Family Band often feels absent from Jonny Lang projects… the energy, the oomph, the “it” is just not there for me… that said, in this live setting – and a great venue, by the way – more of that gusto comes through as he feeds off of the audience a little bit… i wouldn’t say that i’m a huge fan, but this is definitely the material needed to bridge that gap for me… some of these songs – A Quitter Never Wins to name one – are just gorgeous… (note: this may not be a new release this week… not sure where i saw it listed, but i can’t find it now – it’s new this year though)

now playing: Bible Bus Mixtape – Playdough

i was a little bummed that there wasn’t any hip-hop to discuss today, but then i remembered… Playdough dropped a brand new FREE album today… don’t take it for granted, this mixtape rings in at a half a minute shy of a half an hour… and if you’ve ever liked a Playdough song, you’ll like this album… SeanP mixed the album to provide a smooth ride, but the beats are from all over the place… i’ve only had a chance to give it one quick listen, but it’s guaranteed to drive bus drivers crazy, ’cause from the front to the back, no one’s remaining in their seats… (plus it’s FREE!)..

now playing: Attack of the Wolf King – Haste the Day

i don’t have this album, but AOL is streaming it this week… and if Children 18:3 wasn’t hard enough for you, Haste the Day should suit your listening needs… there’s screaming, double bass drum action, and soaring guitar riffs a plenty throughout this album… i have times and places when albums like this are just right for me, but often times i just don’t remember them afterwards… but it’s GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWD… and i LIIIIIIIIKE IT!!!!! and YOU MIGHT TOOooooooOOooowowwwwoooooo!!!!

that’s all the music of the day… i only see four albums on the release list for next week and i don’t have any of them so, i’ll institute instant replay and revisit albums released in January that i ignored at the time… i think about eight of actually…

peace… love… bdg…

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alright, i’m trying to get things back into the right gear and, since this has always been a music site, that includes music… and the music of the day is plentyful and diverse… the following albums all released today and this is what i think of them all…

Now Playing: Stories – Addison Road

i feel like i’m not supposed to like Addison Road… i suppose i’m not exactly in their target demographic and that’s fine… but, as something of a more upbeat alternative to BarlowGirl and Superchick, i’m strangely drawn to them… that, and i still remember checking out their early work, Breaking Beautifully almost exclusively because it was produced by Barry Blair, who was a founding member of Audio Adrenaline and, more impressively, discovered Bleach… i wasn’t disappointed then, and i’m not now… i specifically enjoy the quirkiness of their pop beats that refuse to conform to standard pop constructs but remain persistently catchy… Stories is no exception and i’m not a bit ashamed to say that i’ve enjoyed the album quite a bit…

Now Playing: Between Two Worlds – Trip Lee

“i’m a snitch man, ain’t ashamed of that”… i haven’t exactly been a fan of Trip Lee and his Reach Records cohorts in the past… in fact, I kind of had him written into the genre corner of the big booty bass, thuggish, southern-crunktafied rap despite not having heard too, too much of his stuff… and sure there’s a brashness and heavier tact to his rap style, but having now listened to Between Two Worlds (as well as LeCrae’s Rebel), my eyes (and ears) have been opened to a lot of freshness that’s left me digging back in my crates for 20/20… don’t get me wrong, it’s not going to be my favorite release of the year or anything, but with bangers like Snitch (the beat is bananas, as the kids say), fun tracks like I Love Music and the light, soulful Yours to Own featuring Jimmy Needham, Between Two Worlds has certainly shifted my perspective a bit…

Now Playing: Blink – Revive

i “sort of liked” the debut from Revive because it was fun, light hearted and the group didn’t seem to take themselves too seriously… i had my doubts about their staying power, however, given Mac Powell’s track record of championing up-and-comers… (we’ll leave it at that)… surprise though it may be, Revive has indeed returned for a second round and, somewhat like the song that never ends, the second verse is the same as the first… once again, there’s a pop-rock tinge to the music that holds a certain appeal, but i suppose what bothers me about the album is that it lacks the clear consistency necessary to offer the band a fully definied identity… at times reminiscent of Nate Sallie, Starfield, and a number of bands from pop-rock-worship-grandness past, Blink is fun, but a little on the random side…

Now Playing: My Life’s Lyric – DeWayne Woods

i’m just going to come right out and say it… DeWayne Woods looks like Busta Rhymes… come on, not even a little?… okay, well, he doesn’t sound at all like Bus-a-Bus… (not surprisingly)… in fact, My Life’s Lyric is actually pretty standard fare for the Gospel genre… a good deal of energy spread throughout as well plenty of touching, inspirational ballads… i don’t know all that much about Woods, but i have enjoyed his melodies, harmonies, and occassion touches of full-on choir moments that sprinkle the landscape of My Life’s Lyric…

Now Playing: Humble Beginnings – Humble Beast

i’m pretty excited about this album if for no other reason than for what it represents… a new outlet for artists like Braille, Othello, Sareem Poems, and Odd Thomas (from whom i hadn’t heard in forever up this point)… Humble Beast is looking to carve out their own niche within the hip-hop community and, judging by this compilation, they’re already off to a good start… also featured on the album are Foreknown Apostolic, with a hot track that has a retro, boom bap feel to it, Theory Hazit and Citizen Aim, who both appear a few times throughout, and Propaganda, another voice that’s been far too quiet lately… yes, it’s only ten tracks, but it’s all good and it’s the promise of plenty more to come… that’s what’s really special about Humble Beginnings… and that’s what makes it worth talking about and picking up…

the last two i’ll mention, i haven’t gotten, but would love (hint, hint)… and they are We Walk This Road by Robert Randolph & the Family Band, which, based on clips, sounds like a real nice mix of r&b, funk, and free jamming, and David Crowder*Band’s Summer Happiness, which fulfills their apparent obligation to release an EP in between each full album… perhaps that means we can expect another full album next year? I haven’t heard clips or anything of this EP yet, but there’s no reason to doubt that it will be a spectacular four-track outing…

and that’s the music of the day…

peace… love… bdg…

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Okay, with Lost and Idol done, i’ve got a little room to breathe… (there is plenty more to say about LOST and maybe Idol as well, but not now)… it’s time now for a quick glimpse into the media that’s (figuratively) pushing my guts up against my rib cage… this week’s mashed potatoes… off we go…

BOOKS: END OF THE WORLD?!?!
now playing: This Is How the World Will End – The Elms

i have a double dose of bookage here today, but they both kind of touch on the same topic… Will the World End in 2012? by Raymond Hundley and The Last Christian by David Gregory are both “set” in the future and both deal with end-of-the-world type themes… however, they are quite distinct from each other, despite these similarities, and they’ve both been on my mind lately… (and i got them both for free, if that matters)…

Will the World End in 2012?… my first thoughts in response to seeing this title were probably standoffish… i immediately wondered why anyone would write a book asking such a question… secondly, i was a bit irritated because it’s not the right question to be asking… and finally, i thought, “I’ve got to read this” perhaps harkening back to the collegiate instincts that caused me to try random (and often disgusting) combinations of food based on dares or boredom…

It’s a quick book to read, i’ll give it that much… it does seem to address all the major sources of speculation that the world is somehow scheduled to vanish in the final month of 2012, but it’s written at an incredibly high level so nothing is ever fully developed… and, with the high amounts of repetition, it feels somewhat like a bloated pamphlet, a feeling that is realized by the last two chapters… i was glad that Hundley reframed the question from “Will the world end?” to “What if it does?”… however, the method he chose – a glorified altar call to close out the book – left much to be desired…

i know it takes all kinds of people, and everyone responds to different approaches, but this made the book feel a bit like a bait-and-switch… regardless, it was pretty interesting at times, perhaps it would’ve been interesting at all times had it not been about 50 pages longer than it needed to be…

The Last Christian… next up is a work of fiction from the author who brought you Dinner with a Perfect Stranger and The Next Level, neither of which i’ve read, but if you have, then you also have a frame of reference for Gregory’s latest book…

the book takes place about a few generations from now, in 2088, where the majority of the world’s population has internet access embedded into their brains via microchips and world-renown innovator Bryson Nichols has just unveiled his latest invention, a silicon-based brain to replace the human brain and grant the owner eternal life…

The scene takes place amidst a “Judges 2:10″ generation – one who “knew not the Lord, and the works which he had done” – that has all but done away with religion… and spends more time in virtual reality than actual life…

and then there is the protagonist… Abby, the daughter of life-long missionaries to the unreachable Inisi tribes of Papua, New Guinea, who has recently emerged from the jungle hoping to save her village from a strange disease… then, she gets a strange message from her grandfather, commissioning her to bring Christianity back to the US… and when a local doctor begins to investigate the disease, that’s when it all begins…

The Last Christian is a gripping tale of interwoven storylines and “DON’T OPEN THAT DOOR!” moments (you know, when you think you can prevent the character from doing what is certain to spell their doom)… plenty of twists and turns keep this adventure rolling along while readers keep reaching for that next page to turn… I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, but i’m pretty sure i got more than i could’ve expected… certainly a good read…

SO LONG, FAREWELL…

plenty more topics to write about… and plenty of work being done behind the scenes… thanks for your patience everyone… good things to be expected…

peace… love… bdg…

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i’m so weak… i really didn’t want to blog this show tonight… i’m all but detached from the entire thing… but here i am, sucked in somehow by the fact that it’s the finals… and hey, Lost disappointed me, maybe Idol will blow me away… (yeah, i don’t really think so either)… anyway, pre-pick goes to Lee… i don’t think he’s better, but i think he’s the chosen one… off we go…

TGIF… (Thank God It’s the Finals)…

now playing: The Last Night – Skillet

Lee DaWiseGuy… first song: The Boxer… i didn’t like this the first time he sang it, but at least this time, i’m staying in the room… it’s really not a good choice for him, but better than last time… Randy yo-yo’s up to saying that it was a great way to start the night, but he needs more energy… Ellen says she wants to give birth to him… Kara says he was connected to it… Simon says it was a kiss on the cheek when it should’ve been a kiss on the lips…

Crystal BoSAWX… first song: Me and Bobby McGee… fantastic (sarcastically)… any song that gives her a chance to scream like she doesn’t care… no, really, she did alright… this was a good choice for her… Randy says it started slow, but it was dope, dude… Ellen says pass the salt… that and she’s compelling… Kara says she loved it last time and this time and her belly is on fire… Simon says this reminded him of when they fell in love with her…

now playing: Line Finish – Tunnel Rats

Lee DaWiseGuy… second song: Everybody Hurts… i think this is going to be a self-fulfilling prophecy… why would the Execs pick this song? what have they got against Michael Stipe?… Lee’s kind of croaking his way through this once-melodic song as though he’d been clubbed in the head like a baby seal… he’s definitely disconnected from the song (and any sense of melody)… Randy says it was better… Ellen says he needs to play to the audience more… Kara loved it… Simon says he went off melody a bit and he needs to really bring the heat for the last song…

Crystal BoSAWX… second song: Black Velvet… i can’t stand this song… and i doubt she’ll redeem it… she’s wearing a black dress… but it doesn’t appear to be velvet… well, the song choices seem to indicate that the judges were giving Crystal a leg up… too bad she just sang it like a trainwreck… speaking of off-key… Randy says it was hot… Ellen says it was fantastic… Kara says she gave it all and you can tell she wants it… (you can tell the executives want her to have it anyway)… Simon says that she took the song and nailed it…

now playing: Goodbye – MuteMath

Lee DaWiseGuy… final song: Beautiful Day… what? how can they make this his lead single?… they’ve totally given up on writing songs specifically for the contestants?… so, let me get this straight… the raspy-voiced rock dude on the final night of competition tries to sing Paul Simon, REM, and U2?… how does that make any sense… and yes, somewhere under all that hot mess is a U2 song… Randy says once again he got his groove back and it was goodonya… Ellen says he’s all growed up and she’s loved watching him… Kara said Bono ate him whole, but he deserved it… Simon says that he made the most of it and he’s what the show was designed for…

Crystal BoSAWX… final song: Up to the Mountain… i’ll give the show one thing… they certainly don’t hide it when they’ve chosen who to champion… last week Casey got the shaft and this week Lee totally got hosed… poor guy… well, this song isn’t exactly great or anything, but it’s actually in her wheelhouse, or should i say comfort zone… it’s a’ight… she totally owned the night tonight, though, compared to the alternative, it’s not really saying much, now is it?… Randy says it was amazing, perfect, and incredible… Ellen says Crystal is in a league of her own and can’t compare to anyone selling records today… Kara says she blossomed… Crystal offers Simon a toast to butter him up… and he responds in kind by telling her it was outstanding… and he’s OUT!

now playing: Leave Right Now – William Young

Alrighty folks… now that that’s over… we’re left with the guilt of watching yet again… and the wonder of how America will break on this vote… clearly, as i’ve said before, Crystal was the surprise favorite for the producers and they weren’t shy about it one bit… i suppose that means that she has a better chance of winning, but i think i’ll stick with Lee… the dark horse from the beginning… the dark horse in the end… and, i suppose, the lesser of two painful musical experiences…

who ya got, folks? i know you watched… stop pretending you didn’t…

peace… love… bdg…

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So, with the big finale looming around the corner… i, like everyone else, have it all figured out… so below are several things i expect to happen in the final episode, as well as my last-minute crazy theories about what all is going on… enjoy, comment, disect, tell me i’m a genius… the choice is yours… off we go..

1. We will discover that Locke died in the plane crash.

This is my biggest last-minute theory… It’s the only real way to explain the miraculous healing he encountered on the island… he is literally transformed in a split second, from a woe-is-me paralytic always begging for acceptance, to a take-charge, can-do, leader that could care less what anyone else thinks… His reactions to things like Adam and Eve seem to betray him throughout the season and it just seems to make sense that he’s been the Man in Black the entire time including his off island escapades rounding up of the Oceanic Six… not in the sideways timeline though, that would be crazy… moving on…

2. Sawyer is the new Jack.

Jack will do something fantastic as the new Jacob. Sawyer will witness this and fully embrace faith. Jack will die. Sawyer will be the new Jack. That’s the short explanation, but really, i have a feeling that Sawyer will either take the reins from a dead Jack or he’ll sacrifice his own life to save Jack. I know some people think that Sawyer will end up as Jack’s rival a la Jacob v. MiB, but Sawyer’s undergone so much transformation in the last two seasons and, specifically, the last episode, when he clearly forgave Jack for his part in Juliet’s death and ownership of Sun and Jin’s death.

3. Ben is NOT the new Black.

I know, I know. It seems like Ben has reverted back to his former self, but oh, I’m gettin ahead of myself. Okay, different angle. Similar to Sawyer, Ben’s undergone a lot of work and, in that pivotal scene with Ilana, he received redemption. It’s been a hard row to hoe, but he’s getting there. And, despite his recent actions that make it seem like he’s siding with SmokeLocke, he’s only working a different angle to gain his trust and do his part.

4. Dead is NOT dead.

Widmore is not dead. Richard is not dead. Zoe IS dead. Lipidus is not? Okay. First, Widmore is NOT dead. Ben CAN’T kill Widmore and he knows this. Thus, in shooting Widmore, he was actually helping him get away from SmokeLocke. Richard is NOT dead. He CAN’T die. EVER. period. Zoe IS dead. Poor fake Tina Fey. Lipidus is still up in the air. He is a pilot after all. And, he’s probably dead.

5. In the end, we’re left with a lot of dangling participants.

Claire? Miles? Desmond? Penny? Richard? Lipidus? Rose and Bernard? Vincent? Eloise? What’s going to happen with all of these folks? Claire is probably going to give birth in the sideways timeline and on the island, i suspect she’s going to try to help her brother, Jack. Desmond will be integral as expected. Penny? She’s gotta factor in somehow. Methinks Desmond will have to make a choice to ensure that he and she end up together. Richard is probably going to link up with Widmore and be a surprise presence in the final battle between MiB and Jack. Rose and Bernard (and Vincent) will continue to mind their own business, hidden in the jungle. Finally, Eloise. She’s always minding everbybody else’s business and somehow, she’ll make a power move in the sideways timeline at least.

6. Jacob’s intentions weren’t always entirely noble.

It seems to me Jacob has been trying to find someone who can successfully manipulate the island’s power to attain his goals. Including, but not limited to reaching out to all the candidates and drawing them to the island. He knows as well as anyone that people on the island are bound to try and tame this electomagnetic monster and yet he keeps drawing them to the island, like his Other would NEVER want him to.

7. Hurley is the new Black.

Duude. I’m not sure i totally believe this, but it’s not for nothing that he’s the only one who can see and talk to dead people, like MiB was previously the only one who could see and talk to dead people. Plus, his comment about being glad it’s not him who has to take Jacob’s place, implies that he’s going to get something assigned to him.

8. There is another…

I still fell pretty certain that there’s another force on the island similar to the black smoke monster. It seems that there have always been two forces at work and, since they don’t agree with each other, they are working against each other. I think it’s deeper than Jacob and MiB, but it could just be that one wants the island to stay put and one wants the island to go kaboom.

alright… there you have it, that’s the best i’ve got today… i’ll be offline tonight, enjoying the show and i suspect that i’ll have some thoughts later in the week as it all sinks in… (or as the island sinks down to the bottom of the sea)…

peace… love… bdg…

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