Tuesday, May 27, 2014

PBS Arts on Tumblr

PBS.org 
So I am new to Tumblr. I don't use it very often, but I try to go on there about once a week. It's not so much that I don't like Tumblr, I do, it's just I haven't worked it completely into my web surfing habit quite yet.

Anyways, one of the blogs I follow on Tumblr is PBS Arts. And holy crap is it amazing. If you are not following it, I highly recommend you start checking it out. Every time I look at at the art they have posted there, I always feel inspired.

We forgot that great art inspires the soul. It moves individuals to do great things. It creates an emotional response from a person. With so much "art" being produced online currently, I feel that the term "art" has almost become a water down term. PBS Arts breaks through, and grabs your attention immediately.

Take a minute and go explore PBS Arts.

Monday, May 19, 2014

New Coldplay Album

Just received “Ghost Stories” in the mail today. Once again, Coldplay delivers an outstanding album. It’s funny, it seems like every other album they create, I absolutely love. Loved “A Rush of Blood to the Head”, wasn’t a fan at first of “X & Y”. (However, I do appreciate much more now.) Loved “Viva la Vida”, wasn’t a fan of “Mylo Xyloto”.

Earlier today, I read Greg Kot’s review of “Ghost Stories”, and I actually agree with him for a change. This is a stripped album on par with Parachutes. Ghost Stories is a great pop rock album.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

United States of Secrets: A Frontline Special

On Tuesday May 13th the award winning PBS public affairs program 'Frontline' aired part one of a documentary series entitled: "United States of Secrets". This multi-part documentary series focuses on the NSA's domestic spying programming.

The series traces the spying program through its inception following the tragic events of September 11th through the Edward Snowden revelations of last year. This presentation was one of the finest pieces of journalism I have ever seen. I feel that it did a wonderful job presenting the facts, as they found them, and that both sides of the argument were presented in fair manner.

If you have not seen part one of this series, it is a must see. You can check it out here.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Josh Homme: 'A True Rock Star'

My friend got this close to the band.
Photo Credit: Pam Wichert.
On Cinco de May, I got to see Queens of the Stone Age. This was my second time seeing them, and man or man did they not disappoint. As I was watching their 1.5 hour plus set, something dawned on me.  Josh Homme, lead singer of Queens of the Stone Age, is a pure unadulterated Rock N' Roll star.

Let me explain. There's always been an attitude associated with rock n' roll. "Real" rock n' roll stars play by their own rules, and they exert an energy that makes them the absolute center of attention. Elvis Presley is a rock n' roll star. Mick Jagger is a rock n' roll star. Robert Plant, Mike Ness etc. They are all rock n' roll stars.



Josh Homme is cut from the same clothe as the
My friend located in the balcony of the Aragon Ballroom
Photo Credit: Kevin Kellam
aforementioned gentlemen. The way he commanded the audience's attention, played guitar while smoking a cigarette, and got into a banter match up with a fan about sleeping with his mother. He is an old-school rock and roller. I've gone to many a concerts in my day, and seen a lot of people "pretend" to be rock and rollers. There's no pretending with Homme.

Queens of the Stone Age is an amazing band to see live, if you want to have your face melted off. Below is one of my favorite Queens songs that is freakin' amazing live...
 


*Side note. I usually don't take pictures at concerts.