A Cool New Podcast I've Discovered

I stumbled across a new podcast while on PRX (The Public Radio Exchange) a few weeks back. It's called 'Imaginary Worlds', and it explores the genres of science fiction and fantasy, specifically how the genres are created and how we, the audience, are able to suspend our disbelief.

I'm really enjoying this podcast a lot. It explores these genres in a fresh way. It's not just two individuals discussing what they like or dislike about a particular subject. It's far more in depth. The creator of the podcast, Eric Molinsky, has a terrific interview with DC comic book writer Scott Snyder, in which they focus on Snyder's psychological take on Batman.

There's also a great features discussing how superhero customs are created, and how action figures influenced an entire generation of sci-fi and fantasy genre fans. If you are a fan of any of these types of topics, I cannot recommend Imaginary Worlds enough.

Pluto...In the Flesh so to Speak

www.nasa.gov

I can look at pictures of Pluto all day. NASA's official website has updated a ton of cool pictures. If you have a few hours to kill, I recommend you check them out.

The above picture by far is my favorite. And the New York Times put together a cool little video about New Horizons.

Look What Came in the Mail

A book I never thought I would read came in the mail today. Harper Lee, acclaimed author of one of the greatest pieces of American literature ever, released her second novel today. Entitled: Go Set a Watchman, the novel picks up the To Kill a Mockingbird story 20 years later.  It should be noted however that Go Set a Watchman was actually written before To Kill a Mockingbird.

There is much controversy regarding the release of this novel, which I will not get into on this posting. As a fan of Lee, I am incredibly excited to begin reading this new story.

Superman: Truth. An Intriguing Storyline Idea

www.newsarama.com

I've been on a comic/graphic novel kick. Thus far this year I've read 4 out of the 8 volumes of John Byrne's run on Superman during the 1980s, IDW's complete series run (9 volumes total) on the Ghostbusters, and the legendary Green Arrow/Green Lantern cross over from the 1970s. I can't get enough of it. Needless to say I've been on the outlook for any story lines that may catch my eye.

About two weeks ago, I read that DC is revamping Superman. I must admit when I first read this I thought to myself: "Not this again". However as I read more about it, the more intrigued I became. The story line is entitled: "Truth" and it tells the tale of Superman losing majority of his powers, AND more importantly his secret identity being exposed by none other than..... Lois Lane.

This seemed like something new for me, and so this past weekend I went to my local area comic book stores to find the first four issues that compose the beginning arch of this story. I can only say this, they are FANTASTIC!! This story arch is doing an excellent job of examining what makes Superman, well, Superman. That it isn't the powers, but the man.

It is also exploring Superman's relationships with four key characters: Wonder Woman, Batman, the city of Metropolis (yes the city is a character), and most importantly Lois Lane. The reader doesn't know yet why Lois exposed Superman's secret identity of Clark Kent to the public yet (the story is being told non-linearly), but thus far it's doing an amazing job showcasing how these two characters depend on one another. Even after Lois does this drastic thing.

I cannot wait to see how this story ends.  

Meeting One of Your Heroes

Photo Credit: Claudia Herrera

It's always a tricky thing, meeting one of your heroes. Mainly because you never know if that person will live up to the hype that you have established in your mind. Like if they are a jerk, that can totally ruin your perspective on them. It may even damage how you view their art. (It may cause you to no longer be a fan of theirs.)

On Friday, June 19th I met one of my heroes. William Elliott Whitmore. Not only did he live up to the hype in my head, but he exceed it. Whitmore, without a doubt, is one of the nicest, coolest guys, I have ever met. He was super chill. Answered all of the questions I asked, and even performed two songs live on the radio.

Sometimes you get moments like this, that when you are in it, you know it is special. For me, June 19th was that special day.

John Lennon: Plastic Ono Band/Let It Be

I've completed my task. I have listened to every solo Beatles' album released in 1970, along with their "final" album release. Let's first begin with my observations of John Lennon's solo debut.

www.wikipedia.org

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band
1. This is by far the angriest album I have ever heard in my entire life. Lennon takes every single emotion and puts it on display for you to see. (The bell tolling sets the mood.) The listener hears him raging against his parents for their acts of abandonment. You hear him defending the working class, and finally you hear him talk about how he has lost faith in everything in his iconic song God.

Yet the last track is the real heartbreaker. Clocking in at under 1 minute, My Mummy's Dead is pure sadness. It's 17 year old Lennon screaming for his mother. And even though he is still mad at her, Lennon still misses her. Dare I say love her and need her. Every time I hear this song, it's a real struggle not to cry.

2. It's bare, and not in a bad way. Where All Things Must Pass is grandiose, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band is intimate. Other than Lennon, the only other musicians are Ringo Starr on drums, Klaus Voormann on bass, Billy Preston on piano for God, and Yoko Ono as "wind". Because of this, I feel a closeness to the material. It's almost like you are included in on the secret.

3. Quite simply, there are some great songs on this album. In addition to the more famous tracks such as Mother, God, and Working Class Hero, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band includes hidden gem tracks such as Well, Well, Well, I Found Out, and Love. Like All Things Must Pass, this is an iconic record.

www.thebeatles.com

Let It Be
1. For the people that say this is the Beatles' worst album, I have one question. How? Out of the 12 songs on this album, 7 of them are iconic songs. I'm of course referring to: Two of Us, Dig a Pony, Across the Universe, Let it Be, I Got a Feeling, Get Back, and The Long and Winding Road. (Full disclosure, I despise The Long and Winding Road.)


2. I really like the talking between songs. Makes the album feel like a jam session.

3. Don't know what else I can say. Really the music speaks for itself.

I think my ultimate conclusion of my grand experiment was that 6 LPs were released in 1970 in which each were unique, catchy, and beyond enjoyable. For me, it is just further proof that The Beatles will always be the greatest rock n' roll band of all time.

All Things Must Pass: A Reflection

www.wikipedia.org

Well I just finished re-listening to George Harrison's All Things Must Pass. Oh man, what can you say? It is a work of art in every sense of the word. Here are a few straw observations:

1. The album has a real mood to it. It's difficult for me to explain but whenever I listen to All Things Must Pass, I'm reminded of autumn. I feel like it should be cold, damp, and I should be next to a fire eating soup while listening to this album. I don't mean this in a negative way.

I fell like All Things Must Pass demands my attention and since autumn is my favorite season, this is a way to keep my ear attentive. (It's weird, I know.)

2. All Things Must Pass is like a prayer. There's a deep spirituality to this album that I love. It's like George is having a conversation with God, and is inviting us to join in. It's utterly beautiful. You can really get a sense of this with: My Sweet Lord, Awaiting on You All, and All Things Must Pass. Additionally this album does not apologize for having a spirituality to it. George is talking about the divine, and he isn't embarrassed. He wants the listener to know this is exactly what he is talking about.

3. If Not For You. One of my favorite songs of all time. You must listen to it immediately.

4. It's one of those rare triple albums that isn't boring. (In actuality it is only a double album. The third disc is a bonus disc of musical jams.) There is a lot of content on All Things Must Pass, but none of it sounds like filler. It's a smooth flowing album. For me personnally, the only other double LPs that are flawless like this are The Beatles White Album and System of a Down's Mesmerize/Hypnotize.

5. As a diehard John Lennon fan, I have no problem saying this. All Things Must Pass is the best solo Beatles album ever written. The word masterpiece is used a lot, however that word is the only appropriate adjective that can describe it. This is a must own for any music fan.

P.S. Blooger isn't letting me embed the music videos from YouTube. I'll try and embed them at a later date.