Help. I Think I'm a Rockstar.

Musings of a former rockstar-in-the-making who sold out to The Man and now collects regular paychecks in corporate America and gets to eat more frequently. Views on music, travel, culture, relaxation, politics, toys, and other general bullshit.

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For those about to rock...
Friday, September 26, 2008

Since it's been quite a while since I posted anything that supports my claim to former near-rockstardom, and thanks to a suggestion from a good buddy on a new record to pick up, it is with pleasure that I give you my musings on the newest effort by the one and only, Metallica.



Before I get started, it should be known that I was hesitant to actually pay money for this album. First, because Lars Ulrich is a prick and a douchebag for reasons that will go unspoken in this blog. Second, and more importantly, because the last four Metallica studio albums have essentially blown goats. But I have enormous respect for Reverend Humpy's musical taste and overall judgement, so I dropped my ten bucks on iTunes and gave Death Magnetic a digital spin.

Alright, the happy stuff:

Musically, this is the most badass Metallica album since 1988's And Justice For All. While I generally like the Black Album, aside from a few jewels, it was the beginning of Metallica's decade and a half love affair with mediocrity and that most unforgivable of terms, poseur-dom.

Kirk Hammett has been unleashed and allowed to rock like a motherfucker. While I've never been a huge fan of his solo style (even in metal, I very much prefer more melodic solos from cats like Adrian Smith or Dave Mustaine), his non-solo work on this record is to be reckoned with. We're not worthy, Kirk, we're not worthy.

James Hetfield has gone back to not being a pussy. As much as I hate typing that word, there's no other way to explain the lyrics and vocals on Load, Reload, Garage Inc, and St. Anger. "Pleh", "Ugh", "Ick", and "Lame" come close, but "pussy" is the best way to hit it. Here, however, James is a rock star again. And it makes me happy.

Now, for the not-so-happy stuff:

This next one is for the serious audiophiles in the room, so for those of you who are accustomed to and perfectly satisfied by the quality of a recording as played back through Apple's relatively lo-fi standard issue earbuds, feel free to skip down a bit.

In choosing Rick Rubin to produce the record, Metallica has fallen victim to the biggest trend (and many would say biggest tragedy) in major label production, overmastering. This record has had every last bit of dynamic color squeezed out of it in an effort to make it the loudest goddamned record in your playlist. While being loud wouldn't traditionally be a bad thing in metal, the net result of the hot-master-squeeze is an almost complete loss of dynamic nuance and a steady (loud ass) volume that eventually leads to ear fatigue and a record that can only be rocked to for four or five songs in any given setting. Need proof? Mosey on over here and look at the difference between the dynamic range of a typical "...Justice..." song and a typical "Death..." song. It's sad to see. It hurts my heart. And I'm hoping Metallica will grow a pair and release a remastered version of the album at some point. At least digitally.

With the exception of the above complaint, this record rocks. It's the best thing Metallica has done since 1999's S&M (which, for the record, rocked my pants off...a few times), and the best studio record in twenty years. Sadly, that above complaint is a REALLY BIG fuck up of an otherwise wicked album. Is it a masterpiece? No. Could it have been? Hell yes.

Remaster, gentlemen, remaster.


Currently in Memphis, Tennessee
Currently listening to Metallica - Death Magnetic

Labels: All Posts, Music

posted by Dustin @ 11:37 AM,

Copping Out
Thursday, September 25, 2008

So, I must say that John McCain's most recent attempt to puss out has frustrated me. For whatever reason, be it that he's not ready to debate Obama or that he's trying to move the debate to when the veeps are scheduled to meet (because if Sarah isn't ready to handle Katie Couric, she sure as shit can't handle Biden, and Katie skewered her yesterday), McCain's decision to hide behind the wall street bailout effort and skip tomorrow's debate is anything but straight talk.

With 39 days left till America chooses her next president, Johnny boy needs to show us he can multitask. If I were one of his supporters I'd be furious.

Ok, rant over...for now...

Posted with LifeCast

Labels: All Posts, Politics

posted by Dustin @ 5:42 PM,

I Love My iPhone.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008

I'm blogging from an application on my iPhone, and that makes me happy. I still need to figure out how to incorporate images, but baby steps, right?

Anyway, back at work. I've got 3:00am conference calls with a client in India all this week and next. I'm not a fan of that program. No, not so much.

In other news, it's Tim's birthday. Give him a holler if you know him.

L8tr T8trs.

Posted with LifeCast

Labels: All Posts, General Bullshit

posted by Dustin @ 10:11 AM,

It's Always Sunny...
Sunday, September 21, 2008

Well then, I spent most of this last week in Boston at a conference. I love Boston. The smell of the harbor, the way it feels like a big city without feeling like a big city, the way nobody around me says "R" when they're supposed to. The conference was good, and it's great to spend time with colleagues. Over the last several years, I've become accustomed to seeing my actual coworkers infrequently, what with working from home or from client sites. Good times.




In other news, Fall TV is starting up. This last week, that meant It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Supernatural. The former is the single smartest and most amusing thing on television (albeit not safe for children under 17 OR friends and family that may be offended by, well, almost anything), while the latter is full of eye candy. Heroes and Chuck get cracking this week. I'm really okay with being a whore for Fall TV.

Finally, I woke up at 2:30am this morning with a brainstorm. Stay tuned to see if it becomes my ticket to independent wealth before 30, or just another one of my brainstorms. Either is a strong possibility.

Currently in Heber Springs, Arkansas
Currently listening to Imogen Heap - Speak for Yourself

Labels: All Posts, Entertainment, Travel, Work

posted by Dustin @ 3:48 PM,

RIP
Monday, September 15, 2008

Farewell, Richard Wright...Sad to lose you...



Currently in Boston, Massachusetts

Labels: All Posts, Culture, Entertainment

posted by Dustin @ 1:32 PM,

Sometimes you wanna go where everybody knows your name...

Hello from Boston, Massachusetts. More on that to come.

Labels: All Posts, Travel

posted by Dustin @ 7:10 AM,

And now for something completely different...
Friday, September 5, 2008

Yes, I can write about things that aren't related to politics or business travel. Watch.



I'm a whore for Battlestar Gallactica (henceforth "BSG"). Like, big time. That, of course, referring to the reimagining on SciFi as opposed to the "cheese factor #9" original 1978 version. I didn't get on the bandwagon until about two months ago, when a good friend of mine (and the producer/engineer who's studio I'm about to go into) paid it forward. And now I'm a whore for it.

Some reasons, in no particular order:

1. The show added the word "frak" to my lexicon. It means exactly what you think it means. Now I can drop eff bombs in front of my 3 year old niece. Frakking rad.
2. I'd frak 77% of the characters in that picture. I'll let you decide for yourself which ones wouldn't get any action.
3. The writing is impeccable. Unlike most network shows, I honestly have no frakking idea what will happen next. That's unique.
4. Art mirrors life, and the story lines, SciFi'd up as they are, are relevant to some of today's most important frakking issues.
5. The special effects are more realistic than the most recent Star Wars movies. Frakking serious.

There are more. And yes, I said "frak" or "frakking" in each. And that doesn't bug me.

If you are at all curious, I strongly recommend picking up season one and giving it a shot. The first "episode" was actually a miniseries, so get ready for about 2.5 hours in one sitting. Quite a lot is covered in the miniseries, so watch another episode or two before deciding if you're into it (and you'll be into it). And most importantly, AVOID SPOILERS LIKE THE PLAGUE. Don't read forums, don't watch videos of panels at Comicon, don't even read the full wikipedia entry. A big part of what makes it frakking ridiculous is the element of surprise. Trust me, and have patience. You shall be rewarded.

That's all for now. Peace, out.


Currently in Memphis, Tennessee
Currently listening to Imogen Heap - Speak For Yourself

Labels: All Posts, Entertainment, General Bullshit

posted by Dustin @ 5:55 PM,

I could....
Thursday, September 4, 2008

Kiss John Stewart with tongue for this segment...

Labels: All Posts, Politics

posted by Dustin @ 8:47 PM,

Frakking September.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Anyone know how three quarters of this year blew by? Was I sleeping? Drunk? Just ridiculously distracted? Whatever the reason, here we are, in September of 2008. Summer is flirting itself away, we can't wear white anymore, and the 2008 Presidential Election is right around the corner. I know it's cliche, but the older I get, the more clearly I understand what I've been told all my life: as you age, a year becomes a shorter and shorter period of time.

Well, it's been an eventful Summer. I traveled quite a bit for work and play, including another jump to India, and a quick trip to Washington for my grandfather's 80th birthday. More recently, we thought about moving downtown, until we realized that the housing downfall has caused our home value to fall pretty dramatically, making it foolish to think about selling right "just 'cause". So here we'll sit for a while - marginally disappointed, but more or less over it.



In other news, I've just sent off for my absentee ballot to vote in the election. I get the joy of voting anytime I choose between about two weeks from now and mid-October, due to yet another trip to India in early November that will keep me from hitting the polls. While I'm relatively certain my mind is made up (like, approximately 190% made up), I'll probably hold off till October to "pull the lever", as it were. I'm both addicted and more than a little bit worn out by the election at this point. The nomination of Sarah Palin adds for some drama to keep things interesting, but I'm convinced most people know what they're going to do. Part of me wishes we could just get it over with. Oh wait, I'm going to.



And finally, for this post, I've finally taken a step and begun the process of scheduling studio time. Actual studio time. Not, fucking around in my home "studio" studio time. Nah, working with a producer/engineer, session musicians, tens of thousands of dollars of gear, etc. I'm not sure where it will go, but the new stuff I've been writing is stronger than anything I've ever done. And I've got the connections to do something with it, if it turns out good enough. I've said before that I don't have the gumption (see a good definition of gumption here) to spend a few years playing at shitty clubs for the door. But if someone heard some of my stuff and thought they could make me an overnight success, I'd be in. If not, c'est la vie. Same thing goes, except I think I could be persuaded to put in some effort this go around. Maybe that means building an online following. Maybe that means some selected shows. Dunno. But I'm itching to lay down some tracks, and ready to do it right. We'll see how this goes.

Currently in Memphis, Tennessee
Currently listening to The Republican National Convention, ugh...

Labels: All Posts, General Bullshit, Politics

posted by Dustin @ 7:30 PM,

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