Saul Williams .:. Talk to Strangers

Click here to listen to Talk to Strangers

Now I wasn't raised at gunpoint and I've read too many books
To distract me from the mirror when unhappy with my looks
And I ain't got proper diction for the makings of a thug
Though I grew up in the ghetto and my niggas all sold drugs
And though that may validate me for a spot on MTV
Or get me all the airplay that my bank account would need
I was hoping to invest in a lesson that I learned
I thought this fool had jumped me just because it was my turn

I went to an open space 'cause I knew he wouldn’t do it
If somebody there could see him or somebody else might prove it
And maybe, in your eyes, it may seem I got punked out
'Cause I walked a narrow path and then went and changed my route
But that openness exposed me to a truth I couldn’t find
In the clenched fists of my ego or the confines of my mind
Or the hipness of my swagger, or the swagger in my step
Or the scowl of my grimace, or the meanness of my rep
'Cause we represent a truth, son, that changes by the hour
And when you open to it, vulnerability is power
And in that shifting form you’ll find a truth that doesn’t change
And that truth is living proof of the fact that God is strange

Talk to strangers when the family fails and friends lead you astray
When Buddha laughs and Jesus weeps and it turns out God is gay
'Cause angels and messiahs, love, can come in many forms
In the hallways of your projects or the fat girl in your dorm
And when you finally take the time to see what they’re about
Perhaps you find them lonely or their wisdom trips you out

Maybe you’ll find the cycles end you back where you began
But come this time around you’ll have someone to hold your hand
Who prays for you who's there for you who sends you love and light
Exposes you to parts of you that you once tried to fight
And come this time around you'll choose to walk a different path
You'll embrace what you turned away and cry at what you laughed
'Cause that’s the only way we’re going to make it through this storm
Where ignorance is common sense and senselessness the norm
And flags wave high above the truth and the two never touch
And stolen goods are overpriced and freedom costs too much
And no one seems to recognize the symbols come to life
The bitten apple on the screen and Jesus had a wife
And she was his Messiah like that stranger may be yours
Who holds a subtle knife that carves through worlds like magic doors
And that’s what I’ve been looking for, the bridge from then to now
Just watching BET like, "What the fuck, son? This is foul."
But that square box don't represent the sphere that we live in
The earth is not a flat screen, I ain’t trying to fit in
But this ain’t for the underground, this here is for the sun
A seed a stranger gave to me and planted on my tongue
And when I look at you, I know I’m not the only one
As a great man once said,
"There’s nothing more powerful
than an idea
who’s time
has come."

It's been quite some time since someone last posted on M@KP, so, since I'm rather disturbed by this I've decided that I will be the one to post. Actually, I decided a few days ago, but held off because I couldn't find a song that I wanted until this morning. So behold Saul Williams' Talk to Strangers.

I first discovered I like Saul Williams with The Inevitable Rise and Liberation of NiggyTardust!. The poetry, the beats, the production value (I know dick about production, and even I thought it was fantastic), all of these drew me in. Unfortunately, I had yet to hear Williams' earlier material until just last night. I listened to Amethyst Rock Star and was blown away by Coded Language.

But it just didn't feel right to post. Not to detract from the song, by no means, but it didn't feel right. Nothing really felt right from that album. So I listened to to his self-titled album, and the first song, Talk to Strangers, struck me right away... that's all I can say about it. It just felt right. Listen to the song, and you might see what I mean.

Chemical Brothers Feat. FatLip .:. The Salmon Dance

Click Here to Listen to The Salmon Dance

“Hello boys and girls.
My name is FatLip,
and this is my friend, Sammy the Salmon.
“What do.”
Today we're gonna teach you some fun facts about salmon
in a brand new dance.”

Let me introduce to you a brand new dance
I know you gonna love it if you give it one chance
Its not complicated, its not too hard
You don't even have to be a hip-hop star!
See anyone can do it, all you need is style
Listen up, PK, Imma show you how
Put your hands to the side, and silly as it seems
and Shake your body like a salmon floating up stream

I float up stream
You know how we do it
You know how we do it again

”All my peeps spend part of their life in fresh water and part of their life in salt water.”

”Wow, very interesting”

”They change round a couple of days after spawning, then we die.”

When I first did the salmon all the people just laughed
They looked around and stood like I was on crack
I heard somebody say out loud
"What the fuck is that? This nigga's dancing like a fish, while he's doing the snap"
But the more I kept doing it, the more they were feeling it
Then I heard some bitches saying "that nigga's killing it"
By the end of the night, everyone was on my team

And the whole club was dancing like a salmon floating up stream!

I float up stream
You know how we do it
You know how we do it again

”Most of our friends find there home waters by sense of smell, which is even more key than that of a dog or a bear.”

”Wow.”

”My family also rely on ocean currents, tides, the gravitational pull of the moon.”

”The moon? Fish pay attention to the moon?! Wow. Who knew?”

I float up stream

”Did you know...”

”What?”

”...That I could go to Japan?...and back.”

”You're kidding me? Amazing. Geez.”

”Polluted water can kill both baby salmon that are developing and the adult salmon that are on their way to spawn.”

”Wow, what a shame. What a shame. Huh.”

“Wow”

”Hey, kids, give it up for Sammy the Salmon
and his amazing salmon dance.
Huh, what ya say?
Alright. Who's hungry?”

Man, I've been away for awhile again. I've felt very disconnected to the internet lately. I'm actually considering taking some extended time away (give or take an hour a day). I think it'd be pretty interesting to see how I live and what I motivate myself to do when I don't sit at the computer!

Any who, I picked this song because I happened to download this album and placed it on a work mix. The song was so much fun to listen to in my store. I went nuts when I heard it and fall in love with music all over again!

The entire song is seemingly oddly put together with a goofy beat and entertaining sounds that makes me feel like I'm listening to a kids learning song! If only all learning songs were this badass, right?!

Well, I just felt like sharing an awesome song. I don't have much to say tonight, I'm actually pretty tired, hopefully I'll get another post in before I decide to step away from the internet for awhile!

HIM .:. Endless Dark

I first started really listening to this song a lot last year. Since then, it has been a staple in my playlist for whenever I'm practicing singing by my lonesome.

Artist: HIM
Album: Love Metal
Song: Endless Dark

Click here to listen to 'Endless Dark (Live Acoustic)'

Click here to listen to 'Endless Dark (Album Version)'

Softly the light shines in through
the gates of grace on me and you,
Deceiving our restless hearts

A flickering flame, so serene,
devours the night so we can see
the dear we hold onto so strong

And I know where I belong,
Away from your gods
That heal all wounds and light this endless dark

Lonely the light shines on you,
through the gates of fire entombed
Feeding on your love

Weak is the blaze that kept me away
from cruelty and tenderness embraced
Saving my soul no more

And I know where I belong
Away from your gods
That heal all wounds and light this endless dark

That shine on you and tame
your burning heart
That bury my truth right into your arms
That worship the tomb of
our forlorn love

That heal all wounds and light this endless dark

You know, I really have no explanation as to why I like this song so much. It's pretty much just an awesome fucking song. I think a part of it has to do with the way the chorus is sung. Anyway, this song hauls a sufficient amount of ass. I'm really digging the acoustic version right now. I would even go so far as to say I like it better than the album version.

Alice Russell .:. High Up On The Hook

I adore this song, and you might not. My only concern is whether Azrael Himself approves of it and this post. That said, I know that someday I will throw up something he hates. Armed with that knowledge and crossed fingers, I invite you to sing along (or don't):

Click to listen to "High Up On The Hook" by Alice Russell.

Can I stop my hobo wandering days now
I guess I'll hang my tears out to dry
I seem to notice more and more every day now
You got my heartstrings breathing so right

I hang my coat high up on the hook now
I'll put my gloves down on the side
And I know that they will still be there when
I get those feelings, need to run go hide

I'm getting lost in with you every day now
Or just sitting quietly side by side
Climbing towers and getting mystery trains now
Making tea and setteling down

Kites, ice creams, jumping jumping trampolines now
Waking up and I'll tell you last nights dream
Seeing things that no one else has seen now
You're pulling on my heat of silk and strings

Can I stop my hobo wandering days now
I guess I'll hang my tears out to dry
I seem to notice more and more every day now
You got my heartstrings breathing so right

I hang my coat high up on the hook now
I'll put my gloves down on the side
And I know that they will still be there when
I get those feelings need to run go hide

This song is a charmer. I first heard it at Green Earth, and was so intrigued that I asked what they were playing. It was some new agey mix CD they were selling at the counter, and the song was by a fairly popular British neo-soul songstress named Alice Russell. She's been known for her infectious cover of Seven Nation Army, which I hope you can find on Youtube yourself cause I'm sure as shit not taking the time to link you.

It's an addictive, upbeat little tune. I had considered something more like Mogwai, The Doors, or even The Beatles (I Want You still echoes in my headspace all too often). Instead I opted for the song I enjoy the most, while being compelled to ponder the least (on that note, another consideration was Let's Dance by David Bowie...consider it called and stamped for a future post, black ball beats it all). It's just an overwhelmingly lighthearted song, which is something I appreciate about the majority of Russell's work. With its playful beats and almost reassuring lyrics, the song feels like the musical manifestation of a smug grin.

Je t'adore. Je t'a window, I don't care.

Changing gears. I don't want to blow my guest post on something irrelevant, but I really feel like declaring my utter hatred for Hinder for all the world to see. I hear them every god forsaken day at work (Zehrs), often more than once per shift, and each time I can't stop thinking, "Sometime I wish she were you." I know pop isn't designed to stand up to dissection, but didn't anyone notice how awkward that sentence was? What the fuck.

...I've lost myself. I should stop. Maybe I should drink heavily. Magic 8-ball says, "outlook positive."

The Servant .:. Cells

Click to listen to "Cells" by The Servant

It'll all click when the mortgage clears
All our fears will disappear
Now you go to bed
I'm staying here
I've got another level that I want to clear
My skin feels like orange peel
My eyes have been vacuum-sealed
My organs move like a squirm of eels
We should be more adventurous with our meals
They annoy me those who employ me
They could destroy me
They should enjoy me
We eat chinese off our knees
And look for each other in the TV screen

The sun goes up and the sun goes down
I drag myself into the town
All I do I want to do with you
Everyday I'm at my desk
At my desk I'm like the rest
All I do I want to do with you

On the city's skin they move on mass
Like a rash on the back of a manky cat
Now in I go like a fool
I can't resist dipping in the pool
I watch them watch me I watch them too
Across the street across the room
I dress myself like a charcoal sketch
My eyes are brown and my hair's a mess
They annoy me those who employ me
They could destroy me
They should enjoy me
We eat chinese off our knees
And look for each other in the TV screen

The sun goes up and the sun goes down
I drag myself into the town
All I do I want to do with you
Everyday I'm at my desk
At my desk I'm like the rest
All I do I want to do with you
The sun goes up..

The cells I am at the moment will soon die
But I will be here
Oh I'll still be here
The cells I am at the moment will soon die
But I will be here
Oh I'll still be here

The sun goes up…

Everyday everyday everyday...

Okay. So, this song is as close to a perfect song as I have heard! Not only that but it fits perfectly for an idea I’ve had kicking around in my head for the last year or so. You see, for those who haven’t pieced it together yet I work at a major comic book store chain and the conversations, customers, co-workers, and every other aspect of the job is so off beat and unconventional that I want to write and produce a television series based off my experiences.

This song I’ve liked for awhile and I knew I wanted to write about it tonight, and asI listened to Cells to see what the song would inspire me to write I listened closely to the lyrics and realized that it would fit perfectly with an opening theme for the show. The song is a bit darker than one would expect a sitcom to be, but if filmed correctly it would be amazing. The instrumental version of Cells was used in the Sin City trailer, in case you were curious as to why it sounded familiar, and let’s say I film the opening as a parody to the style Sin City was done in I believe I would get that comedic undertone to opening and not only that but it’d reference a comic book, double bonus, right?

I’ve been having trouble figuring out how to properly set up the foundation for a TV Show, let alone a series that would need to be overwhelmingly unique to capture the attention of people who may not be into comic books. I feel like it’d be a bit narcissistic to place myself (Not me literally, whoever would play me!) in a lead role and that’s where the idea comes to kind of capitalize on the success of ensemble dramas but with the sitcom theme, and I don’t know how that’d work exactly as I could have 20 characters on the show that would take turns and such.

A few examples of how unique my job is and the people I deal with follow:

Lady With Briefcase – My immediate boss had this experience a few years ago. A lady dressed in business attire entered the store with a briefcase while talking annoyingly loud on her cell phone, presumably to her daughter based off what she was saying. This went on for several minutes with her shouting such phrases as “You’re a WHORE!” and “WHY DO YOU DRESS LIKE THAT?!” eventually my boss realized that she was not talking to her daughter on the phone…nor anyone else. She was shouting into a lifeless phone. When he approached her he noticed her business clothing was tattered and filthy. She immediately placed her briefcase on the counter and popped it open, the briefcase was filled entirely with pieces of trash where then she hastily dumped it all over the counter and told my boss to keep it and stormed out of the store…

The Man Who Trained Me – The person that trained me, and he still works for my company, is by far the coolest boss anyone could ever have. He’s a loud, obnoxious, foul mouthed stoner. He knows everything (and I do mean everything…) there is to know about Godzilla or any other Kaiju Monsters. How does that sound for an amazing character on the show? Huh?!

That is a small example of what happens where I work, the amazing amounts of oddity should be enough to compel any person with a brain to watch the show for it’s purposely condescending humor and attempts to push the limits of prime time television. Maybe some day I will get the project off the ground. I currently have 3.5 years of experience to pick from. Time will tell!

[M@KP Year Two] Massive Attack .:. Inertia Creeps

Click here to listen to "Inertia Creeps"
Artist: Massive Attack
Album: Mezzanine (1998)

Recollect me darling, raise me to your lips
Two undernourished egos, four rotating hips
Hold on to me tightly, I'm a sliding scale
Can't endure, then you can inhale
Clearly out of body experience
Interferes and dreams of flying, I fit nearly
Surrounds me though I get lonely
Slowly

Moving up slowly
Inertia keeps
She's moving up slowly
Slowly
Moving up slowly
Inertia creeps
Moving up slowly
She comes moving up slowly
She comes moving up slowly
Inertia creeps
Moving up slowly
She comes
Moving up slowly
Moving up slowly

In my home, no chrome as clear as
See me now with my nearest dearest
Been there when I'm over-careering
Room shifting is endearing
Between us is our kitchen
Where she finds my irritants itching
Been here before; been here forever

Moving up slowly
Inertia keeps moving up slowly
Inertia creeps, moving up slowly
Inertia keeps moving up slowly
She comes
Moving up slowly
Moving up slowly
She comes moving up slowly
Inertia creeps, moving up slowly

She comes
There be no sound in my eiderdown
Awake I lie in the morning blue
Room is still my antenna in you
Nylon burns the bedspread with two
Gravity zero see me stall
I bounce off the walls lose my footing and fall
It can be sweet though incomplete though
And the frames will freeze, see me on all fours
Its been a long time

She comes
She comes
Comes
I want to x you, she comes
I want to x you, she comes

I caught your radio waves
I caught your radio waves
With tin cans and string
Say you string me along
Say string me along

Say inertia creeps
Inertia creeps and she comes
Say she comes
Say she comes
Say she comes
Say she comes

Today, last year (and she comes) I started this whole project. Sad-eyed little devil needed a knife for catharsis, furthermore needed a canvas to slash at (moving up slowly). Prior to this, I'd merely been slinging paint and words, marking up the equivalent to my online notebook, none of the thoughts were relevant. This became a daily thing, a daily thing modeled with other's words; it was sniper expression, all I needed to do was find the right weapon and I could say, "He did it, not me". Back when I could update every day (but inertia creeps), but thankfully my life's changed in at least one major respect since then: it's a lot more fun to live than to write about.

I think, what would happen if I actually updated every day? This blog, this thought, as far as I know is unique (and moving up slowly). In the darkest point of night, I've got at least a handful of regular readers who dig the idea (she comes); I've got eight people who excited jumped onto the project and at times have updated more than I have (and she comes); I've had Tony Pierce guest blog for me only a month into our existence; attention to my review of A Piece of Strange actually grabbed the attention of QN5 themselves; inertia's crept (moving up slowly) and we still have made it to this point, one year, slowly.

There weren't so much posts in the beginning, just songs. Posts came later, posts came when I felt up to them. They were weak. I didn't know what to do with this unique format of blog, so I did what seemed logical and wrote something about the song. You can only say so many things about a song or an artist, then it becomes boring or you repeat yourself. Songs are like drugs: they change how you think, some are like phenethylamines, some are like tryptamines, some are stimulants, some are depressants, but all of them have a chemically changing, behaviour altering property. Don't take drugs to talk about drugs, take drugs for the state they put you in - I had to learn to do that with music (slowly). I'm giving you drugs; I don't need to preach what E is like at an E party, I need to dance.

One year

(moving up slowly)

One more

(moving up slowly)

More updates

(moving up slowly)

For real

(...inertia creeps)

Filter .:. Hey Man, Nice Shot

Click Here to Listen to "Hey Man, Nice Shot" by Filter

I wish I would've met you
Now its a little late
What you could've taught me
I could've saved some face
They think that your early ending
Was all wrong
For the most part theyre right
But look how they all got strong
Thats why I say hey man nice shot
What a good shot man
A man
Has gun
Hey man
Have fun
Nice shot
Now that the smokes gone
And the air is all clear
Those who were right there
Got a new kind of fear
You'd fight and you were right
But they were just to strong
They'd stick it in your face
And let you smell what they consider wrong
Thats why I say hey man nice, nice shot
What a good shot man
A man
Has gun
Hey man
Have fun
Nice shot
I wish I would've met you
I wish I would've met you
Id say
Nice shot

This song will undoubtedly be stuck in your heads for the next several months if you’re a movie and/or comic buff. This is one of three featured songs in the new Iron Man teaser trailer, and if you ask me, it was used absolutely perfectly.

I started this blog not entirely sure what there was for me to talk about. I know I just wanted to write, and kind of right free flowing. I guess I’m feeling a little down right now, and I can’t exactly pin point why I feel that way, and I’ve just had “Hey Man, Nice Shot” stuck in my head.

I guess if I had to stretch and relate this to something it’s how much I feel like Tony Stark right now, after he becomes Iron Man. I’m not depressed or anything, but all I think about is work. I’m at work, I think about work. I’m at home, I think about work. I’m in bed, I think about work. I’m showering, I think about work. I’m hanging out with friends, I think about work. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job to death! I sell fucking comic books all day and everyday, but I think it’s consumed my life – at least right now, much how the responsibility of being Iron Man consumed Tony Stark’s life whether he wanted it to or not.

I think part of this can be pin pointed to the fact that I would like to enter a relationship with someone, and I just feel like I would automatically place that relationship secondary to her and her feelings, which is wrong…but I feel like I’d do it anyway. I guess it doesn’t help any that the girl I’m interested in is one of my employees…

I’ve sacrificed my personal life, and I almost feel comfortable with it. How…off setting is that? I guess it makes me a devoted employee, but why is it that in the little time off I have that I work on projects for work or think about how to arrange my store to maximize sales?! I should be hanging out with friends and doing stupid shit. Right?

Is this what it is to be…grown up? Adult…?

I doubt it, and I’m sure this mood will shortly pass. I just can’t really seem to enjoy anything at the moment though, perhaps my next blog will be a bit more…uplifting?