Drinking...Sunglasses..Big Bad Want

I guess i need to find a way to drink less, or maybe if my weak ass could, at least not daily. Maybe i wouldnt turn on the fucking vent all night and use too much electricity. what an asshole.

Apparently "Sunglasses" was Black Country, New Road's first song way back in 2019. That seems really, really far away. If you read genius or even their youtube for the song, many of the diehards are dissatisfied with the album version. Kudos first of all to the band for being able to have people debating and arguing over the final version of your first single that doesnt appear on your debut until almost 2 years later. And its the kind of song - much like the album - that rewards with repeated listens.

 

I like to think it's split into two parts. the first phase where he is sort of lost in old man ways, annoyed by the world around him and how it doesnt understand him. Frustrated with how out of touch everyone sounds and how judgmental and inept everyone is. Drinking bourbon on ice (he likes single malt whiskey) and reflecting on how "things just aren't built like they used to be." Eventually switching to beer (he doesnt mention this in the song) but really feeling the enlightenment: "And I am ignorant now, with all that I have learnt."

The second phase he's wearing sunglasses and feeling invisible but aware that he's just as vulnerable as ever. He feels confident walking down the street even if he knows he's scared about what's ahead. Just trying to remain positive. thats supposed to be easy. When everything crashes during the second refrain - still ignorant - those dissonant horns and saxes are too much.

Finally, the bridge/outro is a deliberate fuckfest. "I'm more than adequate." I went back and heard the original(s) from '19 and they sound good too. Album version is just as good. Either way, i know its SO MUCH asking anyone to listen to a 9+ minutes song but im not gonna apologize for having heard it at least 6 times today because isn't that what music is about??

And have you heard ALL of "Big Bad Want" by Palberta? I mean the whole song. DAMN. Then listen to the whole album. By the way, SEVEN members (4 men, 3 ladies) in Black County, New Road, and in Palberta? THREE ladies. MUSIC> MUSIC> MUSIC

Weezer - Pinkerton

  

Weezer released a new album this year. They've been consistently releasing new music since the early 90s. The new album was a blend of strings and cheesy weezer sentimental longing. It felt forced and although i've seen a few positive reviews, i wouldn't recommend it. It made me want to listen to their seminal 1996 album, Pinkerton.

My introduction to Rivers Cuomo and co. was through their self-titled Green Album. "Hashpipe" was a huge hit during the second half of my high school life. I still remember winning a marching band competition during my first year in the drum line to the grinding guitars of Cuomo singing, "come on and kick me....whoa-whooooa." I liked the Green Album all right but i didn't really love it. Yes, if you can believe it, even 16 year old Bryan was already a discerning music listener. Anyway....i delved back a few years to see what else Weezer offered.

There were two albums that most music minds pointed to. Their self-titled Blue Album and it's follow-up Pinkerton. I know it's dismissive because i enjoy both more than the former green one but honestly the blue one is more pop-focused Weezer cashing in on a style that was mostly ignored - good yes, but still not reaaaallly great (Damn what an asshole right?) whereas Pinkerton is their magnum opus. An album that is definitely a crowning jewel for the late 90s and a reminder that we need to listen to these bands past efforts! Their symphony no 41 so to say and even if they try to release albums with strings in 2021, the dissonant loudness of their 96 album is still supreme.

 

Cuomo is ever direct but never looking for pity. Partly inspired by Madame Butterfly and the Japanese art and culture he loved, Cuomo weaves stories about the unusual, or not often discussed topics of love: finding out his girlfriend is a lesbian to the common story of staying with someone simply because it's better than being alone. All the while, the music is what propels everything forward. The guitars are direct and driven by chords that are meant to clash against each other in dramatic fashion; all the while everything is balanced by a band that was really in their prime. Here's a couple of tracks to enjoy off one of my favorite albums of the 90s.