Of course, we would all love to see this occur anytime earlier. Little D's arrival, that is. As enveloped with anticipation as I am, A is doubly so. The past week has actually been rather quiet, baby-wise. We can only assume that perhaps this is the "calm before the storm", so to speak. A and her mom will be going to a "baby care" class today at the hospital and we have our next regular doctor visit to "check on progress" Friday afternoon. As of last week, A was only about half a centimeter along (dilation-wise, that is).
And so we wait. At this point, the only one who knows anything, well, is Little D. I am already anticipating how long it will take for A to hold this over his head the first time he gets in trouble..... :)
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
the Devil Himself - See No Evil
CD Review See No Evil
The long and short of it, as they say, can either be rather simple or a wee bit more. In this case, we shall start with the basic interpretation and simply say that this three-song EP released earlier this year is nothing short of fantastic. It rocks hard. It rules. It is, perhaps, one of the best fucking pieces of music I have heard in awhile.
“On your knees, cause I'm your king/Tonight, you will obey/Eyes on me and I am pleased to watch you sit and pray.” – from “Them Shits”, the Devil Himself, See No Evil
The long and short of it, as they say, can either be rather simple or a wee bit more. In this case, we shall start with the basic interpretation and simply say that this three-song EP released earlier this year is nothing short of fantastic. It rocks hard. It rules. It is, perhaps, one of the best fucking pieces of music I have heard in awhile.That enough or ya? Enough to convince you to pick up a copy? No? Jeez….demanding little shits, aren’t you……
Ok. In the space of time between their first release, Pushing the Panic Button, the Devil Himself (Dave, Dan, Jason, and Elliot) have gone through some changes. Mainly line-up related issues which – no doubt – played a part in affecting their time in the studio and perhaps even placing doubt as to the effectiveness of new material, how it would be received by an audience, how it would translate onto a CD. Rest assured that what has been offered to us in See No Evil rises above mundane life and band changes to, well, effectively kick the listener squarely in the teeth. But in a good way, of course.
“Bullet Proof” sets the tone of this disc, ripping forth an angst-driven recollection of the battle all relationships wage upon themselves, accusing, reversing the heat, begging for forgiveness, dripping in the intertwined desire to give in and move on but also aching with the pain so much, giving in at times to that oh so human habit of vindictiveness, the need to set the score even.
“Passed out drunk and bleeding, can I be the reason for it all? You cannot win/Giving into life's temptations only shows that you are human too/Will you give me the chance to erase the past, or kiss my ass goodbye? You've made it too hard to leave. Kiss my ass goodbye.Bye bye.” from "Bullet Proof"
The centerpiece of this EP, the song that drives it – at least in my humble opinion – is the second track, “30 Lives”. With an epic opening riff, the lyrics are acid-laced, evoking images of straining against….what? Could be anything. Parents, life, partners, teachers, society. They all fall into similar categories and beg to be cracked open, for truth to be set free, to allow us to stand on our own without being weighed down.
“Forget what you know, now who is the question? How do you live with all this rejection? Get off my back I swear it's the last time/This is the end, I know it's the last time/Destiny chose the path that I walk down/Fall down. Black out. Strain to breath, adjust to get by. Find the strength, I'm alive for now it seems/Strain to breath, search to get high. Find the strength, I'm alive for now it seems.” from "30 Lives"
Closing everything out and tying it all together is “Them Shits”, following the theme already established, and yet stabbing through to offer something new, some sort of fresh interpretation, a new perspective, still full of pain but moving onward and upward out of despair through personal strength and the realization that you are your own worst critic as well as being the only one who can change anything.
One must understand that the Devil Himself is not a one-dimensional sort of band; The songs crave a deeper involvement from the listener, to truly stop and absorb them. This is not throw-away crap. This is art which comes from an intensely personal space and, as I have always claimed, “Great art comes from great pain. It has to.”
My only complaint? Too short. I want more. These guys are not only talented song writers and musicians, they put on a great live show and are absolutely one of those rare things: a band that has the chops to go far if given half a chance. If you have ever had the opportunity to see them live, I am but preaching to the choir and you already know what I am saying. If you haven’t, well, what the fuck are you waiting for? Better get off your ass and check out the Devil Himself before they move on to bigger and better places than just our little corner of Hell…..
Check out the Devil Himself on MySpace at www.myspace.com/devilhimselfmusic. Songs from this EP - as well as selections from Pushing the Panic Button - are featured there for your listening pleasure, as well as the video for "30 Lives" and a listing of all upcoming shows. Go. Go now.
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