Song: "Again"
Artist: Alice In Chains
Album: Alice In Chains (1995)

This is just lazy, but that's me. Lazy.

I loved this song to death during a, for lack of a better word, intense period in my life. Listening to this song now, it's sparkling clear how and why I took the direction I have with music despite what's expected of someone who looks and acts like me. It may be a radio song/band, and I discovered a lot of bands in reverse order of relevance, but despite the sad facts, it makes sense why I'm interested in bands like Electric Wizard and the Melvins now. I used to think this song was ridiculously, wondrously heavy - HEH! Okay okay, maybe it still is. Perspective.

I only got rid of my "again and again and again" desktop background a year ago.

Song: "Black Liner Run"
Artist: She Wants Revenge
Album: These Things EP (2006)

I haven't done She Wants Revenge yet. Granted, they took a turn that doesn't sound so nice to me, but their first album is pretty good.

If you don't know this duo yet, you'll like them best if you have some kind of electronic background, whether that's 80s dance or industrial - they're heavily influenced by bands like Depeche Mode. The vocalist can be a little annoying in that he tries to get too many words in a single song and sometimes isn't really singing, but it nevertheless adds character to an overdone genre.

As for this song... if you've ever been a fan of the internet, as in the thing you're using right now, you're going to like it for its lyrical beauty.

Song: "Point and Click"
Artist: Tomahawk
Album: Tomahawk (2001)

Doing my research for this song, I noticed that this album came out on a particular day in my history that I titled myself an interesting made-up adjective that fits this album really, really fucking well. Basically, so I don't get google hits from people in my past or vice versa, the word means "introverted annoyance".

That said, I love this band. They can be a little tough to get into due to their eclectic "experi-metal" nature, but it's worth the try. This song is fairly straightforward. It's aggressive, but not necessarily metal as it's slow-paced and a bit quiet. And awesome - did I mention I love this band?

Also, thanks to the wonders of various stupid ideas my local city has, it looks like I'm going to be missing Battles because, all in all, I can't miss a one-off show that is guaranteed awesome. "We" love you, John & co, but a 7pm show when I need to be at the other place by 8pm to make sure I get in because the fucking festival isn't selling motherfucking tickets, idiots, is against the rules. Come back soon - hopefully with Tomahawk next time.

Song: "Ana's Song"
Artist: Silverchair
Album: Neon Ballroom (1999)

Sun conjunct Saturn? Well, okay.

Song: "Happiness in Slavery"
Artist: Nine Inch Nails
Album: Broken (1992)

Sun conjunct Saturn? In Virgo? Trine Jupiter in Caprisuck?

Well, okay, again.

I was going to add this yesterday but life happens.

THE WEAK.rar:
01. Melvins - Sterilized
02. Tweak Bird - Spaceships
03. Tool - Rosetta Stoned
04. Electric Wizard - Dunwich
05. Weedeater - $20 Peanut
06. Iota - New Mantis
07. Akimbo - Wizard Van Wizard
08. Unida - Vince Fontaine
09. TV on the Radio - Staring at the Sun
10. Black Cobra - Broken on the Wheel

Put together probably a little too quickly based on my mood of the moment. If I take a few days off here, don't be surprised.

Song: "Chylde of Fire"
Artist: Witchcraft
Album: Firewood (2005)

ARGH! Out of my head!

This one surprised me by barely missing the void of course moon, too.

Song: "Where Beauty & Terror Dance"
Artist: Danava
Album: UnonoU (2008)

Well, I think I'm back. This was one tough week. In short, it was not as advertised. My so-called "fun" was muddled beyond my natural apathy, and I had to cut back everything. Nice fucking timing, motherfuckingsonofabitchshit.

I still caught this band live, outside of direct choice, as they were opening for another I have been long curious about (see previous entry). I might never have seen them without this kind of situation, as their recorded material hasn't impressed me. I've tried to do the the POV thing, but it wasn't working as I've been in a more "metal" mindset. I was half expecting to be bored.

They weren't bad. At all. What contrast between the recorded experience and live. Further, the singer of this band is one of the odder looking people I've seen (saying a lot because I see myself every day), which is not something you can capture through sound despite that voice. Odd, if nothing else, is interesting.

I don't know what song I want to include here, so I've gone with a mass-appealing one. Think updated 70s-style psych rock.

Song: "Jocko Homo"
Artist: Devo
Album: Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (1978)

Weird, yet great. I just described their entire discography, but all the same... If you've missed Devo like I had, this song is the obvious place to change that.

Song: "Burned Mind"
Artist: Wolf Eyes
Album: Burned Mind (2004)

If this "song" doesn't make you laugh or cry, particularly the fan-fare ending, please consider a psychiatric evaluation. You may be missing empathy.

Song: "Yadnus"
Artist: !!!
Album: Myth Takes (2007)

At least for a while last summer, I really liked this song. I played this band (and/or this song) a lot while I was working, as they aren't demanding but still have enough interesting going on for me to bother at all. The style has worn a bit thin on me, but I think to newcomers it'll make sense. If you like dance-rock, it's pretty much guaranteed that you'll like this, but I think they're just good enough to transcend the boundaries of what all the little children are expected to like. If you haven't already, give them a listen.

Song: "You're So Last Summer"
Artist: Taking Back Sunday
Album: Tell All Your Friends (2002)

;)

Song: "Reincarnation Blues"
Artist: Grails
Album: Doomsayer's Holiday (2008)

I'm waaaay behind on my research and findings, but this is as current as it gets. I just skimmed through this album, and it's already here, so that tells you something.

Not to be musically incestuous, but this song sounds like it came out of Tomahawk's Anonymous album. Being that it was my first post here, you know how I feel about that. Sounds awesome. Just, fuckin' great.

Song: "Sex on Fire"
Artist: Kings of Leon
Album: Only By The Night (2008)

Kings of Leon has a few songs in their discography that are pretty nice regardless of where you're coming from, and this is one of them. Obvious radio hit going on here, obviously. Good to know that all current popular music doesn't outright suck. Right, metallica?

heh.

Song: "Texas Flood"
Artist: Stevie Ray Vaughan
Album: Texas Flood (1983)

....

Song: "Black Dove"
Artist: Tori Amos
Album: From The Choirgirl Hotel (1998)

The former song always reminds me of this one, and vice versa. Obvious reason why if you know the song. I'm not being very imaginative today.

Song: "The House on the Borderland"
Artist: Electric Wizard
Album: Electric Wizard/Reverend Bizarre split (2008)

I expected something slightly more fresh from this song from a distance, but my initial impression is that it seems like an outtake from Witchcult Today - like some wrap-up final track. This is still good, but it's more of a song for fans than casual listeners.

I wish my hearing was as good as it was ten years ago and my neighbors were all dead, because I'm sure I'm missing the total experience of songs/bands like this playing it via mp3.

Song: "Fat Trout"
Artist: Porn (Men of)
Album: American Style (1999)

Favorite song-song of the last week. I thought I might have to go linkless, but their website has an mp3 of it. Hooray for you.

Also, full moon in Pisces AKA the fish? Ha.

Song: "The Drift"
Artist: Big Business
Album: Tour EP III (2008)

This song is The Awesome. </fuckinglame>

As I said above, I'm pretty hopeful about any upcoming albums from this band. This EP is very promising. If you like Big Business (or by any respect, the Melvins, as this particular song has a more leaky style than Business' previous albums) and catch them on tour presently, pick this EP up. Seriously, you want it.

Edit: What timing I had with this post. You can now listen to this song on their myspace.

Song: "If I Had An Exorcism"
Artist: (the) Melvins
Album: Bullhead (1991)

Wow, that was completely unintentional, but since I started it I have to finish it. (For those who had this statement go right over their head - Men of Porn, Big Business, and the Melvins are on tour together right now. In that order.)

This album is a must-hear.

This song is funny at first, assuming you have a sense of humor, which most do not, which is not okay, hence why I'm posting this instead of a more straightforward track, because you really should enjoy a little psychotic mumbling the way I do. Yes. Okay.

Song: "The Art of Dying"
Artist: Gojira
Album: The Way of All Flesh (2008)

Gojira's new album was leaked two days ago, which I noticed without looking mid-yesterday thanks to the wonders of the sidebar blogroll.

The most obvious thing I heard about it from my very sleepy sampling is that there's been a shift in direction. From Mars to Sirius was very well produced, but this seems to be produced differently - the outcome is more raw, for starters. I've heard a couple of these new-to-Gojira sounds in different presentation with bands that should probably remain unnamed as some might get the wrong idea. Despite the addition of synth in at least one of these songs, the band is still as "death metal" as ever.

I didn't like Gojira much when I first heard them, and all of their material has taken me time to "hear" even when I've been open. This is going to be no exception. This song alone is nearly ten minutes - the first half alone, without the dramatic outro, qualifies as epic. If you like Gojira already, you will appreciate the fuck out of it. If you're not a Gojira fan (yet), good luck.

Song: "My Eyes Have Seen You"
Artist: The Doors
Album: Strange Days (1967)

Kind of obvious for this blog's nature, overdue but not really since I think we all know who The Doors are, right? At least, in a vague, aware but not kind of way. Lately I have to be coerced into this band even though I consciously recognize their decency. Earlier I was thinking I could[n't] see someone's face in my mind, and there you have it - ten Doors songs instantly stuck in my head. Now I'm posting. Don't cry, you liked it.

Song: "Shame"
Artist: Stabbing Westward
Album: Wither Blister Burn + Peel (1996)

I loved Stabbing Westward to death when I heard them as a teenager - their music worked pretty damn well with my state of mind for a while there. I just put in Darkest Days and was instantly transported to circa 15 years old, in my bedroom with the funny wet metal smell next to the window, with my huge black plastic tape player sitting next to me on the floor broadcasting mostly shitty and repetitive radio music I'd recorded recently because I couldn't afford CDs and hadn't discovered mp3s yet.

I kind of stopped listening to them when I was about 19-20, and only seem to return about once a year to listen to an album or two before moving on again. I don't think I noticed how fucking whiny they were way back when... All the same, I have fond memory. Stabbing Westward are [still] revered over here.

This otherwise creepy song is hilarious if you sing it to your cat or change the lyrics from "exist" to "have sex". And then sing it to your cat. Or you dress up like The Crow (don't forget the socially relevant emo tear!), change the lyrics from "exist" to "have sex", and then sing it to your cat. And then put a video of this on the youtube. ... I'm going to get interesting google hits for this entry.

I've been thinking of doing something like this for months. The intention has changed a few times, mainly between whether I wanted to do the best new songs I've posted about since I started this blog or this more concise list of a top song list for the actual year 2008. I could wait until the true end of the year, or even my blog's actual birthday, but I can see myself being distracted at either time, and there aren't any albums (besides leaks) that are worth mentioning coming out in the next exact month. Even if I did include the last 2.5 months of 2007 to make this more even, it would almost be redundant in comparison to my (and others') postings last year and early this year. So, I hope you won't mind if I've jumped the gun on this one. Perhaps I'll reorganize this come January 1st, but who knows.

All that said, I've tried to make this list as concise and related to the blog as possible. Artists and songs who probably should be in here aren't due to genre differences, repetition, etc. I've gone for 13 songs in effort to make fun of myself and former incarnations, as I normally don't make "top lists" or play the self-importancy game when it comes to which songs are better than others - every song works in a different mindset; favoritism is relative. These are the songs, though, that didn't get boring with future listens, that are musically advanced or interesting, that aren't watered down by stereotype or social construct. Unfortunately, I can only put on here what I've heard and understood in context.

So, without further ado...


TOP THIRTEEN STAND OUT TRACKS OF 2008 (so far)

13 :: Torche - Pirana (1:32)

This song could be much higher up the list, but it fails at the fact that it's too short. Regardless, it's awesome. It's quick and energetic and fun and simply sounds great. It needs to be on here.


12 :: Grey Daturas - Beyond And Into The Ultimate (5:16)

"Beyond" is the first off their newest album, Return to Disruption. The formula with first tracks on albums generally seems to be "leave them wanting more", and this one succeeds. All this song is, is five straight minutes of build and growing intensity. For that, it's not really a traditional song, hence its lower position on this list.


11 :: Akimbo - Great White Bull (4:07)

While not as straightforward in time or intention as the previous two, this one has a more traditional style and approach towards the whole song-writing business. It's very energetic, and is heavy and loud without being aggressive to the point of lame. The breakdown moment at about two minutes in is, in short, great.


10 :: Opeth - Heir Apparent (8:50)

I didn't care much/at all for Opeth before I heard Watershed, but this song has certainly stuck with me since. It has pretty much everything you could want in a metal song - doomy vocals, heaviness and volume, and moments catering to music appreciation. It's epic as a whole, but it's Opeth and they write varied, lengthy songs as a rule so that would be expected.


09 :: Tweak Bird - Whorses (2:29)

"Whorses" manages to win over the Tweak Bird virgin in ten seconds or less. Overall, they have better songs, but the fact that this song is so incredibly effective puts it on this list.


08 :: Big Business - The Drift (3:47)

Here we have our simplest, least intense song of the whole group. So why is it here? Well, for one, it's Big Business. Then there's the matter of the stompy feeling and overall style. But... The lyrics. Listen to them. Now try to get them out of your head.


07 :: Russian Circles - Station (8:43)

For having no vocals and such introverted band members, this band is ridiculously interesting to see live. It's hard to talk of instrumentals in a concrete manner, but of possible songs worth landing this list, this one is the most clear in mood and style throughout.


06 :: Melvins - The Smiling Cobra (3:42)

Starts great, ends great, and that piece in the middle? HOLY SHIT. I am also particularly fond of the lyric "there is no ending, and there's no wonder-why"... assuming, of course, that's what the lyrics are.


05 :: Gojira - The Art of Dying (9:53)

Maybe, just maybe, this shouldn't go as high as it is. I just heard it recently, so it hasn't withstood the test of time yet. But that so very cool intro, and the fact that Gojira goes off in another direction despite that intro, and then goes off into another apparent direction of pure fucking awesome from there... It's definitely worth the listen. Initially the sudden change in direction comes across as schizophrenic, but all in all it makes plenty sense.


04 :: Grails - Reincarnation Blues (4:25)

Perhaps this song could be lower as well, being that it's nearly as new to me and the least traditional song on this list. With "Reincarnation", you kind of have to wait and see, not really knowing what's coming up, and this element makes it quite interesting. The combination of instruments and style make this both haunting and incredibly refreshing.


03 :: Boris - Floorshaker (8:04)

The moment I heard this song earlier this year, I knew I had to make some wholly unnecessary list for it to fall a top position on. While this song comes across as being pseudo-emotional electronic music, which doesn't really seem to appeal to the people who regularly patronize Sounds of Sagittarius, the fact that it's Boris wins out. It's good one way or another, but in the right sort of introverted mood, this song is absolutely amazing. Though it's not straight up rock n' roll, you will still be thinking HOLY SHIT.


02 :: Iota - Dimensional Orbiter (22:55)

I am so glad I heard Iota. Most of the songs on their new album Tales are great - I've had the open for "New Mantis" stuck in my head since I heard it, and I love "Opiate Blues" to death. But "Dimensional Orbiter"... just... is. It's so good. I have a habit of turning songs off before they've even finished, and at nearly 23 minutes long you'd think I'd have passed this song over more than I actually have. It would be a stretch to say that this song stays interesting throughout (at least without external aide), but it definitely maintains its wandering, spacey mood, even managing to bring the whole song back to planet earth before its end which is not something a lot of songs like this one achieve. You will come out of this song feeling different, for sure.



01 :: Meshuggah - Bleed (7:24)

First off, I encourage you not to listen to this right after Iota as the styles of the two songs are very conflicting.

That said, if you're new to Meshuggah, this song will initially come across as pointless noise in the general vein of metal. My initial impression of them before this album was that they were nothing short of obnoxious. But, I gave them a second chance upon the release of ObZen, and "Combustion" quickly won me over.

Seeing them live shortly afterwards, one song stood out in their performance that I hadn't yet given a chance - "Bleed". My ears were fresh on their sound, so I had to go home to confirm my suspicions. Sure enough, I had discovered the one song that would keep me coming back.

Lyrics? Amazing. I could do without these kind of vocals but they definitely fit this song. The length of the song is just comfortable enough to tolerate on a regular basis while still being lengthy. The music itself is interesting as fuck - whether you know the technicalities of music or don't. Being a "progressive technical metal" band, they've combined straightforward, aggressive metal elements with intelligence and depth in mood. You can find the same concept with other bands, but none that do it this good. If you listen to this and don't completely space out in awe and/or nearly start crying, you're simply doing it wrong.

A lot of these songs are fluid in placement, but for "Bleed" there is no competition. This is the best song of the year, hands down.

Song: "Malverde"
Artist: Red Fang
Album: Tweak Bird/Red Fang split (2008)

This is overdue, but I posted so many Red Fang songs in close order that I decided to wait on this one.

In short, see this band live. They don't seem to be doing any touring or shows right now, but when they do, get on that before this song gets phased out in the wake of possible future new material. Of course, if you see this band, it'll be soon if not immediately apparent it doesn't matter which songs are getting played because they're all above par... but still. Don't miss it.

Edit: Red Fang's full-length LP comes out October 14th.

Song: "Quiet Babies Astray in a Manger"
Artist: Danava
Album: Danava (2006)

Alright, back to the scheduled program. This was too hard to find when I was first looking, so I didn't give this a chance until recently. It's a bit unassuming with its intro, as may be a universal "issue" with this band, but it gets pretty good about a minute in.

Song: "Sent to Destroy"
Artist: Combichrist
Album: Frost EP (2008)

Holy goth ravers, Batman.

Sounds best loud with stereo sound.

Song: "The Bones"
Artist: Tweak Bird
Album: BigBoneSnakeBite (2007)

Dearest Sounds of Sagittarius,

I am cheating on you with 900 other blogs. You may have AIDS. Get yourself checked.

Love,
-j.flood

PS. The Bones. Don't Break That Ea-Zay.

Song: "Dried Up Tied Up And Dead To The World"
Artist: Marilyn Manson
Album: Antichrist Superstar (1996)

This song just struck me. I've had this forever, some of you have probably also had this album in your collection for quite a few years as well. I find it awkward that I started listening to Marilyn Manson around the time of Mechanical Animals and loved Holy Wood when it came out, yet I always come back to Antichrist like it was "first" for me even though it wasn't really where I started. It seems strange that I would meet up with a generation of idiots with this particular album appreciation.

Mm... "The Reflecting God".

Song: "Embrace The World"
Artist: Gojira
Album: The Link (2003)

Too much under-excess, sudden-halted into responsibility and time management skills. No like. This better be good or at least worthwhile, else I'm going to be pretty pissed off.

The irony is that I get annoyed with human beings as a collective whole and listen to songs like this, which according to the video, inspire synchronous humanity. ...Which is a subtle synonym for stupidity. I'm not sure how one is supposed to listen to music, or its relevance to anything, but all the same. The masses are asses. Where's Bill Hicks when you need him.

In any case, this song is great - moreso in the right frame of mind. Newbies to Gojira who have a good background in straightforward metal will enjoy this song immensely.

Song: "Crawl"
Artist: Kings of Leon
Album: Only By The Night (2008)

Semi-natural singing is nice once in a while, too.

Sometimes live videos of bands look like the bands are lost old ladies. We are here? Maybe that's why "certain" bands play in old muumuus.

Song: "Dragonaut"
Artist: Sleep
Album: Holy Mountain (1993)

It's only two days in and I already want to stab myself in the face. Every day it becomes more apparent why some people go voluntarily unconscious during their college years. There is a lot of heat to be burned off.

The beginning of this song is highly memorable - stuck in my head for as long as it could be.

Song: "X"
Artist: System of a Down
Album: Toxicity (2001)

Simple, straightforward. Ahh.

I can easily get away with people not noticing that I'm female on the internet thanks to my mostly sexless writing, therefore a lot of problems that arise in real life or upon this realization are gone. But upon the knowledge, I notice anything from a clear shift in focus to negative attention to massive walls going up. Suddenly, everything I say or do suddenly has some "deeper" meaning. I go from merely existing, doing whatever I was obviously doing (ie. talking to people or being present or knowing or sharing), to being apart of people's personal needs/intentions. This one needed someone to blame for their misery, so now I'm a slut or full of myself or some similar dilemma. This one supposedly needed to get laid and/or was lonely and think women solve that (moron), so now I'm their thing of the moment. This one thinks all women are/do ___, so now I'm that. Etc, etc. I have little in the way of patience anyway, but I definitely lose my patience with people who do this. I don't see how what gender I am matters, at all, in any way, but as we all (should) know... the masses are asses.

So, to for once be clear, I don't want to fuck you, and I don't want to fuck your boyfriend, either. If it helps, think of me as an autonomous robot. It's probably true.

Song: "Slut Machine"
Artist: Monster Magnet
Album: Monolithic Baby! (2004)

This song reminds me about being confused about an ex's state of mind. We argued about "sluts", in that he hated them which I found unreasonable, yet when I sent him music he said he liked this song. WTF. It's right in the title, man.

That said, I have an amazing sense of humor for a robot.

Song: "Flood"
Artist: Tool
Album: Undertow (1993)

I had Mars conjunct Pluto today. Nobody was murdered.

I talked to someone with my fake last name for the first time, though. I was wondering if anyone really had such a name, and apparently there are people out there that do. I'm vaguely surprised.

While I might have actually been listening to Undertow at the time (can't remember), the name came up originally as a conceptual thing for a username. It carried with me long enough so that I shortened it to simply "flood", and because nobody remembers my last name and people on the internet don't need to know anyway, I started using it as a last name. Technically the way I help people remember my actual name ("you're happy going to the beach in the summer") relates to water, definitely Undertow, so... hey, it fits.

"Saturnine Flood" doesn't really roll off the tongue, though. Plus it's a conundrum. Saturn is restriction, flood is too much. Makes me think of someone trying not to ___. My name's Freudian enough. So I'm just "saturnine" to you guys, mmkay?

So, this song. This song is great. This is one of the best songs, ever. Lots of people seem to pass over this song, perhaps due to its extended intro, which is unfortunate. It's really, really good.

I also love this album to death and am incredibly biased. But, seriously. Really good.

Song: "Spinning Temple Shifting"
Artist: Danava
Album: UnonoU (2008)

See also this video, where that venue magically allows their sound to exist comfortably.

It seems fair to post this song now before I move on to the next thing but also before I get bored of the phase(s) of current, though it's a bit compact with the others from this band. I have also yet to decide if days of abuse caught up to me or if there really is something here, merely taking a shift (yeah, yeah) of perspective to see/hear. I have some time to go before I will find out.

Anyway, listen to the song and find out for yourself.

Song: "-1"
Artist: Mudvayne
Album: L.D. 50 (2000)

Eve.ry.thing. Sys.tem.a.ti.cal.

I've been quoting this song like that for... going on eight years now. Let's thank the dick who quoted it as "youweretheone" at me before I'd even heard the song. Indeed. Thanks for raping my vocabulary, Mudvayne (WITH SKIN UPON MY FACE).

I want to hate that I (still) like this song, but honestly it's never going to happen. It's been cemented in my brain as Fucking Brilliant, and there it will stay.

Here's a live video without the stage makeup. It's good for everything but the intense part of the song.

Song: "Casual Affair"
Artist: Tonic
Album: Lemon Parade (1996)

I was going through old tapes last night, and found nothing really of note (besides whatever germs I picked up from the dust that has given me a sore throat and what seems to be a fever) but was reminded of this song. A boy-man sent it to me in cassette format on the back end of songs I had requested from him, and I didn't "get it". Why, man, why?

Song: "Wicked Garden"
Artist: Stone Temple Pilots
Album: Core (1992)

In all honesty, he likely sent me that song as a (mild) rebuttal for this song, which I sent him beforehand... along with "Space Lord" and possibly even "Prison Sex". I am not mysterious. Or was not, anyway.

Now that 10+ years have passed, I can say that this song irritates me. Was a fine introduction to music as a whole, though.

Song: "Hope You Die"
Artist: The Atomic Bitchwax
Album: The Atomic Bitchwax (1999)

Alright, let's bring it back down to earth before I disappear for hours/days again. Here's a completely irrelevant song that is nevertheless fun to entertain as applying to others. And there's good music within, too!

Song: "Cumbersome"
Artist: Seven Mary Three
Album: American Standard (1995)

And here's my favorite (radio) song for a number of years. I don't remember when I picked it up anymore, just that I had it memorized in my half-conscious mind by the time I was 16. I do remember, though, being surprised around 2002 when a not-very-intelligent girl-lady I knew quoted this song in my presence. I asked how she knew the song, and she said a guy had sung it to her. LOL! Yeah, I can see that.

And since I suppose I'm on a roll today, how about a six six sixty sixth song?

Song: "Stinkfist"
Artist: Tool
Album: Aenima (1996)

When people don't know me in a balanced setting, I can often get away with appearing really stupid in the sense of naive. For the most part, this is an asset. If nothing else, it makes me less afraid to ask apparently stupid questions and/or act like an idiot. It also seems to make people comfortable with me when they probably shouldn't be.

I was on a quiet mission to find someone(s) attractive yet intelligent enough to talk to yet also musically aware. I had just started listening to Tool on purpose, so I figured that they'd be a decent way to gauge my humans.

The first plane deboarder was a Tool geek, and songs were pressed on me. I knew some. He sent me my first mp3, incorrectly filenamed "stinkfist.wav", dated November 4, 1998. I knew the song well, but I'd never paid attention to the literal lyrics. I gave it a better listen. Uh-oh, I think someone has a crush on me. *ignores*

I met another guy around Halloween, and a couple of days later we were talking on the phone - it could have very well been November 4th. I didn't realize it yet, but he was bad at conversation, so we resorted to talking about the band. He said he liked this one song and summed it up. I said it was "Stinkfist". He was happy I knew, and went on to keep describing it as if "just in case". Yeah, uh, I know the song. The conversation moved elsewhere, sort of, but then I heard it playing somewhere on the other end. Oh jesus, here we go. He started singing.

Imagine a giant eyeball rolling. You know the movie Freaked? Picture one of the Eyes doing a slow back flip. That is what I did.

Then I got off the phone in quick succession and busted out laughing. Holy Shit. What a Bunch of Fucking RETARDS.

Guys, don't do this.

Song: "Miss Alissa"
Artist: Eagles of Death metal
Album: Peace Love Death metal (2004)

I love the first line of this song. Unfortunately, I have to be in the mood for the rest of it. Nevermind the vocals. I used to know someone of the name, and thoughts of voodoo rituals come in up memory.

God damnit, now this song is going to be stuck in my head all day.

Song: "No One's Kind"
Artist: Staind
Album: Tormented (1996)

Yep, Staind used to be good. Can't believe it myself. This album, as a whole, is a worthwhile time-spent, as long as you can stand the whining because the whole thing is apparently about frustration and suicide. This song isn't as overtly thematic on the suicide part as the others, but is nevertheless 'there'.