Sharing is Caring: Part 2

Well, readers, it's a long time coming. I kept promising a sequel to this post,  but a lot of outside influences made it difficult. That, and I'm also a little bit lazy.

In this post, I'll talk about my favorite Rap album, one of my favorite Foreign albums, and my favorite album that fuses two genres. So, seeing as this is long overdue and I'm sure you all are itching for new music, let's get started.


1. Rap: K'naan's Troubadour

 Living in Minnesota has shown me a large swelling of Somali population. I admittedly didn't know a whole lot about Somalia, so when I heard K'naan hailed from there, I simply repeated, "Where?" to which my friend wisely replied "Listen to his words and you'll find out." I was so intrigued by this poet's turn of phrase and ability to rhyme both predictably and unpredictably. Yeah, a lot of you know him from his World Cup smash hit "Wavin' Flag" (this album version is markedly different, and I would argue it's better), but make damn sure that it's not the only song of his you're familiar with. His blend of references to pop culture, other hip hop artists and his hardship in his homeland make each of his songs a bit of a surprise every time I listen to them without losing a familiar feel. With his ability to turn an unfinished rags-to-riches story into a verse full of fable-like morality (with a subtle wink to Muslim faith and Somali culture), I hope K'naan continues to make music-- Especially if it expands on what this album accomplished.

Favorite Tracks:

• America
• ABC's
• Take A Minute
• Bang Bang
• Wavin' Flag

My Favorite Lyrics:
From "Bang Bang", a red-hot love song that drips with summertime attraction, these lyrics always bring someone to my mind who I used to have a thing with. Now it's nothing romantic, but certainly it's always good to remember good times spent with someone close.

"She’s so hot she’s a scorch-ian,
Killing me softly,
Lauryn or Kevorkian,
Couldn’t tell if she’s coo-coo or corky, when
I asked her her name she said “Call me Ten.”
Testing, testing
Things just got more interesting
She’s dressed in a vest pin, double-breasted holster,
A very Western toaster,
She ain’t nothing Kosher.
Ah… she lets me closer.
Hotter than a pepper-crusted Samosa
While I try to keep my composure."

2. Foreign: Gigi Shibabaw/Abyssinia Infinite's Zion Roots

  This is a diamond in the rough that I picked up from my college's limited music library. My college has/had a fairly sizable Ethiopian population, so it's no wonder the library tried to get their hands on some Ethiopian music. The first thing I noticed was that the number of songs in English on this album is exactly 0. So, naturally, I loved it. Each of the songs has a complex rhythm, without sounding busy. It sticks out among a lot of African music because it's more harmony-based, like Western music, rather than putting more emphasis on polyrhythmic structures. In layman's terms, you hear more voice and instruments that can balance out the percussion. It has a nice energy level throughout: Vigorous at times, but this album can relax. That said, the album always stays in motion, and that complex, rhythmic motion is what sells me 100% on this album.

Favorite Tracks:

• Aba Alem Lemenea
• Ethiopia

My Favorite Lyrics:
From "Aba Alem Lemenea", a song I adore for so many reasons, I chose just one word that's repeated numerous times throughout the song. In English, it simply means, "Why?"

"Lemen? Lemen? Lemen?"

3. Fusion of Two Genres, Classical and Metal: Nightwish's Imaginaerum

Okay, so, "fusion" may not be the right word for this album. That's merely because there are very few words for this album: "IT FUCKING ROCKS"  is the phrase that comes to my mind. I've been a fan of Nightwish for years now, especially since their hit release Once, back when they had their old singer, Tarja Turunen. Now, they blown my mind by creating not only an album, but a musical film of the same title that tells the allegorical story of why Tuomas composes for the band, and offers a glimpse into the band's collective imagination. Imaginaerum starts off with the only Finnish song on the album, Taikatalvi, which sounds like a music box's melody gone horribly wrong. From there, the Imaginaerum draws you in deeper, with heavy numbers like Ghost River and I Want My Tears Back, until you hit the climax of the darkest piece, Scaretale, which is reminiscent of Tim Burton-esque horror combined with every nightmare you've ever had, retold in an oddly entertaining way. After that, the album slows down a bit with downtempo songs such as Rest Calm and The Crow, the Owl and the Dove. However, after that, you're reassured that the album can't end so slowly (After all, it's fucking NIGHTWISH), and Last Ride of the Day closes the main part of the album with a powerful chorus promising "Such an incredible high". After that, a short musical number (Song of Myself) follows with a long poem recited by different band members and other unknown voices, questioning what is worth valuing. Finally, the musical score for the film version of Imaginaerum brings the album to an amazing theatrical close. Nightwish has done it again. Onnittelut, Nightwish.

Favorite Tracks:
All of them. Seriously. A few stick out, though.

• I Want My Tears Back
• Rest Calm
• Last Ride of the Day

My Favorite Lyrics:
From Last Ride of the Day, showing what's in store yet despite the fact that it's near the end of the album-- their imagination isn't so limited!

"Once upon a night we'll wake to the carnival of life
the beauty of this ride ahead such an incredible high
It's hard to light a candle, easy to curse the dark instead
This moment the dawn of humanity
The last ride of the day!"

If you like my writing, you can join the site to the right of the page, like Speaking with Storms on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and Google+ . If you have questions or just want to chat, I'm on Formspring too!

Thanks for reading. Go forth and do good things, my friends.

Sharing is Caring: Part 1

Music has always been a big part of my life, from my own dabbling in piano, guitar, trumpet, djembe, and other instruments, to voice, and even just listening to many different genres. Music is in my blood, too--Everyone in my family (even my extended family) has some degree of musical talent, whether they utilize it or not.

I think the best thing you can do with music is share it. Therefore, I've decided to share with you my favorite album (of each genre that I like) of all time! Now, I want to break it up into five groups of three so that I can go somewhat in depth regarding my favorite tracks and favorite lyrics, as well as a general overview of what I think of the whole album.

1. Indie: Bon Iver's Bon Iver

 What I love about Bon Iver is mainly the uniformity of this album. The songs sound deeply related without getting superfluous or repetitive. It is easy to listen to, as well. It's relevant and poignant, but never loses that feel of soul. It's a good nighttime album, if you just want to have a quiet, reflective evening. Bon Iver never gets too loud or too fast, and most importantly, it doesn't pull any punches with its lyrics (no matter if they seem nonsensical or not). Bon Iver's made a large impact on the Indie music scene, and I have a feeling these cats aren't done yet.

Favorite Tracks:

• Minnesota, WI
• Calgary
• Beth/Rest

My Favorite Lyrics:
From Beth/Rest, this single line always jumps out at me more than the others because unlike all the other lines, this is straightforward and strong.

"I ainʼt living in the dark no more
it's not a promise, Iʼm just gonna call it"

2. Alternative: Linkin Park's 1000 Suns

  When I tell people I'm a fan of Linkin Park, I sometimes get a weird look in return. They get a bad rap for their angst-ridden lyricism in their early music, but I grew up with them and have watched them mature. Linkin Park's first two albums were good and fine, but I always had the feeling that the band could do more than down-tuned rap-metal. Then they released Minutes to Midnight and showed that they had some real diversity and skill in their musicmaking. A few years later, 1000 Suns hit and I was certain I had made the right decision in staying with them. 1000 Suns is one of my favorite albums of all time, because it tackles themes of American Exceptionalism, the danger of nuclear warfare, brotherhood, and standing up for what is truly right, coupled expertly with memorable quotes from J. Robert Oppenheimer, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mario Savio. 1000 Suns is as political as it is creative, and it does both quite subtly and powerfully.

Favorite Tracks:

• When They Come For Me
• Waiting For The End
• Iridescent
• The Catalyst

My Favorite Lyrics:
Oh, God, I have so many from this album, but my favorite come from Jornada del Muerto (Spanish for Journey of the Dead), which simply repeats two Japanese words:

"持ち上げて、解放して"

They read "Mochiagete, Tokihanashite" and translate to "Lift me up, let me go." The lyrics are then repeated in English in the song The Catalyst.


3. Metal: Mastodon's Crack the Skye

 When Mastodon's drummer, Brann Dailor, was interviewed about the album, he gave this description:

 "There is a paraplegic and the only way that he can go anywhere is if he astral travels. He goes out of his body, into outer space and a bit like Icarus, he goes too close to the sun, burning off the golden umbilical cord that is attached to his solar plexus. So he is in outer space and he is lost, he gets sucked into a wormhole, he ends up in the spirit realm and he talks to spirits telling them that he is not really dead. So they send him to the Russian cult, they use him in a divination and they find out his problem. They decide they are going to help him. They put his soul inside Rasputin's body. Rasputin goes to usurp the czar and he is murdered. The two souls fly out of Rasputin's body through the crack in the sky(e) and Rasputin is the wise man that is trying to lead the child home to his body because his parents have discovered him by now and think that he is dead. Rasputin needs to get him back into his body before it's too late. But they end up running into the Devil along the way and the Devil tries to steal their souls and bring them down…there are some obstacles along the way."

 So, pretty much, Mastodon does a lot of drugs. But, on top of that, this album has a lot of underlying themes. It's meant to signify the Greek element, aether, symbolized in the transmigration of spirits. Dailor explained the alternative spelling in the title, a reference to his sister who committed suicide at the age of 14:

 "Her name was Skye, so Crack the Skye means a lot of different things. For me personally, it means the moment of being told you lost someone dear to you, [that moment] is enough to crack the sky."

Favorite Tracks:
I seriously love every one of these songs, but certain ones that always stick out are

• Oblivion
• Divinations
• Ghost of Karelia
• Crack the Skye

Favorite Lyrics:
From Crack the Skye, I think these lyrics are really strong and tell of Dailor's love for his sister.

"Desperate heathens flock to sirens; guard your heartache well.
Mama, don't let them take her. Don't let them take her down!
Please tell Lucifer he can't have this one. Her spirit's too strong!"

To be continued in Sharing is Caring: Part 2!

If you like my writing, you can join the site to the right of the page, like Speaking with Storms on Facebook or follow me on Twitter and Google+ . If you have questions or just want to chat, I'm on Formspring too!

Thanks for reading. Stay human, my friends.

The Symphony of the Universe

Symphonium Universi

The world is singing! Do you hear it?
The world is singing. All you have to do is listen.
On this spinning globe, there is so many millions of expressions of life!
They all are singing out in a beautiful choir of existence,
That hits me like an earthquake that brings me to kneel
In reverence. I can’t help put part my lips to sing along with them.
When all the noise is blocked out, and you stop to listen
You can hear it.
The world is singing.

I sit on the floor, with eyes closed and ears eager to listen.
The familiar pat-pat-pat of raindrops on my window
Ushers in a welcome rain.
Nature is has lifted its voices too.
I hear strings and voices in the Wind, drums in the Earth,
Horns and cymbals in waterfalls, raindrops and rivers.

Now I know why sages travel to mountaintops, prophets spend months in the desert
And the wise know the value of quiet.
It’s not so they can get away from the world!
It’s so that they can get closer to it.

We are part of it! Do you hear us singing along?
Hallelujah, we sing!
Let all creation join in!
We are here, we are alive!
Let us do what is good and right
And let the innumerable expressions of life create!

If you like my writing, you can join the site to the right of the page, like Speaking with Storms on Facebook or follow me on Twitter. If you have questions or just want to chat, I'm on Formspring

 and Google+ .

Thank you for reading. Stay Human, my friends.

Creativity in the Twin Cities

Sorry, readers, it's been a while since my last post. I've been downtown, doing creative things with creative people.

Last Thursday, the 7th, I went to downtown St. Paul with a few friends. We all are part of a collective called Random Receipts, with the purpose of fostering creativity with a light emphasis on music and spoken-word poetry. Around St. Paul are scattered pianos, painted and sheltered from the weather, in tune and everything, free for the public to play. So, naturally, a group of creative souls such as ourselves couldn't resist. We found a piano in front of a music college, and just began creating. I myself elaborated on a piece I had written earlier, played my friend's djembe, and plunked out a few melodies on the piano.

Fidelis on Piano and myself on Djembe

There was a young  girl, about 13 or 14, there with her younger brother, and she was listening very attentively to what we were performing. Eventually, we asked her to do something with us. After a lot of coercing and friendly encouragement, she sang something for us... And it blew us all away. The girl had talent, there was no doubt of that, but what really astounded me was her willingness to walk up to a group of older guys and perform something herself. This girl was ballsier than any of us there.

Then, just yesterday, we went back to downtown St. Paul to a small deli near the farmer's market. There, we performed spoken word, hip-hop, classical, and foreign music with a slight rock vibe to a fairly good sized audience. It was the first time I had done something like that, and the crowd (as well as my fellow members) were all very supportive. I met a lot of very cool people and my family and a few friends were able to see exactly what it is I do. That, I think, was the main reason I wanted to go so badly.

Left to Right: my brothers Fidelis, Joe, Jeremy, and myself

I wrote the following piece while I was at the deli waiting for others to show up-- I was the first to arrive, so I opened up my notebook, found my favorite pen and just freewrote to pass the time. I was somewhat surprised with how organized it turned out.

Black Coffee

 "No, I'm waiting for a few friends, don't mind me.
Well, maybe some coffee, black as midnight and bitter as my ex.
I do need to wake up. Don't we all?
Sure, I got up in the morning. I got up.
But I'm not awake.

I'm sorry, Miss, say that again?
Oh, no, I'm not from around here.
But, say, this coffee's not bad."

I carried this smalltalk on for another hour,
waiting for my own Godot to show up.

These days, if I have any money, I waste it.
If I have any time, I waste it.
If I have any energy, I waste it.
But, say, this coffee's not bad.
Maybe it's time to wake up.

The Twin Cities area has a very unique art scene, so I'm very happy to be so close to such a diverse movement. The best thing about the feel of the area is that it's all very supportive, very open, and very kind. You might get harsh criticism every now and then, but that's because they do genuinely want you to get better.

If anyone is interested in getting involved with Random Receipts, you can sent me a private message or leave a line in the comments. We'd love to create with you.

You can also follow me on Twitter or become a follower on the right if you're so inclined. I'm also considering a Speaking with Storms page on Facebook, so we'll see where that idea goes.  I went ahead and created the Facebook fan page, so if you like what you read, click here to "Like" me on Facebook! Thanks for reading, everyone.

There is a War Going On for Your Mind

"There's a war going on for your mind.
Media mavens mount surgical strikes from trapper keeper collages and online magazine racks.
Cover girl cutouts throw up pop-up ads,
Infecting victims with silicone shrapnel.
Worldwide passenger pigeons deploy paratroopers.
Now it's raining pornography.
Lovers take shelter!
Post-production debutantes pursue you in NASCAR chariots.
They construct ransom letters from biblical passages and bleed mascara into holy water supplies.

There's a war going on for your mind
Industry insiders slang test tube babies to corporate crackheads.
They flash logos and blast ghettos.
Their embroidered neckties say "stop snitchin'."
Conscious rappers and whistle-blowers get stitches made of acupuncture needles and marionette strings.

There is a war going on for your mind.
Professional wrestlers and vice presidents want you to believe them.
The desert sky is their blue screen,
They superimpose explosions.
They shout at you,
"Pay no attention to the men behind the barbed curtain
Nor the craters beneath the draped flags!
Those hoods are there for your protection,
And meteors these days are the size of corpses!"

There's a war going on for your mind.
We are the insurgents."

Written by Flobots.

Rhymes With Month

I once said that the best hip-hop comes out of my homeland, Minnesota. While that may be true, this is not to say that all hip-hop that comes out of Minnesota will be the best. In fact, this short rap I wrote for a friend disproves that within the first three syllables.

My friend is going to California to watch Jay Leno's show (not really my type of humor, but all the same, I'm jealous of her) and had announced she was writing a rap. Okay, sure, whatever. I had a bit of a laugh and asked her to end a line with "month", knowing full well that there isn't a single English word that rhymes with "month". Afterwards, she asked for my help writing the rap. This is what I came up with.

Minnesota’s the land of ten thousand lakes
But we’re here in California by no mistake.
Better listen up, Leno, and make some noise
Because I’m here to have a party with the West-coast boys

Somewhere between M N and O C
Is a bit of a dilemma with LAPD
I promise I’m a good girl, stay out of trouble
But can I help it if I want to turn the city to rubble?

It’s hard bein’ blonde, I ain’t gonna lie
But I don’t let it get to me, no, I don’t cry
Cuz you know, when this girl just wanna have fun
I don’t stop, I don’t quit, you know I’ll get it done.

I know, Xzibit, I know... It sucked... You don't have to look at me like that...

  Damn it, I'm a poet, not a rapper! An author, not a mixmaster! I may enjoy spoken word, but I find myself limited by musical meter. Let's hope I never rap again-- I wouldn't want to disrespect the art.