"Rid of Me" by Source. Licensed under Fair use via Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rid_of_Me.jpg#/media/File:Rid_of_Me.jpg
Stark, angry delivery of well-written lyrics: I prefer her later more melodic sound.
Book Of Questions | Which sex do you think has it easier...
“Which sex do you think has it easier in our culture? Have you ever wished you were of the opposite sex?”
The times they are achangin'.
Here comes a big generalization since American society is hardly consistent or homogeneous but we are less patriarchal than at any time in western civilization's recorded history. Women are entrepreneurs, CEOs, scientists, politicians, techies, creatives, warriors, mothers, partners, and wives.
Yes the times are achangin'.
VEERRRRRY SLOOOOOWLY
- Men still outnumber women in power roles.
- The wage gap is embarrassing.
- Some men -- mostly old white men -- still try somewhat successfully to exercise control over women's bodies and reproductive rights.
- Women are far more likely to be victims of sexual harassment or attack in the workforce and on our college campuses.
- Single parent homes are more likely to be run by a woman.
- And don't even get me started on what it must be like to be a woman in some other cultures.
It's easier to be a man. And I've never wanted to trade places.
Bauhaus | "Mask" (1981)
"Theatrical starkness." That's how the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die book describes Bauhaus. Maybe it's a little too theatrical. Maybe it's a little too dark. But this album doesn't do it for me.
It's tough to celebrate a holiday in the traditional way while traveling
In a small Mexican town on Baja...
No Chinese food, no Movies...
No Jewish Christmas.
Susan Cain: The Power of Introverts
For anyone who does their best thinking alone, does their best socializing one-on-one or in small groups, if you find yourself seeking solitude to recharge: this video is for you.
Blondie | "Parallel Lines" (1978)
I was in love then. I'm in love now.
It's punk for those of us who may have a few complaints, but overall, have had a pretty good life.
John Martyn | "Solid Air" (1973)
Brilliant vocal performance deftly blending folk and blues. Martyn's voice ranges from a gravelly growl to a haunting lilting falsetto. This 42 year old recording could be released today and still become a hit.
If you don't know John Martyn's work, you should. Listen on Spotify.
Roxy Music | "For Your Pleasure" (1973)
I don't like it. It's overly melodramatic, unbelievable angst, and perhaps a rather poor David Bowie impersonation.
But go ahead and listen, your mileage may vary.
KISS | "Destroyer" (1976) Kids In Satan's Service?
I missed their heyday. I was a tad young, but the rock group KISS was also highly taboo in the ultraconservative society of Southern Baptist Dallas in which I was raised. In fact, I remember being fascinated by the one church friend I had who was a KISS fan. How could he be? How could his parents let him? Didn't they know that KISS was an acronym for Kids In Satan's Service? Didn't they know that listening to music sung by devil worshippers would give the evil one just the inroad he needed to shake the faith of the faithful? This was the same reasons we avoided the Eagles "Hotel California." You know, the one with an album cover that was (rumored to be) a picture of a Satanic church in California. We trusted our leaders, "Christian" authors, and others to have discovered the Satanic messages in albums played backwards. It was too dangerous for us to check them out for ourselves. We were all just one listening session of an Iron Maiden album away from starting down the path to damnation.
It's taken decades of time and thousands of miles to get over this album burning mentality (not to mention significant $$ spent on therapy). Fortunately Spotify now allows me to go back and economically taste some of this forbidden musical fruit.
The judgement: KISS's "Destroyer" despite the hint-of-violence in the title, is not dangerous and in fact, most of what I have now heard from KISS is anything but edgy. Their greatest sin seems to rather unChristianlike hubris and some PG-rated sexual bravado. Their makeup and music isn't black magic, it's marketing. The music? Not bad. But they are to rock what the circus is to theater.
