A Combination of Things

Obama and the Grammys

This is my first official post but I need to back track and comment on a few events before I start dealing with current issues.

1. Barack Obama – There is a primary in Wisconsin today and Barack absolutely needs to win it. He can not afford to let Hilary gain even a shred of momentum going into March 4^th. I am not politically intelligent as you will see going forward, but if I know anything its that Barack needs to put his foot on the gas here and keep on rolling. I wouldn’t say that im a fervent supporter of Senator Obamas. I haven’t been to any of his rallies and I haven’t donated any real money. I have a bumper sticker on the back of my car and a cardboard sign in the living room window of my house that’s hard to see from the street if the sun hits it just right which it usually does but I am excited about the prospect of this man being our next president. I think issues in Presidential elections are almost secondary. I know that probably sounds crazy but I just feel like once you are in office your reality changes and your issues and beliefs have to adapt accordingly. However I will say that he has been the most realistic candidate this year. He is aware of the divide between Republicans and Democrats and has structured his plans, programs and ideas in a way that will appeal to members of both parties in an effort to do some real work for the good of the country. I haven’t heard him say once, regarding his use of the House and the Senate, that it is, effectively, his way or the highway. I think he believes that when all is said and done we will be able to find OUR way and that’s why Im supporting him for president. If he doesn’t win the nomination I will admit that I will be a little sad about it, but I definitely think that Hilary Clinton will make a fine president. I just think Barack Obama would make a better one.

2. The Grammys – Dear God in heaven what a freaking sham this whole event is. If I thought that swearing on my blog would be a good idea I would be swearing all over the place right now. I am just so disgusted with the state of the music industry. I know that no one except the previously mentioned music industry puts very much stock into these things but I personally, as a musician and a card carrying member of the “Not an Idiot Club,” find it just so insulting they someone somewhere actually believes that Amy Winehouse should win any kind of award. I dont feel this way because shes a drug addict, I feel this way because shes terrible. At the end of this post I will list 10 records that came out this year that are better than almost every record that got nominated for any award at this years Grammys. And do I think that Herbie Hancock won Album of the year because the Grammy voters actually thought that it was the best record of the year. No I do not. I think they gave it to him because hes nice and he makes nice music and because he plays the piano nicely and because he has Norah Jones on that record and shes nice.  The fools that hand out the Grammys love to reward music that you don’t have to think about, that has a good beat or that you can listen to if youre having trouble falling asleep. Im glad my parents had the foresight to teach me the word Travesty. Try falling asleep to these records(in no particular order):

Against Me – New Wave

Espers – II

Wilco – Sky Blue Bky

PJ Harvey – White Chalk

Dinosaur Jr – Beyond

Miles Davis – The Complete on the Corner Sessions

Grinderman – Grinderman

Neil Young – Chrome Dreams II

Okkervil River – Stage Names

Ted Leo – Living with the Living

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