And Find My Own Way Out

Some music is just good, you feel it. Some songwriters just say it all. It's not about what type of music they make or weather they are "underground", "indie" or "mainstream". It's about melodies and lyrics entering your soul and never leaving.

And with that in mind, I submit: If you don't like The Dave Matthews Band; there is something wrong with you. Last night, my wife and I watched a special on Fuse (the new MTV, and it's just as bad) called The Road to Big Whiskey. It's a documentary about about the band's history leading up to the newest album, and its great. I have never been the type to care much about the people making the music I love. I can't tell you the real names of all of the Wu (my all time favorite by far). Nor can I tell you the details of Chuck D's childhood. But watching and listening to Dave and the band made me love them even more. They are real, normal people; and dedicated, passionate musicians.

Now I know it's not cool to like Dave. I know it's supposed to be some frat boy shit but, imagine if you never knew that. Imagine if, like me, you didn't hear or hear of DMB until you were 20 years old and having the time of your life. If there was no stigma, would you like #41 or Rapunzel or Crush (my personal favorite cuz it makes me think of my wife)? Or do you like them now and are just affraid to admit it? Because while these are very joyus songs (Dave explains in the documentary that they are a joyus band even while singing of sad things), they are also great. And shit, what's wrong with a little Joy every now and then. DMB isn't the corny pop band your friends have been clowning for the past 18 years (yes, that long). They are a band all their own, with no genre and no false pretense. Listen.

And Now, A top ten list....

10 Greatest Cartoons of Our Time

10. Spawn (the HBO series by McFarlane was nuts)
9. All the Charlie Brown Movies
8. Tom and Jerry (sweet nostalgia)
7. Voltron (this one hasn't held up as well over time; same plot every episode but I loved it)
6. Duck Tails (most under rated toon ever)
5. GI Joe (if you count the animated movie this would have to be higher on the list: Cobra LALALALA!)
4. He-Man (ask me to recite the opening, any time)
3. Road Runnner (just too good)
2. Thunder Cats (Sword of Omens, Give Me Site Beyond Site!)

and the winner is....

Just pretend the movies never happened. And remember the glory. There was more character development in those cartoons than in most prime time drama. And if you add in the animated movie, in which Optimus Prime actually dies! Well now you are in to some next level shit.

A nerdy aside: Wouldn't the Decepticons have kicked the Autobots' collective metal asses all over Cybertron? They could fly when in robot form and Megatron's arm cannon could level buildings (I've seen it). I always felt a sense of injustice when the weaker, less advanced, Autobots won.