“Rather than to live on in the hearts and minds of my fellow man. I’d prefer to live on in my own apartment” – Woody Allen
I have become a daily listener of the Adam Carolla Podcast. Adam is opinionated and complains (a lot) about pretty much everything and anything. However, he has the ability to draw parallels and draw conclusions that really make you think. I know he has the reputation of being “the caveman from The Man Show“ but he has the ability to say things right off the top of his head. He has a recurring segment “What can’t Adam complain about?” And he is never “stumped”. They are funny and end up being insightful. I also like the other segment he does with comedian Larry Miller called “The Hypothetical Road Trip Game.” The point of the game is you have to travel across the country with two different types of people and Larry has to choose which one HE WOULD NOT want to travel with. Larry sadly has yet to get one right. But he is not about to give up on the game.
This show has been a great exercise in helping me to really make deeper observations about my own thoughts. It helps me get going every morning as I am listening to on the MP3 player. You may want to give him a couple of listens. Once again, let me warn you though this – He is not for the “small minded hypersensitive” types out there.
I am going to highlight an idea Adam had on one of his shows. He often complains about how hard it is to getting anything done in Hollywood. Good ideas struggle and the shit gets the “green light”. If he had to get a real job in the town he would want to be not a “consultant” but an “Insultant”. He would just go into people’s offices and tell them their idea “fucking sucks”. And then hit the person in the head with an aluminum baseball bat.
If you are going to create anything in any form you are going to be labeled as “Egotistical”. The problem is that too many in our society label this condition as a mental illness. This diagnosis is usually supported by the people who do the least amount of everything. The truth is the “creative ego” is what it is. And it takes an “Egotistical Act” to create something that does not exist because the creator feels “it should be there”. This is a harder concept to come to terms with because “art” is created first out of speculation. The other problem is everyone in this society is becoming increasingly “narcissistic”. Too many people out there think that everything should be constructed to fit their desires. It is almost a “fast food mentality” where everything should be “served to me, my way”. The “Customer is always right” mandate has become corrupted to hyper-sense of “entitlement”. Not everything is meant for “easy” consumption. There are things meant to make you either work or think. The problem has become the people who easily offended or aggressively opinionated hold back society because they do not have the ability to move on. Plus, they are overly vocal and have to let everyone know. MEMO: If it is not for you. Fine. We will mark it down. So please move on. In other words, change the channel. Janet Jackson’s left nipple (or was it the right) in the grand scheme was not that big of a deal. It got more attention and debate time that it was warranted.
I realize that doing what I do is going to have my own “Battle with Ego”. I am quite aware of my own “narcissism”. I try to keep it somewhat in check. For example, I do not have a cell phone. I do not think I am a person who needs 24/7 instant contact with the world. Or the need to text minute by minute. I do not want to carry around a mini box and have to being typing into it constantly like the numbers in the TV series Lost. I overhear what others talk about their cell’s (I really don’t have a choice) and it really does have much substance to it. Although, it is a bit funny (sadly) listening to people being berated by their significant other. I like to walk about and observe things as I go. The other check I have is I will never achieve a level of narcissism that will ever make think I could raise a child. And at the 7 Billion mark in population I think my view should be promoted a bit more. Especially to anyone who is on the Maury Show.
Music is a form of art that always seems to generate instant outrage even before the music is ever heard. I think it draws this reaction because the medium is instantly available for listen (when available). I think it becomes even more “personal” listening via ear buds.
Metallica is band that seems to have as many hardcore fans as it has hardcore critics. And they are usually one in same person. There latest album which is collaboration with Lou Reed is keeping with their tradition with “fan reaction”. This is a prime example of the “bloated egotistical rock stars”. This is an album that is nothing but an example of “esoteric ego” in action. I have been listening to it. I have not made a firm opinion about how I ultimately feel about this album. My final decision is just my opinion and should not be taken as the mandate for anyone else. I realize that everything made out there is not always meant for me. I am developing a more of “take it or leave it” attitude. This is going against the grain of our society today which seems bent on “protesting everything and everyone”. Back to this album. There are a quite a few things working against this album. I can imagine what their management and record label execs thought when this heard this final product. “This is a concept album that is 2 CD’s based on 2 works by a German playwright from the late 1800’s. (Pause) (More Pause)(Still More Pause) Fuck! Now what do we do with this?”
I like Lou Reed and I have a few of his albums. I have to admit for me his music takes quite a few listening to get a grasp on my interpretations of the lyrics. His album The Raven which the lyrics were based on the writings of Edgar Allan Poe is still a multiple listener on the MP3 player. I like “Concept Albums” because I like hearing songs working together to tell a narrative or revolve around a central theme. However, many of these albums need to include more information than the lyrics in the linear notes to explain the narrative. I have to also admit many of this style of albums reach for a premise that is just beyond the grasp of the material on the album. Lou Reed’s vocals are delivered with a spoken word cadence to them. Metallica is more of the backup band here. And that probably pisses their fans off the most. The lyrics are definitely not what are typical of Metallica song. The songs are long. It is funny that “hipsters” like long Phish/Grateful Dead style Jam songs but get pissed when bands (like on this album) play structured songs that last 10-20 minutes. This album has strengths and flaws but I have not made my own final conclusion. It is going to take a few thorough listening to get there. I think another problem is too many people want everything that they listen or watch to be “clear and forthright” to them. Too many people are afraid of anything that makes them think or challenge them to form an opinion. It should be instantly apparent.
I have to agree with most of the premise of Chuck Klosterman’s review of this album. This article made some other parallels which I am “awe” of. I wish I could think in those terms more often.
In the end, not everything can be (or should be) judged by their “sales chart” position. Some works need more time and thought than others. “Opinion Polls” more often than not are used to create a specific opinion outcome rather than represent actual opinion at that moment.
Taking a moment to think on your own for your own is not idea to be afraid of.
No matter what they tell you.
Here is where the collaboration got its roots.
This is a great example of a “Concept” song. It has a narrative and a structure to it that can be followed without being given notes.