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I’ve been thinking about music quite a bit lately, as well as listening to it quite a bit. Currently, I am in a huge Bob Dylan phase. This is not unusual since he is at the pinnacle of my favorite artist list, along with Johnny Cash. That seems only right to me, as the musical kinship and mutual admiration between them is well known. But I digress…

To me, music represents the purest, most primal, form of artistic and spiritual expression. The listener can think about it and dissect it (lyrically or sonically), or can just experience the music on a completely instinctual and spiritual level. While one can do that with most art forms, music seems to lend itself more easily to just being experienced. Even if one does not listen actively to music playing in the background, the mood of the person changes due to the music. There is something about sound that affects the listener at the most primal level. While we all have different tastes, almost everyone enjoys music. Not only that, but it is usually the only form of art that is involved in almost every important ritual of our lives.

I think children and teenagers get this so well. Watch a small child dancing to music. That child gets it. In the teenage years and young adulthood music becomes a part of identity as we work to define who we are. In the hustle and bustle of adult life music is much of the time relegated to familiar background noise. It is many times an unacknowledged source of basic comfort.

For me, music is my friend on the road as I go back and forth to work. I don’t have much time at home to listen to music. There, alone in my car, I center myself. I am spiritually renewed and at peace. After years of driving the same highway, I’m used to the commute and distractions are normally minimal.

Do yourself a favor. Take some time to listen to some music soon. Pull out a favorite CD, mp3 or whatever. Sit back or lay back and enjoy it with no distractions. Give music a chance to be more than just a soundtrack to your life. Doing so is truly a spiritual experience.

My interests tend to be very on again, off again. I’ll be heavily into something for a bit, and then I’ll leave it alone for a while. It’s just the way I roll. I never completely get rid of an interest, however. I’ll just leave it off for a bit, and later pick it up again. At that point there is a strangle feeling of newness coupled with nostalgia. Those who know me will attest to my “phases”.

Lately, I’ve been listening to Rush a lot. Rush is one of my favorite bands. They are in my top ten bands of all time, and believe me, there are some heavy hitters in that list. I got back into Rush by reading David Mack’s Star Trek: Destiny series (which, yes, I still need to review, I know). Mack is a fan, and there are subtle Rush references scattered throughout the books, as well as a Geddy Lee quote.

Rush is one of the most lyrically fascinating bands around. Combining science fiction and fantasy with a heavy dose of philosophy, including existentialism and Ayn Rand, this is a band with serious messages. No light and fluffy songs here. Humanism is a very strong motif in drummer Neil Peart’s lyrics. This appeals to me immensely, even if my own beliefs are spiritual and Christian in content. Combined with the exceptional musicianship of the band, this creates a heady sonic potion, sure to engage the listener both emotionally and intellectually.

Rush’s heyday as a band was the early to mid-80’s. After 1987’s Hold Your Fire, the band seemed to fade from popular consciousness. They are, however, still making important music. In fact, the band seems to have returned somewhat to its earlier style, which relied less heavily on synthesizers and more on guitars, bass, and drums. A testament to the continuing power of the band is the just released Retrospective Vol. 3, which covers 1989-2008.

There are some incredible tracks on this compilation, beginning with “One Little Victory”, a signature song from 2002’s Vapor Trails. Other standouts are “Dreamline”, “Ghost of a Chance”, “Earthshine”, and “Nobody’s Hero”. If anything, I would argue that the band sounds better than ever, as Geddy’s voice has deepen over the years, given the him more range in the lower registers. There is a richer tone to his voice now, though he can still hit the high notes of old when he wants to.

If you liked Rush in the past, but haven’t checked the band out in a while, I highly recommend this set. All 14 songs are winners. There is also a special edition with a DVD which mainly includes music videos, with a live performance or two and some interview footage.

Great stuff, all of it.

Check the Rush tag for a previous post on a Rush song.

Okay, I’ll try now for a general update. About time, hmmm?

As some of you know, I had a scare a month ago as I was driving to work. My heart started racing, my chest started burning, and I felt like I might pass out. I pulled in at a convenience store and called 911.

I was taken to the emergency room and was released about 3 hours later. All they could tell me was that I did not have a heart attack. I was referred to a cardiologist. I have taken a stress test and I wore a heart monitor for three weeks. So far, nothing has been found, and the heart monitor was a pain to wear, especially at night. I did not rest well. I tossed and turned, which kept Samantha awake as well. We were both extremely glad to see the monitor go.

My doctor and I are looking into the possibility of the problem being related to gall bladder or acid reflux. I’m going for a sonogram tomorrow to check the gall bladder and my doctor has adjusted my GERD meds. We’ll see how things go from there. I can still tell that I’m not really right. I just feel…out of sorts. Some days are better than others. Overall, I can’t complain, though. It could have been much worse.

Things otherwise are going pretty well here. We are pretty well in our new routine now that Samantha is working again. I’m starting to write more again (as evidenced by 3 post in as many day, which is a good sign. When I write I am happy.

I would ask that you all keep Samantha’s sister in your thoughts and prayers. She is going through some serious health issues right now and we are very concerned about her.

I hope that you all have been doing well. I really haven’t been on here in a month or so. It’s good to be back.

Yes, I am alive and kicking. My health is better, though we are still not sure what is going on. I have more tests scheduled. Hopefully, we'll find something out for sure. And now...

It is a difficult task for a fan who is familiar with a piece of literature to review a movie adaptation of that work. It is with that in mind that I review The Watchmen. However, while the graphic novel is over twenty years old, it is new to me, having only read it for the first time this month. I went to see the film with my buddy, Jamie, on Sunday.

Visually, the movie is compelling. The amazing thing to me is that the movie has both the feel of reality and the feel of a comic book. It is a decent mix and works well. This truly is a comic book come to life. Warren Beatty tried to accomplish this with Dick Tracy, but was largely unsuccessful in the attempt. Zach Snyder was highly successful with Watchmen. Snyder stayed true to the graphic novel plotline as well, changing it only to keep the film in decent time limits and to make the story more understandable for a wide audience. I was surprised by how remarkably true he did stay to the comic.

The music adds something to the movie, as well. I honestly went into the movie having no musical expectations, but left impressed by the choices that were made. Most of the songs will be recognizable to fans of late 20^th Century music. The songs fit perfectly in the scenes.

The performances were good overall, but three stand out. Jackie Earle Haley as Rorschach was brilliant casting. Haley played the character as he is in the book. Haley’s Rorschach is full of rage and is uncompromising and determined. His is the best performance of the movie. Following Haley are Billy Crudup’s well nuanced performance as Dr. Manhattan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s in-your-face turn as The Comedian.

The second weekend of the movies saw a downturn in audiences. Some people are surprised by that. I’m not. The movie is very faithful to the graphic novel, which is a wonderful thing for comic book fans, but can be difficult for the general public. The social message is load and clear, but in the 21^st Century, where the biggest threats come less from global superpowers than from smaller nations and groups with axes to grind against those superpowers. Given a few years, and the growing tensions between the U.S. and Russia, the Cold War message could become very real again. As it is, I’m not certain that the message resonated, especially with viewers too young to remember the height of the Cold War.

Another reason for the drop-off is likely the fact that most of the persons for whom the movie was made saw it on the first weekend. This is a dream movie for comic book fans. It is a story that is steeped in super-hero mythology, and works best as meta-fiction within the genre. For those outside of the fan community, much of the subtext is lost.

Added to that is the well earned R rating. The general public tends to think of super-hero movies as family fare. Watchmen is absolutely not a family film. This is not a movie for the squeamish or for a child. This, of course, goes back to the misconception that comic books are only for children.

So, as a movie for the general public, Watchmen is great spectacle. It is a visual treat and a great mystery. It is also fantastic social commentary for those who are interested. However, there is much that will be lost to those who are not comics fans.

For comics and super-hero fans, Watchmen is must-see viewing. It is a brilliant adaptation of what is largely regarded as the greatest super-hero story of all time. This is one of the top super-hero movies of all time

One caveat: as mentioned earlier, the movie deserves its R rating. It is graphic, but to make a point. By and large anything graphic is there for story related reason. If that is an issue for you, do not see this movie.

With that in mind, this movie is well worth the wait of over 20 years. I highly recommend it to those interested in super-heroes as well those interested in as 20^th Century culture and politics.