Ty Watches "Holy Calamavote"

I watched the Run the Jewels show that they did on Adult Swim this weekend, "Holy Calamavote", this afternoon, and it was amazing.

This was the first, and only time, they will perform this album live this year. They had a planned tour, supporting Rage Against the Machine, but the pandemic put a total halt to that. I read things where RTJ was trying to do something like this, a live performance, but didn't have a platform, or felt comfortable enough to do it. Then Adult Swim and Ben and Jerry's got involved, and they had their chance. They got tested, quarantined for the allotted time, and were able to pull off this show. They also wanted it to be important, to take a stance and help people, and they used the platform to urge people to go out and vote. This show was put together to promote voting. They mentioned time and again how important it is, especially this year, to go out and vote. Our vote is our weapon, and that is the only way we can make things change. They put that front and center.

As for the performance, I mean come on, these guys are at the top of the game right now. They are the best rap group, and best overall group, making music right now. Not only is the music good, it is well made, important, personal and an absolute reflection of the world we live in right now. I have sung the praises of this most recent RTJ record to the high hills. This is the record of the year by a mile, and this performance only further proved that. They were awesome. The visuals were amazing. The guest list was top notch. And seeing Killer Mike and El-P perform this record live, it was so god damn amazing and impressive. They did each song, in order, from the new record. Eric Andre hosted the show, and they would cut to him from time to time, but this was all about RTJ and their music. All the songs were great, and hearing them live just adds so much more to the listening experience. DJ Nice was on stage with them during "Ooh LA LA". That was pretty cool. A famous Atlanta DJ came out and scratched during a song. Gangsta Boo came out during "Walking in the Snow", and that was a transcendent performance. I mean, the song started with that heavy guitar, and El did his verse, and then it was Killer Mike's turn. He smashed the first part, and when he got to the "I can't breath" part, the whole stage and group went silent, and then Killer Mike ended that verse acapella. It was powerful and moving and made me listen more than I ever had before to what he is saying in what I consider to be the song of the year, and possibly the generation. It was an astonishing performance. They did "JU$T" after that, and Pharrell and Zack de la Rocha did their spots. Josh Homme and Mavis Staples appeared on screen for the song they are featured on as well. Staples' voice was beautiful and haunting. They ended the show with "A Few Words for the Firing Squad", and to see the two of them bear their souls was so, so great. It was such a moving and cool and fierce and awesome and perfect way to present that song. When they were nearing the end, when the song is all horns, both members expressed the importance of voting and using our voices this election. Then El-P formed a fist and Killer Mike formed a gun to make the RTJ symbol, and the lights were on their hands only. It was so god damn cool. They proceeded to leave the stage with the secret ending that shows up at the end of "Firing Squad", and El grabbed his stuff, and both he and Killer Mike put on a mask and drove off in Killer Mike's car. They came back on to again express the importance of voting. It was truly wonderful. The show was cool, the visuals added so much, El-P and Killer Mike are damn fine performers, their music is important , the people filming were masked and kept their distance, all the while getting amazing shots, it was simply perfect.

I loved this so very much. It gave me so much of what I have missed this year. I got to see my favorite band perform live. I was moved to vote more so than I already am. I have even more respect for Michael Render and Jamie Melina, which I didn't know was possible. I got to vibe out to the best record of the year. And they did it all for a great cause. I highly recommend this special for everyone. It is available to watch everywhere, it is as live as we will get this year and it is the best music you will hear all year. Please watch and make a plan to vote. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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RIP Eddie Van Halen

Too many people are dying right now. This year has been awful, and it just continues. The pandemic has taken 215,000 plus, and counting. And people who are relatively young, in their 60’s, are going rapidly too.

Most notably, Eddie Van Halen passed yesterday after a nearly decade long battle with cancer. That seems to be what gets the “older” people right now if they do not get COVID, of if they get it and recover. I never listened to Van Halen. I obviously know of them, but to me they were more of a band that the people I hang out with made fun of. It never had to do with Eddie Van Halen himself though. The jokes were always at the expense of Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth. They were always too much. But, the songs I know, the ones everyone knows, the guitar always stood out. The guitar is also the best part of “Beat It”, the song from Michael Jackson. All of that was Eddie Van Halen. He was a tremendous, virtuosic guitar player. He was one of a kind. He made hair metal, at least for me, listenable. If there was a way to single out his playing, I would have been the biggest Van Halen fan in the world. The things he did on a guitar where akin to what Jimmy Page did with Led Zeppelin. Now in no world is Van Halen even close to a band like Led Zeppelin. But, Eddie Van Halen was just as good a guitarist as Jimmy Page. He was also up there with other greats. I can look past what genre of music he played and appreciate how skilled and inventive and simply amazing he was as a guitar player. He is the Jimmy Page or Jimi Hendrix or Son House of hair metal. He is the one guy that everyone singles out as the “best” guitar player in his era. Sure the music was goofy and not for me, but Eddie Van Halen was great. He did things on the guitar I never heard, and no one else can duplicate.

I remember being at a Widespread Panic concert years ago with my oldest brother, and during set break they played the first Van Halen record. I was bad mouthing it because I recognized David Lee Roth’s voice. But my brother told me to get that out of my head and try to focus on the guitar player. I scoffed, not knowing too much about Eddie Van Halen at the time. But once I got where my brother was trying to get me to go, it hit me. The guitar was astounding. It was heavy, but technically precise. The fact that he could play so fast, yet make it look effortless was more than enough for me to admit this guy was awesome. I went home after that show and tried to find clips of just Eddie Van Halen playing the guitar. No accompaniment, just him. The stuff I saw on YouTube blew me away. He played better than Steve Vai. He shredded better than Slash. He picked at the guitar like a modern day Django Reinhart. From that moment on I never underestimated Eddie Van Halen. I still wasn’t a fan of his band, and they sure made it difficult with all the fighting and bickering they did, but I found myself liking and appreciating Eddie Van Halen. When I found out he did the guitar on “Beat It”, my fandom of him grew. He proved he could do other music.

Eddie Van Halen is one of the greatest guitar players to ever grace this Earth. It sucks that he’s gone, but we do have his music for the rest of our lifetime. Even for someone like me, someone who doesn’t like the band he is associated with, I can get down with Eddie Van Halen the guitar player. He was taken too soon, and he’s another decent person we’ve lost again in 2020. Rest In Peace good sir. I hope you and Prince are shredding wherever you are right now.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Ty Listens to "Down in the Weeds, Where the World Once Was"

It has been nine years, but Bright Eyes put out a new album a week or so ago. I had read news awhile back that they were working on some new material, but I had kind of forgotten about it. Then they released a music video which I watched and enjoyed. But again, that was in early summer. I had forgotten that they were working on music.

Then one afternoon when I was out, or doing homeschooling, I don't really know anymore, the days all blend, my buddy Kirk texted to ask if I had listened to the new record yet. I hadn't, so I remedied that right that moment. I didn't know what to expect. I am a fan. I first listened to Bright Eyes when I heard the record "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning". At the time I liked slower acoustic stuff, and when they went heavy and angry, I liked it. I then devoured pretty much all of their stuff. The live record, "Motion Sickness" is a great live album. I wasn't so much into "Digital Ash in a Digital Urn". And I really, truly liked "Cassadaga" and "The People's Key". I then went back and listened to really early Bright Eyes. "Letting Off the Happiness", and mainly "Fevers and Mirrors" were revelatory for me. Then I dug into Conor Oberst' solo stuff and his work with other bands. I was, at least considered myself, a full fledged fan. I dig his writing. Yes it can be depressing, but so can so many other bands and singers and songwriters I listen to. Hell, I love the blues, and that is as sad as it gets. But as he has grown up, Oberst, he seems to have gotten a little less sad, a little less depressing. I could hear a tinge of it in "Cassadaga", I believe he wrote that record when he got clean. Then it was even more forward in "The People's Key". But coming into the new record, since it had been so long, I was intrigued. Would he go back to the anger and depression, focusing more on acoustic music? Or would he continue with his growth?

Well, "Down In the Weeds, Where the World Once Was", definitely reminds me of the more grown up Oberst. It has been nearly a decade, Oberst is now 40 years old, he has gone through a divorce, he has lost a brother, he has been accused of sexual assault, which was retracted by the accuser fairly quick after the accusation, he has been through a lot, and he has come out the other side. That is what I get from "DITWWTWOW". This is a grown up making good, accessible grown up music. It still has his touch, and that voice is so uniquely him. But still, this album has happier music, and not nearly as depressing lyrics. It can go there from time to time. "One and Done" is kind of on that track, but it still sounds happy when you get to the chorus. It is also a great closure song. It feels like he is getting all the bad stuff from past relationships off his chest. Then to follow that up with "Pan and Broom", which sounds like an 80's tune, but with Oberst's happier lyrics, I love it. I like the way the record starts too. "Dance and Sing" really gets it going. There is some nice guitar in the song. It brought me right back to 2010 when I listened to him the most. "Just Once in the World" has that acoustic sound, but it builds and builds to a great crescendo. So far "Mariana Trench" is my favorite track. It has my favorite music in it, and the chorus is catchy as hell, which shocked me coming from Oberst. I find myself humming this song a lot. I really dig "Persona Non Grata". It starts out with just Oberst and a piano, but when the drums kick in it has that classic sound. I find it comforting to hear this music and be taken back to where I was nearly 10 years ago. It also has some cool strings and horns attached, which is always a plus for me. "Tilt-A-Whirl" seems like an ode to his brother that he lost. He opens by saying that a "phantom brother came to me". The song is also sad, but sweet at the same time. It's a good one. "Forced Convalescence" is upbeat and fun, musically. Again, the lyrics can be a downer a bit, but the music works so well, and I find myself bobbing my head along when it plays.

This record is good all around. It is a cozy blanket. It is a reminder of why I started, and continued to listen to his music. Oberst is a great writer, and I think age has only made him better. He has been through and seen so much, I believe that helps him as a writer. I highly recommend this album. It is some great work. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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A Review of the First Broadcast Hour of MTV.

On August 8th, 1981 MTV was launched, thus began the dawn of a new age in cable television. Joining TBS, HBO, and ESPN, MTV would go on to become one of the most important, and polarizing, channels in cable music history.

Recently, the first four broadcast hours of MTV was downloaded to the Internet Archive (you can watch it here). The video is old, and it is missing a few moments. Still, most of the legendary early moments of MTV are intact. Some of those early moments are iconic, some are very forgetful. I decided I wanted to go back and rate those early videos and find out if they have stood the test of time. There are three criteria I will use to rate the MTVness of that first hour.

Is the video any good?

We are obviously using late seventies/early eighties technology, so I will grade on a curve.

Is the video memorable?

Obvious one here. Do we still think of this video almost forty years later.

Did the video kill the radio star?

The 1980’s saw a rise in one hit wonders, and many people think it is because an average band had a good video on MTV. I will ask did the video elevate the song.

One last side note. I loved MTV. I still bitch about the day “Remote Control” came on and doomed my beloved channel to not being the “nothing but videos” spot on my cable box. I also tell everyone I know that I stayed up to watch the launch of MTV. Since I was six years old in August of 1981, I highly doubt I did stay up, but the legend has become reality in my mind.

Alright, let’s get to it.

12:00 AM, Eastern Standard Time August 1st, 1981

Video and audio of the Space Shuttle getting ready to launch. A countdown. Shuttle engines start. The scene switches to the launch of an Apollo rocket. Neil Armstong on the Moon. And then the words “Ladies and Gentleman, Rock and Roll. The MTV flag next to the Moonman and the iconic guitar riff that will forever be associated with Music Television. Transition right into the first video in MTV’s history.

“Video Killed the Radio Star” The Buggles

We all know this was the first video ever. I always thought it was made for the launch of MTV. I was wrong.

Any good? Absolutely. It was a video, not just concert footage. It told a story. It looked cool. Everyone was wearing shiny silver. The backing vocals had on cool glasses. It ushered in the future.

Memorable? We all know this video. The answer is yes.

Did the video kill the radio star? Yes. The Buggles eventual joined the band Yes, but their song and video for “Video Killed the Radio Star” will always be a part of history.

The first commercial on MTV is an ad for…MTV

“You Better Run” Pat Benatar

For decades I have been telling people that the second video ever on MTV was Pat Benatar’s “Love is a Battlefield”. Two things. I was wrong, and I have never ever heard of this song.

Any good? The early days of MTV was all about selling an image. Pat Benatar was one of those early images. Tight leather pants, bold lipstick, short hair, I’ll beat your ass attitude, Benatar was a pioneer in this arena when MTV was in it’s early days.

The video for “You Better Run” is mostly just the band performing, but it focuses on Pat Benatar. That is what separates this video from many others we will see in the first hour.

Memorable: Pat Benatar made much better music, and music videos, after “You Better Run”. I already mentioned “Love is a Battlefield”. This should not be in Benatar’s highlight reel.

Did video kill the radio star? Not this video. Pat Benatar was just getting ready to blow up on MTV and on the radio dial.

Now we meet the VJs (video jockeys in case you did not know). We start with Alan Hunter, then Martha Quinn, followed by JJ Jackson, Next up is Nina Blackwood, and we end with Mark Goodman boldly proclaims that MTV will do for music videos what FM did for music.

In the ad break we see commercials for a three ring binder called The Bulk, a promo for the movie “Superman II”, and then some words from Dolby Laboratories.

“She Won’t Dance with Me” Rod Stewart

Another artist who would make a name for himself in the early days of MTV, and yet another video I have absolutely no memory of.

Memorable: Obviously not. I just said I have no memory of it.

Any Good: Another performance video, but this one does show off the style and antics of Rod Stewart. It is also shot in a black room with white polka dots.

Did video kill the radio star: We all know Rod Stewart for his music, not for his music videos. There is no way “She Won’t Dance With Me” was ever going to deter the incredible career of Rod Stewart.

In the ad break is when we first see the iconic guitar smashing into a tv MTV ad.

“You Better You Bet” The Who

Love em or hate em, The Who is one of rock’s biggest acts. “You Better You Bet” is when The Who were getting away from their “Tommy” and “Quadrophenia” days and just trying to sell some records.

Memorable: The song is popular. The video? Not so much

Any Good: A straight up performance video, but it is shot in classy black and white.

Did video kill the radio star: The Who were already a global success. If anything, the laziness of the video may show that the radio star was not ready for video.

In the break, VJ Mark Goodman explains how you can mail away for a sticker to place on your stereo’s FM dial so you know where you can watch MTV on your television, and listen to the music through your stereo. We are then treated to a Mountain Dew ad followed by a plea from the Interfaith Hunger Appeal. REO Speedwagon then appears and tells you when you watch their next concert live on MTV.

“Little Susie’s on the Up” PH.D.

I have never heard of PH.D., and after doing a little research I know nothing significant about the band.

Memorable: After seeing it, yeah it is memorable because it is all over the place yet still tells it’s story of a dance competition.

Any Good: Being memorable and being good do not go hand in hand. “Little Susie’s on the Up” is exhibit one. We have piano playing, a butcher shop, hairdressers, ironing, a dance competition, snotty dancing people, and a top prize of a jar filled with olives, I think.

Did video kill the radio star: The insanity of this video is much better than the terribleness of the song.

“We Don’t Talk Anymore” Cliff Richard

I was getting ready to say that this is a no name artist left over from the AM Gold era, and a terrible video, and then I researched who is Cliff Richard. Holy crap. This guy is one of the best selling and beloved artists in British music history, and he is a knight. Sorry Cliff.

Memorable: Nope, just a guy swaying and singing with a guitar superimposed every now and then.

Any Good: The dude may be a legit superstar, but I still think the song and the video sucks.

Did video kill the radio star: Obviously not. Cliff Richard was already big by the time this snooze fest came along.

“Brass in Pocket” The Pretenders

A Hall of Fame band with a Hall of Fame video. Absolutely legendary.

Memorable: Hell yeah it’s memorable. This video shaped the way I hear the song “Brass in Pocket”. Whenever Chrissie Hynde says “special”, and the band responds with “special”, I always picture one of the guys pointing to the word special on the menu. It is so cheesy and so awesome.

Any Good: This is the best video to be shown on MTV in these early hours. It has a story you can follow and the iconic use of the special on the menu.

Did video kill the radio star: This is a great video, and it introduced many people to the awesomeness of The Pretenders, but no the video did not overshadow the music.

“Time Heals” Todd Rundgren

Music legend, and not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for some reason, Todd Rundgren sings a song while he interacts with a bunch of surrealist paintings by Dali.

Any Good: It is different. If you like different, then it is good.

Memorable: I never saw it until I started this project. I will now never forget it.

Did video kill the radio star: Todd Rundgren has never been known for his videos. He is known for being one of the most influential people in rock history. Explain to me again why he is not in the Rock Hall.

“Take it on the Run” REO Speedwagon

Side note: The video I was watching cut this music video a few seconds after it started. I do however feel like I got the spirit of the music video by those few seconds.

Concert footage from REO Speedwagon singing one of their most popular tunes of the time.

Any Good: Bland concert footage from a bland band, so no.

Memorable: Maybe if you saw the Speedwagon at a county fair, this video could bring back some memories.

Did video kill the radio star: Not this video.

In the ad break, VJ Mark Goodman once again tells us where we can get the MTV dial position sticker. This is followed by an ad for Chewels gum.

“Rockin Paradise” Styx

Dennis DeYoung is alone on stage with a player piano. DeYoung is sporting an epic fro and killer mustache. He is singing a quiet melancholy tune. And then it gets real. The rest of the band join DeYoung and proceed to rock your world.

Any Good: Basic performance video with a crazy looking Dennis DeYoung

Memorable: Not really. Outside of DeYoung, standard rock performance.

Did video kill the radio star: If you love Styx, it is not because of this video. If you do not love Styx, this video will not convince you.

In the ad break we are told that Andron is the first pheromone based fragrance and the whole family, including the dog, enjoys playing Atari.

“When Things Go Wrong” Robin Lane and the Chartbusters

The biggest hit from a band I have never heard of. A video with a story. Lady goes to a colonial town, sings towards the sea as we follow a guy go on a big ship. The end.

Any Good: At least it is not a performance or concert footage video.

Memorable: Already forgotten.

Did video kill the radio star: I think video was supposed to launch the radio star. Did not happen.

VJ Mark Goodman introduces that MTV will cover the music business in all fifty states. Up first is a report by Bob McClain on the New York homecoming of The Ramones. We are then treated by an ad for The Movie Channel. We also get our first experience of the “Don’t watch that, watch this” MTV promo.

“History Never Repeats” Split Enz

A New Zealand band that never quite made it in the states. At least they had this video which is mostly the lead singer in bed while he sings the tune.

Any Good: Not that bad. They tried to make a visually interesting piece of art.

Memorable: They really did not succeed. Split Enz seems like an early version of the alternative artists that will take over MTV in a few years. They definitely had the eighties pop pretty boy look going.

Did video kill the radio star: Like Robin and the Chartbusters, I think this video was supposed to launch Split Enz. Alas, it did not work.

“Hold on Loosely” 38 Special

A famous band performing their famous song in concert.

Any Good: Do you like the song? Come watch the band play the song in front of people.

Memorable: Concert footage of a semi famous band. You do not need to watch to enjoy the song.

Did video kill the radio star. This is not a video. 38 Special did ok with out the visual aspect of their craft.

That is the first hour of MTV. Thirteen videos, along with introduction of the concept, and the VJs. This was what MTV launched as. A mix of new artists using the new medium, and a bunch of old artists showing you their concert footage. The good thing is after hour one, I am intrigued to see what is in store for hour two. How about you?

Overall review - I WANT MY MTV.

RD

RD is the founder and Head Editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Ty Listens to "Paradiso"

The Sloppy Boys released a new record “Paradiso” last week, and boy was it much needed. I like this band, I think the guys are funny, but I also appreciate the music they make. They are fun, they remind me of summer and, while this whole year has been a totally dumpster fire, their music lets me forget for thirty minutes about what is going on outside. They make fun music that just grooves. I didn't know they were making another new record either, but I guess, just like the rest of us, they have a ton of free time, so why not, right.

This album, much like their first two, is swift, charming and funny. There are songs about drinking, drugs, getting laid and having a good time, which is what I have come to expect from them. But what I didn't really see coming was how much better they are getting at their instruments. I also dig the fact that they have thrown a sax on a few songs. They are branching out, and I like that. I also have become very accustomed to Tim Kalpakis' voice, and I am a tried and true fan. I fully enjoy when he is the lead singer. Don't get me wrong, Mike Hanford is a solid singer too, and Jeff Dutton throws in some solid backing vocals, but I am a Kalpakis guy.

The opening track, "One Last Bender" sets the table perfectly, and Kalpakis' voice is front and center. It is a fun song about getting hammered. It's great. The next song, "We're Gonna Get You Laid" is funny, and it takes the perspective of a guy trying to help a girl get laid. I think that is pretty cool, and the song is rad. "Breakfast at Bellevue" features Kalpakis on lead vocals, and has a very cool build up at the beginning. Then it morphs into their surfer summer rock style they have locked down. "Out on the Town" is like an old school 80's rap song. It has neat keyboards, funny vocals and hearing them do a song like this makes me laugh and groove at the same time. It is a good song to run to as well. "The Mastah Bong Ripper" is like Black Sabbath meets the Count from "Sesame Street". This song is so weird and so awesome. It's also hilarious the way they put it out on the record. It is totally different from anything they've done to this point, and I love it. It is my favorite song on the record at the moment. "Armageddon" is like a tribute to both Billy Joel and Bruce Willis. They sing and play it in classic waltz style, all the while talking about friends that have grown up and stopped drinking and have families, but they also mention Bruce Willis movies. It is great. "Little Miss Socialite" is a song that could easily be played on pop radio today if pop radio were cool. It has some nice distorted guitar in it, and the lyrics are solid. "Oh Yeah" is more of a classic rock song. It has banging drums, good quality guitar and Mike Hanford bringing it with his voice. The song is all about yelling the phrase "Oh Yeah" also. That is what I love about this band. They are good, but they don't take themselves too seriously. They play music for fun and just happen to be good at it. "College Night" is the longest song on the record, coming in at over six minutes, and it starts with Tim Kalpakis just naming colleges, and then they get into the meat of the song. It starts with distorted guitars, and then shifts to acoustic, with some nice little riffs thrown in, and Kalpakis singing about what college students do at night time. It is kind of sweet if I do say so. This is akin to "Classic New York Night" from their last record. It is an anthem type song, and it sounds like an ode to something bigger. But when you listen to the words, it is pure comedy. I love that they do one song like this on their records. It is almost as assured as their surf rock sound. "Full Blown Free for All" is the closer, and it sounds like the closer to a rocking record. It is fast paced with fast singing and it closes out this new album perfectly.

I really like “Paradiso”. I am a Sloppy boys fan, or Slophead as we are now known. I am happy they made a new record also. It is a nice detour from the real world, and I appreciate that they keep making music. I definitely recommend this record. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Ty Listens to "Talking Heads"

I grew up in a house where music was played constantly. My parents are children of the 60's, two of my brothers are kids of the late 70's and early 80's and my brother closest in age to me was a hip hop kid in the early 90's. There has been plenty of music, and plenty of different music that I have heard in my 37 years so far on this planet. Like most people I have developed my own taste, I have very emotionally charged feelings about what I like and why I like it and I consider myself a music snob. But, my taste has been molded by everyone in my family. I have my love for The Beatles from my dad. The Band is one of the best bands ever, and I have my mom to thank for that. Hip hop groups like Public Enemy and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious 5, I have RD to thank for that. Jam music and hippy bands, I can attribute my other brothers, and my oldest brother's wife for my love, albeit short lasting, for jam music.

The one band that all three of my brothers have listened to, and grown to love over the years, Talking Heads, never really, truly spoke to me. I listened to them. I was the typical guy that liked their hits, but I never really ventured beyond that. I would just listen to their songs that I heard in movies or on TV shows or other bands covering them live. Recently though I have found myself revisiting bands that I never gave a true chance. I have been listening to a lot of bands people have told me about, but I never really felt that I needed to give them the time. I am also running all the time during the pandemic, and lately I have been devouring music on my runs because podcasts can get a bit boring, or they don't give me the energy that I need. My kids would also much rather listen to music than another basketball podcast. Over the past week I decided that I was going to give Talking Heads a fair shake. I don't know if it was the new Scott Aukermann and Adam Scott podcast about them that got to me, or if I just decided it was time, or a combination of the two, but the time had come to give in.

Boy am I glad that I did. Talking Heads are absolutely incredible, way ahead of their time, geniuses, have made some of the best music that has ever existed and just an all out wonderful band. Forgive me if I have already written about them in my Greatest American band pieces I did, but I didn't really get them until just the other day. In the past three days I have listened to "77", "More Songs About Buildings and Food" and "Stop Making Sense" each about three times from start to finish. This is some of the most incredible music I have ever heard in my life. To hear them, especially on a debut album like "77", sound like they did is amazing. They were so ahead of their contemporaries. They had a clearer vision than anyone else where their genre was headed. If I had to pick a genre for them I'd say they are post punk, but Talking Heads is so much more than just a genre. They bend so many different styles and blends of music. They can do so many different styles. The band is truly phenomenal, and David Byrne, he may be one of the most musically talented writers and composers of all time. Hearing what he wrote on "77" is simply astounding. Then to hear the sonic change they made on "MSABAF", they knew where they wanted to go, got some help from Brian Eno, and they went there, but also went beyond.

Then yesterday I decided to give "Stop Making Sense" my first listen. I have read and heard many things about the record, but I never dove into it. I decided I was going to go run for about an hour, so I figured it was a perfect time to finally check it out. Well, my run lasted for an hour and 20 minutes because I had to hear the whole thing. I got three songs into it and I was absolutely blown away by what I was hearing. It has to be one of the best live albums that has ever been made. Listening to "Stop Making Sense" actually makes me miss live music that much more. I didn't think I was missing it much during the pandemic, but this record changed all that. I wanted to be there when they recorded this. I want to see Talking Heads. I know it's not viable anymore, but this album makes me miss it, and wish for live music. It is perfectly crafted, perfectly sequenced and lets the band totally shine. And talk about hits. This record is filled with incredible live versions of any Talking Heads song any average fan could ask for. But they also throw in some other stuff that just blows me away. When they turn into the Tom Tom Club and play "Genius of Love", it is such a change departure, but it is groovy as hell. To go from that right into a sped up version of "Girlfriend is Better" shows how gifted they were as a band. Also, the version of "This Must Be the Place" that they play, they call it "Naive Melody", makes me adore the song so much more. "Life During Wartime", which they play right after "Burning Down the House", is legendary. And that is how the whole record is. It just gets better and better with every listen.

I have found that has been my feeling with the first three records I have chosen to listen to as well. I have found myself craving their music lately. I wake up and turn them on when I make breakfast. I listen to them when I workout. They work for everything. I'm so excited to see where they go from here, and how much more I grow to love them. I definitely waited too long to really listen to Talking Heads, but better late than never, right. They are clearly one of the best, most influential and most important bands of all time. Talking Heads are amazing. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Let Me Calmly Explain Why The Ramones are Overrated

I was scrolling through Facebook a few days ago, and ugh is that site becoming more and more absurd and insane by the minute it seems, but I saw a cool thing on a Run the Jewels fan page that I am a part of. In fact, all I have on my front page on Facebook is a few music things, a small amount of friends and sports news, so I was glad to see what I saw.

There was a question asked on the page. The question was simple, but it ended up getting well over 100 comments, in about an hour. The question, or statement was, "unpopular music opinion, Go". And man did people respond. The Beatles. Bob Dylan, Eminem, Bob Marley, EDM, these seemed to be the bands or musicians with the most mentions, and everyone hated them. I saw some other stuff that made my head crane. Someone called Prince overrated, that is wrong. Someone said Tool is better than Pink Floyd. On what planet is this true? People also said Lynrd Skynrd was better than Led Zeppelin. Not now, not ever.

I thought about these remarks, considered my instant reaction, but then thought about the question in place. The person who started this clearly said these are "unpopular opinions". So, after sitting, and thinking about it, I commented too. I mentioned my distaste for The Doors, Jim Morrison and The Beach Boys. I got some angry comments, but I definitely got more people that agreed with my stance. But today I want to put out what I deem to be my "most controversial music opinion". And before I get into it, no I don't have Drake on here, he is already widely considered trash by real hip hop fans. I don't have any of the younger, mumblecore rappers. That is trash too. I don't have the Grateful Dead because I have made my thoughts on them well known, much to the chagrin of two of my older brothers. I feel those are as simple as the people who trashed the Beatles, or gave a group like Limp Bizkit credit.

No, my unpopular opinion on music is, you all ready for this, I think The Ramones are the most overrated, least talented band that has ever existed.

BOOM!

There, I have finally said it. I know that I wrote about them as one of America's greatest bands, but I always felt dirty about it. I felt like I needed to take multiple showers after writing that, or just throw in the towel as a writer. I felt like a goddamn sell out. But now that I am in quarantine, and have been listening to a ton of music, I feel like I can go in hard on The Ramones. I even gave them a chance fairly recently to see if it was just me, if I was the problem. After about three songs, I knew that my initial thought was correct. They are, for me, not good at all. In fact, I think they are more well known as a band that sells t-shirts than a band that played music. I guarantee the myriad of teens and young 20 year olds that wear a Ramones shirt have zero idea who they are, but the shirt is now considered "fashionable". Getting to the music though, it is the most simplistic thing I have ever listened to. Yes, I play guitar, and I was in a few very crappy bands, but I am a mediocre at best rhythm guitar player. But, after listening to some Ramones, I feel like I could've easily been their lead guitar player. The music is so easy and so simple and so entry level. Chords, like major chords, are pretty easy after you figure out how to play them. The old saying goes, "if you know three chords, you can play most songs". Well, The Ramones made it even easier. Instead of playing major or even minor chords, they played power chords. For those that may not know, power chords only encompass 3 of the six strings, they are all on top of the guitar, the easiest strings to reach, and all you have to do is just hammer away with your fingers or a pick. The first time I was taught a power chord, I remarked to my teacher how much easier this was, and asked why more bands don't do this. He told me that it was too simplistic, and that I wouldn't learn if I just stuck with power chords. The Ramones made their living on these. That is insane. It is so easy and so minor and takes the least amount of effort. The same thing with their drummer. He was more brain dead than Meg White, another unpopular opinion from me I suppose. I don't think he even needed a full kit. He could have been fine with just one drum, maybe with a pedal, sticks and a snare. They didn't need anything else. It was just a simple three or four count on drums, and guitar for that matter, and I cannot recall any type of true solos from their music. And then we get to singing. I believe Joey Ramone was the singer(hell, I don't know, and to be quite frank, don't care), and man is he horrible. And this isn't a Dylan or Tom Waits thing, where it is an "acquired taste" This Ramone was just a bad singer. He more talk sang, a la Lou Reed, who I adore by the way, but it was worse. It is so hard to understand. I only know in "I Wanna Be Sedated" that those are the words because that is what the song is called. The same thing can be said with "Rock and Roll High School". I simply don't understand, don't get, any other words he is saying. I think he is one of the worst "singers" in history.

If I'm going to go full scorched Earth on The Ramones, KISS is a better version of what they were trying to do. I don't think they started the punk movement. I'm sure some band, or bands from Europe were doing punk before The Ramones. I don't care about the whole CBGB vibe. Way better bands played at this club that, by all accounts, was a dirty and disgusting place. For me The Ramones are an image. Their fame has nothing to do with their ability or their music. People liked them because they looked different. People liked them because they gave off the vibe that anyone could do what they did. Yet somehow they are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and looked at as a band that started a movement. I call BS on all of that. If I'm going to listen to punk rock give me Iggy and the Stooges or The Dirtbombs or, hell, that's it for me.

The Ramones stink, and I will go to my grave with this opinion. I do want people to tell me why I am wrong, right and put in the comments your unpopular music opinions. This is a very interesting thought exercise, and I want to hear from the readers. But, just know, The Ramones stink. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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"RTJ4" Breakdown: The Final Verdict

Wrapping up my week long deep dive into "RTJ 4", I want to talk about how important, influential and historic this record is.

This is one of the best records to come out in years. I have deep dived into each song, wrote a piece on the "ooh la la" video and have listened to it dozens of times to this point. It is a solid record with hit after hit. This is one album where you don't skip any songs. Each song has something cool and unique and different. The 11 tracks on here offer something to every listener. I feel like this is a record that can get non hip hop people, people who say they don't like rap, to listen and find something they enjoy. It spans genres and has something for everyone. It is a perfect record. It has made that seemingly impossible goal.

As for its importance, I mean, there are about a million different reasons why this is an important record. We live in dark, dark times. There is a pandemic, there is police brutality and murder, there is a "president" that is clearly a white supremacist. We live in the darkest timeline. We live in a "Black Mirror" episode right now. So the importance of "RTJ 4" is front and center. They talk about all of it, and then some. They cover all kinds of ground. "walking in the snow" has Killer Mike saying the words, "I can't breath" in a whisper, and he wrote that over two years ago. It is even more prominent now. This is the protest record that we all need right now. This is the record filled with anthems that will be played at rallies and protests and any other gathering of individuals that want change, that need change. We need things to be different. We need equal rights for all. Black Lives Matter. The police have too much money and power. The "government" is a sham and a farce. It is all covered on this album perfectly. Every time I listen I get the slightest sense of relief. I think that things are going to be okay. I have this hope that the future is in good hands. And a lot of it is due to the searing lyrics on "RTJ 4". A lot is also due to Killer Mike and El-P. And I know during the week it feels like I haven't spoken about El-P enough. I want to say that he is tremendous, a great rapper, an excellent producer and beat maker and the best partner Killer Mike could have ever asked for. El-P is awesome. Killer Mike just does something otherworldly on this album. They both have gotten better, Killer Mike is just in a whole other echelon right now. He grew leaps and bounds on this album. He is the voice of the new generation. I know he may not want that position, but dammit, he is too important to all of us right now. Listen to the album, and then go watch him speak on the myriad of shows he has appeared on for the past month. He is speaking the truth.

As for the album’s influence, I am sure, almost 100 percent, that there are kids out there, teenagers, kids in their early 20's, who want to make important political music, and their gateway, their textbook, will be "RTJ 4". There is going to be a big group of people that come up in the next decade, and some that will hit it big, I would bet any money that they reference "RTJ 4" as the reason why they decided to push on. Just like 70's rockers thank old blues musicians, or Daft Punk talks about French synth music, or The Beatles talking about Little Richard, that will be "RTJ 4" in the future. I have no doubts.

And as for its history, hell it is all above. This record is going to go down as one of the greats. Years from now, it will be on best of the early 2020's lists. This is going to be a record that all publications and websites as the revolutionary record of the 2020 pandemic. People will talk about it as an election year record. It is going to be talked about for years and years to come, and that is such a great thing. There is a movement happening. People are fed up, we are angry, we don't like the police or the "government" and enough is enough. "RTJ 4" is the soundtrack to this revolution that is going to happen sooner rather than later. It is one of the best records that have ever been put into existence, and it will be remembered for all time.

I thank Run the Jewels, and I am so very impressed by what they did. I am going to go listen to the record the 100th time now. I suggest you do too. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

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SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

"RTJ4" Breakdown: Day 3

Today I am going to talk about the last three tracks on "RTJ 4", leaving tomorrow open for me to talk about why this record is so revolutionary and so important. Let's get to these tracks first.

"The Ground Below" comes in hot, with distorted instrumentation, and man does it bang. Killer Mike comes in and destroys right away, saying he is "Godzilla and we are all Tokyo". That is perfect. It says it all in 6 words. He then talks about supporting sex workers unionizing. Gosh, he is the man. Then El-P does the chorus, and he then gets a verse. He goes hard on this track. His rap style is so perfect for the music that plays over this song. It just works so perfectly. I also love when he says, "this isn't a conspiracy, but you all are against me". The song then drops off for a minute, slowing down, and then fast drums and Killer Mike comes back in, speaking so many truths, as he does this whole record. I also love how he tells us, the listeners, that they have given us all so much for free. It is true and I love him for that. This song starts fast, slows down for about 15 seconds, then finishes with a deafening boom. There is so much heat packed into a less than three minute song. RTJ have become masters of doing that.

The next track, "Pulling the Pin" features Josh Homme, from Queens of the Stone Age, on drums, and Mavis Staples on backing vocals. Those 2 are a get, especially Staples. To get Mavis Staples on a track, that shows importance, fame, influence and attention they've garnered over 4 records now. That is an achievement. The song happens to rule as well. Homme's drumming adds a very cool layer to the music. I also really like the ominous beat that is attached. It is slowed down for a purpose, and El-P comes on first, almost speaking directly to us rather than rapping. It is awesome. The stuff he says is very profound too. This is his Killer Mike, his Jordan moment. He shines on this first verse. I find myself going back to this song a lot more lately just to listen to the lyrics. To study them a bit. And after his verse is when Staples comes in, and just hearing her voice is a treat. Then Killer Mike comes in and does that super fast lyricism, but it is understandable and the words hold weight. He then slows it down and really shines through. He is so good on this record, and I feel like he is cementing himself as one of the best emcees of all time. In fact, both him and El-P are climbing up the rankings as best rappers in the game right now, and forever. Staples then finishes the song off, and it is great. She is one of the all time greats, one of the classic singers of all time.

The final song, "A Few Words for the Firing Squad(Radiation)", reminds me a lot of "A Message to the Shareholders/Kill Your Masters", off of "RTJ 3". It starts off with a repetitive guitar that gets louder throughout. Then El-P starts off the song, and much like the track before, he is so smooth with this slower beat. When the saxophone comes in, that just adds a whole other layer to their music. It shows growth, and a want to try new things from RTJ. I love it. Then Killer Mike comes in with a very personal story about his mom's passing. It is painful and sad and, for anyone that has experienced loss, it is relatable. He then talks about how people want him to become a voice for change, but how his wife wants a husband and not another martyr. I love when artists get personal as I said yesterday. Then El-P does his thing again, and Killer Mike does as well with the second verse. They both come at you hard in what is their final verse of the album. Both personal, both telling it like it is and both crushing. The song then drops for a minute, and we get strings, with that guitar, except really slow. Then sound explodes, and the saxophone is put on full display. It is very cool, and they let the listener sit in this for about a minute. The album then totally drops, you may think it is over, but then a narrator of sorts comes on and gives a very cool speech about the two of them over a dope beat. The song has a little chorus of "yankee and the brave", and the album is over. It is perfect.

I love, love, love this record and all the songs. I will get fully into detail tomorrow, but it still needs to be said today. "RTJ 4" is a god damn work of art, and we really, really need it right now.

Ty 

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

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SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

"RTJ4" Breakdown: Day 2

Okay, so the next 3 songs I'm going to talk about off "RTJ 4" run the gamut of greatness, importance, revolutionary and may be the best three song sequence I have ever heard on a record in my lifetime. These songs are going to go down in history. Especially the first one I'm going to speak on, "Walking in the Snow".

“Walking in the Snow” is the anthem for the current mode of society. This song speaks so many truths it is insane. The fact that this was written well before what is currently going on in the country involving the police is foreboding. It has some "Simpsons" type vibe to it as in predicting the future. The song starts off with a very cool, very distorted guitar. Then it shifts right into verse one, and El-P crushes. He is so good at talking about how bad the world is. How people are treated unfairly because of their place in the world. He says so many things that I agree and can relate with. Throw in the fact that Gangsta Boo is doing the chorus, it makes this song great. What makes this song legendary, historic and profound is Killer Mike's verse. The way he breaks down school scores in world wide testing is perfect. When he then shifts to this is how they predict what prisons will be like in the future, I swear to goodness he is an oracle. He then hits us with the verse where he talks about a police officer choking him out until he says, "I can' breathe", it took my breath away in the best, and most prolific way I have ever been through when listening to music. To then follow it up saying the best it will get out of people is a Twitter rant and people talking for a week, then just forgetting about it, I don't know if a truer statement has been made in music. Both come back with minor verses to close out the song, and I love what Gangsta Boo does at the end. But, "Walking in the Snow" is going to become the anthem for the time. It will be our new "Fuck tha Police", our new "Fight the Power", our new protest anthem for decades to come. This song was a vision of the future when they wrote it around two years ago, and to hear it now, it brings a shiver down my spine by how accurate it is. It is, without a doubt, the most important song on the record, and might be, scratch that, is the most important song of the year, and possibly decade.

They follow that up with "JU$T", which features Zack de la Rocha and Pharrell Williams. This song is a perfect encapsulation of people trying to make money off their image, but being controlled by the government and the powers that be. Killer Mike mentions all this in the first verse. He also does it later in the song when he talks about telling us to "Kill Your Masters", which is also a great, important song. Pharrel Williams is fantastic on the chorus. The things he says are so true, and the way it is put out there is perfect. El-P then comes in and reiterates what Killer Mike says, but puts his wonderful spin on current affairs. He is a great, great writer. Add that to his production, the guy is a genius. His comedy line at the end of his verse is dope as hell too. Then de la Rocha comes in and spits straight fire like he has always done. His verse is brutal, he rips everyone and the verse apart. I love the distortion he uses on the mic too, that is kind of his signature. When he teams up with RTJ, it is going to work no matter what. When the three of them are together on a track, that is what gives me my most visceral moments when I listen. I yell out in my car, or on my runs whenever I hear the three of them trade verses. It is true beauty.

"Never Look Back" is RTJ at their bleakest on this record, but they do that better than anyone. This song is all about not dealing with the BS, at least for me. They both had rough childhoods it sounds, but they are pushing ahead and trying to right their wrongs. This song is kind of like them growing up on the mic. It is really cool to hear them talk about personal experiences, and how they have grown from them. I like when artists bare themselves on tracks like this. They also slow this one down a bit in the middle, but come back with a vengeance, and of course it works. When El-P comes back in after the little slow down, and he and Killer Mike trade words and verses, it is such a great way to close out this near perfect track.

These three songs are some of the best songs, in any genre of music, that I have heard in quite some time. This is the point in some records where it might drag. But "RTJ 4" is different. They take this time to really push their message out there. They let it all out on these three songs, and like I said at the top, these songs are going to go down in history as three of the most important songs in music history. I do want to single out "Walking in the Snow" one more time. That song will be talked about forever. I feel like my son will be talking about it when he is my age. It has that kind of staying power. This run of songs only solidifies how perfect "RTJ 4" truly is.

This is one of the best runs of songs on an album of all time. This is like what The Beatles did on "Abbey Road". I'm not joking, and that is the highest of high compliments from someone like me. These songs are perfect. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

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"RTJ4" Breakdown: Day 1

Welcome to day two of my week long review of the modern masterpiece that is "RTJ 4". Today is when I start to talk about the songs individually. Like I told you yesterday I will pick three songs a day for the next few days and break them down, tell you why they are perfect songs, and what makes them perfect. Since I have already touched on the first two singles, "yankee and the brave" and "ooh la la", plus a piece on the video, I will not cover those. You can read my thoughts on those in three previous blogs.

I'm going to start with the third song on the record, ""Out of Sight". This was the lone song I had slight reservations about prior to the release because I saw the guest was 2 Chainz. Well, I have learned a lesson. I should never, ever doubt what RTJ is doing, and who they invite to guest on their songs. It is going to be a bomb ass song no matter what. This song has a beat that feels like it could be played on pop radio, and then they start to rap. The song is less about affluence and why that is important. It is more about why that stuff is not so important. They go on and on about certain rap cliches, and then skewer them. They are so good at doing that. And both Killer Mike and El-P trade bars liked two very well seasoned emcees. The way they go back and forth is dizzying and mesmerizing at the same time. The hook is cool too. It is just them saying "out of sight", with some lady singers singing other words. Killer Mike then comes in after the first chorus and just CRUSHES his verse. It is one of the best displays of rapping I have ever heard. I feel like this song was almost a contest between the two of them to see who could say words faster. And then 2 Chainz comes in, and I have to admit, he explodes with his verse. He is a good rapper and he proves that on this song. "out of sight" is dope and has that "radio single" feel off this record. It has that "ooh la la" feel to it.

The next song is called "Holy Calamafuck", and man oh man does this song hit. The beat is dope as hell. The record scratching is so cool. The beginning works so perfectly. Then Killer Mike comes in and, like he does this whole record, just absolutely owns the song. Don't get me wrong. El-P has his moments, he is awesome. I have just been a Killer Mike guy from before RTJ, and he goes to a whole other level on this song, and this record. When the song totally shifts, that is some Flying Lotus type stuff they do. In the middle of the song, actually after the first verse, it sounds like a brand new song. It isn't though. It is like the coolest, most unique bridge I have heard. El-P also destroys when they go to the change in tempo. They kind of slow it up, and do the whole "chop and screw" rap, but make it sound cool. It is such a unique, and new way to present a rap song. Of course only RTJ can do something like this, and make it work so well.

The final song for the day is "Goonies vs E.T.". I don't think the song has anything to do with either movie, but it sure as hell lets both guys do their thing. They are just so god damn good. With each song they get better and better. With each listen, I find something new that I like and missed. They also slow this song down during the chorus, and then go into super kill mode, trading verses back and forth. It's only three minutes long, but it is a jarring three minutes in the best possible way . And Killer Mike coming in at the end is absolutely wonderful.

This first part of the record, I feel like both guys are showing how good they are at rapping. Not only do they write great lyrics, important lyrics, but they put them out there in the best possible way. I adore this first part of the record. And, if you think I'm fan boying a bit too much today, just wait until tomorrow and Thursday. The back half of this record is perfection. I'm just saying. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

Come and support Ty and the podcast on Patreon.

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SeedSing is funded by a group of awesome people. Join them by donating to SeedSing.

Ty Listens to "RTJ4"

Last Wednesday I got an email, as well as millions of others I expect, that Run the Jewels had decided to release their fourth album two days early.

I was obviously ecstatic.

I have been anxiously awaiting this album. I have been talking about it on the pod, in my writing and to anyone that will listen about my excitement. I also teased on a podcast a few weeks back that when they released the album I would dedicate an entire week to it. I'd like to welcome you all to that week. That will be my singular focus for the next five days. I'm going to give a review today, something short and sweet. That is because the next four days I will be talking about three songs per day, and then telling you all why I think it is the single most important piece of music out there right now.

Which leads me to my review.

This album is amazing. It was more than worth the wait. You can hear how much they poured themselves into this album. You feel it with every song. I love all of their albums, and I do not think I am being a prisoner of the moment when I say I feel like this is their best work to date. That is also why they are the best group in the world. With each record they continue to grow, try new things out and get better and better. El-P said on Talib Kwali's podcast that they have worked their hardest yet on "RTJ4", and it clearly shows. From the beats to the lyrics, it is a phenomenal, seminal piece of musical art. This goes beyond genres. This isn't simply the greatest hip hop record of the year, it is, without a doubt, the record of the year. It goes past genres. It is too important to be pigeonholed that way. They do so much more than just rap on this album. I knew they were political before. They have stood up to injustices the world over. Killer Mike is one of the most profound and prolific speakers we have in our country. They take all of that to a whole other level on this album.

I cannot wait to tell you all about some of the songs on this that will become anthems, that will stand the test of time and be talked about for the rest of my life. I am letting my children listen to this record because I want them to know what is going on, and how Run the Jewels, myself and millions upon millions of others feel about the state of the United States right now. It is more than just music for me. This is the start of a revolution that I will fall in line with 100 percent. I will follow Killer Mike and El-P to the ends of the world. I have listened to this record around a dozen times, easily I might add, already. And I will listen to it millions more before the month of June is over. Run the Jewels is becoming the mouthpiece of the new generation. They are my era's Public Enemy, and sorry to RD for writing this, only they are better, and more important. That's the honest truth, and I adore Public Enemy. But when El-P and Killer Mike got together to make this record, it must have been that Jordan feeling for them. They must have known that this was going to be extremely important, extremely loved and talked about as one of the greatest records of all time. I already know that it will top my best of 2020 music list. Hell, the video for "ooh la la" may even be on my best of movies list. I cannot stress enough how important, influential and game changing this record is.

I know that RTJ is supposed to go on tour with Rage Against the Machine next year as their opener, but I feel like RTJ may be more suited to being the headlining act. They are that good. I have always loved these guys, even before they formed RTJ. But the idea they had to pair up was lightning in a bottle, and they have only gotten stronger and stronger with each record and each tour.

Run the Jewels continues to amaze me, and I am glad that I live in a world where they release new music, for free I might add, and it is this god damn good. Please, do yourself a favor and go listen to this album right now. As I said, there will be much more in depth pieces this week. But for today I just want to point out that this is the best record of the year, it is the most important record of the year and it will go down as one of the greatest records of all time. So yeah, I love "RTJ 4".

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Ty Listens to "Dream Hunting in the Valley of the In-Between"

I realized the other day that I have been writing about a lot of movies and TV shows I have been watching during quarantine, but I haven't talked much about music. I figure that is for many reasons. A lot of releases got pushed, concerts got moved to next year, and RTJ 4 doesn't come out until June 5th, and believe me, I am going to spend an entire week talking about that record.

During our quarantine, I have been re listening to some bands I haven't in awhile, and I have discovered some new stuff I really like. I started listening to more music on my runs too. It makes them so much more fun and easy. I have been listening to RTJ obviously, I check in on The Black Keys, I listen to Outkast, I have discovered people like Yola and Lil Dicky and some other underground hip hop artists. Recently I started to listening to a band called Man Man again that my brother Seth got me into about seven years ago. I enjoy their sound, my wife describes it as fun circus music, and they are a blast to run to. They make fun music, but are also proficient musicians. They also write some kick ass lyrics. And much to my surprise, they released a new record fairly recently. I was scrolling through Twitter one night and saw that Har Mar Superstar said something about it. I immediately checked it out to confirm that it was true, and when I saw it was, I turned on Spotify and listened right away. That was a week ago and I am still listening now. I am listening as I write this review.

The record is called "Dream Hunting in the Valley of the In Between". First things first, I love that name and the picture on the record is perfect. It's very symbolic of how I have perceived and consumed their music the past seven years. As for the songs on the record, I mean come on, they rule. It has that "circus" sound that my wife mentioned. My kids love it because we can all listen together. The lead singer has such a cool and unique voice that works so well for their sound. The musicians in the band are technically sound. The instruments they use, outside guitar, drums and bass, make them sound fuller and so much cooler. They use xylophones, pianos, sousaphones, saxophones, trumpets, clarinets, marimbas and a French horn, among other things. They are a very talented, yet fun band. And boy do love these songs. The first one I heard was "Cloud Nein", and it is fun, bouncy and sounds like it could be played on pop radio if they went that route. The intro is wild too. I also love the bridge, how it just drops out and then comes back with a vengeance. Some other highlights for me are "Lonely Beuys". This has them at their most circus, but it just works. It is a bizarre sounding song, but I can't get enough of it. "Future Peg" has a very cool rock sound. I love the guitar that opens the song, and it foes in and out of the "circus" sound. I adore the beginning, and the verse of "Goat". It is, how should I put this, very seductive in its sound. I really enjoy the music in this song. "Inner Iggy" sounds like a 50's surf rock song, and I have found that I really like that the older I get. "The Prettiest Song in the World" sounds very pretty, but the lyrics are about how it is not very pretty. It is a perfect encapsulation of their sound, talent and how ell they play off one another. "Sheela" has some very cool piano, with a rad guitar riff to start off the track. This song is GREAT running song as well. "Swan" may be their most stripped down on the record, and I like when bands do stuff like that. It is just a piano in the beginning, and then some singing. It is a very sweet sounding song. Then they follow it up with "Powder My Wig", which reverts back to the 50's surf rock. It is a perfect follow up to such a pretty song. The title track has that piano again, starting slow, and from there they add some horns and the song just builds and builds from there. It is a great closer.

I really like this band, and I love this record. I highly recommend people check it out. It is fun.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Ty Watches Run the Jewels "Ooh LA LA"

Awhile back Run the Jewels released two new tracks from their upcoming album, "Ooh LA LA" and "Yankee and the Brave". I wrote about how much I loved the songs, and how they both got me very excited for the new record.

Well, two days ago they released a video for "Ooh LA LA", and that just amped up my want for the new record about a thousand times more. The video is dope as hell. It is so cool, so timely and has things in it that only a group like RTJ can pull off. The video opens with some writing, which they proclaim to be an ancient proverb, then the line "I need a bottle of Moet....Garcon", attributed to Killer Mike. We go from this to a big intersection in a big city, I want to say LA, but I am not 100 percent sure. From there on out it gets harder and harder and cooler and cooler. EL-P starts the song off with the chorus, then rips into his verse. It is amazing to see visuals added to his verse. The song is, for me, about how greed is crushing us all right now. EL-P explains as much right off the bat. Killer Mike then comes at us extra hard with his verse about expensive food, cameras, everything. By the way, his jackets are rad in this video. I want his colorful Polo jacket. Maybe that is my way of being greedy, and I need to follow the moral of this song instead. Anyway, both have another verse that is dynamite, as I mentioned when I first wrote about the song. But, all the while they are spitting, there are a ton of people just dumping money into a big pile. Just what looks like millions and millions of dollars, and they are setting it all on fire while dancing. It is jarring at first, but when you actually listen to the lyrics, it is perfect.

RTJ has always fought the establishment with their music. They have talked about corporate greed and destruction. My favorite track of theirs, "Kill You Masters/A Message to the Shareholders" is all about that. I look at "Ooh LA LA" as a kind of sequel to that song. And the video only makes my conviction that much firmer. Also, the amount of people they got to do this video is pretty cool. It actually makes me miss hanging out with people that aren't my immediate family. To get all these people together to dump money into piles, burn it and do choreographed dances is pretty rad. Also, Zack de la Rocha is in the video. He doesn't have a verse on the song or anything, he is just there to hang out I guess. I know that they cool with each other, and have worked together in the past, and they were supposed to be touring with Rage Against the Machine right now. But still, the fact that de la Rocha is just in the video to be in it, for me, it proves how much pull RTJ has in the music industry. I also love how goofy and funny both EL-P and Killer Mike are in the video. EL-P is there with his funny grin, holding bottles of champange, and Killer Mike is doing a goofy smile and jumping rope at one point. They clearly had a great time making this video, and it shows. My favorite moment is when they talk about how they don't care what you ordered, they are what you get, and they embrace and smile right into camera. It is awesome. And the ending, with DJ Premiere just spinning, it is awesome. It is a perfect button. He is scratching records, doing the beat of the song, and while he is intently focused, he is throwing money that is blowing on him into the fire as well.

I love this song, and I love the video just as much. I am a big fan of music videos, and I miss seeing them on TV. But, I like that certain groups go out and still do this, and make it viable for fans to watch. I already had made my own opinion about what the song was trying to tell me, and after seeing the video, I am convinced that I was right. If you haven't listened to the song yet, do that first, and then treat yourself to this video. It rules. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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RIP Bill Withers

Well, 2020 is just going to continue to kick our ass it seems. I woke up this morning, started with my new routine, where I am a teacher and a father at the same time, and after getting my kids started on their school work for the day, I sat down to check out some stuff on my phone. I played a game like I do every morning, I checked Bleacher Report to see if there was any kind of sports news and then I checked Facebook. I check Facebook twice a day, to post my blog and to see my memories. Some mornings I like to meander around Facebook for a minute and today was one of those days. As I scrolled through my feed I kept seeing my friends posting videos and pictures of Bill Withers with the letters RIP next to it.

I did not want to believe it. I am a big time Bill Withers fan, have been since my oldest brother introduced me to him my senior year of high school, and like many others right now, I have found myself listening to his songs to help reduce stress during this pandemic. Like so many others, I of course had heard "Lean On Me" well before I even knew who Bill Withers was. And that song is a true classic. It never has gotten stale. It will always be one of those beacon of hopes in the darkest of times. It is not only a great song to lift you up, it is one of the songs that you hear at so many weddings. "Lean On Me" is one of those rare perfect songs. It has also been covered by countless musicians over many years. So, yeah I knew of "Lean On Me". But, I didn't know anything else. Then, when I went up to visit my brother and sister in law about 20 years ago one weekend, he asked me if I had heard anything else by Withers. I must have been singing "Lean On Me", and that must have caught his attention. That night he had me listen to a bunch of his other songs. He started with the hits. He played me "Lovely Day", "Use Me", "Just the 2 of Us", "Ain't No Sunshine" and "Let Me in Your Life". I loved them all so much. I loved his voice. I loved how simplistic yet profound the songs were. I loved his band. It was like love at first sight, except with sound. I wanted more and more. My brother let me borrow the CD's he had to burn, yes I am that old, and I devoured his music. "Menagerie" is a wonderful album. "Still Bill" is a classic that is filled with hits. Any live recordings were phenomenal listens. I was so happy that I now had Withers music in my life.

A few years after I first heard all of Withers stuff, I know this may seem like I am jumping around, but it will all lead back to Withers, my grandma passed away. We were all very close to her, and like any family, we were devastated that she was gone. She was old, but it was sudden and out of the blue. We made the trek up to the UP for the funeral, and while we were sitting around and talking about her, my brother played "Grandma's Hand's" by Withers. This hit all the feelings. This song said whatever we couldn't, or didn't, want to say at the time. This was when Withers jumped into the pantheon of legends for me. That song will forever be my favorite Bill Withers song, and one of my favorite songs of all time. I still tear up when I hear it to this day.

Even though Withers catalog is small in comparison to some other musicians, his legacy is going to live on forever. The fact that he decided to walk away, to live a quiet life, makes him even more of a legend than I may have expected. Bill Withers is also wildly renowned as one of the biggest influencers in the history of modern pop music. His songs are almost always covered by a large number of professional musicians. He is a legend.

Bill Withers was old, and had heart complications which caused his death, but it was still a punch to the gut when I found out for sure that he had passed. I still have his music, which I will be forever grateful for, and there have been countless stories online today talking about how great of a man he was. He was able to straddle the line of both a great musician and person. Bill Withers will be missed, but at least we have a catalog of wonderful music to listen to for the rest of our lives.

Rest In Peace Mr Withers.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Thank God for New Music from Run the Jewels

The past two days have brought us two new Run the Jewels songs. They are both great. They both hit like I would expect them to hit. They both go hard as I expect them to go hard. El-P and Killer Mike crush each verse they have as I expect them to. They, as the younger generation likes to say, both "slap".

The first one released, on Tuesday, is called "Yankee and the Brave Ep.4". I mean, this song is killer. It has a fantastic, bass thumping beat. It comes at you like a ton of bricks. When Killer Mike starts the opening verse, it makes me so happy because he crushes it, and it is the first signal that they do have a new record coming out, hopefully soon. Then EL-P comes in and does his thing. He is such a great rapper, and as RTJ has grown, so has he. I am, and always will be a Killer Mike guy, but EL-P is starting to get to his level as an emcee. That is up front on "Yankee and the Brave Ep. 4". My only critique, the song is only two and a half minutes long. I could have done with another two and a half minutes easily. I know that I have said I enjoy shorter songs, but when it comes to RTJ, I don't care how long the songs are because they are always so god damn good.

Then last night they released another new track, "Ooh LA LA". Again, this song rules. The beginning is wonderful, with the featured guests singing the chorus, and then the beat hits. Again, it is great. If RTJ is going to be remembered for only one thing, which they will definitely not because they are so awesome, it will be their beats. Every song seems to have the perfect beat attached, and these two new tracks are no different. After the beginning if "Ooh LA LA", both guys once again destroy their verses, and it is amazing, like it always is.

I have listened to these two songs at least a half a dozen times each already, and I will listen more the rest of the day, week, month, year, however long until they put out the full new album. Which brings me to my teeny tiny little gripe today.

I love, love, love these two new songs. I cannot stop playing them. I had my wife listen to them with me, since we are all at home right now, and even she likes them, and she isn't a huge fan. I have seen on Spotify that the songs are being played at a very high clip. I have texted friends and family members to check them out. So, my gripe you ask? I want the full album now. I know that EL-P has been going on social media and imploring the fans that they aren't finished yet, but they will be soon. And I get that. But, since we all should be in our homes, or if we are outside exercising or simply just stretching our legs, but also practicing social distancing, I would love it if the whole record came out soon. I know this is a very small problem in the grand scheme of things, especially now, but I think now would be a near perfect time to try and help keep people's minds off the waking nightmare, and give them something to vibe out to, and just forget for awhile. Donald Glove did that with "3.15.20". Sports stations are playing classic games which helps. Musicians are doing live shows in their homes and putting them on the internet. So, I would be so very thrilled if RTJ released the  full album ASAP. I understand that lots and lots of things go into an album release, and a ton of work and hours are put into it. I get that, and I want them to make it the very best that they can. I get all that, I just want the full album. Until then though, we have these two fantastic new songs to listen to whenever we want, and three other transcendent albums.

I love you Killer Mike and EL-P, and I will be so very pleased when RTJ 4 comes out. For now though, thank you for these 2 new tracks. I can't wait to hear the rest.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Ty Listens to Childish Gambino's "3.15.20"

Donald Glover, AKA Childish Gambino, released a surprise new record last week. I, was dealing with some stress, as most of us are right now, so I forgot to stream it on his website. But, the other night I was blowing off some steam, riding the recumbent bike in my basement, and I remembered that he had put out a new record. And, much to my pleasure, he released it on all streaming platforms, so I hit up my Spotify and immediately downloaded it and listened while I exercised the stress and anxiety away.

On first listen, and believe me when I say that I will be listening a bunch more, I enjoyed, for the most part, what I heard. First off, I need to, as everyone else should, not compare it to "Awaken My Love". That record is a masterpiece, and it will go down as one of the best records of the 21st century, hands down. I don't think anyone can deny that. I haven't met a person that doesn't enjoy some part of that album. It's exquisite. But, I did expect something akin to "Awaken My Love". I assumed that he was going to stay in the R&B/soul/funk genre of music. I love his rapping. I think he is a very good emcee. I like the way he flows. But the stuff he showed on "Awaken My Love" blew me, and everyone else, away, so I just figured that he was that type of singer/musician now. And there are definitely elements of that on "3.15.20". The songs all have dates as their titles, and some of the songs have the same feel as stuff off of "AML".

The opener is very funky, with some electronic sounds mixed in. It is all instrumental as well. But as the album goes in, it is almost like Glover decided he was going to take pieces from "AML" and "Because the Internet", his second record. I like both of these, and to hear them blended together, it works. I have said multiple times that Glover is in a space right now where he can, pretty much, do no wrong. I am going to like whatever he puts out there, be it music, a new TV show or a role in a movie. Hell, he was, by a wide margin, the best part of "Solo". "Atlanta" is one of the best shows on TV right now. And now with "3.15.20". he has just furthered my belief in him. The album has some solid, funky tones to it. There are some songs that go as long as seven minutes, something I am not a huge fan of, but they work because they are so groovy, and Glover throws in some rapping, or singing, and it just works.

Glover is a very solid rapper, like I said before, and ever since "AML", he has shown how great of a singer he really is. Hell, he even showed that in the new "Lion King" movie. He sings as well as Beyoncé. Yeah, I said it. And his singing shows up tenfold in "3.15.20". He hits those crazy high notes, Teddy Pendergrass style is some of the songs. It takes me back to the older funk music that I listen to regularly. I know he gets compared to Parliament Funkadelic a lot now, and that is a very apt comparison. It is perfect actually. But what makes him stand out as Childish Gambino is his ability to shift from singing super high notes on one song, to becoming a full fledged rapper on the next. His rapping on this record is very good, and like I stated before, it reminds me of his stuff off "Because the Internet". That record is a bit more of a slow burn, but with each extra listen, the more I grew to love it. I feel like that will be the same with "3.15.20", except I may grow to love to sooner because of the mixing of genres.

"3.15.20" is a very good record. It is also nice that he put it out now because, we should all be self isolating, and anytime there is some new music, it is a nice way to break up the monotony of the day. I enjoyed hearing it while I worked out, but when my kids have a break in their home schooling, I will listen. When my wife is on teleconference meeting in her downstairs office, I will listen. And when my wife and I have free time together at night, when the kids are in bed, I will play it for her so she can hear.

I hope more artists follow Glover's lead and release their new material while we are all self isolating. But, as usual, Glover is the first to do it because he is a leader, and because he knows his stuff is for almost everyone. This record is good, and it will continue to be played in my home for the foreseeable future.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Ty Listen's to Har Mar Superstar's "Hot Dish"

I come to you today with another album review of another record I have been looking forward to for awhile now.

About a year ago I guy I am a big time fan of, Har Mar Superstar, announced that he was working with a singer named Sabrina Ellis, and they would be touring and releasing a record within a year. I was stoked. As I said, I love Har Mar, and anytime he works with someone else, it usually works out. He even made Macauly Caulkin sound decent when I saw him live, and Caulikn's Velvet Underground cover band opened for him. Needless to say, Har Mar is a pro, and he makes good choices. They call themselves Heartbones, and they released a few singles during summer. I loved those. I even thought of putting it on my best of music that year. I also heard that, on tour, Heartbones was doing the entirety of "Dirty Dancing" live on stage. I even had a shot to see them in Kansas City, but too much stuff came up and I had to miss the show. But still, I was following Heartbones on all social media. I listened to the released singles, I watched videos and I followed their announcements. So, when I saw Har Mar posting about the album coming out today, I was waiting with super anticipation. I took my daughter to the doctor this morning, and on the way we listened. I then went to my buddy's diner afterward and listened to it again. We then drove home and I listened for a third time. And as I type this, I am listening to it again.

Needless to say, I love this record. There is no bad song on the whole eleven song long record. Every song is an absolute homerun. The record opens with one of the singles I had already heard, "This Time It's Different", but they juiced it up a bit. They made it sound a little cleaner, and I am here for it. The rest of the record is so cool and poppy, in a great way, and a throwback to the "Dirty Dancing" era music and, I am now happy to admit this, I love a good, synthy piano, which is all over this album. The second track, "I Like Your Way" has that excellent 80's style sound that I have found myself digging a ton lately. "Open Relations" is groovy, funky tune that just makes me want to dance. Every song makes me want to dance on this album for that matter. "Control" has a great distorted sound to it, and I love the drums on the song. The vocals are pretty great as well. Both Har Mar and Sabrina Ellis can really, really sing, especially this genre of music. "Don't Read the Comments" is a perfect song for the current world we live in where anyone anywhere can tell people how they feel about their art. "Unforgivable" starts off with a really cool acoustic guitar and some soft piano and Ellis singing softly in, I believe, French. The song then builds and builds with some cool flange throughout the 3 minute run time. "Little Dancer" is the other single that made its way onto the record, and just like with "This Time It's Different", they added some studio magic, some more instruments, and it sounds wonderful. My daughter and I were both singing along this afternoon. The last four songs send this record out so perfectly. "Dashboard" sounds like it is straight out of an 80's movie montage, and I love every single second of it. This might be the most dance worthy track on the whole record. "Claws 87" is just a cool ass song. It has a cool feel to it, the lyrics are cool and the way they sing it is cool. This is the coolest track by far. They follow that up with their cover of "Hungry Eyes". Look, I enjoy the original, so to hear a couple singers I really like do an updated version of the song, it makes it that much better for me. I also love the distorted vocals that sound echo-ey throughout. And the closer, "Beg For It" rules. It is almost all synth piano and the singing is so cool. It sounds like the song that was at the end of the "Black Mirror" movie "Bandersnatch", except it is a tiny bit less robotic, and I am all in for it.

I love, love, love "Hot Dish". I cannot wait to listen to it a bunch of more times. I hope, they are touring again, that they come close to Saint Louis so I can go see them. This is the type of music I am really digging right now, and this record is simply wonderful. I cannot recommend it enough. Har Mar rules on this, and I am so glad that I now know who Sabrina Ellis is because she is a great, great singer. Go check out this record ASAP.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Ty Listens to Nathaniel Rateliff's "And It's Still Alright"

On our pod about what we were most looking forward to in 2020, during the music section, I mentioned Nathaniel Rateliff's upcoming solo record, “And It’s Still Alright”. I am a big fan of his band, I like his voice, and I was curious as to what he would sound like solo. I know his early work is mostly solo, and acoustic, but truth be told, I don't listen to that very often, hardly ever in fact. I love the sound of The Nightsweats, with the horns and full backing band. He also lets his voice boom when performing with The Nightsweats, and it simply works. But as I have mentioned many times, I like when artists I enjoy take risks, and I was looking forward to this album. The record came out last week and I have listened to it four times all the way through now, and I think I can finally formulate an opinion on it.

Right off the bat I want to say that I like it. I think it is a solid album that has some really good songs on it. I feel like my kids and I will be singing along to some of the songs in the very near future. But, there are some tracks on it that feel out of place. They're a bit too "sleepy" if you ask me. It is almost like he wanted to really go hard on the acoustic stuff, feel around a bit, and sometimes that falls flat for me.

The record does start off really great for me. The opening track, "What A Drag" is a nice way to open an acoustic record. It is just him and his guitar, and I really enjoy the feel of the song. He follows that up with the song he released early, "And It's Still Alright", which has similar vibes to the opener, but a bit different. "All or Nothing" has a very slow feeling at the beginning, but the song picks up a good amount of steam, has a full band, and at this point, it is my favorite song on the album. I was nervous about the beginning, but the middle and end really bring it home. I also enjoy "Expecting to Lose". It has that Nightsweats sound, minus the horns, but with some kick ass slide guitar. Rateliff also sounds like himself the most on this track. It is also the most upbeat of all the songs on the record for me. "Tonight #2" is where I get a little lost. It has that constant strumming of guitar like a classical song. I also feel like Rateliff wanted to try something different with his voice, and it just feels off. I'm also not huge on bringing in a bunch of strings for no apparent reason. This song misses the mark for me. "Mavis" returns us to the acoustic guitar, and while I enjoy the guitar, the vocals are odd. They sound a bit hollow to me. But, the guitar, I really like the guitar and the quiet drums during the song. I also like how it gets a bit louder and faster midway through. It's a nice enough song. "You Need Me" is slower, but Rateliff sings it a bit faster than the music calls for. He seems sped up, and the music is always trying to catch up. Some of the lyrics are indecipherable for me. I do like "Time Stands". It has some electric guitar in it, and the lyrics are beautiful and devastating. This is the breakup song of the record. That is clear. It is really good too. I have always had an affinity for songs like this, so I was predisposed to liking it, and I like it quite a bit. He puts it all out there, and I enjoy this song very much. "Kissing Our Friends" returns us to the slower part of the album that I'm not super high on. It's an okay song, that has a nice acoustic intro. But I feel like, if I were to see him live, this is a song where I would kind of tune out of for the duration. Like I said, it is fine, just a bit too slow for me. The closer, "Rush On" has that slow beginning like so much of this album, but it never seems to build like the other songs with slower intros. It just kind of stays at the slow pace for the 4 minutes and 20 second so of the song. I feel like it is a fine closer for this record, but I would've personally liked something a bit more upbeat. Maybe switch this with "You Need Me". That's what I would've done.

In the end, I like the record mostly. They're definitely some songs I would've left off, but I am also not a professional musician. I also don't truly know what he is fully going through right now. I know this record is about his breakup, and that is clear enough. But I'm sure he had his idea of how he wanted to present it, and this was it. I'm still going to listen to the album a ton, I will just skip the songs I am not a big fan of. It's a good, not a great record. Maybe my expectations were too high, but his last two records, with The Nightsweats, have been total homeruns. This album is like a ground rule double. Still good, just not as good.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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Can a Millennial Enjoy a Rolling Stones Concert?

Earlier this morning I spoke to my mom on the phone and she asked me to see if I would be able to get two Rolling Stones tickets when they come to Saint Louis. I told her that would be no problem, and I would be in contact as to the details after, hopefully, purchasing them. I naturally assumed she wanted the two tickets for her and my dad. They grew up with their music, and even though my dad prefers The Beatles, as do I, I figured he’d want this chance to see them live. This is a once in a lifetime shot for both of them, so why not go together?

Well, I was able to secure some general admission tickets for what I deemed a fair price. I called my mom immediately afterward to inform her. While talking to her on the phone, breaking down the whole process, the price, what they owed me, I told her I was happy that she and my dad were going to see The Rolling Stones. This was when I was hit with some wonderful, yet at the time, confusing news. After saying how happy I was for them, my mom informed me the tickets were for her and I. She also told me she thought I knew they were for us.

I had no idea.

I asked why my dad didn’t want to go, and my mom told me he had zero interest in seeing them live. She said she talked to my dad last night about taking me with her to the show, and he thought it was a great idea. I am still a little stunned, and very, very, very excited that I get a chance to see the god damn Rolling Stones live. I never thought I’d get to see them. Like my dad, I prefer The Beatles, but I also love The Rolling Stones as well. I’m young enough where I don’t feel like I have to pick one. I mean, I don’t think anyone should pick just one of those 2 bands anyway. They’re both excellent bands, and they’re different bands. They each provide a little something for almost everyone. Back to my surprise when my mom told me she was taking me. I kept asking if she were serious. My mom doesn’t joke like that, so I figured she was telling the truth, but still, the shock overtook me. After speaking to her for awhile, and thanking her seemingly too much, I started to let it sink in that I am going to see them live.

This is, without a doubt, the biggest, most successful and most famous band I will have ever seen live. In fact, I don’t think there will ever be another band in my lifetime that I will see that is as humongous as The Rolling Stones. This is a big, big deal. The dome they’re playing at here is going to be filled as well. I’ve been in bigger stadiums, The Big House for one, with more people, but that was for sporting events. Sporting events always pull big numbers. The fact that 10,000 plus people will be in one place to see one band, and I’ll be one of those people, is mind boggling to me. This is how famous this band is. My brother is the only other person I know who’s seen them live, and he said the show was amazing. Also, the fact that they’re still touring, and are still a prolifically good band, that’s just another feather in their cap. Also, the songs I’m going to hear, I have to imagine they usually play the big time hits now, is going to blow my mind. I’m stoked to hear “Beast of Burden”, “Brown Sugar”, “Gimme Shelter” and the like. It’s going to be absolutely amazing. To be honest, as I sit here writing this, I still don’t know if it’s fully hit me yet. This is one of the most famous bands ever. They have billions of fans. They don’t tour as often anymore. Yet, I get to see them in a short four months. I think that is when it will truly hit me. When I see Keith Richards and Mick Jagger walk on they stage, I think then, and only then will the enormity of this will truly hit me. I cannot thank my mom enough for inviting me to this show. I can’t thank my dad enough for saying she should take me. I also can’t thank my mom for willing to pay for this. She wants to see them as much as I do. There are shows I’ve seen that I have never forgotten. I saw Eddie Vedder perform solo. I’ve seen Run the Jewels multiple times. I’ve seen big time modern pop stars like Sam Smith and Lorde live. I went to too many Widespread Panic and Ben Harper shows. I’ve seen A Tribe Called Quest when Phife was still alive. None of those bands compare to The Rolling Stones. Maybe I enjoy them more, but they’re not The Rolling Stones.

I cannot wait, and I cannot wait to share the experience with my mom. I also cannot wait to write about the show afterwards. Again, this is a tremendously big deal, and I need to say one more humongous thank you to my mom. This wouldn’t be happening without her. She’s the coolest mom in the world. This is going to be great. I’m very excited.

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast. Ty likes the Rolling Stones for the music, but he loves them more for their dedication to the preservation of historic buildings.

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