Johnny's Sorrow or This is Why I Cry

Johnny Sorrow opened up the door
And walked across the floor where so many people had been hurt
Then he looked down at his gloved hand
“What kind of man would leave his love lying in the dirt?”
A tear would have fallen if it could
But he just stood
In a dark, quiet, cold house
So he turned to leave that place
Where he’d lost his face
As the tortured souls began to shout
“Oh you can’t leave yet,
You’ve only begun to fret
For the crimes you did commit when you left me here alone
For you the sun won’t shine
And you will always cry
For your crimes you’re gonna die just like me alone.”
So he slowly walked down the street
And every face he’d meet
Looked like the one in the room
Covered up in her blood
“Oh my lost love
Why must I always be doomed?
To always run away
And no one sees my face
Always a mask I will wear”
There was no reply
Only the faintest cry
From out of no where
“Oh you can’t leave yet,
You’ve only begun to fret
For the crimes you did commit when you left me here alone
For you the sun won’t shine
And you will always cry
For your crimes you’re gonna die just like me alone.”

Billy Talent - Billy Talent I

When someone popped in the album Billy Talent I, the first thing I did was think "bleh". The music sounded pretty cliche and the main vocals were too much of a throw-back for me. But, then the song "Lies" came on and that first guitar riff grabbed me by the short-hairs and would not let go until the album was over. I was hooked. I began to love that high, almost pre-pubescent scream from the lead vocalist Ben Kowalewicz. The whole package began to grow on me, and as a musician, when you hear a song and say, "I want my band to play that song!" you know you've got a great album there. Songs like "Standing in the Rain" and "Nothing to Lose" are able to translate one of those face-flushing emotions of despair that few current artists can. This is one you will not be disappointed to have in your collection.

Nofx - Coaster

Ah NOFX, one of my favorite bands still carrying the flag for West Coast Punk Rock. Coaster, their eleventh studio album, has quickly risen up my charts, placing itself firmly in the ten albums that line my CD visor. After the disappointment from Wolves in Wolves Clothing having so many songs that just did not live up to the Fat Wreck Chords standard of excellence, I was ready for another mediocre-fest; but instead, was pleasantly surprised.From the opener "We Called it America" I was hooked. Great riffs, superb solos, catchy hooks, and the good ole down and dirty politics we've all come to expect from a Fat Mike production were present as well as some new angles. Now, I'll admit when you see new angles in a description of a well established bands newest release, I too cringe. But, songs like"My Orphan Year" where Mike opens up an emotional side for the audience, are not only well done but actually quite moving. Being from a single parent household, I found this song really pulled on my heartstrings heavily and even brought me to tears; not a normal reaction to the Sultans of Slander, but a nice change.As I mentioned the heavy social issues are still present with songs like "Blasphemy (The Victimless Crime)" and "Suits and Ladders" the guys successfully tackle delicate issues such as religion and capitalism with their ever blunt and poignant lyrics. Lines such as "I understand that faith in a deity/Helps the masses who are having hard times/But blasphemy like prostitution/Are clearly victimless crimes" will have you re-listening as though you were trying to grasp the latest Noam Chomsky read. In short, I was stoked to have a new NOFX that I felt I could slip right in the visor and reach for, knowing there would be some good quality tunes awaiting me. Oh boys, its nice to have you back!

Ten CDs in my Visor

The top ten CDs I leave in my visor at all times, in no particular order:
Billy Talent - Billy Talent
Billy Talent - Billy Talent III
Against Me! - As the Eternal Cowboy
Nofx - Coaster
Dead Kennedys - Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
Misfits - Walk Among Us
The OC Supertones - Chase the Sun
The Band - The Band's Greatest Hits (2000)
dc Talk - Intermission
Weezer - Weezer (Red)

The OC Shuffle

This is something I wrote for some friends of mine. Hopefully it will open their eyes...
Welcome to the OC, not that gay ass TV show,
We talkin bout the real thing in case you didn’t know
Fluff it up and put it up your nose,
Nod, puke, nod then snort a little more
Don’t see the draw just take a little taste
Only 80 bucks man that’s no waste
And when e’rybody else is sittin there faced
We’ll spin our wheels cuz we stuck in place
CHORUS
This is how we live our lives, at the edge of real sharp knives
Razor blade and CD case, fix me one, my life’s a waste
CHORUS
So what if this is all I do with myself
And don’t tell me I need help
Cuz this is my own little hell
But I chose it myself and this my well
Well enough and good enough so leave me alone
I’ll be sittin’ at my home getting so stoned
And zoned out of my friggin mind
Doin this till the day I die
Woo Woo it’s the OC shuffle
Woo Woo I think I’m in trouble x2
CHORUS REPEATS
Can’t remember the last time that I showered
It all runs together minutes into hours
Hours into days the days all sour
Been many long years and its still got the power
To get me stoked when the shipments comin in
Like my best friend or the ride that won’t end
Twistin me up then sling around the bend
Say it e’ry time, I ain’t doin this again
CHORUS REPEATS