Nobody gives a flying shit about poetry.
Yet here I sit, opposite
Spilling my guts note by note and bit by bit.
For the sake of keeping a lost art form
Alive and well.
No actual appreciation for my alliteration
Like freshly released prisoners in the proximity, no laces
tighter than my similes.
No respect for metaphor
Where's the preservation of the art form?
Who knew of haiku? Who allotted the sonnet?
I am iambic pentameter.
Shooting jump shots on the perimeter.
Life: I might be madly in love wit' her.
So it's give and take, give and go
Love and hate, fast and slow.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
A Native's Submission
In this room, so big
in spirit, not necessarily space
Although both contain content and they both more than save face
Anyways, in this room so big:
One elephant, one pig.
Two elephants, two pigs.
Spanish and a Chinese twist
American--the Warholiest.
Tibetan, Buddhist, original kiss.
Chilean traditions
Here's a Native's submission into the Wordsmith Hall of Fame.
An actual melting pot in this room so BIG. Make a name
For yourself, for us as a generational conundrum.
Beat the drum, see right through
Playing it sentimental yet playing it coy fish clock--Morning View.
Call me Flo-Rida Mar-Lin, cuz that's my fitted for two thousand eleven and incidentally they're changing their logo next year. There there.
The aforementioned elephants protect against the abundantly absent haters-
just straight pachyderm stomping them.
The previously mentioned pigs provide elusively everlasting friendship for you and a kindred spirit...
Can you hear it?
in spirit, not necessarily space
Although both contain content and they both more than save face
Anyways, in this room so big:
One elephant, one pig.
Two elephants, two pigs.
Spanish and a Chinese twist
American--the Warholiest.
Tibetan, Buddhist, original kiss.
Chilean traditions
Here's a Native's submission into the Wordsmith Hall of Fame.
An actual melting pot in this room so BIG. Make a name
For yourself, for us as a generational conundrum.
Beat the drum, see right through
Playing it sentimental yet playing it coy fish clock--Morning View.
Call me Flo-Rida Mar-Lin, cuz that's my fitted for two thousand eleven and incidentally they're changing their logo next year. There there.
The aforementioned elephants protect against the abundantly absent haters-
just straight pachyderm stomping them.
The previously mentioned pigs provide elusively everlasting friendship for you and a kindred spirit...
Can you hear it?
Currently Untitled
Find myself on the quest of a lifetime
To find a place where the footprints
Cease to exist
Blazing trails to quench my undeniable,
undying need to resist
Spinning sideways standing still this stratosphere,
ionosphere, atmosphere, sometimes so clear
sometimes so near
Everything and nothing all at once; this sphere dangles on its axis, a slow tilt
A gangster lean built for the long haul
Stand on the tallest stilts, you'll never reach an end...the stars...galaxies...cosmos...
Infinite...
This must be it, the place we sit
Ride the wave, take a hit
Longing to leave a legacy. See my soul
Our names shall be remembered somehow, some way. Can't quit.
To find a place where the footprints
Cease to exist
Blazing trails to quench my undeniable,
undying need to resist
Spinning sideways standing still this stratosphere,
ionosphere, atmosphere, sometimes so clear
sometimes so near
Everything and nothing all at once; this sphere dangles on its axis, a slow tilt
A gangster lean built for the long haul
Stand on the tallest stilts, you'll never reach an end...the stars...galaxies...cosmos...
Infinite...
This must be it, the place we sit
Ride the wave, take a hit
Longing to leave a legacy. See my soul
Our names shall be remembered somehow, some way. Can't quit.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
A Midsummer Classic Night's Dream (Excerpt)
...I come from the camp of well-rounded lovers of life; you know, the ones capable of appreciating the complexities of this crazy entity we call life. We are the ones who have fallen in love with the surprises of life, the predictability of spontaneity and the options viable to us on a daily basis. We have discovered visions of the future, pacts representing the past and we can currently control our present. It is with this in mind I present to you the optional ability to appreciate the arts while supporting sports. Ladies and germs, A Midsummer (Classic) Night's Dream:
Blending sports and intellect is sometimes a strange beast. When some closed minded folks think of sports, they think dumb jocks, drunk jaw jabbering fans, stereotypical, loud arguments and pointless competitions among Neanderthals. What up with that? The failure to recognize intricacies within sports-the vast variety of sports-the unification capability of sports-only limits their argument in that it actually makes the hater sound dumb, drunk, stereotypical and pointlessly loud. I get it though. I see why people hate on sports fans. Their closed minds won't allow them to see a person capable of liking more than one type of thing-that there are well-rounded individuals in existence who may like to attend a ballgame in the day and maybe a Shakespeare rendition later that night. Why should this matter to anyone? That will probably remain open for interpretation until the end of time, but if I can say that I led people to a portion of the endless debate's conclusion, then I'm good. Yea, I'm good.
So, why am I connecting William Shakespeare to the MLB All-Star Game?
I would really like to see people just be a bit more open minded. I want people to be entertained. I want them to be passionate about stuff, whatever your favorite stuff may be. Let's promote passion! Passion for your stuff!
I've heard that Heaven, if there is a Heaven, is a playground. I think I'd be OK with that...
Blending sports and intellect is sometimes a strange beast. When some closed minded folks think of sports, they think dumb jocks, drunk jaw jabbering fans, stereotypical, loud arguments and pointless competitions among Neanderthals. What up with that? The failure to recognize intricacies within sports-the vast variety of sports-the unification capability of sports-only limits their argument in that it actually makes the hater sound dumb, drunk, stereotypical and pointlessly loud. I get it though. I see why people hate on sports fans. Their closed minds won't allow them to see a person capable of liking more than one type of thing-that there are well-rounded individuals in existence who may like to attend a ballgame in the day and maybe a Shakespeare rendition later that night. Why should this matter to anyone? That will probably remain open for interpretation until the end of time, but if I can say that I led people to a portion of the endless debate's conclusion, then I'm good. Yea, I'm good.
So, why am I connecting William Shakespeare to the MLB All-Star Game?
I would really like to see people just be a bit more open minded. I want people to be entertained. I want them to be passionate about stuff, whatever your favorite stuff may be. Let's promote passion! Passion for your stuff!
I've heard that Heaven, if there is a Heaven, is a playground. I think I'd be OK with that...
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Tom Thibodeau Will Outcoach and Outclass You
March 6, 2011
Bulls vs. Heat in MIAmi, FL
What can I say? I'm a sucker for great coaching.
This game, this season for the Chicago Bulls is twenty-two years in the making. This is the birth of an old school, and I mean old school, brand of coaching from the potentially perennial Coach of the Year candidate Tom Thibodeau. Coach T has been around the professional game as an assistant coach long enough (21+ years to be exact) to channel Red Auerbach and Dean Smith, and he uses the most fundamental principles and instills them throughout his entire twelve man roster.
Tom Thibodeau is light years ahead of that baby-faced-what's-his-name coach for the Miami Heat (seriously, who the hell is this guy?). For every fantastic, did-he-really-just-make-that shot from Dwyane Wade, Tom Thibodeau is fifteen steps ahead of the development of the game as a whole. While Erik Speolstra seems to rely on the athleticism and talents of a few overrated so-called superstars, he does not have what we call in the sports world credibility. Seriously, how long can Pat Riley sit idly by and watch this jokester try to coach his team? Think of a director of a film. He's orchestrating an entire motion picture while the actors play their parts, listen and remain coachable.
And oh how coachable these 2010-11 Chicago Bulls are this year. Led by third year PG and serious MVP favorite Derrick Rose, Thibodeau has his team playing the right way. They're toward the top five in every major defensive category. He's got them playing together, sharing the ball on offense. He's got them competing at a high level on both ends of the floor. He is maximizing the potential of the entire roster, making moves throughout the game, working the officials, mixing and matching the components of the game's flow. Much is to be said about team chemistry, and it is the coach's responsibility for building that pH balance to its most abundant ability.
While we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Bulls' first NBA Championship this season in Chicago, I have a feeling that we'll be talking about Tom Thibodeau twenty years from now similar to the way we talk about another guy you may have heard of, the man who directed The Dynasty, Phil Jackson when it's all said and done...
We hear the MVP chants when D-Rose steps to the free throw line. Isn't it about time we start hearing the "Coach of the Year" chants?
Bulls vs. Heat in MIAmi, FL
What can I say? I'm a sucker for great coaching.
This game, this season for the Chicago Bulls is twenty-two years in the making. This is the birth of an old school, and I mean old school, brand of coaching from the potentially perennial Coach of the Year candidate Tom Thibodeau. Coach T has been around the professional game as an assistant coach long enough (21+ years to be exact) to channel Red Auerbach and Dean Smith, and he uses the most fundamental principles and instills them throughout his entire twelve man roster.
Tom Thibodeau is light years ahead of that baby-faced-what's-his-name coach for the Miami Heat (seriously, who the hell is this guy?). For every fantastic, did-he-really-just-make-that shot from Dwyane Wade, Tom Thibodeau is fifteen steps ahead of the development of the game as a whole. While Erik Speolstra seems to rely on the athleticism and talents of a few overrated so-called superstars, he does not have what we call in the sports world credibility. Seriously, how long can Pat Riley sit idly by and watch this jokester try to coach his team? Think of a director of a film. He's orchestrating an entire motion picture while the actors play their parts, listen and remain coachable.
And oh how coachable these 2010-11 Chicago Bulls are this year. Led by third year PG and serious MVP favorite Derrick Rose, Thibodeau has his team playing the right way. They're toward the top five in every major defensive category. He's got them playing together, sharing the ball on offense. He's got them competing at a high level on both ends of the floor. He is maximizing the potential of the entire roster, making moves throughout the game, working the officials, mixing and matching the components of the game's flow. Much is to be said about team chemistry, and it is the coach's responsibility for building that pH balance to its most abundant ability.
While we celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Bulls' first NBA Championship this season in Chicago, I have a feeling that we'll be talking about Tom Thibodeau twenty years from now similar to the way we talk about another guy you may have heard of, the man who directed The Dynasty, Phil Jackson when it's all said and done...
We hear the MVP chants when D-Rose steps to the free throw line. Isn't it about time we start hearing the "Coach of the Year" chants?
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Oh Banksy, You're The Banksyest!
If you want to talk about street art, you want to act like you know about making an impact in a world where art imitates life and most likely vice versa, you want to talk about a movement within a movement within a society's restrictions and freedoms, you want to talk about worldwide wonder created with every awe-inspiring piece, you have to, no you need to start with the one who goes by the name of Banksy, also known in certain circles as Mr. Brainwash.
With the release of his debut film, Exit Through the Gift Shop and consequential Academy Award nominations for Best Documentary, Banksy's admirably amazing availability and artistic ability was released into the wild known as mainstream media.
We know all about the conundrum that is known as selling out. You know, all eventually successful artists find themselves susceptible to being called a sellout at any given moment by any given diehard fan or circumstantial critic. This unfair accusation usually culminates with the artist's totally deserving praise and award-winning work after years of toiling as a quote: underground artist. The hard-core fans are upset, because let's face it: we are selfish, we don't want to share and we want the distinct pleasure of knowing that we know something no one else does. That makes us happy. That validates our endless seeking.
But deep down, we are happy for the Banksys, the Arcade Fires, the Darren Aronofskys, the (on a personal and older tip) Incubuses of the world. We are happy for them, because there is no denying their raw power and magnetic attraction and we can't help it if the rest of the world is slow to catch on to the awesomeness of our interests.
With the release of his debut film, Exit Through the Gift Shop and consequential Academy Award nominations for Best Documentary, Banksy's admirably amazing availability and artistic ability was released into the wild known as mainstream media.
We know all about the conundrum that is known as selling out. You know, all eventually successful artists find themselves susceptible to being called a sellout at any given moment by any given diehard fan or circumstantial critic. This unfair accusation usually culminates with the artist's totally deserving praise and award-winning work after years of toiling as a quote: underground artist. The hard-core fans are upset, because let's face it: we are selfish, we don't want to share and we want the distinct pleasure of knowing that we know something no one else does. That makes us happy. That validates our endless seeking.
But deep down, we are happy for the Banksys, the Arcade Fires, the Darren Aronofskys, the (on a personal and older tip) Incubuses of the world. We are happy for them, because there is no denying their raw power and magnetic attraction and we can't help it if the rest of the world is slow to catch on to the awesomeness of our interests.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
My Amateur Protest
This is my amateur protest.
This is Pro-Life, Pro-Choice, Pro-Yes.
This is Pro-Gay, Pro-Straight, Pro-Sex.
This is Pro-America, Pro-World, Something to protect.
This is Pro-Love, Pro-Giving, significantly prolific.
This is Pro-Soul, Pro-Spiritual, Pro-Lyrical.
This is Pro-Democracy, Pro-Anarchy.
This happens to be Pro-Peace, but Pro-War when necessary.
This is Pro-Constitution, Pro-Solution.
This is Pro-VegeTERRYnism, Pro-Disestablishmentarianism.
So I guess that makes me the Protaganist
in this amateur protest...
Suffering agonizing defeat after agonizing defeat only makes you more hungry for victory.
So this is Pro-Individual, Pro-Family, whatever that may be.
This is Pro-Enlightenment, eyeing the solution toward which we eek closer and closer to
with every rhyme I speak.
This is Pro-Fantasy, Pro-Reality.
This is Pro-Happiness. Don't be mad at me...
This is Pro-Cassius Clay, Pro-Muhammad Ali.
This is a prototype of perfection marinating.
This definitely, quixotically QUID PRO QUO.
What do we really know about where we go?
This is Pro-Social, Pro-Solitude.
This is Pro-Infinity, Pro-Balance.
Pro-Possibility's Magnitude...
So I guess that makes me The Protaganist in this amateur protest...
Suffering agonizing defeat after agonizing defeat only makes you more hungry for victory.
So process the progress.
Proverbs and pronouns.
Unwound and presented to you...
from me...
RIGHT NOW...
This is Pro-Life, Pro-Choice, Pro-Yes.
This is Pro-Gay, Pro-Straight, Pro-Sex.
This is Pro-America, Pro-World, Something to protect.
This is Pro-Love, Pro-Giving, significantly prolific.
This is Pro-Soul, Pro-Spiritual, Pro-Lyrical.
This is Pro-Democracy, Pro-Anarchy.
This happens to be Pro-Peace, but Pro-War when necessary.
This is Pro-Constitution, Pro-Solution.
This is Pro-VegeTERRYnism, Pro-Disestablishmentarianism.
So I guess that makes me the Protaganist
in this amateur protest...
Suffering agonizing defeat after agonizing defeat only makes you more hungry for victory.
So this is Pro-Individual, Pro-Family, whatever that may be.
This is Pro-Enlightenment, eyeing the solution toward which we eek closer and closer to
with every rhyme I speak.
This is Pro-Fantasy, Pro-Reality.
This is Pro-Happiness. Don't be mad at me...
This is Pro-Cassius Clay, Pro-Muhammad Ali.
This is a prototype of perfection marinating.
This definitely, quixotically QUID PRO QUO.
What do we really know about where we go?
This is Pro-Social, Pro-Solitude.
This is Pro-Infinity, Pro-Balance.
Pro-Possibility's Magnitude...
So I guess that makes me The Protaganist in this amateur protest...
Suffering agonizing defeat after agonizing defeat only makes you more hungry for victory.
So process the progress.
Proverbs and pronouns.
Unwound and presented to you...
from me...
RIGHT NOW...
L ike S tegosaurus' D iet
I like Aesop Rock CDs
and Quentin Tarantino movies.
I like acid flashbacks
and Sambazon Acai.
I like keeping it (sur)real; turn, kneel, pray, appeal.
I like Brandon Boyd's poetry, junky authors
and Salvador Dali.
I like coincidental occurences, challenging the status quo.
I like psychedelic nourishment, stimulating the intellect at once the way to go.
I, like Stegosaurus' Diet, am an herbivore
with some shit you've never heard before.
Flowing, finding, flying...SOAR!
and Quentin Tarantino movies.
I like acid flashbacks
and Sambazon Acai.
I like keeping it (sur)real; turn, kneel, pray, appeal.
I like Brandon Boyd's poetry, junky authors
and Salvador Dali.
I like coincidental occurences, challenging the status quo.
I like psychedelic nourishment, stimulating the intellect at once the way to go.
I, like Stegosaurus' Diet, am an herbivore
with some shit you've never heard before.
Flowing, finding, flying...SOAR!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Really?
You think you're just gonna up and get discovered. Newsflash: You're not.
You think life's a fucking game. It's not. Well, sometimes it is, and when it is, it's super fun.
But life's not a game. It's not a race. It has races, but not those kinds of races where you run. The kind where you ruin chances to create meaning.
You think that if you think hard enough about something, if you really concentrate on it, if you REALLY wish for it or pray for it or want it or yearn for it, that it will just come to you.
It won't.
You gotta do something for yourself. No one will ever do it for you.
You think ignorance is bliss.
I feel sorry for your ignorant fingerprints.
But I love you all nonetheless...
These are my fellow humans?
Really?
You think life's a fucking game. It's not. Well, sometimes it is, and when it is, it's super fun.
But life's not a game. It's not a race. It has races, but not those kinds of races where you run. The kind where you ruin chances to create meaning.
You think that if you think hard enough about something, if you really concentrate on it, if you REALLY wish for it or pray for it or want it or yearn for it, that it will just come to you.
It won't.
You gotta do something for yourself. No one will ever do it for you.
You think ignorance is bliss.
I feel sorry for your ignorant fingerprints.
But I love you all nonetheless...
These are my fellow humans?
Really?
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Me and My Nutshell
Social CommenTERRY
Musical Expression
Global Unification
Lost Art of Conversation
Conservationist on Vacation.
Bar and Hair Raising Awareness
State of the union, state of the continent, state of the human race, pace of progress...
Yes!
We'll all get to where we're going, but knowing is 1/2 The Battle.
Musical Expression
Global Unification
Lost Art of Conversation
Conservationist on Vacation.
Bar and Hair Raising Awareness
State of the union, state of the continent, state of the human race, pace of progress...
Yes!
We'll all get to where we're going, but knowing is 1/2 The Battle.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
"A Great Read" (Insert Ellipse Here)
Swimming through the breeze and trees of leaves...
seeing the grand scheme.
And you will know me by the trail of mind altering substances...
...and moral sustenance.
I'll be forever putting sentences together, ending them with an ellipse...
...until I eclipse...
...the so-called hits...
even if it's just for a little bit...
Within the proximity of exclusivity,
yet simultaneously on the brink of completely uniting.
So what do I think?
Well, I think about alotta shit,
so you'll have to get more specific...
The grand scheme? I get it.
Ongoing light beams-infinite.
This planet's a place for the priveleged, but the individuals who are driven will, in due time, discover their niche.
Who's with it?
seeing the grand scheme.
And you will know me by the trail of mind altering substances...
...and moral sustenance.
I'll be forever putting sentences together, ending them with an ellipse...
...until I eclipse...
...the so-called hits...
even if it's just for a little bit...
Within the proximity of exclusivity,
yet simultaneously on the brink of completely uniting.
So what do I think?
Well, I think about alotta shit,
so you'll have to get more specific...
The grand scheme? I get it.
Ongoing light beams-infinite.
This planet's a place for the priveleged, but the individuals who are driven will, in due time, discover their niche.
Who's with it?
"Beauty Does Not Oppose The Revolution." -Che Guevera
People out there who hate the elite,
but can't distinguish relevant from obselete...
Treat ourselves to a see through view.
Shit, who knew it would get to this?
Oh wait...
There's the bell, and class dismissed...
but can't distinguish relevant from obselete...
Treat ourselves to a see through view.
Shit, who knew it would get to this?
Oh wait...
There's the bell, and class dismissed...
Feed the Dream
"Got some change? Got a light?"
To change the world,
it takes all types.
Buy the record, take a bite.
Reverberating sound
human beings unite.
Recurring themes,
reconfiguring dreams.
Hence the hunger,
the acknowledged appetite...
To change the world,
it takes all types.
Buy the record, take a bite.
Reverberating sound
human beings unite.
Recurring themes,
reconfiguring dreams.
Hence the hunger,
the acknowledged appetite...
Arrested Development: Consider Yourself Warned
Best...Show...Ever.
Three words, one meaning. One all-time best. And Arrested Development, with yes only three seasons under its visionary belt, takes and wears the crown.
The humor precise, the satire perfectly subtle yet in your face simultaneously, the characters unique yet somehow strangely familiar...the list goes on to justify such an elusive title as best TV show in the history of TV shows.
But if you've never seen the show (and for some odd reason you're reading my blog here) SEE IT NOW! Ask your much cooler friends to borrow their DVD collections. Rent the complete series from start to finish. NetFlix that shit. Hulu. Whatever. I don't care how you get your hands on this phenomenon. Just get your eyes and ears on the best show ever...you owe it to yourself. Remember, you've been warned.
(Insert Chicken Impression Here)
Three words, one meaning. One all-time best. And Arrested Development, with yes only three seasons under its visionary belt, takes and wears the crown.
The humor precise, the satire perfectly subtle yet in your face simultaneously, the characters unique yet somehow strangely familiar...the list goes on to justify such an elusive title as best TV show in the history of TV shows.
But if you've never seen the show (and for some odd reason you're reading my blog here) SEE IT NOW! Ask your much cooler friends to borrow their DVD collections. Rent the complete series from start to finish. NetFlix that shit. Hulu. Whatever. I don't care how you get your hands on this phenomenon. Just get your eyes and ears on the best show ever...you owe it to yourself. Remember, you've been warned.
(Insert Chicken Impression Here)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
A Thing of the Passed
Say goodbye to the values of the 1960s.
Say goodbye to the last real chance
at revolution in this country.
Say goodbye to the Fore Fathers,
they're from a long time ago - before blotters.
Say goodbye to the 1760s...
But wait!
The Eternal Optimist strikes again!
Like Optimus Prime in his prime
Rewind in order to find
Not too slow, not too fast--
A wowing vow to never let idealism become
a thing of the past.
Don't let history repeat itself; let the bullshit die as a thing of the passed...
Say goodbye to the last real chance
at revolution in this country.
Say goodbye to the Fore Fathers,
they're from a long time ago - before blotters.
Say goodbye to the 1760s...
But wait!
The Eternal Optimist strikes again!
Like Optimus Prime in his prime
Rewind in order to find
Not too slow, not too fast--
A wowing vow to never let idealism become
a thing of the past.
Don't let history repeat itself; let the bullshit die as a thing of the passed...
( )
Everyone's got their own writing style.
Mine is made up mostly of a magical mindstate
predominantly of a certain psyche...
Impossible to bite me.
Mine is made up mostly of a magical mindstate
predominantly of a certain psyche...
Impossible to bite me.
METAPHOR
for an indescribable sensation,
an unexplainable phenomenon...
Plunging into a perfect circle.
Pacing myself on these paginated pieces of paper
during which a Prayer for Awareness
manifests itself on the surface down
through the roots, to the bone, the core
until I bore:
A Prayer for Awareness
Awareness of self. Awareness of others. Awareness of Nature.
Social awareness,
Musical sharing
Political awareness,
Musical chairs and shit
Spiritual awareness,
Musical wearing of a heart on a sleeve; an uncommon sight.
Beware of dog; it may bite... ... ...
an unexplainable phenomenon...
Plunging into a perfect circle.
Pacing myself on these paginated pieces of paper
during which a Prayer for Awareness
manifests itself on the surface down
through the roots, to the bone, the core
until I bore:
A Prayer for Awareness
Awareness of self. Awareness of others. Awareness of Nature.
Social awareness,
Musical sharing
Political awareness,
Musical chairs and shit
Spiritual awareness,
Musical wearing of a heart on a sleeve; an uncommon sight.
Beware of dog; it may bite... ... ...
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Chicago Record Stores-The Last of a Dying Breed? (An essay)
That elusive, yet ultimately fulfilling feeling you get when you find That Sound. That eerily familiar sound you've been looking for; that ridiculous new band your friend told you about; that intellectual MC who's been saying all the right things at precisely the right time; that music that is somehow a life full of memories for one person, yet completely brand new for the new listener; that feeling, that sound lives at the remaining independent record stores across the country, but I want to tell you why Chicago's, in particular, are second to none.
Whether you're an old school, hard core collector of records, CDs, and the like or just looking to supplement your iTunes with some actual finished products, Chicago's record store community will hook you up with what you need to bolster your musical aptitude. Some people take their music more seriously than others. I am one of those serious musical aficianados, so I want other like minded folks to be able to get the most out of their musical lifestyle while they are here in Chicago. 3 things you will need (and if you don't know, you better ask somebody!):
1.) An unparalleled understanding of the history of music in Chicago
2.) An appreciation of what other cities' music stores have to offer
3.) An open mind to the evolution of all types of music
Every city I've visited, I've checked out their respectful record shops. I've been to the closest competition in New York. I've seen Seattle's best. If they sold records at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland would be worth mentioning. DC was disappointing. Kansas City has some cool, ecclectic selections. St. Louis needs a savior. Even little Dayton, OH beats St. Louis. I'm on my way to Boston this summer to see what they have to offer. Now I realize Los Angeles and San Francisco are not represented on my short list of best, but I doubt anyone is actually reading this, let alone someone from the West Coast, so I promise, I'll get there. Yet I digress...While I realize it takes more than just a 2week trip to any city to fully grasp what they're all about, I'm here to make a statement that Chicago's crop of record stores is the best in the country based on a few criteria:
*knowledge/open mindedness of staff
*selection/relevance of music in house
*music the staff chooses to play on the overhead speakers
*community involvement, if any
*experience/cool factor/overall vibe in store
Buying records (or buying CDs, for that matter) is becoming somewhat of a lost art, similar to the lost art of conversation in that both art forms are not generally considered by the masses as actual art mediums. When was the last time you visited the National Conversation Museum or the Record Collector Hall of Fame? I am not suggesting either of these art forms need such museums, just that they reemerge into the forefront of what makes us human. After all, the word "human" is derived from the Latin meaning "reverberation of sound." With that being said, I present to you Chicago's Cream of the Crop Record Shops:
(RIP) Revolver Records
Pilsen (set to reopen this year)
Groovin' High, Inc.
Lakeview (call first, as Joe is cool but not always open)
Laurie's Planet of Sound
Lincoln Square
Hard Boiled
Roscoe Village
Deadwax
North Center
Hyde Park Records
umm...Hyde Park
Reckless Records (I don't care what anyone says, they rule supreme! that's why they have 3 locations, dummy.)
Lakeview
Downtown
Wicker Park
I truly hope to open up some dialogue here, and if I've inspired you to support your local record shop, then all is well in the world. I urge you to take pride in what your area of the world's music provides. If it sucks, make it better. If it's any good, let me know, and I'll check it out and let you know for sure. That concludes this edition of Why Chicago's Awesome. Join me next time, as topics will range from Totem Poles to George Carlin.
Peace and Love(...and Music!),
T
Whether you're an old school, hard core collector of records, CDs, and the like or just looking to supplement your iTunes with some actual finished products, Chicago's record store community will hook you up with what you need to bolster your musical aptitude. Some people take their music more seriously than others. I am one of those serious musical aficianados, so I want other like minded folks to be able to get the most out of their musical lifestyle while they are here in Chicago. 3 things you will need (and if you don't know, you better ask somebody!):
1.) An unparalleled understanding of the history of music in Chicago
2.) An appreciation of what other cities' music stores have to offer
3.) An open mind to the evolution of all types of music
Every city I've visited, I've checked out their respectful record shops. I've been to the closest competition in New York. I've seen Seattle's best. If they sold records at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland would be worth mentioning. DC was disappointing. Kansas City has some cool, ecclectic selections. St. Louis needs a savior. Even little Dayton, OH beats St. Louis. I'm on my way to Boston this summer to see what they have to offer. Now I realize Los Angeles and San Francisco are not represented on my short list of best, but I doubt anyone is actually reading this, let alone someone from the West Coast, so I promise, I'll get there. Yet I digress...While I realize it takes more than just a 2week trip to any city to fully grasp what they're all about, I'm here to make a statement that Chicago's crop of record stores is the best in the country based on a few criteria:
*knowledge/open mindedness of staff
*selection/relevance of music in house
*music the staff chooses to play on the overhead speakers
*community involvement, if any
*experience/cool factor/overall vibe in store
Buying records (or buying CDs, for that matter) is becoming somewhat of a lost art, similar to the lost art of conversation in that both art forms are not generally considered by the masses as actual art mediums. When was the last time you visited the National Conversation Museum or the Record Collector Hall of Fame? I am not suggesting either of these art forms need such museums, just that they reemerge into the forefront of what makes us human. After all, the word "human" is derived from the Latin meaning "reverberation of sound." With that being said, I present to you Chicago's Cream of the Crop Record Shops:
(RIP) Revolver Records
Pilsen (set to reopen this year)
Groovin' High, Inc.
Lakeview (call first, as Joe is cool but not always open)
Laurie's Planet of Sound
Lincoln Square
Hard Boiled
Roscoe Village
Deadwax
North Center
Hyde Park Records
umm...Hyde Park
Reckless Records (I don't care what anyone says, they rule supreme! that's why they have 3 locations, dummy.)
Lakeview
Downtown
Wicker Park
I truly hope to open up some dialogue here, and if I've inspired you to support your local record shop, then all is well in the world. I urge you to take pride in what your area of the world's music provides. If it sucks, make it better. If it's any good, let me know, and I'll check it out and let you know for sure. That concludes this edition of Why Chicago's Awesome. Join me next time, as topics will range from Totem Poles to George Carlin.
Peace and Love(...and Music!),
T
A Higher Par
Fantastically blasted-superbly sober?
Is ignorance just indigenous to humans?
Is the opportunity for revolution over?
Hell no, not as long as I'm alive vibin'
Hello, can you hear me? If you do then start signin'
The petition to commission a new day,
A new start,
A fresh wave,
A higher par
for the course's ways...
Is ignorance just indigenous to humans?
Is the opportunity for revolution over?
Hell no, not as long as I'm alive vibin'
Hello, can you hear me? If you do then start signin'
The petition to commission a new day,
A new start,
A fresh wave,
A higher par
for the course's ways...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
