February « 2009 « Irrelevant Importance

18Feb/090

It’s all partisan bullshit

I feel like writing about politics, but the only big news is, of course, the stimulus package. I am not an economist. Most people are not economists. What I believe this means is that despite all the words being spent on the topic, most of the people talking about it don't know what the hell they are talking about. If I started talking about it, I would not know what I am talking about. However, I do know people, and I know irritation, so instead I will rant. About people. People that irritate me.

First, conservatives: let's just admit that you are a hypocrites. If the economy had been tanking on the level it is right now at the end of 2000 into 2001, you would have been screaming for Bill Clinton's blood. And if Bush had come in to office and proposed an enormous stimulus package, most of you who are so outraged right now would be hailing it as a brilliant and necessary piece of legislation. Case in point, the $700B bailout at the end of his administration. Sure, a small handful of Republicans were against it, but not many. Maybe after seven years and nine months of fucking up everything he did, it just didn't seem like a big deal anymore. I don't know. Either way for the most part he got a pass on it.

People who support it, mostly liberals (who I count myself among to an extent, promise): ditto. Were it Bush's proposal you would be outraged and demanding it be stopped at all costs. Which would fail, because you would be relying on the Democrats in Congress to stop it, and we all know they were worthless when it came to standing up against Bush. Of course in Bush's version a quarter of the bill would be contracts for Halliburton, but I digress.

What is the truth? As usual, it probably lies somewhere in between. Something does need to be done, and conservatives who are still saying, "Hey, I have a novel idea! TAX CUTS!" need to be beaten. Severely. Look around. See where we are? Look behind you. See how we got here? Eight years of fucking deregulation and tax cuts. Stop it. Say what you will about Clinton, at least he understood that you couldn't cut taxes and simultaneously raise spending. He did do plenty of things I object to while in office, but he wasn't stupid, and he balanced the budget. I think it's funny that the conservatives love to vilify him, yet he was actually more fiscally responsible than Bush.

I don't have much of an opinion on it. I have not read very much of it, and I do not know if it will work (neither do you, see paragraph one). I have my doubts, but at this point I have my doubts about anything the government tells me. Even so, I am not completely cynical, and I still have my hopes. And even though I am doing okay right now, a lot of people aren't. Like everyone should (fuck you Rush Limbaugh), I hope this can salvage things. Not much else we can do but hope, and hope that it is not misplaced.

Filed under: Current Events, Politics No Comments

5Feb/091

Your god sent us to destroy

I'm really pissed off right now because of the ongoing saga of upgrading my PC. Although that implies that progress has been made, which is not at all the case. So rather than bitch and moan about the time and money lost to that massive headache, let's talk about bone-crushing, ear-splitting, aggrotech industrial music!

I just picked up the newest Combichrist album, Today We Are All Demons and I must say, I am enjoying it thoroughly. If you're not familiar, Combichrist is the brainchild of one Andy LaPlegua. His previous band was Icon of Coil, and though I see Combichrist referred to as the "side project" I haven't heard much from them lately, and I don't think Icon of Coil ever did signings at Hot Topic. Not meant as an insult, I'm just saying...the side project has taken over.

Combichrist's formula is simple, and it works. Pounding beat, harsh electronics and synths, death metal vocals. Repeat as needed. I don't mean this as a bad thing either. The music is pulse-pounding, rousing, infinitely danceable, and darkly entertaining. For me, the weakest link is in the lyrics. A very subjective topic to be sure, but as much as I enjoy the vocal style, the lyrics do little for me on quite a few songs. But on those tracks I treat them like the samples. They are there to add to the mood of the music, the environment. That's all.

It's a good disc, beginning to end, but where it truly stands out is when the mood changes. A New Form of Silence is almost trance-y, and perfectly placed in the middle of the album's brutality as if the band and the listeners just needed a breather. Sent to Destroy is another stand out track, and a dance floor favorite. The title track is phenomenal, and also presents my biggest gripe. At the End of It All is a good track, but just doesn't feel right as the closer. The titular track really should have....no, needed to be, the ending. It is completely different from the rest of the album, a slow, dark, brooding piece, no growl and all introspection.

Anyone who enjoys their music angry and synthetic, and doesn't put too much stock in lyrical weight will probably find something to like here. And if you're a cheap bastard, you can always "preview" it first. Either way, give it a listen. Seriously.

I made this cause I was bored, like the CD, and needed a new wallpaper. Full size version can be seen over here.