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My latest BMG shipment arrived over the weekend…

• W.A.S.P. – The Neon God: Part I – The Rise
• W.A.S.P. – The Neon God: Part II – The Demise
• John Mellencamp – John Mellencamp
• John Mellencamp – Cutting Heads
• John Mellencamp – Words & Music
• The Darkness – Permission to Land
• Soundgarden – A Sides
• Orgy – Candyass

Mildly diverse. Not quite as diverse as my last Tower run, but close. I haven’t really listened to very much except the Orgy and a few Mellencamp tracks. Laura got me turned on to ‘Your Life is Now’ from Mellencamp’s self titled album. So, I have been listening to that and a full run through the hits collection, Words and Music. I used to have the Soundgarden album, but it disappeared somewhere along the way. I am saving the WASP for when I have time to listen to both albums straight through. Probably tomorrow or really late tonight.

My first task was to rip everything. I now have over 51 Gbs of mp3s, over 10,000 tracks from 247 different artists. Well, not exactly 247. I have several compilation albums which count a one artist in my totals, but there are tracks from multiple artist on each disc. You know what I mean.

So. I have a rhetorical question for you.

When did Ozzy morph from the Prince of Darkness to a fucking cartoon?

I noticed he has a new cover album out. I picked it up and read the track list. Yawn. I haven’t really been happy with his output since the Zakk left the fold. Even his continued orbit hasn’t kept the Oz man in the realm of notably good tracks. Since I don’t watch much TV, I don’t have much opinion about the TV show, beyond, “Why?” More to the point, “Why should I care?” I feel I have every right to ask this question. I have more than a few of his albums. I spent the money. I went to a couple concerts along the way. I have the DVDs. So what happened? When did he move from Satan incarnate to a clown that everyone laughs at?

Maybe I am just getting old. I like the material that came out when I was in High School. You know, back in the dark ages! Like ’87. LOL Right now, I have my new Crue DVD playing on my third monitor while I work/type tonight. The volume is up enough that I can clearly hear everything when I am at the other end of my house. Speaking of which, Mick Marrs looks like he could/should/will drop dead any day now. ^(*)

What’s happened to real music? I admit I have a very strong bias against most modern material. I never have liked anything produced by Brittney Spears or Nelly or Toby Keith. Is this the problem of cookie cutter bands and marketing hype over riding the basic notion that good quality music will generate revenue over time?

I dislike Hip-Hop and new Country. I hate rap. I took the coursework in race, media and gender. I get it. I know what is going on. That doesn’t mean I have to like it. In fact I think it makes me a better social critic because I understand the issues and have chosen a position on the issues in question.

Don’t get me started. Too late.

I had better stop now. My drum set is calling. After a little thrash time, I should be in a better frame of mind. I think a little Dr Feelgood might curb my aggression.

Footnote: Mick Mars suffers from ankylosing spondylitis a a painful, progressive, rheumatic disease. For more info, go to spondylitis.org or nass.co.uk