Marilyn Manson - Antichrist Superstar

Rollie Agado January 13, 2014

Participated in an overnight project for work last night... assisted with the migration of a production server to a virtual environment. The work was equal parts stressful and inconvenient... but it did however provide time to listen to music while waiting for systems to backup or restore.

Settled on spinning Marilyn Manson's - Antichrist Superstar. An artist I learned about my freshmen year of college. I'll never forget my friend Omar coming up to me to show me the event listing in the Metro Times. A demonic looking guy who was rumored to commit suicide onstage on the 15th of October at the State Theater.

I told Omar that I would attend the show if he could figure out a way to get there. Neither of us had cars on campus... so getting around the City (that we really didn't know just yet) was a pain in the ass.

I didn't catch Marilyn Manson on this tour, but did see him on the Mechanical Animals tour about 2 years later.

Antichrist Superstar, in my opinion is Manson's finest hour. The album is heavily influenced by its producer - Trent Reznor - which is no knock on the their other work, it's just an obvious observation.

For some reason, I didn't recall the tracks on this album running so long... I also didn't think that the album would be such an enjoyable listen after all these years. (nearly 20 years old)

Stand Out Tracks:

Artist: Marilyn Manson
Album: Antichrist Superstar
Producer: Trent Reznor, Dave Ogilvie, Marilyn Manson, Sean Beavan
Label: Nothing
Recorded: Nothing Studios

Rolling Stones - Some Girls

Rollie Agado January 12, 2014

There are 4 versions of this sleeve work...

Some Girls by the Rolling Stones has always been a personal fave of mine... the album was a return of having the five (Mick, Keith, Ronnie, Charlie, Bill) Stones record their signature sound. It's always served as a bookend of sorts for me too, in that I don't really care for anything by the Stones after this record.

Picked up my copy in Paris, Texas a couple of years ago while on a road trip to Montreal, Canada. The sleeve work done by Peter Corriston (also did the sleeve work for Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti) features die-cut work that allows you to see the band members in various wigs. There are 4 versions of the sleeve work and you can learn about why by doing a Google search.

One of my top 5 Stones songs can also be found on this album - Beast of Burden. It may also be my favorite song about Sex...

Stand Out Tracks:

Miss You
Lies
Far Away Eyes (there's a blasphemous lyric on this track about running 20 red lights to meet a girl that makes me smile every time I hear it)
Respectable
Beast of Burden
Shattered

Artist: Rolling Stones
Album: Some Girls
Producer: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards (a.k.a. The Glimmer Twins)
Label: Warner Brothers
Recorded: Pathé Marconi Studios

Completion (of Season 1) - Masters of Sex

Rollie Agado January 11, 2014

Artwork by ArtZEE Me - click to visit tumblr feed

Took a number of days throughout the week, but slowly plowed through 12 hours to complete the first season of Masters of Sex.

Found the show to be incredibly rewarding to watch. In addition to exploring human sexuality and gender roles - it came around and explored the strains and complexities that sex has on relationships.

I haven't had a chance to read any recaps on the show yet, but I'm curious to hear if anyone else is excited about this show possibly occurring within the confines of a 10 year (on screen) period.

I'm not suggesting that there should be 9 more seasons of this show - but the core of the show is the study itself and I would really like to see this show not overstay its welcome. Something that Showtime shows have traditionally done in the past.... (Californication, Dexter, Weeds... for example)

Anyhoo - things I'm looking froward to seeing in Season 2.

Dr. Masters - must find a new place to continue his work. The last scene between him and Virginia in the rain was pitch perfect. I'm curious if we get to learn more about what his father did to him...

Virginia Johnson - is the most interesting character on the show in my opinion. Not only is she the most sexually confident and tuned character on the show, she's an emotional compass for the show. There are so many things pinned to her character and her performance was flawless in the first season. Every decision she makes in season 2 will be closely watched...

Mrs. Masters - the character wants to grow more... Motherhood will undoubtedly keep her busy - but there's much more to explore there. She's on to the connection between Virginia and Dr. Masters... Something has to give.

the Study - really curious to hear what myths get debunked next...

Broken Social Scene - You Forgot it In People

Rollie Agado January 11, 2014

Sun is out in San Antonio and it's absolutely picturesque outside... got to sleep in so rewarded myself with a rewarding listen in the morning.

Broken Social Scene's - You Forgot it In People is one of my favorite albums from the early 2000's. It was a record that paired nicely to being in your mid 20's. I recall seeing them share a bill with the band Metric and that made the night especially perfect because I saw Broken Social Scene perform as a complete ensemble.

Must say... I never cared for the LP artwork. I always liked the CD packaging a lot more. I'm undoubtedly in the minority.

Stand out tracks:

Artist: Broken Social Scene
Album: You Forgot it In People
Producer: David Newfeld
Label: Arts and Crafts
Recorded: Stars and Suns

Jawbox - My Scrapbook of Fatal Accidents

Rollie Agado January 10, 2014

When I'm not feeling particularly well on the inside... I know I can always count on a couple of albums to sorta match my mood.

Jawbox's album, My Scrapbook of Fatal Accidents is a collection of compilation songs / outtakes / covers / split single sides / john peel sessions.

The track listing is pitch perfect. The album also contains my favorite Jawbox song - Apollo Amateur
Here are the opening lyrics...

time to drive out to nowhere special
just to believe you're thinking straight
soothed by the blurred and interstitial
happy to ruminate on hate
slurring the words to half a love song
shamed like the amateur on stage
mouthful of coins for penny candy
dreaming there's nothing more at stake

J. Robbins can do no wrong... met him once in Detroit, but I'll save that story for the day I talk about his other project - Burning Airlines.

Stand out tracks:

Artist: Jawbox
Album: My Scrapbook of Fatal Accidents
Producer: James Robbins (a.k.a. J. Robbins)
Label: DeSoto Records
Recorded: ? (compilation recordings/john peel sessions)

OutKast - Aquemini

Rollie Agado January 9, 2014

So the internet was a buzz today with OutKast headlining Coachella - felt it was appropriate to dig out my copy of Aquemini...

This disc really brings back allot of great memories for me. In college, I spent a lot of time listening and discussing hip-hop with one particular friend - Tony Weakland. His personal collection of Hip Hop albums was unparalleled to anyone I had ever met. His knowledge bordered on encyclopedic... which may have been a byproduct of being white.

I don't know how many hours were lost discussing the cultural significance of hip-hop... but I vividly remember listening to SpottieOttieDopaliscious for the first time and pressing him for details about OutKast.

I wonder what Weakland thinks about the OutKast reuniting for Coachella? Just sent him a DM on twitter...

Anyhoo - here's my favorite cuts from the album:

Artist: OutKast
Album: Aquemini
Producer: OutKast
Label: LaFace Records
Recorded: Doppler Studios and Souther Tracks Recording

Reality Fantasy Week 1 : Real World Ex-Plosion

Rollie Agado January 8, 2014

Damn... episode one of Real World's Ex-plosion just aired and it absolutely brought the goods. If you haven't seen the Real World in a number of years... its nothing like the Real World that aired in the 90's.

The producers of the show have figured out a way to screen 7 people who will have sex with each other within hours of simply meeting each other.

Needless to say... the new cast members scored BIG in the Reality Fantasy tonight.

RULES AND SCORES CAN BE SEEN HERE

Top 3 Ballerz

Ashley M. : 165 points
Ashley M. completely brought it in Week One... I really can't imagine anyone topping this high score. What's even crazier is that we currently don't have a way to score someone throwing Hamburger Grease on a roommates face and telling another roommate that her family can buy their family.

50 points - getting Crazy drunk TWICE
25 points - Unintentional Nudity 5 separate times.
10 points - Verbal fights with Corey/Jaime
15 points - crying 3 separate times
15 points - kissing Corey twice and kissing frenchie
20 points - calling home and telling them that she's not liked...
25 - sex with frenchie

Corey : 70 points
Bless my boy Corey for attempting to keep up with Ashley in the first episode. The guy seems to crush on girls pretty easily, so I hope he can average around 30 points a week for me.

20 points intentional nudity
5 points verbal spat with Ashley M.
10 points for Kissing Ashley M. twice (club/cab)
5 points for Kissing Jenny
25 points for sex w/Jennie in confessional
5 points for being drunk

Jenny : 40 points
Jenny threw down a solid week 1 performance... She did a couple of things in the first episode that we need to figure out how to score in future weeks. Example: she brought home a guy from the bar she didn't intend to sleep with. She also pulled a robbery on Ashley M. and had sex with Corey in the Confessional...

5 points crying on phone with ex.
5 points kissing with Corey
25 points for sex with Corey
5 points blurcle in Confessional
5 points for being drunk

Oasis - Definitely Maybe...

Rollie Agado January 8, 2014

Of all the Oasis albums I own in my collection (I own their first three releases), my least favorite of the bunch is Definitely Maybe... which sounds a little harsh I guess. I think it's a solid album, I just happen to like it less than [What's the Story] Morning Glory and Be Here Now(which is grossly underrated).

I vividly remember going into a Sam Goody in Harlingen, Texas to buy this album when I heard Live Forever was selected as our class song... I didn't quite get how it garnered enough votes - but there's a good chance that its better than your class song.

Stand Out Tracks:

Artist: Oasis
Album: Definitely Maybe
Producer: Oasis, Mark Coyle, Owen Morris, Dave Batchelor
Label: Epic
Recorded: Sawmills Studio

Reality Fantasy is Back! Real World Ex-plosion

Rollie Agado January 7, 2014

Did you know that the Real World - Season 29 (San Fran 2) - aka: Ex-Plosion is back tomorrow night? Do you know that means right? Say it with me...

REALITY FANTASY IS BACK!

Rounded up 4 co-workers to participate in a draft this afternoon... if you're curious to see what the rules are or who's on what team - simply click here.

Gotta say, I'm pretty stoked with the two cast members I selected in the draft. I selected Cory with the 3rd overall pick of the draft and then picked up Jaime in the second round with the 6th pick.

Their respective bios:

Corey: On a journey to do the right thing, Cory complicated his life with multiple women and his inability to express himself. Cory, the football star, lost his athletic scholarship from Ohio Dominican University due to a pregnancy scare with a girl that he was dating. He later discovered that the story was a complete hoax, which lead him to leave school with a year left to complete. He has recently moved to Los Angeles from his home in Michigan where he now loves working as a personal trainer at a national gym. Back home, Cory has an ex-girlfriend Lauren whom he has dated on and off since the seventh grade. Their stormy relationship has resulted in ongoing issues with cheating, jealousy, explosive tempers, and crazy arguments. Cory was less than thrilled to find out his ex was joining him this season on the Real World, since he already started forming a friends with benefits relationship with roommate Jenny. Will Cory be able to make up with his ex-girlfriend and form a friendship or more with her or does he find himself so attracted to Jenny that he wants to let Lauren go?

Jaime: This tattooed hottie is a hot head troublemaker and is willing to confront any issue head on which sparks an early feud with roommate Ashley. Jamie is originally from Pflugerville, Texas. As she describes it’s “a mix of country and ghetto.” Her rough upbringing set her in a world-wind of turmoil. Jamie is not shy about expressing her sexuality and her desires are met when she starts a relationship up with roommate Thomas. As they try to keep their sexual relationship a secret from the roommates, Jamie and Thomas continue to fight about their status. Jamie’s ex-boyfriend decided not to move into the Real World house since he was on tour with his band, although he does regret breaking things off with Jamie. Will Jamie’s attitude towards life keep her from finding love? Once Hailey starts making a pull for Thomas, will Jamie back down or fight back?

6 Episodes Deep (the Mid-Point) - Masters of Sex

Rollie Agado January 7, 2014

Just concluded the sixth Masters of Sex episode - "Brave New World" and can confidently say that this show has the goods.

Digging the show on a number of fronts...

Human Sexuality: Quite happy to see that every episode ties back into the study of Human Sexuality. Hellie informed me the other day that the show went to some great pains to let the accounts of the study unfold without taking any liberties. Between episodes 3 and 6... the study was removed from the University and then allowed to return because Dr. Masters had some dirt on the Provost...

Dr. Masters could really use a fucking solid from the wardrobe department.  Everything he wears is ill-fitting.    Mrs. Masters on the other hand is simply stunning. — Dr. Masters could really use a fucking solid from the wardrobe department. Everything he wears is ill-fitting. Mrs. Masters on the other hand is simply stunning.

The two central characters Dr. Masters and Research Assistant (read: no longer secretary) Virginia Johnson - have begun pioneer work of measuring Vaginal and Clitoral orgasm and the fun doesn't stop there. The team is now spitballing ways to measure sexual release. Orgasms have been reportedly achieved by cleaning ones ears / brushings ones teeth / rubbing ones tit... skies the fucking limit and Dr. Masters is all about seeing it happen from the comfort of his 2-way-mirrored glass.

Relationships and Gender Roles: Relationships and Gender Roles are what really make this show so interesting to watch. Dr. Masters is married on the show and he seem's to only be married because it's the adult thing to do. Earlier in the season, we see a young Dr. Masters at a BBQ with the Provost - where he expresses his interest in wanting to study Human Sexuality. This would be the late 1930's... and said studies in America were apparently unheard of. The Provost tells the young Dr. Masters that he would have to wait until his 40's to do that type of work. He would have to have an established career... and married to a woman. All of which seemed to turn his stomach... but it sorta rounds out the character of Dr. Masters.

He's truly dedicated to his work... He and his wife get pregnant and lose their pregnancy about 5 months (5 episodes) in and it seems to be splitting them apart. He's pretty distant to begin with... but this isn't helping.

While all this is playing out... all the characters are living in a world that seems like another planet to me. The gender roles on this show completely floor me. Which is kinda weird seeing that there are a number of period dramas - like Mad Men - that explore these themes... but there's some a little more "punctual" about the subject on this show.

The idea of Women Doctors is alien. Women producing their own orgasms is alien... I still can't wait to see the look on everyones faces when a squirter participates in the STUDY!