a jess-date, and BLIND MELON
like an update, but about jess!
First of all- I went up to Sewanee on Saturday night and stayed til Sunday night. I had the best time! Charlie and all his friends/roomies are great people. They are intelligent, kind, funny, laid back, motivated, respectful, and fun. It was just what I needed; also, I ate the best sundae of my life!
Secondly, if you don't listen to Blind Melon, you sure as shit should. Shannon Hoon's songwriting abilities are incredible. Not only his lyrics, but his voice and rhythms as well are rippingly raw, shamelessly truthful, and emotionally intelligent.
I remember when the days became longer in April/May, and I'd leave rehearsal at six and walk through the city streets. I'd listen to this one song, "St. Andrew's Hall", on repeat, because it wouldn't allow me to feel lonely. I'd take my journal to the Hudson River and watch the boats and people and the delicate, fading sky. Just me, any thoughts I chose, and Blind Melon. There's an innate peace I found during this time, and part of that is due to the myriad ways Shannon Hoon finds to describe one state of being.
This one state of being remains nameless throughout his albums and, in accordance to its nature, cannot be revealed simply. This is why Hoon's songwriting is so effective: he finds the truth in the complexity of emotion, and in paying homage to this complexity (and thus to himself) he devotes every note, every harmony and every vascillation in volume, key, and meter to that state of being. To himself. To everything that pours out of himself that he can hardly link to his waking life.
Maybe that state of being is what spurred his drug addiction and ultimately, his death. He overdosed in October of 1995, a tragic and distinctive loss in the music industry, but also for every emotionally inarticulate person; for anyone appreciating truth and reality coupled with talent and, at times, sheer ingenuity.
I wonder if everyone who listens to Blind Melon-- really listens-- comes to the same conclusions that I just tried to describe. I believe it would be difficult for someone not emotionally and intellectually sensitive to appreciate this music; however, it is possible that he is such a genius that more than one kind of person can appreciate his genius. I would not doubt this.
So do me, and probably yourself, a favor and check out some more Blind Melon besides "No Rain." The ones I recommend are "St. Andrew's Hall", "The Pusher", "Hell", "Soup", and "Change." Then, let me know somehow what you think.
Now, since it is raining outside and I have felt lethargic since I got up two hours ago, I am going outside to smoke a cigarette and then get on some studying. I hope everyone has an amazing day filled with love, philosophy, and understanding in reality.
First of all- I went up to Sewanee on Saturday night and stayed til Sunday night. I had the best time! Charlie and all his friends/roomies are great people. They are intelligent, kind, funny, laid back, motivated, respectful, and fun. It was just what I needed; also, I ate the best sundae of my life!
Secondly, if you don't listen to Blind Melon, you sure as shit should. Shannon Hoon's songwriting abilities are incredible. Not only his lyrics, but his voice and rhythms as well are rippingly raw, shamelessly truthful, and emotionally intelligent.
I remember when the days became longer in April/May, and I'd leave rehearsal at six and walk through the city streets. I'd listen to this one song, "St. Andrew's Hall", on repeat, because it wouldn't allow me to feel lonely. I'd take my journal to the Hudson River and watch the boats and people and the delicate, fading sky. Just me, any thoughts I chose, and Blind Melon. There's an innate peace I found during this time, and part of that is due to the myriad ways Shannon Hoon finds to describe one state of being.
This one state of being remains nameless throughout his albums and, in accordance to its nature, cannot be revealed simply. This is why Hoon's songwriting is so effective: he finds the truth in the complexity of emotion, and in paying homage to this complexity (and thus to himself) he devotes every note, every harmony and every vascillation in volume, key, and meter to that state of being. To himself. To everything that pours out of himself that he can hardly link to his waking life.
Maybe that state of being is what spurred his drug addiction and ultimately, his death. He overdosed in October of 1995, a tragic and distinctive loss in the music industry, but also for every emotionally inarticulate person; for anyone appreciating truth and reality coupled with talent and, at times, sheer ingenuity.
I wonder if everyone who listens to Blind Melon-- really listens-- comes to the same conclusions that I just tried to describe. I believe it would be difficult for someone not emotionally and intellectually sensitive to appreciate this music; however, it is possible that he is such a genius that more than one kind of person can appreciate his genius. I would not doubt this.
So do me, and probably yourself, a favor and check out some more Blind Melon besides "No Rain." The ones I recommend are "St. Andrew's Hall", "The Pusher", "Hell", "Soup", and "Change." Then, let me know somehow what you think.
Now, since it is raining outside and I have felt lethargic since I got up two hours ago, I am going outside to smoke a cigarette and then get on some studying. I hope everyone has an amazing day filled with love, philosophy, and understanding in reality.