So what have I been rocking as of lately? Nothing much...except for some Friedrich Nietzsche!
He's been very entertaining so far....for those that are "too far gone" (Christianity?) from a religion, you need Nietzsche! He really can go on for awhile about how he's against Christianity, and I found a few viewpoints I really agreed with, most notably:
Christianity is an anti-life religion.
That's wrong, isn't it? Well, if you ask me it is. Anything that preaches for something beyond is basically negating this life (unless maybe it's telling you to enjoy this one under the impression there might never be a beyond) is a bad religion to me. The earth, the animals, life...all things we should cherish. Not "negating" this life or killing yourself to reach a "beyond" that might not be there (Islams, is that choo?)
Anyhow, on to the music front. Chris Bell and Big Star is some genius, heartfelt music. "I Am The Cosmos" from Rykodisc, comprised of recordings Bell made from 1973-1978, is pure genius. And sad as hell too. The single above was released on Car Records (also known as Carnivorous Records and run by Chris Stamey, notable from the Sneakers and dB's) was put out in 1978 after years of struggle in Europe trying to get a record deal. Depression, questionings about God and his sexuality, all culminated in one of the most heartfelt albums ever. It burns deep.
Big Star should need no introduction either. He was an original member (in fact his old band Icewater/Rock City was before them and featured some of the same members) and when Alex Chilton from the Box Tops joined, it exploded into #1 Record. He left in early 1973 after the record's utter failure and left a small impression on Big Star's next LP, Radio City, from 1974. Anyway, this history has been well told elsewhere, so I'm not gonna prattle on. Google is your friend!
