Sure, there are some gems that I’ve found–albums that I’ve all-but-forgotten about, but smile fondly when I am now reminded.  But, it’s still mostly a pile of garbage…and it’s still something I can’t bring myself to throw away!

But finally this weekend, after going through the collection for about the 1 billionth time, I decided that I had had enough. I vowed, then and there, to ditch this pile of garbage for good…after I imported them into iTunes, of course

So I started importing the music, disc by disc, album by album. And here’s something I’ve noticed: when your entire CD collection is spread across several zippered carrying cases, it doesn’t seem that large. However, when you pile them all up next to each other–and have to wait on a less-than-speedy CD drive, you realize (very quickly) just how much of a chore awaits you.

Now here I am, nearly 60 discs into the over 350-disc collection. Since continuing is surely a good indication of a deep, consuming neurosis, I thought I’d jot down a few reflections of the process. And at the blistering pace of 0.8x ripping speed for Santan’s “Supernatural,” I’ve got time to burn.

Surprising Thoughts about CDs

• CDs have a surprising resiliency. For the vast majority of their lifetimes under my “care”, these discs have either been under a bed, or in the back seat of a car. Now granted, they were more than likely securely zippered away from the most harsh aspects of their environments…but still. In random spot-checks of my imports, the overwhelming majority of the songs have imported brilliantly. Go figure–these are one of the only things in my life that haven’t been overly and adversely affected by my usual negligence!
• CDs have a surprising capacity for getting stained. Some of the discs that were salvaged from alternate locations have some weird substances etched into their faces. The stains appear to have dimension, but when you go to clean them with a cloth, a handy shirt sleeve, or any other random wiping device, the offending spots are inexplicably merged into the very fabric of the disc. It reminds me of the couch on the stairs in Dirk Gently, but more unexplainable.
• CDs have a surprising ability to work when you couldn’t care less if they did, and completely fail to read when it’s something you’re even marginally interested in retrieving. I’ve encountered a number of discs whose reading surfaces remarkably resemble the surface of the moon, but with less smooth spots. Yet when ripped into iTunes, they read as if their damage were merely an illusion. But, of course, when trying to read a long-lost favorite disc from early college days, a pristine reading surface means nothing. The moment you reveal to iTunes any hint of interest, the plan will fail and you’ll be left in a frustrated cycle of cleaning, reading, cleaning, reading…until you finally reach your breaking point and snap the unreadable disc in two. Of course, at that point, it is now a perfectly viable disc and will unveil its contents flawlessly
• CDs have a surprising indictment to level against the 21st century. The fact that there is not already a real cloud-based music service is the biggest travesty of this young decade. After all, by ripping all these discs to iTunes, I’ve really only kicked the can down the road, so to speak. Since there’s no way to really put all of my music on the web in a usable format, I’m still left to lug around gigabytes of music from machine to machine. Of course, “lugging” between hard-drives is pretty painless, but still…it’s the principle of the matter, people!
• CDs have a surprising ability to remind you of just how crappy the music is that you, and the people you live with, listen to. No matter who you are, there is really no justification for owning the Armeggedon soundtrack. None. So if you DO own it, this would indicate that either your musical preferences are scientifically undetectable, or you are a hoarder. I am a hoarder.
• CDs have a surprising way of reminding you of just how much of a thief you are. Sure, there are some of the more dutiful among us that conscientiously make “backups” of their purchased music (we call these “losers”). But seriously, if you have a disc with 1.) music on it and 2.) the artist’s name written in permanent marker, you are a horrible sinner. And what about all the other legitimate discs that you cannot recall ever buying? Sure, you might just have a bad memory….but what is more likely is that you “borrowed” the disc from a friend and, well, we’re back to the “sinner” bit.  All of the pain you endure when digitizing this collection is your penance.  It’s not God’s fault that you have too many discs to keep track of.
• And finally, for all their flaws, CDs have a surprising way of reminding us how terrible the earlier alternatives were. As painful as importing 350 CDs to iTunes might be, it beats trying to accomplish the equivalent from cassette to CD. Although, come to think of it, cassettes were pretty sweet… So maybe, in the final analysis, CDs are really about the worst idea that could have ever happened. Other than the interwebs.

More Athanasius!  In this installment, Athanasius–in his distinct way–nicely summarizes some of the more important aspects of Trinitarian theology.  Definitely a great passage

It will not be out of place to consider the ancient tradition, teaching and faith of the Catholic Church, which was revealed by the Lord, proclaimed by the apostles and guarded by the fathers. For upon this faith the Church is built…

Light, radiance and grace are in the Trinity and from the Trinity

Light, radiance and grace are in the Trinity and from the Trinity

We acknowledge the Trinity, holy and perfect, to consist of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

In this Trinity there is no intrusion of any alien element or of anything from outside, nor is the Trinity a blend of creative and created being.

Light, radiance and grace are in the Trinity and from the Trinity

Light, radiance and grace are in the Trinity and from the Trinity

It is a wholly creative and energizing reality, self-consistent and undivided in its active power,

For the Father makes all things through the Word and in the Holy Spirit, and in this way the unity is preserved.

Light, radiance and grace are in the Trinity and from the Trinity

Light, radiance and grace are in the Trinity and from the Trinity

Accordingly, in the Church, one God is preached, one God who is above all things and through all things and in all things.

God is above all things as Father, for he is principle and source;

he is through all things through the Word;

and he is in all things in the Holy Spirit.

Light, radiance and grace are in the Trinity and from the Trinity

Light, radiance and grace are in the Trinity and from the Trinity

Google is celebrating the birthday of the phenomenal jazz musician, Dizzy Gillespie.  Dizzy died in 1993, and would have been 93 today.

Overall, I like this song a lot.  It’s not terrifically innovative for Underoath, but if you like what Underoath has done in the past, you’ll like what’s offered here.  Hope you enjoy

Illuiminator

Awake to the sound of emptiness.
Alone in a room that is filled with the darkest of light.
I was told there was nothing beyond here.
How do I know what side I'm on?
Breathe!
A captive with nothing but the thoughts increasing,
Worsening I dont belong here
But I cant find my exit.

This is where they all come to hunt me down, hunt me down
Where they go to hunt me down, they hunt me down

Weigh out the options
Pave the narrow
I know what you're thinking
Come on man I swear you can do this
Come on man I swear you can do this
I break free from this room they built for me
I break free from this room they built for me

This is where they all come to hunt me down, hunt me down
Where they go to hunt me down, they hunt me down

I tore out my lying eyes
So they locked me up
I tore out my lying eyes
So they locked me up
Preying on the innocent

So anyway, over the last few weeks, Tooth and Nail has been hyping and teasing about the release of the new video for Ivoryline’s song “Instincts.”  It finally came out yesterday…

To be honest, I’m not terribly impressed with the video.  There are parts that are interesting, but I think it doesn’t do justice to the song.

Anyway, here’s the video, and the lyrics for the song.  If you agree or disagree with my take, leave a comment!!

Instincts

You'll show me love, no matter what I do.
You'll show me love, even when my back turns on you.
And I will go about my friends
Like I know just what to do,
But I really need your hand
To pull me through.

Let it up, let it up,
Let it out on.

Instincts, can not keep me from falling
I've learned that by now.
Instincts, can not keep me from falling
I've learned that by now

Your start is love, and give us the choice
On who we become, and if I listen for your voice tonight,
And the quicker that we see we can make ourselves
Holy...we'll know we can do this on our

Let it up, let it up,
Let it out on.

Instincts, can not keep me from falling
I've learned that by now.
Instincts, can not keep me from falling
I've learned that by now.

Is it deep in our souls
Really could take us home
To one place where we can find rest,
Don't look left, and don't stray right,
Narrow is the gate that leads to life...

Video

To me, this is one of those tracks that epitomizes how lyrical meaning can be radically extended by the medium in which it is delivered.  While I think the lyrics on their own merits are pretty profound, their execution against the shrill guitars and angst of the vocal performance infuse them with a level of intensity and meaning that could not be captured otherwise.  This is definitely one of my new favorite songs.

Synopsis

This song is basically a conversation between Satan and the crucified Christ, or rather a monologue from two radically different perspectives.

Throughout the song, the devil exults in his apparent victory over the “weak forgiver,” the supposed savior who has been vanquished by the devil’s hand in the grave.  Satan continues by mocking the dead Christ, intimating that he should have used his power to save himself, rather than “wasting power on grace.”  And having triumphed over Christ in death, the devil promises that the same end which now enfolds the body of the redeemer will be that toward which he will lure all those Christ came to save.

But his boast does not end, for though his rise has at times been thwarted, surely this victory in the cross is his vindication.  It is Satan’s crowning achievement, the final necessity for fully claiming the world as his throne, using the very ones Christ failed to save as the backs upon which his rule will be built.  This is a glorious new reality, a “dawn which will last forever.”

Yet in the midst of the violence and provocation, against the boasting of victory and the relishing of death and decay, the words of the crucified break through simply, yet clearly:

“If you could see like me you’d see, you haven’t won anything”

Though the death of the savior appears to be a victory for the powers of sin and death, they see things from a false perspective.  Rather than a loss, through death Christ will be shown as the ultimate victor, triumphing over the power of sinfulness and death through the very means by which they sought to destroy him. Though Satan dons the crown of the “son of the morning” and the “lord of the air” and the “ruler of the world,” Christ will inevitably triumph.  By the newness of life granted to him by the Father, Christ’s resurrection has shown the powers of sin and death to be ultimately bankrupt and vacuous.  Unable to hold Christ in death, the chains of sin and violence are broken, and the rule of the devil and the darkness are shattered forever.

Surely, from a perspective of blindness, it seems obvious that Satan has the upper hand and has triumphed.  But if he could see things from the eyes of the resurrected Christ, he’d see the truth that his power has been broken; his victory is really an everlasting defeat.

I hope you enjoy the song, and if you do, please lend a few dollars and support the band.

Son of the Morning

I am the rival. I am the one who speaks in whisper.

Hear me now, dear, weak forgiver.

Hear me now, weak forgiver. Hear me now…

Don’t send an angel to face the devil.

You’re wasting power on grace. A maggot will always seek to feed from the grave,

where I’ll lead them and teach them to feast on the skin that defeats them, the skin they crave.

If you could see like me you’d see you haven’t won anything.

If you could see like me you’d see, it’s by my grace you’re breathing.

If you could see like me you’d see you haven’t won anything.

If you could see like me you’d see.

Every night I start my rise, climbing high into the morning sky,

but soon after I lose your bride and I damn your son for stealing my light.

This world is mine…

They call me the son of the morning. They call me the son of the morning.

I can mound all your fallen past the clouds as they roll in,

and when I do I will claim your throne through all these cowards you call your sons.

I am the lord of air and my dawn will last forever.

Go on pouring out because in the end I will have them.

If you could see like me you’d see you haven’t won anything.

If you could see like me you’d see, it’s by my grace that you’re breathing.

If you could see like me you’d see you haven’t won anything.

If you could see like me you’d see, your precious light is fading.

Your light is fading.

The Video

Quick note: There is a LOT of screaming in this song.  If that’s not your cup of tea, you’ve been warned

This worked pretty well for me for a long time.  I was too cheap to buy an iPod, , so the 5GB (?) Creative Zen that I mooched off my little brother was the perfect fit.  Then it broke (sorry Jared).  And then Vista started hating the Napster software.  And then all my favorite songs started showing up as only available in 30-second clips.  And then I got my iPhone which, of course, isn’t compatible with most of ANYTHING that Napster does.  It was time for a change.

So the other night I came across on article on Mashable about the launch of a brand-spanking-new app, a gateway app to the MOG music service.

Well, this was the first I had ever heard of MOG, so I decided to check it out.  After quickly glancing at the features it offers, I was hooked.  I dumped Napster and signed up.  Here’s what I get for $10 a month:

• Commercial-free streaming of songs that I pick, not the garbage that Pandora thinks I will like (when I enter “Kenny Rogers” I DO NOT want to hear Kenny Chesney!!!)
• Songs are downloadable to your iPhone/Pod/Pad/Droid, so you can take them offline with you.
• If you feel lucky, you can select a custom ratio of “play the artist that I told you to” to “okay, play some artists that might be similar”
• You can “favorite” songs for easy playback if you don’t feel like downloading them
• Sweet 256Kbps playback…very nice

The one downside of this service is that currently the iPhone app is only enabled in iOS4 to deliver high-res album cover art.  So no multi-tasking, but high-res album art?  That’s some misplaced priorities.  However, I trust that this will be remedied soon.  Once this major oversight is cleared up, it is quite unlikely that I’ll ever be bothered by Pandora’s annoying ads ever again.

If you’re on MOG, or just bored, look me up