3/26/2021 Music Releases

 

Last week saw the releases of Saxon’s “Inspirations” album, which was a good covers album (for the songs I recognized, anyway) and an EP from Ringo Starr, which was a nice release, though a bit of a downer, since no other track hit the majesty of “Here’s To The Nights.”  There was another surprise single from PJ Harding and Noah Cyrus, which suggests to me a full-blown collaboration album/EP is in our future, and a great John Prine cover by Brandi Carlile.

 

On a somber note, I’ve decided that since I can’t go through another season of the pain of Bumbleby apart and I dislike what they’re doing with Godzilla, I’m not going to watch any more RWBY, instead making up my own adventures with Mii Fighter versions of the characters Yang and Blake in Smash Bros. Ultimate as well as playing with them in BlazBlue CrossTag Battle and that Godzilla vs. Kong will be my last Godzilla movie, and that if I read the plot summary on Wednesday and hate it, I will likely not be watching it, either, ending on the high note of Godzilla; King of the Monsters.  This is hard, but not new to me, I’ve ended fandoms at points where what followed or surrounded seemed too stupid/bleak to pursue it before:

 

NCIS: Abby left

Video games: Nintendo replaced the Switch (will happen in the next few years)

Star Wars: The Disney Films

DCEU: Wonder Woman 1984

MCU: Thor; Love and Thunder (will be released next year)

Red vs. Blue: Season 11

Gamera: Gamera 3; Revenge of Irys

Transformers: Transformers; The Last Knight

WWE: Bayley and Roman Reigns become heels, I can make my own matches and storylines in a WWE video game

 

However, this may not end up being the end of me watching RWBY after all, they remind me of people in my congregation family, and as Gibbs said in NCIS: “You fight for your family.  And sometimes, you fight like Hell just to have one.”  I'll need to weigh the possibility of Yang and Blake being separated vs. a life without any news of them, which will likely take some time.

 

On a more positive note, this week has two releases I’ve been waiting for a long time for and was actually able to pre-order in MP3 form, as well as two more releases I can access on Spotify.

 

Carrie Underwood-My Savior: What Bon Jovi’s “2020” was to last year, this album will be to this year.  A Gospel album from the celebrated Country Singer, featuring songs like “Just As I Am,” “Amazing Grace,” “How Great Thou Art” and “Great Is Thy Faithfulness.”  The versions of “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” with CeCe Winans and “Softly and Tenderly” have become anthems of love in these hard months, helping me remember there is someone who cares for me and wants me to rest from my intense, painful fights and labors.

 

Smith/Kotzen: The first album by Adrian Smith (of Iron Maiden fame) and singer/guitarist Ritchie Kotzen (who’s worked as a solo artist and the lead guitarist of Poison), creates an intense hard rock atmosphere through its three singles and features excellent guitar work.  I look forward to hearing what the remaining tracks sound like and are about, it creates the atmosphere of hanging tough in an uncaring/hostile environment.

 

Evanescence-The Bitter Truth: A long awaited album probably planned at the start of last year, this hard rock album from one of the great woman-led bands presents amazing songs like “Use My Voice” and “Better Without You.”  Fun Fact; “Bring Me To Life” (the “Wake Me Up” song that put them on the map) wasn’t supposed to feature the rapper and was originally envisioned more as a desperate plea, but the label insisted, saying the rap would get them more radio airtime.  And admittedly, if not for the rapper, it wouldn’t have been easy for my cousin to find the song and play it in jest of my tendency to sleep in and refuse to get out of bed in the 8^th grade.

 

Tom Holkenborg aka Junkie XL-Godzilla vs. Kong Soundtrack: While I’m unsure if I want to see the movie, that revolves solely around the plot.  The effects and soundtrack look amazing, and when you have the co-composer of the Batman v Superman Soundtrack, composer of the 2018 Tomb Raider film Soundtrack (2^nd Best Video Game movie in my opinion) and composer for the long-awaited/demanded probably 4 hours of pretentious snores Zach Snyder’s re-cut of Justice League (though I’ll admit, I do like that he apparently outright put Darkseid in it) doing the music, you can expect a soundtrack that is tailor-made for action.  Last week, he released his Soundtrack for Snyder’s version of Justice League and I could even imagine Godzilla and Kong brutally fighting in the rain for a theme for Batman, so he’s a good choice.  Even if the plot is my stupid prediction of MechaGodzilla arrives to kill Godzilla and Kong after they’ve worn themselves out, kills Godzilla and Kong kills him so Legendary can sever all ties to Toho and make the Monsterverse just about Kong (which I personally think they will, it fits the 2021 “screw over Daniel” motif), we’ll get an awesome soundtrack to it.

A sad farewell

 Dear Arryn and Barbara,

 

               I am sorry I cannot follow your characters’ journey any more.  I am too plagued by the thoughts that every time you will be together, you will be ripped apart once more for Heaven knows how long, through some hellish storm or temptation.  I can’t watch the show any more, it’s too painful.  But I will always treasure the memories.  The day Yang told Blake she’d save her a dance and Blake accepted stirred something in me, like I could tell it was the start of something special.  And throughout Seasons 4 and 5, I saw the little and not-so-little hints they were aching to be together once more, from even Yang looking forlornly at a stack of books, Blake wanting to be alone and reflect on the hurt she blamed herself for, Yang, the greatest badass I know, reduced to tears at admitting her loneliness to Blake calling out Yang’s name amongst all the combatants in the room, it felt spelled out, you belonged together, no one else in the series had such a commitment.  Ilia also rose, becoming another icon for the LGBTQ+ community, voiced by Caeda/Lucy Heartfilia/Makoto Niijima herself; Cherami Leigh.  This would be the first of two times I would see her butt heads with Tara Platt, but more on that when it’s appropriate.  Then season 6, the “I’ll protect you moment,” where the depth of the feelings were first touched on, seeing the first actual openly LGBTQ+ couple in Saphron and Terra, and the triumphant moment of Protecting Each Other, defeating Adam and embracing in love, finally confirming years of speculation.  After the next season, when I saw them echo a lesbian couple from my congregation, Blake’s Mom, Tara Platt, added more fuel to this fire by playing one of the first openly LGBTQ+ Nintendo Characters, the lone surviving Emperor’s Daughter from a twisted “experiment” to see if two crests would make a better leader, Edelgard Von Hresvelg.  Playing the Black Eagles route, I saw that behind her apparent ruthlessness is a sad little girl trying to make a fair world and life the childhood that was robbed from her.  Only the protagonist, Byleth, can grant her this, and I chose a woman protagonist.  Much like Bumbleby, they were two hard-fighting young women trying to make the world better for the whole, relying on their friends for support and needing each other.  The split of the team last season was painful, every week I would find the little joys, but ache, hoping Yang and Blake would be together again.  That embrace made me cry jubilantly.  Two weeks later, I was told Yang was cast into an infinite abyss, despite Blake’s best efforts.  I was destroyed.  That the reunion would be so brief and there would be probably a whole season, maybe more, before things could be made right…it was too much to bear.  I can’t go through another story arc of pain, knowing another similar arc could be right around the corner.  I’m sorry.  I have to leave.  I will play with Mii Fighters based off Yang and Blake in Smash Bros. Ultimate and the characters proper in BlazBlue CrossTag Battle, but I can’t go through endless, painful, story arcs where you’re separate.  So I have to leave.

 

Good luck in your future and with your series,

               Daniel S.

Dealing with the emotions of RWBY Season 8 again

 So, in at least the penultimate episode of RWBY Season 8, Yang Xiao Long falls into an infinite abyss, despite the best attempts of her girlfriend Blake Belladonna.  To do some writing therapy, yesterday, I wrote this:

Byleth awoke in the Adrestian Castle, yawning as she headed downstairs.  It felt odd to do so alone, but her wife Edelgard was off on a mission last night with Samus Aran and Blake Belladonna.  The door opened as Byleth almost morosely ate her breakfast cereal, missing El’s smiling face as she would eat a cinnamon roll and drink a glass of chocolate milk.  El really liked sweets, making Byleth half-smile.  It was like the sun was gone, though, so it faded quicker than it appeared.  The door opened, the Adrestian Empress coming in, laying Amyr by the fireplace mantle.  “Did you get her?” asked Byleth.  Edelgard shook her head sadly as she poured a glass of milk, seasoning it with chocolate syrup.

“You’d think a pink and brown-haired lady with an umbrella would be easier to spot, but we’ve not found her.” She sighed as she stirred with a spoon.  “The war axe Amyr still patrols in defense of our community.”

“Blake…is Yang…?” fumbled Byleth.

“Yang will recover, you don’t take a fierce warrior down so easy.” Reassured Edelgard.  “But we may not hear from her until November.  When not patrolling with us…Blake doesn’t leave her side.”

“We should go to Brigid.” Said Byleth, wiping a tear from her face.  “This whole thing makes me realize how important your closest friends are…someday, you may not have them.”

“I agree, and I bet Petra and Dorothea would be glad to see us, too.” Smiled Edelgard softly.  She arranged the details with Petra via letter and in a couple of weeks, the two couples were in Brigid, enjoying a relaxing day at the beach.  Byleth was clad in a black bikini, Dorothea in a purple one and a sun hat, Edelgard in a red bikini and a white T-shirt, and Petra in a white bikini.  “Thanks for arranging to see us on such short notice.” Said Edelgard.

“It is not a problem; I hadn’t heard of your Proud Friend.” Said Petra.

“No, honey, she said ‘friend from Pride Events.’ That’s what mainlanders call celebrations of the LGBTQ+ Community.  Men who like men, women who like women and such.” Explained Dorothea.

“Hmm, on Brigid, we have no such events.  Everyone is free to be themselves every day.” Said Petra.

“Most cultures aren’t so lucky.” Said Edelgard.  “When I brought Fodlan forward from Rhea’s rule, I had to learn that most places treat you differently if you’re a man who’s interested in men or a woman who’s interested in women.  Some places even torture and kill you for that, the barbarians.”  Petra held her hand to her mouth in shock.  “But I decided to make Pride Events a priority in Fodlan so any outsider visiting would be welcome to engage in them.  It’s enabled me to bond with Samus and Zelda of Hyrule and their friends, Yang and Blake.”

“So, you take this very seriously, Edie.” Said Dorothea.

“It’s like if someone tried to kill one of my own family, again.  I’ve lost too much to see someone else just get ripped away from us all before they’re ready to say goodbye.” Stated Edelgard, squatting down to doodle in the sand with a stick.  Byleth, Petra and Dorothea saw she was doodling the three of them, and around them, Bernadetta, Yang, Blake, Lysithea, Leonie, Shamir, Marianne and Annette.  “The Ladies of my Strike Force, protecting the Bees.” She said to herself.

“I like it.” Smiled Byleth.

“Yeah, let us know if you need us to help you look for the aggressor, we’ll be happy to lend a hand.” Nodded Dorothea.

“Glad to hear it.” Smiled Edelgard.  She got up.  “I’ll definitely consider it.” She added.  The four continued walking down the beach.

“Edelgard, your hair seems more brown than when I saw you last.” Stated Petra.

“Yeah, it’s been getting some of its original color back since Spring Festival Last Year.  I don’t know why.” Replied Edelgard.

The End 

 

Then, this morning, still not feeling whole, still not feeling fully well, this exacerbated by the weights I've born lately, I fought four Smash Bros. matches and produced the following two screenshots.

 

Yang Xiao Long, I've realized, I love not just because she's a kick-butt, strong independent woman.  I love her because she reminds me of one of my lesbian friends in my congregation at Garden Street United Methodist Church.  She's always been strong, her hands worn with work, kissing her now-wife on her forehead, having short, blue-dyed hair.  She reminds me why I fight for what I'm fighting for.  Here's hoping things improve in Season 9 of RWBY and in real life.

The Previous Week and Music Releases for 3/19/2021

 Last week was quite a week for me, I’ve been going through quite a bit of introspection and self-reflection to discover things I don’t like in the world around me and things I’m afraid of.  Most of all, I’m afraid of being more lonely, more rejected than I feel now because of things I do/have done or opinions I’ve had or currently hold.  I’ve been on a fanart site that produces some wonderful drawings, though some are decidedly not safe for work/family, but others are and showcase great compassion between characters or rocking awesome art of Godzilla fighting other kaiju.  The problem is, I’m afraid that by liking some of the not safe for work/family drawings, I’m losing my place in Heaven, like a man selling his soul to a succubus.  There aren’t really any filters on the website to keep this stuff out of your feed either.  So, I’m confused as to what path to take, leave and forget the good art and the great people who make it along with the NSFW art, or stay and possibly die and burn for eternity?  It’s hard because some of those people really helped me when I was feeling depressed.

 

As for music releases, Selena Gomez’s Revolucion was a good EP, and since I took two years of High School Spanish, I could understand some of the lyrics from time to time.  Blackmore’s Night’s Nature’s Light did indeed have some good rock numbers along with its medieval folk music and I’d recommend fans of Rainbow’s “Down To Earth” album or women singing folk music and rock and roll give it a listen.  Chez Kane’s album was a good debut, but there are some tracks that are a little too synthesizer heavy for my tastes, so it’s best to buy it from a digital retailer and put only the ones you like on a portable music player.  Bon Jovi’s Rarities album wasn’t on Spotify for reasons unknown, so I’ve only gotten to hear “Wanted Dead Or Alive” and “Helter Skelter.”  Both were good, “Wanted Dead or Alive” opens with Jon Bon Jovi telling the audience Bob Dylan told him and Richie Sambora “I love that cowboy song of yours,” and “Helter Skelter” was a nice cover, but it leads into the next track, so for now, it stops abruptly for me until I get more money.  Perhaps the biggest release was Junkie XL (film composer who worked on Batman v Superman and the 2018 Tomb Raider movie, co-composed the cinematic Wonder Woman theme with Hans Zimmer) released the first two tracks for the soundtrack of the upcoming “Godzilla vs. Kong” film.  Kong’s theme is a nice, moody affair, but it’s a bit too long at 7 minutes.  Godzilla’s theme is just over two minutes and has a nice, Ifukube-esque opening, conveying Godzilla’s size and wrath without imagery.

 

As for this week, we’ve got four releases I’m looking forward to:

 

Saxon-Inspirations: A covers album by early 80s British Heavy Metal band Saxon, famous for supporting Motorhead and Judas Priest in their heyday (and they supported Judas Priest on their most recent tour, too).  As the title suggests, this is a covers album featuring music that influenced the band into being.  Great versions of The Beatles’ “Paperback Writer” and Deep Purple’s “Speed King” have already been released as singles, and the track listing promises “Immigrant Song” by Led Zeppelin (the AAAAAAAA-AAAAAAAAAAAAH song), “Stone Free” by Jimi Hendrix and “Problem Child” by AC/DC.  This definitely sounds like it’ll be worth a listen.

 

Ringo Starr-Zoom In: Not many people would still be making music after reaching 80 years old, but for Ringo Starr, age is just a number.  The first single, “Here’s To The Nights,” released late last year, was an inspirational anthem featuring Sheryl Crow, Joe Walsh, Paul McCartney and several others who used online communication resources like Zoom to submit their parts.  Here’s hoping the rest of the EP stands up to the high bar from its first single.

 

Serj Tankian-Elasticity: Punk Rock singer famous for leading System of a Down, singing Blue Oyster Cult’s “Godzilla” in the credits of “Godzilla; King of the Monsters” and several collaborations with guitarist Tom Morello, Serj Tankian is releasing his own EP.  The lead single has a relentless punk rock sound, mixed with Serj’s distinct voice, which can reach several octaves and go from calm to shrieking to calm in a manner of seconds.  This should be an entertaining release.

 

Paul Stanley’s Soul Station-Now and Then: Rhythm guitarist and often lead singer of KISS Paul Stanley decided to take a look back at some of his origins and produce an album made under the influence of Motown and other Soul albums of the 60’s and 70’s.  His first single for this project was a cover of Nina Simone’s “O-O-H Child,” but for me, the third single, “I, Oh, I” is the best one from this project.  With the strings, horns, light guitars and soft, yet soaring vocals, it captures what I associate with classic Soul sound.  I’m hoping for more like it when the album is released.

 

Music can be quite powerful therapy in and of itself.  I hope all of you have some favorite songs to listen to when you feel down and ways to find new songs to help you if the old songs feel too stale sometimes.