Eccentric Brew

Nowadays you ask someone what they listen to, and most people say "a little bit of everything". But just a few years ago, that wasn't the case. The records you bought really counted and had significant roles in one's identity or personality. There was some kind of passion involved in the individual as a listener and consumer. Sometimes I think that people used to really LISTEN and not just listen to music, but of course that isn't true or fair to say.

Back in this time, when you saw a "rare" music video on TV, you probably flipped out and paid close attention. I specifically remember watching certain music videos and getting a buzz. I also really valued listening to radio stations, such as Hot 97, Power 99, Q102, Z100, etc, when visiting nearby metropolitan areas; I guess it was my way of envisioning what I thought "like-minded youth" were listening to. Boy, I sure was wrong though. That feeling of some kind of movement dissolved as I got to college, but that's another story.

It was around the 6th grade (mid-90's), on the brink of teenage anxiety, that I started to seek refuge in music, or popular music should I say. During this time, I would buy 1 new cd/cassette a month if I was lucky, and examples of my first musical choices are shown below. At such an age, music was my means to bond with people without having to use any grown-up social skills. I hope in 2008, that's still possible. Every so often, I go back and listen to those records that I first listened to, to find some child-like relief, rekindle a little sensitivity, and ground me in some kind of reality. I'm just a cornball, but hey I can be cool too right?

(Final note: A valid question people may have for me is why I bother to read/see/listen to half the things I do. (*"Soul For Real? C'mon...") I guess I've always been an observer and outsider to every scene and social setting that I've encountered, even the ones that I feel very much a part of . In the process, I feel I've been conditioned to simply "extract" and take what I can for my own use. Exploitation maybe, survival for an identity: sure. But yea, I'm open to debate and concerns...)

Literally the first four pieces of music I ever owned...

The Cranberries- No Need To Argue

No Need To Argue was the first compact disc I ever bought. This kid made fun of me for liking The Cranberries, especially since Dolores O'Riordan sang with a tremolo effect?! Oh well, he liked Pearl Jam, and I still think they're wack. This clip is from their MTV Unplugged series, which at the time was great.

Madonna- I'll Remember

My sister gave me this song on maxi-casette (whatever that meant) for my 12th birthday. It was on the With Honors soundtrack, and I think that was a decent movie at the time. I digress though...it was still a good song.

R.E.M.- Monster

This song was pretty big on MTV at the time, and I thought it was a cool song. I don't think I ever understood the lyrics ever though. In retrospect, Michael Stipe sure dances funny in this video though.

Soul For Real- Candy Rain

Soul For Real was the jam, and they definitely made some bangers.

-Carryout *

I was in Promised Land, PA(About 3 hours North of Philly) this past weekend and skated a real fun 3.5 ft. mini. The ramp was nestled in the woods and was painted in camo. It had a huge American flag perfectly painted on the flatbed, and military mesh on the back of the deck to go with the camouflage theme. This made me look up miniramps on flickr, and I found some pretty interesting ones that had artistic themes that were really pushing the envelope. These two that are pictured are in Beijing. -Jaguarman

Random Stuff

Above: More from Wyoming, PA. Kinda blurry though.Below: Throwback Mr. Magoo.
Below: Outdoor living.
Homemade 'Za
And finally, a quick glance at the booming graff scene in East Stroudsburg, PA.
-Jaguarman
Also note: A lot of good mixes happening lately courtesy of Mr. Kiji. Most notably his covers compilation.

God Bless West Wyoming

West Wyoming, PA. -Jaguarman

a worm got into the bears

--dan

One Day It Will All Make Sense

With the advent of growing up, I started to peep WIRED magazine for kicks. Some major moves right here, baby; I went from watching The Wire to reading WIRED. Anyhow, I found one joint on their website that highlights 12 ways to improve your daily lifestyle from a WIRED point of view. For example, one tip is to distract oneself during a study session to improve memory processing. Another good one mentioned is to maximize your energy levels by spacing out small doses of caffiene during the day, rather than taking one powerful dose in the morning. To be honest, I think WIRED magazine kind of sucks, but there's still a lot of great things to extract from it.


Back in the late 90's, Ted Newsome had a monthly 2 page section in Transworld called the "A New York Minute". It was probably my favorite feature, because it featured East Coast skating and tidbits that drive East Coast skaterats like myself wild. It was definitely more creative and loosely organized than any other standard TWS article. It was essentially a lifestyle piece, before that particular lifestyle became branded beyond realness. Thanks to Chrome Ball Incident for posting that blast from the blasts.



Last but not least, I have always been a fan of WARP records. Sometimes I would like to think of it as a gentleman's MoWax. Some of my favorite Warp artists have been Vincent Gallo, Clark, Boards of Canada, and Jackson and the Computer Band. Recently, WARP released the album "LOS ANGELES" by the artist known as Flying Lotus. It's got some bangers on it, especially the ones that feature the female vocals of Golly. The youtube link above is a sample of my favorite song on the album called "Infinitum".



I rolls dolo from Chinatown to Chinatown.

-Cool Carryout

Bernie Mac Laugh Guerrilla/ Isaac Hayes Out For The Scrilla (*R I P)

In the news recently, "researchers at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston found that a baby's smile activates a region in the mother's brain known to produce feelings of euphoria." That is some ill sheet if I can say so myself.

"The same can be said for money and praise; Japanese researchers have linked both to the brain's pleasure centers. In other words, whether you get a raise at work or a big compliment from the person you're dating, your striatum -- the brain's reward system -- is likely to be turned on." British researchers also found that "successful shopping produces a euphoric experience equal to kissing and other romantic activities."

Did I say this is some ill sheet? (For the link to real article...)

So go give some compliments, look at a baby smile, climb a mountain, give that lemonade stand a buck, and find that deadstock Wu-Wear XXL jacket you've been looking for all this time.

-Carryoutism*