Definitely Digging the Tones

Every once in a while you are exposed to new music that totally blows you away. Sometimes you check out a new band because of a friend, sometimes you just hear a single on the radio, but inevitably, we are always being exposed to new music, and some of it is bound to tickle our fancy. Over the past month I’ve only had one band playing on my stereo: The Deftones. Now I know what your thinking, the Deftones are nothing new. Its true that I have known of them for over a decade now, and I was even quite familiar with some of their singles (I’m thinking Change in the House of Flys). However, while I appreciated those songs, nothing ever clicked in me that said “wow, these guys fucking rock”. Well recently that all changed. For whatever reason, I decided to check out White Pony. It was love at first listen. Anyone who knows me will testify that I’m a sucker for melodic harmonies contrasted with metal. Well, as it turns out, no one does that better than the band’s front man Chino Moreno. This guy can srcream with the best of them, but also possesses one of the most melodic voices I’ve ever heard. I was so impressed by White Pony that I had all of their albums within the week. I think what impressess me most is that each of their albums is their best. From the raunchyness of Adrenilene to the sophisticated sounds of Saturday Night Wrist, the Deftones are one of the most solid bands that has ever graced my stereo. Each album is unique, talented, but most importantly, extremely easy to listen to over and over. Each time, there is something new to be discovered, something that makes me go “now that is the shit”. I think I have about 15 different favorite songs now.

Eventually, the excitement of discovering a new band will wear off and I won’t be listening to the tones 24/7. Unlike other bands however, Moreno and his boys have definitly carved a niche for themselves in my musical library that will undoubtedly be around for years to come. The Deftones are simply too talented, too raw, to fucking amazing, for me to stop listening any time soon. So whether you’ve never heard the tones before, or you’re an old fan, put on one of their records and go for ride. You won’t be dissapointed.

Lerch's New Albums

Chevelle- Vena Sera

This is the best new album I’ve heard in a while. Vena Sera is the bands fourth release, and picks up right where This Type of Thinking (Could Do Us In) left off. Loeffler’s vocals are amazing as usual, and there is no shortage of the bands well known full bodied sound in this album. It beautifully combines soft harmonies with heavy riffs, creating that classic Chevelle sound. Although the songs on Vena Sera do resemble much of their older work, the songs are still fresh. Far from sounding like a repeat of their earlier albums, Chevelle has created an album that stays true to their classic sound, but also doesn’t sound regurgitated. This is a must have for any Chevelle fan.

8.5/ 10 ~ FREAKIN SWEET

Linkin Park – Minutes to Midnight

I’ve always been entertained by Linkin Park. I like their heavy, yet catchy sound, and I appreciate that they have, in many respects, brought a fresh style to an already tired genre of music. Unfortunately, I found Minutes to Midnight to be mildly disappointing. Although the album does have several classic Linkin Park sounding tunes, the band has branched into new areas that don’t sound nearly as impressive. Several songs on Midnight, such as Leave Out All the Rest, and Shadow of the Day are a new sound for the band. They are much softer and less intricate compared to many of the classic Linkin Park songs. Now I’m not one to suggest that harder sounding bands shouldn’t write quite songs, but this album is riddled with them. Consequently, I only like about 2/3 of this album, Midnight just has too much quite and not enough classic Linkin Park.

6.5/ 10 ~ MEAH

Shane Doan or Don't?

Firstly, I just want to say how disappointed I am about how big of a political controversy this Shane Doan incident has become. This is a pathetic squabble, which really has no place in politics. Surely there are more important things for our noble politicians to be discussing? Regardless, it should not be a controversy at any level, let alone wasting tax dollars on a hearing. First of all, no one even knows exactly what Doan said, so that alone should discredit this whole debate. Secondly, I highly doubt any Canadian is guilt free on the issue themselves, can anyone honestly say they have never said anything derogatory toward French Canadians or vice versa? I doubt it. Its part of what makes us Canadian. We can deny it all we want, but French vs. English is part of who we are and its part of our identity. That’s not to say it’s appropriate, but I think there is a lot of hypocracy going on here. Its not like Doan publicly attacked French Canada, and really it all comes down to who to believe. In my opinion it doesn’t matter. So what if he said anything? So has everyone else.

Gone Camp'n with Jesus

"Let me say something about Harry Potter. Warlocks are enemies of God… Had it been in the Old Testament, Harry Potter would have been put to death! You don't make heroes out of warlocks!" -Pastor Becky Fischer, Camp Director

Last night I watched the documentary Jesus Camp. Intrigued by nothing more than the title, I thought it would be appropriate for the Easter holiday. The film examines the evangelical culture of the mid-west United States by following several children during their stay at the “Kids on Fire School of Ministry”, located at Devil’s Lake, North Dakota. While I believe the film presents the subjects with a negative bias, it is still quite an eye opener. To be honest, it scared the hell out of me. Forsure, I don`t see eye to eye with the political and social views of much of the religious right, but the thing that bothered me in this film was the manipulation of children. It seems to me that these children never get a chance to develop their own ideas, opinions, or beliefs. While I understand that children will naturally develop similar views and values as their parents, there is something very different taking place here. The children in this film are not being influenced by their parents, they are being brainwashed. They simply don’t have a chance. From an early age these children are manipulated to believe certain ideas and reject all others, creating a culture of no tolerance or acceptance. Believe and act as your parents, or go to hell. Quite literally, this is what is being taught to these children and the consequences are huge. I won’t go into details, but this film is definitely worth the watch. I would love to hear what others think.

Presidential Power and the War on Terror

When you are in the business of being the President of the United States, war isn’t always a bad thing; after all, you are the commander in chief of the armed forces. Indeed, President Bush has become an extremely powerful man over the last six years. The “war on terror” has allowed the President to use his role as commander in chief to wage war in Iraq, while infringing on fundamental civil liberties in the United States. Bush routinely cites the war on terror as legitimate cause for holding suspected terrorists without trial, torturing them, and even spying on the American public. Of course, this is nothing new in American politics. Presidents as far back as Lincoln right through to Roosevelt, Truman and Nixon have used war to increase the power of the American executive.

However, there is an important difference between these presidents and the current head of state. While the war in Iraq will eventually come to an end, the war on terror could conceivable last for decades. Traditionally, when presidents use war as a pretext for extending their powers, they are brought back in line by Congress when the conflict has finished. Think of it as a pendulum. During war, it swings toward the presidency, giving him the power to carry out his duties as commander in chief, exercising “executive prerogative”, if you will. After the conflict has ended, Congress traditionally re-asserts its power, effectively swinging the pendulum back. This is a relatively healthy system, each branch of government keeping the other in check, as was intended by the framers of the Constitution. President Bush, however, seems to have found a loop hole. The war on terror has no definite enemy, no definite battlefield, and can never be fully won. Theoretically, presidents for decades to come could use the war on terror to legitimize the extension of the president’s power, permanently keeping the pendulum with the presidency.

Recently, the Senate passed a bill to begin to cut funding for the Iraq mission, which stipulates that soldiers must begin to withdraw in the next four months. It seems that Congress is finally attempting to pull in the reins on President Bush. But even if Congress pulls America out of Iraq, it does not mean the war on terror is over. If Congress truly hopes to keep the presidency in check, it must pass legislation limiting the possible long term implications of such an open ended war. It is, after all the duty of Congress to keep a “check” on the President.