I can understand the last one, but this?!?

OK, metal already has some negative connotations, so it's not all that unusual that Metalocalypse (a cartoon about a fictional metal band) is intended for mature audiences. But what about this...?

Tick Tock...

"What could possibly be on Cartoon Network at 1 in the morning? Adult cartoons?" Why, actually, yes. For those who don't know, Adult Swim is a programming block that showcases mature (i.e. - ages 18+, while still "suitable" for those as young as 14) from 10pm to 6am on weeknights and similar times on weekends. Around since 2001, the current programming on [as] includes Family Guy, Robot Chicken and Aqua Teen Hunger Force.

The topic of discussion today is the show Metalocalypse. As the name implies, it has something to do with metal. Acutally... it has everything to do with metal. The plot (if there is one) is centered around the inexplicably and unrealistically famous band Dethklok. The members include frontman Nathan Explosion, lead guitarist Skwisgaar Skwigelf, rhythm guitarist Toki Wartooth, bassist William Murderface, and drummer Pickles.

A half-lie every half-minute

Another week, another metal discussion. This time: Alternative Metal. I like to think of Alternative Metal as the illegitimate child of Alternative Rock, who spent her younger years fooling around with a slew of genres you wouldn't want to bring home to Mama: Heavy Metal, Nu Metal, Gothic Metal, Hardcore Punk, Post-Hardcore, Post-Grunge, Prog, Noise Rock, Hard Rock, Glam Rock and Electronica (the last two can be androgynous at times, and hence lacking of Mama's approval). When Alternative Metal was finally "born" in the mid-90's, his father could not be accurately determined.

"Alternative metal" is a tricky label, because it's as much an unbrella genre as alternative rock. I mean, you could have the "hard rock" of buzz radio ("Well Enough Alone" by Chevelle), the "metal" of pop-punk ("Headstrong" by Trapt) or the "post-grunge" of the new millenium ("Breath" by Breaking Benjamin). The only band I feel that can best define alternative metal is one of my favorites: 30 Seconds To Mars.

A typical night on the Interweb

Yesterday, whilst procrastinating, I had the spontaneous urge to learn "Just What I Needed" by The Cars. With the help of tabs, I learned all but half the solo and thought that be enough for one day. Then I decided to look up some info on The Cars from my #1 music-discovery resource, Wikipedia. As I suspected, the band didn't make it past the 80's and what followed their 1987 album Door to Door were a slew of compilation records.

The last record that Wikipedia lists is The Essentials from 2005. Then I thought I might as well check out what Wiki has to say about "Just What I Needed." To no surprise, it's a heavily covered song; I was already aware of the version by Poison, but was intrigued by one by a band called Replicants. What caught my eye was just their name: it had an edgy punk feel like Rancid while having a sci-fi vibe like aliens pretending to be humans or mercenary clones. Moreover, the album was self-titled, so I just had to check it out.