Does This Look Infected? - Album Review

Much like what I said about movies, I feel the same about music. I enjoy listening to a variety of things, and that being things under the genres I like the most. However, it is rare a whole album, from start to finish, is great all the way through. Off the top of my head I can say a few (and of course it is all personal opinion), the last Metallica album 'Death Magnetic' is all parts heavy and great, Green Day's live album 'Bullet In A Bible' is a great collection of songs and an immensely fun show to sing along to and included, is Sum 41's second studio album 'Does This Look Infected?' All of which, I have listened to a great deal of times. I promise as well that despite the cover and title, the look and sound of them have no connection to the songs in any real way. Even so, the singer and rhythm guitarist Deryck Whibley stated that the title was made up on the spot near the very end of putting the album together, after everything was recorded. So, with that in mind, the focus on to the music, lyrics and direction of the album will not have a distraction.

Like I said, this album from track one to track twelve (or fourteen depending if you count the bonus tracks) has one of the pest punk rock and part metal fusion vibes I've ever heard. And despite some songs having more of one feel in comparison to another, there isn't an abrupt arrangement in which it switches around a whole lot. I don't feel lost or confused, but guided on a good listening path in a sense of energy and heaviness. 

Each song I feel has a set of strong and well written lyrics. Many songs on radio today especially have simplistic lyrics and the same few repeated always, this album however strays away from that. The rhyming structures and words chosen for them are coupled perfectly in many senses. With background and deeper meanings I see time after time, the lyrics really make these songs better each time I'll listen to them. Catching something new, or finding a new understand or feel to a grouping of lyrics, I get hooked on a song every time it is played.

Sometimes albums have a positive direction or story behind it. Like Green Day's American Idiot or more recently released 21st Century Breakdown albums. Labeled 'Rock Operas,' there is a definite story behind each song and a obvious relationship from one to the next. It is not that this album by Sum 41 is random or just a collection of songs, but it is neither the 'Rock Opera' either. To me though, there seems to be a link from certain songs to others, and an even possible arrangement that could create that 'story' some albums have. Overall, it is one of the best punk albums I've ever listened to. I love playing along to as many songs as I could with my guitar, playing the songs loud when no one's home, or even just listening to it from time to time. 

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: Great Movie

I'm mostly an easy audience when it comes to movies, meaning, I enjoy and like most things. I don't really complain either, and even when a movie is bad, I still actually like it. I actually favor movies that try too hard too; like the Sy-Fy original movies on TV, that have a giant shark fighting against a huge octopus, I enjoy the stupidity and humor of films like that. However, rarely does a movie blow me away. I've watched (and own) the few that have, and a part of that group would be Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Only recently have I tried to avoid watching trailers since it adds more to my excitement for a movie but, when Scott Pilgrim was coming out, I watched as many trailers as I could. It didn't ruin it for me yet built up the anticipation each time. More than any other genre of movies I like comedies the best. Equally, music has been a passion of mine since I was a child. On top of those two, comic books and super heroes is something I will always like as well. And furthermore, video games by this point is in my blood. So, when all those worlds collide and their meeting is a movie, it needless to say was a must see. 

The movie started right off the back great, with the Universal logo and theme being played and looking like an 8-bit generation video game. Which is a fun throwback to the pixilated era of games in its simplistic looks and adventurous sounds. So far, even before the movie began, the opening titles were cool. With the start of the actual film, it transitioned into a theme being played from a classic Nintendo game, Zelda. Starting out strong with yet another throwback, it was a perfect way to start the movie in my opinion, especially too, a joke was made almost instantly. The whole movie was absolutely hilarious, original and clever in its humor and plot, and it was fast paced but well enough I didn't feel left out yet there was great action and shifts. To me, its only drawback was it being a single film and having to encompass a whole set of graphic novel books. So, seeing two parts and having two movies would have been a great decision but, that's just a fan wanting to watch another movie I suppose. 

The funny thing is too, I found out after I watched the movie there was a series of six books for the film. And to give credit where credit is due, along with me loving the movies, so why not the books? I invested time in reading them. Much like the movie, the Scott Pilgrim books were funny, witty, edgy and something I loved reading. The Scott Pilgrim books and the movie however, have a very specific demographic and fan base. It appeals to the comedy movie fan, a comic book reader at heart, a player of video games, someone who likes some indie or alternative music, and one who is up for complete randomness and fun.  

Land of The Free?

                More than ever it seems, in this new generation of adolescence and decisions, political and economic affairs, foreign and domestic issues, and ideas and beliefs,  so much has differed from greatness. Even when this country was founded on its bold separation and independence, signifying strength and pride of becoming our own, it still started on actions taken against Native Americans. While we wave our flags in unison celebrating who we are as a nation every year, we always seem to forget how it started. We focus on why we became the home of the brave and the land of the free that is for sure but, we neglect the bad side in it. And in today's standards, we do the same. As a society thriving for the best and to always be on top, we all turn an unfortunate cheek to consequence, chivalry and simply put, kindness. Even in the smallest of ways, as in someone sneezing, people commonly do not even show their concern to say two words, 'bless you.' Not that a person obligated to or I mean to force anyone but, out of someone's own respect to their peer, why not just say a short phrase? The same can be said for holding a door for someone close enough to pass on through. Or picking up one small piece of trash that missed its target, so it lays on the ground next to the trash can it is meant to be in. It is so shocking just how similar everyone is in those regards, and yet everyone tries so desperately  to show their quote-unquote individualism. By no means am I saying I am so unique I do not count, and even so, I understand I am a part of some and if not many groups associated to the ones above but, at least I try. I do what I can to distance myself from that modern person so indulged with themselves ; including what they want and have, look past, follow and conform to, or turn into (if not all of those things even). And this is not a call to arms, and me preaching for everything to change. Saying that I did and can, and other could too if they took the time to, no. It is just an observation that I hope opens a few eyes here and there to the world around them. A cliché I know, nevertheless , I think that it is something that needs to be said. I remember in my tenth grade Physics class my teacher asked us a question one day. He said to write it down, and keep it in our backpacks, or at home, on us, just somewhere where it could be seen at most times. The question was, 'How can you make a difference [in a small way that is] everyday?' or at least somewhere along those lines. It struck a chord in me for several reasons, and the main being why he needed to ask it of us. That we as a group of people needed to be asked that question since the world needed deeds even in the tiniest of ways to be done to make it better. It made me think, hopefully it did the same for the others as well.