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March 31, 2008

I'm Betting People Will Appreciate « Music/Guitar »

This:

You Tube. The crutch for lazy bloggers.

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March 29, 2008

Outside the Wire, the DVD « GWOT »

I ordered it. You should, too.

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March 28, 2008

...Because, Hey! Free Photoshop! « For Jeremy Gilby »

In case you were wondering.

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Top Eight Most Influential Rock Drummers « Music/Guitar »

As always, this is my assessment of who is influential, not necessarily who I like, or who I think is the most skilled (although you have to be particularly skilled to make this list). These are the drummers who I know by name, whose style I can identify without hearing the song with it, the ones whose style is a point of comparison in music reviews, and/or the people I have heard cited by drummers as people they want to drum like.

1) Buddy Rich
Even though he's a jazz drummer, his ability and style influenced all drummers. He is, quite simply, the best ever.
From his wiki entry:

Rich's technique has been one of the most standardized and coveted in drumming. His dexterity, speed and smooth execution have been considered Holy Grails. While Rich typically held his sticks using traditional grip, he was also a skilled "match grip" player, and was one of few drummers to master the one-handed roll on both hands. Some of his more spectacular moves are crossover riffs, where he would criss-cross his arms from one drum to another, sometimes over the arm, and even under the arm at great speed.

He often used contrasting techniques to keep long drum solos from getting mundane. Aside from his energetic explosive displays, he would go into quieter passages. One passage he would use in most solos starts with a simple single-stroke roll on the snare picking up speed and power, then slowly moving his sticks closer to the rim as he gets quieter and then eventually playing on just the rim itself while still maintaining speed. Then he would reverse the effect and slowly move towards the center of the snare while increasing power.

Another technique that few drummers have been able to perfect is the stick-trick where he does a fast roll just by slapping his two sticks together in a circular motion.

2) John Bonham
Great drummer. Perhaps a little messy, but great passion, groove, and ultimate feel. I once heard him described as "the loudest drummer ever."
From his wiki entry:

He was renowned for his power, speed and "feel" for the groove. Bonham is described by the Encyclopdia Britannica as "the perfect model for all hard rock drummers that have followed him".[

3) Neil Peart
In contrast to Bonham, Peart is one of the most precise and cleanest rock drummers I've ever heard. From his wiki entry:


Peart is often regarded as one of the finest practitioners of the in-concert drum solo. He is known for extensive, intricate drum solos containing odd time signatures, complex arrangements (sometimes total separation between upper and lower limb patterns.

4) Lars Ulrich
Thrash Metal is to drumming what Neo-Classical Yngwie J. Malmsteen-style speed soloing is to guitar: even if you don't play that style, the technique has to be part of your repertoire. And Lars Ulrich spearheaded the effort. From his wiki page:

Ulrich's early work with Metallica led him to be dubbed as one of the thrash metal scene's drumming greats. He became known as a pioneer of fast thrash drum beats and techniques, featured on many of Metallica's early songs... He has since been considerably influential due to both the popularity of his band and his interesting drum techniques, such as the machine-gun double bass in the song "One" and the pounding opening of "Enter Sandman".

5) Keith Moon
I don't know that much about him, but he is clearly one of the most influential rock drummers of all time:

Moon is known for innovative, dramatic drumming, often eschewing basic back beats for a fluid, extremely busy technique focused on fast, cascading rolls across the toms and cymbal crashes. Moon was one of the first to play the drums as a lead instrument in an era when drums were supposed to only keep the back beat. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most distinctive rock drummers of all time.

6) Ginger Baker
I'd heard that the members of Cream were all egotists trying to upstage each other. If so, I think that despite Eric Clapton getting all the fame*, Ginger Baker was actually the most influential member of the band. According to his wiki entry, Ginger was in the same flamboyant mold as some of the other influential drummers in this list, but spearheaded the use of a double bass drum. That's worthy of inclusion right there.

7) Stewart Copeland
Just slightly less crisp and precise than Peart, Copeland still hewed his own path to a distinct enough sound and style that he gets his own mention. From his wiki entry:

Copeland is known for his precise, energetic, and creative rock drumming along with a reggae and jazz influenced style. His distinctive sound centers on a hard, high-pitched crack on a snare drum or rimshot, subtle hi-hat work with understated flourishes, while often playing only hi-hat with bass drum. Copeland is a master of the syncopated beat, and his distinct approach consolidates his position as an important drummer on the world stage, subsequently influencing generations of drummers.

Copeland is also noted for his heavy emphasis on the groove as a complement to the song, rather than displays of technical prowess. He once drove this point home at a drum clinic: Copeland announced that he would show the audience something "that very few modern drummers can do," and proceeded to play a simple rock beat for two minutes. Nonetheless, his playing often incorporates spectacular fills and subtle inflections which greatly augment the groove. Compared to most of his 1980s contemporaries, Copeland's snare sound was very bright and cutting. Another novelty was his use of splash cymbals. He also is one of the few rock drummers using the traditional grip rather than the matched grip.

8) Rick Allen
His wiki entry sells him short, in my opinion.
Yes, Rick Allen is influential because he's probably the only one-armed drummer in the world, ever. But he earns a spot on this list because he is one of the best drummers I've heard at surprising sequences of beats. He doesn't do anything that complicated, but it never fails to sound special to me. I might consider him the equivalent to Carlos Santana: his musical sense is impeccable, even if his technique is nothing to write home about.

Honorable mentions:
Cozy Powell
Carl Palmer
Carmen Appice
Ian Paice
Aynsley Dunbar
Bill Bruford

Not making the list:
Phil Collins
Alex Van Halen
Tommy Lee

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March 27, 2008

Golden Earring « Music/Guitar »

A comment from Diamond Dave reminded me I wanted to look them up in Wikipedia.

I'm glad I did.

First:
Dutch. Dutch?!? Dutch.
Second:
Oldest rock band still in existing and touring (beating the Stones by a year)
Third:
Unchanged lineup since 1970.
Fourth:
Still performs approximately 200 shows per year???

Wow. Just: Wow.

Update:
Mr. Lady: Two hit wonder:
You are not allowed to forget "Twilight Zone."

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Two Things I've Never Done « The Brain Fertilizer Way »

Illegal drugs or prostitutes.

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Top Seven Most Influential Rock Bassists « Music/Guitar »

1) John Paul Jones
I think much of the credit given to Jimmy Page actually belongs to John Paul Jones, who had to keep up with all of Jimmy's licks on bass. At this point, any time you hear a guitar and bass playing blues licks in unison, it is called Zeppelin-esque. No other bassist has created such an enduring and distinctive style, in my opinion.
2) Paul McCartney
The guy rocked. He kept the beat, nailed down the low end, and still added in lots of melodic licks and fills. Dang, Paul!
3) Larry Graham of Sly and the Family Stone
Could also be Louis Johnson of Brothers Johnson...or a group effort.
In any case, slap bass technique was a totally new approach to the guitar. It appears more in funk and jazz, but the technique appears enough in rock to earn the #3 spot in influence; and so the players that popularized it are nameed...
4) Ross Valory
Journey was one of the top rock bands of the 80s. And Ross' bass work was often at the forefront, playing the role of melodic as well as harmonic motion. Add in that he was also the bassist for most of the big Steve Miller Band hits of the 70s, and you have one of the most influential bassists of all time.
5) Geddy Lee
You know, I think Geddy is a little over-rated. Many of his bass fills are rather repititious 5th intervals. I also really dislike his bass tone, which mostly sounds like a muddy guitar. But YYZ and a few other songs show he has bass chops like most people don't.
6) Carol Kaye
Look her up. If half her claims are true, she's one of the most influential bassists of all tie.
7) Derek Smalls
How can you not include Derek Smalls? The driving force between a triple bass guitar composition? Been around with Spinal Tap since the 60s, including all the stylistic changes that encompassed? He's so on the list. I had to make a special spot on the list for Derek.

Honorable mention, but not making the list:
Jack Bruce
John Entwhistle
Flea
Noel Redding

Not even close to being on my list of "Best" bassists:
Sting
Jermaine Jackson
Andy Taylor
The guy from Mr. Mister
Randy Jackson

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March 26, 2008

Ode to My Mazda 626 « Car Issues »

One of the reasons I've been doing car issues is because my commute car was totalled, and I did much car research to determine value and find a replacement.

I ended up getting a steal:
A 1998 Mazda 626 4-cyl LX with 83k miles: $1000 even. If you do the math on it over at Edmunds for Hawaii (where I am and where I purchased it, naturally), It is worth $3300 retail! The typical Mazda transmission problems should be a thing of the past, as the transmission was replaced last year.

I was looking for a car that I could drive for a month, then sell without a loss while shipping my '01 Prizm for the upcoming move to Texas. Not only did I do that in spades, I ended up getting a car I don't want to give up...so maybe we'll sell the Prizm instead.

Without further ado:
Ode to my Mazda 626 (David J. Will Understand)
O! My 626,
You are lovely.
You look so nice parked in my assigned space,
Your aggressive stance and perfect proportions
Displayed for all to see.
You have all the gadgets a man could hope for,
Including air vents that swing at a touch of a button.
You have decent fuel economy, but enough power to
Cruise smoothly at interstate speeds.
Acceleration may not be world-class,
May not approach current sedan standards,
But your steering is so precise, so rock steady,
That driving is a simple, daily pleasure.
I feel great just slipping behind the wheel.
You are larger than most used Corollas and Civics, but
With an elegance and comfort and little
Touches of quality in materials and the way
Knobs and switches move, that I feel more
Decadent than an Accord or Camry owner.
I cannot believe I found you for just $1000.
I do not want to lose you, my 626,
But cold, hard cash is hard to resist.
I may have to look for a used 626 in Texas...

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March 25, 2008

What Is GM Thinking?!??, Pt II « Car Issues »

Along with the Cobalt not really having a decent niche, along with GM not really having a decent small economy car, it hit me the other day:

Why doesn't GM have any cars for women?

Take a look at their SUV list.

Is there anything there that can compete with the Honda CRV, the Toyota RAV4, the Lexus RX330, or similar Sport-Cutes? Nope. Their smallest is still hefty enough that they don't offer a single 4-cyl option. That's too bloated for many women. And the base model is already nearly $23k!

That's an important market segment they willingly and unnecessarily gave away to the competition.

Just for giggles, check out all the models that earned a fairly-easily obtainable "8" Edmund's Editor's Rating.*

Do they want to give up on the US market or something? The Corvette and the single Cadillac that's getting rave reviews will not be enough to revive sales across the entire line.

Read More "What Is GM Thinking?!??, Pt II" »

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Rental Car Review, Pt XVII: What is GM Thinking??!? « Car Issues »

After my commute car was totalled by a motorcycle (while the car was parked for the night), I had the dubious pleasure of driving a Cobalt for about a week.

The Cobalt is a decent car, I guess.

But I don't really understand what GM is thinking.

First, the positives:
It's got plenty of power. It handles nicely. It looks good, and had plenty of room to seat 4 adults easily. Unfortunately, that's about it on the positives. Not enough to even use a bulletized list.

The negatives (all sorts of bullets):
- A severe lack of convenience electronics: No power windows, no key fob lock/unlock function, no in-car All-Lock/Unlock button. I realize I had a rental fleet car. But I have had plenty of other rental fleet cars with convenience electronics. The worst was the lack of any all-lock/unlock function anywhere in the vehicle: even my entry-level 2001 Chevy Prizm (a Toyota design built by Chevy workers) from almost a decade ago has the ability to lock/unlock all the doors from the drivers door; it was a real pain to always have to lock/unlock all doors manually when kids/in-laws were riding with me.
- I have never understood when car reviewers complained about the quality of the plastic inside a car. I really never thought about how the plastic was that I was touching. But this car had a textured plastic covering the door interior; no problem at that point...until it came time to roll down the window. No power windows, so you reach for the handle, and proceed to strip all the skin off of your knuckles on the rough-textured plastic as you crank. They might as well have used a cheese-grater!
- "Plenty of room" should be a positive...but if you want to buy a small car so that you can park easily and zip around, this car is not it. It is a foot longer than the previous model RAV4 (As I noticed in comparing to my neighbor's vehicle from the 2nd-floor balcony). But despite being longer than the RAV4, the Cobalt is not as comfortable for 5 adults, nor does it have anywhere near the cargo space. Being a Sport-Cute, the RAV4 is far more expensive, but is far more efficient with space.
And even worse, despite being 6 inches longer my 2001 Chevy Prizm, than it has approximately the same passenger dimensions except for one: significantly less rear hip room! It seems as if the only way Chevy can compete with Toyota is when it uses Toyota designs!
- Despite having plenty of room, the Cobalt's extremely short rear deck made it very difficult to put anything into the trunk.

In response to noting that Mazda drivers are usually very passionate about loving their cars, I noted that Toyotas are usually best described as "good enough, and that's about it." It almost seems like Chevrolet was attempting to imitate being "just good enough", rather than shooting for making a good car that is "good enough" to compete with everything out there. They missed the mark slightly, and it resulted in a thoroughly mediocre car. Unfortunately, cars are all getting better, and mediocre no longer equates to average. This is clearly a below-average car.

The Cobalt can't even compare to mid-90s sedans like the Mazda 626 or Honda Accord. The power/size/economy may be about the same, but the Japanese offerings are far more luxurious and comfortable. Chevy is about 15 years behind the state-of-the-art, if the Cobalt is any example.

To be honest, I don't even understand why this car is in GM's lineup. It can't compete with any of the Japanese cars on quality, economy, or comfort. It isn't small enough to be a small car (I think the Aero is supposed to fit that segment for Chevy, actually). The base Mazda 3 and Mitsubishi Lancer are just as cheap, but far more fun to drive. And there are many other cars just as cheap and equally as fun to drive, but more reliable (there are 12 total cars at an equivalent size/price point). It really doesn't fit well between the Aero and the Malibu, really.

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March 23, 2008

Pit Bull In Art « Blogging »

It's gotta be done.

I'm sorry, but I think putting a pit bull in art is probably a violation of most cruelty to animal statues.

Unless it is a mis-spelling of "put bull in art", because I think there is already enough bullS*** in modern art that there's a sort of grandfather clause on putting actuall bulls in art nowadays.

This has been a public service announcement from Brain Fertilizer's Trolling for Traffic department.

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It's Easter. You Know What That Means... « Blogging »

Aside from the celebration of Christ's Resurrection, I get crazy traffic from people doing Google searches on "why no Google Easter logo?"!

Back when I was a semi-important blogger (people actually read and even occasionally linked this site), I reacted to a minor kerfuffle about Google not doing an Easter logo design for 2005. For some reason, it scratched people's itch or something...or maybe seeing "Brain Fertilizer" with something closely related to what they were searching for sparked interest enough for people to click through...dunno, but I'm #4 on the Google search for the topic. And that means every Easter I get mega-traffic. This year blows the previous years out of the water: I already have more than 200...but I'm sure it won't translate into any sustainable traffic.

Snapshot of the last 100 hits of my traffic in the extended entry.

Read More "It's Easter. You Know What That Means..." »

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It's Business Time: Name That Party Edition « Snark »

That's why they call 'em business socks!*

" target="_blank">It's Business Time!

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March 22, 2008

Ma Wins Taiwan Presidency; DPP Wallows in Confusion « China/Taiwan »

Reactions from That's Impossible pro-DPP Taiwan blog.

Reactions from Taiwan Matters pro-DPP Taiwan blog.

I think they're missing the point.

Chen owns the DPP right now. For the last 8 years, just about anything he said, the DPP did.

The DPP paid the price today. Hsieh would otherwise have been a decent candidate, but the DPP/Chen albatross around his neck ruined any chance.

In any case, the I think we'll see the DPP win some power back eventually. Much of Chen's failures in the last four years were because he simply couldn't understand he wasn't dealing with Jiang Zemin anymore; he was dealing with Hu Jintao, someone even better at splitting hairs to put the opponent at a disadvantage than Chen himself was. But some of Chen's failures were simply because Taiwan's socio-economic-political situation just isn't very good. When Ma fails at lots of stuff, too, people will begin to think maybe the DPP is a better choice, after all...

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Taiwan's Next President: Ma Ying-jeou « China/Taiwan »

Ma is only "pro" mainland compared to the current President Chen.
He's the least "pro" mainland of any of the KMT top leaders.

I'm not sure what kind of leader he'll be; he tends to be rather passive and overly cautious. But he seems like he has some good policy initiatives that will, at the worst, keep peace between the PRC and the ROC.

He's already promised that Taiwan won't reunify with the mainland while he is President. But many of his policies do open up Taiwan society to mainland influence, and may result in a melding of economies.

Most importantly, it reduces the reasons for the PRC to attempt a military reunification of the territories.

A nation, long divided, must unite...

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March 21, 2008

...And It Almost Goes Without Saying:

Stay-at-home Moms who are into cleaning are the hottest.

...or so I've heard. Knowwhutahmean?

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I'm Off Work Today « Blogging »

And getting stuff done at home.
I'm also curious how the Taiwan presidential election is going to turn out.

But I've got no real time to blog today. Sorry.

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March 20, 2008

By The Way... « The Brain Fertilizer Way »

...have I mentioned lately how hot stay-at-home moms are?!?

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Car Lust: 1980 Ford Courier « Car Issues »

courier.jpg

Much of the appeal of Car Lust is the emotional connection made between cars and people. It is the memories that tie us to some fairly unappealing vehicles, and it is the anecdotes about those memories that draw me back to the Car Lust Blog every day.

One Car Lust wasnt a conscious Lust until I started thinking about all the cars Ive ever had extensive experience withand then the Lust for a Ford Courier blazed up brightly.

Our family obtained a 1980 Ford Courier around 1982, I think. In any case, it wasnt new because I dont remember my parents ever purchasing a new vehicle. It was in excellent condition, however, with a camper shell over the bed. In 1984 I talked my parents into using it to haul our pop-up trailer and two of my friends on a 5-hour trip to the Medicine Rocks Campground outside of Ekalaka, Montana. Five people in a two-seater mini-pickup? Well, the three teens go in back, of course. We were able to spread our sleeping bags and stretch out quite comfortably among the coolers and other bundles. I remember snacking on Oreos, for what its worth. I guess my Dad wasnt worried about the dangers of carbon monoxide build-up inside the cover, but his lack of worries were justified: we survived the trip just fine.

In time, I inherited the truck. It had a manual transmission, which made it quite peppy when accelerating from a complete stop. I learned to drive a stick in itand in what I think is typical youthful idiocy, I practiced getting to full speed from a complete stop in 2nd gear, then 3rd, and even from 4th once. Okay, more than once. Its possible with an extremely liberal use of clutch, of course. And yet, the transmission and clutch never slipped, never needed replacing even as the mileage approached 140,000.

In high school, my girlfriend(s) would sit close to me and wed do tandem shifting, i.e., after I pressed in the clutch, shed shift gears when I said shift.

I drove it to college, and was able to fit every single thing I owned in the world in the bed to a height that still let me see out the back window, which served me well in several moves between dorms and student apartments. And when my fraternity pledge class needed transportation, we managed to cram 12 adult males in the camper shell.

Throughout its life with me behind the wheel, I would get close to 34 mpg, but that was mostly highway driving. Even in my teens, I liked to take long drives.

The truck finally met its demise (insurance-wisethe truck itself was still easily road-worthy) when a women across the intersection turned left after not seeing me. The car suffered a mighty blow behind the drivers door but in front of the rear wheel-well. The damage was enough to take my pickup away from me. But I certainly had fun, fun, fun until then.

Heres some more information:
Wiki page.
An interesting Courier fan site

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Britons Still Stupid « UK Stupidity »

I first read: "Eight anti-war protesters have superglued themselves to the entrances of a weapons factory today in opposition to the Iraq conflict on its fifth anniversary."

Then I looked for the location. Yep: Great Britain. It's almost too easy to mock these people.

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March 19, 2008

A Liberal Moderate Stumbles Onto A Conservative Thought Makes a Good Point « Link O' Admiration »

Mr Lady asks why bureaucrats would push for more students to eat breakfast at school, although she does recognize the financial incentive.

We want to increase our school breakfast participation and BreakfastBreaks is going to be the way to do it, says Demetrious Giovas, foodservicedirector for Gadsden Independent School District, Anthony, New Mexico.

(Heres the whole article.)

Shouldnt it be, We want to encourage all parents who are capable to serve their children a nutritious breakfast at home, so their kids can have a great start to the day? I cant for the life of me see why theyd be pushing for more students eating breakfast at school. Except, of course, for financial reasons.

I have noticed this quite a bit lately. My school sent home a note saying please sign up for free lunch. Even if you dont need it, the school gets money for having you qualify. I tried hard to not be offended by this. Since when do we not encourage parents to prepare healthy meals for their children?

[snip]

Spunkyhomeschooler had this to say. Why dont they just take the children full time and let the parents check them out like a library book when they want to spend time with them? It seems to be the next logical step dont you think? I gotta say, I agree with her on this one.

(there are some links in the original, make sure you click through to get those)

That's the thing, isn't it? The government wants to have more and more control over more and more of your life, justifying taking more and more of your money and giving you less and less control over the decision you would like to make in life.

Vote GOP, Mr Lady. It may not help much, but voting the other will absolutely make things worse.

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Sunday Racist « Politics As Usual »

You know, I don't actually consider it that bad that Obama had an ongoing professional relationship with Pastor Wright even after Wright stirred up anti-white and anti-American anger/hatred.

There are so many people who go to church without letting any of it penetrate, so why should Barack be any different than, say, a President hearing several times a year that he shouldn't commit adultery?

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March 18, 2008

Obama's Speech on Race « Politics As Usual »

I don't really have anything to say about it, I just want to get in on that sweet, sweet blog traffic.

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March 17, 2008

It's All About the Money « Media Distortions »

And it always has been.

Anyone who says differently is selling you something.

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Good/Bad Science « Social Issues »

Men like pale women, women like dark men.

The good part of the science is that the researcher substantiated some things about humanity.

But there are several bad science aspects to this.

First, if men prefer light-skinned women, why the tanning craze in the US (and Europe)?
Second, did he really need to substantiate this in the first place? "Tall, dark, and handsome" is a set phrase in English. And we've already shown that men in the US, at least, don't necessarily prefer pale women.
Third, when he gets into "why," he's way beyond science, and way wrong. Science can usually only explain "what happens", but not "why". That's why science is not a good answer to religion. ...and why religion gets into trouble when it tries to explain "what happens" as truth, but that's another story.

Bottom line:
People are attracted to wealth/success most. So whatever the wealthy people are wearing/doing/saying, etc, will be attractive to almost everyone.

"Fat" was attractive for centuries because only the wealthy could get enough food to be fat. When food becomes plentiful, only the rich can afford the chef to make low-fat food taste good, and afford the leisure time to exercise into fitness (and maybe the women are more committed to fitness so they won't get divorced and kicked off the gravy train for a more fit mistress to become the wife). Pale skin is attractive in agricultural societies, because only the rich get to stay inside all day. But in industrial/business-oriented societies, healthy tans are attractive because only the rich can afford the vacations to the tropics in wintertime. But men with dark tans were also attractive even in agrarian societies because it signified that the man would do the back-breaking outdoor labor, allowing the woman to remain pale and unfatigued in doors.

This is not scientific, of course. But if anyone wants to grant me a few million dollars, I'd be more than happy to do the research to substantiate my claims!

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March 15, 2008

...Speaking of my Favorite Guitarists, III « Music/Guitar »

Rik Emmett again.

How can you not like this guy?

Yet another version of the same song:

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...Speaking of my Favorite Guitarists, II « Music/Guitar »

Rik Emmett, playing one of my favorite acoustic fingerpicking solos, ever:

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..Speaking of my Favorite Guitarists « Music/Guitar »

Here's one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite guitarists:

Dan Huff is incredible. He does these incredibly complex blues riffs, has some of the most fluid guitar solos in the business, has a good voice, writes great songs, and has an awesome guitar tone.

Full disclosure: I only know him from Giant. I've never heard a Whiteheart song.

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March 14, 2008

Top 10 Most Influential Rock Guitarists (UPDATED) « Music/Guitar »

Please note: these are not the most skilled guitarists (different list; would include Rik Emmitt of Triumph), nor is it a list of my favorite guitarists (would include Tommy Shaw of Styx). These are the guys who I think you need to absorb if you want to really understand why you hear what you do on the radio, and if you want to be a well-rounded guitarist. These are the guys who when you hear a solo or rhythm part on a song, you can say, "Oh, that was clearly influenced by this guitarist." Without further ado:

1) Chuck Berry
Although Bill Haley's Rock Around the Clock and Elvis That's All Right (Mama) predated Chuck's Maybellene by a year, his signature licks and moves established what it meant to be a guitar hero with chops and flash.

2) Eddie Van Halen
Although "hammering on" predated Eddie, he made it popular. He also changed the guitar solo away from repeated patterns into more of a composed, prepared line of music. He also innovated songwriting structure in using more of the guitar fingerboard for rhythm work than most guitarists.

3) Yngwie J. Malmsteen
He inspired more stylistic imitation than perhaps any other guitarist ever. His sweep-picking and harmonic-minor scale and emphasis on pure speed set the standard for guitar work in genres far outside Hard Rock and Heavy Metal, to include Jazz and even Country (in a few examples). He set the course of guitar virtuosity that endured for a decade before giving away to Grunge (which itself was a reaction to Malmsteenian guitar hero excesses).

4) Jimi Hendrix
Distortion and blues were invented by others, but popularized by Hendrix. To be honest, I don't really get Hendrix that much. I listen to his songs and hear nothing that makes me say, "How'd he do that?" or makes me want to pick up my guitar to figure out a lick. But he does do that for thousands of others, so I'll put him at #4.

5) Joe Satriani
Joe took Malmsteen's virtuosity and applied mathematical and guitar theory permutations to it. Then he nearly single-handedly created the "solo for 3 hours over a few simple chord changes" style of guitar instrumental compositions. He's good, and if people aren't trying to be the next Jimi, they're trying to be the next Joe.

6) Jimmy Page
Another guitarist I just don't get. I do often hear things by Jimmy that makes me wonder "How'd he do that?", but the problem is that I also can't figure out, "Why'd he even want to do that?" But since so many other people worship him, he's gotta be here somewhere. I'd put him at #10 except for the Black Dog lick moves him up.

7) Stevie Ray Vaughan
For the most part, I didn't want to put derivatives on this list. So: no Steve Vai, because he didn't do anything Satriani didn't do at least as good. But while SRV built on Jimi, he also added flash and Yngwie-like virtuosity to his Blues playing. And he changed the direction of Blues compositions, too...in my opinion.

8) Carlos Santana
Smooth. Lyrical. Carlos is the guitarist that launched a guitar company. At least in my mind: when I think of Paul Reed Smith, I think of Carlos Santana and the tune Black Magic Woman floats through my head for the next hour. Carlos makes the guitar sing with soul, and anyone who wants to express themselves through the guitar tries to play like Santana.

9) Brad Gillis
Although he gets little credit for it, Brad was the original master of the tremolo system. Few use the trem better than Brad, and no one earlier came close to the stuff he could do. With Brad, the trem wasn't a trick or gadget, it was a vital tool of guitar solo expression.

10) George Lynch
He shared a style with Jake E. Lee (Ozzie) and Warren De Martini (Ratt), creating a certain sound and style of rhythm and solo work. But George was the oldest, and he was the one who influenced Jake and Warren to use a metal pick. I give him the credit for being the mentor...and let's face it: no one made a guitar sound more menacing than Lynch.

Not making the cut:
-Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)
Awesome blues work, especially the slide. Almost bumped Lynch
-Steve Vai
He achieved fame as David Lee Roth's EVH imitation guitarist. He followed in his teacher's (Satriani's) footsteps of guitar instrumentals. He re-invented Gillis' tremolo skills, with less style. But he was good in Cross Roads.
Bill Haley
-May have mostly invented rock guitar...or may have just been the first one to get a hit using a style he learned from others. I think the latter.
Randy Rhoads
-He didn't do anything that Ritchie Blackmore and the Scorpions didn't do earlier, or Yngwie Malmsteen didn't do better.
Ritchie Blackmore
-See Yngwie Malmsteen. Ritchie was totally eclipsed.
Kurt Cobain
-He didn't do anything special on guitar. His influence was as a singer and lyricist.
Neal Schon
-See Carlos Santana.

Update:
Diamond Dave asks: "What? No Eric Clapton?"
Well, I know many people think 'Clapton is God', but honestly: what influence has he had on modern guitar? He might have had something to do with overdrive distortion, but it seems like Hendrix gets the credit for that. Maybe I'm missing something, though; I have never heard anyone say, "Clapton made me want to play guitar." I have never seen Clapton's solos listed as the best ever. I have never heard a solo that made me think, "How did he come up with that? (musical expression, rather than technical skill)." He isn't technically proficient. He doesn't do that many styles. Again, I may be missing something, but I defy you to pick out any guitar solo on a CD in the last decade and say, "That was influence by Eric Clapton's playing." Which is what this post is all about...hmm, may need to add that to the intro, eh?

Other notables not making the list: Joe Perry, Ronnie Montrose, Tony Iommi, Vivian Campbell, Chet Atkins (though it was close), Les Paul, Screech Slash, Mick Mars, Trevor Rabin, Dan Huff, Robin Trower, Rick Derringer...sheesh, there's a lot of really, really good guitarists out there. But only a few have set standards, and they are pretty much those in the list.

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Posted by Nathan at 09:59 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)
The Gift that Keeps On Giving « UK Stupidity »

Great Britain: Giving Birth HURTS

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Posted by Nathan at 09:05 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Idiot Loses Engagement Ring « News of the Lowest Common Denominator »

Yep, you guessed it:
Great Britain strikes again.

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March 13, 2008

About.com « The Brain Fertilizer Way »

I'm trying to apply to About.com as one of their Guides.

I think I have an incredible amount of knowledge, understanding, and teaching ability on any one of several topics.

Wish me luck, but it may be impossible.

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Posted by Nathan at 11:16 AM | Comments (25) | TrackBack (0)

March 12, 2008

The Real Political Upset This Presidential Election Cycle « Politics As Usual »

A Senator will actually win the Presidency this fall.

The last 3 elections, I told people: the one with the most executive experience will win; it's held true since 1984 (if you consider 1 term as Governer to be greater than two terms as VP, and I do; and if you consider Bush I's other executive experience before becoming VP, and I do).

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Posted by Nathan at 10:19 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
I Think I Know Why Westone Went Bankrupt « Music/Guitar »

They went bankrupt despite being good quality, innovative guitars.

There is a solid body of Westone enthusiasts out there. But they went out of business anyway.

Okay, it couldn't have helped when Matsumoku stopped making guitars. That resulted in moving production to Korea (I think to Samick, but I'm not sure). Samick is a good guitar maker, but Matsumoku was something special.

Some people say that Westone got caught in a numbers game: they were producing high-quality guitars that competed with the best names in the business at a lower price, but B.C. Rich, Ibanez, Charvel-Jackson, et al, got bigger quicker, and Westone was left with a too-small piece of the growing Super Strat market.

That makes sense.

But in my opinion, I think Westone's biggest problem was that they never really developed a coherent business model.

Take a look at a catalog, and compare it to the price list (If the links don't work, then navigate from the main page by clicking "catalogs", then look at the 1988 catalog and pricelist). Notice from the catalog spec sheet that the top 4 guitar specs are almost identical. The same neck scale and radius, same tuning pegs, same pickups, same tremolo system... Yet the prices vary from $350 to $475. Why? What reason would you want to get the $350 Pantera rather than the $350 Spectrum II? What makes the Spectrum 1 $25 better than the Spectrum Basic? How do you choose between the $449 Corsair and the $449 Genesis? Why aren't some of these guitars in the catalog?

Now compare that with the same-year (1988) British catalog. Why doesn't Great Britain get the Pantera, the Corsair, the Genesis? All they get is about 100 variations, all called the Westone Spectrum Series II. Well, they get the Corsair, but it's still called the Spectrum. Honestly, why give wildly differing guitars the same name to three levels? (Westone. Spectrum. Series II.) It can only reduce brand name recognition by muddling characteristics.

Then look at the 1984 catalog, the 1987 catalog, the 1989 catalog, and the 1990 catalog (the last before they closed up shop).
About the only common thread in those 4 catalogs spanning just 6 years is the name "Spectrum." Configurations are clearly all over the map. And where does the Challenger fit in? Or the Villain?

I've played on an '87 Westone (made in Japan), an '89 Westone (made in Korea), and an unknown Westone Frankenstein (original neck and tremolo, likely made between '86 and '88). They all have identical necks. The necks are all awesome, maybe the best in the business.

What they really should have done is hyped the neck. It is unique in its rock-solid consistency, low action, easy string-bending, and ability to aid and abet fast playing (shredding) at such a low price.

Then they should have made a clear three-tier system of quality. The lowest level should have had a fixed bridge and only a bridge pickup and a basic body. Higher levels within the basic tier would add more pickups. The next level up could add a tremolo system and have more pickups on the base models, and sculpted bodies (alternatively, sculpted bodies could be a separate line), better wood, and some special features on the deluxe mid-tier guitars. The top level would then have bound bodies, the best woods in the body (maybe even some flame or quilted tops), options for deluxe paint jobs, and the top, professional-quality pickups.

Such a plan would have allowed anyone to pickup a basic guitar for fairly cheap, and fall in love with the Westone Neck. Then they would want to move up, and depending on their bank account and/or performance needs, could get a decent guitar at a mid-range price, or a deluxe guitar at a deluxe price with enough of a profit margin to not go out of business.

Instead, it's hard to tell if the top-of-the-line Westone was the Pantera, the Genesis, or the Corsair. At one time or another, each of those was the highest-priced Westone, but there was a great deal of overlap in these guitars being offered for sale. For instance, all are offered on the 1988 pricelist. The Corsair is the most expensive of the three in baseline models ($449 for the Corsair compared to the Genesis' $425 and the Pantera Basic's $399), but the Pantera Deluxe starts at $995! (except for the outlier in "dull black" that is just $699) Why such a big gap? Why make the Pantera Deluxe the most expensive rather than put that quality/accessory level on the Corsair?

As I've said, I have a 1989 Westone Spectrum 1-A and a 1987 Westone Spectrum II (XA-1230), and I wouldn't be able to tell you which one is the better guitar. And, incidentally, they are virtually the same price ($375 vs $369). I'm hoping to purchase a 1988 Corsair Standard, so maybe at that time I'll have a little more insight into their quality levels.

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Posted by Nathan at 09:31 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

March 11, 2008

Addictive Game « The Brain Fertilizer Way »

Try it out.

You've been warned.

Start with the Sandbox, which will help you understand how to play the game, along with giving you unrealistically high expectations of your ability.

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Posted by Nathan at 10:35 AM | Comments (15) | TrackBack (0)
What Men Want, From Great Britain « UK Stupidity »

As I said, UK online newspapers/magazines have some shockingly-blunt survey reports.

But that really isn't describing the phenomenon correctly. What these surveys really do is perpetuate some of the worst negative stereotypes.

And here is the latest in that line:There's a strong hint that men just like cheap bimbos.

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Posted by Nathan at 07:58 AM | Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)

March 10, 2008

I'm So Military « The Brain Fertilizer Way »

I see this picture:

ukrainian_army.jpg


...and my first thought is: "Interesting. The Ukrainian Army doesn't have standardized footgear for females."

...and my second thought is: "It's gotta be uncomfortable marching in high heels."

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Posted by Nathan at 10:12 AM | Comments (40) | TrackBack (0)

March 07, 2008

Huh. « Snarky Self-Deprecation »

Someone found this site with a Google search string of "Why are GM products good.

Google isn't really all that smart sometimes, eh?

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Posted by Nathan at 09:34 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Rocket Van « For Jeremy Gilby »

Because Jeremy doesn't read Glennstapundit, and because I can't watch the videos at work.

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Posted by Nathan at 09:00 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Name That Party!!! « Media Distortions »

Here's an example.

My question is:
What do Democratic/liberal news readers think of this sort of thing?
There is certainly the limitation of anecdotal evidence when we conservatives feel like this happens all the time. The peril of perspective, if you will, that as a conservative, I am more sensitive to the leftward lean on this issue, and thus might not notice when a conservative-leaning publication does the same thing to shield GOP politicians.

So I asked my liberal-leaning co-workers.

They got angry and pretty much refused to answer, despite my repeated insistence that I was asking an honest question in search of an honest answer, and wanting to hear viewpoints different than my own.

One person rather irritatedly said that the number of above-the-fold articles about Clinton shenanigans back in the 90s make my question a non-starter.

I didn't reply, because it was going to start a fight. But that really doesn't seem to be the same thing, to me.

Can any (either) of you, my readers, fill me in on what you think?
1) Do you think there is an effort to bury the affiliation of Democratic Party politicians while highlighting that of Republicans?
2) If so, do you think it is intentional or unintentional?
3) If not, how do you explain/justify the lack of mention of affiliation in the above-linked (and similar) articles?
3) Do you think there is an equal and opposite tendency in conservative-leaning publications?
4) If you aren't a Democratic party voter, what do you think Democratic party voters think about this? Do they not notice, not care, approve, etc?

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Posted by Nathan at 08:14 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
Great Britain, Evolutionary Dead End « UK Stupidity »

If you spend a great deal of time perusing Hot Air (like I do), you may have noticed that the bloggers there like to post some topics whose main point is, "Man, people are stupid!" It can be weird laws, ridiculous actions, shockingly-blunt survey results...

...the common thread? They are almost all stories from Great Britain.

So here's more evidence that British society should go the way of the dodo bird very soon.

Honestly, I don't mean to impugn all Britons everywhere, but I'm thinking the only reason 80% of 'em even get a chance to pass on their genes is because it's a target-rich environment.

I'd like to think differently, but the anecdotal evidence is hard to refute. The only possible defense I can think of is that Great Britain has developed the tabloid model of news reporting to the highest possible degree, and the inevitable conclusion is News for the Lowest Common Denominator. Which is pretty much the name of this new category. I'll keep pointing out when there are UK Stupidity articles until I get bored of posting under this topic and stop.

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Posted by Nathan at 07:39 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)

March 06, 2008

Yah, Sorry, I'm Not Going to Feel Sorry for You « Social Issues »

Don't come crying to me if you can't find a job you think pays enough for your unskilled effort.

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Posted by Nathan at 12:25 PM | Comments (20) | TrackBack (0)
Glennstapundit Sez: « For Jeremy Gilby »

You should check out These web applications

One of 'em will let you download all the cool guitar videos I've posted, btw.

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Posted by Nathan at 07:06 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
This Should Be Used in a SF&F (or Thriller) Novel « The Brain Fertilizer Way »

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March 05, 2008

I, For One, Welcome Our Terrorist-Blocking Police Overlords « Link O' Admiration »

Via Ace O' Spades

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Posted by Nathan at 08:32 AM | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)

March 04, 2008

Clinton Resurging? « Politics As Usual »

She looks comfortably ahead in Ohio, and may actually eke out a popular-vote win in Texas (although the Texas state Democratic Party primary rules are freaky stupid, and would still deliver the majority of delegates to Obama).

Even though I predicted a McCain-Obama general election, I'd be tickled pink to have Hillary! win the Democratic nomination.

It may not be for the reasons you think.

For me, the bottom line is that Obama is the Messiah to millions of people who plan on voting with emotion rather than logic. I don't want that sort of candidate going up against any Republican candidate, much less McCain. But even more importantly, I want The Political Messiah to be defeated by his own party. If McCain beats Obama, then for the next four years you will see stories of how racist America still is, especially the Neo-Nazi Skinhead Dead White Male Republican Party. If Hillary! beats The Political Messiah, then the Democratic Party should descend into an angst-ridden introspection of their own racism.*

Of course, if Hillary! wins, she'll lose to McCain in a landslide, and then we can look forward to 4 years of stories of how sexist American still is, especially the Male Boorish Pig Patriarchic Phallic Dead White Male Republican Party. But that's okay, because we'll still hold the Presidency, and no one has ever really rioted over sexual tension, unlike racial tensions.

Bonus thought: Is the Democratic Party ever going to get tired of sending people to the Senate who shirk their duties to run for President? Kerry, Obama, Hillary!, and Edwards missed a staggeringly stupid number of votes to run for President, and fail.

Read More "Clinton Resurging?" »

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Finally! « Stuff Important to Me »

Favre retires.

It's about time.

Expect all sorts of overwrought, breathless butt-kissing over the next few days. The above link provides this example:

Americas favorite Cheesehead departs the NFL as one of the best quarterbacks it ever had, and arguably the best.

Um, not even close.
Favre is nowhere close to being even "arguably" close to the QB greatness of Joe Montana, John Elway, Johnny U., Bart Starr, and many others.

Brett Favre was an arrogant gunslinger who lost as many games for his team as we won, set the record for INTs almost as quickly as he set the record for TDs, and only holds his consecutive start record due to overindulging in pain-killing drugs.

He is not the guy I would want behind center in a must-win game down by ten, because he'd throw the losing INT 2 times out of 3.

He has three top stats: 3 consecutive MVPs (less from his accomplishments and more for being the favorite of Monday Night Football and other sports announcers), more TDs in his career than anyone else, and consecutive starts (which is already explained by his dependence on drugs to get on the field). Along the way, he won a single Super Bowl when his GM signed a bevy of questionable-character, top-talent FAs to "get over the top".

I'm not impressed with Brett Favre. The enduring image of Brett, to me, is him being stupid enough to throw a pass while on his knees, and throwing an INT.

10 years from now, people will be sitting around wondering what all the hype was, much like Tony Dorsett.

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Posted by Nathan at 07:50 AM | Comments (28) | TrackBack (0)
"Ultimate" Canon Rock? « Music/Guitar »

Well, yeah:

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Posted by Nathan at 06:22 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

March 03, 2008

The Glennstapundit Nods (Twice) « Snark »

A few days ago, Glennstapundit said this:

THE CANADA/NAFTA STORY continues. I predict, however, that the term "Goolsbee Gate" won't catch on.

I emailed and suggested "NAFTAquiddick".

Glennstapundit updates the post saying:

MORE THOUGHTS HERE. And a reader suggests "Naftaquiddick" in place of "Goolsbee Gate." Er, no.
Even though I include the url to this website, The Instapuppetmaster fails to give me my first Instalanche. Sigh.

And yet, what do my wondering eyes behold today?

NAFTAQUIDDICK UPDATE: "In a conference call going on now, the Obama campaign is continuing to flatly deny that adviser Austan Goolsbee told Canadian officials not to worry about Obama's anti-NAFTA stance. . . . He concedes that Goolsbee did talk to someone in the Canadian government, but insists the two were 'essentially having some casual conversation, and the reports of the conversation are simply not accurate.' Plouffe says Goolsbee was not speaking as a representative of the Obama campaign and that allegations that 'somehow this was an official meeting' are not true."

Once upon a time I whined my way into a place on Michelle Malkin's blogroll in much the same why I'm whining about not getting linked today. I doubt it will work this time. But the more you readers click through to his web, the greater chance he'll notice it.

And then I'll be embarassed. But I'll be embarassed with lots of traffic, so it's all good.

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Posted by Nathan at 01:30 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Pachabel's Canon, Rock Style « Music/Guitar »

This guy really has fun with it:

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Posted by Nathan at 01:16 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
"Impossible" Guitar? Gadget Guitar, Actually « Music/Guitar »

But you know what? It isn't that impressive to me. The guy has 12 strings to start with, and that means he can "cheat" with what he sets as his open tuning. And then there are little objects all over his fretboard, which I think work as mini-capos, further setting open string notes.

It's an engineering effort. It's a mechanical success. It isn't really a musical talent.

But it's interesting to see, so there ya go.

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Posted by Nathan at 07:15 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack (0)

March 02, 2008

Two Guys, One Guitar, II « Music/Guitar »

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Posted by Nathan at 12:12 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
Two Guys, One Guitar « Music/Guitar »

Can't hear the bass part on my computer, though. I hope y'all can:

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Posted by Nathan at 09:50 AM | Comments (22) | TrackBack (0)

March 01, 2008

Brilliance « Link O' Admiration »

By Joan of Argghh!*

Just reading the Google search terms on your site meter will deprive you of the last of your innocence.

Anyone who's been blogging more than about 6 months should be completely familiar with that concept, even if (like me), they wouldn't have been able to articulate it so well.

Read More "Brilliance" »

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Public Service Announcement « The Brain Fertilizer Way »

I am drunk.

And all it took was 3 Sam Adams (original Boston Lager) and a Gordon Biersch Marzen.

Return to your lives, citizens.

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Posted by Nathan at 01:10 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
Mall Security Comedy Gold « Link O' Admiration »

I don't recall how my surfing led me to this page, but it really is worth reading the whole thing.

Watch for such quotes as:

I have personally saved the ass-virginity of several young boys in my days. But there are many brave men like myself out there who risk their lives daily, so that boys like yourself can live a normal heterosexual life.

BTW A one time experiementation while in the military, does not make one a homosexual.

Keep reading to the end, or you'll miss:

I crept behind the Mrs. PacMan game, and when I heard the perp reload, jumped up with my trusty K-Bar, and threw it into the perps arm, pinning him against the wall behind him.

The poster writes as if it actually happened.

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Posted by Nathan at 12:55 PM | Comments (37) | TrackBack (0)
Volkswagen Squareback Lust « Car Issues »


Back in 1997, a friend of mine had gotten into buying old damaged cars, fixing them, and then selling them for a (sometimes) profit. I went to the junkyard with him once, and saw a powder-blue volkswagen squareback, and it was like $300. Everything was in great condition, no rust.
The only problem was the engine was disassembled. For about 30 minutes, I thought about trying to put the engine back together with my friend's help. I eventually rejected the idea as likely ending up to be more trouble than it was worth.

I regret that decision, slightly, after reading this.

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Posted by Nathan at 11:50 AM | Comments (31) | TrackBack (0)