Review: Trouble - Simple Mind Condition

It's been a while since Chicago Doom-metallers Trouble have released an album. In fact, Trouble's last album, Plastic Green Head, was released in 1995 by Century Media, making it an excruciating 12 years in the waiting.

Anyone familiar with Trouble's previous releases know that their brand of traditional doom metal never fails to deliver and there's not many negative things one can say about the band. They haven't released a bad album in 23 years, since their creation in '84.

Simple Mind Condition wastes no time announcing Trouble's triumphant return. The opening track, "Seven," jumps right into classic Trouble heavy riffing. Eric Wagner's unmistakable vocals, some of the best in the doom world, as far as I'm concerned, and only surpassed by the likes of Solitude Aeturnus/Candlemass vocalist, Robert Lowe, blast strong as ever above the heavy-handed picking and sticking of the doom soundtrack.

The album continues, in classic Trouble fashion, with the next three tracks, "Mind Bender," "Goin' Home" and "Pictures," by delivering riff after crushing riff of what Trouble does best.

As far as style goes, Trouble hasn't changed much from their last album. In fact, Trouble has stuck to the formula which has worked for them for over two decades with only slight experimentation here and there. Why? Because it works. And if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

"After the Rain" brings it down, for the first part of the song anyway. Wagner gives a nod to the "Misery Shows (Act II)" with the line, "I'm still here, wonderin' 'bout things/Who's to know what my life 'll bring." Noting the nod to past tunes, you can compare this track with "Misery Shows (Act II)" in its progression: starting out slow and a bit light (in Trouble terms) and ending with a slightly heavier finale and solo. After this, your rest is over.

Then comes something a bit new. "Arthur Brown's Whiskey Bar" is a great tune with a more conversational vocal style by Wagner between the choruses.

Trouble brings it right back to the heavy riffing with "Trouble Maker." Again, classic Trouble.

"Bad Situation" is a fast paced (remember we're talking traditional doom, so fast paced doesn't mean Thrash or Speed here) heavy-hitter. As far as my opinion goes, it's one of the best tracks on the album, although all of them are fantastic so it's hard to rank them.

The last two tracks are probably my favorite and most listened to on the album.

"Beginning of Sorrows," is where my only complaint on the album lies, although it is one of the greatest songs on the album. My only gripe is that I wish it were longer. The song is so epic and amazing, I just wish it was over 4:18 long. It opens with a piano intro and Wagner's voice. Add in the bass and drums to start carrying along the tune. The last ingredient, palm-muted lead bricks of sound, comes in at about two minutes, completing a build up that leads into the end of the album.

"Reasons" is simply classic, skull-crushing Trouble. That's all I can really say about it. Downtrodden, heavy as a ton of lead, Doom that I enjoy every time I listen to it.

I think the European bonus track, "Ride in the Sky," would fit better somewhere else on the album, but it's a fantastic track. I enjoy the fun nod to Led Zepplin's "Immigrant Song" in the opening riff that Trouble uses throughout. Yeah, it's a blatant ripoff but it works so well.

While Trouble is in my top five favorite bands of all time, don't think that this review is skewed. Fans of traditional doom (Saint Vitus, Black Sabbath, ect.) and current fans of Trouble will love this release. If you like heavy, traditional doom with some spectacular vocals, check this album out. Check any of Trouble's albums out.

RATING: 9/10

Trouble - Simple Mind Condition

Tracklisting:
01. Seven
02. Mind Bender
03. Goin' Home
04. Pictures
05. After The Rain
06. Arthur Brown's Whiskey Bar
07. Trouble Maker
08. Bad Situation
09. Beginning Of Sorrows
10. Reasons
11. Ride The Sky [European bonus]

Simple Mind Condition was released on April 2, 2007 by Century Media(US). (Was released by Escapi Music in Europe)

USC Student Charged With Assault in Handgun Case:

Due to the Lack of Fatalities, Media Saturation is Low

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Los Angeles - On Tuesday, 19 year old Zao Xing Yangwas charged with making criminal threats and committing an assault with a handgun. He was arrested on Sunday after making threats at a party with the firearm. Students at the party wrestled him to the ground and subdued Zao Xing.

This incident comes a week after the Virginia Tech tragedy that claimed 32 lives, and the original article makes this clear. Obviously, for the next few months, every incident involving a handgun, especially those involving individuals of Asian decent, will be linked to the shootings at VT.

Before Monday, April 16th, this story would have made very little press, if any. The LaTimes article also makes mention of a 17-year-old student at Bishop Mora Salesian High School in Los Angeles that was arrested for allegedly making criminal threats. The arrest came after a student at the Catholic school found a letter on Thursday threatening "violent acts against students and teachers."

With the ridiculous amount of media saturation over the Virginia Tech tragedy, it isn't surprising that stories of this nature are getting better coverage. It is also no surprise that the country is seeing copycat cases, much like the time following the Columbine High school shootings.

On April 20th, every building on the Kutztown University campus was evacuated at 10 a.m. when a "threat" was found in a note at Reading Area Community College.

In an email that was sent out soon after the evacuation, president F. Javier Cevallos explained that "the nature of the threat was vague and imprecise, but it did specifically mention 10 a.m."

Cevallos goes on to explain that "given the events of this week and the anniversary, this day, of events in 1999, we felt it prudent to hold a fire drill leading up to 10 a.m., and to remain clear of all buildings until 10 minutes past 10."

Rumors circulated as to whether or not bomb sniffing dogs or any outside personnel were brought in to search any of the buildings. Information regarding these rumors has not been released confirming or denying them.

Campus police were seen driving about and announcing that the evacuation was a "drill."

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Original article posted at latimes.com here.

New News Editor for College Paper

I have been given the position of News editor for The Keystone, my college paper. At least now I have something to put on my resume. This change will be in effect for the 2007-2008 school year.

Also, check out WritersCafe.org if you enjoy the creative side of writing moreso than the rantings and ravings of news and politics.

You can see my profile here.

Thanks,
D.R. Wilsey Jr.

First Website Publishing...

My article on the rise of Classical music has been published not only in The Keystone, but it has made its way to a website that has asked me to write for them. While it isn't the largest site on the net, it's a start. Any little bit helps.

The site:
www.theopinionmagazine.com

My article on the site.

Check the article out if you haven't read it already. Also, look around the site. There are some good pieces on there.

Thanks
-D.R. Wilsey Jr.

Charm and Charisma Don't Run a Country

Charisma and good looks can take you far in the race for the presidency of the United States, as John F. Kennedy showed us during the televised debates against Richard Nixon in 1960. Today, "Obamamania" is sweeping through the nation as the 45-year-old Illinois senator, Barack Obama, captures the hearts and hopes of many Americans who believe he is the answer to everything they have hoped for in a presidential candidate. Charisma and good looks, however, cannot run a country, and those who support him should take a second to ponder why they support him.

Obama has been labeled "the savior" by a Chicago Tribune reporter, who happens to be writing a book on the senator with the same title. Many compare him to John F. Kennedy and some have even likened him to Jesus Christ. Comparison to another president, OK. Comparison to Jesus Christ and viewing a political figure as the savior, however, is dangerous. Elevating a political figure to this level of praise and expectation can only end in disaster. What attracts so many people to this young, and, when compared to other presidential hopefuls, rather inexperienced politician and why does he garner so much approval and adoration?

"People don't come to Obama for what he's done in the Senate," says Bruce Reed, president of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council in a February 2007 Rolling Stone article entitled "Destiny's Child," "They come because of what they hope he could be." It is Obama's character that attracts most of his supporters, not his short history in politics. This is what many critics of Obama are quick to point out.

Many questions surround Obama's qualifications, or as many view it the lack thereof. Barack has a short track record when it comes time to look at his history in politics, as David Ehrenstein of the Los Angeles Times was quick to point out in his article, "Obama: The 'Magic Negro.'" Ehrenstein says, "Obama's fame right now has little to do with his political record or what he's written in his two books, or even what he's actually said in those stem-winders (speaking of Obama's speeches). It's the way he's said it that counts the most. It's his manner, which, as presidential hopeful Sen. Joe Biden ham-fistedly reminded us, is 'articulate.'"

Ehrenstein's article also addressed one of the hottest issues surrounding the senator's popularity with the white crowd, accusing that very niche of supporting him "out of guilt." Ehrenstein labels Obama as "the magic negro" who is "there to assuage white 'guilt' over the role of slavery and racial segregation in American history." Although bold, this statement seems to hold some truth, pointing out that some white Americans will support and vote for Obama simply due to the fact that he is black. From the extreme liberal side, voting for the black man is the right thing to do, right?

While Ehrenstein's article may not be the most articulately structured reason why supporters of Obama should take a second to step back and look at the reasons why they are supporting him, it does raise some important points. As voters, the American people should judge candidates on their principles and political standings accordingly. Although Obama is tremendously revered, there seems to be a lack of judgment based upon these very criteria, and this is not completely due to the voting population.

In the Rolling Stone article, an Obama aide is quoted saying, "I'm not surprised you're having trouble categorizing him...I don't think he's wedded to any ideological frame." The article itself sharpens this point by saying, "With Obama, there is only the man himself -- his youth, his ease, his race, his claim on the new century. His candidacy is essentially a plea for voters to put their trust in his innate capacity for clarity and judgment. There is no Obama-ism, only Obama."

Yes, Obama is a very charismatic and articulate man and there is no problem with seeing some glimmer of hope in him as a presidential candidate. The danger comes when we as the public elevate Obama to a level at which he, or any other politician, would never be able to perform at. It is dangerous to vote for a president based on the aura of charisma that surrounds them instead of how they have performed politically. Was it not a certain allure that attracted some voters to President Bush because he "spoke like the common man?" If not that, his charisma and attitude post-9/11 sure catapulted him into re-election. When it comes time for the 2008 elections, vote on principles, not the glimmering good looks of a candidate.

Dale Wilsey is a senior

English/Professional Writing major

Move Over 50 Cent, Mozart's Throwin' it Down

Although we’re probably a long way away from hearing Mussorgsky’s thundering Night on Bald Mountain blaring through high end stereo systems along the streets, an interesting new development in the world of music has begun to take place. Classical music is on the rise.

According to an article on Slate.com, classical music was the fastest growing genre in sales during 2006—up by 22.5 percent, its highest increase since 2002—beating out jazz, alternative, and even rap, which posted a decrease in sales by 22.7 percent (Nielsen 2006 report).

There are a few factors which can help explain this phenomenon. Internet sales of digital music increased by 65 percent in 2006, and actual album sales dropped 5 percent, according to the 2007 Nielsen SoundScan report. While traditional outlets have either severely depleted their selection of classical music or have completely done away with it, the Internet offers a unique storefront for those seeking otherwise hard to find recordings. Classical artists have embraced this valuable tool with welcoming arms. The New York Philharmonic now releases four albums annually on iTunes.

The largest factor in classical sales growth can be attributed to a few classical-crossover artists, such as Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, and Il Divo. Brendan I. Koerner of Slate.com describes classical-crossover as, “…music [that] sounds more appropriate for a feel-good Disney movie. Think honeyed voices singing about love or inspiration, backed by lush string sections and synthesizers. Think singers who look like J. Crew models.” Even though classical purists treat crossover artists like rock purists treat Nickleback, as Koerner’s article so eloquently explained, it’s apparent that the recent surge in classical music is beholden to these three artists. Together, Bocelli and Groben were responsible for the sale of 3.16 million units, which include albums on compact disc, vinyl, cassette, and digital form.

While dance clubs are probably not pumping out Beethoven’s 9^th symphony or Mozart’s requiem for everyone to get low to, fans of the classical genre can crack a smile and take pride in the recent developments. With the healthy rise in sales and the help of online outlets, possible fans and enthusiasts are not simply limited to gas station sales racks filled with the cliché Bach and Beethoven CDs or nearly-destroyed vinyl records found at flea markets.

If you're reluctant to give classical music a try, just download some Wagner and pump it through your iPod Nano. The lows and overall power in his work blow away anything the oversaturated pop-market can offer.

No More Heroes

I wish I could be enthralled by a presidents speech. I wish I could look at a sports star and not wonder about how many millions they are getting paid and what kind of drugs they are on. I long for a musician to come along in the mainstream who hasn't been chewed up, processed, brainwashed, and spit back out by recording industries to make a quick buck. I'm left wishing and hoping, though, in a time of mass production and mass consumption of trash.

There was a time where even pop artist could have a song which had some semblance of feeling and heart. Today, every "artist" sounds exactly the same as though they all came shooting off of the same fast food assembly line. Christina Spears. N'Sync Street. Nicklecreed. It's all the same trite shit.

Although politicians were never truly liked, at least some of them had charisma and drive. Try to think back and find another president who spoke below a fifth grade level, as our grand master so eloquently does. I'm willing to bet that William Henry Harrison's inauguration speech wasn't as dull and painful to listen to as some of Bush's beautiful displays of the English language are.

Joe DiMaggio, in his last year with the Yankees (1951), earned a salary of $100,000. Factor in the inflation from 1951 until now and his salary would be a staggering $810,000. Today, the average salary for a professional athlete is around $2.9 million. Even the lowest players receive salaries of $300,000 or more (a generous earning for second or even third rate players).

So where are the heroes of today? Are there any or, more importantly, does anyone actually care? Is everyone so enthralled in their reality TV shows and puppet news casts that they don't notice the lack of substance? I'd just like to think they are numbing themselves, waiting for something.