(Note: This review was written while I was sitting in accounting class. Up the punx!)
The Upsides – The Wonder Years
This is probably one of the most important albums to come out within the last couple of years. The Wonder Years as a band have progressed and grew up at the same pace that I have. Much of the joking and rather toilet humored lyrical content has been replaced by commentary of a twenty something struggling to accept the world at large.
The importance of this album is not measured by just the change in musical style and lyrical content, rather, for the brutal honesty that Soupy brings to the listener. If any of you actually bought the album, he goes into great detail about the writing process of the album. Certainly much of the audience will not be able to empathize, considering the average listener’s background is middle income, suburban America, where the biggest concern is who is responsible for bringing booze to the next party.
The opening lyric that shows up sums the overall feel of the record — “I’m not sad anymore, I’m just tired of this place.” It brings the true feeling, not of sadness or depression, but absolute restlessness. Much of what I deal with on a personal basis becomes subject matter for a bunch of guys from the Keystone State.
I know that the album leaked months ago. I’m aware that you can easily find it on Rapidshare or Mediafire. The excitement in reading through the liner notes and lyrics has become a forgotten past time because of these things. However, if you DARE call yourself a fan of music, buy the record. The Upsides is one of examples of this. Lyrics, explanation of writing process, are a rather interesting lay out is found within pages. There is no feeling that replaces owning a physical copy of a highly anticipated album, let alone one of this magnitude and importance.
The Upsides is one of the best albums I’ve heard in recent years and will definitely be one of the albums of the year. I’m sure that’s not much coming from an 21 year old, unemployed, Econ student, but anyone who reads my blog should know about this record.
That familiar feeling, almost tastes like hate.
I forgot what it was like to give a shit about cars, girls, and being cool. Obviously I’m forced to focus on this school thing, but the only thing that matters is letting loose. The only calming in this insanity is more insanity.
Gabe XXX
I’m selling my We The People Nova. It’s a decent bike, not that many hours on this thing. I need money now that we’ve planned out the trip to the last Final Fight show, which should be tons of fun. I have it listed as $150 on Craigslist, but of course I am open to offers.
Gabe XXX
After reading a thread on TheB9 about naming 5 things you miss about being a kid, I decided I’d just make a list of whatever came to mind. Feel free to add. Picture is stolen from Torian. I thought it was weird that this thread came up considering I was just stressing on turning 22 this year. You know, when you have to accept more responsibility and shit like that. Whatever, growing up sucks.
- Oregon Trail and Sim City on library day.
- The anxiety of having to choose between regular or chocolate milk, even though you knew which you’d get.
- Nicktoons, ala Hey Arnold!, Angry Beavers, Rugrats, and Rocko’s Modern Life.
- Wearing pajamas to the school winter music program.
- Having your parents record every single event on a video camera.
- Goldeneye on N64.
- Getting everywhere on your bike.
- Going with my mom to Old Navy to buy cargo pants and performance fleeces.
- Playing football in the street and yelling ‘car’ when one was coming up.
- Snackpacks.
- Twisting ketchup packets and throwing them on the ground to explode.
- Buying bomb bags from the ice cream truck.
- Seeing who owned your book from last year cause you had to write in the cover your name, condition received, and condition returned.
- Playing in organized sports — CYO, YMCA, etc.
- Scrambled porn on TV.
- Surge.
- Having shoes with velcro and your favorite superhero on the side.
- Summer.
- SLAM books.
- Going to the SF International Auto Show with my dad.
- Getting dropped off at Border’s because you didn’t want your friends to see your parents drop you off.
- Getting a cake with whatever you were into printed on it.
There’s much more, I’m sure I am missing stuff. Feel free to add!
Gabe XXX
Lately, life’s been super chill.
Spent yesterday watching some football. Eventually met up with Ryoko and took her out for some eats. Met up with the Square 1 duders at UC Tap, and eventually Henry and Yuta came up and hung out. Headed back down to Henry’s and met up with Trinh, spent literally hours in the garage shooting the shit about our encounters with law enforcement and life in general. Of courses, this was all brought on by an encounter with a pretty chill member of the local police department. We also found out that someone knew Yuta through THAT Z and it was a big laugh.
What can I say; life’s ill.
Gabe XXX
