REVIEW: Sailing To Rome - An Outline For Reason

Sailing To Rome – An Outline For Reason
2007 Sailing To Rome

Buffalo, New York has a great tradition of hard rocking bands, from Cannibal Corpse to the Goo Goo Dolls to Every Time I Die, with lots of bands in between. Sailing To Rome sends a very clear message with their debut, An Outline For Reason that they are next.

The album opens with a guitar riff that would fit on any classic Iron Maiden album (“In Our Sleep”), and delivers some of the best melodic hark rock I have heard in some time. Sailing To Rome incorporates an unusual sense of melody and harmony into their songwriting for a band walking the line between punk/hardcore/metal. The vocals are accessible and understandable, and both lead singers are in excellent voice here.

I often try to find other bands/artists to compare to in a review to help readers get an idea for the sound, but Sailing To Rome is very difficult to peg, as they really don’t sound like anyone else. The mix of influences and creative talent has catalyzed into a truly unique, driving and listenable sound. There may be a tendency here at times to overuse screaming for effect, but on the whole this is a very original while still commercial album.

It is difficult to pick favorite songs here, but I would say that highlights are “In Our Sleep”, “Track Record”, and the title track. Sailing To Rome has gained a reputation in the Buffalo area for incredible, high-energy live shows, and some of that spirit comes through here. An Outline For Reason is the kind of debut that can push a band to stardom with the right breaks, and should serve as a reminder to the world at large that there’s a lot more to Buffalo than snow and chicken wings. Check out Sailing To Rome, you will not be disappointed.

Rating: Buy It Now!

You can learn more about Sailing To Rome at www.myspace.com/SailingToRome. You can order copies of An Outline For Reason at www.cdbaby.com/SailingToRome. You can also download An Outline For Reason from iTunes!

Politics: The Clinton Factor

A great deal was made during impeachment hearings of what Bill Clinton did to whom, and when, and for how long, etc. What was on the blue dress? How did it get there? Republicans in particular hammered Slick Willie for the fact that he had sex in the oval office, disrespected the office of the president and all that jazz.

None of that really mattered of course. I am sure William Jefferson was not the first sitting president to have sex in the oval office, with or without the respective spouse. Presidents have a long history of character flaws and behavior that are not "befitting" the office. The old adage is that the greater the character the greater the flaws, and this generally turns out to be true.

What truly rankled me, as a concerned citizen, was the legal defense put forth by the Clinton administration.

Not to be too base here, but if Clinton came out and said "Yeah, I did (it/her)", everyone would have forgiven and forgotten and the impeachment mess never happens. Instead we had a series of receding denials as more evidence was brought forth, public discourse on the definition of "is", and a general collapse of the public awareness of what government was doing on a day-to-day basis. Everyone was on board for the show, never mind that man behind the curtain.

Here is the rub. The President of the United States of America is, among other things, the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in the country. The President's ultimate responsibility is to ensure that laws of the land are enforced. This means that the integrity of the person sitting in the Oval Office is not just a sidebar, but is paramount to deciding whom should hold that office. It also means that any actions done by a chief exective in the public realm that conflict with or negate their moral authority to enforce the law compromise that person's ability to successfully prosecute the office of the President (or Governor, in the case of New York's Eliot Spitzer).

So when Bill Clinton went before Congress and lied under oath, that was more than just lying about infidelity. The infidelity itself doesn't really matter in the public realm. That in and of itself was and is solely between Bill, Hillary and Monica Lewinsky. But when Bill Clinton lied under oath, he told everyone in the world that the laws of the United States, which he was charged to uphold, didn't apply to him the way they should to everyone else. At that point right there he lost all moral authority to sit in the oval office.

This was a legal defense put forth on Bill Clinton's behalf. Bill Clinton was only acting under the advice of his lawyer; the individual charged with constructing the legal defense. While Bill Clinton was responsible for the actions of his representative, the representative was concocting a legal strategy built on lies and obfuscation. The lawyer in question was advising Bill Clinton to lie to the American people and Congress under oath, because the laws didn't apply to him, the President, the way they applied to everyone else.

By all accounts, the person leading the legal defense for William Jefferson Clinton was none other than Hillary Rodham Clinton.

So to the good people of Mississippi, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, North Carolina, and all the other states and territories to come, remember who you are considering for the Democratic Party nomination. Do you want someone who wants to build this country back up, or do you want someone who actually advised a sitting president to lie under oath to congress because the rule of law doesn't apply to the president the way it does to everyone else?

Don't vote for the dissembler.
Choose the assembler, be part of the solution.
Vote for Barack Obama.

Politics: Eliot Spitzer, Hillary Clinton: Enough!

Eliot Spitzer.

The governor of New York known for cleaning up Wall Street, the Public Sector, and yes, even prostitution, has put his hand in it, or so it would seem. Word has come down that Mr. Spitzer was caught on federal wiretap arranging for a call girl to travel from New York to Washington D.C. for sex. Not only that, but he was the reason for the investigation. Let me repeat that. Eliot Spitzer was the reason the whole investigation started. Apparently Mr. Spitzer was moving money around from account to account in a way that caused his bank to notify federal authorities of potential impropriety.

The investigation apparently began as one of Mr. Spitzer, to see if he was attempting to hide non-traditional income such as bribes. The investigation led to the arrest of four defendants thus far, and will likely lead to indictment of Mr. Spitzer on one or more charges. One assumes that the only public act left for Mr. Spitzer is to step down and relinquish the governorship of New York, as his political career is over, and he could be nothing more than a lame duck for the remainder of his current term.

While such an incident may not be fatal for every politician, Mr. Spitzer established his reputation as a reformer during eight years as New York State Attorney General. His squeaky clean image means that he can, and should, be judged more harshly than your standard everyday politician. It’s time for Mr. Spitzer to be the man of honor he’s always portrayed himself as and step aside, using the time to repair the damage he’s likely done to his family.

It occurs to me that this story has to be a nightmare for the presidential campaign of one Hillary Rodham Clinton. While no blue dress or intern was involved here, the kind of base philandering and disregard for the rule of law showed by Mr. Spitzer closely resembles that of one William Jefferson Clinton. Here in New York we are about to go through the sort of highly publicized scandal that nearly brought down the Clinton administration. This story has national legs, and has to serve as a reminder of the sort of day-to-day drudgery we had to endure with Bubba in the White House.

The associations it brings to mind for many could be a drag on the Clinton campaign, and it should be. The idea that Hillary can control Bill is a lark, and it is only a matter of time before being in the White House (even as First Maybe) goes to his head again. While there is no direct connection between Spitzer and the Clintons, this example of how scandal breaks down the ability for government to do its job should give us all pause when considering a return of co-presidents Clinton to the White House.

REVIEW: Neara Russell; Wendy Rowe - Food For The Gods

Neara Russell, with Wendy Rowe – Food For The Gods
2006, self-released

Peanut Butter and Cheese are two of my most favorite foods in the world. I could eat either one at most any time of day, but I don’t think I could ever lay a slice of cheese on a peanut butter sandwich. I am using this analogy to describe the sort of conflict I feel about Neara Russell’s debut CD, Food For The Gods.

Let me start with the components, which are wonderful. Neara Russell has composed original songs that cross lines from Chamber Music to New Jazz. Played strictly on piano, they create a mellow but vibrant landscape against which Ms. Russell’s (and even a few of her grandmothers) poems shine. The songwriting (or composition, if you prefer) reflect a maturity and panache far beyond Ms. Russell’s 20 years. There is a tremendous sense of melody, and the piano comes alive to carry the narrative in counterpoint to Wendy Rowe’s magnificent vocals.

Wendy Rowe is a soprano who Wagner himself would have died to have sing his songs. Her voice is angelic, and her interpretations here are beautiful.

Here is where the peanut butter and cheese analogy comes in. The component parts here are breathtaking and beautiful, but when put together, I had a hard time swallowing the finished product. Wendy Rowe’s voice overpowers the music here through much of the recording, making the moving intricacies of the piano disappear. This may just be an issue of the mix/production of the recording, but it did detract somewhat from my enjoyment of the disc.

Nevertheless, it is worth a listen or six. Neara Russell is a multi-faceted artist who also plays rock and roll, and who has displayed undeniable talent here on her debut CD. I will eagerly anticipate future recordings from Ms. Russell, either in the classical or pop/rock genres, because I believe she has a lot to tell us, and a lot of moving music within her to carry her stories aloft.

Rating: Buy It Eventually.

You can learn more about Neara Russell, and buy a copy of Food For The Gods at www.NearaRussell.com.

Politics: What are we thinking?

I am a little exasperated with the people of Texas, Ohio and Rhode Island this morning. Vermont is in my good graces.

I just do not understand how Democrats can continue to support Hillary Clinton. Looking at the long history of involvement of the Clintons in scandal, lying, deviation, potentially murder (Vince Foster), and dollars supporting them from overseas (China, the Middle East), I can not support this woman in her goal to be president.

I think it’s high time we have a woman president, as long as one who is qualified and has the right character and moral fiber to lead this nation comes along. Unfortunately character and moral fiber are not strong attributes on Hillary’s C.V. Hillary and her team are talking now about how a protracted fight will be good for the Democratic Party and how the party will be unified come November.

Hillary is in la-la land. The record turnout that has been seen in the Democratic Primary process has been inspired in large part by Barack Obama. Obama has pulled new people into the political process like the Pied Piper of Hamelin. He’s stood up there with a message of hope, a sense of dignity, manners, and policy positions that do not vary significantly from Hillary’s pseudo-conservative ones. He spent his life teaching constitutional law and helping the poor and indigent on the south side of Chicago better their lives. He is in this to build up America and improve our lives.

Barack Obama has been a gentleman through this campaign. He has vision and fortitude and for him it’s not about obtaining power for the sake of power. Contrast Obama’s years organizing people on the south side of Chicago with Hillary’s years on the board of directors at Walmart. Obama was helping people to make sure they were living in safe conditions with heat, hot water, proper safety considerations, etc. Hillary was actively suppressing union activity, keeping women out of management positions, paying minimum wage to employees and denying them healthcare.

In the end, Clinton doesn’t care about you or me. She cares about how we vote, but she can fool the poor and uneducated, or so she thinks. All she wants is power, and she’ll do anything to get it. Just ask Vince Foster’s survivors. She’ll destroy Obama. She’ll destroy the Democratic Party itself if that’s what it takes. She’ll do anything it takes for power and glory. She’ll tear the country apart if she has to.

Barack Obama will build us up.

It's the The Dissembler vs. the Assembler.

I'd rather build. Support Barack Obama.

Wildy Haskell
wildysworld.blogspot.com

Review: Stark - Put It To Your Head

Stark – Put It To Your Head
2007 Kicking and Screaming Music

What is a mild-mannered traffic reporter to do? A certain amount of angst builds up delivering the same messages of gridlock day-in and day-out in a major metropolitan area such as New York. Stark leader Lani Ford takes out her frustrations on the New York City Indie scene with great effect. Stark’s 2nd studio release Put It To Your Head evokes Courtney Love at her finest as well as the finely tuned angst of Green Day. Ford is joined for this release by guitarist Josette and drummer “Sweet Rob” Endemann. The sound morphs from CBGB era Punk to straightforward rock without losing a single identity, which is quite an accomplishment.

“18 Again” is a fun romp that will get your feet moving and looking for the pit. “I Pay” is the track that most evokes Courtney Love, and is a highlight. Other highlights include “Nothing’s Wrong”, “This Day”, “Disturbed”, and the acoustic version of “Butterfly”. The secret if Stark is that if strip away the amplifiers and attitude, they can really play and sing. This is a very talented young power trio who with the right breaks are destined for big things. Check them out, and if you’re in the city go see a show!

Rating: Buy It Soon!

You can learn more about Stark at www.myspace.com/Stark or www.starknyc.com. You can purchase Put It To Your Head at www.cdbaby.com/laniford.

REVIEW: Various Artists - Trucker Tracks, Volume 1

Various Artists – Trucker Tracks, Volume 1
Spec Records

Trucker Tracks, Volume 1 is billed as “Dedicated to all the men and women who move the heavy loads down the highway and the families that they leave behind…” It is a collection of country-rock tunes from the likes of Johnny Neel, Mike Cullison, Joe Durham, Greg Crowe, Rodger Mason and Bob Rea. The CD itself is a little uneven, as often happens with such multi-artist collections, but there are several high points. Most of them coming from the incomparable Johnny Neel (“Led Foot Boogie”, “Blindside”, “Saddle Up And Ride”, and “Folded Flag”). Mike Cullison provides a moving “Goin’ Up The Country” which may well be the cornerstone of the CD.

Rodger Mason is also a pleasant find on this disc, with “Trucker’s Son” and “West Coast Run”. All in all this is a solid collection with will appeal to those in the profession, country music fans, and some fans of blues-oriented rock. That being said, it’s more of a niche album rather than one that will have widespread appeal. It’s definitely worth the listen.

Rating: Buy It Eventually.

You can learn more about Trucker Tracks, Volume 1 at www.truckertracks.com.