Music

So this weekend on my usual car ride to Virginia, I decided to listen to a CD i hadn't in a while: Green Day's "American Idiot". It was so overplayed that I never really had given it much attention since everyone else hopped on it many years ago. Then I got an idea for a good article: Artists that change their style and how their fans react. Green Day is a perfect example of this. They started out as a punk rock band in Berkeley, California. After much success from 1994 album "Dookie" which is clearly punk rock at its best, Green Day seemed on their way. Many other albums were relased afterward trying to live up to the precedent set by "Dookie." Then in 2004, Green Day completely broke away from their roots and released a punk rock opera in "American Idiot". They An album with two 9 minute songs, developing characters such as "Jesus of Suburbia", "st. Jimmy" and "Whatsername", and really having nothing that relates to "Dookie", one could say Green Day was completely a different band. But they were still good. Name another band that can make a nine minute rock opera and get radio play from it. Simply put, Green Day is one of a kind.

Many other bands have changed styles and found success, such as Papa Roach. They started out as a rap metal band in the late 90s and now continue to make rocking music but have also implemented some ballads, such as "Scars" and "Forever". This was a successful transformation, as much as I love the song "Last Resort," I wouldn't want to hear them make 30 more songs sounding exactly like it. Incubus, one of my personally favorite bands, has also foregone a transformation that makes them a truly amazing band. They grew from a psychedelic funk metal band that could jazz, rock, and pop all at the same time and blend it perfectly. Now, the band still can change styles like clothes and sound awesome, but they are basically an established alternative rock band. One can see the band's growth from the songs "A Certain Shade of Green" (1999) to "Anna Molly" and "Dig"(2007)

However, some bands, such as Linkin Park, have not seen as much success while switching styles. The bands first two albums, "Hybrid Theory" and "Meteora" really could relate to the teenage angst of their fan base. Behind Chester Bennington's screams and Mike Shinoda's hard core raps, LP made it to the top. But then they released Minutes to Midnight. The first hit, "What I've Done" is sort of a wimpy ballad in the eyes of previous LP fans, and other songs like "Bleed It Out" and "Given Up" are just too whiny and not like the good songs of old. Many fans wish they would just go back to the days of "One Step Closer" and "Faint".

Why do bands change? Why do fans criticize when their favorite band does not release the music they've used to know and love? The answer is: People grow and change. A musician spends about 2-3 years between albums, and in that time they may have a life changing experience, or a premonition that will affect their outlook on music. One cannot expect that bands will produce the same music over and over year after year until they break up. Eventually it will get bland and grow old with fans and they will lose them anyways. The answer is musicians are creative, which is why they are professionals and the best at what they do, and it stunts his/her creativity to be making the same music over and over again. SO think twice before you criticize an artist that changes and maybe you can learn to change too.

Good Riddance Braxton Dupree

Today Maryland Sophomore Center Braxton Dupree has recieved his release and intends to transfer from the University of Maryland. Dupree, a 6'8, 245 center has just not lived up to the hype coming out of high school. He was a four-star recruit from Calvert Hall, but due to his inability to make layups and 12 inch vertical, Braxton well...sucked. He averaged 2.1 points and 2.4 rebounds in his career, and made the right decision becuase he probably would not see the floor next year with the front court of Dino Gregory, Landon Milbourne, and Jerome Burney returning, as well as four-star recruits James Padgett and Jordan Williams. In other news, the Terps have announced that they will play at Indiana December 1st for the Big Ten/ ACC Challenge. The Hoosiers went through a rebuilding season last year, and it should pay off this upcoming season. This should be a good game.

What!?! Why?? But.. Oh.. Yeah you're right

*Sigh*
why must the redskins have the worst organization in all of sports? Can we ever be content with the players we have? I guess not. Just recently, rumors of the Redskins trying to acquire Broncos quarterback Jay cutler in a trade surfaced. The redskins were willing to give up current quarterback Jason Campbell in order to complete the deal. The Broncos instead accepted a deal from Chicago sending Cutler to the Bears. So the Redskins were left with Campbell, a big armed young quarterback from an SEC school with a 16-20 record as a starter. Wait...doesn't that sound a lot like Jay Cutler? (almost exactly, except for Cutler's 17-20 record). Luckily, Campbell was classy enough to realize that Daniel Synder and Vinny Cerato are complete idiots, and is glad to be the Redskins quarterback. Things could have turned out exactly as they did for Cutler, who felt hurt by the Broncos after they tried to trade him for Matt Cassel. Honestly, grow up. Football is a business, and until you can man up you will never be a championship quarterback, just one big cry baby. Its quarterbacks like Jason Campbell that win rings, guys that when something like this happens, it just motivates him more. The Redskins organization doesn't deserve a Jason Campbell, maybe thats why we tried to get him. Our organization deserves a Jay Cutler, a primadonna. It seems as though the Redskins aren't following the mold of other successful NFL franchises by DEVELOPING talent, instead of impatient buying any big name free agent possible. Which reminds me, rumors have surfaced that the SKins tampered with DL Albert Hanyesworth before he became a free agent. This is probably true. Now when I read these things in the paper or see them on TV, Am I really that surprised? I've pretty much became accustomed to the stupidity and lack of common sense with out franchise. Until we start making wiser decisions, we will never be a championship team. By the way, mad props to the terps for beating both teams in the national championship.

March Madness

WOW I havent been on here in a while! Its March now and you know that can only mean one thing: The NCAA Tournament. Cinderella Stories, Buzzer Beaters, and on April 6th a National Champion will be crowned. I decided to weigh in on each bracket and give you my opinion on what will happen.
Midwest Region
Louisville is riding a 10 game winning streak and coming off a Big East Tournament Championship, But still for some reason they don't impress me. The Cardinals have been upset many times this year, by Minnesota, Western Kentucky, and UNLV. I don't see the Cardinals making it all the way, instead I have them being bounced by Wake in the sweet 16. Wake was an interesting pick for me this year, I have them making the final 4. If (Keyword: If) Wake plays to its potential, they can breeze thru this bracket with ease. Lets just hope the Wake team that beat UNC and Duke shows up and not the one that last to Georgia Tech and NC State. My upsets in this bracket are Arizona over Utah, West Virginia over Kansas is the second round (Kansas is so young, I don't know if I can trust them.) and Wake over Louisville and Michigan St. to make the Final 4 in Detroit.
West Region
UCONN is the number 1 seed in this bracket, and i'm also skeptcial of them. With Jerome Dyson out, I don't think they can make it all the way. I have them losing to Washington, yes that's right Washington in the Sweet 16. I like Washington a lot and I have them in the final four. They have a very good balance of guards (Isiah Thomas, Justin Dentmon, Lyle Overton) as well as Quincy Pondexter and JOn Brockman down low. They will be able to take down UCONN in the round of 16. My other upsets are Maryland over Cal, AND (Drum roll please) MARYLAND OVER MEMPHIS!! I have no respect for Memphis what so ever. They play in the C-USA, and the terps have a knack for pulling off the upset against a name-brand team like Memphis. You heard it here first. I have Maryland making it to the sweet 16 where they will lose to Missouri, who will lose to Washington, sending the Huskies to Detroit.
East Region
What's with me showing no love for Big East number 1 seeds?? Pitt has a record of 1-2 as the number 1 team in the nation this year, showing to me they cant perform under pressure. Also, Pitt's coach Jamie Dixon has choked, he has never made it pas the sweet 16. Once again this will hold true as FSU will knock them off in the sweet 16. Why? Florida state's front line of two 6'9 guys and one 7'1 guy can contain Dejuan Blair, and Toney Douglas is amazing and he will go off on Levance Fields. I ended up having Villanova coming out of this bracket, beating Duke in the sweet 16 and then FSU in the Elite 8 to make it to Detroit. I say this becuase I think Scottie Reynolds is the kind of player that can carry a team on his back all the way to the Final Four.
South Region
North Carolina will win this bracket. Ty Lawson will only be out for 1, maybe 2 games, in which the heels will play Radford and Butler/LSU. I don't really think they will need him till the sweet 16, when hell be healthy and ready to go. The big matchup will be UNC vs Oklahoma in the elite 8. I think Blake Griffin will destroy Hansborough, but Lawson and the UNC Guards will be too much to handle for Oklahoma as they head on to Detroit.
Final Four
SO this leaves me with Wake Vs. Washington and UNC Vs. Nova. Wake will ride their moment past the Huskies while UNC will be able to muscle up NOva inside. So in an ACC Championship game, UNC will beat Wake 92-88 in a Classic to win it all. You heard it all first hear. I'm out.

Blink is back!

I don't if any of you guys watched the grammy's 2 weeks ago, but if you did, rock band blink 182- announced that they are reuiniting. It was confirmed on stage when they presented the award for best rock album. Drummer Travis Barker stated, "We used to play music together, and we decided were going to play music again," then Bassist Mork Hoppus yelled, "Blink is back!" Later on their website, blink sent out a message that says "Hi. We're Blink-182. This past week there've been a lot of questions about the current status of the band, and we wanted you to hear it straight from us. To put it simply, We're back. We mean, really back. Picking up where we left off and then some. In the studio writing and recording a new album. Preparing to tour the world yet again. Friendships reformed. 17 years deep in our legacy. Summer 2009. Thanks and get ready."Blink-182 seems to be in the studio recording their next album, which expects to be released this summer. This is very exciting news, becuase blink-182 is one of my favorite bands and Travis barker is my idol. Can't wait for the new CD!!

Here's the video of blink announcing their reunion at the Grammy's:

MTV Shows

And here's their website. Click on message to see that the band has confirmed it:
http://www.blink182.com/

Terps!!

What a great day. The Maryland Terrapins Men's Basketball team, which has suffered the most schizophrenic season so far, finally caught a break and beat No. 3 North Carloina 88-85 in Overtime today. It was the best game the Terps have played in years. Greivis Vasquez recorded a triple-double, only the second person ever to do that in a Maryland uniform as he carried the terps on his back till the end. He finished with 35 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. Cliff Tucker provided a spark off the bench with 22 points (5 of 7 from 3) and Eric Hayes scored 17 as the Maryland bench outscored UNC's 41-5. The Terps never quit, after being down 9 at halftime and 16 with 15 minutes to go in the second half. 3 point shooting helped the Terps cut the lead to 2. WIth 1 minute left, down 76-70, Vasquez scored 4 points, including a layup with 8 seconds left and Eric Hayes added a layup to send the game to OT deadlocked at 76. Vasquez made 2 crucial free throws with the score at 86-85 to make it 88-85, the score in which Maryland held on to win by. This is such a huge Game for the Terps, who improve to 17-9 and 6-6 in the ACC and appear to be on the bubble for the NCAA tournament. With a key matchup with rival Duke next week, the fun has just begun.

History Tainted...once again

Alex Rodriguez, why? This guy was one of the only "good guys" left in baseball, that we all know didn't do steroids, right? Think again. Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003. This was the year he won AL MVP and home run title with the Texas Rangers. He hit 47 homers with a .298 batting average and knocked in 118 runs. Gah, I'm just at a loss for words. Is there any truth in baseball anymore? Everyone is cheating now a days, and they probably were in the past as well. I have all the reason to suspect that anyone that has hit 30 home runs in one season that is buff used steroids. That is what "America's Pastime" has come to. Cheating. What makes it even worse is in an interview in 2007 on 60 minutes, A-Rod stated he never used steroids. If I were a baseball player that used steroids, I would just admit it. Don't lie about it and get everybody on your side, then dissapoint them. The whole world deserves to be crashing down on you right now. Honestly, wouldn't any caring human being feel guilty after having such a great season or career, by cheating? If I feel guilty when looking at the cheats of a new video game, you must feel horrible. So where does A-Rod go from here? He's 33 and has 553 career home runs. At this pace he will pass Barry Bonds and hold the all time home run record. So it will be passed on from cheater to cheater. Great. Here's some advice A-Rod: Get on a plane and fly as far away as possible to some tropical island and just stay there. Because nobody wants you around anymore. This is the last straw for Major League Baseball. There are a lot of questions that needs to be answered. From now on, any player testing positive for sterois should be thrown out of the league, no exceptions. It's the only way to make the game clean again. Bud Selig has a lot of work on his hands, and with his recent "success", we should expect this to get even worse.