Rammstein

I wrote a piece for my job, but I wanted to wanted to share more thoughts on the band and the show.

I don’t speak German. I don’t even know what the band is singing when I do listen, but their music transcends the language barrier and I that I understand. When I do get curious as to what they are singing about, I visit www.herzeleid.com a fan site that has the lyrics translate into English, but I’ve learned, the lyrics and the songs are better in German. When Rammstein sang “Du Hast” in English, I just liked it less.

Oliver Riedel has been quoted “French is the language of love, and German is the language of anger.”

Sure the music sounds angry with pounding drums and bass rhythms, but there is something beautiful about it. Something haunting about it. Something that just moves me.

I like the fact the band isn’t scared to touch on subjects that are deemed taboo or controversial and they aren’t scared to do a video that is taboo or controversial.

Example #1: When I first heard the song “Mein Teil” from their album Reise Reise, it gave me chills. It’s the way Til sings the song and the music that make the song creepy, and when I saw the video, I was even more disturbed and creeped out by it. After some research, “Mein Teil” was inspired by the song was inspired by the case of Armin Meiwes, a man convicted of murder and cannibalism. Not only had they taken subjects that were ripped from the headlines, they had made them their own, and in the end, twisted it around to open the minds of their fans. I had never heard of the crimes that Armin Meiwes had committed, but I’m aware of it now and the trails he went through, but the video also opened my mind and made me question things. Watch the Making of “Mein Teil”

Example #2: The video for “Ich Will” shows the band as bank robbers who are put on a pedestal by the media and then of course knocked off the pedestal by the same media. This video release was delayed in the US because of the 9.11 attacks.

Example #3: Another ripped from the headlines, is the song “Wiener Blut” from their latest album Liebe Ist Fur Alles Da that was inspired by the story of of Jozef Fritzi who held his daughter captive for 24 years underneath his house.

I could go on listing examples but the band isn’t afraid to share their art and music and I like that even if it was inspired by something that “normal” people don’t like...but really...what is normal?

There are bands that are over the top live...the ones that hide behind lights and pyro because they’re not the great live and then there are the bands that balance the lights and the pyro with a great show that shows the talent of the band and the musicianship of the band. When you see a band that can balance everything, you’re not only watching a concert, but a work of art that has come alive. To me, Rammstein has found that perfect balance...excellent music from talented band members plus just the right mix of pyro and lights. When they perform the song “Enge,” Til wears this gigantic silver angel wings and the wings of course shoot out flames, but are they blazing the entire song? No, just where it emphasizes the beauty of the song most. It was an excellent way to close their show...perhaps, the most perfect way to close their show.

Here is what I originally wrote for my job: Rammstein
On December 11, 2010, Rammstein played to a sold out crowd at Madison Square Garden in New York. It was the band's first appearance on US soil in 10 years.

After discovering the band in 1996, I never thought I'd get to see the band live, but after 14 years of waiting patiently, I FINALLY got to see one of my all time favorite bands! It was worth the wait!

First, apologizes this concert review is 3 days late, but I didn't have my laptop with me in NYC.

Now that's out of the way, let's start the review:

I went into the show hoping they would be the best performance I've seen and I really wanted them to be my NUMBER ONE LIVE show so I had pretty high expectations. After discussing what to expect from the show with a fellow fan who flew from England just to see the show, he said it would not have all the pyro from the European shows but that I would not be let down. He had seen the 6 times already and said the show only got better if you're a fan. I was already excited and this helped fuel the fire.
OH MY GOD! What a spectacular live show. I was not disappointed at all!

The lights dim and over 19,000 fans start chanting "Rammstein! Rammstein! Rammstein!" It gave me cold chills to hear that many fans chanting the name of a band and I can say true fans because the fan spectrum was from every nation and from every walk of life. We were all there together, forgetting our differences for one evening just for one band: RAMMSTEIN.

Rammstein opened with "Rammlied" from their latest album Liebe ist für alle da - They arrived on stage by using pick axes to tear throw the "wall" that separated them from the crowd and then delivered an 18 song set that rocked my face off (and I'm sure the other fans as well). The beginning of the set can be seen below.

Words cannot describe how as a music fan and a Rammstein fan how spectacular the show was. It was just amazing, completely blew me out of the water, and all shows after this will pale in comparison to this show. If this show was the first show I had ever seen, I'd never go to another concert in my life because no show could live up to it. Metallica and U2 are two of my favorite live shows. They get it. Rammstein, now my favorite live show of all time, well, they truly get it. Just enough lights, just enough pyro, just enough show. It was a perfect combination of showmanship, pyro, lights, and so on.
It truly was a perfect show.

I can tell any fan of music, go and appreciate what you're about to witness because you will never ever witness it again with another band unless you're watching Rammstein again.

Set List:
Rammlied
B********
Waidmann's Heil
Keine Lust

Weisses Fleisch
Feuer Frei!

Wiener Blut

Fruhling in Paris
Ich tu Dir Weh
Du Reichst So Good

Benzin

Links 2 3 4

Du Hast

P**sy
Sonne
Haifisch

Ich Will

Engel

The New York Rangers

I love hockey.  I’d like to thank Michael for getting me into the sport years ago, and I’d like to thank him for making one of my favorite teams be the Detroit Red Wings because they were also his favorite team.  They still are one of my favorite teams.  My other favorite team is The NY Rangers.  I won’t even lie and say I picked that team based on skill, tradition, etc.  I made that team my favorite team because I saw Henrik Lundqvist in a post game interview, but now, I can quote NYR stats like I can quote DET stats.

I have 5 things on my hockey bucket list:

• see DET play any team

        Finally saw DET play ATL on Nov. 23, 2010 @ ATL with my niece. It was her first hockey game and my first DET game. We lost badly, but the experience to share it with my niece was priceless.

• see NYR play any team

        Saw NYR play CAR in Feb @ CAR with my fellow NYR fan Johnny and new hockey fan Kim. It was my first NHL game and we won.

• see DET play @ Joe Louis Arena
• see NYR play @ Madison Square Garden
• see the Stanley Cup final game

I made it to Madison Square Garden to see The NY Rangers play on Sunday, December 12, 2010 and the team did not disappoint.  7 goals to the Washington Capitals 0 goals.  Dubinsky scored a hat trick, Lundqvist was a ninja in the net, and the atmosphere of 18,000 Rangers fan coming together for 1 team, was amazing.  If you were a Caps fan, you were buried by Blueshirt fans.  There are times when I’ve gone to an arena and the visiting team fans outweigh the home team fans (DET vs ATL) but at MSG or The Garden, the home team had the advantage.  The fans lift the team when needed and will surely give the team grief when something is going wrong.

Albums of 2010

I still can’t bring myself to calling an album a CD...call me old school...call me old...

Here are my favorite albums of the year...in alphabetical order

Constellations - Southern Gothic
Straight from the A-T-L (Atlanta or HOTlanta) comes this 8 piece band of soul, funk, rock, and awesomeness.

Crash Karma - Crash Karma
Canadians...love’em or hate’m for their music, they rock. This band features one my favorite vocalists Edwin (I Mother Earth, Edwin & the Pressure), Mike Turner (Our Lady Peace), Jeff Burrows (Tea Party) and Amir Epstein (Zygote) and is just brilliant.

Duran Duran - All You Need Is Now
It’s Duran Duran...it’s a combo of retro sounds and new sounds. I love them.

Jimmy Buffett - Encores (Live)
Jimmy could pretty much sing the McDonald’s Big Mac song and I’d love it. This is a live album of some of his greatest songs!

Ryan Star - 11:59
This album is the anthem for new beginnings and I can’t stop listening to it.

Scissor Sisters - Night Work
Love this dirty & sexy band...they’re not afraid to show what they got!

Songs of 2010

These songs were released in 2010 and I just dig’em. Here are 10 of the year.

Elastic Love by Christina Aguilera
Step Right Up - Constellations
Mocking Bird - Michael Tolcher
Rolling in the Deep - Adele
Power Blue Trans Am - Amy Correia
All You Need is Now - Duran Duran
Energy - Crash Karma
Fire with Fire - Scissor Sisters
Right Now - Ryan Star
Knee Deep - Zac Brown Band featuring Jimmy Buffett

2010 Songs of My Life

Here are the songs of 2010 - they have various meanings but that got me through each month of the year and through each day of the month and through moments in life.

January 2010
Dance in the Dark by Lady Gaga
Nobody from Nowhere by Jimmy Buffett
Wings by Jimmy Buffett
Life Short Call Now by Jimmy Buffett
Closer to the Edge by 30 Seconds to Mars
Always All Way (Apologies, Glances, & Messed Up Chances) by Lostprophets
You’re My Star by Stereophonics
Savior by Rise Against
Undisclosed Desires by Muse
Mountain Man by Crash Kings

February 2010
War by Sick Puppies
Scared to Death by H.I.M
Cry Wolf by Cavo
Shatter Me with Hope by H.I.M
Follow the Leader by Matthew Ryan

March 2010
Only Time Will Tell by Jimmy Buffett
Why the Things We Do by Jimmy Buffett
Monster by Skillet
Gold Guns Girls by Metric
Hurricane by needtobreathe
At the Bottom by Brand New
Animal by Neon Trees
A Beautiful Mess by Jason Mraz
I’ll Be Your Man by The Black Keys

April 2010
Felicia by the Constellations
Little Lion Man by Mumford and Sons
Winter Winds by Mumford and Sons

May 2010
- Need You Now - Lady Antebellum
- Love Left to Lose - Sons of Sylvia
- G-Get Up and Dance - Faber Drive
- She Won’t Be Lonely Long - Clay Walker
- Your Own Disaster - Taking Back Sunday
- It Happens - Sugarland
- Feeling Good - Nina Simone
- Winter Passing - Taking Back Sunday
- Wrong Baby Wrong Baby Wrong - Martina McBride
- Love Dog - TV on the Radio
- Sugar Town - Zooey Deschanel
- Chicken Fried - Zac Brown Band
- American Honey - Lady Antebellum (This song reminds me of my Mom and my niece Riley. No real reason why but I see them when I see the lyrics come to life in my head)
- If You Were Here - Poe (This song is to Poe’s father and a conversation between father & daughter. When it popped up on my iTunes on May 6th, I sobbed like a baby but believe the closure started on that night.)
A New Beginning - 26 (I had just written my post “Letting Go” and sent a tweet out. An author I follow had tweeted about this song. I clicked on the link & this song was everything I needed. I had let go and now I was about to have a new beginning...www.26theband.com

June 2010
- Calendar & Clocks by Gareth Asher
I’ve loved Gareth’s voice ever since I heard him in Illbreak. There’s just something very old, wise, and soulful about his voice. His new CD has a ton of great songs but this song is on an EP and is a gem. Lyrically beautiful and musically stunning. I just love the lyrics “If it’s the wrong way baby. Maybe, it’s the right time. If you can hear me lady, lover you’d be mine.”
- Ricochet by Shiny Toy Guns
This is a song that got stuck in my head nightly for weeks. I’d find myself singing as I stared at the ceiling trying to sleep. I’ve always liked this song. I like the way that Chad & Sisely’s voice compliment each other. And seriously, they use the word mesocyclone in the lyrics!
- Elastic Love by Christina Aguilera
I’ve always that Christina or Xtina could sing. I’m not a music snob and will admit talent. So I gave her new CD a listen and was well pleased. This is by far my favorite track and I like it because it’s fun. Lyrically, musically, & vocally it’s a fun song.
- Nothing by Miggs
I’ve seen Miggs live several times & it’s always great. I was able to catch the band live in early June and found myself singing the lyrics “Just for the record the weather today is pretty damn cloudy with a little burst of pain,” for two days before the show. I just like the way those words paint a picture in my head. The lyrics also described a day where everything seemed to fail me but you just knock the dust off your boots or in my case flip flops and keep on trucking.
- August Summer Dress by Matthew Ryan
I adore Matthew Ryan. His voice has a hold on me and I am listening intently to it, his lyrics, his music. This song popped into the iTunes shuffle and as I listened to it, this movie played out in my head. His music has a way of coming to life through speakers if you listen.
- Six Feet Above by Evan Watson & The Headless Horsemen
My friend Krissie does a mix of songs for every season and this is from her Summer Mix. I finally had the chance to listen to this mix on my way to Asheville on June 24th and it ended up being the soundtrack of the day. There were a lot of good songs but 2 stood out and this one was one of them. I really dig Evan’s voice and looking at a picture of him his face doesn’t match his voice but I really like the way his haunts the song. The song also rung a bell with me with the title & the lyric “I guess it’s bad just to set you free.” And the moment I heard that line, I looked up at the blue skies and knew that my mom was smiling down on me. She might have left this world but I only have to look up to see her.
- Waiting for My Real Life to Begin by Colin Hay
The 2nd song that is from Krissie’s mix. This song brought tears to my eyes as I listened to it. It was another epiphany song and I felt like it was my mom singing to me..."Be still, my love. Open up your heart. Let the light shine in.”
As Krissie said in her song notes “Live your life. Every day. Your life is happening now...”

July 2010
- Sell My Soul by Our Lady Peace
Hearing that song at the beginning of the month, I just realized lyrically what a great song it was. Hearing it now at the end of the month, it sometimes feel like I have sold my soul.
- Am I Still On by 1969
Again, a song that meant something different from the 1st of July than at the end of July. This month seemed like just rolling through the motions without being on.
- Wildflowers by Jimmy Buffett (Tom Petty cover)
Because I do as the song says, “You belong among the wildflowers. You belong in a boat out at sea. Sail away, kill off the hours. You belong somewhere you feel free.”
- According to You by Orianthi
I heard this song in my car & I just thought it was a fun pop song.
- Lovely Day by Donavon Frankenreiter
I just like Donavon. He puts me in that relaxed, island state of mind, like Jimmy Buffett does. This song was one of those that reminded me of the mantra “today is going to be the best day of my life.”
- Latitude by Evan Watson
Discovered this singer from my friend Krissie. Again, it’s just a reminder that sometimes, no matter how bad the day is, a little change in latitude can change your attitude.
- Next Life by Crash Karma
1st of 4 songs from this band that made the July playlist. Vocally, I love this band. I just dig Edwin’s voice and have been a fan of his since I Mother Earth. This song is that dream we all have...in my next life, I wish for this, I want that, etc.
- Live a Little by Crash Karma
2nd of 4 songs. Check them out @ Crash Karma - this lyric says it all “Life doesn’t always go to plan. I’m doing the best I can. So live a little.”
- Energy by Crash Karma
3rd of 4 songs. When I first listened to this song lyrically, I thought of my oldest niece. This is a song I would print the lyrics out to and give her as a reminder that her life is in the palm of her hands. Just “let the light within you shine.” It also became a song I played when I felt the light within me fading.
- Fight by Crash Karma
Last of the 4 songs by this band. Again, lyrically, song reached me to fight for something that I wanted, something that made me feel.
- Boston by Augustana
I’ve seen this band play several times and I just adore them. This song just reminds me that I often hide myself behind a facade and that if I keep people away from the real me, that I am exactly as the lyrics say “you don’t know me and you don’t even care.” This song reminds me to let people in.
- Dust by Augustana
I just love this song. And the lyric “I believe in the lord, but he don’t show up anymore” is something I feel. I’ve lost faith not in people but a higher being, God, Buddha, whatever since my mom past away. I’ve always had faith in something bigger than what we are, and I hope to find that again someday.
- Where the Boat Leaves From by Zac Brown Band
I first heard this song on Jimmy Buffett’s Concert for the Gulf Coast. Jimmy is the one drug that makes my soul feel free. This song made me ache for the ocean and made me like this band. “So get away to where the boat leaves from. It takes away all of your big problems. You got worries you can drop them in the blue ocean, but you gotta get away to where the boat leaves from.”
- Bad Romance by 30 Seconds to Mars (Lady Gaga cover)
There’s probably a 100 covers of this song, and this version, gave me cold chills. It walk the fine line of stalker vs being in love. A little sexy, a little dangerous, a little dirty, a little too much of good thing and way too much of a bad thing

August 2010
Moment of Surrender by U2
Awake by Crash Karma
Brand New Day by Ryan Star
Right Now by Ryan Star
Breathe by Ryan Star
This Could be the Year by Ryan Star
Closer to Love by Mat Kearney
Expression by Salt-n-Pepa
Supersonic by JJ Fad
It Takes Two by Rob Base
Bust a Move by Young MC
Jump in the Line by Harry Belafonte
Don’t You Think Someone Should Take You Home by Butch Walker

September 2010
Teardrop by Civil Twilight (Massive Attack Cover)
You Belong to Me by Butch Walker (Taylor Swift Cover)

October 2010
Impossible by Anberlin

November 2010
Waking Up the Devil by Hinder
Never by Saving Abel
Turn It On by Default
Mysterious Ways (Solar Plexus Magic Hour Remix) by U2
Take Me (As You Found Me) by Anberlin
The King of Wishful Thinking by Go West

December 2010
Stardust Universe by Jakob Dylan
The Wino & I Know by Jimmy Buffett
Let it Ride by Ryan Adams & The Cardinals
Waidmanns Heil by Rammstein
Rolling in the Deep by Adele
All You Need is Now by Duran Duran

Celebrating Lek

Mama,

Where ever you may be please take a moment and let Daddy and Brenda know you are near them. They need you more than ever.  I miss you so much and I love you big as the sky.  I know you are where you belong and I know you’re in my heart.  I love you.

~Shelia 

In a few short hours it will have been one whole year since my mom passed away...even thought it still feels like yesterday that I saw her smiling face.

Time is suppose to erase wounds or heal them but I will never forget the sound of my dad crying and hearing him say “She’s gone Shelia. What do I do now? She’s gone.”

I thought after a year, things would be different, but I still can’t believe she’s gone. I still miss her saying “good night baby,” to me and I know I always will.

Every day, I worry more about my dad and my sister and how her death has changed their lives. She was our glue that held us together and I sometimes worry that I’m not strong enough to hold us together.  Today, we were suppose to celebrate her life together as a family but life doesn’t work out the way we planned so we’re all doing something separate and will celebrate when my dad returns home from work.

I haven’t completely decided what I want to do to celebrate, but I know that at 12:55 pm, I’ll stop whatever I’m doing and tell my mom how much I miss her and love her.

A part of me wants to sit in my chair and stare blankly out the window and cry until there is nothing left in me, but to be honest,  I’m tired of crying.  I’ve let go of the anger and the hate.  I’ve let go that she’s never coming back.

When I see my youngest niece, Taylor, I see a lot of my mom in her.  The way she cocks her head to the side when she doesn’t understand something or when she’s thinking about something.  The way she balls her fists when she’s excited about something.  Those moments of Lek as I call them, make my heart smile.