All Over The Place

Vibes:

It's a bit strange to think that I don't know the lyrics to my favorite DevilDriver song, "Grinfucked" but that's just kinda how it goes. The song itself has many things going for it: fast paced riffs, drums that get the timing right, a sick bass intro and lyrics that sound authoritative and to the point. The song has certain vibe which makes it stand out for me out of the entire catalog. "These Fighting Words," "Horn of Betrayal" and "Pray for Villains" also share that same feeling. I don't think many bands having that pure in-your-face sound. On Beast, only "Coldblooded," "Shitlist" and "Dead to Rights" had that full on DevilDriver sound. That's why I'm happy that this new album is returning to the The Fury of Our Maker's Hand and The Last Kind Words era sound. Just look at the lyrics to "Grinfucked." Amazing:

Lights on but no one's home
I should've left you alone
You can't stand the heat,you're all alone
YEEAAAA!!!
Horseshoes & Hand Grenades
Coulda,woulda,shoulda your bed is made
Another man down & gone

Take advantage,manipulate
Take advantage,you piece of shit

Grinfuck
Debt paid in full!
You won't Grinfuck me!

This time the advantage is mine
This time vengeance is mine
Come seeking treasure
Without a map
It's in the journey & you'll never find your way back

Take advantage,manipulate
Take advantage,you piece of shit

Grinfuck
Debt paid in full!
You won't Grinfuck me!

Drop down!
Fool me once-shame on you
Fool me twice-shame on me
You've been Grinfucked

Even though Mastodon has been give or take more element influenced lyrics in their music, they also have that in your face feel to their songs. That's what makes Leviathan such an amazing album as well as Remission and to a certain extent Blood Mountain. That moment in "Blood and Thunder" where Brent just kicks off the song with "I think someone is trying to kill me..." is the moment you really know what you've gotten yourself into. "Island" has that too (which also comes out in Monsters University). I think of Mastodon as business first band. In more recent year (yes I'm calling you out Crack the Skye and The Hunter) they've lost a bit of edge but still show signs that they've got it thankfully. Their unreleased B-side for Crack the Skye, DeathBound, still easily can rate as one of their best songs. Keep on being classy guys, buisness first.

Lastly there is Lamb of God. I really wish they would sing like rednecks because that would be hilarious. They keep it adrenaline fueled all the time. "Laid to Rest" will always be the song I consider their best but with songs like "Redneck," "Beating on Death's Door," "Ruin," "Broken Hands" and "Ghost Walking," they're going full on metal every time.

Parents and Their Friend:

My mom and step-dad left to Mexico yesterday morning to go and celebrate my mom's birthday with the entire family. Thankfully they didn't really encounter any problems during their trip and made it safely. What is a bit weird though is that my step-dad's friend might go propose to my aunt even though they only met a few months ago. I guess the guy is a sweet talker or something but she's had the same sketchy (and I mean really sketchy, plus no one really liked him cause he always lied about everything, especially connections and how much money he has) boyfriend for the past two or three years, so this is a bit out of the blue. Congrats to him I guess, even though that would make him my uncle, but whatever.

Cycling:

Yesterday I rode from the northern part of the valley all the way to downtown as it has a been an itch of mine for a while. Riding over the Cahuenga pass next to the 101 is pretty cool and definitely has a nice view :)  There was show at the Hollywood Bowl so traffic was super packed and I got to just ride through everyone and leave them all behind in my dust. In recent weeks I've lowered the number of miles I cycle and hoping to use the summer to get that number back up.

Monsters University:

I saw Monsters University with America on Thursday as part of a date. The movie was definitely a change of tone from most Pixar films but I really loved it. They have a goth monster which was really cool (voiced by Aubry Plaza from Parks and Rec) and the cameos are pretty hilarious. I never really excepted seeing movie with whole 80s college tone to it, but it worked out perfectly and still has that same Pixar funniness to it. Squishy is an adorable character by far.

Next Gen Consoles:

Playstation 4 is way cooler than the Xbox One