Pre-Plan If You Want To Be The Greatest: From Harry Potter to The Beatles

Because this is a complicated subject matter, I'll jump right into it. I often hear it argued that things are often their best when they are spontaneously done, and when it is fresh on one's mind. When I say "things" I'm referring to things that are forms of art, like songs, albums, movies, books, television shows. Basically this is the argument that some people (and in this case, the writers of these forms of entertainment) have a gift from above to do a particular thing and that they do it best when they are kicking it straight from their head. Like Lil' Wayne in rap, or Steve Carell's improv on The Office. This can also be extended and applied to The Beatles work on The White Album. When this epic band went into the recording studio in 1968, they had no plans except that they wanted to make an album. They each had their own ideas, they went with them, and in the end put together a hodge-podge of improv songs that when put together is still considered one of the best albums of all time. In all these cases above, geniuses are doing certain types of work which is not pre-planned, but taken day by day with no end result in mind. They eventually end whatever they are working on whenever their senses tell them it is right. Please understand that i am in no way attempting to downplay this type of art or this type of work at all. I will however argue that most artistic creations that are to stand the test of time are pre-thought out, with a clear ending and destination in mind. Again, I am not downplaying the amazing creations of Lil Wayne, Steve Carell, The Beatles, or any other genius. I believe that these people's art will indeed withstand the test of time, but I do consider some of it luck. Confused? You probably are, but please don't stop reading because I have a few examples that should clear a few things up in your head.

Let's compare two things. Both which are extremely relevant in popular culture today. It is important that both have "parts" or "episodes" that are released over a period of time. The first being J.K. Rowling's hit Harry Potter series, and the second being NBC's hit mocumentary The Office. First off, let it be known that I am one of the biggest fans of this show, and this book series. Ultimately I do believe that Rowling's genius 7 book series, will be considered greater for a longer period of time than The Office. Not because the show hasn't been good, but because it was not planned out beforehand, and has no end in sight. Rowling has stated that she had the entire story of Harry and his life before releasing the first book. Steve Carell and the writers of The Office had all of the characters down, and a plot to last two seasons, but did not have much more. The result of these two methods is an amazing book series that will be read for generations, and a very funny show that is being dragged out and on, and is progressively getting less funny with each new season. This is not because of lack of talent, but because Rowling had a plan that she knew was great, and she went through with it. But there is one key, and that key is knowing when to end something. Great things are planned out, and they are usually kept shorter than things that drag on. Too much of anything will eventually get old, and The Office has reached that point. People no longer care. Jim and Pam got married, Dwight is now trying to seize power from Michael instead of sucking up to him, and the Scranton branch is threatening to close for it's...let's see...third time now. People will always love Harry Potter because Rowling kept the reader wanting more, but ended it appropriately, just as planned. People are always going to want more of something in moderation, and will consider it great because of it. Look at the most popular show on television right now, Lost. This show is being talked about all over the world and I know very few people who have ever watched it and not fallen in love. May I now tell you that Lost is about to enter into its sixth and final season. People are going crazy because they know their time is almost up. It was a pre-planned show and it will last the test of time. I do believe The Office will be considered great, but not as great for as long, for once the later clips begin re-running, the casual watcher at home will see a bad episode that had no significance to the show, and decide they do not like it anymore. With Lost, this cannot happen because it is pre-planned and every episode has extreme significance.

This connection can also be made between The Beatles White Album and their album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. The former, as mentioned above, they went in and made a collaboration with no end in mind. The latter, they went in with a concept in mind. Constructed a beginning song, "Sgt. Pepper's", a reprise at the end, and an amazing conclusion song that they knew they wanted to end it, "A Day In The Life". The results of the two...Two great albums, I mean come on, they're The Beatles, but I know very few that would argue that "White" is better than "Pepper's". "White" was not pre-planned and ended up being a 30 song compilation of great songs. "Pepper's" was planned out, and consists of 12 perfect songs in the perfect order, and is arguably the best album of all time. Both will stand the test of time, but one is better than the other, and hopefully we all now agree on why that is so.

Until next time.

Album Review: A.A. Bondy

I will occasionally be posting album reviews and/or analysis. They will be from an album I am familiar with and have listened to in its entirety on the day that I post the blog. They may be new, ancient, or somewhere in between. Good news, the first one comes right now...

Album: American Hearts
Artist: A.A. Bondy

It is extremely hard to believe that Scott Bondy used to be the leader of a punk band that originated out of Birmingham, Alabama. I don't know which is harder to believe, the fact that he was in a punk band, or the fact that he used to live in the state of Alabama. After this "psychedelic experiment" ended in 2003 Scott changed his name to A.A. Bondy which stands for "Auguste Arthur", and moved to Palenville, NY and began writing solo material which would appear on his debut solo album "American Hearts" (which eventually came out in 2008). He completely changed his style to an indie folk sound. I have often referred to him as the closest thing that my generation will ever see to a Bob Dylan. Of course, Bondy is nowhere near the songwriter that Dylan ever was, but many comparisons can be made from his acoustic guitar and harmonica sound, the way he dresses, his poetic lyrics, unique but beautiful voice, and the way he changed his name. Of course, no one will ever compare to Bob Dylan as a songwriter, but what Mr. Bondy lacks in his songwriting, he makes up for with full force in his guitar skills. The finger picking patterns on American Hearts are some of the most beautiful my hears have ever heard. They are extremely complicated, but do not overwhelm the listener in the least. The entire album is a great, relaxing, methodical listen the entire way through. The imagery on the album is very clear, especially on songs like "World Without End" when he describes her "hair of rain and black" it makes the listener fall in love with the woman immediately. In "Black Rain", Bondy evokes sympathy from the listener, as you can hear the pain and sincerity in his beautiful voice. This is one of my favorite albums and I recommend it to anyone who likes any type of music at any age. Even my parents like A.A. Bondy.

Sidenote: I saw him in Birmingham in November. He hits the soft notes with a beautiful ease, but is not scared to show his punk roots when he rocks out with intense electric distortion. It explains his wide variety of fans.

Cemeteries, Spirits, and Death

Some may find it strange that my first entry is based around my fascination with cemeteries. I cannot fully explain this fascination and I do not claim to fully understand it. The one thing I do understand is the fact that they give me an eerie feeling, but not a bad eerie feeling. An eerie feeling like I want to camp out in the cemetery for days until I know all of the tombstones front to back and all of the stories associated with the people who reside there. The living can gain a lot by studying the deceased, not just factually, but spiritually. I'm not claiming to believe in ghosts like Casper or the "Red Lady" of Huntington College, but I have a strong faith in spirits. Spirits that have gained knowledge through both life and death, spirits who may try to communicate this knowledge to the living in subtle ways. Maybe I just chose to believe this because I have trouble thinking about ever actually leaving this messed up world that I enjoy so much. I may have found some of my distant relatives in the Pine Hill cemetery today. I'm considering taking some flowers to their graves just in case. Get the spirits on my good side. Wouldn't want my own family working against me. Until next time.