I'm like Phil Collins, I don't wanna dance

I've read a lot of comics recently. Comics are good. I am so smrt.

I suppose the most topical of all the comics I read was "Palestine" by Joe Sacco. Though it was written in the early 90's, the book illustrates the tension between the Israelis and Palestinians, as well as the tension between the different Palestinian factions that is still ongoing today. Only a week after finishing the book, Hamas took control of the Palestinian government over a oft criticized Fatah party. One of the folks that Sacco meets in the course of his travels even gets dirty leers from passersby when he reluctantly starts sporting the signature Fatah scarf.

Since Sacco spent the majority of his time in Palestinian towns and relocation camps, the book is very sympathetic to them. Chapter after chapter are filled stories of people going to jail, trying to find work, being harassed by Israeli troops, and lots more depressing stuff. It was especially hard for me to stomach one story where a man was held for weeks on end with no evidence against him. He would be taken to court periodically, where his lawyer would contend that the Israelis had no evidence against him, and the Israelis would counter by saying that they just needed more time to find it. In the meantime, instead of actually looking for evidence, they cruelly tried to torture it out of him. The sheer volume of horror stories that Sacco is bombarded with during his time in Palestine almost starts to become comical as the comic goes on.

It's said that history is written by the winners. America's revolution against Britain was successful, therefore it was a noble war that helped establish a wonderful nation, instead of an illegal secession from a sovereign nation. Unfortunately, Palestine's struggle hasn't resulted in anything resembling independence, so the occasional act of patriotic resistance is instead called terrorism. I feel very sympathetic for the Palestinians plight after reading "Palestine", but I'm incredibly wary of Hamas at the same time. However, Israel has done tons of horrible things to provoke Hamas. I think that I'd end up hating everyone involved, on all sides, were I to read up on the issue more in depth.

Sacco's narrative reads a lot like a Cometbus story, if you were to replace a back alley in Berkeley with a muddy Palestinian street. Pages filled with winding text are parsed side by side with Sacco's realistic yet exaggerated artwork. His drawings capture wonderfully the emotions and individuality of the people he has encountered. Were he to take a more grotesque approach to his artwork, it would look something like R. Crumb's stuff.

Sacco has also written several books about his time spent in the land formerly known as Yugoslavia near the end and after said country's time of upheaval. That was a weird sentence. Regardless, I wanna read more of his stuff. Boy oh boy, there are lots of comics out there to read.

Best of 2005!

In no particular order, here's some releases I enjoyed this year. I'm absolutely sure that there's tons of great stuff I haven't heard yet, but here's the best of what I did hear.

Bruce Lee Band - Beautiful World
I drove to LA just to see the one stateside Bruce Lee Band show and bought the CD slightly before its official release. It's a bit on the short side with a few less than stellar tracks, but there are a few outstanding 2-tone ska numbers on this disc. "Go Feet Go" is reminiscent of Madness' classic take on "One Step Beyond," and "North of Montague" is another driving track of the same ilk.

Satori - Savor Every Moment
Fronted by Steve Borth, saxaphonist for the Rx Bandits, Satori's first full length is a really enjoyable ska record with soul and reggae elements. The lead vocals aren't terribly strong, but they got heart, and they're backed up by some sweet harmonies. My friend Jason told me that this album sounded like Sublime, and that scared me away from listening to it, but he was wrong!!!

Calling All Monsters - The Traps That Work Best
My band opened up for a show that CAM was playing which ended up spawning a beautiful friendship. There are 2 bands in the San Francisco Bay Area that I recommend, and CAM is one. Heartfelt music that puts the rock back into indie rock.

Aesop Rock - Fast Cars, Danger, Fire and Knives
Aesop Rock could crap out a record every day and I'd listen. The inclusion of a booklet with lyrics to EVERY one of his songs was a wonderful bonus.

Sage Francis - A Healthy Distrust
I think that if I met Sage Francis I'd probably hate him. But, the fact is, he's a great rapper and he's got the cojones to speak his mind. A Healthy Distrust, unlike Sage's previous album, Personal Journals, carries on the righteous anger about today's social and political climate that he expressed in his classic song "Makeshift Patriot." The world needs people like him to rabblerouse, whether or not they're likable folks!

Ging Nang Boyz - Door
The best punk rock record I've heard in forever, maybe ever. At the risk of hyperbolizing, the Ging Nang Boyz are the most awesome band ever.

Ging Nang Boyz - Kimi to Boku no Daisanji Sekai Taisenteki Renai Kakumei
Released at the same time as Door this album rules along with it, the Queen to Door's King.

Sambomaster - Sambomaster ha Kimi ni Katari Kakeru
Great soul-punk from this dorky Japanese trio. I've talked about them enough in this blog, but they're tight.

Toddle - I dedicate D chord
You can read what I said about them in the review mentioned in my previous post. Probably the most pleasant surprise of 2005.

BREAKfAST - 3rd & Army
BREAKfAST is one of the few hardcore bands of any note left these days. Their concert in Ebisu, Tokyo was one of the best shows I caught this year. The singer carried a skateboard on stage (his trademark), and he spent the entirety of 2 songs singing from the middle of a moshing crowd.

Here I am with singer Morimoto. NIIICE!

Ugly Duckling - Bang for the Buck
Ugly Duckling serves up their most party-ready record yet. Tracks like "Yudee!," "The Breakdown," and "Let It Out" are absolutely bangin'. Another one of the best shows of 2005 was Ugly Duckling at Britannia Arms in Cupertino. MC's Dizzy and Andy play off of each other so well, and DJ Einstein is in command of the turntables.

Danger Doom - The Mouse and the Mask
Another enjoyable album from MF Doom. The collaboration with Cee-Lo, "Benzie Box," has one of the best hooks of the year.

November Trials - Cover Your Tracks
November Trials is the other best band from the Bay Area. The production on Cover Your Tracks shouldn't scare you away from listening to the great songs on this EP. Fans of Jawbreaker, Fugazi, and Minus the Bear will love this.


A few of the best singles from this year were...
Sparta Locals - Yume Station
Sambomaster - Sekai ha Sore wo Ai to Yobun da ze
Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc.
Geto Boys - Dirty Bitch
Ted Leo - Since You Been Gone + Maps


And, worth mentioning are the re-releases of...
Dinosaur Jr. - You're Living All Over Me / Bug


And finally, I feel like I've dug myself into a pit by making this a strictly music-related journal. I don't really have that much to say about music after all. So, you can expect more weird stuff to show up here from now on. N!!!