Disaesthetic

Hello September

Most of my favorite shows will begin airing new episodes starting this September. South Park, an American institution and one of my favorite shows ever, will begin it’s 20th season on the 14th. Donald Trump, the coming NFL season, and the Zika virus will provide a dispensary of ammunition. What unforeseen topic Matt and Trey will exploit next intrigues me most. Along with Colorado’s favorite crazed town this month promises great new seasons and recommencing of weekly news satires.

Real Time with Bill Maher returns September 16th on HBO. Maher will resume getting sued by Donald Trump and jabbing towards the general election this November. I expect “New Rules” when both candidates finally debate. With polls fluctuating frequently, Hillary’s Bengazi emails released, and boiling government situations Maher has plenty on his plate. Sharing in the buffet, John Oliver continues to educate us and crush Trump. Once Oliver and the Last Week Tonight team research your schemes the butthurt shrieks for all to hear. The program resumes on the 25th.

Any Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons finishes the last half of its debut season this week. It’s the first season but it’s been underwhelming so far. Ratings wise it’s not doing well but the content has improved every episode. Simmons’ take on PSLs, Personal Seat Licenses, made me aware of an old issue that’s still around but hardly discussed. Learning Jonah Hill got bronchitis from doing too much fake coke or Michael Rapaport and Bill going to court with Judge Joe Brown about Deflate Gate were two of the best bits on the show so far. Hopefully HBO gives the show enough time to mature and build an audience. It’s not a great show yet but it’s steadily improving. The Ringer network and podcasts have been great too.

I’ve already watched the new season of Narcos and the fall of Pablo Escobar. His death doesn’t end the show for me though. The last episode leaves a nice rope for the show to continue which I’m hammering for. Star Wars Rebels will continue its third season on the 24th with a one hour premiere. I look forward to the foreshadowed decent of Ezra to the Dark side. Hopefully Darth Maul’s role continues to expand. I’m also excited about Danish actor Lars Mikkelsen as new villain Grand Admiral Thrawn. Mikkelsen has been great as Russian President Viktor Petrov in House of Cards. That’s another show I’m looking forward to next year.

Collection Update 2

Test_Banner

Almost two weeks ago Burger Records had an incredible tape sale. $3.33 per tape for the whole weekend. Not sure why they did it but you don’t ask questions when you can get six dope tapes for $20. I was able to get a couple of tapes I’ve wanted, try some new bands, and add some bragging rights to my collection. Unfortunately the Fidlar and Turbonegro tapes I got went on back order, even though I ordered them when they were available… Either way, I’m looking into what that means for my tapes. In the mean while I’m enjoying the hell out of the Death Valley Girls right now. The new additions:

Drive North by SWMRS
Running Back by Weed
Glow in The Dark by Death Valley Girls
Subterranean by Tracy Bryant
Fidlar by Fidlar (Back Order)
Special Education by Turbonegro (Back Order)

If you haven’t seen my collection check it out. I update it when I get new tapes.

My New Infatuation

I started noticing Fit for a King around the time I knew I was going to quit the old band. They had just put out Slave to Nothing and the scene was buzzing with how intensely assaulting it sounded yet sprinkled in Christian struggles, or failure, with addiction to drugs and alcohol. Songs like “A Greater Sense of Self” connected with internal strife yet awakes the primal side that makes you bounce, scream the words, and lose your shit. I got lost into its world. It’s the kind of stuff you tattoo on your arm. Waiting for their next record has been a daily ritual of checking their Facebook for updates and studio clips. The waiting has finally ended with Deathgrip, due October 7th.

“Pissed Off” and their album takes on terrorism, genocide, general death. Fit for a King were in Germany last year when ISIS attacked, which was just one of many recently. This first single has the kind of slinky grooves and breakdowns that satisfies the wait for new FFAK. Nick Sampson produced the record and carved out nice spacing for all the instruments, especially the bass. It’s clearly heard in metallic up-tempo rhythms and chuggasaurus verses and choruses. The final breakdown is reminiscent of “Warpath” from Creation/Destruction with its long hoovering guttural growl and slow show no mercy chugs. Most of the album promises to sound like that record.

Deathgrip, with all its hype, feels like it could be the best Fit for a King record yet, maybe ever. Everything you could want aesthetically and musically is there. Great fucking album cover I want on my body. The videos look amazing for their teasers. I can’t wait for their music videos, which I never thought I would say about any band in 2016. The themes of death and real life terrorism really intrigue me and broadens the audience for this band. The Christian edge or label on them is completely irrelevant. FFAK offers music with substance, and internal and external struggle. There is value in the lyrics and feel of the music, but you can easily just throw down to the heavy parts at a show. I can’t wait to see them live in October.