When the Day Gives You Lemons

So I'm a little tired. I'm not getting enough sleep. I'm busy at work. So I'm a little burned out by music. Yet, when I leave for home at the end of the day, what do I do--I dial up XM 47, Alt Nation, then XM 54, Lithium, and I'm sucked back in. But I guarantee you there will be a time when I have to stop listening so I can sort out the thoughts in my head. And that's ok. Sometimes you just have to step back.

Listening to all of this newer music, I was glad to turn on Lithium today, because the music took me back to when I REALLY became obsessed with music--the 1990's. The '90's don't get the same recognition that the other previous four decades get. But there was some good music, perhaps even some better music. There was a sort of return to analog music, meaning less use of synthesizers, more use of electric guitars. I play(ed) guitar, got really into it. That music has never left me. Fortunately for me, I heard a few great tunes this afternoon that made me happy.

• Smashing Pumpkins, "Drown": I remember the first time I heard this was listening through the singles soundtrack. This song blew me away! I always loved the opening guitar riff. I guess Billy Corgan hypnotized me with his lyrics. But more than anything, I wanted to become a drummer because Jimmy Chamberlain's playing just floored me. I never did become a drummer (unless air drumming counts), but I still love his playing.
• Alanis Morissette, "Ironic": Ok, I know. This song is corny now, but it took me back to good times. And I liked her vocals on this. If I had my choice, I would take "You Learn", but this is the one that came on.
• Pearl Jam, "Even Flow": I will always stand by Pearl Jam as a great band even if many will say they were not really important to music as a whole. I wanted to sing like Eddie Vedder, play rhythm like Stone Gossard, and solo like Mike McCready. I still listen to them.
• Naughty by Nature, "O.P.P.": You down? ;o)

Sometimes stepping back helps you in stepping forward.