Sing. Sad. Song. Repeat.

Information regarding the forthcoming sophomore major label effort by my favorite band, Carbon Leaf, has recently been revealed. The title of this September 12th release is "Love. Loss. Hope. Repeat." This emo-sounding title reminds me of what I would have thought up if I were naming an album when I was 14 years old and my girlfriend had just dumped me. Needless to say, I am not impressed. This seems like a continuation of a downward spiral the band has taken towards heartwrenching ballads that are composed as studio songs and not road tested. They admit this in an interview on the band's website www.carbonleaf.com. I find this to be an absolute travesty. The tunes are still musically and technically well done, but they are missing an air of the unexpected and the zaniness (for lack of a better word) that made them quasi-famous in the first place. Gone is the day of the penny whistle and the mandolin, not to even mention the long ago death of the bagpipe. The originality of the award-winning tune "The Boxer" has nearly completely faded into their past. I do enjoy some of these ballads that made Indian Summer a fine album that was enjoyable in a certain mood or setting. The versatility of the music seems to be fading and the decline continues on L.L.H.R. Don't get me wrong, I still have a sick obsession with the band and will certainly purchase a couple of copies of the new album. However, the passion I had when I would follow them across statelines, sell their merchandise, burn CDs and drag friends to shows is leaving. I will be proud to announce that when Carbon Leaf is huge on Adult Contemporary radio that I once worked and drank beer with those five guys, but the fanaticism might indeed come to end and the story of my finding a new love will be written "Find. Love. Sellout. Repeat."
In other more gruesome news, I had my second operation on the posterior of my body this morning. This procedure was considerably less invasive than the last. Recovery will hopefully be quick and I can finally put this two year nightmare behind me. I will finally have the opportunity to see one of my rock and roll idols Saturday night when Ryan Adams visits the Norva. I am pumped about this show as long as my ailing body can stand a few hours of easy rocking out. The drugs are taking their toll and it is time to turn it in. Good night.

"The best activities for your health are pumping and humping." -Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger