Retribution: King James Version

Above these words you see the picture of a man you’ve been demonizing for the last 2 years. If you can’t recognize him he’s the one in the center. The one with the biggest smile on his face. Many of you have continued to viciously defecate on his persona, but as you can see on the man’s face, he has left all the negativity behind. In this moment, he is free. He is happy. He is a kid again. He has moved on to bigger and better things. He has turned the page and is writing a new chapter. His life has changed for the better, probably forever. And yet so many continue to despise the man. Now might be a good time to look at yourself and ask who the real bad guy is. Do you even remember why you hate this man so? Have you truly convinced yourself yet? “I’ve paid my dues time after time. I’ve done my sentence, but committed no crime.”

The man is, of course, LeBron James. The best player in basketball for years now (as well as a stand up guy, if you care to notice)–but only now being widely recognized as such–and freshly crowned NBA champion. The nickname King James finally sounds apropos. His smile has never looked more regal. In the wake of 20 plus some-odd months of intense vitriol, criticism, hyperbole and hypocrisy thrown in his direction, LeBron James could have easily become the bad guy that all of his critics so badly want to believe that he already is. The fact is that LeBron is just a better athlete than most anyone in the world. He’s a once in a lifetime talent. Sadly, that fact alone will make some people dislike him. But there are others who hate him solely for the way he flew south for the winners. The man was tired of waiting around for a championship and the help it would take to help him achieve one. He without a doubt made a few bad decisions in leaving Cleveland for Miami, but just for a second, imagine some of the bad decisions you’ve made in your life and how awful it would be if those who didn’t believe in you constantly reminded you of them, while ignoring all the good things you’ve done before and since your errs. “And bad mistakes…I’ve made a few.”

Sure, the officiating in games featuring the Miami Heat (and every other team for that matter) this playoff season was horrendous at times. Atrocious even. And yes, LeBron made a few glaring missteps while bolting for Miami a couple years back. He may have even had flashes of arrogance on the court at times. (Name me one superstar athlete who hasn’t done that in a moment of weakness, or a star athlete who doesn’t get a bit more gritty when racing for the ultimate prize…) But the continued (but hopefully waning) demonization of one LeBron James is not only ridiculous and unfounded at times, but also downright ignorant and hateful, especially when coming from the uninformed, or blindly negative types (i.e. sports fans who just don’t get it and/or casual fans who shouldn’t have an opinion anyway). It’s also getting really boring. A couple weeks ago, during the Eastern Conference Finals against the Celtics, Yahoo! Sports posted a “story” about LeBron “taunting” Kevin Garnett. Basically what happened was KG trash talked LBJ after a made basket and LeBron, in turn, laughed at him. Yes. That is the end of the “story”. And of course, they lured people in by implying that he taunted KG in some evil, mystical way.

If you actually watch LBJ with an open mind (as Miami beat writer Brian Windhorst also alluded to on Friday’s Mike and Mike In the Morning simulcast), it’s clear to see that most of the time, he does all the little things right. For instance, when he has an open court to himself, he has all the ability (not to mention if’s fair game) to do some crazy ass dunk, but he more often than not, will slam it straight in, with little to no pizzazz. He rarely shows up the other team. He also pats the ball to the opposing players after made shots that fall into his hands, whereas the Celtics themselves, for one, had a bad “habit” of knocking the ball away from everyone in an opposing jersey. It’s becoming more and more evident and obvious to me that some people will do everything in their power to bring down those who have reached a pinnacle of success and boy do they enjoy doing it. If the target is a perennial asshole, believe me, I’m all for it. But when it’s someone who has been under a microscope since the time he was a teenager and has handled the majority of his affairs like a gentleman and has been a model citizen on and off the court for at least 95% of his professional career, frankly I find it disturbing. I could find examples of his kindness and grace in the face of all the negativity, hatred and assorted other bullshit, but the people who continue to demonize LeBron, even after last night’s huge, healing step forward–will do so no matter what any objective person with no dog in the race has to say. Facts don’t matter to irrational people. “No time for losers…”

I (and many others) will continue to be a fan of LeBron forever, or until he gives me a legitimate reason not to be. Disgruntled, self-proclaimed enemies will continue to spit venom to a man who they’ve never met. But what will LeBron do? I hope LeBron just keeps doing what he’s been doing. The best thing LeBron can do is to continue to be a model citizen, continue winning, continue smiling and continue succeeding. He will make more mistakes and some will continue to scrutinize every single one of them, but from now on, no one can say he’s not a champion, even though a lot of people still will. Living well is the best revenge and I have a feeling LeBron is doing just fine. I hope LeBron has found his happiness and I would humbly suggest that those who will continue to wish nothing but the worst for him, do the same. It’s not like LeBron is listening anyway. And now he has even less reason to. Let the man enjoy his moment in the sun and find a little bit of that light for yourself. Either way, I’m sure he’ll keep on fighting ’til the end. And as long as he fights the good fight, I’ll be in his corner.

Reviews by Request: ‘Breakfast in America’ by Supertramp

Requested by: Kathy D. of Raleigh, N.C.
Band: Supertramp
Album: Breakfast in America
Year of release: 1979
Label: A & M
Production: Peter Henderson; band
Standout track: “Goodbye Stranger”
Quotable: “I believe in what you say is the undisputed truth. But I have to have things my own way, to keep me in my youth.”
Other highlights: “Breakfast in America”, “The Logical Song”, “Take the Long Way Home”
Lowlight: “Casual Conversations” (A song even Billy Joel would be embarrassed to put on one of his better albums)
For fans of: the Bee Gees, Rush, Queen, Styx, Head East, Frankie Valli

Track-by-track score: 4.13/5 (82%)
Album cover score: 3.5/5
Album title score: 3.5/5
Opening track score: “Gone Hollywood” – 4/5
Closing track score: “Child of Vision” – 3.25 (Too long and gaudy)

For a band that once had a number one album (this one) and a healthy handful of perfect pop hits (including one of the best of all-time, “Goodbye Stranger”), you don’t hear a whole lot about Supertramp. I’m not sure exactly why that is. I’m sure they were talked about a lot more when this album came out, but I was 3 at the time, so I don’t remember. But one thing is clear. From what I’ve gathered over the years, this is their most well known album and it’s most likely their best. They are also the rare UK outfit that seem to have been a lot more popular here than they are there.

If I had to take one guess as to why Supertramp doesn’t necessarily come to mind when you think of the best classic rock bands of all-time, I’d say that they probably came around a little too late. By the time they were in their prime-the mid-to-late 70s-most of their would-be counterparts had either disbanded or were about to and the music world was shifting. By the time the early 80s hit, the majority of rock being played on top 40 radio wasn’t rock at all, but a pale imitation. But this album stands on its own as a superb display of what Supertramp were and what they were capable of. Maybe if they spent less time bitching with each other and more time continuing to perfect pop music, they’d be remembered among the greatest bands of all time, but regardless, this is a landmark album.

I had always loved the 4 songs from this album that I was familiar with, but had never heard the record in full until now and other than a few misfires, the album does not disappoint. The best songs are still the ones you’ve probably already heard, but nonetheless, Breakfast in America is a passionately theatrical, jumpy, good time, pop classic.

If you’re a fan of the band, you already have this. If you like what you’ve heard and are curious to hear more, definitely get it. The only thing that stops this from being a masterpiece are 3 or so mediocre songs.

On Billy’s Ocean Made of Tearz: Songs That Make Men Cry

Come to think of it, maybe Billy Ocean was right. There will be sad songs to make you cry. I just don’t know why he chose to sing about it in a song that was clearly designed to induce vomiting. (Not sure if Billy Ocean has been signed to Ipecac Records yet, or not, but I digress.)

In my younger days, I would have (and probably did) scoffed at Lord Ocean’s notion. I never experienced a song having that particular power until the fall of 1995, when none other than Tiffany McCourt put my heart through a paper shredder. So there were two firsts, knocked out all at once: First broken heart and first time having a song yank tears from my eyes. (I think it was Sting’s “Fields of Gold”. Sorry.)

It still doesn’t happen to me at an alarming rate, but the more I live and the more I see, the better chance a song with a certain mood and melody can get me at the right time and there is even one that will get me to do it pretty much anytime my ears get a hold of it. (Stay tuned)

I’ve always proudly cried at movies. I cry way more at movies than I do in real life. But it still takes the perfect tune at the perfect time to get me to weep uncontrollably. I know some men who never cry from songs (or at movies, at that rate) or cry less than me and I know men who cry more than me. I have to think that men who don’t do it force themselves not to. It can be done. You just focus on something else. I prefer to just let the art control and let the tear ducts flow, but I do understand people who try to avoid it, because sometimes crying due to the power of a song can bring out other things that you’ve been trying to keep stowed away for a reason. I admit that sometimes it’s easier to just turn away or turn something off when you start feeling a little verklempt. (Ironically, I think songs have an even better chance at tugging at my heartstrings, when they are played during emotional scenes and/or montages in films.) There are also a handful of songs that put me on the verge of tears based almost solely on how beautiful, genuine and inspiring they sound to me and many of them are not sad songs by any stretch of the imagination.

You may be wondering what made me decide to write this piece. Thanks for asking. One of my favorite publications, Paste Magazine, recently posted another of their great lists. This one listed ten songs that were most likely to make men cry. “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M. came in at number one. I had no major problems with that pick, but I wasn’t overly impressed by the rest of the list in general, as much as I adore Paste and everything that they do. I was immediately curious to know what other songs make men cry, so I sent out posts on Twitter and Facebook to my male friends and followers to find out and surprisingly, I only got a couple of smart-ass responses. Here are the real ones:

“Cry, baby, cry, make your mother sigh.” – four dudes with funny hair

AL from the UK (@NeoplasmSix on Twitter) didn’t actually admit to crying, but said that “The only one that comes close is Johnny Cash’s version of ‘Hurt'” No argument from me there. I don’t think I’ve ever cried while listening to that one, but it might be one of those tunes that is so powerful that I have no choice but to focus on something else. That rendition is the real deal.

Michael Webb from South Jersey (@spudrph) picked some showtunes, (““Empty Chairs At Empty Tables” (Les Miserables), “One Song Glory” (Rent), “You and I” (???) #broadwaygeek”, said Mr. Webb.) which was a brilliant idea. I hadn’t even considered that genre.

Dan Shrimpton (@Shrimpin) of Hitchin, Britain wrote, “My mate played Dorothy Moore – Misty Blue continuously on the jukebox at a wake. After the 14th time I was pretty close.” I hadn’t heard this particular song in a while and after hearing it again, that post made so much sense. I’m sure if I was at a funeral, that tune would have all the right moves. Here’s a cheesy clip of it:

The lovely Andy Manson (@Mansonovic) of Glasgow said, “Don’t Dream It’s Over (Crowded House) has made me cry before, as has Streets of Philadelphia.” (Springsteen) “Don’t Dream…” is one of those songs that just transports me back to my childhood, so considering that, it’s more than a fair pick. I believe that Springsteen one (understandably) made the Paste list as well, but I find some of the songs off his landmark Nebraska album to be far more effective.

Jeffrey Wright (@Professor_Snack) of DC Metro’s pick was “Where Have You Been” by Kathy Mattea

Peter Shorney (@peacockpete) of Newbury, Berkshire, UK said, “In a certain mood, Queen’s Teo Torriate has been known to choke me up.”

Juan of Long Beach, CA (@xdracco) thoughtfully shared, “mad world by Gary jules. From Donnie Darko. It was sad when it came out but now I associate with my nephews death, more sad.” Tragic indeed. I feel for his loss and this song has always been one of those that makes those kinds of memories hard to suppress. For better, or for worse. Here’s a video featuring the touching, breathtaking “Mad World”, which was originally a Tears For Fears song:

The amazing Phil Grech of St. Augustine, FL (@philgrech) is a man after my own heart and coincidentally, one of my cohosts on the Four Horsemen podcast– http://blogtalkradio.com/thefourhorsemen1 –which can be heard each Monday night at 10pm EDT. He selected “Jeff Buckley’s Lover You Should Have Come Over and Nirvana’s You Know You’re Right”. Those are two of my favorite artists. Most of you are probably tired of me talking/writing about Nirvana, so I’ll just touch on the Buckley joint. The entire album Grace is emotional in so many ways for me. It has mended broken hearts for me, but it’s so hard to listen to Jeff Buckley emote when you already know that he’s not with us anymore. Few artists have left a larger void in their absence. This one speaks for itself…

Paul Gude (@sgnp) of parts unknown proudly stated, “Grendel’s Mother by the Mountain Goats makes me cry.”

And finally, my old buddy James Kilmury (my lone Facebook participant) from Austin, TX came through in the clutch with this, “Talvin Singh “Butterfly”, Hybrid “Just for Today”, most of Johann Johannsson’s IBM 1401: A User’s Manual album”.

The MVP performance was turned in by the great Doug Tilley (@Doug_Tilley) of Peterborough, Ontario, who sent me multiple selections including, “Sufjan Steven’s “Casimir Pulaski Day” and Billy Bragg’s “Tank Park Salute” do it for me.. ; Also admit to tearing up a bit to Squeeze’s Up The Junction. ; Warren Zevon’s “Keep Me In Your Heart” ; The Jam “Liza Radley”. I cry a lot more at music than I do at movies. ; One more: Richard Thompson “1952 Vincent Black Lightning”. Wow! Thanks, Doug! Those Stevens and Zevon tunes were perfect picks in my book and almost all of the artists listed are favorites of mine, so I was blown away by Mr. Tilley’s contribution.

And now it’s time for my pick. (@sexbiscuit) This song always gets me and it gets me even more if I’m having a horrible day or I’m going through a breakup. It’s “The Luckiest” by Ben Folds. The song is also great because it makes me cry even when I’m falling in love with someone. Because usually I’m falling the way Ben fell for his wife. Here it is:

“I love you more than I have ever found a way to say to you.” – Ben Folds

Well, I hope you got something out of this entry other than man tears. And if you missed my post and wanted to tell us what songs do the same thing to you (you can keep it confidential if you want, bro) feel free to tell me in the comments. Thank you. Now let’s go listen to the Top Gun soundtrack and watch some football while drinking beer. And giving Barry Manilow a reacharound. Happy Kwanzaa!

“If I leave you it doesn’t mean I love you any less…keep me in your heart for awhile.” – Warren Zevon