Heyo! Happy Monday! This post is about a song that I've heard hundreds of times but only learned the story behind as an adult. Was compelled enough to research and write about it hence why we're all here.
DISCLAIMER: This post does mention a car accident that led to death.
(L-R) Pete Criss, Ace Frehley, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley
KISS is one of my dad's favorite bands of all time. Probably in his top five. I have acquired his love for the band, myself, having listened to them my whole life. While listening to one of my many playlists the other day, "Detroit Rock City Car Crash" came on. It's an eighteen second audio of a simulated car crash included on Destroyer (45th Anniversary Super Deluxe). When it came on, I remembered when my dad told me that "Detroit Rock City" it is based on a real-life crash that happened outside of a KISS concert.
The song was originally meant to be an ode to Detroit, Michigan, which had treated the band with nothing but love over the years. Stanley intended the song to be a celebration of life and music, but when producer and co-writer Bob Ezrin suggested he write something a bit different than partying - which the band is known for - he did just that.
"'Detroit Rock City' is an interesting one, because Detroit really embraced us before any other city. We were an opening act everywhere else, and in Detroit we were the headliner. It started as a tribute to Detroit, and then it kind of took a left turn, because we played Charlotte once, and somebody coming to the arena was killed in an accident. And I thought how bizarre that somebody on their way to something so life affirming loses their life. So there's a juxtaposition in that song about singing about how great Detroit is, and actually about someone going to the show who doesn't make it."
The song itself is catchy and if you're not listening to the lyrics closely, you'd have no idea that it tells the story of a reckless driver's last night. It really does sound like another party anthem from the band. When I decided to write about the story behind this song, I tried looking up information about the real crash but came up empty handed. From the various articles I've read that has quoted Stanley, the only information I could gather was it was either a two-car crash, or the person was hit by a car while arriving to the arena and that it happened in Charlotte, North Carolina not in Detroit, Michigan.
The tragedy of the unknown fan is forever immortalized by a band they admired.
Heyo! Happy Monday! If you read the title and are feeling deja vu, worry not. This post is the spiritual sister posts to "An Auto Appendectomy in Antarctica" which I posted back in January. Let's get into it!
Dr. Jerri Nelson at the South Pole, 1999
In 1998, Dr. Jerri Neilsen joined an expedition to Antarctica on a one-year contract as a medical doctor. Stations at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, the region experience near complete darkness for the six months of winter with temperatures as low as -76 degrees Fahrenheit (-60 degrees Celsius). From February until October, the station was completely cut off from the world with no flights coming in or out. The people at the station were stranded with whatever resources they had. Unfortunately, Dr. Nielsen discovered a lump in her breast and consulted several physicians in the United States via e-mail and video conference. Consulting with those doctors resulted into Neilsen performing a biopsy on herself. Unfortunately, the initial results were inconclusive due to the outdated supplies and equipment onsite.
Fortunately for Dr. Nielsen, The National Science Foundation sent a military plane to airdrop supplies and medications for her treatment. However, the plane was unable to land due to the harsh weather conditions. With the help of the South Pole crew after they lit fires in barrels to mark a drop zone, an Air Force cargo plane overflew the Pole and dropped six bundles of supplies and medical equipment via parachutes. The new supplies and equipment allowed Dr. Nielsen to perform a second auto-biopsy with the help of some South Pole colleagues who she trained to assist with the procedures. New better scans were sent to the United States, and she was diagnosed with cancer. Her makeshift team of colleagues were able to help her self-administer chemotherapy while still at the South Pole station.
Due to the dire nature of the cancer, an aircraft was sent several weeks ahead of schedule to bring Dr. Nielsen back home as soon as possible. After multiple surgeries and a mastectomy Dr. Nielsen went into remission. After becoming a motivational speaker, Dr. Nielsen was named Irish American of the Year by Irish American Magazine in 2001.
Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station
Sadly, Dr. Nielsen's cancer returned in 2005 and metastasized to her brain, liver and bones. However, she didn't let it stop her. She continued giving speeches and traveling the world, even returning to Antarctica several times. In 2008, she announced that her cancer had returned in the form of a brain tumor. Dr. Jerri Nielsen continued to be active and give speeches up until March 2009, three months before her death. She died June 23, 2009, at only 57 years old.
She is truly a testament of perseverance. Despite the devastation that comes with cancer, she never let it stop her. She is an inspiration not just for women, but for everyone. Her story was told in a made for TV movie, Ice Bound: A Woman's Survival at the South Pole starring Susan Sarandon as Dr. Nielsen.
Heyo! Happy Friday! Hope you had a wonderful week. If you didn't, I hope I can lift your spirits with a little piece about a new actor on my fixation roster.
Warning: This post mentions pedophilia, rape, and child murder in fictional scenarios as well as a mention of incest, so if that's not for you, please feel free to explore other posts on my blog.
Today, I am highlighting actor, Paddy Considine. He first came onto my radar after his role as Father John Hughes in Peaky Blinders. I am a HUGE Peaky Blinders fan, and he played one of it not my favorite villain of the entire series. I am the kind of person who loves a good villain, so when an actor makes me hate their character I become interested in seeing more of their work, but Father John Hughes was a tricky one. Father Hughes was a pedophile priest who made main character Tommy Shelby's life a living hell. However, he was rightfully killed by one of his victims. Justice was truly served.
I didn't really seek out more of Paddy's work after that, but then I watched House of the Dragon where he played King Viserys. Honestly, I have no strong feelings for this character, but I do believe the makeup department deserved any and every award they got for the series. Viserys is a fun character at times. Who could blame him for being angry that his brother preys on his daughter. I would also send my brother to fight in a war after that tomfoolery. Again, even after House of the Dragon, I did not seek out his work.
Tom Hardy and Paddy Considine, MobLand
It wasn't until my mom and I watched MobLand that he REALLY grabbed my attention. In this series, Paddy plays second born son, Kevin Harrigan. To say I enjoy this character is an understatement. Kevin Harrigan, my beloved broken fictional man who I would burn the world for. While he is a main character, he is not the main focus of the show. Kevin is part of an ensemble of complex colorful characters and he is very complex. Spoilers for MobLand if you haven't seen the first season yet. Kevin is married to Bella who is revealed to have been one of his father's mistresses. Together with Bella they have a son named Eddie who might not even be Kevin's son. Eddie may actually belong to Conrad, Kevin's father. Not to mention Eddie is a complete spoiled brat and an imbecile and the catalyst for most of the drama in the series when he murders another gangster's son. Kevin is haunted by memories of being sexually abused and raped while in prison and goes on to murder his rapist. The man is put through the ringer and it's only the first season and again I mention he's not even the main focus of the show. Paddy's portrayal of Kevin earned him a spot in my brain rent free.
After MobLand THEN I thought why not explore more of Paddy's work. So, I have started slowly. Most recently, I watched his performance in all eight episodes/films of The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher. I am a sucker for period dramas, so of course I was going to enjoy this series. Paddy played real life Detective Inspector John Whicher who starts as a Detective with the Metropolitan Police, but after being disgraced he becomes a private investigator. He solves crimes while grappling with mourning his son and wife. I very much enjoyed the writing of this series, but the writing wouldn't be able to shine if Paddy's performance wasn't top notch. The first part of the series, he investigates the murder of a child, and you see him grappling with his own grief for his own son. It's so expertly done in subtle acting choices. If you, like me, enjoy a fun whodunit mystery, I highly recommend this series. It's on Disney+ in the US.
I also learned that Paddy Considine is a musician. If you know me, you know finding out an actor I enjoy watching makes music is the true way to my heart. He's been involved with several bands, but most recently, he is the lead singer for Riding the Low. He co-owns a record label, Clinical Finish Records which is distributed by Genepool. From the little bit of research, I did about his band after checking out their music and vibing, he does write most of the music, if not all of it. The band has one EP and three albums.
In 2022, he told The Guardian, "I am never fully comfortable with acting. I've never fully embraced the fact that I'm an actor. I still feel like an imposter...I'm always second guessing myself: is this OK? Am I doing a good job?" When asked about his music, he said "They're unfiltered, they go through me." Clearly, he feels more comfortable as a musician than an actor, but I can confirm that as an actor he is doing better than "OK". He is one of the few actors who is able to disappear into the roles he plays and that's why watching him perform is so enjoyable. I cannot wait to explore more of his filmography and listen to more of his music.
Do you have a favorite Paddy Considine role? Or maybe you're more familiar with Riding the Low and have a favorite song. Let me know in the comments!
Heyo! Happy Wednesday! Hope your week is going well so far! This week I thought why not talk about one of the true parasocial loves of my life, Joe Jonas. I say that jokingly. Of course this is just another excuse to write about Joe, not that I need much of an excuse to do so. He is best known more for his music career fronting DNCE and the Jonas Brothers as well as his solo career Did you know he also acts? His acting credits are few, but that doesn't mean they don't deserve recognition. So today, I am breaking down my favorite roles of his.
5. Himself, The Righteous Gemstones
This role is more of a cameo in a couple episodes. I believe he only showed up in two episodes, but his cameos are iconic, hence why it made this list. The Righteous Gemstones is a comedy about a megachurch run by the Gemstones family. Joe's role is as an investor in a Christian resort. His first appearance is a performance. Dressed in what can only be described as "wannabe cowboy" garb, Joe performs "God Blessed Texas". The song is perfectly comedic, and he even puts on a faux Texan accent. In a later scene he tells one of the main character, Jesse Gemstone, that he'd always wanted to get involved in the hotel business having stayed in so many during his career. This version of Joe is a comedic Christianized version of himself. In his final appearance on the show, he is dressed from head to toe in orange, accessorized with a fuzzy matching bucket hat and an oversized gold cross chain. This small role made my top favorite roles of his purely for his performance of "God Blessed Texas" and the horrendous orange outfit.
4. Himself, A Very Jonas Christmas Movie
For this slot, I was between playing himself in A Very Jonas Christmas Movie or Joe Lucas in the Disney Channel show, JONAS. Both roles are very similar since they're both fictionalized versions of himself, but I enjoyed his more recent role just a tad bit more. A Very Jonas Christmas Movie is a Disney+ original Christmas film starring the eponymous Jonas Brothers as slightly fictionalized versions of themselves trying to get home for Christmas with their respective families. I sat slightly because the film also stars their parents, younger brother Franklin, wives, and children. Except for Joe. His daughters did not play themselves in the film, and it seems that they aged them up using older actors to play his children. In the film, Joe is single and reconnects with an old childhood friend, Lucy, played by Chloe Bennett. Joe and Lucy make a connection and sing one of my favorite songs from the film "Feel Something" about wanting to give love a chance, but being afraid to having both gotten out of relationships recently. Joe's performance is over the top, but on brand for a Disney Channel-esque performance. He's charming while also being able to portray some of his insecurities. My favorite song of the whole film is "Best Night" where he briefly portrays Elton John, Daniel Radcliffe, and David and Victoria Beckham in a daydream type scenario. Joe posted a TikTok while they were shooting in drag as Victoria Beckham and I need the man in drag more. That is all I'm saying. His performance, while not Oscar worthy, was still fun and enjoyable to watch.
3. Will Moretti, Hot in Cleveland
Will Moretti, my beloved. This fictional man who was only in two episodes of the entire series has lives rent free in my head since I watched those episodes nearly three years ago. Keep in mind, I have only ever watched the two episodes he is in, so I don't know if his character is mentioned off screen in any other episode, but I loved the two plots they had for him. First time we see him he is visiting his mom for the first time in her new home after she divorced his dad. He is a clueless college student always on his phone, dealing with a clingy girlfriend which causes some conflict, but all is well by the end of the episode. The next time we see him a few seasons later, he is engaged to Emmy, played by Jennifer Love Hewitt, who happens to be the daughter of one of his mom's friends and roommates. There a scene between Will and his soon to be mother-in-law which is my favorite Will Moretti scene where he tells her, "I'm poor and unfamous and I'll probably always be poor and unfamous, but I can guarantee that every night when she gets home she'll have a man with a sympathetic ear, a glass of wine and a foot rub. Now what woman doesn't deserve that?". You can see why I fell in love with him. The engagement is quick and quite a whirlwind. Unfortunately, Will and Emmy's engagement ends when they have a disagreement about their plans for a family. I think Will dodged a bullet, but I still feel bad for the guy. I can't remember what episode it's said, but it is revealed that Will is on the road to become a social worker which wins him even more brownie points with me. Despite it being one of the smallest roles, Will Moretti has become one of my favorite fictional characters. We love and support minor character Will Moretti in this household.
2. Shane Gray, Camp Rock & Camp Rock 2: Final Jam
If anyone has anything negative to saw about the Camp Rock films, I will fight tooth and nail. Camp Rock is the perfect Disney Channel Original Movie and that is the hill I will die on. During my original Jonas Brothers fixation, I watched Camp Rock every single day for months. No joke. Joe's performance as Shane is flawless. Absolutely no notes. Shane Gray is an entitled whiney rock star. Let's not forget how beautifully he pulled off the hip hop dance instructor. Not only was Joe's performance stellar, but he played Shane with such beautiful confidence, which couldn't be easy and it's very much shown in that scene. Let's be real, Joe isn't a dance in real life. Don't let his band DNCE fool you. But you never saw a doubt in his mind when he pulled off those dance moves. Daniel Day Lewis - who I absolutely adore and admire - could NEVER! In the first film we get to see him play an absolute diva which is why he is so iconic and then in the second film we get to see absolutely lovesick puppy eyes Shane who just wants to spend time with Mitchie. Shane Gray 2.0 was so soft and despite how he just wanted to spend the summer with his girlfriend doing cute dates, he still helped her get the camp in shape for Final Jam. Even if he disagreed with some of the decisions and steps she was taking. We love a loving a supportive boyfriend especially when he's as cute as Shane Gray. I cannot wait to see what he has in store for us in Camp Rock 3.
1. Marty Goode, Devotion
Of course, the history nerd is putting a film about a time in history as number one on their list. When I first watched Devotion, it was before Joe waltzed his way back into his head. I watched it as soon as it hit Paramount+ for Glen Powell but as soon as Joe showed up on screen, I immediately said, "I know those eyebrows anywhere". I was pleasantly surprised by his appearance. Man looks good in uniform, I won't lie. The reason this role gets the top spot over Shane Gray which I know is shocking to some people is because of how well he performed in this role. He played Marty Goode, an aviator in the Korean War. He was more of a supporting character, but he did perform when he had to. Joe brought his real-life charm to the character, even portraying Marty as a flirtatious lady's man. Ensign Martin Goode was a real aviator in the Navy, but there wasn't much I could find when I researched him to compare to Joe's portrayal. Overall, I enjoyed his performance and the character. He didn't take attention from the story being told but rather added to it. He was able to capture the emotion of the role, and this film has plenty of emotional moments. I really would love to see him act more in dramas.
Let me know if you agree with my ranking, or you feel like other roles Joe has played deserved to be on the list!
Heyo! May the fourth be with you. I almost wrote about Star Wars for today, but I had already started researching Cinco de Mayo for a post last year but never finished it. So, since tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo, here is the post intended for last year. Full disclosure: I am Puerto Rican not Mexican, however as an American, Cinco de Mayo has always been celebrated in the US for as long as I can remember and even longer as you'll learn in this post.
Batalla del 5 de mayo de 1862, 1870
Cinco de Mayo is often mistaken for Mexican Independence Day which is actually September 16. The two holidays are not releated.
To understand what Cinco de Mayo is and why it's still celebrated today, we have to go all the way back to May 5, 1862. On that date, the Battle of Puebla took place led by General Ignazio Zargoza against the second French Empire which occupied Mexico City at the time. It is not just any simple wartime victory. There were only four thousand Mexican soldiers against eight thousand French soldiers. That French had not been beaten for almost half a century at that point. The fact that the Mexican army was able to beat an army twice its size adds to the significance of the victory. Historian Justo Sierra believes that had Mexico lost the battle France may have gone on to aid the Confederate States of America in the American Civil War, which would have drastically changed the course of history.
On May 9, 1892, only a few days after the battle, Mexican President Benito Juarez declared that the anniversary of the battle would be a national holiday regarded as "Battle of Puebla Day" or "Battle of Cinco de Mayo". The national celebrations peaked during the Porfiriato - the long rule (1876-1911) of dictator President Porfirio Diaz who had fought in the Battle of Pueblo as an officer. According to historian Kelly Lytle Hernandez, Diaz "Strategically turned the Cinco de Mayo Festival or celebration into a celebration of his own power and reign and made it something that was celebrated across Mexico and even in diasporic Mexican communities in the United States". After President Diaz was deposed, Cinco de Mayo celebrations declined due to its association with him.
Dancers celebrating Cinco de Mayo
In modern times, Cinco de Mayo is not observed nationally in Mexico, but public schools do close that day. It is only an official holiday in the state of Puebla, where the battle took place, and neighboring state of Veracruz. In Puebla celebrations include a parade where participants are dressed as Mexican and French soldiers to reenact the battle. In Mexico City, Camp Marte commemorates the battle. A street in the historic center of Mexico is named Avienda Cinco de Mayo after the battle.
When did Cinco de Mayo become a country wide celebration in the United States? In the 1860s, states such as California, Nevada, Oregon, and Texas began a day of remembrance in the context of the Latino experience of Mexican Independence Day, Mexican Declaration of Independence, and an Americal Civil War on the Far West of Mexico. A Mexican publication in San Francisco, California, La Voz de Mejico, published detailed accounts of the battle and on June 7, 1962, reported that in the town of Columbia, California celebrations of Cinco de Mayo took place.
Time magazine reported that "Cinco de Mayo started to come into vogue in 1940s America during the rise of the Chicano movement. The holiday crossed over to the rest of the United States in the 1950s and 1960s, but didn't gain the popularity it has now until marketers capitalized on the celebratory nature of the day and began to promote it. Beer companies were the biggest contenders for Cinco de Mayo. However, it began moving away from celebrating the victory at the Battle of Pueblo and instead became a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. A 1998 study revealed that there were more than 120 official US celebrations of Cinco de Mayo in 21 different states, but a 2006 study updated that the number of events surpassed 150. Around the United States some school districts hold special events to educate students about it's historical significance. According to Nielsen Holding plc, in 2013 more than $600 million worth of beer was purchased in the United States for Cinco de Mayo which had surpassed the Super Bowl and St. Patrick's Day.
Musicians celebrating Cinco de Mayo
The United States is not the only country outside of Mexico that celebrates Cinco de Mayo. Countries and territories around the world including Canada, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Nigeria, France, and Japan also celebrate Cinco de Mayo in their own ways. In Vancouver, Canada a sky-diving club holds a yearly Cinco de Mayo event. In Yoyogi Park in Tokyo, Japan Cinco de Mayo is a way to celebrate Latin American culture.
Heyo! Bringing my blog back! So as my first post back why not talk about one of my favorite artists whose new album I'm working on a post for.
Edit of Bruno Mars I made, 2018
Bruno Mars is a multi-Grammy award winning singer, producer, and songwriter. Well-known for his own solo career, but lesser known for his work behind the scenes for other artists including but not limited to Adele, Sean Kingston, and even Alicia Keys.
I have been a fan of Bruno since 2009 and have not faltered. I know his entire discography by heart, even some of his unreleased songs. Release "I Was Only Dancing" or your versions of "Lost" and "All I Ask" you coward. He most likely never will because those songs are more Pop than his usual R&B/Pop style. I absolutely loved his music as soon as I first heard it. Even had a crush on him during my middle school years.
Fanart of Bruno Mars I made, 2018
I continued following his career as I got older, which ended up culminating in a fixation on him during my college years. It was to the point that I own three 24K Magic hats, watched the televised Apollo performance as my comfort movie and still to this day have the replica of his pinky ring that he sold as merch. I was deeply invested as a fan and still am. This year, he released The Romantic, which came out the day before my birthday and my aunt ended up surprising me with the album on vinyl.
Bruno is an incredibly talented songwriter, but also a phenomenal performer. If you've ever seen him perform, you know he's got killer moves, awesome musical skills, and a charismatic pull. Audiences can't help but keep their eyes on him when he's on stage. His stage presence is not something that can be taught. It's one of those things you either have, or you don't. Let's not forget that voice!
But what if I told you that he wasn't always the singer-songwriter, R&B/Pop icon he was today. Bruno, born and raised in Hawaii, actually got an early start in his performing career as "the world's littlest Elvis impersonator". Coming from a musical family, tiny Bruno would perform Elvis songs, dressed as The King. Of course, we are blessed with photos and videos as proof and he was absolutely adorable.
I have a Kinda Review of The Romantic in the works and will hopefully have it done to be posted soon. His debut album, Doo-Wops and Hooligans featured Damian Marley, B.o.B, and CeeLo Green. It has a special place in my heart. However, my favorite album of his is Unorthodox Jukebox, which he released in 2012. I cannot tell you why it's my favorite album, other than say it had inspired a lot of my writing over the years. What I most love about Bruno's music is he paints a story with his lyrics.
Every single time I've ever seen a clip of Bruno perform I become the Lady Gaga meme.
"Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, showstopper, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, shit on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it."
My favorite performance of his that I have rewatched so many times I've lost count - besides the televised Apollo performance - is a tie between his first Superbowl Halftime Show performance, and a performance of "Runaway Baby" on X-Factor. As you can tell the Unorthodox Jukebox era is my favorite Bruno era. His first halftime performance is what actually turned me into a Red Hot Chili Peppers fan and also the reason I started caring about the halftime performances.
Of course, I cannot write a whole post about Bruno and his career without giving kudos to The Hooligans who have been his backing band since 2010 - so almost the beginning. A few members have left in recent times, but I feel like I need to specifically shout out Bruno's brother, drummer Eric Hernandez, and trombonist Kameron Whalum. Back when my Instagram was a Bruno fanpage, those two likes and reacted to my posts the most. I love and adore the whole band, past and present, but those to in particular have special places in my heart.
Bruno Mars and the Hooligans (c. 2017)
Also shout out to Bruno's parents Peter Hernandez and the late Bernadette Bayot who are the reasons he is so insanely talented. Not only was he born with the talent, but they both helped hone his skills. Fun fact: did you know Bruno's real name is Peter Gene Hernandez? The nickname "Bruno" was bestowed on him as a child for his resemblance to wrestler Bruno Sammartino and then when he entered the music industry, he adopted the last name Mars after executives mentioned that he should make Spanish music with a name like "Hernandez". I believe I heard or read in an interview he joked and said he took the name "Mars" because he is "out of this world" and I wholeheartedly agree.
My favorite Bruno Mars song is "Runaway Baby" with "Smokin' Out the Window" and "Lost" being honorable mentions. While Bruno never released his version of "Lost" which he wrote and gave to Latino boyband. Menudo, an unreleased recording of his version exists on the internet and I love it. Also, his version of "All I Ask" which he wrote for Adele lives rent free in my head.
If you're a fan of Bruno let me know your favorite album and favorite song!
Happy Monday! Today's subject is and icon in his own right and known as the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. We're focusing more specifically on the police car chase that he was involved in during autumn 1988.
Warning: This post contains mentions of police brutality, drug use, and general violence. Please read at your own discretion, but if this isn't your cup of tea, I have more posts you may be interested in.
On September 24, 1988, in Savannah, Georgia, James Brown barged into an insurance office close to his office during an insurance seminar with a shotgun. He had accused participants at the seminar of using the bathroom in his office. According to a drug test later that day, Brown may have been high on PCP when the event occurred. From my research it is unclear if the police were called on him due to his outburst or later when he sped off in his truck.
It is reported that Brown sped off in his pickup truck and was pursued by police down highway 20 across the South Carolina, making it a two-state car chase. The chase involved numerous vehicles and the chase reached up to 60-85 miles per hour. Now it became a two-state high speed car chase. The police attempted a roadblock with two cars in a v formation, but Brown drove around the cars, trying to avoid hitting the vehicles, though the officers at the scene reported that he tried to hit them.
James Brown, 1980
Brown pulled into a parking lot, most likely with the intention to talk to police and de-escalate the situation, but when officers began firing at his truck, he sped off again. His two front tires were shot out, and officers reported at least nine shots taken, though later Brown counted twenty-three bullets in his truck. He claimed he had feared for his life. Any one of those bullets could have infiltrated his gas tank and ignited the car, killing Brown.
With the two front tires shot out, Brown drove on the rims for about six miles across the Savannah River back into Georgia before his truck ended up in a ditch in Augusta. Allegedly, at this point this chase involved fourteen vehicles. When police pulled Brown from his truck, he alleges that they had slammed him against the truck causing injury to his face and body. He then says that while handcuffed at the station, an officer punched him so hard it knocked out his tooth implants.
Despite my own feelings about police brutality in this country, I feel it pertinent to include context that this was not Brown's first run in with the law. Not to condone what the police did - or didn't do. Just to add more context. The year prior to this arrest, he was arrested on several more charges including domestic violence. That still doesn't mean the police should have treated him the way they had. Even if he was armed in the truck, I do think twenty-three shots into his truck is excessive, but I digress. Plain and simple if Brown's claims are true what the police did was wrong. The FBI did allegedly do an investigation but found no fault of the police. No one was surprised.
After the arrest, Brown was sentenced to six years in prison but only served two of his sentences. I read briefly that he was arrested a decade later on similar charges but could not find much information on that arrest.
There is a video of Brown talking about the pursuit a year later which I found interesting. I found this whole story compelling. The chase was dramatized in the 2014 biopic, Get On Up where Brown was played by the late great Chadwick Boseman. I do recommend the film if you're interested.
If you found this as interesting as I did, let me know! If you'd like me to research and write about anything in history, feel free to comment!
A lot of people dream of flying. They can achieve that dream in various ways including getting their pilot license, being flown in an airplane, bungee jumping, or even skydiving. Have any of them considered attaching helium balloons to a lawn chair? One man considered exactly that. How did a truck driver from California soar 16,000 feet in the air in just a lawn chair?
Larry Walters with Inspiration I
Ever since he was eight years old, Larry Walters, or Lawnchair Larry, dreamt of flying. At thirteen years old, he spotted weather balloons in a military surplus store and began using those balloons to achieve his dream. Larry had tried the safest most sane way to fly, which was trying to enlist for the United States Air Force, but due to his poor eyesight, he was turned down. Instead becoming a cook in the Vietnam War. Despite his dream seeming harder to achieve, he never gave up.
In 1982, at 33 years old, Lawnchair Larry finally achieved his dream. After some careful planning, Larry along with the two people who funded this endeavor, Carol Van Deusen, Larry's girlfriend at the time, and Ron Richlin bought about 43 weather balloons to tie to his Sears lawn chair. They also attached several gallons of water to stabilize the chair. The craft was called Inspiration I and one was all they needed. According to Larry, the entire project cost about $1,500 at the time which is almost $5,000 today. The original plan was for Inspiration I to soar to just 100 feet above and maybe fly over the Mojave Desert then Larry would shoot himself down with a BB gun until he was back on the ground.
That did not happen. After the tether tied to keep him ground snapped, Lawnchair Larry quickly picked up speed and height. He stated that he traveled about 1,000 feet a minute and ended up at around 16,000 feet in the air. It is reported that he was seen by at least two commercial flights after Inspiration I unintentionally flew over LAX. Being so high, Larry began shooting a few balloons to begin his descent, but he ended up dropping his BB gun.
Eventually, he descended enough for the weather balloons to entangle in some power wires, causing a twenty-minute power outage in Long Beach. Lawnchair Larry was finally lowered back to Earth and he was unharmed. On the ground waiting for him were his friends, girlfriend and police. Unfortunately, he was arrested and fined thousands of dollars for violating Federal Aviation Regulations. As he was being arrested, a reporter asked him why he did it, and he responded, "a man can't just sit around".
The flight earned him a Guiness World Record for the highest altitude reached by a chair attached to ballons. He would also go on to win the title of "At-Risk Survivor" and get an honorable mention at the 1993 Darwin Awards. After the flight, Lawnchair Larry appeared on David Letterman, who he shared a short clip of his initial ascent. He briefly became a motivational speaker, but he made it clear that he never made money off his fame.
Inspiration I lawn chair on display at the National Air and Space Museum
Sadly, Larry took his own life in 1993 at just 44 years old. He will forever be remembered as a brave soul who achieved his dream even after it seemed impossible. The lawn chair that was once Inspiration I is now on display at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C.
If you found this as interesting as I did, let me know! If you would like me to research and write about anything in history, feel free to comment.
Heyo! Happy Wednesday! This week, I thought why not focus on a brand-new album released by one of my favorite artists.
Nick Jonas
Of course I am talking about Nick Jonas's new album, Sunday Best, which released this past weekend. If you're new here, I am a BIG Jonas Brothers fan. Know to call myself a Kevin coded Joe girl with a PhD in Nick's filmography and Franklin's biggest fan. I adore all four brothers with my whole heart and have been following their careers for the past twenty years.
Despite being a Joe girl, I am a big fan of Nick's solo music. I do not partake in ASMR, but I imagine the "tingles" is exactly what Nick's voice does to my brain. He is so incredibly talented. I absolutely love this album and will inevitably ramble about how much I enjoy each song in this post. No apologies.
Disclaimer: I am not a music critique. Just someone who enjoys listening to music and writing about it. So, this post is just going to be me rambling about what I enjoyed about the album.
1. "Sweet to Me"
It's giving "Jersey" and From Your Hometown with a twinge of The Album vibes. I love the sound of the acoustic guitar. It's got a very sentimental feel to it. I love when he starts vocalizing. The things this man can do with his voice is insane. The tone and sound of his voice capture me even when he's not even trying. Also let's shout out that choir at the end. Our boy sure does sound good when backed by a choir. I do want to turn his "ba-da-da-dum-dum" into the text tone for my phone. It's just so lovely. The beginning of the song is a memory and then he compares the "sweet" memories to being in love. He is cherishing the woman he loves like he cherishes those memories. I need to point out that he made a nod to one of my favorite Nick memes. Unsure if it was on purpose or just by chance.
2. "Handprints"
When I first got into the Jonas Brothers 20 years ago, Nick was thirteen turning fourteen. Practically a baby - I say as if I wasn't nine. With that being said, it still blows me away that he is married and a dad. I knew about this song before the album was released and finally getting to listen to it makes my heart happy. This song is about how he wishes he could slow down time to spend more with his daughter, Malti Marie. He very much conveys how much he relishes being a father. He's been really open about parenthood and spoken about his favorite parts and some of his struggles. I love the lines "We could get there faster if we took a car / So we don't," because it demonstrates how precious every moment with his daughter is. He doesn't take advantage of his time with her. Every moment is special to him. It's a very sweet song. We love a girl dad. The strings in this song are beautiful. It's a perfect song for father-daughter dances at weddings.
3. "I Need You"
We knew Nick was taking us to church with this album, and he sure did. This track is a beautiful gospel tune where his vocals shine through with the support of the simple piano and the gorgeous choir. This is what I imagine heaven sounds like. It's another gorgeous love song. We love a man who is completely consumed by his love for his wife. I think if I was married to Priyanka Chopra Jonas, I'd also write love songs for her. This song gives praise and worship at church. Between Nick's vocals, the piano, and the choir it is angelic. He sings about the love he has for his wife and how much he needs her, even saying "she's proof of Heaven". I love the religious themes of this album without making it a flat-out religious album. He has executed it so well.
4. "You Got Me"
Another beautiful love song because the man is rightfully obsessed and in love with his wife. As we all are. He appreciates how she has become his safe place, singing "Look at what we found, don't know where or how / So much safer now" and later on sings, "They were parts of me I thought no one else would ever see / But you got me". He is unafraid to be himself with her. He feels safe with her. And they fit together perfectly. The song demonstrates that he is in absolute awe of her. It's so sweet and makes my heart so happy that he's found a love like that.
5. "Gut Punch"
I LOVE THIS SONG WITH MY WHOLE HEART! Man had it stuck in my head months before he finally gave it to us. If you haven't seen the music video, give it a watch. You will always be famous, Jick Nonas. This song is near and dear to my heart because I also deal with anxiety and negative self-talk. It's actually something I've been working on in therapy and something the Jonas Brothers have helped me with. It's a song about self-compassion which is something we ALL need. My dad always said "you're your biggest critic" and it is true. It's easier to be mean to yourself than to say something positive. Nick is so vulnerable in this song, but I am so grateful to him for trusting us with it. So, thank you, Nick. Can we please get you on The Muppet Show now that it's back?
6. "Hope"
As of writing this post, this is my favorite song off the album. In this song, he speaks directly to God. If you're unfamiliar with the story, Nick and his brothers were raised Pentecostal. Their father was the pastor of a church, and they often sang at church. They ended up getting ousted from the church due to the Jonas Brothers making secular music. It's a whole thing that they get into in their documentary, Chasing Happiness. I only bring up this context, so you better understand the song. He starts explaining that his soul was on fire when he was a kid, but as time progressed, he finds his faith waning and he is reaching out to God for some hope and some proof. I know this song might rub some people the wrong way, but as some who also grew up in church and has been having a question of faith, I appreciate how real it is. Besides that, the song sounds amazing even without picking apart the lyrics, the lyrics make me feel seen. My family is still religious and still attends church and reads the Bible and that's what I was raised on, but I don't agree with their agendas behind their beliefs. So, it's nice to know I'm not the only one battling my faith. With this song he was able to articulate what I have struggled explaining for the past eleven years. Hilariously, two years ago I joked to my mom that the only people who could get me to go back to church is Joe Jonas, but who knows maybe it's Nick.
7. "Seeing Ghosts"
New drinking game: take a drink every time Nick Jonas is obsessed with Priyanka. This track has a GREAT sound that compliments his voice very well. He sings about how being in love his almost supernatural and even "metaphysical". It does continue with the themes of the album, except this time it's more of a spiritual experience. I absolutely love this song. It's definitely a bop that'll get you moving. The man is so down bad for his wife, and I respect it because I am too. "Take my soul out of my body for you, I do so much more than most" can be interpreted in different ways whether it's romantically, spiritually, or sexually. Either way man got the lovebug, but does not need a cure.
8. "Aphrodite"
The vibes of this track are immaculate. I'd say it feels reminiscent of Nick's last solo album, Spaceman. Yet another song about being down bad. This one we get more of Nick vocalizing which is ALWAYS a great time. Man has more talent in a fingernail than I will EVER have in a million years and that is why I will never shut up about him. The lyrics tell a story of perhaps someone becoming smitten that they are willing to pay the price to be with the person they desire. He compares her to Aphrodite. It's a very chill song compared to the tracks before. It's probably his weakest song on the album, but that's not saying much because it's still a great song.
9. "911"
I remember when he posted a clip from this song and I was HYPED! I believe that's how he first teased this album. It was probably last year or 2024, but it feels like forever ago. It's giving independent artist on SoundCloud. We have another contender for my text tone in his "wee-ooh-wee-ooh". Another track with a chill vibe musically, despite the lyrics being about heartbreak. It's giving his brother, Joe's song "Heart By Heart" with the feeling of the person you love moving on with someone new. I really enjoy this song and it's reminiscent of his R&B days which he's moved away from, but he will never shake it completely. His voice in this song truly scratches my brain. We need to talk about the guitars in this song. Anytime a Jonas releases a song with some rock influences, I am happy. Will forever be waiting for the return of the pop-punk Jonas Brothers.
10. "The Greatest (ft. Jonas Brothers)"
As the resident Joe girl, OF COURSE I was hoped to have "Selfish" part two electric boogaloo. Loved Nick's collab with Jonas Brothers on Spacemanand loved this collab too. Anytime I get to hear new vocals from Joe, I am happy and he did not disappoint on this track. I love the opening piano plus the little instrumental moment between Nick and Joe's first verses. This one seems like another song about break up. They sing about how despite all the pain and heartbreak they've dealt with in the past, this one is "the greatest". I need to applaud the part where Joe sings in his lower register. We rarely get those moments, but I cherish them every single time. I love this song and it's a great addition to the Jonas Brothers discography.
11. "Princesses"
Why am I crying in the club? There is something so beautiful about the Jonas Brothers all being girl dads and I will never shut up about it. This song is so beautiful. It's another song about how much he loves being a father and how much he adores his little girl. The song is about how he wouldn't want to be anywhere else but playing princesses with her. He asks her to stay small and not to grow up. It's so sweet. It makes me so happy how much he adores his family and that he doesn't take any time with them for granted. He's been open about the difficulty with Malti Marie's delivery and I think that adds to why he cherishes every moment with her. I am dad Nick's biggest fan.
As I was finishing up this post, Nick decided to drop the deluxe version on Spotify with two new songs and a live version of "Gut Punch" the DAY before this is supposed to go live. So, here is my thoughts on the new songs because I already wrote about "Gut Punch" I don't have to write about the live version.
12. "London Foolishly"
The song starts with audio from an old video of Nick from when he was still a teenager, I believe. I don't think I ever saw the original video where he played this song or if he ever posted the video to the public, but hearing him from years ago made me nostalgic, even though I hadn't heard this song before. In the intro audio, he explains he wrote the song after not being able to sleep and that the song was inspired by the city of London. If you didn't know, Nick has spent his fair share of time in London as he performed in the West End production of Les Miserables in 2010, and also performed in the 25th anniversary concert at the O2 the same year. The way the lyrics are put together is reminiscent of how Nick wrote songs when he was younger. He could have released this song the exact way it is in 2010 and I would fit in with his discography at the time. It's a very mellow and pretty song. I understand why he left if off the album, but I am glad he included it in the deluxe version!
13. "While You're Gone"
Another great song with a great sound. This song feels like it could have been included on the original album, but for some reason he chose to save it for the deluxe, which I am NOT complaining about. Something about this song is making me thing of "Rose Garden" from Who I Am. It very well could have been a rejected song from that album. His voice is incredible, but we already knew that. It's a great pop track and is reminiscent of the pop I grew up with in the mid and late 2000s, however it is also fresh and new. I am very happy with this song and see myself listening to it a lot.
Overall, I absolutely love Sunday Best. If you haven't listened to it yet, I HIGHLY recommend giving it a listen. I think it's about time we finally recognize Nick for the incredibly talented songwriter and producer he is. He is not just another pretty popstar with a killer voice; he is so much more than that and needs to be celebrated for his talent.
This album very much displays his voice, songwriting, producing, and the love he has for his family and in my opinion is his best album to date.
Heyo! As you saw, I haven't posted in a few weeks. I was planning to take a short week or two off, but THEN life spun absolutely out of control. My mom ended up in the hospital. I went to the emergency to find out I have really bad tonsilitis. I had to move and just now things are starting to settle, so hopefully by next week I'll be able to get back to posting normal.
My mom is out of the hospital now and doing a lot better. I am still fighting tonsilitis as of writing this, but it seems to be clearing up and my voice is coming back little by little.
I would usually post this on a Wednesday, but I have a treat on Wednesday so it's going up Monday instead.
Hope you're all healthy, staying warm, and doing well.
Another Friday, another person I adore. This week's post is about a fictional character again. He is an often ignored character, so I am giving him the spotlight today.
Daniel Henney as Matt Simmons, Criminal Minds
Matt Simmons is a fictional character from my favorite show, Criminal Minds. He is portrayed by the incredibly talented - and awfully pretty - Daniel Henney. He is my favorite character of the Criminal Minds franchise and ranks very high in my ranking of fictional character of all time.
Matt is introduced in season ten, in the episode "Beyond Borders" which was the backdoor pilot for the spin-off, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. He started as an International Response Team (IRT) agent and partnered with the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) on a case in Barbados. From his introduction, we learn that he has four children under three years old - which is later retconned to make the kids older. One of his fellow agents, Lily Lambert jokingly calls him "quite the breeder".
Matt Simmons in "Beyond Borders"
Matt would go on to appear in all 26 episodes of CR:BB. We meet his family throughout the series. He is married to Kristy and together they have Jake, David, Chloe, and Lily. In an episode of CR:BB, Matt meets his maternal grandmother for the first time while visiting South Korea. It is revealed that he was raised by a Korean mother and a white father - similar to Daniel Henney. He admits facing racism in his childhood from his father's family. He is from Carson City, Michigan, just like his actor, but his first law enforcement job was in Detroit.
Matt appears again in Criminal Minds in season twelve when he helps the BAU get Spencer Reid out of jail in Mexico. He doesn't become a main character until season thirteen following the death of Special Agent Stephen Walker. Matt remained on with the BAU for the remainder of the original series.
In the episode, "Saturday" Matt is seen losing his mind trying to fix up the nursery for his and Kristy's fifth child that is on the way. Kristy and Matt share with David Rossi that they are having slight financial trouble raising four - soon to be five - kids and anticipating having to pay five college tuitions. Dave learns that while with the IRT, Matt would come home and tell his children stories from his travels and wrote the stories in notebooks. Having published a few books of his own, Dave offers to help Matt publish his book to help make more money. Kristy and Matt go on to name the fifth Simmons child, Rose Mary because it's the closest they could get to "Rossi".
It is mentioned that Matt was in the US military, but there are two contradictions to which part he served in. I believe he or someone else directly mentions he has a connection to the army, but later in the Criminal Minds episode, "Ghost" he mentions the Marines' creed. In the same episode it is revealed that he played basketball in high school and in college.
Matt does not appear in Criminal Minds: Evolutions, but he is mentioned as being away on an assignment.
Matt Simmons in the bullpen
In Criminal Minds: The Mobile Game it is revealed that like Dr. Tara Lewis, Matt likes classic cars and fixing them. I have not completed the game, but I hope it drops more lore for Matt.
Not that you've gotten the low down on Matt, allow me to ramble about him! I have been a fan of Criminal Minds since it started airing. It is the reason I love fictional detective and true crime shows. HOWEVER, I was not a fan of Matt when he initially came onto the show or even when I caught a few episodes of Beyond Borders when it aired. It wasn't until I was on my second rewatch of Criminal Minds back in 2023 that I became attached to Matt.
Matt Simmons, Criminal Minds
I immediately fell in love with him upon hearing his voice again. He has a very soothing and beautiful voice in my opinion. I hyperfixated on the character and Daniel Henney. Being that I had already watched all of CM before, I was able to focus on Matt. I got to appreciate Daniel Henney's subtle acting choices and that is why he became one of my favorite actors.
I love that Matt seems to be one of the only male characters in the show with a healthy balance of work and family life. He is happily married and in love with Kristy - so am I - and he always makes time for his kids. In a season fifteen episode, while Kristy is pregnant with Rose Mary, Matt is on full time dad duty with the four older kids. He wants to cook with them but opts for ordering pizza instead. He makes up a board game with them. The episode ends with him enjoying a glass of wine while listening to Madame Butterfly which he tried to explain to one of his daughters, but she did not grasp it. He is incredibly dedicated to his family and doesn't let work take him away from them emotionally, even if it does physically.
Daniel Henney and Kelly Frye as Matt and Kristy Simmons in "Ex-Parte"
We see Matt's love and devotion to Kristy in "Ex-Parte" when a group of terrorists break into her work and threaten her life. Let's be honest, a man going wild to save and protect the woman he loves is SO hot.
Thanks to Daniel Henney's performance, Matt is such a fun character to watch even if he's not talking. In subtle body language and smiles, you can see his friendship with Penelope Garcia and Tara. In the subtle expression on his face when he sees Spencer in jail in season ten, you can see how deeply he cares for Spencer. You can even see him contemplate hugging Spencer for a quick moment.
In "Ghost" you see his friendship with Luke Alvez as they both work together to survive being kidnapped and tortured. There's a scene on the plane at the end of the episode where they exchange creeds or mottos for their respective military branches.
Daniel Henney and Adam Rodriguez as Matt Simmons and Luke Alvez, Criminal Minds
Matt cares for everyone he works with and Daniel Henney's performance really illustrates that. If you're a fan of CM like I am, I highly recommend giving some attention to Matt on your next watch and notice the little things.
Matt is severely ignored or "accidentally" left out by most Criminal Minds fans in discussions or even memes. I understand it to an extent because the writers did very little with him once he joined the main show. However, despite Matt being in the show longer than a few characters that do get mentioned in discussions and memes, he continues to be ignored.
Please stop ignoring Matt. He's a great and fun character. Thank you for letting me ramble about this fictional man I am in love with. Have a great weekend!
Welcome to the first Kinda Review of 2026! The album I am focusing on today is one that is near and dear to my heart and played a vital role in my life. I listened the hell out of this album when it first came out and it will forever have a place in the opened tabs of my mind.
Who I Am album cover and track listing
Of course, I am talking about Who I Am by Nick Jonas & The Administration. Personally, I am a really big fan of the Jonas Brothers and with that comes a love for all three brothers. NOW let's be clear that Nick Jonas & The Administration was an actual band. Not just Nick going solo. So let me shout out the incredible musicians that made this album happen.
Nick is on lead vocals, but he also played rhythm guitar, drums, and piano for the band both. John Fields who played bass and gave backing vocals. Three members of The Administration worked with Prince and are former members of New Power Generation. Michael Bland played drums, percussion, and backing vocals. Tommy Barbarella played synthesizers and keyboards. Sonny Thompson who did not work on the album did play lead guitar and gave backing vocals during live performances. David Ryan Harris, Michael Logen, and Nick's father, Kevin Jonas Sr. also gave their talents to the album.
Nick Jonas & The Administration (John Fields, Michael Bland, Nick Jonas, Sonny Thompson, Tommy Barbarella)
I love Who I Am because it was completely different from Nick's work with his brothers, but the vibe fit him and his voice so well. And let's not forget he wrote every single song on the album and he was only seventeen when he recorded it. He was a teen when he wrote these songs and to me it's an incredible feat. He was able to work with the band and record the album in just 8 days. I am not going to use this to rant about Nick's talents. Maybe he needs (another) Fangirl Friday post before his new album comes out.
Who I Am was released in 2010. It came out right before my 13th birthday. I remember watching every live performance I could on TV or find on YouTube. I was OBSESSED which is wild because I was (and still am) a Joe girl and Nick has always been my least favorite Jonas Brother - someone had to come in last, and it was him. The album was just that good to me. Still is that good. I think I appreciate it more now as an adult who has listened to far more music than I did at 13.
Disclaimer: I am not a music critique. Just someone who enjoys listening to music and writing about it. So this post is just going to be me rambling about what I enjoyed about the album.
1. "Rose Garden"
Can we talk about that opening? The guitar is phenomenal! This was the first song written for the album. Said to have been inspired by a difficult break-up. I won't speculate who it is about, but if you know anything about Nick's dating history, you probably know who this song was about. The lyrics tell the story of a young girl with a working-class background. She is the eponymous "rose" in the song, but the rose garden can also refer to the White House rose garden. The chorus goes "Yeah, in the rose garden / Where the rain is falling / And the thorns are sharpened / Rose garden, yeah". Honestly my interpretation was always that the "rose" in the story was someone who might have been hurt by the narrator or "main character" of the album. Perhaps she is his daughter or even the woman mentioned in "Olive & an Arrow". I love the bass and guitar of this track. It's quite the vibe.
2. "Who I Am"
THIS SONG! Picture little 13yr old me singing this at the top of my lungs in my room through tears. Because I do think we all want someone to love us for who we are. This song encompasses the yearning for belonging and for love. It mentions the fear of not being able to be strong alone. I strongly believe most if not every person can relate to this song and the emotions. Nick's vocals truly deliver a beautiful performance. It is full of honesty and vulnerability. The music Nick makes with his brothers always makes me feel seen, and this song continued that tradition. I don't know how to put this song with the presidential theme of the album, but I don't think this song can ever be excluded. Musically, this song matches the energy of the other tracks on the album, and I am so glad Nick blessed us with it. To think he wrote this at such a young age boggles my mind.
3. "Olive & an Arrow"
My interpretation of this song is the narrator is falling in love with someone he knows will hurt him because she's done it before. He sings, "I'm just another photo / That made its way on her page / Somehow I stayed but it won't be long." This song is slower and gentler than the two before it, but don't let that fool you. It's still a powerful song as shown with the incredible guitar solo. The chorus goes "She leaves me hoping / That my love won't show / 'Cause I know she'll give me / An olive and an arrow" and goes on to explain it's an arrow through the back. The composition of this song is just SO good. A chill vibe while the narrator sings his heart out about the woman, he's falling in love with but is afraid to show. Let's not forget the organ on this one and the backing vocals. Take me to church!
4. "Conspiracy Theory"
The vibes of this song are immaculate, and Nick's vocal performance is absolutely incredible. It's high energy throughout. Feels a bit hectic like the subject of conspiracy theories. The song continues with the presidential theme. Every single president in office has inspired a few conspiracy theories during their terms. Once again, the organ comes in and just hits in the best ways. Another phenomenal guitar solo because why not? I love this song, and it is one of my favorites off the album. I need to shout out Nick's scream at the top of the song. He doesn't do vocals like that anymore and I MISS it. But I understand why he doesn't do that. The guitar and drums carry this song more than the lyrics do. It's a very fun song to listen to.
5. "In the End"
THE GUITAR! Again, I need to talk about the composition of this song. All the instruments come together SO well. Plus, the chimes. I'd like an entire album with this vibe. Once again Nick gives an incredible vocal performance. He gave us a taste of his falsetto before he went solo. I hope who ever said he'll never make it with his falsetto is kicking themself. The music is incredible while the lyrics tell the story of a thief. What did the person in question steal? That is unclear, but what they've done will come to haunt them "in the end". Could this be "rose"? Or the woman from "Olive & an Arrow"? The world may never know because I didn't watch any interviews before writing this. So, I have no clue if Nick has ever spoken about this album in length.
6. "Last Time Around"
Hands down my favorite song off the album. The dramatics of my brain always interpreted this song being about a prostitute or ex-girlfriend in the story being told. The narrator has met this person before and is attracted to them. He is "a man on a mission" because this person is "all that [he's] after". Could it be "rose"? Perhaps. The vibes of this song are immaculate between the guitar solos, instrumental bridge, incredible drums, thumping bassline. It's all amazing. It's a well-made song both in the composition and the lyrics. I do think this is some of Nick's best work as a songwriter. It was also co-written with Greg Garbowsky, and PJ Bianco and I have to applaud them for what they created seventeen years ago.
7. "Tonight"
HONESTLY, I enjoy this version, but not more than the original. Though it is a complete 180 from the Jonas Brothers' version. I honestly don't have any strong feelings about it. I do enjoy the piano and Nick's soft vocals, but other than that I don't think it's as noteworthy as the rest of the album is.
8. "State of Emergency"
The song is very Stevie Wonder-esque and I wonder if that's what they were going well. Not just the piano, but also how Nick sings. At this point its safe to assume all these songs is about the same woman and the same relationship that is tumultuous to say the least. This one Nick co-wrote with John Fields and boy is it executed well. During this entire album the lyrics have told a story but so has the music in it's own way. I think my favorite vocal performance of Nick's is on this song, but he really gave this album his own so it's a close call honestly.
9. "Vesper's Goodbye"
I want this song played at my funeral as I am being cremated. Bonus points if they can book Nick and The Administration to perform it live. It's a somber song that can come across as exactly what it's titled, a goodbye prayer. Though it's truly about heartbreak using the metaphor of being shot in the chest. Though with the last three lines, "Now I die / And kiss your tender lips goodbye / Pray to God who hears my cry" does sound a bit on the suicidal side, but if the narrator died, we wouldn't have the next song, now would we? It's a beautiful song and it very well could have been the closing song of the album, but it is not.
10. "Stronger (Back on the Ground)"
This should be the anthem for coming out of a dark situation. Finding strength in support and love. It's a great uplifting way to end the album, especially after "Vesper's Goodbye". The organ returns plus the backing vocals take us back to church which I am all here for. The bass and guitar go so well together and let's not forget those drums! Can't get enough guitar solos on this album. Can never get enough of Nick singing with a choir. It's just a great song.
I'd love for Nick to release "Oval Office" even if it's just the demo. I BET he just thinks it's bad, because everyone is their own worst critic, but it might actually be good. I don't believe Nick Jonas is capable of writing a bad song. We do not talk about DCMFTC in this household. It does not exist to me. Though he has denounced that song.
I would give just about anything for Nick and The Administration to come back with another album. They did release a live show which you can find on YouTube, I believe. I haven't watched it as of writing this post, but I definitely will because after listening to all these songs on repeat for a few hours they're all going to be stuck in my head for weeks.
Nick Jonas, 2010
Hopefully Sunday Best gives me new songs to get stuck in my head.
I am planning to post Kinda Reviews every other week so if you would like me to "kinda review" an album, let me know!
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