V - Variety

This post is a part of the A to Z Challenge. This year I have decided to go themeless. Each day I will post about whatever topic pops into my head. The result of this spontaneity is anyone's guess. Thanks for coming along for the ride.

They say variety is the spice of life. Whatever, I just like to keep things different. I enjoy a variety of genres in books, music, television, and movies. A wide variety. Huge. I like Star Wars AND Star Trek. Yep, major genre switch. I read Lord of the Rings AND The Hobbit. I listen to Home Free AND Christian Kane. Does it get more varied?

All joking aside, I really do read, watch, and listen to a variety. I will listen to Metallica, followed by TobyMac, then Home Free, and Fallout Boy. Nightwish (symphonic metal with a fantasy vibe) and Abney Park (steampunk airship pirates) share space on my playlist when I'm writing science fiction. My favorite movies include Star Wars, Star Trek, Marvel, We are the Titans, and Princess Bride.

Don't ever let yourself get tied down to one genre in anything. That applies to all areas of life. Except spouses. Best to stick to just one of those. And kids should all be the same species. (They don't necessarily have to be human, but keep them all the same species if possible.) OK, things have suddenly gone off the rails. I better call it quits while I'm ahead behind.

Until tomorrow, sayonara, good evening, auf wiedersehn, ciao, bonjour, and other various salutations.

U - Say Uncle

This late in the A to Z Challenge, many bloggers have already cried Uncle and run away. Many more are still here, but some are thinking of crying Uncle. So it's only fair that I have a bit of an Uncle theme to today's musical selections.

Love (Song)
Uncle Tom's Cabin (Warrant) - Hair metal strikes again. I told you I really like hair bands, right? Warrant had several hits in the early 90s including Uncle Tom's Cabin. About a witness to a police involvement in a double murder, the writing style was completely different from anything Warrant had done before. I still rank it as one of their best.

Love (Band)
Uncle Kracker - I only know a few songs by Uncle Kracker, but I like the ones I know. Follow Me has a great mellow groove. Their cover of Drift Away featuring Dobie Gray is my favorite of theirs. I can listen to it anytime under any circumstances.

Hate
Until It Sleeps (Metallica) - I like Metallica. Who doesn't? But this song is just terrible. I don't know what it is about this song that's so bad, but I just can't stand to listen to it. It has a creepy sound that just makes me uncomfortable. I don't know why. I think it sounds too Lovecraftian for my tastes.

Hate to Love
Unchained Melody (Righteous Brothers) - Few songs have been recorded as many times by as many artists as Unchained Melody. The best version is still by the Righteous Brothers. This is the version best known for its inclusion in the movie Ghost. That's the entire reason I hate to love this song. Patrick Swayze blew it for any guys being allowed to publicly admit to liking this song. So let's just keep it between us, okay? Thanks. (Good thing everything posted on the Internet stays private.)

Anyone ready to cry Uncle? Or is everyone powering through to the end? Any other "uncle" related songs I've forgotten? Let me know in the comments. I'll even keep your secret if you have any embarrassing songs you love.

M - MmmNo!

Welcome to today's entry in the A to Z Challenge, music I love, hate, and love to hate (or hate to love). This one is being posted a little late due to being too busy preparing to host Passover for 50 people on Monday night. Sundown Monday began the first day of Unleavened Bread (a Sabbath) and I don't post on Sabbaths, so here we are getting it done late on Tuesday. Don't worry, we'll be back on track tomorrow.

Love
Mason Clover - Odds are that most people reading this post have never heard of Mason Clover. He is a Messianic singer and worship leader. He also happens to be a good friend of mine. I don't get to see him often enough with him living in Tennessee, but hopefully that will change soon. Check him out on Spotify sometime. I recommend El Shaddai and Yahweh You Reign.

Metallica - I decided to also add a more mainstream band to today's post. It's hard not to mention Metallica. Although their newer music doesn't compare to the older stuff. Master of Puppets and the Black Album are the pinnacle of Metallica.

Hate
Marilyn Manson - I can't find any redeeming qualities to mention here. Won't listen to him, won't watch him, don't want anything to do with him. Moving on.

Love to Hate
MMMbop (Hanson) - How did this song ever become popular? How did a group of brothers from Tulsa with good voices and at least some singing ability manage to release something like this? Those were dark days for my hometown area. Dark days indeed. Strangely enough, their later stuff was actually much better musically and lyrically, and yet no one will buy it. Hmm...