#81 Master of Puppets

#81 - Master of Puppets
Metalica


Metallica has had many classic songs during their nearly 30 year reign as Heavy Metal Gods, but none more awesome than 1986's Master of Puppets.

MOP from the album also called Master of Puppets is hard hitting and intense. It is the prototype for late 80's speed metal but it still sounds fresh and relevant nearly a quarter century later.

The song starts with some grinding riffs by guitar virtuoso Kirk Hammett. That beginning is iconic, you know exactly what it is when you hear it in a movie (Old School) honestly it pumps me up when I hear it during the Nationwide car racing commercials on ESPN. It almost gets me to watch car racing. Almost.

I love the idea of the puppet master. A wicked Gephetto running things from behind a dark curtain. Though Lead singer James Hetfield says its about the grip drugs can have on you. I like to think its about "Wicked Gephetto."

This song was on the last album original bassist Cliff Burton played on before his tragic death while on tour in Europe. It was raw and brash. In the years since MOP Metallica has become more refined musically and commercially successful. But in the hearts and minds of metal fans MOP was Metallica's greatest achievement.

"Family" Laurie Berkner Band

This song has been stuck in my head all day!!! Thank you Laurie Berkner.

Yo Gabba Gabba Live - Party in Your City - October 2nd

This past weekend we blew Olivia's mind as we took her to the Yo Gabba Gabba live show at Radio City Music Hall.

For her the excitement started when we took the escalator up at the 53rd street train station. But in earnest when we were waiting in line and she saw the poster for the show. She was pointing at it and wouldn't move away. We told her, there was something better to see really soon. We walked into the theatre and she was amazed by the scope of the place, they gave her a pair of DJ Lance Rock glasses, she noticed the logo on a giant screen on the stage, and the noticed the thousands of balloons on the celling. She was in a state of pure bliss. The last time I saw her in that much gleeful awe was when we were on the Its a Small World ride at Disneyland.

Soon the house lights dimmed and the familiar sound of DJ Lance Rock filled the hall, the squeals of preschoolers delight was deafening. He introduced the gang, Muno, Toodee, FooFa, Brobee and Plex. Parents and kids alike were going nuts.

I felt a kinship with the other parents who were singing along to the songs like Eat, The Name Game and Differences. I was clearly not the only one with a YGG cd in his car CD player.

Ani and I got a good workout holding Olivia during the songs when they said "Stand up!" Which was most of them. Olivia got the chance to dance in our arms and on the seat back of the row in front of us.

There were three musical guests and honestly two were kind of disappointing.

Urge Overkill - they were the band for the Super Music Friend show. They were good, but they were so irrelevant for the crowd. At least they didn't play Girl You'll" be a Woman, that would have been creepy. They couldn't get The Roots, who work across the street?

Moby - he was the Dancey Dance guy. And he couldn't care less, and he seemed distracted. I know he's in New York ... But they couldn't get someone else?

Biz Markie - Hew did Biz's Beat of the Day and blew the roof off of the place. He was funny and intense, and as Ani said "he's more than just a friend."

The crowd was good, everyone played nice and I didn't have to throw any elbows to get Olivia a balloon. I'm pretty sure I haven't been to a concert that intense since we saw U2 a few years ago.