(James Jean cover for The Umbrella Academy #1)
Recipe for today’s Stainless Steel Droppings post:
1. Listen to a lot of My Chemical Romance for a week; watch MCR videos; allow to simmer in the brain pan.
2. Season liberally with this month’s issue of Previews (the what-is-coming-out-in-a-few-months bible for comic book geeks). There are many, many flavors to choose from in this particular issue.
3. Draw inspirational ingredients from this post by Chris, talking about the love of rain and Tori Amos’ album Little Earthquakes.
4. Mix until you begin to see the threads that tie these apparently disparate ingredients together.
5. Bake in the oven of a mind slightly mad, on a Wednesday (traditional release date for new comics), and be sure to use non-stick spray.
6. Remove from mind, partake immediately, allow the nonsense to digest until confusion has passed and all of this starts making sense. Do not swim for 48 hours after understanding blooms.
Wikipedia defines a Concept Album as:
an album which is unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical. Most often they are pre-planned (conceived) and with all songs contributing to a single overall theme or unified story, this plan or story being the concept.
With Stainless Steel Droppings I have done my best to produce a Concept Life: one in which there really is an overall unifying theme, even if it is only in my mind. I’ve mentioned before that much of my adult likes in literature, film, music, etc. can be tied back to Neil Gaiman in the “Six Degrees of…” format. In a way I think that most of my posts are within six degrees of separation from one another. (I would be curious as to your view of this both regarding myself and regarding your own blogs). In my head it is all much less random than it may play out on the glowing screen before your eyes.
Today’s Concept: Music and Comics…two great things that taste great together.
I’ve been wanting to post about music for awhile now…it has been a long time. I’ve also been wanting to post on comics as well, something I don’t feel I touch on often enough. Reading the aforementioned post by Chris resulted in my spending the afternoon hearing songs from Little Earthquakes in my head and thinking about how cool it is that Tori Amos drops comic book references into her songs, particularly related to the work of Neil Gaiman.
From the song Tear in Your Hand:
All the world just stopped now.
So you say you don’t wanna stay together any more.
Let me take a deep breath babe.
If you need me, me and Neil’ll be hangin’ out with the Dream King
Neil says ‘hi’ by the way…
I absolutely love it when various art forms merge together, when artists who are successful in one niche branch out into another. One of my favorite bands, My Chemical Romance, is doing just that. More accurately, lead singer Gerard Way is branching out into the comics world with the upcoming release of The Umbrella Academy.
With covers by the incomparable James Jean, art by Gabriel Bá (whose work I really like), and the writing chores being handled by Gerard Way, this is one book that I am really excited about.
A brief introduction to the book was given out as a part of last month’s Free Comic Book Day. If you were not fortunate enough to nab this freebie, the entire story is viewable online here, also for free (ain’t the interweb grand?).
Though one doesn’t get the full appreciation for what this comic may be, it does show some spark and looks like it could be a book that resonates with a bit of anti-hero, over-the-top humor. At the very least I will be giving issue #1 a try come August. Gerard Way is a pretty good artist in his own right and I hope future issues include some of his own work. You can read more about this project here.
One of the reasons I really enjoy My Chemical Romance is they are a theatrical band. They first came to my attention when I saw the video for the song Helena. The Helena video has a Bob-Fosse-meets-goth sensibility that I instantly fell for.
With their latest album, The Black Parade (which has been out for quite awhile now), MCR kicked their theatrical elements up a notch by creating a concept album about “a dying cancer patient seek[ing] revenge and redemption”. The concepts of death and hope are intertwined on this album and every part of it, from the songs, to the costumes, to the cover art, to the design of many of the videos is centered around this concept. And woven through this love of the theatrical is a love of comics, particularly the edgier stuff (Gerard Way credits Garth Ennis’ Preacher as a major influence).
I have always enjoyed epic rock and roll and many of the songs, particularly Welcome to the Black Parade and Famous Last Words, are very epic. The incorporation of orchestral elements in their music and the scope of the songs gives the album a Queen-like feel, a band that was a big influence on My Chemical Romance.
This kind of music and this type of presentation is a love-it or hate-it kind of thing. I love it. I’m probably just weird that way. Here are some samples (if you cannot get these You Tube links to work you can see these on the MCR site as well in the media section)(click title underneath video box for lyrics):
Both of these videos thrill the visual creativity side of my brain and I really like both of these songs. If these aren’t your cup o’ tea, I challenge you to at least watch/listen to this very short video for the song Cancer. It is touching:
I find the band interesting because they have a heart to change lives through their music, and while the cynic in me wants to dismiss that as a naive concept, I truly believe they are attempting to do just that and I am interested in seeing how that desire plays out for the band in the coming years. Whether they stand the test of time, or flame out after a bit of glory, I certainly can say that I am enjoying them now. And isn’t that what we are all doing with our blogs in some way? Trying to make the world around us just a bit better.
MCR feeds my inner goth-child, my inner glam-rocker, my inner theatrical actor…and now they will be feeding my comic jones as well. All in all that is a pretty cool combinaton.
I am interested in any examples you have of when different artistic outlets that you enjoy intersect in some way.
This was a strange post, I have no doubt. It is after midnight and I have been listening to music and watching videos while posting. It will be interesting to see if what I feel I am trying to communicate makes any sense when I wake up and read it in the harsh light of day.
Again with Tears in Your Hand:
And I think there’re pieces of me you’ve never seen…
This is just another piece. The more appropriate words to close with come from the same song:
Maybe its time to wave goodbye now
Time to wave goodbye, now.
Ah, Tear in Your Hand 🙂 My favourite Tori song, and part of my top 10 songs of all time.
And, because this was the song that introduced me to Neil, I can literally say it changed my life.
Great post Carl! I don’t know how I feel about My Chemical Romance. I’ve liked some of their stuff and have been not so nuts about other stuff. I haven’t listened to the whole Black Parade album, so maybe I should give it a try seeing as it’s a concept album.
Tori Amos is exactly the person who pops into my head when I think of someone who branches into all kinds of aspects of my life. As you mentioned, there are some wonderful ties to Neil Gaiman. Her and Trent Reznor (of Nine Inch Nails) like to trade mentions of each other in their lyrics, and there are just so many memories in my life that Tori has seemed to have worked her way in to. Did you know she was a tree in of Vess’ Stardust paintings? I learned that from Elaine’s blog just recently. Pretty cool! One last note on Tori, When I saw her Plugged Tour, she closed with Tear in Your Hand and it was quite an experience to see her sing the lyrics that you ended your post with and then lay her hands on her piano. What a great person!
As for your question on the six degrees topic…I think you do an excellent job of this! I envy your ability to do this. I try to keep my blog coherent, but I’m afraid I fail miserably at times. I go off on all kinds of tangents on my blog. But oh well…regardless, I have fun doing it. Now I shall try to fight this insomnia and probably have very strange dreams of Tori Amos and Charles Manson sharing their favorite ice cream as Neil Gaiman reads to them…nightmare or pleasant dream? hmmm…
I’m only really familiar with MCR’s The Black Parade song, which is a terrible earworm and I’ll probably now be humming it all day long. Never knew about the album though. And the comic looks interesting.
“In a way I think that most of my posts are within six degrees of separation from one another.”
I actually enjoy blogs that can draw cross-associations from all over and make them link in some coherent way. It’s a beautiful mind that can draw inspirations from all over. But your blog has a consistent voice and interests, and it’s not as random as one might think.
It’s funny. As I’ve gotten older, I listen to less music. I don’t know if it’s my taste narrowing, or I just value silence more. lol
Looking back in the harsh light of morning, and its only harsh because of 5 hours sleep (I’m too old for this), it looks like I was fishing for compliments, which wasn’t my intention. I thank you all for them though, they make me smile! I was more curious about whether or not this daily jumble appears cohesive at all from the outside.
Chris, “I try to keep my blog coherent, but I’m afraid I fail miserably at times”….I completely disagree. I think you do really well keeping your blog focused on the aspects of your life and loves.
Nymeth, that is really spectacular that Tear in Your Hand introduced you to the work of Neil Gaiman. It is my favorite Tori song as well. It is hauntingly beautiful and I love the idea behind “maybe she’s just pieces of me you’ve never seen”.
Sorry Fence! 😉 That is something of a jarring song to have rolling around in your head all day.
Thanks Dark O. I tend to run off on tangents sometimes but it thrills me to try to tie those tangents together with other stuff either in the post itself or sometime later down the road. First and foremost blogging should be done for oneself (especially since no one has to come over and read it! 😉 ) and I keep myself happy so I succeed in that sense.
That’s interesting Angela. I am completely the opposite the older I get. I feel like life needs a soundtrack. My PC speakers are currently on the fritz which has really changed my life in an annoying way. We constantly use the Rhapsody program to make playlists and have music going why we are working around the house, getting ready in the mornings, etc. and it is horrible not having that. I also have very strong connections to music. My feelings for my friend Scott, who introduced me to two of my all time favorite artists: Tori Amos and Sarah Brightman, are all tied up in music. I have such strong memories of the times we have shared these artists (I’ve been to two Tori Amos concerts including time backstage with him) and everytime I hear either of their music I feel emotionally connected to him.
Another interesting example is the movie A Good Year. Taken by itself it is not a spectacular movie. It is okay but could have been done better. But I love it and it is one I frequently re-watch. The reason? Well, one of them is that I was predisposed to like it because of the song “Chances” by the group Athlete that was used as the music for the trailer. It has a powerfully orchestral chorus and bridge that I hear in my head everytime I watch the film (although the song is not in the film). Trailer here if you are interested in hearing a bit of that song.
I couldn’t imagine my life without music, and music videos (which I have loved watching since MTV first debuted waaaaaay back when).
Intesting post. I’ve never been a big comic fan, but I might make an exception for this one. I love My Chemical Romance! Have since the first time I heard them. I was reminded of Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails when I read your post. The release of their latest album, Year Zero, was such a treat for fans like me. Talk about concept album! The entire album is about a future time and end-of-the-world times. Before the release, at a concert, the band left memory sticks in the bathrooms. This started a whole Scavenger Hunt of sorts. One thing led to another. All sorts of strange videos….the hand of God….and eventually led about 40 people to a building in LA. They were put aboard a bus….with black-out windows, cell phones taken. They were taken to a warehouse, where a “freedom fighter” was given a lecture on the end-of-days….then NIN performed for the 40 people. It was really cool!!
Music has always been a big part of my life. My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult is another crazy concept band that I have followed for years and years.
There was a time..long long ago.. that i not only listened to music but was a drummer in a band that played it!..
but that was before MTV.. and before Music Videos… I think they called it: the stone age!
Today I don’t listen to much music at all.. but it’s good that you do!
Ha, Deslily, you crack me up…and fascinate me as well. You’ve done some amazing things and met some amazing people!
Stephanie, great stuff of NIN. I haven’t really listened to any of their stuff but need to check them out. What a cool idea. I love creative people and that was a very creative idea. I bet the 40 fans who ended up experiencing that are and were thrilled to have had that experience.
Music is inspiring and life changing, I really believe that. I love how music is woven into films, literature, etc. One of my favorite examples is how creation was sung into existence in Tolkien’s book The Silmarillion. It is a really interesting idea.
“I am interested in any examples you have of when different artistic outlets that you enjoy intersect in some way.” – The first thing that pops to mind (MY mind, anyway), is Led Zeppelin’s Tolkien lyrics 🙂
Cool stuff–I’ll have to check that out.
The absolute greatest concept album EVER? Hands down, it’s Bruce Springsteen’s “Nebraska.” Sad, soulful and creepy. The line “I guess there’s just a meanness in this world” still gives me chills.
And here I thought you’d pick Leonard Nimoy’s version of the Bilbo Baggins song, Janet. 😉
Don’t think I’ve heard Nebraska, Wayne. But I’m from there, so I’ll agree with you regardless.
agh! You had to mention Bilbo, didn’t you! Now I will have that in my head all night! In retaliation I invoke William Shatner singing “Mr. Tambourine Man.” 😉
Sadly, I know almost nothing of concept albums, or indeed modern popular music, but these do look intriguing…and I’m adding that comic to my list!
i think your blog is incredibly coherent! i see links between the various things you post about that i didn’t think were there.
and yet, your interests are extremely varied too, so its always interesting.
i’d like to have my blog rather coherent, if i can… or have a theme which incapsulates and gives space for my different interests and stuff. but i think it makes a big difference for people who read ones blog. yeah, if after a while you know the person, then you don’t mind reading whatever they have to say, but if you don’t its good if the website is streamlined and focused. i think the coherence of your website gives it a good focus. you know what you’re getting by going to it. not exactly of course – that’d become boring – but you know which genre(s) the blog operates within.
I love the idea of singing the world into existence. It creates such a visual image. Thank you for “Cancer”, that was so touching. I cannot imagine life without music.
Glad you watched it Pat, I thought it was a great video.
I had the good fortune to win tickets to the MCR show here and it was awesome! One thing that I found particularly powerful was that they played the entire Black Parade album, in order, as the concept was intended.
When I first heard The Black Parade as a stand alone single, I honestly wasn’t that impressed; I thought it sounded like yet another Queen ripoff. But, after listening to the album in its entirety several times, I was won over by the sheer creative variety and the theming. I’m so glad you introduced this comic, it looks beautiful and I’m interested to read more of Way’s writing.
Btw, did you know that MCR’s prior albums were concepts albums too? My boyfriend is a huge fan and he briefed me on it one night. As I recall, both albums tell the story of a pair of doomed lovers, a la Bonnie and Clyde.
Wow, that is a great idea for the concert given the concept factor of the album. And no, I didn’t realize that about their other albums.
I was surprised to know that Gerard Way was also an artist and he did the cover work on the prior album.
If I had thought about it at the time I wouldn’t have minded Welcome to the Black Parade being simply a Queen rip-off because of the fact that I don’t here alot of Queen rip-off songs and I never mind new music that sounds like older music if it is stuff that I like. Queen sure isn’t making any new music! 😉 But, like you said, it is so much more than that.
Thanks for the info, and how cool that you didn’t have to pay for the concert.
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Thanks for the nice comments Jean Pierre. Once again, I look forward to seeing your blog.
thanks! 🙂
that is such a badass cover for THE UMBRELLA COMPANY. jean really knows how to make beautiful layouts!
Where can I get a hold of this graphic novel?
It isn’t out in graphic novel format yet, Sariah, just in individual comic book format. The third issue came out yesterday. Your best bet now is to either order online from somewhere like Mid-town comics in NYC or go to your local comic shop and see if they have all three issues. It is good!