5) Marilyn Manson - Ultimate metal resurgence.
Just as metal seemed like it had been wiped off the face of the earth by grunge, Marilyn Manson came out of nowhere reviving it and paving the way for bands like Korn and Slipknot.
4) KISS - Ultimate metal showmen.
Arguably didn't start playing metal until the 1980's but their 1970's show set the bar for metal concerts, a bar that arguably no-one else has succeeded in reaching.
3) Led Zeppelin - Ultimate influence on metal.
Unarguably transcended metal but also arguably influenced metal more than any other band.
2) Black Sabbath - Founding fathers of metal.
First band to set the standard for metal. Dark, heavy and, at times, fast. Also spawned two of metal's more legendary solo careers, Ozzy Osborne and Dio.
1) Iron Maiden - Ultimate metal band.
Combined the darkness and heaviness of Black Sabbath with an expansion of their speed and the showmanship of KISS. If that isn't enough, they also have intelligent lyrics that makes fans want to dig out their history books.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
What is Class R&B?
I know how I define Classic R&B and where to find an accurate definition for Classic Rock (i.e.: Wikipedia) but I don't know where to find an accurate definition for Classic R&B. For me, Classic R&B begins with Motown and ends with the demise of Sugar Hill Records. For me, it includes funk (i.e.: Funkadelic) and old school rap (i.e.: Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five) but predates gangster rap (i.e.: NWA). I don't know if this is an accurate description but, then again, I don't know where to find one.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Focus Should Be On Fuel Efficiency, Not Hybrids And Alternative Fuels
Not all hybrids are fuel efficient. Six out of fourteen 2007 hybrid vehicles got less than thirty miles per gallon. I am not mentioning this to deter anyone from buying a hybrid. Hybrid vehicles are usually far more fuel efficient than their non-hybrid equivalents and it would be great if everyone could drive a Toyota Prius. However, I can’t help but believe that, by emphasizing hybrids, we have missed the point on fuel efficiency, especially when a large number of Americans cannot afford to spend over $20,000 on a car.
Regarding alternative fuel vehicles, they undeniably reduce greenhouse gas emissions and our dependency on foreign oil. However, I can’t help but believe we should be striving to use more fuel efficient vehicles regardless of what kind of fuel we are using. For starters, there is question of what other pollution alternative fuel vehicles might be emitting and what affect that might have on our health and the environment. Then there is the question of how much energy it takes to produce alternative fuels and what affect using our farmland to grow them will have on the worlds food supply. Again, I am certainly not against using them. I use the gasoline with ethanol when I go to the pump. However, I have trouble accepting alternative fuels as an alternative to more fuel efficient vehicles.
Instead of offering tax incentives for hybrids and alternative fuel vehicles, I think the government should offer progressive tax incentives for purchasing new vehicles that get more than thirty miles per gallon (i.e.: $100 tax deduction for every mpg over thirty) and increase taxes on purchases of new vehicles that get less than twenty miles per gallon (i.e.: $100 tax on every mpg under twenty), with exemptions for farmers and small businesses. I feel that this is the best way to immediately reward fuel efficiency and discourage our over consumption of oil. We cannot afford to wait for automobile manufacturers to discover and start manufacturing super efficient vehicles. We should award people for purchasing the more fuel efficient vehicles that are available now. Of course, the best fuel efficiency of all is riding the bus, riding a bike or walking. However, if you are going to drive, you will be doing both your pocket book and the world a favor by driving a fuel efficient vehicle.
Regarding alternative fuel vehicles, they undeniably reduce greenhouse gas emissions and our dependency on foreign oil. However, I can’t help but believe we should be striving to use more fuel efficient vehicles regardless of what kind of fuel we are using. For starters, there is question of what other pollution alternative fuel vehicles might be emitting and what affect that might have on our health and the environment. Then there is the question of how much energy it takes to produce alternative fuels and what affect using our farmland to grow them will have on the worlds food supply. Again, I am certainly not against using them. I use the gasoline with ethanol when I go to the pump. However, I have trouble accepting alternative fuels as an alternative to more fuel efficient vehicles.
Instead of offering tax incentives for hybrids and alternative fuel vehicles, I think the government should offer progressive tax incentives for purchasing new vehicles that get more than thirty miles per gallon (i.e.: $100 tax deduction for every mpg over thirty) and increase taxes on purchases of new vehicles that get less than twenty miles per gallon (i.e.: $100 tax on every mpg under twenty), with exemptions for farmers and small businesses. I feel that this is the best way to immediately reward fuel efficiency and discourage our over consumption of oil. We cannot afford to wait for automobile manufacturers to discover and start manufacturing super efficient vehicles. We should award people for purchasing the more fuel efficient vehicles that are available now. Of course, the best fuel efficiency of all is riding the bus, riding a bike or walking. However, if you are going to drive, you will be doing both your pocket book and the world a favor by driving a fuel efficient vehicle.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
