Sometimes I question whether or not anything really inspires anymore... if there's really innovation or if it's just a different angle on the same old thing.

Earlier today I read a Time article on what Detroit is facing if to "survive", and some of the things they mention as having previously thwarted off disaster included... SUVs. Really?? Somehow, it made sense to keep making these vehicles, knowing that they used ridiculous amounts of gas, and in the meantime, UAW/associated unions got to kept demanding ridiculous benefits, even as it became more and more apparent that the way of life they were so desperately trying to "preserve" was fast disappearing. I tell you what, clutching just that more tightly to something doesn't usually keep it alive... usually chokes it off, actually. But anyway. That's more of a "relevant" issue.

I guess in listening to music, it just amazes me how often the most successful stuff is that which tends to fall back into the same usual chord progressions or scales or whatever, to the point that even if I've never heard a song, there's a good chance I can guess its direction within minute... and I feel like that paralyzes me as I'm working on my new stuff. I really feel like there's a difference between "good" as in, it's pleasing to the ear but quickly fades into the background, and "good" as in, maybe more complex than the ear can just take in a single listen... requires a little bit more appreciation. (I swear I've read somewhere that one of the main reasons children don't like liver, for example, is the inability to "appreciate" some of the more complex flavors and subtleties that their immature taste buds simply can't recognize... having not tried it since I was 5, I can't confirm or deny.) And I mean, that's not to knock some of the great pop writing (to say nothing of all the music I don't listen to/haven't heard... I know I need to expand these here horizons), it got to that point for a reason... well-written, universal appeal.

Maybe what I'm looking for is justification that I haven't really made much progress with my new material, partially because I'm overwhelmed with how much crap (that may eventually be polished into "less-than-crap," hopefully) I've either written lyrically or kind of come up in just messing around on my various instruments that I "play," and partially because I'm torn between what I guess you could call "settling" with what I know have, and the desire to see what could happen if I keep working at it.

Let's keep in mind that I have no deadline, no real impetus to just throw down and push more product out there... I'm not sure if I've even sold more than 20 copies of my last album, with virtually no promotion and no shows, so it's like there's a market begging for my sweet, sweet music. Basically, I think it comes down to two things: first, that it's been almost three years since my last release, I've bought more equipment that I haven't really used that I basically justified for using on this release, and I'd like to show something for all of that, especially in light of some of my newer influences; and secondly, knowing that there are those out there who I came up in the "scene" with who are currently doing things or at least appear to be, and just the sense that I don't want to "fall behind."

I feel like I've got a voice worth sharing, but again, it sort of comes back to my original question: will I really be a unique voice, or am I just providing a different lens with which to view the music I now love for others...?

Listen to my album from 2.5 years ago, and I think you could probably pick out 5 obvious influences: Linkin Park, Thrice, Metallica, Nirvana, and Alice in Chains. Now, bear in mind, there's probably nothing wrong with aiming high, but I feel like I've gotten a lot more self-concious about sounding so "radio-friendly..." and yet these are all great bands, why the hell wouldn't I want to be compared to them?

So who am I doing this for, then? Knowing that I have no clamoring audience, I would say that it becomes obvious: myself. Which is tough schtuff, because I don't even know what I want.

I think the plan is to get this EP out ASAP, see if anyone's like, "Oh sweet, you're back!" Worst case, I get exactly the same response as before. I can live with that.

This was a ramble.

Sorry.