But I digress. Here's what I came here to say: If there were any justice in the universe--
Sorry, cliche detectors just went off. Let's try again: You know how a lot of really awful, terrible people write, direct, and record a bunch of heinous bullshit that inexplicably brings them fame and wealth? And how a lot of really awesome people do amazing work that somehow never breaks through enough to let them quit their fucking day jobs? Well I'm here to say that it's high time to flip that equation on its head -- and since you asked, let me tell you where to start:
So let me tell you a bit about Brook Lee. He's been at this music thing since he was in high school, back when he was fronting a hip-hop outfit called Psychotic Twist of Rhythm (fun fact: if Brook's reading this right now, he's plotting my death for bringing that name up). By the time I met him, he was playing solo acoustic at a sushi joint in Orange County, fusing his rap-style lyrics with a folk-rock accompaniment that I'd have called "ungodly" if wasn't so damn cool.
For the last five years he's been playing with a band of ragged blues/rock/folk troubadours that dub themselves The Brook Lee Catastrophe, and for good reason: they blow the roof off of every joint they play (shit, where's that cliche detector when you need it?). They've released two albums of heart-wrenching, ass-kicking, soul-elevating songs that by all rights should already be "that song I listened to after I left her/he broke my heart/I stopped trying/I dragged myself back to my feet and decided to try again."
Why should you care? Well, first off, because you're one of the Good Guys. You've seen mediocrity celebrated while brilliance goes ignored all your life, and goddamn it, you're not going to take it anymore! But guess what? There's something in it for you, too. You get to discover a new band that's gonna be right up there on your iPod playlist (or however it is you kids do it these days) and tell your friend, "Oh yeah, I've been listening to them since forever" once they finally jump on the bandwagon.
So here's what you're gonna do: hop on over to www.thebrookleecatastrophe.com. Take a look around. Listen to some tunes. Delve into their two new albums -- the epic, genre-bending American Hotel and the deep, soul-smothering Motel Americana. Go to a show. Tell your friends. Start a fire. Bring some justice back to the universe.
And then write to Obama and tell him to stop being such a pussy. Seriously.
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