The Minor Details

It’s been a long two years since Kutless’ latest effort, “The Hearts of the Innocent,” that spawned a multitude of hits on Christian rock radio, and thier latest album, “To Know That You’re Alive,” picks up right where they left off with a great step (albeit a different one) forward.

Some things have changed in the Kutless camp since we last saw them, the most important being the departure of longtime guitarist Ryan Shrout and the addition of Nick DePartee. But the same intensity and passion remains. Unlike many “Christian” rock bands (COUGH Switchfoot! P.O.D.! COUGH), Kutless has stayed true to what works – songs about their faith in Jesus Christ.

From the introductory rock anthems “The Feeling,” and the title track ”To Know That You’re Alive,” to classic Kutless power ballads “Promise You,” and “I Do Not Belong,” Jon Micah will have you singing along no matter where you are. For Kutless fans, this is a must buy, and for non-Kutless fans, this is a must buy. So what are you waiting for? Go buy it! I can’t wait for SoulFest so I can see thier new material first hand!

“To Know That You’re Alive” :  B+

“I did it. I did it. I got one of my own. I hope I made you proud.”

These were the words spoken to Bill Russell by Kevin Garnett just seconds after the Boston Celtics dropped a nuclear bomb on the LA Lakers a couple weeks ago, cementing KG as an NBA champion and surefire Hall of Famer. The C’s took the NBA Finals in six games, winning their 17th NBA Championship, and with it, making Boston the sports capital of the world – if only the Patriots won the Super Bowl….*sigh*

To watch my Celtics this year (as Seth could probably tell you) was really something special. Throughout my life (although I was once a Magic fan), I looked on as the Celtics endured some tough seasons. I was only 3 when the Larry Bird Celts won in ‘86, and since then, it has been a tragedy more heartbreaking than “The Notebook” (I have never seen the Notebook, but the mere mention of the movie to certain girls I know brings tears to their eyes, so I assume its pretty heartbreaking). The C’s run in 2002 to the Eastern COnference Finals was great and all, but one got the feeling they really weren;t going to get it done.

This year, however, it was a differnet story. A 66-16 regular season (completing a 42-game turn around – an NBA record, I might add), tough 7-game series against the Hawks and Cavaliers – a 6-game beat down of the Pistons, and then of course showing Kobe who his daddy was made me feel so good, I can hardly contain it.

There are so many memories, I can’t even list them….but OK I will:

Paul Pierce’s knee injury and return in Boston in the FInals, Pierce’s war (and 40-point game) against Lebron James in the C’s Game 7 win against the Cav’s, the Green’s magnificent comeback in Game 4 in LA from 24 points down in the 3rd quarter to take a 3-1 lead (and consequently watching Jack Nicholson squirm in his courtside seat), Ray Allen getting his groove back, KG’s baseball throw/and 1 shot in the C’s Game 6 massacre of LA – and the list goes on.

Speaking of Jack Nicholson, just a sidenote here – how annoying is it to watch a Lakers game in LA and see about 234 celebrities sitting courtside when none of them are probaby from LA in the first place. What a bunch of fakers! Isn’t WIll Smith from Philly? Where was he while his hometown 76ers were getting beat down by the Pistons?

So,  I know it’s been a couple weeks now, and number 17 is behind us, but considering the season we had, what’s stopping us from #18? 19? With the Boston Three Party and most of our team returning next year (SIGN POSEY!), the stage is set for a repeat!

Go Celtics!

I know I haven’t written in a while, but I thought now would be a nice time to return to the blogosphere with a little blurb about a movie I saw today, Pixar’s latest adventure about a little robot doing big things and saving the world - “Wall-E”

I never thought I’d love a movie that didn’t have more than 20 minutes of real dialogue. That is, until I saw “Wall-E.”

I didn’t really know what to expect going in – but after watching it, I can tell you, it was worth every penny to go see it. Trust me, you will regret not going to see this film. To call it a visual adventure is a gross understatement. Pixar is truly in their prime. Whether it’s showing off a grim picture of what our world may become, or the greatest reaches of outer space, the movie’s look is ridiculously realistic (with a few cartoonish exceptions…). The movie is a love story, a sci-fi adventure and an underdog tale compacted into a cube of awesomeness. Go see it. Now…no I mean it, drop what you are doing right now and go see it. I’ll wait.

“Wall-E” :  A-

Oh right, and no Pixar movie is complete without voice work by John Ratzenberger. His part is short, but it reminds all of us taht we are watching a Pixar movie, and for some reason, it’s pretty comforting.