Noah Stone, the Blog.

Listen to this episode of This American Life. Fast forward to 9 minutes in to the beginning of the segment on Rachel, a survivor of the 7/7 London train bombings. Her blog about her experience inside one of the bombed cars got her in the cross hairs of the 7/7 conspiracy theorists. They believe a power surge in the Underground caused the deadly explosions and that the government concocted a cover up pinning it on Muslims. When Rachel confronts the conspiracy theorists, they attack her and claim she is a composite character created by MI5 to spread disinformation. The piece opens a window into the mentality and intractability of conspiracy theorists. There's simply no arguing with them.

I don't what it is that has people latch on so strongly to conspiracy theories. Perhaps it's freeing in some way. If you believe that the government is so powerful that they could set charges in buildings, disappear a commercial jet, shoot missiles into office buildings, murder thousands of Americans and then cover the whole thing up then really what can you do? You're truly powerless. Sure takes a load off. It is a seductive absolution. And, on the flip-side, you get to feel special that you know the truth.

Labels: conspiracy TAL

Democrats believe dogs should ride on the inside of the car. While Republicans believe they should be strapped to the roof.

Labels: dog, politics

My very good friend, Antoine Wilson's new novel, The Interloper received a stellar review in today's LA Times. Add it to your summer reading list. It's a great read. And check out that photo credit. ;)

Paul teaches the Beatles "Let It Be" in this ancient bootleg - Let It Be outtake.mp3

From bluerailroad.com

He's a passionate and poignant songwriter, and also a richly gifted producer who plays almost every instrument here. It all starts with the songs, and these ones are solidly strong. Then comes the production, which is phenomenal. The man knows how to construct compelling soundscapes that serve as ideal foundations for his songs without overwhelming them. Unlike other self-hatched projects, this one flows with a soulful and organic integrity that is manna for the heart. "Married To A Mystery," based on a famous quote by Leonard Cohen about songwriting ("If I knew where the good songs came from, I'd go there more often. It's much like the life of a Catholic nun; you're married to a mystery.") has a delicately unfolding melody that grabs you by the heart and doesn't let go. Wherever good songs come from, Stone went there for this one. Its elusive melody erupts into a golden chorus that gets better with every listening. Rolling rhythms propel the declamatory lyrics into a rich vocal tapestry and explosively elegant guitar solo. (Mr. Cohen has heard the song, and praised Noah for its honesty.) "Paula" is a wistful poem of sad jubilance; the sorrow of lost love mingled with the joyful connection with the past. The title song weds a restrained fervor with a martial drum-bass groove and shape-shifting textures that contrast the inconsequence of mundane techno-times with the eternal hunger for change, a yearning etched by a haunting ascending riff. "Unshakeable" has a lithe Lindsey Buckingham-like melodic dynamism bolstered by a cumbersome-buoyant bass-thick groove; it's light and heavy simultaneously, and like all of these songs and tracks, is evidence of a serious artist at work, and at play. -Paul Zollo

My album is now available on Napster and Rhapsody! If you have an account with them, please download it!




Peace, love and revolution,
Noah