I have a problem.

I rarely use a hands-free solution to select music while driving with passengers. Directions? No problem. Texting? Forget about it. But with music, I believe in the element of surprise. I believe in it so much, I will risk taking my eyes off the road for it. I have a problem.

If I say to my phone, “play ‘Dreams’ by Fleetwood Mac,” I am sure my audience will have already imposed a judgement on the familiar song without actually being lulled into the pent up, sultry piece. Don’t get me wrong. “Dreams” is a phenomenal song and I could never sing enough praise about it, but it’s that simple introductory drum-to-bass fill that puts it over the top. It’s the hook that lights you up when it surprises you on the radio or in your playlist/mixtape. Entering into the song with the intro, “play ‘Dreams’ by Fleetwood Mac,” kills the element of surprise. Most people (your truly included) will have already jumped to Stevie howling “it’s only right” over the somber drums, bass, and swelling guitar. If not that, then the legendary chorus. I can’t imagine the intro is their first thought.

For context, other examples include:

• “You Make My Dreams” - Daryl Hall & John Oates
• “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” - Michael Jackson
• “Higher Ground” - Stevie Wonder
• “Understanding In A Car Crash” - Thursday
• “Sussudio” - Phil Collins
• “Invisible Touch” - Genesis

Until consumer tech is able to read minds, I don’t think this is a problem for technology to solve. The real problem here is caring way too much about what other people think. That is a problem I need a solution to now.

Jeremy Parish writing on his 2-dimensions.com blog:

Video games are made by hard-working schlubs, and they’re written about by hard-working schlubs, and both categories of schlub do so in service of the hard-working schlubs who do their schlubbing so they can afford to buy video games. We’re not so different, you and I.

Great perspective piece on 10+ years working in the gaming press. I have Parish, in part, to thank for where I am today. From one hard-working schlub, schlubbing to afford to write about video games on the side (because I can’t help it either), to another hard-working schlub: Thank you.

Leigh Alexander, writing for Time:

As video games unshackle from old constraints, traditional fans double down on keeping the treehouse sacrosanct. The tension between “games as product” and “games as culture” is visible within these online controversies as everyone invested in the industry watches to see which will “win”. Someone should tell the internet conspiracy theorists they can relax — we’ll absolutely, definitely have both.

One of Alexander’s many terrific pieces. Another great bit at Daring Fireball. (via Peter Hollo)

Dialog between Carl Casper (Jon Favreau) and Ramsey Michel (Oliver Platt), Chef:

CC: What exactly are you doing here?

RM: I’m eating the food. I’m eating your food.

CC: I thought my food was needy and cloying.

RM: Well, I didn’t think you’d want to serve me, so I sent somebody else to pick it up.

CC: What happened between us, that really knocked me for a loop. I mean, you robbed me of my pride and my career and my dignity. And I know people like you don’t usually care about that kind of thing…

RM: That’s not necessarily true.

CC: But you should know it hurts people like me. ‘Cause we’re really trying.

RM: You started a flame war with me. Are you kidding me? I buy ink by the barrel, buddy. What are you doing picking a fight with me? I wouldn’t challenge you to a cook off.

CC: I thought I was sending you a private message.

RM: I didn’t know that. I thought we were having fun. It was theater. By the way, what the fuck were you cooking? You totally shat the bed, buddy. How could I back that? You were one of my early boys.

CC: I had no control over the menu.

RM: Whatever the case, okay? You seem to be cooking for yourself again. Because this shit is sensational. I mean, really, really good.

CC: Thank you.

I really enjoyed this movie. Very simple and to the point. Good food is great, my opinion on critics (including myself) is iffy at best, and Twitter can be terrible. In a world of limited text, context counts. Inspiring, real stuff. Well done, Favreau.

Kickstarter:

We want to make an in-depth documentary on the personal and cultural impact of video game music. Have you ever paused a game just to hear the music play? There are thousands of artists inspired by those same sounds. Cover bands are performing phenomenal versions of nostalgic music and chiptune artists are challenging themselves with the original game music methods. Tribute albums are causing collaboration and communication between fans and their favorite composers. Remix communities are resulting in new composers to score the next generation of games. Festivals are developing into friends and families all because of video game music. We want to capture this phenomenon from many different angles to showcase the amazing communities, people, and effects this music has fostered.

Speaking of spending money on OSTs, this interesting Kickstarter has entered its final week of funding. Sign me up.