Hump Day Helper -- Zhuang-O Birthday Edition

Because it's Wednesday, and we all need a pick-me-up to make it through the rest of the week in our respective hells, WDR is providing some fun.



Fresh off the celebration of Mr. Zhuang's birthday, we're providing a video from his all-time favorite artist for the Helper. Of course, what with Universal Music Group's restrictive youtube policy, it's hard to find an embeddable video. So even though the choice kicks some serious ass, don't read too much into it--it's just what we could fit.

This one comes from the "Broken" EP, which outside of NIN-circles doesn't get much play. There's probably a reason for it--a song like this is the reason why we can use "brutal" in describing some music. However, in cases like this, it's meant as a compliment. You have to also love the contrast between Trent and Vrenna's intensity to the guys tooling away on the computers.

Smashed up my sanity
smashed up my integrity
smashed up what i believed in
smashed up what's left of me
smashed up my everything
smashed up all that was true
gonna smash myself to pieces
I don't know what else to do...

Bonus points if you can pick out the appearances by superstars of 90s alterna-rock Richard Patrick and Marilyn Manson.

The Clash of Two Genres

I am not a fan of rap. Generally, it just doesn't do it for me. Perhaps it's because I can't relate to a lot of it. Perhaps it's because a lot of it isn't about music and is instead about making money. I don't know, it just doesn't work.

I also dislike self-proclaimed "emo" music. Some of the things I like to listen to could be classified as emo, but that would be making a very broad generalization from people who are stupid. Yes, everybody has emotionally fragile times and has liked someone in high school they could never have. This is fine, but if you're in your late 20s or early 30s, you need to knock that shit off. Seriously. Try making something musically interesting and different instead of droning about some chick who friended you on Myspace but won't talk to you. I may not be the best one to say it, but GROW UP.

So you may be asking, "Why are you talking about two very different musical genres that you don't like?" I bring this up because it appears that the two have merged together into one stupendous crapfest. I refer, of course, to the new 50 Cent record "Curtis." I don't know about anyone else, but this certainly looks like 50 Cent is going for some kind of emo crap. And "Curtis"? Yes, that is his real name. So...50 Cent is going to have some introspective raps about himself? That sounds pretty emo to me. Or maybe there's someone else named Curtis? I don't know, and chances are I'm not going to listen to it, so it doesn't really matter.

Maybe I'm taking this a bit too far. BUT WAIT - there's more! 50 Cent has another album coming out in 2008 called "Before I Self Destruct." I don't think there's any doubt now: 50 Cent is officially the father of the bastard child "Emo Gangsta Rap." God help us all.