On music...

I love opera. I love all opera, from the earliest opera by Handel or Pergolesi to the twentieth century opera by Copeland. I love everything that came in between. But, for me, the absolute pinnacle of western music is the opera by Puccini. Specifically, La Boheme.

Puccini's melodies are as beautiful as they come. To me, a melody can be so beautiful that it is just a little bit painful. Musetta's waltz still makes me cringe just a little because it is just too pretty, even the 500th time around.

Now, the opera that came after Puccini is important, relevant and progressive. However, I find the atonal opera of Phillip Glass to be about as soul satisfying as soylent green when you are craving your mother's sweet potato pie.

Which brings me to my current topic: the pinnacle of western hip-hop. You may wonder what that may be. Well let me tell you. It is "Yeah" by Usher featuring Lil' Jon and Ludacris. This is my Puccini. After "Yeah", there is other music. Some of it may be important, relevant and progressive (see Soulja Boy). However, I find the maniacal and robotic ramblings of Lil' Wayne's "Lollipop" about as soul satisfying as the Lawrence Welk show when you want to see Saturday morning Soul Train.

So here's to Lil' Jon and Puccini. Puccini's melodies will continue to pervade our culture in pop opera like Rent and pasta sauce commercials, just as Lil' John will always, always have the beat to make your booty go *smack*. And that, my friends, is soul satisfying for me. Bravo.