Roads of Reel #1

Note: This piece was written for an upcoming online magazine named 'Roads of Reel.' It may or may not be published (I'm going with the latter).

I'm telling you- the 60's is what it's all about, though there modern life isn't so bad.

Yeah! My first column piece! Well, that's if it gets published...but I've got free time, so let me write it anyway... Now this column discusses some great stuff (mainly music) from the past, and by the past I mean the 60's. You're probably think this is driven by my Beatles infatuation but really, it isn't... (though it is a bit). So let's get started... following the theme of this issue of 'Roads of Reel,' let's talk about Superheroes and Super villains. I've got a perfect song that fits that bill.

It's not the rather annoying (but catchy) 'Spider-man' song...

It's 'Heroes and Villains' by The Beach Boys!

So lets just take a minute to define Superheroes and Supervillains... I'd say that there good or evil people who aren't normal... So they can fly through the air and shoot laser beams and stuff...

Not to mention they have incredibly catchy-lines....

This picture just does it for me.

The song, was supposed to be the centerpiece of The Beach Boy's album Smile... but a lot of things happened, which pretty much halted the release of an album that could have changed the world. Think of Sgt.Pepper but with Strawberry Fields Forever and Penny Lane.. For people unfamiliar with the 60's think of 2011 without 'Party Rock Anthem.' Not so great yeah? That's what I thought. So every time a hardened music fan hears the word Smile... they are really crying inside. I am right now, and I tell you it hurts. Instead of Smile we got Smiley Smile (eventually we kinda got 'Smile,' but we got it as SMiLE- 40 years later ) and it's like comparing World War I to World War II... while similar, the Nazis did a heck lot more in war number two (though I'm waiting around for the next one, third time's the charm!). Now, back to the song 'Heroes and Villains.' It's a wonderful song, starting out with a lot happening, the bass is wonderful and the voices that are muttering out notes in different tones is just wonderful. The song is really like watching a superhero movie, the character will pull off some amazing stunt in the beginning...but things get darker, and so does the song. The voices drone in a chilling unison at some point and you'll tingle with a weird amalgamation of delight and surprise. The chanting of 'Heroes and Villains' is fantastically amazing. The 'lalalas' and 'nananas' bring a bit of light to the darkness in the droning section. The song regresses back to it's happy, paceful exciting state, like when the hero is facing up to the villain- the boss battle in the ridiculously hard video game you are playing (Yes, YOU Final Fantasy). Then things get wonderfully soft and lush... and the singer, he's amazing at that part, the emotion you feel as the rest of the group throw out their voices in hushed tones. Suddenly the song picks up again and ends in it's dramatic phase, gripping the listener in even more tension. It's beautiful, I must admit wonderful.

I've been in this town so long that back in the city
I've been taken for lost and gone
And unknown for a long long time

Thanks guys...even if it did take like 40 years...

In case you're wondering. That picture was of Brian Wilson and Van Dyke Parks. Brian was amazing. Van Dyke Parks was great too.

Listen to 'Heroes and Villains' here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L284UgTLA3c

You might want to listen to : Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band- The Beatles and Pet Sounds- The Beach Boys

Tawanda W.T Mulalu is really likes The Beatles. He likes writing too though.

For more of his work...check out his blog www.lifeinthethirdperson.blogspot.com

('Roads of Reel' is not responsible for outside content- This is called a disclaimer.)