Echoes and Moments

Hey, who put me on the cover of this movie? It is very difficult for me to summarize a topic as broad as the consciousness of a people. Although I cannot properly consider myself "Mexican," there are many Latino/Hispanic people who share both my ancestry and cultural dilemma. Consider California: we have an overwhelming population of Mexican Americans here, with the most vibrant communities of recent and established generations of immigrants proud to call this country their home, yet firmly rooted in their own culture and traditions. Today I need to remember that I should be sensitive even with labels; the majority of my friends greatly prefer the term Latino even when my family has considered itself Hispanic for so long. I could write for a long while on the distinguishing characteristics of New Mexican identity, even though I have never lived in New Mexico itself. Rather I find it helpful to take the macro scale: identifying those trends in Latin American culture that ...

I don't know why I find it so fun to write about music, specifically the best that I have to choose from as I browse my library on iTunes. Writing this makes me realize that even ten years ago I would have chosen a few different words: looking through my CD tower, flipping through my LP collection, etc. And even as our information-crazy world trudges onward into the limits of shared media, it's worth stopping to appreciate those simpler days when iPods, Pads, and Phones were still a sparkle in Steve Jobs' eye. So, without further ado, I present this week's blog topic: My choices for top ten tracks of the 1990s. I'll rank them according to both significance and quality, so this should give you a window into my taste and life. And again, if I haven't mentioned this before , my taste is impeccable. 10. Fake Plastic Trees, Radiohead, The Bends,  1993. This is one of those tunes that introduced me to the quintet from Oxford, whom I now consider my all-time fav...

Ok, so apparently in order to have a relevant posting on the internet, I have to come up with some top ten lists. I know the inevitable list of movies, music, books, and other things might send you on a fast track out of here and on to some better, more informed lists. But I'm not pretending that I'm not biased. Yes, this list is a subjective compilation operating under the assumption that 1) the best music was produced in either the USA or Britain and 2) that it was made after 1990. With that said, I present you with the albums that have made an impression on me most personally. 10. Santana: Supernatural , 1999 It's got cameo appearances by Cee-Lo, Lauryn Hill (who makes an appearance on this list), Dave Matthews, Everlast, and even Mexican rock titans Maná. Wade through this sea of radio-ready hits and you'll also find some surprising indigenous music from the band itself, and immaculate guitar tone courtesy of San Francisco's greatest living man to pick up th...