'Exodus'

I used to hate reggae. Now I don't thanks to Bob Marley's "Exodus."

No, this album didn't turn me into a lover of the genre. I don't hate reggae anymore. I just don't feel anything for it. Which, actually, may be a lot more demeaning than actually hating it.

I find the music pointless. There's no real hooks and the song never goes anywhere. It's sophomoric, at best.

It's not necessarily bad in the same way that Creed is bad. It doesn't sound bad. The lyrics are overly appalling. The musicianship is, at the very least, efficient.

Reggae isn't bad and it isn't good the same way that elevator music or a score in a film isn't good or bad. It's filler. You want to smoke a bowl full of weed? You need to study for a mid-term? Need something humming in the background while you do something else?

Listen to reggae. It doesn't interfere or overwhelm. Yet, it doesn't impress.

What does impress? Thirteen rumored children to nine rumored women. Bobby!

'Camille'

Apparently, Greta Garbo's favorite of her films.

Ah, the old story of the naive guy who falls in love with the prostitute, who herself is in need of money, but is in love with the man, too. Third parties step in and convince the prostitute to break up with the guy, in his best interest. The man is angered. He acts desperately bringing shame on the woman only to realize nearly too late that she broke up against her true wishes.

Then she dies of the consumption. Of course.

This inspired the latest version of "Moulin Rouge," for the entirety of the plot. Both were set on turn-of-the-century Paris, which seemed like an awesome time to be alive. Women were loose. Drugs were hard. The cognac and absinthe flowed like wine. Good times. Rich guys could go out to see burlesque shows, get laid and be no worse for the wear.

Except consumption. But that seemed to attack prostitutes at a very high clip.

'Delicatessen'

Jean-Pierre Jeunet is a true modern auteur. From "Delicatessen" to "Amelie" and "A Very Long Engagement," he's created very, very good catalog of films with a very distinct stamp and style.

Along the way, he's established a very talented stable of performers and filmmakers from actors and actresses to cinematographers, set designers and editors.

It probably makes things really easier to have people that know what you want. But it also makes it possible to create that style having people with similar tastes and goals in their art.

"Delicatessen" is a lot more darker than his other films, but it still shines with a certain amount of hope that even when the world has ended, certain things like love and good keep existing.

'The Who Sell Out'

I hate The Who.

How dumb. A concept album based on radio programs. That sell advertising. To make money. To play more music. Like The Who.

What exactly was the band trying to say with this album? That they could write and record 13 songs without a hit, some of which promoting fake brands? If so, this album is a success.

Or maybe it's to make Roger Daltrey look like a bigger dick with that permed haircut. Whilst Pete Townshend, Keith Moon and John Entwistle look like punks -- like they literally could not give a shit and probably think this album is the worst decision ever made. There's never been a bigger hanger-on in rock history than Daltrey.

'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory'

There are many good things about being a parent. A top-5 aspect is passing on your favorite things and forcing them on your children.

This weekend, I got to watch "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" with my three-year-old daughter. She dug it. As much as she can dig anything.

I first watched this in intermediate school and instantly loved it.

That same winter, the big Christmas surprise was a brand-new VCR. Even at that age, owning a VCR seemed like a luxury beyond my family's needs (later, I'd learn this was never really an issue ... kids always assume their parents are going broke). The VCR might as well been an indoor swimming pool or a pet camel.

One thing you must know about my parents, they were awful at hiding presents. I would often run into my gifts, kinda hidden, without even looking for them. A day before Christmas, a full 24 hours before we would even have the VCR out of the box, my mother took me to the video store to rent a VHS tape. For a VCR we didn't own. Even at eight, I thought this was kinda stupid.

Therefore, "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" was the first film I saw in a house in any recorded medium.

As for the film, still love it. In the history of film, there was never been a more perfect casting decision than Gene Wilder for Wonka.

According to the actor, he demanded the entrance of Wonka (walking out, with cane, cane sticks in ground, Wonka does somersault and lands on his feet) before he accepted the role.

Why? According to Wilder: "because from that time on, no one will know if I'm lying or telling the truth."

Brilliant.

'Wish You Were Here'

One of my best friends I've ever had was a gigantic fan of Pink Floyd.

The initial reaction would be to assume that my friend was a hippie stoner. Instead, he was the straightest of straight laces. He was a Jehovah's Witness. I'd known him basically our entire school lives. I remember him leaving the classroom during holiday celebrations and not putting his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance.

About the same time, in junior high or high school, we both started playing guitar. He got really good really quick. We both drooled over catalogs with equipment and guitars.

I don't know his appeal for Pink Floyd other than the fact that he was a bit eccentric (see: Roger Waters, Syd Barrett) and his father (at a younger age) resembled guitarist David Gilmour.

Later, we would bring guitars to school and play "Wish You Were Here." Me playing the rhythm part and him the lead.

I think my friend who I haven't tried to contact in seven years. I think about playing guitars. But I also remember freshman year of high school. A bunch of us were in a goof-off health class. We sat at large tables, two kids to each table. Normally, we'd sit at the same table. One day I went to sit at another table, behind my friend.

He just sat and looked forward the entire time. I still feel bad about abandoning him, even if it was for one day. I'll never listen to "Wish You Were Here" without all this rushing back to me.

'Led Zeppelin II' & 'Led Zeppelin IV'

Pound for pound, "II" was one of the damndest albums I'd ever heard at the tender age of 15 when I first heard it.

It wasn't the heaviest thing I'd ever heard. Nor, the most melodic. It wasn't the most anything.

It was just good. Robert Plant is exceptional. The rhythm section superb as would be expected. And the riffs from Jimmy Page were what 15-year-old boys dreamt of in their sleep. It was Mississippi Delta blues reshuffled and distorted up. Wrapped up in a package that echoed with young men wanting to rage, get pissed without joining the mosh pit.

With age, "IV" has evolved into the clearer favorite. "Misty Mountain Hop" is my favorite Zep song ever. "Battle of Evermore" are lush and edges on Appalachia more than it does concert arenas around the world.

At 15, I wanted to "Ramble On." Now, I just want to go to California.