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Album Review — The Weeknd's 'After Hours'
March 31, 2020 March 31, 2020 Josh4 Comments
There's nothing better than on the first listen of an album knowing that you're listening to something that's special. When I listened to this new album from The Weeknd, that's the feeling I got. On his last album Starboy, there were several great moments. But the overall album felt unfocused and bloated. It just didn't have a direction. All of this though is not only rectified on After Hours, it's a front-to-back required listen to truly appreciate each song. It's what an album experience should be.
Eery keyboards play in opening track "Alone Again," where Abel Tesfaye (it feels more appropriate to refer to him by his actual name when discussing the story) finds himself in an identity crisis, wondering if he's really the type to be in a relationship. But at the same time he questions if he can be alone again too. It sets up a battle that plays out through the album: his love versus his demons, fighting for and against both at various points. On "Too Late" the relationship has fallen apart and now he's alone, confronting the guilt and realizing how he did her wrong. I love the pulsating, yet reflective tone of the production, as it heightens the lyrics. "Hardest To Love" is Abel admitting how difficult of a person he is to love and seeing how she's trying to let him go for good. The dream pop influences mixed with The Weeknd's usual sound really works well, a credit to producer Max Martin. It gives the song an appropriate overwhelming feeling, as this feeling of disappointment consumes Abel.
"Scared To Live" sees Abel apologizing for being selfish enough to not let her go sooner, stringing her along much longer than he should have. He also owns up to ruining her perception of love and encouraging her to get back out there and find love. It's a great dose of maturity on an album centered around immature and reckless love. One more cool factoid for this song: it uses an interpolation of Elton John's "Your Song." On "Snowchild" Abel reflects on all the sacrifices and work it took him to make it big, but now he plots leaving the bright lights of Los Angeles. He's simply over it all in the light of the breakup, looking to remove himself from the situation entirely. Despite the sad nature of the song, The Weeknd does manage to get in a clever and funny line: "She liked my futuristic sounds in the new spaceship/Futuristic sex, give her Phillip K. Dick."
"Escape from LA" sees him leaving finally, but not before one more battle of giving into the desires and sins he knows are destroying him, hooking up with his ex while also realizing she's a "cold-hearted bitch" and the fake, plastic nature of the bright lights around him. The frustration at the situation and himself bubbles out, while yet indulging in what he knows is wrong. This leads to his jaded bitterness now driving him on "Heartless." He's fully relapsed into his single lifestyle, sleeping with every woman he can trying to ignore the pain coming from his heart. The glitzy, yet dark undertones of the production from Metro Boomin perfectly paints the mindset and feeling of Abel in this moment. The song serves as the precursor to the car going off the cliff so to speak.
Abel is going down hill fast and headed for rock bottom on "Faith," the major turning point on this album and in this story. He throws away his year-long sobriety, indulging in drinking and various drugs in his favorite place of sin, Las Vegas. He admits he's losing his religion and faith, as the heartbreak of his situation completely overtakes him. By the end of the song he finds himself in the back of a cop car, finally hitting rock bottom. Both the lyrics and production do such a great job of giving that feeling of slowly descending into darkness and then the thud of hitting the bottom at the end when the sirens sound. It's the most important moment on this album, the crossroads of falling and climbing back to the top.
The climb back up begins on "Blinding Lights." Abel begins to fight to regain his love, admitting that maybe he can learn to truly love someone. It's an appropriate title too, as it's play on the last song being about being blinded by the lights of a cop car and Las Vegas. But now he's being blinded by the light of the realization of how much he wants to win his love back. Martin comes through once again with more fun production, as the synth and drum machine-driven sound is instantly catchy and makes you want to dance. "In Your Eyes" is Abel professing his love and claiming to see that same passion in her eyes, even though he know there's hurt that still lurks within her too. This song features even more excellent production from Martin, in fact it's the best on the album. It's also the best modern take on 80s pop rock I've heard, nailing every little detail needed with the synths, including the fantastic surprise saxophone that comes in at the end.
"Save Your Tears" sees Abel coming across his love at a club, with each exchanging looks and neither being able to walk up and talk to the other. Internally he's pleading for her to take him back, while also acknowledging he's late and that she deserves better than him. I love all the little details in the lyrics showing both the external and internal conflicting emotions on display from both Abel and his ex. Throw in the moody, dream pop-influenced production of Martin that gives the song the right amount of tension and anticipation and it's another great coordination of The Weeknd and Martin. "Repeat After Me" is an interlude of Abel saying his ex doesn't really love her new man if she's still thinking of Abel and that it's just casual sex that means nothing to him. One wonders if he's trying to convince her or himself more with this plead. Also gotta love how The Weeknd manages to sneak in yet another top notch producer in Kevin Parker to produce this, who of course even in an interlude manages to deliver great production.
The album's title track is about Abel falling into desperation over his pleadings to win back his ex, unable to sleep. In fact the song is a mash-up of essentially all the feelings he's experienced up to this point, showing how his emotions are spiraling out of control. He finds himself stuck reliving everything from his past as he struggles to cope with his feelings in the present. The production is noticeably darker and downbeat, as it goes into the final track "Until I Bleed Out." Abel finally realizes that he's lost her for good and will never win her heart back again. Now he's trying to go through the process of letting her go, proclaiming with these visceral lines: "I wanna cut you outta my dreams/Till I'm bleeding out, til I'm bleeding out/I wanna cut you outta my mind." The production is appropriately dreary and dark, as Abel reaches the same point he thought he might have wanted at the beginning of the album: alone.
After Hours is a phenomenal achievement by The Weeknd. This album is a rich, cinematic experience of love, losing it, fighting to regain it and ultimately reaching the realistic conclusion of realizing that it's lost. The production team absolutely nails every emotion on this album and takes the lyricism to a whole new level. The juxtaposition of the breezy, mixed cocktail of genres (R&B, pop, hip-hop, dream pop, 80s) feels perfect on this album of frenetic, dark emotions that permeate throughout it. This is without a doubt an album of the year contender.
Grade: 10/10
ReviewsAfter Hours, dream pop, Elton John, Kevin Parker, Max Martin, Metro Boomin, R&B reviews, The Weeknd
Josh's Jukebox Journal — Country Hits: 2006
Once upon a time there was a popular feature on this blog called The Current Pulse of Mainstream Country Music and it's sister feature The Past Pulse of Mainstream Country Music. It was an enjoyable feature for both you and I, before I decided to take a hiatus from blogging. My own enjoyment of the feature had waned, but I've wanted to return to a feature like this ever since.
Kyle over at Kyle's Korner Blog took over the torch for The Current Pulse and is doing a fantastic job with it, so please go check it out if you haven't done so. But I was wanting to do a Past Pulse. Unfortunately as I've discovered, Billboard has become greedy and decided to lock past charts behind a paywall. Quite an asinine decision in my view. So with this stupid decision by Billboard, I obviously can't do The Past Pulse. But that sent me down the idea rabbit hole and I got to thinking how I could re-adapt the Past Pulse into something new. Combined with another feature idea I had been tinkering with, I've come up with Josh's Jukebox Journal.
Josh's Jukebox Journal is a brand new feature on the blog that will be similar to The Current Pulse of Mainstream Country Music, but with a twist. Rather than rely on past charts from Billboard instead I will look at playlists. This could be from any genre, from any year, past or present, various artists or just one artist. I will run through the playlist giving a thumbs up (let it play), shrug (essentially playlist filler) or a thumbs down (skip it). The best song will get two thumbs up and the worst will get two thumbs down. At the end I will give a grade for the quality of the playlist. These playlists can come from any of the streaming services (preferably Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube).
This feature won't have a set day or time of when it releases. It will essentially be when I want to do one. And of course I want to hear playlist ideas for future versions of Josh's Jukebox Journal in the comments! Today I will take a look at the Apple Music playlist Country Hits: 2006…
Rodney Atkins – "If You're Going Through Hell" 👎
Rascal Flatts – "What Hurts the Most"🤷
Josh Turner – "Your Man" 👍
Carrie Underwood – "Jesus, Take the Wheel" 👍
Jennifer Nettles & Bon Jovi – "Who Says You Can't Go Home"🤷
Brad Paisley – "When I Get Where I'm Going (feat. Dolly Parton)" 👍
Jason Aldean – "Why"🤷
Kenny Chesney – "Summertime"🤷
Phil Vassar – "Last Day of My Life" 👍
LeAnn Rimes – "Something's Gotta Give"🤷
George Strait – "She Let Herself Go"🤷
Jack Ingram – "Wherever You Are" 👍
The Wreckers – "Leave the Pieces" 👍
Kenny Chesney – "Living In Fast Forward" 👍
Brad Paisley – "The World" 👍
Carrie Underwood – "Before He Cheats" 👍
Trace Adkins – "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" 👎👎
Rascal Flatts – "My Wish (10th Anniversary)" 👎
Blake Shelton – "Nobody But Me" 👍
Dierks Bentley – "Settle for a Slowdown" 👍👍
Steve Holy – "Brand New Girlfriend" 👍
Josh Turner – "Would You Go With Me" 👍
Little Big Town – "Bring It On Home" 👍
Sugarland – "Want To" 👍
Toby Keith – "Get Drunk and Be Somebody" 👎
Shrugs: 6
Thumbs down: 4
This is a pretty solid playlist (until you see a lot of the songs missing I list below that I would have added and then you're going to get angry like me). I was actually a little surprised, but then as I listened to it more not so much because I remember every single one of these songs vividly. I was 14/15 years old when these songs were popular and this was when my brother and I would watch the CMT music video countdown show every week. So I definitely got some nostalgia running through this playlist. And I can't get over how much mandolin was allowed on country radio back then!
So many great songs to choose from for the best. Josh Turner was absolutely on fire during this time. I really enjoyed Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley's material at that time too. Underwood of course just released her debut album and it's arguably still her best record. Paisley helped Dolly get another hit and that's always great. But I had to go with Dierks Bentley's "Settle For a Slowdown" from the excellent Modern Day Drifter album. The ominous and dark atmosphere created by the guitars and the descriptive lyricism that so perfectly lays out the longing heartbreak taking place in the song made me choose it as best.
Not a lot of bad songs to choose from on this playlist, which is nice of course. I enjoyed all of Rodney Atkins biggest hits at first, including the one above, but thank country radio and grocery stores for overplaying them to the point I cringe when I hear them. I don't mind Rascal Flatts' "My Wish," but for some bizarre reason they put a flat and bad 10th anniversary version on this playlist. Long-time readers know how I feel about post-9/11 Toby Keith. But picking Trace Adkins' "Honky Tonk Badonkadonk" as the worst was a slam dunk choice. This song was everywhere, well rather the remix version, which I'm surprised isn't what was chosen for this playlist. It's an annoying novelty song that will only age worse with time. (That I'll also admit that teenager me loved at the time)
Songs I Would Have Added to the Playlist
Billy Currington – "Must Be Doin' Somethin' Right" (Currington was so good during this time and his omission is bad)
Dierks Bentley – "Every Mile a Memory"
Brooks & Dunn – "Believe"
Little Big Town – "Boondocks" (A cult classic!)
George Strait – "Give It Away" (How in the hell was this not on the playlist, yet the sleepy Strait hit was chosen?!?)
Emerson Drive – "A Good Man"
Eric Church – "How 'Bout You" (Not a single Church song on the playlist is criminal!)
Kenny Rogers – "I Can't Unlove You" (Rest in peace Mr. Rogers. Also people forget this was a top 20 song for him in 2006 and definitely worthy of this playlist)
Gary Allan – "Life Ain't Always Beautiful" (Why was this not on the playlist either?!)
Alan Jackson – "Like Red on a Rose" (I'm just getting more angry at what was not on this playlist)
Jack Ingram – "Love You"
Van Zant – "Nobody Gonna Tell Me What to Do"
Eric Church – "Two Pink Lines" (Incredible song!)
Keith Urban – "Once in a Lifetime"
George Strait – "The Seashores of Old Mexico"
Joe Nichols – "Size Matters (Someday)"
Tim McGraw – "When the Stars Go Blue" (Not a single McGraw song on the playlist, especially not this one?! Come on)
Billy Currington – "Why, Why, Why"
Jake Owen – "Yee Haw"
Kenny Chesney – "You Save Me" (Take the two songs he has on the playlist and replace them with just this one, his best hit of the year)
Be sure to weigh-in with your thoughts on the playlist and what you would have added to the playlist too below!
Opinion, Reviews2006 country music, Alan Jackson, Billy Currington, Blake Shelton, Bon Jovi, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Emerson Drive, Eric Church, Gary Allan, George Strait, Jack Ingram, Jake Owen, Jason Aldean, Jennifer Nettles, Joe Nichols, Josh Turner, Josh's Jukebox Journal, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Kenny Rogers, LeAnn Rimes, Little Big Town, Phil Vassar, Rascal Flatts, Rodney Atkins, Steve Holy, Sugarland, The Wreckers, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Trace Adkins, Van Zant
Album Review — Caitlyn Smith's 'Supernova'
I gave high praise to Caitlyn Smith's last album Starfire. Hence why I had such high hopes for the follow-up and put it as an album to watch out for in my inaugural Spinning All The Records feature. Unfortunately this album does not live up to the hopes I had for it. It would be hard to call this album anything other a disappointment from my eyes and that's hard to say considering the immense talent of Caitlyn Smith. But that's just it: Smith has an amazing voice and even better songwriting skills. And it results in Supernova. She's just capable of so much more.
The album begins well enough with "Long Time Coming." It's a dramatic song about overcoming darkness to reach the light. Smith sings her ass off and delivers a belting performance that impresses. The production has an immediate gravitas about it and grips the listener. While the production works really well in in this song and other moments on the album, this extra emphasis on the production is the ultimate detriment of the album. "Damn You For Breaking My Heart" is another highlight on the album, a cutting track about having a hard time getting over a breakup. Smith adds so many nice little details to give the story texture, such as trying to hook up with a stranger and then feeling the instant guilt because she can't get over her ex.
"Put Me Back Together" feels like a mainstream play, but it's an enjoyable enough song, as I find it easy to sing-a-long with. Smith delivers a fun vocal performance. I think this song would be easier to enjoy if the rest of the album was better though. "All Over Again" is another song that contemplates lost love and the what ifs of the relationship. It's just fine. Neither good nor bad, as nothing about the production nor the vocal performance stands out. It feels like playlist filler and this certainly isn't the last instance of this on the album. "I Don't Want to Love You Anymore" is great with it's stripped down, airy production that allows Smith's voice to carry the story of the song. Despite this being another song about not wanting to love someone anymore, it's Smith's vocal performance that really sells the emotions of the song and makes it connectable.
The album's title track centers around the concept of time, how things can change so fast and trying to enjoy the moment. I really enjoy the songwriting and Smith's eloquent, yet nuanced approach to time. But man do I find the sound of the clock hands in the background to be annoying and distracting. I get the inclusion of it, but as soon as I hear this the first time it bugs me every time I hear it the rest of the song. It's just not necessary and it takes away from what should be a great song. To make matters worse this leads right into the playlist filler portion of Supernova. "I Can't" sounds like a generic B-cut from a (insert pop star from the 2010s) album. "Rare Bird" feels like it drags on and on, as Smith has nothing interesting to say in this love song. "Midnight in New York City" has a cool aesthetic, but the lyrics are completely forgettable.
The monotony gets broken up on "Fly Away," which is a fun love song. It's catchy and the bounciness of the production gives it a lightness and carefree feel that fits the lyrics well. Although I would be remiss if I didn't point out that this feels like a lesser version of "Contact High." I really enjoy "Feel That Way" at first. It's soulful, swelling with emotion and utilizes Smith's vocals perfectly. But it goes too long, as at about the three minute mark Smith's repetition of the hook makes it a frustrating listen. It's very similar to how in hip-hop when an artist repeats the hook one too many times, crossing from fun and catchy into terrible ear worm territory. The album concludes with "Lonely Together," an admirable attempt at a heartfelt love song. The soft piano play sets the mood for this type of song exactly the way you would want it. But just like so many other songs on the album, the lyrics don't stand out enough for me.
The tale of the tape for Supernova is quite simple: this album focuses too much on flash and not enough on substance. Smith seemingly forgets about her greatest strength on this album and that's her songwriting. It soared and impressed on Starfire. On this album the songwriting is so lifeless and it feels like so many themes are used multiple times and recycled. There are some bright spots on this album, but they're dominated by what I would describe as run-of-the-mill pop rock moments for the most part. I never thought I would levy this kind of criticism toward a Caitlyn Smith album, but the songwriting just isn't good enough. Supernova is ultimately just an okay album.
ReviewsCaitlyn Smith, pop reviews, singer songwriter
Album Review — Jay Electronica's 'A Written Testimony'
March 23, 2020 March 21, 2020 Josh
The long-awaited debut album of Jay Electronica finally arrived. Years of delays and mystery around one of rap's most promising young artists at the end of the 2000s and early 2010s is over and now A Written Testimony is here. If you're not familiar with Electronica, read this summary of the wild and unpredictable path of his life. Electronica signed to the legendary Jay-Z's label Roc Nation nearly a decade ago. Now on his debut album Hov himself makes an appearance on nearly every single track. Imagine having one of the all-time bests in hip-hop as your side man on your debut album. That's crazy! But it fits with Electronica.
The album opens with "The Overwhelming Effect," which serves more as a vignette than song as it's a monologue from Minister Louis Farrakhan set to a beautiful sounding instrumental. That's one important thing to note up front with this album: for better and for worse, Electronica's faith, The Nation of Islam, has a noticeable influence throughout. I don't really want to give my opinion on the faith itself or any other religions for that matter, as I respect all people's beliefs. So any commentary I have regarding the religious influences on this album are strictly from a musical standpoint (just like my criticisms of gospel music and Kanye's latest album in the past on this blog). So as far as an opener, it's fine and I guess gives a dramatic buildup. But I would always rather hear bars to open a rap album.
"Ghost of Soulja Slim" opens not with Electronica rapping, but Jay-Z. And I have to say Jay-Z sounds as hungry and fiery as ever on not just this song, but the whole album. His bars are catchy, have something to say and get right to the point. When Electronica makes his appearance about halfway through the song, he matches Jay-Z's bars himself. But the song drags on too long with it's instrumental at the end and the use of the clip of the kids cheering is really annoying. I feel like this song would have been better as the introduction track, as it doesn't really have a point and has more of an introduction/demonstration feel to it.
"The Blinding" sees the Jays joined by Travis Scott. And it's obviously a mainstream/streaming play with Scott's inclusion. But it's one of my favorites on the album, as Electronica opens up about the making of this album, the pressure of the buildup of the release and how he never wants to let his daughter down. Despite it's shortness and Scott being kind of shoehorned in, the song does well at telling a great story and giving the listener an appropriate insight into rap's biggest enigma. "The Neverending Story" has a fun and spacey sound that envelopes the listener from the beginning and I'm not surprised that it was The Alchemist behind this smooth beat. It's perfect for Electronica to lay down some of his most clever wordplay on the album. I particularly enjoy these lines: "Spread love like Kermit the Frog that permeate the fog/I'm at war like the Dukes of Hazzard against the Bosses of the Hogs."
Next is "Shiny Suit Theory," a song that came out years earlier. I'm glad it's included though because I love the bouncy horns and glimmering chimes that drive the beat of this song. Electronica himself produced this song and it sounds great. Once again this is a song that gives an insight into Electronica's thinking and a conversation he had with P. Diddy before dropping his album. The bars from both him and Jay-Z are tight and don't waste any time in getting to the points they're making. I enjoy the dramatic production on "Universal Solider," but the bars feel too same-y to me throughout and the over-reliance of religious references doesn't work for me. And once again I think the song carries on a bit long like "Ghost of Soulja Slim."
Jay-Z spits absolute fire over great production from Electronica on "Flux Capacitor." He goes on the defensive over his deal with the NFL and again I love how in the latter half of his career he's maybe dropping some of the best bars of his career. It's unfortunate for Electronica though he's getting out-rapped on his own song and album, but that's what happens I guess when you have an icon as a sideman on your album. "Fruits of the Spirit" feels more like an interlude than song but it's still one of my favorite moments on the album. The soulful production of No I.D., one of my favorite producers in hip-hop, and Electronica rapping his ass off (with a sweet Thanos reference to start the song) makes me wish this was a full-fledged song.
I enjoy the different, clinky sound of "Ezekiel's Wheel" and the inclusion of The-Dream as a feature is a great choice on a chiller, smooth song like this one. The bars from the Jays aren't bad for the most part either. It's just too long at six and a half minutes. The bars that are bad though is where Electronica raps: "It could be in Lagos, or Seattle, or Chicag-y/Hotel lobby Grammy after-party, it's whatev-y." It's cringe-y and dumb-y. I do not understand why he felt the need to just randomly add y's to these words other than trying to make his bars flow together better. Despite this baffling choice, Electronica redeems himself in a big way on the closing song of the album, "A.P.I.D.T.A." Over gorgeous production from Khruangbin (who you know I've absolutely praised), Electronica absolutely pours his heart out over heartfelt bars about the loss of his mother. It's heartbreakingly touching and beautiful personal song from Electronica that shows why his debut album has been so hyped. It's without doubt the best song of his career.
The long-awaited debut album of Jay Electronica does not live up to it's lofty expectations and hype, but A Written Testimony is nevertheless a pretty good album. The production is definitely the strongest point of this album, as a cavalcade of all-star producers and Electronica himself create some exciting and interesting sounds throughout the whole album. The bars on this album are mostly good despite some bumps along the way and the overuse of religious imagery. More than anything I'm glad that Jay Electronica is finally releasing music and I think on his next album we'll see something even better from him. But for now this is a solid debut.
ReviewsHip Hop Reviews, Jay Electronica, Jay-Z, Khruangbin, No I.D., The Alchemist, The-Dream, Travis Scott
Album Review — Brandy Clark's 'Your Life is a Record'
March 11, 2020 Josh3 Comments
Brandy Clark's last album Big Day in a Small Town initially really impressed me, but eventually I found it to be a slightly above average album. And one of the big reasons was the production was all over the place. It just lacked cohesion and I also felt Clark didn't do enough lyrically to elevate the tired small town themes of country music. So coming into this new record I was a bit unsure of what to expect, although with Jay Joyce returning as producer I continued to expect different sonic choices. And that definitely is the case with this album. But Your Life is a Record is also a much rawer and more personal record from Brandy Clark, which I would argue is definitely beneficial to this album.
Opening track "I'll Be the Sad Song" lets you feel right away the pure somberness that fuels much of this record (Clark broke up with her partner of several years, inspiring many tracks on this album). And a big part of what helps drive this feeling is the sweeping and gorgeous strings throughout the chorus. It fits the reflective nature of looking back on a lost relationship really well. There's no bitterness or anger, just a sad realization of what will never be again. "Long Walk" is on the other end of the spectrum, a fun sing-a-long that wishes bad things upon a person you don't like. The kicker lines of course are "So take a long walk off a real short pier/Take a cinder block with you as a souvenir." Out of the context of the song this is overly dark and vengeful. But the playful melody and Clark's tongue-in-cheek delivery make for a whimsical, silly response to a person who's clearly agitating.
"Love is a Fire" is a smoldering love song that shows off Clark's passionate side and to excellent effect. I really enjoy the spacey, drifting feeling created by the strings and piano. The lyrics do a great job of painting that imagery of love being this blazing, out of control fire in the listener's head too. "Pawn Shop" shows how vivid of a storyteller Clark can be, as she tells the duel stories of a woman pawning off her wedding ring and a man pawning his guitar. Each reflect on the loss these items represent and the ending of dreams. But then Clark reminds you that somebody else will buy them, starting dreams anew for somebody else. It's a really clever look at the duality of life and death, how each are constantly playing off each other and how each gives the other value.
"Who You Thought I Was" is about striving to be a better person after falling in love with someone. The bouncy juxtaposition of the horns, mandolin and flute gives the song an enjoyably fun melody. As for the lyrics, they're solid, clearly getting across the change in heart of the person who's fallen in love. "Apologies" has an enjoyable flute and horn section, but the song meanders too long for me. It just feels like this song never leaves second gear and doesn't ever reach anywhere with it's message. The lyrics just sort of glaze over you after a couple of listens. Randy Newman joins Clark on "Bigger Boat" and I just have to be flat-out honest: I do not like Newman's voice. It annoys the shit out of me. The song has an admirable aim of pointing out the absurdity of the disagreements that run through social media and society nowadays. But it's just too hokey for my taste. That's a shame because I do enjoy the production on this track.
I have the same issues with "Bad Car" as I did with "Apologies." And the other thing that bugs me is I feel like I've heard this song done so many times in country music. There's just nothing that stands out to make it different from every other song that personalizes and gives emotional meaning to a vehicle. It's not a bad song per se, it's just fine and I won't remember it. "Who Broke Whose Heart" fortunately does not have this problem. In fact this is probably one of my favorite songs I've heard from Clark, as it's instantly catchy lyrics and melody hooked me. The production actually reminds me of Electric Light Orchestra in the way it utilizes the strings, horns and guitar. It's just a really fun song with a surprising amount of bite.
"Can We Be Strangers" is a devastatingly great heartbreak song. This relationship has soured to the point of where the narrator just wishes they had never even met each other in the first place. And the way Clark delivers the chorus is painstakingly and soulfully beautiful. The horns and strings perfectly complement this song too, not taking over and instead adding dramatic gravitas that only enhances the emotions. "The Past is the Past" wraps the album up in a nice bow, with Clark reaching the point of letting the past go and moving forward in her life while still letting herself feel the heartbreak from the situation. As I said it's a fitting and mature conclusion after the myriad of emotions Clark expresses throughout the album. Lessons have been learned and now a new life begins.
Despite a few hiccups, Brandy Clark takes a big step up from her last album with Your Life is a Record. I think the production is the biggest improvement, as it flows together really well from start to finish. I really enjoy the incorporation of the flutes in this album, as it's something not really utilized as much in country music. The songwriting stumbles in a few spots, but for the most part is pretty good and at times great. There's a surprisingly nice mix of emotions on an album centered around a breakup too. Most importantly, Clark rewards you for listening to the whole album, giving you the emotional journey with the fittingly positive, yet realistic destination.
ReviewsBrandy Clark, Jay Joyce, Randy Newman


Benno's Figures Forum • Jena,1806.
After a few months working at times and seasons, we have finished this beautiful scene but the best thing has been the complicity of having a great friend and painter .... Alfredo.
Nice work. This is truly a work of art.
Beautiful scene. I really like the way the faces and hair turned out.
Very funny idea for the Zvezda Staff Set. I like it. Painting is also very good.
Nice composition and lovely painting of this set.
The ADC seems a little distracted.
to see the naked facts (in contrast of two others) in the Dio.
he sign the contact to be a gold member to this Forum.
An blue tooth it via hardware e-mail.
Very well done both Santi and Alfredo!
All that writing , and there is no inkwell for that quill of a feathered pen.
A masterpiece where you look at it.
Excellent What make is the woman with the Drinks tray?
Paul wrote: Excellent What make is the woman with the Drinks tray?
Carlos wrote: A masterpiece where you look at it.
Wonderful finished scene Santi and Alfredo. And an excellent collaboration, your work fits together in perfect harmony.
The two women are clever additions to this martial scene.


Hard as it may be to reconcile at time, we all put our lives on the line each and every time we step out of homes and into a motor vehicle to travel to work, school or even to the grocery store. It's not a pleasant thought, to be sure, but it is a reality: People are killed and injured every day across the state of Maryland, and throughout the U.S., doing simple day-to-day activities that none of us would think twice about. As Maryland personal injury lawyers, we have to concur that operating a motor vehicle can be intrinsically life-threatening, if only from a statistical standpoint.
Of all the many and varied causes of traffic collisions, a percentage of these are the result of a failure in some safety- or control-related vehicle component or system. Be it a fractured steering shaft, poorly cast suspension arm, improperly torqued bolt or other fastener, even a faulty safety belt, each of these items can result in a serious accident. Depending on the part, the vehicle's speed at the time of the failure, and other factors, it's not a stretch to say that a fatality or multiple fatalities could be in the cards as well.
As automobile, trucking and motorcycle accident attorneys, we understand that these are not uplifting subjects. But the fact remains, at least for experienced legal professionals like ourselves, the existence of a faulty or poorly designed vehicle part or component can be grounds for a products liability suit, especially if a person is hurt or killed as a result of the failure.
In this modern age, we are all consumers of one thing or another. Now, more than any time in history, each of us relies on a multitude of faceless people for our lifestyle, health, education, livelihood and recreation. Hundreds of years ago most people were more or less self-reliant, but through progress and technology we have each lost our ability to do everything in life by ourselves. As such, our safety is dependent on the proper design and assembly of the products and appliances we use daily, in addition to the proper execution of the services that keep those products working correctly.
Just as we rely on a heating and cooling professional to service our furnace in the winter so that we are not injured by carbon monoxide gas seeping into our home, so must we trust the abilities of the mechanics and service technicians who maintain our vehicles. Whether it is our family sedan for daily use or the school bus on which our children ride each day to and from school, we expect that these vehicles are maintained correctly.
We bring this topic up primarily because a news article we came across earlier, which described and accident apparently caused by a loose wheel on a commercial truck. According to reports, a tractor-trailer rig lost what authorities said was its tire, causing the truck to hit another semi early on a Thursday morning along a stretch of Maryland Rte 140. Based on statements from the Maryland State Police, following the initial collision the big rig ran off the road and down a nearby embankment, overturning before coming to rest.
The news article indicated that multiple-truck accident occurred a little before 1am. As a result, the 42-year-old driver of that 18-wheeler was trapped in his cab for a number of hours before emergency response crews could extricate the man from the wreckage. At the time of the news report, there was no mention as to why the tire or wheel had come loose from the vehicle, initiating the crash, but if the cause is tracked to defective materials or improper service or maintenance procedures, it could be a situation where a products liability suit might be in order, depending of course on the circumstances surrounding the wreck.


On-the-road performance benefits of non-round rings are hard to quantify, but they feel smooth and certainly don't do any harm – apart from in the wallet department.
A set of Osymmetric rings – as used by Chris Froome – will cost around £240 while David Millar's favourite Rotor Q-rings are £175 per pair. A set of Doval rings? Just £79.99.
Made in South Korea and brought into the UK by Fraser MacDonald, the rings are machined from 6061 series aluminium. The rings look like a hybrid of Rotor and Osymmetric's designs, in that they're not quite oval, but also not as sharply angled as the latter.
Setup options are 52/36T and 50/35T for 110BCD compact setups and 53/40T and 52/39T for traditional 130BCD. The Doval rings are compatible with both five-bolt Shimano or SRAM and Campagnolo (compact sizes only), thanks to a clever oval bolt hole that accounts for the single odd bolt placement on Campag cranks.
There's a gold anodised piece that screws onto the big ring to allow a tailored set-up much like Rotor's five-point adjustment system. It's simple to get to grips with – just screw the piece into one of five holes that each offer a +/- 1.2 degree change in rotation. Position one (furthest to the right) produces the lowest inertia for the shortest power output angle. Position five (far left) produces the highest inertia for the longest output angle.
The further forward you go in relation to the bottom bracket, when time trialling for example, the later you'll want the powerful downstroke to come in the pedal cycle, so the higher the choice of setting. As with Q-rings, the recommended starting point is the central position three configuration.
The rings pictured here are the 53/40T pairing from Doval's Light range, which may account for their slightly flexy nature – this could stiffen up once installed though. The machining is also a little rough in places, but nothing that a little at-home honing won't sort – and considering the price this shouldn't put you off from the outset.
If you want to get hold of a pair, you can buy them through Amazon in the UK.


text:
Q: jQuery UI DatePicker - Update global events array with ajax call I have a jQuery UI DatePicker highlighting events and event info when clicked. The events are set in an static (hard coded) array formatted like this:
var events = [
    { Title: "Event 1", Date: new Date("11/15/2013") },
    { Title: "Event 2", Date: new Date("11/15/2013") },
    { Title: "Event 3", Date: new Date("11/25/2013") },
    { Title: "Event 4", Date: new Date("11/30/2013") }
];

This works well but the events array needs to be updated on DatePicker 'onChangeMonthYear' so I have added an ajax call each time selecting a new month but have some trouble..
Question: How-to update the global events array with the return from ajax call?
This is what I have tried so far:
PHP
$items = array();
foreach ($events as $event) {
$items[]= array('Title' => $event['SUMMARY'],'Date' => gmdate("m/d/Y",$event['DTSTART']));
}
echo json_encode($items);

JS
$.ajax({
type: 'GET',
async : false,
data: {start : firstDay, end : lastDay},
url: "ajax/getCalendarItems.php",
success: function(data){
    events = data;
}
});

Result:
console.log(data)
[{"Title":"New event 1","Date":"12\/20\/2013"},{"Title":"New event 2","Date":"12\/20\/2013"},{"Title":"New event 3","Date":"12\/23\/2013"},{"Title":"New event 4","Date":"12\/30\/2013"}]

TypeError: '[{"Title":"New event 1","Date":"12\/20\/2013"},{"Title":"New event 2","Date":"12\/20\/2013"},{"Title":"New event 3","Date":"12\/23\/2013"},{"Title":"New event 4","Date":"12\/30\/2013"}]' is not a valid argument for 'in' (evaluating 't-1 in e')

A: Have you tried setting
        dataType: "json",
    contentType: "application/json; charset=utf-8",

in you ajax call's parameters? It should automatically decode the json data you passed from PHP server.
Because it seems like your 'data' parameter is still JSON.
Let me know! :)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Thinking of building a custom built home in Dunwoody, Atlanta or Alpharetta? Whether you have your own plans and architect, or just not sure where or how to get started, Norm Hughes Homes can help make it a very enjoyable and rewarding experience. Let us help you realize your dreams!
Norm understands that any kind of construction can seem overwhelming to his customers and treats every custom home in Dunwoody, Atlanta or Alpharetta as if he were building it for himself. He walks you through the process and explains each aspect of the construction phase in terms you can understand. Norm stays totally involved in every phase of building your custom home which results in, not only meeting but, exceeding all of your expectations.


IIt is with great sadness that the family of George Henry Williams, born Dec. 4, 1920 in Eddies Cove East announce his passing on Feb. 10, 2013 at Charles S. Curtis Memorial Hospital in St. Anthony in his 92nd year. Leaving to mourn with fond and loving memories are his daughters, Yvonne, Nunavut, Wavey, Shirley (Brian), son Gorvin, grandsons, Jeremy Bolger and Brandon Williams, Fort St. John, BC; brother Walter (Hazel) and sister, Elizabeth (Mclean), Eddies Cove East, brothers-in-law, John Parrill, St. Anthony, Darius Parrill, Labrador City and sister-in-law, Margaret Manuel, St. Anthony, as well as a large circle of nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his wife, Eliza (Parrill), parents, Henry Albert and Laura (Coates), brothers Philip, Timothy, Benjamin, and Anson; sisters, Eliza (Applin) and Joanna. Visitation took place at St. Andrews Church in Lower Cove. Funeral services were held on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013 at 11:00 am with Rev. Marlene Harvey officiating. Internment followed at the Interfaith Cemetery, Eddies Cove East. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Kerry M. Fillatre's Funeral Home, St. Anthony and Roddickton, Lee Nippard funeral director.


text:
May 11, 2022 Newsroom24x7 Network
Arms license and money laundering scam in Jammu & Kashmir: IAS and State Service officers under investigation
Newsroom24x7 Network
Over 200,000 arms licences allegedly issued to non-residents of J&K; CBI raids premises of former District Collectors
Newsroom24x7 Jan 1 2020
Special Crime Branch of Central Bureau of Investigation, Chandigarh had registered FIRs on 16 August 2018 in an Arms license case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 against serving/ retired bureaucrats, officials and arms ammunition dealers.
Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated money laundering investigation and on 25 March 2022 conducted search operations against serving/ retired bureaucrats, officials and arms ammunition dealers across the Union Territory of J&K in the Arms License case linked with the FIRs registered in 2018.
Searches were conducted at 11 different locations including residential premises of Rajeev Ranjan IAS (former DC, Kupwara), Itrat Hussain KAS (former DC Kupwara), Ravinder Kumar Bhatt KAS (former ADC Kupwara), Tariq Ather and Gajan Singh (both former judicial clerks at Arms Section, DC Office Kupwara). Residential premises of 6-arms dealers of J&K viz. Amarnath Bhargava (Varun Armoury), his brother Mukesh Bhargava (Bhargava Gun House), Surjeet Singh (Deshmesh Armoury), Mohinder Kotwal (Mohinder Kotwal Arms & Ammunition), Manohar Singh (Swaran Arms & Ammunition) and Devi Dayal Khajuria (Khajuria Arms) were also searched by the ED officers.
In this search operation, incriminating documents in the form of property documents and loose papers revealing transactions between the arms dealers and brokers as well as Government officers have been recovered and seized. Also, cash amounting to Rs. 1.58 Crore, 1.76 kgs of gold valuing Rs. 92.30 lakhs (approx) and digital exhibits have been seized during the course of search operation.
The searches conducted were in furtherance of investigation being conducted in the instant case. Ed has gathered that bulk issuance of arms licenses has taken place in Jammu and Kashmir between 2012 and 2016 which saw over 2.78 lakh arms licenses issued to various defense and paramilitary personnel by flouting the prescribed guidelines and due procedure in lieu of illicit monetary consideration which was paid to the Government officers through arms dealers and brokers and proceeds of crime were generated by conspiracy between Government officers, Arms dealers and Arms brokers which is a criminal misconduct under Prevention of Corruption Act.
Initial estimation of Proceeds of Crime generated in this case is to the tune of Rs. 40 Crore.
Further investigation in the case is under progress.
Arms license scam
Published by Newsroom24x7 Network
Newsroom24x7.com is headed by Lalit Shastri. He is is an Indian journalist, columnist, wildlife film maker and environmentalist. He has headed the Madhya Pradesh Bureau of The Hindu and The Asian Age - two of India's leading English newspapers - for more than 20 years. He had quit a corporate job to investigate the causes leading to the 1984 Bhopal gas disaster. He also covered extensively from ground zero for The Hindu, the riots that followed the demolition of the Babri Mosque in Ayodhya and repeated attacks by Naxalite-Maoists in the Central Indian States of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. View all posts by Newsroom24x7 Network
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What is special about the family-infant teacher?
How does the family-infant teacher work to support my child and family?
The professional who comes to your home may have different titles – we call it family-infant teacher as a way to recognize that the goals are to support BOTH the family and the infant. This professional will provide support on your relationship with your infant in order to promote progress.
Evaluate the child's strengths and current developmental skills. This information will be used to write an Individual Family Services Plan (IFSP). This road map will guide you and the family-infant teacher as you go about learning and growing with the baby.
Identify priority needs for the child and family.
Address priority goals and evaluate progress and set new goals for yourselves and your baby. Communicate with your baby and encourage your baby's development through natural daily routines.
Find support and resources as you learn to cope with and understand what it means to have a baby that is deaf or hard of hearing.
Identify additional sources of support, like other parents or adults who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Recognize your expertise as your baby's parent and strive to develop a comfortable and effective partnership with you.
Become a resource to you as you search for answers how best to help your baby to learn.
Help you identify and evaluate the best approaches to communicating with your baby.
Watch as you interact naturally with your baby, pointing out the many positive things you already do to support your baby's learning.


text:
Cloud, Software
Zoho rearchitects Docs for group collaboration in new Zoho WorkDrive
Zoho Docs was designed for an individual user, not as a group collaboration platform, so Zoho rebuilt it from the ground up to more effectively provide its capabilities to other Zoho One apps.
Zoho WorkDrive
Zoho has announced the launch of WorkDrive, a new document management system for its Zoho One platform. It is a fundamental redesign of their earlier Docs application, which Zoho determined simply was not able to serve as a file system for the platform. This announcement coincided with a broader one around momentum, in which the company stated that it now serves 50 million business users globally for the first time. And in Canada, where on Wednesday the company kicked off the first day of a two day Zoholics conference in Toronto, the company also reported strong momentum. That includes 20,000 paid customers, 40% year-over-year revenue growth, and 100% year-over-year growth of Zoho One, Zoho's fastest growing product in Canada. Zoho also reported 40% partner contribution to revenue in Canada in 2019, including 100% year-over-year growth of Zoho One sold by channel partners.
The launch of WorkDrive is an important upgrade for Zoho's collaboration capabilities.
"It is a fundamental change in the product," Raju Vegesna, Zoho's chief evangelist, told ChannelBuzz. Vegesna was in Toronto to headline the Zoholics event.
Zoho Docs was originally released in 2008, and was originally architected as a central place to manage all the personal documents of an individual. Zoho determined that as part of the Zoho One platform, Docs was stretched to serve as a collaboration platform for teams.
"We were asking it to also serve as a file system, and that because problematic, especially when it was integrated with all the other Zoho One products," Vegesna said. "It had been designed to optimize things for individual users. We now required it to be optimized for group collaboration.
"We decided that we couldn't have the product work as a file system and provide the level of optimization that we expected," Vegesna added. "So we realized that Docs had to be completely re-architected. We went back to the drawing board and did it from scratch. It required a complete re-do."
WorkDrive has now emerged from a lengthy beta.
"The biggest change is to the fundamental architecture," Vegesna said. "WorkDrive is now the unified file system, and integrates with all the services." This enables it to become the underlying document management through all the Zoho business applications, facilitating unified search, single storage, and contextual integration.
"We have laid the groundwork so that no matter what the file, they all show up in the system," Vegesna indicated.
The key thing with the functionality of WorkDrive is not that it is new compared to Docs, but that it is optimized for group collaboration.
"It comes with all the usual things that you expect like synchronization, including Zoho Office Suite integration," Vegesna said. "Virus scanning, encryption, and WAN acceleration are also now executed at the platform level, to strengthen all the Zoho services. WorkDrive is also now integrated with the Zia AI assistant, to provide unified search across all the apps.
Some features are net-new with WorkDrive. These include Team Folders, a shared workplace with role-based member permissions for cross-team collaboration and storage. WorkDrive now also has image, video, and document conversion services.
"We are expecting that Zoho WorkDrive will absolutely open up new use cases, especially in the context of CRM and Mail," Vegesna indicated. "When you attach a document to a CRM system, you make a copy of the document. Here you point to the document. Because the permission structure is written across all applications, if you have access, you will see same version of the file. Any attachments in Zoho Mail will also be able to be seen in WorkDrive."
Zoho WorkDrive is part of Zoho One, and is free to Zoho One users. For customers who do not have Zoho One, and who are buying Zoho WorkDrive on trial, pricing starts at $2 per user/month.
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text:
Shame on Cosmo for Normalizing Incest – Again
by Patrice Lee Onwuka
In a world where society is fighting for girls and women who are molested, sexually assaulted, and taken advantage of by relatives, Cosmopolitan Magazine is – once again – trying to normalize incest.
In a controversial new article, Cosmo narrates the story of "Melissa" and "Brian," half siblings who met as adults and immediately experienced a "connection that was instantaneous and electric."
I'll spare the details of the sordid and taboo relationship that reads like a romance novel. However, "Melissa" tells us she suffers from a condition (genetic sexual attraction or GSA) which occurs when two family members, who were separated early in life and meet later, experience intense sexual attraction – although they don't act on it. That last point is critical, because "Melissa" does.
We're led to believe it's the typical love story that any Disney princess might find herself in. "Melissa" doesn't think this is taboo and periodicals are right to put forward her story – as a means to change perceptions.
This is not the first time Cosmo published essays or articles that position stories of incest as fairytale love stories. In 2016, a woman talks about falling in love with her father for Cosmo UK and, a year prior, they published an interview with a girl was who lost her virginity and was engaged to her own father.
Social media is rightly pushing back on Cosmopolitan.
Even when two adults are okay with their incestuous relationship, their family members often are not okay including their own children. In the story of "Melissa" and "Brian," her teenage kids had their life turned upside down. The family disruption is not ignorable.
There's also good physical reasons for why incest is a taboo and illegal in all states. There's a high chance that their offspring will be born with birth defects or die early as a study found.
But the greatest pushback is the reality of incest for children and adults who are victims.
Incest is usually not adults falling in love after being separated but older family members abusing young victims. The abuse can be leave life-long emotional, mental, and physical impacts that bear out in destructive behaviors such as drug and alcohol abuse and promiscuity.
Justice Department data tells the real tale of incest:
About one-quarter (27%) of all sexual offenders were family members of their victims.
Almost half (49%) of the offenders of victims under age 6 were family members, compared with 42% of the offenders who sexually assaulted youth ages 6 through 11, and 24% of offenders who sexually assaulted juveniles ages 12 through 17.
Overall, just 12% of the offenders who sexually assaulted adults were family members of the victims, compared with 34% of the offenders of juvenile victims.
Most incest is abuse against minors and unfortunately, these young victims don't know or know how to fight back against their perpetrators – especially when it's their brother, sister, father, uncle, mother, cousin, or aunt.
Sexual assault is a prominent issue in our society today as victims of powerful people come forward to share their stories. Shame on Cosmopolitan for using this story to romanticize incest. We do not need to give predators a greenlight to think that their feelings and emotions are acceptable and that their actions justifiable.


A number of North Dakota newspapers are available at the Institute Microforms Area. The Institute holds only a small number of original hard copy newspaper issues, primarily for Fargo and special editions for North Dakota communities (community diamond jubilee, centennials, etc.). An alphabetical holdings list by town is available. It is divided into Fargo, N.D.-Moorhead, Minn., and North Dakota Towns, and Microfilm. A very small number of non-North Dakota items are at the end of the North Dakota listing. The State Historical Society of North Dakota is the official repository for North Dakota newspapers. Most are on microfilm and can be obtained through interlibrary loan from the society. Consult their online listing of newspaper holdings.
Fargo's The Forum is the only North Dakota newspaper with a published index, compiled and published from 1976 through 1995 by the NDSU Libraries Research Services Division. The indexes are now available as an online database. For access to articles after 1995 consult the Forum's web site In-Forum. Limited indexing of the Fargo Forum and several other Fargo newspapers for years prior to 1976 is being done by the Institute staff and is included in The Forum database. Other Fargo newspapers represented in this database include the Argus, predecessor to the Fargo Forum which began publication in 1879; the Fargo Daily Courier-News (title varies), a competitor of the Fargo Forum which it purchased in 1925; and the only issue published of the Cass and Clay County Review. The latter title was published in December 1892 and contains articles on businesses in Fargo, N.D., Moorhead, Minn., and surrounding communities.
The newspaper collections are available for use in the Institute for Regional Studies Archives & University Archives Research Room, and reference staff is available to assist in your research needs. Copying facilities are also available; including paper copies from microfilm.
Consult our Contact Information page.


text:
Archimedes z Syrakuz (gr.  Archimedes ho Syrakosios; ok. 287–212 p.n.e.) – grecki filozof przyrody i matematyk, urodzony i zmarły w Syrakuzach; wykształcenie zdobył w Aleksandrii. Był synem astronoma Fidiasza i prawdopodobnie krewnym lub powinowatym władcy Syrakuz Hierona II. Powszechnie jest uznawany za najwybitniejszego matematyka starożytności (i jednego z największych w dziejach).

W czasie drugiej wojny punickiej kierował pracami inżynieryjnymi przy obronie Syrakuz. Rzymianie myśleli, że sami bogowie bronią miasta, gdyż skonstruowane przez Archimedesa i schowane za murami machiny ciskały pociski w ich stronę. Archimedes został zabity przez żołnierzy rzymskich po zdobyciu miasta, mimo wyraźnego rozkazu dowódcy, Marcellusa, by go ująć żywego. Później gorzko tego żałowano. Tuż przed śmiercią, zapytany, kim jest, Archimedes miał ponoć powiedzieć "noli turbare circulos meos", co znaczy "nie zamazuj moich kół". Na życzenie Archimedesa na jego nagrobku wyryto kulę, stożek i walec; było to uznanie jego pięknych dowodów twierdzeń, interpretowanych obecnie jako szkolne wzory na objętość i pole powierzchni tych trzech brył.

Historia życia Archimedesa wiąże się z procesem podboju greckich miast rejonu Morza Śródziemnego przez republikę rzymską. Rzymianie, niszcząc i grabiąc zdobywane miasta i obciążając je podatkami, spowodowali stagnację kultury i filozofii hellenistycznej oraz upadek greckiej nauki, po którym już nigdy nie wróciła do dawnego stanu. Zarazem Rzymianie zachowali ogromny szacunek dla greckich osiągnięć, z których niejednokrotnie korzystali. Nie potrafiono już jednak osiągnąć dawnego greckiego poziomu rozumowań. Symbolem tego wszystkiego jest właśnie śmierć Archimedesa – zabitego przez rzymskiego legionistę w chwili roztrząsania jakiegoś problemu matematycznego, a następnie z honorami pochowanego przez rzymskiego wodza. Jednakże włoski uczony specjalizujący się w historii nauki starożytnej, Lucio Russo podchodzi sceptycznie do tej informacji, pisząc: "Zawsze czytamy, że Archimedesa zabito na skutek tragicznej pomyłki, przekraczając rozkazy rzymskiego dowódcy Marcellusa, który bardzo nad tym bolał. (...) Ta wersja faktów, pochodząca częściowo od Liwiusza i upiększona później przez Plutarcha, nie znajduje żadnego potwierdzenia u Polibiusza, będącego już w czasach Liwiusza jedynym wiarygodnym źródłem na temat złupienia Syrakuz.

Osiągnięcia naukowe
Archimedes jest autorem traktatu o kwadraturze odcinka paraboli, prekursorem rachunku różniczkowego i całkowego, twórcą hydrostatyki (w dziele O ciałach pływających) i statyki (w dziele O równowadze płaszczyzn). Zajmował się również astronomią – opisał ruch pięciu planet, Słońca i Księżyca wokół nieruchomej Ziemi, zbudował globus i planetarium z hydraulicznym napędem, które Marcellus zabrał jako jedyny łup z Syrakuz. W swoim rozumowaniu posługiwał się tzw. metodą mechaniczną. Polegała ona na traktowaniu fizycznych właściwości jako matematycznych oraz odwrotnej metody, dzięki której właściwości fizyczne pozwalały na tworzenie nowych teorii matematycznych. Jego sposób pracy uważany jest za pierwszy przykład użycia fizyki matematycznej.

Wielkie zasługi dla współczesnej recepcji dzieł Archimedesa wniósł Johan Ludvig Heiberg, duński filolog. Przełożył on i opracował znane od czasów renesansu dzieła zawarte w tzw. Kodeksach A i B Archimedesa oraz odkrył w Konstantynopolu w 1906 palimpsest z modlitewnikiem bizantyjskim z XIV wieku, który był napisany na pergaminie z wyskrobanym przedtem tekstem Archimedesa (tzw. Kodeks C). Heiberg zdołał odcyfrować i opublikować znaczną część oryginalnego tekstu.

Odkrycia Archimedesa
 prawo Archimedesa
 zasadę dźwigni – sławne powiedzenie Archimedesa "Dajcie mi punkt podparcia, a poruszę Ziemię",
 prawa równi pochyłej,
 środek masy i sposoby jego wyznaczania dla prostych figur.

Obliczył wartość liczby pi dokładniej niż jego poprzednicy, przybliżając ją poprzez obwód 96-kąta foremnego.
Według jego oszacowania wynosiła ona

Zachowane dzieła Archimedesa
 O liczeniu piasku – o wielkich liczbach i o nieskończoności. Rozszerzył tu system liczbowy Greków (dotychczas sięgający liczby 10000 – miriada) i oszacował liczbę ziarenek piasku we wszechświecie jako  Największą rozważaną przez niego liczbą była
 O liniach spiralnych – wprowadził tu spiralę Archimedesa.
 O wymierzaniu koła – pokazuje związek pola i obwodu koła.
 O kuli i walcu – wyprowadza zależności wiążące pole powierzchni i objętość kuli, walca i czaszy kulistej.
 Kwadratura paraboli.
 O konoidach i sferoidach – o krzywych stożkowych.
 O równowadze płaszczyzn – zasady statyki.
 O ciałach pływających – początek hydrostatyki (prawo Archimedesa) i aerostatyki.

Wynalazki Archimedesa
 przenośnik śrubowy
 zegar wodny
 organy wodne
 machiny obronne
 udoskonalił wielokrążek i zastosował go do wodowania statków

Archimedesowi przypisywana jest także śruba Archimedesa.

Legenda o odkryciu prawa wyporu

Władca Syrakuz Hieron II powziął podejrzenie, że złotnik, któremu powierzono wykonanie korony ze szczerego złota, sprzeniewierzył część otrzymanego na to kruszcu i w zamian dodał pewną ilość srebra. W tamtych czasach jedynym sposobem na sprawdzenie czy złoty produkt jest dobrej próby było zginanie. Jako, że złoto jest miękkim metalem, stop zawierający mniej cenne metale powinien być twardszy. Aby rozwiać wątpliwości zwrócił się do Archimedesa z prośbą o ustalenie, jak sprawa ma się naprawdę. Prośbę swą Hieron II obwarował żądaniem, którego spełnienie przekreślało – wydawałoby się – możliwość uczynienia zadość życzeniu władcy. Otóż w żadnym wypadku Archimedes nie mógł zepsuć misternie wykonanej korony, będącej arcydziełem sztuki złotniczej. Długo, aczkolwiek bezskutecznie, fizyk rozmyślał nad sposobem wybrnięcia z sytuacji. Pewnego razu, zażywając kąpieli w wannie i nieustannie rozmyślając nad powierzonym mu zadaniem, zauważył, że poszczególne członki jego ciała są w wodzie znacznie lżejsze niż w powietrzu. Nasunęło mu to myśl, że istnieje określony stosunek między zmniejszeniem się ciężaru ciała zanurzonego, a ciężarem wypartego przez nie płynu (prawo Archimedesa). Zachwycony prostotą własnego odkrycia wybiegł nago z wanny, z radością krzycząc Heureka! Heureka!, co znaczy po grecku Znalazłem!.

Stanąwszy przed obliczem Hierona Archimedes poprosił o bryłę czystego złota o ciężarze korony. Tego nie szkoda było poddać próbie zginania. Łatwo wykazał fałszerstwo złotnika. Okazało się bowiem, że korona wyparła więcej cieczy, niż równa jej co do wagi bryła złota, co oznacza, że miała większą objętość, a więc mniejszą gęstość – nie była wykonana w całości ze złota. Wbrew powszechnemu przekonaniu Archimedes nie zastosował jednak do zbadania korony swojego nowo odkrytego prawa – nie mierzył zmniejszenia jej ciężaru, lecz ilość wypartej wody.

Upamiętnienie
Od 24 listopada 1961 ulica w Warszawie, na terenie obecnej dzielnicy Bemowo, nosi nazwę ulicy Archimedesa.

Zobacz też

 kalendarium historii nauki
 stomachion
 wynalazek
 Wielościan archimedejski

Przypisy

Bibliografia

Linki zewnętrzne
  [dostęp 2021-07-13].

Greccy geometrzy
Filozofowie starożytnej Grecji

Ludzie upamiętnieni nazwami stałych matematycznych
Ludzie upamiętnieni nazwami krzywych płaskich
Ludzie upamiętnieni nazwami wielościanów

Urodzeni w III wieku p.n.e.
Ludzie urodzeni w Syrakuzach
Zmarli w 212 p.n.e.

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