Stephen Hawking: The Great Alien Debate with Alan Cohen and Neil Nathan

Stephen Hawking is arguably one of the finest geniuses of our time. The Discovery Channel obviously had to give him his own series of TV specials: Into the Universe with Stephen Hawking. A few months ago, Mr. Smarty-Pants, sorry, Professor Hawking, decided to tackle the age-old question…no, not that one, but this one: Do aliens exist? Clearly, according to Hawking they do or he wouldn’t have named this specific special “Fear the Aliens.” Many people have a different opinion on Hawking’s state of mind and “scientific” research. So we decided to have two of Green Light Go’s own musicians take their place in The Great Alien Debate.

Alan Cohen of The Alan Cohen Experience is a staunch supporter of Hawking. It was in fact Hawking’s book “A Brief History in Time,” that resulted in Cohen’s August 31 release of the concept album Space & Time. So we know that we have an automatic Hawking fan on our hands. But after Neil Nathan showed interest (albeit a bit tongue-in-cheek) in "Fear the Aliens," we thought it would be interesting (and probably humorous) to pit Nathan and Cohen’s opinions against each other in The “Friendly” Great Alien Debate. (FYI: Nathan’s new album The Distance Calls comes out August 24.)

Below are each musician’s initial reactions to "Fear the Aliens." Neither has read the other’s take until now, as you are. We henceforth encourage Nathan and Cohen to comment back and forth (feel free to stick your nose in too, ahem Michael J. Epstein) for a friendly battle of, well, is Hawking a genius or a nut?


Alan Cohen on "Fear the Aliens"

“It's easy to write off Stephen Hawking as a silly nut peddler, especially considering the stakes he has in advancing his theory of extra-terrestrial invasions: a TV show! We all know that outrageous things make for great ratings. But is there something to his argument that reaching out to alien life could be disastrous for life here on Earth? Taken at its word, his logic is clear and simple: advanced life forms that are culturally organized enough to explore space, are no doubt big consumers of materials. Digging a bit deeper, our own history provides some insight. In the entire scope of human history, no voyage of ‘exploration’ was taken without at least the possibility of ‘striking it rich.’ The European age of exploration was intimately tied to the spice trade; deep-sea exploration has ties to oil (as we all now know), and even space exploration was/is done in order to advance military technology. At every level of life, the constant force that drives us all (and this includes amoebas) is survival. Plain, good 'ole survival. Humans won't bother exploring a far-away place unless there is a survivalist reason (resources, escape from disaster, etc.). Why would aliens be any different?”

Neil Nathan on "Fear the Aliens"

“For a genius, Stephen Hawking's fear mongering about aliens who are exactly like humans - but with better technology - is beyond lame. Though it makes for arguably good television on shows like V and The X Files, and movies like Independence Day or War of The Worlds, I'd expect a bit more from our resident brainiac. I'm flabbergasted by his lack of imagination! What about some inter-dimensional possibilities or some bold statement like, ‘They're already here or have been many times and they're bored as hell with our lack of social progress. Until we get our shit together, they won't be ‘officially’ presenting themselves, because we're still just too stupid and self destructive.’ That's Prime Directive 101, Professor!”

“Simply projecting human imperial history onto the unknown is about as base as it comes. As is the belief that humans are simply a virus like Agent Smith posits in The Matrix. Hawking should stick to black holes. Of course, all these possibilities and more are almost certain realities in our limitless universe, but there's gotta be some pretty cool stuff worth chattering about too. Perhaps he should read Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke and see how civilized aliens act or even Cocoon! “

Now.......... go! Debate! Comment and play fair. Click Here to Read More..

News Roundup from Magnet, Medleyville, Largehearted Boy and More

KEPX Blog posts an mp3 of "Sparks" by The White Ravens.

Bill's Music Forum posted mp3s from Sara Radle, The White Ravens, Neutral Uke Hotel, Leopold and His Fiction, Alan Cohen Experience, Gwyneth & Monko, Echo Orbiter, and Neil Nathan.

Magnet's MP3 at 3PM features Alan Cohen Experience's "Arrows of Time."
"...Cohen was inspired to write blithe, sing-along pop music while reading about heavy scientific themes explored in the book such as gravity, magnetism and black holes. 'Arrows Of Time' is a breezy summer jam about Hawking’s concept of the same name."

Neil Nathan performs live, in the Heritage Radio Network studio for their show Main Course.



San Diego: Dialed In features mp3s by Sara Radle, Neutral Uke Hotel, Leopold and His Fiction, Alan Cohen Experience, Gwyneth & Monko, Echo Orbiter, and Neil Nathan.

Medleyville features Gwyneth & Monko's Good Old Horse EP as a Quick Spin.
"The folky pair's charming five-song EP (due July 20) is sensitive and sparse, with the youthful-sounding Gwyneth Moreland leading the way as both singer and songwriter."

Metro Times' Music Blahg features The White Ravens. "Their songs come on like Ben Folds and Billy Joel taking turns sitting in with They Might Be Giants, and that’s not irony! See, Billy Joel drummer Liberty DeVitto plays drums on the Diamond sessions and They Might Be Giants are whispering about taking the local pair for support on tour."

The Boston Phoenix posts Neutral Uke Hotel's "King of Carrot Flowers, Part 1."

Tergiversations of a Traveling Mind posts the video for "Sparks" by The White Ravens.

Largehearted Boy posts an mp3 of Sara Radle's "Song For Adam."

Leopold and His Fiction's Beerland show is listed on Ultra 8201.

Indy Concerts previews The True Jacqueline's show at The Vollrath.
"Their sound reminds me a lot of the rock beat of fellow East Coasters Vampire Weekend."

Tympanogram reviews Leopold and His Fiction's "Golden Friends," calling it "...Haunting and scratchy, and sounds as if it was conjured up in the backrooms of old Western saloons over whiskey and cigarettes."

FYI Music News reports that The White Ravens are nominated for a Toronto Indie Award in the Best International, Best USA & Best Out-Of-Province category.

The AV Club, Austin previews Leopold and His Fiction's Beerland show, "...Recent track 'Golden Friends' muddies leftover '60s mysticism with the usual Motor City muck."

Mass Live.com called The True Jacqueline's Sierra Grille show "fantastic."

Animal Foodchain posts the video for Echo Orbiter's "This Worm in Rigor Mortis."

Compiled by Kelly Bennett
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Stephen Hawking’s "A Brief History of Time" Inspires Indie Rock Album

Attention Alan Cohen Experience fans! Get ready to mark your calendars because the newest album Space & Time is set to be released August 31, 2010.

The album is a chapter-by-chapter musical interpretation of Stephen Hawking’s book “A Brief History of Time” and finds Alan Cohen Experience venturing into topics about physics, space, and the existence of the universe. Track material encompasses Albert Einstein and his contribution to physics, which can be heard on the first single “Einstein,” the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, and the mathematical relationship between the four major forces. But don’t hesitate if the subject matter seems over your head, the music still rocks and most songs will reach fans on another level and it may not even register they’re about theoretical physics.

The album was co-produced by Cohen himself and Tony Goddess of Papas Fritas, both artists play all the instrumental parts on Space & Time, with the exception of drums. The album contains an assortment of upbeat 70’s influenced power-pop wrapped around eccentric lyrics, blending rock and funk in an upbeat manner that is sure to keep listeners on their toes. The song “The Universe is Expanding” opens with a dramatic crescendo and then breaks into catchy beat draped with a blues overtone, while “Einstein” contains a party pop feel backed by a steady mix of drums and guitar. Showcasing what Cohen believes to be his best work as a songwriter, he’s excited to share this new album with fans, as he trusts their minds, “will be split open and blown apart, because this one is so freaking awesome.”

Check out the track listing below and visit www.alancohenexperience.bandcamp.com to check out some of the songs!

Space & Time Track Listing
1. Introduction
2. Is It Infinite?
3. Einstein
4. The Uncertainty Principle
5. Black Hole
6. The Universe is Expanding
7. Dreaming
8. Arrows of Time
9. Madam I'm Atom
10. A Dark Beauty
11. The Unification Song
12. Conclusion Click Here to Read More..

Alan Cohen Experience releases single "Einstein" from new album Space & Time

Alan Cohen Experience has released the first single “Einstein” from their newest album Space & Time, which was co-produced by Cohen himself and Tony Goddess of Papas Fritas.

Space & Time is a chapter-by-chapter musical interpretation of Stephen Hawking’s book “A Brief History in Time.” The track “Einstein” offers an upbeat, rock, pop, and blues mixture of genres that literally portrays the influence Albert Einstein had on the world of theoretical physics through lyrics such as “Einstein, he’s got a fine mind.” The end of the track becomes illuminated with a strong guitar solo and powerful drum beats that gives a surge of energy and gracefully blends the subjects of music and science.

Largehearted Boy leads the charge to making "Einstein" available. Visit their download page to download the track, and also check out the Alan Cohen Experience Media Page and the Alan Cohen Experience website for all your ACE needs. Click Here to Read More..

Alan Cohen Experience Concept Album Inspired by Stephen Hawking

Featured on CNN and in the UK's The Guardian, Alan Cohen Experience plans to release the upcoming full-length album, Space & Time, this summer. The concept album based on Stephen Hawking's book, "A Brief History of Time", gives a chapter-by-chapter account through each song.
Focusing on topics such as gravity, black holes, and all the poetic aspects that tie these to our understanding of the world and universe, the album, co-produced by Cohen and Tony Goddess of Papas Fritas, constitutes a mixture of upbeat 70's influenced sing-a-long power-pop wrapped around quirky wit. Space & Time blends a number of genres including rock, funk and pop while solidly rooting itself in the anti-folk movement. Guitar, keys and bass flow together seamlessly mixing a splash of blues inside the rock element, all while keeping with the theme. Cohen's different approach to music, through the juxtaposition of smart subject matter and light-hearted catchy melodies appealing to the intellectual who dares to be different. Click Here to Read More..