In Life After God, Douglas Coupland tried to nail down the differences between animals and humans. A few he came up with: body building, smoking, and writing. I can add sarcasm and our flair for ingesting absurd amounts of alcohol. And Marc Anthony Thompson (aka Chocolate Genius) will back me up, arms raised and eyes closed; screaming.

During the nine months of Marc Anthony's fetal development, Mrs. Thompson might have had liquor in her womb in place of embryonic fluid. I can envision him slipping out, coated in 99 Bananas and other tainted boozes-- the world's first 150 proof infant.

Black Music would have you believe that Thompson's only desires are to become permanently intoxicated, and to die. But just as his lyrics depict a life of growing up amongst wild parties, bleary- faced role models, vanity, and helplessness, they hint at a hope that, as unlikely as it may be, things could change.

There are times when life just magically becomes slightly better. You know, like when you win the lottery or you kick your heroin addiction. Black Music rejuvenates the beleaguered notion that says it'll all be okay.

-Nathan Bang