Raven-Symoné, you are a brilliant lil lady. You were once touted the "400 Million Dollar Woman" back in March 2007 on the cover of Ebony. That's a whole lot of money, and yet she manages to stay out of the negative limelight and lives her life like a level-headed human being. And what I love most about her is that people constantly tried to find ways to clown her, mostly about her weight, and she still kills it.
I have an interesting viewer-director relationship with Sofia Coppola. I mean, I respect her as an artist, I truly do, but her movies tend to leave me with the same effect every time: I watch it, like it, get over it, then a few years later I get re-intrigued by it, then watch it, and absolutely love it.
That's how it was for Lost In Translation, I tried to sit through Marie Antoinette, but I'm sure I'll watch it again, and finally, with The Virgin Suicides.
I watched it for the first time in nearly four years last night and I was re-acquainted with Coppola's style that is oh-so simplistic yet oh-so profound. I mean, really, who couldn't help but cry "DADDY'S GIRL!" whenever you see her shit? But even with her short, Lick The Star, I enjoyed, and, again, had to watch twice to appreciate. That's true artistship right there. And for that, Sofia, I respect you for it.
The soundtrack of The Virgin Suicides is flawless. The film itself is impeccable, especially the above scene. Sofia Coppola is the only director to make Kirsten Dunst watchable and Giovanni Ribisi listenable.
Anyway, the pic above is an actual good recent photo of Lauryn, as opposed to those other ones where blogs are putting her on blast about her going crazy. Won't even dignify 'em by linking to the madness.
I miss her though. She just really hit rock bottom creatively, and from what I understand, personally, and I always sympathize with those who go through a rough time and struggle to overcome it, y'know? Damn. Just a sad scene. But it's OK, she'll come back real hard. Never lose the faith, girlfriend.
D'Angelo, that goes for you, too. Speaking of--Listen:
The "Closer I Get To You" of our generation.
*Speaking of madness, I'm a huge baby when it comes to being sick, so it's a big deal to me, thus me always feeling the need to disclaim such a fact. Also, because I'm delirious when I'm sick, not to mention being under the influence of Nighttime Robitussin. I wasted a lot of energy typing this long ass footnote. Dammit!
Oh, Missy Elliott, how you make me move, girl! I've been a fan of her since her Sista days. She takes it back to when you know an album is good when the singles are hot. Here's the the best female in the hip-hop AND R&B game.
Look at that picture. I wish I was old enough to be hanging out with these cats circa 1996.
I feel like I'm a Bob Dylan fan whenever I tell some folks about my strong love for S-K. They'll say, "Ugh, I hate her whiney voice. And ugh, their guitar riffs are so simplistic, it sounds like a kindergartener playing." And I'm like, "Hey, whatever, dude, they're fantastic." Not that I'm comparing them to the apparent god that Dylan is, but still.
Anyway, sometimes you just need to rock out and dance along their groovy beats. I love Corin Tucker's vocals--because, what have I said in the last few posts? The horrible the vocals are, the more I love 'em. And what I even love about Sleater-Kinney's sound is Carrie Brownstein backs Tucker up with sweet, innocent and melodic vocals, meanwhile shredding the guitar in cock-rock fashion. It was hard for me to listen to their studio albums for the longest after seeing them in live action. And Janet Weiss completes the band with her fast-paced drumming. They complete each other--awww.
As you can see, it's hard to actually describe the true essence of the Olympia via Portland trio. I still cannot put a finger on why I feel that S-K are an essential collection to my favorite bands, but they are. Is it their energy? Possibly. Do I like their lyrics? Of course. Is it the music as a whole? Could be. If anything, I'd say I loved them simply for the fact that I could tell just by listening to their music that they were having a wonderful time in the studio. It just didn't seem as if they half-assed anything. And once again, who knew they would be so Sabbath-esque when they came out with The Woods in 2005?
Whatever the case may be, I sure as hell miss it. It's been a while since I've loved a band just because.
How you impress me so. Basically, I should just do an illustrated post about all the upcoming releases I'm stoked about, but then I wouldn't have much room to elaborate my excitement. If you haven't gotten into the Swedish retro pop sensation that is El Perro Del Mar (aka Sarah Assbring), then I suggest you do so. After I publish this post, I want to hear stories from readers telling me how she warmed your soul like chicken soup.
Her 2006 self-titled full length debut was one of my honorable mentioned faves, mainly because I really dug what I heard, but I know she has plenty of room to grow. Well, listening to her new track off her second LP, From the Valley to the Stars, has already convinced me that she has definitely matured. The album is set to be released on Feb. 27 in Scandinavia, April 22 in the U.S.
To listen to her first single, "How Did We Forget?", go here. It should be the first track playing.
Buddy just gets drunk and full off of international cuisines for a living! How can you not love his show, No Reservations? Especially with the double-meaning title (no reservations for dinner, no reservations of his thoughts). But he's had his fair share, man. After working in the restaurant industry for three years, I see what line cooks go through, especially when you already have a specialty to be a chef. So kudos, brother. And you're kinda hot, in that older Jeff Goldblum/Chris Noth way.
Album of the Week: The Renaissance (2008, Universal Motown)
You can never go wrong with Q-Tip. He never grows stale. He's got some great featured artists such as Raphael Saadiq (who also never grows stale), Norah Jones (man, she has expanded her resumé as great hip-hop hook singer, too) and D'Angelo. Yessss. From Track 1 to the ending Track 12, it's deliciously listenable.
One of the greatest songs ever written was by Phil Elvrum of now defunct band The Microphones. Listeners take a journey through Phil's life as he struggles to cope with the harsh, grotesque realities it presents him. Feeling disappointed and defeated, a sullen Phil accepts the fact he's still living; then, as if on cue, a grand epiphany comes aboard this self-discovering adventure, and BAM!--blood rushes through his veins, through his heart, and his chest is full of positive air! Phil loves everything tangible and intangible! He loves life! He hopes this feeling never ends! "I'm glowing!" he exclaims.
