07 January 2008
Beck, you always know how to warm my soul.
It's so beautiful outside here in A-town (68 degrees!), which shouldn't be anymore proof needed that there's a such thing as the big G.W. those pesky kids in the Red land are always dismissing as truth. But I digress.
I'm one of those music lovers who associates a song or an album or a video with everything that provides a strong memory, i.e. lovely spring or fall weather, good food, yada. As I walked outside today I had this rush of great feeling inside of me and I decided to listen to Beck's Guero, specifically "Missing" followed by "Earthquake Weather," unleashing some happy times in association with that song. It reminds me back in college when I'd be walking home from a long day of classes and digging out stewie to listen to some music to soothe my nerves. And all was good with the world, and my day, or possibly week, is set.
Thank you, Mr. Hansen.
Beck - Missing
05 January 2008
I love it when hip-hop and indie rock merges.
'Cos you end up with brilliance such as this. This was a perfect remix. One for the books. I wasn't too crazy about the album The Eraser, but the song of the same name, which is the song in this remix, is incredible enough to not disregard the entire album. And on top of that, it's like that Notorious B.I.G. "Sky's the Limit" video circa 1997. Have whatcha want, be whatcha waaaaaaaaant.
Um, anyway. You know, mix tapes were the shit back in the day and have obviously become obsolete, but I'm glad artists like Lil Wayne and Kayne are making waves with this old school phenomenon and bringing more widespread attention to it for those who really love music. Because mashups can be kinda stale at times.
However, here's a good example of an actual great, timeless mash-up from over a year ago:
Kryptonite vs. Cause=Time
04 January 2008
Things I overlooked in 2007.
In case you haven't noticed, I'm not one of those people who focuses on getting albums and DVDs as soon as it's released; seeing a movie that just opened or watching a TV show from beginning to end. It's very rare that I find something that hits me as soon as it's unveiled to the public, so it's no surprise that most of the things I end up loving is a little delayed from most people's initial reactions. That being said, here's a list of a few things I overlooked last year, if you hadn't already figured it out by the title of this entry.
While I was never behind on Spencer Krug's brilliance due to his previous stints with Wolf Parade and Frog Eyes, and was even all about his other side projects Sunset Rubdown and Swan Lake, my constant craving for another Wolf Parade album was too much for me to stomach knowing that he released two albums with Sunset Rubdown. In short, even though I really enjoyed the last Sunset Rubdown album Shut Up I Am Dreaming, I just didn't want to give its newest release, Random Spirit Lover, a chance. But boy, after getting the album today and listening to just the first 38 seconds of the beginning track, I said, "Yep, I was wrong." What a great fucking album. Damn. I mean, there's no way you can ever short-sight Krug because the guy's a fucking badass. As I've claimed once in a review, he's the Eric Clapton in the 00s indie world: whatever band he's in, it's gonna be guaranteed gold.
Jay Smooth--I didn't know who the hell you were was until I stumbled across your vlog earlier today. Now I shall pass along your genius to others. People--read it. Listen to him speak. Now. It'll seriously help you restore your faith in humanity.
Apparently Pushing Daisies was all the rage last fall as the new "it" show. And rightly so. Goddam, that show is good, and I'm saying this after one viewing! Ain't that some shit? What a great plot. And I'm so glad that homegirl from Sisters (anybody else remember that 90s show based around a bunch of whiny white girls who also happened to be sisters? I loved it as a kid who was bored on a Saturday night). Anyway, the episode I saw, which was the first introduction to Paul Reuben's character Oscar Vibenius, was great and in the end it touched me to tears because the synchronized swimmer sisters (with said chick from that show I just mentioned) finally got the nerve to go back to swimming and Olive is great (she was also great in that final episode of Ugly Betty). I'm just a-ramblin'!
I got to see The Savages a few days ago and I must say, I was really intrigued the whole way through, despite the fact that scenes were droned out and there weren't much of a quick edit trend in the film. Nevertheless, I was equally pleased by Laura Linney's and Philip Seymour Hoffman's performances. Director Tamara Jenkins did a fantastic job in capturing a realistic point of view of two siblings overcoming their hatred and embitterment towards their estranged father they now had to take care due to his poor health and old age. And lemme just say that PSH really did it big on Oh-Seven by have three strong portrayals in three critically acclaimed films (Before the Devil Knows You're Dead and Charlie Wilson's War).
Lastly, is 30 Rock not a sheer witfest? I mean, how can you ever go wrong with not only Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan, but Alec Baldwin, too? Camman--you're exciting me too much here. Of course, this show is a year-old, but after watching it for the first time a few weeks back, I couldn't have been more gleeful. The only reason why I couldn't get into to it was the fact that the schedule conflicted with my Ugly Betty time, but now that NBC jumped the bandwagon of networks airing episodes online, I'm good to go. I love Baldwin and Fey's interaction with each other, especially Baldwin when he tells Liz "I just want you to be discrete, and try not to dress like a small-town lesbian." And then you take a glimpse of her wardrobe and realize how accurate he is. Ahhh, good stuff.
Good news: these babies have helped me start off the new year juuuuuust right.
While I was never behind on Spencer Krug's brilliance due to his previous stints with Wolf Parade and Frog Eyes, and was even all about his other side projects Sunset Rubdown and Swan Lake, my constant craving for another Wolf Parade album was too much for me to stomach knowing that he released two albums with Sunset Rubdown. In short, even though I really enjoyed the last Sunset Rubdown album Shut Up I Am Dreaming, I just didn't want to give its newest release, Random Spirit Lover, a chance. But boy, after getting the album today and listening to just the first 38 seconds of the beginning track, I said, "Yep, I was wrong." What a great fucking album. Damn. I mean, there's no way you can ever short-sight Krug because the guy's a fucking badass. As I've claimed once in a review, he's the Eric Clapton in the 00s indie world: whatever band he's in, it's gonna be guaranteed gold.
Jay Smooth--I didn't know who the hell you were was until I stumbled across your vlog earlier today. Now I shall pass along your genius to others. People--read it. Listen to him speak. Now. It'll seriously help you restore your faith in humanity.
Apparently Pushing Daisies was all the rage last fall as the new "it" show. And rightly so. Goddam, that show is good, and I'm saying this after one viewing! Ain't that some shit? What a great plot. And I'm so glad that homegirl from Sisters (anybody else remember that 90s show based around a bunch of whiny white girls who also happened to be sisters? I loved it as a kid who was bored on a Saturday night). Anyway, the episode I saw, which was the first introduction to Paul Reuben's character Oscar Vibenius, was great and in the end it touched me to tears because the synchronized swimmer sisters (with said chick from that show I just mentioned) finally got the nerve to go back to swimming and Olive is great (she was also great in that final episode of Ugly Betty). I'm just a-ramblin'!
I got to see The Savages a few days ago and I must say, I was really intrigued the whole way through, despite the fact that scenes were droned out and there weren't much of a quick edit trend in the film. Nevertheless, I was equally pleased by Laura Linney's and Philip Seymour Hoffman's performances. Director Tamara Jenkins did a fantastic job in capturing a realistic point of view of two siblings overcoming their hatred and embitterment towards their estranged father they now had to take care due to his poor health and old age. And lemme just say that PSH really did it big on Oh-Seven by have three strong portrayals in three critically acclaimed films (Before the Devil Knows You're Dead and Charlie Wilson's War).
Lastly, is 30 Rock not a sheer witfest? I mean, how can you ever go wrong with not only Tina Fey and Tracy Morgan, but Alec Baldwin, too? Camman--you're exciting me too much here. Of course, this show is a year-old, but after watching it for the first time a few weeks back, I couldn't have been more gleeful. The only reason why I couldn't get into to it was the fact that the schedule conflicted with my Ugly Betty time, but now that NBC jumped the bandwagon of networks airing episodes online, I'm good to go. I love Baldwin and Fey's interaction with each other, especially Baldwin when he tells Liz "I just want you to be discrete, and try not to dress like a small-town lesbian." And then you take a glimpse of her wardrobe and realize how accurate he is. Ahhh, good stuff.
Good news: these babies have helped me start off the new year juuuuuust right.
David Lynch tickles me.
The first few seconds you're thinking, "Is he kidding?" But then get over it because either way, I'm gonna be peeing my pants with laughter. Thanks, BWE!
Two reasons why Atlanta's the place to be on Valentine's Day weekend.
Fuck candies and flowers, gimme the Liars at The Earl on Feb. 14--
followed by Canadian psych-rockers Black Mountain at the aforementioned venue on Feb. 15.Two bands I've been dying to see, back-to-back. I haven't been this wow'ed since last year when I saw Blonde Redhead and the Modest Mouse/Man Man showcase back-to-back. I think this may trump it. Way to go.
I recommend anyone who lives in or near Atlanta should partake in such mind-blowing experiences. Don't say I didn't tell you ahead of time.
Was DMX ever taken seriously?
I mean, he was a 5'4" thug who barked like a Pomeranian in his songs. How could that have possibly been something to consider in a serious manner? And now he plans on doing a double album--one hip-hop, one gospel hip-hop.
Say what?
**********************************************************
In other news:
This is the best plugging for a show in TV history, all 10 seconds of it (that's excluding the full minute of TV listings). First: Who the fuck is Twyla? Second: Are we really supposed to be watching a motivational TV show hosted by Mason Betha? Third: What happened with G-Unit? And fourth: Why have I watched this non-stop? Because this is entertaining to me!
This is the best plugging for a show in TV history, all 10 seconds of it (that's excluding the full minute of TV listings). First: Who the fuck is Twyla? Second: Are we really supposed to be watching a motivational TV show hosted by Mason Betha? Third: What happened with G-Unit? And fourth: Why have I watched this non-stop? Because this is entertaining to me!
03 January 2008
I want to hang out with the kids from North Haven Community School.
I was looking for Deerhoof's "Giga Dance" mp3 so I could boast about the melodic genius that song is, but instead came across this incredible video of kids from Maine doing an entire ballet based off the Milk Man album. My mouth literally dropped. I'm still looking for my bottom lip.
I don't care if this was done in October of 2006. It's still brilliant to me, and you can still support the school by buying a DVD for only $17 (including shipping and handling) to help build a new school. Worth it.
Here's the real version:
At least late-nighters can watch fresh material.
The strike ended for David Letterman, Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien, which is a sign of a little progress, I 'spose.
Watch this video. It's funny. A little old, but funny, nonetheless.
02 January 2008
Eleanor and Matthew Friedberger give me something to look forward to in life.
So I decided the best way to convey my new list of goals to reach for this here new year is to do a photo/video blog of The Fiery Furnaces. If my life is anything similar to living in their wonderfully vivid, imaginative world, then everything's A-OK.
What are they talking about? Maybe about something intellectual; maybe about something spiritual; maybe about a certain episode of Family Guy. Who knows, but whatever it is, I'd love to have a conversation so enthralling as theirs.
Where are they going? It looks like they're about to go to an abandoned house and conjure up ideas for another concept album. I aspire to be as creative.
They're probably on their way out to the Greek Restaurant in the Ukrainian Village in Chicago to clear their heads before they put on a mind-numbing performance later. Blowing people's minds with art is a splendid thing.
Being multi-faceted is very important if you want to succeed in the arts world. It's good to keep options open.
Although you can barely hear Eleanor vocals during their live performances due to the rock fury of the traveling band, she still puts in 110 percent. And if you've never seen 'em live, my heart goes out to you for going that long without filling that void. You're talking about a spazfest of 89 songs compacted into a one hour and a half long show. Having a lot of energy is a great feeling.
Can my life be this sunny and bright and carefree everyday? Please?
I really respect Fiery Furnaces. They're the indie rock lyrical equivalent to Lil Wayne with their clever wordplay in order to make verses rhyme. That amazes me. But I also respect them because they truly do whatever they want, even if that means they'll have to scramble to find record labels to support 'em (they've gone through three in the last five years). Their music is inaccessible as fuck, but boy, they keep it moving, because you know they were that sibling duo that people made fun of on the block. For Show and Tell, they probably brought in a homeless man to depict the harsh realities of life to their fellow 7-year-olds.
In short, Eleanor and Matthew are good, smart people.
What are they talking about? Maybe about something intellectual; maybe about something spiritual; maybe about a certain episode of Family Guy. Who knows, but whatever it is, I'd love to have a conversation so enthralling as theirs.
Where are they going? It looks like they're about to go to an abandoned house and conjure up ideas for another concept album. I aspire to be as creative.
They're probably on their way out to the Greek Restaurant in the Ukrainian Village in Chicago to clear their heads before they put on a mind-numbing performance later. Blowing people's minds with art is a splendid thing.
Being multi-faceted is very important if you want to succeed in the arts world. It's good to keep options open.
Although you can barely hear Eleanor vocals during their live performances due to the rock fury of the traveling band, she still puts in 110 percent. And if you've never seen 'em live, my heart goes out to you for going that long without filling that void. You're talking about a spazfest of 89 songs compacted into a one hour and a half long show. Having a lot of energy is a great feeling.
Can my life be this sunny and bright and carefree everyday? Please?
I really respect Fiery Furnaces. They're the indie rock lyrical equivalent to Lil Wayne with their clever wordplay in order to make verses rhyme. That amazes me. But I also respect them because they truly do whatever they want, even if that means they'll have to scramble to find record labels to support 'em (they've gone through three in the last five years). Their music is inaccessible as fuck, but boy, they keep it moving, because you know they were that sibling duo that people made fun of on the block. For Show and Tell, they probably brought in a homeless man to depict the harsh realities of life to their fellow 7-year-olds.
In short, Eleanor and Matthew are good, smart people.
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