MUSIC
New Q-Tip video! Continues the smooth, sweet excellence of his project. This is the one for you if you didn't catch all those old-school namechecks in his album.
The Knife's work on their Darwin opera is... rad? Chilling in a beautiful way.
The characteristically level-headed folks at TMT discusses the quasi-revelation/obvious fact that Radiohead's still going to be releasing full-lengths. I guess the best irony is how the same news sources lapping up those rumors constantly mock other artists for their phony retirements.
I, for one, am really glad that Los Campesinos! are putting out new content. From seeing their epic live shows and meeting them after, they really are genuinely great people who just love playing music.
FILM
AICN's own Herc got to geek out a bit with Abrams. Details about Nimoy in Trek 2 and Fringe within.
Duncan Jones is upbeat about financing difficulties surrounding his new effort, Mute. Feels like this guy is the next big thing in the sci-fi world, unless your definition of "next big thing" is the same-old, same-old ballooning budget of an obese James Cameron production. Which isn't to say I won't end up seeing (and probably loving) Avatar, just that maybe gloss and prettiness do not a revolution make.
Marlon Wayans may be - and SHOULD be, in my opinion - Pryor.
Big times for Terry Gilliam! The trailer for his Imaginarium is impeccable and fun, and he may finally be making his Quixote film!
WEIRD
Glenn Beck faked his e-mail from Muse. Glenn? Nobody gives a crap.
Somebody brilliant took the special fx out of the 2012 clips shown online. Uhm... yeah, it's bad.
WORLD
Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize. The reaction of our country has served, for me, not to challenge the value of the Nobel prize, but to challenge the insularity of our national dialog. While we focus on minute issues and whether it's alright to call a rapper an asshole and is his health care bill going to be socialist, the rest of the world is looking at the broader scale of his real actions and has rewarded him for his work. Isn't it funny how conservatives get to scorn him both for losing European support (the Olympics) and for gaining European support? It suggests a disheartening opportunism lurking within our political system.
On the flipside, Israel's foreign minister is evidently approaching peace with Palestinians with nauseating cynicism. "Live with it"? Tell that to the people your nation is slaughtering for their property, you arrogant jackass.
PERSONAL
Busy times! Trying to keep up with culture has taken a backseat to my personal endeavors. It's always tricky, trying to be aware of the world while working on things highly personal. We'll see how well I can balance!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
August 28th through October 4th: Epic Entry
I've been gathering links for ages without properly posting them. Here goes.
MUSIC
Oh Kings of Convenience, how I needed and missed you. And the same goes for you, too, Sondre!
Kanye's Swift interrupting tactics have been deemed press-worthy, because the theater of entertainment news loves simple stories. Jay-Z defended him. So much saturation that I saw this headline and thought "why did Venezuela have a summit just to criticize Kanye West?"
Jay-Z has been in the press a lot (just as planned, I'm sure) including highly publicized comments about indie rock and an appearance on Oprah and a huge press-event concert.
Epic rap track is epic.
Los Campesinos! are swinging back into prolific activity.
Mr. Magic, hip-hop DJ of the oldschool variety, has passed.
Wavves and Black Lips got into a fight.
Lil Wayne got friendly with Weezer. This kind of thing has become the norm.
Lyrics websites are being targeted for copyright infringement.
Muse (wisely) asked professional jackass Glenn Beck to retract his praise of the band.
Rock City keep releasing rad mixtapes. Don Cannon is obnoxious though.
Summertunes was released. Chiptune greats abound!
Is anybody having as much fun as Basement Jaxx are these days?
FILM
Good short films deserve to be seen.
Henry Gibson has died.
The old Polanski wounds have all reopened after the director's apprehension in France. Celebrities have weighed in. My take? The man committed a terrible crime and deserves to be punished for it.
Disney acquired Marvel.
Antichrist looks terrifying and crucial.
Paranormal Activity has been pretty brilliantly hyped.
AICN has exciting news about both Thor and the Facebook movie. Also, Woo's Red Cliff is finally coming stateside.
Fascinating-looking movie, and fascinating that "Hurt Locker-style" has become a thing.
Up In The Air looks fantastic, as do The Revenant and Metropia.
The Cove may have helped alleviate dolphin killings.
/Film loved Parnassus.
A filmmaker who chronicled El Salvador's gangs was shot dead.
A visually stunning Confucius biopic is coming soon.
Harmony Korine's latest sets a new standard for weird.
With all the hubbub about New Moon's soundtrack, it's notable that Jonah Hex is getting soundtracked by metalheads Mastodon.
I received an odd satisfaction, seeing Rob Zombie punished for making stupid, pretentious movies.
WEIRD
Facebook played a strangely significant role in a recent jealousy-fueled UK murder.
Russel Crowe was mean to a journalist. Flashback much?
New movie with The Rock looks impossibly braindead.
WORLD
Iran draws closer to nuclear capabilities.
U.S. unemployment soars.
Obama's recent speech to public school students caused a furor.
Ashcroft can be sued.
The scale of gorilla poaching is horrifying.
Interesting Net Neutrality laws were passed.
The last man to see Hitler alive recounts the experience.
PERSONAL
All I know is that I'm tired.
MUSIC
Oh Kings of Convenience, how I needed and missed you. And the same goes for you, too, Sondre!
Kanye's Swift interrupting tactics have been deemed press-worthy, because the theater of entertainment news loves simple stories. Jay-Z defended him. So much saturation that I saw this headline and thought "why did Venezuela have a summit just to criticize Kanye West?"
Jay-Z has been in the press a lot (just as planned, I'm sure) including highly publicized comments about indie rock and an appearance on Oprah and a huge press-event concert.
Epic rap track is epic.
Los Campesinos! are swinging back into prolific activity.
Mr. Magic, hip-hop DJ of the oldschool variety, has passed.
Wavves and Black Lips got into a fight.
Lil Wayne got friendly with Weezer. This kind of thing has become the norm.
Lyrics websites are being targeted for copyright infringement.
Muse (wisely) asked professional jackass Glenn Beck to retract his praise of the band.
Rock City keep releasing rad mixtapes. Don Cannon is obnoxious though.
Summertunes was released. Chiptune greats abound!
Is anybody having as much fun as Basement Jaxx are these days?
FILM
Good short films deserve to be seen.
Henry Gibson has died.
The old Polanski wounds have all reopened after the director's apprehension in France. Celebrities have weighed in. My take? The man committed a terrible crime and deserves to be punished for it.
Disney acquired Marvel.
Antichrist looks terrifying and crucial.
Paranormal Activity has been pretty brilliantly hyped.
AICN has exciting news about both Thor and the Facebook movie. Also, Woo's Red Cliff is finally coming stateside.
Fascinating-looking movie, and fascinating that "Hurt Locker-style" has become a thing.
Up In The Air looks fantastic, as do The Revenant and Metropia.
The Cove may have helped alleviate dolphin killings.
/Film loved Parnassus.
A filmmaker who chronicled El Salvador's gangs was shot dead.
A visually stunning Confucius biopic is coming soon.
Harmony Korine's latest sets a new standard for weird.
With all the hubbub about New Moon's soundtrack, it's notable that Jonah Hex is getting soundtracked by metalheads Mastodon.
I received an odd satisfaction, seeing Rob Zombie punished for making stupid, pretentious movies.
WEIRD
Facebook played a strangely significant role in a recent jealousy-fueled UK murder.
Russel Crowe was mean to a journalist. Flashback much?
New movie with The Rock looks impossibly braindead.
WORLD
Iran draws closer to nuclear capabilities.
U.S. unemployment soars.
Obama's recent speech to public school students caused a furor.
Ashcroft can be sued.
The scale of gorilla poaching is horrifying.
Interesting Net Neutrality laws were passed.
The last man to see Hitler alive recounts the experience.
PERSONAL
All I know is that I'm tired.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
August 25th and 26th, 2009
MUSIC
Some people would have you believe that Fuck Buttons sound like an angry Dan Deacon. Backwards. Dan Deacon sounds like a happy Fuck Buttons. Anyway, the new Fuck Buttons song is awesome and the video is perfect. Apparently Stereogum thinks their new album is "too polite." Please indie world let's not lose our heads; their name is FUCK BUTTONS.
So wow, I wasn't too into the new Massive Attack at first to be honest, but that goofy riff eventually just takes over you, like some subliminal message saying "we are all going to die" until you kinda believe it but still want to bob your head to it.
Crookers and Fever Ray sounds like an awkward mix, (I'd rather have Cudi and Fever Ray!) but it's basically just Crookers being friggin' Crookers with a few samples from Fever Ray to justify strapping it to the upcoming Fever Ray release. Not really complaining.
So... many... leaks! Jigga's latest is a prickly little thing, kinda slides along. The battle of Venus versus Mars, of course, ends in sex. (Duh!) And holy shit, Drake ft. Eminem and Weezy and Kanye. Any reason Em didn't go this hard on his latest release? And yeah, you can be sure I'm catching that Jay-Z show on my DVR.
I hadn't even heard of Weird Tapes a month ago, and now he is everywhere at all times.
FILM
Avatar is really going crazy. Midnight tickets are available four months in advance? A goofy-ass lawsuit? Sigourney Weaver is involved or something?
Emile Hirsch's play at Hamlet will go for scares. Honestly, it sounds pretty cool.
Wall Street II looks fantastic.
AICN readers dislike Halloween II.
Black Dynamite is coming to theaters! People are going to expect a romp and end up squirming in their seats. It will be a surreal movie-going experience.
WEIRD
Cool Lost poster is cool.
McG's authorial stamp: boobs.
WORLD
Ted Kennedy is dead.
Wikipedia is set to launch substantial revisions to page controls, according to the BBC. Also via the BBC, Karzai's lead is widening.
PERSONAL
Ahhh school!
Some people would have you believe that Fuck Buttons sound like an angry Dan Deacon. Backwards. Dan Deacon sounds like a happy Fuck Buttons. Anyway, the new Fuck Buttons song is awesome and the video is perfect. Apparently Stereogum thinks their new album is "too polite." Please indie world let's not lose our heads; their name is FUCK BUTTONS.
So wow, I wasn't too into the new Massive Attack at first to be honest, but that goofy riff eventually just takes over you, like some subliminal message saying "we are all going to die" until you kinda believe it but still want to bob your head to it.
Crookers and Fever Ray sounds like an awkward mix, (I'd rather have Cudi and Fever Ray!) but it's basically just Crookers being friggin' Crookers with a few samples from Fever Ray to justify strapping it to the upcoming Fever Ray release. Not really complaining.
So... many... leaks! Jigga's latest is a prickly little thing, kinda slides along. The battle of Venus versus Mars, of course, ends in sex. (Duh!) And holy shit, Drake ft. Eminem and Weezy and Kanye. Any reason Em didn't go this hard on his latest release? And yeah, you can be sure I'm catching that Jay-Z show on my DVR.
I hadn't even heard of Weird Tapes a month ago, and now he is everywhere at all times.
FILM
Avatar is really going crazy. Midnight tickets are available four months in advance? A goofy-ass lawsuit? Sigourney Weaver is involved or something?
Emile Hirsch's play at Hamlet will go for scares. Honestly, it sounds pretty cool.
Wall Street II looks fantastic.
AICN readers dislike Halloween II.
Black Dynamite is coming to theaters! People are going to expect a romp and end up squirming in their seats. It will be a surreal movie-going experience.
WEIRD
Cool Lost poster is cool.
McG's authorial stamp: boobs.
WORLD
Ted Kennedy is dead.
Wikipedia is set to launch substantial revisions to page controls, according to the BBC. Also via the BBC, Karzai's lead is widening.
PERSONAL
Ahhh school!
Monday, August 24, 2009
August 24th, 2009
RSS feeds make my life a little easier. But ONLY a little.
MUSIC
Hov is leaking so much material.
FILM
Oh no... /Film, I love you guys, but your musical analysis is on a lower plane than your film analysis. Saying Karen O's new song sounds like Arcade Fire and the Flaming Lips is... an interesting choice. To be frank, I kind of think the song (a soundtrack piece for Where The Wild Things Are) sucks. It's not just that I think Karen O is Siouxsie Sioux-Lite and all that, I just don't think it's a good song. It's kinda cringe-worthy to be frank. But oh well, maybe it's a grower? /Wrists.
It's really disconcerting to hear how the beloved Weinstein brothers pissed all over somebody's indie film.
Bioshock is moving ahead with a new director in tow.
Avatar Day reactions buzzing around.
Van Sant has a new film in his pipeline.
Inception's got a trailer! And it looks ace.
WEIRD
Nuthin'!
WORLD
According to the BBC, a new treatment could reduce the severity of MS symptoms. Also via BBC, some more analysis on the release of the Lockerbie bomber.
MUSIC
Hov is leaking so much material.
FILM
Oh no... /Film, I love you guys, but your musical analysis is on a lower plane than your film analysis. Saying Karen O's new song sounds like Arcade Fire and the Flaming Lips is... an interesting choice. To be frank, I kind of think the song (a soundtrack piece for Where The Wild Things Are) sucks. It's not just that I think Karen O is Siouxsie Sioux-Lite and all that, I just don't think it's a good song. It's kinda cringe-worthy to be frank. But oh well, maybe it's a grower? /Wrists.
It's really disconcerting to hear how the beloved Weinstein brothers pissed all over somebody's indie film.
Bioshock is moving ahead with a new director in tow.
Avatar Day reactions buzzing around.
Van Sant has a new film in his pipeline.
Inception's got a trailer! And it looks ace.
WEIRD
Nuthin'!
WORLD
According to the BBC, a new treatment could reduce the severity of MS symptoms. Also via BBC, some more analysis on the release of the Lockerbie bomber.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
August 23rd, 2009: What the hell?
How the hell did all of these days go by? It's really kind of disgusting that a week and a half slipped away without me noticing.
I don't have time to trawl through the dead of summer. Suffice it to say, health care is starving, some good music (that I can finally buy again) is on the horizion, and Avatar's trailer is causing a shitstorm. I urgently need to see Thirst, Inglourious Basterds, and District 9.
Regular posting is renewed tomorrow.
I don't have time to trawl through the dead of summer. Suffice it to say, health care is starving, some good music (that I can finally buy again) is on the horizion, and Avatar's trailer is causing a shitstorm. I urgently need to see Thirst, Inglourious Basterds, and District 9.
Regular posting is renewed tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
August 12th, 2009
Slow news day.
MUSIC
Uh... the Verve broke up again? No site had anything that caught my interest today. I dunno, Natalie Imbruglia has a new song so that'll be on the radio. Or hey, here you go, maybe this is a Radiohead leak. Nobody's actually sure.
FILM
There's gonna be an Atlanta doc. And Astro Boy could be cute. Uhh...
WEIRD
Harrison Ford: Family Man.
WORLD
The health care "protests" have exploded.
PERSONAL
Seriously though, everybody, if I'm starting to blog daily, you've gotta be givin' me more than this. Alright?
2009 FILMS SEEN: 23
2009 SONGS ON MY ITUNES: 981
Current Computer Situation: MacBook Pro, hoping Kendall's name can be cleared!
MUSIC
Uh... the Verve broke up again? No site had anything that caught my interest today. I dunno, Natalie Imbruglia has a new song so that'll be on the radio. Or hey, here you go, maybe this is a Radiohead leak. Nobody's actually sure.
FILM
There's gonna be an Atlanta doc. And Astro Boy could be cute. Uhh...
WEIRD
Harrison Ford: Family Man.
WORLD
The health care "protests" have exploded.
PERSONAL
Seriously though, everybody, if I'm starting to blog daily, you've gotta be givin' me more than this. Alright?
2009 FILMS SEEN: 23
2009 SONGS ON MY ITUNES: 981
Current Computer Situation: MacBook Pro, hoping Kendall's name can be cleared!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
August 11th, 2009
Wow, a blog entry about a single day! This has become the rarest of things for me, like stumbling upon a legendary Pokemon in the wild. Even more rare. Like, I caught it with a normal Pokeball on the first throw after dealing no damage. And it was level 99 but somehow obeyed my orders before my first gym badge. Okay, now I'm just fantasizing.
MUSIC
I had never heard of Naomi Shelton, but TMT set me straight!
Hoooooly shit, MikeWaxx and Nero are friggin' younger than me, whaaaaat? Also from illRoots, yet another dope mixtape.
Almighty Defenders (Black Lips + King Khan + BBQ) sound kind of like what would happen if a novelty 50s/60s revival band got really bored and decided to up the weird by about ten notches. In other words, they sound awesome.
This is one of the weirder music videos I've seen in... ever. Memory Weird Cassetes Tapes something something something.
FILM
"World Cinema" is an absolutely fantastic short via the Coen brothers circa 2007.
The Red Dawn remake is, uh, rollin' along...
The battle over Kick-Ass begins!
WEIRD
Dane Cook acting like a dick? Naaaahhhhh way!
WORLD
Oh god
PERSONAL
Had a lot of folks over today! We watched soap operas.
2009 FILMS SEEN: 23
2009 SONGS ON MY ITUNES: 979
Current Computer Situation: MacBook Pro, hoping Kendall's name can be cleared!
MUSIC
I had never heard of Naomi Shelton, but TMT set me straight!
Hoooooly shit, MikeWaxx and Nero are friggin' younger than me, whaaaaat? Also from illRoots, yet another dope mixtape.
Almighty Defenders (Black Lips + King Khan + BBQ) sound kind of like what would happen if a novelty 50s/60s revival band got really bored and decided to up the weird by about ten notches. In other words, they sound awesome.
This is one of the weirder music videos I've seen in... ever. Memory Weird Cassetes Tapes something something something.
FILM
"World Cinema" is an absolutely fantastic short via the Coen brothers circa 2007.
The Red Dawn remake is, uh, rollin' along...
The battle over Kick-Ass begins!
WEIRD
Dane Cook acting like a dick? Naaaahhhhh way!
WORLD
Oh god
PERSONAL
Had a lot of folks over today! We watched soap operas.
2009 FILMS SEEN: 23
2009 SONGS ON MY ITUNES: 979
Current Computer Situation: MacBook Pro, hoping Kendall's name can be cleared!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
July 7th through August 10th, 2009 [Complete!]
[8/10 Re-Update] Done!
[8/10 Update] STILL still tryin'!
[8/4 Update] Still tryin'!
Keeping a blog about pop culture is like any chore. You're too lazy to do it, so you let it slip a day, and the next day it's even longer and more tiresome a task, so you let it slip and slip until... well, until a whole damn month passes.
And it doesn't help that I don't have the money to see the films or buy the albums I blog about. But that'll change soon, with any luck.
Here it goes.
MUSIC
Here comes trouble!
Holy shit... they captured Pirate Bay. It's a depressing day for all of us. Had you ever been to the Pirate Bay's "Legal" section? This is... augh. Tragedy.
The Heath Ledger-directed anti-whaling Modest Mouse video is not without its rough edges but is genuinely chilling, and I will stand behind any and all earnest animal rights statements.
Also, Drake's hard knocks (and I include the somewhat meh video as one of those knocks) keep on rolling. His recent leg injury and collapse can't be helping this stress.
Animal Collective is running this shit.
Sondre Lerche continues to be what I like about being alive.
New Kings on October 20th! Good day!
Everybody got in a fuss about the first new Muse single, which I didn't think was bad but was definitely not worth the epic puzzle/game nonsense required for a listen. It's as polemic as Bellamy has always been, and why are people surprised that the new direction is Queen-ish? Anyway, the second new single is kinda better anyway but still waaaaay overstays its welcome.
I'm kinda letting myself get really excited about The Big Pink's upcoming. Accuse single "Dominos" of being Time To Pretend Part II all you want, but there's a warm fullness to their sound that rounds out the catchiness. Also, have you heard "Velvet"? I mean, really? People are (rightfully) praising the Antlers for aiming high, so let's at least share some of that. Ya dig?
I'm really late to this Basement Jaxx party going on, but holy god damn it is a good party. What with Royksopp tearing shit up earlier and still promising another release, it is a good year to like dancing.
Oh TMT, I like the way you think.
The new Raekwon is wiiiiild.
Please Billy Corgan, please let me like you again.
M83 got kinda violent for no good reason. Guys... you're not Morrissey.
Weezer's new songs are only a few degrees separate from the vibe they used to go for, but those few degrees make a shit ton of difference.
Interpol's Paul Banks is pulling a Sasha Fierce.
Goddamn, I thought Drake was going to run away with my "favorite rapper of the year" award, but I just can't get over how ballsy TreaZon has been. He's referenced Dragonball Z, Sailor Moon, and I think Naruto, all in the last few months' worth of tracks. Referencing middle-school anime obsessions in your online leaks? Dude's letting it all hang out.
The indie world is stepping forward to support Chris Knox - including Jeff Mangum!
The new Raveonettes is actually really good.
Also, as far as finding a mixtape to succeed Drake's in terms of addictive listenability, lately the strongest contender has been Nero's new release. He can't work the 90stalgia angle forever, and that's one of the strongest selling points here, but I'm definitely getting used to his flow.
My crush on Bat For Lashes is goin' strong.
David Byrne is to U2 as Jarvis Cocker was to Michael Jackson (but evidently is no longer).
Big Sean needs some work, especially when it comes to swagger, but he's got the whole silky flow, addictive hook business locked down. Oh, and Kanye's hanging out back there or something. This and Day n' Nite as a double-feature? No-brainer. Other illRoots treats include Hova's new single, Cudi's new whatever-it-is-he-releases, and a guy named Gooz.
FILM
John Hughes is dead. Please don't underestimate the significance of those words.
Avatar is getting some wild hype. I have to admit that it's starting to grab me. They definitely owned Comic-Con, and with all the high profile stuff at Comic-Con, for an original plot to take the cake is saying something.
New York, I Love You looks fun.
Harmony Korine's next film is finished.
One of the best things about Austin is the Drafthouse, and, well, case in point.
Bad movies get sequels.
Lots of /Film Comic-Con blurbs. Where The Wild Things Are was dazzling. District 9 is apparently some kind of new religion. Kick-Ass surprised everybody with a gutpunch. Christmas Carol is going to scare you? Alice in Wonderland looks really fun. Secret Ninja Assassin screenings confirmed that the movie will feature blood. (Surprise!) Oh, and Tron Legacy is the movie I have been waiting for all these years.
Spielberg wants to stick some Elites.
Linklater is on his grind. Meanwhile, Duncan Jones is doing well.
Fantastic Mr. Fox doesn't have a great trailer, but I'm not nearly as displeased as everybody else seems to be. Flat, maybe. But not godawful.
I trust /Film, so I look forward to hearing more about Simple Machines.
Langella's joining the new Wall Street. This movie could end up pleasantly surprising me.
Definitely looking forward to Big Fan.
New Moon featuring music from Bon Iver and (gasp!) Thom Yorke? Now hear me out - what if Twilight was kinda the Pablo Honey of the film series? What if New Moon ends up being a The Bends, or even an OK Computer!? Yeah, probably not. Sigh. Oh, and Daft Punk are doing the new Tron, which makes a crapload more sense.
WEIRD
Minneapolis hates music or something. Honestly, as much as I feel for venues that'll buckle without 18+ hybrid shows, I've been offered beers at shows pretty much since I've been going to shows, and I can see the logic behind the potential laws. It's not a clean cut issue, and going all "up in arms" and pulling a Bill O'Reilly-esque "you're declaring war on Christmas!" rantfest is not going to solve an issue that requires a genuine compromise.
Lady Gaga is now confirmed to be a woman. Phew?
WORLD
I don't even know where to begin. Health care change is stuck in the mud and I doubt that any reform will pass. The real unemployment rate (the one including those who've ceased looking for work) is projected at 16.3 percent, which is beyond what I could have imagined. Typhoons pelt Asia while domestic pundits laugh off the global warming crisis. Is this the decline of U.S. dominance globally? What will that mean for my future, and the future of my friends and family? I don't have any other real facts to post in this section, just a large number of questions.
PERSONAL
The "world" section could get transplanted here.
Other things in my life seem normal. I'm working pretty hard to pull a short film together. I'm trying to stay productive. Oh, and the two bands I really want to get into: Sleater-Kinney and A Tribe Called Quest.
2009 FILMS SEEN: 23
2009 SONGS ON MY ITUNES: 969
Current Computer Situation: MacBook Pro, chilling out at the apartment..
[8/10 Update] STILL still tryin'!
[8/4 Update] Still tryin'!
Keeping a blog about pop culture is like any chore. You're too lazy to do it, so you let it slip a day, and the next day it's even longer and more tiresome a task, so you let it slip and slip until... well, until a whole damn month passes.
And it doesn't help that I don't have the money to see the films or buy the albums I blog about. But that'll change soon, with any luck.
Here it goes.
MUSIC
Here comes trouble!
Holy shit... they captured Pirate Bay. It's a depressing day for all of us. Had you ever been to the Pirate Bay's "Legal" section? This is... augh. Tragedy.
The Heath Ledger-directed anti-whaling Modest Mouse video is not without its rough edges but is genuinely chilling, and I will stand behind any and all earnest animal rights statements.
Also, Drake's hard knocks (and I include the somewhat meh video as one of those knocks) keep on rolling. His recent leg injury and collapse can't be helping this stress.
Animal Collective is running this shit.
Sondre Lerche continues to be what I like about being alive.
New Kings on October 20th! Good day!
Everybody got in a fuss about the first new Muse single, which I didn't think was bad but was definitely not worth the epic puzzle/game nonsense required for a listen. It's as polemic as Bellamy has always been, and why are people surprised that the new direction is Queen-ish? Anyway, the second new single is kinda better anyway but still waaaaay overstays its welcome.
I'm kinda letting myself get really excited about The Big Pink's upcoming. Accuse single "Dominos" of being Time To Pretend Part II all you want, but there's a warm fullness to their sound that rounds out the catchiness. Also, have you heard "Velvet"? I mean, really? People are (rightfully) praising the Antlers for aiming high, so let's at least share some of that. Ya dig?
I'm really late to this Basement Jaxx party going on, but holy god damn it is a good party. What with Royksopp tearing shit up earlier and still promising another release, it is a good year to like dancing.
Oh TMT, I like the way you think.
The new Raekwon is wiiiiild.
Please Billy Corgan, please let me like you again.
M83 got kinda violent for no good reason. Guys... you're not Morrissey.
Weezer's new songs are only a few degrees separate from the vibe they used to go for, but those few degrees make a shit ton of difference.
Interpol's Paul Banks is pulling a Sasha Fierce.
Goddamn, I thought Drake was going to run away with my "favorite rapper of the year" award, but I just can't get over how ballsy TreaZon has been. He's referenced Dragonball Z, Sailor Moon, and I think Naruto, all in the last few months' worth of tracks. Referencing middle-school anime obsessions in your online leaks? Dude's letting it all hang out.
The indie world is stepping forward to support Chris Knox - including Jeff Mangum!
The new Raveonettes is actually really good.
Also, as far as finding a mixtape to succeed Drake's in terms of addictive listenability, lately the strongest contender has been Nero's new release. He can't work the 90stalgia angle forever, and that's one of the strongest selling points here, but I'm definitely getting used to his flow.
My crush on Bat For Lashes is goin' strong.
David Byrne is to U2 as Jarvis Cocker was to Michael Jackson (but evidently is no longer).
Big Sean needs some work, especially when it comes to swagger, but he's got the whole silky flow, addictive hook business locked down. Oh, and Kanye's hanging out back there or something. This and Day n' Nite as a double-feature? No-brainer. Other illRoots treats include Hova's new single, Cudi's new whatever-it-is-he-releases, and a guy named Gooz.
FILM
John Hughes is dead. Please don't underestimate the significance of those words.
Avatar is getting some wild hype. I have to admit that it's starting to grab me. They definitely owned Comic-Con, and with all the high profile stuff at Comic-Con, for an original plot to take the cake is saying something.
New York, I Love You looks fun.
Harmony Korine's next film is finished.
One of the best things about Austin is the Drafthouse, and, well, case in point.
Bad movies get sequels.
Lots of /Film Comic-Con blurbs. Where The Wild Things Are was dazzling. District 9 is apparently some kind of new religion. Kick-Ass surprised everybody with a gutpunch. Christmas Carol is going to scare you? Alice in Wonderland looks really fun. Secret Ninja Assassin screenings confirmed that the movie will feature blood. (Surprise!) Oh, and Tron Legacy is the movie I have been waiting for all these years.
Spielberg wants to stick some Elites.
Linklater is on his grind. Meanwhile, Duncan Jones is doing well.
Fantastic Mr. Fox doesn't have a great trailer, but I'm not nearly as displeased as everybody else seems to be. Flat, maybe. But not godawful.
I trust /Film, so I look forward to hearing more about Simple Machines.
Langella's joining the new Wall Street. This movie could end up pleasantly surprising me.
Definitely looking forward to Big Fan.
New Moon featuring music from Bon Iver and (gasp!) Thom Yorke? Now hear me out - what if Twilight was kinda the Pablo Honey of the film series? What if New Moon ends up being a The Bends, or even an OK Computer!? Yeah, probably not. Sigh. Oh, and Daft Punk are doing the new Tron, which makes a crapload more sense.
WEIRD
Minneapolis hates music or something. Honestly, as much as I feel for venues that'll buckle without 18+ hybrid shows, I've been offered beers at shows pretty much since I've been going to shows, and I can see the logic behind the potential laws. It's not a clean cut issue, and going all "up in arms" and pulling a Bill O'Reilly-esque "you're declaring war on Christmas!" rantfest is not going to solve an issue that requires a genuine compromise.
Lady Gaga is now confirmed to be a woman. Phew?
WORLD
I don't even know where to begin. Health care change is stuck in the mud and I doubt that any reform will pass. The real unemployment rate (the one including those who've ceased looking for work) is projected at 16.3 percent, which is beyond what I could have imagined. Typhoons pelt Asia while domestic pundits laugh off the global warming crisis. Is this the decline of U.S. dominance globally? What will that mean for my future, and the future of my friends and family? I don't have any other real facts to post in this section, just a large number of questions.
PERSONAL
The "world" section could get transplanted here.
Other things in my life seem normal. I'm working pretty hard to pull a short film together. I'm trying to stay productive. Oh, and the two bands I really want to get into: Sleater-Kinney and A Tribe Called Quest.
2009 FILMS SEEN: 23
2009 SONGS ON MY ITUNES: 969
Current Computer Situation: MacBook Pro, chilling out at the apartment..
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
June 18th through July 6th, 2009 [COMPLETE]
[Final Edit] Damn it, I DECLARE THIS POST COMPLETE! [/Final Edit]
God, what a monster 2009 is. I get busy for a few days and it becomes insurmountable to catch up without spending hours and hours. Time to get back up to speed.
Phew. So much is happening all the time.
MUSIC
Only one thing can top out this section... Michael Jackson is dead.
Kamaal the Abstract is getting released, at last! But as the universe seems to work by karma, Vibe magazine has gone under.
Drake's video got released, and I'm sorta disappointed. Video's like 90% boob shots. Well, we'll let him just keep working and see what he does next.
Oh ho ho! Pitchfork don't care for the new Moby album? When has THAT ever happened before, huh? It always amuses me. Anyway, everybody else thinks it's great.
Mew is one of my favorite music outfits, so it should come as a surprise to nobody that their free MP3, "Repeaterbeater," is basically all I'm listening to.
Jigga's at war.
TMT sobers us with the good-and-bad vinyl sales news. Medium of kings... sounds distinguished.
Jens Lekman caught swine flu, and seems pretty okay.
Damn you, Dirty Projectors, and your tantalizingly good music video! When I get money again, I may just buy thirty copies of your album. Friggin' recession.
Idolator has a cool way of finding new music, and evidently it works.
Poor Crystal Castles. First they get in trouble for something as inconsequential as stealing people's music and calling it their own, and now when they throw equipment at security, they get restrained? It's so unfair! When will the hard knocks stop?
But I'll admit. As much as I loathe Crystal Castles, all of my loathing today goes towards the abomination of Millionaires. No words. Just... no words.
Let's round this out with a good-feelings chaser. Remember that awesome Conan performance with Jamie Foxx and Drake? Now you can have a nice, clean MP3 of the remix, courtesy of illRoots. Also making guest appearances, Kanye and Dream. This is one of the most addictive tracks of 2009.
FILM
Bit of a disaster over at /Film, but they handled it respectfully. It's their integrity in handling these situations - how receptive they are to reader criticism - that elevates them. That, and how they are willing to write potentially unpopular articles about mega-popular films. Oh, and they have kind words for Bruno.
But on the topic of the debacle that is Transformers 2's racism, I was going to "see it anyway," but you know what? Harry at AICN made a pretty passionate case, and while I don't even close to agree with all of his logic (from his anti-PC outlook to bandying about the word "retarded" like he was twelve) I agree that paying to see the movie, especially outside of opening weekend (i.e., helping to give the movie "legs") is not something I intend to do. So fuck it, it'll come out on television someday, and I'll yawn THEN instead. Word up, Knowles.
I'm not sold on Megan Fox, but count me in to see Jennifer's Body anyway.
I'm not usually impressed by viral marketing, but what they're doing for Funny People is damned brilliant. Warning - the link autoplays, and is NSFW off the bat. Also on the subject of funny people, Gervais has a new movie that will make us all pee laughing.
I'm curious about Buried. But not too curious.
The Box looks solid. Pull through, Richard Kelly!
Duncan Jones' new feature is well worth getting excited about, especially after his stellar freshman performance, Moon.
Not gonna lie, Deadgirl looks like a crappy Make-Out With Violence. I'm not saying ripoff because they've both been in underground development for ages, I'm just saying the premise is similar, Make-Out With Violence is exceptional, and Deadgirl looks like crap.
WEIRD
A dead body was found at Bonnaroo.
The Weather Channel says goodbye to smooth jazz and hello to Smiths b-sides.
Brad Pitt + Sumo Wrestler + Department of Eagles = Japanese Commercial.
The Terminator is REAL.
Perez Hilton got punched in the face. I'm honestly surprised that it took this long.
WORLD
Damn it, PETA... just when I was starting to be cool with you, too.
Other that, the situation in Iran is the big issue on my mind.
PERSONAL
I'm living in a new place, I'm without the cash to buy CDs, I'm working on more projects than I care to think about, and god damn if it isn't hard keeping up with popular culture. How's this for my closest summary: The king of pop has died under the reign of a newly (and conveniently) sympathetic media buzz, as the same people who danced on his publicity grave squeeze their eyes as tight as possible to make tears. Meanwhile, revolution rages in Iran, war continues to evolve in Iraq, and there's still a recession, still an environmental crisis, still animal rights abuses the world over, and damn it, still people fighting for something better.
2009 FILMS SEEN: 18
2009 SONGS ON MY ITUNES: 942
Current Computer Situation: MacBook Pro, overworked with all this video editing.
God, what a monster 2009 is. I get busy for a few days and it becomes insurmountable to catch up without spending hours and hours. Time to get back up to speed.
Phew. So much is happening all the time.
MUSIC
Only one thing can top out this section... Michael Jackson is dead.
Kamaal the Abstract is getting released, at last! But as the universe seems to work by karma, Vibe magazine has gone under.
Drake's video got released, and I'm sorta disappointed. Video's like 90% boob shots. Well, we'll let him just keep working and see what he does next.
Oh ho ho! Pitchfork don't care for the new Moby album? When has THAT ever happened before, huh? It always amuses me. Anyway, everybody else thinks it's great.
Mew is one of my favorite music outfits, so it should come as a surprise to nobody that their free MP3, "Repeaterbeater," is basically all I'm listening to.
Jigga's at war.
TMT sobers us with the good-and-bad vinyl sales news. Medium of kings... sounds distinguished.
Jens Lekman caught swine flu, and seems pretty okay.
Damn you, Dirty Projectors, and your tantalizingly good music video! When I get money again, I may just buy thirty copies of your album. Friggin' recession.
Idolator has a cool way of finding new music, and evidently it works.
Poor Crystal Castles. First they get in trouble for something as inconsequential as stealing people's music and calling it their own, and now when they throw equipment at security, they get restrained? It's so unfair! When will the hard knocks stop?
But I'll admit. As much as I loathe Crystal Castles, all of my loathing today goes towards the abomination of Millionaires. No words. Just... no words.
Let's round this out with a good-feelings chaser. Remember that awesome Conan performance with Jamie Foxx and Drake? Now you can have a nice, clean MP3 of the remix, courtesy of illRoots. Also making guest appearances, Kanye and Dream. This is one of the most addictive tracks of 2009.
FILM
Bit of a disaster over at /Film, but they handled it respectfully. It's their integrity in handling these situations - how receptive they are to reader criticism - that elevates them. That, and how they are willing to write potentially unpopular articles about mega-popular films. Oh, and they have kind words for Bruno.
But on the topic of the debacle that is Transformers 2's racism, I was going to "see it anyway," but you know what? Harry at AICN made a pretty passionate case, and while I don't even close to agree with all of his logic (from his anti-PC outlook to bandying about the word "retarded" like he was twelve) I agree that paying to see the movie, especially outside of opening weekend (i.e., helping to give the movie "legs") is not something I intend to do. So fuck it, it'll come out on television someday, and I'll yawn THEN instead. Word up, Knowles.
I'm not sold on Megan Fox, but count me in to see Jennifer's Body anyway.
I'm not usually impressed by viral marketing, but what they're doing for Funny People is damned brilliant. Warning - the link autoplays, and is NSFW off the bat. Also on the subject of funny people, Gervais has a new movie that will make us all pee laughing.
I'm curious about Buried. But not too curious.
The Box looks solid. Pull through, Richard Kelly!
Duncan Jones' new feature is well worth getting excited about, especially after his stellar freshman performance, Moon.
Not gonna lie, Deadgirl looks like a crappy Make-Out With Violence. I'm not saying ripoff because they've both been in underground development for ages, I'm just saying the premise is similar, Make-Out With Violence is exceptional, and Deadgirl looks like crap.
WEIRD
A dead body was found at Bonnaroo.
The Weather Channel says goodbye to smooth jazz and hello to Smiths b-sides.
Brad Pitt + Sumo Wrestler + Department of Eagles = Japanese Commercial.
The Terminator is REAL.
Perez Hilton got punched in the face. I'm honestly surprised that it took this long.
WORLD
Damn it, PETA... just when I was starting to be cool with you, too.
Other that, the situation in Iran is the big issue on my mind.
PERSONAL
I'm living in a new place, I'm without the cash to buy CDs, I'm working on more projects than I care to think about, and god damn if it isn't hard keeping up with popular culture. How's this for my closest summary: The king of pop has died under the reign of a newly (and conveniently) sympathetic media buzz, as the same people who danced on his publicity grave squeeze their eyes as tight as possible to make tears. Meanwhile, revolution rages in Iran, war continues to evolve in Iraq, and there's still a recession, still an environmental crisis, still animal rights abuses the world over, and damn it, still people fighting for something better.
2009 FILMS SEEN: 18
2009 SONGS ON MY ITUNES: 942
Current Computer Situation: MacBook Pro, overworked with all this video editing.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
June 16th and 17th, 2009
MUSIC
Biggest news by far? The Very Best have finally announced an album! I've been waiting for this announcement since their mixtape dropped. Gonna be awesome!
Mos Def's new album is also somehow a t-shirt. Hey man. It's 2009.
Discodust is back! I hadn't checked enough to realize they were even gone, but they're back. And sure, I downloaded some of the Marina and the Diamonds tracks, but... my problem is, this is appealing and a fun listen, but aside from the solid remixes it's ground Spektor covered already, ages ago, which makes it incredible non-essential listening. Seriously Discodust, more cascading epic synths, please!
DiS seems arbitrarily skeptical and confused about a really rad project, deaf people using sign language to perform Joy Division. Seriously DiS, what's with the mindset you're spouting?
I enjoy this Tu Phace mp3.
FILM
Bruno is becoming a bit of a big old cultural moment. Also from /Film, Trek 2 inklings and a glimpse at some Aronofsky news.
There's a domestic trailer for Thirst! Definitely hyping the gross-out and horror elements. Oh, bottomlines...
WEIRD
DOUBLE TREE! It is what it sounds like.
WORLD
The Iran situation grows more and more complicated.
PERSONAL
So, this recession... right?
I wasn't even giving it much thought two months ago. Now I'm in Austin, trying to find a job, with a tight budget, and that's become the biggest impact on my culture at this point... I can't really afford to be going to the Drafthouse or buying new CDs 'til I get a job. But I have some good albums to be listening to from the year thus far, and hey, summer blockbusters have never been my exhileration. Maybe the enduring themes of this year won't be about media, but about everything else in my life? Who knows.
2009 FILMS SEEN: 18
2009 SONGS ON MY ITUNES: A ways over 900 with a few albums to import
Current Computer Situation: MacBook Pro, tired of Google maps and the Capital Metro bus planner page.
Biggest news by far? The Very Best have finally announced an album! I've been waiting for this announcement since their mixtape dropped. Gonna be awesome!
Mos Def's new album is also somehow a t-shirt. Hey man. It's 2009.
Discodust is back! I hadn't checked enough to realize they were even gone, but they're back. And sure, I downloaded some of the Marina and the Diamonds tracks, but... my problem is, this is appealing and a fun listen, but aside from the solid remixes it's ground Spektor covered already, ages ago, which makes it incredible non-essential listening. Seriously Discodust, more cascading epic synths, please!
DiS seems arbitrarily skeptical and confused about a really rad project, deaf people using sign language to perform Joy Division. Seriously DiS, what's with the mindset you're spouting?
I enjoy this Tu Phace mp3.
FILM
Bruno is becoming a bit of a big old cultural moment. Also from /Film, Trek 2 inklings and a glimpse at some Aronofsky news.
There's a domestic trailer for Thirst! Definitely hyping the gross-out and horror elements. Oh, bottomlines...
WEIRD
DOUBLE TREE! It is what it sounds like.
WORLD
The Iran situation grows more and more complicated.
PERSONAL
So, this recession... right?
I wasn't even giving it much thought two months ago. Now I'm in Austin, trying to find a job, with a tight budget, and that's become the biggest impact on my culture at this point... I can't really afford to be going to the Drafthouse or buying new CDs 'til I get a job. But I have some good albums to be listening to from the year thus far, and hey, summer blockbusters have never been my exhileration. Maybe the enduring themes of this year won't be about media, but about everything else in my life? Who knows.
2009 FILMS SEEN: 18
2009 SONGS ON MY ITUNES: A ways over 900 with a few albums to import
Current Computer Situation: MacBook Pro, tired of Google maps and the Capital Metro bus planner page.
Monday, June 15, 2009
June 15th, 2009, and a little bit from the week prior
Ah god let's do this thing.
MUSIC
Last time I was in my local record store for my two CDs, I thought of grabbing Mos Def's new one and the new Dirty Projectors one as well, but figured I'd wait to see what critics said before shelling out cash. (I hadn't had internet in a while) Well, egg on my face.
Anyway. It's been really hard to keep up with all this stuff because my new internet is a little on the slow side, but I managed to squeeze a few gems via illRoots through my bandwidth. Notably, Fabolous has dropped a cool new track. I had to search a little for the new Cudi single, Mr. Solo Dolo, but yeah, it was worth it. Oh, and Drake is having a big year; teaming with Jamie Foxx and getting his video shot by Kanye? Damn. But the biggest news? NEW JAY-Z, and he's at war with autotune, ringtones, and maybe also singalongs. Damn jigga, where's the love?
Blur are doing things again!
Micachu's new mixtape kind of scares me. That's a good thing. It also features perhaps the most unexpected Ne-Yo cover in maybe ever.
I am jonesing for the new BLK JKS album, pretty hardcore.
The new Animal Collective video is pretty odd... surprise! God I'm glad I saw them live. What an experience!
Charles Hamilton is just getting into a bigger and bigger mess, all the time.
FILM
Sad truths about George Lucas, damn.
Live-action Akira is dead. Mixed feelings there, because the movie woulda been wildly inferior, but could have brought attention to the fantastic original. Also at AICN, they love Moon (duh!) and hate on Eddie Murphy. (huh?)
Shutter Island looks really, really good. Kinda wanna see Creation too. And I am going to cry for the entire time The Time Traveller's Wife is being projected on the screen, I just know it.
I really need to see The Hangover before I see The Hangover 2.
Food Inc., looks pretty vital.
WEIRD
The Jonas Brothers roped Common into this travesty.
WORLD
The big news of the week is the scandal surrounding Iran's allegedly rigged elections.
PERSONAL
I'm enjoying the new apartment, but my refrigerator is disturbingly clear.
2009 FILMS SEEN: 18
2009 SONGS ON MY ITUNES: A ways over 900 with a few albums to import
Current Computer Situation: MacBook Pro, relaxing in the new room, annoyed that it didn't get to go on the plane earlier this summer.
MUSIC
Last time I was in my local record store for my two CDs, I thought of grabbing Mos Def's new one and the new Dirty Projectors one as well, but figured I'd wait to see what critics said before shelling out cash. (I hadn't had internet in a while) Well, egg on my face.
Anyway. It's been really hard to keep up with all this stuff because my new internet is a little on the slow side, but I managed to squeeze a few gems via illRoots through my bandwidth. Notably, Fabolous has dropped a cool new track. I had to search a little for the new Cudi single, Mr. Solo Dolo, but yeah, it was worth it. Oh, and Drake is having a big year; teaming with Jamie Foxx and getting his video shot by Kanye? Damn. But the biggest news? NEW JAY-Z, and he's at war with autotune, ringtones, and maybe also singalongs. Damn jigga, where's the love?
Blur are doing things again!
Micachu's new mixtape kind of scares me. That's a good thing. It also features perhaps the most unexpected Ne-Yo cover in maybe ever.
I am jonesing for the new BLK JKS album, pretty hardcore.
The new Animal Collective video is pretty odd... surprise! God I'm glad I saw them live. What an experience!
Charles Hamilton is just getting into a bigger and bigger mess, all the time.
FILM
Sad truths about George Lucas, damn.
Live-action Akira is dead. Mixed feelings there, because the movie woulda been wildly inferior, but could have brought attention to the fantastic original. Also at AICN, they love Moon (duh!) and hate on Eddie Murphy. (huh?)
Shutter Island looks really, really good. Kinda wanna see Creation too. And I am going to cry for the entire time The Time Traveller's Wife is being projected on the screen, I just know it.
I really need to see The Hangover before I see The Hangover 2.
Food Inc., looks pretty vital.
WEIRD
The Jonas Brothers roped Common into this travesty.
WORLD
The big news of the week is the scandal surrounding Iran's allegedly rigged elections.
PERSONAL
I'm enjoying the new apartment, but my refrigerator is disturbingly clear.
2009 FILMS SEEN: 18
2009 SONGS ON MY ITUNES: A ways over 900 with a few albums to import
Current Computer Situation: MacBook Pro, relaxing in the new room, annoyed that it didn't get to go on the plane earlier this summer.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
April and May, 2009: While I was out...
POST COMPLETE!
Well, it's not perfect. But it's as good as it'll be. And I need to catch back up.
Okay, so I left off... April 12th? Really? Dear god. I've missed goddamn pirates and pig diseases... are you kidding me? Okay, 2009, let's get back up to speed.
MUSIC: REVIEWS
I've bought a bunch of albums since mid-April. Quick reviews:
DOOM, Born Like This: Don't get me wrong, there's quality on this album. But from one of the most awkwardly homophobic songs of 2009 ("Batty Boyz") to the flimsy duration (the 40-odd minutes feel like a ten), half of which is basically samples of old cartoons... The good moments here (and there are some) are buried very, very deep. Maybe I just don't get it.
Junior Boys, Begone Dull Care: I don't know why basically no reviewers have called this album what it is. It's a straight-up soul seduction album. It's smooth, achingly romantic, and backed with a vaguely slutty kick. These aren't selling points exactly, but they're reference points handled deftly by Junior Boys; the production is almost neurotically detailed, and by combing some appealing and catchy first-listen highlights with some satisfying nuances that reward repeated listens, the album's a formidable one-two punch.
Bat For Lashes, Two Suns: "Daniel" sucked me into the Bat For Lashes goth-pop musical whirlpool, and I really love it here. It's not all as immediately addictive as "Daniel," but everything is thoughtfully textured and intricately gorgeous. This is an album that's really worth spending time with.
Micachu, Jewellery: This album knocked me flat. The track I'd already heard ("Calculator") was a little weird, sure, but it's really the most straightforward pop song Micachu provides. The bizarre, arch compositions here are really refreshing and invigorating, and the tricks don't grow old; you find yourself singing along to some mildly questionable lyrics, which is really kind of cool.
Camera Obscura, My Maudlin Career: Maybe I'm in the wrong state of mind, but after three tracks of the exact same sounds repeated ad infinatum, this got pretty grating. Which isn't to say it's bad; it's actually a really solid album. It's just something that rubs me the wrong way, for whatever reason. Maybe this will change.
Wavves, Wavvves: I really dig this album. I mean, sure, it's about 50% solid songcraft and 50% noodling, but the noodling is oddly pleasurable and the solid songcraft really connects.
The Thermals, Now We Can See: This album is probably the most accessible thing I've purchased, musically, in 2009. The chords are strong, the vocals are at the top of the mix, the hooks are catchy... a lot of fun.
I also bought Dan Deacon's album; initial reactions include "HOLY SHIT WHAT" and "WAIT WOAH AWESOME" but I'm going to give it more time before I say anything definite.
Okay, so that's where I've put my musical dollars. I've also been listening to TreaZon's mixtape, Drake's mixtape, the soundtrack to Make-Out With Violence (still my favorite film of 2009, somebody please distribute this so I can share it with friends?) and a lot of chiptunes. But now, on to some musical news...
MUSIC: NEWS
These are arranged in order of significance, and/or awesomeness.
Cuban Linx II is coming out for real! Radiohead is recording a new album! Kudi is finally releasing an album! This is all such great news, but music is on the karma payment plan, so... oh. The Lucksmiths broke up. Damn.
Muse named their new album.
My sister turned me on to Idolator, and I'm digging it. They, like me, think the new Mew song is rad. Maybe a little too angular and maybe a little confusingly mixed, sure, but when it takes off it has a wicked groove. Which got me on a Mew kick, and damn, that voice is one of the best things on the planet Earth.
Drake's coming out with a video for one of my favorite tracks off So Far Gone, "Best I Ever Had." Those orchestra hits in the beginning are like cocaine. Ear cocaine. My ears are high as shit. Anyway, the video's going to be about the ladies.
Also vindicating its absurdly high playcount, "Make Her Say" (formerly "I Poke Her Face") is Cudi's next single. Good call. For fun, check out the illroots comments; evidently, if your song leaked over a month ago and you're waiting for more than a month to release your album, you are a fool.
Oh, and R. City is fresh. Find that tape.
I'm going to announce it here, once and for all: Coldplay ripped off MY song! (Shh, it doesn't matter that they clearly didn't, jump onboard!)
M.I.A. is all up in the news.
All Camel did was use popular indie musicians, against their will, to sell addictive death sticks. Now the poor guys are getting sued to hell.
Sufjan Stevens wrote a simple one-off song about Sofia Coppola years ago. And it's still kick-ass.
It's kind of weird to say there's a new J Dilla album coming out, but it's weird in the raddest possible way.
So I was okay with Asher Roth at first, because a lot of respectable folks endorsed him, and I was down for some lazy, goof-off hip hop. But uh... nah. No. No way.
Swine flu reared its ugly, fictional head and prevented a rad tour from going down.
David Letterman became an indie venue somehow. Honestly, this is just an excuse to post a Bat For Lashes video, and to feed my raging, out-of-control crush on Natasha Khan.
Grizzly Bear's new video is like an uncanny alley manifesto. Watch at your own risk.
Flaming Lips vs. Arcade Fire... ish.
Crystal Castles were involved in another controversial catastrophe. Surprise! (Note: There's a lot of loathing in the chiptune community directed towards Crystal Castles. I side with the chiptune musicians, considering, y'know, Crystal Castles plagiarized them in "practice" songs and stuff.)
Okay, that's not the most diverse set of blogs, but I think I covered everything major. Phew, it's time for some film stuff.
FILM REVIEWS
Star Trek
I saw this movie three times total; once in a preview IMAX screening hosted by Harry Knowles, then on opening night at the Drafthouse, and then with my father. I loved it each time. I'm a fan of pretty much anything Abrams touches these days, and he really balanced everything so well in Trek that you forget how sensitive a property it is, and how intense that burden of pop culture is. There are a lot of genuinely breathtaking moments, and there's a lot of fun hijinx to throw wrenches in the way of the Enterprise. The actors are well cast, the story is self-contained enough to be fun but has enough room to breathe... Honestly, even while watching movies I love, I often end up wondering eventually when they're going to end, and it's a feat when I'm wrapped up enough in the brisk pacing not to notice that two hours have gone by. It's just... really good.
Up
I cried, and I am not ashamed of myself for it. The opening sequence covers a lot of ground in that very Pixar way, that say-a-lot-with-a-little precision that makes their films universal. And lately, it's been utilized to cover more treacherous ground than childhood fantasy, which is impressive. This particular outing, though, really hits home. It's mature in its sensibilities; we are spending a good deal of time with an elderly man and his confrontations with nostalgia and death. But there's jokes too. It works. And Up makes its point: dreams are vital, but letting go of them when the time is right, that's vital too. I mean, people, this is a movie distributed by Disney; challenging the power of dreams even slightly is a big deal. End of the day, the movie is poignant, beautiful, and solidly accessible. It's the kind of movie I want to raise my kids on when I've got some of my own.
FILM NEWS
Same order as before... all things in order of badassness.
Cannes went down! Lars Von Trier freaked people out. Tarantino divided everybody's opinions. The best news of all? Chan Wook-Park made a huge bloody splash with Thirst (duh!) and now the movie has been picked up for release at the end of this July! Awesome!
District 9 looks incredible.
I'm very hesitant to jump onboard for Avatar. Lots of cool stuff coming out in a slow trickle, sure, but the marketing suggests that this film is the big new incredible thing and that's always cause for a little suspicion.
This micro-short Last Day Dream is fantastic. Give it some of your time!
Duncan Jones, who blew me away with Moon, is getting a new project underway about WWII.
My skepticism of Thor keeps getting peeled back. I love Hiddleston from Wallander (which really deserves your attention as well) and the casting is solid so far. Damn you, Branagh! Getting my hopes up!
I'm very excited for The Road, but this trailer seems to mishandle the themes I understand the movie to deal with. In a similar vein, The Book of Eli looks pretty solid too.
Mr. Nobody looks pretty great.
Nine wasn't even on my radar, but now I'm really intrigued.
Emile Hirsch and some other people are working on a Hamlet adaptation.
Robot Chicken writer tackles one of the most sacred films of all time... Short Circuit.
Stretch Armstrong really is happening, unfortunately.
NEWS
Oh god we are all so screwed ahhhhhhh
WEIRD
The Hipster Grifter is our new folk hero? Are you goddamn kidding me?
Billy Corgan falls further down a Citizen Kane-style black hole of self-involved misery.
Charles Hamilton got punched in the face.
Gooby is frightening. And maybe also is Satan. But the bigger story here is that this is the ultimate lesson in how to make bad trailers.
Nobody - NOBODY - messes with Dolph Lundgren.
Publicity stunts aside, my favorite part of this MTV controversy is Quinto's bemusement.
Andy Samberg is known for odd and awesome cameos, but a JJ Abrams keyboard solo? I feel like it's too early for Christmas...
Elderly people don't like new music. That's not a surprise. They run a vlog about it. That's a glorious, hilarious surprise. Also vlogging about indie music, Brian Williams and Russ Feingold. Honestly? Real talk? They both pull it off.
The drummer from the Shins runs a taco cart now.
PERSONAL
Okay, I've been inconsistent at blogging. But it's not like I've been experiencing so much 2009, so much culture, and stowing it away in hiding. The truth is, my life went through a series of big reshuffles and I frankly didn't have time to consume much more culture than Scrubs reruns and the Stewart/Colbert block. (Neither of which I am knocking, both of which I love) I went from finals week to crashing at my family house in San Antonio to lots of transit to living in a new apartment in Austin, all within about a month.
But I'm back.
Well, it's not perfect. But it's as good as it'll be. And I need to catch back up.
Okay, so I left off... April 12th? Really? Dear god. I've missed goddamn pirates and pig diseases... are you kidding me? Okay, 2009, let's get back up to speed.
MUSIC: REVIEWS
I've bought a bunch of albums since mid-April. Quick reviews:
DOOM, Born Like This: Don't get me wrong, there's quality on this album. But from one of the most awkwardly homophobic songs of 2009 ("Batty Boyz") to the flimsy duration (the 40-odd minutes feel like a ten), half of which is basically samples of old cartoons... The good moments here (and there are some) are buried very, very deep. Maybe I just don't get it.
Junior Boys, Begone Dull Care: I don't know why basically no reviewers have called this album what it is. It's a straight-up soul seduction album. It's smooth, achingly romantic, and backed with a vaguely slutty kick. These aren't selling points exactly, but they're reference points handled deftly by Junior Boys; the production is almost neurotically detailed, and by combing some appealing and catchy first-listen highlights with some satisfying nuances that reward repeated listens, the album's a formidable one-two punch.
Bat For Lashes, Two Suns: "Daniel" sucked me into the Bat For Lashes goth-pop musical whirlpool, and I really love it here. It's not all as immediately addictive as "Daniel," but everything is thoughtfully textured and intricately gorgeous. This is an album that's really worth spending time with.
Micachu, Jewellery: This album knocked me flat. The track I'd already heard ("Calculator") was a little weird, sure, but it's really the most straightforward pop song Micachu provides. The bizarre, arch compositions here are really refreshing and invigorating, and the tricks don't grow old; you find yourself singing along to some mildly questionable lyrics, which is really kind of cool.
Camera Obscura, My Maudlin Career: Maybe I'm in the wrong state of mind, but after three tracks of the exact same sounds repeated ad infinatum, this got pretty grating. Which isn't to say it's bad; it's actually a really solid album. It's just something that rubs me the wrong way, for whatever reason. Maybe this will change.
Wavves, Wavvves: I really dig this album. I mean, sure, it's about 50% solid songcraft and 50% noodling, but the noodling is oddly pleasurable and the solid songcraft really connects.
The Thermals, Now We Can See: This album is probably the most accessible thing I've purchased, musically, in 2009. The chords are strong, the vocals are at the top of the mix, the hooks are catchy... a lot of fun.
I also bought Dan Deacon's album; initial reactions include "HOLY SHIT WHAT" and "WAIT WOAH AWESOME" but I'm going to give it more time before I say anything definite.
Okay, so that's where I've put my musical dollars. I've also been listening to TreaZon's mixtape, Drake's mixtape, the soundtrack to Make-Out With Violence (still my favorite film of 2009, somebody please distribute this so I can share it with friends?) and a lot of chiptunes. But now, on to some musical news...
MUSIC: NEWS
These are arranged in order of significance, and/or awesomeness.
Cuban Linx II is coming out for real! Radiohead is recording a new album! Kudi is finally releasing an album! This is all such great news, but music is on the karma payment plan, so... oh. The Lucksmiths broke up. Damn.
Muse named their new album.
My sister turned me on to Idolator, and I'm digging it. They, like me, think the new Mew song is rad. Maybe a little too angular and maybe a little confusingly mixed, sure, but when it takes off it has a wicked groove. Which got me on a Mew kick, and damn, that voice is one of the best things on the planet Earth.
Drake's coming out with a video for one of my favorite tracks off So Far Gone, "Best I Ever Had." Those orchestra hits in the beginning are like cocaine. Ear cocaine. My ears are high as shit. Anyway, the video's going to be about the ladies.
Also vindicating its absurdly high playcount, "Make Her Say" (formerly "I Poke Her Face") is Cudi's next single. Good call. For fun, check out the illroots comments; evidently, if your song leaked over a month ago and you're waiting for more than a month to release your album, you are a fool.
Oh, and R. City is fresh. Find that tape.
I'm going to announce it here, once and for all: Coldplay ripped off MY song! (Shh, it doesn't matter that they clearly didn't, jump onboard!)
M.I.A. is all up in the news.
All Camel did was use popular indie musicians, against their will, to sell addictive death sticks. Now the poor guys are getting sued to hell.
Sufjan Stevens wrote a simple one-off song about Sofia Coppola years ago. And it's still kick-ass.
It's kind of weird to say there's a new J Dilla album coming out, but it's weird in the raddest possible way.
So I was okay with Asher Roth at first, because a lot of respectable folks endorsed him, and I was down for some lazy, goof-off hip hop. But uh... nah. No. No way.
Swine flu reared its ugly, fictional head and prevented a rad tour from going down.
David Letterman became an indie venue somehow. Honestly, this is just an excuse to post a Bat For Lashes video, and to feed my raging, out-of-control crush on Natasha Khan.
Grizzly Bear's new video is like an uncanny alley manifesto. Watch at your own risk.
Flaming Lips vs. Arcade Fire... ish.
Crystal Castles were involved in another controversial catastrophe. Surprise! (Note: There's a lot of loathing in the chiptune community directed towards Crystal Castles. I side with the chiptune musicians, considering, y'know, Crystal Castles plagiarized them in "practice" songs and stuff.)
Okay, that's not the most diverse set of blogs, but I think I covered everything major. Phew, it's time for some film stuff.
FILM REVIEWS
Star Trek
I saw this movie three times total; once in a preview IMAX screening hosted by Harry Knowles, then on opening night at the Drafthouse, and then with my father. I loved it each time. I'm a fan of pretty much anything Abrams touches these days, and he really balanced everything so well in Trek that you forget how sensitive a property it is, and how intense that burden of pop culture is. There are a lot of genuinely breathtaking moments, and there's a lot of fun hijinx to throw wrenches in the way of the Enterprise. The actors are well cast, the story is self-contained enough to be fun but has enough room to breathe... Honestly, even while watching movies I love, I often end up wondering eventually when they're going to end, and it's a feat when I'm wrapped up enough in the brisk pacing not to notice that two hours have gone by. It's just... really good.
Up
I cried, and I am not ashamed of myself for it. The opening sequence covers a lot of ground in that very Pixar way, that say-a-lot-with-a-little precision that makes their films universal. And lately, it's been utilized to cover more treacherous ground than childhood fantasy, which is impressive. This particular outing, though, really hits home. It's mature in its sensibilities; we are spending a good deal of time with an elderly man and his confrontations with nostalgia and death. But there's jokes too. It works. And Up makes its point: dreams are vital, but letting go of them when the time is right, that's vital too. I mean, people, this is a movie distributed by Disney; challenging the power of dreams even slightly is a big deal. End of the day, the movie is poignant, beautiful, and solidly accessible. It's the kind of movie I want to raise my kids on when I've got some of my own.
FILM NEWS
Same order as before... all things in order of badassness.
Cannes went down! Lars Von Trier freaked people out. Tarantino divided everybody's opinions. The best news of all? Chan Wook-Park made a huge bloody splash with Thirst (duh!) and now the movie has been picked up for release at the end of this July! Awesome!
District 9 looks incredible.
I'm very hesitant to jump onboard for Avatar. Lots of cool stuff coming out in a slow trickle, sure, but the marketing suggests that this film is the big new incredible thing and that's always cause for a little suspicion.
This micro-short Last Day Dream is fantastic. Give it some of your time!
Duncan Jones, who blew me away with Moon, is getting a new project underway about WWII.
My skepticism of Thor keeps getting peeled back. I love Hiddleston from Wallander (which really deserves your attention as well) and the casting is solid so far. Damn you, Branagh! Getting my hopes up!
I'm very excited for The Road, but this trailer seems to mishandle the themes I understand the movie to deal with. In a similar vein, The Book of Eli looks pretty solid too.
Mr. Nobody looks pretty great.
Nine wasn't even on my radar, but now I'm really intrigued.
Emile Hirsch and some other people are working on a Hamlet adaptation.
Robot Chicken writer tackles one of the most sacred films of all time... Short Circuit.
Stretch Armstrong really is happening, unfortunately.
NEWS
Oh god we are all so screwed ahhhhhhh
WEIRD
The Hipster Grifter is our new folk hero? Are you goddamn kidding me?
Billy Corgan falls further down a Citizen Kane-style black hole of self-involved misery.
Charles Hamilton got punched in the face.
Gooby is frightening. And maybe also is Satan. But the bigger story here is that this is the ultimate lesson in how to make bad trailers.
Nobody - NOBODY - messes with Dolph Lundgren.
Publicity stunts aside, my favorite part of this MTV controversy is Quinto's bemusement.
Andy Samberg is known for odd and awesome cameos, but a JJ Abrams keyboard solo? I feel like it's too early for Christmas...
Elderly people don't like new music. That's not a surprise. They run a vlog about it. That's a glorious, hilarious surprise. Also vlogging about indie music, Brian Williams and Russ Feingold. Honestly? Real talk? They both pull it off.
The drummer from the Shins runs a taco cart now.
PERSONAL
Okay, I've been inconsistent at blogging. But it's not like I've been experiencing so much 2009, so much culture, and stowing it away in hiding. The truth is, my life went through a series of big reshuffles and I frankly didn't have time to consume much more culture than Scrubs reruns and the Stewart/Colbert block. (Neither of which I am knocking, both of which I love) I went from finals week to crashing at my family house in San Antonio to lots of transit to living in a new apartment in Austin, all within about a month.
But I'm back.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Want a comeback?
It's coming.
Massive post sometime after a week. I've still been following this damn year, and I've still got some things to say.
If you're wondering where I've been, go to college, enroll in film classes, and see how the last month of YOUR first year treats you.
Massive post sometime after a week. I've still been following this damn year, and I've still got some things to say.
If you're wondering where I've been, go to college, enroll in film classes, and see how the last month of YOUR first year treats you.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
As for this week...
Got some ground to cover, but it may have to wait. School has me busy to the 1000th degree, and I am working out a technical error (my Firefox won't ctrl+save files anymore) so I may need to procrastinate updating a little more.
One thing to note: Anybody else find it a little ironically accurate that Pitchfork named decade-old Radiohead albums as their "Best New Music"?
One thing to note: Anybody else find it a little ironically accurate that Pitchfork named decade-old Radiohead albums as their "Best New Music"?
Sunday, April 12, 2009
April 12th, 2009
This blog post courtesy of the road between San Antonio and Austin, with special thanks to patient, automotively inclined fathers.
Peter Bjorn and John, Living Thing
Am I the only one on board for calling Peter Bjorn & John this generation's Dream Academy? Yeah, that's a weird assertion, I'm aware. I may be the only person who's even thought about Dream Academy in 2009. (Well, except maybe [frontman]) But think about it: very catchy singles deceive fans into disappointment on LPs where weird artistic leanings mask a core melodicism.
Okay, I was born in 1990, so maybe that was just MY experience with Dream Academy. And maybe it's just the accents. But it seems like the same experience we're all getting duped into with PB&J. Their singles are all catchy and melodic, but the albums are thornier, rougher, and dare I say more confusing. Honestly? I wish every band working in popular music was pulling the same trick.
Teaser bits "Nothing to Worry About" and "Lay It Down" were weird, sure - a fact emphasized in the surreal videos for the respective tracks. But they're nowhere near the heights of odd achieved on the album, some of which work perfectly (the smokey organ solo in "Stay This Way") and some of which fall a little short. (The title track seems like a grower, but remains eternally undercooked)
But even the shortcomings are refreshing, because paradoxically, they fall short by setting the sights too high. Post-"Young Folks," PB&J could have cruised along as sweet pop confectioners, or maybe even survived vampirically on licensing from their big hit, like more than a few one-hit-weirdos. (What a poignant observation, given Mix-A-Lot's square-butt McDonalds travesty) Indeed, the path ahead for this trio held no inherent challenges, so the fact that they've put out an album this challenging, unabashedly weird, truly surprising and simultaneously listenable, well, it's something we should all be impressed by.
Röyksopp, Junior
I won't lie: I've already missed two Röyksopp boats. Both of their LPs escaped my high school musicscape. Hence, I'm not coming into this review with the same degree of critical baggage - no questioning of whether [second LP] was a disappointing turn after [first LP]. No fretting about which vocalists do or don't appear. I've got a pretty clean slate, and you know what? I like what I hear.
Powerhouse single "The Girl And The Robot," which justifies the price of admission all its own, is the tale of the shittiest boyfriend ever, belted out over churning electro beats with aching honesty by Robyn, who really steps up to the plate on this one. That will be what draws most people in here, and while some of the rest of the album borders on electrofiller - I'm looking at you, "Silver Cruiser" - there are plenty of highlights. "Royksopp Forever" (where's the umlaut, boys?) skids along on dub beats until its strings reach a fever, at which point a pitch shift takes it all to the next level. Speaking of fevers, Karin Dreijer is a fantastic presence on record, where her patented dark sense of mystery is free to do basically what it did in The Knife - flourish - but with a glossier production to back it up. Lykke Li takes a different tack, getting a bit lost inside the Röyksopp beats rather than taking charge; supplementing instead of dominating.
With vocal skills this good, it's already a strong purchase, but Röyksopp isn't just a duo with good taste in female voice talent. Their beats slide, skip, and pound; their melodies arch and dip into territories at turns glitzy and tragic. Maybe Discodust has just been converting me, but this is solid, solid work. It's a great, addictive little package. Expect the playcount to get disconcertingly astronomical; be wary of your other MP3s getting jealous.
Editorial
To tweet or not to - oh fuck it.
Anyway.
This hubbub over Twitter's value doesn't seem to want to die down. People are still digging in their heels, claiming it's reductive, or foolish, or promotes less thought, or whatever the complaint of the week is. You'd think that after it played a key role in, you know, that election thing we had a few months ago, people would be a little easier on the little guy.
Well, not really a little guy, I guess. Twitter is pretty ubiquitous at this point; it seems like ages past when I was confused by the odd little box popping up alongside my favorite webcomics; now I'm pretty sure everyone from the Dalai Lama to Dick Cheney has participated in "follow fridays," tweeted about their weekend plans, started following a meme account, and rued the technical bumps and glitches along the way.
Everybody except me, that is. That's right: I've just now got one. I wasn't anti-twitter or anything, I just never took the time to start following people and set the whole enterprise up. I've got to say, I like it so far. I follow Aziz Anzari - who wouldn't, after his great Observe and Report Chik-Fil-A quote? And I follow Rob Corddry, whose comedy links and parental insights are oddly rewarding. And I follow the New York Times and Democracy Now, and I follow some friends too, just to keep up with whatever's up.
Like I said, I was never anti-Twitter. I don't understand this backlash against networking. Many of my friends have disavowed Facebook; my roommate even deleted his account. His reasons? "Facebook is inaccurate." He says the profile information on his account was all misleading. I asked him why he didn't just change it. Cue debate.
It's the same with Twitter. Critics say it's all pointless minutia, but it's only pointless if you can't utilize the tech. To wear out a tired cliche, garbage in, garbage out. Twitter is brief, sure, but brevity and idiocy hardly go hand in hand. If a Twitter account you follow just spews pointless trivia, you can, y'know, unfollow it.
It seems like this far out of the 1800's we ought to have figured out the simple lesson: technology isn't inherently anything. Twitter's not inherently trivia, Facebook isn't inherently inaccurate, the internet isn't inherently for pornography and piracy, etc. It's how you use technology that counts, and if you loathe the way it's used, well, you could always do it better yourself.
Oh well, I won't get too pissed. If I need to vent, I can just tweet about this later.
Peter Bjorn and John, Living Thing
Am I the only one on board for calling Peter Bjorn & John this generation's Dream Academy? Yeah, that's a weird assertion, I'm aware. I may be the only person who's even thought about Dream Academy in 2009. (Well, except maybe [frontman]) But think about it: very catchy singles deceive fans into disappointment on LPs where weird artistic leanings mask a core melodicism.
Okay, I was born in 1990, so maybe that was just MY experience with Dream Academy. And maybe it's just the accents. But it seems like the same experience we're all getting duped into with PB&J. Their singles are all catchy and melodic, but the albums are thornier, rougher, and dare I say more confusing. Honestly? I wish every band working in popular music was pulling the same trick.
Teaser bits "Nothing to Worry About" and "Lay It Down" were weird, sure - a fact emphasized in the surreal videos for the respective tracks. But they're nowhere near the heights of odd achieved on the album, some of which work perfectly (the smokey organ solo in "Stay This Way") and some of which fall a little short. (The title track seems like a grower, but remains eternally undercooked)
But even the shortcomings are refreshing, because paradoxically, they fall short by setting the sights too high. Post-"Young Folks," PB&J could have cruised along as sweet pop confectioners, or maybe even survived vampirically on licensing from their big hit, like more than a few one-hit-weirdos. (What a poignant observation, given Mix-A-Lot's square-butt McDonalds travesty) Indeed, the path ahead for this trio held no inherent challenges, so the fact that they've put out an album this challenging, unabashedly weird, truly surprising and simultaneously listenable, well, it's something we should all be impressed by.
Röyksopp, Junior
I won't lie: I've already missed two Röyksopp boats. Both of their LPs escaped my high school musicscape. Hence, I'm not coming into this review with the same degree of critical baggage - no questioning of whether [second LP] was a disappointing turn after [first LP]. No fretting about which vocalists do or don't appear. I've got a pretty clean slate, and you know what? I like what I hear.
Powerhouse single "The Girl And The Robot," which justifies the price of admission all its own, is the tale of the shittiest boyfriend ever, belted out over churning electro beats with aching honesty by Robyn, who really steps up to the plate on this one. That will be what draws most people in here, and while some of the rest of the album borders on electrofiller - I'm looking at you, "Silver Cruiser" - there are plenty of highlights. "Royksopp Forever" (where's the umlaut, boys?) skids along on dub beats until its strings reach a fever, at which point a pitch shift takes it all to the next level. Speaking of fevers, Karin Dreijer is a fantastic presence on record, where her patented dark sense of mystery is free to do basically what it did in The Knife - flourish - but with a glossier production to back it up. Lykke Li takes a different tack, getting a bit lost inside the Röyksopp beats rather than taking charge; supplementing instead of dominating.
With vocal skills this good, it's already a strong purchase, but Röyksopp isn't just a duo with good taste in female voice talent. Their beats slide, skip, and pound; their melodies arch and dip into territories at turns glitzy and tragic. Maybe Discodust has just been converting me, but this is solid, solid work. It's a great, addictive little package. Expect the playcount to get disconcertingly astronomical; be wary of your other MP3s getting jealous.
Editorial
To tweet or not to - oh fuck it.
Anyway.
This hubbub over Twitter's value doesn't seem to want to die down. People are still digging in their heels, claiming it's reductive, or foolish, or promotes less thought, or whatever the complaint of the week is. You'd think that after it played a key role in, you know, that election thing we had a few months ago, people would be a little easier on the little guy.
Well, not really a little guy, I guess. Twitter is pretty ubiquitous at this point; it seems like ages past when I was confused by the odd little box popping up alongside my favorite webcomics; now I'm pretty sure everyone from the Dalai Lama to Dick Cheney has participated in "follow fridays," tweeted about their weekend plans, started following a meme account, and rued the technical bumps and glitches along the way.
Everybody except me, that is. That's right: I've just now got one. I wasn't anti-twitter or anything, I just never took the time to start following people and set the whole enterprise up. I've got to say, I like it so far. I follow Aziz Anzari - who wouldn't, after his great Observe and Report Chik-Fil-A quote? And I follow Rob Corddry, whose comedy links and parental insights are oddly rewarding. And I follow the New York Times and Democracy Now, and I follow some friends too, just to keep up with whatever's up.
Like I said, I was never anti-Twitter. I don't understand this backlash against networking. Many of my friends have disavowed Facebook; my roommate even deleted his account. His reasons? "Facebook is inaccurate." He says the profile information on his account was all misleading. I asked him why he didn't just change it. Cue debate.
It's the same with Twitter. Critics say it's all pointless minutia, but it's only pointless if you can't utilize the tech. To wear out a tired cliche, garbage in, garbage out. Twitter is brief, sure, but brevity and idiocy hardly go hand in hand. If a Twitter account you follow just spews pointless trivia, you can, y'know, unfollow it.
It seems like this far out of the 1800's we ought to have figured out the simple lesson: technology isn't inherently anything. Twitter's not inherently trivia, Facebook isn't inherently inaccurate, the internet isn't inherently for pornography and piracy, etc. It's how you use technology that counts, and if you loathe the way it's used, well, you could always do it better yourself.
Oh well, I won't get too pissed. If I need to vent, I can just tweet about this later.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
April 6th through 11th, 2009
It's pretty difficult to keep up with a year, I'm discovering. I'm already so far behind on so many rad albums and films! Sheesh.
MUSIC
Surprise of the month: Pitchfork gave DOOM an eight. Get your umbrellas; it will be raining fire and sulfur soon; Pitchfork (well, Breihan at least) has been more than unkind to the former MF in the past; it's safe to say we have an apocalypse in our forecast.
Also on Pitchfork, Health's super-rad track got nice words, the Justice-U2 lovechild/hellspawn got suitably kicked in the teeth, they praise the superfun Micachu and the Shapes track, and on the superb new Bat For Lashes single, they make the predictable - but damn accurate - Kate Bush comparison. They also did a sweet little Cobain post. Their linked Paul Anka cover is useful for fans of things that don't make sense and for those who still couldn't figure out the lyrics to "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Oh, and their St. Vincent video gets me all pumped for her upcoming LP.
TMT has sight gags galore. They also report on TicketsNow getting into some deep shit.
DiS has released a playlist of their favorite 40 songs of 09 so far. Maybe I should do something like that? Anyway, a worthy list. They also report on Radiohead vs. the RIAA and adore the promising Horrors.
Been away from Discodust longer than normal. The actual Delphic song is pretty cool, though I'm less wowed by the remix. They hype some rad and worthy Golden Filter remixes. Their CRJ tracks are vintage glory. Oh, and the FM Attack tracks are gorgeous!
FILM
First off, get this while it's there: The Water, a short by BSS's Kevin Drew, starring the ever-wonderful Cillian Murphy. The pacing is *ahem* glacial, but it's lovely nonetheless.
Moon has a trailer! One of my favorites from SXSW, and of the year so far, this trailer should excite moviegoers for this deserving flick.
/Film did my busy work for me while I was out. Highlights working backwards: Scott Pilgrim video blog, stepping up to the plate to defend the kickass Observe and Report, low-budget indie inspiration Hunter Prey's new trailer, and just to make me nervous, a Shadow of the Colossus film. That video game is one of my all-time favorites; screwing up the movie will possibly lead to gray hairs.
Lil Wayne has disappointingly filed an injunction against the documentary about his life.
AICN has a delightful Brothers Bloom trailer, some unkind words for dungheap Dragonball, and a badass new Public Enemies trailer.
WEIRD
Fever Ray on ABC via Pitchfork. It just feels so wrong.
Spike Jonze has a new film coming out. Also, starring Rogen and Samberg, a new Fast/Furious movie.
WORLD
Too much. I'll catch up on this soon.
PERSONAL
I'm in San Antonio suffering a surprise sore throat; time for the hospital tomorrow, whee. Editorial and reviews tomorrow.
2009 FILMS SEEN: 15
2009 SONGS ON MY ITUNES: 649 + two albums I refuse to first-listen while sore-throated
Current Computer Situation: MacBook Pro, hanging out on my old desk.
MUSIC
Surprise of the month: Pitchfork gave DOOM an eight. Get your umbrellas; it will be raining fire and sulfur soon; Pitchfork (well, Breihan at least) has been more than unkind to the former MF in the past; it's safe to say we have an apocalypse in our forecast.
Also on Pitchfork, Health's super-rad track got nice words, the Justice-U2 lovechild/hellspawn got suitably kicked in the teeth, they praise the superfun Micachu and the Shapes track, and on the superb new Bat For Lashes single, they make the predictable - but damn accurate - Kate Bush comparison. They also did a sweet little Cobain post. Their linked Paul Anka cover is useful for fans of things that don't make sense and for those who still couldn't figure out the lyrics to "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Oh, and their St. Vincent video gets me all pumped for her upcoming LP.
TMT has sight gags galore. They also report on TicketsNow getting into some deep shit.
DiS has released a playlist of their favorite 40 songs of 09 so far. Maybe I should do something like that? Anyway, a worthy list. They also report on Radiohead vs. the RIAA and adore the promising Horrors.
Been away from Discodust longer than normal. The actual Delphic song is pretty cool, though I'm less wowed by the remix. They hype some rad and worthy Golden Filter remixes. Their CRJ tracks are vintage glory. Oh, and the FM Attack tracks are gorgeous!
FILM
First off, get this while it's there: The Water, a short by BSS's Kevin Drew, starring the ever-wonderful Cillian Murphy. The pacing is *ahem* glacial, but it's lovely nonetheless.
Moon has a trailer! One of my favorites from SXSW, and of the year so far, this trailer should excite moviegoers for this deserving flick.
/Film did my busy work for me while I was out. Highlights working backwards: Scott Pilgrim video blog, stepping up to the plate to defend the kickass Observe and Report, low-budget indie inspiration Hunter Prey's new trailer, and just to make me nervous, a Shadow of the Colossus film. That video game is one of my all-time favorites; screwing up the movie will possibly lead to gray hairs.
Lil Wayne has disappointingly filed an injunction against the documentary about his life.
AICN has a delightful Brothers Bloom trailer, some unkind words for dungheap Dragonball, and a badass new Public Enemies trailer.
WEIRD
Fever Ray on ABC via Pitchfork. It just feels so wrong.
Spike Jonze has a new film coming out. Also, starring Rogen and Samberg, a new Fast/Furious movie.
WORLD
Too much. I'll catch up on this soon.
PERSONAL
I'm in San Antonio suffering a surprise sore throat; time for the hospital tomorrow, whee. Editorial and reviews tomorrow.
2009 FILMS SEEN: 15
2009 SONGS ON MY ITUNES: 649 + two albums I refuse to first-listen while sore-throated
Current Computer Situation: MacBook Pro, hanging out on my old desk.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Just so you know
There's a reason I've been silent. Several, really - quizzes, exams, essays, film projects, and the occasional hour of sleep. On the weekend I'll try and wrap up the week.
God I love the Röyksopp and PB&J albums.
God I love the Röyksopp and PB&J albums.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
April 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 2009
Man, college doesn't want me to have a blog. Don't even try and hide it, college: essays, projects, film work. You don't care for this blogging enterprise, do you?
Well, too bad for you. Because these last five news days were hella slow, and leant me plenty of room to catch up. (Sigh...)
MUSIC
Pitchfork wins some points for showing The Antlers some love; they're probably going to be on my iTunes soon. The Dougall song hits me in all the right ways, too.
TMT points out that so far, 2009 has been a year without platinum records.
Rich Boy is superdramatic. Also on Fader, the new Trey Songz video is probably the most 2009 thing I've seen all year. Oh, and I really enjoy the new Horrors video; don't be put off by the useless intro: the aesthetic reaches closer to some sort of arthouse snuff film than an "ironic" music video.
God I love illRoots. Kid Cudi ft. Kanye West and Common, CDQ, and damn... damn.
FILM
/Film really brought it while I was out! Working backwards: Vanity fair indulges our collective crush on Tarantino's new project, Inglourious Basterds. Michelle Rodriguez spoils three films at once, including Avatar. Jackie Earle Haley is going to be Freddy Kruger! The trailer for Brüno looks really funny. Also trailering up, The Hangover. There are lots of details concerning casting for Nolan's new film, Inception, and one of my favorite actors - Cillian Murphy - is in talks to join! Magnolia is still being condescending about the Let The Right One In subtitle debacle.
Beware light, light spoilers, but AICN has some audience reactions to Brüno, and they all love it.
IFC rounds up some reviews. Sugar looks GREAT; I hope it arrives here. Apparently, Song of Sparrows is a visual stunner. Same goes for Tulpan. People really dig Adventureland as a coming-of-ager, not a laugh-fest.
WEIRD
Cleverness alert: via BoingBoing, Homer's Odyssey as written on twitter.
Russ Feingold likes Bon Iver.
New Lonely Island video!
WORLD
Democracy Now interiews Tim DeChristopher, a Utah student who posed as a bidder to disrupt an auction selling off land to be drilled for oil. DeChristopher is being charged with two felonies.
They also interview the ever-insightful Noam Chomsky.
SATURDAY EDITORIAL
I checked the Billboard Top 40 today. I don't check it regularly, and in fact, this may have been the first time I've ever checked it; it's not a personal habit. But it was interesting; Flo Rida was at number one, the All-American Rejects at two, and good for them, but damn if I've even mentioned them on this blog before - a blog doing its damnedest to keep up with the year of 2009.
I was making a mix for a friend of 90's music, which is basically a monthly occurrence on this laptop. But this time around I was giving a critical eye to what I put in - Third Eye Blind, Blind Melon, TLC, Alanis Morisette, y'know, those instant nostalgia pieces. But, well, this is hard to phrase: my generation, we were in elementary school through most of the 90s, and our access to "less popular" music was drastically limited. So our 90stalgia is not the 90stalgia of people who liked music in the 1990s, but of people who were learning to color and spell.
That's a challenge for me to wrap my head around, but I'm sure I'm not elucidating this feeling very clearly at all. Let me go for a metaphor. You grow up in City X, from birth until the age of thirteen. City X is, in your memory, the shiniest and nicest place on the planet, where everything is rad. Then at thirteen, you move to City Y, and with a more discerning eye, you note City Y's nuances, oddities, and quirks. But then, when you turn eighteen and take a vacation week in City X, you realize that your memories there were totally backwards and bizarre, which in turn changes the way you feel about City Y.
For me, this decade is defined by acts like Arcade Fire, The Knife, Devendra Banhart, The Decemberists, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Animal Collective, etc. But in ten years, a generation will hear "Dirty Little Secret" or "Shorty Got Low" on the radio and shout, "ahh, that's so 00's!" And me, I'll just feel confused, because both songs are fun, but ancillary to my experiences with the decade.
I guess this realization has challenged a notion of collective experience I have, the notion of a unified pop culture experiencing specific cultural signposts. But maybe decades are composed of separate, distinct subcultures? Or maybe even the smallest groupings are just to help us simplify a hopelessly complicated web of networks, opinions, and experiences.
Or maybe this decade is unique among previous others, specifically in terms of how it can be categorized and remembered? That's a dangerous conceit, and will be far more legitimate if I venture it with half a century's distance, but it's possible. Maybe the rise of the internet, the death of futurism as a unifying concern, and our mutual dissatisfaction with universality has actually given rise to a different intake procedure for media. Or maybe I just know too much about too many fractured subgroups, and I don't have the right perspective to characterize my era.
But that's why, in desperation I visited the Top 40. I thought it might be a refuge, but it was odd. Flo Rida and All-American Rejects hanging out at the top, Pink and Spears lingering in the middle, Kanye West's controversial and very-2008 single somehow grasping on at ten. This is not the top forty I know; these songs don't sound like 2009 to me. But I guess they do, and forever will, to the people who're memorizing their multiplication tables in their attic with the radio on, before they go turn on the Playstation. Wait, no, I guess the Wii?
Man... the 00's.
Week in literal review makes no sense, because this week was a slow news week.
REVIEWS
The Decemberists, The Hazards of Love
Let's get this out there, right off the bat: this is not a new direction for Meloy's rambling band of rastabouts. They've been laying the groundwork for an album like this (that is to say, a sprawling prog-rock opera about shapeshifters and forest queens) since they started plucking strings. Their albums always feature massive narrative set pieces, like pissed-off mariners or wives with feathery secrets. Meloy has simply taken this aesthetic to its most extreme, or rather, purest form. And damn it, on record, it works.
The narrative is better than some possibly confused reviewers (cough) have given it credit for. It's a love story with twists and turns, interesting supporting characters (a raging river included) and a fitting, honest ending. Sonically, it's also really solid; the band uses a blender aesthetic, shifting tones and genres to suit the story's needs. The forest queen is pissed? Lay on the sharp, rocking riffs. A couple recalls a lovely night together? Accordions, strummed country acoustics, and soft vocals. Ghosts are getting their revenge? Children's choir and jarring, percussive strings. People, this is what we call having a wide range.
There's been much ado in reviews about whether or not individual songs stand up. First of all, I'd ask why this matters - what happened, critics, to your desperate concerns about the death of the album artist? It sounds like you're holding the hammer to the coffin's nail on this one. But second, although the songs definitely fit most neatly into their album context, they mostly work like any Decemberists song ever has - self contained scenes with elaborate language, refreshing instrumentation and dramatic sweep. Nothing has truly changed; it's just an evolution.
The album has plenty of badass moments (a particularly fatal agreement with a river, comeuppance for infanticide) and plenty of sonic highlights (any moment belted out by the forest queen, a particular harpsichord melody, and a lovely little interlude) that make it a fantastic piece of music and a high point for the band.
Jeremy Jay, Slow Dance
I can't strictly call this album a grower, but I can ask you to get through your first listen patiently, then go through it again to have a blast. Because the first time through the album, I'll admit, I was thoroughly underwhelmed. It all seemed like a pretentious wreck. But listening a second time, with expectations calibrated, I actually found it really solid.
Take my personal favorite track on Slow Dance, "Gallop." The first time around, it felt simple and forgettable, but the second time around, I picked up a hell of a lot more depth: the way the echoing finger snaps create a deep space within the song, the jangling guitar's faux-drama - it's fun. Titular "Slow Dance" seemed boringly overwrought at first, but now it seems charmingly earnest.
This isn't to say it's a perfect album. The sparse instrumentation sets a specific vibe, but specificity and quality don't always go hand in hand here, and although every song has redeeming elements, there's nothing here to demand that vital second listen, except maybe stellar closer "Where Could We Go Tonight?" Why it's buried at the end, I will never understand. And yeah, sometimes we veer off into the land of the pretentious; Jeremy Jay tends to repeat single words multiple times before shouting "yeah!" on, well, most of the tracks here, and the trick loses its smirking appeal when it becomes too obvious.
But there's emotion and quality on Slow Dance, and if you can make it the end, then run through it all again, it's safe to say you'll be rewarded.
PERSONAL
I have been watching way too much All My Children for my own good. Damn it, David Hayward, you are fucking EVERYBODY'S shit up!
Oh, and try and avoid Röyksopp's "The Girl and The Robot" single, because if you listen to it once, you will end up listening to it literally one hundred times without stopping. Damn you, Robyn!
2009 FILMS SEEN: 15
2009 SONGS ON MY ITUNES: 639
Current Computer Situation: MacBook Pro, getting all emotional.
Well, too bad for you. Because these last five news days were hella slow, and leant me plenty of room to catch up. (Sigh...)
MUSIC
Pitchfork wins some points for showing The Antlers some love; they're probably going to be on my iTunes soon. The Dougall song hits me in all the right ways, too.
TMT points out that so far, 2009 has been a year without platinum records.
Rich Boy is superdramatic. Also on Fader, the new Trey Songz video is probably the most 2009 thing I've seen all year. Oh, and I really enjoy the new Horrors video; don't be put off by the useless intro: the aesthetic reaches closer to some sort of arthouse snuff film than an "ironic" music video.
God I love illRoots. Kid Cudi ft. Kanye West and Common, CDQ, and damn... damn.
FILM
/Film really brought it while I was out! Working backwards: Vanity fair indulges our collective crush on Tarantino's new project, Inglourious Basterds. Michelle Rodriguez spoils three films at once, including Avatar. Jackie Earle Haley is going to be Freddy Kruger! The trailer for Brüno looks really funny. Also trailering up, The Hangover. There are lots of details concerning casting for Nolan's new film, Inception, and one of my favorite actors - Cillian Murphy - is in talks to join! Magnolia is still being condescending about the Let The Right One In subtitle debacle.
Beware light, light spoilers, but AICN has some audience reactions to Brüno, and they all love it.
IFC rounds up some reviews. Sugar looks GREAT; I hope it arrives here. Apparently, Song of Sparrows is a visual stunner. Same goes for Tulpan. People really dig Adventureland as a coming-of-ager, not a laugh-fest.
WEIRD
Cleverness alert: via BoingBoing, Homer's Odyssey as written on twitter.
Russ Feingold likes Bon Iver.
New Lonely Island video!
WORLD
Democracy Now interiews Tim DeChristopher, a Utah student who posed as a bidder to disrupt an auction selling off land to be drilled for oil. DeChristopher is being charged with two felonies.
They also interview the ever-insightful Noam Chomsky.
SATURDAY EDITORIAL
I checked the Billboard Top 40 today. I don't check it regularly, and in fact, this may have been the first time I've ever checked it; it's not a personal habit. But it was interesting; Flo Rida was at number one, the All-American Rejects at two, and good for them, but damn if I've even mentioned them on this blog before - a blog doing its damnedest to keep up with the year of 2009.
I was making a mix for a friend of 90's music, which is basically a monthly occurrence on this laptop. But this time around I was giving a critical eye to what I put in - Third Eye Blind, Blind Melon, TLC, Alanis Morisette, y'know, those instant nostalgia pieces. But, well, this is hard to phrase: my generation, we were in elementary school through most of the 90s, and our access to "less popular" music was drastically limited. So our 90stalgia is not the 90stalgia of people who liked music in the 1990s, but of people who were learning to color and spell.
That's a challenge for me to wrap my head around, but I'm sure I'm not elucidating this feeling very clearly at all. Let me go for a metaphor. You grow up in City X, from birth until the age of thirteen. City X is, in your memory, the shiniest and nicest place on the planet, where everything is rad. Then at thirteen, you move to City Y, and with a more discerning eye, you note City Y's nuances, oddities, and quirks. But then, when you turn eighteen and take a vacation week in City X, you realize that your memories there were totally backwards and bizarre, which in turn changes the way you feel about City Y.
For me, this decade is defined by acts like Arcade Fire, The Knife, Devendra Banhart, The Decemberists, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Animal Collective, etc. But in ten years, a generation will hear "Dirty Little Secret" or "Shorty Got Low" on the radio and shout, "ahh, that's so 00's!" And me, I'll just feel confused, because both songs are fun, but ancillary to my experiences with the decade.
I guess this realization has challenged a notion of collective experience I have, the notion of a unified pop culture experiencing specific cultural signposts. But maybe decades are composed of separate, distinct subcultures? Or maybe even the smallest groupings are just to help us simplify a hopelessly complicated web of networks, opinions, and experiences.
Or maybe this decade is unique among previous others, specifically in terms of how it can be categorized and remembered? That's a dangerous conceit, and will be far more legitimate if I venture it with half a century's distance, but it's possible. Maybe the rise of the internet, the death of futurism as a unifying concern, and our mutual dissatisfaction with universality has actually given rise to a different intake procedure for media. Or maybe I just know too much about too many fractured subgroups, and I don't have the right perspective to characterize my era.
But that's why, in desperation I visited the Top 40. I thought it might be a refuge, but it was odd. Flo Rida and All-American Rejects hanging out at the top, Pink and Spears lingering in the middle, Kanye West's controversial and very-2008 single somehow grasping on at ten. This is not the top forty I know; these songs don't sound like 2009 to me. But I guess they do, and forever will, to the people who're memorizing their multiplication tables in their attic with the radio on, before they go turn on the Playstation. Wait, no, I guess the Wii?
Man... the 00's.
Week in literal review makes no sense, because this week was a slow news week.
REVIEWS
The Decemberists, The Hazards of Love
Let's get this out there, right off the bat: this is not a new direction for Meloy's rambling band of rastabouts. They've been laying the groundwork for an album like this (that is to say, a sprawling prog-rock opera about shapeshifters and forest queens) since they started plucking strings. Their albums always feature massive narrative set pieces, like pissed-off mariners or wives with feathery secrets. Meloy has simply taken this aesthetic to its most extreme, or rather, purest form. And damn it, on record, it works.
The narrative is better than some possibly confused reviewers (cough) have given it credit for. It's a love story with twists and turns, interesting supporting characters (a raging river included) and a fitting, honest ending. Sonically, it's also really solid; the band uses a blender aesthetic, shifting tones and genres to suit the story's needs. The forest queen is pissed? Lay on the sharp, rocking riffs. A couple recalls a lovely night together? Accordions, strummed country acoustics, and soft vocals. Ghosts are getting their revenge? Children's choir and jarring, percussive strings. People, this is what we call having a wide range.
There's been much ado in reviews about whether or not individual songs stand up. First of all, I'd ask why this matters - what happened, critics, to your desperate concerns about the death of the album artist? It sounds like you're holding the hammer to the coffin's nail on this one. But second, although the songs definitely fit most neatly into their album context, they mostly work like any Decemberists song ever has - self contained scenes with elaborate language, refreshing instrumentation and dramatic sweep. Nothing has truly changed; it's just an evolution.
The album has plenty of badass moments (a particularly fatal agreement with a river, comeuppance for infanticide) and plenty of sonic highlights (any moment belted out by the forest queen, a particular harpsichord melody, and a lovely little interlude) that make it a fantastic piece of music and a high point for the band.
Jeremy Jay, Slow Dance
I can't strictly call this album a grower, but I can ask you to get through your first listen patiently, then go through it again to have a blast. Because the first time through the album, I'll admit, I was thoroughly underwhelmed. It all seemed like a pretentious wreck. But listening a second time, with expectations calibrated, I actually found it really solid.
Take my personal favorite track on Slow Dance, "Gallop." The first time around, it felt simple and forgettable, but the second time around, I picked up a hell of a lot more depth: the way the echoing finger snaps create a deep space within the song, the jangling guitar's faux-drama - it's fun. Titular "Slow Dance" seemed boringly overwrought at first, but now it seems charmingly earnest.
This isn't to say it's a perfect album. The sparse instrumentation sets a specific vibe, but specificity and quality don't always go hand in hand here, and although every song has redeeming elements, there's nothing here to demand that vital second listen, except maybe stellar closer "Where Could We Go Tonight?" Why it's buried at the end, I will never understand. And yeah, sometimes we veer off into the land of the pretentious; Jeremy Jay tends to repeat single words multiple times before shouting "yeah!" on, well, most of the tracks here, and the trick loses its smirking appeal when it becomes too obvious.
But there's emotion and quality on Slow Dance, and if you can make it the end, then run through it all again, it's safe to say you'll be rewarded.
PERSONAL
I have been watching way too much All My Children for my own good. Damn it, David Hayward, you are fucking EVERYBODY'S shit up!
Oh, and try and avoid Röyksopp's "The Girl and The Robot" single, because if you listen to it once, you will end up listening to it literally one hundred times without stopping. Damn you, Robyn!
2009 FILMS SEEN: 15
2009 SONGS ON MY ITUNES: 639
Current Computer Situation: MacBook Pro, getting all emotional.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
April 1st, 2037
MUSIC
Pitchfork, oh how ye have fallen. Today they interview the last living members of Los Campesinos!, in a conversation mostly dealing with their mid-20s transition into a blues/folk style. They also have a free day's worth of music, including three new LPs by the newest band to sign to Young Money, an indie pop act from France called Sun Sun Bubble.
Discodust has uploaded a week's worth of music today, most if which is silence-core. It's a genre worth getting into; there's a particular piece of silence (Kimdritz's "Isoscope Majesty") that is really invigorating, possibly a breakout track for the genre.
HipHopDX is still covering hip hop for some reason, despite most established hip hop bands and labels switching over to the metal genre. Speaking of which, Jadakiss's new album "Dragonfire Axemen" (due sometime in the next hour) is supposedly a tribute to Weezy's classic and revered transition from rap to rock. What a great work that was!
FILM
Wes Anderson's political thriller, The Presidential Ark, premieres on Youtube tonight. Starring seasoned vet and skilled thespian Zac Efron, it supposedly reimagines the events directly following President X3R28's powering-on. Soundtrack by the talented Fred Durst.
McG's new nostalgia picture, 2015 is Snopes! is set for a release mid-tomorrow. Look for a cameo by infamously neurotic method actress Miley Cirus, playing herself immediately before marrying Johnny Depp.
Slumdog Millionaire XII comes out on Myspace Video in a few minutes. Reputedly the best in the series since Slumdog Millionaire VIII, this return to form deals with some the epic serial's less prominent characters, like Douglas, who infamously assassinated Lord Xexthon midway through the love-it-or-hate-it departure Slumdog Millionaire X: X is for Xtermination.
WEIRD
It turns out, cloning still isn't perfect: ten percent of all clones fail to attain standard immortality. Bizarre!
WORLD
No news.
PERSONAL
Oh man, I think I took the wrong Emotion today; I've been kind of melancholy. Oh well. I'll take a different Emotion in the morning.
2009 FILMS SEEN: 29828372372
2009 SONGS ON MY ITUNES: 2093290389292872387236273y632
Current Computer Situation: MacBook Internal, sitting comfortably in my cortex.
Pitchfork, oh how ye have fallen. Today they interview the last living members of Los Campesinos!, in a conversation mostly dealing with their mid-20s transition into a blues/folk style. They also have a free day's worth of music, including three new LPs by the newest band to sign to Young Money, an indie pop act from France called Sun Sun Bubble.
Discodust has uploaded a week's worth of music today, most if which is silence-core. It's a genre worth getting into; there's a particular piece of silence (Kimdritz's "Isoscope Majesty") that is really invigorating, possibly a breakout track for the genre.
HipHopDX is still covering hip hop for some reason, despite most established hip hop bands and labels switching over to the metal genre. Speaking of which, Jadakiss's new album "Dragonfire Axemen" (due sometime in the next hour) is supposedly a tribute to Weezy's classic and revered transition from rap to rock. What a great work that was!
FILM
Wes Anderson's political thriller, The Presidential Ark, premieres on Youtube tonight. Starring seasoned vet and skilled thespian Zac Efron, it supposedly reimagines the events directly following President X3R28's powering-on. Soundtrack by the talented Fred Durst.
McG's new nostalgia picture, 2015 is Snopes! is set for a release mid-tomorrow. Look for a cameo by infamously neurotic method actress Miley Cirus, playing herself immediately before marrying Johnny Depp.
Slumdog Millionaire XII comes out on Myspace Video in a few minutes. Reputedly the best in the series since Slumdog Millionaire VIII, this return to form deals with some the epic serial's less prominent characters, like Douglas, who infamously assassinated Lord Xexthon midway through the love-it-or-hate-it departure Slumdog Millionaire X: X is for Xtermination.
WEIRD
It turns out, cloning still isn't perfect: ten percent of all clones fail to attain standard immortality. Bizarre!
WORLD
No news.
PERSONAL
Oh man, I think I took the wrong Emotion today; I've been kind of melancholy. Oh well. I'll take a different Emotion in the morning.
2009 FILMS SEEN: 29828372372
2009 SONGS ON MY ITUNES: 2093290389292872387236273y632
Current Computer Situation: MacBook Internal, sitting comfortably in my cortex.
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