So, I've been watching Rockstar: INXS.
This week is the finale.
Squaring off is J.D., Mig, and Marty.
Notably absent is any female presence.
The token female, "Sweet" Suzie McNeil, who by far possesses the best singing voice of all of the candidates, was eliminated last week. I wonder if the guys in INXS felt they needed to keep a girl around until almost the end. I dunno.
She was the best of the females on the show, but was regularly included in the "bottom three" as voted on by the fans.
"You're just not right for our band, INXS."
Right. Because your die hard fans would never buy your records or see your shows if a woman is fronting your band.
It's pretty ridiculous, but I can't seem to avert my eyes.
As much as I hate to say it, I think J.D. -- the obnoxious dude that could be a cast-off from Third Eye Blind -- is going to win. His song, "Pretty Vacant"... I mean... err... Vegas is such a rip off of like, three different INXS songs all lumped together.
He tries, and succeeds most of the time to channel the late auto-erotic aphixiator.
It's either going to be him, or Mig -- the hardbodied Aussie.
Who, I think probably is the most widely talented and easily molded to fit whatever INXS might want.
His good looks don't hurt him either.
The wild-card is Marty.
He's got a lot of raw talent, but he's certainly not the favorite.
His influences seem to be varied; early in the show he claimed that INXS needed an more of an edge.
"The kids are into harder sounds like System of a Down..."
Yet he goes on to write the trite and goofy, "Trees."
He regretably says, "I wanted to lighten things up."
It's light aright... pure fluff... somewhere in the realm of the Presidents of the USA's, "Lump"
His take on "Don't Change" was good, but I don't think INXS can see this guy as their frontman.
Oh, by the way, I don't even like INXS that much.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Two Sports That I Hold Dear
It usually comes as a surprise to people that I like sports.
Needless to say, I didn't come into liking sports through the tradition of playing little league, pee-wee football, 'Gus-Macker' styled tourneys, or intramural Sports.
In fact, during my adolescence I adamantly shunned sports.
I never felt the desire to play in any of the aforementioned athletics and it was due to neither my physical size and/or lack of coordination and skill. I just didn't "feel it."
Dad and I never really threw the ball around in the backyard, and most of my friends weren't into it either.
Sure, I was a skater, but during my true growth period... that was never a sport... at least that's what the jocks told us.
Honestly, that's what it really came down to -- Jocks.
For the most part, I found them to be mind-numbingly stupid.
All they ever talked about was sports.
Some of them could spout insane amounts of statistics about players and teams. *
They seemingly had no other interests.
Oh wait... they did.... girls.
They got all the girls.
The good looking ones that were cute and had good taste in music, but bad taste in boys. **
There's still a ton of jack-asses that make sports incredibly insane and almost impossible to enjoy.
The guy who dove into the safety net the other night at Yankee's Stadium, the guy who threw a beer on Ron Artest this past season at the Palace... or just go on any internet sports chat room or listen to a call in show.
Somehow I'm beyond that though...
I remember listening to Red Wings games on AM 760 WJR with my father, coming home from Boy Scout Meetings. "Going to bed" and turning my bedside alarm clock down low to catch the third period. The swishing sounds of the skaters on the ice, the hollering between the players, the announcer's voice skyrocketing in octaves as he wails, "He SHOOTS, He SCOOORES!"
Watching as my mom "C'mon!"s and "Oh!"s her way through any sporting event on television.
(Mom, you don't need to emote every time the puck is passed.) [[Although her squeeling with glee as Darren McCarty pummeled Claude Lemieux in retaliation for his check on Kris Draper... that was sweet.]]
I think of the silly characature t-shirts that my brother and I had of Dennis "The Worm" Rodman and John "Spider" Sally during the reign of the Pistons Bad Boy Era.
Anyway.
While the Pistons didn't win the Championship this year.
I'm excited about the new coach and the prospects of an expanded bench, but Hockey is back!
I can't help but be excited.
I once joked about how sports might ruin my marriage some day...
but I don't think that'll happen as Allison gave me permission to order NHL Center Ice for the season.
------------
* While I'm somehow better for being able to tell you who produced what album and it's year of release, and who did the remixes for that mind-blowing third track.
** How do you explain a girl that gives you the Smiths mix tapes, but dates asshole football players?
Needless to say, I didn't come into liking sports through the tradition of playing little league, pee-wee football, 'Gus-Macker' styled tourneys, or intramural Sports.
In fact, during my adolescence I adamantly shunned sports.
I never felt the desire to play in any of the aforementioned athletics and it was due to neither my physical size and/or lack of coordination and skill. I just didn't "feel it."
Dad and I never really threw the ball around in the backyard, and most of my friends weren't into it either.
Sure, I was a skater, but during my true growth period... that was never a sport... at least that's what the jocks told us.
Honestly, that's what it really came down to -- Jocks.
For the most part, I found them to be mind-numbingly stupid.
All they ever talked about was sports.
Some of them could spout insane amounts of statistics about players and teams. *
They seemingly had no other interests.
Oh wait... they did.... girls.
They got all the girls.
The good looking ones that were cute and had good taste in music, but bad taste in boys. **
There's still a ton of jack-asses that make sports incredibly insane and almost impossible to enjoy.
The guy who dove into the safety net the other night at Yankee's Stadium, the guy who threw a beer on Ron Artest this past season at the Palace... or just go on any internet sports chat room or listen to a call in show.
Somehow I'm beyond that though...
I remember listening to Red Wings games on AM 760 WJR with my father, coming home from Boy Scout Meetings. "Going to bed" and turning my bedside alarm clock down low to catch the third period. The swishing sounds of the skaters on the ice, the hollering between the players, the announcer's voice skyrocketing in octaves as he wails, "He SHOOTS, He SCOOORES!"
Watching as my mom "C'mon!"s and "Oh!"s her way through any sporting event on television.
(Mom, you don't need to emote every time the puck is passed.) [[Although her squeeling with glee as Darren McCarty pummeled Claude Lemieux in retaliation for his check on Kris Draper... that was sweet.]]
I think of the silly characature t-shirts that my brother and I had of Dennis "The Worm" Rodman and John "Spider" Sally during the reign of the Pistons Bad Boy Era.
Anyway.
While the Pistons didn't win the Championship this year.
I'm excited about the new coach and the prospects of an expanded bench, but Hockey is back!
I can't help but be excited.
I once joked about how sports might ruin my marriage some day...
but I don't think that'll happen as Allison gave me permission to order NHL Center Ice for the season.
------------
* While I'm somehow better for being able to tell you who produced what album and it's year of release, and who did the remixes for that mind-blowing third track.
** How do you explain a girl that gives you the Smiths mix tapes, but dates asshole football players?
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Making the Band
I remember trying to convince Brooke Rossi that she had what it took to be the front-person for a band...
I don't think it was quite as hard as it has been trying to convince Allison.
Granted, when we lived in Kalamazoo we had started... twice.
The first time was a short lived project that was pretty much doomed from the get go.
The second was doomed as well, as we knew we were going to end up moving to NYC.
Recently though, I've found that it's best to talk about bands and such, when she's had a few drinks. The only problem is that later she claims to not remember having the conversations. So, I figured I should write this down so I don't have to start from scratch again.
She has agreed that she is musically inclined enough to figure out plenty of songs on piano, guitar, and bass.
She is a little timid about her ability to "jam" and also is not really into writing lyrics -- mainly concerned that she's going to give away dark secrets, be too cheesy, or write about things that she might later regret.
She thinks that stage presence is an issue, but feels like her style would be somewhere between Karen O (Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs) and Gwen Stefani.
I strongly agree that she's musically inclined.
Probably more-so than myself, and I think with enough practice she could be really, really good.
As far as "jamming" goes... I have never considered myself a "jammer."
In the past, it usually worked in the sense that I would figure out a complete song built around a bass line, and then band members would build the rest of the song around that. I'd usually hand them a tape and say... "Figure something out for this later. Let's practice the songs we know." If that makes me a "jammer," then call me a "jammer," but I hate the term.
Lyrics are always hard.
I mean, either your fucking Ted Leo and everything that comes out of your mouth is so thoughtfully provocative and intelligently insightful... or you're Jim Morrison and your lyrics are insipid and pretensions beyond belief.
I mean, do you make everything rhyme? or is that lame?
How personal do you get? How vague can you be?
My thought has always been, it's not what you say but how you say it.
If you say, "La, La, Love you..." you better mean it.
If you say, "Nazi Punks, Fuck Off..." you better be able to back it up.
I think every good band, or songwriter has a song they regret writing.
I think that's why they might refuse to play the song later in their careers.
They've moved on from that sentiment... for maybe, better or worse.
It's the nature of songwriting.
I don't think stage presence is much of an issue. I've seen this girl sing karaoke.
Sure, she isn't going to swing from the rafters or stage-dive, but do I want that anyway?
I mean, the first time you get on the stage and perform... it's petrifying.
If it's like mine... she will face the back of the room and/or stare at what her fingers are doing on the fretboard.
...and I have nothing to worry about with stage looks...
this is my wife we're talking about....
you've seen this girl put together outfits.
It's a no-brainer.
Anyway, I think the convincing has been done.
I've just got to get her a guitar now.
I don't think it was quite as hard as it has been trying to convince Allison.
Granted, when we lived in Kalamazoo we had started... twice.
The first time was a short lived project that was pretty much doomed from the get go.
The second was doomed as well, as we knew we were going to end up moving to NYC.
Recently though, I've found that it's best to talk about bands and such, when she's had a few drinks. The only problem is that later she claims to not remember having the conversations. So, I figured I should write this down so I don't have to start from scratch again.
She has agreed that she is musically inclined enough to figure out plenty of songs on piano, guitar, and bass.
She is a little timid about her ability to "jam" and also is not really into writing lyrics -- mainly concerned that she's going to give away dark secrets, be too cheesy, or write about things that she might later regret.
She thinks that stage presence is an issue, but feels like her style would be somewhere between Karen O (Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs) and Gwen Stefani.
I strongly agree that she's musically inclined.
Probably more-so than myself, and I think with enough practice she could be really, really good.
As far as "jamming" goes... I have never considered myself a "jammer."
In the past, it usually worked in the sense that I would figure out a complete song built around a bass line, and then band members would build the rest of the song around that. I'd usually hand them a tape and say... "Figure something out for this later. Let's practice the songs we know." If that makes me a "jammer," then call me a "jammer," but I hate the term.
Lyrics are always hard.
I mean, either your fucking Ted Leo and everything that comes out of your mouth is so thoughtfully provocative and intelligently insightful... or you're Jim Morrison and your lyrics are insipid and pretensions beyond belief.
I mean, do you make everything rhyme? or is that lame?
How personal do you get? How vague can you be?
My thought has always been, it's not what you say but how you say it.
If you say, "La, La, Love you..." you better mean it.
If you say, "Nazi Punks, Fuck Off..." you better be able to back it up.
I think every good band, or songwriter has a song they regret writing.
I think that's why they might refuse to play the song later in their careers.
They've moved on from that sentiment... for maybe, better or worse.
It's the nature of songwriting.
I don't think stage presence is much of an issue. I've seen this girl sing karaoke.
Sure, she isn't going to swing from the rafters or stage-dive, but do I want that anyway?
I mean, the first time you get on the stage and perform... it's petrifying.
If it's like mine... she will face the back of the room and/or stare at what her fingers are doing on the fretboard.
...and I have nothing to worry about with stage looks...
this is my wife we're talking about....
you've seen this girl put together outfits.
It's a no-brainer.
Anyway, I think the convincing has been done.
I've just got to get her a guitar now.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Summah, Summah, Summah, T-IME!
I know I complain about a lot of things, but I feel that most of my agonies in life are created by lack of common courtesy. What bothers me more when seeing a movie? The trio of teens in front of me, obviously tripping balls... or is it the man with the cell phone that rings about two-thirds of the way through... or is it the man with the baby, that behaves itself for more than half, but when set into cooing/crying/babbling mode for a good ten or fifteen minutes is then not taken taken into the lobby. Oh, and he's got a cell-phone too, it rings with about twenty minutes left -- yeah, the baby!!
Can you believe it?
Well, that's an easy one. It's definitely number three, followed by number two, and number one -- well, they're endearing at this point.
So, besides my aforementioned extra entertainment for my five dollar, fiddy cent* -- War of the Worlds; directed by Steven Speilberg, and starring FANNING, and the domineering side of TOMKAT...was alright. Speilberg sure does create the tension, as demonstrated by the crying child, needed for a film like this to be a passable blockbuster.
Dakota Fanning is excellent in her little nut-job way.
Cruise is alright -- I have no beef with the dude and his acting abilities. He doesn't jump on any couches. He does tell people he loves them, but it's not in a creepy cult worshiping way. Fanning has a part to play. Cruise is on let's say "Cruise-Control" -- this is not work for him, it's a few weeks of partying with his best-est buddy Steven Speilberg, known as:
B L O C K B U S T E R -- F I L M M A K I N G.
You need to suspend your belief in the probability of things. You need to let go of some of the leaps that are made. I'm hoping there's at least 15 - 20 minutes on the cutting room floor that can make up for some of the leaps I was forced to make.
I will give them this... When the "tripod" first appears and that first little thing goes popping out... I'm thinking -- LAME! Oh, how I was fooled. The tripods were great. Everything I would expect from say, The White Mountains, The City of Gold and Lead, or The Pool of Fire -- if they were made into movies.** Like the grenade aspect, very nice Mr. Spielberg. Did you glean that there idea from them?
Morgan Freeman is great for voice-over/narration work. It seems worthless to criticize him for his limited role in this work. Intro. Outro. PAYDAY. Whooooo.
So, I won't blame him.
I just wish instead of the whole basement/crazy Tim Robbins run-in or Thee Olde Ferry-Fiasco... they would've spent more time explaining what was going on with the tripods!! Duh?! Hey lets spend less time introducing us to the extras who die***, lose the hard-assed son, and get down to some story development. I mean, what's with the tripods "stabbing" humans, what *IS* with the blood red plants? I mean any moron -- even Ray, can see that they're dying, but why? Really? I think that's some common courtesy that needs to be understood by directors --especially those of the supposed calibre as Mr. Spielberg. Storytelling. Do it. Please?
Nevermind, cue Mr. Freeman please.
Or wait, I got it... if we would've had Ray's brother in the movie instead of Ray... he would have had the answers we were looking for... and if Speilberg had a brother we would've gotten the movie we were looking for?
Oh, and one last thing... the son should've died. For stealing the car, he should've fucking died.
--
*not including the S U P E R C O M B O.
** or should I say when? WHEN?
*** they die, Robbins dies, but why doesn't the son again?
Can you believe it?
Well, that's an easy one. It's definitely number three, followed by number two, and number one -- well, they're endearing at this point.
So, besides my aforementioned extra entertainment for my five dollar, fiddy cent* -- War of the Worlds; directed by Steven Speilberg, and starring FANNING, and the domineering side of TOMKAT...was alright. Speilberg sure does create the tension, as demonstrated by the crying child, needed for a film like this to be a passable blockbuster.
Dakota Fanning is excellent in her little nut-job way.
Cruise is alright -- I have no beef with the dude and his acting abilities. He doesn't jump on any couches. He does tell people he loves them, but it's not in a creepy cult worshiping way. Fanning has a part to play. Cruise is on let's say "Cruise-Control" -- this is not work for him, it's a few weeks of partying with his best-est buddy Steven Speilberg, known as:
B L O C K B U S T E R -- F I L M M A K I N G.
You need to suspend your belief in the probability of things. You need to let go of some of the leaps that are made. I'm hoping there's at least 15 - 20 minutes on the cutting room floor that can make up for some of the leaps I was forced to make.
I will give them this... When the "tripod" first appears and that first little thing goes popping out... I'm thinking -- LAME! Oh, how I was fooled. The tripods were great. Everything I would expect from say, The White Mountains, The City of Gold and Lead, or The Pool of Fire -- if they were made into movies.** Like the grenade aspect, very nice Mr. Spielberg. Did you glean that there idea from them?
Morgan Freeman is great for voice-over/narration work. It seems worthless to criticize him for his limited role in this work. Intro. Outro. PAYDAY. Whooooo.
So, I won't blame him.
I just wish instead of the whole basement/crazy Tim Robbins run-in or Thee Olde Ferry-Fiasco... they would've spent more time explaining what was going on with the tripods!! Duh?! Hey lets spend less time introducing us to the extras who die***, lose the hard-assed son, and get down to some story development. I mean, what's with the tripods "stabbing" humans, what *IS* with the blood red plants? I mean any moron -- even Ray, can see that they're dying, but why? Really? I think that's some common courtesy that needs to be understood by directors --especially those of the supposed calibre as Mr. Spielberg. Storytelling. Do it. Please?
Nevermind, cue Mr. Freeman please.
Or wait, I got it... if we would've had Ray's brother in the movie instead of Ray... he would have had the answers we were looking for... and if Speilberg had a brother we would've gotten the movie we were looking for?
Oh, and one last thing... the son should've died. For stealing the car, he should've fucking died.
--
*not including the S U P E R C O M B O.
** or should I say when? WHEN?
*** they die, Robbins dies, but why doesn't the son again?
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Thursday, May 19, 2005
randomizer
Is anyone amused by Geico commercials as much as I am?
Allison and I are going to Portland in July
We're staying in a hotel that's converted from a school.
It has a movie theatre built in and it is FREE.
What should we do and see there?
Allison and I got rid of our car.
I have never felt more free.
Unlike my pal Josh, who is seemingly in need, not want of a new pair...
I'm still on the hunt for new glasses and Rx'd sunglasses.
So, I can be vain in the sun as well.
About thirty days and I'll be in Kalamazoo.
I want to get a tattoo.
Allison and I are going to Portland in July
We're staying in a hotel that's converted from a school.
It has a movie theatre built in and it is FREE.
What should we do and see there?
Allison and I got rid of our car.
I have never felt more free.
Unlike my pal Josh, who is seemingly in need, not want of a new pair...
I'm still on the hunt for new glasses and Rx'd sunglasses.
So, I can be vain in the sun as well.
About thirty days and I'll be in Kalamazoo.
I want to get a tattoo.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
The Continuing Saga of Compact Disc Reduction
Adult. - D.U.M.E. - Just got it. Already, I don't value it as much as some of their earlier work... but I can't ditch it yet.
Aerial M - October EP - Keeper, valued alone for it's wicked "slowcore"* cover of the Mistfit's "Last Caress."
Aerial M - S/T - Keeper, I love Pajo's gtr. noodling on a rainy afternoon
Aesop Rock - Bazooka Tooth - Keeper. I dunno if its the gritty production or the even grittier vocals, but it's still fresh.
Afghan Whigs - Uptown Avondale - Keeper. Btwn "Band of Gold," and "Rebirth of Cool" are some pretty forgettable Whigs "soul" covers. But a mega-mix of "Rebirth" and the Stone Roses' "Fool's Gold" can always pump-up a party... and "Band of Gold" seems like it would find a good home on Gentleman.
Afghan Whigs - Gentleman - Keeper. "I'm a GENTLE -MAN!," "THIS IS WHAT JAIL IS REALLY LIKE," "Tonight I go to Hell. For what I done to you. This ain't about regret. It's when I tell the truth." Lyrically: Bare-nekkid-soul -- spirit, not sound, and by the end -- spent. "Well baby, now it's through." Musically, this is the 90's sound I wish to remember.
Air - Moon Safari - Bye Bye. Kitch factor high. Make out album, indeed. Essential? Nah.
Air - The Virgin Suicides - Keep. Sure, it's a kitch filled creep-fest, but the eerieness of the Giovanni Ribisi sample in "Suicide Underground," the motorik pace of many of the tracks, and the flow of the middle passages makes it a dark dream worth revisiting.
Air - 10000hz Legend - This is Not My CD. I'm unsure how this made it into my collection, but if you're interested in returning my remastered Clash - Sandinistas, AmAnSet's - From Our Living Room to Yours, or Luna's - Penthouse**, I'll be more than happy to give you back this CD, or trade it in good faith that it's yours, or just give it to you 'cuz I don't want it.
Air - Talkie Walkie - Gone Daddy Gone.
Air Miami - Me. Me. Me. - KEEP. KEEP. KEEP. Mark Robinson and Bridget Cross' work here is very much like a Perfect Teeth II, showcasing their mix of hooky, blistering guitar strum paired with boyant bass-lines, and meloncholy dirges. Vocal stylings here are some of my favorites, although Mark is still very much unrestrained with his potty/dirty-mouth/mind.
--
* My favorite of the "cores," but still a horrible name for a genre.
** Yeah, I'm talking to YOU, Cali-boy. Otherwise, I don't know where these are.
Aerial M - October EP - Keeper, valued alone for it's wicked "slowcore"* cover of the Mistfit's "Last Caress."
Aerial M - S/T - Keeper, I love Pajo's gtr. noodling on a rainy afternoon
Aesop Rock - Bazooka Tooth - Keeper. I dunno if its the gritty production or the even grittier vocals, but it's still fresh.
Afghan Whigs - Uptown Avondale - Keeper. Btwn "Band of Gold," and "Rebirth of Cool" are some pretty forgettable Whigs "soul" covers. But a mega-mix of "Rebirth" and the Stone Roses' "Fool's Gold" can always pump-up a party... and "Band of Gold" seems like it would find a good home on Gentleman.
Afghan Whigs - Gentleman - Keeper. "I'm a GENTLE -MAN!," "THIS IS WHAT JAIL IS REALLY LIKE," "Tonight I go to Hell. For what I done to you. This ain't about regret. It's when I tell the truth." Lyrically: Bare-nekkid-soul -- spirit, not sound, and by the end -- spent. "Well baby, now it's through." Musically, this is the 90's sound I wish to remember.
Air - Moon Safari - Bye Bye. Kitch factor high. Make out album, indeed. Essential? Nah.
Air - The Virgin Suicides - Keep. Sure, it's a kitch filled creep-fest, but the eerieness of the Giovanni Ribisi sample in "Suicide Underground," the motorik pace of many of the tracks, and the flow of the middle passages makes it a dark dream worth revisiting.
Air - 10000hz Legend - This is Not My CD. I'm unsure how this made it into my collection, but if you're interested in returning my remastered Clash - Sandinistas, AmAnSet's - From Our Living Room to Yours, or Luna's - Penthouse**, I'll be more than happy to give you back this CD, or trade it in good faith that it's yours, or just give it to you 'cuz I don't want it.
Air - Talkie Walkie - Gone Daddy Gone.
Air Miami - Me. Me. Me. - KEEP. KEEP. KEEP. Mark Robinson and Bridget Cross' work here is very much like a Perfect Teeth II, showcasing their mix of hooky, blistering guitar strum paired with boyant bass-lines, and meloncholy dirges. Vocal stylings here are some of my favorites, although Mark is still very much unrestrained with his potty/dirty-mouth/mind.
--
* My favorite of the "cores," but still a horrible name for a genre.
** Yeah, I'm talking to YOU, Cali-boy. Otherwise, I don't know where these are.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Two Down, Umpteen More To Go.
So, I found the joy that is the Cobble Hill Theatre here in good ole' Brooklyn. Not a "HI-TEC" theatre, but comfortable.
Shows that start before 6pm are a mere $5.50, after that $8.50.
That's pretty cheap for New York. Average is about $10...
but if you're aware of cheaper -- lemme know, eh?
So, Sin City and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy get marked off the list. I thought that both were entertaining, but not anything to expound further upon. Marv, Hartigan, and Kevin being excellent prototypes for future cyberpunk roleplaying characters. HHGttG for Adams fans only... sorry to say.
NRRD-OUT!
So, I'm copying my good friend Tim and making my way through my CD collection alphabetically. This accomplishes two goals; ensuring that I have indeed listened to everything in my collection more than once, and then that I can make an informed decision on whether I need to have these albums in my collection. Now that I have a job that affords me the luxury of buying music, I'm quickly running out of space on my CD racks. I left Michigan with just a little bit of space left, and it has quickly evaporated since February. I can do one of two things. Eliminate the non-essentials or buy another CD rack.
Buying another CD rack is problematic because Allison will not be happy about it... and I will work hard at filling that one too.
So it's a win, lose, win situation. I win. Allison loses. I win. *hee hee*
I probably will only buy another CD rack if the same one is still available from IKEA. By far, it's the best design I've encountered. Surprisingly enough, it's help up being moved about and mounted/re-mounted on several different walls quite well for it's inexpensive price.
Oh, and seeing how I'll be giving the thumbs up and thumbs down to these discs... lemme know if you're interested in purchasing any of them before I take them to the record store. I will be fair to you in pricing, but not unfair to myself either.
Todays listening:
!!! - Louden Up Now -- Verdict: Bye Bye.
Add (N) to X - Avant Hard -- Verdict: Keeper.
Add N to (X) - On the Wires of Our Nerves -- Verdict: Essential
Add N (to) X - Insult to Injury -- Verdict: Throw Back
Adorable - Against Perfection -- Verdict: Pop Indulgence. Keepin' It.
Shows that start before 6pm are a mere $5.50, after that $8.50.
That's pretty cheap for New York. Average is about $10...
but if you're aware of cheaper -- lemme know, eh?
So, Sin City and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy get marked off the list. I thought that both were entertaining, but not anything to expound further upon. Marv, Hartigan, and Kevin being excellent prototypes for future cyberpunk roleplaying characters. HHGttG for Adams fans only... sorry to say.
NRRD-OUT!
So, I'm copying my good friend Tim and making my way through my CD collection alphabetically. This accomplishes two goals; ensuring that I have indeed listened to everything in my collection more than once, and then that I can make an informed decision on whether I need to have these albums in my collection. Now that I have a job that affords me the luxury of buying music, I'm quickly running out of space on my CD racks. I left Michigan with just a little bit of space left, and it has quickly evaporated since February. I can do one of two things. Eliminate the non-essentials or buy another CD rack.
Buying another CD rack is problematic because Allison will not be happy about it... and I will work hard at filling that one too.
So it's a win, lose, win situation. I win. Allison loses. I win. *hee hee*
I probably will only buy another CD rack if the same one is still available from IKEA. By far, it's the best design I've encountered. Surprisingly enough, it's help up being moved about and mounted/re-mounted on several different walls quite well for it's inexpensive price.
Oh, and seeing how I'll be giving the thumbs up and thumbs down to these discs... lemme know if you're interested in purchasing any of them before I take them to the record store. I will be fair to you in pricing, but not unfair to myself either.
Todays listening:
!!! - Louden Up Now -- Verdict: Bye Bye.
Add (N) to X - Avant Hard -- Verdict: Keeper.
Add N to (X) - On the Wires of Our Nerves -- Verdict: Essential
Add N (to) X - Insult to Injury -- Verdict: Throw Back
Adorable - Against Perfection -- Verdict: Pop Indulgence. Keepin' It.
Monday, May 02, 2005
taped up, nrrrd stylee
So, I broke my glasses at work the other day.
I've settled down, but I wasn't very happy about it for a while.
I really liked my glasses and even though I've been seeing more and more clear frames about the town, I still thought mine to be quite "Mothersbough" and quite fetching on my face.
*sigh*
So, I've resorted back to my old wire frame glasses, which are fine... for now...
I was smart enough when I got my latest frames to get the old frames fitted with the current 'script making them viable until I find a suitable replacement for the broken pair glasses.
I don't think I'm going to go for clear glasses again, nor will I go back to the horn-rimmed/"birth control"/thick black plastic style frames.
Allison wants to see me in round wire frames -- I guess kinda like John Lennon's?
I had glasses like this in high school.
Mike has already suggested thick red frames ala 1970's Elton John... and I think I'll pass on that suggestion... as "fun" as it might be.
Any thoughts on a new style for Eric?
Send me pictures.
I've settled down, but I wasn't very happy about it for a while.
I really liked my glasses and even though I've been seeing more and more clear frames about the town, I still thought mine to be quite "Mothersbough" and quite fetching on my face.
*sigh*
So, I've resorted back to my old wire frame glasses, which are fine... for now...
I was smart enough when I got my latest frames to get the old frames fitted with the current 'script making them viable until I find a suitable replacement for the broken pair glasses.
I don't think I'm going to go for clear glasses again, nor will I go back to the horn-rimmed/"birth control"/thick black plastic style frames.
Allison wants to see me in round wire frames -- I guess kinda like John Lennon's?
I had glasses like this in high school.
Mike has already suggested thick red frames ala 1970's Elton John... and I think I'll pass on that suggestion... as "fun" as it might be.
Any thoughts on a new style for Eric?
Send me pictures.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
summer movie madness
I really wish my wife were into going to the movies...
and then, I wish she was into creepy/zombie/horror and science fiction movies...
'cuz it looks as if this summer is full'uv'um.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (FUN!!)
High Tension
Night Watch//Nochnoi Dozor
(A Russian horror trilogy of epic proportions?)
War of the Worlds
(A Tom Cruise/Stephen Speilberg vehicle... I know, I know....)
SW III: Revenge of the Sith
(I've seen all the others, not seeing this one would be an ultimate sacralige... and it looks as if it might be the saving grace?)
The Devil's Rejects
(Rob Zombie's latest... looks as if it could be an old school gorefest/creepout... although I'll probably wait until it comes out on video.)
Undead (ZOMBIES! ...and aliens... hrrmm?)
The Island (Logan's Blade Run(ner) 2: Clone Wars?)
George Romero's Land of the Dead (tm)
ohhh...
and there's Batman Begins... which I guess fits into neither of the above categories because it's really a comic book movie...
and Crash looks pretty good... and no it's not a reinterpretation of J.G. Ballard's book by the same name... I'd never get Allison to see that... this Crash... maybe.
However, before the summer hits, I still need to see Sin City.
...and I'm still waiting for a release date for A Scanner Darkly
and then, I wish she was into creepy/zombie/horror and science fiction movies...
'cuz it looks as if this summer is full'uv'um.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (FUN!!)
High Tension
Night Watch//Nochnoi Dozor
(A Russian horror trilogy of epic proportions?)
War of the Worlds
(A Tom Cruise/Stephen Speilberg vehicle... I know, I know....)
SW III: Revenge of the Sith
(I've seen all the others, not seeing this one would be an ultimate sacralige... and it looks as if it might be the saving grace?)
The Devil's Rejects
(Rob Zombie's latest... looks as if it could be an old school gorefest/creepout... although I'll probably wait until it comes out on video.)
Undead (ZOMBIES! ...and aliens... hrrmm?)
The Island (Logan's Blade Run(ner) 2: Clone Wars?)
George Romero's Land of the Dead (tm)
ohhh...
and there's Batman Begins... which I guess fits into neither of the above categories because it's really a comic book movie...
and Crash looks pretty good... and no it's not a reinterpretation of J.G. Ballard's book by the same name... I'd never get Allison to see that... this Crash... maybe.
However, before the summer hits, I still need to see Sin City.
...and I'm still waiting for a release date for A Scanner Darkly
Sunday, April 24, 2005
Burn To Shine Redux
MYSTERY SOLVED!
The house is donated to, and burned for training purposes by, the DC Fire Department.
Bookended by a nice intro and footage of the training exercises
The footage is really nice. Very intimate.
Quick reviews:
Q and Not U -- Pretty typical performance from them, although they've got a new keyboard which helps with their bass sounds. Very nice. "Ch-Check! We are in an old house...."
The Medications -- If you were a fan of Faraquet, and never got to seem them live, and are worried that you might not see this Ocampo band before it breaks up... the DVD is worth it alone for this footage. Hot. Math. Rock.
Garland of Hours -- Amy Domingues (vox/keys) Brendan Canty (bass/vox) Devin Ocampo (guitar) Jerry Busher (drums)
Very reminicent of Smart Went Crazy's more mellow side...
French Toast -- While I love the ideas that Busher/James Canty throw out there... it somehow doesn't seem to come off right.
This has always been my feeling about this band, although as people/houseguests Canty and Busher rank up there at the top.
Weird War -- Also, am I the only person out there that thinks Ian Svenonius is scary charismatic? Did he get his teeth knocked in or something? Has he started a real cult yet? Why does his guitar player look like Michael Ian Black and riding that Wah-Wah like his life depends on it? Why is Michelle Mae wearing a blanket and playing such an innane bassline? Is the drummer wearing a shawl? (Although I do like his pink socks/Nike combo.) Not a fan. Never really been. Please reform NOA or find a new artistic release, Ian... please... "AK-47 AK-47 AK-47 AK-47"
(Svenonius cultists are currently lining up to gun me down, so please form the queue to the left.)
Ted Leo -- Nice version of "Bleeding Powers" solo style. Will probably help the sales of this DVD.
The Evens -- Sounds like Ian. Good song though... I'm interested in hearing this album. Is it in Amy Farina's "contract" somewhere that she can only work with the MacKaye brothers?
Bob Mould -- Old Sugar song on 12-string. Very nice. Don't remember the words... does Bob?
Also, it's interesting to see "personalities" growing older.
Looking back at the cover of Fugazi's "Repeater" and then seeing Brendan Canty and Ian MacKaye in the film... wow... however, Bob Mould has never looked better.
==
Oh, and lest I forget.
Here's your ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead review I promised, oh so long ago...
Go out and buy Madonna and listen to "Mark David Chapman" and "Perfect Teenhood."
You're much better off.
The house is donated to, and burned for training purposes by, the DC Fire Department.
Bookended by a nice intro and footage of the training exercises
The footage is really nice. Very intimate.
Quick reviews:
Q and Not U -- Pretty typical performance from them, although they've got a new keyboard which helps with their bass sounds. Very nice. "Ch-Check! We are in an old house...."
The Medications -- If you were a fan of Faraquet, and never got to seem them live, and are worried that you might not see this Ocampo band before it breaks up... the DVD is worth it alone for this footage. Hot. Math. Rock.
Garland of Hours -- Amy Domingues (vox/keys) Brendan Canty (bass/vox) Devin Ocampo (guitar) Jerry Busher (drums)
Very reminicent of Smart Went Crazy's more mellow side...
French Toast -- While I love the ideas that Busher/James Canty throw out there... it somehow doesn't seem to come off right.
This has always been my feeling about this band, although as people/houseguests Canty and Busher rank up there at the top.
Weird War -- Also, am I the only person out there that thinks Ian Svenonius is scary charismatic? Did he get his teeth knocked in or something? Has he started a real cult yet? Why does his guitar player look like Michael Ian Black and riding that Wah-Wah like his life depends on it? Why is Michelle Mae wearing a blanket and playing such an innane bassline? Is the drummer wearing a shawl? (Although I do like his pink socks/Nike combo.) Not a fan. Never really been. Please reform NOA or find a new artistic release, Ian... please... "AK-47 AK-47 AK-47 AK-47"
(Svenonius cultists are currently lining up to gun me down, so please form the queue to the left.)
Ted Leo -- Nice version of "Bleeding Powers" solo style. Will probably help the sales of this DVD.
The Evens -- Sounds like Ian. Good song though... I'm interested in hearing this album. Is it in Amy Farina's "contract" somewhere that she can only work with the MacKaye brothers?
Bob Mould -- Old Sugar song on 12-string. Very nice. Don't remember the words... does Bob?
Also, it's interesting to see "personalities" growing older.
Looking back at the cover of Fugazi's "Repeater" and then seeing Brendan Canty and Ian MacKaye in the film... wow... however, Bob Mould has never looked better.
==
Oh, and lest I forget.
Here's your ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead review I promised, oh so long ago...
Go out and buy Madonna and listen to "Mark David Chapman" and "Perfect Teenhood."
You're much better off.
Friday, April 22, 2005
in the begining...
So, I've really been getting into Peter Gabriel and Genesis.
i just need to track down the Birdy OST and Passion album...
and then decide if i'm really interested in any of the live albums.
As far as Genesis goes... I'm just diving headlong into Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. This may take weeks/months to fully digest and appreciate, although if what I've read on the interweb is correct... ALL 475 PAGES OF IT... I may only have to pay attention to half of it?
In the meantime, I'm working on an illustrated button set of PG's different costumes/hairstyles/identities in his Genesis days.
It'll consist of: "Foxy," The Watcher, Slipperman, "Flower," Magog/"OldMan," Torbillion, "Scary Triangle Head," and
"White Face/Fucked Hair/Jesus Crown."
[If you know the correct names for any of the personalities... lemme know, eh?]
Interested in a set?
Here's some crazy old footage of the Genesis' "Best Line-up" (Gabriel/Hackett/Banks/Collins/Rutherford) from Belgium TV,
to show why I'm currently obsessed.
i just need to track down the Birdy OST and Passion album...
and then decide if i'm really interested in any of the live albums.
As far as Genesis goes... I'm just diving headlong into Lamb Lies Down on Broadway. This may take weeks/months to fully digest and appreciate, although if what I've read on the interweb is correct... ALL 475 PAGES OF IT... I may only have to pay attention to half of it?
In the meantime, I'm working on an illustrated button set of PG's different costumes/hairstyles/identities in his Genesis days.
It'll consist of: "Foxy," The Watcher, Slipperman, "Flower," Magog/"OldMan," Torbillion, "Scary Triangle Head," and
"White Face/Fucked Hair/Jesus Crown."
[If you know the correct names for any of the personalities... lemme know, eh?]
Interested in a set?
Here's some crazy old footage of the Genesis' "Best Line-up" (Gabriel/Hackett/Banks/Collins/Rutherford) from Belgium TV,
to show why I'm currently obsessed.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
gawd, i smell!
so i'm enjoying a morning of internet use before i clean up the house...
listening to somebody's fake "real" band
watching the pistons pound seattle on espn motion
searching e-bay for shit i don't need
commenting on stereogum
downloading mp3s (check out that eno shit!)
adding to my netflix queue.
figuring out if brendan benson's "metarie" is a cover song (it's not)
...and then i realize that my breath smells way too much like coffee and i'm generally not smelling too good.
time for a shower and some eats.
listening to somebody's fake "real" band
watching the pistons pound seattle on espn motion
searching e-bay for shit i don't need
commenting on stereogum
downloading mp3s (check out that eno shit!)
adding to my netflix queue.
figuring out if brendan benson's "metarie" is a cover song (it's not)
...and then i realize that my breath smells way too much like coffee and i'm generally not smelling too good.
time for a shower and some eats.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Burn to Shine
Burn to Shine is a film series produced by Fugazi's Brendan Canty and directed by film maker Christoph Green. Traveling from town to town to film bands performing in houses that are about to be demolished or burned to the ground. They document the doomed house, the bands, and the demolition, put it together in a 45 minute movie, and put it out on DVD.
Each DVD/town has a different curator that is entrenched in the respective music scene and who can pick out what he or she considers their favorite bands. This allows us to put the bands in a geocentric context.
The bands in Volume 1: Washington, DC, set up in a vacant bungalow on January 14th 2004. The bands play in this marginal, domestic environment: a tiny freezing cold room in front of an unlit fireplace on what turned out to be the coldest day of the year. Each band churning out one song, at full volume. The songs were recorded on a multitrack recording unit and filmed in HD with multiple cameras, which gives the film an incredibly crisp, clean look and sound.
All the filming was done just before the house was burned to the ground by the fire department. It features live performances by Bob Mould, Ted Leo, Ian Mackaye's new band The Evens, Weird War (ex-Make Up), Q and Not U (Dischord records), Canty's band Garland of Hours, Medications (ex-Faraquet), and French Toast (featuring James Canty of Make Up, and Jerry Busher of Fugazi).
The DVD also contains footage of the burn wtih original music by Brendan Canty, and an extras section with beautifully shot still photos of all the bands, outtakes and incidental sounds, and a very groovy tune from our boys in the French Toast Band.
A second film, due to be released in July, was shot in a house in Chicago and features Wilco, Shellac, Tortoise, Freakwater, Tight Phantoms, Pit er Pat, The Ponys, The Lonesome Organist, and the Red Eyed Legends.
---
The above is practically a word for word exerpt from the about section of the Trixie DVD webpage.
[Kinda edited for better flow.]
Anyway...
A Volume 1 order has been placed and will be reviewed for your pleasure here... as soon as I get it in the mail.
It's an interesting concept. As I'm sure NYC will eventually get one... I hope Detroit and/or Kalamazoo get on the ball, find a proper curator and produce their own volumes.
*ahem*
[hint, hint.]
===
I think more updates on this here blog are in order.
Let me remedy that thought soon with:
LCD Soundsystem and ... And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead DVD/Album reviews.
Each DVD/town has a different curator that is entrenched in the respective music scene and who can pick out what he or she considers their favorite bands. This allows us to put the bands in a geocentric context.
The bands in Volume 1: Washington, DC, set up in a vacant bungalow on January 14th 2004. The bands play in this marginal, domestic environment: a tiny freezing cold room in front of an unlit fireplace on what turned out to be the coldest day of the year. Each band churning out one song, at full volume. The songs were recorded on a multitrack recording unit and filmed in HD with multiple cameras, which gives the film an incredibly crisp, clean look and sound.
All the filming was done just before the house was burned to the ground by the fire department. It features live performances by Bob Mould, Ted Leo, Ian Mackaye's new band The Evens, Weird War (ex-Make Up), Q and Not U (Dischord records), Canty's band Garland of Hours, Medications (ex-Faraquet), and French Toast (featuring James Canty of Make Up, and Jerry Busher of Fugazi).
The DVD also contains footage of the burn wtih original music by Brendan Canty, and an extras section with beautifully shot still photos of all the bands, outtakes and incidental sounds, and a very groovy tune from our boys in the French Toast Band.
A second film, due to be released in July, was shot in a house in Chicago and features Wilco, Shellac, Tortoise, Freakwater, Tight Phantoms, Pit er Pat, The Ponys, The Lonesome Organist, and the Red Eyed Legends.
---
The above is practically a word for word exerpt from the about section of the Trixie DVD webpage.
[Kinda edited for better flow.]
Anyway...
A Volume 1 order has been placed and will be reviewed for your pleasure here... as soon as I get it in the mail.
It's an interesting concept. As I'm sure NYC will eventually get one... I hope Detroit and/or Kalamazoo get on the ball, find a proper curator and produce their own volumes.
*ahem*
[hint, hint.]
===
I think more updates on this here blog are in order.
Let me remedy that thought soon with:
LCD Soundsystem and ... And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead DVD/Album reviews.
Sunday, March 06, 2005
ANN - TEA - SO - SHAWL!!
So, in lieu of blogging, I guess?
My wife has been making some excellent music comps.
She's been doing them in monthly installments and needless to say, I'm usually begging for them as soon as the new month hits.
February's comp. included the following:
Little Thoughts - Bloc Party
This Is Not A Photograph - Mission of Burma
Let the Formula Forge Itself Fantastic - Vague Angels
(Chris Leo's new band. YEA!)
Disco 2000 - Pulp
Guess I'm Falling In Love (Instrumental) - Velvet Underground
Sing Child - Heart
It Ain't What You Do (It's The Way That You Do It) -
Fun Boy Three feat. Bananarama
Chewing Gum (Headman Vocal Remix) - Annie
What Tom Said About The Girls - The Blow
Cruel Summer - Bananarama
Go, Man, Go - The Wedding Present
Never As Tired When I'm Waking Up - LCD Soundsystem
What Happened To The Sands - Pas/Cal
I Say A Little Prayer - Aretha Franklin
As a whole her mixes are quite remenicent of her old radio programme -- yes, I spelt it the British way -- Facsimile Pop.
Overall, a lot of fun with some quirk thrown in... but no ZANINESS.
(Good God, don't call it that.)
Best of all, it's all done without any ironic tone.
From the Britney Spears-esque pop meets Prince production of Annie, to the prog-rock wail of Heart -- I KNOW! HEART. PROG? YES!,
the post punk of Bloc Party and Burma, AND two tracks featuring Bananarama?
Sultry British babes who are more vixen than rockstars? ...but this is the British way, no?
Awesome. Plus some Brit-Pop, something that Allison claimed to loathe. This is all music she loves. Especially the Wedding Present song... she's adored this song since I first met her... and it still lingers.
I'm sure if you were to beg her for them, she'd make 'em for you as well.
----
Note: I lied. She just updated her blog.
It's a short piece, remenicent of her previous post, but it's a start.
And I despise the way she hates on my old stomping grounds...
The O.C. (Oakland County) has plenty of UGGS too.
(Both wearers of boots and ugly locales.)
EAST SIIIIIIIDE!
My wife has been making some excellent music comps.
She's been doing them in monthly installments and needless to say, I'm usually begging for them as soon as the new month hits.
February's comp. included the following:
Little Thoughts - Bloc Party
This Is Not A Photograph - Mission of Burma
Let the Formula Forge Itself Fantastic - Vague Angels
(Chris Leo's new band. YEA!)
Disco 2000 - Pulp
Guess I'm Falling In Love (Instrumental) - Velvet Underground
Sing Child - Heart
It Ain't What You Do (It's The Way That You Do It) -
Fun Boy Three feat. Bananarama
Chewing Gum (Headman Vocal Remix) - Annie
What Tom Said About The Girls - The Blow
Cruel Summer - Bananarama
Go, Man, Go - The Wedding Present
Never As Tired When I'm Waking Up - LCD Soundsystem
What Happened To The Sands - Pas/Cal
I Say A Little Prayer - Aretha Franklin
As a whole her mixes are quite remenicent of her old radio programme -- yes, I spelt it the British way -- Facsimile Pop.
Overall, a lot of fun with some quirk thrown in... but no ZANINESS.
(Good God, don't call it that.)
Best of all, it's all done without any ironic tone.
From the Britney Spears-esque pop meets Prince production of Annie, to the prog-rock wail of Heart -- I KNOW! HEART. PROG? YES!,
the post punk of Bloc Party and Burma, AND two tracks featuring Bananarama?
Sultry British babes who are more vixen than rockstars? ...but this is the British way, no?
Awesome. Plus some Brit-Pop, something that Allison claimed to loathe. This is all music she loves. Especially the Wedding Present song... she's adored this song since I first met her... and it still lingers.
I'm sure if you were to beg her for them, she'd make 'em for you as well.
----
Note: I lied. She just updated her blog.
It's a short piece, remenicent of her previous post, but it's a start.
And I despise the way she hates on my old stomping grounds...
The O.C. (Oakland County) has plenty of UGGS too.
(Both wearers of boots and ugly locales.)
EAST SIIIIIIIDE!
Monday, February 28, 2005
Dark Dreams of Disaster
When I was younger I had dreams/nightmares of living in a post-apocalyptic/barren/scorched Earth future.
I'm not necessarily sure that I'd be one to survive any kind of mass hysteria mob, frenzied or slo-mo version zombies, a plague/virus, an alien invasion, or nuclear strike, but a boy-nerd can dream, can't he?
While these all weren't necessarily post-apocalyptic they fueled the fire:
Roleplaying games
Mad-Max/The Road Warrior/BeyondThunderdome
The Police's Syncronicity II video
Pat Frank's Alas, Babylon
Soylent Green
The Omega Man
The Day After
Stephen King's The Stand (superflu!)
The Tripod Trilogy by John Christopher
Red Dawn
Night of the Comet
1984
Max Headroom
Blade Runner
Zombie movies --
Night of... Dawn of... Day of..., the bad remakes, and sequels,
28 Days Later, etc.
And of course, growing up during the Ronald Reagan era of the Cold War.
I bring up all of these because I was just introduced to a new source:
Miracle Mile starring Anthony Edwards and Mare Winningham.
Granted, I just watched a heavily edited version, (UPN on a Sunday afternoon will do that to you and it seems as if whole scenes have been wiped) however it's the very short period of mass hysteria that grabbed me so quickly. From the time we see the police bolting from the "cop killer" as they are informed of the imminent to when Edwards and Winningham make it back to the rooftop heli-pad can't be more than a few minutes in "real-time," but it's enough intensity to get me to stop surfing.
In it's fully non-edited version, it's probably not the best of the aforementioned pack, as oddly enough it starts out much like a romantic comedy of sorts... but thank goodness it's out on DVD so I can make that determination myself. Of course, Netflix has pointed me in the direction of some others.
(Threads --the UK version of The Day After, an '83 pic called Testament, A Boy and his Dog, and Luc Besson's Le Dernier Combat)
Maybe you can make some suggestions too?
I'm not necessarily sure that I'd be one to survive any kind of mass hysteria mob, frenzied or slo-mo version zombies, a plague/virus, an alien invasion, or nuclear strike, but a boy-nerd can dream, can't he?
While these all weren't necessarily post-apocalyptic they fueled the fire:
Roleplaying games
Mad-Max/The Road Warrior/BeyondThunderdome
The Police's Syncronicity II video
Pat Frank's Alas, Babylon
Soylent Green
The Omega Man
The Day After
Stephen King's The Stand (superflu!)
The Tripod Trilogy by John Christopher
Red Dawn
Night of the Comet
1984
Max Headroom
Blade Runner
Zombie movies --
Night of... Dawn of... Day of..., the bad remakes, and sequels,
28 Days Later, etc.
And of course, growing up during the Ronald Reagan era of the Cold War.
I bring up all of these because I was just introduced to a new source:
Miracle Mile starring Anthony Edwards and Mare Winningham.
Granted, I just watched a heavily edited version, (UPN on a Sunday afternoon will do that to you and it seems as if whole scenes have been wiped) however it's the very short period of mass hysteria that grabbed me so quickly. From the time we see the police bolting from the "cop killer" as they are informed of the imminent to when Edwards and Winningham make it back to the rooftop heli-pad can't be more than a few minutes in "real-time," but it's enough intensity to get me to stop surfing.
In it's fully non-edited version, it's probably not the best of the aforementioned pack, as oddly enough it starts out much like a romantic comedy of sorts... but thank goodness it's out on DVD so I can make that determination myself. Of course, Netflix has pointed me in the direction of some others.
(Threads --the UK version of The Day After, an '83 pic called Testament, A Boy and his Dog, and Luc Besson's Le Dernier Combat)
Maybe you can make some suggestions too?
Sunday, January 23, 2005
WINTER BLIZZZZARD 2005!!
snow is falling in nyc and people are FREAKING OUT!
good lord.
i understand that it's a big city and people aren't used to getting snow here, but this is new york... aren't people are supposed to be tough?
people, in fact, are worried that the stores are going to be closed tomorrow (maybe even monday too?!? right...) and that no one will be able to buy food or toilet paper, condoms, tampons, shorts*, flip flops, floppy disks or widgets.
granted it's snowing... and it is snowing pretty hard**, but any moron can toss on a coat, hat, gloves, mittens, boots, thermal undies, snowsuit, and scarf can walk down the block, down the street, down two avenues and jump on the subway.
that's the miraculous thing about nyc... it's public transportation doesn't shut down! if you rely on buses you might be a little behind schedule... or if you're driver's a moron and got himself stuck... well maybe you're fucked. however, i'm still planning on jumping on the subway tomorrow morning and heading off to work. likewise, i feel like i could walk to the corner and buy most, if not, all of the aforementioned items at the corner store -- which, to this day, i have never EVER seen closed. EVER.
the news/weathercasters break in about every fifteen minutes to let us know that it's snowing, that it's still snowing, and it's going to continue snowing. of course, it might stop for a little bit, but then it's going to start snowing again. the most interesting points i've found from the interruptions have been that:
a.) they're hiring people to shovel and they're paying these hirees a mere $9/hr.***
b.) mayor bloomburg gave a breakdown of $1 million/inch of snowfall in Manhattan for 614 miles of roadways in Manhattan. c.) some "side-streets" may not get plowed until sunday night, early monday am, but most major streets are supposed to be "free and clear..." right...
i'll break back in about fifteen minutes now for an update on the snow, okay?
---
* reporters out on the streets are asking people why they're out. most answers are "going to find a restaraunt," "going to a movie," "going to the videostore," "going to the store to buy a 40..." the one that takes the cake is the following:
reporter: "what are you doing out and about on this snowy saturday?"
girl: "out buying shorts!"
reporter: "shorts!?!? are you going on vacaction somewhere sunny?"
girl: "no, but you wouldn't believe the sale they have on shorts this time of year!"
back to you in the studio jim.
** around 2 o'clock i measured 4", around 7:30 i measured 8.5/9", and now around 9pm -- about 10"
*** $9!! Do they think people are going to shovel for more than a couple of hours at $9! This is not light and fluffy snow... it's heavy packing snow. Shit ton heavy. $9!! Trying to keep the cost down to around $990,000/inch, huh Mike?
good lord.
i understand that it's a big city and people aren't used to getting snow here, but this is new york... aren't people are supposed to be tough?
people, in fact, are worried that the stores are going to be closed tomorrow (maybe even monday too?!? right...) and that no one will be able to buy food or toilet paper, condoms, tampons, shorts*, flip flops, floppy disks or widgets.
granted it's snowing... and it is snowing pretty hard**, but any moron can toss on a coat, hat, gloves, mittens, boots, thermal undies, snowsuit, and scarf can walk down the block, down the street, down two avenues and jump on the subway.
that's the miraculous thing about nyc... it's public transportation doesn't shut down! if you rely on buses you might be a little behind schedule... or if you're driver's a moron and got himself stuck... well maybe you're fucked. however, i'm still planning on jumping on the subway tomorrow morning and heading off to work. likewise, i feel like i could walk to the corner and buy most, if not, all of the aforementioned items at the corner store -- which, to this day, i have never EVER seen closed. EVER.
the news/weathercasters break in about every fifteen minutes to let us know that it's snowing, that it's still snowing, and it's going to continue snowing. of course, it might stop for a little bit, but then it's going to start snowing again. the most interesting points i've found from the interruptions have been that:
a.) they're hiring people to shovel and they're paying these hirees a mere $9/hr.***
b.) mayor bloomburg gave a breakdown of $1 million/inch of snowfall in Manhattan for 614 miles of roadways in Manhattan. c.) some "side-streets" may not get plowed until sunday night, early monday am, but most major streets are supposed to be "free and clear..." right...
i'll break back in about fifteen minutes now for an update on the snow, okay?
---
* reporters out on the streets are asking people why they're out. most answers are "going to find a restaraunt," "going to a movie," "going to the videostore," "going to the store to buy a 40..." the one that takes the cake is the following:
reporter: "what are you doing out and about on this snowy saturday?"
girl: "out buying shorts!"
reporter: "shorts!?!? are you going on vacaction somewhere sunny?"
girl: "no, but you wouldn't believe the sale they have on shorts this time of year!"
back to you in the studio jim.
** around 2 o'clock i measured 4", around 7:30 i measured 8.5/9", and now around 9pm -- about 10"
*** $9!! Do they think people are going to shovel for more than a couple of hours at $9! This is not light and fluffy snow... it's heavy packing snow. Shit ton heavy. $9!! Trying to keep the cost down to around $990,000/inch, huh Mike?
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
tops of oh!four (a human jukebox post)
Usually, I like to be on top.
This past year it just didn't happen.
Granted the first few months of oh!four were spent holed up in a dark spot on the L.E.S.
Sure, I had a couple of good hold overs from oh!three, as well as some music downloads; however without a job, confined to a stone-aged-slow-dial-up connection, and with the eventual shit my hard drive took -- I was pretty much thirsty all year long.
So, I spent a good part of the year playing catch up...
So, let's get this shit up while it's still relevant.
Top Ten Albums of 2004 -- (alphabetically)
Aloha - Here Comes Everyone (Polyvinyl)
Apostle of Hustle - Folkloric Feel (Arts and Crafts)
The Arcade Fire - Funeral (Merge)
The Futureheads - S/T (Sire)
Lali Puna - Faking the Books (Morr Music)
Matthew Dear - Backstroke EP (Spectral)
Mission of Burma - OnOFFOn (Matador)
Pinback - Summer In Abaddon (Touch and Go)
RJD2 - Since We Last Spoke (Def Jux)
TV On The Radio - Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes (Touch and Go)
Honorable Contenders:
The Album Leaf, Battles, Deerhoof, Dirty on Purpose, The Go Find, The Go Team, Kings of Conveniece, Ted Leo/RX, Murs, Pedro the Lion, Q and Not U, Ratatat, Ulrich Schnauss, Subtle, and Wilco.
Ten Albums I Wish That I Had Heard:
Black Eyes - Cough
The Chinese Stars - Rare Sensation
The Eternals - Rawar Style
Fennesz - Venice
Hot Snakes - Audit In Progress
Pan American - Quiet City
Red Eyed Legends - Mutual Insignificance EP /The High I Feel When I'm Low 12"
Turing Machine - Zwei
The Warmers - Wanted:More
Wrangler Brutes - Zulu // S/T cassette*
Re-Issue of the Year:
Talking Heads - The Name of This Band... (Rhino)
Besides hearing all of the major singles over the years, this was the first Talking Heads album that I really listened to with great interest from begining to end. Of course this is a highly expanded release, but Rhino is nice enough to give the track sequencing for the original album.
I recommend it for intensity's sake.
Greatest Hits/Box Set/RePackaged:
Low - A Lifetime of Temporary Relief****
Best Thing to Happen to Music in the oh!four:
Mp3 blogging**
Funniest/Worst Thing to Happen to Music in the oh!four:
Ashlee Simpson's flub, subsequent booing at the Bowl, and the fact she still has a career.***
Most Overrated Trend that ultimately overshadowed a damn fine concept album****:
The Mashup/Blend vs. Dangermouse/Jay-Z - The Grey Album
Thank God It's Over:
Electroclash
It's a Command. Not a genre:
Dance Punk. (duh, there's an implied comma in there.)
Aforementioned Oh!Three Holdovers:
The Constantines - Shine A Light
Consonant - Love and Affliction
Enon - Hocus Pocus
The Stills - Logic Will Break Your Heart
Sunkillmoon - Ghosts of the Great Highway
First Quarter, (or so...) Anticipated New Releases:
Caribou (formerly Manitoba) - Milk of Human Kindness
Out Hud - Bring On The Drama
Boom Bip - Blue Eyed In The Red Room
Low - The Great Destroyer
...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - Worlds Apart
The Books - Lost and Safe
M83 - Befire The Dawn Heals Us
LCD Soundsystem - S/T
Prefuse 73 - Surrounded By Silence//Hideyaface
Solvent - Think Like Us//Elevators and Oscillators
----
* technically a oh!three release, but I didn't find out about it until oh!four.
** Helped me catch up, kept me sane, introduced me to new stuff, reminded me about music I had forgotten (or tried to
forget.) Inspired me. This blog will feature mp3s.
*** As mentioned by someone... at least Milli Vanilli apologized...
and as far as I know, they never claimed to be punk rock.
**** More on this later.
This past year it just didn't happen.
Granted the first few months of oh!four were spent holed up in a dark spot on the L.E.S.
Sure, I had a couple of good hold overs from oh!three, as well as some music downloads; however without a job, confined to a stone-aged-slow-dial-up connection, and with the eventual shit my hard drive took -- I was pretty much thirsty all year long.
So, I spent a good part of the year playing catch up...
So, let's get this shit up while it's still relevant.
Top Ten Albums of 2004 -- (alphabetically)
Aloha - Here Comes Everyone (Polyvinyl)
Apostle of Hustle - Folkloric Feel (Arts and Crafts)
The Arcade Fire - Funeral (Merge)
The Futureheads - S/T (Sire)
Lali Puna - Faking the Books (Morr Music)
Matthew Dear - Backstroke EP (Spectral)
Mission of Burma - OnOFFOn (Matador)
Pinback - Summer In Abaddon (Touch and Go)
RJD2 - Since We Last Spoke (Def Jux)
TV On The Radio - Desperate Youth, Bloodthirsty Babes (Touch and Go)
Honorable Contenders:
The Album Leaf, Battles, Deerhoof, Dirty on Purpose, The Go Find, The Go Team, Kings of Conveniece, Ted Leo/RX, Murs, Pedro the Lion, Q and Not U, Ratatat, Ulrich Schnauss, Subtle, and Wilco.
Ten Albums I Wish That I Had Heard:
Black Eyes - Cough
The Chinese Stars - Rare Sensation
The Eternals - Rawar Style
Fennesz - Venice
Hot Snakes - Audit In Progress
Pan American - Quiet City
Red Eyed Legends - Mutual Insignificance EP /The High I Feel When I'm Low 12"
Turing Machine - Zwei
The Warmers - Wanted:More
Wrangler Brutes - Zulu // S/T cassette*
Re-Issue of the Year:
Talking Heads - The Name of This Band... (Rhino)
Besides hearing all of the major singles over the years, this was the first Talking Heads album that I really listened to with great interest from begining to end. Of course this is a highly expanded release, but Rhino is nice enough to give the track sequencing for the original album.
I recommend it for intensity's sake.
Greatest Hits/Box Set/RePackaged:
Low - A Lifetime of Temporary Relief****
Best Thing to Happen to Music in the oh!four:
Mp3 blogging**
Funniest/Worst Thing to Happen to Music in the oh!four:
Ashlee Simpson's flub, subsequent booing at the Bowl, and the fact she still has a career.***
Most Overrated Trend that ultimately overshadowed a damn fine concept album****:
The Mashup/Blend vs. Dangermouse/Jay-Z - The Grey Album
Thank God It's Over:
Electroclash
It's a Command. Not a genre:
Dance Punk. (duh, there's an implied comma in there.)
Aforementioned Oh!Three Holdovers:
The Constantines - Shine A Light
Consonant - Love and Affliction
Enon - Hocus Pocus
The Stills - Logic Will Break Your Heart
Sunkillmoon - Ghosts of the Great Highway
First Quarter, (or so...) Anticipated New Releases:
Caribou (formerly Manitoba) - Milk of Human Kindness
Out Hud - Bring On The Drama
Boom Bip - Blue Eyed In The Red Room
Low - The Great Destroyer
...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead - Worlds Apart
The Books - Lost and Safe
M83 - Befire The Dawn Heals Us
LCD Soundsystem - S/T
Prefuse 73 - Surrounded By Silence//Hideyaface
Solvent - Think Like Us//Elevators and Oscillators
----
* technically a oh!three release, but I didn't find out about it until oh!four.
** Helped me catch up, kept me sane, introduced me to new stuff, reminded me about music I had forgotten (or tried to
forget.) Inspired me. This blog will feature mp3s.
*** As mentioned by someone... at least Milli Vanilli apologized...
and as far as I know, they never claimed to be punk rock.
Friday, January 14, 2005
Adjustments
Wow.
This place really cleared out.
What has it been, nine months?
I guess that's about right, huh?
Well... sometimes it takes that long.
Look for updates to appear more regularly here, but also over there.
This place really cleared out.
What has it been, nine months?
I guess that's about right, huh?
Well... sometimes it takes that long.
Look for updates to appear more regularly here, but also over there.
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