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I know that being on rational/sane/human side of these issues means that I should not fight fire with fire, and that I should not spread hate as they do... but it's getting to the point where I'm just completely offended and horrified about 1000 times a day and OH MY FUCKING GOD I HATE THESE PEOPLE. SOOOO MUCH! FLAMES... ON THE SIDE OF MY FACE. AAAAACKKKKK.
Yep... album of the year for me. It's huge and gorgeous and everything I was hoping for. Yes, Morgan's voice is slightly missed, but while there's no 'Kim and Jessie,' or 'Graveyard Girl,' there is Intro, and Midnight City, and Reunion, and Claudia Lewis, and Steve McQueen, and OK Pal, and the amazingly bizarre song about frogs... and so on... Basically, there's way too much to love here to start judging it by what it is 'missing.'
If I'm not mistaken, that instrument is a latin percussion instrument called a Cuica... its a drum with a bamboo stick attached to the drum head, and when you rub the stick quickly it makes a sound like a laughing monkey. It's traditionally used in Samba music. #professorlatinpercussiongum (Now, just imagine that awkward percussion lesson at age 14 when your drum instructor tells you "you just gotta rub the stick up and down really quickly like you're.....ummm..." YEP.) Or, ya know... its totally just a straw and plastic lid.
I'll preface this by saying I love Bjork- I think she's brilliant and I'm glad that there is someone like her in the pop spectrum that is fearlessly experimenting on the fringes of what music can sound like and how it can be made. That said, I think she went off the deep end with Medulla, and she's likely never coming back. She's put the experiment, and her processes of musical exploration, in the forefront of what she's doing, rather than trying to make a great end result. Medulla's concept was admirable, but the album itself was very hit-or-miss (mostly miss), and largely pretty ugly sounding. (Although I still think Desired Constellation is one of her best songs.) I found Volta to be an even bigger disappointment, mostly because it was marketed as this big, colorful, upbeat return to form (which it wasn't), and the Earth Intruders as just a gigantic red herring. Aside from Earth Intruders and Innocent, Volta was largely a meandering slog, with a sonic palette that did not sound cohesive, and certainly did not support her incredible voice. I just don't think Bjork's voice sounds good when supported by brass- it sounds much better with strings. Her songwriting has suffered recently as well- her vocal lines have become so stretched, there's no hook anymore, and her lyrics have become too conceptual and obtuse to illicit any emotional response. I'm finding these issues evident in the Biophilia songs as well- strange juxtapositions of sonic timbres, aimless melodies, un-engaging lyrics. Every new Bjork album comes with a press release touting the new experiments and the avant-garde elements; "This time Bjork enlisted a choir of pygmy throat singers and built a piano made of spoons!" Awesome, Bjork.... no really, you're amazing, please never change. But while you're doing all of this experimenting and exploring, try to keep in mind how the end result is going to sound. Just because you can make music from literally any object, doesn't mean its going to be worth listening to. Try to let the song dictate the process, not the other way around. (It killed my soul a bit to say that, but the fact is, there was a time when I used to go to the record store for the midnight release of a new Bjork album, and now I'm not even excited for Biophilia. :-/ )
I really don't think I can handle another disappointing alien movie. I vote Crazy, Stupid Love... it has a much higher RT rating. (Although in all honesty, I will probably just see Another Earth)
Nostalgia in reference to music is a double-edged sword tho. Yes, everyone should go back and listen to classic albums and bands, because great music never dies. But on the other hand, nostalgia is also to blame for the current glut of absolutely wretched, auto-tuned pop/hip-hop/house "remakes" of every terrible pop-song from 1984 to 2005. (For the record, I do everything in my power to never listen to pop radio, I'm just subjected to it everyday at the gym, and it makes me want to throw weights at people.)
Within and Without doesn't have nearly enough marching drum snares, ear-bleeding synths, or tired-ass hand-claps for Diplo's taste.
Friendly Fires' entire Pala album... Or just "Live Those Days Tonight." Also Cut Copy's Pharaohs & Pyramids
Remember when Videogum first posted the trailer, and Gabe said something like 'that was a good trailer, I don't even really need to see the film'?... yeah, that pretty much sums it up. Somewhere: better as a short film than a movie. However, I did not hate Somewhere like other people did. I didn't LOVE it either, and wouldn't watch it again, but I certainly didn't hate it. When I posted on Facebook that I was watching it, I got so many comments saying 'I hate that movie!!!" "Worst Movie EVAAAAR!!!" "That Movie Stole My BABYYYYY!!!" (OK Not Really that last one.) I get it- It's boring and not much happens. But that's the point, isn't it? The whole theme that I took from it was that here's this guy who is completely numb from constant over-stimulation, and literally has no obstacles to overcome. He's a pampered actor, surrounded by his handlers, and chicks willing to bang him, and people who don't know him but want to leach off his fame. Then something comes along (his daughter) that actually makes him feel something. That point is driven home quite successfully, though their interactions, and his reaction at the end of the film, and the heavy-handed driving metaphor. The style of the film (the way too-long shots where nothing happens, the scenes that last too long) are completely aligned with the them of being bored to death in this pampered lifestyle. So I guess my point is, it's a successful film? As in, it marries its subject matter with a style that helps it execute its intention... Or something. It's just not very 'fun' to watch. It's cinematic Xanex. But hateable? Not really. Hate Meet the Parents 5: Kids Farting and Adults getting whacked in the Balls. I'll take Somewhere over that garbage any day.
New feature: The Hunt for the BEST movie of all time!!
YAY! I'm glad Happy Endings is starting to get noticed. It really is super funny, and Max is the best. I too am a decidedly un-fabulous gay man, and he is a much-needed character in the TV landscape. Seriously, BravoTV makes me wanna get stabby. Don't even get me started on that Logo A-list shit. Also, I'm gonna say something controversial and just put it out there that with Modern Family, Cougartown, and Happy Endings, ABC Wednesdays has totally taken the lead over NBC Thursdays. Obviously 30 Rock is the best, but still.
Sooooo... Indie cred = being a vinyl snob. Gotcha.
I love the King of Limbs. I wouldn't be so pretentious as to say 'if you don't like it, you don't get it,' but I do hope that some of the disappointed naysayers give the album a few more concentrated listens. It is a really beautiful, intricate, dreamy little album. Sure, there are no bangers, no real cathartic releases, but we got a few of those on the last album. I personally like it when Radiohead delve into their more atmospheric and rhythmically complex side. Some don't. I get it. I think the disappointment felt is directly related to the inevitable expectations fans bring into a new album, especially with a band like Radiohead, whose back catalog is legendary. You just need to accept the fact that they have followed up a big game changing moment in music, In Rainbows (not just the album, but the impact on the industry, the mindblowing live show) with a deliberately small album. I'd also be willing to bet that a lot of the disappointment is a subconscious reaction to the length of it. It's the supersize syndrome. With 8 tracks clocking in a 37 minutes, its the shortest Radiohead album. Admit it to yourself. When you saw that tracklisting, before you even heard a note, you were a little disappointed already. I can admit it, I was. But the album, in my opinion, is such a beautifully realized sonic world, that I let that bullshit feeling of 'I'm a consumer and this is not the best value for my dollar' crap go. That mindset is repulsive, but we are conditioned to feel it. That said, given the way the album is structured- 5 tracks of itchy, insistent rhythms, followed by 2 ballads, and closing with a track that picks back up a bit rhythmically- its almost like the album gives you blue balls. It does feel a bit like an appetizer, and leaves you wanting more. Thom even says 'If you think this is over then you're wrong.' Is he deliberately screwing with us, because he knows we'll expect more? Its hard not to hope that this is part 1 of larger work, like In Rainbows had a bonus disc, or Kid A had its counterpart Amnesiac. But regardless of those hopes, I do appreciate the album for what it is right now. As a music fan, I've learned to put my expectations aside. The best thing you can do when listening to a new album, especially by a band you love, is to put them aside and listen with an open mind. Appreciate the album for what it is, rather than be disappointed by what is "isn't."
That music is to dubstep what Ke$ha is to... everything? Awful. Gives real dubstep a bad name. ew.
Best Picture The Social Network Best Actor Colin Firth–The King’s Speech Best Actress Natalie Portman–Black Swan Best Supporting Actor Christian Bale–The Fighter Best Supporting Actress Melissa Leo–The Fighter Best Director David Fincher–The Social Network Best Original Screenplay Inception Best Adapted Screenplay The Social Network Best Foreign Film In a Better World (Denmark) Best Animated Film Toy Story 3 Art Direction Larry Dias and Doug Mowat (Set Decoration)-Inception Cinematography Wally Pfister-Inception Costume Design Colleen Atwood-Alice in Wonderland Documentary Feature Exit through the Gift Shop Film Editing Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter-The Social Network Sound Editing Richard King-Inception Sound Mixing Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo and Ed Novick-Inception Visual Effects Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley and Peter Bebb-Inception
A nod? Really? Is that what it is? A NOD? It's time you guys start calling Kanye out... the dude straight up steals stuff from other people, especially when it comes to his videos. He copied the *entire* concept: the colors, the editing, the fonts... it is the same exact execution of an artistic concept.
Arcade Fire make an album about suburban teenage life, and suburban teens are *pissed* that this band robbed the award from their precious, insipid, un-relatable, and generally terrible pop stars. #ironygum
Speaking of trailers, can we talk about this: http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/lions_gate/madeasbighappyfamily/ and also, WHY? and of course, WHAT?!?!? Sincerly, Confused
Amazing! I wish the Jaxx had a bigger following here in the US. This show could never happen here. They couldn't even bring their Scars tour here, they just did a few dj nights. They are such a fantastic live band too. :-/
I've been ready to get a dog now for years, but apartment issues and moving have pushed it back. I'm now settled into a new place, and need a corgi NOWWWWWWW.
Oh my god, this movie. It was more like The Green HORrible.... amirite? Wow, I just hated it. SO. Much. Flames... Up the side of my face. I love Gondry, but this movie was just a mess.
Oh man... that second fake poster is quite the dream line-up. If Boards of Canada play anywhere in the states, I'd be on a plane in a heartbeat. Here's hoping for Royksopp... I don't think they've ever played a big US festival, and they would be amazing. When was the last time Coachella had a big female pop headliner? (not counting MIA) Madonna in 06? Robyn or Lady Gaga would be fun to throw in the mix this year.
Gummo Transformers 2 Knowing Legion Underworld Skyline
Gummo Underworld Knowing Transformers 2 And finally, will Skyline be out on DVD anytime soon? Because OMGSKYLINE. It's a copy of a copy of a copy of a really stupid blockbuster.
Oh yeah, and Tycho... on Ghostly International... he's been mentioned working on his new album a few times on his ISO50 blog. Coastal Brake was great... can't wait to hear his new stuff.
Boards of Canada are long overdue. Burial as well. Also looking forward to (hopefully) a real Daft Punk album.
I seriously have to repress the urge to scream out "Elizabeth Taylor!" every time I see one of those dogs. I live on the UWS, it happens OFTEN.
The Happening Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen Underworld Let’s Go To Prison I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry Signs Grandma’s Boy Legion Couples Retreat Gummo Nice Girl's Don't Explode (this one is a forgotten GEM)
TOO. MANY. OPTIONS!! The Happening - Kinda just assumed this had already been done. Doing it my actually be arbitrary, since we all know just how bad it is. Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen - How does this movie exist? post-apocalypse, this will be the big gigantic neon sign relic that screams "we had it coming." Underworld 1, 2, or 3 - Painfully dull vampires hanging out in vampire mansion take random breaks to run through endless rainy labyrinths because.... ???? Epic Movie, Disaster Movie, pretty much any _____ Movie - No explanation needed. Let's Go To Prison - Dax Shepard and Will Arnette, and a plethora of dropping-the-soap "jokes"!! I never saw it, but I worked on it for 3 days and that was BAD ENOUGH. I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry - Not just offensive to gays, but to anyone with a brain. Big studio film that made over $100 million as an added insult. Signs - "God exists because of the contrived, circular logic of my script." BARF. Grandma's Boy - Honestly I can't tell you a thing about this cuz I was stoned, except WHAT??? Legion - What was this? Apocalypse porn for the bible crowd? Ridiculous and boring. Rule Bender? Gummo - Aggressively offensive, wretched, garbage! Had to watch it for a film class, and hated EVERY SECOND OF IT. I'm sure some consider this outsider art. And I would consider them GROSS. Rule Breakers! Look- We can scrape the bottom of the Hollywood mediocrity barrel, back and forth, forever and ever. But if you want to find the worst movie of all times, these must be included: The Room (ummm Doi.) Troll 2 The Apple - This unfortunately breaks so many rules. It's a musical with no real stars, and who knows if it had a wide release... BUT it was choreographed by none other that So You Think You Can Dance's Nigel Lythgoe, and wow, what stunning choreography it is!
Radiohead Arcade Fire Daft Punk Robyn Underworld Chemical Brothers Basement Jaxx Royksopp Lady Gaga Boards of Canada New Order Reunion! (hahahaha... yeah right)
Senior is gonna be aaaaa-maze. balls. USA.
love love LOVE this... can not wait to hear Senior!
Whats the movie where the whole extended family gets together for a holiday and everyone ends up reliving their old childhood issues, and reopening old wounds, and the climax revolves around a three-legged race, and then someone dies and everyone learns a very important lesson about life and the meaning of family. and don't forget the karaoke scene!
Everything from the new album is painfully weak, and this is the worst yet. Awful. It's slowly killing all interest I had in hearing this album. ugh. What is she doing?
Ugh @ Madison Sq. Garden. I hate MSG... the sound is usually pretty terrible. Radio City would've been a much better fit.
LOVE THIS!! Love this band, love this song, and can not wait to hear the new album!!
I friggin *love* this! Exit Planet Dust came out when I was 15 (yikes.) so the Chem Bros will always have a special place in my heart.... can not wait for the new album! Sounds like its gonna be really awesome, and slightly less formulaic than their last few albums.
Anyone else think this was absolutely wretched? I mean, I was really stoned when I saw it, so its entirely possible I was just freaked out by mr. crazy eyes.