(A) Feel Good, Inc. (2005, Gorillaz) Grade: B+
Thoughts: The new single off the second album from the cartoon band Gorillaz. "Demon Days" arrives in stores May 24th and "Feel Good, Inc." is the first release. I must say it is pretty strong ... poppy, catchy and Damon Albarn's voice.
(A) Arpeggi (Live at Ether Festival) (2005, Radiohead) Grade: A-
Thoughts: FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY ... new Radiohead. It has been almost 2 years since Hail To The Thief came out and I was wondering what was happening with my boys. Thom Yorke and Johnny Greenwood performed this with the the Nazareth Orchestra in London. If only I had scheduled my trip a few days later ... (sigh). If this is a peek into their new album I would say expect more Kid A and Amnesiac (Kid B). I would love for them to do another The Bends but I guess they are moving away from the guitar sound.
(A) Beverly Hills. (2005, Weezer) Grade: D-
Thoughts: The new single off the Make Believe album which comes out May 10th and I really have to wonder ... what is going on here. This song is bad, really really bad. So I ask .... Weezer, what happened?
(A) Waiting for the Sirens' Call. (2005, New Order) Grade: B+
Thoughts: I had to really warm up to this album and I'm kinda of glad I did. When I don't love an album right away I know it is a keeper. The album is pretty standard New Order stuff but seriously is there anything wrong with that. Stand-out tracks - Waiting for the Sirens' Call, Turn, Krafty, Guilt is a A Useless Emotion.
i do not send death threats. wait ... yes i do. ha ha you fools better blog or else. okay okay i'm being mean. i need to blog as well.
Thursday, March 31
i TOO got a death threat from new wave. so i am blogging a measely little blog. i'm studying for GI--that's gastrointestinal system to you "regular" people...actually to the "regular" person it's the digestive tract haha. not only am i studying for THAT but i am also studying for dun dun dun! STEP 1 BOARDS. But wait, it's not just ONE test i have to take....i have to take TWO step ones. See for D.O.'s(doctor of osteopathy---if you don't know what this is go to Ostepathic we are required to take our own boards COMLEX and since I'm not sure of what specialty I want to go into, I have to take the allopathic boards(M.D. boards) the USMLE. So fun fun fun for me. Despite all that, it's a good distraction from my depression...
Yes Mac, New Wave's death threats are quite scary. we all fear her wrath..haha..i kid i kid.
i am bored at work right now, well not really , just don't feel like working. i'll ramble for a while. Terry Schiavo finally passed away today, what i didn't get was that why so many people were crying afterwards for a person that they never knew or even cared about until about 2 weeks ago. Are they crying cause they didn't get their way and are acting like 2 years olds? If they are really sad cause it wasn't God's will, then wouldn't they be happy to know that she is now in a better place? Secondly these people can say all that they want, but they aren't the ones who are trapped in her world, never being able to grasp what is around your or really live again. Come talk to me when you are in her condition. I think that what Terry probably really wanted was not to have her photograph and video all over the news and to die in peace (thanks kenny).
Quick thoughts:
Pope on not doing so well: poor little pope
Baseball Season starts this week: finally...go blue go
Star Wars Toys go onsale tomorrow: i heard some losers are going to be there in line hours before.......oh wait..umm..ahh crap.
Lost: really good last night, driving me and hedwig nuts.
Talk Radio: music isn't good now-a-days...710 all day everyday.
Final Four: Go Illini!
may the force...be with you.
i am bored at work right now, well not really , just don't feel like working. i'll ramble for a while. Terry Schiavo finally passed away today, what i didn't get was that why so many people were crying afterwards for a person that they never knew or even cared about until about 2 weeks ago. Are they crying cause they didn't get their way and are acting like 2 years olds? If they are really sad cause it wasn't God's will, then wouldn't they be happy to know that she is now in a better place? Secondly these people can say all that they want, but they aren't the ones who are trapped in her world, never being able to grasp what is around your or really live again. Come talk to me when you are in her condition. I think that what Terry probably really wanted was not to have her photograph and video all over the news and to die in peace (thanks kenny).
Quick thoughts:
Pope on not doing so well: poor little pope
Baseball Season starts this week: finally...go blue go
Star Wars Toys go onsale tomorrow: i heard some losers are going to be there in line hours before.......oh wait..umm..ahh crap.
Lost: really good last night, driving me and hedwig nuts.
Talk Radio: music isn't good now-a-days...710 all day everyday.
Final Four: Go Illini!
may the force...be with you.
The Office - I don't know if anyone watched this show Tuesday night (or last Thursday for that matter) but if this show continues on the route of hilarity that was dished out Tuesday night, I may have to put it in my top 3 shows on TV. Though it's taken from the BBC show, it seems to be adjusting the characters a bit and so far it's working for me.
Well, New Wave pretty much covered everything about our trip to Old Blighty, so I needn't review it. England remains lovely.
(A) S/T (2005, The Bravery) Grade: C
With the amount of hype surrounding New York City’s The Bravery—Rolling Stone’s Band to Watch, NME declaring ‘Bravemania’—it would be in your best interest to buy their debut album and declare them your new favorite band. That is, if the album actually lived up to the hype. More than most, The Bravery feels like a concept band: stylish hair and eyeliner (check); new wave, synth sound (check); decrying endless comparisons—“I think we’re more synthetic than most bands out there, but we’re also more real” (check plus). Based on their singles “An Honest Mistake” and “Unconditional,” The Bravery sounds like one of the most exciting acts today. But other tracks on their debut are quite obviously filler, and it’s apparent these musicians are a tad short on ideas. For every “Unconditional,” there are lackluster “Swollen Summer” or cringe-worthy, not campy “Public Service Announcement.” These NYC lads were smart—they spread their stronger tracks throughout the album rather than risk it being top-heavy. Nevertheless, those residing in music land should download the three or four stronger tracks and save some money. I'm betting Bravemania won't last long. Well, then again, there's no accounting for public taste.
(B) 100 Words Almost Everyone Confuses & Misuses (2004, The good editors at American Heritage Dictionaries) Grade: B+
As an aspiring word nerd, this handy dandy reference is fun! No, seriously, good times. Although not as useful as, say, The Grammar Bible, 100 Words is still informative. Sample entry: blatant vs. flagrant ... Both attribute conspicuousness and offensiveness to certain acts. Blatant emphasizes the failure to conceal the act. Flagrant emphasizes the serious wrongdoing inherent in the offense. Also, the use of blatant to mean 'obvious' has not been officially established. Ah, that's fun innit?
(A) S/T (2005, The Bravery) Grade: C
With the amount of hype surrounding New York City’s The Bravery—Rolling Stone’s Band to Watch, NME declaring ‘Bravemania’—it would be in your best interest to buy their debut album and declare them your new favorite band. That is, if the album actually lived up to the hype. More than most, The Bravery feels like a concept band: stylish hair and eyeliner (check); new wave, synth sound (check); decrying endless comparisons—“I think we’re more synthetic than most bands out there, but we’re also more real” (check plus). Based on their singles “An Honest Mistake” and “Unconditional,” The Bravery sounds like one of the most exciting acts today. But other tracks on their debut are quite obviously filler, and it’s apparent these musicians are a tad short on ideas. For every “Unconditional,” there are lackluster “Swollen Summer” or cringe-worthy, not campy “Public Service Announcement.” These NYC lads were smart—they spread their stronger tracks throughout the album rather than risk it being top-heavy. Nevertheless, those residing in music land should download the three or four stronger tracks and save some money. I'm betting Bravemania won't last long. Well, then again, there's no accounting for public taste.
(B) 100 Words Almost Everyone Confuses & Misuses (2004, The good editors at American Heritage Dictionaries) Grade: B+
As an aspiring word nerd, this handy dandy reference is fun! No, seriously, good times. Although not as useful as, say, The Grammar Bible, 100 Words is still informative. Sample entry: blatant vs. flagrant ... Both attribute conspicuousness and offensiveness to certain acts. Blatant emphasizes the failure to conceal the act. Flagrant emphasizes the serious wrongdoing inherent in the offense. Also, the use of blatant to mean 'obvious' has not been officially established. Ah, that's fun innit?
Saturday, March 26
(O) London/Manchester/Brighton. (2005, March 10 to 19) Grade: B+/A/B
Thoughts: London was: busy, crowded, fast walkers, jay walking, expensive, the Underground, nice people, rude people, hostel at King's Cross (with German guys) Camden Crawl (which we missed), Portobello Market (got a nice ring), pubs (half-pint and pint), Boddingtons, Big Ben, Paraliment, Buckingham Palace, The Mall, Piccadilly Circus, St. James Park, St. Paul Cathedral, National Portrait Gallery (with Blur Greatest Hit cover work and Frida Kahlo exhibit), Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, Westminister Abbey, Kensington Park, Chinatown, boba for $6, BA London Eye (cost $24 bucks to ride so I passed), County Hall (nice China exhibit), Tate Modern (too big to see all), House of Parliament, Arcade Fire, Underworld (to see bad bands), Mary Poppins (best ever), Cafe Nero, and so on.
Manchester was: not busy, walking, bus, COLD, raining, gloomy, windy, Raveonettes, rasberry beer, Free Trade Hall (where key bands like Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks and Bob Dylan played, now a Radisson Edwardian Hotel), G-Mex (where New Order and the Smiths played), the Ritz (Smiths first concert place and where the Doves still play), Band on the Wall (old building where tons of people have played), Afflecks Palace (Melrose in a building), Hacienda (influential club and where 24 Hour Party People was based upon, now apt. buildings), St. Patrick's Day parade, Whitworth Art Gallery, Chinatown, and so on.
Brighton was: very COLD, the pier, rocks, no sand, quiet, racist (???), fish and chips, Royal Pavilion (very nice), Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Fishing Museum, Clock Tower, no Robert Smith :( and so on.
(O) British Airways. (2005, Flight Home) Grade: A++
Thoughts: So Pigern and I head to the airport all ready to say bye to London and hello to home. However when we get there we are informed the flight is too booked and we would have to leave tomorrow at 11 am. BA feels bad about the situation so they give us a free night with our own rooms at the Radisson, dinner, breakfast, shuttle to the airport and ..... wait for it ..... $800 dollars EACH. :) Well needless to say that covered half our trip and we were happy campers.
Thoughts: London was: busy, crowded, fast walkers, jay walking, expensive, the Underground, nice people, rude people, hostel at King's Cross (with German guys) Camden Crawl (which we missed), Portobello Market (got a nice ring), pubs (half-pint and pint), Boddingtons, Big Ben, Paraliment, Buckingham Palace, The Mall, Piccadilly Circus, St. James Park, St. Paul Cathedral, National Portrait Gallery (with Blur Greatest Hit cover work and Frida Kahlo exhibit), Tower of London, Trafalgar Square, Westminister Abbey, Kensington Park, Chinatown, boba for $6, BA London Eye (cost $24 bucks to ride so I passed), County Hall (nice China exhibit), Tate Modern (too big to see all), House of Parliament, Arcade Fire, Underworld (to see bad bands), Mary Poppins (best ever), Cafe Nero, and so on.
Manchester was: not busy, walking, bus, COLD, raining, gloomy, windy, Raveonettes, rasberry beer, Free Trade Hall (where key bands like Sex Pistols, Buzzcocks and Bob Dylan played, now a Radisson Edwardian Hotel), G-Mex (where New Order and the Smiths played), the Ritz (Smiths first concert place and where the Doves still play), Band on the Wall (old building where tons of people have played), Afflecks Palace (Melrose in a building), Hacienda (influential club and where 24 Hour Party People was based upon, now apt. buildings), St. Patrick's Day parade, Whitworth Art Gallery, Chinatown, and so on.
Brighton was: very COLD, the pier, rocks, no sand, quiet, racist (???), fish and chips, Royal Pavilion (very nice), Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, Fishing Museum, Clock Tower, no Robert Smith :( and so on.
(O) British Airways. (2005, Flight Home) Grade: A++
Thoughts: So Pigern and I head to the airport all ready to say bye to London and hello to home. However when we get there we are informed the flight is too booked and we would have to leave tomorrow at 11 am. BA feels bad about the situation so they give us a free night with our own rooms at the Radisson, dinner, breakfast, shuttle to the airport and ..... wait for it ..... $800 dollars EACH. :) Well needless to say that covered half our trip and we were happy campers.
Friday, March 25
(M) The Sea Inside ( Alejandro Amenabar, 2004) Grade: B
Number one, I am completely for assisted suicide, euthenasia, or whatever you want to call it. Now, I enjoyed this movie but it's hard for me to believe that it was deserving to win Best Foreign Film at the Oscars. There has got to be a handful if not more films that came out elsewhere in the world better than this. Don't get me wrong though, I liked it.
Okay so this is about a poet who wants to die because he is paralyzed from the neck down. He wants some friends to help him kill himself but there is that risk of the friends going to jail. He tries to get the government to allow the right to die but it's a no go. He comes into contact with quite a few people who try to help him fulfill his wishes but it seems like deep down none of them actually want him to kill himself because they'll miss him. That's understandable because they love him and he can still function and talk and be a human (unlike some current residents in Florida who should be allowed to die).
I wish they focused more on his poetry life. I was left empty about it. Was he a poet before his accident that caused his condition or did he become one after? I'd like to have heard more about his poems and if he was ever successful and how his poetry did after all is said and done. I was also really interested in his life before his accident. It showed pictures of him in places all over the world and I was curious about the places he went. I wish it had focused on more of his life rather than that one segment of it.
Anyway, it's something to watch and think about.
Number one, I am completely for assisted suicide, euthenasia, or whatever you want to call it. Now, I enjoyed this movie but it's hard for me to believe that it was deserving to win Best Foreign Film at the Oscars. There has got to be a handful if not more films that came out elsewhere in the world better than this. Don't get me wrong though, I liked it.
Okay so this is about a poet who wants to die because he is paralyzed from the neck down. He wants some friends to help him kill himself but there is that risk of the friends going to jail. He tries to get the government to allow the right to die but it's a no go. He comes into contact with quite a few people who try to help him fulfill his wishes but it seems like deep down none of them actually want him to kill himself because they'll miss him. That's understandable because they love him and he can still function and talk and be a human (unlike some current residents in Florida who should be allowed to die).
I wish they focused more on his poetry life. I was left empty about it. Was he a poet before his accident that caused his condition or did he become one after? I'd like to have heard more about his poems and if he was ever successful and how his poetry did after all is said and done. I was also really interested in his life before his accident. It showed pictures of him in places all over the world and I was curious about the places he went. I wish it had focused on more of his life rather than that one segment of it.
Anyway, it's something to watch and think about.
Thursday, March 24
(M) Wicker Park (Who knows, 2004). Grade: D
Alright, alright, I was interested in watching this movie mainly because it had a pretty good "hipster" soundtrack featuring Deathcab, Stereophonic, the Shins, Broken Social Scene, Mazzy Star, and others. Big mistake. I don't think there was anything plausible or likable about this movie.
Here's the scenario: Boy meets girl, they fall in love, boy asks girl to move with him to NYC just as she's about to embark on a European dance tour or something. Girl has to leave for the tour unexpectedly, and asks her Best Friend to pass on a message to Boy that she loves him and wants him to wait for her to get back from the tour. Best Friend is secretly in love with Boy and doesn't pass on the message to Boy. Best Friend tells Girl that she saw Boy cheating with some other girl. Girl, distraught, assumes relationship is over. Meanwhile, Boy is devastated to have never heard from Girl. Two years later, Boy and Girl are back in the same city. Best Friend tries to make Boy fall in love with her, but still maintain friendship with Girl. In the end, Boy and Girl meet up again after they figure out Best Friend's hijinks. In short, they're all crazy and stupid.
Too complicated, not believable at all, and not "hip" enough to have a soundtrack as such. And any movie with Matthew Lillard in it raises large red flags.
But hey, there's worse. (*cough*Gigli*)
Alright, alright, I was interested in watching this movie mainly because it had a pretty good "hipster" soundtrack featuring Deathcab, Stereophonic, the Shins, Broken Social Scene, Mazzy Star, and others. Big mistake. I don't think there was anything plausible or likable about this movie.
Here's the scenario: Boy meets girl, they fall in love, boy asks girl to move with him to NYC just as she's about to embark on a European dance tour or something. Girl has to leave for the tour unexpectedly, and asks her Best Friend to pass on a message to Boy that she loves him and wants him to wait for her to get back from the tour. Best Friend is secretly in love with Boy and doesn't pass on the message to Boy. Best Friend tells Girl that she saw Boy cheating with some other girl. Girl, distraught, assumes relationship is over. Meanwhile, Boy is devastated to have never heard from Girl. Two years later, Boy and Girl are back in the same city. Best Friend tries to make Boy fall in love with her, but still maintain friendship with Girl. In the end, Boy and Girl meet up again after they figure out Best Friend's hijinks. In short, they're all crazy and stupid.
Too complicated, not believable at all, and not "hip" enough to have a soundtrack as such. And any movie with Matthew Lillard in it raises large red flags.
But hey, there's worse. (*cough*Gigli*)
Wednesday, March 23
just read on Pitchfork that radiohead is in the works on a new album. FINALLY. i know i have love hate love relationship with them but when it comes down to it ... i love them ... second to the CURE.
Sunday, March 20
(M) Incredibles. (2004, Brad Bird) Grade: A+
Thoughts: Love, love, love this movie. I watched it a second time on my flight to London and realized again how "super" it was. The film is clever, smart, funny and entertaining. Syndrome voiced by Jason Lee is great because I think Jason Lee's voice really added to the character. As soon as I got home I rush to the store and picked up the dvd. I can't wait to watch the extra scenes of Jack Jack.
(M) Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. (2004, Beeban Kidron) Grade: C-
Thoughts: I would have given this a D but I watched it on my flight back home from London so at least I didn't have to pay for it. This film really never should have been made and yet it was ... mind bending. The story picks up a few weeks later with Bridget and Darcy happily in love. Bridget gets insecure, breaks up with Darcy, then gets back with him. Oh and they throw in Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) for good measure, however according to Pigern he never appears in the novel ... go figure. I did laugh a few times but what else was I suppose to do on a plane for 10 hours heading home. I might as well entertain/numb my brain.
(M) Shall We Dance?. (2004, Peter Chelsom) Grade: D+
Thoughts: Why oh why do they insist on doing remakes??? Just watch Shall We Dansu? and you never have to see this film. Granted the only part I did enjoy, hence the +, was how much more emotion John Clark (Richard Gere) showed for his wife Beverly Clark (Susan Sarandon) compared to the icy affection in the Japanese version. I think they did a good job casting Jennifer Lopez as the dance teacher because ... well the girl can dance BUT she can not pull off the cold wooden emotion of the character.
(M) The Village. (2004, M. Night Shyamalan) Grade: C
Thoughts: What happened to M. Night Shyamalan. He does Sixth Sense which was great and then follows that up with the stinker Unbreakable and makes a bit of come back with Signs and now this. The film is not bad but the "twist" at the end is so unreal. Bryce Dallas Howard who played Ivy Walker did a great great job in the film. Joaquin Phoenix was hot as always but I could never understand Adrien Brody's role in the whole film. His character seemed out of place and unnecessary.
yes i know the films i saw on the plane were pretty bad but the other ones were too serious for me to concentrate on (vera drake, closer, birth) or i had already seen them (finding neverland, ray) so there you go. i'll blog more about my trip to london/manchester and the shows. right now i have to try to get some sleep. i have crappy crappy hateful work and a wonderful great doves show tomorrow.
Thoughts: Love, love, love this movie. I watched it a second time on my flight to London and realized again how "super" it was. The film is clever, smart, funny and entertaining. Syndrome voiced by Jason Lee is great because I think Jason Lee's voice really added to the character. As soon as I got home I rush to the store and picked up the dvd. I can't wait to watch the extra scenes of Jack Jack.
(M) Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. (2004, Beeban Kidron) Grade: C-
Thoughts: I would have given this a D but I watched it on my flight back home from London so at least I didn't have to pay for it. This film really never should have been made and yet it was ... mind bending. The story picks up a few weeks later with Bridget and Darcy happily in love. Bridget gets insecure, breaks up with Darcy, then gets back with him. Oh and they throw in Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) for good measure, however according to Pigern he never appears in the novel ... go figure. I did laugh a few times but what else was I suppose to do on a plane for 10 hours heading home. I might as well entertain/numb my brain.
(M) Shall We Dance?. (2004, Peter Chelsom) Grade: D+
Thoughts: Why oh why do they insist on doing remakes??? Just watch Shall We Dansu? and you never have to see this film. Granted the only part I did enjoy, hence the +, was how much more emotion John Clark (Richard Gere) showed for his wife Beverly Clark (Susan Sarandon) compared to the icy affection in the Japanese version. I think they did a good job casting Jennifer Lopez as the dance teacher because ... well the girl can dance BUT she can not pull off the cold wooden emotion of the character.
(M) The Village. (2004, M. Night Shyamalan) Grade: C
Thoughts: What happened to M. Night Shyamalan. He does Sixth Sense which was great and then follows that up with the stinker Unbreakable and makes a bit of come back with Signs and now this. The film is not bad but the "twist" at the end is so unreal. Bryce Dallas Howard who played Ivy Walker did a great great job in the film. Joaquin Phoenix was hot as always but I could never understand Adrien Brody's role in the whole film. His character seemed out of place and unnecessary.
yes i know the films i saw on the plane were pretty bad but the other ones were too serious for me to concentrate on (vera drake, closer, birth) or i had already seen them (finding neverland, ray) so there you go. i'll blog more about my trip to london/manchester and the shows. right now i have to try to get some sleep. i have crappy crappy hateful work and a wonderful great doves show tomorrow.
Tuesday, March 15
Star Wars Trailer (M) A++
Not that i'm biast....okay maybe a tad, but this movie looks really good. Dark, scary, no happy ending..basically everything i look for in a movie. To hear "You were the chosen one" wow..thats all i can say.
okay moving on from my dorkdom...
i concur with cup-o-noodles, i have been awaiting a new NIN album for years and the new song sounds great.
Hopefully new wave and pigern remembered their toothbrushes cause you know you aren't finding out over there...haha. i kid i kid. hopefully they are having fun, but not too much fun, cause thats just not fair.
Not that i'm biast....okay maybe a tad, but this movie looks really good. Dark, scary, no happy ending..basically everything i look for in a movie. To hear "You were the chosen one" wow..thats all i can say.
okay moving on from my dorkdom...
i concur with cup-o-noodles, i have been awaiting a new NIN album for years and the new song sounds great.
Hopefully new wave and pigern remembered their toothbrushes cause you know you aren't finding out over there...haha. i kid i kid. hopefully they are having fun, but not too much fun, cause thats just not fair.
Life must be rough for New Wave and Pigern right now. England is a horrible country. Oh wait, no it's not. Hope you guys are having a great time. And Pigern, when you say 'loo' and 'flat' and 'bloke' at least you won't confuse people. Hehe.
Cheers! ("Cheers to the salt shaker, cheers to the menu, cheers to these chips!" Sorry, inside joke.)
Cheers! ("Cheers to the salt shaker, cheers to the menu, cheers to these chips!" Sorry, inside joke.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)