Why Grey’s Anatomy is popular.
I hate this show so much, and I can’t stop talking about why I hate it.

The indie rock music that everyone love to hate.
Pitchfork can totally make or break a band: see Broken Social Scene, Tapes ‘n Tapes.

The problem with Christopher Guest.

Anti-fan clubs.
I could start a few of these.

In the Studio: The Academy Is.
William Beckett is really pretty.

The 50 Greatest Punk albums.
The Offspring at #5? wtf?

High School Musical on Tour
I would so go to this.

Painted By Numbers

It seems I am having multiple music orgasms this week. The Sounds have a video for “Painted By Numbers”. It’s okay, a little too much squatting for my tastes.  Could this band be hipper? Probably not. This is from my favorite album that came out this year.

aaaahhhh love this record

I posted it earlier, but I can’t stop obsessing over Shiny Toy Guns. I know I fall over myself over a new band everyday, but it is rare that I fall head over heels like this. I think the last time it was Stellstarr*. It proves that great pop music exists, it’s just not marketed that way. Just listen and party like it’s 1984.

Please stop.

Is nothing sacred? First the Bridget Jones sequel and now The Warriors will be remade. It could be good if it was directed by, say, David Fincher, but I have low hope. Although moving the setting to LA is good idea- if it took place in present day New York, they’s be fighting their way through condos and gentrification, and trust fund kids.

hate mail update

My recent Fall Out Boy post continues to garner entertaining hate mail. Now I’m a jackass and gay.

But…I am not sure if the new songs are ridiculous or good. See for yourself.

Arrested Devo

So I am late for this bandwagon, but I finally saw the first seasoon of Arrested Development. Well, with buidup that was sky-high, I guess I enjoy it. The writing is way better to most comedies on tv. I also suppose it is one of those shows where if you watch too many in a row it kind of loses its luster. But the cast has some of my faves. David Cross! Jeffrey Tambor! I love them! And Liza freakin’ Minelli! I am not sure how they can keep up the antics and keep it funny for two more seasons, but I’ll give it a try. The plots resemble Curb Your Entusiasm where something that seems random early in the episode will come back as a plot device at the end.

Speaking of CYE, I finished Season 5 and talk about losing its luster. It took me a while to warm up to the show, but now, at the 50-somethingth episode, it gets reidiculous. I mean, how many times can he find himself in awkward situations? How many strangers can he piss off? How many times can his wife get annoyed at him? It’s getting old. I think there will be a sixth season. Like Seinfeld, Larry David should learn when to quite while he’s ahead.

Living Dolls

I saw this a while ago, and have been looking for this for ages, and thank god for youtube. Living Dolls is a documentary about the child pageant circuit, focusing on one child, Swan Boomer. This thing is like a train wreck, and probably the creepiest thing ever. But, like a train wreck, you totally can’t stop watching. I am surprised Swan’s parents were not arrested for child abuse. Swan’s forced pageant smile is the saddest thing I’ve ever seen. Then their is her rival Leslie something, coached by a pageant manager or something. Sick. Sick and fascinating. Here are all 9 parts.

Update: here is Michael Butler’s website. Creeeeepy! Can I get arrested for looking at it?
http://mrmichaelbutler.com/

Bridget Jones 3

Uh, there is going to be a third Bridget Jones movie? Is this some sort of joke? I didn’t even think there was a third novel. Way to go Hollywood, take something that I really treasure, and stomp it to death. More importantly, how fucking scary is Renee Z.? Here she is as “fat”.

An Inconvenient Truth

You can watch An Inconvenient Truth in its entirety here. Although it makes a good point, the basic fact that we are basically slowly killing ourselves, but it is important to keep in mind that statistics can be manipulated to show anything. But, as I said, the basic gist is there.

Ratatat

I don’t know if this is a new album or what, but here are more Ratatat tracks. God, they rule.

[RATATAT; 9 BEATS]

Also, here is an album of remixes they did. They can make anything sound better.

[RATATAT; Remixes Mixtape Vol. 1]

Hunting for Witches

Does Bloc Party’s “Hunting For Witches” make anyone else cry uncontrollably? Ok, maybe it is just me.

Motion City Soundtrack

Motion City Soundtrack have a cool Trainspotting-homage cover on Alternative Press. Pretty snazzy.

videos

What would it look like if At the Drive-In were a Europop band? Amazing.

Also, time for how-the-hell-did-this-band-get-signed. There is this “band” called Hinder. What. the. fuck. is. this. garbage. The familiar cliches are there- the overdramatic facial expressions of the singer, the lit candles around the band, the black and white flashbacks, the narrative girlfriend storyline, riding the car up the coast with wind in your hair. I just barfed up my chai latte.

reading

NME released their cool list.
I love lists, but isn’t this a bit arbitrary?

Sascha Baren Cohen will play Pirelli in the upcoming Sweeney Todd movie.
I guess I could see that.

A feature on Michael Alig, ten years later.
Have a mentioned how much I worship him?

Gwen Stefani sucks live.
Bring back No Doubt, please.

Have your kids be hipsters in training.

Breaking Character For the First Time in His Life
No one told me that a.there is a revival of Company on Broadway right now and b. Raul Esparza (my fave from Taboo) is starring and that c. he is bisexual. Always the last to know.

Interpol have begun recording their third album.

So have Ash, and so have Idlewild. Yipee!

recently uploaded

Click on the album cover for the music, dummy.

Wassup rockers

Larry Clark, we need to talk. I used to think you were one of the most incredible filmmakers ever. So what if people call you a child pornographer. So what if all your movies include naked underage teens.  Kids and Bully changed the way I looked at film, and maybe a little bit the way I viewed culture. The films were artistic yet gritty. But then you decided to make Teenage Caveman and Ken Park, two absolute disasters of films and steaming piles of shit if I ever saw one. Then you made Wassup Rockers, and I had hope again. A film about skateboarding/punk Hispanic inner-city LA kids. Sounds like it could be good. Well, it really wasn’t. Your use of improvided dialogue, real-life actors, and usual pervy camera focus on the bodies of underage actors was certainly there, but not much else. This one was way too scripted and even tried to touch on racial and societal issues in a preachy way. E for effort, but that is not why your other films were good. They were good because they showed the decay of today’s youth, but without a message or judgement on it. For pete’s sake, you put Janice Dickinson in the movie. Please make another good movie soon so I have hope for filmmakeing. If not for anything, so I don’t have to have imaginary conversations with you on my blog.

Another Gay Movie

It’s my fault, I was warned that it was totally terrible, but I watched it anyway. What is there to say? It was just terrible. Funny? Absolutely not. Sexy? Not even close. The icing on the cake was that it featured that tool James from the awkwardly awful Boy Meets Boy. I hate hate hate hate him.  Graham Norton, you should be ashamed of yourself.

Pack your knives and go.

Inspired by this week’s Top Chef, Erin and decided to create a “cutting edge” Thanksgiving dinner. All vegan too. After three hours at Whole Foods and $80 later…

First course: Pumpkin, tomatillo, and bean stew
Why it’s cutting edge: well, it’s not turkey, I guess

Main course: Tahini-marinated BBQed tofu, mashed potatoes (made with soy milk and earth spread), mushroom gravy, portabella stuffing and roasted brussel sprouts
Why it’s cutting edge: We shunned today’s fads and went with an all-carb theme

Dessert: Cinnamon Apple Oat Crisp with Nutmeg soy whipped topping
Why it’s cutting edge: We used THREE types of apples people

Holy crap, the kitchen was a mess and we did three loads in the dish washer after cooking for two people

Luckily, Erin helped by licking most of the pans and plates clean.

I’m soaring, flying

I was going to just send this to Erin, but this is worth sharing again(The version I burned from you is of crappy quality, this one is better). DON’T JUDGE…High School Musical is kind of awesome.

[HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL SOUNDTRACK ]

recently uploaded music

stuff

Grudge Stars Behr, Strickland Marry
My hopes of being Ms. Max Evans in crushed.

Ian Thorpe retires from swimming.
Oh, just comer out already!

Mike Watt collaborates with…Kelly Clarkson?!?!?!?!
I think he already lost his cred when he appeared in a Good Charlotte video, so it’s okay.

Edward Norton also cares about consumerism
But comes off as kind of pretentious.

A review of The God and the Devil are Raging Inside Me

Cuaron Wants Back In On “Potter”

Buyer Be Aware – New York Times

Mama Was a Riot Grrrl? Then Pick Up a Guitar and Play – New York Times

The Five Most Unintentionally Funny Albums
‘Tis the Season for End of the Year lists.

battle of the awkward “scene” bands

Who is more awkward, Fall Out Boy or Panic! At the Disco? Too close to call.

Can I pay the bill in cubits

Hey now, FirstUSA is offering a Battlestar Galactica credit card. It says “Fleet member”. Yes, I think this is dumb, no I’m not getting one.

Clay Aiken, you complete me

John beat me to it, I was gonna post about Clay Aiken telling Kelly Ripa to stfu. And an interesting take on it here.

holy toledo

First look at OOTP.

Obsessive Consumption

This woman is my absolute hero. After working in marketing/advertising, she started to pay more attention to what she was buying and started documenting it in drawings to draw attention to consumerism, creating Obsessive Consumption. Eventually it turned into a form of pop-art which reflects consumption.

The NYT article….

Miami Heat

So I got a free voucher to download a game for my phone, so now I have this game called Miami Heat. It’s kind of like the Sims. Your character has just moved to Miami and the strategy is to “make it” and be somebody. You can design your character (her choice of clothing is either a tank top, a bikini, or a tube top). You need to interact with people and make them like you. You accomplish this by giving people “stimulants”. You have to get the money for these drugd by working as a bar maid at the “autobar”. You make your money there by being able to flirt with and hook up with the locals in the bar. You also need to keep up your attractive points by exercising at the beach and tanning. As you get more people to like you, you gain access to the exclusive nighclub called “The Manor”. (You get people to like you by telling jokes, talking about clothes, giving them material objects, and flirting and having sex with them). WHen you are there you can make more contacts. Eventually you need to get “The Collector” to want to sleep with you because then you get to hang out with his “associates” who will then help you out.

I, of course, wrote long letters to the manufacturer about how this is a misogynist abomination. And by that I mean I stayed up til 2am playing. The Collector thinks I’m cute, so he has agreed to pay my rent. At least I no longer need to work at the autobar and I can focus my energy of sleeping with everyone in town. Oh, ok, I guess the game is pretty liberal…you can sleep with both men and women. Hey, art imitates life. I acquired a best friend (bonus points!) and he is gay man. I met him while trying to do him on the dance floor at the Manor.

video time again

This morning at the gym I saw the video for the U2/Green Day collaboration, “The Saints Are Coming”.

The concept is interesting- instead of using the troops in Iraq, they could be used to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I see the message, but really, I think that may be an oversimplified statement. It’s not like ANY president could make the decision to replace one with the other. There is a whole lot more involved. I am officially against the war…..but it’s just not as simple as taking them out and using them in the US. I think if they are going to make an anti-government statement, it should be a bit more informed…like being at a rally screaming “I hate Bush!” but then never really being able tp specifically name specifics. Or maybe I am looking into this too much. Oh, and I’d do Billie Joe Armstrong in a heartbeat.

oops I crapped my pants

I said I wasn’t going to get excited about it, but the trailer looks pretty damn good. Nice kiss, I thought I saw some tongue. Also, Bellatrix looks great.

waiting for the 7.18

I’ve re-upped the Bloc Party album.

Also, for those who enjoyed 2gether (um, Erin) here is their second album, 2gether Again. They certainly have developed as artists but still stuck to their roots.

feminista

Sadly, today I realized that it is probably the first time in my 28 years that I am wearing heels on purpose. And I am not counting my chunky maryjanes in ‘95 when I tried to dress like Courtney Love. And the heels aren’t even that high. The more “feminine” I try to dress the less feminine I feel. Plus, I am walking like a moron. And everyone called me out on it, like me wearing heels in the sign of the apocolypse. Speaking of appearance, I also gave myself a haircut the other night- three inches. Sadly, it will take me six months to get that back. And I did such a horrible job. Note: do not put your hair in a ponytail and then chop off the end and think that will give you an even haircut.

Oh, and also speaking of appearnces, the other day I met a woman who works on another department whose looks I think are perfect and now I am obsessed with her. I mean, I obsess over celebrities all the time and would love to look like them, but here is someone in real life that I can look at and obsess over. Seriously obsess over. When I see her, I really can’t help but stare. It’s kind of a problem. I actually have to resit the urge to take out my camera phone. I wonder if she has caught on. This is not helping my plan to become the leader of the poweful clique. Damn, I hate her.

This video will cause world peace.

 

I miss Glen and Dale.

schwing

Rumor has it Clive Owen will not be returning for Sin City 2. I think I just lost my will to live. His segment in the original is basically my porn.

Do the curtains match the drapes?

There was so much build up to see this movie. And boy, was I underwhelmed. I appreciate the return to some of my favorite characters, but it was way too forced. Some things are better left as a low-budget Comedy Central show. Of course, Stephen Colbert and Paul Dinello are wonderful as always as the best on-screen couple evah, and nice to see PSH (DM!) and of course, Justin Theroux (DMANL!). But….eh. Skip it.

could Brittany Snow’s voice be anymore annoying

Wow, it’s rare that I find another worst movie ever in the same week. I only saw it because I have an insane crush on Sophia Bush. Are they serious? Did they think this was funny/good? Stupid me, from the title, I thought that they actually wanted to murder John Tucker, hence a satire like Heathers. I guess I gave it too much credit.

my thoughts on Battlestar

I just got caught up on the last three eppies.

Isn’t it convenient that they are now right back to where we started in Season 1? Roslyn in the prez, Pegasus isn’t in the picture, everyone has their jobs back onboard. I liked where the other storyline was going- I wish they were on New Caprica longer. It gets so claustrophobic on one ship. They need to take a trip back to Kobol or something.

How in the hell did they organize for everyone to escape back to the ships? Are we to expect that everyone knew exactly where to go?

Why did the women’s hair look amazing while they were on New Caprica? Ellen and Tory’s hair looks like they are naturaly put in rollers every night, and Starbuck’s weave is too damn near perfect.

Speaking of, that’s it for Anders, I guess. I had a feeling he was only kept on guest star status for a reason. At least they didn’t kill him off- he could always come back somehow. But, after all that build up about how Starbuck had such a true and passionate love for him…it ended quickly. Question: would you give up that piece so quickly? Not so much.

Minority Report called…they want their precog back.

The inside of the Cylon Basestar is a bit too cheesy for me. Why does there need to be blinking lights everywhere? And those hand contolled computer things. Dumb. They can build all that but their centurions couldn’t detect metal/weapons? And they can’t read human minds or anything? Duh.

Thank GOD Baltar was not a cylon. That would have ruined the whole show for me and been some of the dumbest storywriting in history. Well, at least he isn’t one of the remaining five. I think he is still somehow connected, like he is a megacylon (that doesn’t have copies) or something or maybe the embodiment of their god.

Ok, about the genocide episode…holy schnikes. I usually don’t talk to the tv when I watch, but I was yelling the whole time. LAURA ROSLIN IS PURE EVIL. I knew it in Season 1, but everyone loved her. When is everyone going to catch on that she is awful? First, she wanted to immediately kill Admiral Cain without reason. She wanted to put Sharon out the airlock. Then she fucking FIXED THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. Now to command genocide just so she can get her precious earth? They could certainly look for an alternate place to settle. New Caprica would have worked out fine if the cylons hadn’t arrived. I love how this blurs the line of good/evil. The Colonial fleet is so perfect- they are now committing the same warcrimes as the Cylons have.

And the whole torture/sex thing with Gaius and Number Six. I’m kind of not going to touch that. If you know what I mean. Hello, sci-fi s&m. I’ll bet there are a million fanfics being written about it right now. I still hold my ground that Baltar is not the evil one, he’s just misunderstood. I predict he will somehow be the one to save the fleet, and then they will be groveling at his feet.

Apparently, cylons like threesomes.

Wow, finally they bring in a POC and he happens to be crazy and used as cylon bait. Way to go.

Ok, so if they let Bulldog escape and faked the chase after him, how did they know where Galactica was? Why didn’t they just jump into their space and attack? I hate when there are holes like that.

Other questions- who the hell is taking care of Chief and Cally’s baby? So Starbuck is sane now? Is Sam going to be given another thought?

they are awSum don’t B a H8TR

So I’m kind of an internet celebrity. I have been getting a lot of hits because I posted the lyrics to the new Fall Out Boy song and maybe made fun of them a little. So I am getting a lot of fans (teenies?) leaving comments and contacting me with hate mail. Mostly saying that I am just jealous and that they are something and I am nothing, so how dare I make fun of them. I guess this is going under the theory that if someone is famous and someone criticizes it, it is out of pure jealousy. No, it’s called having an opinion. Look into it. It’s like Fall Out Boy has some sort of teen mafia that takes a hit out on anyone that says something remotely negative. Most of the comments use the word b*tch so I refuse to approve those, and several calling me ugly. Ha ha. Well well. ACTUALLY the joke is on them. As everyone knows I actually love Fall Out Boy (in an ironic way of course). This is the most exciting thing that has happened in a while. Keep up the hate mail!

weekend reading

Fast Food Nation-Nytimes review

Download Indie Music, Cheat Death

The 50 Biggest Hollywood Disasters

Exclusive: Fall Out Boy Album Deets

Fall Out Boy Go R&B

White Stripes ballet debuts

In Certain Circles, Two Is a Crowd

How to Be Funny

Top 40 bands in America today (I beg to differ)

Listening to Indie music makes you smoke marijuana

OOTP

I said I wasn’t going to get all excited about it, but these pictures were released from the Order of the Phoenix movie. Harry looks good, I’m glad he got a haircut.

fake movie trailer

I am 99.99% sure this is fake but nonetheless it is awesome. It is supposedly a teaser trailer for the movie version of Bret Easton Ellis’ Lunar Park. I mean, there were rumors about it being made into a movie, but they haven’t even started casting yet. However, whoever made this perfectly captured the spirit of the book and the tone of Ellis’ novel.

Factory Girl

The trailer for Factory Girl is out. Can’t wait! Hayden = hawt. His character is based on Bob Dylan, but Bob did not give permission for his name to be used in such a loosely-based biopic.

trying to make the days go faster

So, my SAD is kicking in, I am trying to make it through the remainder of the year before I am out of here, but I am trying to do things to entertain myself so I am not just watching the calendar. My first idea was starting a clique at work. Like, forming one, making it exclusive, and letting some people in and freezing out others. I wouldn’t even know how to get it started. What are the qualifications to be in my clique? How do I appoint my second in command? How do I make sure someone doesn’t get more powerful than me? I guess I need to do some more planning before I take this on. I also work in an office of 10 people, so that should make it fun.

Je ne regrette rien

Today’s playlist- some soundtrack stuff. “Non, Je ne regrette rien” is from the closing credits of The Dreamers and “Brutal” is from The Beach- an incredibly underrated film. “The Passenger”, although a classic Iggy Pop song, was most recently used in Trainspotting.

Essential albums: The Dandy Warhols

Truthfully The Dandy Warhols were one of the bands that inspired me to start posting about essential albums. I’ve been hesitating because I am not sure what to say about them because whatever I say will not do them justice. The Dandy Warhols were an indie/alternative band of the early nineties, and were targeted by major labels when the whole grunge/alternative invasion took over. They did not gain the noteriety that was expected, but they have still continue to make albums and have a pretty good following. This band has the perfect amount of fame, in my opinion. They have enough loyal fans to keep them making music, but it is not ridiculous. The Dandys definately have a unique sound that so many bands copy. Pandora describes it as “mixed electronic/acoustic guitars, electronic instrumentation, harmonized singing, and breathy male vocals”. Sure, I guess that’s correct. Courtney Taylor is also the typical frontman. I always talk about this, but the movie Dig! is a fantasic chronicle of the rise and fall of the band and about the 90s alternative music boom.

The second problem is: what album to post? With the exception of the most recent album, it is impossible to decide which one is best. For now we’ll go with 1995, Come Down, which includes the quintessential Dandys song, “Minnesoter.”

[THE DANDY WARHOLS; COME DOWN]

I’ll also include some other songs that you also need to know here.

Unfortunately, their talents did not lie in making good videos.

I miss my Brenda Walsh bangs.

I was all excited because the next dvds I got in the mail were the first season of Beverly Hills 90210 and quite truthfully it may have been a mistake. It kind of ruined my good memories of it. Actually, it’s a bad show. Kind of dumb and not very interesting. I guess it does get better after the first season, like when Kelly meets Color Me Badd, Brenda goes to France and pretends to be French (when she meets “Reeeeck”) and David gets cool and writes songs on his Casio. This season had the annoying storylines where Brandon gets a part on a tv show, Brenda works at the Peach Pit as Laverne, and the Spring dance where Brenda and Kelly wear the same dress.

However, don’t even get me started on the fashion. This makes the show for me. It’s funny how in 10 years wha we are wearing now is going to seem ridiculous. Here are the highlights so far:

• Brenda’s waist of her jeans coming up to her armpits
• Kelly’s demin shirt with shear sleeves with fake daisies pasted all over it
• The guys wearing silk shirts buttoned up all the way to the top
• Kelly’s yellow blazer with shoulder pads and  green sleeves and a green collar

oh my gosh remember this

Just what is Teen Steam anyway? And what are you going to let it out from?

here we go again

This is bizarre. Even magicians are selling out.

		This Thanksgiving, Target is presenting David Blaine -- the
              world's greatest endurance artist and magician -- with one of
              his biggest challenges yet.  As part of his challenge, he will
              attempt to escape from shackles while dangling four stories
              above Times Square in time for the Target 2-Day Sale.

              Target and David Blaine are joining together to present this
              event to benefit The Salvation Army and kick-off a dazzling
              holiday shopping season.  If David Blaine successfully completes
              this feat, 100 deserving children will have a surprising and
              unforgettable start to the Christmas season.

How about you just give the stuff to the kids? It’s kind of an insult. It’s like, “you have to sit through this extravagant display which will cost us 10 times more than your mom makes in a year. Then we’ll give you a ten dollar gift card.”

multiply

So I’ve found this fantastic new site, Multiply, where I can more easily post my music. I don’t even know how the hell it is legal. It’s probably not. I’ll start posting my playlists there, and maybe I will start posting some albums there. We’ll see how it turns out.

With that cleared up, here is the soundtrack to my day today.

Brand New

[ BRAND NEW; THE DEVIL AND GOD ARE RAGING INSIDE ME ]

Love it. It’s quite heavier and darker than their previous.

2gether

My recent delve into NKOTB made me think of 2gether. Did anyone ever watch that show? It was pure genius. Basically it was a spoof on BSB/NSYNC and all those boy bands of the late 90s. They included all the cliches (the young cute band member, the older brother, the thug). The sad thing was, although their music were parodies, they were actually better than the songs that were on the charts. “You + Me = Us” is pure genius. I think you’ll find that if you sneak this album onto your playlists, you’ll end up liking the songs. I CANNOT wait until the show comes to dvd (if it ever does). The cast was adorable, and included Chris Farley’s brother (as the band member who was mysteriously very old) and Evan Farmer as the hearthtrob of the band. (ps sometimes I watch While You Were Out just for him).

[2gether; 2gether] and their best song, “The Hardest Part Of Breaking Up (Is Getting Back Your Stuff)“

They also hit all the video cliches right on the mark.

productive things I did at work today.

Reorganized my Netflix Queue.

Played with my 20Q with my coworkers for about 2 hours.

Gossiped about my coworkers with and about my coworkers for about 2 hours.

Joined the Beckett Whores and the bands slash livejournal communities. (No, I didn’t create them)

Learned that Andrew went to high school with Katee Sackoff.

Designed a curriculum for teaching privileged students how to be activists for class equality (see, I did do some work.)

Generated movie quotes using friend’s names.

Wondered why people actually like Joanna Newsom.

In case you missed it.

I’ve reuploaded some recent albums some people were asking about:

New Kids on the Block
The Lillingtons
Marie Antoinette Soundtrack
My Chemical Romance
Midtown
Cobra Starship

here it is!

Turns out, I love it. Thank you Bloc Party

[BLOC PARTY; A WEEKEND IN THE CITY]

Reno 911! Miami trailer

It looks…kind of not funny. I also spy Ian Roberts. I thought Paul Rudd was supposed to be in it?

uh

yea so I think I just got an advance copy of the new Bloc Party album (due in February). ‘Scuse me while I pass out.

I can’t get that excited over a garlic press.

I’ve completed my initiation into the world of suburbia. Today I went to a Pampered Chef Party. I felt really sorry for the presenter/host trying to sound like having a stainless steel whisk was the best thing that ever happened to her. The whole thing was actually kind of sad. I totally kept myself in check and even played the little games she had us do. I felt guilty too so I bought a baking pan while a little piece of my soul died.

Murder By Death

I had always stayed away from listening to Murder By Death because quite frankly I always thought that they were some sort of death metal band. They are actually a punk/alt-folk/electronic collective. They are kind of like Trail of Dead meets Arcade Fire meets Cursive.

[MURDER BY DEATH; LIKE THE EXORCIST BUT MORE BREAKDANCING]

Figure 1: The pretentiousness of their band promo photo may give a slight hint to the slight pretentious of the music. But don’t let it stop you.

today’s playlist

MADONNA, Isaac

THE STROKES, Whatever Happened

MUSE, Take a Bow

COBRA STARSHIP, You’ll Never Be Missed If You Never Go Away

SHINY TOY GUNS, Rocketship

UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF GIANTS, In the Clouds

THE RUSSIAN FUTURISTS, Hurtin’ 4 Certain

BLINK182, Dammit

THE RAVEONETTES, That Great Love Sound

MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK, The Future Freaks Me Out

Yes, I watched it.

I think I have found a movie to replace How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days as the worst movie I have ever seen. The movie had a sense of humor geared towards third-graders yet the setting was for twentysomethings. It was also embarassing because you could tell how the makep department had to try really hard to cover up Lindsay’s coke problem. I also hate movies that take place in New York that have no actual concept of New York. How was she suddenly in midtown then seconds later in the East Village? How is McFly the hottest band in New York? Puh-leaze. Also. I hate how to paint a successful woman in New York she wither has to work in advertising, at a magazine, or in PR. And go to fancy schmancy art openings.  I can’t believe I even spent a whole entry even pondering this. Forget it.

Oh ooowwwwoah she’s my covergirl

I haven’t listened to this since I had it on cassette. Just looking at the cover reminded me how much I manhandled the cover of the cassette. It was in shreds after a while. I also learned how to write everything in the Hangin’ Tough font. I remember I couldn’t even take how hot Donnie looked. In reality, they are all kind of fugs. Yea, you have the typical hit singles off this, but I just wanted this so I could hear “Cover Girl”. That was sort of the hidden gem of this album. I loved it because Donnie sang lead.

[NKOTB; HANGIN' TOUGH](Edited, now the files are in mp3)
I also have Step By Step. Jealous?

The first few minutes of two movies I am thinking of seeing but still not convinced.

The first few minutes of Borat and Death of a President.

capitalism is love

Note to Walmart: please stop selling shirts with Nazi symbols!

The CD will be dead in five years.
The figures also suggested that the death of CDs will lead to a decline of high street record shops, with many foreseeing stores being frequented by over 30s only. How sad! Instead of frequenting vinyl shops, generation x-ers will be patrolling for that original Bel Biv Devo cd.

Corporate Training
This is why I want my MBA. So I can work for a company that has corporate retreats and I can witness shit like this first hand.

Black Friday 2006.
This makes me ill.

church of hot addiction

More video watching at the gym, this time to my surprise my very favorite band Cobra Starship has a video for “The Church of Hot Addiction”.

Yea, the video isn’t great, but the song is catchy and Gabe Saporta, DM! so who cares.

some of the songs I can’t stop listening to

MURDER BY DEATH, Killbot 2000

KT TUNSTALL, Suddenly I See

THE KILLERS. Read My Mind

…AND YOU WILL KNOW US BY THE TRAIL OF DEAD, Stand In Silence

THE LILLINGTONS, Vaporize My Brain

THE VEILS, One Night on Earth

Last time I did this I included a Hanna Montana song. Hanna Montana, people. And no one called me on it!

hello my treacherous friends

Long ago, before OkGo spent their time choreographing treadmill dances, whoring themselves to a JC Penny commercial, making mediocre music and generally being tools, they actually were a respectable pop-rock band. I dug their debut album out from my archives and remembered how much I loved this album. You can’t help but listen to it constantly.

[OK GO; OK GO]*

I don’t mean to pull the I-heard-of-them-before-they-were famous thing, but it’s true. I saw them in a small club back in 2001 opening for Phantom Planet (I think).

*Best tracks: Hello My Treacherous Friends, Get Over It, Don’t Ask Me, There’s a Fire

music television

When I’m at the gym I actually get to watch MTV and during that time they actually play videos, so I always get to see what the kids are watching these days. This morning I saw the Taking Back Sunday video for “Liar” and thought it was quite titilliating. Sort of like a modern-day “Take On Me” with the pencil drawings. The only thing that ruins it is the HORRID attempt of the band to act at the end.

What do I love more than gushing about the music I like? Hating on stuff that I don’t like. I saw this video for Say Anything’s “Alive With the Glory of Love” and it was one of those moments that makes me truly ponder how the hell some bands are signed when others struggle forever. Are these guys for real? Do they think this is good/appealing/musical? The shitty song, the overdramatic facial expressions, the dumb “concept” video, the awkward thrashing around, the trying-to-hard leather jacket, it’s everything I hate about music.

Ok, it is easy to hate on pop music for being bad, but I do have some respect for pop music if it is done well. But this “music career” of this Brooke Hogan character may push me over the edge. What. a. bad. song. The makeup and over bleached hair actually make me queasy. But note to Brooke: if you are going to make a “dance-off” part of your video, please make sure you can dance. And don’t drag Paul Wall into this mess.

two superpowers unite

U2 and Greenday have recorded a single together. Basically the producers over at Vh1 just had an orgasm. I think I like the cover better than the single.

[the song is here]

I’ll punch that timecard.

Someone I’m adding to my group of imaginary boyfriends (uh, as opposed to my real ones?) is John Krasinski from The Office. I’m really posting these for Katie who also shares my crush (someone really named Katie, not the character on the show. I’m not THAT pathetic). They are from some uberhip magazine.

OOOOOOOOOHHHH MY GOD I LOVE THE RAPTURE SO MUCH AAUHSRJSHRIUHRHU*@$#*U(!

The new video for “Whoo! Alright-Yeah…Uh-huh” is out and I’ve watched it about a thousand times already. This band kicks ass so hard. No wonder the album is one of my favorites…ever. The video is everything that indie-rock-dance-funk should be. Or anything that music should be. Plus, I wouldn’t kick any of the band members out of bed.

The Radio Dept.

[THE RADIO DEPT; LESSER MATTERS]

I loved the songs by the Radio Dept. on the Marie Antoinette Soundtrack, so I checked out more. They have one album from 2003 and one released this year. Their recent album is mediocre, but Lesser Sounds in incredible. I guess you could describe it as ambient, fuzzy, kind of like Air meets the Jesus and mary Chain. Just what you would think Swedish indie pop would sound like. Whatever that means.

music news in overload lately

Rainer Maria break up.
I loved this band, although the singer was never quite on key.

…And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead pompous?
Yes, but they are the best fucking band ever, so they can be.

Top 10 onstage meltdowns
I love public temper tantrums.

The Bravery work on a new album.
It has taken me two years, but I actually started listening to their first album last week.

Weezer and the Beach Boys- separated at birth?
Someone should write a dissertation on this.

Playing CMJ is not such a big deal anymore.
I’ve been to several shows during the festival when I lived in New York, and it has not quite been the experience I expected. Most of the audience were industry types and the rest were paying more attention to each other’s outfits than the band. It’s less the DIY-independent spirit music scene than it is just “scene”.

Rancid myspace blog.
The drummer left the band. A new album is due in the new year. Please don’t let it suck. Please don’t put Good Charlotte in any more of your videos. Thanks/

End of the Century

End of the Century was a fantastic documentary. Go see it. I won’t even begin to start to talk about the influence the Ramones had, because it’s not worth it and I couldn’t even begin. If you are asking yourself, what are The Ramones, don’t ever fucking talk to me again.

Fun fact: I just discovered Joey Ramone was in the same year and same high school as my mother. Don’t get excited. She probably didn’t know him.  

oh, Willoughby Hall

I just watched Art School Confidential. Overall, as a movie, I was restless. But, it did a good job of depicting art school, and it made me miss Pratt and my people there. Shout out, I guess. For every quirky art student identified in the movie I could think of someone at Pratt exactly like that.  I would totally work at an art school again.  (And Nick Swarsdon as the closeted roommate- made the movie.)

test your pervitude

Can you name 100 of these “sexy” guys in a minute?

I can. What does that make me? Pretty fucking pathetic.

when is it ever not a good time to look at pictures of kittens?

The kittens go back Wednesday. It’s bittersweet. Of course I will miss squooshing their faces, but I am sure there will be a better home for them somewhere else. Having them really made me realize I’m not ready to have cats, I actually don’t have a lot of time to devote to them. I am also reluctant to let them roam the whole apartment, so right now they are itching to get out of their room, and probably should be. I can’t believe how much two weeks represents in a kitten’s life. When I first got them they could barely run because their legs were not developed. They also seemed so fragile, but now they throw themselves all over the place and jump off a ledge of any height. They also like to wrestle each other constantly. I think they look like Mogwais (you know those, fuzzy little pre-Gremlin creatures).

Ben Folds

[BEN FOLDS; SUPPERSUNNYSPEEDGRAPHIC, THE LP]

I know that some purists will hate me for this, but I prefer Ben Folds‘ solo work to anything by the Ben Folds Five. The 2001 album Rockin’ the Suburbs changed my life. The album after that, Songs for Silverman was really bad, so I had kind of given up hope. I just listened to this new one, and it is more in the style of Suburbs, with some additional musical features like orchestrations. I also want to include two other amazing songs not on this album.

“Rockin’ the Suburbs“- obviously amazing

“Still Fighting It“- I am surprised that Zach Braff hasn’t comissioned this for one of his movies or Grey’s Anatomy hasn’t milked it. So goddam epic.

Bones

As mentioned, the Tim Burton-directed video for Bones is quite choice. Although Brandon Flowers is truly starting to annoy me and it is quite a literal interpretation of the song, I do love that it stars the fantastic Devon Aoki. Anyone know who the guy is? Also, didn’t the Grateful Dead do a video like this?

weekend reading

When it Comes to Political Comedy, Upstarts Outrun the Classics.

The Perfume paradox: when Terrible Movies Get Under Your Skin

Inside Man gets a sequel

The essential nyc quiz

Darren Aronofsky to film biblical epic

Fake Rich Guys

It’s not easy loving The State.

Runnig with wow this was a letdown but I can’t say I’m not surprised

I saw Running With Scissors tonight. What a mess of a movie. My expectations were low anyhow, but as a big fan of the book I igured it was my duty to check it out. I’m no filmmaking expert, but the whole thing was badly edited, badly scene set-up, and bad use of soundtrack. It looks like the thing had also gone back for re-edits about a hundred times. I could make a better movie just by reading US Weekly. The book was more about the character development, not about an intricate plot, and the movie did a shit job of painting the characters in any sort of picture. The viewer got no sense of the true friendship between Augusten and Natalie, which was central to the plot. And, oh my gosh, Joseph Fiennes. What were you thinking? You choose to take on so few film roles and this is what you choose? Even he couldn’t do much with a bad script. And that whole thing with his relationship with Augusten. Obviously being repeatedly raped by a 35-year-old man did a psychological job on him in the book, but in the movie that was used as “humor”. Yes, for real. In fact, the pyschological distresses of the characters were used for humor. Not dark humor, but to get cheap laughs. Don’t even get me started on the last scene with Agnes Filch. THAT SHIT DID NOT HAPPEN IN THE BOOK. It was put in there to get a feel-good movie ending. I wonder how Augusten Burroughs actually feels about this movie. I am sure he is not too upset with the paycheck it has given him. Can’t say I’d blame him. Do me a favor, Hollywood. If a book is good, don’t fuck it up be making a movie. I’d like to see one movie based on a book that was actually better than the book or at least does it justice.

Shiny Toy Guns

If Enya lived in Williamsburg, had a trust fund, and wore scrunched suede boots and leggings, she’s sound like Shiny Toy Guns. Seriously. The only way I can describe is it as Enya for indie rockers. Go. Listen.

[SHINY TOY GUNS; WE ARE PILOTS]

Dave Eggers

Hey, no one sent me the memo that Dave Eggers had a new novel out there. Although I find him disgustingly egostistical, I will say that You Shall Know Our Velocity! was a masterpiece. For those of you not in the know, Eggers is the editor of McSweeney’s, which is like The Onion for snobs. The new novel, What is What, looks interesting I guess. Eggers is all over the place you never know what he will pull out.

Valentino Achak Deng, real-life hero of this engrossing epic, was a refugee from the Sudanese civil war-the bloodbath before the current Darfur bloodbath-of the 1980s and 90s. In this fictionalized memoir, Eggers (A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius) makes him an icon of globalization. Separated from his family when Arab militia destroy his village, Valentino joins thousands of other “Lost Boys,” beset by starvation, thirst and man-eating lions on their march to squalid refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya, where Valentino pieces together a new life. He eventually reaches America, but finds his quest for safety, community and fulfillment in many ways even more difficult there than in the camps: he recalls, for instance, being robbed, beaten and held captive in his Atlanta apartment. Eggers’s limpid prose gives Valentino an unaffected, compelling voice and makes his narrative by turns harrowing, funny, bleak and lyrical. The result is a horrific account of the Sudanese tragedy, but also an emblematic saga of modernity-of the search for home and self in a world of unending upheaval.

My Chemical Romance

I like My Chemical Romance, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. They have pretty intense music and some pretty good theatrics and concepts about the band. I can see why they are appealing to the pre-teen emo set. But I think their latest album actually borrows from 1970s glam rock, and I can appreciate that. The Black Parade plays like an over-the-top emo rock opera. The matching outfits are a bit awkward though. It’s like Gerard Way decided they would all do it, and some of them are a little less comfortable with their bodies than he is in the form-fitting pants, and that totally shows in the awkwardness in all the photo shoots. The cool thing is that Gerard Way is now a god among his fans, and in high school he was a chubby awkward kid. I’m trying to find his yearbook photo. It’s pretty hilarious.
I wonder who is excited to go to a high school reunion!

Anyway, the album is worth a listen. You don’t have to tell anyone that you listen to “Welcome to the Black Parade” on repeat and sing along quite loudly, as I do at work sometimes.

[MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE; WELCOME TO THE BLACK PARADE]

Today’s playlist

Hanna Montana- Best of Both Worlds

Your Enemies Friends- The Comfort System

Placebo- Daddy Cool

Mew- Special 

i love portly gentlemen

Is it just me, or is Jack Black incredibley doable?

I kind of want to see him make out with Stephen Colbert. Did I say that out loud?

One thing I hate is his “comedy rock” band Tenacious D. Like the band actively irritates me. It was maybe funny for one song, but it reeks of tryingtohard. I wish their movie would come out already so the world can be rid of it.

Forward, Russia

I am not sure why I like this band. They kind of sound like they recorded thisd album in one take- the rhythms and coordination seem a little off. (Kind of like another band I know). But amiss the chaos, it works and actually melodic stuff is the result.

[FORWARD, RUSSIA; GIVE ME A WALL]

More about the band from Wikipedia.

eye discharge

Glen and Dale have conjunctivitous. Am I a bad mother? Their eye goop is everywhere.