-or-
recommended music:
lcd soundsystem - north american scum
lcd soundsystem - all my friends
29.12.06
public opinion poll:
-or-
recommended music:
lcd soundsystem - north american scum
lcd soundsystem - all my friends
9.12.06
quantify my intelligence, if you'd be so kind.
despite its best efforts, group work could not obliterate my grades to the extent that i might make the school look bad for accepting stupid people (heaven forbid). everybody wins...
...including my hockey team. the recipe for success is apparently to send me several time zones off into the distance. there's nothing like having your otherwise crappy team go undefeated in your absence to make you feel like you contribute.
also: i want to trade my drums for a piano. i don't think i'll ever be a decent drummer, and being a bad pianist sounds like it would be more fun than being a bad drummer. really i should just play the guitar all day and be good at one thing instead of mediocre at several.
this is starting to turn into an actual blog... i think i can fix that by stirring your patriotic sentiments with hulk hogan's music video, "real american." enjoy:
recommended music:
muse - muscle museum
the dandy warhols - nietzsche
...including my hockey team. the recipe for success is apparently to send me several time zones off into the distance. there's nothing like having your otherwise crappy team go undefeated in your absence to make you feel like you contribute.
also: i want to trade my drums for a piano. i don't think i'll ever be a decent drummer, and being a bad pianist sounds like it would be more fun than being a bad drummer. really i should just play the guitar all day and be good at one thing instead of mediocre at several.
this is starting to turn into an actual blog... i think i can fix that by stirring your patriotic sentiments with hulk hogan's music video, "real american." enjoy:
recommended music:
muse - muscle museum
the dandy warhols - nietzsche
30.11.06
god hates you because you condone group work
celebrating wonderful end to
final fall quarter
with total failure of
group project that
destroyed otherwise
decent grade in
senior seminar.
good
times.
recommended music:
muse - sunburn
the white stripes - jolene
final fall quarter
with total failure of
group project that
destroyed otherwise
decent grade in
senior seminar.
good
times.
recommended music:
muse - sunburn
the white stripes - jolene
20.11.06
for educational purposes: no stumble button involved
recommended music:
beck - the information
the dandy warhols - love is the new feel awful
5.11.06
the stumble button strikes.
recommended music:
tom waits - gun street girl
explosions in the sky - your hand in mine
31.10.06
what kind of hockey team gives up 3 goals in the final 91 seconds?
a) mine
b)
c) all of the above
oddly enough, searching for the caps logo yielded this:
if you were to read that aloud, it would indeed say 'washington capitals.' those israelis and their inability to translate.
recommended music:
muse - space dementia
muse - dark shines
b)
c) all of the above
oddly enough, searching for the caps logo yielded this:
if you were to read that aloud, it would indeed say 'washington capitals.' those israelis and their inability to translate.
recommended music:
muse - space dementia
muse - dark shines
26.10.06
even if advocating the curing of disease goes against the moral values that have made this country what it is (xenophobic and insecure)...
...let's all grab weapons and go kill in the name of michael j. fox.
recommended music:
the white stripes - st. james infirmary blues
william shatner - you'll have time
recommended music:
the white stripes - st. james infirmary blues
william shatner - you'll have time
22.10.06
the peace corps wants to know:
i do, in fact, have several missing spleens. i assure you, as i have assured the peace corps' health status review form, that i acquired them all with the explicit consent of their original owners.
also, though i cannot formally classify the process as "surgery," i have very reliable third-hand knowledge that there were surgical tools involved, which would naturally lead to conclusion that whatever i paid those hobos to do was indeed "surgery."
recommended music:
boards of canada - constants are changing
the dandy warhols - easy
18.10.06
but i was never actually convicted of espionage
while reading of the continued freedom and tolerance of our beloved united states of america, this time in the context of the first openly gay congressman's spouse being denied death benefits, i stumbled across this bit:
"Under federal law, pensions can be denied only to lawmakers' same-sex partners and people convicted of espionage or treason, Graves said."
because those gays have committed treason against god, specifically the one who has the complete trust of the dollar bill(s) that may or may not be in my wallet. plus we have to make sure that we catch them all here so that they don't sneak into heaven and steal secrets.
on a completely unrelated note, so many people are using the word 'love' so often now that i'm starting to think that some of them have forgotten about everything else in the world.
recommended music:
mogwai - cody
jack white - great high mountain
"Under federal law, pensions can be denied only to lawmakers' same-sex partners and people convicted of espionage or treason, Graves said."
because those gays have committed treason against god, specifically the one who has the complete trust of the dollar bill(s) that may or may not be in my wallet. plus we have to make sure that we catch them all here so that they don't sneak into heaven and steal secrets.
on a completely unrelated note, so many people are using the word 'love' so often now that i'm starting to think that some of them have forgotten about everything else in the world.
recommended music:
mogwai - cody
jack white - great high mountain
17.10.06
a colorful screen is the only way to keep you kids happy
what comes to mind...
in limbo
COOT*OFF!
ted stevens vs. robert byrd
squaring off in the series of tubes known as the u.s. senate. it is not a dump truck.
good luck with your own personal internet.
feeling good
Mike Tyson Will Eat Your Children
his style is impetuous.
his defense is impregnable.
he's just ferocious.
he wants your heart.
it's also pretty likely that he wants to eat your children.
i have absolutely nothing to say.
recommended music:
tom waits - clap hands
pink floyd - brain damage
in limbo
COOT*OFF!
ted stevens vs. robert byrd
squaring off in the series of tubes known as the u.s. senate. it is not a dump truck.
good luck with your own personal internet.
feeling good
Mike Tyson Will Eat Your Children
his style is impetuous.
his defense is impregnable.
he's just ferocious.
he wants your heart.
it's also pretty likely that he wants to eat your children.
i have absolutely nothing to say.
recommended music:
tom waits - clap hands
pink floyd - brain damage
13.10.06
...you'd think the world was ending right now.
a concert review, of sorts. it is not favorable.
...and so, regina spektor has a live band. i honestly can't blame her. she definitely seemed to enjoy having them on stage. she seemed to draw energy from them, and it's allowed her to develop her shows and open them up to the possibility of songs like 'edit' and 'your honor.'
were i in her position, a solo artist who is quickly gaining popularity and gaining the resources to do more with the music, i would probably do the same thing.
with that said, that show was a thorough disappointment. no album version transferred over to live band version terribly well. 'edit' sounded horrible. some of her more spectacular solo songs, such as apres moi, carbon monoxide, sailor song, etc., lost tons of energy when the structure of a live band was added... i think the only song that actually improved with a band was 'better,' although it was interesting to hear 'your honor' and 'on the radio.'
i also noticed that she stayed away from some of the more random songs she's played in the past. every song that i can think of, minus 'prisoners,' was off of one of the last two albums (though i may be forgetting something). she closed with 'hotel song' over 'uh-merica,' for christ's sake... the show was basically safe, if not downright predictable.
so, i assume this is how it will be from now on. this show as a whole lacked 1/10 of the energy of the two other shows i've attended, even though the crowd this time was miles above the other two crowds. by herself, crammed into a small place, with nothing but a piano, she is indescribable. on a stage with a band, she's nothing special. i think my regina spektor bubble may have burst.
lame.
recommended music:
explosions in the sky - the moon is down
lisa germano - candy
...and so, regina spektor has a live band. i honestly can't blame her. she definitely seemed to enjoy having them on stage. she seemed to draw energy from them, and it's allowed her to develop her shows and open them up to the possibility of songs like 'edit' and 'your honor.'
were i in her position, a solo artist who is quickly gaining popularity and gaining the resources to do more with the music, i would probably do the same thing.
with that said, that show was a thorough disappointment. no album version transferred over to live band version terribly well. 'edit' sounded horrible. some of her more spectacular solo songs, such as apres moi, carbon monoxide, sailor song, etc., lost tons of energy when the structure of a live band was added... i think the only song that actually improved with a band was 'better,' although it was interesting to hear 'your honor' and 'on the radio.'
i also noticed that she stayed away from some of the more random songs she's played in the past. every song that i can think of, minus 'prisoners,' was off of one of the last two albums (though i may be forgetting something). she closed with 'hotel song' over 'uh-merica,' for christ's sake... the show was basically safe, if not downright predictable.
so, i assume this is how it will be from now on. this show as a whole lacked 1/10 of the energy of the two other shows i've attended, even though the crowd this time was miles above the other two crowds. by herself, crammed into a small place, with nothing but a piano, she is indescribable. on a stage with a band, she's nothing special. i think my regina spektor bubble may have burst.
lame.
recommended music:
explosions in the sky - the moon is down
lisa germano - candy
11.10.06
2006 music awards: nominations
it's that time again. my response to the completely arbitrary nature of music awards shows is to create my own completely arbitrary music awards.
here are this year's nominations, feel free to enjoy the disproportionately large amount of thom yorke in this post.
subject to change without notice.
best artist
radiohead
regina spektor
thom yorke
muse
yeah yeah yeahs
best album
thom yorke - the eraser
tv on the radio - return to cookie mountain
regina spektor - begin to hope
yeah yeah yeahs - show your bones
the raconteurs - broken boy soldiers
best studio song
regina spektor - edit
thom yorke - and it rained all night
regina spektor - apres moi
thom yorke - skip divided
the raconteurs - intimate secretary
best live song
radiohead - idioteque
regina spektor (chicago) - baby jesus
the raconteurs - crazy
radiohead - videotape
regina spektor (chicago) - the ghost of corporate future
radiohead - like spinning plates
regina spektor (chicago) - apres moi
tool - lateralus
radiohead - exit music (for a film)
radiohead - 15 step
best music video
regina spektor - on the radio
thom yorke - harrowdown hill
the raconteurs - steady as she goes
best television performance
regina spektor - fidelity
thom yorke - cymbal rush
best live show
radiohead
tool
the raconteurs
regina spektor (chicago)
the austin lounge lizards
most grammatically incorrect song
yeah yeah yeahs - phenomena
best song title
gnarls barkley - go go gadget gospel
here are this year's nominations, feel free to enjoy the disproportionately large amount of thom yorke in this post.
subject to change without notice.
best artist
radiohead
regina spektor
thom yorke
muse
yeah yeah yeahs
best album
thom yorke - the eraser
tv on the radio - return to cookie mountain
regina spektor - begin to hope
yeah yeah yeahs - show your bones
the raconteurs - broken boy soldiers
best studio song
regina spektor - edit
thom yorke - and it rained all night
regina spektor - apres moi
thom yorke - skip divided
the raconteurs - intimate secretary
best live song
radiohead - idioteque
regina spektor (chicago) - baby jesus
the raconteurs - crazy
radiohead - videotape
regina spektor (chicago) - the ghost of corporate future
radiohead - like spinning plates
regina spektor (chicago) - apres moi
tool - lateralus
radiohead - exit music (for a film)
radiohead - 15 step
best music video
regina spektor - on the radio
thom yorke - harrowdown hill
the raconteurs - steady as she goes
best television performance
regina spektor - fidelity
thom yorke - cymbal rush
best live show
radiohead
tool
the raconteurs
regina spektor (chicago)
the austin lounge lizards
most grammatically incorrect song
yeah yeah yeahs - phenomena
best song title
gnarls barkley - go go gadget gospel
9.10.06
4.10.06
oh, diminished readership...
...where did i lose you?
now, there are no comments.
i myself don't even have anything that i want to say to you. what has happened to us? it seems as though we all just go on our merry little way, hiding things from each other as best we can. no, sorry, i don't have time to talk. i'm off to do something. you'll hear about it from someone else later. and over time, thingsbetween us will devolve from happy to nostalgic to awkward until they're no longer anything at all.
it's almost as though the world that i dreamed up for myself in high school is finally coming to pass.
and here i am this time, after so much struggle for so long, with no real complaints.
recommended music:
muse - hysteria
radiohead - exit music (for a film)
now, there are no comments.
i myself don't even have anything that i want to say to you. what has happened to us? it seems as though we all just go on our merry little way, hiding things from each other as best we can. no, sorry, i don't have time to talk. i'm off to do something. you'll hear about it from someone else later. and over time, thingsbetween us will devolve from happy to nostalgic to awkward until they're no longer anything at all.
it's almost as though the world that i dreamed up for myself in high school is finally coming to pass.
and here i am this time, after so much struggle for so long, with no real complaints.
recommended music:
muse - hysteria
radiohead - exit music (for a film)
24.9.06
flyover country
i have lost all sense of creativity with regards to typing things on the internet.
i feel obligated to post for fear that i might lose my reader(s).
tell me; what is it that you want to know?
recommended music:
muse - endlessly
radiohead - pyramid song
i feel obligated to post for fear that i might lose my reader(s).
tell me; what is it that you want to know?
recommended music:
muse - endlessly
radiohead - pyramid song
4.9.06
31.8.06
18.8.06
review: snakes on a plane
snakes on a plane - 9.5/10
synopsis: snakes on a plane
now, i'd be perfectly willing to admit that snakes on a plane was an overhyped piece of trash, were that the case. in reality, snakes on a plane is an overhyped piece of pure MAJESTY.
now, maybe movie lacks a few of the characteristics that would fall under the traditional definition of what makes a movie 'less than horrible.' the actual human villain appears for about a minute and a half in the beginning of the film. sure, we never really know who he is in any capacity, other than a bad bad vaguely asian man. his attempt to rationalize attacking a plane-load of people with poisonous snakes amounts to basically a shrug. no attempt at all is made to explain how the snakes manage to roam around the plane at will.
there is absolutely no character development on any level whatsoever, and every character's background could be summed up in a sentence... or less. characters are clearly set up to draw pity and sadness upon being mercilessly savaged by exotic poisonous snakes, or tailored to make their horrible horrible death seem like well-deserved karma at work. it's a one-dimensional extravaganza.
the acting is definitely really, really bad, and the movie as a whole is just full of some of the most implausible shit i've ever seen. there is no real ending to speak of... come to think of it, there's isn't much of a beginning either.
now, with that under our belt, this is perhaps the greatest movie in the history of time.
you see, the characters in this movie rally around samuel l. jackson in order to battle (with such weapons as a makeshift flamethrower, a stick with a broken bottle taped to it, a spear gun, a stun gun, a real gun, an axe, a tray table, martial arts, a pet dog, a microwave oven, etc. etc.) a seemingly infinite wave of murderous poisonous snakes of all kinds that are biting passengers in all sorts of fun and interesting places (eye, tongue, exposed breast, unexposed breast, peepee, etc. etc.). there is copious unnecessary gore and voilence. there is unnecessary nudity and drug use; in the same scene. but most importantly, and i can't stress this enough, there is samuel l. jackson climbing over the rows of a passenger plane fighting poisonous snakes. any of the movie's shortcomings are instantly neutralized.
also neutralized is any disgust i might have over the desperate appeal to the sentiments of society that i would normally find an insult to my intelligence. this movie is crude, profane, and generally reduces every facet of humanity down to one stereotype or another. but then samuel l. jackson climbs through the inner-workings of an airplane fending off poisonous snakes with a broken bottle at the end of a stick, and all is forgiven.
for all of the ridiculous, over-the-top, and fanatical hype surrounding this movie, it delivers exactly what is expected of it. no more. no less.
just make sure you go see it in a crowded theater full of college students (hopefully tipsy), and i absolutely guarantee you that it will be worth your time and money. without other like-minds to laugh and cheer along with you, it would probably become glaringly obvious that this movie is terrible.
16.8.06
all bets are off. except on weekdays.
the file cabinet project is no more.
here are the last surviving choice employee names, although i find the first selection to be of higher quality.
howard hughes [bring him his bobo]
trif lon
karla klumpp
billy ray love [yes, the billy ray love]
ronald mcdonald [must be from back when mcdonald's didn't hire pedophile clowns]
egon johansson
fritz johansson
leroy jenkins [LLEEEEEERRROOOOYYYYY JJJJEEEENNNKIIIINNNSS]
see chong park [if he's out of prison and sober]
rufus daniel sagmeister [unfortunate]
harry smallwood [unfortunater]
barzilla e. young [i hope the e. stands for 'eats']
booker t. washington [let's end on a respectful note]
maybe i can find some other humorous aspects of working in a cubicle, other than just the hilarious irony and indignity of the situation in general.
morale is low.
odds are slim.
what do i do?
recommended music:
tv on the radio - playhouses
radiohead - fog
tv on the radio - playhouses
radiohead - fog
24.7.06
8th floor
you know where i spend the majority of my waking hours now?
the only difference between this picture and now is that now there are like six more stacks of papers that need to be organized... and there's a lava lamp, a large quantity of skittles, and a sign to specify whether or not said cubicle is open or closed.
now, one of my assignments is to reorganize a wall-sized file cabinet containing the personal information of essentially every employee of this corporation that is currently draining my life force. i just thought i'd share with you some of the interesting names that i've stumbled across thusfar:
glandword brickwood
roy herbert bryfogle
muhammad ali
brainard george buckley
bertram asserson
janina assman
john joseph BUYA [emphasis mine...]
steve chrysafides
theopolis crawford
steve czombus
cyriel h. oeroo
leroy albert dhooge
william j. frisbee
freddie jay hamburger
max hammer [hopefully his middle initial is 'c']
if you would like me to call you any one of these names from now on, please let me know.
the only difference between this picture and now is that now there are like six more stacks of papers that need to be organized... and there's a lava lamp, a large quantity of skittles, and a sign to specify whether or not said cubicle is open or closed.
now, one of my assignments is to reorganize a wall-sized file cabinet containing the personal information of essentially every employee of this corporation that is currently draining my life force. i just thought i'd share with you some of the interesting names that i've stumbled across thusfar:
glandword brickwood
roy herbert bryfogle
muhammad ali
brainard george buckley
bertram asserson
janina assman
john joseph BUYA [emphasis mine...]
steve chrysafides
theopolis crawford
steve czombus
cyriel h. oeroo
leroy albert dhooge
william j. frisbee
freddie jay hamburger
max hammer [hopefully his middle initial is 'c']
if you would like me to call you any one of these names from now on, please let me know.
recommended music:
gnarls barkley - crazy
the dandy warhols - sleep
17.7.06
review: thom yorke - the eraser
the eraser - 9/10 -
there really isn't much to say about this album other than that it's a success. it accomplishes what it sets out to accomplish. it lacks any real skippable tracks. it's a solid work that flows quite well from one track to the next, and rarely thrusts itself upon the listener. thom yorke's voice is absolutely amazing, probably moreso than on any radiohead album. which brings me to my next point. the eraser succeeds in not being a radiohead album. it's clearly an experimental concept piece, and the fact that it can be such an album and not be repulsive makes it something of an exception to the rule.
the eraser - 7.5 /10 - i don't find this song to be particularly strong. that said, it isn't terribly weak, either. it's just sort of there, and it sets the tone by showcasing thom yorke's voice. it gets better and better as it progresses. ready yourself for the funk at this song's conclusion.
analyse - 7.5/10 - the beginning of this song is abnormally abrasive. once you get over that and that the piano chords sound almost too synthetic and sampled, it's a decent song.
the clock - 8 /10 -
better than the album version:
black swan - 8 /10 - to be frank, this song doesn't really go anywhere. while that's not ideal and leaves the song somewhat unexceptional, it by no means ruins it. 'black swan' is subtle and fluid, a great song to have on in the background, and fits neatly into its place on the album.
skip divided - 8.5 /10 - i would argue that skip divided is the most distinctive song on the album. thom yorke's voice perfectly matches the feeling of the instrumentation, in which a track of his voice contributes.
atoms for peace - 9 /10 - 'atoms for peace' is unique in that it seems like the album sort of pauses to catch its breath and reassure itself that everything will be ok. the minimalism in this song accentuates thom yorke's frighteningly high and soothing range and also allows the listener to fully take in the whole tune without becoming a head case. this song just makes me want to give some one a hug. then it's over and i go back to normal...
and it rained all night - 9.5 /10 - this is the best new song i've heard since lateralus came out in, what, 2000? 2001? everything about this song works. the bass line, the percussion-type thing. the climax, the setup, the lyrics. wonderful.
harrowdown hill - 7.5/10 - this song seems odd to me because it starts off sounding somewhat upbeat. it's about a UN weapons inspector who committed suicide after the
cymbal rush - 8/10 -
also better than the album version:
recommended music:
the dandy warhols - all the money or the simple life honey
the dandy warhols - bohemian like you
4.7.06
i must be getting better
the number of noise complaints to the police about my drumming has officially been raised from zero to one.
jealous?
recommended music:
radiohead - a wolf at the door (it girl, rag doll)
regina spektor - on the radio
jealous?
recommended music:
radiohead - a wolf at the door (it girl, rag doll)
regina spektor - on the radio
25.6.06
san francisco gay pride 2006
if all goes according to plan...
this is my future job:
this is my future job:
this is my future mode of transporation:
this is my future best friend:
and this is just the coolest thing that has ever occurred ever.
gay cowboys line dancing on the back of a moving truck.
name a problem that this won't solve:
gay cowboys line dancing on the back of a moving truck.
name a problem that this won't solve:
but, just in case there wasn't enough laughing and dancing going on, we had these guys to tell us that super-funny 'adam and steve' joke. they also busted out the bullhorn to let us know that we're all 'idolators,' which i thought was pretty damn nice of them.
a few stopped to argue, but most passers-by just smiled, shook their heads, and continued on to all of the happenings that didn't involve making condemnations and accusations.
it was too beautiful a day to listen to the half dozen bigots in a sea of open minds.
it was too beautiful a day to listen to the half dozen bigots in a sea of open minds.
recommended music:
radiohead - exit music (for a film)
radiohead - 15 step
radiohead - exit music (for a film)
radiohead - 15 step
21.6.06
review: regina spektor - begin to hope
begin to hope - 9/10 -
this is a dangerous album for regina spektor fans. this album sees regina spektor truly begin to depart from the piano and vocal combination of her first 2 1/2 albums and start to really throw in copious amounts of guitar, drums, generic etc. with that said, which would make me want to hate this album and live in the past, it's still ridiculously good. the fact that she doesn't share the writing credits offers some solace, doesn't it? this album is extremely well-rounded and complete. it doesn't feel like it's missing anything, and the songs that i may skip now (perhaps with the exception of 'better') will most likely grow on me and be my favorites for a day at some point in the future... i'll mostly just be limited to bitching about getting rid of the aforementioned drums, guitar, and generic etc. for god's sake, man, see her live and you'll understand why they make me wary. interestingly enough, a lot of this reminds me of 11:11 for some reason (random statement)... i can honestly say that i don't really find anything about this album disappointing, which is definitely a welcome change of pace.
fidelity - 8.5/10 - see... i heard this song and 'better' long before this album came out, so they're already nice and settled-in. while i don't listen to 'fidelity' very much at this point, it still routinely gets stuck in my head. there's nothing revolutionary about it, but it's still quite good. the extra instrumentation doesn't even bother me too too much.
better - 7.5/10 - this song was, is, and will always be 'fidelity's' less-impressive brother. here, the guitar and drums are extremely intrusive, probably the worst on the album. despite the fact that this is in the running for my least favorite song on the album, this song was still superb live. surprise surprise...
samson - 8.5/10 - i'd give this song at least a 9 in part because i'm sure everyone will yell at me if i give it any less... yes, this song is old. and really good. and i still never listen to it. it's not quite as powerful on this album because the added instrumentation, however subtle, screws up a song that needs to be just regina spektor and her piano. so, 8.5.
on the radio - 8.5/10 - i paid very little attention to this song until i saw the music video. now i listen to it all the time. funny how that works. it's extremely catchy, and the non-piano blasphemous instrumentation actually works quite well on this song. it's unintrusive enough. no complaints here, although the catchiness means my adoration for 'on the radio' will most likely run its course somewhat quickly.
field below - 8/10 - this song is extremely distinctive. it does fall into that category of kind of 'serious regina spektor songs' such as 'samson,' 'the flowers,' and 'somedays.' there's nothing weak about it.
hotel song - 8.5/10 - distinctively stylistic and with an entirely different feel than 'field below,' this is another favorite of the day that i sort of stumbled across while driving through chinatown (unnecessary detail). though i listen to this constantly, the lyrics seem deceivingly ominous. i should really look into that...
apres moi - 9/10 - i had the good fortune of hearing this song live a couple months ago. it stood out in the show, and stands out on the album. this is undoubtedly the most powerful and forceful song of the twelve, and it's one of the most impressive things i've heard in a long time. trilingual = bonus points.
20 years of snow - 8.5/10 - youtube tells me that this song is better live. the piano line is hypnotic, and she's somehow manage to make her voice awkward in a positive way... that makes no sense, but it's true. her voice is especially impressive on this track. get rid of the drums...
that time - 8/10 - this is an older tune, and one of the two or three songs that regina spektor plays on guitar at her shows. it made me giggle when i recognized it. it's not one of her best songs, and i've been spoiled by hearing it live. live is where it belongs, and it doesn't equal its guitar counterpart, 'bobbing for apples.' get rid of the drums...
edit - 9/10 - 'edit' shows regina spektor's true potential to create a song that might actually sound better recorded than live, if it's even possible. leave all the extra instrumentation in on this one. that's how damn good it is.
lady - 8/10 - i haven't really gotten into this song quite yet, and i initially flirted with a 7.5. again, this song is quite distinctive. another one of those slower tunes, but it has its own identity. 'lady' is a beautiful example of what regina spektor can do with her voice without having to overpower the listener. plus we get a saxophone break...
summer in the city - 7.5/10 - this song is a good conclusion, though i haven't really fallen in love with it yet. still, if i ever listen to albums linearly as opposed to on random, i assume that i'll more fully appreciate this finale.
recommended music:
regina spektor - dance anthem of the 80s
radiohead - the gloaming (softly open our mouths in the cold)
this is a dangerous album for regina spektor fans. this album sees regina spektor truly begin to depart from the piano and vocal combination of her first 2 1/2 albums and start to really throw in copious amounts of guitar, drums, generic etc. with that said, which would make me want to hate this album and live in the past, it's still ridiculously good. the fact that she doesn't share the writing credits offers some solace, doesn't it? this album is extremely well-rounded and complete. it doesn't feel like it's missing anything, and the songs that i may skip now (perhaps with the exception of 'better') will most likely grow on me and be my favorites for a day at some point in the future... i'll mostly just be limited to bitching about getting rid of the aforementioned drums, guitar, and generic etc. for god's sake, man, see her live and you'll understand why they make me wary. interestingly enough, a lot of this reminds me of 11:11 for some reason (random statement)... i can honestly say that i don't really find anything about this album disappointing, which is definitely a welcome change of pace.
fidelity - 8.5/10 - see... i heard this song and 'better' long before this album came out, so they're already nice and settled-in. while i don't listen to 'fidelity' very much at this point, it still routinely gets stuck in my head. there's nothing revolutionary about it, but it's still quite good. the extra instrumentation doesn't even bother me too too much.
better - 7.5/10 - this song was, is, and will always be 'fidelity's' less-impressive brother. here, the guitar and drums are extremely intrusive, probably the worst on the album. despite the fact that this is in the running for my least favorite song on the album, this song was still superb live. surprise surprise...
samson - 8.5/10 - i'd give this song at least a 9 in part because i'm sure everyone will yell at me if i give it any less... yes, this song is old. and really good. and i still never listen to it. it's not quite as powerful on this album because the added instrumentation, however subtle, screws up a song that needs to be just regina spektor and her piano. so, 8.5.
on the radio - 8.5/10 - i paid very little attention to this song until i saw the music video. now i listen to it all the time. funny how that works. it's extremely catchy, and the non-piano blasphemous instrumentation actually works quite well on this song. it's unintrusive enough. no complaints here, although the catchiness means my adoration for 'on the radio' will most likely run its course somewhat quickly.
field below - 8/10 - this song is extremely distinctive. it does fall into that category of kind of 'serious regina spektor songs' such as 'samson,' 'the flowers,' and 'somedays.' there's nothing weak about it.
hotel song - 8.5/10 - distinctively stylistic and with an entirely different feel than 'field below,' this is another favorite of the day that i sort of stumbled across while driving through chinatown (unnecessary detail). though i listen to this constantly, the lyrics seem deceivingly ominous. i should really look into that...
apres moi - 9/10 - i had the good fortune of hearing this song live a couple months ago. it stood out in the show, and stands out on the album. this is undoubtedly the most powerful and forceful song of the twelve, and it's one of the most impressive things i've heard in a long time. trilingual = bonus points.
20 years of snow - 8.5/10 - youtube tells me that this song is better live. the piano line is hypnotic, and she's somehow manage to make her voice awkward in a positive way... that makes no sense, but it's true. her voice is especially impressive on this track. get rid of the drums...
that time - 8/10 - this is an older tune, and one of the two or three songs that regina spektor plays on guitar at her shows. it made me giggle when i recognized it. it's not one of her best songs, and i've been spoiled by hearing it live. live is where it belongs, and it doesn't equal its guitar counterpart, 'bobbing for apples.' get rid of the drums...
edit - 9/10 - 'edit' shows regina spektor's true potential to create a song that might actually sound better recorded than live, if it's even possible. leave all the extra instrumentation in on this one. that's how damn good it is.
lady - 8/10 - i haven't really gotten into this song quite yet, and i initially flirted with a 7.5. again, this song is quite distinctive. another one of those slower tunes, but it has its own identity. 'lady' is a beautiful example of what regina spektor can do with her voice without having to overpower the listener. plus we get a saxophone break...
summer in the city - 7.5/10 - this song is a good conclusion, though i haven't really fallen in love with it yet. still, if i ever listen to albums linearly as opposed to on random, i assume that i'll more fully appreciate this finale.
recommended music:
regina spektor - dance anthem of the 80s
radiohead - the gloaming (softly open our mouths in the cold)
20.6.06
from the depths of 'my pictures'
recommended music:
regina spektor - apres moi
regina spektor - hotel song
4.6.06
guilt by association
this is what i always complain about. yet, voicing a complaint makes me a hypocrite, and anything i can say about it descends into meaninglessness and becomes part of the problem. the only escape that i've found is a level of solitude so drastic that it gets mistaken for apathy and self-loathing.
but i would not say that this is one of those authentically angsty blog posts that we all see so often on this world wide web of ours. really, i'm not feeling terrible. in a few days i will be home doing god knows what with god knows who. the good and the bad of this will all become a memory to be vaguely recalled but totally disregarded when we all return in september and this circus opens once again.
so i will see you then.
recommended music:
thom yorke - and it rained all night
thom yorke - atoms for peace
13.5.06
wow (haha... get it?)
Game Distributor Sued Over Boy's Suicide
evidently all i do here is point out really funky deaths in other parts of the world... apparently all of which involve worshipping fictional characters (be it warcraft or christianity).
this just shows that there is a reason that my blog's title isn't funny... it's a serious, serious issue. mom... dad... don't worry. i've only ever played like 3 of the warcraft games. and i try to limit my sessions to well under 36 hours (with only the occasional slip-up).
"BEIJING - The parents of a 13-year-old Chinese boy who they say jumped to his death from a tall building after playing one of the popular 'Warcraft' online games for 36 hours straight are suing its Chinese distributor, a news report said Friday.
Zhang Xiaoyi died on Dec. 27, 2004, leaving behind a suicide note saying he wanted 'to join the heroes of the game he worshipped,' the official Xinhua News Agency reported."
so... like... what were these hypothetical parents doing while this kid was playing warcraft for 36 straight hours?evidently all i do here is point out really funky deaths in other parts of the world... apparently all of which involve worshipping fictional characters (be it warcraft or christianity).
this just shows that there is a reason that my blog's title isn't funny... it's a serious, serious issue. mom... dad... don't worry. i've only ever played like 3 of the warcraft games. and i try to limit my sessions to well under 36 hours (with only the occasional slip-up).
4.5.06
review: tool - 10,000 days
10,000 days - 7.5/10 -
10,000 days is not a giant step back (a la nine inch nails' with teeth [in hindsight]), and that alone is enough to make me reasonably content. the problem with 10,000 days is that it is no step at all. for a band that's commonly designated as 'prog' something other other, and which demonstrates a beautiful evolution from opiate to lateralus, this album has got to be somewhat of a disappointment. there is absolutely nothing new here by any stretch of the imagination, and somehow i feel like 10,000 days has already been out for a few years. the album feels like the collection of songs that didn't flow well enough to make the cut on lateralus. on top of that, any one song on lateralus beats any one song on 10,000 days.
the sad truth is: this album would be brilliant if lateralus had never been released.
vicarious - 7.5/10 - a solid single, vicarious is no more than a typical tool song, though its subject matter may be a bit more decipherable and accessible. it's a good strong song, but i wouldn't call it exceptional.
jambi - 7.5/10 - jambi starts off like any mildly bad metal song would, and that's sad. though instrumentally unimpressive, the vocals seem to stand out on this track more than most, and they're superb. this song is to be sung along with.
wings for marie (part 1) - 8.5/10 - wings for marie (part 1) is the first truly pleasant surprise to be found on 10,000 days. on its own it is very well-rounded and complete, and manages to find a stunning balance between beauty and intensity. the opening guitar instrumentation is perhaps the best on the album.
10,000 days (wings part 2) - 8/10 - while overshadowed by wings for marie (part 1), 10,000 days (wings part 2) holds its own. it has the qualities that allow me to get lost in it during a listen, which is quite an accomplishment.
the pot - 8/10 - the pot, quite frankly, stands out to the point that it doesn't really belong on this album, and that's not necessarily a good thing. it's marvelous, though, for what it is. i'm not saying this is going to change music forever, but those who value the loud, angry tool of the past (as well as those who like to indulge in the loud, angry tool of the past from time to time) will enjoy jumping up and down to this tune. while the pot will most likely get old in a hurry, it's a knee-jerk success. the radio should love this song (and it's a runaway hit on my itunes play count).
lipan conjuring - 4/10 - i don't get it.
lost keys (blame hofmann) - 6/10 - were there no dialogue on this track, it would be more enjoyable. it belongs on the soundtrack to a film inspired by a graphic novel.
rosetta stoned - 6.5/10 - recipe: put two songs from aenima and a song from lateralus into a blender and name the result 'rosetta stoned.' the title is this song's only real redeeming quality.
intension - 7.5/10 - this is just a good song. there isn't much else to say about it, other than that i have the distinct feeling that it's going to grow on me (and that it tries really hard to be some kind of disposition/reflection equivalent).
right in two - 8.5/10 - i've come to the conclusion that right in two is the best song on the album. the song flows well, doesn't seem to overreach. this song revives my feeling that some tool songs are one entity as opposed to four distinct parts.
viginti trees - 5/10 - faaip de oiad, while usually skipped over, did at least have interesting content and meaning. viginti trees, on the other hand, is just another track that i don't get.
recommended music (not including tool):
yeah yeah yeahs - deja vu
regina spektor - ain't no cover
10,000 days is not a giant step back (a la nine inch nails' with teeth [in hindsight]), and that alone is enough to make me reasonably content. the problem with 10,000 days is that it is no step at all. for a band that's commonly designated as 'prog' something other other, and which demonstrates a beautiful evolution from opiate to lateralus, this album has got to be somewhat of a disappointment. there is absolutely nothing new here by any stretch of the imagination, and somehow i feel like 10,000 days has already been out for a few years. the album feels like the collection of songs that didn't flow well enough to make the cut on lateralus. on top of that, any one song on lateralus beats any one song on 10,000 days.
the sad truth is: this album would be brilliant if lateralus had never been released.
vicarious - 7.5/10 - a solid single, vicarious is no more than a typical tool song, though its subject matter may be a bit more decipherable and accessible. it's a good strong song, but i wouldn't call it exceptional.
jambi - 7.5/10 - jambi starts off like any mildly bad metal song would, and that's sad. though instrumentally unimpressive, the vocals seem to stand out on this track more than most, and they're superb. this song is to be sung along with.
wings for marie (part 1) - 8.5/10 - wings for marie (part 1) is the first truly pleasant surprise to be found on 10,000 days. on its own it is very well-rounded and complete, and manages to find a stunning balance between beauty and intensity. the opening guitar instrumentation is perhaps the best on the album.
10,000 days (wings part 2) - 8/10 - while overshadowed by wings for marie (part 1), 10,000 days (wings part 2) holds its own. it has the qualities that allow me to get lost in it during a listen, which is quite an accomplishment.
the pot - 8/10 - the pot, quite frankly, stands out to the point that it doesn't really belong on this album, and that's not necessarily a good thing. it's marvelous, though, for what it is. i'm not saying this is going to change music forever, but those who value the loud, angry tool of the past (as well as those who like to indulge in the loud, angry tool of the past from time to time) will enjoy jumping up and down to this tune. while the pot will most likely get old in a hurry, it's a knee-jerk success. the radio should love this song (and it's a runaway hit on my itunes play count).
lipan conjuring - 4/10 - i don't get it.
lost keys (blame hofmann) - 6/10 - were there no dialogue on this track, it would be more enjoyable. it belongs on the soundtrack to a film inspired by a graphic novel.
rosetta stoned - 6.5/10 - recipe: put two songs from aenima and a song from lateralus into a blender and name the result 'rosetta stoned.' the title is this song's only real redeeming quality.
intension - 7.5/10 - this is just a good song. there isn't much else to say about it, other than that i have the distinct feeling that it's going to grow on me (and that it tries really hard to be some kind of disposition/reflection equivalent).
right in two - 8.5/10 - i've come to the conclusion that right in two is the best song on the album. the song flows well, doesn't seem to overreach. this song revives my feeling that some tool songs are one entity as opposed to four distinct parts.
viginti trees - 5/10 - faaip de oiad, while usually skipped over, did at least have interesting content and meaning. viginti trees, on the other hand, is just another track that i don't get.
recommended music (not including tool):
yeah yeah yeahs - deja vu
regina spektor - ain't no cover
24.4.06
i guess it's open to interpretation?
Lightning kills 5 Mexican children in prayer
"MEXICO CITY - Five Mexican children were killed when a large metal cross they were praying at was struck by lightning in central Mexico, local media reported Monday."
a newly discovered advantage to thinking that organized religion is utterly false happens to be the fact that i will never get struck by lightning and killed while praying outdoors next to a large metal cross.
i can't decide if this is pure cynical irony, an affirmation of some weird dogmatic principle, or what. should i laugh? should i feel pity? ... i mean... these kids literally got smote while they were praying. that leaves a lot of unanswered questions... it would be like my drum kit somehow beating me to death. i can't even make a good analogy. thinking about this for too long is making my eyes roll back in my head. the lord works in mysterious ways.
recommended music:
radiohead - pearly
boards of canada - gyroscope
"MEXICO CITY - Five Mexican children were killed when a large metal cross they were praying at was struck by lightning in central Mexico, local media reported Monday."
a newly discovered advantage to thinking that organized religion is utterly false happens to be the fact that i will never get struck by lightning and killed while praying outdoors next to a large metal cross.
i can't decide if this is pure cynical irony, an affirmation of some weird dogmatic principle, or what. should i laugh? should i feel pity? ... i mean... these kids literally got smote while they were praying. that leaves a lot of unanswered questions... it would be like my drum kit somehow beating me to death. i can't even make a good analogy. thinking about this for too long is making my eyes roll back in my head. the lord works in mysterious ways.
recommended music:
radiohead - pearly
boards of canada - gyroscope
22.4.06
i'd say it's a fair comparison
so how did your search for tool tickets go?
=
recommended music:
radiohead - there there (the boney king of nowhere)
radiohead - street spirit (fade out)
=
recommended music:
radiohead - there there (the boney king of nowhere)
radiohead - street spirit (fade out)
14.4.06
a dirty little secret
recommended music:
soledad brothers - michigan line (good friday the 13th: part ii)
mogwai - folk death 95
13.4.06
6.4.06
we have a new contender!
3 Arrested at Mass. Baby Shower Brawl
"SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- An argument at a baby shower escalated into a brawl in which one man was shot and the pregnant guest of honor was beaten with a stick, police said."
and just in case your day isn't bright enough to actually read the link:
"Authorities said the shooting victim, Aristotle Garcia, got into a fight with a man who is dating his ex-girlfriend. The argument, over whether the woman let their 5-year-old daughter drink beer, escalated and drew in two other people..."
now for the question on everyone's mind. was the stick thicker or thinner than this guy's thumb?
"SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- An argument at a baby shower escalated into a brawl in which one man was shot and the pregnant guest of honor was beaten with a stick, police said."
and just in case your day isn't bright enough to actually read the link:
"Authorities said the shooting victim, Aristotle Garcia, got into a fight with a man who is dating his ex-girlfriend. The argument, over whether the woman let their 5-year-old daughter drink beer, escalated and drew in two other people..."
now for the question on everyone's mind. was the stick thicker or thinner than this guy's thumb?
23.3.06
easily the best article ever
Fan frenzy for "Snakes" is on a different plane
some choice excerpts...
"Who wants to be in a movie called 'Snakes on a Plane'?" asked one talent agent at the time, seeming to echo the studio's concerns."
"Jackson publicly endorsed the move. "That's the only reason I took the job: I read the title," Jackson told entertainment site http://www.Collider.com. He added, "You either want to see that, or you don't.""
snakes off the mother
plane!" Soon, the growing legion of fans added their voices as they demanded that that phrase also appear in the movie.
Apparently, the studio got the hint. When Ellis assembled Jackson and others for the recent shoot, the filmmakers added more gore, more death, more nudity, more snakes and more death scenes. And they shot a scene where Jackson does utter the line that fans have demanded."
some choice excerpts...
"Who wants to be in a movie called 'Snakes on a Plane'?" asked one talent agent at the time, seeming to echo the studio's concerns."
"Jackson publicly endorsed the move. "That's the only reason I took the job: I read the title," Jackson told entertainment site http://www.Collider.com. He added, "You either want to see that, or you don't.""
"The audio bit uses a Jackson sound-alike shouting, "I want these mother
snakes off the mother
plane!" Soon, the growing legion of fans added their voices as they demanded that that phrase also appear in the movie.
Apparently, the studio got the hint. When Ellis assembled Jackson and others for the recent shoot, the filmmakers added more gore, more death, more nudity, more snakes and more death scenes. And they shot a scene where Jackson does utter the line that fans have demanded."
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