Songbird
Oct
23
3 for 1 – Film Reviews
By Pip | Film Box | 4 Comments
Pip here and fine, ok, I admit it: I’ve been lazy. I’ve seen films on the independent side that I’ve not shared. Well this travesty shall continue on no more! Unfortunately, most of these are gone so you’ll have to Netflix ’em. Onward then, with the three reviews at once!
When I mentioned this one, lil Rach’ wasn’t so sure, in fact the look on her face was anything but sure when I explained the premise. A doc’ about a bunch of old video game geeks are trying to break the Donkey Kong record……… I’ll let you pause and take that one in. At first I thought it was like those guys that did the doc’ about the staring contest championship. Little did lil Rach’ know, that this was going to be a damn good documentary.
Really, as with any sport – yeah that’s right I said sport – the formula is the same. Either the underdog wins, or he don’t because the underdog needed to learn an important life lesson. So why the hell do we love this stuff so much? It must be something primal, like eating meat from a bone. It just brings the animal out of ya. This one’s no different really, except that the cast of characters are at once so bizarre and so lovable you just can’t help but to laugh and cry right along with them.
Some people might be inclined to point and laugh at the silly geeks. Of course I easily identified with them. At first the folks in the audience would poke fun, or chuckle when they said something about video games that can only be said about ‘real’ sports. Soon though, they latched on to our hero and were along for the ride. I’d highly recommend this one to anyone that likes a good underdog story, but if you love documentaries or video games or both at once, you have no excuse but to seek this out when it hits DVD sometime next year.
Here’s a movie I’d recommend to my mother, in fact I did. This is one hilarious film that looks at love and the label of marriage pretty darn realistically. Well really that’s the rub of the film: marriage vs. love. Some of the characters have been together forever, some don’t love each other openly, some think they love each other, some are just getting started and of course everyone is tangled up with everyone else. It’s a wild romp of romantic comedy proportions that follows no formula and damnit if Abby is just cute as a button.
I really loved all the players in this one, all the people were living and breathing spewing witty – but not overly written witty – dialogue that had myself and my party laughing out loud on a regular basis. It takes concepts we normally attribute to certain legal contracts and disconnects those things a little, which might maybe stick in a few folks craw I suppose. Hey, if you can have sex without love, you can have marriage without love damnit! Back off! Oppressor!
Fellas, wanna score points? Well then remember Ira and Abby for your queue. Ladies, if you’re looking for a fella to come at you with a romantic comedy… just put down the fantasy and come back to reality. I tried with my scoring points thing, but really… asking a guy to rent a romantic comedy without some sort of compromise or sexual bribery is just plain silly. Unless of course the guy is like me, then he’s just freakin’ awesome.
Ok so I had no idea that this one is based on a true story going into this, and really I’m not sure if that knowledge would have enhanced even more the amazing experience that is this film or not. I tell you this because you should know. That’s right, I’m playing God with your mind right now, you can’t deny that kind of power.
Anyway, I can’t remember another film that instigated as long of a conversation as this one. It’s an amazing story, one that makes it even more poignant knowing this stuff really happened. In the beginning I had my pet peeves pushed – I’m not a huge fan of constant back and forth flashback storytelling unless it’s done right. Even when it is done right, sometimes I take longer than others to get into it. That was me at first during this film. But about 20 minutes in, I was hooked. I don’t really agree with a lot of the things that the guy did, but man I sure understood where he was coming from. That total selfishness the main character exhibited was the reason conversation after the film was dominated by his actions. Every person he came across is unforgettable and he is unforgettable to them, but still on his quest forward into the great unknown he constantly abandons until he realizes what he’s done.
I can really relate to the call of the wild. Sometimes I get this desire to just drop everything and run out into the woods… but then that silly reverie is shattered when I click on the StumbleUpon button again and again and again in hopes of finding a funnier video on YouTube. Maybe that means woe for our future… I say our future is going to be all electronic. Tectonic. Break it down.
Until next time – and I’ll try and work on my promptness – Pip signing out.
Oct
19
New Music Friday
By Rachel | Music Mix Up | 8 Comments
It’s freaking Friday! I wasn’t sure I would survive there for a little while. This sickness knocked me on my ass. But I started feeling better yesterday and I do certainly feel better today just in time for the weekend! Yeah!
I thought I would start with some new music…I am kind of letting the hype die down in regards to the Radiohead download release, because you know me… :)
In other news I did get a working iPod and it is grand. I have so much room I don’t even know what to do with it all. Ha! Just kidding. Anyways this iPod has restored my love for the Apple mp3 player, there really isn’t anything better on the market in my opinion. So cheers to Apple’s iPod! And cheers to you know who for getting me such a marvelous gift.
Now on to the music…Â
Vespers 2007 (Abandoned Love Records)
Album available HERE
mp3:Â No Cars Go – Arcade Fire
No Cars Go – Single (Merge Records)
Album available HERE
*Check out the Surf City Eastern Bloc track it is fantastic
mp3:Â King Friday – Songs Of Green Pheasant
Gyllyng Street 2007 (Fat Cat Records)
Album available HERE
Oct
15
The Aches and Stuffies
By Rachel | News & Info. | 4 Comments
I am sick with some sort of evil sickness that has warped any energy I originally had from my body. I will be away for another day or so until I start feeling better. When I do start feeling better and when I start making some sense I will post all the goodness I have lined up…Like the Beirut show review, Radiohead praise and misc. new music. Night, night even though it is barely 8:00 am.
Oct
9
Sunset Rubdown Bless Me
By Rachel | Album Picks | 9 Comments
Sunset Rubdown just released their newest album, Random Spirit Lover. Good old Sunset Rubdown are beginning to become a staple in my music collection. Winged/Wicked Things is probably my favorite song on the album it is filled with so much passion and force I just love it, tis quite powerful indeed.
Speaking of force, the force hasn’t been with me as I return my defective iPod. Sending it as we speak back to Apple, where they will then in turn refund the money, where I then will purchase it in store so to avoid any shipping issues in the future just in case I happen to get another defective pod. Weeeee! I will keep you posted, I am sure you will be hearing it if I do indeed happen to get another rotten Apple.
mp3:Â Â Winged/Wicked Things
Random Spirit Lover 2007 (JagJaguwar)
Oct
8
Beirut, The Flying Club Cup
By Rachel | Album Picks | 13 Comments
In the past couple of years I have listened to countless bands but no other band touches me deep in my soul quite like Beirut. Maybe it is because of their distinct sound or Condon’s one of kind vocals, or even the sure love for music that speaks volumes in every one of their composed tracks. Most likely it is a combination of it all and I can’t get enough. Beirut’s second full length album, The Flying Club Cup is a progression of sound, a delightful dance of French chanson and one of my favorite albums of the year. I see them live this Thursday, October 11th at the Avalon Hollywood.
mp3: Nantes
mp3: A Sunday Smile
The Flying Club Cup 2007 (Ba Da Bing!)
Oct
7
The Darjeeling Limited
By Pip | Film Box | 9 Comments
Directed by: Wes Anderson
Starring: Three chaps pictured above
I suppose I should preface this mini-review by explaining my love for Wes Anderson. It is total… it is complete… it is with all my soul. I discovered him thanks to an old friend several years back when he sat me down and made me watch Rushmore. It was love at first sight, gushing, adoring love for the creator of that little world. We then discovered his past filmography, we tracked down Bottle Rocket (not an easy feat at the time), watched it and allowed my feelings to become solidified. It was so bad if I was in school and had a notebook, it would be graffitied in blue ink in huge “Slayer” font. I heart Wes Anderson. The first Wes film I saw in the theater was Royal Tennenbaums and I must admit at the time I was unsure if I liked it or not. Now, I think it’s my favorite to date. Strange how they grow on you – I hear this is not an uncommon event. My theory about Tennenbaums is simply that I wasn’t ready for it. When Zissou came around, I sure was and I ate that up like fresh brownies.
On a side note, my favorite sweet (which I only really like three sweets total) is brownies, so if you’re planning on sending in money for site maintenance, send brownies instead.
It was time for a new Wes Anderson film. I think you’ll be surprised when I say that my hetero-curiousity toward the skinny bastard remains, and in fact gets a layer deeper. The story is simple, as are most of his films on the surface, three brothers are going on a journey into India after not talking to each other since their father’s funeral. Like all of his films, it’s the details and character depth that make up the magical equation. Rach made the comment that the film was pretty random, I’d have to agree to a point. The film has a hectic nature to it, always moving forward like a shark… or… a train. But as soon as their itinerary gets off schedule and when they’re not looking for it, that’s when their true journey begins. I think, too, anyone with more than one brother is going to really feel this one. I have three sisters myself, but sometimes I treated them like brothers by beating them up and whatnot, so I think I have some idea. There are many moving moments in this one, some shocking, some hilarious, but all ring true in the Andersonion universe.
Not to be confused with the other god-like Anderson, that review is coming in a few more weeks.
I’m scared though, really. There are maybe four directors or writers that can go through a long career without stumbling once constantly bringing greatness and near perfection out onto the screen. Odds are against Wes that someday he’s going to make a bomb. For some people, that bomb has already happened. Bollocks I say upon thee, he’s only given birth to beauties, this one is no different. If you’re like me and have loved everything he’s done, why are you reading a review about it? Just go see the damn film. If you haven’t liked his past two films, skip this one and save your money. Go see Heatbreak Kid instead, probably more up your alley.
Don’t forget before you go to the theater, go download Hotel Chevalier from iTunes… it’s a prologue of sorts, plus there’s a few extra laughs in the film if you see it first.
Oct
5
The Most Serene Republic & iPod Woes
By Rachel | Album Picks | 4 Comments
So I kind of have had a rough couple of days…I got a marvelous present from (guess who*) just because. The new 80GB iPod Classic! It is beautiful and sexy. I have been an iPod Apple fan for a long time, in my opinion there isn’t a better mp3 player but unfortunately my new iPod came in the mail and I immediately plugged it into my laptop and the errors began. I got an error while syncing, I got an error while uploading manually, I got an error for ejecting and I even got an error for looking at it (I kid, I kid that last one didn’t happen but it seemed like it did). We went into the apple store and of course they haven’t heard of anyone else having this problem but if you go onto the Apple forum there are people commenting left and right about this same problem. So currently we are trying to see if we can exchange it for a new one that hopefully doesn’t have the same defective nature. I will keep you posted…
In the mean time check out the newest album from this Canadian based band (I know, I know I am applying for citizenship as we speak Mentok) The Most Serene Republic has been soothing my soul the last couple of days. Enjoy!
mp3:Â Agenbite of Inwit
Population 2007 (Arts & Crafts)
Album available HERE
The Most Serene Republic on myspace
Oct
1
Holy Radiohead
By Rachel | Music Mix Up | 14 Comments
Ok I am sure everyone has heard the news…Radiohead is set to release their new album next week on their own without the help or hindrance of any label. Not only that but they are even having their fans input the price of the digital download that will be available directly from Radiohead’s website. This has caused record label execs to shake in their boots, I am sure some will suffer permanent damage like some sort of nervous twitch will develop because of this. But regardless I have to stand proud and salute the band for possibly paving the way of the future for the music industry and hopefully opening the eyes of some of these record execs. For more information check out Green Plastic
But what do you all think?
mp3: Planet Telex – Radiohead
The Bends 1995 (Capitol)
Album available HERE
Sep
26
The Poison Control Center
By Rachel | Album Picks | 17 Comments
Photo by Dan S. www.mordac.org
I am digging this band! The Poison Control Center is an Iowa band that make some lively indie-rock. Their debut album is filled with psych-pop rhythms and energetic lyrics, which come together to make a solid sound that I am enjoying indeed.
Other than that the days don’t seem to be getting any shorter but I’m keeping myself entertained by playing a little Halo 3, which is proving to be harder than I thought but addictive.
mp3:Â Driving
mp3:Â Make Love a Star
A Collage Of Impressions 2007 (Afternoon Records)
Sep
23
This Beautiful Weekend
By Rachel | Music Mix Up | 10 Comments
It rained on Friday and it continued on into Saturday! It was glorious! But I noticed something…The people of California really can’t handle rain. It is a hard adjustment to make and within the first rain drops the city kind of starts to break down, things stop functioning, people stop driving and I wouldn’t be surprised if some people melted.
The rain cleaned out the smog from the air and for the last day and half the sky has been bright blue with big beautiful fluffy clouds floating in the cool breeze. Glorious indeed.
A mix for you to enjoy!
mp3: New Land, Emma Pollock
Watch The Fireworks 2007 – Get It
mp3: In Transit, Albert Hammond Jr.
Yours To Keep 2007 – Get It
mp3: Aging Faces/Losing Places, Kevin Drew
Spirit If… 2007 – Get It
P.S. The new Beirut album, The Flying Club Cup was released on emusic as an advance. Of course I downloaded it, I can’t wait to share my thoughts on the new album and give you a taste. Stay tuned.
Disclaimer
Music found on this blog is for sampling only. If you like what you hear then support the artist. Buy their music, attend a show and spread the word. If you own the rights to any of the music featured here and you would like me to remove it contact me and I will remove the link immediately.
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