Good News item #1:
The TV strike is over! Just wrap up the last eight episodes of LOST. Forget about the rest. (If you love LOST, check out Doc Jensen from EW... he writes the craziest theories). The first two episodes were spectacular and I can't wait to see the next six.
Good News item #2:
Radiohead is coming to Vancouver!!! When? The site doesn't say, but if you scroll down to the bottom, you will see all that you need, the word "Vancouver".
Too bad the Kanye/Rihanna/Lupe Fiasco/N.E.R.D tour only comes as close as Seattle. It doesn't make sense to me that they are going to Calgary, Saskatoon and Edmonton, but not Vancouver. I would love to see Lupe Fiasco and N.E.R.D. live.
Who cares? Radiohead, Radiohead, Radiohead. To hear "Reckoner" live... can't wait.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Grandma's Grammys
I confess that I don't watch the Grammys that often, but I found myself watching this year's show for a couple of reasons:
a) the dearth of new TV shows
b) wanting to catch a glimpse of Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys, and Feist
First, Alicia Keys simply owned the stage and I cannot stop gushing about her. Check out her performance here. As much as I dislike Jon Mayer, even his presence couldn't ruin Miss Keys' performance. The only negatives? Her hair (much prettier in her first song) and that weird aluminum popcorn crinkled dress.
Personally, I really liked her NYC 2008 New Year's gig. Here is part of that performance. My crush for Alicia Keys grows.
Feist! So proud to see her career sky rocket and she always puts a fresh spin on her tunes. I find it amusing that Kanye West is a fan of hers. A solid performance of 1,2,3,4 by Feist. I am sure that I posted this already, but this is still my favourite version of Feist's Apple ditty. If you have not seen her live and you are a fan, make sure you see her play. She is playing a 2010 show coming up soon in Vancouver.
Amy Winehouse was quite uneven, but I loved her reaction when she won a Grammy.
What irks me about the Grammys is that I feel at times that the voters are out of touch with music in our society. Let's first ignore the fact that there is tons of music out there that doesn't get acknowledged, but I think these Grammys did a fair job of reflecting some solid albums out there. But Foo Fighters over Bruce Springsteen and Wilco?
Further proof that the voters are out of touch is shown with the last award of the night. Doesn't the concept of "Album of the Year" mean that people have actually heard of the album? Herbie Hancock's "River: The Joni Letters" just mystifies me as ALBUM OF THE YEAR! This is why I don't really put much stock in the Grammys. Look I love Joni Mitchell and I got nothing against Herbie Hancock ("Rocket" kicks ass), but c'mon! I never even knew this album existed. I think of the albums in the category I might have given the nod to Amy Winehouse.
Long live the Grammys
Bring on the Oscars
a) the dearth of new TV shows
b) wanting to catch a glimpse of Amy Winehouse, Alicia Keys, and Feist
First, Alicia Keys simply owned the stage and I cannot stop gushing about her. Check out her performance here. As much as I dislike Jon Mayer, even his presence couldn't ruin Miss Keys' performance. The only negatives? Her hair (much prettier in her first song) and that weird aluminum popcorn crinkled dress.
Personally, I really liked her NYC 2008 New Year's gig. Here is part of that performance. My crush for Alicia Keys grows.
Feist! So proud to see her career sky rocket and she always puts a fresh spin on her tunes. I find it amusing that Kanye West is a fan of hers. A solid performance of 1,2,3,4 by Feist. I am sure that I posted this already, but this is still my favourite version of Feist's Apple ditty. If you have not seen her live and you are a fan, make sure you see her play. She is playing a 2010 show coming up soon in Vancouver.
Amy Winehouse was quite uneven, but I loved her reaction when she won a Grammy.
What irks me about the Grammys is that I feel at times that the voters are out of touch with music in our society. Let's first ignore the fact that there is tons of music out there that doesn't get acknowledged, but I think these Grammys did a fair job of reflecting some solid albums out there. But Foo Fighters over Bruce Springsteen and Wilco?
Further proof that the voters are out of touch is shown with the last award of the night. Doesn't the concept of "Album of the Year" mean that people have actually heard of the album? Herbie Hancock's "River: The Joni Letters" just mystifies me as ALBUM OF THE YEAR! This is why I don't really put much stock in the Grammys. Look I love Joni Mitchell and I got nothing against Herbie Hancock ("Rocket" kicks ass), but c'mon! I never even knew this album existed. I think of the albums in the category I might have given the nod to Amy Winehouse.
Long live the Grammys
Bring on the Oscars
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
One more thing...
Why Alicia Keys why? I heard about her new North American tour and became excited to see this talented beauty in concert. Then I view her tour dates and it hits me. She manages to visit every single city except for Vancouver! She doesn't even come close to the Pacific Northwest. Adding insult to injury, she goes to Toronto and Montreal. Curses. How can anyone reasonable expect to stalk their celebrity crush if they don't come near their neighbourhood?
What's also sucks is that Tom Petty (good work during the Super Bowl Tom) comes only to Seattle and not Vancouver.
Boo-urns I say. Boo-urns.
What's also sucks is that Tom Petty (good work during the Super Bowl Tom) comes only to Seattle and not Vancouver.
Boo-urns I say. Boo-urns.
Uh oh! Belated blogging...
So I have been wanting to post a year in review for movies of 2007. Now it is February 2008. I guess you can expect me to come up with something in the next year or so. Maybe I will manage to share some of my thoughts before the Oscars.
So with the writer's strike what have I been doing?
-more of my Masters course. This officially means that I have run out of multiple things to do, leaving only my school work. Sad sad sad.
-enjoying the few scraps of tasty TV morsels (Friday Night Lights [which had a great three week stretch, but has been awful of late because of some really, really cruddy volleyball scenes, almost comparable to that laughable scene in Top Gun where Tom Cruise plays beach volleyball in fricking blue jeans], House, and
OMIGOODNESS!!! LOST!
The season premiere was most excellent with a great structure that will define television narration. To think that the show will be telling what happened on the island, what is happening in the present to get back to the island, and what will happen once everyone is back together... brilliant. This is one of the best TV shows ever. And even more exciting for me, no Jack-centric episodes in the next seven. Can't wait. Someone end the writer's strike already, because I want to see the full season of LOST.
Oh yeah, the last couple episodes of Gossip Girl have been excellent as well. The writers were approaching some ridiculous regions with the possibility of father and son dating mother and daughter. I am so glad that they addressed this ickiness with semi-realism. Any show that can make you feel almost a bit sad for Chuck is doing a fine job.
The jury is out for me on the new show "Eli Stone". Johnny Lee Miller looks different and this show is pretty cheesy at times, but funny as well. Natasha Henstridge still looks beautiful (O Canada, where has she been all this time?). Did you know Johnny used to be Jonny (Hackers anyone?) and that he was briefly married to Angelina Jolie? I think people don't realize that he is actually British as well.
Super Bowl was spectacular and I think I laughed hardest at the Justin Timberlake commercial even though it really didn't make that much sense. What's up with the lowbrow humour of getting hit in the crotch? I am practically drooling over the Iron Man movie. I also get a chuckle out of hearing Nevada losing $2.6 million on the New York Giants upset.
Check out all the ads at www.myspace.com/superbowlads
I still can't believe the Pats got dominated in terms of defense.
Somebody please help our Vancouver Canucks on defense.
Lastly, this topic matter is quite crude. It is not for people who are sensitive to lots of swearing and tasteless humour. But it does show Matt Damon doing an effective job of comedy.
1st: Jimmy Kimmel's riff on Matt's last flick "The Bourne Ultimatum"
2nd: Matt Damon doing a great impression of Matthew McConaughey on David Letterman
3rd: TASTELESS ALERT. NOT FOR EVERYONE. I know this will offend many of you, so you have been forewarned. I bear no responsibility for this viewing. I am absolved of any possible outrage. Let me off the hook please. Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon have a long running joke where Kimmel magically bumps Damon from the show. This is a video made by Kimmel's girlfriend, the potty-mouthed Sarah Silverman, for their anniversary, aided by Matt Damon.
Also, if you are a fan of Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, or Conan O'Brien, check out this colossal meeting of the masters of nighttime linked on Entertainment Weekly. It is a fairly long clip, but it is worth it near the end to see Stephen Colbert execute a wonderful dance.
The best video game that I have been playing intermittently is "Rock Band". You play with four players--> involving a mic, drums, bass, and guitar. The gameplay is brilliant and surprisingly fun... you ALMOST, almost feel like you are rocking out in a band.
Finally, I love living in Canada, but seeing a musical lineup like this year's 2008 Bonaroo Festival makes me wish I lived in Europe simply to catch the multitude of amazing festivals that go on. Pearl Jam and Metallica? Kanye and Death Cab? I can only dream.
Peace out.
So with the writer's strike what have I been doing?
-more of my Masters course. This officially means that I have run out of multiple things to do, leaving only my school work. Sad sad sad.
-enjoying the few scraps of tasty TV morsels (Friday Night Lights [which had a great three week stretch, but has been awful of late because of some really, really cruddy volleyball scenes, almost comparable to that laughable scene in Top Gun where Tom Cruise plays beach volleyball in fricking blue jeans], House, and
OMIGOODNESS!!! LOST!
The season premiere was most excellent with a great structure that will define television narration. To think that the show will be telling what happened on the island, what is happening in the present to get back to the island, and what will happen once everyone is back together... brilliant. This is one of the best TV shows ever. And even more exciting for me, no Jack-centric episodes in the next seven. Can't wait. Someone end the writer's strike already, because I want to see the full season of LOST.
Oh yeah, the last couple episodes of Gossip Girl have been excellent as well. The writers were approaching some ridiculous regions with the possibility of father and son dating mother and daughter. I am so glad that they addressed this ickiness with semi-realism. Any show that can make you feel almost a bit sad for Chuck is doing a fine job.
The jury is out for me on the new show "Eli Stone". Johnny Lee Miller looks different and this show is pretty cheesy at times, but funny as well. Natasha Henstridge still looks beautiful (O Canada, where has she been all this time?). Did you know Johnny used to be Jonny (Hackers anyone?) and that he was briefly married to Angelina Jolie? I think people don't realize that he is actually British as well.
Super Bowl was spectacular and I think I laughed hardest at the Justin Timberlake commercial even though it really didn't make that much sense. What's up with the lowbrow humour of getting hit in the crotch? I am practically drooling over the Iron Man movie. I also get a chuckle out of hearing Nevada losing $2.6 million on the New York Giants upset.
Check out all the ads at www.myspace.com/superbowlads
I still can't believe the Pats got dominated in terms of defense.
Somebody please help our Vancouver Canucks on defense.
Lastly, this topic matter is quite crude. It is not for people who are sensitive to lots of swearing and tasteless humour. But it does show Matt Damon doing an effective job of comedy.
1st: Jimmy Kimmel's riff on Matt's last flick "The Bourne Ultimatum"
2nd: Matt Damon doing a great impression of Matthew McConaughey on David Letterman
3rd: TASTELESS ALERT. NOT FOR EVERYONE. I know this will offend many of you, so you have been forewarned. I bear no responsibility for this viewing. I am absolved of any possible outrage. Let me off the hook please. Jimmy Kimmel and Matt Damon have a long running joke where Kimmel magically bumps Damon from the show. This is a video made by Kimmel's girlfriend, the potty-mouthed Sarah Silverman, for their anniversary, aided by Matt Damon.
Also, if you are a fan of Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart, or Conan O'Brien, check out this colossal meeting of the masters of nighttime linked on Entertainment Weekly. It is a fairly long clip, but it is worth it near the end to see Stephen Colbert execute a wonderful dance.
The best video game that I have been playing intermittently is "Rock Band". You play with four players--> involving a mic, drums, bass, and guitar. The gameplay is brilliant and surprisingly fun... you ALMOST, almost feel like you are rocking out in a band.
Finally, I love living in Canada, but seeing a musical lineup like this year's 2008 Bonaroo Festival makes me wish I lived in Europe simply to catch the multitude of amazing festivals that go on. Pearl Jam and Metallica? Kanye and Death Cab? I can only dream.
Peace out.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Last week’s announcement of Heath Ledger’s death was extremely sad. Sad to think that he not only left behind a burgeoning acting career, but a family with a two year old daughter. I really thought after “The Dark Knight”, his career would go off with the Joker bringing him more commercial acclaim. Instead, I think the movie will feel weird to watch at times, much like “The Crow” was, knowing that Brandon Lee died during the filming of the movie. Actually if you brought up the images of both actors, they look eerily similar.
Brandon Lee here:
Heath Ledger here:
The difference here was we knew that Heath Ledger was a great actor and that his potential was just beginning to be met. I enjoyed his turns in “A Knight’s Tale” and “The Patriot” (awful movie though) and his silent turn in “Brokeback Mountain” was heart-breaking. Heath Ledger’s passing is a sad ending for a star that was on the rise.
Brandon Lee here:
Heath Ledger here:
The difference here was we knew that Heath Ledger was a great actor and that his potential was just beginning to be met. I enjoyed his turns in “A Knight’s Tale” and “The Patriot” (awful movie though) and his silent turn in “Brokeback Mountain” was heart-breaking. Heath Ledger’s passing is a sad ending for a star that was on the rise.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
2007 Music Year in Review
Considering the lateness of this post, one could argue that this may be a list of the best of 2008.
About four years ago, a friend of mine, Chad, started a most exclusive club where we submitted a mix disc of our favourite tracks of the year. It has become a yearly thing that I look forward to as it forces me to reflect on what I have listened to AND gives me the excuse to make a good mix disc. The group has grown to 16 "people" (there are couples involved) and I also enjoy discovering new bands throughout the years (such as LCD Soundsystem, Jason Collett, Peter Bjorn, and a host of others).
So for my first part of my 2008 year in review, I present my track listings and some extended comments. I am quite pleased with my track selection order, because for a short span, the titles start to mirror an abbreviated recap of Britney Spears life in 2007.
I will first list the tracks and if you want to read more about my choices, just scroll down. I have also linked some of the artists so you can sample some of their tracks at their website:
1. Tournament Of Hearts (The Weakerthans) Album: Reunion Tour
2. Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)... (Jay-Z)
Album: American Gangsta Soundtrack
3. Unless It's Kicks (Okkervil River)
Album: The Stage Names
4. Big Casino (Jimmy Eat World)
Album: Chase This Light
5. Intervention (The Arcade Fire)
Album: Neon Bible
6. Reckoner (Radiohead)
Album: In Rainbows
7. Rehab (Amy Winehouse)
Album: Back to Black
8. Hate It Here (Wilco)
Album: Sky Blue Sky
9. No One (Alicia Keys)
Album: As I Am
10. 1 2 3 4 (Feist)
Album: The Reminder
11. Paper Planes (M.I.A.)
Album: Kala
12. Rise (Eddie Vedder)
Album: Into the Wild Soundtrack
13. Long Walk Home (Bruce Springsteen)
Album: Magic
14. All My Friends (LCD Soundsystem)
Album: Sounds of Silver
15. Comfy In Nautica (Panda Bear)
Album: Person Pitch
Guilty Pleasures of 2007:
16. Stronger (Kanye West)
Album: Graduation
17. Umbrella [Feat. Jay-Z] (Rihanna)
Album: Good Girl Gone Bad
18. Don't Shoot Me Santa (The Killers) Click to listen to it.
2007 Christmas Single (
1. Tournament Of Hearts (The Weakerthans)
Album: Reunion Tour
This band is my favourite Canadian band. Their previous release, Reconstruction Site, stands as one of my favourite albums ever. This latest offering has some tasty tracks, with this being my favourite. Seeing how I started curling this year, I appreciate all the nods to curling. I can't get enough of the lyrics "hack weight". I once saw the band at at Burgoo (on 10th Ave) and I rarely get compelled to say anything to celebrities, but my unbridled enthusiasm of seeing the band that I was seeing in concert that night led to one of the most awkward exchanges ever.
Me: "You are the best Canadian band ever."
Them: "Thanks."
Me: "I am seeing your concert tonight."
Them: "Great. (translation: back away from us freak!)
This was followed by a prolonged silence.
2. Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)... (Jay-Z)
Album: American Gangsta Soundtrack
I am not the biggest fan of rap. I enjoy Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, Wu-Tang Clan, and a smattering of others, but I have a hard time taking some of the other current rappers seriously. I have however always enjoyed Jay-Zed. There is something about him. He has sophistication as a rapper and you know you don't want to mess with him. I think I got hooked from his glorious MTV Unplugged outing where he had The Roots backing him up. Just some great music and when Mary J. Blige took the stage with him things got really cranked up. I still haven't seen this movie, but I enjoy the album. This track gets me with the sweet brassy hook. The best MC is back.
3. Unless It's Kicks (Okkervil River)
Album: The Stage Names
I think this album is up there for my album of the year. It has track after kick ass track. This song just starts with a propulsive beat layered with vicious strumming and wailing horns. I cannot stop my feet from tapping when I listen to this track. When the tambourines kick in I have lost all control and am swept up by this solid, solid track. Check out "Our Life is a Movie or Maybe Not" as well.
4. Big Casino (Jimmy Eat World)
Album: Chase This Light
I am not the biggest fan of this band and I think my hangup is with their lame-o band name. I feel like I just can't respect them because of their Jimmy-Neutron-nerdish name. However, this track I can respect which rocks with a ferocious attacking rhythm.
5. Intervention (The Arcade Fire)
Album: Neon Bible
Sometimes you get bowled over by an album that doesn't sound like anything you have heard in a long time. The experience becomes revelatory. I still remember listening to the first album by this band and I just knew that I was hearing something so different yet so familiar, if that makes sense. And then I saw the band live and their performance confirmed that I was witness to something special. With that in mind, it would be quite difficult for their second album, Neon Bible to top their first, Funeral. But through extensive listening, I realized that the new album isn't that bad. I have favourite tracks like "Black Mirror" and "Keep the Car Running", but I always go back to the organ entrance of "Intervention". Just a great build-up and it is one of the tracks that uses Regine Chassagne's vocals in a restrained manner that adds depth to Win Butler's emotional tone. I get annoyed when Chassagne's hyper-Bjork vocals are the focal point and I think this track demonstrates how Arcade Fire should sound when all pistons are firing. I saw them at Deer Lake Park in Burnaby (my third time) and they still put on a raging show. If you like them, make sure you go see them live.
6. Reckoner (Radiohead)
Album: In Rainbows
These guys are probably one of my favourite bands of all time. I mentioned about the struck-by-a-bolt-of-lightning feeling when hearing something so beyond what you are used to, in regards to Arcade Fire. The same could be said about so many of Radiohead's albums with "OK Computer" being the biggest one for me. This album simply cements Radiohead's status as one of the best working bands together. Track after track employs Thom Yorke's vocals as an propelling instrument that intertwines, disappear, and reappears within the structures of Johnny Greenwood's guitars, and Phil Selway's sharp percussion. I can't stop listening to this track, because I find it so haunting and it just lingers within my bones. This album is another sonic experience delivered by one of the best. I think because you can actually make out many of Yorke's lyrics this time out, this album is easily more accessible than some of their previous offerings. Check out "All I Need" and "15 Step" as well.
Come back to Vancouver Radiohead! It has been too long. I have seen them three times which is not enough at all.
7. Rehab (Amy Winehouse)
Album: Back to Black
Her debut album is a blazing, brassy proclamation that someone with a damaged soul needs to bear her rage through vicious renderings of music that recall classic jazz. Upon hearing this album earlier in 2007, I couldn't get it out of my rotation. It is a bit sad now to think about how her lyrics are almost a cry for help. I hope she survives to produce more work and that she is not snuffed out a la Kurt Cobain, a distraught genius that has their personal demons spiraling out of control.
8. Hate It Here (Wilco)
Album: Sky Blue Sky
I am beginning to realize that 2007 was a tremendous year for music. I love love Wilco. I place one of their concerts in my top five of all time. Wilco's "Yankee Foxtrot Hotel", showcased a completely different side of this supposedly alt-rock band. With this album, Wilco gets away from the sonic explorations of "Ghost is Born", their latest album, and offers a much cleaner and understated album. That sounds like a bad thing, but there are some gorgeous tracks on this album. I remember driving down Marine Drive to UBC and the sun peeked over the trees and hit my face and the song "Sky Blue Sky" played on my car stereo and I couldn't help beaming like the very rays of sunshine hitting my face. I picked this track, because the song speaks about ordinary settings, but manages to convey the powerful feeling of loss of a lover.
9. No One (Alicia Keys)
Album: As I Am
I think I am allowed to have one celebrity crush with Mina and Alicia Keys is the one I choose. I remember swooning (can guys swoon?) when I first heard her album "Songs in A Minor". She is beautiful, plays the piano, and her voice... I can't begin to describe how much it can kick some ass. This track shows off her powers and I can't get the beat out of my head.
10. 1 2 3 4 (Feist)
Album: The Reminder
I saw Feist for the second time this year and she did not disappoint. I remember being really sold by the song "1 2 3 4" and that soon became my favourite track off of her album. Then I saw her perform it on Saturday Night Live and I liked it even more. Then it culminated with an appearance on Conan O Brien, where she was backed by people from Broken Social Scene, New Pornographers, and Grizzly Bear. (Maybe the SNL show was after? I forget now). Then in August, her song became attached to the iPod commercials, sending Feist off to the stratosphere, and of course, I became sick of this song. But I still included it, because it was my favourite track off of her excellent sophomore album (I think it is better than "Let it Die").
11. Paper Planes (M.I.A.)
Album: Kala
Her album is hit and miss with me. Some tracks are so weird and some grate on me. But this track is such a disturbing mix of singing children, cash registers “chinging”, and guns firing & loading that I find it completely hypnotic and catchy. Maybe that means I have problems.
12. Rise (Eddie Vedder)
Album: Into the Wild Soundtrack
I think the movie is a tad overrated. And being the biggest Eddie Vedder/Pearl Jam fan, I thought there could have been more tracks of substance, but hearing the ukulele with Vedder's distinctive deep voice, appeals to me in ways that I cannot explain.
13. Long Walk Home (Bruce Springsteen)
Album: Magic
I still have not seen the Boss live. Maybe I will catch him this March. His newest album has a terrible name, but plenty of tracks that show that even at his age, the Boss still knows how to rock.
14. All My Friends (LCD Soundsystem)
Album: Sounds of Silver
The BEST track of the year. I cannot withstand the slow build-up of this track. I once listened to this track five times in a row in the car. The album is also great and I thank whoever introduced me to LCD Soundsystem last year.
15. Comfy In Nautica (Panda Bear)
Album: Person Pitch
It was the year of the bear. There is another band that I couldn't find room (Grizzly Bear) on my best of, and I decided to go with Panda Bear, because their music is a sonic exploration that is challenging and rewarding. I don't like listening to their music in the car. It is the type of the music that you need to sit in a chair for and just allow your mind to drift off into space. I couldn't decide what track to include, but then was forced by the time limits of my CD to include the shortest offering.
Guilty Pleasures of 2007: Everyone has guilty pleasures, tracks that you know are not the best, but you can't get out of your head and then you eventually find yourself humming to it. Mine are:
16. Stronger (Kanye West)
Album: Graduation
I have liked parts of all three of his albums. He has the bravado to come up with some of the silliest rhymes yet he manages to pull them off with his usual verve. I really love the robot beginning of this track and this song is a good pump-up anthem.
17. Umbrella [Feat. Jay-Z] (Rihanna)
Album: Good Girl Gone Bad
I wanted to include Avril's Girlfriend as well, because these two tracks were used as funny gags in "The Office". This song by Rihanna makes no sense. Who thought you could revolve a chorus around the word "umbrella"? This was the dance hit of the summer.
I liked this funny track, because the lyrics crack me up. "Sweet Mojave rain" bit gets me everytime.
18. Don't Shoot Me Santa (The Killers)
2007 Christmas Single
Whew! OK, I have to go to bed. I will gather my strength to get my TV and movie list out sometime before 2008 ends or the writer strike ends. Whichever comes first.
About four years ago, a friend of mine, Chad, started a most exclusive club where we submitted a mix disc of our favourite tracks of the year. It has become a yearly thing that I look forward to as it forces me to reflect on what I have listened to AND gives me the excuse to make a good mix disc. The group has grown to 16 "people" (there are couples involved) and I also enjoy discovering new bands throughout the years (such as LCD Soundsystem, Jason Collett, Peter Bjorn, and a host of others).
So for my first part of my 2008 year in review, I present my track listings and some extended comments. I am quite pleased with my track selection order, because for a short span, the titles start to mirror an abbreviated recap of Britney Spears life in 2007.
I will first list the tracks and if you want to read more about my choices, just scroll down. I have also linked some of the artists so you can sample some of their tracks at their website:
1. Tournament Of Hearts (The Weakerthans) Album: Reunion Tour
2. Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)... (Jay-Z)
Album: American Gangsta Soundtrack
3. Unless It's Kicks (Okkervil River)
Album: The Stage Names
4. Big Casino (Jimmy Eat World)
Album: Chase This Light
5. Intervention (The Arcade Fire)
Album: Neon Bible
6. Reckoner (Radiohead)
Album: In Rainbows
7. Rehab (Amy Winehouse)
Album: Back to Black
8. Hate It Here (Wilco)
Album: Sky Blue Sky
9. No One (Alicia Keys)
Album: As I Am
10. 1 2 3 4 (Feist)
Album: The Reminder
11. Paper Planes (M.I.A.)
Album: Kala
12. Rise (Eddie Vedder)
Album: Into the Wild Soundtrack
13. Long Walk Home (Bruce Springsteen)
Album: Magic
14. All My Friends (LCD Soundsystem)
Album: Sounds of Silver
15. Comfy In Nautica (Panda Bear)
Album: Person Pitch
Guilty Pleasures of 2007:
16. Stronger (Kanye West)
Album: Graduation
17. Umbrella [Feat. Jay-Z] (Rihanna)
Album: Good Girl Gone Bad
18. Don't Shoot Me Santa (The Killers) Click to listen to it.
2007 Christmas Single (
1. Tournament Of Hearts (The Weakerthans)
Album: Reunion Tour
This band is my favourite Canadian band. Their previous release, Reconstruction Site, stands as one of my favourite albums ever. This latest offering has some tasty tracks, with this being my favourite. Seeing how I started curling this year, I appreciate all the nods to curling. I can't get enough of the lyrics "hack weight". I once saw the band at at Burgoo (on 10th Ave) and I rarely get compelled to say anything to celebrities, but my unbridled enthusiasm of seeing the band that I was seeing in concert that night led to one of the most awkward exchanges ever.
Me: "You are the best Canadian band ever."
Them: "Thanks."
Me: "I am seeing your concert tonight."
Them: "Great. (translation: back away from us freak!)
This was followed by a prolonged silence.
2. Roc Boys (And The Winner Is)... (Jay-Z)
Album: American Gangsta Soundtrack
I am not the biggest fan of rap. I enjoy Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, Wu-Tang Clan, and a smattering of others, but I have a hard time taking some of the other current rappers seriously. I have however always enjoyed Jay-Zed. There is something about him. He has sophistication as a rapper and you know you don't want to mess with him. I think I got hooked from his glorious MTV Unplugged outing where he had The Roots backing him up. Just some great music and when Mary J. Blige took the stage with him things got really cranked up. I still haven't seen this movie, but I enjoy the album. This track gets me with the sweet brassy hook. The best MC is back.
3. Unless It's Kicks (Okkervil River)
Album: The Stage Names
I think this album is up there for my album of the year. It has track after kick ass track. This song just starts with a propulsive beat layered with vicious strumming and wailing horns. I cannot stop my feet from tapping when I listen to this track. When the tambourines kick in I have lost all control and am swept up by this solid, solid track. Check out "Our Life is a Movie or Maybe Not" as well.
4. Big Casino (Jimmy Eat World)
Album: Chase This Light
I am not the biggest fan of this band and I think my hangup is with their lame-o band name. I feel like I just can't respect them because of their Jimmy-Neutron-nerdish name. However, this track I can respect which rocks with a ferocious attacking rhythm.
5. Intervention (The Arcade Fire)
Album: Neon Bible
Sometimes you get bowled over by an album that doesn't sound like anything you have heard in a long time. The experience becomes revelatory. I still remember listening to the first album by this band and I just knew that I was hearing something so different yet so familiar, if that makes sense. And then I saw the band live and their performance confirmed that I was witness to something special. With that in mind, it would be quite difficult for their second album, Neon Bible to top their first, Funeral. But through extensive listening, I realized that the new album isn't that bad. I have favourite tracks like "Black Mirror" and "Keep the Car Running", but I always go back to the organ entrance of "Intervention". Just a great build-up and it is one of the tracks that uses Regine Chassagne's vocals in a restrained manner that adds depth to Win Butler's emotional tone. I get annoyed when Chassagne's hyper-Bjork vocals are the focal point and I think this track demonstrates how Arcade Fire should sound when all pistons are firing. I saw them at Deer Lake Park in Burnaby (my third time) and they still put on a raging show. If you like them, make sure you go see them live.
6. Reckoner (Radiohead)
Album: In Rainbows
These guys are probably one of my favourite bands of all time. I mentioned about the struck-by-a-bolt-of-lightning feeling when hearing something so beyond what you are used to, in regards to Arcade Fire. The same could be said about so many of Radiohead's albums with "OK Computer" being the biggest one for me. This album simply cements Radiohead's status as one of the best working bands together. Track after track employs Thom Yorke's vocals as an propelling instrument that intertwines, disappear, and reappears within the structures of Johnny Greenwood's guitars, and Phil Selway's sharp percussion. I can't stop listening to this track, because I find it so haunting and it just lingers within my bones. This album is another sonic experience delivered by one of the best. I think because you can actually make out many of Yorke's lyrics this time out, this album is easily more accessible than some of their previous offerings. Check out "All I Need" and "15 Step" as well.
Come back to Vancouver Radiohead! It has been too long. I have seen them three times which is not enough at all.
7. Rehab (Amy Winehouse)
Album: Back to Black
Her debut album is a blazing, brassy proclamation that someone with a damaged soul needs to bear her rage through vicious renderings of music that recall classic jazz. Upon hearing this album earlier in 2007, I couldn't get it out of my rotation. It is a bit sad now to think about how her lyrics are almost a cry for help. I hope she survives to produce more work and that she is not snuffed out a la Kurt Cobain, a distraught genius that has their personal demons spiraling out of control.
8. Hate It Here (Wilco)
Album: Sky Blue Sky
I am beginning to realize that 2007 was a tremendous year for music. I love love Wilco. I place one of their concerts in my top five of all time. Wilco's "Yankee Foxtrot Hotel", showcased a completely different side of this supposedly alt-rock band. With this album, Wilco gets away from the sonic explorations of "Ghost is Born", their latest album, and offers a much cleaner and understated album. That sounds like a bad thing, but there are some gorgeous tracks on this album. I remember driving down Marine Drive to UBC and the sun peeked over the trees and hit my face and the song "Sky Blue Sky" played on my car stereo and I couldn't help beaming like the very rays of sunshine hitting my face. I picked this track, because the song speaks about ordinary settings, but manages to convey the powerful feeling of loss of a lover.
9. No One (Alicia Keys)
Album: As I Am
I think I am allowed to have one celebrity crush with Mina and Alicia Keys is the one I choose. I remember swooning (can guys swoon?) when I first heard her album "Songs in A Minor". She is beautiful, plays the piano, and her voice... I can't begin to describe how much it can kick some ass. This track shows off her powers and I can't get the beat out of my head.
10. 1 2 3 4 (Feist)
Album: The Reminder
I saw Feist for the second time this year and she did not disappoint. I remember being really sold by the song "1 2 3 4" and that soon became my favourite track off of her album. Then I saw her perform it on Saturday Night Live and I liked it even more. Then it culminated with an appearance on Conan O Brien, where she was backed by people from Broken Social Scene, New Pornographers, and Grizzly Bear. (Maybe the SNL show was after? I forget now). Then in August, her song became attached to the iPod commercials, sending Feist off to the stratosphere, and of course, I became sick of this song. But I still included it, because it was my favourite track off of her excellent sophomore album (I think it is better than "Let it Die").
11. Paper Planes (M.I.A.)
Album: Kala
Her album is hit and miss with me. Some tracks are so weird and some grate on me. But this track is such a disturbing mix of singing children, cash registers “chinging”, and guns firing & loading that I find it completely hypnotic and catchy. Maybe that means I have problems.
12. Rise (Eddie Vedder)
Album: Into the Wild Soundtrack
I think the movie is a tad overrated. And being the biggest Eddie Vedder/Pearl Jam fan, I thought there could have been more tracks of substance, but hearing the ukulele with Vedder's distinctive deep voice, appeals to me in ways that I cannot explain.
13. Long Walk Home (Bruce Springsteen)
Album: Magic
I still have not seen the Boss live. Maybe I will catch him this March. His newest album has a terrible name, but plenty of tracks that show that even at his age, the Boss still knows how to rock.
14. All My Friends (LCD Soundsystem)
Album: Sounds of Silver
The BEST track of the year. I cannot withstand the slow build-up of this track. I once listened to this track five times in a row in the car. The album is also great and I thank whoever introduced me to LCD Soundsystem last year.
15. Comfy In Nautica (Panda Bear)
Album: Person Pitch
It was the year of the bear. There is another band that I couldn't find room (Grizzly Bear) on my best of, and I decided to go with Panda Bear, because their music is a sonic exploration that is challenging and rewarding. I don't like listening to their music in the car. It is the type of the music that you need to sit in a chair for and just allow your mind to drift off into space. I couldn't decide what track to include, but then was forced by the time limits of my CD to include the shortest offering.
Guilty Pleasures of 2007: Everyone has guilty pleasures, tracks that you know are not the best, but you can't get out of your head and then you eventually find yourself humming to it. Mine are:
16. Stronger (Kanye West)
Album: Graduation
I have liked parts of all three of his albums. He has the bravado to come up with some of the silliest rhymes yet he manages to pull them off with his usual verve. I really love the robot beginning of this track and this song is a good pump-up anthem.
17. Umbrella [Feat. Jay-Z] (Rihanna)
Album: Good Girl Gone Bad
I wanted to include Avril's Girlfriend as well, because these two tracks were used as funny gags in "The Office". This song by Rihanna makes no sense. Who thought you could revolve a chorus around the word "umbrella"? This was the dance hit of the summer.
I liked this funny track, because the lyrics crack me up. "Sweet Mojave rain" bit gets me everytime.
18. Don't Shoot Me Santa (The Killers)
2007 Christmas Single
Whew! OK, I have to go to bed. I will gather my strength to get my TV and movie list out sometime before 2008 ends or the writer strike ends. Whichever comes first.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Happy New Year!
Wow. Where does the time go? I see that I haven't posted anything since December 18th. I had a very restful break, visiting Mina's family down in Atlanta. The Georgia Aquarium is something else and I also got to watch a great basketball game involving the Atlanta Hawks. If I had my druthers, I would have seen the Thrashers and the Falcons as well. Mina put a kibosh on that idea. What is up with all the Atlantaean teams going with birds as their names? I love birds and find them fascinating, but I don't think they make for the greatest sports names. But then again, what do I know? I follow a team called the "Canucks".
Just wanted to let you know that I am currently working on a "Best of 2007" for movies, TV, and music.
Hopefully it will be posted up by this weekend. Take care.
Just wanted to let you know that I am currently working on a "Best of 2007" for movies, TV, and music.
Hopefully it will be posted up by this weekend. Take care.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Back in black!
Whew. I hope that the three or four of you that actual read my blog didn't start worrying about my absence. I have finished my last Masters assignment for this winter term. I must say it was quite an intensive term and now I only have TWO more classes left.
Unfortunately, I have a stack of marking staring at me that has piled up since my two week focus on my school work. *sigh* Only three more days of class.
Let's see, not a lot of TV out there. I got so desperate last week that I ended up watching one episode of Deal or No Deal. Sad isn't it?
Our hockey team is a smashing success right now and the guys are playing well. I am proud to be the third leading scorer on the team. Check out my stats. Watch out Vancouver Canucks here I come. I do find that in the third year of hockey that I have improved a bit. One day I will have a slapshot. One day.
I am pretty tired and I will be flying to Atlanta to stay with Mina's family (her brother lives there). I will be taking in one Atlanta Hawks game, where the tickets are ridiculously cheap. I wish I had time to see a Thrashers game as well, but we only have time to see one game. I will also try to visit the Coca-Cola factory wearing all Pepsi paraphernalia. I also hope to bump into Ted Turner and give him my best "This is CNN." impression.
I am pretty beat tired so I leave you with these three links.
The first one is to the NEW Batman trailer. I cannot remember the last time I anticipated a movie like this. Maybe Return of the King?
The next one is the sweet international poster they have released for the movie.
Lastly, this is a sweet little video (thanks EW magazine!) involving Snape, Dumbledore, Harry, Ron, and Hermoine as puppets. You have to check it out.
Hope all of you are well in respective lands.
Unfortunately, I have a stack of marking staring at me that has piled up since my two week focus on my school work. *sigh* Only three more days of class.
Let's see, not a lot of TV out there. I got so desperate last week that I ended up watching one episode of Deal or No Deal. Sad isn't it?
Our hockey team is a smashing success right now and the guys are playing well. I am proud to be the third leading scorer on the team. Check out my stats. Watch out Vancouver Canucks here I come. I do find that in the third year of hockey that I have improved a bit. One day I will have a slapshot. One day.
I am pretty tired and I will be flying to Atlanta to stay with Mina's family (her brother lives there). I will be taking in one Atlanta Hawks game, where the tickets are ridiculously cheap. I wish I had time to see a Thrashers game as well, but we only have time to see one game. I will also try to visit the Coca-Cola factory wearing all Pepsi paraphernalia. I also hope to bump into Ted Turner and give him my best "This is CNN." impression.
I am pretty beat tired so I leave you with these three links.
The first one is to the NEW Batman trailer. I cannot remember the last time I anticipated a movie like this. Maybe Return of the King?
The next one is the sweet international poster they have released for the movie.
Lastly, this is a sweet little video (thanks EW magazine!) involving Snape, Dumbledore, Harry, Ron, and Hermoine as puppets. You have to check it out.
Hope all of you are well in respective lands.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
More "Dark Knight" madness...
This is one of the coolest teaser trailer posters I have seen in a long time.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Inspirational Speech...
I was just reading excerpts from The Sports Guy's length 8 hour marathon chat session on ESPN and it linked to this great speech from Jim Valvano, the former coach of NC State, who upset University of Houston (Hakeen the Dream!) in the 1983 NCAA tourney.
Jim Valvano had cancer when he gave this speech accepting the ESPY Arthur Ashe Award in 1993. I remember seeing a clip of it (we didn't get ESPN live feeds back then) and after viewing it again, it is a nice reminder of the things that are important in our lives. Enjoy.
Click here.
Jim Valvano had cancer when he gave this speech accepting the ESPY Arthur Ashe Award in 1993. I remember seeing a clip of it (we didn't get ESPN live feeds back then) and after viewing it again, it is a nice reminder of the things that are important in our lives. Enjoy.
Click here.
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