Concert Review: Arcade Fire - Variety Playhouse (ATL)

Arcade Fire is a live band.
After seeing them last night at the Variety Playhouse, their latest album Funeral doesn’t do them justice.Not only does the studio recordings not capture the raw immediacy of the band’s live interpretations of their latest batch of songs, but there is a visual aspect of seeing the seven touring members of the band throw themselves (sometimes literally) into their music.
Attired in suits and dresses, Arcade Fire brought drama, passion and sweat to the crowd. It’s amazing to realize what a huge barrier is created by the edge of a performance stage and the presence of a skinny microphone stand. Only when you see performers singing backup vocals without mics, playing percussion on any surface they can find, and eventually taking the song out into the audience for their finale do you realize what live can really be.

Oscar Nominations

Let's get this out of the right now. I could care less that Farenheit 9/11 or The Passion of the Christ were almost completely overlooked. I honestly don't believe they belonged in the nominees. They are both movies that serve specific purposes and neither of those purposes are ones that I would measure the health or artistic merit of the art of film. But that's just me.

Looking at the nominees, I can't help but feel a bit indifferent. I had a decent time at the theater this year, but I can't say that it was the best year for film overall.

There's not a lot of movies to root for in this list. We've been spoiled the last 3 years by Lord of the Rings. I'd like to see Morgan Freeman and Don Cheatle get the respect they deserve, but I can't say these roles look like ones that I would remember them for. All the films seem to be so...heavy. I wish there was a little celebration of life here.

I'll be rooting for the smaller victories this year, especially in the writing categories where Before Sunset and Eternal Sunshine have the chance to win.

Flame on...

Architect Philip Johnson dead at 98

Johnson was the elder statesman of American architecture. While not as active in the field of late, he created quite a legacy as well as spurred many forums for debate.
He was quite a character: outspoken, dogmatic, and probably had as many enemies as friends. Regardless if you agreed with him, he created a character, a voice and a face for the art of architecture.

O-O

Interesting Star Wars review archive

I just stumbled across this and thought I'd share.
It's funny to see Tom Shales, the harshest of critics, heap superlatives on the original trilogy.
Click, click, clicky.

Hairstyles of the Damned

Nice interview with a writer who published his second novel through Punk Planet.
I saw this book the last time I was in Chicago and almost picked it up.
Make with the clicky and check it out.

U.S. Remake of Infernal Affairs

Remember that Korean DVD I reviewed last week called Infernal Affairs? Well, apparently Hollywood doesn't think American audiences are smart enough to like it if it doesn't have white English speaking bo-hunks in it.
If this wasn't a remake I might be excited to see Scorsese, DiCaprio, Damon and Walberg working together on a gritty cop movie. But it IS a remake and for some reason it just strikes me as lazy.

Johnny Carson: 1925-2005

The Classy Generation of entertainers are fading away and they don't seem to have any replacements. I can't imagine anyone speaking of our current lineup of entertainers (Letterman being the exception) with the same superlatives as Carson, Parr, Hope etc.

Part of that is that Hope and Parr (Carson being their prodigy) were the pioneers of the medium, but at the same time they seemed to be using the medium to extend their vision of what's entertaining and what it means to be an entertainer. What distinguished them above their guests is their sense of place among the entertainers. They had the respect of their guests and their audience and it reflected in who they had on the show and how they treated them.

Their comedy was timeless. It didn't chase trends, but at the same time it viewed the trends through their own wicked sense of humor.

They also seemed to be more influential about who was on their shows and why they were there. Is the Tonight Show anything but a press junket for the flavor of the month right now? Will anyone remember Leno gladhanding the audience? Letterman is probably the last great late night host and he even falls prey to some of these criticisms. O'Brien is funny, but I don't see anyone opining over a bear fondling himself. He's got the aire about him, but he can't interview to save his life.

I guess what I miss most and admire the most from Carson and Letterman is their sense of confidence in what they are doing. The greats had a wonderful aire about them that made you belive they were ready for any situation and this fueled their wise-cracking, sardonic humor and made you want to be just like them.

Overflow: Ted Leo "Where Have All the Rude Boys Gone?"

Song I Woke Up With In My Head.

By now, everybody knows my love for Ted Leo's music. This is the song that started it all for me. If you don't have any love for Ted, you have a cold, cold heart.

Live Shows of 2004

Continuing the 2004 lists (this is almost out of my system) here's the best shows of 2004:

5. Shipping News @ The Earl- I've seen these guys over 5 times and they always bring the intensity to the live show. The new songs continue to evolve into more great music from these guys (where's that album you were in town to record guys?) Watching Jason play bass is sheer bliss. True lessons in "less is more".

4. TV On The Radio @ Variety Playhouse- Wow. On album this band comes of like a studio band that couldn't produce the goods live. Fortunately their live show replaces some of the studio trickery with volume and intensity while keeping the amazing vocals found on the record. Go see these guys.

3. Ted Leo @ the 40 Watt- I don't even have to talk about how great his music is to review this live show. I can't think of anyone who brings more honesty and sincerety to the stage than Ted. Everytime I see him I get the feeling that he's genuinely honored to be playing for the audience. Add an abundant amount of energy and you have a live set that won't disappoint.

2.Robyn Hitchcock @ Smith's Olde Bar- Is there anything cooler than a Haloween set from Robyn? Well, he could have played "Errie Green Storm Lantern" but that's not the point. Robyn always delights with his surreal humor and poingant insight.

1.(TIE) Sonic Youth @ Earthlink Live and Morrissey @ The Tabernacle- Two old veterans who proved they are still the masters of their craft. The Mozzer brings the Vegas show to my generation. Old or new, Steven Patrick still delivers his songs with style and panache. He had the crowd wrapped around his little finger. Sonic Youth exude the confidence that no one does it as well as the Youth. Even if Kim seems eternally bored, Thurston, Lee and Steve are creating art every night. Seeing Thurston clammering over amps, hanging from curtains, and finally beating his guitar with two drumsticks will inspire the punk in all of us. Three words: Teenage Riot live...

Special Recognition: Pixies @ The Fox- If anyone deserves a soldout tour 10+ years after they called it quits, it's the Pixies. It was quite a treat to hear the "classics" played live, but I think the stuffy venue and fond memories of their last tour kept me from being totally blown away.

DVD Review: Spartan

I think you either love or hate David Mamet. He's never going to spoon-feed you a movie. Regardless of the plot, Mamet will put his unique stamp on his work and you either accept the stilted delivery and herky-jerky dialogue he asks his actors to deliver or you never get past it and wish you had the last 2 hours back.
On the surface, Spartan is typical Hollywood fare: Tough-as-nails marine is recruited to rescue a politican's daughter. Kilmer is the marine and he really eats up the opportunity to join the rest of Mamet's regulars in a fun whodunnit. Great supporting characters, great one-liners and some decent action scenes add up for a fun ride.
The only extra on the DVD is a commentary by Kilmer that I didn't get a chance to listen to.

Rating: Full price movie ticket

Overflow: James - "She's a Star"

Song I Woke Up With In My Head

Critics love to corner James by pointing out their obvious influences (The Smiths and U2 are the most often sited), but neither band has produced the kind of great pop anthems as James.
She's a Star and Sit Down are bubbly joyous themes that make you smile and sing these songs at the top of your lungs.
This is why pop music is so addictive.

Films of 2004

Better late than never, I guess. Here's the list of movies I really enjoyed last year, in no particular order. Suffice to say, I would watch each one of these films again.

Anchorman- Let's start with the guilty pleasure. Let's not kid ourselves, this is about watching Will Farrell act like an idiot with a complete straight face. Knights of Columbus this is funny!

Bourne Supremacy- Good direction and a great car chase make up for not giving Matt Damon enough to really work with here. The amnesia gimic and clever spy tricks aren't around, but this is still a fun movie and I think the franchise has can get one more movie out of it.

Collateral- Cruise steps aside and lets Jamie Foxx steal this show. Mann can film a book reading and make it look good and this film is no exception. The jazz club scene is devistating.

Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind- I can't name a Jim Carrey or Kate Winslet movie that I like, so you can imagine how surprised I was that this picture is so good! Kaufman finally writes a sympathetic character and it makes all the difference. Visually gripping and emotionally heartfelt. On-screen chemistry is like catching lightning in a bottle and Carrey and Winselt have the chemistry needed for this to work.

The Incredibles- Not the emotional high that The Iron Giant was, but this movie has enough heart, humor and eye candy to keep you coming back for more. Try not to smile once the family starts fighting the bad guys as a team. I dare you!

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou- I have no idea why people are slagging this movie. A visit to Wes Anderson's world is funny, strange and always heartfelt. He got a big budget and used every bit of it. The ship setwork is a visual treat!

Twilight Samurai- THE surprise film of 2004 for me. I had no idea it would be as good as it is. A wonderful homage to the Kurosawa legacy. One of the finest tributes to love, family, honor and the search for inner peace.

The Agronomist- the self serving American political documentaries of '04 should hang their heads in shame at the sight of this story. This Hatian activist positively controls the screen with his character and personality. Shot over a time span of 10 years, this documentary captures the struggle for free speech in Haiti over the last 30 years.

Stander- The second surprise movie for me last year. Bronwyn Hughes surprised me with her stylish, gritty and engrossing film about South African cop turned bankrobber Andre Stander. Thomas Jane commits himself to the role and it pays off.

Biggest Disappointments of 2004:
Not the list of the worst of '04 (I didn't see Soul Plane) this is the list of biggest let downs. The movies that had so much going for them, but failed to deliver the goods.

Hellboy- What the? One of the most boring, choppy incoherent movies I've witnessed in a while. Ron Perlman was born for this role and Del Toro obviously had the love. So where was the magic?

Ladykillers- It 0 for 2 for the Coen bros. lately. Pointless, humorless and it rides one note for the whole flick. I think Joel and Ethan have lost their edge. There's two of you guys. Have the decency to send at least one of you to the set every now and then...

Manchruian Candidate- Denzel, shoot me, shoot me, please. Denzel does his best impression of Mel Gibson in Conspiracy Theory for this one. Scenery gets chewed, SFX are total crap and the music editing and selection are pure crap. And don't make cute homages to the original movie. It just makes yours look worse. Johnathan, if you're doing satire, go all the way baby, because a near miss just looks like you don't know what you're doing. Stick to documentaries (See The Agronomist) if this is all you have left. Only good thing about this movie is the Robyn Hitchcock cameo.

Zatoichi- I think this movie finally taught me not to believe the hype. Anyone who wants to watch this a second time needs to take a step back and try the decaf. Bizaare for bizaare sake is just...bizaare.

DVD Review: Kitchen Stories

A quiet meditation on friendship and finding it in the most unlikely places. This pretty little movie will conjure warm smiles despite the Nordic setting. No car chases, no big laughs, just the ying to Bruckheimer's yang.
No extras on the DVD which is probably a good thing. I did wonder whether this research was actually done in real life.

Rating: Worth the Rent

Overflow: Sonic Youth - "Unmade Bed"

Song I Woke Up With In My Head.

Is there anything cooler than a Thurston Moore SY song?
This one starts reserved and laid back, solid in rhythm, pretty in melody and then slowly builds to the frenzy that we want so bad.

Murray Street was the wake up call, but Sonic Nurse was the final nail. There never was a new sherrif in town. SY has always been top dog.

Overflow: Stone Roses - "Shoot You Down"

Song I Woke Up With In My Head.

Truly, one of the best pop albums in the last thirty years. The sum of their influences are evident, but they make their sound their own.
Rhythms, textures, lyrics are all working here. And how they fit TWO 7+ minute songs on here is beyond me.

Decemberist Sings Morrissey

Colin Meloy, singer/songwriter/guitarist of the Decemberists is on a solo tour and is selling a tour-only EP of Morrissey covers:

1. I Know Very Well How I Got My Name
2. Pregnant For The Last Time
3. Jack The Ripper
4. I've Changed My Plea To Guilty
5. Sister I'm A Poet
6. Everyday Is Like Sunday

Jack the Ripper and Sister I'm A Poet are personal favorite songs of mine and I'm betting Colin can do a GREAT version of I've Changed My Plea To Guilty.

Someone please get your hands on this for me!

DVD Review: Before Sunset

I'll tell you right now, I'm not going to be happy when the Oscars come around, because I know this movie will not be nominated for best screenplay. Which is a travesty considering the amazing, intense and (maybe too) dense writing that is displayed in this movie. How a movie like Lost In Translation wins best screenplay and this film not even be noticed is beyond unfair. Too bad Richard Linklater's dad isn't Copola.
As a fan of Before Sunrise, I love this smart, uncompromising sequel. There's nothing contrived in this brutally honest look at the transition from the romantic notions of relationships in your 20's, to the harsh reality of commitment in your 30's. If Thirtysomething and The Big Chill were the cultural touchstones for the Boomers, these two movies should be the guidebook for Gen-X.
at only 77min. long I can see the main deterant from people enjoying this movie is that you are basically watching one LONG conversation. But what a conversation it is...

Rating: Add To The DVD Collection

DVD Review: Infernal Affairs

This is a Korean film from 2002 that is just making it to the States. Though it's from Asia, don't expect the Bullet Ballet or Wire Fu, this is a straight good cop, bad cop flick. The filmmakers keep this one dark and don't go for the cliched notes. Good dialogue, good acting and great looking cinematography (I think it was the same guy that lensed the Matrix) make this worth the rental fee and gets me intrigued in viewing more Korean films.
As for the extras, let's just say that they haven't quite figured out what makes a behind the scenes documentary work. Painfully bad...

Rating: Worth the Rent

DVD Review: The Village

I'm not sure why this movie was trashed when it came out, because it's actually pretty good.
I think you have to approach this movie as a social commentary rather than a horror flick or attempting to figure out what the 'trick' is.
There's definitely problems with the dialog, and Adrian Brody's character is really trite, but overall, it's worth a rental.
The bonus material is OK, but it reveals one thing that I never thought I'd see on this movie:
I can't describe how tired I am about hearing about the "grueling training" that actors are put through in an attempt to sell authenticity to the audience. Martial arts, sword practice, gun practice, riding with police, blah, blah, blah. Well, the actors in The Village had to live in an 18th century reenactment village for 3 weeks! Give me a break! Am I supposed to be impressed that William Hurt chopped wood for three weeks? Spare me...

Rating: Worth the Rent

NPR Interview With Amelie Director

Listen to Terry break it down with talented French guy!

Echolounge Closes (ATL)

While the Echolounge has never been my favorite venue, there's no other venue in town that will book "bigger" indie acts, so this is a huge blow to the music scene here.
To fine a bar for not having the "right" liquor license gets my libertarian blood boiling.
Government. Whatever.

Echolounge may be gone, but the memories aren't. Thanks, JSBX, GVB, Clinic, Sharon Jones, AmAnSet, ElfPower, Sea and Cake, Iron & Wine, Liars, New Pornographers, Les Savy Fav, Ted, Superchunk, Versus, Robyn and so so many more.

Movie Watch: Sky Blue - Feb. 18 (ATL)

Blue Sky
Originally uploaded by Masaji.

Synopsis (From Jason Silverman at wired.com):
In Sky Blue, what's left of the human population lives in two cities: Ecoban, a technological paradise that's sheltered from the viciously toxic environment, and Marr, a wasteland populated by refugees seeking shelter.
Ecoban, which was designed after the Earth's ecological collapse, is powered by a radical fuel source: air pollution. But what will happen to Ecoban when the pollution runs out? Are the Ecobanians desperate enough to destroy Marr, just to dirty the air?

Overflow: The Strokes - "Under Control"

Song I Woke Up With In My Head
Room On Fire: The album that hype forgot.
If I didn't have this on vinyl only, I'd be playing it all the time.

Refinements to the Blog

Would anyone be interested in changing the look of the blog a little?

Naturally, I would like to do something totally custom, but I don't think anyone has the time.
I was looking through the templates and liked the one called "Rounders 4."

It looks like we could change out the header graphic if we wanted to add some orginality.

Also I liked the fact that if the headers are links the entire bar highlighted.

The comments link is also separated from the poster name and time which makes scanning comments easier.

The type seemed easier to read as well, but I may just not know how to control that yet.

Check it out and let me know what you think. If you see another template you like, post that as well.

Graphic Novels on NPR

Nice to see some press on alternative/adult graphic novels.

Book Bag: Grown-Up Graphic Novels

Graphic Novelist with a Comic Sensibility

I've read Kim's stuff and some of it's very nice. You can check it out on his website.

Overflow: Song I Woke Up With In My Head

DJ Danger Mouse: Encore- The Grey Album

Do I like this track b/c of Jay-Z's party-rockin' chorus or the Beatles' Glass Onion being cut up by Danger Mouse?
Yes.

More proof that integration is a good thing.

Star Wars Photos in Vanity Fair

Fairly boring overall, but if you still want to see them, click the title above...

Overflow: Song I Woke Up With In My Head

Interpol: Narc

The NPR hat trick

And to round out our obsessive NPR monitoring, listen to people geek out over Apple.
Nobunaga, this could be your chance to own one, if the rumor's about a $500 machine...

Firefox on NPR

Vic Acid and I are both big advocates of Mozilla's Firefox internet browser, so I was quite pleased to hear this segment on NPR.
I love hearing it beep at me everytime a pop up is blocked!
(Plus, it runs Blogger like a charm!)

Apple Sued Over iTunes

Not only is this person trying to get a free lunch through a frivolous lawsuit, but he's not bright enough to figure out how to get around the DRM.
Pathetic.

I don't see anyone suing Apple because they can't run OS X on a PC.

My guess is that he is trying to beat the "i deserve to download it for free" war drum by questioning the validity of DRM. Funny how people who don't earn a living from the web want it all for free.

Overflow: Song I Woke Up With In My Head

The Decemberists- Los Angeles, I'm Yours
(Scroll down the page to hear a sample)

What WON'T be on my movie list...

Hopefully, I'll post my favorite movies of 2004 soon. As a preview I thought I'd share an article by film critic A.O. Scott that confirms my suspicions: Sideways is the most overrated movie of 2004.
Go to NY Times article

Star Wars Machine Rolls On...

Regardless of my trepidation for this last movie (Pleeez be good), I always enjoy the Vanity Fair Star Wars issues. The magazine comes out next week, but you can see the 4 page cover here.

Best of 2004: The Platters That Mattered

Yeah, I know, best of lists are played out. Yeah, I know, I talked about this albums all year already, so shut up. I'm doing it anyway, so deal with it.
These are never complete, but below are a number of albums and songs that helped me through the day last year:

M83: Dead Cities, Red Seas & Lost Ghosts
Soaring, moody and dense. M83 could get lost in the wallpaper sound of
electronic music, yet they conjure the lost spirit of Kevin Shields
and produce an epic.

The Arcade Fire: Funeral
The surprise of 2004. Part Talking Heads, part Camper Van Beethoven,
part indescribable. Anthemic, tender and unbelieveably catchy.

Beastie Boys: To the 5 Boroughs
No one does a party album better.

The Decemberists: Billy Liar EP
Nebbish, meloncholy pop songs. Psuedo Anglo-nautical imagery delivered
in Colin Meloy's sweet, straining voice. Meloy can go from single
acoustic guitar to lush orchestration at the drop of a hat. These are
the songs you wake up with in your head.

Modest Mouse: Good News For People Who Love Bad News
Isaac Brock drops the epic album-form for a tightened up, yet
adventurous album that somehow sold over 1 million copies. "Float On"
is possibly the catchiest song of the year and reminds you why you
loved MM in '97.

Belle & Sebastian: "Your Covers Blown"
this B-side from the Books EP reminds you that B&S can assimilate any
musical genre. Part soul, part disco, part Simon and Garfunkel, these
guys continue to surprise.

Junior Boys: Last Exit
"Birthday" pays homage to New Order, but there are a number of
influences here that seperate Last Exit from your average Lap Pop
album. Is that Prince in the corner?

Ted Leo: "Me and Mia"
While Shake the Sheets was a disappointment, the lead single picks up
where Hearts of Oak left off. Power chords, punk rock and Ted's
infectuous spirit will drive you to pick up your air guitar.

Morrissey: You Are The Quarry
Take the predetorial album title, Mozzer's record label (Attack
Records), and the venemous lead single Irish Heart, English Blood and
you will agree that Morrissey is playing the game for keeps and no one
is safe. Brilliantly stylized pop music.

Phoenix: Alphabetical
Perfect pop songs for the summer road trip. Think too much about this
album and the sugar's gonna disolve...

Interpol: Antics
Give this album enough time and you'll see it for what it is: The
clammy morning half light preceeding the morning after Turn On the
Bright Lights. Worth the wait.

Well, there you have it. Let the flaming begin. Hopefully I'll post my movie and show list this week as well as things to look forward to in 2005. Because who wants to live in the past...

First of the Year

Well, the first show of the year is coming up and it's a doozy: Arcade Fire at Variety Playhouse- January 26.
Tix are available through Variety's website.
Make sure you buy them from TicketsToday by using Variety's ticket club instead of TicketBastard.
Grab them before they're gone!

A Beginning...

Chicago: Fall 2004
Originally uploaded by Masaji.

And so it begins, this new adventure. Thanks to Nobunaga and Vic Acid for providing the inspiration and know-how to get us this far. This is going to be fun!