My Esoteric Musical Tastes

Here are some (completely made up) bands that I am totally into at the moment. Maybe you've heard of them? If not, well, you're probably an idiot or something.

1. Chain on a Rope
2. SpAtula
3. Egg Crate Code
4. Ojai, California
5. They Believe In Ghosts
6. Fluffernutter
7. Ashtray Kaleidoscope
8. Ports of Call
9. Meatmouse and the Meatmice
10. Today I Met a Pickpocket

Hot Sauce Committee

It's nice to know that the Beasties are putting out a new rap album called Hot Sauce Committee, and it's also nice to know that they still kinda kick ass. You know, for old dudes:



Word.

Stone Gods

Because I am a grown-up that doesn't know what is going on anymore, I didn't realize that the Darkness had morphed into a new band called Stone Gods in the wake of their lead singer's departure. That dude was awesome, but man he must've had some real drug issues to screw up that gig. Stone Gods are not released in the US, and they sound a little too generic for my taste, but nice to know that those guys continue to rock. I saw the Darkness perform back in 2004 or whatever and it was one of the most dynamite rock shows that I've seen.

Something About History and Being Doomed to Repeat It

Here we go...Real Networks and the Hollywood studios go to court today over RealDVD. Check out the NPR report here. I totally understand the content holders' desire to protect their stuff, but seriously? Were these guys asleep the last ten years? You can't stop the bum rush. Gee, maybe if the studios figured out how to make a digital storefront for movies, and maximized their distribution deals with partners like Netflix, they won't end up like the record companies. Instead, that's EXACTLY where they are headed.

Sigh...

RFTC Back From the Dead

Somehow, I missed this back in August: RFTC's All Systems Go, Vol. 3 on Vagrant Records. Just picked it up from Amazon. See? Speedo just won't die!!

Renaissance, Indeed!

Q-Tip has a new album out, entitled "The Renaissance" -- his first album since 1999's "Amplified", the initial solo outing released in the wake of Tribe's demise.

First of all, I was really excited to hear that Q-Tip had a new album out. But it got me to thinking about "Amplified" and a nagging question that has bugged me for almost a decade (seriously). To wit: why the heck was "Amplified" met with such a lukewarm reaction from both critics and fans? I still don't get it. I have listened to "Amplified" on and off since its release, and I still enjoy it to this day (despite the horrible -- HORRIBLE -- closing track with Korn).

The merits of "Amplified" are pretty clear to me: strong beats, smooth rhymes and two really awesome singles ("Breathe and Stop" and "Vivrant Thing"), but I think the album failed to meet expectations. (Once again, the Schwartz Theory of Media Consumption rears its head.) To be specific, I think fans and critics were expecting a Tribe album, and didn't get it. But that doesn't mean that "Amplified" was a failure.

I have a theory that Q-Tip just wanted to make a party record after Tribe imploded. "Amplified" is a simpler kind of album when you compare it to Tribe's stuff. Definitely poppy with slick production. Maybe without Phife to counter his rhymes, Q-Tip came across as rather flat. (Remember Chuck D's solo album?) Anyway, the point is that I like "Amplified" for what it is, and not what it isn't.

As for "The Renaissance" -- I have listened to it a number of times, and it's good. But not necessarily as good as "Amplified". I'm sure I'm in the minority opinion on that one. But there are people who agree:

From an Amazon user review of "Amplified":

i don't understand why this album's so undervalued...
yes, it may be far different from atcq albums, but is certainly a big part of 'him' anyway that still lives!

just loved it. n' still loving it :)

This got me to thinking further: are there other really good albums in my collection that just didn't resonate with critics and/or fans? I'm sure there are. I'll have to ponder that one.

The Search Is Over

Five words: Harvey Leeds - State of Shock. 'Nuff said.

Love Question

Okay so regarding Love's seminal 60s album "Forever Changes" -- is the "changes" in the title a noun? As in, "These aren't just regular changes. These are forever changes." Or is it a verb? As in, "Don't worry, kiddo. Forever doesn't stay the same. Forever changes."

ABBA = Spinal Tap

ABBA's drummer has died in a bizarre gardening accident. Well, it was really more of a bizarre glass-partition accident. But still. Come on!

Faction of the Fox

This is an insanely entertaining video by some crazy bunch of Midwestern lunatics calling themselves Faction of the Fox. They wear bags on their heads and scream a lot. What are they so mad about?


The video was directed by a dude named Mike Alfini. Nice work! Thanks to Charles for showing this to me.

New Beastie Boys

Good news/bad news: New Beastie Boys album coming soon! It's called THE MIX-UP. It's all-instrumental. So forgive me if I remain skeptical...


Tracks:

1. B For My Name
2. 14th St. Break
3. Suco De Tangerina
4. The Gala Event
5. Electric Worm
6. Freaky Hijiki
7. Off The Grid
8. The Rat Cage
9. The Melee
10. Dramastically Different
11. The Cousin Of Death
12. The Kangaroo Rat

Word to your mommy.

What I'm Watching, Playing, Hearing, Reading

As an avid consumer of all things media en masse, I am pleased to report that I have recently had a lot on my plate to enjoy. Sure, there are always good TV shows to watch, movies to see, games to play, etc. -- but there's also a lot of crap out there, making it challenging to find the good stuff. Since I don't have all the free time I used to have, getting stuck with a stinker is often a big disappointment. Fortunately, the last few weeks have been host to a parade of fun happy goodtimes, and I've been itching to report my findings here:

Movie: 300 -- Oh, you would be a fool indeed if you missed this one in the theater. I'm not saying it was Shakespeare or anything (even though Frank Miller would probably like you to think so), but what a spectacle! Really just one of the best recent examples of pure cinematic entertainment. The director (Zach Snyder?) uses the medium to its full advantage here...might I say that it is one of the finest comic-to-film translations ever? I might, rabbit. I might. Oh, and the giant rampaging rhino is totally historically accurate, too!

Movie: The Illusionist -- Where did the filmmakers go wrong? I ask this question because somehow this movie was ignored as a "best of 2006" entry. Was it even noiminated for any awards? I haven't a clue, but it should have. Another fine piece of entertainment...great cast, beautiful production design and cinematography, an airtight script, I could go on. Even the gimmicky ending was brilliant! And Jessica Biel is hawt! Seriously, this was like a little character play/mystery starring four actors, a old theater and the city of Vienna. Just perfect. What happened?

Game: Titan Quest -- Kill. Loot. Repeat. An action RPG of the finest order. The developer, Iron Lore, (I believe) was the toast of GDC, receiving kudos from their fellow developers at the "choice" awards. Deservedly so. What a great game. The item management is fun, not tedious. The voice acting is good, not annoying. The weapons and powers are familiar, yet original. And it's like playing in your very own Harryhausen movie. What could be better?

Game: Rogue Galaxy -- Okay, I just don't have the time to slog through a Japanese RPG. But this one is worth the effort. It was a little slow to get going, and the learning curve is rather steep. But I'm having a lot of fun with it. And the storyline, characters and cut-scenes are actually entertaining! Gadzooks! If anything, the co-op AI of your party members is pretty weak, making the real-time battles a little unfair at times. But I am enjoying the weapons and abilities and switching between characters. And the graphics! Why buy a PS3? Seriously.

Television: Battlestar Galactica -- I stayed up past my bedtime to watch the final two episodes of season three last night. This is a damn fine show. and the producers really know how to leave us hanging! Season four can't come fast enough. I'm reading the blogs...everyone thinks we've seen four of the "final five" Cylons, but I'm not convinced. Theories from clever viewers suggest that our "watchtower" friends are not Cylons at all. Seriously, could Tigh be a Cylon and keep his dignity? Doubtful. Starbuck's return was also welcome, and expected. Hopefully the rumor of a mid-break summer movie will help with the agony of waiting...

Movie: Idiocracy -- Okay, the movie doesn't really live up to the brilliance of its premise, but there are so many LOL moments here. "Excape!" The House of Representin'. Law degrees from COSTCO. And so on and so forth. Mike Judge should make more movies.

Comic: The Walking Dead -- Chris lent me the first five trades, and I am hooked. You know how like at the end of a zombie movie, you want to know what happens next? This comic tells you.

MC: Royce the 5'9" -- So I got the album "Death Is Certain" when I was in San Fran, and I can't stop listening to it. This guy is criminally overlooked, but then again, maybe he should stay underground. I think his busted friendship with Eminem might have actually been a good thing. Cold raps, indeed!

Book: Cartoon Modern -- An amazing overview of 1950s animation, when people started smoking dope and listening to jazz and getting all freaked out, man!

Movie: Monsters, Inc. -- Okay, an older movie, but Aviella can't stop watching it. (And as a result, neither can I.) Having now seen the thing about a dozen times, I can say without a doubt that it is tied with "The Incredibles" as PIXAR's finest hour.

Okay, I'm done. I really have to get to work now.

Doesn't Really Manage

Steve Jobs says that DRM doesn't solve music piracy. Well, duh!

For Whom the Phone Rings

Sad, funny or both? Check out these Metallica ringtones for some truly hilarious (and downright depressing) examples of exactly what a band sounds like when it exchanges the final vestiges of its dignity for cold, hard, cash. Yes, the guys who brought you "Battery" and "The Four Horsemen" now bring you, "Hey, this is James from Metallica. I'm in your purse. Answer the phone!"

(Thanks to all the Jillies for the laughs!)

8-Bit Operator of Pocket Calculator

My nerdometer went into overdrive upon seeing the news of this upcoming album from Astralwerks. Chiptune covers of Kraftwerk? It's like music geeks and game geeks made a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Sign me up! Releases on Feb 6.

Finetune Playlist

I made a Finetune playlist! Check it out here, or in the sidebar of my blog page.

Wii Music Player

Many game sites have been reporting on the Finetune Music Player built specifically for the Wii Opera browser. With big, dumb buttons and a Wii-friendly interface, the app is extremely smart. (I'm listening to it at work right now, and it works pretty good in Explorer, too.) It will be interesting to see how many online businesses create Wii-enabled portals for their content. I know the porn sites are all over it...at least that's what I hear. No, really.

The "radio" feature is currently down due to high demand, but you can check out their "Best of 2006" playlists in a number of different genres.

Johnny Dollar

This is a guy I befriended via telephone many years ago when I was working at MTV. George Darrow, AKA Johnny Dollar, was a rockabilly cat in the 50s and 60s. Now he lives somewhere in Pennsylvania, where he still sings and records.


I'm telling you, though Johnny clearly has a few screws loose, he is a charmer and a gentleman -- not to mention a total holdover from another era. The original track entitled "I Hate Your Guts" is a true gem. Irwin Chusid's world of outsider music is calling!

In any case, Johnny called me out of the blue right before the holidays. Somehow, he found me! Crazy...I just got his new tape in the mail.