It's been one of those weeks where you're never home and everything seems to pile up. The kind of week where bills need to be paid, time to get prepared to go back to school and endless amounts of family shindigs. But now that's all over, family have gone back to Morocco and Brisbane and school has begun. So no excuse to put of blogging, my dear readers. As I write this I am incredibly hungry, incredibly broke and somewhat grumpy, so excuse if I come across at more cynical and bitchy than usual - I blame the hunger pangs.
So what aimless words of ramble can I put here today? Well there is a much needed music update, for all you out there waiting to get your weekly music recommendation fix. I also have other random things to mention, photos to show and tidbits to remark on, some raving, some ranting and assorted other gems of sentences. In time, lovelies, in time I shall get round to putting them all up here for your viewing pleasure. Don't worry, I gots dem all figure out in my head, like.
Firstly though.... the music!
For starters I have to outline why my choices are as below this week. Well, I got myself a ticket to see Lisa Gerrard in concert, so I'm on a Lisa Gerrard kick for now. For those who don't know her name, you probably know her music. She was one half of the world famous fantastic dark-ambient-world-infusion band called Dead Can Dance, and since their breakup 10 years ago she has been a composer of film soundtracks - like Gladiator, Ali, Whalerider and The Insider. Famous in her own right, she has one of the most haunting, mystifying, magnificent voices I have ever come across so you must understand that me getting a ticket to see her perform live has made my year! Although she is rather epic, Lisa Gerrard can soothe the soul and open the mind - or you can be like my friend and give birth while she hauntingly wails in the background. So to go along with her, I've also had this gypsy music, middle-eastern-trip hop kick for the last couple of days. I just stumbled across a label of world music called Putumayo, and boy do they have some awesome albums! What can I say, I have a fond love for gypsy music and middle eastern fused sounds (and of course vibraphones).
So....
Current Favourite Music Tracks:
Azzddine (with Bill Laswell) - Srir D'al Houbb
I stumbled across this artist about a week ago by coincidence, while trolling my way through friends MySpace profiles and was impressed. Middle Eastern influenced electronica usually comes out as some form of trance or psytrance (not my cup of tea!) but this came out as trip hop/downtempo. Azzddine is a fusion of (apparently) Moroccan sounds, such as singing, ouds (Arabian guitar with 4 strings), violins and so on, accompanied with a backing beat, filters on vocals and other assorted sounds. The rest of this album is interesting, but this song is probably my favourite. Despite what the world seems to think about arabs, Muslims, and supposed 'terrorists' - middle eastern music is flippin' awesome. (I'm biased though).
Gotan Project - Epoca
This song is famous. It's in tv ads, its been on shows, it's everywhere and stupidly got stuck in my head this week. If you hear the first 30 seconds, you'll know the song. Gotan Project are a group from Paris, France, which combine tango with beats and breaks. Not a bad mix of music, though my partner does despise this group. The piano accordion is the instrument of choice with these artists, notably being one of the main instruments used. Not in a cheesy way though, thankfully. Gotan Project is a pretty interesting mix of tango and electronica, and who doesn't love a tango, or songs in French and Spanish. It kinda reminds me of the music from 12 Monkeys....hmmm.
Lisa Gerrard - Song of Ammergin
This is the first track of Immortal Memory, an album Lisa Gerrard collaborated with Patrick Cassidy in 1998. This song is based upon the supposed first song a mortal sang on Irish land, an is sung in Gaelic (I think). I adore this song because it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up - strange but true. In fact this whole album makes my hair stand up. The ambiance created by strings is deep and haunting, which her voice floating over the top. I can see why the goths love her (well the ones who know more than new-wave). How can I describe this song... good music to accompany a vampire film? Excellent soundtrack to a Wiccan circle casting? Music to walk through a church graveyard with? Maybe... either way, you have to hear her to understand my adoration for this lovely lass.
New Order - Ceremony
This song is recently famous for being in Marie Antoinette (Sofia Coppola, 2006) and highlights the best of the new-wave movement in the 80's. Taken from the album Substance, more famously known for putting out hits like 'Blue Monday' and 'Bizarre Love Triangle', this song went along unnoticed in my life until recently. Maybe it was because I finally watched Marie Antoinette, or maybe because I finally understood the appeal of new-wave music. Ceremony was originally written by Joy Division, before singer Ian Curtis died, and New Order (made up of the remaining members of Joy Division) recorded it. The guitars are simple and melodic, the drums are consistent and the vocals are hidden amongst the rubble of music. And amazingly it worked fantastically with scenes of 18th century France.
Aphex Twin - Jynweythek Ylow
So another song off the Marie Antoinette soundtrack (though more famously off Aphex Twin's album Drukqs), and very unlike Aphex Twin - known for his notorious song 'Come To Daddy' . This song is calming, charming and twinkly. Unlike his other albums, Drukqs is a mix of his IDM compositions as well as piano songs, like this one. With a normal piano and a prepared piano (where objects are placed between the hammers and strings), this song reminds me of a medieval music box. It also has a dulcimer sound to it, with slight electronica qualities added. I read somewhere that Druqks was Aphex Twin's most personal album, influenced by composers such as Eric Satie - it shows.
Linn & Freddie - L.I.N.N
Swedish hip hop, what more can I say. Linn, the singer, is Sweden's version of Erykah Badu, apparently. This song is boppy, with some nice beats and what sounds like different sized bottles of water being hit. Reminds me of creeping through a cartoon monster house with a gang of hiphopsters. Ok, thats probably an obscure image but my mind works like that - the best way to describe a song is to describe the visuals it gives me. Make sense? Either way, just get this puppy and bop along with me.
Royksopp - What Else is There?
I like Royskopp, and chances are you probably know them.Their track 'Eple' plays while you install Mac OS X v 10.3. This Norwegian duo are joined by Karin Dreijer Andersson, half of the industrial act The Knife, who provides some haunting Scandinavian vocals. The song is pretty, nicely Nordic, and the video clip is pretty to watch. I don't know what more to say but their name is cool.... Royksopp, ja :)
Cibelle - Waiting
Cibelle (pronounced see-BELL-ee) is a Brazilian singer-songwriter, who does lovely downtempo/lounge/chill in English and Portuguese (ooh I love Portuguese) and if you like chick singers with chilled out, relaxed music - you'll like Cibelle. This song has a nice bass line in it, with some jazzy drums and is pretty simple. Simple and pretty. What more can I say. She's delightful. This song reminds me of walking around a huge metropolis, like New York, in winter, staring up at the tall buildings. Does it do it for you?
Dj Marky & Dj Patife featuring Fernando Porto - So Ti
Brazilian drumnbass, who doesn't love it! It has guitars, Portuguese singing, a bossanova feel and a nasty drumnbass rhythm. There is a whole genre of Brazilian drumnbass, mixing bossanova in with drumnbass or samba or something else distinctly "Latino". I personally really love the Brazilian drumnbass hybrids, and it makes excellent cleaning music. And this makes great public transport traveling music, just don't bop too much during peak hour traffic.
Kronos Quartet & Taraf De Haidouks - Turceasca
Two ultimate bands combined - one of the best recognized quartets in the world and a Romanian gypsy band that has about 20+ members. And what happens when they combine? Some of the best gypsy music I've heard, hands down! Taraf De Haidouks are also more known for being Johnny Depps favourite band, and hey if they're good enough for Johnny, they're good enough for me. This song reminds me of Mr Bungle a bit, cos of its intense chaoticness that carries you through its 7 minutes of bliss. For a true gypsy experience, look for Taraf De Haidouks.
So for now I end this, but I shall returneth soon for more exciting updates on random crap :)
<3
Tuesday 27 February 2007
Wednesday 21 February 2007
Movie reviews, shonkily done.
Beloved readers, please excuse my hiatus. I was busy wrapped up with family shindigs and business and unable to tap away at my keyboard for you lovely lot. But absence makes the heart grow fonder, no? And gives more things to discuss.
Over the last couple of days my partner and I have ventured into watching a lot of movies. Endless movie nights consist of at least 2 movies, tim-tam's and some assortment of lollies and beverages. But most importantly, it's about the movies. I am a self proclaimed movie fiend, watching as many as I can and working out what it is about the film that draws you in, or spits you out. It's amazing how many films can be shockingly bad, but how many can be wonderful gems. So this week I have watched....:
The Prestige (2006, Dir:Christopher Nolan, Starring: Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Scarlett Johanssen, Michael Caine, David Bowie)
Originally I didn't care for seeing this film as I thought it would just be another big budget action film based on magic. But then I found out Christian Bale was in it, and I thought bugger that I'll give it a go. And I'm glad I did cos The Prestige is a wonderful film. Directed but Christopher Nolan, more famous for directing Memento and Batman Begins, the film is beautifully shot amongst a setting of the late 1800's. With constant twists, the story grabs you and pulls you in for the journey. Jackman and Bale are wonderful, but they generally are in everything they do. The costumes are beautiful and the magic is, well... magic :) The story in a nutshell = two rival magicians who were once friends but grew apart, one gets blamed for the other's "murder"... but is he really dead? :) I give this puppy 4.5 stars out of 5.
The Illusionist (2006, Dir: Neil Burger, Starring: Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Paul Giamatti, Rufus Sewell)
Another film about magic and magicians, funnily enough being released around the same time as The Prestige. Yet they are different. Whereas The Prestige is an adventure of twists and turns, The Illusionist is a mesmerising story of wonder and love. Set also within the latter part of the 1800's, the films revolves around two childhood lovers, one of higher social status than the other, who are torn apart during adolescence. The boy is banned from seeing the girl, and leaves forever, travelling the world for many years. When he returns as an adult he is the world famous magician Eisenheim . He learns that his childhood sweetheart is to marry the crown prince, who is a macho, chauvinistic brute, and tries to woe his ex-lover back. The prince learns of this , and the next thing we know is the girl is dead. But is she? Similar to The Prestige, the film is about magic and illusions, and tricking the tricker. The illusions played within this film are stunning, never showing how it is done and leaving you, as part of the audience, mesmerised. Also recommended highly, and I give it 4 stars out of 5.
War of the Worlds (2005, Dir: Steven Spielberg, Starring: Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Tim Robbins)
I originally did not want to see this film, since I'm not a fan of either Tom Cruise or Steven Spielberg. I actually thought this would have a religious tint to it, being either Scientology or Judaism. But neither reared its ugly head, thankfully. However Spielberg, like all his films, gives a "happy" ending where humanity triumphs. My partner wanted something action-based to watch, so I gave in and we got this. As far as the story goes, it's famous - aliens attack earth, aliens kill many people, yet somehow humans triumph. Patriotic, no? Cruise was his average acting persona, complete with his intense stare thing he does. Fanning plays a very good neurotic kid. The aliens looked kinda scary, and they use humans as fertilizer. Yet Morgan Freeman does the "voice of god" narration, explaining that because we were immune to our bacteria, and the aliens were not, they were doomed to begin with. Bah, humbug - I want more alien exploding in my film than just simple dying because they were sick. The special effects were good, the story was... well very Spielberg, and there was some good suspense. But nothing I would write home about. I give it 3 stars out of 5.
Marie Antoinette (2006, Dir: Sofia Coppola, Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Jason Swartzman, Marianne Faithful, Rip Torn, Steve Coogan...)
I'm biased to start with as I adore Sofia Coppola's films, with The Virgin Suicides being one of my all time favourites. So I wasn't entirely sure what to expect as I'd heard mixed reviews about this film, some saying it was beautifully stunning and others saying they expected more. But really, what more can you expect? We all know what happened to Marie Antionette, the famous French queen who was beheaded at the height of the French revolution. What Coppola does in this film is wonderful - she shows a new light on Marie Antoinette, portraying this young queen has naive, addicted to the lavish lifestyle and just stunning really. The costume, cinematography, sets - mesmerising. The colours of whites, blues, pinks, all merge together to highlight the extravagance of that world and subtly show why the French hated them so much. I feel for poor Marie Antoinette too, as she did not know any better than the life she had. Sold into marriage at 15, she became accustomed early to the over to top lavish party lifestyle of the French royalty, without any interest in the outside world. And then doomed to death. I loved this film. The story was more a biopic than a story, but so tastefully done. I never knew the 1700's could be so divine to look at. Highly recommended, 5 out of 5 stars.
Ghost Rider (2007, Dir: Mark Steven Johnson, Starring: Nicholas Cage, Eva Mendes)
Two things I dislike in a film - lame comic-book-to-film superheros and Nicholas Cage. Once again, at the request of my partner, we watched this... or actually, half of this. Probably one of the cheesiest, lamest films I've seen so far, and it's only the beginning of the year! Cage plays a cheesy damned soul, who's made a contract with the devil, or some demon - it was never entirely clear - to reap souls for the term of his contract. He's a daredevil motorcyclist, performing impossible tricks like jumping over 6 helicopters, all in hover. I can't say much for this film cos I walked out just after he changed into Ghostrider - a flaming skull-headed, bike riding fiend - and decided to kill a bunch of supposed bad demons. I got turned off by the fact there were Australian actors ( bad actors) in it, like the fat chick from The Wedge, since it was filmed in my city of Melbourne. Look, this film is cheesy. Unless you dig bad Marvel comic adaptions, don't waste your money - 0.5 stars out of 5
King Kong (2005, Dir: Peter Jackson, Starring: Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody)
I tried to avoid this film because the idea of a supermonkey never really interested me much. Sure, the original is a classic piece of cinema but remakes of originals can always be dicey ground, as sometime the remake can do a worse job at telling the story than its predecessor. Peter Jackson loves special effects, that's his niche market. The LOTR's movies show how extravagant they can be, and how much he'll put into a film. However, why remake King Kong? Why a remake when he has done so many wonderful original films (Meet The Feebles, Heavenly Creatures...). In my opinion - because he can really. This film is no exception with the budget being used for special effects. And honestly, this film went for about an hour too long. There was too much lead up to catching the giant ape, extended fight scenes between giant ape and three Dinosaurs, extended scenes between the love relationships between Watts and the giant ape. The film was pretty to watch, some stunning cinematography but ultimately, just too drawn out and a bit cheesy. Maybe it was intentional, maybe it wasn't. Either way, I feel a but let down by Mr Jackson, as I'd come accustomed to his wonderful work before King Kong. 3 stars out of 5.
For Your Consideration (2006, Dir: Christopher Guest, Starring: Harry Shearer, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey, Michael McKean, Ricky Gervais)
Once again, I'm biased - I adore Christopher Guest films. Unlike his other films, For Your Consideration is not a mockumentary but an actual story. Though once again I'm sure most of it is ad-libbed. The film is about the making of a film, Home for Purim which gets changed to Home for Thanksgiving as 'Purim' sounds too Jewish, and how a rumour that 2 cast members will be nominated for Oscar's. Yet there is nothing set in stone, it is all the hype. And what funny hype it is. The film shows how Oscar buzz goes to peoples heads and starts to influence their lives egotistically. Two nominations becomes three, and the jealousy begins. A bit different from Guest's gems like Best in Show or A Mighty Wind, it still is very funny with small subtle humour that may or may not be picked up on. I recommend seeing this for a clever laugh. 4 Stars out of 5.
And that was the movies for the last few nights of this week. Next on my list to see - Shortbus, Pan's Labyrinth, Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story, and more....
Over the last couple of days my partner and I have ventured into watching a lot of movies. Endless movie nights consist of at least 2 movies, tim-tam's and some assortment of lollies and beverages. But most importantly, it's about the movies. I am a self proclaimed movie fiend, watching as many as I can and working out what it is about the film that draws you in, or spits you out. It's amazing how many films can be shockingly bad, but how many can be wonderful gems. So this week I have watched....:
The Prestige (2006, Dir:Christopher Nolan, Starring: Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Scarlett Johanssen, Michael Caine, David Bowie)
Originally I didn't care for seeing this film as I thought it would just be another big budget action film based on magic. But then I found out Christian Bale was in it, and I thought bugger that I'll give it a go. And I'm glad I did cos The Prestige is a wonderful film. Directed but Christopher Nolan, more famous for directing Memento and Batman Begins, the film is beautifully shot amongst a setting of the late 1800's. With constant twists, the story grabs you and pulls you in for the journey. Jackman and Bale are wonderful, but they generally are in everything they do. The costumes are beautiful and the magic is, well... magic :) The story in a nutshell = two rival magicians who were once friends but grew apart, one gets blamed for the other's "murder"... but is he really dead? :) I give this puppy 4.5 stars out of 5.
The Illusionist (2006, Dir: Neil Burger, Starring: Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Paul Giamatti, Rufus Sewell)
Another film about magic and magicians, funnily enough being released around the same time as The Prestige. Yet they are different. Whereas The Prestige is an adventure of twists and turns, The Illusionist is a mesmerising story of wonder and love. Set also within the latter part of the 1800's, the films revolves around two childhood lovers, one of higher social status than the other, who are torn apart during adolescence. The boy is banned from seeing the girl, and leaves forever, travelling the world for many years. When he returns as an adult he is the world famous magician Eisenheim . He learns that his childhood sweetheart is to marry the crown prince, who is a macho, chauvinistic brute, and tries to woe his ex-lover back. The prince learns of this , and the next thing we know is the girl is dead. But is she? Similar to The Prestige, the film is about magic and illusions, and tricking the tricker. The illusions played within this film are stunning, never showing how it is done and leaving you, as part of the audience, mesmerised. Also recommended highly, and I give it 4 stars out of 5.
War of the Worlds (2005, Dir: Steven Spielberg, Starring: Tom Cruise, Dakota Fanning, Tim Robbins)
I originally did not want to see this film, since I'm not a fan of either Tom Cruise or Steven Spielberg. I actually thought this would have a religious tint to it, being either Scientology or Judaism. But neither reared its ugly head, thankfully. However Spielberg, like all his films, gives a "happy" ending where humanity triumphs. My partner wanted something action-based to watch, so I gave in and we got this. As far as the story goes, it's famous - aliens attack earth, aliens kill many people, yet somehow humans triumph. Patriotic, no? Cruise was his average acting persona, complete with his intense stare thing he does. Fanning plays a very good neurotic kid. The aliens looked kinda scary, and they use humans as fertilizer. Yet Morgan Freeman does the "voice of god" narration, explaining that because we were immune to our bacteria, and the aliens were not, they were doomed to begin with. Bah, humbug - I want more alien exploding in my film than just simple dying because they were sick. The special effects were good, the story was... well very Spielberg, and there was some good suspense. But nothing I would write home about. I give it 3 stars out of 5.
Marie Antoinette (2006, Dir: Sofia Coppola, Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Jason Swartzman, Marianne Faithful, Rip Torn, Steve Coogan...)
I'm biased to start with as I adore Sofia Coppola's films, with The Virgin Suicides being one of my all time favourites. So I wasn't entirely sure what to expect as I'd heard mixed reviews about this film, some saying it was beautifully stunning and others saying they expected more. But really, what more can you expect? We all know what happened to Marie Antionette, the famous French queen who was beheaded at the height of the French revolution. What Coppola does in this film is wonderful - she shows a new light on Marie Antoinette, portraying this young queen has naive, addicted to the lavish lifestyle and just stunning really. The costume, cinematography, sets - mesmerising. The colours of whites, blues, pinks, all merge together to highlight the extravagance of that world and subtly show why the French hated them so much. I feel for poor Marie Antoinette too, as she did not know any better than the life she had. Sold into marriage at 15, she became accustomed early to the over to top lavish party lifestyle of the French royalty, without any interest in the outside world. And then doomed to death. I loved this film. The story was more a biopic than a story, but so tastefully done. I never knew the 1700's could be so divine to look at. Highly recommended, 5 out of 5 stars.
Ghost Rider (2007, Dir: Mark Steven Johnson, Starring: Nicholas Cage, Eva Mendes)
Two things I dislike in a film - lame comic-book-to-film superheros and Nicholas Cage. Once again, at the request of my partner, we watched this... or actually, half of this. Probably one of the cheesiest, lamest films I've seen so far, and it's only the beginning of the year! Cage plays a cheesy damned soul, who's made a contract with the devil, or some demon - it was never entirely clear - to reap souls for the term of his contract. He's a daredevil motorcyclist, performing impossible tricks like jumping over 6 helicopters, all in hover. I can't say much for this film cos I walked out just after he changed into Ghostrider - a flaming skull-headed, bike riding fiend - and decided to kill a bunch of supposed bad demons. I got turned off by the fact there were Australian actors ( bad actors) in it, like the fat chick from The Wedge, since it was filmed in my city of Melbourne. Look, this film is cheesy. Unless you dig bad Marvel comic adaptions, don't waste your money - 0.5 stars out of 5
King Kong (2005, Dir: Peter Jackson, Starring: Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody)
I tried to avoid this film because the idea of a supermonkey never really interested me much. Sure, the original is a classic piece of cinema but remakes of originals can always be dicey ground, as sometime the remake can do a worse job at telling the story than its predecessor. Peter Jackson loves special effects, that's his niche market. The LOTR's movies show how extravagant they can be, and how much he'll put into a film. However, why remake King Kong? Why a remake when he has done so many wonderful original films (Meet The Feebles, Heavenly Creatures...). In my opinion - because he can really. This film is no exception with the budget being used for special effects. And honestly, this film went for about an hour too long. There was too much lead up to catching the giant ape, extended fight scenes between giant ape and three Dinosaurs, extended scenes between the love relationships between Watts and the giant ape. The film was pretty to watch, some stunning cinematography but ultimately, just too drawn out and a bit cheesy. Maybe it was intentional, maybe it wasn't. Either way, I feel a but let down by Mr Jackson, as I'd come accustomed to his wonderful work before King Kong. 3 stars out of 5.
For Your Consideration (2006, Dir: Christopher Guest, Starring: Harry Shearer, Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, Parker Posey, Michael McKean, Ricky Gervais)
Once again, I'm biased - I adore Christopher Guest films. Unlike his other films, For Your Consideration is not a mockumentary but an actual story. Though once again I'm sure most of it is ad-libbed. The film is about the making of a film, Home for Purim which gets changed to Home for Thanksgiving as 'Purim' sounds too Jewish, and how a rumour that 2 cast members will be nominated for Oscar's. Yet there is nothing set in stone, it is all the hype. And what funny hype it is. The film shows how Oscar buzz goes to peoples heads and starts to influence their lives egotistically. Two nominations becomes three, and the jealousy begins. A bit different from Guest's gems like Best in Show or A Mighty Wind, it still is very funny with small subtle humour that may or may not be picked up on. I recommend seeing this for a clever laugh. 4 Stars out of 5.
And that was the movies for the last few nights of this week. Next on my list to see - Shortbus, Pan's Labyrinth, Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story, and more....
Tuesday 13 February 2007
YouTube Love
So I've not posted much over the past couple of days. Please excuse me, I've been busy working to be able to pay the rent, and haven't had much time to find wonderful things to post about. But today I did.
Many of you know of YouTube and the wonderful videos you can find on there (as well as some shockers). Today I found an iPod ad I would like to see on TV, but that wouldn't happen. So you can watch it here instead:
I have to admit, it doesn't surprise me it didn't take long to link iPods and sex together - especially now that you can get the iBuzz, a vibrator adaptor that plugs into your iPod and buzzes in time to your music.
Technology these days.
<3 Blackberry Moose
Many of you know of YouTube and the wonderful videos you can find on there (as well as some shockers). Today I found an iPod ad I would like to see on TV, but that wouldn't happen. So you can watch it here instead:
I have to admit, it doesn't surprise me it didn't take long to link iPods and sex together - especially now that you can get the iBuzz, a vibrator adaptor that plugs into your iPod and buzzes in time to your music.
Technology these days.
<3 Blackberry Moose
It's Music, For Your Ears
So what have I been listening to for the last week? Lots of things. What is worth a mention? These songs!: (note: many of these are songs I have rekindled a love for)
3 Leg Torso - Frog
I stumbled across this band on YouTube while I was looking up Pink Martini videos, and fell in love with them. I have a weakness for gypsy like music, and this is very gypsy like. I've not found out a lot about the band, except they only play in America and are not entirely famous - though I hope to help that. An instrumental band, this song has violin, piano accordion, vibraphone, drums and reminds me of France. No idea why, but it does. And drinking Absinthe. Maybe I'm just a sucker for the gypsy/vibraphone fusion.
George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue
Ok so this is an very famous oldie, but will always be one of my favourite "classical" pieces written, even though its more jazz-esque. If you don't know this song, you must be an ostrich with their head in the ground. I recently heard this again and the love for it came back, so it's worth a mention. It reminds me of the hustle and bustle of New York, and Gene Kelly. No idea why Gene Kelly but it seems like something he could dance to. And for the record, this song against the Manhattan skyline is one of the best opening scenes from a film I have ever seen (Manhattan, Woody Allen).
Kool & The Gang - Hollywood Swinging.
So this is more recently famous for being on the GTA San Andreas soundtrack (where CJ has to dance in the club mostly), and has been in countless amounts of TV shows and movies, more recently at the end of series 4 of Nip/Tuck. For a good example of famous rare groove, this is it. I love this song, at any time of the day, any time of the year. If you don't boogie to this, you must be a machine.
Beirut - Postcards from Italy
I heard this originally on a vlog from the lovely Galadarling and it got stuck in my head - which I will thank Galadarling for entirely! I've only just discovered Beirut, but he is a gem. A one man showcase, he infuses Gypsy music with melodic haunting vocals. This song reminds me of a mariachi band with a ukulele, or street festival music. Either way, this song and the rest of this album is gold and deserves to be listened to repeatedly.
Kenji Kawai - Making of a Cyborg (Ghost in the Shell main theme)
So this is a track from the very famous anime Ghost in the Shell, probably more known as the signing voices song at the beginning of the movie. I get this song stuck in my head a lot, especially while playing Postal 2, and this week is no exception. My delightful partner has a fantastic drumnbass remix for this song, not entirely sure who by, that makes this song sound that little bit better. But until I find out who it's by, I recommend this song for some dark ambiance. The song is in Japanese but sung by a Bulgarian choir to give that particular sound. Interesting....
LTJ Bukem - Journey Inwards
If you like drumnbass and you don't know LTJ Bukem, you must have been hiding in a bombing shelter for eternity. This guy is a pioneer of this genre. His album, Journey Inwards, is in my top ten all time albums. I'm sure many hardcore drumnbass fans out there will disagree with me saying Logical Progression sessions are better, but I disagree. I love the jazzy element to this album and the atmospheric drumnbass. Anyhoo, this song is the title track from the album, of the same name, and is a music delight for the ears. It's jazzy, it's mellow, its wonderful. It has a flutes in it, need I say more? I hadn't listened to this song for years until I decided to give a friend some Bukem and rekindled my love with this song. Personally, it reminds me of many winter nights in Melbourne, looking at the bright lights and feeling toasty in the rain. Let me know what it reminds you of.
Outkast - Prototype
This is from Andre 3000's "The Love Below" part of the Speakerboxx/The Love Below album Outkast release a couple of years back. I have a lot of respect for Andre3000, and got into this song while shopping for some reason. It makes supermarket shopping seem a lot more fun than it actually is. It was a single for them, but is just so blissful to listen to. Nice mellow guitar, some funky bass, Andre 3000's voice... what more could you ask for? A good beat! It's got that too. If you're not into Outkasts rapping/hip hop type stuff, check this song out to strike up a love for them.
Blatz - Roadkill
These guys were a screechy punk band from the late 80s/early 90s that broke up in 1992. Probably more known for being too stoned to tune their guitars, screaming and stripping on stage and playing the same gigs as Green Day (when they begun) and Operation Ivy, they still have a soft spot in my heart. I got into these guys when I was about 15, after a friend passed me a tape of them and said "Dude, you gotta check this out." Well I did, and nearly 10 years later I still like them. So why is this in my ten songs of the week? Once again, rekindled my love for this song while I was making a copy of it for a friend.
John Mayer - Gravity
Yes I love John Mayer, you can tell me I have bad taste but I proudly love Mr Mayer. It's strange but people assume he's just a pop icon, when in fact he's probably one of the greatest modern guitarists there are, and performers I have seen live. And he's funny, can't go past a funny cute man. This song is from his third album, Continuum, which I'm still debating if I really love or just like. Gravity is a waltz like blues song, in 3/4 time, and has a subtle beauty I can listen to over and over, and a touch of soul. This album is especially blues and soul orientated, but he's still a gem whatever he does, in my biased opinion.
The Hidden Cameras - Boys of Melody
Described as gay anti-folk church music, The Hidden Cameras are beautiful. They include a choir, string section, and go-go dancers. This song more recently was famous for being the backing track to the trailer for Shortbus (2006, John Cameron Mitchell). This song always seems to make me smile like a doofus while walking around with my headphones on. It has xylophones, strings, haunting vocals, and I think an oboe (gotta love someone with an oboe!). On a similar wavelength to The Polyphonic Spree or The Flaming Lips (to an extent), and defiantly worth being blasted into your ears.
Until next week, I hope these music recommendations will tide you over!
<3 Blackberry Moose
3 Leg Torso - Frog
I stumbled across this band on YouTube while I was looking up Pink Martini videos, and fell in love with them. I have a weakness for gypsy like music, and this is very gypsy like. I've not found out a lot about the band, except they only play in America and are not entirely famous - though I hope to help that. An instrumental band, this song has violin, piano accordion, vibraphone, drums and reminds me of France. No idea why, but it does. And drinking Absinthe. Maybe I'm just a sucker for the gypsy/vibraphone fusion.
George Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue
Ok so this is an very famous oldie, but will always be one of my favourite "classical" pieces written, even though its more jazz-esque. If you don't know this song, you must be an ostrich with their head in the ground. I recently heard this again and the love for it came back, so it's worth a mention. It reminds me of the hustle and bustle of New York, and Gene Kelly. No idea why Gene Kelly but it seems like something he could dance to. And for the record, this song against the Manhattan skyline is one of the best opening scenes from a film I have ever seen (Manhattan, Woody Allen).
Kool & The Gang - Hollywood Swinging.
So this is more recently famous for being on the GTA San Andreas soundtrack (where CJ has to dance in the club mostly), and has been in countless amounts of TV shows and movies, more recently at the end of series 4 of Nip/Tuck. For a good example of famous rare groove, this is it. I love this song, at any time of the day, any time of the year. If you don't boogie to this, you must be a machine.
Beirut - Postcards from Italy
I heard this originally on a vlog from the lovely Galadarling and it got stuck in my head - which I will thank Galadarling for entirely! I've only just discovered Beirut, but he is a gem. A one man showcase, he infuses Gypsy music with melodic haunting vocals. This song reminds me of a mariachi band with a ukulele, or street festival music. Either way, this song and the rest of this album is gold and deserves to be listened to repeatedly.
Kenji Kawai - Making of a Cyborg (Ghost in the Shell main theme)
So this is a track from the very famous anime Ghost in the Shell, probably more known as the signing voices song at the beginning of the movie. I get this song stuck in my head a lot, especially while playing Postal 2, and this week is no exception. My delightful partner has a fantastic drumnbass remix for this song, not entirely sure who by, that makes this song sound that little bit better. But until I find out who it's by, I recommend this song for some dark ambiance. The song is in Japanese but sung by a Bulgarian choir to give that particular sound. Interesting....
LTJ Bukem - Journey Inwards
If you like drumnbass and you don't know LTJ Bukem, you must have been hiding in a bombing shelter for eternity. This guy is a pioneer of this genre. His album, Journey Inwards, is in my top ten all time albums. I'm sure many hardcore drumnbass fans out there will disagree with me saying Logical Progression sessions are better, but I disagree. I love the jazzy element to this album and the atmospheric drumnbass. Anyhoo, this song is the title track from the album, of the same name, and is a music delight for the ears. It's jazzy, it's mellow, its wonderful. It has a flutes in it, need I say more? I hadn't listened to this song for years until I decided to give a friend some Bukem and rekindled my love with this song. Personally, it reminds me of many winter nights in Melbourne, looking at the bright lights and feeling toasty in the rain. Let me know what it reminds you of.
Outkast - Prototype
This is from Andre 3000's "The Love Below" part of the Speakerboxx/The Love Below album Outkast release a couple of years back. I have a lot of respect for Andre3000, and got into this song while shopping for some reason. It makes supermarket shopping seem a lot more fun than it actually is. It was a single for them, but is just so blissful to listen to. Nice mellow guitar, some funky bass, Andre 3000's voice... what more could you ask for? A good beat! It's got that too. If you're not into Outkasts rapping/hip hop type stuff, check this song out to strike up a love for them.
Blatz - Roadkill
These guys were a screechy punk band from the late 80s/early 90s that broke up in 1992. Probably more known for being too stoned to tune their guitars, screaming and stripping on stage and playing the same gigs as Green Day (when they begun) and Operation Ivy, they still have a soft spot in my heart. I got into these guys when I was about 15, after a friend passed me a tape of them and said "Dude, you gotta check this out." Well I did, and nearly 10 years later I still like them. So why is this in my ten songs of the week? Once again, rekindled my love for this song while I was making a copy of it for a friend.
John Mayer - Gravity
Yes I love John Mayer, you can tell me I have bad taste but I proudly love Mr Mayer. It's strange but people assume he's just a pop icon, when in fact he's probably one of the greatest modern guitarists there are, and performers I have seen live. And he's funny, can't go past a funny cute man. This song is from his third album, Continuum, which I'm still debating if I really love or just like. Gravity is a waltz like blues song, in 3/4 time, and has a subtle beauty I can listen to over and over, and a touch of soul. This album is especially blues and soul orientated, but he's still a gem whatever he does, in my biased opinion.
The Hidden Cameras - Boys of Melody
Described as gay anti-folk church music, The Hidden Cameras are beautiful. They include a choir, string section, and go-go dancers. This song more recently was famous for being the backing track to the trailer for Shortbus (2006, John Cameron Mitchell). This song always seems to make me smile like a doofus while walking around with my headphones on. It has xylophones, strings, haunting vocals, and I think an oboe (gotta love someone with an oboe!). On a similar wavelength to The Polyphonic Spree or The Flaming Lips (to an extent), and defiantly worth being blasted into your ears.
Until next week, I hope these music recommendations will tide you over!
<3 Blackberry Moose
Wednesday 7 February 2007
Feel Like Wasting Time on Cyberspace?
There are many sites on the net that get put up and become popular. And there are many more sites on the net that get made and are hardly ever seen to a large number of lurkers online. So I think it's about time to list some sites that are obscure and interesting, and maybe you might enjoy them! If you have anymore, please email them over to me so I can put them up for everyone else to view :)
Current Obscure Internet Sites Found:
The Art of Japanese Watermelon Carving.
This one is just amazing to look at, the detail that goes into such an obscure type of "art". I wouldn't mind getting served one of these, however I probably would have to think twice about eating it.
Trolley Spotting
So here's a site dedicated to shopping trolleys found around various cities in England. It's nicely designed but really, is very very odd.
Quote Database
I believe this is a database of quoted conversations off mIRC and other net chat programs. Some are way funny, others are so-so. You can add your own quotes too.
Group Hug: Anonymous Online Confessions
This is fairly famous site amongst the online community, but still worth a mention to those who've never been there. It's basically a list of confessions, of any kind, from people like you around the world. Some are funny, some are sad, some are just plain creepy.
Craftster.Org
I love this place, it's a list of forums dedicated to craftwork, sewing, toy making etc... People show their latest creations and also give tutorials to make things. If you like sewing or anything crafty, you'll get lost on this site for hours!
Postcrossing
If you love postcards as much as I do, this site might spark some interest with you. It's basically a postcard swapping/sending site, dedicated to sending postcards to strangers and in return receiving them. It's all free and you might score some lovely cards from around the world!
That's the latest for now, I'll add some more in the following week but this should keep you all mighty occupied for a little bit until then.
<3 Blackberry Moose
Current Obscure Internet Sites Found:
The Art of Japanese Watermelon Carving.
This one is just amazing to look at, the detail that goes into such an obscure type of "art". I wouldn't mind getting served one of these, however I probably would have to think twice about eating it.
Trolley Spotting
So here's a site dedicated to shopping trolleys found around various cities in England. It's nicely designed but really, is very very odd.
Quote Database
I believe this is a database of quoted conversations off mIRC and other net chat programs. Some are way funny, others are so-so. You can add your own quotes too.
Group Hug: Anonymous Online Confessions
This is fairly famous site amongst the online community, but still worth a mention to those who've never been there. It's basically a list of confessions, of any kind, from people like you around the world. Some are funny, some are sad, some are just plain creepy.
Craftster.Org
I love this place, it's a list of forums dedicated to craftwork, sewing, toy making etc... People show their latest creations and also give tutorials to make things. If you like sewing or anything crafty, you'll get lost on this site for hours!
Postcrossing
If you love postcards as much as I do, this site might spark some interest with you. It's basically a postcard swapping/sending site, dedicated to sending postcards to strangers and in return receiving them. It's all free and you might score some lovely cards from around the world!
That's the latest for now, I'll add some more in the following week but this should keep you all mighty occupied for a little bit until then.
<3 Blackberry Moose
"You Know What Really Grinds My Gears... "
In the words of Peter Griffen, you know what really grinds my gears? - The price of tampons! So this is a more of a rant than a praise of pop culture, it still relates to society and in a way pop culture. Or maybe I'm just using that justification as a reason to allow my rant to happen...
So tampons, yes tampons. I'm sure you boys out there reading this are rolling your eyes or going to skim over the post, since it deals with "women's issues". And by all means, skip the passage if you wish - I know the monthly bleeding thing makes many of you squeamish. However, the price of tampons really gets to me. For starters, why should something so necessary be priced at a minimum of $4 for a pack of 12-16 tampons. That amount will only get you through 3 or 4 days at most. Now that can sometimes be an average cycle for a woman, yet the strange-ling like me have a bleeding fiesta lasting up to 7 days, and I've met people who've had it for 2 weeks at a time. It means too that you have to buy a new pack every month, maybe two or three packs. Nothing seems to last two months, and they don't make many ranges of tampons in bulk 30+ packets - well not any I'd trust anyway. And on top of that, there's 3 different types of tampons for different flow types. That means, on average, a woman will use probably 2 different types of tampons, and therefore will spend an excess of $4 to be able to be comfortable during her visit from Aunty Flo. At my local supermarket, the cheapest tampons are $5.15 - is it due to inflation or just because they can up the price?
Now the thing that really gets to me is I don't see why these necessities, and yes they are for us girlies, should be so steeply priced. In Australia, tampons carry a 10% Goods & Services Tax (tax) on top of the price, which was introduced in 2000. Yet other necessities, like condoms for example, don't carry a tax at all. I find this amazing since us woman have no control over the fact we have to bleed endlessly for days on end, once a month for the next 40 odd years of our lives. Yet things like condoms are a choice in contraception, where there are many different options to choose from. Also, I'm amazed that our Howard regime government wants people to use contraception as good ol' Howard has pretty much pushed a rise in population here, with the subtle motto of ' have 3 kids - one of each sex for yourselves, and one for the country.'
Which leads me to my next point - who runs the tampon ring. Men do! Ironic, no? There is only one female owned and run tampon company, and the only one I support, and all its competitors are run by men. The government is mostly run by men, and yes the liberals women can be seen as men since they look so inhumane. (You'd have to be to be part of the Liberal party here) So why are they allowed to tell us, the ones having to do the bleeding, what we should pay and what we should use to help with surfin' the crimson wave every month when they themselves have no concept of the agony us femmes have to go through? That grinds my gears.
Lastly, we have two options of products to deal with during menstruation. Tampons and pads, otherwise known as 'sanitary napkins' - doesn't that just sound peachy. Personally, I don't want to have a bulky nappy like "napkin" of cotton stuffed into my undies, and it's not the most comfortable thing to have placed between your legs. So tampons are the more hidden, discreet option. Yet both had their pro's and con's. Now a lot of people out there, women especially, don't realise what tampons actually have in them. Yes, it is mainly compressed cotton but some companies also add, believe it or not, minute amounts of asbestos in their tampons so you bleed more, and in turn buy more of their product. No joke on this one, I researched this years ago for a Year 12 essay. So then there is the problem of buying wholly cotton, organic-esque tampons which have the higher price. It's a vicious cycle.
So in conclusion, I'm sure I speak on behalf of women around the world when I say no one enjoys their period. We get moody, bloated, sore, achy, emotional... you name it - we just go out of service for a week. And I'm sure there's not many woman out there who enjoy having to shove compressed cotton into our beavers, for lack of a better sounding word, regularly every month just to fit into society's demands. The only time I can think of one enjoying a period is after having a sexcapade accident, fretting being pregnant and eventually finding relief when the bleeding starts - but that's about the only time. So cut us some slack, lower the price of tampons and maybe we won't be so bitchy for one week of every month.
On that note, I'm going to ease my bitchiness with some comforting chocolate. At least chocolate understands a woman's needs :)
<3 Blackberry Moose
So tampons, yes tampons. I'm sure you boys out there reading this are rolling your eyes or going to skim over the post, since it deals with "women's issues". And by all means, skip the passage if you wish - I know the monthly bleeding thing makes many of you squeamish. However, the price of tampons really gets to me. For starters, why should something so necessary be priced at a minimum of $4 for a pack of 12-16 tampons. That amount will only get you through 3 or 4 days at most. Now that can sometimes be an average cycle for a woman, yet the strange-ling like me have a bleeding fiesta lasting up to 7 days, and I've met people who've had it for 2 weeks at a time. It means too that you have to buy a new pack every month, maybe two or three packs. Nothing seems to last two months, and they don't make many ranges of tampons in bulk 30+ packets - well not any I'd trust anyway. And on top of that, there's 3 different types of tampons for different flow types. That means, on average, a woman will use probably 2 different types of tampons, and therefore will spend an excess of $4 to be able to be comfortable during her visit from Aunty Flo. At my local supermarket, the cheapest tampons are $5.15 - is it due to inflation or just because they can up the price?
Now the thing that really gets to me is I don't see why these necessities, and yes they are for us girlies, should be so steeply priced. In Australia, tampons carry a 10% Goods & Services Tax (tax) on top of the price, which was introduced in 2000. Yet other necessities, like condoms for example, don't carry a tax at all. I find this amazing since us woman have no control over the fact we have to bleed endlessly for days on end, once a month for the next 40 odd years of our lives. Yet things like condoms are a choice in contraception, where there are many different options to choose from. Also, I'm amazed that our Howard regime government wants people to use contraception as good ol' Howard has pretty much pushed a rise in population here, with the subtle motto of ' have 3 kids - one of each sex for yourselves, and one for the country.'
Which leads me to my next point - who runs the tampon ring. Men do! Ironic, no? There is only one female owned and run tampon company, and the only one I support, and all its competitors are run by men. The government is mostly run by men, and yes the liberals women can be seen as men since they look so inhumane. (You'd have to be to be part of the Liberal party here) So why are they allowed to tell us, the ones having to do the bleeding, what we should pay and what we should use to help with surfin' the crimson wave every month when they themselves have no concept of the agony us femmes have to go through? That grinds my gears.
Lastly, we have two options of products to deal with during menstruation. Tampons and pads, otherwise known as 'sanitary napkins' - doesn't that just sound peachy. Personally, I don't want to have a bulky nappy like "napkin" of cotton stuffed into my undies, and it's not the most comfortable thing to have placed between your legs. So tampons are the more hidden, discreet option. Yet both had their pro's and con's. Now a lot of people out there, women especially, don't realise what tampons actually have in them. Yes, it is mainly compressed cotton but some companies also add, believe it or not, minute amounts of asbestos in their tampons so you bleed more, and in turn buy more of their product. No joke on this one, I researched this years ago for a Year 12 essay. So then there is the problem of buying wholly cotton, organic-esque tampons which have the higher price. It's a vicious cycle.
So in conclusion, I'm sure I speak on behalf of women around the world when I say no one enjoys their period. We get moody, bloated, sore, achy, emotional... you name it - we just go out of service for a week. And I'm sure there's not many woman out there who enjoy having to shove compressed cotton into our beavers, for lack of a better sounding word, regularly every month just to fit into society's demands. The only time I can think of one enjoying a period is after having a sexcapade accident, fretting being pregnant and eventually finding relief when the bleeding starts - but that's about the only time. So cut us some slack, lower the price of tampons and maybe we won't be so bitchy for one week of every month.
On that note, I'm going to ease my bitchiness with some comforting chocolate. At least chocolate understands a woman's needs :)
<3 Blackberry Moose
Tuesday 6 February 2007
Reasons to Sleep In
Current Favourite Justifiable Reasons to Sleep In:
"It's too hot."
This is legitimate here now, thank you 38-42 C summer. When you're hot, it's too hot to do anything. Especially in a one fan, oven house like mine. So if it's good enough for the Spaniards, it's good enough for me.
"What am I going to do on school holidays, at 9am?"
Good question! Nothing, so go to sleep.
"My bed is too comfy to peel myself off of it."
When faced with this dilemma, it's always hard to get off the big marshmallow of snooze time love.
"I'm having the best dreams and I stop for no man! (Or woman)"
Kudos, you should keep having them! Not enough people enjoy their dreams, and no one should give up their dream time for something less stimulating and enjoyable.
"Another day can go by unnoticed if I hibernate long enough."
Sometimes you just want to hibernate from the world for a day and let it all go by until you're ready to face it again.
<3 Blackberry Moose
"It's too hot."
This is legitimate here now, thank you 38-42 C summer. When you're hot, it's too hot to do anything. Especially in a one fan, oven house like mine. So if it's good enough for the Spaniards, it's good enough for me.
"What am I going to do on school holidays, at 9am?"
Good question! Nothing, so go to sleep.
"My bed is too comfy to peel myself off of it."
When faced with this dilemma, it's always hard to get off the big marshmallow of snooze time love.
"I'm having the best dreams and I stop for no man! (Or woman)"
Kudos, you should keep having them! Not enough people enjoy their dreams, and no one should give up their dream time for something less stimulating and enjoyable.
"Another day can go by unnoticed if I hibernate long enough."
Sometimes you just want to hibernate from the world for a day and let it all go by until you're ready to face it again.
<3 Blackberry Moose
When the Munchies Attack...
Current Favourite Choices of Sweet Tooth Treats:
I shouldn't eat candy, but I do. I can't help if I have a sweet tooth that's going to rot my skull dry. I blame my partner, he is the king of sweet tooth's. My personal weakness is chocolate, whereas his is gummi's - and together we're too weak to withstand anything mildly sugary. When the munchies attack, and boy do they attack, one needs to be prepared in confectionery that will combat the cravings for sweet things. But there's so much out there on the market, in supermarkets, convenience stores, petrol stations - what is the best and worst of the candy biz? What is new and what is forgotten? I'll have to add some photos in later when I can find my camera and take some photos. Until then, use your imagination!
Starbust Soda Slammers
I'm not sure if these are available outside of Australia, but god they're good. Although sometimes Starbust can taste really artificial and chemically, these ones aren't so bad. They're meant to replicate classic soda flavours like lemonade and cola, but also apple and blue-something. Chewy wise, they're not too soft, not too tough. Best combination - Apple/Cola or Strawberry/Cola.
Natural Confectionary's Spooky Treats
Originally released for Halloween (no idea why, we don't celebrate here it Australia), these gummi's come in two types and flavours - blackcurrant & orange two headed snakes and lime frogs. Though as far as their flavour range goes, these are really tasty. There needs to be more frogs in the packet though. I believe these are a limited edition that they've got lots of stock left over for - either that or it's just my local supermarket that's overstocked. If you can get your hands on them, try them!
Skittles Wildberry
These only just came out in the big bags here in Australia, and I'm so thankful they did! So far these are the best flavours they've come up with, in my opinion. If you're a skittles fan, get your hands on these! The flavours are: Melon berry, Raspberry, Strawberry, Wild Cherry and Berry Punch - the personal favourite is the Melon Berry. I hope these stick around for a while....
Peanut M & M's
You can't go wrong with this classic, unless you're allergic to nuts. Then you probably shouldn't go near this product!
Slurpees - new flavours Tropical and Apple & Blackcurrant
Since it's summer here in Melbourne, and the sun likes to blaze down relentlessly on us poor folk here, a sweet beverage that quenches the thirst and cools you down is a must. Though too much slurpee at once can give you brain and kidney freeze, so in moderation please! These two new flavours arrived on our doorstep this year and are made with 25% fruit juice, apparently. Either way, they're uber yummy and hits the spot nicely. A good change from the normals or raspberry and cola.
Coles Apple & Berry Mineral Water
Now I know what you're thinking, how can a chain supermarket branded product be any good - it's cheap for gods sake! Well I thought the same thing too, but being a poor student makes you go cheap more often than not, and I bit the bullet and tasted this. I was amazed, it actually is rather nice. Better than Home Brand or Farmland, this is actually sweet and tasty. My partner and I disagree on its yum factor with him believing it is too bubblegum like, but I disagree and think it's a nice change from overly-sweet-causing-more-flem-than-not drinks like Fanta or Coke. I say all this while I'm drinking a glass of the stuff! :)
<3 Blackberry Moose
Music Love for your Ears
So there are three things I love at the moment - music, confectionery and sleep. Doesn't sound like the healthiest of lifestyles, I hear you all mutter, but it's certainly an enjoyable one. I never realised how much time can be consumed and wasted via these three above mentioned things. Sometime they can be combined, though probably not all together at once, unless you're a remarkable candy munching sleeping machine. They all compliment my other current love of endless searching on Wikipedia for random information, or general surfing the internet for entertainment. So what wise recommendations can I suggest? Lets see...
Current Favourite Music Tracks of the Week:
Everyone loves music, that's a given fact. I've become more aware of the fact that if you ask someone what they like, one of the first things they'll say is music. Yet loving music and loving certain types of music are two different things. Every once in a while being recommended something completely different to what you like helps to broaden ones love of music. I personally am a music fiend, listening to anything someone will give me. If I like it, I like it. If I don't, give it time and I probably will one day hehe. I love making mix cds for friends, filled with nuggets of gold they've never heard before and then hearing their excitement from listening to the music love I've shared. And I love recommending music for anyone who'll ask. So every week I aim to give you my 10 current favourite songs of the week, that's right - a whole 10 of them! :)
This weeks contenders are:
Peaches - Downtown
This is the latest single from her forth album, Impeach My Bush, and is very catchy. I've been giving the new album a whirl after seeing this lovely lass recently at the Big Day Out festival. Peaches is known for her rather sexual stage shows and song lyrics, and her electro/rock beats. Defiantly one of the best performers I've seen live.
Akufen - Skidoos
I only recently found out that Akufen is from Montreal, Canada. He's listed as 'click-hop' though I don't think he's overly clicky, or hoppy for that matter. This song was always one playing in my house by my partner, yet admittedly I didn't appreciate the song until I saw it in Appleseed (2004). The clicky sounds remind me of photography cameras, and the progression build up is wonderfully done. Chill out to it, shop to it, anything is good!
Pink Martini - Hang On Little Tomato
There is always a band that comes along that makes you go 'Damn, I wish I was in that band.' Pink Martini is one of these bands for me. This song, the title track of their second album of the same name, is a beautiful jazz like 1940s piece, complete with clarinet solo. A song to have a cup of tea to, or to hang the washing out to. It reminds me of 1940s housewives, hanging out washing and singing to their plants. China Forbes voice is stunning, as always, and the message in the lyrics is quite heartfelt.
Mr Scruff - Blackpool Roll
If you don't know Mr Scruff, you should. He creates fun, jazzy, downtempo tunes -sometimes with samples of children's book quotes. I don't think you can dislike Mr Scruff, he's just fun. This song is no exception, and like it's title it reminds me of Blackpool. The lights, the seaside attractions, those games where you put the penny in to hit the tray of pennies in hopes to knock them out and win a fortune but you never actually knock them out - you know the ones right? I love the organ in this, it's so cheesy.
Bright Eyes - At The Bottom Of Everything
So Bright Eyes is apparently called 'emo' music, a term which I usually associate with "bands" like My Chemical Romance. If anything, Bright Eyes is an acoustic singer/songwriter/guitarist. This song starts as a story, a underlying tragic story at that, but the music makes it sound so upbeat that you forget the story starts off as being tragic. This song makes my bus trip to school all the more fun, subtlety smiling to myself as I listen to this gem through my headphones.
Amy Winehouse - Fuck Me Pumps
This chick has some great vocal chords! More recently known for being the voice behind a series of ads in the UK, she also has caused much scandal about her drinking behavior and possible anorexia. This song basically praises the many skanky like gold-digger women out there, braving the social scene. It's twinkly element makes it rather pretty sounding, and reminds me of India Arie.
Cat Power - Cross Bones Style
An oldie but a goodie, I've been rediscovering Cat Power and her wonderful songs. This one is rather mellow, with a voice, guitar and drum. Yet still quite catchy. Cat Power has a mystique to her voice, I reckon, a smokey rasp that draws you in for more. The video clip to this is also pretty simple but pretty. Just check out the song!
Massive Attack - Be Thankful For What You Got
A classic! One of the best song Massive Attack has ever made, from their first album Blue Lines. The meaning of the words is spot on, and it has one of the best video clips I've ever seen - a stripper stripping while miming the song, yet you hardly notice the chick is stipping down to nothing. If you onlu know their stuff from Mezzanine you should check this out to hear where they came from.
Zero 7 - You're My Flame
Said to be the UK's version of Air, Zero 7 has to be one of the greatest downtempo acts ever, and one of my all time favourites. This song is off their third, and most recent, album The Garden. Sia, an Australian artist famous in her own rights, once again lends her vocals for this clicky upbeat track. A good song to get into if you've not heard of Zero 7 to start with.
Fiona Apple - O, Sailor
One of the singles of her latest album, Extraordinary Machine, I didn't think much of this song until one day I couldn't get it out of my head. I'm still fence sitting on my opinion of this album but so far it mostly seems good. Shes added vibraphones on this album, which will always get my attention from any artist. She'll always be an eternal favourite of mine, vibraphone or no vibraphone, so I'm biased either way :)
This week most of the artists have been of similar stature - nothing too noisy, chaotic or loud. I'm going through a rather relaxed music period at the moment, and I love it. But as time change, so does the music - next week could offer something different.
<3 Blackberry Moose
Current Favourite Music Tracks of the Week:
Everyone loves music, that's a given fact. I've become more aware of the fact that if you ask someone what they like, one of the first things they'll say is music. Yet loving music and loving certain types of music are two different things. Every once in a while being recommended something completely different to what you like helps to broaden ones love of music. I personally am a music fiend, listening to anything someone will give me. If I like it, I like it. If I don't, give it time and I probably will one day hehe. I love making mix cds for friends, filled with nuggets of gold they've never heard before and then hearing their excitement from listening to the music love I've shared. And I love recommending music for anyone who'll ask. So every week I aim to give you my 10 current favourite songs of the week, that's right - a whole 10 of them! :)
This weeks contenders are:
Peaches - Downtown
This is the latest single from her forth album, Impeach My Bush, and is very catchy. I've been giving the new album a whirl after seeing this lovely lass recently at the Big Day Out festival. Peaches is known for her rather sexual stage shows and song lyrics, and her electro/rock beats. Defiantly one of the best performers I've seen live.
Akufen - Skidoos
I only recently found out that Akufen is from Montreal, Canada. He's listed as 'click-hop' though I don't think he's overly clicky, or hoppy for that matter. This song was always one playing in my house by my partner, yet admittedly I didn't appreciate the song until I saw it in Appleseed (2004). The clicky sounds remind me of photography cameras, and the progression build up is wonderfully done. Chill out to it, shop to it, anything is good!
Pink Martini - Hang On Little Tomato
There is always a band that comes along that makes you go 'Damn, I wish I was in that band.' Pink Martini is one of these bands for me. This song, the title track of their second album of the same name, is a beautiful jazz like 1940s piece, complete with clarinet solo. A song to have a cup of tea to, or to hang the washing out to. It reminds me of 1940s housewives, hanging out washing and singing to their plants. China Forbes voice is stunning, as always, and the message in the lyrics is quite heartfelt.
Mr Scruff - Blackpool Roll
If you don't know Mr Scruff, you should. He creates fun, jazzy, downtempo tunes -sometimes with samples of children's book quotes. I don't think you can dislike Mr Scruff, he's just fun. This song is no exception, and like it's title it reminds me of Blackpool. The lights, the seaside attractions, those games where you put the penny in to hit the tray of pennies in hopes to knock them out and win a fortune but you never actually knock them out - you know the ones right? I love the organ in this, it's so cheesy.
Bright Eyes - At The Bottom Of Everything
So Bright Eyes is apparently called 'emo' music, a term which I usually associate with "bands" like My Chemical Romance. If anything, Bright Eyes is an acoustic singer/songwriter/guitarist. This song starts as a story, a underlying tragic story at that, but the music makes it sound so upbeat that you forget the story starts off as being tragic. This song makes my bus trip to school all the more fun, subtlety smiling to myself as I listen to this gem through my headphones.
Amy Winehouse - Fuck Me Pumps
This chick has some great vocal chords! More recently known for being the voice behind a series of ads in the UK, she also has caused much scandal about her drinking behavior and possible anorexia. This song basically praises the many skanky like gold-digger women out there, braving the social scene. It's twinkly element makes it rather pretty sounding, and reminds me of India Arie.
Cat Power - Cross Bones Style
An oldie but a goodie, I've been rediscovering Cat Power and her wonderful songs. This one is rather mellow, with a voice, guitar and drum. Yet still quite catchy. Cat Power has a mystique to her voice, I reckon, a smokey rasp that draws you in for more. The video clip to this is also pretty simple but pretty. Just check out the song!
Massive Attack - Be Thankful For What You Got
A classic! One of the best song Massive Attack has ever made, from their first album Blue Lines. The meaning of the words is spot on, and it has one of the best video clips I've ever seen - a stripper stripping while miming the song, yet you hardly notice the chick is stipping down to nothing. If you onlu know their stuff from Mezzanine you should check this out to hear where they came from.
Zero 7 - You're My Flame
Said to be the UK's version of Air, Zero 7 has to be one of the greatest downtempo acts ever, and one of my all time favourites. This song is off their third, and most recent, album The Garden. Sia, an Australian artist famous in her own rights, once again lends her vocals for this clicky upbeat track. A good song to get into if you've not heard of Zero 7 to start with.
Fiona Apple - O, Sailor
One of the singles of her latest album, Extraordinary Machine, I didn't think much of this song until one day I couldn't get it out of my head. I'm still fence sitting on my opinion of this album but so far it mostly seems good. Shes added vibraphones on this album, which will always get my attention from any artist. She'll always be an eternal favourite of mine, vibraphone or no vibraphone, so I'm biased either way :)
This week most of the artists have been of similar stature - nothing too noisy, chaotic or loud. I'm going through a rather relaxed music period at the moment, and I love it. But as time change, so does the music - next week could offer something different.
<3 Blackberry Moose
Monday 5 February 2007
.. And it begins....
Instead of just looking at packets of brightly coloured items of confectionary and thinking "that looks mighty inviting", or listening to endless tracks of music and thinking how so-and-so would love this song, I finally decided to share these things with the world! Why tell one person when you can tell a whole planet full. So here's where this blog comes in...
This feed of words hopes to recommend, praise, note observations and share the love of many things hidden within the world of pop culture - a realm inside of itself! Everyone loves pop culture, it really can be found everywhere, yet so much of it goes unnoticed and unspoken about. Here's where I come in. I shamelessly spend a lot of my time tasting, thinking, daydreaming, listening, talking, questioning, researching and generally wasting time, and have come to fall in love with many simple things in life - such as the sound of a great song, the taste of an awesome sweet, or a beautiful doddle of graffiti art hidden in the sidestreets of the city. There is love to be found in everything and every aspect of our waking lives, so why not celebrate! I intend to regularly post my current 'flavours of the week', so to speak, ranging from food to music, films to design, websites to party tricks. The list never ends.
So sit back and enjoy your reading adventures with your wonderful host, Blackberry Moose.
<3 Blackberry Moose
This feed of words hopes to recommend, praise, note observations and share the love of many things hidden within the world of pop culture - a realm inside of itself! Everyone loves pop culture, it really can be found everywhere, yet so much of it goes unnoticed and unspoken about. Here's where I come in. I shamelessly spend a lot of my time tasting, thinking, daydreaming, listening, talking, questioning, researching and generally wasting time, and have come to fall in love with many simple things in life - such as the sound of a great song, the taste of an awesome sweet, or a beautiful doddle of graffiti art hidden in the sidestreets of the city. There is love to be found in everything and every aspect of our waking lives, so why not celebrate! I intend to regularly post my current 'flavours of the week', so to speak, ranging from food to music, films to design, websites to party tricks. The list never ends.
So sit back and enjoy your reading adventures with your wonderful host, Blackberry Moose.
<3 Blackberry Moose
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
