You Should Know
Fresh off a Golden Globe award for her contributions to the Into The Wild soundtrack, 28-year old Atlanta native Katherine Elizabeth King, better known as lesbian acoustic-guitar virtuoso Kaki King, is scheduled to release a new album entitled Dreaming Of Revenge on March 11th through Velour Music. She's contributed her special talents to the latest Foo Fighters and Tegan & Sara albums, and now she's back with her fourth solo release. This time around, Kaki King's voice, which on previous albums has been an ethereal atmospheric touch rather than a focal point, will be more prominently displayed. Incorporating the same dynamic mixture of layered complexity, the content on the new album will also show a newfound lyrical depth. If you haven't delved into Kaki King's back catalog, I highly recommend it, especially her 2006 release Until We Felt Red, which should tide you over until her highly anticipated new album hits the shelves. -- Capt. Obvious
Listen:
MP3: Kaki King - Bone Chaos In The Castle
MP3: Kaki King - 2 O'Clock
MP3: Kaki King - Gay Sons Of Lesbian Mothers (from Until We Felt Red)
1.31.2008
Kaki King
1.30.2008
The Covers Mixtape V
SIDE A
1. Final Fantasy - No Cars Go (Arcade Fire Cover)
2. Bodies Of Water - Everybody Hurts (R.E.M. Cover)
3. WHY? - Close To Me (Cure Cover)
4. Will Oldham - Am I Demon? (Danzig Cover)
5.Radiohead - Ceremony (New Order Cover)
6. Jeff Tweedy - True Love Will Find You In The End (Daniel Johnston Cover)
7. Smoosh - This Modern Love (Bloc Party Cover)
1. Johnny Cash - I See A Darkness (Will Oldham Cover)
2. Grizzly Bear - Owner Of A Lonely Heart (Yes Cover)
3. Beck - Your Cheatin' Heart (Hank Williams Cover)
4. Lightspeed Champion - Souvenirs (Patrick Wolf Cover)
5. Mark Kozelek - I'm Sorry (John Denver Cover)
6. Division Day - Every Shining Time You Arrive (Sunny Day Real Estate Cover)
7. Doug Martsch - Some Things Last A Long Time (Daniel Johnston Cover)
Whiskeytown's Strangers Almanac To Be Reissued
You Should Know
Admittedly disappointed by Easy Tiger, I'm still a diehard Ryan Adams fan, and as for most diehard Ryan Adams fan, that makes me a diehard Whiskeytown fan. Founded in Raleigh, NC, the acclaimed alt. country band managed only three albums before disbanding. While they were short-lived, their success was enough to propel lead singer Ryan Adams into a solo career. For those of you with a similar Whiskeytown addiction, you're probably as ecstatic as I am about the upcoming reissue of the band's 1997 major-label debut Strangers Almanac. The album is being re-released in a deluxe, 2-disc set on March 4th. Disc one will consist of the original album along with five previously unreleased live radio performances. The second disc contains 19 tracks, 17 of which have been previously unrealeased, and it will include acoustic demos of "16 Days," "Avenues" and "Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart." Unreleased songs making their premier will include "Kiss & Make-Up," "Indian Gown," Barn's On Fire," "Streets Of Sirens," "Breathe," "Nurse With The Pills," and "10 Seconds." There will also be a handful of cover songs included in the collection: Johnny Cash's "I Still Miss Someone," Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams," Gram Parsons' "Luxury Liner," and the True Believers' "The Rain Won't Help You When It's Over." -- Capt. Obvious
Listen:
MP3: Whiskeytown - Excuse Me While I Break My Own Heart Tonight
MP3: Whiskeytown - Houses On The Hill
MP3: Whiskeytown - 16 Days
Chris Walla: Field Manual (2008)
New Wax
For those of you who reside under a rock, Chris Walla is the guitar player and producer for Death Cab For Cutie. He's also done work producing, recording, and mixing albums for bands such as The Decemberists, Nada Surf, The Long Winters, Hot Hot Heat, and Tegan And Sara. With a keen musical ear and the reputation of a top-notch producer, Walla's new solo debut Field Manual is expectedly flushed out and polished. Listening to Field Manual, you gain a certain level of respect for Walla and his immeasurable contribution in shaping Death Cab's sound. It's understandable that the poppy aesthetic on Walla's solo material is reminiscent of his work with Death Cab considering his influence on their music. Vocally, Walla's got a pleasant, if not particularly striking, voice. Considering that Ben Gibbard is probably one of the more effortlessly gifted lyricists out there, I don't feel too cruel in admitting that Walla's content doesn't quite measure up, but that's not to say that Walla's album is a disappointment in the least. Field Manual is still full of strong indie-pop songs, and its content varies from slow-movers like "A Bird Is A Song" and "It's Unsustainable" to more upbeat singles like "Everyone Needs A Home" and "Sing Again." It's a very solid album that's well worth your time. -- Capt. Obvious
1.29.2008
The Helio Sequence: Keep Your Eyes Ahead (2008)
New Wax
I must admit I hadn't listened to The Helio Sequence before I heard their new album Keep Your Eyes Ahead, but reading up on the band's background information it seems that they had to take an extended break due to lead singer Brandon Summers' vocal strain. He was informed by a doctor that if he didn't take a break from singing he'd lose his voice. After the hiatus, Summers would effectively have to learn how to sing again by using a variety of techniques. For someone who was on the verge of losing his voice, Summers does an admirable job on the new release, which contains an infectious collection of songs that range from synth-laden 80's-tinged indie-rock to stripped-down acoustics. "Can't Say No," a tune that sort of reminds me vocally of Eric Bachmann's work with Crooked Fingers, is one of the catchiest songs I've heard in a long time. With no track exceeding four and a half minutes, Keep Your Eyes Ahead is a precise collection of indie-rock goodness that provides a great deal of variety. It even ends on a folksy note with the harmonica-infused front-porch jam "No Regrets." Keep Your Eyes Ahead is one of the best albums I've heard so far in a year that is shaping up to be a memorable one. -- Capt. Obvious
1.27.2008
Candle: Miles And Miles And Miles (2008)
New Wax
Formed by singer/songwriter Kevin Coons in 2005, California alt. country band Candle has since grown into a quintet and has released a full-length album (2006's Birds Were Meant To Fly) and a 7" split entitled Come Back Home with labelmate Iamb. With their second full-length entitled Miles And Miles And Miles scheduled to be released on March 22nd, the band further harnesses their indie/folk appeal. Coons' supporting cast consists of a talented group of multi-instrumentalists, and the new album's landscape of sound is painted with a variety of brushes. With country-tinged female and male backing harmonies, fiddles, mandolin, trumpet, banjo, piano, and harmonica effortlessly intertwining to form a full yet loose sound, fans of alt. country will find a lot to love in Candle's music. On the slow-burning "Santa Cruz," lines like "There's miles and miles and miles and miles of highway/ stretched out between my house and yours" seem reminiscent of classic Whiskeytown, and fans of folksy indie fare will not be disappointed by Candle's seemingly effortless songwriting. You can reserve your copy of Miles And Miles And Miles at Real Love Records. -- Capt. Obvious
January Mixtape
SIDE A
1. Throw Me The Statue - Young Sensualists
2. No Kids - The Beaches All Closed
3. Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead
4. Say Hi - Northwestern Girls
5. Jim White - It's Been A Long Long Day
6. The Mountain Goats - Sax Rohmer #1
7. Stephen Malkmus - Baltimore
8. Cameron McGill - Stranger's Art
1. Thao Nguyen - Beat (Health, Life and Fire)
2. Moldy Peaches - Anyone Else But You
3. Jason Anderson - We Will Bend, We Will Break, etc.
4. Ida - Lover's Prayer
5. Adrian Crowley - Bless Our Tiny Hearts
6. Lightspeed Champion - Galaxy Of The Lost
7. Ladyhawk - I Don't Always Know What You're Saying
8. Headlights - Cherry Tulips
1.25.2008
Meshach Jackson
You Should Know
Meshach Jackson's music sounds like the perfect accompaniment for the scene in Jacob's Ladder when Jacob (a young Tim Robbins) descends into the murky depths of an increasingly dilapidated hospital that metaphorically represents Hell. Not that Jackson's music is particularly evil, it's just eerily dense. The ingenious mishmash of sound at the core of Jackson's compositions brings forth visions of peeling wallpaper, leaking roofs, and the dreariness of an abandoned building in the industrial part of town. The son of a Louisiana preacher-man who ran a boy's home, Jackson quite literally grew up amidst juvenile delinquents, but still wasn't allowed to listen to secular music until he was out on his own. The juxtaposition between light and dark that most likely accompanied his upbringing seems to be at play throughout his new EP, which is entitled Experiments In Drowning. Recorded with Roy Mitchell-Cardenas of the band Mutemath, Experiments In Drowning is a texturally rich experiment in music that mixes Meshach's soothing voice with traditional instrumentation and distorted electronica. Without all the electronic grit, songs like "Hopeless" would almost sound uplifting, in a musical sense at least, but the interesting production choices really dirty the album up. It's pretty difficult to desribe Meshach's unique sound, but it's undoubtedly different and damn good, so head over to his website and pick up a copy if you like what you hear. In grand Radiohead fashion, you can even choose to pay whatever price you wish. -- Capt. Obvious
1.24.2008
Rock The Vote, Yo.
You Should Know
So, Captain Obvious has agreed to let me exploit him (not really all that uncommon) and let me post a brief political blog on his site. Although, I have agreed not to be biased pertaining to party or candidate. The thing is this, our nation has a very important election coming up. I am not even looking ahead so far as November; I am talking about now. It is rather easy to blow off the primary, thinking your vote does not determine who is the next president. The fact, however, is that the primary is just as important as the November election. Our nation's vote in the primary decides who has a basic 50/50 chance of being the next president. This is major. There are all kinds of strategic issues involved here, namely who has the best chance of beating the other candidate.
We are at an extremely crucial time in America. We have an economy that is on the verge of a major meltdown. We have an environment critically crying out for help. We have a war that, well, I won't even go into that. But we have a situation in Iraq that needs to be resolved. No matter how you feel about the war in Iraq, the fact is that it is costing our nation billions of dollars and we need to start creating a sensible and efficient exit strategy. What troubles me is the fact that our generation gets such a bad rap about our involvement in "civic duties." I will say that we have been an increasing force to be reckoned with but we need even more. Living in Florida, I am faced with an overwhelming "older" population so this issue is even more visible to me. You better believe that the Granny who can't even drive and is completely senile will be out voting in the primary and in the election. How do you think she will vote? Do you think she will vote for a candidate who has a long term social security plan? Or do you think she will vote for the candidate that worries only about protecting the current citizens on social security and working hard for prescription medications? Do you like paying taxes out of every pay check for a "retirement" system that will no longer be there when it is time for you to use it?
If you need any information, because a vote is not a vote unless it is an educated vote, it is very simple to go to the candidates' websites and read the issues at hand. I also encourage you to watch the televised debates... sometimes they even get interesting. The candidates provide more sparring action than current professional boxing matches do. This is in no way an endorsement for this candidate, but Ron Paul has a great resource on his website for checking when your state's primary is and whether it is open or closed, http://www.ronpaul2008.com/primary-and-caucus-information/ (open meaning you can nominate any candidate, regardless of your party affiliation; closed meaning you can only nominate a candidate in the party you are affiliated with). If I can be of any help, or if you want to bash me for interrupting the usual interesting and non-political review blogs, leave me a "diplomatic" comment.
So let's all get out to the poles during our state's primary. We need to counter-balance the baby boomers vote and finally justify all those hours of playing guitar hero and let the nation know that, hey, we have hand/eye coordination AND a brain too. -- Mistress Conspicuous
Listen:
MP3: The Cure - Primary
MP3: Radiohead - Electioneering
MP3: Ryan Adams - Political Scientist
MP3: Over The Rhine - If A Song Could Be President
1.23.2008
Loch Lomond
You Should Know
With so much incredible music around just awaiting to be uncovered, it's quite easy to miss out on something special. Listening to the latest album from Portland's Loch Lomond, which was released last October and is entitled Paper The Walls, I'm perplexed as to why I haven't heard it sooner. The band is headed by a wonderful vocalist in Ritchie Young, and his large backing ensemble, which varies in size from 6 to 9 members, includes members of Norfolk and Western, Horse Feathers, and Dolorean (all bands I highly recommend). Vocally, you may hear a similarity to Colin Meloy, but Young's voice stands on its own merit with its uncommon range and variation. Recorded at the famed Type Foundry (M. Ward, The Decemberists), Paper The Walls is chalk-full of songs that seem deceptively simple, but if you're listening closely enough you'll notice how texturally rich the music is. With subtle touches of violin, mandolin, piano, cello, viola, and other less typical instruments, Loch Lomond offers a folksy soundscape that is nuanced and delicate. Wonderful instrumentation and haunting harmonies really make the album a standout in its genre. Oh, how Portland oozes coolness. -- Capt. Obvious
Listen:
MP3: Loch Lomond - Carl Sagan
MP3: Loch Lomond - Stripe II
1.22.2008
Cormac McCarthy: The Road (2006)
The Bookshelf
Though he may have shuffled into the mainstream consciousness only recently for the film adaptation of his novel No Country for Old Men, Cormac McCarthy has been penning novels for years. Anyway, don’t let the Oprah Book Club stickers scare you off—McCarthy is one of the most important contemporary fiction writers, and he’s worth taking a look at.
The Road, McCarthy’s 2006 effort, earned him a Pulitzer. The novel explores a blistered post-apocalyptic American wasteland and two characters struggling to survive in the wake of an unspoken cataclysm. McCarthy wisely eschews the details of the disaster and lets the characters take precedence. The protagonists, a father-son duo, also remain unnamed. Dialogue between the two is as bleak as the landscape—they mutter only a few phrases at a time. Their only motivation is survival. They trek south in slim hopes of reaching the coast and its warmer climes. Weathered by perpetual rainstorms and severe cold, they plod through town to town through the charred American wasteland in search of meager food rations. Nothing grows in the ruined countryside. No wild animals stir in the wilderness. The sun will likely never shine again in either of their lifetimes. McCarthy’s true prowess rests in his ability to fully immerse the reader in his ruined landscapes with only sparse descriptions. We feel the cold when freezing black rain drives the man and his boy under their plastic tarp. We feel the terror when they encounter roving bands of cannibals, and it makes us appreciate what we take for granted on a daily basis, if only for a short time.
If McCarthy’s novel possesses a weakness, it lies in the narrative’s sheer predictability. Most likely, readers will never be surprised by anything the selfless father character does or says. He tells his son that they’re the “good guys,” and save for a few ancillary moral crossroads, these two are never in danger of turning astray. Consequently, many will be able to predict the ending after the first few paragraphs. While this leaves me somewhat disappointed, I’m also grateful that McCarthy doesn’t attempt any corny plot twists. His narrative emerges as a sobering and strikingly realistic experiment in post-apocalyptic survival and human willpower. -- Kilgore Trout
Buy It:Amazon: Cormac McCarthy - The Road
Tags:
Andrew Bird: Soldier On EP (2008)
New Wax
Andrew Bird is one of the more freakishly talented musicians around, and his brand of indie combines his looping violins with his clever wordplay. Soldier On is an eight-track EP that was only sold at shows on his European tour, and it consists of demos, remixes, and a few new songs. You'll recognize "Plasticities" and "Heretics" as re-workings of tracks from his amazing 2007 release Armchair Apocrypha, and the great "Oh Sister" as a Bob Dylan cover (which previously appeared in its live version on one of my covers mixtapes). The album kicks off with a new unheard track: the magnificent "The Trees Were Mistaken" is a layered mixture of looping violin, electric guitar, and an electronic beat. Considering the EP was never meant for mass consumption, it contains enough quality material to warrant a must-buy, especially for fans of Bird's last three albums. If the new material on the EP is any sort of indicator of the direction Bird plans to take his music, then we can expect more complex offerings from him in the future. -- Capt. Obvious
The Cap's Favorite Films Of 2007: #10-1
You Should Know
The Cap's Favorite Films of 2007: #25-11
You Should Know
1.18.2008
There Will Be Blood (2007)
Celluloid
Set to Jonny Greenwood's spectacular score, the first fifteen minutes of Paul Thomas Anderson's epic masterpiece There Will Be Blood serve as a foreboding wordless introduction to the character of Daniel Plainview (played by the magnificent Daniel Day-Lewis), who is shown seriously injuring his leg while mining for silver. Set during the first three decades of the twentieth century, the film follows Plainview's personal transformation into a sociopatchic and ruthless oil tycoon. To call Day-Lewis' performance one of the best in the history of cinema wouldn't be an overstatement in the least. Known to pick and choose his roles quite carefully and to fully immerse himself into his characters, the British-born actor arguably turns in the most memorable performance of his accomplished career. Loosely finding its structure in Upton Sinclair's 1927 novel Oil, There Will Be Blood shares many parallels with Citizen Kane, as it follows a main character who grows increasingly estranged from humanity while striving for financial success. The thing that makes Day-Lewis' potrayal of Plainview so unnerving is the fact that there are indeed flashes of humanity speckled throughout his heinous behavior. His performance forces the audience to face the potential in us all to become the embodiment of evil, and the brutal finale of the film, though undoubtedly polarizing, is easily one of the most impactful in recent memory. There Will Be Blood is a landmark cinematic achievement from a young auteur who has already shown flashes of brilliance, but has, until now, seemed to be hampered by an overriding sense of self-consciousness. From P.T.'s confident direction to the breathtaking cinematography to Greenwood's perfect soundtrack to the acting performances of Day-Lewis' and his supporting cast, There Will Be Blood is a modern-day classic, and one of the best films I've ever seen. It slightly surpasses a great film in its own right, No Country For Old Men, as my favorite film of 2007. -- Capt. Obvious
Verdict:
Tags: There Will Be Blood, Paul Thomas Anderson, Daniel Day Lewis, Paul Dano
Blog Roundup 1.18.08
Props
Lovethemusic has some Moldy Peaches mp3s and a video up for your consumption. You might recognize "Anyone Else But You" as the song that is performed by Michael Cera and Ellen Page at the end of the film Juno.
Not that Aquarium Drunkard needs any props whatsoever (they are one of the most popular music blogs around), and deservedly so. Check out a recent entry to their "Off The Record" interview series, in which Patterson Hood of the Drive-By Truckers talks about his favorite spots in his adopted hometown of Athens, GA.
Minneapolis Fucking Rocks has a review up for the new Magnetic Fields album entitled Distortion, along with some mp3s to listen to.
Music Is Art is a top-notch blog full of eye-popping artwork and music. Check out their latest blog entry, which contains a hodgepodge of artists covering Bruce Springsteen's song "I'm On Fire."
Speed Of Dark, has a nice write-up on the film Atonement, which I found surprisingly good (especially considering it is a British period film set in the '30s.. not so much my cup of tea). There are also some included mp3s which relate to the themes in the film.
Tags: Blog Roundup, Captain Obvious
1.16.2008
Hayden: In Field & Town (2008)
New Wax
Canada seems to be the breeding ground for good music these days, but Toronto-based Hayden Dresser has been an overlooked pilar of the indie-folk insurgence since the mid-90s, when he released his first album, Everything I Long For. His newest full-length record, entitled In Field & Town, just hit record-store shelves yesterday, and it's another solid release from a songwriter who has received favorable press over the years but has never managed to break through commercially. While Hayden's material often gets compared to early 70's, acoustic-based Neil Young, the Canadian cites lo-fi indie rock bands like Sebadoh and Pavement as early inspirations, and on In Field & Town, it seems the songwriter has taken a more experimental approach to his music. Where past material relied mostly on sparse acoustic guitar and Hayden's recognizable voice, the presence of bouncy piano, horns, and other instrumental flourishes gives the album a more upbeat feel. While "More Than Alive" initially sounds like a throwback from past albums with lone piano chords and a drum track, it becomes a full-band groove with horns, triangle, and overdriven guitar. There are plenty of equally surprising yet rewarding moments on In Field & Town, which sounds like a fresh, more playful take on Hayden's past material. -- Capt. Obvious
1.15.2008
The Cinematic Mixtape
SIDE A
1. Bright Eyes - Method Acting
2. The Gloria Record - Cinema Air
3. Death Cab For Cutie - A Movie Script Ending
4. John Vanderslice - Promising Actress
5. Mogwai - Stanley Kubrick
6. Radiohead - Exit Music (For A Film)
7. Matt Pond PA - The Moviegoer
8. Hayden - Hollywood Ending
1. Ozma - Natalie Portman
2. Great Lake Swimmers - Moving Pictures, Silent Films
3. Spoon - This Book Is A Movie
4. Page France - Casting Day
5. Hey Mercedes - A-List Actor
6. Goldrush - Aperture
7. Braid - Killing A Camera
8. David Karsten Daniels - Scripts
1.14.2008
Colour Revolt
You Should Know
Oxford, Mississippi's Colour Revolt is set to release their first full-length album, entitled Plunder, Beg, And Curse, on April 1st through Fat Possum Records. Building off the buzz created by their 2006 debut self-titled EP (if you haven't already, check out an interview I did with band member Jimmy Cajoleas back in September), the band now has backing from a respectable label, and with the help of producer/engineer Clay Jones, who has mixed Elvis Costello and Modest Mouse albums, they now have 10 new tracks in their arsenal. Colour Revolt displays an affinity for guitar-driven fare that is melodic and melancholic but often builds sonically into distorted onslaughts of sound and quasi-screamed vocals. A new single entitled "Naked And Red" from the upcoming album has been released by the band and can be downloaded for free on their myspace page. With a refrain that reads "Eden is a hell of the place," the new single extends the band's knack for writing existentially spiritual content. Look for the band to play a few shows in the south during the next few months, and if you're planning on attending South By Southwest in Austin, TX, they are slated to play there on March 13th and 14th. -- Capt. Obvious
Listen:
MP3: Colour Revolt - Naked & Red
Hello, Blue Roses: The Portrait Is Finished And I Have Failed To Capture Your Beauty (2008)
New Wax
With the full force of the blog circuit behind them, Vancouver's Hello, Blue Roses seems to be receiving a ridiculous amount of praise. The girl/guy Canadian duo consists of Dan Bejar (of Destroyer, Swan Lake, and The New Pornographers) and Sydney Vermont. The songs are written by Vermont while Bejar provides the arrangements. It's a bit difficult to put a finger on their sound, but there are elements of 80's pop along with electric-guitar infused folk music. Due to be released January 22nd on Chicago label Locust Music, the 14 songs are sometimes indistinguishable but, for the most part, they come off as simple and unpretentious. The majority of the vocal duties are undertaken by Sydney, whose high soprano seems a bit off-putting at first, especially considering the mostly bare-bones musical accompaniment, but after a few listens it definitely grows on you, and Bejar's backup vocals are subtle and different enough to add another interesting element to the songs. The tracks are mostly sparse, with acoustic guitar strumming and Vermont's soprano dueling it out. The most captivating moments on the album are those that are fuller musically and contain interesting musical choices such as fuzzy guitar, something you wouldn't expect on a sugar-sweet pop album but that works really well. While the other songs on the album may not live up to the undeniably single-worthy and synth-laden "Shadow Falls," there are some other quality tracks such as "St. Angela," which benefits from full-band instrumentation. All in all, the album is a decent slice of indie pop/folk, even if it doesn't quite warrant all the hoopla it's been receiving. -- Capt. Obvious
Listen:
MP3: Hello, Blue Roses - Shadows Fall
MP3: Hello, Blue Roses - Sunny Skies
1.13.2008
Jason Collett: Here's To Being Here (2008)
New Wax
Born in Bramalea, Ontario, Jason Collett might be better known as being an important part of the wonderful collective that is Broken Social Scene, but the songwriter has been focusing more on his solo career as of late, and is set to release a new album entitled Here's To Being Here on February 5th. With an eclectic mixture of sounds and a subtle yet apparent tinge of alt. country sensibility, Collett's 2005 release Idols Of Exile was an unexpected treat for any fan of folksy indie music, and it contained one of the more memorable songs in recent history, "We All Lose One Another." While perhaps a bit poppier, Collett's new album resides in a similar vein, mixing twangy guitars and driving piano with his smoothly confident vocals. Collett draws from obvious influences, but his songs remain refreshing despite their outwardly traditional roots. On the piano-driven "Henry's Song," Collett delivers each verse with the weathered confidence of smoky-bar veteran, and the song ends beautifully with a guitar solo that would have fit nicely on the last Wilco album. Collett's solo material may not reinvent the wheel, and it's not as eclectically ambitious as a Broken Social Scene album, but he displays a real knack for writing sophisticated songs with memorable arrangements that mix pop and alt. country expertly. It definitely holds up to any other material in the genre. -- Capt. Obvious
Listen:
MP3: Jason Collett - Out Of Time
MP3: Jason Collett - Henry's Song
1.11.2008
Blog Roundup 1.11.08
Props
The Wheel's Still In Spin is a quality blog with a very literary feel and high quality writing. Definitely one of the blogs that encouraged me to start my own. Check out their very cool list of Best Cincinnati Albums of 2007.
Chris, over at Local Vertical is another super nice guy with a quality blog. Check out his take on a band called Goodtimes Goodtimes, which makes rustic folk music. Good stuff.
Flick over at Puddlegum 2.0 runs one of the most professional, well put together blogs I've come across. Check out a really interesting post about digital music entitled The Permanence Of Digital Sales.
Another super-nice blog is Culture Bully, which is always up to date when it comes to live TV performances. You'll find a ton of youtube videos of bands along with reviews and interviews.
Another one of my favorite blogs is My Little Ghost Friend, which is run by Ginny out of Santa Barbara. Check out her favorite albums of 2007.
Tags: Blog Roundup, Captain Obvious
1.10.2008
This Will Destroy You
You Should Know
Listen:
MP3: This Will Destroy You - Threads
1.07.2008
Control (2007)
Celluloid
In tackling the "Troubled Artist" biopic, it seems like there's a difficult line to walk between offering an honest character study and, in effect, promoting hero-worship. Celebrated photographer and music-video director Anton Corbijn joins the filmmaking business with his wonderfully understated directorial debut, Control. The crisply-shot black and white film chronicles the final years of Ian Curtis, the front man of the short-lived yet highly influential band Joy Division (the remaining members would go on to form New Order after Curtis' suicide). The film portrays Curtis as a hesitant rockstar who struggled to balance his newfound stardom with his duties as a husband and father. After he has an affair with a European journalist, the guilt and confusion stemming from his crumbling marriage, along with an ongoing bout with epilepsy, ultimately drives him to suicide. With complex performances from Sam Riley as Ian Curtis and Samantha Morton as his oft emotionally-victimized wife, the film never puts its main character on a pedestal. In fact, it is Curtis' wife who becomes the most sympathetic figure because she is left alone in the wake of her husband's self-destruction to tend for an infant child. Given that the source material for the film lies in the widow's memoirs, this isn't entirely surprising. Still, whether the film is entirely accurate or not, Corbijn's foray into film proves to be a fruitful one. Set to a wonderful soundtrack of Joy Division songs, the biopic is a must-see for fans of the band and it's rich enough in cinematography and acting to please fans of cinema alike. -- Capt. Obvious
Listen:
MP3: Joy Division - Disorder
MP3: Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart
MP3: Joy Division - She's Lost Control
Verdict:
1.06.2008
The Felice Brothers: Adventures Of The Felice Brothers Vol. 1 (2007)
New Wax
I just got back from watching Todd Haynes' imaginitive biopic I'm Not There (yes, it took THAT long to get it in this town of Philistines.. thank Jesus for the one remotely independent theater we have), which I enjoyed thoroughly, yet will probably never review on this site because I'm not sure if I'm capable of tackling its complexity with any sort of well thought-out coherence. Cate Blanchett is totally Bob Dylan. I'm convinced of it. I'll admit, the first song I listened to when I hopped into the car after the film was Dylan's "Simple Twist Of Fate" off of Blood On The Tracks. Afterwards, I navigated the trusty iPod's ever-growing library to find the newest Felice Brothers album, Adventures Of The Felice Brothers Vol. 1. It was a pretty seamless transition considering the band's rootsy, Dylan-infused, sing-a-long feel. Their full-length studio album, Tonight At The Arizona, was one of my favorite finds of the year and it made the list of my top 10 albums of 2007. Adventures Of The Felice Brothers Vol. 1 is their newest offering, and it is only available at the band's live shows. Recorded on a two-track tape in a chicken coup, the stripped-down production suits songs like "Frankie's Gun" and "Ruby Mae" perfectly. Once you delve into the band's growing material, you'll understand all the praise surrounding them. Easily one of the best Americana acts around, The Felice Brothers just toured with Bright Eyes, and they will embark on a tour supporting Drive-By Truckers in February. -- Capt. Obvious
Listen:
MP3: Felice Brothers - Frankie's Gun!
MP3: Felice Brothers - Ruby Mae
1.05.2008
Jose Gonzalez Goes Green
You Should Know
MP3: Jose Gonzalez - Heartbeats (Live On KEXP)
MP3: Jose Gonzalez - Crosses (Live On KEXP)
1.04.2008
The Cap's Films To Watch In 2008
You Should Know
