Jonah Matranga Obama Video

Singer-songwriter and all around good guy, Jonah Matranga (onelinedrawing, Far, Gratitude) wrote a song about Presidential candidate Barack Obama. Check it out.

Glow in the Dark!

Posted on Kanye's official blog this morning...He disclosed his "Glow in the Dark" Tour, with the best line up of hip-hop acts since....well...since forever! No Dates have been set..just yet...stay tuned!

Indy Watch

One big article with so much info! The UK's Empire magazine has an interview with Indiana Jones Producer Frank Marshall in their upcoming issue. One of Marshall's many statements is "This picture is locked," Marshall told us of the current progress. "Steven's pretty much done editing. And we're going into the phase with John Williams where he starts scoring the movie. He's really writing now and then we'll start scoring in February". Fantastic news! This also seems to be the quickest Spielberg has taken to edit any of his films, normally Spielberg edits the picture at least 5 times before scoring (See January issue of Vanity Fair), the editing phase began back in November.
Marshall went on to also say that "I would say it's closest to the third one (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade). It's all adults. I mean, you have the sidekick in Shia (LaBeouf), but you don't have a Short Round and I think the banter between the characters is as fun as it was in the third movie." I seriously cannot wait any longer.

Also in that issue you will find an exclusive picture of Harrison Ford holding a Bazooka with Shia LaBeouf and Karen Allen riding in a truck with our hatted adventurer. Check it out at http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=21881

Newsletter

Hope the New Year got off to a good start for you. I just wanted to take the time out to thank everyone for reading and supporting this site in all of 2007, I will continue to post and make it bigger and better for this year!

I wanted to let you know about some changes I have made to the site...From now on I will not be posting "Buy Now!" lists, instead if you look to the left of the page, right above the archived posts you will see what records I am currently jamming out to. I encourage you to listen to them as well. Also, in relation to that you will see a "Currently Watching" Section in the same neighborhood, they are films or shows that I believe are defiantly worth your time in theaters or on DVD.

Please also leave comments. I want to make this site as interactive as possible, if you have a Gmail or Blogger account please leave comments, if you do not have a Gmail or Blogger account you can get one for free. It is great to hear from my readers and welcome thoughts, subjective opinions and most of all see what you are into.

Also, I am currently enrolled in a contest from Edun. It is a contest curated by Bono and his Wife Ali, at the top left corner of the page you will see a little blurb about Edun. Please click on those links and they will send you to the Edun page. It is a great company to check out and it not only helps others but gives me a boost in this contest as well.

Lastly, my good friend Manny has created a blog himself. I may have inspired him, which is dope if I did, but defiantly check it out. It is the perfect companion to this site. Where as "With This I Think I'm Officially A Yuppie," centers mainly around music and touches on film. Manny's site "Everyone's A Critic," centers mainly around film and touches on music. Check it out its a great site http://everyoneacritic.blogspot.com/ .

Playlist

Here is a play list of tracks to check out! Enjoy!

Badly Drawn Boy - "Born in the U.K."
Feist - "The Water"
Bjork - "Declare Independence"
Beck - "The Golden Age"
Swell Season - "Falling Slowly"
The Hold Steady - "Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window?"
Eddie Vedder - "Long Hard Sun"
Edith Piaf - "Heaven Have Mercy"
MGMT - "Time to Pretend"
Muse - "Starlight"
Death Cab For Cutie - "I Will Follow You Into the Dark"

Quick News

UK hardcore outfit Gallows have been banned forever from the House of Blues in Disneyland, CA. Gallows were schedualed to open for Social Distortion January 22 at the venue. According to the bands website "due to Disney taking offence to the lyrical content spread across their debut album Orchestra Of Wolves the band have been banned from performing."Guitarist Laurent Barnard stated “I think Mickey Mouse got jealous that Minnie Mouse had Gallows posters on her wall. [...]That kind of stuff happens a lot. I recommend Mickey shows Minnie some more attention, you know, take her out and make her feel special. Cartoon mice need love too.”

In other cancellation news, Bjork was forced to cancel her headlining appearance at this weeks Big Day Out Festival in Australia due to swollen vocal chords.

Actress Scarlett Johansson is set to release her first solo record this spring. The album, Anywhere I Lay My Head, was supposed to come out last year, but due to her hectic work schedual it was pushed back. Anywhere I Lay My Head features 10 Tom Waits covers and an orginal by Johansson.

Billy Bragg on Henry Rollins Show

Two of my favorite renaissance men come together! Here is UK's finest Billy Bragg performing "Waiting for the Great Leap Forward," on "Henry Rollins Show."

Quick News

Portishead have released new info about their first record in over a decade. The album will be called THIRD and is set to be released on April 14th 2008, it contains 11 tracks and is 49 minutes 13 seconds long.

The Hold Steady are busy working on the follow up to Boys and Girls in America, check out what the band is doing as they post weekly photos of them having fun and growing bears (seriously, they are having a beard growing contest). It is all at www.holdsteady.com

The unfortunate and untimely death of one of Hollywood's true artists, Heath Ledger, has posed more questions than answers. Pitchfork Media has posted this article about the paradox between Ledger and 70's singer-songwriter Nick Drake. Check it out http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/page/news/48205-the-heath-ledgernick-drake-connection

Long Live The Joker--Heath you will be missed...

RIP Heath Ledger

Indy Watch

Want to take a tour of Dr. Henry Jones home? Well now you can, Spielberg and Co., posted a video of a behind the scenes look at Indiana's home, featuring a guided tour from the set designer and little things to keep your eye out for when watching...Check it out at www.indianajones.com

Also, this is PURE RUMOR at the moment...but some sources are stating that the teaser trailer for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull could make an appearance at the Super Bowl, while other sources are saying it will be hitting theaters at 12:01 AM February 15.

Live Video-Editors @ Terminal 5

Here is a pretty good quality fan video from last night's performance from The Editors at Terminal 5. Check it out, it will show what myself and fans world wide are talking about--fantastic live band!

Live Review-The Editors @ Terminal 5

Naysayers would call the line up of The Editors / Hot Hot Heat / Louis XIV a bunch of former buzz bands trying to break it back into the business. Fans would call it a bunch of former buzz bands still holding strong and holding their own. After last nights performance by all three acts at New York City's Terminal 5, all the naysayers can quickly shut their mouths.
2004 buzz band Louis XIV opened the show and played NYC for the first time three years. Singer Jason Hill was probably one of the most frightened front man I have ever seen, full knowing that a New York crowd will make or break his career and could ruin the bands re surging hype. Jason Hill and his band mates have nothing to fear, opening the show and raising the bar on a tight set playing songs from their debut The Best Little Secrets Are Kept and their latest Slick Dogs and Ponies (Due at end of month). This is a band who I never really cared for, but after displaying fantastic musicianship, energy and performance, I can understand why people take to them. What they lack on an album, they make up for live. After raising the bar and foreshadowing what was to come, Louis XIV made room for the rest of the nights acts to take the torch even further.
2003 buzz band Canada's Hot Hot Heat, ignited the stage and looked like they have so much fun doing what they do. Really getting the crowd involved and dancing away with their hybrid of new wave-rock-electro, they did not disappoint. Playing all of their hits, including "Bandages," "No Not Now," "Middle of Nowhere," and "Goodnight, Goodnight." Their catalogue of hits and songs you have defiantly herd before-but never knew who sang them, made their set all the more enjoyable. With Hot Hot Heat, once again the bar was raised.
2006 buzzers and headliners The Editors had a heavy weight to lift with openers as fantastic as Louis XIV and Hot Hot Heat. Birmingham England's pride hit the stage with their sound resembling a better version of Interpol and displaying a heavy influence from fellow UK acts such as Coldplay, Joy Division and Duran Duran. Singer Tom Smith played his guitar and jumped around on stage, banging his piano as if he was Chris Martin on crack. Smith's deep brash voice is one of the key elements to the bands sound and he never missed a beat. Playing a majority of songs off 2007's An End Has A Start, The Editors barnstormed a dance heavy set and looked as if they had no signs of stopping. I can understand now, why in the past 12 months they have played New York City a total of three times (excluding last night) and all three times there shows sell out so fast. Last night at Terminal 5 was no exception.

Indy Watch

Paramount Pictures has released this as one of the latest Indy goodies. The photo is Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeuof and Ray Winstone walking into what could very well be the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull... (click on the photo for a high-res version)

Mick Jones and Topper Headon Live!

Here is the video of Topper Headon joining Mick Jones' new band Carbon / Silicon, they perform the classic Clash hit "Train in Vain."

Quick News

The track listing, title and date for Coldplay's forthcoming record have been released. The album Prospekt will hit stores May 19, the same week as Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Here is the track listing:
‘Famous Old Painters’
‘Glass Of Water’
‘Lost!’
‘Cemeteries of London’
‘Violet Hill’
‘Poppy Fields’
‘42’
‘Yes!’
‘Leftrightleftright’
‘Rainy Day’
‘Prospeckt's March’


Congrats to Eddie Vedder for picking up a Golden Globe for his music for Into the Wild. Unfortunately for Vedder it was at the worst broadcast in Award Show history...


This is news that really excites me, former Clash members Topper Headon and Mick Jones shared the stage together in London over the weekend. This was the first time two out of the three existing Clash members have been on stage in 25 years. Headon joined Jones with his new band Carbon / Silicon.

In Rainbows NYE Cast

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Quick News

Congratulations to Radiohead's Johnny Greenwood and The Frames Glen Hansard, each nabbed awards last night for their contributions to film at the Critics Choice Awards. Greenwood grabbed the Best Original Score for his work on Paul Thomas Anderson's There Will Be Blood, and Hansard took home with his songwriting partner Markéta Irglová for Best Original Song "Falling Slowly," from their film Once.

Incubus' Ben Kenney and DJ Chris Kilmore are hitting up clubs on the West Coast together for a series of dates. No word on if or when they will make it out East.

In more new album news, Billy Bragg announced track listing and release dates for his latest, Mr Love and Justice. The album will only be coming out in the UK at the moment (DAMN IT!), but hopefully will pick up distribution here across the pond. Here is the track listing and Mr Love and Justice is expected on UK shelves March 3.
1. I Keep Faith
2. I Almost Killed You
3. M For Me
4. The Beach is Free
5. Sing Their Souls Back Home
6. You Make Me Brave
7. Something Happened
8. Mr. Love & Justice
9. If You Ever Leave
10. O Freedom
11. The Johnny Carcinogenic Show
12. Farm Boy

Live Review-Fire Flies @ Mercury Lounge

Normally a small New York City club headlining act, the Fire Flies took on the big leagues tonight as an opener at famous New York hot spot Mercury Lounge. For a Monday night they played to a nice crowd and got everyone singing and dancing and forgetting the fact that its only the beginning of the week. Playing song's off last year's release Two New Sciences, the Brooklyn boys opened their set with "Mechanical Love," and the crowd quickly realized what they were in for. Singer Dan Romer braced his guitar and looked at his band mates and into the crowd like a star struck fan, what he and his band mates proved to the audience tonight is that they are fans of who comes out and supports them. Drummer Seth Faulk kept the beats so fresh that he was crossing his arms and waving his hands and sticks in the air like a great 80's drummer, and it was just so much fun to watch. Half way through the bands 35 minute set, guitarist Will Far's guitar began to cut out during "Worst Man I can Be," but the band had no worries, they had their fans singing the lyrics louder than any guitar could ever make sound. By the end of the track, Will had his guitar in tact and the band kept on storming through. Closing the set with the bands staple "It's a Party," made the crowd go absolutely nuts and it sure became the best party in the city on this unusually warm Monday Night. The Flies hit up Boston tomorrow night and anyone in the New England area, make sure you see them! These boys are going places!

2008 Albums to Look Out For

2007 may have come and gone, only to make room for an exciting year. We have much to look forward to in 2008, the electing of a new President (Thank God!), the release of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (May 22), and of course another year of great soon to be released music. Here is a breakdown of some of the year's records to keep an eye out for.

Coldplay - Still Untitled
Expected Release: Summer
Recording the record in both old Spanish churches and cramped recording studio's in England and mixing part of it in New York, one of my favorite British acts are really looking for the international appeal on their fourth record. Also calling to the table Timbaland and Brian Eno to produce the record.

U2 - Still Untitled
Expected Release: Fall
From working with Rick Rubin to the band's dynamic duo of Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno. From going to Morocco to Ireland, U2 are not far behind Coldplay as far as a conglomerate of locations and people are considered for the bands 11th studio recording.

Death Cab for Cutie - Still Untitled
Expected Release: Spring
Much like another indie band hitting the studio this year, The Hold Steady, Death Cab is rumored to be channelling Jack Kerouac for their 6th disc.

Portishead - Still Untitled
Expected Release: ????
The band has been completely mum about their much awaited third release. An album that was supposed to come out last year, has fans keeping their fingers crossed that it makes it way in 08.

The Love Ones - Build and Burn
Expected Release: 2/5/08
The Philly punkers--now a four man group, will storm stages and record stores with the release of their second disc. Produced by members of the Bouncing Souls, this release is sure to kick ass.

Patent Pending - Still Untitled
Expected Release: Summer
As their myspace page will tell you, they are "Writing fresh jams," yet we all can wait to see what these Long Island punkers can crank out in the new year.

Weezer - Still Untitled
Expected Release: ???
With his graduation from Harvard and his solo recordings behind him, River's Cuomo can now relax and go back to making good music...and something better than Make Believe.

The Verve - Still Untitled
Expected Release: Spring
Probably out of all of the comeback's in 2007, this announcement was one of my favorites. I simply cannot wait for this release!

The Cure - Still Untitled
Expected Release: Spring
Originally supposed to come out this past October, the bands double disc and tour will be pushed back to this spring.

Bauhaus - Going Away White
Expected Release: June
The original Goth rockers will put out their final recording and possibly do a farewell tour after reforming only 3 years ago.

Protest the Hero - Fortress
Release: January
The craziest band to ever come out of Canada. Mixing thrash, hardcore and punk will release their sophomore disc. By the singles they have posted on their myspace page as an indication, Fortress will melt your face off.

Movie of the Month - "Rope"

The master of suspense strikes again with a film more suitable for theater than screen. The masterfully done Rope, maybe one of Alfred Hitchcock's lesser know bodies of work, but happens toEnter away message text here. be one of his most technically superior. Looking as if it was shot in a single tracking shot, Rope, shot in ten takes but only looking like one, the greatest trick Hitchcock pulls on his audience is to be careful that not all things are as they appear. The story of film is about two young college students in the 50's who are afraid of a classmate that happens to be superior in intelligence than they are. With that in mind, they decide to kill him and hide the body in their apartment before guests for dinner party arrive. Among those guest is their former professor, played by Jimmy Stewart. Stewart, more cunning than any character he ever played, is on his former students tail and looks to expose them for what they are. Rope may not be as dynamic or suspenseful as Hitchcock's other work, however it is sure one that is not to be missed.

Underrated Classic - Green Day "Insomniac"

1994 marked a turning point in music. It was the year in which Kurt Cobain would commit suicide, the east and west coast declared lyrical war on each other, and the British were invading (again). Yet with all of this going on, sounds from all over started to focus not on the dark and murky tones grunge was made famous for, but started to become more colorful. 1994 will also be remembered as the year Green Day broke out with their third record, Dookie. An international critical and commercial success. They not only brought something new to the table, but created Pop-Punk, a genre that would later influence everyone from Blink 182 to Fall Out Boy. Mixing their radio friendly anthems with songs about being high, getting laid and most of all having fun. For Green Day, following up Dookie would not only prove the bands longevity and creativity but would also push the band to out due themselves time and time again. 1995's Insomniac, maybe the most overlooked in the band's post Dookie catalogue, but is the album that would shape the band and declare what would come of them years later. It's far darker tone and more abrasive old school punk sound may have turned fair weather fans away, but had the rest of us listening for more. Unlike its predecessor, Insomniac only marked three singles in the U.S.; "Geek Stink Breath," "Brainstew / Jaded," and "Walking Contradiction." Insomniac was the only Green Day record of its kind as far as a traditional punk sound goes, yet that all changed with 2004's American Idiot. I like to think this was the platform for the band to create American Idiot, one of this decades best records and an album this generation can boast about for being their own. However, without Insomniac and its traditional punk style combined with the angst against George W Bush, the inspiration for the bands biggest success may never have come.

Lupe Fiasco Live on Letterman

A full bearded David Letterman returned to "The Late Show," last night after cutting a deal with the WGA. With his return, he still showed his love of new music, Lupe Fiasco performs one of the best songs out there now, "Superstar," off his latest The Cooler.

Quick News

The original College Rockers R.E.M. will be releasing their 14th studio album April 1st, entitled Accelerate. Let's hope it is better than Revel and Around the Sun.

The Hold Steady have emerged from their rehearsal space in Brooklyn and will be hitting the studio soon to record a follow up to 2006's breakthrough Boys and Girls in America. The band posted this on their website: "Since the band's beginning, this is the longest we've gone without being in the studio. I've never looked forward to being placed in a giant aquarium with headphones like I have been lately." The band hopes to have the record out by years end--reserve a spot on your top 10 lists now and don't say I didn't warn you!

Radiohead's Thom Yorke spoke exclusively to the BBC about the CD and Vinyl release of In Rainbows. Check out what Yorke had to say here http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7167759.stm

Indy Watch

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! With the new year, I have exciting news to report...Harrison Ford and Shia LaBeuof both grace the cover of this month's Vanity Fair (hits new stands today). Take a look at the article with photographs by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz. The cover story features commentary from Ford, Spielberg and George Lucas..plus the world's first look at Cate Blanchett in costume as Agent Spalko. Check out the link below with the photos, and online exclusive video of behind the scenes and interviews.

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/02/indianajones200802

May 22 cannot come soon enough!