World's Collide

Someone has good taste! A fan of both The Office and Fire Flies has created a video tribute to Jim and Pam from the hit show (and personal favorite). They used the Flies "More than This," in the video.

Quick News

Coldplay have done an exclusive interview with Rolling Stone about their forthcoming record. The Magazine also does a track by track breakdown of the album as well. Check it out at http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/18915732/coldplay_at_work_on_something_different_for_upcoming

Album number four for the Hold Steady is in the Can! The album is called Stay Positive and will be released later this year.

More good news for "Yuppie!" I would like to take this moment again, to thank The Editors for featuring my review of their concert at Terminal 5, not only on their website, but on their Myspace Page as well. The band took a handful of their favorite reviews and tossed them up on the networking site. Check it out here and see what people had to say... http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=11745651&blogID=359720611

Further Reading

I few new blogs popped up recently from amigos of mine that you should defiantly check out.

From my friend Mike, another music / film / art lover, comes The Cynical Humanist. A worth while venture into humanity, music, film etc. Check it out at http://www.thecynicalhumanist.blogspot.com/ .


Now from another close friend and colleague, Mr. Bill Reese, a name synonymous with this site, comes his online novel The Class of No Tomorrow. An interesting and intricate story done by one of the best writers I know. Read it all at http://www.classofnotomorrow.blogspot.com/ .

Playlist

Enjoy..(click on the box above to active)

Oscar Aftermath

In the first award show since the demise of the Writers Strike, The Academy Awards came back to display tinsel town’s finest. I am very pleased with many of the winners, Daniel Day Lewis, The Coen Brothers and all of the accolades for No Country For Old Men, and Marion Cotillard. However, I am most excited and pleased with the little artists that could—Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova aka The Swell Season, or simply know as the band from Once. I have been obsessed with the music of Glen’s other band, The Frames and his songwriting style since I discovered them a little over two years ago. The Frames are a post grunge rock band from Ireland who have been kicking around the scene for almost 20 years. Yet it is Glen’s side project, The Swell Season and a little film called Once that just changed all that last night. I could not have been happier for two musicians and people who are just so content on making art and getting noticed. For the couple that is Glen and Marketa it is about making good music, vibes and creating emotion. Hansard is the Irish Cat Stevens, and she is the Czech voice of an angel. There speeches and performance last night at the Oscars were unforgettable. The Orchestra cut off Marketa right before she was about to say her speech. After the commercial break, host Jon Stewart brought her back on stage and she delivered words right from here heart. Here is what they had to say:

Glen Hansard:Thanks! This is amazing. What are we doing here? This is mad. We made this film two years ago. We shot on two Handycams. It took us three weeks to make. We made it for a hundred grand. We never thought we would come into a room like this and be in front of you people. It's been an amazing thing. Thanks for taking this film seriously, all of you. It means a lot to us. Thanks to the Academy, thanks to all the people who've helped us, they know who they are, we don't need to say them. This is amazing. Make art. Make art. Thanks.

Marketa Irglova:Hi everyone. I just want to thank you so much. This is such a big deal, not only for us, but for all other independent musicians and artists that spend most of their time struggling, and this, the fact that we're standing here tonight, the fact that we're able to hold this, it's just to prove no matter how far out your dreams are, it's possible. And, you know, fair play to those who dare to dream and don't give up. And this song was written from a perspective of hope, and hope at the end of the day connects us all, no matter how different we are. And so thank you so much those who helped us along way. Thank you.

Here are the band performing there Oscar winning song "Falling Slowly" at the Awards last night:

Road to the Oscars 08

This truly is the most wonderful time of the year. I get so excited for the Globes, SAG’s and of course the Grandaddy of them all—The Oscars! Below you will find my picks for the 10 Best films of 2007 as well as my picks for winners in the top 10 categories. The show begins Sunday at 7 on ABC.

10 Best Films of 2007:

1. Gone Baby Gone
2. No Country For Old Men
3. La Vie En Rose
4. There Will Be Blood
5. This is England
6. Michael Clayton
7. Once
8. Eastern Promises
9. Hot Fuzz
10. American Gangster

My Oscar Picks for 10 Categories:
Best Picture -
No Country For Old Men

Best Actor -
Daniel Day Lewis

Best Actress -
Marion Cotillard

Best Supporting Actor -
Javier Bardem

Best Supporting Actress -
Cate Blanchett

Best Director -
Coen Brothers

Best Screenplay (original) -
Michael Clayton

Best Adapted Screenplay -
No Country For Old Men

Best Cinematography -
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Best Original Song –
“Falling Slowly” from Once.

We shall have to wait and see on who takes home the statues this Sunday.

Klaxons/Rihanna Live @ Brit Awards

In one of the coolest light shows I have ever seen...Rihanna and The Klaxons team up for a fantastic mash up of "Umbrella," and "Golden Skans," respectivly, at the Brit Awards.

Quick News

Last years performance of Heaven 17's "Temptation," done by Jarvis Cocker and The Gossip's Beth Ditto at the NME Awards is available for charitable download. "It has taken a full twelve months for the world to be ready for this track - I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed performing it" states Jarvis. All proceeds from the single will benifit Shelter (A non-profit homeless group).

In related news, sorta, The Klaxons will perform with Rihanna Thursday night at the Brit Awards.

U2 are still working on their forthcoming album, however, according to producer Daniel Lanois has speculated there is so much material that U2 could have two albums under their belt. "We're going to try and break new sonic ground and deliver a masterpiece," Lanois tells Billboard.com, "The sleeves are rolled up. Bono is all charged up with a lyrical angle." No date for the record has been set, but I cannot wait.

Almost Famous

The Most appropriate of all subject lines...The UK band the Editors have selected my blog and featured it on their website!!! I reviewed the band when they recently came to New York and out of all the New York fan blogs, websites, articles, reviews etc..they have featured mine exclusively on their website! Basically "With This I Think I'm Officially A Yuppie," beat out The Voice, Rolling Stone and whoever else reviewed and went to the show. Check out the article here http://www.editorsofficial.com/index.php/fanblogs/new_york_terminal_5/

Joseph Arthur Live On Letterman

One of my favorite Singer - Songwriters, Joseph Arthur performs "Into the Sun," on Letterman. "Into the Sun," was originally written by Michael Stipe and Chris Martin and was featured on a E.P. back in 2006 with Stipe and Martin singing and Coldplay backing. The E.P. can be found on Itunes and Arthur's latest Can We Survive? will be available in March.

Indy Watch

Indy Watch

Indianajones.com has announced that you can see the trailer for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Valentines Day between 8 and 9AM (EST) on Good Morning America!

REM Accelerate Cover

The Orginal College rockers REM have revealed the cover and tracklisting to their forthcoming effort Accelerate.

1. Living Well's the Best Revenge
2. Mansized Wreath
3. Supernatural Superserious
4. Hollow Man
5. Houston
6. Accelerate
7. Until the Day Is Done
8. Mr. Richards
9. Sing for the Submarine
10. Horse to Water
11. I'm Gonna DJ

Indy Watch

Big day in the world of "Docta Jones!" First we start off with some details about the much anticipated trailer. The trailer will debut in theaters and online next Friday. It will play right before The Spiderwick Chronicles, Variety stated that "Reason for the delay is that the film only recently wrapped, so much of the material that would go into a memorable trailer just wasn't ready until now." It is going to be fantastic.

Also in Indy news, Spielberg and Co. posted a new behind the scenes video of our favorite hero through the years. The video entitled "Indy's Hat and Jacket," is a look at the wardrobe made famous by Harrison Ford and how it has become synonymous with adventure. Check out the video at www.indianajones.com

Indie Rant

This has nothing to do with Indy 4, surprisingly, it is just something I need to get off my chest and figure out. Dictionary.com defines the word “indie” like so:

adjective
1. (of pop groups) not affiliated with a major recording company

With that in mind, can someone define what it means to be “indie” today. The music world seems to be tossing this term around the way Javier Bardem’s character in No Country For Old Men tosses bodies. It is just so common for bands of different backgrounds, non-radio friendly, artistic musicians are being called. Yet, with all of that said and the definition above, there are few bands who can rightfully call themselves “indie.” Take for instance my boys in Fire Flies, they have been kicking around the music scene for a few years now and are not looking to make a profit, but are looking to get their music out. Irish rockers The Frames have been around for over a decade, have six albums under their belt and have never gone to a major label because they do not want their art tampered with. Maybe with a major these bands can and would get more exposure, but for them DIY and staying with independent labels seems to work. Now take for instance the Arcade Fire, a band I love and admire, who are probably the biggest “indie” band in the world right now (with the exception of Radiohead, who just left EMI last fall).

Granted the music world is much different today than it has ever been. Much different I am sure from when The Wonders sighned to PlayTone records in That Thing You Do. Due to myspace and the fall of big record companies, getting music out there is not as difficult as it once was, getting attention is a diverse situation. Though as diverse as the situation is today for musicians, "indie," does not seem to classify much. Arcade Fire I am sure have had offers left and right from the majors, but refuse to join the band wagon. These bands are just some examples. In many cases it is the punk thing to do, but many bands today are not making and living by the old punk code of DIY. Nevertheless, these artistic bands are emerging and “alternative” is coming back in a huge way.

Now take for instance, Badly Drawn Boy, a singer songwriter from the U.K. who I also adore. His lyrics are passionate, his music full of life, and he is known as a “indie” artist. The catch---he is signed to EMI, one of the biggest labels of all time, a label that boasted The Beatles, Coldplay and the recently departed Radiohead. Another artist, Beck, cannot be considered "indie," at all in my opinon, people call him that, I don't know why. I respct the guy, love his music, but he has been with the major's since the begining. I am not saying that going to a major label is a bad thing either, in many ways it helps certain artists. After the Grey Album, DJ Danger Mouse was able to link up with Cee-Lo to form Gnarls Barkly and created one of the most brillant albums Atlantic Records has released in years. So in some cases, majors do work.

I just cant figure out how this term can be tossed around so loosley. Remember pop sensation Hanson? Well guess what kind of music they are making now, yep, you got it! “Indie.” I have herd what they are making now, it is country fused folk. It is almost as if any band coming out of Brooklyn or have decided to leave the mainstream world are considered to be this term. Although this term does not define the type of music they are making, but how they are selling it.

What you need to understand and what I am trying to figure out is, “indie,” is not a genre, it is a label choice and lifestyle to a certain respect. The term, what everyone is looking for is alternative. As dictionary.com defines this word:

adj.
1. Allowing or necessitating a choice between two or more things.
2.
a. Existing outside traditional or established institutions or systems: an alternative lifestyle.
b. Espousing or reflecting values that are different from those of the establishment
or mainstream: an alternative newspaper; alternative greeting cards.

If anyone could further my argument, pose one themselves or just shed more light to my mystery I would greatly appreciate it. Leave comments and enjoy. I hope this got you thinking.

Poster, Teaser Poster.

Hand's down one of the coolest movie posters I have ever seen, I needed to post it immediately. Unveiled today in London, the people behind the forthcoming 007 flick, Quantum of Solace, displayed this teaser poster. The film has Daniel Craig reprising his role as one of the greatest characters in film history, and the story is set to take place immediately at the end of Casino Royal. The film comes out in November, but with images like this I think after Indy 4 comes out I might have to start tracking this.
Click on image for High-Res

Rising Artist-Santogold

This is a brand new segment to the blog, where I will bring you artist who I consider to be the next big thing and I could not think of a better artist to kick start this off than Santogold!

Mixing dub-electro-rock-ambient and Lord knows what else, this Brooklyn Hipster is making waves after being hand selected by Bjork herself to open the last leg of her "Volta Tour." It was then when I was first introduced to Santi, she sounded what MIA wants to be, what Cindy Lauper wished she could have been and what the music world has been waiting for. She has it all, a sick live set, a great vibe and fantastic catchy songs that have you head bobbin and head banging.

Discovered by music prodigies Spank Rock, they teamed up to produce and deliver to the world Santogold. "Composed of absolutely no members, Santogold is also the first musical outfit capable of claiming the planet’s broiling collective consciousness as their front woman," states her myspace page. Before tackling a world tour with Bjork, Santogold had already been getting spun in clubs in Afghanistan, Beirut and South Africa. She is also the first act of the century to boast a post-war following on the International Space Station Mir. She can not only boast fan's like Bjork, Spank Rock and Benny Blanco, but also the King of Pop Michael Jackson. There is much more to discover from this fresh talent. Head on over to http://www.myspace.com/santogold and Itunes to discover more. I promise you will not be disapointed.

Movie of the Month-Delicatessen

The recent version of Sweeny Todd, done by Tim Burton and Johnny Depp maybe receiving high accolades as a great musical remake. But in 1991 French directors Jean-Pierre Jeunet and Marc Caro teamed up to do a surrealist, quirky, lovely spin on the classic English tale. Set in a post apocalyptic France, a deli owner happens to own the building where his Deli rests and is need of a new maintenance man since his predecessor "vanished" (for those familiar with Sweeny Todd, here is where the stories combine). A former circus clown applies for the job and of course falls in love with the deli owner (not to mention his new boss') daughter. Within this post apocalyptic society, food is so scarce it is used as currency. The people of town are always curious as to how the deli owner can stay in business, since no one can afford the proper ingredients to make a decent meal. Chaos and creation ensue in this laugh out loud black comedy done by these two French innovators. This is the first film from Amelie and Very Long Engagement director Jeunet and sets what is to come of this European visionary. For a first film, Jeunet, debut's his colorful and creative style. Using his mis-en-scene, to not just tell a story, but to paint a canvas. Delicatessen is a pure delight, and since this month is associated with Valentine's, netflix this with your significant other and I promise you will not be disappointed.

Underrated Classic - Blur "Parklife"

If you happen to be reading this in the U.K. you are probably saying to yourself, "what the fuck is this American talking about." Parklife, along with Oasis' Defiantly Maybe fueled the second wave of the British invasion in the mid 90's. However, Parklife maybe one of the definitive British albums of all time, yet here across the pond it only made a splash. Receiving the critical acclaim here in the U.S., it wasn’t until Blur's 1997 self titled effort and a little single called "Song 2," that made them household names. Parklife, 16 tracks of pure Brit-pop and rock, it takes aim at social issues, a disdain at the modern era and of course classic motifs of sex, drugs and rock and roll. It breached four singles in the U.K., but here Stateside the single "Boys and Girls," was played at every MTV Spring Break and 90's raves. Parklife drew many comparisons to other acts such as The Kinks, Pet Shop Boys and Duran Duran and solidified Blur as one of England's top acts. The impact Parklife had on music at the time helped fuel the tabloid driven feud between Oasis and Blur and having new bands take sides as to what band and sound they wanted to mimic. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery in the music world and the acts that Blur had inspired with this disc would prove it. Blur front man Damon Albarn even inspired himself with one of his later projects Gorillaz, and some of the new alt-wave bands of today such as The Editors, The Killers and Franz Ferdinand cannot argue that Parklife was not an inspiration. It maybe one of the greatest British achievements overlooked here in the U.S. I hope now we can go back over a decade later, pick this record up and start listening again...for the first time.

Quick News

Our Lady Peace front man Raine Maida is embarking on a solo venture this winter. He will be playing acoustic shows and performing solo songs as well as classic OLP tracks.

Oasis have left the U.K. for warmer pastures to finish their latest disc. According to the band's website, "Oasis have flown out to Los Angeles to finish recording their seventh studio album with Producer David Sardy. Once recordings are complete, they will stay in L.A. to mix the album." The record is due out sometime this year.

Tapes 'N Tapes has announced the release date to their sophomore record, Walk it Off. It is a follow up to 2006's critically acclaimed The Loon, the record hits stores April and the band has also released the cover work, and looks strikingly similar to their debut.

(Walk it off:TOP/ The Loon:BOTTOM)

Dropkick Murphy's Live on Letterman

Boston's finest Dropkick Murphy's performed on the Late Show with David Letterman a few weeks back. They had only aired the Murphy's playing "The State of Massachusetts," here is the internet only exclusive of "Shipping up to Boston," taped from the same performance.

Indy Watch

More and more photos of our Hatted Hero are begining to emerge. The latest is from MTV.com! It shows Indy in very familiar location (Hint: Think last scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark).

http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/02/01/exclusive-photo-indiana-jones-and-the-kingdom-of-the-crystal-skull/