A 25 year wait for an album deserves it's own blog entry I guess, so I here I am with my thoughts on the reunited Duran Duran's album ASTRONAUT. I don't have to get into my history of love for this band (that's what previous entries have been for), so I'll get right to it. ASTRONAUT is pretty damn good. It's not great, it's got a few classics on there, but honestly, with the hype and anticipation, I can't help but be compelled to say "it's not what I was hoping". However, one must ask: What exactly were we hoping for? Unlike my signficant other, my agent/lawyer/advisor, and diva bitch stoned manager, I am not an 80's fanatic, so I wasn't hoping for a re-creation of the old sound. So I've waited a few days to really get into the record, so let's put the hype aside (hehe) and get into it. The musicianship and production is supurb and I can't tell you how strong LeBon's vocals are. However, he's back to writing the lyrics (after letting Nick do them the last couple of pre-reunion years) and that sometimes works amazingly well (the excellent WHAT HAPPENS TOMORROW) and sometimes amazingly cheesy (the funky BEDROOM TOYS). I think I expected the more vague lyrics of the old days (I mean, come on, what the fuck is a UNION OF THE SNAKE?)
Anyhow, John Taylor sounds re-energized playing with Roger Taylor again, and the combination of those two allow the AMAZING Andy Taylor to shine like a mother on this album. Though he's always appeared to be your sort of "classic" rock guitarist, Andy's true gift is in that of knowing exactly what to play and when and doesn't dominate the music. I really forgot how awesome he is. His range of sounds and style defined Duran 2 decades ago and again here. The only member who didn't impress me for some reason was Nick Rhodes, as the synths and keyboard sounds on this record, though well played and well placed, sound standard. I've always been impressed by his loops and unique style, which seems to lack here. Perhaps after producing the bulk of the recent pre-reunion material (including the extremely underrated and excellent MEDAZZALAND) and bringing in outside producers, his role has lessened somewhat.
The first half of the album is the rockier portion and it's very well produced stuff. WANT YOU MORE is very reminicent of SEVEN AND THE RAGGED TIGER'S OF CRIME AND PASSION and this is a good thing. The opening song, the single SUNRISE, has really grown on me, especially the amazing bridge and there's a bunch of Chic inspired funky numbers, including the aforementioned BEDROOM TOYS and breezy TASTE THE SUMMER. The song NICE sounds like it could have fit on RIO.
However, if the Durans know anything, it's how to grab you by your heart strings and thats what the second half of the album is about. Sequentially, it reminds me of the also underrated album BIG THING, which contains a mostly slower, ballad filled second half. FINEST HOUR could be this album's ORDINARY WORLD if pushed right as a single. It's a solid synth driven anthem. Catchy as hell! ONE OF THESE DAYS is decent, and penultimate song, POINT OF NO RETURN is filler that sounds like a George Michael outtake. However, they finish big with STILL BREATHING, which to me is genuine classic that defines the reformed Duran. Great vocals, great catchy riff and a string section to die for. A great closer.
I'm being Frank with you in saying I didn't like the bulk of this stuff when I first heard it. I got on this blog a few times to moan and bitch, but I refrained as I felt I needed to really get into it. And as I get further into it, I find myself really appreciating it more and more. I also think I'll really love this album after seeing them do this stuff live. The album needed an epic or two in to make it perfect, but for a band that on paper shouldn't even be alive, this is great stuff. It's a welcome return and one I remain very excited about.
Speaking of being very excited, the OTHER best new band in England (besides the much loved Kasabian) is this weeks NME cover stars Razorlight. Led by the Lief Garrett lookalike Johnny Borrell, theyre a catchy, raw 4-piece that reminds me of later Velvets and early Lou Reed. Where's as the Strokes tried and failed to be early lo fi Velvets, Razorlight embrace the later post-John Cale polished Velvets and create something fresh. Like Lou Reed, Borrell is more a talker than a singer and a decent storyteller as well. Their album UP ALL NIGHT is well crafted pop that feels energetic and new without feeling like a total rip off of something I've heard before (like the much loved Kasabian). Borrell started out as a flat mate of the douche and the crackhead from the Libertines, but I have a feeling that by years end, those two douches will be eating Razorlight's dust.
The HK Cinema resurgence took a huge hit with me last night when I finally got to see TWINS EFFECT 2, starring many attractive young Asians. the first TWINS movie was great harmless fun and a decent movie to boot and the attempt to recreate that magic goes straight to hell by casting Jackie Chan's SON in his first movie role. He looks amazingly like his father and guess what, the big nose is where the similarities end. The kid is HORRIBLE. He can't act, he can't fight and now I totally understand why his father has been trashing him in the press! Brandon Lee this is not. Avoid this film, even JC's cameo fight vs. Donnie Yen is crap. Perhaps the years biggest disappointment. If JC's return to form in NEW POLICE STORY is this bad, we're in trouble.
Oh, I saw HUCKABEES, which was pretty clever and well done. Funny too. All the actors are very good and Naomi Hotts would have stolen the show if Marky Mark hadn't owned every scene he was in. He needs to choose more roles like this cause if he does, he could be a big ass star. The director, David O. Russell, gave us the so so FLIRTING WITH DISASTER and the excellent THREE KINGS (Marky Mark's OTHER great performance). While he is probably a big douche and George Clooney would raise his glass to me in agreement, the fucker can direct. Good stuff.
Wrestling tonight. Live. Thanks Ev!
F
3.10.04
29.9.04
Tidbits
*While certain band members eat their scallops, I find myself jumping back and forth between musical adventures. However, at the moment none of my musical endeavors are of the creative nature, BUT, I'm putting things in motion to ensure a very exciting musical 2005. For example, in the world of Hypefactor, Michael Doyle, the gifted artistic mastermind behind Chemlab's OXIDIZER artwork has come onboard as the designer for EXIT STRATEGIES. To say I am excited about this would is a MASSIVE understatement. We're in good hands! Besides introducing me to some cool new music, Michael continues to blow my mind with creative goodness at his website www.Burnlab.net. GO. NOW. Big public thanks for that.
*As you know, I'm a big fan of Hong Kong Cinema and while the industry there is not what it once was, there is still some greatness shining from the East. The FRIGHTENINGLY prolific Johnnie To, he of THE MISSION and FULLTIME KILLER fame, is back with this NINTH film in the past two years. It's called THROWDOWN and it's quite simply one of the most uplifiting and beautiful films to come out of Hong Kong EVER. Centered around the world of Judo (a near extinct Japanese Martial Art) in Hong Kong, a washed up Judo fighter (Louis Koo, who I don't think I had ever seen before) finds hope in the friendship of a young lounge singer (the adorable Cherrie Ying) and a drifter/judo upstart (played by pop star Aaron Kwok). Imagine a less spiritual, more realistic film based around the same human themes of his other excellent film RUNNING ON KARMA (reviewed sometime back on this blog) and you will find yourself with tears in your eyes as you watch these characters evolve as the movie progresses. The actors are supurb and if you're not in love with Cherrie Ying after her first scene, you don't have a pulse. My favourite HK film review site www.lovehkfilm.com has an excellent review of the film that pretty much sums up my thoughts on the film. You can read here: http://www.lovehkfilm.com/reviews/throwdown.htm
Johnnie To, without a doubt, is Hong Kong's best, most diverse director and just this year alone has delivered two excellent films with THROWDOWN and BREAKING NEWS. I really don't think there is any kind of movie this guy CAN'T direct. if you're an Akira Kurosawa fan, THROWDOWN will mean that much more to you. One of my favourite films of the year.
HK film has two potential classics on the way in my man JC's NEW POLICE STORY, which is getting awesome reviews for the action (and so so once for the drama) and KUNG FU HUSTLE which could make or break the legacy of Stephen Chow (based on the hilarious trailer alone, I'm leaning to the make part of that).
*U2 return with a new song, VERTIGO, which is kinda shocking to me. At first I didn't love it, but now I find myself going back to it quite a bit. It's a rockier u2 that seems somewhat referential to their much earlier stuff in terms of performance and arrangement. It's very simple and direct and everything a good pop single should be. I expected in a post 9/11 world that u2 would come back and be very heavy handed (and they still might with the full album) but to be in the business as long as they have and to come up with a rock song that sounds fresh is kinda impressive. Lyrically its as throwaway as their ZOOROPA era and musically it's as straight up as their ALL THAT YOU CAN'T LEAVE BEHIND era. Lesson learned kids, less is more IS the way. I believe U2 are quite possibly the most successful band in the history of rock n roll based on the fact that they still continue to pump out fresh and new music on a consistant basis that is both artistically and commercially successful. Despite a more impressive and experimental body of work, the Beatles never made it this far and no one cared about new Stones albums when they were this far into their career. U2 remain relevant, interesting, and in demand. Can this be argued? I mean, really, are you going to see REM in Atlantic City next month? Come on.
*A quick mention about Sanctuary Records new line of anthologies from former Creation Records artists. The most underrated band on the label, HURRICANE #1, have released their two CD anthology, called STEP INTO MY WORLD and it just goes to show you how the world missed out on a great band. The timing was wrong as they were lost in the shadow of Oasis' huge success but let me say I am not shocked that Hurricane's leader, the brilliant Andy Bell (who was also in the groundbreaking band Ride), is a member of Oasis these days. He is a super musician and songwriter and this anthology proves that. It's a great introduction to the band and the second disc is a real treat for the die hards. Excellent Britpop that tried to take the standard guitar rock sound of the time and change iit up a bit with cool production and remixes (the Oakenfold remix of their classic STEP INTO MY WORLD appears here). Great band, wrong time.
And now, back to the PS2 and STAR WARS BATTLEFRONTS!
F
*As you know, I'm a big fan of Hong Kong Cinema and while the industry there is not what it once was, there is still some greatness shining from the East. The FRIGHTENINGLY prolific Johnnie To, he of THE MISSION and FULLTIME KILLER fame, is back with this NINTH film in the past two years. It's called THROWDOWN and it's quite simply one of the most uplifiting and beautiful films to come out of Hong Kong EVER. Centered around the world of Judo (a near extinct Japanese Martial Art) in Hong Kong, a washed up Judo fighter (Louis Koo, who I don't think I had ever seen before) finds hope in the friendship of a young lounge singer (the adorable Cherrie Ying) and a drifter/judo upstart (played by pop star Aaron Kwok). Imagine a less spiritual, more realistic film based around the same human themes of his other excellent film RUNNING ON KARMA (reviewed sometime back on this blog) and you will find yourself with tears in your eyes as you watch these characters evolve as the movie progresses. The actors are supurb and if you're not in love with Cherrie Ying after her first scene, you don't have a pulse. My favourite HK film review site www.lovehkfilm.com has an excellent review of the film that pretty much sums up my thoughts on the film. You can read here: http://www.lovehkfilm.com/reviews/throwdown.htm
Johnnie To, without a doubt, is Hong Kong's best, most diverse director and just this year alone has delivered two excellent films with THROWDOWN and BREAKING NEWS. I really don't think there is any kind of movie this guy CAN'T direct. if you're an Akira Kurosawa fan, THROWDOWN will mean that much more to you. One of my favourite films of the year.
HK film has two potential classics on the way in my man JC's NEW POLICE STORY, which is getting awesome reviews for the action (and so so once for the drama) and KUNG FU HUSTLE which could make or break the legacy of Stephen Chow (based on the hilarious trailer alone, I'm leaning to the make part of that).
*U2 return with a new song, VERTIGO, which is kinda shocking to me. At first I didn't love it, but now I find myself going back to it quite a bit. It's a rockier u2 that seems somewhat referential to their much earlier stuff in terms of performance and arrangement. It's very simple and direct and everything a good pop single should be. I expected in a post 9/11 world that u2 would come back and be very heavy handed (and they still might with the full album) but to be in the business as long as they have and to come up with a rock song that sounds fresh is kinda impressive. Lyrically its as throwaway as their ZOOROPA era and musically it's as straight up as their ALL THAT YOU CAN'T LEAVE BEHIND era. Lesson learned kids, less is more IS the way. I believe U2 are quite possibly the most successful band in the history of rock n roll based on the fact that they still continue to pump out fresh and new music on a consistant basis that is both artistically and commercially successful. Despite a more impressive and experimental body of work, the Beatles never made it this far and no one cared about new Stones albums when they were this far into their career. U2 remain relevant, interesting, and in demand. Can this be argued? I mean, really, are you going to see REM in Atlantic City next month? Come on.
*A quick mention about Sanctuary Records new line of anthologies from former Creation Records artists. The most underrated band on the label, HURRICANE #1, have released their two CD anthology, called STEP INTO MY WORLD and it just goes to show you how the world missed out on a great band. The timing was wrong as they were lost in the shadow of Oasis' huge success but let me say I am not shocked that Hurricane's leader, the brilliant Andy Bell (who was also in the groundbreaking band Ride), is a member of Oasis these days. He is a super musician and songwriter and this anthology proves that. It's a great introduction to the band and the second disc is a real treat for the die hards. Excellent Britpop that tried to take the standard guitar rock sound of the time and change iit up a bit with cool production and remixes (the Oakenfold remix of their classic STEP INTO MY WORLD appears here). Great band, wrong time.
And now, back to the PS2 and STAR WARS BATTLEFRONTS!
F
28.9.04
And On The 8th Day, God Created DVR
The Force.net reports: "...in Autumn 2006 there will be a complete live action Star Wars TV series made by Lucasfilm".
And somewhere, Irene sighs. My mom sighs. Matt Gentile sighs. Peter Saintface sighs. And in a first grade classroom somewhere, Eric Richard Sica cheers as wildly as his "much taller" 6 year old cousin Frank Jeffrey DeSanto.
Hopefully said new show will not run up against re-runs of MY SO CALLED LIFE so Matt can watch as well. Maybe he'll come over like he used to.
F
And somewhere, Irene sighs. My mom sighs. Matt Gentile sighs. Peter Saintface sighs. And in a first grade classroom somewhere, Eric Richard Sica cheers as wildly as his "much taller" 6 year old cousin Frank Jeffrey DeSanto.
Hopefully said new show will not run up against re-runs of MY SO CALLED LIFE so Matt can watch as well. Maybe he'll come over like he used to.
F
27.9.04
my so called...emptiness
so sue me for being 10years late with this blog, but did anyone else feel ill with the way the last episode of MSCL ended?!
i only recently got into this show, and MAN did i get into it. but i seriously felt heartbroken and betrayed by the last scene. it just didn't seem right! you could see in angela's eyes that she wanted brian krakow, not that mope jordan catalano! my only assumption is that she gets in the car with jordan catalano only tell him to fuck off, then she runs back to a crying brian krakow, riding his bike in circles in the street. i mean, this is so cyrano de bergerac (think "roxanne" with steve martin).
did the folks at abc know this was the last episode at the time of filming? rickie vasquez officially comes out, rayanne graff (who is the biggest loser ever) admits to being the biggest loser ever, graham chase gets the restaurant (and reverts, almost, to his old ways)...and krakow comes clean with his feelings for angela. it seems they were so rushed to pack all of this good stuff in one episode. it just doesn't feel natural.
i went scoping only to find out two tihngs: 1) the dvd series has out-performed the NYSE in ROI - it sells for minimum of about $125-150 on ebay...amazon has it for 200$. the book, my so-called life goes on is $60, and while many people say it pales compared ot the series (understandably), most will concede that it helps with the mscl fix.
by now it's too late though...and there will be this little hole in my heart for ever...
i only recently got into this show, and MAN did i get into it. but i seriously felt heartbroken and betrayed by the last scene. it just didn't seem right! you could see in angela's eyes that she wanted brian krakow, not that mope jordan catalano! my only assumption is that she gets in the car with jordan catalano only tell him to fuck off, then she runs back to a crying brian krakow, riding his bike in circles in the street. i mean, this is so cyrano de bergerac (think "roxanne" with steve martin).
did the folks at abc know this was the last episode at the time of filming? rickie vasquez officially comes out, rayanne graff (who is the biggest loser ever) admits to being the biggest loser ever, graham chase gets the restaurant (and reverts, almost, to his old ways)...and krakow comes clean with his feelings for angela. it seems they were so rushed to pack all of this good stuff in one episode. it just doesn't feel natural.
i went scoping only to find out two tihngs: 1) the dvd series has out-performed the NYSE in ROI - it sells for minimum of about $125-150 on ebay...amazon has it for 200$. the book, my so-called life goes on is $60, and while many people say it pales compared ot the series (understandably), most will concede that it helps with the mscl fix.
by now it's too late though...and there will be this little hole in my heart for ever...
26.9.04
"Everyone is cool now, there's no distinction...it's an alcholoic themepark!"
Thanks to the efforts of Peter Saintface, last night marked official end of recording of EXIT STRATEGIES. To say I am relieved and excited would be an understatement. I arrived at the studio late because of a birthday dinner with my now 19 year old cousin (who is staying with Irene and I this weekend) and upon my arrival Brandt had already recorded Peter's verses for CLEAN UP. Talk about progress, and the vocals are massive! This was one of the smoothest recording sessions I have ever been a part of. Honestly, there's not much to report. He recorded, was dead on, gave us a ton to work with and then we took some photos and called it a day. Of course our usual post recording discussions ensued. Topics included Peter's run in with the Strokes the night before, movies (and his strong views on Star Wars), and life in New York City. Lots of laughs, especially when Peter gets worked up about things like song titles (he thinks his lyrics for CLEAN UP are better suited to the title EXIST and vice versa), Interpol, and his adventures on the lower east side (which the above quote comes from thanks to Peter).
Consider this my public thank you to Peter for really coming through for us and my formal request to him to sing at least half the next record....PLEASE! (he probably just changed his phone number).
In other news, E-mails and S-mails are being furiously exchanged around the world as my next band project gets off the ground. All will be revealed...eventually. It's not the aggression reunion in Boston or Commack for that matter. Also, I would like to publically apologize to Charles for not being able to make his party yesterday as the recording session and my houseguest cousin kept us from attending. No one wants to meet the mysterious Charles more than Peter Saintface, who has to keep hearing and hearing about his massive bassery nonstop. Been dying to say bassery...
F
Consider this my public thank you to Peter for really coming through for us and my formal request to him to sing at least half the next record....PLEASE! (he probably just changed his phone number).
In other news, E-mails and S-mails are being furiously exchanged around the world as my next band project gets off the ground. All will be revealed...eventually. It's not the aggression reunion in Boston or Commack for that matter. Also, I would like to publically apologize to Charles for not being able to make his party yesterday as the recording session and my houseguest cousin kept us from attending. No one wants to meet the mysterious Charles more than Peter Saintface, who has to keep hearing and hearing about his massive bassery nonstop. Been dying to say bassery...
F