I’m a huge Titans fan and hung my Sunday hopes on a warrior named Steve McNair. I found solace in a displaced team with no stadium that always had a chance with this man. Likewise, Thriller was my first album, and I emulated MJ often in my very young life. I want to thank these men for what they gave. We shared a dream, now scattered, but never totally lost.
“Summer lovin’ happened so fast.” I really hope you are having a CRAZY summer. Feel free to leave stories below. But in the meantime, I’ve managed to focus long enough to bring the best of the best music downloads. Really, I trashed hundreds and hundreds of files to get to this batch. I feel like I’m broadcasting into space, but you are there.
1a. Memory Tapes – Bicycle
Memory Cassette + Weird Tapes = Memory Tapes. Weird Tapes has cracked #1 here before and Memory Cassette lands both top spaces this time. Downtempo pop brilliance.
1b. Memory Cassette – Last One Awake (Friend version)
Two words: steel drums. Lovely beach music.
2. Free Energy – Dream City
An indestructible and charming rock tune.
3. The Bloody Beetroots feat. Steve Aoki – Warp (Virgin Cavalier mix)
Here beggineth the bangers. If you don’t want to lose your mind on the dancefloor then skip to #7.
4. Zombie Nation – Shottieville (Proxy Remix)
Banger #2.
5. Armand Van Helden and Dizze Rascal – Bonkers (Doorly remix)
Banger #3
6. Felix Cartal – Skeleton (John Roman mix)
Banger #4.
7. Ace Hood – Loco Wit’ the Cake
The funnest rap song of the summer.
8. Chalie Boy – I Look Good
ATX Represent! Austin rapper will have you singing this in public while people think how arrogant you are.
9. Beastie Boys vs. Primal Scream – Check it Out vs. Loaded
Great mash-up that would turn heads as an opener.
10. Zoot Woman – Saturation
The album is apparently so close and this is just hot and sexy.
11. DJ Loveboat feat. Fab Marq – Oh the Bass!
Hot and sexy #2.
12. Simian Mobile Disco – Off the Map feat. Jamie Lidell
Jamie helps SMD craft their best tune yet.
13. Telepathe – Chrome’s On It (Gold Panda version)
Gold Panda have made this song new again and it’s irresistable.
14. Fever Ray – Triangle Walks (Rex the Dog Radio Edit)
Radio and club friendly version that screams 80’s out of every orifice.
15. Milke – Maybe I’m Crazy (Joe and Will Ask Remix)
Infectious and melodic progressive house.
I’m not crazy over the NASA album with its slew of guest vocalists, but this is one of the better tracks served with an outrageously inventive video. Skip to the end if it gets repetitive.
Che (Part 1 and 2) –
Both parts of this total to nearly five hours of educational entertainment. The juxtaposition of the two films is interesting. The revolution works like a dream in the beautiful climes of Cuba, and likewise, part one is a dream of movie. What works in Cuba is a nightmare in the harsh landscape of Bolivia. Part two often feels unnecessarily slow, documentary-like, and plodding, but maybe that’s the point. Anyway, Benecio del Toro is great and delivers his best performance yet. I would say skip part two, but then your ideas of revolution would be skewed. And have fun spotting the Matt Damon cameo. Rating: Part 1 – 9/10; Part 2 – 6.5/10
Dog Eat Dog (Perro Come Perro) -
I’m tempted to call this the Mexican ‘Reservoir Dogs’ even though it is its own animal. It favors gritty realism over Tarantino’s cheeky flair and sense of humor. The new faces all handle their roles perfectly. This is a pressure-cooker that has absolutely no mercy. Rating: 8/10
New video energizes this Crystal Castles remix introduced earlier in the year. I’m putting it back in the playlist.
I sang this in a karaoke bar the other night. Goes to show everyday the earth revolves anew you have a chance. The official great 2009 video to a great song of 2008:
This might be a perfect video for this super track. Wow. Eee.
1. Dante 01 – See review below. Rating: 8.5/10
2. Wendy and Lucy – A human drama that tells a focused story with heart and realism. Michele Williams is great. Rating: 8/10
3. Outlander – One helluva entertaining sci-fi/dragon/Viking pic that makes you wonder how the Weinsteins dropped the ball on making $$ on it in the theaters. Even Ron Perlman has a sick role. Rating: 8/10
4. What Doesn’t Kill You - Wonderful Boston crime drama with great performances by Mark Ruffalo and Ethan Hawke. Based on a true story. Rating: 7.5
5. Just Another Love Story – Superb Danish psychological thriller with unpredictable twists and style to burn. Rating: 7.5
6. Detective Story - A solid Takashi Miike detective horror comedy that just misses being essential. There’s some laugh-out loud moments (happy showers!), sadistic killings, and wonderfully expressive and goofy actors. Miike mostly plays it straight, and the shock factor is nowhere near Ichi, Gozu, or Visitor Q. The movie fizzles out at the end, perhaps due to Miike’s prolific schedule. My advice for him: less movies, more quality! Rating: 7/10
—— OK
7. My Bloody Valentine – The only reason to watch this is for the 3-D effects (and some other eye-candy). So you’ll need to go find some glasses at a rental store. It’s a mediocre film otherwise. Make sure you watch it at night on a somewhat big screen to maximize the 3-D experience. It’s the same old 3-D, but it makes for an original and fun evening until your migraine sets in. Rating: 6.5
8. Eden Log - A frustratingly enigmatic industrial sci-fi film with a low budget, minimal dialogue, and not much light. It basically has a similar message as Dante 01 but with an environmental twist. Martyrs composers Seppuku Paradigm return to give this movie an eerie vibe. You’ll be confused until the final ten minutes and most will probably still be confused by the time the credits roll. Rating: 6/10
———WORST
9. Powder Blue - Noteworthy for Jessica Biel and her bare-it-all performance (hot wax has never looked so appealing). But really, when you have a recent Best Actor winner alongside a noteworthy cast, and it goes straight to DVD; that’s a bad sign. Every character in this movie is either: a.) dying b.) wanting to die c.) already dead or d.) a mortician. So it’s basically the feel-bad movie of the year. And Patrick Swayze and Lisa Kudrow seal the insta-depression deal. Rating: Ooohh, Blah
10. S. Darko – This sequel to Donnie Darko looks and sounds great, but is as hollow and insignificant as a fortune cookie. It goes back in time to go forward to go nowhere. I think S stands for sorry. Rating: Blecch
(Video to the #1 song on the chart. The last 30 seconds are kinda frightening for such an elegiac song.) Indie-rock rules this time around. There should be a little for everybody’s taste so check out the descriptions and enjoy that suntan.
Bliss. The indie song that captures your future gorgeous day. Can’t wait to hear this sophomore album.
This sounds like a great, lost easy-rock song from the 70’s with a singer alot like Thom Yorke. The band is actually from Denton, TX.
Passion Pit’s best song yet. It proves this band has too much depth to be a one-hit wonder.
Sorta like a cross between Sonic Youth and Mazzy Star. The xx have exploded upon the blog scene.
5. Alex Metric – Head Straight (Radio edit)
A scintillating electro-pop song that would have gotten US radio play in the 80s.
Ditto for this electro-pop gem. The lyrics aren’t as good as Metric’s, but I like the music better.
Crookers hijacks some Russian-polka? festivities into 2009 dancefloor/carseat entertainment.
8. Don Diablo & Example – Hooligans (Spor remix)
Spor absolutely chews you up and spits you out in this drum n’ bass banger. Mosh-dancing ensues.
9. Airys – Vedo in Te (TiTAN un figo Remix)
TiTAN gives an incredible disco with sax rubdown to Italian electro-poppers the Airys. John Travolta would be proud.
10. Kolombo – LOL (Kolombo Remix)
I’d bet alot of $$$ that this is already blowing up Ibiza as I write this. It ingeneously uses laughter as a type of melody and the breakdowns are truly a hoot.
Siriusmo continues to stay in the laserlight with this unconventional and spacy electro with a kid doing vocals.
12. Wolf Gang – Lions in Cages
Great arty indie-pop for fans of Passion Pit or My Arcade Fire. Love the bells.
13. Classixx – I’ll Get You feat. Jeppe (Royal Rumble Edit)
Glossy electro for Vegas pool parties, but it works everywhere else too.
14. Heartbreak – We’re Back (Vitalic mix)
Vitalic brings his Eastern Europe techno stylings to these male swooners. File under electro-kraut wave.
15. Neon Indian – Deadbeat Summer
A perfect title for this detuned electro-pop song for that goofy ride to the beach.
16. Peaches – Mommy Complex (Barletta and Ernold Sane Remix)
Super-hot electro-beats that you can practice your breakdancing too.
17. The Kickdrums – When I Come Down
Sounds like a great lost song by Beck. Actually this band is from Ohio and have produced for the likes of 50 Cent and Chamillionaire.
This may not sound like much on your computer speakers, but on some big speakers this will make some dub-steppers go crazy.
19. Miike Snow – Animal (Punks Jump Up Mix)
Everything Punks Jump Up remix turns to gold, and this certainly is the best mix of this indie-electro song.
A good b-more beat that will make you want to go to Bounce Camp. Fans of ‘Day N’ Nite’ take heed.
Entertaining action film with wicked, state-of-the-art CGI and cinematography (yes–thank the Director of Photography who was the victim of Bale’s method acting.) And yes, it’s flawed if you really want to overanalyze it. The trailers essentially gave away the structure of the plot. There’s shoddy moments in the acting and script, including some ill-placed references to famous lines of the other films. Bale plays his grumpiest role yet (maybe the thought of another grueling action series wasn’t savory), but his performance is different enough from his Batman role to warrant my admiration. Critics have complained that the movie is too serious and not fun, but what do you expect in an apocalypse with people being hunted by horrific machines? Witty gabs by Scotty have no place here. Alas, the future we got a glimpse of 20+ years ago is here, so strap the seatbelt on and expect some skull crushing.
Rating: 8/10
And here’s the track for download: HERE. (Thanks Mashuptown)
Well, boyz and girlz–I’m back in business after replacing a motherboard and case (next time I’m buying Vaio!!). I’ve got Best of the Blogs and Best DVDs of the month coming, and might even take a stab at Terminator after tonight. In the meantime enjoy this free remix album of none other than Daft Punk. Danger Danger has the scoop–and a fine job they’ve done: GO HERE
Not that kind of crash… I must have really pissed the computer gods off, because not only did my brand new, just-expired-warranty desktop bite it, but my laptop is officially kaput. So I broke into a neighbor’s house to use their computer. Posts should resume soon, but wait, I think I heard a garage opening–.
Didn’t think they were showing this in the States so your welcome Coke. Send me a check, please. Just wished Matmos would have also scored this commercial. Anbody see the film Critters?
Hot magma to get a party going. Santigold and Mr. Lexx are on vocals. LehtMoJoe’s remix splices Toto’s classic song to awesome effect. Major Lazer is like a real Jamaican commando or something. Look it up. But DL this first: here
I’m a sucker for symbolism and/or allegory, especially in the science fiction and horror genres. I honestly haven’t been this floored by a film since Martyrs (the French strike again!!). This is theosophical science-fiction that William Burroughs might have enjoyed. There’s heavy allusions to Dante’s Inferno, but I think the important allegory here is the myth of St. Georges and the Dragon. DON’T wiki that just yet. Absorb the movie and then start piecing together the pieces. Then let’s talk about that final shot…
Rating: 8.5/10
Forget it, don’t watch the trailer. Go in knowing zilch.
1. Bat For Lashes – Daniel
If you don’t know know ya know: Bat For Lashes are this year’s Feist and Lykke Li. Singer Natasha Khan’s voice is more Sarah McLachlan with shades of Bjork though, and that’s part of the reason for all the fuss. The album Two Suns has universal appeal.
2. Desire – Under Your Spell / Mirror Mirror
These are demos apparently, and you can tell with some big production sheen these could be classic.
3. Little Boots – New in Town (The Golden Filter mix)
Best Little Boots remix ever? Conjures up emotions of that 80’s electronic sky, yeah…
4. Franz Ferdinand – No You Girls (a.Rogue Element rmx) + (b. Dances with White Girls rmx)
Combine these two for the ultimate ‘No You Girls’ remix experience!
5. Snoop Dogg – Pump Pump (Aniki edit)
Gangsta rap makes me wanna shoop and I like this Snoop track more than ever.
6. Dre Skull – Gone Too Far (Baraka Som Sistema Remix)
Philip Glass style chords give way too som dizzy electro beats with ragga vocal stylings by Sizzla.
7. TI – Whatever You Like (Discotech rmx)
Download everything by Discotech if you DJ and your crowds will thank you.
This is the track with the video below that goes from about 65 bpm to 195 bpm in the span of 5 minutes. Tim Exile’s new album is stunningly creative.
9. the Amplid – Geography (Xenobi remix)
Hi-nrg disco roller. Wooo!
10. Cellophane – Music Colors (pt. 3)
Real italo-disco from 1984. You could throw this in a mix and people would think you’re a DJ pirate with a wealth of booty.
11. Dusty Kid – Lynchesque
Ok, so I’m partial to all things Lynch, but I had this blaring at a drive-thru the other day, and the lady looked at me like I crawled out of a meteor.
12. Don Diablo – Too Cool for School (Trevor Loveys vs. In Flagranti Rmx)
B-more beats that brings fun back to the dancefloor.
13. Foreigner – Urgent (Myrone Aiden rmx)
If you’re looking for a slightly more danceable version of this essential tune then here ya go.
14. U2 – Sexy Boots (Justice remix)
Justice meets U2 and the results are predictably simmering.
15. The Glimmers – Galactic Prism
This is a glue track in the mix does exactly what its awesome title suggests.
Christian horror? Is it possible?
The end of this movie does have a Christian message if you follow the symbolism/allusions to Christ and Satan, and the battleground that is The House, which is exactly as stated: a place for weary souls. The film starts very strong and gets major brownie points for inducing the southern gothic. The actors are great, and you gotta love Michael Madsen and Bill Moseley in their small roles. Eventually developments in The House start to become too slap-dash and repetitive. And the main climax is an overdose of fairy-dust. Yet the final resolution becomes emotional given all the symbolism going on.
Rating: 7/10
Catch the trailer.
How am I not going to post this collaboration? Sounds like Moby may be back the right track with his forthcoming album.. Best of the Blogs music chart and a review of the Christian horror film House will appear Sunday.
My top picks. What did I miss?
1. Synecdoche, New York - This movie is either the most pretentious or most brilliant thing I’ve seen in a long time. So either way it gets the top spot for starting that conversation. Rating: 8/10
2. Tokyo Zombie – Ridiculously goofy Japanese zombie movie about some guys who put their jinjitsu moves on some zombies. I might have chortled, whatever that means. Rating: 8/10
3. The Changeling – Clint Eastwood just doesn’t make bad movies. Rating: 8/10
4. Elegy - Sir Ben Kingsley and Penelope Cruz put on acting fireworks in this. Makes me wonder if Academy voters saw this before voting for HER HOTNESS. However, if you read or are planning to read Philip Roth’s novel (The Dying Animal), then I hear this pales in comparison. Rating: 7.5/10
5. Brigham City – A low-budget Mormon murder-mystery that really captures the small-town dynamic, and can certainly compete with the big boys. Rating: 7/10
6. Cthulthu – See below. Rating: 7/10
7. Vinyan – A couple lose their son in the Tsunami, and they continue to become more lost as they search the third-world heart of darkness. The last shot is outrageously beguiling. Rating: 7/10
8. Happy-Go-Lucky – I’m not crazy about the whole movie, but the scenes with Sally Hawkins and her driving instructor, Eddie Marsan, are some of the funniest and most heartbreaking of the year. I really want to watch just those scenes again. Watch out for Eddie Marsan. He’ll be in Sherlock Holmes, and is on the rise. Rating: 7/10
Tiga’s new single-. The acting in this cracks me up. Not sure where I’d play this track though, hmmm…
The best Lovecraftian (more inspired by, then an adaptation of) movie yet; albeit a creepy, well-shot, but artsy, and low-budget, so no-monsters film. I really wanted to like this movie more and the set-up is fantastic, but there is really no pay-off, except for some stylistic and frenetic scene jumps and ‘discoveries’. Tori Spelling has a small role and is quite good playing the sultry, evil vixen. Then there are these incredible, mind-blowing shots, one with a swimming polar bear, and the other with some sort of dimension portal (I think). Overall, I found the material to be a worthy diversion, but it helps if you are familiar with HP Lovecraft and the Cthulhu story-line.
Rating: 7/10
Put a twang in it! SNL has nothing on Petey Greene. I surely must now watch Talk to Me, the movie about Petey Greene starring Don Cheadle. (Thx Adam-)
“The triumphant return of Wolfmother has arrived – in the shape of a rollicking behemoth of timeless rock n roll, Back Round.Available for all and sundry for download now from wolfmother.com, Back Round is the first tangible snapshot into the cosmos of Wolfmother’s second album.
A liberating avalanche of skull-crushing drums and primal riffing, Back Round represents a joyous evolution for the Australian band following on from their 2006 self-titled debut.
In lieu of cash payment for the new track, Wolfmother are encouraging fans to put their money in a righteous place and donate to the Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal at redcross.org.au.”
NIN, Janes Addiction, and Street Sweeper have cooked up a free EP of brand new songs available on the NINJA tour website (here). Just in case you weren’t aware Street Sweeper is the new project of Tom Morello and Boots Riley, so things might get a little funky and political. The new songs by NIN + JA sound great on first listen and actually make me want to get tickets. And Street Sweeper’s two songs on the EP might take the cake from the old-timers, I mean arena melters.
Pendulum needs some American love. They’e big in the UK and Australia, with a Gold album and massively sold-out shows/tours. But on these shores… Check out this video of ‘Showdown’, which would sound great in the new Crank movie. Don’t miss the section @ the 2:00 minute mark.
1. Phoenix – 1901
The new Phoenix album looks to be a cracker, and this debut single is the Ritz.
2. Angil + The Hidden Tracks – Trying to Fit
Post modern rock from France that is very unique, but the singer sorta sounds like Spoon.
3. Wildbirds & Peacedrums – There is no Light
Sounds like your lost in the African jungle with a bluesy chanteuse to light the way. DJs take notice.
4. Moderat- A New Error
Modeselektor + Apparat = Moderat . More please.
5. Night Drugs! feat Shining Symbol – Volante
The best pure, shimmering disco track I’ve heard in some time.
6. Steed Lord – You (Owl Vision’s Dark Gothic Remix)
A soul diva lights it up over some some sick techno beats.
7. Radiohead – Everything in Its Right Place (Gigamesh Remix)
Finally someone has made a tasteful way for a DJ to rock this influential track at a party. Check out Gigamesh’s remix of Animal Collective’s My Girls.
8. Thunderheist – Suenos Dulces
Spanish tinged rapping over a some heavily sampled ‘Sweet Dreams’ by the Eurthymics.
9. Digitalism – Taken Away (Fredrick Carlsson remix)
I was through with the 100 or so remixes of this song, until Mr. Carlsson arrived.
10. Huoratron – Dollar Troopers (Distraktt Remix)
Banger #1.
11. Malente – Manrox (St. Pauli RMX)
Banger #2.
12. J-88 – The Look of Love (Treasure Fingers Remix)
The hip-hop portion of this program.
13. Mr. Miyagi – We Gonna Give You the Lesson
Yes, you have. Delirious dancing ensues.
14. Franz Ferdinand – No You Girls (Noze Remix)
Jazzy bubbling mix from Frenchies.
15. Fever Ray – When I Grow Up (Version by Lissvik)
And I’m out of time…
This is one wild track that starts off downtempo, goes into 4/4 house, slides into breaks, and finally unwraps into full-blown drum n’ bass. It’s an apt title, as this is the song I imagine the family chanting as they navigate the cosmos.
Seven Pounds – Despite being pretentious, cheesy, very slow (I read three chapters during parts), and having a predictable, coming-from-a-mile-away “surprise!” ending; the execution of the final exquisite 30 minutes is lights-out and heartwrenching. Will Smith is great as usual, and Rosario Dawson shows what she’s made of towards the end of the film. I went from hating this struggling film to somehow getting knocked out in the final round. This is certainly a movie that will generate a wide spectrum of opinion, praise, and criticism. Rating: 6/10
Ironweed (released Feb. 24 on DVD) – Jack Nicholson in his prime as a drunk bum talking to dead people ala The Shining? Meryl Streep in a tour-de-force supporting role? Does it matter this film drones, mumbles, and stumbles along in places? Unfeasibly, this release comes only in full-screen, but it still looks very good considering. Nicholson’s performance seems heavily inspired by German actor Gunter Lamprecht’s turn as Franz Biberkopf in Fassbinder’s Berlin Alexanderplatz. The director Hector Babenco (Kiss of the Spider Woman) was a strange choice for this project, but Nicholson and Streep are the must-see show here. Rating: 8/10
The Midnight Meat Train - This is a frustrating example where you have a great story by Clive Barker and you have a screenwriter/studio who have completely missed the point by straying from the story. Why add an hour of fluff and diminish certain elements that made Barker’s story work? This studio needs to watch [REC] and realize a shorter movie without a formulaic Hollywood script can work. HP Lovecraft fans hoping to see ‘a glimpse’ will be sorely disappointed by the ending. That being said, director Kitamura does add some nice visual flourishes, and the hammer is a very effective addition. The slo-mo ‘eyes-popping’ scene (Warning: unrated and disturbing) is already classic. But all the missed opportunities I wonder at. Clive Barker talked about a trilogy for this, and maybe it will eventually get there. Rating: 5/10
I don’t think I can listen to the original version again after this, even if the video was especially clever. Thin White Duke is otherwise known as Jacques Le Cont, Paper Faces, producer of Zoot Woman, and Madonna re-inventor. Enjjjoy, and I’ll update as soon as a clean version is available.
This is one ghost film you don’t want to miss, and I’ll be very surprised if it isn’t the best of its kind (including the much advertised A Haunting in Conneticut) to be released this year. After floating around in limbo 
for some time it will have a Sci-Fi channel premiere on April 26th, but wait for the DVD to see the too scary for TV scenes. And make no mistake, you need to see this movie uncut, because it is unrelenting.
Famke Janssen stars and has been making nice career moves lately (Taken, The Wackness), and it’s not just her looks; this babe has some acting chops. The fact this movie all takes place in essentially one location gives even further credit to director Eric Red. In what seems like a tired genre lately, he turns into a how-to manual. This shouldn’t be a surprise really when you consider he wrote Near Dark and directed a pretty good werewolf movie in Bad Moon. If the movie resembles anything it is The Entity, and that is a compliment. And watch this movie at night; the tension really simmers and builds into a genuine explosive pay-off. Critics have honed in on the last five minutes, but that is really being picky if you ask me. Rating: 8.5/10
1. The Juan MacLean – The Future Will Come
This is a fine disco-punk/dance-origins record, certainly rivaling LCD Soundsystem’s self-titled debut. Nancy Whang really establishes herself as a unique vocalist, and his male vocals are very reminiscent of early Human League. Expect this on many end-of-the-year lists. DL some tracks here. And buy.
2. Sei A – Editing Shadows
Best techno record of the year so far. Outrageous sound design and unique architecture. In what you’ll recognize is a pattern with the albums here, Glasgow producer Andrew Graham layers superb vocals as the icing on the cake. Listen over at Beatport.
3. Christian Fischer – Bryzant Games
This was actually a very close call to the above album, and it is somewhat connected by existing in roughly the same genre of techno/house. Another example of some great vocals taking the music over the top. You keep expecting a dropoff, but 16 songs into the album and your still dancing in place. Listen over at Beatport here.
4. Mistabishi – Drop
After a few years of stunning singles, the Bishi of drum n’ bass drops a worthy longplayer. Whether its printer machine mayhem (”Printer Jam”—DL), rockers with twisted lyrics (”Damage”), or uplifting anthems (”From Memory”), there’s enough here to entertain you for some time. Beatport listen.
5. Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Two
Miss Kittin just hasn’t been the same without her main music man The Hacker. Their first album was an electroclash classic, and this is certainly the best work they’ve done since. Neonized has standout “Party in My Head” for listen and DL.
6. Beirut – March of the Zapotec/ Realpeople Holland EPs
March of the Zapotec was recorded with The Jimenez band, a 17 piece outfit from a small town in Mexico, and is organic bliss. Couple this with the synth-bedroom-pop of Realpeople Holland and you realize Zach Condon not only can croon with the best of them, but is just damn brilliant. Amazon listen.
Don’t know much about this group other then they’re signed to 4AD and an album is looming. Their first single was pretty good too. This fresh brand of rock electronique could propel them to the big-time.
Guns N’ Bombs are primed to create some noize coming out of LA, and you can download and bang their first single under Kitsune from here. Their DJ sets are crazee rambunctiousness. Heartsrevolution sound alot like Crystal Castles to me, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Get your electro-punk on and DL ‘Switchblade’ here. Beni and Classixx are sure to play some hot tunes as well, perhaps even their collaboration that made February’s chart at #9 below. Maybe I should crank my go-go-gadget gears and come out after all. RSVP here.
The Super Bowl for celluloid magic, art, and fashion has arrived. I’ve finally caught all the Best Picture nominees and here are my thoughts and rankings:
1st place: Milk
This probably would have been my Best Picture of 2008, despite the fact I don’t personally enjoy watching men getting all smoochy on one another. Sean Penn is electrifying here and I’m really happy that the Oscars got it right. James Franco, Emile Hirsch, and Josh Brolin are also great in support. Danny Elfman’s score is superb, and Gus Van Sant has given us what is perhaps his best work. Rating: 9+/10
2nd Place: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
I don’t get the negative backlash this film is getting about the ‘depth’ of the movie; that beyond the pretty technical achievements there isn’t much there. Well, I looked deeply into this movie past its beautiful production values and camerawork and found much to love. Yes, the film is lyrical and universal (the opposite of a verite approach like The Wrestler or those that usually win at Cannes). Yes, it is nearly three hours long, but there isn’t a second wasted. Rating: 9/10
3rd Place: The Wrestler
I know this wasn’t nominated for Best Picture, but it should have been. Mickey Rourke is a maelstrom of flesh and steroids and deserved all the acting awards prior to the Oscars. Rating: 8.5/10
4th Place: Slumdog Millionaire
I love the first hour of this movie, but don’t understand the hype and awards that are being heaped on it. It is very original and the music is fantastic, but I think it’s coasting on its popularity of being a foreign and cultural rags-to-riches story; one that uses Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? as a plot device nevertheless. And what does it say that there are no acting awards coming from this movie? Anyone else out there agree? (Echoing. The wind sweeps through the plains.) Rating: 7/10
5th Place – Frost/Nixon
While this material feels like it has been covered before, the interview as a chess/boxing match is somewhat unique. Perhaps I’m too young to truly connect to this event, and I enjoyed Oliver Stone’s W. more. Frank Langella as Nixon is reason enough to recommend this. Rating: 7/10
6th Place: The Reader
Another film that feels like we’ve ‘been-there-done-that’ and is remarkably slow and long getting there. Kate Winslet truly bares all in this movie, and you wonder if her performance in Revloutionary Road separated her from the rest of the nominees. This was a technical/acting achievement that otherwise really did nothing else for me. Rating: 6.5/10
100 days, 100 dances, 100 great songs: Ely Kim, you’ve got some moves and your 10 minutes of fame. (The tracklist will be in the comments.)
Dudes and dudettes I hope you enjoy, because this was the hardest fifteen I’ve ever had to refine. There was SO MANY good tunes this month that it was just dirty. Ambient and downtempo music scored big this month. As did electro-pop and the return of some old ‘Boys’. But here you are, all after the jump:
1. Friendly Fires – Skeleton Boy (Paul Epworth version)
This electro-pop sing-a-long just might have delivered the Fires to America. Epworth has done a lights-out job.
Ambient instrumental that couldn’t possibly be more lush or haunting. Also check out Chimeras for added melancholy.
3. The Whitest Boy Alive – Golden Cage (Fred Falke mix)
This isn’t brand-new, but I’ll be bamboozled if it doesn’t make a perfect little electro-pop dance number.
The Boys are back! Really, this might be their best tune since the 80’s.
5. Little Boots – Meddle (AC Slater & DJ Skeet remix w/ Goldie Locks)
My lady loved this and could not stop dancing. Except on the Little Boots vocal part she would always strangely stop.
6. MIA – ___ (Death to the Throne mix)
I think this is a combination of MIA accapellas mixed into one song, but DTTT throws the gauntlet down.
7. Mexican Institute of Sound – Jaja Pipi / Diego Bernal – Bring it on Home
Two Mexican downtempo jams we can thank blog Winnie Cooper for.
My personal favorite–of combining hardcore metal and electro–is truly a love or hate it affair.
9. Beni – My Love Sees You (Classixx Remix)
More 80’s inspired electro-pop dance jams.
10. The Long Blondes – Nostalgia (Glass Candy Remix)
Glass Candy finally gives this fantastic song the room it needs to breathe and develop. And in a mix this could kill-.
Psy-electro or goa-electro anyone? Surround sound lasers in a symphonic trance.
12. Peter Rehberg – Boxes and Angels
#97 on MLD’s Best of 2008. Ambient greatness that is better late than never.
13. Elke – Blue Dream Lover (Broke One remix)
Another electro-pop dance track that is so pristine, you wonder if a factory is spitting out this stuff.
14. Buraka Som Sistema – Kalemba (Wegue Wegue)– Hot Chip remix
Hot Chip can get wiggy Afrikan style. This is a slow-burner so let it build.
Atari, 8-bit melodies converge to create a backwards troll dance.
Honorable Mentions:)
Jesse Rose – Touch my Horn (Mad Kids Remix)
