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Artifice

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Posts posted by Artifice

    Now Playing: April, 2011

    in Someone Else's Song

    Posted

    5144wm9NJCL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

     

    I think I have now heard or seen most of the material for the upcoming Cults album.

     

    Based on what I've seen/heard, if this record doesn't end up on the top of many year end best of lists, I will be shocked. It's going to have a very broad appeal. Can't wait for the release date.

    Game of Thrones

    in Tongue-Tied Lightning

    Posted

    There are some very strong female characters, so yes that will change. I'd be giving away some major plot points if I said any more.

     

    I'm enjoying the freshening of the material since it's been so long since I read the books. Surprised at the number of plot points I had forgotten.

     

    I had read online reviews from prescreenings of the entire series, that the 2nd episode was the worst of the season, and I can see why. The direction was very amateurish - it too methodically worked through the chain of events without letting the characters breathe or build tension. The best scene was probably the accusation scene at the end, and that was more of a credit to the material and Sean Bean than the lackluster direction. It was a chance to build the younger characters, but instead it felt more like "this has to happen now, so lets film it and move on"...

     

    That said, the other director took over for the next 3 episodes, and they're supposed to be one of the strongest runs of the season. Am very much looking forward to the next 3 weeks.

     

    And let me just say this now - kudos to HBO for taking this on. This is hard to film and do well, and whatever faults the series has, I'm happy that they attempted to do it right. Never thought I'd ever see anything like this on cable TV unless it was a hacked up, sterilized weekend showing of a former blockbuster movie. If they iron out the wrinkles and really dedicate to the production, next season's (yes it's been picked up already) A Clash of Kings material is gonna be crazy. Can't wait.

    Now Playing: April, 2011

    in Someone Else's Song

    Posted

    I'm not surprised at all: it's seems John's voice pretty much makes or breaks one's enjoyment of his music. I've found that more people dislike his voice rather than like it...Like when I'm pretty sure that TMG are right up someone's alley and suggest it to them, they're turned off. They seem to be the ultimate discerning taste band...

     

    Absolutely. His voice grates my nerves so badly.... But when pitchfork linked video of Craig Finn singing on This Year, live, even low quality, it was great.

     

    Here it is, in case you haven't seen it:

     

    Now Watching

    in Tongue-Tied Lightning

    Posted

    220px-Fair_Game_Poster.jpg

     

    Not without its flaws, but still a moving reminder of the politics of fear and the abuses of a too powerful executive govt.

     

    I wish it had spent some more time discussing the consequences on a broader scale, but I understand the script was based on Wilson's and Plame's books so that's to be expected.

     

    Also, I can't tell if it was just another case of Penn over acting, or if Wilson is that smugly self righteous in real life, but thank goodnesss for Naomi Watts - she carries the film.

    Now Playing: March, 2011

    in Someone Else's Song

    Posted

    now:

    a Material Issue compilation

    -Valerie Loves Me

    -Very First Lie

    -When I Get This Way (Over You)

    -What Girls Want

    -Don't You Think I Know

    -Goin' Through Your Purse

    -What if I Killed Your Boyfriend?

     

    Been a long time. I think all my MI albums are on cassette though. I should rectify that.

    Why isn't Wall Street in Jail?

    in Tongue-Tied Lightning

    Posted

    Matty T?

     

     

    Just having some fun with it. He's kind of become a superstar of investigative journalism, at least as it applies to this mess.

     

    My thoughts after reading this, even moreso than after last year's article - Wall Street's Naked Swindle, are centered around the staggering contempt and entitlement of these pricks. You see, they despise all of us... not just the usual socioeconomic pariahs - those aren't the people they stole from, but the average football/american idol watching midwestern blue collar rubes, and the white collar big city types who are educated enough to understand what is happening, but powerless to stop it. They despise us, they think they are better than us, and therefore, they are entitled to steal from us. The contempt and brazen "fuck you" efficiency of it is alarming.

     

    My house got broken into a few years ago. I ended up filing a claim for about $8k. About half of that was damage to my house. I felt so incredibly violated by that... and they only got me for $8k. Thanks to these pricks, I have lost tens of thosuands in investment and retirement accounts, plus about 20% on my house. Why should I not be several times as pissed as I was at the burglar thugs? And why should these jackasses get away with it?

     

    I have a law degree and an accounting degree, and a somewhat functioning brain. It makes me want to run down to the local US Attorney's office and scream, "sign me up damnit!", then I realize I have too much to lose (wife & kids that depend on me), and I also realize that most folks are too preoccupied or have too much to lose as well. So nothing's going to change until things really get as bad as they are in the Middle East, which is both frightening and depressing.

    Arcade Fire...

    in Someone Else's Song

    Posted

    it's not that nice. the brits are about as much a piss-take of what's good in current music as the grammy awards are.

    it's not the bafta awards, by the way, that's for film. it's "the brits"

     

    Corn flakes in urine... Yum!

     

    Of course the brit awards are the same thing. It's still nice that they beat pretty much the same group of hack artists for the award.

     

    The funny thing about me mistakenly calling them the BAFTA awards is that a brit expat told me they're called that. I gotta go give her hell for it. :cheers

    Arcade Fire...

    in Someone Else's Song

    Posted

    The problem with Neon Bible is that the best tracks on it are not part of the concept. You can shoehorn them in, but one of them is an older song, reworked, and the other is so much more upbeat in tempo that it doesnt mesh well.

     

    Because it is so often panned and because I gave up on it so early, I tend to think it is very underrated. It's a good collection of songs, if not a good album.

    Game of Thrones

    in Tongue-Tied Lightning

    Posted

    I have to echo what's already been said. I was admittedly a pretty devoted fantasy reader until grad school. I burnt out on all the derivative stuff, and writers like Jordan taking forever to get to the point... (although that is quickly becoming an issue for Martin as well).

     

    However, Martin's books have very little of the typical fantasy elements - magic, dragons, elves and all that. There is some, don't get me wrong, but the central focus of the series isnt on a magic ring, or legendary sword, etc. These books are really what the name suggests - a complex game of politics and deceipt, betrayal, war, etc. Characterization is much much deeper than you'll see elsewhere, and the stereotypical good vs bad does not exist. You may find yourself eventually liking a character that you once despised. Adult themes are not sugar coated. Sex, lust, depraved acts, incest, mad grabs for power.. it's all there.

     

    And very minor spoiler here - unlike just about every other work of fiction, no character is safe. You'll realize quickly on that you really don't know if your favorite characters are going to make it past the next chapter. Defying convention, a good number of them don't. Tends to keep you on the edge of your seat.

    Delta Spirit

    in Someone Else's Song

    Posted

    You're in for a treat. On Ode, a lot of people loved Streetwalker & Trashcan and People C'Mon, but don't overlook Children... great song.

     

    And I have to stop watching so much NFL. Apologies to Matt for confusing him with the Jets QB. :cheers

    Delta Spirit

    in Someone Else's Song

    Posted

    I am almost certain there's at least 1 thread on here, if not several. Yes, they are a great band. Screamin Matt Vazquez! History From Below probably gets my nod as most underrated album of last year. Most people usually get hooked by Bushwick and White Table, but the staying power of the album rests in songs like Ransom Man and St Francis. I think they recorded the album ina studio Tom Waits has used, and there's a pretty great Waits ripoff - Vivian on the album. The Ballad of Vitaly is based on true events, and is a gut punch when you first listen to the lyrics. It's a really ambitious song that works well enough, but I almost never listen to it anymore.

     

    There's not much filler on the album, though Vazquez has turned down the screaming. I have seen at least one of their fans question whether he can keep those vocals up for more than a couple more albums and tours, and he probably has a point, so catch them live while you can, and before they potentially blow up and you can't get a good ticket anymore.

     

    BTW, check out the original version of Bushwick Blues - it's slow. Though the album cut is radio produced, I much prefer it. And White Table sounds like Delta Spirit doing White Rabbits with the double percussion.

     

    Don't get me wrong with the criticism. I'm forgving. I love these guys. I was a little late to Ode to Sunshine, but I've been on board ever since.

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