Dreamworks
Up In The Air ought to soar. It’s one of the most well-reviewed films of the year and the closest thing there is to an Oscar front-runner, with a sterling lead performance from George Clooney and deft direction from a past Academy darling, Juno helmer Jason Reitman. And yet, it’s not an effort without turbulence. Read the rest of this entry »
The Mozzer stepped out on Lopez Tonight, of all things, last night to showcase a jam from his latest disc, b-sides collection Swords. He seems energetic and sounds great despite recent health woes, which bodes well for his performance at the Gibson Ampitheatre tonight, better known as THE NIGHT IN WHICH I WILL SEE STEVEN PATRICK MORRISSEY PLAY LIVE, ZOMG.
Color me extremely embarrassed for not reviewing this, the wonderful latest full-length of one of my absolute favorite bands, earlier this year. Like all of the Clientele’s records, though, Bonfires on the Heath sounds best as autumn turns to winter and frontman Alisdair MacLean’s foggy English fantasias gain substance. Bonfires improves on 2007′s lovely, string-laden God Save The Clientele thanks to a more adventurous mood: livelier tempos, Latin horns and journeys into psychedelia accent the songs, which remain anchored by MacLean’s introspective guitar picking and vocals and a gently insistent rhythm section. As usual, MacLean wonders who we are, sees faces in the trees and only breaks from philosophizing to plea for romance; as usual, the Clientele is the most evocative band on Earth. Few albums this year burn brighter than Bonfires.
The Clientele – “Harvest Time”: mp3
Previously: New Music: The Clientele – “Harvest Time”
Note: I basically haven’t seen any dramas/Oscar bait all year and reserve the right to update this list at least 10 times, starting after I see Up in the Air tonight. That said, all of these movies are exuberant and great and life-affirming and I recommend them whole-heartedly. Read the rest of this entry »
Editor’s Note: I now have Netflix and a suddenly overwhelming need to document every movie I rent.
Scattered thoughts on Citizen Kane after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
As a lifelong Southern Californian, it’s hard not to link songs about surf with the Pacific coast — but Real Estate’s “Beachcomber” shies away from the sun for a jangly trip to the Jersey shore (though not, for better or worse, Jersey Shore). The New Jersey band’s lo-fi, forlorn sound has earned them comparisons to the dreamy likes of Galaxie 500, but I hear more of Palace Music’s “Gulf Shores” or the Silver Jews’ airier inclinations in their insistent sorrow — even a little of Elliott Smith’s Texas-tinged early stuff (“Kiwi Maddog 20/20″). One more exciting new band in a year full of ‘em.
Real Estate – “Beachcomber”: mp3
(Real Estate’s debut is out now on Woodsist)
A brief counterpoint to Simon Reynolds’ basically good Notes on the Noughties piece today, which is right about the effects but not the cause: He argues that the proliferation of good music — boosted by the cheapness of new recording technology — and cool-hunting blogs has diminished the possibility of consensus on new albums. Well, yes and no. Read the rest of this entry »
Get it from wherever you want, but it would be foolish to pronounce Pants Yell!’s latest album as anything other than “great.” Received Pronunciation marks the band’s debut on reawakened twee giant Slumberland Records, and they picked the right record to start on. It’s their best yet, a crisp collection of simple, deadpan guitar pop at home next to Math and Physics Club or even Weezer’s Blue Album, were its sweaters Fair Isle and not being destroyed. Singer Andrew Churchman is blessed with one of those perfect indie-pop voices — sincere but serious, emotive but elegant. Get these guys a slot on Juno 2: Burger Phone Babymama already.
Pants Yell! – “Cold Hands”: mp3
(Received Pronunciation is out now on Slumberland)
