I've spent the past two days in a hardcore vegetative state, recovering from the Christmas festivities. It has been delightful.
- The movie "Enchanted" is damn enchanting. So winsome and charming with the fairytale hooha and the princess saving her prince. I kinda loved it.
- However, I also watched "My Fair Lady" and it kinda bugged me. The whole "what good is a woman" bullshit didn't sit well with me. I'm considering it dropping it from the best musicals ever list (which includes Singin' in the Rain; Funny Face; West Side Story; Moulin Rouge; and the TV show Glee).
- For Christmas I bought these flashing penguin lights. They are adorable and apparently sound activated. Things that will turn on the lights: Coughing, laughing, opening a can of Diet Coke with Lime. Things that don't turn on the lights: Whistling (though this does get both the cats to come down stairs); singing John Mellencamp songs.
- Whoever decided that something called a "fruit and nut caramel" would be a good idea to put in a box of chocolates should be kicked in the fruit and/or nuts.
- I have to read two books this week to make my RP2009 goal of 56 books. One of the books I'm in the midst of is a graphic novel, I'd think this would be a sure thing but the thing is a doorstop.
- Tuesday is Musical Night at Supergenius HQ where Jaycie, Max, and I will be watching Funny Face and all three High School Musicals while eating Chinese Food and drinking hot cocoa. Try not to be jealous.
- For Christmas I got a cheese grater and an electric pencil sharpener -- two things I really wanted.
- Also I conned Ericka into giving me a William Shakespeare action figure. Sweet.
- Finally, two more posts and I win this challenge. Double sweet!
A couple of hours ago, I got home from my annual December tour of the flyovers. Here are a few of the highlights:
- I kicked my sister's ass at Rummikub. It's mostly a game of chance, so it's not as satisfying as a Scrabble victory. But the important thing is that I won. A lot.
- I watched Elf as I wrapped presents for the unknownth year in a row. It was weird that I wasn't wrapping presents on Christmas Eve this year.
- My ploy to buy the love of my nieces and nephews through cool presents continues apace.
- I went to see Up in the Air by myself on Christmas Eve. That was a little ironic, but I enjoyed it anyway.
- I'm sick and tired of coming home sick and tired. I'll settle for just tired if my sister agrees not to bring sick kids from here on out.
Confession time: I'm probably the only cajun who doesn't eat seafood. Hard to say why--it just didn't work for me. My mom will tell you I once liked popcorn shrimp from Red Lobster, but I'm not sure that counts. Tastes change and, well, I suspect Red Lobster has as much to do with seafood as Taco Bell has to do with Mexican. In any case, it's been 20 years since I've even had a fishstick.
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01/22/10
O2 Shepherds Bush Empire London
Discography
01/24/10 Tivoli Utrecht 01/25/10 Luxor Koln 01/26/10 Knust Hamburg 01/28/10 Nalen Stockholm 01/29/10 Parkteatret Oslo 02/01/10 Lido Berlin 02/02/10 Atomic Cafe Munich 02/03/10 Tunnel Milan 02/05/10 Divan Du Monde Paris 02/06/10 Trix Antwerp 02/08/10 Academy 3 Manchester 02/09/10 King Tuts Glasgow
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brettanderson.co.uk ♥ myspace.com
Those who follows our W♥M Podcast, you'll know that between Sally, Kristen, and I, that we really, really love our Britpop music. When Suede burst on the scene, with all their hype*, I was a bit, what's the word? Resistant.
I eventually got over it when I heard Metal Mickey, a nice rock n roll glammy track with aggressive Butler guitars and Anderson's unique voice. The songwriting duo of Anderson/Butler did not last for long, and Butler's replacement, Richard Oakes, seems only a pale copy of the original. I think everyone knew that, and eventually, Bernard Butler and Brett Anderson got over their differences and re-united - but not as Suede... they were then The Tears. I think everyone was confused on how to interpret it at first (personally I think it's like tears/crying, not ripped/tear).
The Tears didn't live for very long, and by 2007, Brett Anderson releases his inevitable solo self-titled album. I never bought his solo stuff, because I don't think his music post-Suede's Head Music** were ever re-release or re-marketed to the US audience, so the few promo downloads that he's made available for free, I wasn't so impressed with. I remember thinking his debut solo album was trying to be orchestral (based on what I've heard).
Imagine my surprise when I got a chance to listen to a few tracks from his latest album, Slow Attack, officially via We7.com. It was all very operatic, almost minimalistic in its approach of piano and percussions. I did like that it brings out Anderson's voice loud and clear, but it generally made all of his music to be on the sadder end of the scale.
While I think one or two slow songs would be OK for a full length, all of the tracks I sampled were in that very similar tone. Kind of ballady and depressing. I kind of miss the old Suede stuff. The only redeeming value is that at least, his voice isn't altered/over-produced as with Suede's Head Music and Coming Up.
I suppose, Anderson's much older now, wow you can see his cheek bones sticking out of his face... such a difference of imagery, from a time when mean-spirited fans were calling him "fatty" (we all kind of knew it was the getting off the drugs that was causing the weight thing... allegedly).
Anyway, if you were looking for the glory rock days, don't bother looking into Slow Attack. If you're a hardcore fan, chances are you probably own the limited edition anyway. The album will probably not be released in the US, as were all his previous releases. Import costs are generally cheaper these days, but expect to pay about $20 for an import album (Amazon is listing $19).
Brett Anderson is touring in 2010, so if you live in the UK, you can relive your youth days. If he were touring the US, I might leave my hibernation to see him. As you know, I've met the band before at a special "after-party", I'm sure he'll have no idea who I am.
* "Best Band in Britain" before releasing their album? Really, Melody Maker, really??)
** Suede's last album, A New Morning was never released in the US.
TRUE NATURE
truenatureband.com ♥ myspace.com
As you know, I also run a website on artist George Perez, and it's rare when my music and comic website mix. How does True Nature and George Perez cross paths, you ask? The cover artwork for True Nature's EP, Feels Like Centuries, stars actress/model Tonya Kay (with some artwork and directions from Glen Wexler).
Perez, through his associations with Fetish Con, have actually drawn Tonya Kay as a print, for Fetish Con's "Who's the Best Bondage Super Heroine?" contest. The original artwork was auctioned off for charity.
CREATURE (Tonya Kay) (2008), art by George PérezSo, there's the connection. As for True Nature's EP, Feels Like Centuries, based on the cover artwork, it looks like they're also marketing themselves as somewhat of a spiritual rock band. I reckon if you like classic American progressive-type rock, you might enjoy this EP. Despite having only five tracks, the EP is "centuries" long (so long that it felt like a chore to get through). It's not that I dislike singer/songwriter, Lou Barlow's vocals, it's just really not the type of music I enjoy.
Their best track is the opening song, "Truth I Have To Steel (Simple Heart)", which started off strong and remain steadily so throughout the song. You can sample the entire track on their official website.
You can pick up Feels Like Centuries at CD Baby or Amazon. Although, not really my thing, I'm glad that there was at least a common connection for me.
12/26/2009 19:48:38 ♥ vu (
) ♥weheartmusic.com♥twitter.com/weheartmusic♥news.weheartmusic.com
Why did I leave lines blank? It has to do with three fun Christmas presents my wife got me.
To the left is the nib and section of my new Vista, next to my Safari. Pretty straight-foward. In additional to Safaris being cool pens, I thought a Vista would be fun for a few other reasons. One key one is being able to show my daughter (and others) how fountain pens work. Fountain pen companies have made "demonstrator" pens for years--I thought it would be fun to have one in my collection. There was one other use...
Part two is a black light flashlight. You may have seen these at the airport, when TSA asks for your papers and makes sure you don't have 3.1 ounces of juice. I wonder what my new pen looks like if I point the black light at it?
Why invisible ink? Very little reason other than fun. It could be simply sharing notes with my daughter (or others). Or writing my own gripe in my notebook. Or possibly putting an "easter egg" in some note that I write--if it happens under a black light, it will be revealed.
In any case, It is definitely high on the cool and fun scale! Isn't my wife great?
See you in 2010!
So I guess, like, Merry Christmas and stuff.
I couldn't resist. For $5, it can't be bad, right?
Nothing reminds you of all your weird single-person-who-lives-alone quirks like having a guest for an extended period of time. Kelli's here for the holidays and I pity her having to deal with me. I sing. A lot.
Every once in awhile I remember that someone else is here and I feel like this:
And mostly when I notice I'm singing, I've been singing this:
Merry Christmas!
