It's a nice summer day. Just caught a Mets/Phillies game (sorry Charlie, guess you shouldn't have pitched to Carlos either). Life is good and my attitude can probably best be summed up by the following:
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Dr. Dog, Fate
When people hear the name Dr. Dog they expect a hip hop artist. Considering this blog's name and the group's West Philly origins it's not an unreasonable assumption. But defying expectations is precisely how indie rockers Dr. Dog have created a name for themselves.When you listen to Dr. Dog - their latest album, Fate, released yesterday is no exception - you can't help feeling surprised. This is indie rock? Then why does it sound so pop?
Dr. Dog have been compared to The Beach Boys and The Beatles in their early years. And with their uniquely exuberant style, replete with three part harmonies mixed with heavy guitar, it’s a valid comparison. But be careful before you try to pin them down so quickly.
Fate offers more of the upbeat, but eccentric sound that garnered Dr. Dog a lot of buzz (including a spot on Conan O'Brien that had to be cancelled) when they released We All Belong. But the album obviously incorporates more than just pop influences. Throughout the album there's hints of vaudeville (see "Old Days"), and a distinct modern blues influence on tracks such as "Army of Ancients" and "The Beach". If Jimmy Page, Conor Oberst and David Bowie had a musical menagé å trois, this album might very well be the love child.
On the band's web site they claim an interest in "three-part harmonies, the out-of-doors, hoagies, vegetables and diminished chords" while the influences listed on their Myspace page are R. Stevie Moore, Benjamin Franklin, Andy Kaufman. It's clear the band wants to avoid being labeled as anything other than original. And Fate is nothing if not original.
It's more than that though. It’s also a brilliant blend of sounds and a powerful follow-up to the success that was We All Belong.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
A Life Sessions
My brother turned me on to A Life a while back, and even though I liked their style I could quite afford the price tag. A month or so back I realized just how heavy these guys are when I was forced to wait on line to get in the store for a clearance sale. Now it seems A Life is poised to go global with a series of special edition sneaker collaborations with some of the hottest names in hip hop. A Life is also rewarding its loyal (and rapidly expanding) following with special kick-off concerts by the artists in question. Last week it was Nas, this week Three 6 Mafia and coming August 1, ?uestlove. You know who's gonna be in line for that one, and this time I can be sure it'll be worth the wait.
Check the YouTube video of Three 6 Mafia:
Hat tip to High Snobiety
Check the YouTube video of Three 6 Mafia:
Hat tip to High Snobiety
Be KANYE
Aw, viral marketing. Who doesn't love it? Aqua Teen Hunger Force sparked a panic with their viral campaign and Forgetting Sarah Marshall used it to appeal to angst-filled potential moviegoers. Now, it looks like Absolut and Kanye West are trying to get in the mix with a viral campaign called BeKanye that's sprouting up on NYC subways.
One such ad caught my eye on the 6 train today, and I couldn't really decide what to think. At their heart viral marketing is sort of a little engine that could enterprise. With heavyweights like Absolut and Kanye West teaming up on a viral campaign it feels like it probably feeds Kanye's supersized ego more than anything. Not that Judd Apatow or Adult Swim are starving artists, but I dunno, they seem kinda scrappy.
But who knows? Check out the web site and decide for yourself: brilliant or boorish?
One such ad caught my eye on the 6 train today, and I couldn't really decide what to think. At their heart viral marketing is sort of a little engine that could enterprise. With heavyweights like Absolut and Kanye West teaming up on a viral campaign it feels like it probably feeds Kanye's supersized ego more than anything. Not that Judd Apatow or Adult Swim are starving artists, but I dunno, they seem kinda scrappy.
But who knows? Check out the web site and decide for yourself: brilliant or boorish?
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Homage Clothing
As a Cali native now living in NYC, Ohio's not the first place that comes to mind for fashion. Fried foods, dubious political demographics and awesome college sports? Perhaps. Fashion? Not so much.
But having bought my second t-shirt from Ohio based Homage Clothing, I had to give these Midwesterners their due. Homage pulls images, phrases and people from the collective American consciousness and immortalizes them in cotton. Jesse Jackson's presidential campaign, Dr. J and Kriss Kross are just a few of the "eclectic moments and personalities" honored by Homage Clothing.
A t-shirt will run you $32 + $5 shipping, but it comes with a personal thank you and a pack of retro trading cards (so far I've gotten New Kids on the Block and American Gladiators). It's that attention to detail mixed with creativity and a retro appeal that's helping Homage create such a buzz. Check these guys out at HomageClothing.com
But having bought my second t-shirt from Ohio based Homage Clothing, I had to give these Midwesterners their due. Homage pulls images, phrases and people from the collective American consciousness and immortalizes them in cotton. Jesse Jackson's presidential campaign, Dr. J and Kriss Kross are just a few of the "eclectic moments and personalities" honored by Homage Clothing.
A t-shirt will run you $32 + $5 shipping, but it comes with a personal thank you and a pack of retro trading cards (so far I've gotten New Kids on the Block and American Gladiators). It's that attention to detail mixed with creativity and a retro appeal that's helping Homage create such a buzz. Check these guys out at HomageClothing.com
Friday, July 18, 2008
Terminator Salvation
One of the better trailers last night featured The Batman himself... as John Connor. I'm trying to decide how stoked to get for this movie. It's really a matter of what wins: Christian Bale's superb acting, or the influence of one McG, a man perhaps best known for directing the Charlie's Angels franchise and producing The O.C..
The Dark Knight: The 4am Review
There are a lot of reasons it’s hard to write a review of a movie you just got out of an hour ago. Not the least of which is that it’s tough coming up with original adjectives at 3:40 in the morning. But, luckily I’m not planning on coming up with any grand, innovate analysis of the movie. I can’t dispute much of the buzz already going on.
Heath Ledger turns in an intense and brilliant performance. Christopher Nolan has taken the comic book movie to new heights. Maggie Gyllenhaal is not suited for HD (or whatever type of cinematography they used). Overall, it was a thrilling experience.
What I realized about comic book movies while watching The Dark Knight, and maybe this is true of all incredibly hyped fantasy movies, don’t have to be perfect to be amazing. The dialogue can be filled with clichés. The plot can leave a lot of questions unanswered, or more often than not provide answers that are flimsy.
But ultimately, none of this matters.
Movies like The Dark Knight are judged by a different, simpler set of criteria: 1) Does it stay true to the comic (if not the story than the spirit)? 2) Does it show imagination? The Dark Night definitely does both.
Ledger reincarnates The Joker as a rabid dog with a deranged sense of a higher purpose. While Aaron Eckhart’s Harvey Dent/Two-Face is overshadowed, he’s nevertheless outstanding. Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman each skillfully reprise their roles as the elder statesmen who seem to endlessly provide one-line wit and wisdom. Meanwhile, through special effects, new gadgets and great cinematography Nolan keeps the action going practically non-stop.
The Dark Knight meets the standards of a great comic book movie and then some. It may even be a great movie by any standards. But in the end, that’s not what matters. A movie like this only has be truly great the first time you watch it.
After what seems like years of hype and anticipation all The Dark Knight had to do was avoid disappointing. Luckily it did. It was truly entertaining. And that’s more than enough to make plenty of moviegoers, including myself, go back for more.
Heath Ledger turns in an intense and brilliant performance. Christopher Nolan has taken the comic book movie to new heights. Maggie Gyllenhaal is not suited for HD (or whatever type of cinematography they used). Overall, it was a thrilling experience.
What I realized about comic book movies while watching The Dark Knight, and maybe this is true of all incredibly hyped fantasy movies, don’t have to be perfect to be amazing. The dialogue can be filled with clichés. The plot can leave a lot of questions unanswered, or more often than not provide answers that are flimsy.
But ultimately, none of this matters.Movies like The Dark Knight are judged by a different, simpler set of criteria: 1) Does it stay true to the comic (if not the story than the spirit)? 2) Does it show imagination? The Dark Night definitely does both.
Ledger reincarnates The Joker as a rabid dog with a deranged sense of a higher purpose. While Aaron Eckhart’s Harvey Dent/Two-Face is overshadowed, he’s nevertheless outstanding. Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman each skillfully reprise their roles as the elder statesmen who seem to endlessly provide one-line wit and wisdom. Meanwhile, through special effects, new gadgets and great cinematography Nolan keeps the action going practically non-stop.
The Dark Knight meets the standards of a great comic book movie and then some. It may even be a great movie by any standards. But in the end, that’s not what matters. A movie like this only has be truly great the first time you watch it.
After what seems like years of hype and anticipation all The Dark Knight had to do was avoid disappointing. Luckily it did. It was truly entertaining. And that’s more than enough to make plenty of moviegoers, including myself, go back for more.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Frank Miller, Batman: Year One
When a summer blockbuster like The Dark Knight comes along you don't just buy a ticket and popcorn and sit your ass down in a some over-air conditioned movie theater. At least not when you've been anticipating a movie the way I have been waiting for this one. With that in mind I ordered Frank Miller's classic revamping of the Batman origin story, Batman: Year One.
The story behind Batman: Year One is simple enough. 50 years had gone by since DC had
introduced the world to their caped crusader and they were looking to update the hero (along with Superman and Wonder Woman) in order to maintain his relevance. According to editor Denny O'Neil's introduction this was a tricky task, because Batman's origin story wasn't outdated. It was fine the way it was. So, instead of changing the story they decided to "add depth, complexity and a wider context."
Frank Miller, who wrote the graphic novel but relied on David Mazzucchelli for the artwork, certainly succeed at this goal. Year One retains all the elements of the original Batman story but bathes Gotham City in a fresh coat of grit, vice and corruption.
The result is a story that more realistic than Bob Kane's original vision, but at the same time leaves room for suspension of disbelief. Bruce Wayne punches through brick and kicks over a tree while training. Lt. Gordon cheats on his pregnant wife. The Batman story is made more human, without losing its superhuman qualities.
Batman has always had a very unique appeal as a superhero who has no super powers. Aside from ridiculous amounts of money, he's really just like you and me. Maybe his story didn't need to be redone the way Superman and Wonder Woman's did, but had it not, it's doubtful Christopher Nolan could have created the vision of Batman and Gotham he did in Batman Begins. After reading Year One I could see the traces of Frank Miller's work everywhere in Nolan's.
Now, having revisited Batman's beginnings, I'm ready more than ever for the next cinematic chapter.
The story behind Batman: Year One is simple enough. 50 years had gone by since DC had
introduced the world to their caped crusader and they were looking to update the hero (along with Superman and Wonder Woman) in order to maintain his relevance. According to editor Denny O'Neil's introduction this was a tricky task, because Batman's origin story wasn't outdated. It was fine the way it was. So, instead of changing the story they decided to "add depth, complexity and a wider context."Frank Miller, who wrote the graphic novel but relied on David Mazzucchelli for the artwork, certainly succeed at this goal. Year One retains all the elements of the original Batman story but bathes Gotham City in a fresh coat of grit, vice and corruption.
The result is a story that more realistic than Bob Kane's original vision, but at the same time leaves room for suspension of disbelief. Bruce Wayne punches through brick and kicks over a tree while training. Lt. Gordon cheats on his pregnant wife. The Batman story is made more human, without losing its superhuman qualities.
Batman has always had a very unique appeal as a superhero who has no super powers. Aside from ridiculous amounts of money, he's really just like you and me. Maybe his story didn't need to be redone the way Superman and Wonder Woman's did, but had it not, it's doubtful Christopher Nolan could have created the vision of Batman and Gotham he did in Batman Begins. After reading Year One I could see the traces of Frank Miller's work everywhere in Nolan's.
Now, having revisited Batman's beginnings, I'm ready more than ever for the next cinematic chapter.
Kehinde Wiley, The World Stage: Africa, Lagos - Dakar
In search of some culture I checked out Kehinde Wiley's exhibit The World Stage: Africa, Lagos - Dakar at The Studio Museum in Harlem. Wiley's art is both incredibly digestible and layered. Over time he has perfected a style of portraiture that combines 18th and 19th century European formality with Black, urban males. He played with this style recently by posing his models to mirror images taken from China's Cultural Revolution. His work from Senegal and Nigeria uses images from prominent local statues.
Wiley clearly combines and juxtaposes many ideas - modern and classical, street style and high society - and in doing so undermines conventional perceptions. In a video adjacent to the exhibit, Wiley also discusses the process of posing his subjects, which sometimes involved several wardrobe changes. In doing so, Wiley and his models created images that may appear photo-realistic, but have in fact existed. Wiley discussed the tendency to view people from other countries, particularly Third World nations, through an anthropological and scientific lens. By staging his subjects and setting them against floral, semi-Victorian backgrounds Wiley sought to undermine this impulse for authenticity.
Wiley's images are striking. The attention to detail and vibrant colors are fascinating, even more so once you've listened to him explain his artistic process. The next stop on his world tour is Brazil, a country that's sure to provide another thrilling set of colorful and complex images.
The World Stage: Africa, Lagos - Dakar is on exhibit at The Studio Museum in Harlem, 144 w. 125th St., www.studiomuseum.org
Wiley clearly combines and juxtaposes many ideas - modern and classical, street style and high society - and in doing so undermines conventional perceptions. In a video adjacent to the exhibit, Wiley also discusses the process of posing his subjects, which sometimes involved several wardrobe changes. In doing so, Wiley and his models created images that may appear photo-realistic, but have in fact existed. Wiley discussed the tendency to view people from other countries, particularly Third World nations, through an anthropological and scientific lens. By staging his subjects and setting them against floral, semi-Victorian backgrounds Wiley sought to undermine this impulse for authenticity.
Wiley's images are striking. The attention to detail and vibrant colors are fascinating, even more so once you've listened to him explain his artistic process. The next stop on his world tour is Brazil, a country that's sure to provide another thrilling set of colorful and complex images.
The World Stage: Africa, Lagos - Dakar is on exhibit at The Studio Museum in Harlem, 144 w. 125th St., www.studiomuseum.org
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Nas's Untitled
Perhaps Nas has just reached the logical conclusion of his journey as a hip hop artist. 1994's Illmatic was a prototypical album, a template for the best rap could offer. Thereafter Nas spent some time in the wilderness of self-reference and bling, including an acting stint in Belly. He showed signs of life and perhaps maturity on 2001's Stillmatic, but even that devolved into a bit of cliche with the infamous Nas/Jay-Z dispute.
Five years and two albums (including a greatest hits) he emerged suddenly as a elder statesman of hip hop. He boldy declared Hip Hop is Dead and we were obliged to listen. So what's left for an artist to do after they've proclaimed their own medium irrelevant?
Nas's new album, Untitled, seeks to answer that question. Probably his most overtly controversial (the album was originally titled N****r) and political album, Nas attempts to drop some knowledge on his listeners on the state of hip hop, race and politics in America today.
From the first track, "Queens Get the Money", it's clear Nas hasn't lost his flow nor his love for his roots. But between "Makes the World Go Round", a track that features Chris Brown and The Game, and "Sly Fox", a disjointed tirade against Fox News and media bias in general set against a hard rock beat, the album lacks focus. Truth told, with the current political climate, it feels a bit late to be beating on Bill O'Reilly and Rupert Murdoch.
Ultimately, it’s the final track, a tribute to Barack Obama appropriate called “Black President” that comes across as the most genuine. “Black President” features a hook that combines words from 2Pac’s “Changes” and audio of Obama and expresses an earnest blend of idealism and trepidation.
Nas seeks to light quite a fire with his latest, an album with a cover featuring a giant N scarred into Nas’s back by whips. With tracks like “America” and “N.I.*.*.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)” it’s clear Nas had an ambitious message in mind for Untitled. Unfortunately it's not always clear who this message is intended for, or what that message is meant to be.
Five years and two albums (including a greatest hits) he emerged suddenly as a elder statesman of hip hop. He boldy declared Hip Hop is Dead and we were obliged to listen. So what's left for an artist to do after they've proclaimed their own medium irrelevant?
Nas's new album, Untitled, seeks to answer that question. Probably his most overtly controversial (the album was originally titled N****r) and political album, Nas attempts to drop some knowledge on his listeners on the state of hip hop, race and politics in America today.
From the first track, "Queens Get the Money", it's clear Nas hasn't lost his flow nor his love for his roots. But between "Makes the World Go Round", a track that features Chris Brown and The Game, and "Sly Fox", a disjointed tirade against Fox News and media bias in general set against a hard rock beat, the album lacks focus. Truth told, with the current political climate, it feels a bit late to be beating on Bill O'Reilly and Rupert Murdoch.
Ultimately, it’s the final track, a tribute to Barack Obama appropriate called “Black President” that comes across as the most genuine. “Black President” features a hook that combines words from 2Pac’s “Changes” and audio of Obama and expresses an earnest blend of idealism and trepidation.
Nas seeks to light quite a fire with his latest, an album with a cover featuring a giant N scarred into Nas’s back by whips. With tracks like “America” and “N.I.*.*.E.R. (The Slave and the Master)” it’s clear Nas had an ambitious message in mind for Untitled. Unfortunately it's not always clear who this message is intended for, or what that message is meant to be.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
That's Stupid!
The Cool Kids, a Chicago based rap-duo have been slowly simmering, gathering hype and getting ready to blow up. They've been featured on NBA Live '08 and Entourage. By way of comparison they've attracted roughly 600,000 plays on last.fm while similar, but better-known artists Spank Rock and M.I.A. have 1 million and 8.8 million plays respectively. But with the group touring with Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, Mos Def and other hip hop notables for the Rock the Bells Festival it's only a matter of time before these two are getting play in a Judd Apatow trailer of their own. If you need auditory proof these guys are the real deal check out their mixtape, "That's Stupid!" available for download off their myspace page.
Hat tip to highsnobiety.com
Sunday, July 13, 2008
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