at least they will air the remaining episodes. The show was kind of screwed from the start given it was placed on Friday night and the storyline was fucked-with I guess..ie. not exactly how Whedon had written it.
He should go to Cable, plain and simple. Or Web-based (see Dr.Horrible).
Hi dude, this is dan from BEND SINISTER here. We are offering 10 of our favorite songs from our 3 records completely free for download at our new website if you'd like to check it out!. They are available here:
Also we are taking part in this MUSIC BC/PEAK radio station contest right now for a chance at a 150,000$ grant towards our musical career which as you know would be a huge help for any artist to continue making a living touring and recording. The contest is based on online votes and it only takes a second to vote for us in the contest. We are falling behind and could really use your support so if you have a second please vote at:
If you really want to help, I know facebook and twitter are more key these days so were are hoping people might spread the word on their facebook/twitter status and get there friends to vote!
Thanks for listening and PLEASE take a second to vote and spread the word, we could really use the help!
Much love
I noticed the other day, Bend Sinister are now represented by The Agency Group who have a ton of names on their roster including: King Crimson (and many of their members solo work), Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree, 3, dredg, Nicole Atkins, The Dresden Dolls, Dragonforce, Muse, Murder By Death, Malajube, The Sword, Rush, Russian Circles, Pink Floyd, etc etc
I'm not sure what or how much it means, being that list being as length-ly as it is. But I'd like to believe getting that kind of representation would benefit the band. Does Malajube tour? I dunno, but they're from Canada and might be in a similar spot in some ways. Although I'd guess a lot more people know them, given how their music is more available, and name is more known.
Things have been busy in the WilliamShatner.com world.
Our first bit of news is from our friends at the Bio Channel. The Season 2 debut of Shatner's Raw Nerve. Guests this season include Rush Limbaugh, Regis Philbin, Mackenzie Phillips, Whoopi Goldberg, Gene Simmons, Jerry Springer, Jason Alexander, Larry Flynt, Tony Danza, Henry Winkler, Weird Al Yankovich, John Edward, Meatloaf and more. Shatner's Raw Nerve premiere's on December 6th on Bio at 10PM ET/11PM PT. Check local listings.
I honestly thought it was canceled with so little about it. But that is far from the case! With Boston Legal gone, and with his usual cameos and b-movie appearances, I figured Shatner would want to continue doing this. Perhaps the ratings were not high enough on Biography? Anyway, it's great to find out that didn't matter for the show now being renewed, starting up again next month. The guest list doesn't look bad either. I just wonder if he'll continue to try and play shrink. "tell me about your childhood... lol.
considering the $ won't get charged until that deadline, I went ahead and pledged $25. This band are rather good, and this idea sounds hella intriguing.
"Hannah" from 2008 is a rather good record, I have hope that this new thing will surpass that. In some ways this fills a void of some of the other bands breaking up of late (Fields, 100Ft Snowman, Eroica).
Dead Letter Circus new/debut album apparently will be coming out in March 2010 ..or *projected* at least.
good to find out when. But as I've posted before, I'm in a wait-and-see with them. Their debut ep was pretty good; their new songs not so much. Hopefully the full-length will be better.
Eroica is officially done. I got a message back from them yesterday.
Damnit!
I guess some of the members also are in Irepress, lol..and another band called Henry Gale which are both of the "post" variety, not surprisingly.
Eroica >>> Irepress
and I'm not really getting a much better impression from Henry Gale just sampling their myspace. But who knows.
So, along with 100Ft Snowman and Fields..Eroica joins that fatality list :(
it happens every year, but it doesn't make it any easier to accept. O well, maybe they'll do a reunion or something similar to Eroica again. RIP guys.
edit: this pisses me off in some ways. I was just thinking, why do you get all these boring, nature-music "Post" bands who are still around, and yet one of the more unique/distinct ones like Eroica goes away like this. It's-just-not-fair.
Reminds me of People For Audio. Baffling.."the good don't last too long" as they say, and the mediocre get popular and remain for decades often times. Fuck them.
new video. Nicely shot. What the video exactly means, I guess I *don't exactly know. Someone named Chris shot it. Suppose going over to the 'Vool forum I could find out who exactly that is.
edit: Chris Frey who also shot the "Set Fire to the Hive" video earlier this year.
The song, well in my whole *revisiting* phase now for the 2009 Index/Race, Sound Awake does probably deserve some of that. I'd be surprised if my feeling about it changes a ton, but I'd love to be wrong. This new video, for it's metaphors and whatnot, didn't hurt.
pulled a 2nd time, lol. even tho it's stated on the user's upload
THIS IS NOT A FINISHED PRODUCT, IT IS A DEMO. DO NOT THINK THAT THIS IS WHAT ITS GONNA SOUND LIKE ON THE ALBUM.
The band said they really dont care about it being leaked their only worry is about it being thought of as finished.
yeah that reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeally sounds like it would fit on Fables From a Mayfly, lol.
so, this new album of theirs is gonna be a huge leap in different directions.
Prediction: It will turn off a lot of fans of Fables, especially the ones who don't care for much of the screaming and "like their vocals clean" lol..but it will attract/get-support from people who thought they were a one-trick pony on Fables (which they weren't, just listen to inter.funda.stifle to understand that), and many will see it as them moving forward.
It may also cause some people to feel they are being too eclectic for their own good. Personally, I'm pretty damn optimistic regardless. They are very good songwriters. How cohesive the whole record will be, I dunno. But I gotta believe a lot of this down-time has helped them get ideas as to how to put the album together (along with writing that many more new songs).
But this demo sounds really intriguing, and very much worthy of how good that song sounded live last month.
edit: here's a couple more
"A Loophole In Limbo" and "Bright Bulbs and Sharp Tools"
prmising..verrrry promising. And I think we heard at least another 4 or 5 others at the shows here last October and back in April that I'm pretty sure didn't sound exactly like any of these 3 (nor Musical Chairs).
Mind you, these are JUST DEMOS, but for demos, they sound very intriguing.
Dunno how many others around here listen to the Sound Opinions podcast besides myself.
While the hosts and the content they cover at-times can be nauseating and baffling, at the same time, the show has enough music topics and entertaining moments for myself to keep listening to it.
Well well well, this upcoming week, which is the 207th show for these 2 Siskel-and-Ebert-wannabe music critics, they are going to feature a whole show on our known and beloved genre of progressive rock.
so, if even if you hate both Kot and especially Derogatis, this show may give many reasons to check this weeks show out, just based on subject matter.
And one thing to note, a few years ago they added a hotline segment at the end of the show. People call-in and voice *their opinion* about the show. So, if you agree/appreciate or disagree with anything they say on this show, there is that option and hopefully your message will get played at the end of following week's show.
Will Dream Theater or Marillion get mentioned? who knows. I met the guys last Spring at a q&a in Minneapolis, and I brought up Dream Theater to them once; which led DeRogatis especially claiming he wasn't a fan.
But, given the theme of this show, and how they mentioned how progressive rock exists today, I'm not sure how DT will not be at least be brought up. Guess we'll see.
looking forward to how much "modern prog" they cover. Frankly, they should have contacted ME, even tho I'm not a journalist exactly, or necessarily any more of an expert than many other fans.
However, I am probably one of if not the most passionate fans who listens to their show regularly. Frankly, I'm one of the most passionate fans anywhere, if you consider the word "progressive" by it's literal definition.
I mean I'm sure there's a % of the regular listeners that know their prog rock. And there's a % that are into bands like Yes, Crimson, Tull, Genesis, Floyd (duh) Muse, The Mars Volta, Porcupine Tree, Opeth, and even Dream Theater.
But among all of those, I dunno how many of them are as-into so much other "prog" or indie-prog and the different areas of progressive metal, yadayada etc, etc.
But who knows, maybe my taste pales in comparison to the people they'll have on there. It certainly does give me almost necessity to call-in to react/thank/complain or just name-drop on the hotline.
edit: this is slighly ot, but kind of related as I am known to do, I shamelessly-plugged this on a few prog-centric boards. One of the obvious ones (I would think) is this site progarchives.com.
Okay, I posted something a few weeks ago I recall..last week actually about Soundscape since they finally added them after how many years?
well, I have pretty much since I ever went to that site, found it be an absolute embarrassment to people who enjoy the music I do. Everything is so distgustingly CATEGORIZED to the detail. The people who run that site *vote* for bands to be included.
It's fucking lame and anal as hell. Really, the clowns who use that site actively need to get the fuck out of their parents basement and either go the fuck away, or get rid of the fucking sub-genres, that they assume everyone on the site, let alone coming to the site for the 1st time would know.
Your site sucks. The reviews for the most part suck. You people need to take the lumps of coal out of your fucking asses and get a fucking life.
There's 2 categories for music
1) good 2) bad
that site is totally ridiculously set-up, it makes D&D seem simplistic, lol.
So if someone posts a new topic in *the wrong forum* I would think it's a common thing. Many of those people never come back. And wouldn't find reason to unless they ever changed the way the site and maybe more importantly, the way the people who run/maintain it are.
Frankly, I'd love to see it get shut down. It almost did a couple of years ago. It was giving spyware or some other shit. It might be nice, then people who are looking for info on said genre wouldn't have to be embarrassed (or laugh-at) the stereotypes that people like myself have dealt with for so long. it would be justice, I tell ya. But at this point, I'm not sure what to do, other than ignoring any kinds of responses there.
Tell me about the new Apples album you’re working on. We started it last fall. It’s really, really different. My manager reprimanded me — it’s so different that he doesn’t want me to talk about it. It’s like there’s a party on a UFO, and everybody’s invited to come in. It’s sci-fi R&B. It’s not 100 percent different from various songs we’ve done, but it’s different from our albums, and it’s really, really different from the last one
Sounds intriguing enough. New Magnetic Wonder was a record that never got tiresome. I suppose a possible concern could be the fact the female singer (+ other things?) departed the band. She was a big part of what I liked about NMW from 2007. I guess we'll see.
Schneider is a good songwriter, certainly, so her absence hopefully won't matter.
the 1st single "Birds" will be apparently released on December 31st as a 7" vinyl.
it will include a b-side apparently too, but which one of the songs they've recorded, including the list below, hasn't been announced.
Songs recorded and in contention... 1. Yer lower back tattoo 2. Let's paint our teeth green 3. Arvydas Sabonis 4. Birds 5. Lunatic, lunatic, lunatic 6. Oh Francine 7. Earth to aliens: what do you want? 8. Bubbleprick 9. My baby cares for the animals 10. Tiny Vampire ROBOT 11. Freak Flight Speed 12. I do 13. NY City Hotel Blues #3 14. People make me sick 15. Your lawyer (can't stop me from loving you)
I'm still adjusting to the fact so many of the band members left. Andy and his brother Chris Fry aren't in the band anymore. I really liked them, but I suppose I want to wish them the best.
Gone: * Andy Fry, guitarist and co-founder of the band with Edwards.
* Chris Fry, drummer and key contributor to the band’s video documentation and album art (which has been painted by Chris’ girlfriend, Stacy Novak). Chris and Andy are brothers.
* Emily Watkins, keyboard player and vocalist — a female counterpoint for Edwards’ singing. (Ashley White sang in Edwards’ pre-Margot band, Archer Avenue, and Katie Todd is working on the new recordings after her cameo appearances on “Animal!/Not Animal”). Emily and Tyler are not related.
* Casey Tennis, percussionist and energetic focal point during Margot shows.
* Hubert Glover, trumpet player featured on signature Margot tunes “Quiet As a Mouse” and “Vampires in Blue Dresses.”
(The new songs are) much louder and more aggressive in general, but the quiet moments are much more bare,” Edwards said. “No strings or horns. Fun times.”
The new members of the Margot recording unit are keyboard player Cameron McGill (an accomplished Chicago-based solo artist), drummer Brian Deck (producer for “Animal!/Not Animal”) and guitarist Ron Kwasman (who’s overseen greening and recycling efforts for the band Phish).
“I don’t think anything is final,” he said. “It’s just going to be more in and out in terms of membership. I don’t see myself not playing with Andy or Chris or Emily or anybody again.”
That last bit is a bit encouraging as at least some of the members may return/play on future work, etc. Maybe a bit like Fates Warning or whatever.
As far as the title "Buzzard"..let's see, their debut album was called "Dust of Retreat" but had among other themes, a feline/cat direction. "Animal" and "Not Animal" of course based on the title(s) and now "Birds" from "Buzzard" another animal-based title.
Maybe Margot should shoot a video either at a pet store, or in the jungle/wild/forest etc.
ELP agrees to headline the new High Voltage Festival, the UK's new flagship classic rock event, on Sunday July n26, 2010. It is expected that fans from the Europe, USA, Japan and around the globe will fly into London to see this much anticipated and unique event
yay! lol..honestly, I'm not all that thrilled by this, but I suppose it's nice. I saw ELp with Dream Theater and Deep Purple (including Jon Lord) back in 1998 at the Grand Casino in Hinckley, MN. They were good certainly. But unless a full-scale tour were to happen, this is much less significant than the 1-off Led Zeppelin show a few years ago.
If it is the only show, it'll be taped and circulated I'm sure. Maybe on 7/26/10 (or 26/7/10) I'll pop in "Brain Salad Surgery" and "Tarkus" in tribute.
this week, I've been kind of shooting myself in the foot. Every day i come home late due to ot at work, kill time online and don't catchup on my dvr. I could use a day/week off badly, but right now, I need the $ worse.
I finished the 2nd Daniel Clowes book/graphic novel I've read. Mind you, I could finish that or probably "David Boring" in a day or 2, but since I only have about 20-30mins to read at work each day, I have been forced to pace myself.
I need more time to really write a review of both of those, but for now, I can say i thoroughly enjoy Daniel Clowes. characters and dialogue. He truly is not a 1-novel/story wonder w/ Ghost World. Although I'd rate "David Boring" higher than this, but I really started to enjoy the characters, even though their stories were never very long or explored in-depth. DB was more of a story-arc, but these were sort of like short-films (or short-stories done in a comic style), but they all revolved around that town of "Ice Haven." 1 film that comes to mind Niagra Motel or even just Gilmore Girls in a sense (Northern Exposure, Men In Trees). Yeah, I always have to reference tv or movies instead of books, sorry.
Now I've started another one, 2004's "Pussey!"
and I'm already digging it. Clowes just has a great ability at observing society and putting that into narrative and characters that represent that. He reminds me in a way of someone like Charlie Kaufman or Bryan Fuller in that way. Not in style, but in appeal and distinctive-ness and social/political commentary through fiction.
the new V show premiered last night. Thumbs-Up so far. Yeah, the reptile-part of the "Visitors" genetics got revealed already, but that is not so much where I think they may have a chance. The factions of their race, possibly replacing humans with cloned-with-lizard-bodies-underneath (and having to hunt-down those original human and/or their bodies), and the "Visitors" who are good, bad, neutral. There is potential here. Scott Wolf?..meh, i hope he becomes tolerable, especially in that role. Beyond him, I felt the cast worked fine. Joel Gretsch and Elizabeth Mitchell..both fine. Monica Baccarin (sp?) and Laura Vandervoot = eye candy and great as evil-grinning aliens. The black dude and his fiance I have seen before as well. I do hope Alan Tudyk from Firefly and recently on Dollhouse continues to show up as the previews for this season showed. The guy is good in everything he's done that I've seen. Even the commercial with Dule Hill, lol.
We'll see, but as I and my co-host went-on about on that Psych podcast last weekend, this may be the lowest/worst new-tv-show fall ever. Eastwick is good, and for me "Accidentally On Purpose" and maybe "Community" are watchable. Otherwise, it's just been bad network-show after bad network-show. All the best new tv is being made on Cable. It's true. But V at least might save that a little. And perhaps the Tyler Labine show "Sons of Tuscon" and "Parenhood" will be better, but that doesn't happen until March, lol.
new Biffy Clyro album is really good. Better than I expected, and not just the songs from the eps. I shall post some kind of list of recent albums I require more time with between now and early December to finally go about and accurately rate my 2009 Index. Sound Opinions of course only allows 50 albums for voting, and to make the top 50 for my list..truth be, album number 63 might be as good if not better than album number 39. There's a laundry-list of records that are really pretty close in that mid 60's to high 70's range. Easily they could be mixed-and-matched.
Also the EP/Singles list. I need to list and rank them, and figure out all the videos that aren't singles. Thankfully, I posted many of those in this blog throughout the course of the year. A damn fine year for EPs. This day and age could become more about the EP based on cost/time/convenience.
-Margot and the Nuclear So and So's have a new single out in late December
-dredg played the entire "The Pariah, the Parrot, the Delusion" record at least twice this week in Germany. I heard a recording of the show from Monday 11/2. Good show, the Judgment Day guys helped out a lot. Enhanced many tunes including some of the stuff besides the TPTPTD stuff. The show on Sunday 11/1 is/was supposed to be filmed for a DVD. Based on some comments on some of the boards, I'm not 100% certain of that. But mixing and whatnot can help make recordings work better.
-Thomas Pridgen is rumored to be booted from The Mars Volta. Okay. Bedlam the cymbal work ruined that album. Their latest record is better, but as a fan, I'm not really down about that since their recent music isn't as much my thing. And they may get someone whose better suited for them anyway. Pridgen is/was a jazz drummer. Are TMV Jazz? not really.
Between Two Skies opens for Janus on Friday in Maplewood at the Rock. Mixed feelings. I have Janus latest record and I won't keep it from here, the production is pretty awful on many tracks. Lots of cymbals clipping throughout. And the new songs I don't find to be as good as the 3-4 they had up before that. That all being said, I'm looking fwd to seeing BTS again of course, but also finally seeing Janus. They still have some music I enjoy, and after a few years, it's nice to finally see them live. I know, I skipped their show earlier in the year, but they're from Chicago, so I was right to think they'd be back. Why they never made it here in 2006, 2007 ish? no idea. maybe their label gave them money finally to tour.
well there is this blog but I mentioned a few months ago how I wanted to talk more about my favorite tv show, and since I along with a friend do a podcast, it makes sense to link it up here too.
As I posted the other day
Episode 7 and 8 and Fall Finale aka Longmore Man my apologies for the lack of edits and especially the heavy-breathing (I had no idea I was doing that.) As someone who LOATHES hearing stuff like that on other podcasts, I want to warn/apologize ahead of time. On the Fall Finale aka "Longmore Man" I tried my best to avoid it. Unfortunately the mix of the microphones isn't perfect.
- live DVD - a *select cities* tour where they may play the entire Gretchen Goes to Nebraska - Boxed Set of their Atlantic albums - working on a new record as-a-band
King's X Planning Trip Down Memory Lane for 2010 By BRIAN HEATON
King's XTwenty-one years after its debut album, King's X remain largely unknown to the average rock music fan. With little commercial success, one might reasonably expect the band to cut its losses and wind down. But the power trio of Doug Pinnick, Ty Tabor and Jerry Gaskill shows no signs of slowing. If anything, 2010 might be the busiest in the band's history.
Pinnick, King's X's primary singer and bass player, revealed that the band was discussing a variety of projects for the upcoming year, including the release of King's X's first major live DVD and a possible box set of the band's years on Atlantic Records.
For hardcore fans, however, one of the more interesting options under consideration is playing Gretchen Goes to Nebraska in its entirety. Released in 1989, Gretchen is heralded by many fans as King's X's greatest work. Although quite a few bands have followed the full album presentation trend in recent years, it would be the first time for King's X.
"We've been throwing around the idea of doing all of Gretchen in key cities with a lot of special effects," Pinnick revealed. "A lot of the songs we don't play live much, so it's going to take some work."
Although the King's X frontman was clear that playing Gretchen front-to-back was not carved in stone and is just being discussed internally among the band members, the one firm undertaking is the live DVD. Shot earlier this year in London, England, the release will feature a DVD of the concert and a bonus audio CD of the performance that is being mixed by Tabor.
Currently in the mixing stage, the DVD was filmed in high-definition by eight cameras and will be released by InsideOut Music in the coming year. Pinnick was ecstatic about what he has seen of the footage, saying it was the first time he was really pleased with how he and the band had been portrayed on camera.
New music is also on the horizon for King's X, but according to Pinnick, nothing is imminent. The band really wants to take its time when they finally hit the studio and create something a little deeper than King's X's last few records.
"We've been trying to write a couple of hit songs so we can sell some records," the bassist admitted. "Next time we want to do a real record again – Gretchen, Dogman, something people can sink their teeth into. We've been writing songs and want to get back to ground zero and touch someone emotionally."
One of the things Pinnick was adamant about was writing together as a band. The singer revealed that most songs on King's X last album, XV, were written individually. While both fans and media praised the record, Pinnick noted that only one song, "Go Tell Somebody," was written by the group together in the studio. It's a vibe the singer wants to build on.
"We want to do it in Los Angeles somewhere, get in a room and hash it out, take our time and have some fun," Pinnick said.
Road Warriors
Just back from a short slate of dates with progressive rockers Porcupine Tree, Pinnick was thrilled at the reaction King's X received from fans.
"The tour was great and so were the guys in Porcupine Tree," the singer said. "There were a ton of sold out shows and we really won the crowd and had them all singing. They gave us a lot of respect and it was very successful."
King's X On the road periodically since summer 2008, King's X is likely done touring in support of XV, according to Pinnick. Although King's X made sure to include a few new tracks from its latest album into its set list each night, the band made a conscious effort to play its hits – a decision the frontman has mixed feelings about.
When asked about King's X's classic tune "Over My Head," Pinnick emphatically stated that he never gets sick of performing it because of the crowd response, despite it being 20 years old. But that doesn't hold true for him regarding some of the band's other fan-favorites.
"Truthfully, I'm pretty sick of 'Dogman,' 'Black Flag,' and 'We Were Born to Be Loved,' but I understand it's a part of it," Pinnick admitted. "When I'm a fan of a band, I don't want to hear stuff I don't know. I want to hear my favorite songs and I get mad if I don't."
As strange as it might seem to those that know about the band, King's X is relegated to playing small clubs as headliners these days -- not exactly a lucrative career. Despite being cited as an influence by members of genre-defining acts such as Pearl Jam and Pantera, King's X hasn't been able to have a prolonged period of notoriety and financial success like many of its contemporaries.
Pinnick acknowledged that at times, the fact that King's X hasn't had that big break does bother him, but not to the point of depression.
"We live week-to-week and it's only frustrating on the days where I can't pay my bills and something as simple like buying tires screws up the whole month," Pinnick explained with a laugh. "I don't feel like a loser or want to give up, but sometimes you feel that way. If King's X isn't as successful, it's not the peoples' fault. Life is what you make it. I'm a musician but I'm not a rich rock star. I just do what I like to do."
if they do in fact play the full GGTN, I am definitely gonna try and travel for it if it doesn't hit Minnesota. Hopefully Chicago at least.
Also if they write a whole album's worth of songs of the quality like "Go Tell Somebody" their next record may surpass pretty much anything they've done in a long time.
Creepy Girls Hot Kathy New Song Sweetest Secret We Don't Understand You
the new song had a kind of 80's Dance element to it. The key solo almost reminded me of Marillion from that period.
I think that performance was taken from 1 of the shows they played in the UK last April. I'd love to find out more of what they are up to, as their web presence over the last 6 months has been pretty quiet. But for now, this will have to do. And it's cool that it is Halloween as they are kind of into costumes/dressing-up and Halloween in general.
Got much to add. Tons of leaks and new releases: Pain of Salvation, Devin Townsend + all the 10/27 released titles.
Biffy Clyro, Annuals and Revere are really the only known releases (that I can think-of/know-of) that haven't surfaced yet. Annuals EP "Hi-Hat" not even artwork has been put up nor a tracklist.
Goes back to my whole thing with end-of-year/last-minute release of info.
Pretty much, if your album doesn't come out or at least have a set-in-stone release date by the 1st week of October, it's pushed back until the next year.
December: nothing comes out. New movies? yeah, but with music, it's just Holiday albums, live stuff or compilations. And November is starting to be the same way.
Fuck, I'm tired, so i don't have the energy to mention everything I'd like to.
100Ft Snowman are in-effect broken up. The offer from some producer/mgr for a deal was going to have them give up 50% of their earned $. Yeah, right: as I posted on their page last week.
Oct 25 2009 11:03 PM
I just purchased an EP, t-shirt and DVD from your website store. I just feel really really bad about what you guys have to do. You guys are just WAY too talented a band to get insulted with a record deal as ridiculous as that, losing 50% of your revenue. Whose the clown who drew that up? Honestly, reminds me of the idiots at that at-1-time-respected-progrock label MAGNA CARTA who kept screwing band after band over contractually. Requiring rights to their master tapes and naming rights..all false promises and bullshit.
The music BUSINESS can be a dark, soul-less industry, and it pains me to see groups like you guys be the casualties. It's just not fair. But I guess at least if you guys will continue to make music, in other capacities, I am happy about that no matter. Best of luck Snowmen, in whatever the future holds.
without a potential debut album from them, it has me thinking about other groups whose debut albums are likely in the near future, but unfortunately 100Ft Snowman won't be included.
Local Natives (this Monday in the UK/March 2010 US likely)
We Valedictorians 2010 possibly as well. It may depend on time and $ of course, but they are working on it currently which is a good sign.
the last 2 I saw last night (or 2 nights ago now) at The Music Box Theater in Minneapolis. A really nice venue. Small theater, but honestly, it would be great to see more concerts there. I guess they are trying to get a liquor license and that may open a lot more opportunities for them. Because between there and say The Entry, The Rock, The Triplerock, 400 Bar, Big V's, or even The Barfly, etc that venue is WAY nicer. Sure it's seated, but so what? if you have to stand, you can in the front.
The Ritz Theater and The Woman's Club Theaters are 2 similar venues I suppose, and I've attended 1 concert at both of them. But none since. That shouldn't be the case honestly. Guess we'll see in the near future.
Afa WV and Total Babe, both are very promising new groups. I just picked up Total Babe's new EP "Heatwave"
no idea how good it is as I won't be playing it until likely on Monday at work. But from seeing them live twice, and the myspace samples, they really have something I feel. Kind of experimental pop, but not too out-there. Less-is-more without being exactly derivative or half-baked. They're a group of mostly high school kids, so where their music goes is uncertain, but perhaps they'll find reason to continue doing music together for a long time. I certainly hope so.
And We Valedictorians also played last night and certainly got my attention. Jordan Gatesmith, it seems is the front-man and organizer of this group. He actually also is in Total Babe, so it's apparent he's a rather ambitious musician which is a good sign. Hopefully his work in both bands will flourish as some musicians are able to juggle multiple music projects well. When you're in HS as well? hopefully that won't be as difficult as it may sound.
Their sound, I'm still getting a handle on I guess I'd say. They're sort of wall-of-sound in that they have a large ensemble of different players in many of their songs. Violin, oboe, 2 drummers, cello, etc. They remind me of some of the chamber-pop/rock bands of the last 10 years especially in that respect. The Decemberists, The Dear Hunter, Margot and the Nuclear So and So's, etc..even our own Cloud Cult perhaps. The Arcade Fire was the name mentioned as well..and I guess in being tactful, I'll just say I have a bit more intrigue about them than I ever have had with TAF, but that's more a matter of personal taste. I am not into Radiohead nor Tool of course, yet I dig dozens and dozens of bands who are similar.
So to conclude, Total Babe, WV, Jordan and The Music Box Theater (who should get The Musical Box Peter Gabriel-period Genesis recreation band to play. But of course the 2004 failed-attempt at The Fitzgerald Theater may always prevent that) are all something to take away from Halloween'09.
I also did see deretla ("Altered" backwards) last night at Big V's, and my friend Cr8tron was not there. He's not in the band anymore I guess, but still is working with them. Musically, they are not vastly different than many other progressive death metal bands. I do like when they have the clean guitars over the double-bass. The demo Creighton put up on his Minnesota Artists dot org page really impressed me. I don't question Creighton's perfectionist approach to working with them (depending on how much he actually does. I'm not sure exactly what kind of schedule and time-frame they and he will have with that just as an outside observer). So, certainly if and when they have their 1st release available, I'm optimistic at what they do based on seeing them last night and that demo.
Big V's otoh, i dunno how often I'll end up there again. Frankly, it made the Turf Club look big and nice. But, I suppose for bands, it's $ and better than some spots. If I end up gigging and writing music which may be a ways away, but that will depend on $. The fact is, I got music in my head, I'm certain of that. Just no current means to get it down in some format right now. I need actual ProTools (and not a demo-version) or a Mac for garageband.com. But I may not be as keen to end up there as some other places (Celtic Junction?..aka kind of the new Cedar).
I transcribed them, and feel they are worth more people seeing just to understand why his music is so significant.
It has been twelve-odd years since Kevin Gilbert's untimely death at the tender age of twenty-nine. Those of us who knew and loved him best still miss him a lot and think about him all the time.- and when we think about him (I think I speak for most of us) we think: "Damn, I wish Kev could drop back in for a day, so he could whup out a few of his casually brilliant, hilarious musical comments on our current state of affairs, and also that we might have the opportunity to dummy-slap the tar out of him for depriving the rest of our lives of his peerless talent and exquisite company."
It's hard to say what direction Kevin might have gone in as a songwriter in the last decade. His evolution always happened in leaps, fits and spurts. His personal, professional and creative selves were always wadded up in the same sock drawer - damp, tangled and bleeding colors all over each other. He was already profoundly jaded by Hollywood: his eventual compromise with those Powers That Be would surely have been painful - either for him, for them, or for us. He was already so ferociously appalled by American life that it is hard to imagine him lasting even the first four years of the Bush administration without either moving to Amsterdam or stripping down to a red, white and blue vinyl G-string and immolating himself on the White House lawn. But then again, he never really cared much about what happened in Washington. He had enough political difficulties in his own job. It was a juggling act; he was a showman, in the Bob Fosse sense of the word ("All That Jazz" was, incidentally one of his favorite films), always walking that razor-sharp, piano-wire line between the razzle-dazzle of 'entertaining,' and digging deep, telling the truth, and revealing himself. He encountered the most opposition from his professional world when he felt he was being most courageous: exposing parts of himself that even he didn't particularly want to see hanging around his own living room... let alone singing. He had a profound sense of justice, a nearly pathological need to be honest about tendencies most people would protect themselves by concealing, and a burning sense that he was, in a way, speaking up for underdogs everywhere - he had nearly boundless compassion for people victimized by their own demons.
That was the paradoxical power of Kevin's songs: they are funny, catchy, sometimes too sweet, occasionally too maudlin, always virtuosic, always excruciatingly truthful journalistic dispatches by a reporter at war with himself.
Like Mendelssohn or Jell-O tequila shooters, Kev was always a strong acquired taste...but in a proper mood of submission and indulgence, you might be deeply surprised by what you'd find in your ear.
This collection shows off many facets of the 18-sided die that was Kevin - the twee, sentimental prog-rock troubadour; the emotionally stark naked guy, standing in the dark night of the soul without shoes, shame or raincoat; the caring brother who wrote "Shannon Elizabeth" for his newborn niece; the petulant jerk lashing out a poison pen letter to his ex disguised as a love song to his dog, and most of all: the disappointed, embittered poet who nonetheless tried to redeem his own life, and yours, through piercingly beautiful music...and often succeeded.
What becomes really obvious listening to these tracks is that Kevin Gilbert, as existentially depressing, romantically bereft, and morally liminal as he could be, was a totally blinding, white-hot genius. History may have its share of talented songwriters, and some may have been more well-known or more widely appreciated, but none, really, were any better than Kevin. He truly was, ladies and gentleman, an artist at the apex of human ability in his chosen medium - and those don't come around every day. It's the kind of genius that you're a little more awestruck by each passing year, because even in the midst of certain tangy synthesizer sounds endemic to the year he wrote them, you realize that fundamentally, Kevin's songs are as potent today as they were ten years ago. They're real art: they're timeless.
Of course, what was really interesting about Kevin Gilbert - what Kevin found most interesting, anyway - was his love-life, and the trials he suffered, bedding numerous beautiful women - blondes, primarily - during his short reign on earth (it must be remembered that he began his professional life while still a teen, touring as a keyboardist for rock legend Eddie Money.)What I can tell you from personal experience is that ten inches is a conservative estimate...(to be continued in liner notes of "Bolts.")
Cintra Wilson, 2009
...like I was saying, to pick up where I left off in the previous liner-notes for "Nuts," ten inches is a conservative estimate of how thick Kevin Gilbert's little black book was, and the angsty feelings resulting from these romantic entanglements certainly weren't his alone, but we can safely say he wrote better songs about them than any of his girlfriends.
Anyway, in the legendary graphic novel "Transmetropolitan" by Warren Ellis and Darick Robertson, there is a religious movement in which one voluntarily discards the earthly body and "downloads" one's entire consciousness into a cloud of nanobots, and becomes a vapor-state known as a "foglet." the star of the series, future journalist Spider Jerusalem, rhetorically asks:
"If a guy has a prosthetic leg, is he still still human?... How about if he had two artificial legs? Artificial arms? A plastic heart? Carbon fibre bones? Artificial neurons? Where do you stop being human?"
You don't is the conclusion these drawings draw; a foglet is the ultimate, sentient, "postbiological man."
"You could download a mind out of its - let's face it - eminently crappy, badly designed human body and into a seriously useful and functionally immortal artificial form,"
said Spider Jerusalem.
Which leads me to further discussion of the Kevin Gilbert codex.
It's not the wit and sophistication of Kevin's lyrics. It's not the torturously thoughtful production values. It's not even his virtuosic musicianship or that sailing voice - it's the fact that twelve years after his death with a pair of headphones, he still is urgently, throbbingly real, ridiculous, vindictive, whiny, sarcastic, stunningly smart and painfully earnest all at the same time. He is still so beautiful, infuriating and immediate you still want to reach out and hug him and/or cry uncontrollably and/or hurl your coffee mug at him. His ability to press any number of out emotional buttons, for good or ill, is as strong now as it ever was when he was a living, breathing tortured genius-cum-lover-cum-brother-cum-collaborator-cum-friend.
Whatever form Kevin's soul is currently inhabiting in the space-time continuum, it is a safe bet that he still can't find his car keys; it is also safe to say that some eternal part of him is still waiting to feel that enough other people ultimately got him... that his music resounded, was understood, was loved, as listened to, and was necessary.
The songs in this collection have an impact more forceful than Kevin or anyone else ever gave him enough credit for. If you had the good fortune to know Kevin Gilbert while he slouched around earth, you were lucky, especially if you had a piano for him to fool around with. If you didn't know Kev, you're probably better off - he could be a really infectious downer sometimes, especially after he finished your bourbon; and it was inevitable that he'd say something unbelievably rude to several of your guests. But then again, that special charmlessness was half of his enduring charm.
If you still want to meet Kevin Mathew Gilbert - the "Canvas Mattress" himself (his infant brother somehow couldn't pronounce his name any other way) - you have the opportunity to meet Kevin now. He's like a Transmetropolitan foglet. He's still all in there. All of him. Right inside the music. he spared no molecule of himself to make it, and this is why these discs make him immortal. They were, very consciously, imbued by Kevin with the sum total of his own soul.
Cintra Wilson, 2009
"The Best of Everything" may be my newest favorite KG track. Such a perfect piano ballad. I should write something more extensive about these 2, and the Welcome to Joytown DVD soon.
I also should try and find that graphic novel Cintra Wilson referenced "Transmetropolitan" as it sounds intriguing, I've been kind of into graphic novels of late reading "David Boring" recently, "Ex Machina" and "Y: The Last Man" earlier this year. It sounds up my alley, even beyond the fact she referenced it with Kevin.
so I finally saw it tonight, at the so-called IMAX in Roseville. That was secondary.
There's a ton to say, yet, in words, it doesn't really express the emotion that this movie brought to me.
Hmm, I read the book as a child, like many kids. I have verrry vague memories of the book, namely of the images of boy with the horned-suit on, and the monsters. What it was about, until I actually read a synopsis again a few months ago, I didn't fully remember. But I suppose the key plot-point after that was remembering he was sent to his room without any dinner. I think by his mother.
The other details, I should and will go back and page through the book again now after seeing the movie twice this evening (I missed the 1st 5minutes and this was such a good movie, I had to catch the WHOLE thing. And frankly, there were certainly multiple benefits/motivations for a 2nd viewing anyway).
edit: Wikipedia says and refreshed my memory now
The text consists of only ten sentences. It tells the story of Max, who one evening plays around his home, "making mischief" in a wolf costume. As punishment, his mother sends him to bed without supper. In his room, a mysterious, wild forest and sea grows out of his imagination, and Max sails to the land of the Wild Things. The Wild Things are fearsome-looking monsters, but Max conquers them "by staring into their yellow eyes without blinking once", and he is made "the King of all Wild Things", dancing with the monsters in a "wild rumpus". However, he soon finds himself lonely and homesick, and he returns home to his bedroom, where he finds his supper waiting for him, still hot.
I do remember that, and the way the forest grows in his room, almost reminds me of "the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." The supper being warm when he gets back home also I recall. I do like how Jonze *adapted* some things though, but remained true to the spirit of the book.
Jeez, so maybe Hollywood will end up adapting "Caps for Sale" "Goodnight Moon" and "There's a Nightmare in My Closet." maybe Jonze would be interested in working on some of these as well? lol. yeah, right.
I think the biggest thing that got me with it may be how much it struck a chord with childhood and my personality. Max is a kid who has a vast range of emotions, and what seems like a temper. He also has a vast imagination. Telling his mother the little story about the buildings and vampires was one example, but also the way he sees the world in his experience on the island.
I guess I felt partially transported back to being a child again watching this. I hate to make comparisons, but especially the 2nd time through, I felt very similar to how I feel/felt watching The Wizard of Oz, and I suppose some other heartfelt stories.
By running away to the Island, meeting the monsters, etc Max sort of fulfills that escape fantasy that many children yearn for. But at the same time, ultimately his tie to his mother (was his father in the book? I forget, he's only referenced vaguely in the movie) and family back home. The Wizard of Oz paralells are there, sure, but it doesn't make the story any less moving.
But his time with the monsters on the island, and then *****SPOILER**** going back home on the boat; leaving them behind was as touching a scene/sequence I've ever seen in any movie. The acting, music, cinematography, editing, etc is just perfect.
Ya know the truth is, after seeing it once (save for the 1st 5mins) I didn't expect to tear-up with what the story is. But I honestly could not hold back my tears. And then I figured, the 2nd time through the same wouldn't happen, having just seen it once and knowing what would happen; but my gawd, I did EVEN WORSE. This was like putting on Marillion's BRAVE or something. THE WIZARD OF OZ does it to me everytime, but it's not as if every movie I love does. "Synecdoche, NY" didn't do it to me? and there is certainly stuff in that movie that is sad. Ironically, also a movie Catherine Keener starred in as well.
Some of the best parts were in scenes with not a ton of dialogue, but you could see the emotion in the performance, albeit subtle at times, other times just an overly long-winded emphasis.
The boy Max Records, really did a fine job playing the lead character Max. I'm not sure what else he's done:
edit: he was the young version of Mark Ruffalo's character in "The Brother's Bloom." Mark Ruffalo, also was in WTWTA, lol.
I certainly will remember him, even if he never does anything as good as this again. He pulled the role off quite well. Capturing those emotions just right. Sure, the scenes at the beginning of the movie were truncated, especially the part when he reacts to his igloo being destroyed (did he even look at it and point it out, before or during his tears?..I don't think so, but it still worked well enough I thought).
No Spike Jonze really got this movie just right. The author, Maurice Sendak, was great to wait for him, the right writer and director to put it to film.
edit: really strange how Steve Vai released a live album earlier this year of the same title, and it comes from his performance in Minneapolis at the State Theater, lol
Also in 1985, according to Wikipedia, a stage performance of WTWTA was performed in St.Paul. My guess is the "Children's Theater" there. I remember going there, namely for the "500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins" and something related-to, but not necessarily The Wizard of Oz (and A Christmas Carol I believe since a friend of mine and my brother's was in it I recall), but I'm not sure if I caught that play specifically. But it wouldn't surprise me given how I had and read the book not that many years earlier (early 80's is my guess).
I could elaborate on a lot more details and other things involving this movie; and I very well may, at least when I do my end-of-year list. Especially considering how great it was, and I'd be surprised to see a better, more moving picture the rest of the year/season (although I'd love to be wrong).
95+/100
Kind of funny as this comes right on the heels of finally getting the Kevin Gilbert "Nuts, Bolts, and Welcome to Joytown DVD/CD" which will likely be in my mailbox by Saturday if not earlier since I placed my order (here) on Monday night. And also Between the Buried and Me's album "The Great Misdirect" leaking. So, it's kind of come within a segment of multiple favorite and significant sources of art/entertainment for myself.
I won't deny, their music I don't know all that well. But that pretty face is just too wonderful to pass up the chance to see (and hopefully meet!) on February 6th in St.Paul.
Here's the obligatory press-release:
Dutch female-fronted symphonic metallers EPICA entered Gate Studio in Wolfsburg, Germany on March 2 with producer Sascha Paeth to begin recording the follow-up to 2007's "The Divine Conspiracy", tentatively due in September/October via Nuclear Blast Records.
Commented EPICA guitarist Mark Jansen: "It's been a great time at Gate Studio in Wolfsburg recording 'Design Your Universe'. We worked with the same team and we worked for the first time together with our new guitar player Isaac Delahaye [formerly of GOD DETHRONED]. This made a difference and made things very refreshing because we could add some new elements because of him. We have worked harder than ever on the details. We preferred to spend some extra money on great additions which brings our songs to a higher level instead of leaving things like they are. The result is that we worked so hard on this album that we hardly can listen to the album anymore. Now it's time to let it go and release it to humanity. We were already very happy with 'The Divine Conspiracy', but I'm sure this new album tops that one.
He added, "The album title, 'Design Your Universe', deals with new breakthroughs in quantum physics. It proves that we are all connected to each other on subatomic level. Also, it shows that we can create or at least influence matter with our thoughts… a very interesting fact. Because it changes everything for us, our whole worldview collapses once you accept these facts and integrate them in your lives. So this had to become the new album title."
EPICA will return to North America for a headlining tour in the beginning of 2010, with DAATH and BLACKGUARD as support. EPICA will offer fans a special VIP ticket which will grant them access to the venue an hour before door times, a pre-show meet-and-greet with EPICA and a event poster customized for the city of the show. Fans are urged to purchase these VIP tickets as only 50 are being allotted for each show. Tickets go on sale today through EnterTheVault.com exclusively until August 19, at which point they will be made available through all other normal ticketing outlets.
Confirmed tour dates are as follows:
Jan. 26 - Jaxx - West Springfield, VA Jan. 27 - Trocadero Theater - Philadelphia, PA Jan. 29 - The Blender Theatre at Gramercy - New York, NY Jan. 30 - The Palladium - Worcester, MA Jan. 31 - Club Soda - Montreal, Quebec - CANADA Feb. 01 - MOD Club - Toronto, Ontario - CANADA Feb. 03 - Peabody's - Cleveland, OH Feb. 04 - The Pearl Room - Mokena IL Feb. 05 - The Rave - Milwaukee, VI Feb. 06 - Station 4 - St. Paul, MN Feb. 08 - Royal Albert Arms - Winnipeg, Manitoba - CANADA Feb. 10 - Starlite Room - Edmonton, Alberta - CANADA Feb. 11 - Warehouse - Calgary, Alberta - CANADA Feb. 13 - Sugar Nightclub - Victoria, B.C. - CANADA Feb. 14 - El Corazon - Seattle, WA Feb. 15 - Hawthorne Theater - Portland, OR Feb. 17 - Slim's - San Francisco, CA Feb. 18 - Key Club - West Hollywood, CA Feb. 19 - U.B.'s Bar - Mesa, AZ Feb. 20 - The Rock - Tucson - Tucson, AZ Feb. 22 - Bluebird Theater - Denver, CO Feb. 23 - Marquee - Tulsa, OK Feb. 24 - Scout Bar - Houston, TX Feb. 25 - Scout Bar - San Antonio, TX Feb. 27 - Volume 11 - Raleigh, NC Feb. 28 - The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
# You Vikings fans really are hateful people. I don't see how you can sleep at night. I am going to sign off and be with GOOD people now8 minutes ago from Echofon
# Oh come on. How lucky13 minutes ago from Echofon
# This will be start of long losing streak for ViQueens13 minutes ago from Echofon
# We won, by the way, 26-014 minutes ago from Echofon
# We're in range, Ravens fans16 minutes ago from Echofon
# Where's that midget Antoine Winfield? This looks easy18 minutes ago from Echofon
# Ravens only need about 35 yards19 minutes ago from Echofon
# So what? Here comes the REAL purple team20 minutes ago from Echofon
# What happened to the supposed awesome ViQueen defense? I told you they were lucky and overrated22 minutes ago from Echofon
# Adrienne looks hurt. Poor baby25 minutes ago from Echofon
# Here we go Ravens Here WE Go26 minutes ago from Echofon
# Look! ViQueens LOSING.27 minutes ago from Echofon
# Oh, look, ViQueens about to LOSE. Think I'll go watch in parking lot since this game is over35 minutes ago from Echofon
# Lions get NOTHING from what is probably the best defense in NFL. Looks like Baltimore is starting to dominate MNabout 1 hour ago from Echofon
# Are there any nicer people on earth than Packer fans? Just a better quality of humans, I think Lambeau is like a giant group hugabout 1 hour ago from Echofon
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lawl
AllMediaReviewsVikings did not deserve to win today. Jeezus..what a horrible meltdown.
1 Pills 2 Lines 3 The Empty Bottle 4 Remove 5 Come On Get High 6 Thought Conditioning 7 The Feeling Of Losing Everything 8 Blood In Numbers 9 To The End 10 Pictures 11 Lunar Bender
mostly new songs. I need to revisit CC's again just to get an idea if it should remain as high on my 2009 Albums Index as it is. But adding this is something to consider I suppose. A stream is nice, but hopefully this will leak soon too. Street Date is soon (if not already) but a US release of it or ANY other of Archive's albums is puzzling.
I'd recommend this album as it reminds me at times of Woven's "Designer Codes" album from last year. It often seems like a 76minute soundtrack like DC's was. It's more of a departure from some of Archive's work in the past like "You All Look the Same to Me" and "Noise." There's isn't as much prog rock, and more trip-hop. But the songs are still there, and it consistently keeps your attention, that it doesn't seem as long as the 1hour and change it clocks in at.
Here's my notes I wrote down the other day (sorry for the caps)
1 Controlling Crowds - "I'm sick of the controlling crowds, here they come" 2 Bullets1st single. Catchy. 3 Words on Signs - "There's no-bod-dee here for me right now-ow-ow" 4 Danger Visit - "so much writing on the wall" 10x's...sweet bass-line..nice effects on the pedals and repeated vocal-choruses "sing along, sing along, sing along, sing it" 5 Quiet Time - hip-hop..ambient wall-of-sound almost like Marillion..great build of energy 6 Collapse Collide - sad melody reminds me of Neverending White Lights..female vox..GREAT WALL-OF-SOUND AMBIENCE THAT BUILDS..GREAT ATMOSPHERE 7 Clones - NICE GUITAR RIFF/SYNTH COMBO W/ DISTORTION GOING IN AND OUT 8 Bastardised Ink - hip-hop..LIKE THE RHYTHM ON THE SYNTHS..VOX ARE BORDERLINE SINGING 9 Kings of Speed - ANOTHER NICE PIECE THAT BUILDS TEXTURALLY AND W/ LAYERS..ELECTRONIC DRUMS? OR DRUM MACHINE?..SOME BELLS AT THE END 10 Whore - FEMALE VOX..PIANO..NICE HUMMING IN THE OUTRO 11 Chaos - GREAT VOCAL HARMONIES W/ PIANO..THEN STRINGS LATER..EPIC BALLAD 12 Raised to the Ground - HIP-HOP..NICE TEXTURES AND DISTORTION WITH THE SYNTHS..FAT SYNTHS..REMINDS ME OF DJ SHADOW 13 Funeral - MOODY ENDING PIECE
A LOT OF THIS ALBUM SOUNDS LIKE REMIXES
82/100 and 5th place currently on the '09 AotY race.
apparently they broke up. "Hollow Mountains" was supposed to come out in March, but their record label dropped them before it could. By all accounts it was recorded and mastered. Some of the demos on their myspace sounded promising enough.
I hope somehow they decide to release Hollow Mountains on their own or something. Look at maudlin of the Well or Self. As long the legal side isn't an issue and they can accept a paypal kind of deal. Otherwise, it's really a waste, on their part since they wrote and recorded it.
Reminds me of Soundscape...I hope we hear Hollow Mountains before 2019, lol.
they've split *cries* Quote: RosieFM wrote: August 2009
I heard from a friend of the band... so I think pretty damn reliable I'm devastated too, had been waiting for another album with baited breath... Don't know what's going to happen to it, don't think they were signed anymore.
last 2 nights: I get home from work, eat dinner, try and catchup on emails/forums/leaks and then get 1-2 hour nap in before a concert where I'm out until 1am.
So many items to mention, review..and I have no fucking time right now as it's 2am.
So, all I can do is copy and paste some posts I guess.
1st off, LISTEN TO STRICT JOY THE NEW ALBUM FROM THE SWELL SEASON NAO!!!!
some of this is unbelievable. Fuck.
The Arusha Accord came out, In due time I'll hear it. Wolfmother was supposed to have dropped yesterday, and with a leak coming soon, ditto.
10/13/09: School of Seven Bells, Warpaint and The Depreciation Guild. @ 7th Street Shack
I attended their show in Minneapolis tonight.
1st off: I actually went to the show 1st and foremost to see Warpaint who I might describe as a textural, dreamy female-driven rock group. They're quite good, and they just re-released their debut EP "Exquisite Corpse" with an extra track. And expect them to put out their debut full-length next Spring.
I'm rather intrigued where they will go after remembering and enjoying their music again (I checked out their ep back in March, but kind of misplaced/forgot about it until noticing they were on the bill with SVIIB).
The 2nd band The Depreciation Guild weren't bad either. Kind of electronicagaze. They had a visual screen that fit well their music, altho most of the rhythms were generated with a drum machine I suspect, as it sounds on their music.
And then seeing School of Seven Bells finally, was a rather trippy, surreal experience at times. Most of the lights were down and they also had a projection screen that was a big part of their show. But sonically, the guitar and textures they use really dominated a lot of the sound. The twins pulled off the vocals okay, but at times the hugely amped-up, distorted guitars really caused them to almost sound like they were in the background.
They are a pretty different group live, as the album at times puts me to sleep, but this was many levels louder and in-your-face. And some of the color-spectrums and visuals really added some to the music. Although, at the same time they re-used some of them, and a couple of the one's early in the set kind of got boring after a few minutes.
But I'd definitely see these guys again live. The studio work? meh, I'm really not sure. They come across as almost a heavy-electronica group live, but Alpisims doesn't leave much of the same impression. It's almost more earthy.
more..A LOT MORE I hope to be added about this show, mainly WARPAINT. The girls in Warpaint are incredibly sweet. I wish they lived here and I could see them play a lot more often. They're all cute too, but I suspect all have boyfriends. Go figure, I'm not one to ruin a band anyway, but affection is hard to avoid, especially when receiving hugs :p.
10/12/09 Fair to Midland @ The Rock Nightclub
just got back a bit ago.
7th show in less than 3 years, lol.
new stuff sounds more refined, more eclectic, and tighter. Musical Chairs of course is now a little more known, but they still play an extended version of it live. The other new songs, well I can say right now "Rikki Tikki Tavi" rules. I am totally psyched about that tune more now. There's a great chours in the middle that I love. The shifting moods, times works really well.
The others..the one that is rather ambient I am curious about..1 is a poppy piece I recall them doing last time.
As far as news: They would have had a chance to record and release a new album this year, but the fact they are not clear ON THEIR LABEL situation right now, is the biggest reason they haven't Also cost/$ of course. But They are actually with the Serj connection, looking into a major lable, perhaps Interscope or Warner Brothers. This is vague, but that's what Cliff mentioned to me.
But with the delays, they have written more songs, and I guess more or less every one of them is different stylistically. I'd believe it. I really think their next record will not be Fables Part 2 at all. Even tho some elements to Musical Chairs reminds me of Fables, that may be the only song that will remind folks more obviously as having much of the Fables sound. But then again, what we've heard is just a demo, the final/released version may be quite different potentially.
The rest of set: Manatee Kyla Tal Tales April Fools Walls of Jericho Seafarer's Knot
Darroh did his usual hanging from the lights antics..a lot of cut/crowd-vocal choruses..and extended versions.
7th time, and this was another great memory to put in the books.
Another thing that I must mention and stress. The OPENING BANDS. Empty Set: they caught my attention at times, especially this 1 almost proggy/jamband track. BloodRoot Mother: the myspace stuff I was impressed by, and they also were interesting enough at times. I bought their cd and may see them at Station 4 on Friday (instead of Mastodon at Roy Wilkins).
The House of Harkonnen: um..THESE GUYS NEARLY FLOORED ME. Wow, ok. They have been playing shows with FTM for many years in Texas I guess, but they haven't done a ton of touring with them. Fuck, these guys killed! Speed Metal to the Nth degree! They were wearing Motorhead t-shirts..um, I thought I was listening to Motorhead at times seeing them, lol. I guess 1 of the guitarists is classically trained too. Fuck, they had such great energy, my jaw dropped at times.
If you dig energetic, technical-at-times, speed metal..or perhaps just groups like Mastodon or Baroness..sort-of blues-based at times, but with great energy..this band could be a CAN'T MISS.
I told them and Cliff, perhaps they could become like The Galactic Cowboys were with King's X for FTM. Tour-partners from the same hometown/state.
They really are a band more people would enjoy if they received the right exposure. I know I will be checking out their back catalog now, and look fwd to seeing them again hopefully soon.
They almost outclassed FTM to be honest. I purchased their latest disc.
The Decemberists @ The State Theater last Friday 10/9/09. Here's a post from another blog:
I missed The Decemberists show..fuck
bloody hell, how in the blue fuck did I miss this? ShittyPages had NOTHING about it for weeks. I never saw any ad for it, nor was it on the Mr.Chan Presents.
Pisses me off..Laura Veirs opened and sat in with them of course. Rock the garden was wayy too overpriced with too many bands I didn't feel like paying for to see, and while this show was $32.50, I would have tried to get in for $20 or less like I often do,
the only silver lining is I saved myself some $, but god damnit, I've waited nearly 3 years to see them again. Fuck.
I just noticed this on BBC America's site. There's also a new logo for the show for what that's worth.
I guess this is the 2nd of 4 David Tennant Dr.Who specials before he departs. Series 5 starts March 2010 (UK).
The way that trailer looks to be honest, while it'll be worth seeing, it does remind me of 1 or 2 other Dr.Who episodes. Namely the 1 at the library where the scientistis kept getting infected with the light from the shadows. Also based on what's shown on the site there, it shows Donna with the Doctor, yet she's not shown in that preview. So, wtf, why?..
I imagine at least 1 of the other specials will be another X-Mas episode, and then 1 other before the new Doctor, Matt Smith, takes over in March.
edit: and it appears the next companion, named Amy Pond will be played by Karen Gillan
They have a concert coming up on Sunday 11/29 at THE VARSITY!..absolutely a huge concert to look forward to now.
Oct 9 2009 7:00P Warwick University (NME Radar Tour) Coventry, UK Oct 10 2009 6:00P Civic Hall Bar (NME Radar Tour) Wolverhampton, UK Oct 12 2009 7:00P Waterfront (NME Radar Tour) Norwich, UK Oct 13 2009 7:00P Koko (NME Radar Tour) London, UK Oct 14 2009 7:00P Concorde 2 (NME Radar Tour) Brighton, UK Oct 15 2009 7:00P La Maroquinerie (w/ Peter, Bjorn and John) Paris, France Oct 16 2009 8:00P Paradiso Amsterdam, Holland Oct 17 2009 8:00P Bang Bang Club Berlin, Germany Oct 23 2009 12:00A CMJ Showcase @ Mercury Lounge w/ Patrick Watson, Alec Ounsworth, Sean Bones and more (21+) New York, New York Nov 1 2009 7:30P The Clubhouse w/ White Rabbits (allages) Phoenix, Arizona Nov 2 2009 8:00P El Rey w/ White Rabbits (allages) Los Angeles, California Nov 4 2009 8:00P Slim's w/ White Rabbits (allages) San Francisco, California Nov 5 2009 8:00P Wonder Ballroom w/ White Rabbits (allages) Portland, Oregon Nov 6 2009 8:00A Biltmore Cabaret w/ White Rabbits (allages) Vancouver, British Columbia Nov 10 2009 8:00A 3rd & Lindsley w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes and Fool's Gold Nashville, Tennessee Nov 11 2009 8:00A 40 Watt Club w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Fool's Gold Athens, Georgia Nov 15 2009 8:00A First Unitarian Church w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Fool's Gold Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Nov 16 2009 8:00A Black Cat w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Fool's Gold Washington DC, Washington DC Nov 17 2009 8:00A Bowery Ballroom w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Fool's Gold New York, New York Nov 20 2009 8:00A The Starving Artist Keene, New Hampshire Nov 21 2009 8:00A Pearl Street Downstairs w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Fool's Gold Northampton, Massachusetts Nov 22 2009 8:00A Club Metronome w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Fool's Gold Burlington, Vermont Nov 23 2009 8:00A Petit Campus w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Fool's Gold Montreal, Quebec Nov 24 2009 8:00A El Mocambo w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Fool's Gold Toronto, Ontario Nov 27 2009 8:00A Lincoln Hall w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Fool's Gold Chicago, Illinois Nov 28 2009 8:00A High Noon Saloon w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Fool's Gold Madison, Wisconsin Nov 29 2009 8:00A Varsity Theater w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Fool's Gold Minneapolis, Minnesota Dec 1 2009 8:00A Boulder Theater w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Fool's Gold Boulder, Colorado Dec 2 2009 8:00A Velour w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Fool's Gold Provo, Utah Dec 3 2009 8:00A The Neurolux w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros & Fool's Gold Boise, Idaho Dec 5 2009 8:00A Neumo's w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Fool's Gold Seattle, Washington Dec 8 2009 8:00A Biltmore Cabaret w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Fool's Gold Vancouver, British Columbia Dec 9 2009 8:00A Doug Fir Lounge w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Fool's Gold Portland, Oregon Dec 10 2009 8:00A W.O.W. Hall w/ Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and Fool's Gold Eugene, Oregon
a track-by-track analysis will come soon I imagine, but right now I need to headout to Hudson, WI to see the movie 'Clear Lake, WI" finally..timing is great due to the fact that film used "Dance of the Manatee" by Fair to Midland in 1 of the trailers, and FTM are playing in Maplewood on Monday night, lol.
To put it simply, I won't be online during the workday anymore, now until the unforeseeable future.
No big deal I hope. But it's a wakeup call.
I got to hear the Local Natives album finally. I'm pretty sure it lived up to my hopes. That band just knows how to write really good songs. And they have their own sound.
if I find the means, a lot more to be told here and rym about that rather soon. Debut album of the year likely, and pretty reasonable chance a top 10 candidate.
The only question is how long it takes until their name becomes a lot more commonly known. I was around in December 2006 ya'll..it's wonderful yet could be sad. But they deserve the success they should get rather soon. Lookout Fleet Foxes, Grizzly Bear, and Animal Collective.
Seeing probably the new Michael Moore movie tonight to take my mind off the stress at work today. Words should come soon after as well.
Twins everything. FTR, I expect them to lose in 4 to New York, but if they somehow upset them, I wouldn't be shocked. Gardy still hasn't proved much as a post-season manager, but this team has no pressure on them, his others kind of all did.
as a result of my change in daily web limits, I may actually be able to do more reading, so perhaps this blog will start to include some literary reviews. Guess I'll see. But I have a a number of things to do now with this change, however unexpected they were.
6 shows next week, lol:
10/12 Fair to Midland 10/13 Warpaint/School of 7 Bells 10/14 Telluric Currents (Greg Herriges) FREE 10/15 Monte Montgomery (and I think) Lehto and Wright 10/17 Mute Math w/ As Tall As Lions 10/18 Mahogany Frog
new FTM demo is doing well on the 93X Cage Match, having won 2 nights in a row. Certainly should be nice to see them and talk to the members, especially Cliff about that.
dredg is filming a DVD for their November 1st show in Dortmund, Germany. Possibly 3 hours and some of the EP/B-side/Unreleased tracks could be played. Wish i lived in Germany, blah blah..
Kevin Gilbert 2 studio and live dvd/cd it appears could be available by Halloween. The wait isn't too far away. Those/That will be as big a deal for a new album to hear all year for me, even moreso than the Local Natives today. Soh soooooon.
original 8/19/09 is so special about this guy? I'm partially echoing a friend of mine's sentiments, but I agree with him for the most part.
Why do all these *legendary* musicians keep kissing this guy's ass? McCartney, Chris Squire, the Rush guys, Mike Portnoy, to now John Paul Jones in this new *supergroup* he's in with the Josh Homme from another highly overated band in Queens of the Stone Age.
Seriously, why in the blue fuck does this guy keep getting heaps of praise? Nirvana sucked all kinds of ass, and more or less became the most over-rated band of the last 20 years, if not ever. And The Foo Fighters pretty much milked the fact he came from Nirvana, and arguably, are even worse, lol.
What makes him so fucking special? There's literally hundreds of other musicians that have shown an infinite amount of more talent, than this clown. Perhaps he, like Cobain, has found some kind of way to hypnotically cause them to like him and his music. Otherwise, it's highly baffling, and the music industry would be a far-better place if he'd just go the fuck away.
Minus The Bear, Into The Mirror (Exclusive) MP3 by Staff | 10.05.2009
Seattle-based quintet Minus the Bear are excited to announce a four-week North American headlining tour that will begin October 30th in Eugene, Oregon, proceeded by warm up dates in the Northwest and New York. Having spent the last 4 months in Seattle’s Avast! Recording Co and Electrokitty Recording studios, working on their highly anticipated fourth studio album, the band is looking forward to debuting their new material to fans in a live setting. Produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Joe Chiccarelli (My Morning Jacket, The White Stripes), Minus the Bear’s new album will expand on their complex and exciting brand of rock n roll. "This album has more scope than the past records,” says guitarist Dave Knudson, “some songs are more poppy and immediate while others expand on the complexities we're known for.”
Before the early 2010 album release, Minus the Bear are giving fans a sneak peek at the Chiccarelli sessions by releasing the new album’s first single “Into The Mirror,” a song that not only shows the more expansive elements of the new record but is a song filled with keyboard-driven soul mixed with the immediate charm of pop music. Set for an October 27th release, the single will include b-side “Broken China” a perfect pairing of the band’s indie / prog-rock influences. “Into The Mirror” and “Broken China” will only be available as a special 7” and through digital music stores. Enjoy the FILTER exclusive premiere of "Into The Mirror" here, and be sure to pick it up on October 27th.
Tickets go on sale this Saturday, September 12th.
Into the Mirror - Minus the Bear (FILTER Exclusive)
Tour Dates (more to be announced):
October 5th- The Nightlight- Bellingham, WA 6th- Doug Fir Lounge- Portland, OR 10th- Pyramid Breweries- Seattle, WA 15th- The Gramercy Theatre- New York, NY 30th- WOW Hall- Eugene, OR 31st- The Boardwalk- Sacramento, CA
November 1st- Downtown Brew- San Luis Obispo, CA 2nd- Belly Up- Solana Beach, CA 3rd- Glass House- Pomona, CA 4th- Orpheum Theater- Flagstaff, AZ 6th- The Door- Ft. Worth, TX 7th- Jagz- Pharr, TX 8th- White Rabbit- San Antonio, TX 10th- Workplay Theater- Birmingham, AL 11th- Club Firestone- Orlando, FL 12th- 40 Watt- Athens, GA 13th- Cat’s Cradle- Carrboro, NC 15th- The Crazy Donkey- Farmingdale, NY 17th- The Westcott Theater- Syracuse, NY 18th- Port City Music Hall- Portland, ME 19th- Pearl Street- Northampton, MA 20th- Mr. Small’s Theatre- Pittsburgh, PA 21st- Otto’s Niteclub- Dekalb, IL 22nd- The House of Bricks- Des Moines, IA 23rd- Granada Theatre- Lawrence, KS 25th- The Black Sheep- Colorado Springs, CO 27th- In the Venue- Salt Lake City, UT 28th- Knitting Factory Concert House- Boise, ID
If you haven't heard already, Pablo from 93x in Minneapolis will be featuring our demo recording of Musical Chairs in their cagematch monday night (oct 5th) at 9pm central time.
for those that don't live there the link to listen online is here: http://93x.com/Article.asp?id=160974
afterword, to vote on the cagematch go here: http://www.93x.com/cagematch.asp
(and then each night after that if they win. People need to hear it to know about THE CONCERT next Monday October 12th at THE ROCK NIGHTCLUB)
Vikes/Pack will have to have the sound down around then.
Missing Adrian Belew and Mono tonight as well, lol.
original 10/1/09 2:07AM ftm's twitter: will debut a BRAND NEW SONG on 93x in Minneapolis on Monday! (Listen online worldwide!) Details soon!
that dj from 93X, it is cool having him from Minnesota and pimping 1of MY bands.
And the 7th show coming up in 30 months or whatever doesn't hurt either.
So, on Monday, Packers/Vikings and a new FTM song. When it'll be, who knows. But I may tell a friend of mine, I'll pass on going to bar for the game if I haven't heard it yet on 93X. Although hopefully someone over on one of the boards will rip the stream when it happens. I just hope 93x's server doesn't crash. May not be a bad idea to test it out soon just to get an idea about how to stream their station ahead of time.
The Dear Hunter: I probably should hold-off and write a more appropriate review including my 5:15-6:30pm 4hour-free parking dilemma. I'm kind of tired now.
But if there's one thing to get down is the metaphor that crossed my mind about TDH, Casey, and music that kind of goes with my repeated feelings when I'm around my brother and his kids, and with my parents too.
They got the American-Dream: career + kids etc. Success.
I have, well what I have. Work that pays my bills and isn't exactly boring (or as boring as it sounds/is stereotyped as), but isn't a career for me. And I have no marriage or gf and no kids.
So what DO I have? I have my entertainment, lol. My music, movies, television and other things. Trivial, right? Limited, trivial hobbies, or even addictions.
Casey Crescenzo, while he's humble and modest about his talents as a musician/entertainer, etc. He is significant to me, and possibly others. He's an icon. His talents are just too much to not be thankful for them each time we experience his music. And he's an icon. When I have been able to talk to him, yeah he's a normal person like anyone, but I'd be lying if it doesn't mean something a bit more to me.
I think it's almost like a line I or others might say to a beautiful woman. "You don't know how much pleasure you give me. I wish I could allow you to feel as much joy as I do from you."
It's true, I really wish Casey could fathom what it's like for me, and fans that can't truly put into words, their appreciation for his music. I'm sure he has, with others that he's met before. Like if he met Terry Gilliam I suppose, Minnesota's own I might add.
So trivial to others, and I guess cds, tv, etc are trivial things, but it goes back to the idea of, what else do I got? No career, no lovelife, music is all I got, so it thus becomes more than trivial to me.
bumped 10/4/09 3:17AM I heard most of it via a progrock podcast/radio show, and dig it. I need a little bit of time to allow some bills to clear, but sure enough, I will be purchasing it soon.
"Interior Lulu" I think thus far was my favorite part.
original 9/3/09 6:05PM New acoustic versions of older songs, album. I should go to their site and see if more details have been released about it, especially since this video was put up in July.
We are pleased to announce that Less Is More will be distributed throughout Europe (and therefore hopefully available in all good record shops). The release date for the album is October 2nd.
Racket Records and Marillion will also be stocking the new album and ordering details will be available on our site soon. We will not start shipping ordered copies until October 2nd but everyone who orders from us will receive a free download of the album on this date. The album will also be available to buy at most of our concerts dates (with the possible exception of 6th - 18th November dates).
The tracklisting is:
GO INTERIOR LULU OUT OF THIS WORLD WRAPPED UP IN TIME THE SPACE HARD AS LOVE QUARTZ IF MY HEART WERE A BALL IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT THE MEMORY OF WATER THIS IS THE 21ST CENTURY
(plus additional hidden track)
Enjoy!
h, Pete, Ian, Steve and Mark x
interesting tracklist. "It's Not Your Fault" had me stumped. They must have played it live, cuz it ain't a Marillion song on record! I know my Marillion pretty damn well..hehe.
"I got to talk with Jimmy after their show in Charlotte, NC on 8/10. I asked him if he knew when in early 2010 his record would be coming out and he told me it would be out in February."
I had an amazing time in Europe. The crowds, the venues, and the scenery, what a cool experience. Thank you all for coming out. It was great to meet you, and to put faces to our European fans. I hope to be back very soon.
those are the links, although you need a code to get them. "I Heard You Singing" and "Meet Me In the Tower" both sound excellent. But nothing less than that I would expect. His new album should be out by the end of the year.
MMITT was a re-arranged version; more orchestral than the Ours acoustic EP version. No idea if it'll be on the album.
1. Linoleum 2. Mortar Grind 3. If You Wait 4. Gone 5. Bonus Track B 6. Yellow Raven
original: 9/24/09 10:30AM
"Since the new EP Linoleum is scheduled for release on November 16, we thought it might be a cool thing to turn this event into a RELEASE PARTY of sorts! We pray that we’ll have a bunch of new Linoleum EPs still warm from the pressing, for purchasing and signing (ie you purchase, we sign - or the other way around if that would make more sense due to any hitherto unknown reason), and maybe even a brand new video (if the shooting and cutting schedules work out as planned) to top that off…?
In any case, we will make sure to make this night a quite special occasion both for ourselves in the band and for everyone who shows up!"
Interesting. An LP called "Road Salt" and now an EP titled "Linoleum." Has Daniel been thinking about Geology or Chemistry class of late? lol.
a bit disappointing given some of the stuff talked about it being more artsy. It is, but not enough really. It looks like a video a brand new/up-and-coming band would make for promotional use. I don't mind b&w and retro/organic looking videos, but it's maybe a bit too simple for me.
O well, better than nothing I suppose.
The Dear Hunter tonigh as a headliner in Minneapolis. Triplerock..yeah I'd prefer The Varsity among others but I can't complain. Makeup for the lost July show and more.
I read about this book over the weekend in the Chicago Tribune while I was down there visiting family including my brand-new niece. As a pretty big fan of "The Time Traveler's Wife" reading news about this new novel from the same author got me intrigued.
The endurance of love animates this gothic story set in and around Highgate Cemetery, in London. When Elspeth Noblin dies of cancer, she leaves her estate, including an apartment overlooking the graveyard, to the twin daughters of her twin sister, from whom she has been estranged for twenty years. When Valentina and Julia show up to claim their inheritance, they soon discover that Elspeth is still in residence, in ghostly form. Niffenegger’s writing can be wearyingly overblown, but she has a knack for taking the romantic into the realm of creepiness, and she constructs a taut mystery around the secrets to be found in Elspeth’s diaries and the lengths to which she will go to reunite with her younger lover. It’s no small achievement that the revelations are both organic and completely unexpected.
the story sounds appealing enough, and not TTTW Part 2.
It drops on the shelf today I guess, September 29th. I may have to stop in at the library or 1 of the bookstores this evening just to get an idea on price and everything, but as little recreational reading as I do, this may have to be one I make time for in the near future.
Ironic as I am also reading another Bryan K Vaughn novel series "Ex Machina" but that's a bit different I suppose. I also checked out "Snow Crash" again from the library for my trip, but with a portable DVD player and a bunch cheap and free dvds from the library, I never got around to it nor the other Daniel Clowes graphic novel "David Boring." But hopefully I'll find the time in the coming weeks to try and read them along with this new novel "Her Fearful Symmetry."
Also on the leak front, a couple of the large sum of October releases leaked over the past few days.
Transatlantic and Editors. Hopefully comments will come soon.
And "True Blood" I am close to being done with Season 1. It without question is the best Vampire show in awhile, respect to Moonlight. An entry should be coming just on it alone. I'm sucked-in :p and can't get enough of it right now.
also the local 9 baseball club, the Twins, are somehow still in the hunt for the post-season. Playing a double-header today to makeup for a rainout last evening in Detroit. Both teams don't really do a lot for me as for post-season hopes, but with the pressure off (with or without Justin Morneau), it might be nice to have them play in the playoffs without expecting anything.
A mysterious global event causes everyone on the planet to simultaneously lose consciousness for 137 seconds, during which many see what appear to be future memories of his or her life six months later. When it is over, many are dead in accidents involving vehicles, aircraft, and any other device needing human control. Everyone who survived is left wondering if what they saw will actually happen.
Sort of using the "Lost Flashback/Flashforward" as a (loose?) premise. It does have John Cho (Harold and Kumar) and Dominic Monaghan (Lost, Lord of the Rings), and Garbielle Union in the cast, and one of the writers appears to be Brannon Braga whose known for his work in the post-The Original Series: Star Trek. Although in glancing at his credits, he had a lot to do with the worst ST show, the last one, Enterprise. He also was involved with the Brent Spiner failed Scifi show "Threshold." So, while it's nice he has a Scifi background, not all of it is necessarily favorable for his resume to lead me to have hope for this.
Early comments aren't all that wonderful about it. I haven't watched it yet to be fair, but I'm kind of questioning how good this will be, or if it'll even last.
Vampire Diaries They moved Smallville for this? lol..I skimmed through the 1st 2 episodes and while I have a thing for Vampire shows, the idea of trying to watch a Twilight-inspired Vampire-soap opera with a bunch of junior-college-level actors who belong on the Family channel instead of an actual Network (sort-of) is nauseating. This show has got no stars, no characters I like, and not even the most alluring eye-candy that I can tell. The only time I will consider dvr-ing this is out-of-boredom and desparation for some kind lust. This ain't Forever Knight, Buffy, True Blood, Dracula:The Series, or even Moonlight. It's too bad, there was some talk of bringing on a new "Dark Shadows" to either FOX or the CW.
edit: there may still be! The last I saw, one of the people cast was going to be Matt Czuchry whose probably best known for playing Rory's Yale-boyfriend Logan, on Gilmore Girls.
But until then, I don't expect much of my attention here. Perhaps if a cool guest-star happens I'll want to watch (fast-fwd to the good parts), but other than that, all this is, is CW's attempt to cash-in on the Twilight-craze. And pretty much all that is, is another Teen Soap with a vampire-story overlay with pretty much no substance, just like Twilight, lol.
At least I still have a lot of "True Blood" to watch (I'm on Episode 5 of Season 1). I'd even go for seeing the Lifetime Network's "Blood Ties" ahead this, really in a heartbeat.
Community (NBC 7-7:30PM on October 13th, 8:30-9PM originally on September 17th)
Community centers on Jeff (Joel McHale), a suspended lawyer who is back in school after his college degree is deemed invalid by the State Bar. The show centers on Jeff's experiences going to community college and the people he meets there. John Oliver plays Duncan, a professor at the community college, whom Jeff represented as a lawyer. He also meets a girl, Britta, who is his main love interest in the series, as well as Pierce (Chevy Chase), an older student who has been married seven times.
This at least has got Chevy Chase, and with the departure of My Name is Earl, a show I felt did jump-the-shark somewhat all-the-way-back to Season 3, this might be the only sitcom on NBC to get my interest. Sorry, I'm not all that crazy about, the every voter-in-the-awards-shows favorite SNL-derived sitcom "30 Rock,".. and "The Office"?....lol, yeah right.
But 2-weeks-in, I haven't caught it yet. But mean to soon enough. Chase wasn't bad on Chuck and some other guest-appearances recently. But let's be honest, his far past his prime/time. He could more-or-less do no wrong in the 80's, but since, he's more or less done nothing good, especially when he was featured. I liked the Naomi Watts indie "Ellie Parker" but while he was good, he barely was in it.
The rest of the cast are names I don't know save for Ken Jeong who I saw in "The Hangover" but really didn't impress me much at all in.
So, I may give this a few episodes, like the ABC sitcoms and Accidentally On Purpose, just to hope to be surprised. It's not like NBC has anything better, nor the other stuff on from 7-8PM either.
8-9PM
Fringe (FOX premieres September 17th)
Well, they didn't renew The Terminator show, but this and Dollhouse instead. While among the 3, at-the-time, this was my 3rd favorite, I still like this show. Is it a bit of X-Files? Sure, does it remind you of Lost, a little bit in some of the creepy, tense scenes. But I think where it distinguishes itself, at least for me, is the humor that Josh Jackson aka Pacey from-Dawson's Creek, and especially John Noble provide, who plays Walter the brilliant scientist with a guilt-ridden past that has lead to his slightly eccentric personality. Almost like someone with a mild case of Asberger's. So, he definitely got me through some of the dark stories and grotesque, graphical work they describe and sometimes show here.
I can't ignore also the job Anna Torv does as the lead, Olivia Dunham. She's hot and a good actor. I won't deny that having a babe with her appeal as the central character gave me reason to keep going back here. Lance Reddick who plays Broiles also has a certain appeal on-screen. He's a very stern actor, whose delivery, voice, and mannerisms, have an unusual quality that I couldn't help but get sucked-in to. Like he adds importance to what he's saying or doing. He was on Lost, but didn't do that kind of speaking. I think this role really fits him.
While I liked this show last season, I kind of neglected it about midway through the year for other shows. But the episodes were still on my DVR all the way until late July when I finally caught up and finished the 1st season. I certainly was glad, as I was shaking my head afterwards why I ever stopped watching it.
There's a potentially interesting story-arc with Olivia's past including seemingly Walter and his partner William Bell whose played by Leonard Nimoy. We have barely seen much of Nimoy thus far, but I'm betting he'll show up around Sweeps period with some decent screen-time. The Star Trek movie experience with JJ Abrams I think got him interested in acting again. It could be Abrams, but it would be nice to see Nimoy do some more acting again, and this hopefully will be the next of many newer roles for him.
In watching the 1st 2 episodes, the Charlie character won't be around much longer obviously. But my guess is that's also something to be resolved during November Sweeps coming up.
This is definitely the best Network show now on Thursday Nights now (maybe I'll give Bones another go as a friend of mine is after many years of finding it too gross), and one of the better Scifi shows still on the air. Hopefully it'll last, although I wouldn't bank on it given Terminator's cancelation last season.
Burn Notice (USA Network midseason premiere January 2010)
This show rules. Clever writing (narrative and dialogue), excellent action sequences, and usually an interesting plot twist to the story. The Summer 1/2-season, while a little different, still worked. Matt Nix and the writing staff are trying a few different things like Fiona getting kidnapped and some clients or people who know more about Michael than others in the past.
I would agree with some of the comments from the fans in that they really should try and invent 1 or 2 new plots or angles to the direction of the show. Sure, the client-of-the-week is usually still worth doing, but perhaps have Michael find new means for his interets beyond getting his name off the blacklist.
Or perhaps have his Burn Notice lifted, have him go back to the FBI and then invent some new civil-conflicts within that. That might explain more as to why and how he was burned in the first place.
I dunno, I can't complain really as the show is never boring. At times I enjoy it ,that-week, more than Psych actually. Bruce Campbell, Gabrielle Anwar, and some the guest stars included.
It's definitely 1 of the best 10 shows on all of tv for me. And it's received some good recognition of late (although still no Emmy nor Golden Globe nominations of course. Jeffrey Donovan alone is extremely good, he deserves a nomination but may never get one). It was renewed for a 4th season recently too. It's future should be interesting to follow, and I am excited to see what the writing staff cook-up for the Winter-Season. Wouldn't be surprised to see Moon Bloodgood return as the cop on Michael's tail. That plot never really did get resolved last Summer.
Friday Nights, the night of death if you're a tv show. Somehow we've found bizarro world with this being one-of the busiest nights-of-the-week now. Stuff has been moved and somehow some of the networks have decided to bank on the lower viewership here. Maybe it'll cost them less? People often don't watch tv on Friday Nights because they go out. But in the age of the DVR and online stream/downloads, maybe some of them have decided to throw in the towel and save a little $, by gambling on new shows and more reality shows earlier in the week.
What it means for me is, this is a busy dvr/watching evening, which given some of the Cable shows also air on Fridays, I'm not all that crazy about.
7-8PM
Smallville (the CW 7-8PM Premieres September 25)
So this is now the 9th season of this show, lol. It started out the same fall as Enterprise. That's all you need to know. I mean obviously the writers are trying to eventually get Clark to become Superman and have him hook up with Lois Lane. And gradually they keep killing characters off. Although, Chloe, the one character in the Superman Cannon they easily could, they never have. She is a loved character, and Ally Mack has always been a cutie. But it's surprising. Jimmy is gone, but now we learn he wasn't actually THEE Jimmy Olsen that is part of the Superman lexicon, but the older-brother. Mmmmkay.
This really is the only show on The CW worth watching, even if some of the plots, acting, and stories can be a bit fluffy and lacking. However, the actors are attractive, and if you like the Superman universe, you probably still enjoy it. How much is there left to do before Clark actually is "Superman"? you'd think not a heck of a lot. He hasn't started flying yet I suppose (if he ever will, lol). And the plot with Doomsday ain't over yet of course. I gotta believe it's finally this season Lois will have a more central role on the show. And you'd think they will manage to bring Lex back again, at least a guest.
Also now just reading, it appears Brian Austin Green who we last saw on the now canceled Terminator show, will be portraying John Corben/Metallo. He was good in the Terminator show, so I welcome his appearance here.
Also Callum Blue apparently has been cast to portray Major Zod. Callum Blue I really enjoyed as Mason on Dead Like Me. Now part of that was his british accent/british personality traits and humor. As Zod though, who knows. The accent will probably be gone, and the humor? Perhaps they can write his dialogue a bit like Ray Wise in Reaper. Sure he's evil, but he's charming and thus funny at times. Speaking of Wise, a note about him in another Friday show in Dollhouse.
We'll see. Why they moved it to Friday is puzzling, but it must be some kind of budgeting thing.
Brothers (FOX 7:00-7:30 premieres September 25th) is a television sitcom scheduled to premiere on Fox on September 25, 2009. It will air on Friday nights at 8:00 pm as part of the 2009 fall schedule. Michael Strahan can act? I like Daryl Mitchell, but if this turns out to be another one of Fox's black sitcoms, I don't know why I'll watch. But who knows, it might be better than most of the other new sitcoms the networks are trying out.
8-9PM
Dollhouse (FOX premieres September 25th)
Well, this show barely survived I guess (and Terminator did not, given the choice I would have gone for the other way around). Eliza Dushku and Joss Whedon reunited again. The premise was unusual, but the story arc actually got me eventually. Echo is a doll like the other dolls, but she is learning. Who the good and bad guys is a bit ambigious. Maybe The Dollhouse actually is a good thing? I do like Tahmoh Penikett who plays the FBI agent Ballard. He was good on Galactica, and also here. And Harry Lennix as well.
I suppose part of this show's fate could be if the story-arc doesn't fall into what happened with Heroes or even just with Buffy in the latter seasons. Can Joss keep it fresh and will the ultimate direction of the show keep the audience intrigued? The ambiguity might be the biggest reason why. Who really is the bad guy here? Echo will bust the Dollhouse, but how and when. Ballard will be involved with them now. And not just that Dollhouse, but all the others that exist across the globe.
EDIT: Ray Wise who was really good as the Devil for 2 Seasons on Reaper, will be guest starring on Dollhousearticle
it looks like Summer Glau from Terminator/4400/Firefly and another Whedon alum Alexis Denisof also will be guest-starring. Ugly Betty (ABC Premieres October 9th)
This show got moved to Friday too. I would like to care about it, and the show has never been bad, but just a victim of my time/interest compared to more appealing shows. I'm totally out-of-the-loop about it, other than the fact Rebecca Romijn is gone for Eastwick, and Tyler Jensen for Accidentally On Purpose. I can't say if or when I'll try and get back into this show, but I wouldn't rule it out.
8-10PM (Cable)
Caprica (SyFy Premieres January 22, 2010)
is a television series set in the fictional Battlestar Galactica universe. Beginning 58 years before the events seen in Battlestar Galactica, Caprica tells the story of how Colonial humanity first created the robotic Cylons, who would later plot to destroy human civilization in retaliation for their enslavement.
The trailers look intriguing. It has Eric Stoltz and Magda Apanowicz (Andi from Kyle XY) among others in the cast. It's the BSG writers. So, why have I not gotten around to watching the 2-hour pilot? Good question, other than I don't feel like paying for it. There is the option of a download of course, even on and in a dark and low resolution monitor.
I will see it. Hopefully SyFy will air the 2-hour pilot soon enough. And hopefully this show will not be an absolute direct prequel to BSG, but instead more of a complex origin of the new BSG story/universe. How did the Cylon race come to be? Have they been in existence for much longer than we figure. They didn't evolve from toasters did they?, lol.
And while it should have some good original characters, it could be nice to off-and-on reference the BSG characters we knew. Their ancestors, and even younger versions of them. Will any of the BSG cast show up? Somehow I think it's inevitable. Perhaps though, they could get Dirk Benedict finally to appear here, as he failed to do so on the recently finished BSG show; maybe have him play like an uncle or father to Starbuck.
No, I'm looking forward to this certainly, it's just a matter of can it come close to the quality of what Ron Moore set from BSG. I hope so. Especially since Warehouse 13 is done; we get another Stargate show, lol ("Stargate Universe" premieres October 2nd, Lou Diamond Phillips is cast) and Sanctuary (new season I guess premieres October 9th)?
This at least seems like SkeeFee's best potential show they got coming up.
Monk (USA network. 8PM Series Finale December 4th, 2009)
It's final season, and unlike the previous 7, it will air all the episodes in succession (more or less) from August through December. Normally they air an 8-episode Summer, and then 8-episode Winter schedule. I'll admit, I never got into this show until I started watching Psych in 2006. But it's grown on me a lot, and I will miss it. Shaloub gets nominated for a Globe and Emmy every year for this. I probably missed them, but he did win 3 Emmy's and 1 Globe, although those were early-on in the show's history (2002, 2003 mostly) which is the trend. He and the show will be eligible again next September for an Emmy again.
What or how will the show end? It's kind of obvious; he solves his wife Trudy's murder. They have been bringing on the big guest stars this final season. Expect to see Sharona return certainly.
Monk isn't entirely done though as the USA Network have a new "Web Series" called "Little Monk" (kind of like Psych's "Little Shawn and Little Gus" except it's live-action), so that is something to look forward to after the finale on December 4th.
White Collar (USA network Premieres October 23rd 9PM)
White Collar is about the unlikely partnership of a con artist and an FBI agent who have been playing cat and mouse for years. Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer), a charming criminal mastermind, is finally caught by his nemesis, FBI Agent Peter Stokes (Tim DeKay). When Neal escapes from a maximum-security prison to find his lost love, Peter nabs him once again. Rather than returning to jail, Neal suggests an alternate plan: he'll provide his criminal expertise to assist the Feds in catching other elusive criminals. Initially wary, Peter quickly finds that Neal provides insight and intuition that can't be found on the right side of the law.
It premieres on Friday October 23rd after Monk, which makes me think Psych will be done at that point. This doesn't look bad, although like every new USA Network show, they promote the hell out of it. I swear I've seen that trailer 100 times already. Matt Bomer was good on Chuck as Bryce Larkin. It also has Tiffani Thiessen, who generally is worth having on a show for eye-candy among other reasons anyway. Tim DeKay looks familiar, but looking at his credits, other than some guest-appearances, nothing stands out from my viewing memory.
Some of the word is this is basically a ripoff of the DiCraprio 2002 movie "Catch Me If You Can" but I don't exactly follow that. The ending perhaps. But also some mention of a 60's show called "It Takes a Thief" which based on that premise, I can follow a little bit more why. But people said Burn Notice was a ripoff of Dexter, Heroes a ripoff of The 4400 and X-Men. Yes and No.
Jeff Eastin is the creator, and his credits on imdb really give no evidence about how good this may be. But sometimes an unknown can be better anyway. Just imagine not knowing of Bryan Fuller with Dead Like Me, Steve Franks with Psych, or J Michael Straczynski before Babylon 5? (who btw, it appears is doing a Silver Surfer movie and Forbidden Planet remake..interesting) hell, even the guy who created Burn Notice, Matt Nix, didn't have a HUGE resume and the show may have been received all the better for that. we'll see, although it does have heavy-shoes to fill as the cliche goes with Psych leaving and then I imagine when Monk is done, Psych will get paired on Friday with this show depending on how many episodes are ordered.
Edit: 14 episodes, so certainly that will go through January.
Or depending on things, we may see what I'd really like is Psych and Burn Notice on Fridays, and then pair White Collar up with Royal Pains on Thursdays. I guess it may depend on how well this show does.
Psych (USA Network airing through October 16th, 2009. Then returning in January 2010)
The best show on tv. Well, close competition from Lost and The Big Bang Theory I suppose. It still is. And I do a podcast for it even. Why is it so good? It's funny, clever, rarely boring, and the plots are always fun and intriguing. It doesn't take itself too seriously, which is the problem with a lot of shows. The pop-culture references are addictive. Gilmore Girls and Buffy did them, Veronica Mars as well. Now it's Psych, and they are probably doing it as well if not better.
What's the story arc? only that he continues to get away with being a fake, but it doesn't matter that he is; what is important is we want him to remain known as a psychic for as long as possible. Dule Hill inconsistently is more funny than Roday I think. Sure, I'd love for him to get more credit for solving the murders; but it doesn't matter. He's funny, and Shawn's not as good without him.
So enough kissing-of-its-ass. With Monk's departure coming up, some big things could happen for Psych I presume/hope. For one, who are the academy/foreign press going to nominate for a Globe and Emmy with no Tony Shaloub for Monk? Come 2011 for the Emmys and Golden Globes we should know. And what show will the USA Network be pimping? I gotta believe it'll be Psych. It'll be the veteran show on their network, and frankly it deserves a lot more recognition from a media-standpoint in Hollywood, and just on their network itself. They air Monk reruns all-the-time, but Psych? Pretty rarely.
We'll see, but I'm optimistic about it's future prospects. It is the heir to Monk, and hopefully it'll reap the same benefits once the father is gone, handing the throne over to the son.
also a new Steven Wilson interview ^ I saw linked on mp.com I really like the way he describes progressive rock among things. More time, hopefully I'll elaborate on that.
Porcupine Tree's "The Incident" I just noticed debuted at #25 on the Billboard charts. Muse was #1. I'm not sure for how much longer "prog" will be considered underground, lol.
This airs 7:30-8PM on Wednesdays on CBS. This is not a bad sitcom. I say it's "not-a-bad" in that it's not hilarious, but it's also not really boring. I'm not sure entirely why I say that. Jay Mohr and Paula Marshall do work well together as rival ex''s and the writing for the kids isn't annoying. Even their parents are worth watching when they guest star. And like Two-and-a-half-Men, the guest stars, namely the women who Gary dates, gave me more reason to tune-in/dvr this. I actually really liked Vanessa (Jamie King) the girl who played Gary's girlfriend the 1st half of last season, but they sort of faded her character away. Hopefully they'll bring her back again.
Nah,this show was actually a good guilty-pleasure show that I looked forward to each week. Jay Mohr kind of grew on me. If CBS actually were smart, they'd put this on during the missing 1/2-hour on Mondays and they'd pretty much kill for the sitcom audience as they've had 3 viewer-loyal shows for a number of years, but haven't managed to find a 4th to fill the 2-hour timeblock. This would fit-in really well. Perhaps if it's lasts, it'll find it's way there when Two-and-a-Half-Men finally is done. Hopefully sooner than later.
Mercy: (NBC) Doubt I'll watch this. Anothhhhhhhher medical drama. I think this was brought on due to ER's finally getting off the air. Michelle Tractenburg and Kate Mulgrew are noticeable in the cast. Buffy and Star Trek. So where's the Scifi element? About 3 nurses, with a military background. Sounds more like Grey's Anatomy than Fringe. Humor or a cool story would work for me, but I don't really see where that'll be here.
ABC's new sitcoms. The previews and premises don't do much for me, but I wouldn't mind being wrong.
7PM Hank: Kelsey Grammar plays a WallStreet Executive. The creator's credits don't do a lot for me. (premieres September 30th)
7:30 The Middle: Patricia Heaton show, sort of a midwestern Malcolm in the middle. (premieres September 30th)
8-9PM
Modern Family: Christopher Lloyd stars and created this. Julie Bowen, Ed O'Neil and Sofia Vergara among others. Lloyd I enjoy as an actor, but as a writer? dunno. The previews I caught actually before a movie screening and really didn't do much for me. This is a fictional (of course) mock-Reality show of a Family/s in Suburbia? meh, I wouldn't mind being surprised, but I ain't expecting much even with the cast.
The series is about Jules Cobb, a Florida woman who recently had a divorce and now, with a 17-year old son, decides to find some excitement in her dating life. With the only guy near Jules's age dating barely legal females, she decides to prowl the jungle and comes up with a guy named Bobby. With Jules, however; dating life at her age is suicide.
Cougar Town: This may be the 1 sitcom that I have a bit of hope for among these 4 new sitcoms that in all likelihood, will get pulled for some Reality Show re-runs anyway. Courtney Cox, Busy Phillips, Dan Byrd, Josh Hopkins. And it's about Cougars aka older women who eye younger men. If the writing sucks, it won't matter. the Jerry O'Connell show or even the last Amy Sherman Palladino show had a good cast and premise potentially, but awful writing and so thus they became that way.
Given the other 3's potential to suck, I'm hoping this will stick out and actually be watchable. And a good lead-in to Eastwick.
Glee (FOX) I haven't seen it yet. I like Jane Lynch, and my cousin is involved in the wardrobe selection, but I dunno. The previews left something to be desired. I suppose I hope it continues to air given it's for my cousin's work/and a show (that she enjoys working for I guess).
This Beautiful Life: Another case of an actress I like in Mischa Barton, but it pretty much looks like another 1 of the CW's lovey-dovey teen-soap dramas I am nauseated even thinking of watching. This CW = Clueless Wankers. But I'm failing to even care given every good show they ever bring-on (Veronica Mars, Aliens in America, Reaper) they pull for more of this kind of unwatchable rubbish.
9-10PM
Eastwick
Eastwick is a paranormal drama that airs on ABC. It is based on the movie The Witches of Eastwick and the novel of the same name by John Updike.
cool premise. definitely a good cast: Rebecca Romijn (Pepper Dennis, Ugly Betty), Matt Dallas (Kyle XY), Lindsey Price (Pepper Dennis), Sara Rue and Paul Gross among others.
On Wednesdays until Lost returns in January, i figure this will be THEE show to watch. Cast, premise, if that of course almost-predictable roll-of-the-dice of a movie/old show remake can work. Who knows. The Jack Nicholson/Michelle Pfeiffer movie while a cult-film, could certainly be explored more in-depth.
edit: so it appears both NBC (in 1992) and FOX (in 2002) tried to make a show for this and both failed. So, why did those fail, and why could this succeed? And it's ABC this time, lol. Given this was where Life on Mars aired last Season, it probably won't be back next season. But at least it seems ABC's budget for this will be high enough, they won't have the balls to pull it before it airs at least 13 episodes. I mean we did at least get to see the end of Life on Mars (unlike Pushing Daisies of course).
So like Freaks and Geeks, Firefly, this probably will be worth hanging with all season, even if it's doesn't come back. What happens once Lost returns, who knows. It's ABC, they'll float around a new show into 3 timeslots within 2 weeks sometimes.
Lost
I don't see any official dates for a premiere. But chances are it'll air the 3rd week of January. Eastwick will get moved since it'll be 2 hours. And then Eastwick will either get moved, pulled, or go back-to-back with it.
I haven't written much about Lost (nor Psych actually) which is ironic and almost hypocritical. I think Lost is the most passionate, emotionally and mentally draining show, maybe ever. At least in the last 10 years or so. And when the writing is good, it's really like nothing else. I'm glad that this is the last season though, as they've milked-it, and dragged-it-on for awhile here. Given how many episodes they've done, they would be done by now. But hopefully the questions will be answered, and it won't end like Alias did really (no Rambaldi Prophecy explanation). More along the lines of DS9 and especially Babylon 5. It is the Scifi show of the 2000's. I don't question that. Hopefully it'll conclude to the level that it set for itself the 1st 5 seasons.
I should try and babble-on about it more this season, for the very fact it is it's last season among other reasons. Time, discipline, yadayadayada. And the boards hijack my time.
In looking over the schedule this fall for TV, this night appeared to be pretty much totally open. I.e., like Sunday, really nothing that I planned to watch. Gone are the likes of Gilmore Girls or even Buffy, Veronica Mars, and the last 2 seasons, Reaper. And that was just on The CW.
But in now re-glancing at the schedule, there are a couple of shows that I will be planning on watching now.
Giant spaceships appear over all major cities of the world, the alien "Visitors" claiming to come in peace. As some humans begin to doubt the sincerity of the Visitors, Homeland Security agent Erica Evans discovers that the aliens have spent decades infiltrating human governments and businesses and are now in the final stages of their plan to take over the planet. Erica joins the resistance movement, which includes Ryan, a Visitor sleeper agent who wants to save humanity. However, the aliens have won favor among the people of Earth by curing a variety of diseases, and have recruited Earth's youth, including Erica's son, to serve unknowingly as spies.
Ok, this has got the cast: Elizabeth Mitchell (Juliet on Lost) Morena Baccarin (Firefly..she was hot in that and fits the role well) Alan Tudyk (Firefly good on that show and even a guest on Dollhouse last season) Joel Gretsch (The 4400, should be good to see him as a regular on tv again) Laura Vandervoot (Kara/Supergirl on Smallville..miss her on Smallville. Not a bad place to land) Scott Wolf (Party of 5, you know him. Will he be annoying?)
and the premise, if it works like the original 80's version did. I guess the questions I have is can they do with this, what the new Battlestar Galactica did. Take a somewhat classic (modern) Scifi show and adapt to the modern day. And/or can they reinvent/re-imagine it in a new, cool way. They have tried it before and failed (Bionic Woman, Knightrider, The Nightstalker) but also some have worked like BSG or even Smallville in a sense.
I really hope it does, because with Lost in it's final season, BSG gone, Life on Mars and Terminator as well. For big, epic Scifi shows, all we kind of got left is Heroes. Perhaps Caprica and Fringe as well, but this is the main network one. Dollhouse kind of counts as well, but the way this seems and looks, it's in that Lost/BSG vein. I for one have gained a new level of anticipation. I mean c'mon, they even stole Juliet from Lost. I sincerely hope it's worthwhile. Also don't be surprised to see some guest appearances from the original cast ala Marc Singer and Robert Englund.
8-9PM
Better Off Ted (ABC January 2010)
Well according to tviv, this will return to ABC's air at 8:30PM starting sometime in January.
My take on this show is, it at times was funny, but also at times the jokes really didn't work. Portia de Rossi and Andrea Anders weren't bad female stars. And the 2 science geeks were amusing enough. ted, actually may have been the least interesting character.
However, this is with seeing maybe 3 episodes. I have still I think 4 o5 maybe more episodes on my DVR from last Spring, lol. I'm not sure if that says less about the show's quality, or just how low a priority it was to finish watching. Cupid and Castle definitely had me more motivated to watch them. The Unusuals, also fell into this category, and yes, it's still on my DVR. I guess the conclusion is how much I hate ABC for throwing 5 new shows at once at me, when i can barely keep up with 3.
Oh and possibly it's best new show, the Gary Cole/Jeffrey Tambor cast/Rob Thomas-written show "Good Behaviour" uh, = never got a greenlight by the networks. I hate you ABC. I really hayyyyyyyyt you sometimes. Somebody needs to storm into their offices someday and hijack the control room and then air that show, damnit!
Past Life (FOX February 2010)
Based on the novel "The Reincarnationist" by MJ Rose, the series uses the concept of reincarnation to solve present-day mysteries caused by past-life traumas.
This is just a guess, but this might be interesting. Or it might totally suck, like a lot of the shows FOX tries. David Hudgins is the writer and producer, and his credits include Friday Night Lights and Everwood. Blech. But this is Scifi. the cast, while the names aren't really familiar, the faces seem to be kind of.
I dunno, based on history, this very easily may never air, or it'll come on in the Summer. But given how little there is to watch on Tuesdays, this may be something to give a chance to come mid-season when "So you Think You Can Dance" is finally over.
One other thing is, Warehouse 13 of course aired on Tuesday nights this Summer. While I'd be surprised if it's back again until next year (if it all) I guess this along with My Boys are 2 things to sort-of slot-in on Tuesdays. My Boys....edit: it appears My Boys will be back (yay!) but not until the Summer of 2010 (predictably).
A new song will be uploaded to their myspazz in a matter of hours. Here's what they posted earlier this weekend.
Hey guys! thanks for listening to us, its really good to check out peoples opinions about the material.
we're putting a new track up tomorrow from the album
Its titled ''The Resurgent'' its got a bit more groove in there and is a little different to the other tracks on the album but we wanted this to have variety embeded into it. we've re-written huge parts for tracks like night of the long knives so dont be deceived by seeing the name again, if you want to know anything please ask.
pre-orders for the album will be active as of tomorrow aswell. with the release on October 12th.
I saw some of you were looking for the split online etc. the split is only on a clear vinyl (no cd's or digital) but you can get it from the link on our page, if you cant be arsed? which is fair enough...the tracks will also be on the album and we'd really appreciate it if you bought a copy to support us.
thanks for writing though hope you enjoy the album!!!
Paul - TAA
The Echo Verses 1 Dead to Me 2 The Tightrope 3 Desolate 4 The New Face of Revenge 5 Night of the Long Knives 6 The Echo Verse 7 The Resurgent 8 You Cried Wolf 9 The Death of Thieves 10 Solice 11 The Last Rise of the Fallen King
ok, I'm happy to FINALLY see some info. What blows though is exactly what I've been saying for how long? THROW US FANS A MOTHER_FUCKING BONE, mmkay?..is it really so hard? The album drops on October bloody 12th. How many weeks..or for that matter DAYS from now?..where were these details, heck even just news about how close to being done it was..say in May or even July?
It's not them specifically, but the trend and end-of-year procrastinating that pisses me off with so many bands. How many bands we still haven't heard anything about? I probably have a dozen or maybe 2 dozen on my anticipation list. I removed a few, just based on the fact, no news means nothing. But I wish they wouldn't tease us 9months ago and then be completely offline. If you want people to look forward to your music, come online and say something once in awhile. Blech..this rant is too off-topic.
More TV blogs coming soon including maybe a bit of Emmy comments. Podcast maybe as well.
the intro of this new song sounds pretty different than their other stuff. I kind of wonder what this record will be like texturally. Call me a bit more interested now. But I also hope it doesn't have some of those songs that go into cool parts, that ultimately don't leave me quite satisfied, but more teased.
original 7/18/09 2:35AM So this is the new full-length? album from Russian Circles. Kind of soon after last year's sophomore record. It drops on October 20th
Here's a clip (news and clip borrowed from another blog)
Editorial: 2008's "Station" was frankly, a letdown after the debut "Enter" was such a breath of fresh air. "Station" wasn't by all means, awful or anything, but it didn't flow or leave the same enjoyable impression I got from "Enter." The title track, perhaps my favorite part of it, was somewhat of a tease. There's this 1 section that builds gradually, but never really blows up like it could. They seemed to channel more directly, some of their post-rock influences throughout I recall.
I suppose they are in a bit of a similar spot where Pain of Salvation or Porcupine Tree are, just with less history. 1 less-than-par album is worth not worrying about, but if "Geneva" is more of the traditional Post-Rock stuff; meh, I am going to just lower my interest and expectations for these guys. Time will tell, but I've seen many groups go both ways. "Enter" will always be somewhat of a classic debut, regardless. Although given the choice, Long Distance Calling I'd put ahead of these guys now. But maybe after hearing this new album, I won't.
(no embed available). I caved and went with the 3-disc of "The Whirlwind" and the chance to get Mike studio-chart. I hope it comes close to living up to their other records. Go to Amazon or Radiant Records to pre-order.
I'm not a big fan of Radiant Records, but they had my hands tied with the pre-order. Frankly, I'm not a big fan of pre-order in general, having been burned a couple of times of late with multiple copies and the items arriving many days after the retail street dates. But with this, I will be going after a leak anyway, and hopefully my temptation to look in stores will be an afterthought, even if it actually does appear at Cheapo on 10/27.
Oceansize - Home and Minor the new EP trailer and mostly a long clip for the Feed-To-Feed live Boxed Set that comes out soon. A bit too much for my budget for now. And given I have the audio already on mp3. But perhaps someday, especially if they never are able to get over here and do a tour.
1. Legal Teens 2. Getting Where Water Cannot 3. Monodrones 4. Home & Minor 5. Didnealand 6. The Strand
SHADOW GALLERY, widely considered a major and innovative force within the realms of progressive rock and metal, have returned with their sixth studio effort, "Digital Ghosts". Following up 2005's "Room V" as well as the "Prime Cuts" compilation release of material from previous albums in 2007, "Digital Ghosts" will be released on October 26 in Europe and November 3 in North America via InsideOut Music.
After the tragic passing of lead singer Mike Baker in October 2008, SHADOW GALLERY's new CD introduces new vocalist Brian Ashland and not only sees the entire band once again sharing additional vocal duties but also features guest vocal appearances by Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR) and Clay Barton (SUSPYRE) to complement the release. With "Digital Ghosts", SHADOW GALLERY's members Brendt Allman, Carl Cadden-James, Gary Wehrkamp, Ashland and returning drummer Joe Nevolo (who appears on two songs of the record) have focused their powerful energies on creating a seamless blend of progressive, metal, and symphonic rock as a transcendent work of musical art that advances the boundaries of these genres into new directions.
Commented Wehrkamp: "As a band, we are thrilled to have new music to share with everyone. This album is a dedication to our wonderful fans, and also to the memory of our singer and friend Mike Baker.
"We had to deal with a few tragic events during the course of this recording, but pressing on we approached the production the way we always do: Trying to provide our very best. We had a terrific time making this record and hope all the emotion and love we put into it endures, transcends and touches everyone who is ready for it.
"You can expect some shades of a new direction on this record. We had long been trying to incorporate more prog elements and the time was right to stretch out a little bit, while remaining true to the heavy and powerful rock based songs that have been a staple of SHADOW GALLERY since the earliest days."
"Digital Ghosts" track listing:
01. With Honor 02. Venom 03. Pain 04. Gold Dust 05. Strong 06. Digital Ghost 07. Haunted
Thanks for subscribing to the official Fair To Midland email list! We'll try not to spam your inbox with a bunch of crap, but we thought we'd share our newest tour info with you guys. Plus we've got a new teaser video with a taste of what's to come on the new record!
Here's the exclusive tour teaser trailer.. complete with a sneak peak of new FTM music:
Don't miss the Fall '09 Tour! We'll be bringing our friends The House Harkonnen along with us for a night of unforgettable rock!
We'll be playing a ton of stuff from our upcoming new record!
Oct 3: University of Texas at Dallas - Rock The Campus For The Cure: Richardson, Texas Oct 10: Spicoli’s: Waterloo, Iowa
Oct 12: The Rock: Maplewood, Minnesota
Oct 14: Joe’s: Chicago, Illinois Oct 16: The Hayloft: Mt. Clemens, Michigan Oct 17: Machine Shop: Flint, Michigan Oct 18: Miss Q’s: Ft. Wayne, Indiana Oct 21: Midtown Music Hall: Chattanooga, Tennessee Oct 23: Varsity Theatre: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Oct 24: Riverside Warehouse: Shreveport, Louisiana Oct 30: Clicks: Tyler, Texas More dates TBA! For the most up to the minute FTM info, add us on Facebook, Twitter, or MySpace We love you guys! Hope to see you all very soon! -Darroh, Brett, Cliff, Jon, & Matt
The Rock again..*rolls eyes*..I can't complain though, even if it's on a Monday. They bring it live every show pretty much, and it's been a little while given how often they've played here. And the new material should be more than worth going-for again. But this tour should confirm that the next LP will be out in all likelihood, 2010. Of course, some words with Cliff should help confirm that.
Let me guess: Far From Falling and Johnmny Rook will open. I'll say no more.
length-ly interview, but not completely boring. Wish they would have asked him more about the new album.
HardTimes.ca conducted an interview with the Raleigh, North Carolina-based progressive metalcore quintet BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME prior to the band's September 8, 2009 concert in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Watch the 15-minute chat below.
Victory's metal focused web platform, VictoryMetal.com, is premiering the first full-length track from "The Great Misdirect", the forthcoming album from BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME. "Obfuscation" is now available for streaming at this location (free e-mail signup required). The nine-minute-and-fifteen-second song is a testament to the technically otherworldly original and proficient musicianship of BTBAM.
An audio teaser for "The Great Misdirect" is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The CD is scheduled for release on October 27 via Victory Records.
BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME vocalist Tommy Rogers recently told Noisecreep about the group's Jamie King-produced follow-up to 2007's "Colors", "It's definitely a step forward for us, I think. I don't know ... when we write records, we never want to repeat ourselves, and we definitely have done that. So, I was worried when we started writing this record that we were just going to end up with something that sounds like 'Colors', and that's definitely not the case."
According to Rogers, "The Great Misdirect" is "more dynamic than we've ever been." The band, he said, tried "different things" on this record, resulting in a rather equal mix of "mellow stuff and more intense stuff. It's definitely BETWEEN THE BURIED AND ME," Rogers added. "That's the coolest thing about our records. No matter what we do, it still sounds like us."
He continued, "It's a little over an hour of material, and it's definitely a lot of music. The thing with us is — yeah, we do have long songs, but we just try to never have a lot of filler. Some bands will have long songs, but half of the song will be a lot of filler. On 'Swim to the Moon' [the last track on the disc, which clocks in at over 18 minutes], there's no downtime. We try to pack everything with music, because we like to give people their money's worth."
I'd add more about the new album and the 2 songs from the sampler, but I haven't listened to them enough. It's funny how on some boards, people are shitting on them. The boards; I've almost come to the point of expecting that people will jump off a bandwagon just to act like they know everything. Like they're smarter and have better taste than everyone else. It's these people who seemingly never will get out of their parents basements and realize whether you say something sucks or not, it doesn't make you look more informed or intelligent in any way, shape or form. All it does, is make you look like you're wasting yours and others time.
How I Met Your Mother. (CBS 7-7:30PM) premieres 9/21
Still one of the most consistently well-written sitcoms on tv. And after 4-seasons, the media and networks are finally giving it the credit it deserves. Neil Patrick-Harris as Barney is worth watching in this every week. What is up with Season 5? Not sure, but I would imagine they'll bring Alyson Hannigan back more regularly. For some reason she was MIA for a good portion of the 2nd half of last season.
edit: apparently she had her 1st baby last March, so maybe that explains some of it.
Why this was moved to 7PM and Big Bang Theory got bumped out until 8:30PM is strange, other than perhaps the network is trying to help the new Jenna Elfman show and figure it'll be a stronger lead-in. I wouldn't be surprised by mid-season the TBBT/HIMYM 7/7:30 lineup comes back.
Accidentally On Purpose (CBS 7:30-8PM) premieres 9/21
Accidentally on Purpose will follow Billie, a San Francisco movie critic in her 30s, who gets pregnant after an affair with a man named Zack (Jon Foster) who is in his 20s. To make matters more complicated, Billie has decided to keep both her baby and her new beau. And on top of that, she just broke up with her boss, James, who wants to resume their relationship after being humiliated.
Thanks to this unexpected arrival, Billie and Zack have agreed to live together platonically. While Billie receives encouragement and advice from her party girl best friend Olivia and her conventional younger married sister Abby, she also has to deal with Zack's freeloading friend Davis, among others, when they start turning her place into a frat house, leaving Billie to question whether she's living with a boyfriend, a roommate, or if she just has a second child to raise
meh, despite her Scientology, I do or rather have always liked Jenna Elfman. She's pretty similar to Lauren Graham or even Christina Applegate in her sarcastic yet witty sense of humor. Those clips and this premise might work. They got the Scottish chic from Ugly Betty, Ashley Jensen, and Grant Show if I recall from Melrose Place back-in-the-day.
I suppose this show is a bit like Gary Unmarried; doesn't seem amazing, but compared to the other stuff on, it looks Emmy-worthy. And compared to many of the other sitcoms CBS has aired in recent years (Christine show, Rules of Engagement, Worst Week), this may have some legs. I still question it being in the 7:30 time-slot, and predict by mid-season it's either off-the-air or moved to 8:30PM.
Heroes (NBC 7-8PM)
So NBC, the 3rd (last) place network pulls Chuck until mid-season and bumps maybe it's best (only good) show up an hour. Are they desperate? Who knows, but the fact is, the audience for Chuck and Heroes, while might have been similar, it wasn't the exact same demographic. So this might be an experiment that'll work or utterly fail. People are not going to be happy Chuck will be gone. And the Heroes audience might have to forgo what they normally like to do/watch at 7PM for this. or of course those who have DVRs or watch these online won't change.
Bryan Fuller's return last season in the middle after the sad departure of his short-lived ABC Dramedy "Pushing Daisies" and I thought at times really helped some of the writing for Heroes. However, I recall reading something about how he won't be back again? He's talked about wanting to do a new Star Trek show and now reading, something with Comic-Book adaptation director Bryan Singer called "Sellevision." although according to that link, it's not supposed to air until 2012. So he very well may be involved with some of their writing this upcoming season.
But in terms of the story-arc of the show. What's up with Sylar? Will there be more back-story about that earlier generation? I'm not sure what to think. This show teases me, and then pisses me off. They've done way too much with time-lines and other shit that can ruin good stories. I'm also not sure what the ultimate goal is or how the story might end. Do they lose their powers? Are people with powers eventually the norm? Admittedly, watching Hiro and Ando is 1/2 the reason to tune-in to this every week. Maybe they'll bring back Malcolm McDowell again, or maybe better, bring Patrick Stewart on as a guest. They had Worf aka Michael Dorn as the president, why not Jean-Luc Picard/Dr. X? "Yes, Mr. Worf, beam me down to Earth in the year 2009 so I can fix this crappy television show called Heroes"
8-9PM
Two and a Half Men (CBS 8-8:30PM) premieres 9/21
The show is still worth watching, even if it's rehash to a point. Honestly, I think the female guest-stars..and guest-stars in general are the reason I still watch it. Given Melanie Lynskey is a regular guest as Rose, it won't happen, but it would be great if her "Heavenly Creatures" co-star Kate Winslet made an appearance on here sometime. Lynskey btw, also is in that new Matt Damon picture "The Informant" which I may try seeing next Tuesday.
I also wonder if they might try and bring James Spader on to guest-star given Boston Legal is now over, and he appears with Jon Cryer again in "Shorts." Of course the 2 maybe are best known together from 80's John Hughes/Molly Ringwald Brat-Pack movie "Pretty In Pink." And for that matter, why not Ringwald as well. What the hell is she doing now anyway? "The Secret Life of an American Teen" lol..the show that killed Kyle XY, lol. How ironic.
Given how the Monday 8PM hour has lightened a bit, I may not be DVR-ing this show, at least in the fall. Which when it was up against Heroes and Kyle XY, I often had to. Which might be nice given this show's last little segment always got cutoff by my DVR's blocked program. It frequently would run into 8:30, which shouldn't matter really, but got rather annoying over-and-over again.
Hehe. Jim Parsons is gold on this show. And the entire cast and writing really, always work. I wish this show could be on every night of the week. It's that good. It's the best show on tv, period. Psych and Lost, ok. Psych namely, but this makes so much with so little. It may go down historically with Cheers, Beavis and some others..Freaks and Geeks, as one of the funniest, most well-written tv shows of all-time if it holds up. Granted, it's only 2-seasons in, but I'm coming along for the ride for as long as it lasts. if there is a shark, maybe they'll analyze it's motivations before even consider jumping it.
Raj is hilarious. And they should get the East-Indian actor from "Aliens in America" to guest-star as like a younger brother or something. He played David Spade's assistant for a few episodes on the CBS sitcom "Rules of Engagement," it would make some sense.
When will Leonard hook up with Penny? that may be the only shark-jump of a sort for the show. It will happen, but for example, How I Met Your Mother survived when Ted and Robyn hooked up and then ended.
As I wrote above, the 8:30PM time-slot I predict will not last. This belongs at 7PM, we'll see. Do I think some of the audience will jump-ship? Maybe a little, but some of the Heroes audience will come aboard perhaps along with some of the Two-and-a-half-Men viewers. Same writers actually, which is kind of surprising given how much better a show this is. And perhaps with some of the Emmy nods will help it too.
Heck, maybe a crossover at somepoint. Neil Patrick-Harris and his Lasertag/Star Wars love should appear on here. Kind of like the Psych/Monk crossover, it almost NEEDS to happen.
9-10PM
Castle (ABC 9-10PM) premieres 9/21
Like Eli Stone the year before, this show worked for a short-run last Spring on ABC. So did Cupid, but that wasn't as fortunate. Although Nathan Fillion has a history of being on good shows that get canceled early in their time. So, if this is still on the air next Spring, let alone a year from now (or even as a 2011 mid-season replacement) I'd be surprised.
Fillion and Stana Katic were both good here. Enough clever yet subtle humor with the murder mystery of the week. Sure, that's been done before, but the author-angle and those 2's chemistry made this work pretty well. Given the casualties on Monday nights over the last few years, this by default, I regard as a valued show. Whether it sustains it's quality or gets better, who knows. Fillion is pretty much worth watching no matter I find. Firefly, MissMatch, Dr. Horrible, etc. This is no exception.
Monday Night, over the last 2 or 3 years, has been one clogged-up, overly jammed night of tv. And while it may still be as busy as any evening during the week, it's not quite as filled as it was the past couple of seasons.
Mid-season: We do get the return of Chuck thankfully, and some new NBC show called "Day One" which I may checkout. But overall mid-season and this Fall, there's much less thankfully.
One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, House, the Law & Order and CSI's that the networks trout-out, I couldn't care less about. "Lie to Me" I wasn't impressed by, even though I like Tim Roth as an actor. They brought that back, and didn't bring back the Terminator show of course, lol. The Cable shows and mid-season replacements might add more to this evening, but "Trust Me" "Kyle XY" are done; and of course a show like "My Boys" future is a bit too vague, or even when it'll air. SyFy's "Caprica" appears to be a Friday time-slot starting January 22nd, which makes sense.
Tyler Labine, who was hilarious at times on "Reaper" is the biggest reason to watch this. I swear, the guy needs to work with Jack Black in the worst way. But it's not going to air until March or April unfortunately.
other than this show, pretty much everything on Sundays on Network TV sucks.
Come March:
Breaking Bad returns on AMC. It's 3rd Season. tv.com imdb
and presumably in April again, In Plain Sight could return. Although that's assuming it's going to have the same schedule it did this past season, and not a 8-episode Summer/8-episode Winter schedule like Monk, Psych, and Burn Notice.
Also the Ian McKellen/Jim Caviezel remake of the popular 60's BBC series "The Prisoner" comes to AMC sometime in November. Considering it's a mini-series, it'll probably end up airing like every night over 1-week.
Meth Teeth – Everything Went Wrong
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Genre: Indie Rock, Post-Punk, Noise, Lo-fi Year: 2009 Location: Portland, OR
Label: Woodsist Records MySpace 01. Never Been To Church 02. World Is Going
To...
Sleeping in the Aviary @ The Bedlam Theatre
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Sleeping in the Aviary
The Bedlam Theatre
Minneapolis, MN
Saturday November 7th 2009
Everybody's Different - Live @ The Bedlam
I'm Old - Live @ The Bedlam
W...
Episode 7 and 8 and Fall Finale aka Longmore Man
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my apologies for the lack of edits and especially the heavy-breathing 9I had
no idea I was doing that. As someone who LOATHES hearing stuff like that on
ot...
Jim Jarmusch
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Could a film about a hit-man be described as slower than watching paint dry?
If Jarmusch has anything to do with it one would expect nothing less. The
firs...
THE NATIONAL LIGHTS the dead will walk, dear
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this album has really gotten into my brain over the last week or so. at
first listen, it may just sound like another pretty (indie?) folk album. but
the ...
The Best Albums of 2008
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Here is my take on the best albums released this year. It felt like the real
gems were a little bit harder to find in 2008. It seems like there’s someone
s...
Here and gone...
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My day started out somewhat depressing with the news of the death of Robert
Jordan, one of my favorite authors of all time. He was the author of the
massiv...
the 2nd Daniel Clowes book/graphic novel I've read. Mind you, I could finish that or probably "David Boring" in a day or 2, but since I only have about 20-30mins to read at work each day, I have been forced to pace myself.
