Just caught (most-of) this on Sundance Channel this evening. Pretty powerful overall. The girl who plays Angie, Kierston Wareing was rather good, realistic portrayal of a struggling mother who gets in a bit too deep with illegal immigration and employing workers outside of the law.
In tone and subject matter, it's a bit of a cross between The Visitor and perhaps a film like Once Were Warriors. There's a lot of moral questions raised, and it certainly has a dark tone that sucks you in. She really has the best and realistic intentions in what she gets involved-in, but she also doesn't realize how it changes and corrupts her. The ending kind of gives the ole poetic justice to a point with what happens to her 11 year-old son. Although it doesn't entirely conclude with much of a happy ending, or a large resolution. I suppose you can believe she learns from her mistakes and experiences, but there's not much in the last scene to entirely know.
that review is what I posted over on rateyourmusic. Something I'll try and do more often, even if they are just short comments or whatever.
1. In This Light And On This Evening
2. Bricks And Mortar
3. Papillon
4. You Don't Know Love
5. The Big Exit
6. The Boxer
7. Like Treasure
8. Eat Raw Meat = Blood Drool
9. Walk The Fleet Road
This album is being released on October 12th. I suppose I'm asking myself the question, why I'm even writing about it. Editors are a band I briefly got into back in 2007, but then after seeing them live, I kind of concluded they were rather samey, especially the guitar parts.
But, I suppose I like to follow-up and hope for something different every so often with what I'd call "fringe" artists. I tried with the group now known as Stomacher, and failed. Whereas with say As Tall As Lions, it was a mild success.
Editos 1st single off the record Papillon leaked recently. Here's a live video:
Not amazing, but they still sound much better than the band they get compared to, in Interpol.
Brett Fartknocker will be quabbing MY TEAM, lol. Reminds me a little of when Jim McMahon came here. If for no other reason, this is going to make this Vikings season a LOT more interesting. The media circus will be hilarious every Monday on K-Farve.com.
If only Chad Hartman were still there, damnit. But Carl Gerberschmitt will provide enough worthwhile humor to get me by.
The "That Golden Rule" EP leaked. It's an Itunes release i guess.
Tracklist
1. That Golden Rule
2. Prey Hey
3. Eye Lids
5. Time Jazz
the full-length "Only Revolutions" details are still unknown other than it'll be released sometime soon. September was the original reported projection, however play.com (in the UK) has it listed as being October 26th. This Ep will have to tide us Biffy-fans over until more details and the anticipated leak happens.
nothing amazing about the video, but the song is sweet, save for the problem I have with a lot of compressed recordings = the tambourine-toned clipping of the splash and crash cymbals. Mostly at the beginning. Maybe on a 1st generation recording they won't sound as bad.
8:11pm: Another note about these guys. apparently, their new album is to be called "Only Revolutions" instead of "Boom, Blast and Ruin" as reported a few months ago.
1 Low Rising
2 Feeling the Pull
3 In These Arms
4 The Rain
5 Fantasy Man
6 Paper Cup
7 High Horses
8 The Verb
9 I Have Loved You Wrong
10 Love That Conquers
11 Two Tongues
12 Back Broke
September 29th, 2009 is the release date on rym. I'm not 100% that still is the street date, but it is as far as what I have seen thus far.
A note I noticed the other day, but haven't gotten around to posting yet. Texas psychedelic-Fleetwood_Mac-inspired indie band Midlake have posted very sparingly info about their upcoming 3rd LP "The Courage of Others"
Midlake is happy to announce that ‘The Courage of Others’ is rapidly approaching the finish line of completion. The finishing touches are being put upon the long anticipated album and mixing has already commenced. It has been quite a journey, with its fair shares of ups and downs, but the band can’t wait to share the fruits of labor with everyone. No official release date has been announced, but stay tuned for one in the coming weeks. Sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone for their patience and support…
okay, the "July" projected finish time is past, but at least it sounds like it's getting done.
Keep in mind, this record was talked about in late 2007 if I recall, and even moreso last year. But if you go to their website, the last bit of news is a photo taken in the studio from December 2008, lol.
To say they have a lack of an internet-presence, atleast of late, would be accurate. No matter, I just want to the damn album. If it comes out, I couldn't care less. "The Trials of Van Occupanther" is decent, but not amazing album. But there's enough on it for me to hold hope for this group. So certainly, when I get to hear their new record, I will jump at the chance. I just hope these brief stories on other zines are as accurate as they say, and we hear about a release date, artwork, tracklist, etc say, before the end of September. If not, hopefully early in 2010.
I wanna hear this asap. Suppose the key part is it'll be coming out in October. So the hunt begins of course soon (once artwork and a tracklist comes up).
Monday, August 17, 2009
HOME AND MINOR EP
Current mood: bummed
The world and it's dog did their 'MTV Unplugged'. David St. Hubbins had his collection of acoustic numbers with the London Philharmonic. Bernie Winters had Schnorbitz. And, at long last, here is the Oceansize equivalent, the 'Home And Minor' EP.
Fear not, Oceansize haven't gone acoustic. There are no 'More Than Words' moments to be found here. Indeed, there's not even actually any acoustic guitar anywhere on it. Moreover, this is a short (*1) collection of our more 'settled' numbers. More reserved, with not a distortion pedal in sight (*2), this lovely EP is a realisation of a plan that's been kicking around our collective brains since before we were signed in 2002. Where in the past we've crowbarred-in every single dynamic, idea and style we could think of into a record, we thought it best this time to present a more thematic and cohesive collection, so's not to disrupt the more fainted-hearted listener from their blub-induced slumber.
Still, it covers plenty of ground, and features a fair few Oceansize firsts such as trumpets, pedal-steel guitar as well as a bit of pumping techno (*3) and some additional vocals from Kate Ray. It is also the first Oceansize record to be made in our own as-yet-unnamed studio in Manchester.
Does this mean Oceansize have finally grown old, knackered, and are necking pints of Horlicks and taking on unhealthy interest in the dog? No, not a bit of it. We are currently holed up in our little bubble, writing fucking reams and reams of material for our next album, some of which is our loudest and most fruity yet. But that's all in the future....
Oceansize is still -
Mark Heron - Drums
Steven Hodson - Bass/Guitar/Keys
Gambler - Guitar/Keys
Steve Durose - Guitar/Vocals
Mike Vennart - Vocals/Guitar
*1 - Well, short by our standards. Quite long by The Strokes' or Slayer's.
*2 - except for a couple of bits you probably wont notice until you've heard it ten times.
*3 - Pumping QUIETLY, of course.
EDIT - The Home And Minor EP will be available in October and will accompanied by a UK/European tour. Watch this space.
x
Unrelated:
found a used promo of the As Tall As Lions cd "You Can't Take it With You" last night at the St.Paul Cheapo in the recent arrivals bin. More to add on that with how I found it, and the record itself. But I think it's safe to say it'll be finding it's way into my top 30 or higher in the 2009 aoty index soon. I suppose the main question I will have is whether I'll want to go ahead and purchase the version with the DVD at some point too. If it's good enough, I may, although perhaps 1 of those will show up at Cheapo soon too. Also cool they are opening for Mute Math at 1st Crapenue in October. That certainly adds to my anticipation for that concert, despite it being there. I'll be getting there early and finding a SEAT upstairs as I have learned to do.
-Bela Fleck and the Flecktones are coming to The Guthrie in December (14th I think?). Victor Wooten will be there of course, although given the potential price, I'm not certain I will make it. Not to mention it's on a Monday night. If it were Victor's band however, I'd be more certain about going as his band is a can't miss. Bela? ..circumstances will dictate it as I like his band, but not to the point of a can't-miss. Although I think I noticed Edgar Meyer as the opener which may help.
Andre Matos' new album "Mentalize": the tracklist
Here's the tracklist of "Mentalize", Andre Matos now album to be released in Japan on August, 26th 2009 (the release date for Europe is expected to be close to that one):
01. Leading On
02. I Will Return
03. When The Sun Cried Out
04. Mentalize
05. Back To You
06. Mirror Of Me
07. Someone Else
08. Violence
09. Myriad
10. Powerscream
11. Don't Despair*
12. 手をとりあって Teo Torriatte* [="Let us cling together"]
13. A Lapse In Time*
14. Forever Is Too Long*
* Bonus tracks for the Japanese version
comments: it's a small consolation given the loss of not seeing him and his band live. The covers intrigue me, namely the Queen. His Journey cover of "Separate Ways" I actually really liked. I'm also happy that it's coming out so soon, nearly 1-month from now. However, given it's a Japanese edition, when this thing leaks could be long after 8/26 unfortunately. Imports don't make their way into promos much. But perhaps this will be an exception.
1. Circles
2. Sixes & Sevens
3. You Can't Take It With You
4. Go Easy
5. Duermete
6. In Case of Rapture
7. We's Been Waitin'
8. Is This Tomorrow?
9. Sleepyhead
10. The Narrows
11. Lost My Mind
12. Home Is Where You’re Happy *
13. That’s What You Get *
14. Sleepyhead (demo) *
if this thing is as good as I hope, I shall be ordering that version. I haven't heard it yet as myspazz doesn't stream at my work. Hopefully a webrip or a proper leak will come soon enough.
edit: it officially surfaced on what tonight. Tomorrow Friday the 14th I'll get my 1st taste.
Not certain on my agenda tomorrow, Thursday August 13th, but with a company picnic planned in what's supposed to be another sweltering heat-filled day, it may not go on as long as planned. Thus my afternoon may allow for some matinees.
-In the Loop and Shrink are 2 pictures that are showing at Landmark theaters in Minneapolis right now. However, they aren't at the same theater unfortunately. But the distance is not that bad between Uptown theater in Minneapolis and the Edina theater.
So, if the stars align tomorrow, I may find a way to catch both of these at matinee prices. Ironically, I may have a pass for District 9, which does not appeal to me much at all, lol. But depending on what happens, I may end up seeing it anyway.
And with my luck, both of them will be at Lagoon within a week or 2.
-The Swell Season (Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova) and their new album "Strict Joy" drops next month. Here is the cover art
They also posted a blog earlier about a live acoustic performance they did with NPR last week. You can stream their 7-song performance over there.
-Australian band Dead Letter Circus just posted another new song "Space on the Wall" I believe is the track, on their myspace; and it's the title/support of their upcoming tour. I'm not sure what I think of it or everything they've done since their debut ep. I want them to be a class or 2 above that group of alt-prog bands down under (The Butterfly Effect, Cog, Sleep Parade) and more in line with Karnivool. But I'm on the fence currently. A lot of that style ends up sounding a fair amount like Chevelle and just alternative hard rock, even if it has an odd time signature or something. And some of that has to do with their singer. The debut EP from 2007 I thought he sounded pretty good. But the single from last year "Next In Line" and the others since haven't grabbed me like their ep. Time should tell pretty soon. I do like the artwork for the single at least, for how much that is worth.
-Another more well-known rock band from down under, Wolfmother and their upcoming album, Cosmic Egg's info.
COSMIC EGG IS COMING THIS OCTOBER!
Brothers and sisters the time has come for the long-awaited return of Wolfmother. This October will mark the release of Wolfmother’s second opus, Cosmic Egg. You can get your first taste of the record with the new single, “New Moon Rising” which will be making its world-wide debut at radio and online on August 14th.
Starting this Friday, visit Wolfmother.com for details on pre-ordering the album in your part of the world. Cosmic Egg will be available in a number of formats including CD Album / 2LP Vinyl / CD Album + Vinyl combo / Limited Edition Box Set and more.
COSMIC EGG
1. California Queen
2. New Moon Rising
3. White Feather
4. Sundial
5. In The Morning
6. 10,000 Feet
7. Cosmic Egg
8. Far Away
9. Pilgrim
10. In The Castle
11. Phoenix
12. Violence Of The Sun
Cosmic Egg available in Japan on October 8th
Cosmic Egg available in Australia, Germany, and New Zealand on October 9th
Cosmic Egg available in Europe on October 12th Cosmic Egg available in USA on October 13th
Though I tried relentlessly to finish this thing proper and with full intention to release it to you this fall, that simply won't be happening.
I refuse to put something out just for the sake of it. It has to be just right. I believe I'm one of the few artists out there (at least penetrating the mainstream, in one country anyway) who still has the need to bleed for a record. To take every note, stroke, and nuance so very serious. To the point where its just worn me down.
There will be no perfect album. That in itself is not perfection. No. But there will be a record that fills the requirements of this next direction and step into the expanding world that is NWL. My records are epic. Layered. And with much attention to detail. I refuse to let that stop just to hurry something out.
It's difficult, after all these months, and the past two years, to say that this record won't surface until 2010, but that's what has happened. And though I wish this wasn't the case, I've come to accept it now and feel it will do the record more justice. And really, if you believe in fate, or at least the idea that when your in a situation, your in a situation no matter how you dress it up - you'll understand that there's no point in explaining it further or making excuses. This is actually for the better.
All the long days of work and blurry clouds of creativity that stormed over me for the past year have been waiting to clear. That hasn't quite happened. However, they have broken and allowed a light to shine through. And though the skies are still grey, hope is on the horizon.
I will continue to work on this record into the fall. Until its finished. It is my hope to release a single early in the new year, followed but the full album. This will give the NWL team time to properly map things out, and it will allow this year to run out and bring us into a fresh start.
In the meantime though, I will post at least 2 new songs in the upcoming months to keep you close by. And also to give you a sense of the new direction.
So, bittersweet I'd say. But also kind of exciting.
*deep breath*
Onward....
xo
~d.v
"d.v." is Daniel Victor the mastermind behind Neverending White Lights. He's been blogging rather frequently as you can see there about many things, but much about the 3rd Act of course. Frustrations, etc.
I'm not too unhappy as I'd rather him make the record the best way possible, rather than rush it. In many cases (dredg for example) it turns out for the better.
So, another one down for '09, and to add to the growing 2010 list. At least NWL actually keep/kept us updated unlike way too many other artists whose online presence isn't what us fans would prefer I suppose.
At least we have both Acts 1 and 2 to listen to still. It would be nice to read that Jimmy Gnecco is involved again, but maybe we will eventually.
Well, there's not unfortunately at this time a ton of info to pass along, but I did check out myspazz just a bit ago and 2 noteworthy bits to consider.
1) Their current status says "currently mixing album 2..." and the last login was Friday August 7th.
2) an "Album 2 Intro Demo" is up. Chances are it was uploaded a few months ago given it has 11,000+ plays. But it's the 1st I've heard/known of it.
So, perhaps some details will be announced within the next month or so given that is the case. Their self-titled debut album from 2007 was pretty impressive. And while that intro demo sounded a little different; more acoustic, it does have me a little more up for hearing their next work now. I hope it's soon, obviously, but 1 reason is they have kind of been unmentioned over the last year or so, after a big splash in 2007. I don't know if many of the fans of their debut record even have any idea they likely have a new record coming out relatively soon.
But then again, the band Fields are in the same boat, and their 2nd LP was expected out in March, lol. But that was a bit like the Insideout situation where their record label went broke. I'm guessing Stateless are not running into that dilemma with that status mentioned on their myspace.
bumped 8/10/09 12:05PM
The 2nd Video documentary. Nice humor I guess, the all-too-brief bits of his bass and the clip at the end may only raise more questions, but that hardly lowers my excitement.
original 7/6/09 @ 9:10PM
Yeah, so here's 1. Most of the boards have already seen it, but anyone using search.blogger.com maybe has not.
hello everyone... writing to update everyone on whats going on with us at the moment. we have FINISHED! tracking our new record and we are spending this week mixing/mastering and all that fun stuff. its hard to believe we've been recording for 5 weeks already. everything went really smooth and we are very confident in the fact that this is some of the best material we've ever created. can't wait for all of you to hear it! we have LOTS of footage from the studio that will hopefully be part of a special edition dvd that will come with the new record... we will also be posting some studio videos in the next few months. our touring plans are starting to come together and we'll be putting up dates tomorrow, so be sure and keep checking back for that info. below is the album's title and tracklist. more updates as they happen! hope everyone had a good weekend.
-tommy w/ BTBAM
"The Great Misdirect"
1. Mirrors
2. Obfuscation
3. Disease, Injury, Madness
4. Fossil Genera - A Feed from Cloud Mountain
5. Desert of Song
6. Swim to the Moon
OUT OCTOBER 27TH
What I can add is among the albums that we know will be released in 2009, this is among a short-list that I personally consider potential Albums-of-the-Year candidates. Mind you, that I/we know will come out in 2009
And 2007's "Colors" is a classic. A genre defining record, and bridge-album for myself and many other fans into various areas of death-metal. So to expect big things would be, well, expected. At the same time, I do not expect them to top Colors. But something close-to, especially given they are in a highly creative period as songwriters, that something that isn't addictive, will end up being a disappointment.
It also adds to the list post-September releases: 3, Orphaned Land and potentially Oceansize, Transatlantic, Local Natives, Thurisaz, and The Flying Tourbillon Orchestra
It begins.
As of today, Epic has given the green light to begin tracking the third margot album. Sessions will begin in a week or two. First up will be the recording of three songs, "earth to aliens: what do you want?", "Let's paint our teeth green", and "nobody knows the names of all those birds". There are some major changes afoot in the nuclear camp, but a record is beginning, and that's something to smile about. Wish us luck. We will update, in typical margot fashion, as things progress.
Lovvves,
Margot and the nukes.
8/7/09 they just got the greenlight from the record label to start recording. Odds are still against it, but if their next lp doesn't make it out by the end of this year, it'll likely be early in 2010.
It's not a matter of material as they have a ton of new songs written (partially due to the fact Animal! took almost an extra year to come out, but partially due to how prolific of songwriters they are).
I truly believe they are a band who have their best work still ahead of them. I.e. a classic album is certainly a possibility for them. They have too many talented cooks in that band for it not to be. And in truth, Animal! might have been close had they used the best songs from Not Animal (or vice~versa).
-My aoty tracking list (aka "index," perhaps a new term to use in the future) is nearing 100, lol with some recent additions of Ramona Falls and Mute Math. Time allowing, it'll hopefully have some more extensive prattle soon. Although 1 factor may hurt that fortunately/unfortunately, hehe.
-Psych premiered tonight, Burn Notice ended last night. Monk as well. More soon on them hopefully too along with In Plain Sight, Warehouse 13 and Royal Pains. True Blood? if only I find a way to see it soon.
-I hopefully will catch new/recent indie movies both Whatever Works and Shrink this coming week.
and the events besides the big Psych premiere this weekend.
@Station 4
-"Exit Stage Right" and "Animus" the Rush and Dream Theater tribute concert is tomorrow night August 8th
-dredg for the 3rd time since November along with co-headliners RX Bandits and opener As Tall As Lions are Sunday August 9th.
the heat index may be much higher to my liking unfortunately, but I plan on bringing a towel among other things.
this review makes me want to hear this album even more. Granted, it and some of the comments read like a fanboy's. But as someone whose interest in Menomena has only increased more and more over the last couple of years, this is definitely something I can't help but be really excited to hear.
It's kind of pointless to elaborate more about it since I haven't heard it, but of course the moment I'm able to (a leak, or when I'm able to purchase a copy in a few weeks), I certainly look/hope to add a great deal of content about it.
edit: 8/6/09 7:20PM
Sucker leaked!
Some things on the playlist today:
Dream Theater - Uncovered (2003-2008) ..nice selection live cover songs and good to hear them mastered. However, it would have been even greater had they (Mike) included both Rush's "The Necromancer" and Pink Floyd's "Sheep." Hopefully in another future edition.
edit: apparently "Sheep" was on the "Official Bootleg: Covers Series: Dark Side of the Moon." Silly me for not realizing that fact, lol.
Porcupine Tree - Recordings I liked a fair amount of this. "Buying New Soul" and the extended version of "Even Less" I suppose. But for those who rave about this thing, I guess I don't follow how it's even close to as good as Lightbulb Sun. Still, given it was from that and the Stupid Dream period, and LS being my favorite PT album, it was certainly worth hearing now and some times in the future.
King Crimson - Discipline Better than "Three of a Perfect Pair" certainly, but like that record, it only has 1 catchy, highly melodic piece in "Frame by Frame." Some others like the almost ethnic rhythm in "Thela Hun Ginjeet" and some of the proggy Frippertroniks (sp?) add something to the mix, but overall, this does seem like another record that a lot of people grossly over-rate. I'm not surprised of course. But having never heard "Beat" the follow-up, I imagine this will seem like a classic by comparison. So I suppose I'll keep that in mind if and when I find the reason to do so.
