Monthly Archives: September 2010

Art, Band Spotlight, Black Lips, Entertainment, humor, Music, pictures, Punk

Band Spotlight: The Beets

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No no not those Beets!

Artist: The Beets
Label: Captured Tracks, Mountain of Slime
Years Active: 2007-Present
Where Does This Shit Originate?: Jackson Heights, New York
Members June- Vocals/Guitar and Josie-Vocals/Bass
Main Influences: According to their MySpace, “Chicos Electricos, The Beach Boys, Eduardo Mateo, Spit and Puke, Ramones, Tom & Jerry, Jackson Heights, Emi Delico, The International Adult Conspiracy, and Chicos Electricos.”
Sounds Like: Also according to their MySpace, “a trio of drunk, possibly retarded twelve year olds. Seriously, my left tit probably outweighed the whole fucking band.” – Tuddd’s Muddd, (http://tudsmudh.typepad.com/)” I myself and Glen hear a lot of Beat Happening in their soud, attitude and overall aesthetic. Also, a little bit of wildmen, garage drenched drunkeness a la Black Lips.
Top Songs: “Broken English,” “Flower Girl,” “Happy, But On My Way,” “I’m So Bored,” and others
Top Album: Spit In the Face of People Who Don’t Want to Be Cool
If You Like…: If you like the Black Lips, Maine Coons, Beat Happening, Shaggs, Ramones, Tim and Eric (haha), then the Beets may just tickle your fancy like they have tickled mine.

Check Them Out!
http://www.myspace.com/thebeetsbeat and http://www.daytrotter.com/dt/the-beets-concert/20031324-37382373.html

CD Review, Entertainment, Local Music, Music

CD Review: Black Hole [2010]

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Band: Young Adults
Release: 11/2010
Label: AMDISCS

1. “Reverie 1” – N/A
2. “Let Us Out” – A-
3. “Wasting Time” – B+
4. “Black Surf” – B
5. “Rip It Up” – A
6. “Impression” – A
7. “Over the Edge” – B+
8. “Life Under Review” – B
9. “Annulation” – B+
10. “Bummer Summer” – A-
11. “Drifing” – A
12. “Reverie 2” – C-
13. “Campfires” – B+

Comments: Funny how a band from the East Coast can have a set of influences quite similar to a higher profile band from the other coast and end up having the same album production esthetic and “punk” sound. On that note, these dudes also have an opening instrumental eerily comparable to the other band’s instrumental tracks. Young Adults are more rough around the edges, but quite clearly have direction and polish. Comparison notwithstanding, Young Adults Demo, reviewed on here back in May, was cheaply recorded and that very fact could’ve dulled some hooks and the demo’s overall catchiness…what I’m trying to say is I think that the band re-recorded some of those tracks and obtained a fuller sound for this full-length. This is true (to me, anyway) on “Rip It Up” and the ever-so-Fugazi-in-a-great-way “Impression.” I think he’s singing “leave an impression” on that one.  A highlight of the band’s instrumental get up is that sort of rolling high-pitched notes only post-punk lead guitar line that’s been utilized by a bunch of bands, most recognizably UK dark-rock group Editors. Unlike Editors, Young Adults turn up the punk levels to max, but always seem to have semblances of pop, which is nice for a band that has a sizable Boston following, but hasn’t yet jumped in the cross-country van to play to an ever-so eager underground. “Drifing” is one of the best tunes on here! Not like “yo, I’m gonna keep listening to this song over and over,” but it’s simply an immediate winner. By the way, the band I’m speaking of in the first sentence is No Age and these dudes should open for them when they hit the Middle East Downstairs.

Grade: B+ (87)

Listen To “Drifing” —

Upcoming Dates:
9/28 – Middle East Downstairs – Opening For Best Coast
11/6 – Great Scott – CD Release Show

Art, Entertainment, Film, Film Review, Films, humor, Music, pictures, reviews, Video

Classic Film Review: Welcome to the Dollhouse

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Full Title: Welcome to the Dollhouse
Director: Todd Solondz
Year: 1996
Comments:
Being a huge fan of Todd Solondz’s later film Happiness (1998) I had high expectations for this flick and fortunately they were more than satisfied. WTD follows the life of a bespectacled, nerdy, awkward, and lonely Junior Highschooler named Dawn Wiener (Heather Matarazzo), who is the victim of excessive abuse from her peers, parents (verbal, neglect), and teachers. As usual, Solondz presents this over the top mess with dark, acerbic humor and quirky, colorful characters. Yes, for some the humor might be totally lost as I warn you now, this is not for the weak at heart. It is quite disturbing and may be extremely heart wrenching for those who actually suffered from bullying, sexual harassment, abduction, amongst other torturous activity. With that being said, this film is not a drama in the traditional sense; Solondz himself labels his movies as “sad comedies.” Haha, I couldn’t agree more! For me though, I didn’t find this as funny as say Happiness, which leaves me in stitches despite or because of the lurid subject matter of that film. Perhaps, it is because this is my first viewing, after all it took me at least three times around to really get past the fucked up nature of Solondz’s movies to truly appreciate the comedy of Happiness. So, who knows maybe after a couple more screenings (which I guarantee will happen) I’ll crack up at WTD. All in all, this is a great film that is rich, unique, and always keeps you curious what will happen next. I don’t like this as much as Happiness because it focuses more on one character than several characters, but that isn’t much of a flaw. Overall, this is a “no bullshit” film, so to speak; it sticks with it’s harsh, black comedy style and never lets up like most other movies with the same subject matter would. These characters are far more realistic and are not simply cliched two dimensional specimens. The main character Dawn, the victim, exploits people, makes fun of others and is incredibly self-centered. Yet, we sympathize with her because, well, everyone fucking hates her and torments the poor girl to no end. Solondz never dresses up this horrible situation, but rather provides merciless satire and a really fascinating storyline. KLYAM RECOMMENDED? You know it.

Grade: A/A-, highly recommend!

This musical number from the film and Dawn’s reaction to the performance (great acting by Heather lol) clearly demonstrates the off kilter, quirky nature of the movie.

Entertainment, humor, Random, rant

Lowell

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KLYAMin’ at college now, I overheard a dude repeat a text message out-loud in the cafeteria:

Are you still a virgin? Still? What kind of question is that. Lowell.

Lowell, you ask? Yeah, dude seriously said Lowell instead of L-O-L or law-l, which is hardly acceptable, but better. I’m in for a long semester if I keep noticing things like this.